Winter Newsletter 2019

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
WINTER 2019 NEWSLETTER

Charity No. 1081578 www.godpod.org.uk

Immanuel
Greetings in the Lord Jesus, thank you all so much again for your kind support.
When wondering what to write, my heart was drawn to the role of women at this time of year, busy getting things organized for the festive season. When we look through the bible we see the courage and strength of godly women, their love, kindness, devotion, they did not drag their past disappointments around to spoil their future, unlike Jacob Marley. The good thing about Jacob was he went to warn his friend to turn away from certain destruction. So this season let us be both like Mary and Martha, spending time with Jesus and in His service.
For unto us a son is given and the government will be upon His shoulder, His name will be called Wonderful – He is Exceptional, Distinguished and without rival.
Counsellor – How better to take our troubles to the one who can look into our hearts and heal the broken hearted, leaving the chains of the past behind for He gives the right advice.
Mighty God – He is God Himself and the word became flesh and dwelt among us, Emanuel God with us.
Everlasting Father – truly our Father if we are born again, outside our time He is timeless.
Prince of peace – He gives us a peace that surpasses all understanding, a heart at peace no matter what our circumstances are. This young man is certainly worth voting for He has put His cross on the ballot paper of my heart; I trust He has yours too.
Much love in the name above all other names this Jesus of Nazareth. Mick.

A C.H.R.I.S.T.M.A.S. Meditation
This is the time we as God’s people in all nations everywhere
Celebrate the birth of Jesus who came down to us from Heaven as the
Holy child born in Bethlehem to the virgin Mary. He came from God sinless and gave us his own
Righteousness as He bore our sin so we can be forgiven. The Messiah has come to us, He is called
Immanuel, God with us; our creator who took on flesh and dwelt among us. He came to be our
Saviour; in Him we have life and we have peace with God. The prophets spoke and the scriptures
Testified of the One who was to come and the work He came to do. The star from the east guided
Magi to his place of birth, bringing gifts that portrayed his glory and holy mission. The choir of
Angels sang his praise and proclaimed the good news from the skies. The hearts of watching
Shepherds received the gospel with joy and told of the Saviour who was born into the world.
Let us also with that same believer’s joy worship our precious Lord and echo His message far and wide.

Bus Outreach Times for Each Evening
The bus ministry continues to operate 5 nights per week Monday to Friday by God’s grace.
Monday 7pm – Ryde Western gardens (Ryde Esplanade)
Tuesdays 7pm – Freshwater Moa Place Car Park
Wednesday 7pm – Wroxall Station Road Car Park
Thursday 7pm – Shanklin Main Co-op Side Car Park
Friday 6pm – Newport Church Litten Car Park

Christmas Blessings
At this time of year as we celebrate Christmas, I am always reminded of a character in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” Mr Ebenezer Scrooge. He was described as a squeezing, wrenching, grasping, scraping, clutching, covetous old sinner. He is visited by three ghosts who remind him of his past and what could have been, his present life and the negative affect he was having on those in need and finally he was shown his future if he did not change his ways (repent). The good news in the story is that he repented and what a difference that made! Christmas for him was no longer a “humbug”. The coming of our Saviour Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) was to give His life as a ransom for many on the cross. We can have a relationship with a loving God and Father because of Jesus and that is truly remarkable. The gift of God’s Son is the best Christmas gift ever. Whether this Christmas is a happy or sad time for us, may we know in our heart the joy of the Lord and be richly blessed by His presence. Roy.

New Year Thoughts
Yes, it really is, the year 2020 is just around the corner and will be here as soon as we can say ‘Merry Christmas.’ One thing we can say for sure is that nothing in this world stands still and things change, circumstances change and the course of our lives go through changes with every twist and turn of time. I am always aware that many people consider Christmas as just another day and the weeks just blend into one another with the daily cycle.
We do not worship a Saviour who is not familiar with the pain and suffering we often go through. He knows our weaknesses and our human frailty. He identified with us in human flesh and bore such pain unimaginable. He lost friends, He received ridicule, and He was treated unjustly. Jesus was abused, beaten and falsely accused. He knew what it was to be alone and deserted by all around him. He was familiar with anguish and tears. He experienced the full unrelenting temptations of the devil, yet without sin. The dear Lord faced hate, jealousy and murderous intent everywhere he went because he told the truth about man. Yet He held out arms of love and forgiveness to the sinner and those who were sick and destitute and poor.
He received the tax collector, the scribes, the rich, the beggars, the prostitutes, the rulers, the criminals, the fishermen and the children.
We know that Jesus ultimately gave His life for our sin at the cross of Calvary. He was born and laid in a bed of straw but this was exchanged for a crown of thorns. He suffered what was due to us though He owes us nothing, He gave himself for us. More so, He is risen from the dead and reigns forever. Let us put our trust in him, the author and finisher of our faith.

With Thanks
A sincere thank you to all those who have prayed for the Godpod and have given to the work of the bus outreach. We thank you for your continued encouragement and support. Our next newsletter will be around the beginning of March and will include details of the pending Easter outreach, teaching weekends with Paul Carter and any further updates. We thank God for Paul’s continued ministry and faithful attendance over the years and to his dear family for allowing him the time to dedicate quality time for teaching the word of God. We praise God who holds all things together. Have a Blessed Christmas and a very Happy New Year.