I appreciate the title is misleading, as the contents of this page are from the deacon in lieu of us currently not having a pastor.
As a Christian what are you like when you come to church? Excited about meeting with God? Asking the Holy Spirit to help us give our God the glory due to His great Name? Wondering what message God has placed on the preacher’s heart to share with us? Pleased to be fellowshipping with God’s people as we worship Him as Lord and Saviour? Or none of these and going to church has just become a tick in the box exercise? Don’t let the devil rob you of the joy that going to church should fill us with. After all, if we can’t experience joy overflowing and having life in abundance in church with our brothers and sisters, where can we?
Easter – what eggcites you the most? Yummy chocolate (and you have to admit egg shell is delicious), or Jesus dying on the cross and being raised from the dead for your salvation? The Bible reminds us that the things we see are only temporary, but the things we cannot see but believe in by faith are eternal. Like Jesus preparing a home in heaven for us so that we can live there forever with Him. I’ll certainly be enjoying some chocolate this Easter, but it will be knowing that my Saviour died on the cross and rose again for the forgiveness of my sins that will get me all excited and joyful. What about you?
Ever feel worthless? Then remember when the devil tells you that you are nothing and of no worth, that God places such a high value on you that He was willing to purchase you for Himself by the sacrifice of His own Son. If in doubt read 1 Peter 1:18-21. The devil is a liar and tries to rob us of the joy of our salvation. Don’t listen to Him. Instead listen to the voice of God our Heavenly Father and be assured that He loves you and nothing or anyone can rob us of the eternal life with have with Him in His Son Jesus Christ. Check it out in Romans 8:35-39.
Unending, never ending, unceasing, nonstop – all words which describe the rainfall we are experiencing. But they can also be used to describe God’s love to His people. If we are His in Christ Jesus, then His love to us is constant and without interruption. It doesn’t depend on us, our circumstances or our frame of heart or mind, but on God’s unfailing promise that He loves us with an everlasting love. Storms may interrupt our power supply or disrupt our water supply, but because God is ruler of all and is over all nothing can disrupt the supply of His love. So when the weather or anything else is cheesing us off and getting us down, remember and bask in God’s unending and unstinting love. It will cheer our hearts and minds.
Have you ever been more of a hindrance than a help? My wife certainly thought I was this morning as we changed the bed clothes. But we persevered and got there eventually. The hymnist reminds us that we can meet all sorts of hindrances in coming to the mercy seat. They can be daunting and off putting as we seek to bring our prayers and petitions before our God. But we are reminded that if we want our prayers answered, we must first ask them of Him. We must therefore persevere in bringing them to God through Him who ever lives to intercede for us at the right hand of the Majesty on high. We are guaranteed to have our prayers heard if we bring them to our Heavenly Father through the Lord Jesus. So when prayer is difficult and it seems you are battling the huge waves of a stormy sea to arrive at the mercy seat, remember that He is not only a God who hears our prayers, but the One who also answers the cries of His people. Don’t be discouraged and don’t give up. This dark world needs all the prayers it can get.
In our church we have all sorts of foodies. Some eat meat, some are vegetarian while some are very fussy. Some will try new tastes, while others are not so adventurous . Some of us eat with our eyes and our noses rather than by actually tasting what’s on the plate. Some of us will eat anything (including black pudding), But whatever type of foodie we are when it comes to physical food, God’s Word is suitable for all of us. It helps us to grow, gives us strength and nourishment. We have to accept that all of it is good for us and therefore should want to tuck into all of its content. Sometimes the flavour of it may be very strong and it may be hard for us to swallow and digest. However, if we want to be healthy Christians spiritually speaking, we shouldn’t ignore any part of God’s Word but gratefully receive and partake of it all.