John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Jesus Christ Witness God’s Victorious Army
Charity No. 1081578 www.godpod.org.uk
SUMMER 2020 NEWSLETTER
Charity No. 1081578 www.godpod.org.uk
God’s love never changes
May the Lord bless you all at this unique time of uncertainty. It is comforting to know we have a loving Father who never changes. A preacher once called upon a farmer. As he approached his residence he saw over the barn a weather -vane and on the top of it in large letters was the text “”God is love “.When the farmer appeared the preacher looked to the vane and said in tones of rebuke, “do you imagine God’s love is as variable as the weather? “No said the farmer, l put that there to remind me that no matter what the direction of the wind, God is love! HIS LOVE has no end or measure known. A W Pink. No change can turn its course, Immutably the same it flows from one eternal source.”It is amazing how someone so Holy could take up residence in such an unworthy abode. But thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ we now possess this precious treasure in earthen vessels. So no matter what goes on around us “take heart”, our loving Father will take us up in His great loving arms and carry us. Mick.
God is never in lockdown
Our last newsletter had been prepared a few weeks before the COVID 19 outbreak and sent out in good faith that we would continue as normal. That all changed suddenly with the lockdown. Owing to the present situation the bus outreach is now on hold until the government changes the guidelines. However we do continue to keep in touch as a team to pray with each other via online services. It is not an ideal way of keeping in contact as it certainly doesn’t replace personal fellowship and what has been our normal way of life has changed considerably and what the new norm will be we do not know.
There are many times in history where society and the Christian church have had to adapt and persevere in war and peace time; disaster and prosperity; persecution and trial. Through it all Jesus remains the rock of our salvation, the Father still holds us each in the palm of His hand and the blessed Spirit of God still indwells and sanctifies His people. God is not fazed or taken by surprise by any world events and there is nothing that can thwart His eternal plans. He does not have to rethink His strategy like an earthly war general or business director. God is never in lockdown nor can be and the gospel is never shut down and chained so that the work of Christ is halted or the word of God nullified.
Some prayer points: Praise & Thanks – God is the creator, sustainer and sovereign over all things and none can question His ways -Job 42: 1-6; Daniel 4: 34, 35. Nothing can separate us from the love of God –Romans 8:38,39. Praise God for a hope beyond death – that death will finally be defeated and we shall be raised and our citizenship is in heaven 1 Cor 15:50-58; Phil 3: 20, 21.
Repentance and forgiveness – Hebrews 4: 16; 1 John 1: 9; Matt 6: 12-15; Daniel 9; 2 Chron 7: 14. Where we have loved the world and other things before Christ,; That God would have mercy
on us for complacency and stood in our own self- sufficiency; when we as the God’s people lose perspective about His concerns in our society that flies in the face of His will.
Prayer for others -1 Timothy 2:1, 2; Matt 5: 43-45; Matt 6: 10. That time spent in isolation would give non-Christians time to reflect, repent and turn to the Lord Jesus. The dear Lord is still in the business of searching out souls in order to draw them to Himself and there will be people asking their own questions and pondering on life’s big questions at this time. Pray that God would use us to be witnesses of Him where ever we are to show and to tell of the hope that is in us.
Prayer for the church – Ephesians 6: 18;That Christians would be wise and discerning in how they can best help and serve during the lockdown, with love to a world in darkness, that we would be willing to be examples of Christ’s love for us by sacrificially serving our church families as well as neighbours according to their needs; for boldness, clarity, strength and upholding for our leaders. Nigel
Our trust is in the Lord
‘In His life Christ is an example showing us how to live. In His death He is a sacrifice satisfying our sins. In His resurrection a conqueror, in His ascension a King, and in His intercession a High Priest.’ Martin Luther. The word of God gives us life and hope and only God is in control. When trouble comes, mortal man tries to solve the problems by political means without God, but the answer is all in His word that never changes. If only we take the trouble to prayerfully read and believe it what a difference that would make. Bernard Penney
Our true comfort in uncertain times
Abraham was justified and declared righteous by God on the basis of his faith alone long before the Law and the ritual of circumcision were ever given to Moses. ‘And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness’. Genesis 15:6 (ESV). ‘For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” Romans 4:3 (ESV) – The saved criminal on the cross believed and was justified righteous while he was dying and was in paradise with the Lord after his death. By faith we are also justified and children of Abraham, just like the justified criminal on the cross. In these uncertain times with this worldwide virus, one thing we can be certain of is that Christ’s finished work on the cross means we stand justified, wearing a white robe when we die. Does He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith — just as Abraham “believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”? Know then that it is those of faith who are the sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” Galatians 3:5-8 (ESV) – In Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia he writes “Does He who supplies the spirit”. The Holy Spirit came to us the moment we believed and will never leave us. Richard.
God is with us always
I would like to thank all of you for your continued support of the bus outreach through your giving and prayers. The bus, team and trustees are most grateful for your caring support. We are living in strange times and the impact on our society and our freedom to meet over the last two months is having its affect. It seems strange not to be out on the bus to witness for our Lord and Saviour. Thank God for today’s technology where through various video channels through the internet we can meet to encourage one another in our faith. One of the most difficult aspects for most of us is not being able to meet our families in person but we can pray for them. The Lord has promised to us as believers that “He will never leave us or forsake us” Hebrews 13 v 5. It is with that assurance we are able to trust Him for the future.
‘God’s people have no assurances that the dark experiences of life will be held at bay, much less that God will provide some sort of running commentary on the meaning of each day’s allotment of confusion, boredom, pain, or achievement. It is no great matter where we are, provided we see that the Lord has placed us there, and that He is with us’. John Newton.
May the Lord’s peace and blessing abide with you and those you love. Roy.