Spring 1994
From the Pastor's desk
It is again time to put pen to paper for our quarterly church magazine, and as you lift this publication we trust and pray that it will bring some warmth to these cold winter nights, together with challenge, items that will bring praise to our lips, and encouragement to our hearts.
Our fellowship at Ballee is still meeting in our minor hall, because of the malicious destruction of our church building on 1.10.93. May I take this opportunity to thank all who attend our fellowship for their patience and understanding as our leadership attend to all the legal procedures with regard to compensation and the rebuilding programme. If you have any helpful suggestions with regard to our rebuilding please let me know!
For a few moments let me turn your attention to an amazing vision of Ezekiel found in Ezekiel 37. Ezekiel is placed by the Spirit of God in a valley full of dry bones and the question is asked of him "Can these bones live?" This vision pictures Israel as dead as dry bones scattered upon the surface of a deserted battlefield. In fact in verse 11, Israel admit "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost; we are cut off for our parts". They understood their condition was desperate and critical and only divine intervention could meet the need.
As I look around our little province, dry bones can be found in every fellowship of God's people. Our situation is also spiritually desperate and critical. Let me mention some of the "bones" that are easy to recognise:-
Lazy Bones They are always too busy to do anything for the Lord. They are quite happy to stay on the circumference, uninvolved and often unattached!
Jaw Bones These folk are always talking, rendering lip service, to listen to them you may be impressed, for they use the right language and phraseology. However they make promises, talk much, but do very little.
Wish Bones The wish bones are never happy about the way things are and are full of good ideas of how it should be done. You'll hear them say "I wish the pastor would .... They have the effect of always being discouragers instead of encouragers.
Skull Bones These are a heard-hearted lot indeed! They are set in their traditions to such a degree that they conform to the premise that says "If its new it must be wrong". They often confuse stagnation with spirituality!
Funnybones They laugh, grin and giggle - a fellowship is great if its good fun!
But there is no awe for God, or urgency about the things of God.
Knuckle Bones The knuckle bones take a delight in criticising all who try to work for the Lord. They rap rap all the time. Of course they will never put themselves in a position where they might be criticized.
I think there is a bit of all these bones in me! And it makes us dry, hard and brittle.
Oh that God would make us Back Bones of the local church, for they are the nerve centre of the fellowship who get behind the work and put their shoulder to the task, to see the testimony for God grow, and the Lord's name upheld and glorified.
What happened to the dry bones that Ezekiel saw? The key is in verse v of Ez. 37.
The instruction to the dry bones was this. "O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord".
That is my instruction, both to my own heart and to yours today "Hear the word of the Lord", that we too might hear a noise, and see a shaking, watch as the bones come together Ez. 37. 7 & 18, that we too might see the church of Christ alive, living in the power of God, and going forward as "An exceeding great army" Ez. 37'10.
It could be that someone reading this magazine is dead! That is, spiritually dead.
That's the way we all are born, without exception. (Rom. 3: 22-23; 1Jn 1:8). To be born a sinner is sad, however it is the lot of all mankind. But it is tragic to be a sinner and be ushered into a lost eternity under the judgement of God. The Lord Jesus Christ, God's only Son, died at Calvary to cleanse you from sin, to remove the judgement that hangs over your head, and to bring you into his family.
You must repent, that is to be sorry for and then turn from your sin.
You must believe, that Christ on Calvary was indeed taking your place, acting as your substitute, and rest on that glorious fact alone.
You must live for God, for that is the evidence that shows to others that we belong to Christ, our lives become a witness, a testimony to others. May God richly bless all our readers and meet each of us at the very point of our need.
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WATCH GOD'S METHODS
When God wants to drill a man,
And thrill a man,
And skill a man,
When God wants to mould a man
To play the noblest part.
When He yearns with all His heart
To create so great and bold a man
That all the world shall be amazed,
Watch His methods, watch His ways!
How He ruthlessly perfects
Whom He royally elects:
How He hammers him and hurts him
And with mighty blows converts him
Into trial shapes of clay which
Only God understands;
While his tortured heart is crying
And he lifts beseeching hands!
How He bends but never breaks
When His good He undertakes;
How with every purpose fuses him;
By every act induces him
To try His splendour out
God knows what He's about.
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LADIES MEETING
This year our ladies meetings got off to a very encouraging start as our first meeting of the year saw the ladies turn out in force to support our sister Maizie Smyth, who came to share with us how the Lord is moving among the people of Zaire. Maizie's enthusiasm seems to rub off on all those with whom she comes into contact and we were not only encouraged by what she had to say, but also greatly challenged as we heard of the great faith that these people have in the power of prayer. Surely it should strengthen our faith, having prayed much for Maizie and the work in which she is involved, to hear how the Lord has been answering those prayers in a mighty way.
In February we had a visit from David and Linda Hoy who told us about their continued work among women and children who are suffering as a result of alcohol/ drug addiction or marital problems. David and Linda told us of the progress of the Christian Family Centre under construction at present which will provide accommodation for these innocent victims, and they shared with us how the Lord has wonderfully provided for this work. Hearing of the very difficult, and often distressing, circumstances in which this couple have to work should surely encourage us to uphold them in prayer.
With this in mind, we would encourage you to join with us on the last Wednesday of each month for our Ladies Prayer Meeting, so that we might be faithful in praying for those who have been obedient to the call - not all are called to go, but we are all called to PRAY.
We would also extend a warm invitation to all you ladies to attend our coming Missionary meetings, when we expect visits from the ladies of Templemore Hall in March, and Mrs Pat McCracken in April. Please plan, if possible, to attend.
H. Hoey
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CRUCIFIXION
This was the most cruel, shameful and cursed death that could be devised. It was not used at all by the Jews, and by the Romans, inflicted only upon slaves, and the lowest of the people, who were capital offenders.
The person was nailed to the cross as it lay upon the ground, through each hand extended to its uttermost stretch, and through both the feet together. Then the cross was erected and the foot of it, with a violent thrust, which disjointed the whole body of the sufferer, placed into a hole in the ground prepared to receive it. The whole weight of the body thus hung upon the nails which went through the hands and feet till the person expired by mere dint of terrible pain.
My Lord suffered this death so as men and women, boys and girls, old and young, could be free from sin if only they would trust him and accept him into their hearts as Saviour and Lord.
Will you trust Him today? He is alive and awaiting your response.
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YOUNG PEOPLES FELLOWSHIP
After the Christmas and New Year break, the Y.P.F. meetings recommenced on 23rd January with a visit from John Tuff who had recently returned from working with the Leprosy Mission in Africa. John showed slides of his work and told us of some of the many people who have been cured and have come to know the Lord through the mission's work. Then on Saturday 5th February, the Youth Fellowship were very encouraged by the large number who attended their Praise Service. All present seemed to enjoy the musical pieces by Neill and Kyra Orr , Paul Hamilton on the trumpet, and the Youth Choir; also Jim Megaw testified and Ronnie McCracken spoke of his work with the Messianic Testimony. The Youth committee would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who attended the service.
The following evening, Sunday 6th February , our meeting was taken by David Bennett of the Faith Mission who spoke to us about false cults. It is surely a challenge to us all to learn that many of the cults have had a ten-fold increase in their followers in recent years, and to be reminded of their enthusiasm in spreading their false beliefs. Our next meeting, on 20th February, saw a visit from Everett Irons and three colleagues representing the Christian Police Association. Everett told of the formation and work of the C.P.A. and demonstrated some of the tools of the trade on some of our younger members; another colleague testified and Gerald Titmus spoke from God's Word at the end of the meeting.
Eric Magee from Templemore Hall joined us on 6th March to outline his programme for our Youth Weekend in Portrush from 11 th - 13th March. Over the weekend he spoke from the book of Daniel, focusing on prayer and witnessing. Through the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, he showed us how very important prayer is in the life of a Christian, and how we can witness to others by taking our stand in our daily living. In every way - from Eric's messages and our prayer meetings (which encouraged and blessed many of us) right through the scavenger hunt, bowling and skating - we all had a very enjoyable and spiritually refreshing, although physically tiring, time together. Many thanks to Trevor and Sandra for all the hard work they put in.
Once again we can praise God for saving another young girl who had begun to attend the Y.P.F. Please pray for all the youth who attend the fellowship, that those as yet unsaved would come to know the Lord; and for the Christians, that God would guide them as they grow up in a sinful world.
Again can we issue an invitation to all young people, aged from eleven upwards, to join us at our Y.P.F. meetings. All newcomers will be made most welcome.
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Very few today are too heavenly minded to be of any earthly use, indeed far more are too earthly minded to be of any heavenly use!
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FOR PARENTS ONLY
We parents are in great danger of distorted cloudy thinking....Consider the following:
1. We think that three hours of any movie are harmless for our child, but that two hours of church and Sunday School are too much for his system!
2. Giving a child 10 pence for his church offering but 100 pence to buy sweets shows the parent's sense of value, but is not likely to produce a cheerful giver.
3. Letting a child watch and listen to several hours of TV a day with no time for one short prayer and a few bible verses is criminal unbalance.
4. Being careful your child has done his school homework but not caring that he does not know his Sunday School verses makes for spiritual illiteracy.
5. Saying a child must make his own decisions as to whether or not he attends church is shirking parental responsibility.
6. If Christ and the things of God are never mentioned in the home from Monday to Saturday, you cannot then expect a child to take you seriously on Sunday morning when you claim they are the most important things in your life. Parents, to be prepared for rearing a family, you must first be pre-prayered.
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NTMs STILL ALIVE
Kidnappers who have been holding three New Tribes Missionaries captive in Panama since January 1993 have released a tape recording indicating that the men are still alive. It is the first such proof of life since last April.
The recently taped message, played during a brief and largely unintelligible radio transmission on 15 December, provided enough evidence to assure members of a crisis committee set up by New Tribes Mission (N.T.M.) that their missionaries remain alive.
Charles D. Mankins, Mark V. Rich and Richard L. Tenenoff were working with the Kuna Indian tribe in the village of Pucuro, fifteen miles from Panama's border with Colombia, at the time of their kidnapping.
Members of the NTM crisis committee in Panama City say they have had no contact with the kidnappers since the December broadcast. 'We suspect that they are giving us time to assimilate what we have heard and one of these days they will come on the radio again to restate their demands,' they said in a statement.
The kidnappers are demanding a $5,000,000 ransom. Payment of ransom is against NTM and US government policy.
NTM representatives in Panama say they are concerned about increasing instability in the Darien province due to guerrilla activity and drug trafficking.
Mel Wyma, foreign secretary at the mission' s headquarters in Sanford, Florida, said that last year NTM missionaries were evacuated from the area as a result of the kidnapping. However, missionaries continue to make brief, unannounced visits to villages where they once worked.
US newspaper article
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THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
There is a story told about a famous orator who one evening was requested to recite the 23rd Psalm, he obliged with great pomp and decorum receiving tremendous accolade from his audience; after a brief interlude an elderly man stood up and also requested that he be permitted to recite the words of the Psalm. When he began his voice was not as eloquent nor poetic, unlike the renowned orators, rather his voice trembled sounding feeble and hoarse. As the old man sat down after his rendition no one spoke a word, no applause could be heard rather sobs and tears were coming from all corners of the auditorium, eventually the orator, wiping the tears from his eyes, said the difference between you and I, is that I know the Psalm but you know the Shepherd.
Today Psalm 23 is the best known and loved portion of Scripture, whether sang at a funeral, whistled at work or recited at a Bible club, this Psalm with its vivid imagery and language has touched the hearts of people throughout the world. As I began to meditate upon the words of this Psalm little did I know that events would soon unfold and the Good Shepherd would personally visit our family circle and take home two of His dear flock.
When the psalmist David wrote this Psalm he could look back to the days of his youth when he spent much of his time tending his fathers flock of sheep [1 Sam 16v11]. When David spoke of the Lord being his Shepherd his personal experience of his past life must have been foremost in his mind.
David knew that a basic criteria of a shepherd is that he must know his sheep and their needs, only by spending time with them will he achieve this. The Good Shepherd knows our needs, David could say in Psalm 27vl 'The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear.' Even though his life was in constant danger from his enemies, both outside the nation and inside his own family. The reverse side of the coin though is that the sheep can only get to know their shepherd by spending time with him. As a flock of sheep get to know you they listen for your voice and eventually a trusting relationship is built. How often do you take time to be alone with the Shepherd, how often have you been close enough to hear His voice. David tells us of two incidents which occurred while he was tending his fathers sheep, when on different occasions a lion and a bear came and took one of his sheep. David arose and caught both animals eventually overpowering them and rescuing his sheep. Many people in our world would have the attitude, its only one insignificant sheep let it go there are plenty of others to worry about. Not David, he loved his sheep, he put his life on the line for them; what a beautiful pre-calvary picture of Jesus the Good Shepherd giving his life for each one of us. I am the good shepherd, the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Billy Jones
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HANDS
I have set the Lord always before me; because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.
Psalm 16 v 8
One word stands out at Easter time and that word is hands.
First there were Judas Iscariot's hands which received 30 pieces of silver. These were greedy hands and the hands which betrayed his friend and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Secondly there were Peter' s hands.
He was a fisherman and had strong hands so as to pull in the nets but he also had cold hands when challenged about being with Christ. The his hands turned weak when he denied his Lord 3 times. What a sad day for Peter.
Thirdly there were Peoples hands.
These were angry hands as the unruly crowd shouted for the release of Barabbas and not of Jesus. They were being stirred up by the chief priests and elders who had unclean hands.
Next we have Pilate's hands.
What can be said of Pilate except he had guilty hands. He knew who should have been released. Matthew 27 v 18 says, "For he knew that for envy they had delivered Him". Pilates wife also told him to have nothing more to do with this just man. So Pilate put it to the people, then washed his hands of the whole matter.
Finally there are the Master' s Hands
These were:- Loving Hands (Suffer the little children to come unto Me)
Warm Hands (Friendship/fellowship)
Helping/healing Hands (Miracles - healing the sick and lame)
Praying Hands (Teaching His disciples to pray. Praying much for others)
He had Obedient Hands unto death and He had Nail-pierced Hands where the angry Roman soldiers pierced the lovely clean hands of my Saviour with dirty pieces of iron and left Him to hang from an old rugged cross to die for you and for me.
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The only exercise some people get is:
JUMPING... to the wrong conclusions.
RUNNING... down their friends.
PUSHING... aside their responsibilities.
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ARE MISSIONARIES UNBALANCED?
Of course they are. I'm one. I ought to know. A missionary probably began as an ordinary person. He dressed like other people, and liked to play tennis and listen to music. But even before leaving for the field he becomes "different." Admired by some and pitied by others, he was known as one who was leaving his parents, prospects, and home for - a vision. Well, at least that sounded visionary.
Now that he' s come home again he is even more different. To him some things - big things - just don't seem important. Even the World Series or the Davis Cup matches don't stir him much. And apparently he doesn't see things as other people do. The chance of a lifetime - to meet Toscanini personally - seems to leave him cold. It makes you want to ask where he has been.
Well, where has he been? Where the conflict with evil is open and intense, a fight not a fashion - where clothes don't matter, for there's little time to see them; where people are dying for help he might give, most of them not even knowing he has the help; where the sun means 120 in the shade, and he can't spend his time in the shade. But not only space; time too seems to have passed him by. When you talk about current events he looks puzzled. When you mention Magic Johnston, he asks who he is. You wonder how long he's been away.
All right, how long has he been away? Long enough for thirty million people to go into eternity without Christ, and some of them went right before his eyes: when that flimsy river boat turned over; when the epidemic of cholera struck; when that Hindu-Moslem riot broke out.
How long has he been gone? Long enough to have two sieges of amoebic dysentery, to nurse his wife through repeated attacks of malaria, to get the news of his mother's death before he knew she was sick.
How long? long enough to see a few outcast men and women turn to Christ, to see them drink in the bible teaching he gave them - to struggle and suffer with them through the persecution that developed from non-Christian relatives - to see them grow into a stable band of believers conducting their own meetings - to see this group develop an indigenous church that is telling on the community.
Yes, he's been away a long time. So he's different. But unnecessarily so, it seems.
At least, since he's in this country now, he could pay more attention to his clothes, to what's going on around the country, to recreation, to social life. Of course he could. But he can't forget - at least most of the time - that the price of a new suit would buy 3200 Gospels; that while an American spends one day in business, 5,000 Indians or Chinese go into eternity without Christ.
So when a missionary comes to speak to your local church, remember that he is likely to be different. If he stumbles for a word now and then, he may have been speaking a foreign tongue almost exclusively for some years, and possibly is fluent in it. If he isn't in the orator class, he may not have had a chance to speak English from a pulpit for a while. He may be eloquent on the street of an Indian bazaar.
If he doesn't seem to warm up as quickly as you want if he seems less approachable than the youth evangelist or the college professor you had last week, remember he's been under a radically different social system since before you started to bone up on Emily Post. Sure the missionary is unbalanced. But by whose scale? Yours or God's?
Stanley Nelsen
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REFLECTIONS ON PSALM 23
O the advantages, the pleasures of experimental godliness. God, whose knowledge and care are infinite, God, who is ALL and giveth all, is His people' s shepherd.
What can they then want when all the fullness of God is opened for their supply. He makes them to rest and feed in the pasture of His ordinances and promises; and He leads them for their refreshment, to the still waters of His gospel truth, gracious influences, redeeming blood and everlasting love.
He restores their souls when under disease or decay, and moved by His sovereign grace, leads them in Jesus and His Word as their way, and enables them to perfect holiness in His fear.
Amidst all the pain and fears of death, His gracious presence, His drawing and sealing influence, and His supporting promises, are their sufficient encouragement. Amidst their unnumbered enemies of lusts of devils, and of men, not only necessities, but even abundant comforts, are allowed them.
The mercy and goodness of God, in streams of spiritual and temporal blessings, inseparable attend them, till at last they are forever filled with the fullness of God in His heavenly temple.
A.M.
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"HE FAILETH NOT"
I sat in my room a dreaming
Of things I had meant to do,
And I knew there was only 'i seeming"
Not 'itrying" and iiwilling" too.
I though of my mind's swift vision,
Of the life I had meant to live,
And I knew there was no decision
Just taking things life had to give.
Yet how I tried in my weakness,
But self so often held sway,
Until I saw in my weakness
That Jesus was with me each day.
Just longing to help me each moment
Guiding my thoughts to do right,
So I let Him take full possession,
For then I can walk in the light.
Dear friend,today are you troubled
With problems and difficulties too?
Just put your hand in the Saviour's
I am sure He will bring you through.
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THE LAST WITNESS
I stopped outside the cottage,
On a winding country road;
An old man sat in the door-way
Of his little, homely abode.
I handed him a Gospel tract,
And he took it with a smile;
He said: "Would you have time enough
To sit and talk a while?"
He went to the church upon the hill,
He said he'd gone for years;
Then he paused and I could see
His eyes had filled with tears.
The Christians who lived round him
All bid him time of day;
But concerning God's salvation
They hadn't much to say.
He said: "I know I haven't long
Upon this earth to stay.
And I know that I'm not ready
If death should come today."
He thanked me for the Gospel tract,
For stopping and calling in;
Then he asked me if the Lord could save
An old man in his sin.
I told him that the Lord had come
Not to call the righteous ones;
But sinners to repentance,
And make such his sons.
Whosoever then shall call
Upon the name of the Lord;
Shall be saved, and I pointed out
It was God's own faithful Word.
I left the cottage and I prayed
For the precious soul I'd met;
I praised the Lord He's able
To save to the uttermost yet.
Some months later I called again,
And knocked upon the door;
A young woman answered
And I said I'd been before.
Her face lit up and she asked me in,
Then she brought out the Gospel tract;
She said: "I hoped to meet you,
I hoped that you'd call back."
"My Dad got saved through that wee tract,
And he wanted you to know;
Today he's up in Heaven,
Praising God Who loved him so."
I had been the last one
To witness to him here;
And at the time I didn't know
Eternity was so near.
So as you pass by precious souls,
Be faithful, my dear friend;
You could be God's last witness
As someone's life doth end.
Joy Patterson,1991
Submitted by J. Craig
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JONATHAN
lSamuel l8 v l-4 - Jonathan and David first met in Saul's presence and a great bond of love is commenced between them; a love which lasts right up to Jonathan's death in battle. Here in ch. l8 he presents David with his princely robes as a public mark of respect for what he seen of him in ch. 17 (David slays Goliath who defied and cowed Israel). In all this we see Jonathan's true heart.
David is honoured in this ch. 18 but Saul becomes exceedingly jealous of him. The 'Spirit of the Lord' has left Saul because of his disobedience and his experiencing bad bouts of depression. David plays the harp to try and help him. Saul twice hurls his spear at David v l1 but David escapes unharmed. Jonathan realises that he faces a conflict of loyalties, that loyalty to his father and his friendship for David. Not many can stand between two conflicting people, two who are in strife, but Jonathan was such a person. We now see in him a great peacemaker; what does Matt. 5 v 9 say - blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the Sons of God.
In 1Samuel ch. 19 v 1-10 all Saul's underhand plans of ch. 18 to dispose of David had failed and now he comes right out into the open and in v 1 he tells his son Jonathan and all the servants to kill David. Now we find Jonathan to be a faithful friend. He tells David to go into hiding while he speaks to his father. Jonathan talks to Saul v 4,5. Because of Jonathan' s intercession David is able to return to the court of Saul again, but it doesn't last long. Saul's jealousy soon got the better of him and David had to flee for his life v 10. In ch. 20 v 1-4, and other verses in the chapter, David seeks out Jonathan' s help in this terrible problem. David the anointed king is on the run. They plan together about how best to proceed. Jonathan is not as fearful as David v 2 but agrees to speak to his father again. Jonathan spoke at the feast about David and in v 30 Saul's anger was such that he hurled his spear at Jonathan and he had to leave the table. Jonathan went out to- David and shot the arrow in the arranged way. The chapter now ends in a very sad way. David and Jonathan are in great sorrow that they must part; they weep sore together and depart reaffirming their oath of friendship .
David went through hard times after that. He missed the fellowship and friendship of his dear friend. In ch. 21 he finished up in the camp of the Philistines - the friends of Goliath whom he slew. He was chased from there, the future king of Israel chased from the presence of worldly people.
In ch. 22 David went on to the cave of Adullam and gathered the start of what was to become a mighty army.
In ch. 23 he saves Kulah from the Philistines and we read of Jonathan coming to visit him in the desert of Ziph to encourage him v 16-18. The message he brings to him is very simple but very encouraging "Don't be afraid, my father will not find thee and thou shalt be king over Israel." Jonathan and David again renew their covenant of friendship and part for the last time. What a great ministry that of encouragement. We have seen in Jonathan his true heart, a great peacemaker, a faithful friend, an encourager but his most notable characteristic was his unselfish love. He was the eldest son of Saul and in human terms the heir to Israel' s throne. He was capable of it for in ch. 13 Saul had an army of 3000 men and Jonathan was in charge of 1000 of them. The tyranny of the Philistines was great in that chapter. In ch. 14 he and his armour bearer attacked the garrison and slew 20, two lonely fighters. He did not shrink from putting himself in danger for his country, but what he saw of David in the fight with Goliath led him to give up his hopes of the throne. This was because of his faith in God. That God should have other plans was accepted with grace by him.
The scriptures are open about all its personalities and nothing is recorded about Jonathan. From first to last there are no dark spots in his conduct, and the Bible does
not cover up wrong.
Jonathan is a great example of a good and godly friend, full of unselfish love, he could take second place, no jealousy with him. No wonder David could look back at that friendship after Jonathan's death and say "Thy love for me was wonderful, passing the love of woman" 2Samuel 1 v 26.
Have you a friend like that? - you are blessed if you have. Better still, are you a friend like that? This was a pure relationship and reminds us of the love of the Lord Jesus, who made himself of no reputation, stripped Himself and clothed us in the Kingly garments of salvation. May we exhibit in some measure these lovely qualities of Jonathan and we will be more Christlike.
David Mitchell.
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GOOD NEWS CLUB
Two weeks into the start of the school autumn term, last September, it was time to recommence our Good News Club after the long summer break. Little did we know then that, just three weeks later, we would be without our bus to go out around the district and bring the children into the meetings. We have been hiring a minibus since then, and we thank God that this arrangement has been working very satisfactorily thus far. Please pray that God would keep His hand on all of us, children and leaders alike, as we travel to and from the club every Monday night.
The numbers attending have kept up very well, with the average before Christmas at just over 60, and more recently getting up towards that number again. The average age of the children this year is somewhat lower than usual, which hopefully means that those attending now will continue to do so for quite a number of years to come. Please pray that the Holy Spirit will capture their minds and hearts while they are still young, and before they get to an age where they consider themselves "too old" to hear the Word of God.
Just on that point, the club is now in its eighth year, and we have seen very many children indeed grow up and leave us over the years. Please remember them: pray that as they continue to develop and pass through secondary school, and no doubt encounter the many difficulties and problems of this troubled world, they would recall something of what they had learned of God and His love at the Good News Club week by week.
Before Christmas, we were looking at the lives of Elijah and Elisha at the Club, and since then we have been studying both Peter and, more recently, a series of lessons specifically on the importance of prayer in the life of a (young) Christian. We have also had an occasional "one-off" lesson, including our now-customary visit from Mr Tommy Wright (from Glenarm Baptist) last November, and a special visit when Miss Yvonne Brown (previously from Lurgan Baptist, but now a full-time C.E.F. missionary in Lapland) showed us some slides of what life is like for boys and girls who live way up inside the Arctic circle, in Norway and Finland.
God has been working in the hearts of children in our district recently. Not only did a wee six-year-old girl who attends our own club ask the Lord Jesus to be her Saviour just a month ago now, but we know of others, from nearby meetings, who have trusted in the Saviour too. Pray that God will bless all those concerned, that He will now use them to reach out to others, and that He will continue to do that work that only He is able to do, by virtue of what the Lord Jesus did at Calvary.
" Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth. . ." (Ecclesiastes 12v 1)
Ivan Bankhead
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THE HANNA FAMILY
Dear praying friends, Looking back on last year we can say that God has done great things. He has brought us through great trials and to Him we give all the glory. We thank you for your faithfulness in this great work. Without your Prayers and support it would not be possible. Our girls all keep well. Carol has now got a job. Already a month of this new year has passed and right from the start God has been blessing and encouraging us in the work. The battle is on for the precious souls to be snatched out of the Kingdom of darkness. Praise God for Calvary which is victory ground.
Saturday Night Meetings:
Here God has been working in the hearts of men, bringing assurance to those who have been saved and drawing more men to Himself. Mr Guiney who was saved last October never misses a meeting. He has great assurance of his salvation, does a weekly bible study with Jim and has now started to reach out to neighbours in the block of flats where he lives. Old Jim continues to rejoice in the Lord. Joe W. who trusted the Lord 3 years ago is deeply burdened with family problems and need much prayer. Michael P.has been coming to the meeting for about 4 months and has now testified to Jim that his sins are forgiven and he is trusting in Jesus. Pray he will grow in grace. John D. who has been coming in on and off for about 2 years has now come to know Jesus and is able to say that his sins have been blotted out. This is only the start of the year. Pray that God, by His Holy Spirit, will move in the hearts of many more of these precious souls and save them. We had our annual New Year's Dinner at which there were one hundred men and women present. Thank God already some of them have come in to the meetings.
Tuesday Morning Clothes Distribution:
Men and women come in looking for clothes, many in need, others only to use the facilities. Time is taken with each of them to share the Gospel and invite them to the Gospel Meetings. It is a challenge to Jim when he realises that some are hearing the message of salvation for the first time and maybe the last. At the moment the need is for men's shoes, zip jackets and overcoats (only).
Drop-in Centre:
The greatest need of this part of the work is fervent prayer, daily, continually. These young people are the despised, rejected, forsaken, no-hopers in the sight of the world but precious souls in the sight of God, souls for whom Jesus bled and died. As we stand among these drug addicts we constantly remind ourselves that the battle is not ours, but God's, yet we do realise that "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" As Jim would open up the scriptures to them day by day God gives them a desire to know more. Many are sick and tired of their sinful way of life. A young woman Marion (19) asks for your prayers. She is a heroin addict, both her and her little baby have the H.I.V. virus. She has received a bible which she is reading. A young woman, Ann Marie believes she is too sinful for God to accept her. Fran B. who has been coming in for three years has now trusted the Lord. He has such a desire to get his life straightened out and follow God. Another young addict David, whom Jim led to the Lord about 3 weeks ago, needs much prayer as he has been involved in the occult and then became a drug addict. It is absolutely amazing how God, through His word, is enlightening needy souls like David. We need much Prayer for safety in the Drop-in Centre because as God moves the devil tries to cause much disturbances. How marvellous it is to see God lifting the weak and foolish and raising them up to the heights of glory. Praise God for the great work He is doing. Do remember if you want us to come and share the work in your Fellowship contact our brother Mr J. Hill, Lisburn 663595.
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Prayer Points:
(1) Mr Guiney, Joe W., John D., Michael P., Fran B., David, Old Jim, that they all will have a desire to know more of God and live for Him.
(2) Safety for our girls and ourselves, also for our spiritual growth in God, health and using time wisely..
(3) Our great need for full time helpers in this great work. Yours in His service,
Jim, Attracta and girls (Hanna)
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BALLAD OF THE UNBORN
My shinning feet will never run
On earthly morning lawn;
My feet were crushed before they had
A chance to great the dawn.
My fingers now will never stretch
To touch the winning tape;
My race was done before I learned
The smallest step to take.
My growing height will never be
Recorded on the w all;
My growth was stopped when I was still
Unseen, and very small.
My lips and tongue will never taste
The good fruits of the earth;
For I myself was judged to be
A fruit of little worth.
My eyes will never scan the sky
For my high flying kite;
For when still blind, destroyed were they
In the black womb of the night.
I'll never stand upon a hill
Spring' s winds in my hair,
Aborted winds of thought closed in
On motherhood's despair.
I'll never walk the shores of life
Or know the tides of time;
For I was coming but unloved,
And that my only crime.
Nameless am I, a grain of sand
One of the countless dead,
But the deed that made me ashen grey
Floats on seas of red.
by Fay Clayton (from Voice of the Nazarene)
Psalm 139 Vs 13-16
Submitted by Agnes Kelso
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How to make the best use of God's Word:
READ - it through
PRAY - it on
WORK -it out
NOTE - it down
PASS - it on
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THE MIRACLES AND PARABLES QUIZ
The miracles of Jesus show us who He was, and what He was, and what He came to do. Which miracles show us that Jesus...
1. . . .came to give spiritual food to hungry people?
(Matthew 14:13-21)
2. ...came to cure spiritual blindness?
(John 9)
3. ...had power over nature? (Luke 8:22-25
4. ...had power over death?(John 11:38-44)
5. ...had the power to forgive sins? (Luke 5:17-26)
6. ...has the power to help us if only we have faith in Him?
(Luke 7.1-10, 8:40-56)
Which of the parables teaches us...
7. ...to be good to all our neighbours?
(Luke 10:25-37)
8. ...that it is worthless to pile up riches for ourselves? (Luke 12:13-21)
9. ...that there is more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over 99 respectable people who do not need to repent? (Luke 15:1-7)
10. ...that we should not expect thanks for doing our duty?
(Luke 17:7-8)
11. ...that the great will be humbled and the humble be made great? (Luke 18:9-14)
12. ...that we should give all of ourselves and not what we can comfortably spare? (Mark 12:41-44)
June Robinson
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PRAYERS AND PRAISE FOR LITTLE CHILDREN
JESUS BIDS US SHINE
Jesus bids us shine
With a clear pure light
Like a little candle burning in the night
In this world of darkness, so let us shine
You in your small corner
And I in mine
Jesus bids us shine
First of all for Him
Well He sees And knows it
If our light grows dim
He looks down from Heaven
To see us shine
You in your small corner
And I in mine
Jesus bids us shine
Then for all around
Many kinds of darkness
In this world are found
Sin and want and sorrow
So let us shine
You in your small corner
And I in mine
THANK YOU FOR THB BIBLE
Thank you for the bible Lord
The book the spirit penned;
Telling us of your great Love,
From beginning to the end.
Thank you for the Bible Lord,
That taught me to believe
On Jesus Christ, the Son of God,
My Saviour to receive.
Blessings big, blessing small;
Dearest Jesus, gave them all.
Children big, children small,
Come and praise Him,
One and all!
LEARNING TO PRAY
Dear Lord, I thought there had to be
A special kind of way
To bow my head, and close my eyes
To learn how I should pray.
But then I learned of Jesus,
And its simple as can be;
To pray is just to talk to Him
Who said, "Come unto Me".
Sometimes, when I pray to God,
My little head goes nod, nod, nod.
That's because its time for bed,
And I've become a sleepy -head.
But I'd much rather fall asleep
Saying prayers than counting sheep!
I WANT TO BE
Dear God, I want to be a boy
Like Daniel, brave and true;
Like Joshua at Jericho,
When all the trumpets blew.
Like David fighting giant men,
But more than all of these,
I want to be like Jesus,
And my Heavenly Father please.
A BLESSING
God bless all those who love us;
God bless all those who care;
God bless all those who pray
For little children everywhere.
Amen
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MISSIONARY FOCUS
A few Sundays ago, at the church service, we sang the word
"O wind of God come bend us, break us,
Till humbly we confess our need,
Then in thy tenderness remake us,
Revive, restore for this we plead."
As these word challenged my heart, I hope that they will challenge you as you read them, in this little report and not only that verse, but also the last verse of the same hymn. Please read these words thoughtfully and carefully.
"Revive us Lord is zeal abating
While harvest fields are vast and white
Revive us Lord , the world is waiting
Equip thy Church to spread the Light."
Yes friends, surely its time for this revival, as the zeal for the work of God is very definitely abating. After listening to the missionaries at the Weekend, we know that the fields are white, millions are waiting. O that God might stir us up and equip us to spread the gospel message as we really should.
Daily the prayer letters come in through the post with all sorts of prayer requests and also some very touching reports of how men and women are getting saved on the different mission fields of the world.
The news from the Acre is very good, eighty souls have come to know the Lord during the river ministry, so this is very encouraging. Also Fred Orr has reported another eight souls saved at his church so they would like to thank everyone for their prayer support. We read from time to time in the newspapers of how the Muslim faith is marching forward at a tremendous rate, so it was great to hear that in Turkey some souls have been turning from the Muslim religion to faith in Jesus Christ. Pray for the work in Turkey, Turks are the largest unreached people group in the world; 60 million living in Turkey.
Dear friends the story from the mission fields of the World is that we would "Pray the Lord of the harvest to send forth labourers". One young girl in Ecuador put it in a nutshell when she said, It is exciting to see how the Lord is moving in these "last days", but sometimes the amazing need in this country just seems to be overwhelming. Yes, the task is tremendous, but the workers are few.
Nancy Gill, writing from Indonesia, tells us that the churches in the area where she is working have come under tremendous threats, but they are going forth in the knowledge that God' s promises are sure. The gates of hell shall not prevail against His church. Pray for the folks in Indonesia.
Walter Burrell is still working very hard down at the docks in Cork, we believe that his work could only be done as a result of earnest prayer and the help of God. The ground he covers is tremendous. He is involved in every area of the work from spreading the gospel message to helping the girls on the docks. Please pray for Walter.
I am sure we are all looking forward to Geoffrey, Gillian and their family returning home later this year. God has blessed them in many ways since they left us, so we are looking forward to hear first hand about their term on the mission field. Pray for them as they make arrangements for their journey home.
We wouldn't forget all the others as they labour for the Lord. Sam and Anna at Holywood, James McKeown and his wife at the college, Alan and Heather as they work amongst us in the church, Billy and Agnes as they seek God's guidance, also Derek and Ann Young as they work at the Grange. The little hymn says "While we pray for other nations, Send them help with willing hand, Let us not forget the home fields, Jesus for our native land"
Desmond
CALVARY
Amid life's chaos and its din
Its trouble and its tears,
There is a sure and safe retreat,
A refuge from our fears.
Through what seems evil, good will come,
And we shall one day see
The wisdom of God's guiding hand
That led to Calvary.
When trials and temptations come
Like winter storms of rain,
True faith undimmed shall calm our fears
And hope spring forth again.
Though weeping for a night endure
The dawn shall radiant be,
As we, through God's all-loving hand,
Are led to Calvary.
Amid life' s struggle and its tears,
Its clash of warfare grim,
There's one bright hope amid the gloom
A steadfast faith in Him,
Who, with His pierced hands out-stretched
In tender sympathy,
Pleads with His lost and wayward ones
To come to Calvary.
EASTER TIME
Good Friday is a time of sadness,
Easter is a time of gladness,
On Good Friday Jesus died,
But rose again at Easter tide.
All thanks and praise to God
H.M. Price
GOD'S PRECIOUS WORD
LAMP -for the feet that in by ways have wandered,
GUIDE - for the youth that would otherwise fall;
HOPE - for the sinner whose life has been squandered
STAFF - for the aged, and best book of all.
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GUEST SINGERS
April
3 Mrs Anna Irons
10 Mrs Donna Simpson
17 Mrs Jean Wilson
24 Audrey & Lee Graham
May
1 New Life
8 Mrs Heather Campbell
15 Mr Jonathan Logan
22 Mrs Wilma Power
29 Mrs Martha McClintock
June
5 Mr Robert Mitchell
12 Miss Beverley Murray
19 Abbotscross Singers
26 Warwick Sisters
Congratulations!
Mr Sherrard McKay and his wife Dianne on the birth of their daughter Leah.
NEW MEMBERS:-
David and Helen Smyth
Paul and Iris Houston
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
Sunday 1st May- Anniversery Sunday a.m. and p.m. Speaker Mr Ken Brown Knocknagoney Hall, Belfast.
Sunday 26th June - Youth Sunday a.m. and p.m. Speaker Mr Tommy Wright Glenarm Baptist.
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS!
Starting in May the Prayer Meeting will move from Friday to Tuesday night at 8:00 p.m. for the summer season, and will continue through to September.
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