Ballee Baptist Church

It's Time for another edition of Ballee Baptist Magazine... The October - December edition, which means for me the holidays are a distant memory, the suitcases have been returned to their hiding place in the roofspace, the children are back to school! and I am back in the pulpit. Looking back over the holidays, there are many subjects, which might have become inspiration for this article; the need for rest and relaxation, the tragedy of the explosion in Omagh, but it is to the political and financial uncertainty in Russia that my mind has turned to.

As I write, the Duma, the Lower House of power in Russia has rejected President Yelsins choice for Prime Minister, Victor Chernomyrdin, for a second time, the rouble is now trading at quarter of its value a few weeks ago, and prices are soaring. The people face an uncertain future and a very bleak and hard winter.

Please pray for the poor and needy in Russia, many of whom are brothers and sisters in Christ. How quickly a mighty super-power is brought low! How soon the picture is changed!

Let me tell you about a country that is absolutely stable. It's finances and it's economy are sound, and a country of which the Apostle Peter could say "To an inheritance incorruptable and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven for you." (1 Pet 1:4)

What currency do they use in Heaven that is so secure and stable, unaffected by the market fluctuations of earth: -

(1) The Redeeming Blood of Christ. While a pound some years ago seemed like a lot of money. (I remember filling my car with petrol with a pound or twenty shillings!) Today it has lost its value and spending power. But the value of the precious blood of Christ remains the same. The blood that was able to save and cleanse from sin, fifty and sixty years ago, is able to do exactly the same today. Don't let anybody water down its value, or try to diminish it's importance this is the only hope for

sinners, this is the only answer to the emptiness of the human heart, this is the only way to Heaven.. Depending on the shed blood of Christ at Calvary. We say with the hymn writer Mrs. C.H. Morris "and the blood has never lost its power, no never no never, Jesus' blood avails for sin forever, and will never lose its power." What a solid secure base to make me safe and secure.

(2) The Reserved Inheritance. Here is another asset unaffected by world affairs. Peter tells us it is "incorruptible, undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in Heaven."

Some when they reach retirement are disappointed with their pension, its not as lavish as they had dreamed, it will not support the life-style they had dreamed of. But for the child of God there is no disappointment, there is an inheritance reserved for us.

I remind you Peter is writing to strangers (1Pet 1: 1), they have been scattered, they are refugees,

penniless, homeless, the future looked so bleak, but, says Peter there is a currency value that has never changed - the redeeming blood. There is an inheritance that you can never be robbed of - the reserved inheritance.

(3) The Revealed Word. (1Pet 1:25). Something else you can depend upon for says Peter it "endureth for ever." In our province of Ulster we have sadly proved that we cannot depend on the words of men, but we can have no worries about relying upon the revealed word. Solomon, the King of Israel, as he stood and blessed the congregation of Israel "There hath not failed one word of all His good promise." (1Kings 8:56).

(4) The Recognised Stone. In uncertain days, some economists argue that the best place to have your wealth is in property... "That's really safe," In 2 Peter 2:4-7 Peter reminds us that we are linked to a

building that is growing brick by brick, a building that can never fall... It is the church of Jesus Christ. A terrorist bomb cannot flatten it; enemies of God cannot destroy it. As the Lord I-Emself said to Peter in Matt. 16 "Upon this rock 1 will build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." The Church of Jesus Christ is a spiritual building of unestimatable worth and value ---- and those of us who are saved are part of it!

There is something wrong when a believer loses their love for the church, and the living stones that make it up. What happens in any building if the bricks or stones go missing? It becomes uncomfortable, cold, no atmosphere, and empty - so too the Church when the living stones are not present!

(5) The Reliable Crown. 1 Peter 5:4. "Ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away." Sometimes I have had letters in the post which said "Dear Mr. Kennedy, congratulations, you have been selected out of all the people in Ballymena to receive £75,000 or £ 150,000!" Sounds fantastic, but I have never got a penny,.there is always a catch, and it turns out I am just through the first stage of second stage!

But for those who have trusted Christ as Saviour, there is a crown of Glory up ahead, you do win in the things of God, this is not junk mail but an assurance of a crown that will not decrease in value.

Continue to pray for those in the world a lot worse off than we are, and maybe help in a practical way through a Christian relief agency. Don't put all your thrust in the shaky fragile economics of earth but rather on these precious things that will never lose their value ... enjoy the rest of the magazine.

A love that can never be fathomed;
A life that can never die;
A righteousness that can never be tarnished;
A peace that can never be understood;
A rest that can never be disturbed.,
A joy that can never be diminished;
A hope that can never be disappointed;
A glory that can never be clouded;
A light that can never be darkened.,
A happiness that can never be interrupted;
A strength that can never be weakened;
A purity that can never be defiled;
A beauty that can never be marred;
A wisdom that can never be baffled;
Resources that can never be exhausted.

When trouble comes your soul to try, you love the friend who just "stands by." Perhaps there's nothing he can do - the thing is strictly up to you.

For there are troubles all your own and paths the soul must tread alone, Times when love can't smooth the road, nor friendship lift the heavy load, But just to know you have a friend who will stand by until the end, Whose sympathy through all endures, whose warm hand-clasp is always yours.

It helps, some way, to pull you through, although there's nothing he can do. And so with fervent heart we cry, God bless the friend who just stands by.

No greater tribute could one pay to another than to use some of the words of Proverbs 31. As I have found the late Mrs. Anna Calderwood a virtuous woman, She did well to her late husband all the years they were together.

Mrs. Calderwood was loving, kind, hard working, industrious. She made some of the gowns worn by candidates for baptism at Ballee.

Mrs. Calderwood was openhanded and generous to the needy especially to those in the Lords Work. Strength and honour were her clothing; she spoke words of wisdom, looked well to the ways of her household. Those who had been aquainted with her will arise and call her blessed.

In conversation she was always interesting, a real old timer with high principles, spoke often of the goodness of God and her Saviour Jesus Christ, saved in her teenage years, loved to reminisce and talk of her youth and in this we had much in common. Brought up when times were hard with little to spend foolishly, when many of us had to do with very little of this worlds goods.

She loved the things of God, loved the word of God, loved the people of God, loved the house of God a woman of prayer and a woman of great faith, an encouragement to me, a person for whom I had much respect and will always remember the blessed times we shared together. She will be missed, her seat is empty but another is filled.

Are you passing through some sorrow?
Is your pillow wet with tears?
There is only one can help you,
He will banish all your fears.

Do you wonder why you suffer?
And if God does understand?
Yes. He knows your future pathway,
All your life is in His hands.

All God's testings have a purpose,
Someday you will see the light;
All He asks is that you trust Him,
Walk by faith and not by sight.

Do not fear when doubts surround you,
Just remember He is near,
He will never, never leave thee,
He will always, always hear.

Faithful is He that has promised,
He will never let you fall;
Daily strength to you be given -
Strength for each, and strength for all.

The book, of Ephesians has been called 'The Ground Canyon of Scripture." emphasizing its grandeur and splendor and the spiritual depths to which it goes. Another has called it the Holy of Holies in Paul's writings. It is some of the most greatest revelation of truth that God has given to man. It is the mystery that has been hidden from before the foundation of the world. The Lord Jesus said in John 10 v 10, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." This is it recognising and appropriating the resources we have in Christ.

There is great wealth to be gathered up in this precious Epistle, and, as we are about to glean ftom chapter five, 1 would encourage you to read the Epistle from the beginning. You will note;

Ch l."Our Present Position" "In Christ."
Ch2. "Our Past Condition" "In Sins."

Ch3. "Our Privilege in Salvation"           "Make known His wisdom."
Ch4. "Our Practice our vocation"           "Walking worthily."
Ch5. "Our Pathway in Separation"         "Holy Harmony."

This chapter readily divides into two parts,
1. The Holy Christian Life versesl-21.

Verse 1 says "Be ye therefore followers of God as dear children." The word 'therefore" connects with the preceding chapter and men take the last verse, 'Se ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one to another, even as God for Christ's sake bath forgiven you." In light of all this believers are to be followers of God as dear children.

Our key word is still "walk" and verses 1 - 21 describe the walk of Holiness. Verses 22 - 33 describe the walk of Harmony.

Verses 1 and 2 teach us to be imitators of God, walking in love God is love 1 John 4 v 16. Every thought, every word, every act of God expresses the love which is His character. We are His children, born into His family; therefore His standard becomes ours. As He is, and as He does, so should we be, and so should we, do. To love as He loves is evidence that we are His. Our Lord Jesus Christ exemplified this life of love, He lived the standard set by His Father, as the Father loved Him, so He loved us (John 1 5 v 9), thus He became the example for us (John 1 5 v 12). Let us not waver through unbelief, but rather let us worship Him who knows that we have the capacity to love like that. "As He"- "so we" - We may abound in love. for He has abounded toward us.

We should abound in love because He has abounded towards us. We must abound in love as He has abounded towards us.

'HIMSELF" The Saviour, the sinless, the lovely, the perfect. "FOR US" The sinners, the sinful, the unlovely the polluted.

Hear Him say I gave Myself for thee, what hast thou given for ME. Shall we respond? Myself for Thee.

Verses 3 to 6 - "Walk in Purity" These Ephesians had been guilty of these impurities and indecencies, these things had marked their conduct before., and not only so, but had been the theme of their conversation, their tongues and ears had been steeped in vileness and uncleanness, as well as their hearts and minds. This conduct and conversation is not fitting for God's children and most unbecoming for. God's saints.

"Let it not be once named among you" not even a limit of it, it is a worldly sign. Ephesus was a sign of it, sin sick world. These sins characterise the unsaved, upon who, the wrath of God rests, they have not place with a professing believer, ours is a walk of purity. "Let no man deceive you with empty words" verse 6. Satan uses men to seduce, but God has given us light through His word, and we are not to be ignorant of his devices.

"Let no man, be he professor, gifted author, able orator or liberal minister, "Let no man deceive you with empty words, for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the sons of disobedience." A walk in Love - verse 1 to 2. A walk in.Purity - verse 3 to 6.

We have been delivered out of the power of darkness, and translated into the Kingdom of His dear Son of love (Col. 1 v 13). We belong to the light, we are sons of the day, and we have been brought into a new relationship. We were once darkness - we are now light. The fruit of the light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.

Walking as children of light, in the fruitful life of holiness and separation we will prove what is well pleasing in His sight. The light reproves and makes manifest. "Awake thou that sleepest," open your eyes, "and arise from the dead and Christ shall shine thee" Get into the SUN.

Verses 15 to 18 walk carefully, a careful walk.
Underline four words in these four verses.
Look (see then) v 1 5 ---- Look carefully.

Be-filled v 18 ---- Be-filled constantly.
These are the essentials of a careful walk.

Verses 19-21. Walk joyfully. In these three verses we have the essentials of a joyful walk. Underline these four words;

Speaking one to another in concord. Singing to the Lord in communion. Giving thanks unto God in confession. Submission one to another in condescension (graciously). These will change our Christian lives for the Lord and each other.

Verses 22- 33 Walk in harmony. These are the verses, which introduce us to the secret of a happy home. As Christ, so the husband, as the church so the wife, Note - Christ's work for the church. In the past - "He loved it and gave Himself for it."

In the present - "Sanctifying and cleansing by the washing of water with the word." In the future "That He might present the church to Himself a glorious church."

The secret of harmony is - on the part of the husband - affection to his wife. On the part of wife - "Submission to her husband." On the part of them both -'Devotion to the Lord."

May we all live in the light of the glorious chapter and that day when Christ will present the church to Himself. The church will be all-glorious within and without, there will no defilement, no disfigurement, no deficiency, no spot, no wrinkle, no blemish. What a day of rejoicing that will be. May we, by the constant application of the word know the blessing of a holy Christian life and experience the benefit of a happy Christian home.

So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame,
So purer light shall mark the road.
That leads me to the Lamb.

Heat medium sized hall to comfortable temperature. Add ladies either fresh or mature but both work especially well together and produce excellent results. Add generous helping of friendship and fellowship for binding. To this mixture blend in different ingredients i.e.. missionaries from various fields of service - this will add flavour and variety. At this point add mustard seed of faith and season well with prayer. Some try to avoid seasoning but it is essential for this recipe to work. You can never add too much seasoning and spoil this recipe. However, no seasoning can cause a spoiled recipe.

This recipe has been served in Ballee Baptist Church to great effect and will continue to be served each 2nd Wednesday and last Wednesday of every month throughout the Winter season. To get a perfect result each time we need you.

February 1 8   ... Visit to Lanntara Ladies
March 10        ... Billy Swann (D.C.M.)
April 14        ... Attracta Hanna.

No physician ever weighed out medicine to his patients with half so much care and exactness as God weighs out to us every trial. Not one grain too much does He ever permit to be put in the scale.

Thank God every morning when you get up that you have something to do that must be done - whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you: -

Do you contemplate at this moment in time?
For each day to bring joy? Is the sun out to shine?
Or has it been rough, like a vessel at sea?
Are you like a trapped bird that longs to break free?

What are the circumstances of your today?
Do trouble and torture come out to play?
No fun for a season, the pressure has boiled
Reflecting on life ... they seem to have spoiled!

But they say every cloud has a silver lining
And although it's uphill -just you keep climbing
Don't go alone - God's hand is outstretched
He cares when you're happy and when you're perplexed

Is it living your life in an ungodly home?
You long for salvation to change present tone.
Or do you tire from suffering a body that's maimed?
Frustrated by tablets, tormented by pain.

Was your childhood a thing that you'd rather forget?
A difficult background? Abused or upset?
That longing for love but was nowhere in view
Out of the crowds your friends were so few.

Perhaps you are lonely; your partner has died
Alone in this cruel world often you've cried.
Or terrorist activity has left memories traced
You're sick as each day raises its ugly face,

Whate'er causes misery for you in this life
Whate'er leaves a wound that cuts like a knife.
Give all to God's care in humble confession
"Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression." (Prov 12:25)

Don't think that these trials in life are forever
Remember this when you're at the end of your tether
Eternity awaits - Christ's coming for you
Keep to mind struggling saint that you're "Just passing through."

"And the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord " (1 Thes 4: 16,1 7).

If we knew for a fact that Christ would return today, how would we live? First of all, we would probably check ourselves to be sure all was well.

Those harsh words we spoke so abruptly, we must apologize for them before we meet our Saviour.

The brief time we spent in His word, we will enjoy spending all eternity with Him when we have had so little interest in giving Him more than five minutes now?

And the mechanical way we said, "grace." It was really not a prayer at all, it has become habit. a good one; but only a habit. What must He think?

All these little things must surely be cared for before Christ returns, and He is coming back. He may arrive before lunchtime today. Will you be ready?

It could be that He will return after all is quiet and everyone is settled for the night. Will you be happy to meet Him then?

In spite of the truth of this fact, we find ourselves working, planning and buying as though we were to be here for eternity. We have settled the salvation question, so we know we are ready. But say, if Christ should come to your house today, would you really be ready?

Where should we draw the line, and how?
This is the question we parents face now,
In a day when nothing seems very wrong -
When 'Christians' are much the same as the throng.

These, our children, have truly not known
Of things true Christians would never condone
Back in the days before their time -
Could we have failed to draw the line?

"Father above," today we cry,
"Is it too late yet to rectify
The mistake we have made in drifting along
With no move against what we once thought wrong?

We parents must bow our hearts in shame,
While thy mercy and help we humbly claim
To still be able to draw the line
In a way that will help in plenty of time!"

It is not what we do for God that really counts, but rather what God does for us, in us and through US.

Others Lord yes others, May this my motto be,
Help me to live for others, That I may live like thee

Going for gold! That is the aim and aspiration of the vast company of athletes who assemble every four years from all over the world to take part in the Olympic Games. For them, to stand on the winner's podium, hailed as a hero, with the strains of their home country's national anthem ringing in their cars, emotion etched on their tear-stained faces, would make all the sacrifice and strenuous effort worth while. The Christian life is no different. Paul sees it as a race. It is not a 100-yard dash but a cross-country marathon. Of necessity, we are to abandon our own selfish ambitions so that we may wholeheartedly pursue the goal that is set before us. Nothing must hinder or hamper our steady progress. It is not a spectator sport but one of active participation by all. Down the straight, round the bend, over the hurdle - in the final analysis, consistency is what really matters.

There will be frustration as we strive to attain spiritual fitness. Many tears may be shed as we count the cost of getting rid of the excess baggage. The pain barrier must be broken if we are to keep on going. But even though we may not all be winners by nature, with the spiritual instincts of the new man reigning within, we can conquer all and cross the finish line in triumph.

Awaiting us is Christ, the One who has gone on before. No greater incentive can be given; no other motivation should be required. That's why we pull out all the stops, with every fibre of our being, stretching all the sinews, as we keep the end in view. What an exhilarating prospect!

And he stuck rigidly to it. Like him, we want to be there at the end. Paul shows us how to do it in Philippians 3:12-16. He leaves us a few tips that are designed to enhance performance.

BE SINGLE-MINDED - LEARN THE ART OF CONCENTRATION. "....one thing I do" (Phil 3.13).
BE FORWARD-LOOKING - RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO LOOK BACK. "... forgetting what is

BE A PLODDER - DON'T BE A DROPOUT ON THE LAST LAP. "... press on" (Phil 3:12-14).
BE SENSIBLE - KNOW THE RULES AND STICK TO THEM. (Phil 3:15-16)

It is the charitable heart not the voluble tongue that is acceptable. Miraculous' faith moving mountains is a great achievement in the account of men. But one dram of love in God's account is more value than all the faith of this sort in the world. If we give away all that we have, while we withhold our hearts from God it will not profit.

They that know God will be humble, they that know themselves cannot be proud. Enjoy the blessings of this day if God sends them and the evils bear patiently. For this day only is ours: we are dead to yesterday and not born tomorrow.

Running away will not give us the victory that comes with patience true humility and recognising that with God's help we can defeat temptations.

It is only by labour that thought can be made healthy and it is only by thought that labour can be made happy

This is something which as the Young Peoples Fellowship were looking forward to as we left the upper room of Ballee and headed for the wide-open spaces to begin our summer activities. Unfortunately we didn't get just what we were looking for, but nonetheless enjoyed ourselves anyway.

The activities kicked off with some mountaineering, this took place on probably one of the most well known mountain ridges in the whole of North West Europe (SLEMISH). Some of the expedition actually managed to reach the summit, some thought half-way was far enough, others regarded the tree at the bottom as good a place to stop and then some felt they would be our ground crew and stay in the carpark. Once hunger struck the expedition headed for a barbecue at one of the ridges restaurants more commonly to the locals as Sam & Margaret Moores house. Fun and games followed in what was a great night in the mountains.

Saturday 4 July found most of us floating around in the River Bann and trying to make people believe that we were having fun. Indeed we were and our annual banana-boat/water-skiing trip followed by a trip to MacDonalds was enjoyed by all those who participated and also by the sensible folk who stayed on dry land. Our next outing was to the University of Ulster at Coleriane; here we attended the annual summer conference New Horizon. The speaker this year was Gordon McDonald and his subject was "Where the difference begins." After the meeting we made a quick trip to MacDonalds before ending off the evening in Portstewart at a Fireworks display.

Most of us in today’s society have never been to a burnt offering, although some of those who attended the church barbecue on 21 August would claim they have. Personally 1 feel these people do not appreciate good quality barbecued food, but then 1 would have to say as 1 helped with the cooking. The evening started with a table quiz, which most enjoyed especially those marking the answer sheets, then came the famous food, followed by some 'fool' (funny) poems from the wee man himself Mr Jimmy Chambers. The singing of a few choruses and the epilogue brought by Sam Lyness rounded of a very enjoyable evening of fun and fellowship.

Our final summer event was not a trip to the mountains or the rivers but to the jungle. Jungle Jim's adventure playground in Newtownabbey is designed for primary school children and every Saturday night it is opened up so that anyone of any age can attend. What better an opportunity could the young people of Ballee have of acting like children and having a good excuse for it? Thanks to all those new folk who attended and we would encourage you and indeed any young person secondary school age and upwards to join with us in the new season which commenced on Sunday 13 September,

Finally can we give a 'BIG' thank you to all those people who helped in so many different ways with all the summer activities, we really appreciate it, and would ask that you continue praying for all the young people connected with Ballee that they would know the Lord Jesus as their personal Saviour and seek to serve Him in their lives.

Thank-you

Special Announcements

The following believers were brought into fellowship
Sam Lyness 20/9/98

Billy & Nancy McAuley 27/9/98

Richard & Heather Logan 27/9/98

Stewart & Jill Megaw 27/9/98

Stephen & Louise McAuley 27/9/98

James & Elaine Chambers 27/9/98

Dates to Note

Sun 4^th Oct am & pm Mr Eric Magee

Sun 18^th Oct pm Mr Auldwyn Calderwood

Tues 20^th Oct 8pm Mr Stanley Mawhinney (I.F.M.)

Fri 23^rd Oct 8pm Mr Frank Eberhart (U.S.A)

Sun 25^th Oct pm The Woodvale

Sun 1^st Nov am & pm Mr David Bennett, (Faith Mission)

Sun 15^th Nov am & pm Mr Geoffrey McGrath (N.T.M)

Sun 22^nd Nov am & pm Mr Denis Lyle (Lurgan Baptist)

Sun 13^th Dec pm Mr Wesley Coulter

Sun 20^th Dec am & pm Carol Services

Fri 25^th Dec 10:30 am Christmas Morning Family Service (Finishing at 11:15am sharp)

Congratulations
Jordan David to Leslie and June Kirk…14/9/98

Christmas dinner Thursday 10^th December 7:30pm