Encouragements from the Elders - March 2020
Each week of social distancing, one of our elders shares a little word of encouragement from the Bible...
Return to this month's messages here.
Return to this month's messages here.
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Friday 27 March 2020 A note from Tony... "You are of Christ and Christ is of God" 1 Corinthians 3:23 This statue stands in the grounds of Launde Abbey In Leicestershire. The picture was painted by my sister in law on a troubled day. The risen Christ bids us welcome to identify with him in new life through the Holy Spirit living in us. We've thought in our morning services of living a cross shaped life - this gives shape to Christ’s open arms of welcome and invitation to be in him and share his new life. Lord we pray for your mercy and blessing in the middle of this coronavirus pandemic. Following a national day of prayer on Sunday we continue to pray – continually – and to give thanks – Lord in your mercy hear our prayer. God bless, Tony |
Friday 20 March 2020
Gordon fills in the spaces between God's words...
Gordon fills in the spaces between God's words...
Just a personal note from me to reassure and encourage you. If the apostle Paul could 'Rejoice in the Lord', and 'not be anxious', Phil 4:4-6, in his prison cell, we can surely do the same in the comfort of our own homes, and as verse 6 says, 'with thanksgiving'.
Col 3:16 (a less famous 3:16) says 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly'. We've all got Bibles, let's use them, while Louise, Kath, Dan and others work on innovative ways of doing the rest of the verse (look it up) remotely. Watch this space!
Col 3:16 concludes 'with gratitude in your hearts to God', so no excuse. It's time to walk the talk. 1 Thess 5:16-18, 'Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Although we are at the mercy of a very small virus, we are also in the hands of a very big God 'who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us', Eph 3:20.
So, altogether now, 'Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Great is Thy faithfulness.......
God bless you,
Gordon.
Col 3:16 (a less famous 3:16) says 'Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly'. We've all got Bibles, let's use them, while Louise, Kath, Dan and others work on innovative ways of doing the rest of the verse (look it up) remotely. Watch this space!
Col 3:16 concludes 'with gratitude in your hearts to God', so no excuse. It's time to walk the talk. 1 Thess 5:16-18, 'Be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Although we are at the mercy of a very small virus, we are also in the hands of a very big God 'who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us', Eph 3:20.
So, altogether now, 'Pardon for sin, and a peace that endureth, Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide, strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow, blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside! Great is Thy faithfulness.......
God bless you,
Gordon.
