Features

FINDING THE BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT

(December 12, 2023) Richard Winter challenges…

It’s the Christmas season… many stores are playing carols, advertising specials, sales increasing through the selling of Christmas gifts or seasonal tucker.

Churches are preparing, or have already prepared, expected Christmastime presentations centring on God’s greatest gift – the birth of His Son Jesus who would redeem the world from sin freeing people from guilt and eternal punishment when they genuinely repent and accept Christ as Saviour… and freedom from Satan’s clutches.

Our attention will be on that special day regarded as when Jesus came into the world – but let me remind about some other interesting, important happenings linked with God’s great gift…

  • Jesus and His parents participated in three traditional Jewish ceremonies –

(i) Circumcision
Every new-born Jewish male was circumcised: So scared a rite that the day was controlled… eight days after birth and on this day the name was officially given.

When pregnancies are confirmed we usually choose birth names. Sometimes it’s not until enroute to the hospital on the day of birth. Or in the hospital after the birth… but Mary the chosen young virgin was given Jesus’ name by the angel Gabriel way before she conceived!

(more…)

ENJOY PRAISING THE LORD THIS CHRISTMAS

(December 02, 2023) Norman and Margaret Moss reflect…

During my (Norman‘s) childhood we had two harmoniums in our home.

Longing to play them
Unfortunately, both were far gone playing-wise! The smaller one suffered from a pair of bellows which often leaked very badly requiring my grandfather to repair them with an abundance of glue which came strongly smelling and piping hot out of a glue pot.

When repaired the organ made quite a good sound, but the repairs didn’t last very long.

The other instrument had two keyboards and more stops. The main fault of this one was that if I pulled out one of the stops it would disable the instrument, requiring my father to drag the organ out of the alcove in which it was placed, so that he could struggle into the alcove in order to remove the back and repair it.

Needless to say, sometimes I forgot and pulled the stop out!

My father who was an accomplished organist could extract a wheezy music from both organs. I longed to play them… but the sounds I produced were execrable!

Witnesses
These instruments were witnesses to me of the great family celebrations at Christmas when we would get together round an instrument and sing in glorious harmonies at the top of their voices.

How generous it was of God to give us music. Tastes may vary and times change, but most of us enjoy singing… and just wait till we hear what heaven can do!

Whatever else you do at Christmas this year, be sure to sing His praises… and to enjoy doing so.

Christmas meditation
We were meditating on Revelation 4:11, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things and by your will they were created and have their being.’

We felt the Lord was saying –

‘It is by my will that you were created, created for my glory and blessing. Created to tell of me and of my kingdom. Created to bring about my kingdom on earth. What better use for your tongue than that your lips should sound forth my name and my honour. Therefore open your mouth and show forth my praise and my people will hear and come into my kingdom.

‘Fear not, for I am with you. There is no pride or insecurity in me that has need to be praised, nor is there any doubt that I am to receive glory, honour, and praise. Creation brings me praise because worship is declaring ultimate truth and bringing the worshippers into the harmony of heavens symphony. The truth is that I AM worthy, and that is unassailable and unthreatened truth. All that denies this is lie and deception. I AM perfect light, perfect holiness, perfect righteousness, justice and purity. I AM perfect love, kindness, compassion and mercy.

‘All my blessed attributes meet in the cross and resurrection. All were manifested in my incarnation, and shall be declared in my glorious return to the planet and the people whom I love. So rejoice and live in spontaneous praise and delightsome worship, for in this way you also come into the reality, which is filling all things,the glory and wonder of my magnificence and my worthiness of honour and majesty.’

The Lord bless and keep you this Christmas – and through the coming year! Praise His name!
____________________________________________________
Norman and Margaret Moss pastored Queen’s Road Baptist Church, Wimbledon for over 30 years, experiencing charismatic renewal since the 1960s and bringing the congregation into renewal in the 70s when the church grew significantly. Their desire is still to encourage ministers, churches and groups that are hungry for more of the Holy Spirit and although ‘retired’ they preach and teach by Zoom, and also contribute to Dr. Ayodele Afuye’s Vessels of Virtues Fire Ministries. Link: charlesnmoss@gmail.com
____________________________________________________

HE’S COMING SOON!

(November 24, 2023) Brian Bell  shares comfort in these troubled times…

As we look towards the end of 2023 we find the world still facing many difficult if not intractable issues.

Most recently and topical has been the situation in the Middle East centred on the nation of Israel and its conflict in Gaza. Naturally, it has caused a lot of controversy around the world, even here in my homeland of Northern Ireland where there are conflicting views about who is to ‘blame’ for the conflict and what to do about it.

Noticeable ‘End times’ resurgence
I have also noticed that it has caused a resurgence of ‘end times’ theogogy within the family of Christian believers and how the present conflict sits within that framework.

In the present situation my resolve is not to get sidetracked by speculative end time scaremongering… but rather keep with what I know is truth and try to ‘hold the fort’ to quote that old cliché and hymn. And I pray that it is so with other Christians around the world!

(more…)

HOW’S YOUR  SPIRITUAL DRESS CODE?

(November 21, 2023) Mama Lava has some appropriate questions…

If so, you’re aware that the one who enforces the mandate is the only one whose interpretation really matters. The terms ‘Black Tie’, ‘Semi-Formal’ or ‘Business Casual’ can leave some room for imagination… but when the specifics are well defined, you’d better be dressed accordingly.

Have you attended an event, or been associated with an institution where a dress code was required?

False measurements …
I remember being in school and having a code of conduct which stated that our skirts were to be no more than two inches (5.08cm) above our knees. The handbook was clear that we were to measure, floor to hem, from a kneeling position.

(more…)

ARE YOU BEARING FRUIT IN OLD AGE?

(November 11, 2023) Carol Round encourages to appreciate each new day…

‘Age isn’t a number, it’s an attitude.’

It’s the most famous quote about aging. Scientific evidence supports that. Researchers from Yale and Miami University agree that people who choose to see growing older as something positive live seven and a half years longer than those who don’t.

I will be 70 tomorrow. My mind cannot grasp that number, but my body says otherwise. Instead of complaining about my aches and pains, I choose to thank God for my health. I may not be able to do the things I used to, but I know God isn’t through with me yet.

(more…)

IT’S NO LAUGHING MATTER – THIS SO-CALLED ‘HAPPY’ HALLOWEEN!

(October 29, 2023) Stuart Reynolds challenges so-called October 31 ‘fun’ …

Unfortunately me and mine have had the horrendous experience of having our home burgled … and more than once!

The most frightening occurrence was the time I was actually in our house. In anticipation of my wife Helen returning home from a night out, I had left the front door closed but unlocked.

No laughing matter!
Assuming it was Helen returning I didn’t react and check when I heard the door opening – it was a shock to discover later that some intruders had quickly stolen a mobile phone and snatched some car and house keys with the intention of returning later for more plunder!

Just five minutes prior to the break in, I had taken my two young children to bed – right past that closed but unlocked door! No danger at that moment – but what might have happened had we been there in that spot when the thieves came? Even now I shudder to think.

That incident of leaving the door open – unbolted – was definitely no laughing matter! Neither are unbolted doors to the occult

(more…)

WHERE’S THE BAND?

(October 10, 2023) Richard Winter challenges…

Okay… it’s not Christmas yet – but it soon will be! So I take this opportunity to remind us to –

  • Start getting ready, knowing that the story of Christmas is pivotal to our salvation.
  • Understand the importance of learning attitudinal responses we must have to Jesus.
  • Examine the attitudes of those who first saw Jesus and worshipped Him.

The Magi
Among the first worshippers of Jesus were the Magi (Evil king Herod whom they visited, could have been a worshipper of Jesus – claimed he wanted to, but didn’t!).

(more…)

POP POP POWER MEMORIES

(October 03, 2023) Norman and Margaret Moss reflect…

As a schoolboy I (Norman) was accustomed to an hour’s walk to school each day. However in teenage years I began to cycle to school instead. Then as I entered my early twenties power entered my cycling career.

Someone invented a small kind of outboard engine which could be fitted to bicycles. It worked by connecting to the rubber tyre and so long as there was no rain it was a great success. In wet weather the drive wheel was changed to one made of carborundum, which rapidly tore tyres to pieces.

(more…)