God is light; in him there is no darkness at all...
...if we walk in the light,
as he is in the light,
we have fellowship with one another,
and the blood of Jesus, his Son,
purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:5 & 7[NIV]
Don't just believe it,
LIVING FOR VICTORY
The Rugby World Cup is well under way and every nation is willing their team to win! There’s already been some victories, losses, injuries and surprises! The fans will cheer. The coaches and teams will prepare, train and give their best in the hope of victory.
It’s a battle to the end and the final will decide who is the world champion.
You and I may only be involved in the cheering, but there is a bigger battle that every Christian is a part of, not just for our nation but for the Kingdom of God! The victory is sure but the part God wants us to play is not as spectators but as part of the team that is Church! The Kingdom of God!. He wants our all and He wants our best! He has good deeds prepared in advance for us to do and He’s coaching us and training us in righteousness through His word! There will be some victories and losses, some injuries and surprises along the way. Sunday mornings, we are looking at 2 Timothy and in 2Tim 2 Paul calls Timothy to stand and suffer like a good soldier of Jesus Christ. He declares that no-one serving as a soldier gets tangled in civilian affairs but rather tries to please his commanding officer and an athlete doesn’t receive the victors crown except by competing to the rules. Sign up, get fully involved, be the Church, wholly living for the one and only Champion, Jesus Christ!!!
Jesus warns the religious leaders & grieves over Jerusalem - Matt 23:1-39
I will send you prophets and wise men and teachers of religious law. You will kill some… ...“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones God’s messengers! How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me. And now look, your house is left to you, empty and desolate. For I tell you this, you will never see me again until you say, ‘Bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’
Matthew 23:34-39. [NLT]
What will you do?
God sends his people and his word into our lives to speak truth! And to lead us in His ways!
He longs to gather us under His wings, to protect us, to save us and to keep us from the enemies grasp. But what will our response be? We all like to have our own way! So much so, that we can sometimes allow ourselves to justify ourselves doing something that we know is wrong. We can sometimes let ourselves cross boundaries that we previously guarded others and ourselves from. When challenged we deny or justify our actions. We throw out the advice and we right people off as judgemental. When, all along, all through our lives God is speaking to protect us from the schemes and pitfalls of the enemy and to keep us from the consequences. If we ignore Him and reject His instruction, we do so at our own peril? Keep listening for God’s voice and be careful how you respond to what you hear!
> For the Syrian Refugee Situation
> For Margaret and the family, as she has been taken into hospital and is very ill.
> Continue to pray for Lydia & Kris, that they may have a full and speedy recovery.
Dear friends,
We would really value your prayers over the next couple of weeks as we are on a trip to the West Bank to visit believers. 1st—11th Oct.
1. Please pray that we will bring God glory in all we do
2. Pray that we will be a blessing to those we meet
3. Pray that we would be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit as we meet with Muslim background believers
4. Pray that God will bless the work of Jeremy and Lissa Smith and the work of “The Shepherds Heart Ministry”. Pray that they will experience God’s peace as two of their children will be in the army
5. Pray that those who serve the Lord in a difficult environment would know the presence of the Lord, especially those who are persecuted for Jesus sake.
6. Pray that God will give us wisdom in how we distribute the gifts we are taking with us.
Thank you in advance for your prayers on our behalf and on the behalf of those we will be visiting.
In His Name,
Clyde & Jan Briggs
In 1968 Release International was founded from the inspiration of Pastor Richard Wurmbrand who was imprisoned and tortured for 14 years in communist Romania in the 1950’s and 1960’s. In the book of Acts Paul saw the Lord working dramatically in various situations while in prison. More recent accounts of Christians in prison have had similar stories. Release helps Christians in the UK and Ireland to actively engage with their persecuted brothers and sisters around the world: praying with them, standing with them, helping them and learning lessons of true Christian discipleship with them. Let us continue to remember that though the Christians may be captive – the Lord isn’t. Keep on praying.
REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS AROUND THE WORLD
1. Lord we lift to you our Christian brothers and sisters who are being persecuted.
2. We pray for an end soon to the violence and bloodshed in Syria and across the Middle East.
3. Pray for wisdom and courage for Nigeria’s new President Muhammadu Buhari and that his government take firm action to end the bloodshed in Nigeria caused by the extremist group Boko Haram and the Furlani militants.
4. Pray for Christians in Jerusalem who are concerned about Islamist threats. Leaflets distributed during Ramadan warned Christians to leave or risk being killed.
5. Ask God to protect Asia Bibi and her family. She was sentenced to death for “blasphemy” and extremists have placed a bounty on her head. Pray that the Supreme Court will acquit her on appeal.
If you would like to give to Missions just put your Missions gift in an envelope marked Missions and drop it in collection any time along with your offerings. Each month, you can read a little more about Christian Mission organisations and what they do.
SYRIA REFUGEE APPEAL OFFERING
On Sunday 18th Oct, we will be taking an offering towards the AOG Syria Appeal to help meet the needs of refugees. Please consider what you would like to give and come prepared.
JOINT SERVICE WITH SPRING TERRACE AT LIFEWELL CHURCH
We’re having a special joint service 3:30pm Sunday 25th Oct at Lifewell Church. The speaker will be Martin Coleman from Chepstow. Martin is the AOG leader for South Wales. Don’t miss it!!!
OCTOBER 31ST
It’s halloween and the Rugby World Cup Final on Saturday 31st October. If you have any ideas for either, please see Chris.
3rd Anwen James
4th Daniel Davies
5th Rhiannon Davies
5th Viv Thomas
8th Timothy Screen
8th Andrew Parker—BIG 50
9th Donna Thomas
14th Bradley Jones
15th Dave Whitcombe
16th Gregg Howell
18th Sam Clement
26th Ruth Jones
24th Oct — Simon & Catherine
CONGRATULATIONS!
Sunday
10:30am - Morning Service
3:30pm - O-Zone Family Service
Monday
7:30pm - 19/10/15 - Life Lounge (18+)
Wednesday
7:00pm - Prayer Meeting
14/10/15 - Mission Focus
21/10/15 - Kids/Youth Focus
Thursday
9:15am - 11:15am - Coffee Morning
Friday
7pm-8pm- R-GEN (11+)
8pm-9pm- R-GEN After Hours