Greetings in Jesus name,

I am standing in the grounds of Wolverton Manor thinking about our next newsletter and what to share. Well it wasn’t long when a lovely young girl gave me a kiss on the cheek. She was with her husband and two lovely children. Not long after that a young man came and shook my hand with his wife and two children. It may not seem much, but then consider that our first meeting with them was at the time when Paul Tombleson and myself went out at first with the caravan on the streets 20 years ago. The relationship with them is as still as fresh as ever, not surprising when the things of the Lord are new every morning.

All the shows we attend are different but the message remains the same. I think it is the most exciting thing to be a Christian, to be able to bring, by God’s grace, help to those who need it and a challenge when necessary. The Lord willing, we will renew these bonds next year to show people we are just ordinary and willing to be used by an extraordinary God.

It seems to me the modern message of the gospel is, ‘God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life.’ The word ‘wonderful’; I wonder how that would go down whispering in Stephens’ ear as the rocks smashed into him (wonderful); or even Paul as he was being flogged (wonderful); also the dear Lord was scourged, crucified for our offences – wonderful! Of course God has a plan but it is always in line with the cross…’God so loved.., God commended His love etc (John 3 v16; Romans 5 v 5-8). The Christian faith has never been a bed of roses. Before the rose – first comes the thorns. Until we speak the truth in love and share with others that sin will always separate us from God’s love and protection, people will never experience that wonderful joy that only the Lord Jesus Christ can bring – making new, not repairing – new life, hope and purpose for living. Even in times of affliction, we can still witness for the Lord.

If we are looking for revival, be honest and ask yourself what are you doing to bring that about. You could ask the Lord of the harvest to send you out. Jesus said, ‘Go..’, not ‘stay in.’ (1 Corinthians 15: 58). ‘It is true that (many) are praying for word-wide revival but it would be more timely and more scriptural for prayer to be made to the Lord of the harvest, that He would raise up and thrust forth labourers who would fearlessly and faithfully preach those truths which are calculated to bring about a revival – AW Pink

‘Those who are converted by God cannot be talked out of their faith, because they were never talked into it’ (John 15: 16).

In love – Mick.