Spring 1996

Pastor Kennedy Writes

As I sit down to write this article for our quarterly church magazine, I am reminded that many people who read it have never met me, (others have not been so fortunate!), nor have they ever been to our fellowship at Ballee Baptist. So to all our members and many many friends, a warm welcome. It has been said "The main business of friendship is to sustain, and make bearable each other ‘s burdens”— If this magazine helps to accomplish that end, it will have been well worthwhile.

I would like, for a moment to direct your thoughts to the book of Joshua Ch 7. Chapter 6 has just recorded for us the great victory of the battle of Jericho, but of course, it is at the time of great victory, and great blessing that we must be at our most alert... for we are most vulnerable when all seems well! Ch 7 is the record of a sad day in the history of the Children of Israel. Let me divide the chapter, or more accurately, draw from the chapter four important A’s.

(1) Ai This was a town of considerable size, two miles to the north of Jericho and east of Bethel, containing twelve thousand people (Josh 8v25). It was smaller than Jericho, and so the spies sent to check Jericho probably undervalued its power of resistance. The recent victory filled the soldiers of Israel with conceited confidence, they forgot that without God we are powerless against even the smallest opposition.

Can I ask you, do you have an Ai in your life, a place of defeat where the Canaanites have gotten the better of you? Can I remind of Ps 145v14 “The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down.

(1 l) Alas v7 The Alas of Desperation. If Joshua had been living in closer fellowship with God, Lie would probably have been led to detect the presence of this sin in the midst of Israel; as Peter did in Acts 5 with Ananias and Sapphira, but Joshua does the next best thing. He prostrates himself in confession and prayer before the Lord. Notice, his most potent argument was based on maintaining the honour of God. During his time with Moses, Joshua had learnt to view matters from the Divine standpoint. As you read this

article, and if you can identify an “Al”, a place of defeat in your life..., can you tell me, have you ever had an “Alas”? A time of repentance, confession and brokenness before the Lord. That is the only means of getting the sin dealt with, and moving back into a place of knowing the blessing and victory of God.

(111 )Achan This is the essential source of trouble, this is the root cause of the defeat. Achan’s sin was not just that he stole, bad as that is! His sin was that he stole gold and silver that was consecrated to God (Josh 6v19), so his transgression was sacrilege as well as theft. Achan was not quarrelsome, or a trouble-maker- it was materialism and greed that motivated Achan.... once his eyes had rested on the rich garment, with the gold and silver, he never could get his eyes off them again.Well might Solomon say in Eec 5v10 “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase”.

As you read, take a moment to identify your “Achan”, the essential source of your trouble. For you it might be gossip, faithlessness, pride, disobedience, bitterness.... if you are willing, the Spirit of God will reveal your “Achan” to you. Remember Aehan’s sin not only cost the lives of thirty-six Israelitish soldiers at Ai,but also his whole family shared in his tragic end.

(1V)Achor v24. This is the place, the valley of confrontation. It’s bad enough having an “Al” a place of defeat, and identifying “Achan” the source of the trouble, and even knowing the “Alas” of repentance and desperation— but all is in vain, and we will remain in defeat, unless we get to the valley of Achor. The valley of confrontation. It is never easy to face up to what is wrong, and do something about it. Let me leave this article on a positive encouraging note. It comes from Hosea 2v15 “And I will give.., the valley of Achor for a door of hope and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth”. There is a door of hope for every needy heart, you can sing again.

Maybe some who read this article are not Christians, you have never turned (repented) from sin and rested on what the Lord Jesus accomplished for you at Calvary. You face “Ai” that place of defeat every day, your “Achan” is sin the essential source of the trouble. May you know the “Alas” of desperation, for you are helpless in dealing with sin, and get to “Achor” the valley of confrontation and hope, by trusting Christ as your only hope and Saviour. If we ever meet introduce yourself to me not only as a friend but now as a brother sister in the family of God

Enjoy reading the rest of the magazine

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“The Bible must be the invention either of good men or angels, bad men or devils, or of God. It could not be the invention of good men or angels, for they neither would nor could make a book and tell lies all the time they were writing it, saying “Thus said the Lord” when it was their own invention. It could not be the invention of bad men or devils, for they could not make a book that commands all duty, forbids all sin and condemns their soul to hell for all eternity. Therefore, the Bible must be given by Divine inspiration.

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LEARN FROM GREAT BIBLE PERSONALITIES

If you are impatient - sit down and talk with Job

If you are just a little strong headed - go and see Moses

If you are tired and afraid - take a look at Elijah

If there is no song in your heart - listen to David

If you feel cold and lonely - get the beloved disciple John to put his arms around you

If your faith is weak - read about the apostle Paul

If you are getting lazy - listen to James

If you are losing sight of the future - climb up the stairs of Revelation and get a glimpse of the Promised Land

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The Sunday School teacher asked the class to act out the Bible story they had just heard, of Joseph’s brothers selling him to Ishmeelite traders. This delighted the children, particularly one little boy who took the part of one of the traders. Carefully he began to count out the money. one.. two.. three.. .four. . five. six OH!, this is so much work”, the lad complained. “I’ll just write out a cheque!”

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A tiny four - year - old was spending a night away from home. At bedtime, she knelt at her hostess’ knee to say her prayers, expecting the usual prompting. Finding the hostess unable to help her, concluded thus;

“Please God, ‘scuse me I can’t remember my prayers, and I’m staying with a lady who don’t know any”.

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A Sevenfold Assurance.

The apostle Paul was a man who was very clear in his thinking and objectives. Quite often, issues which would be so difficult and clouded to us, were to him crystal clear. As we look at the last Epistle of his life time - his second letter to Timothy we see that clearly in what he writes.

In chapter 1v12 and ch 4 v 6 Paul sums up his past, present and future all in two short verses. As he writes these verses he is nearing the end of his life, he knows that for him a violent death is just around the corner. That seems to bring an even clearer stroke to his pen and an even stronger point to his teaching. Notice the seven statements he makes, each one relating to himself,

What a joy it must have been for Paul, at the end of his life to look over all that had happened from the day of his conversion on the Damascus road until the day of his imprisonment in Rome.

Why was Paul able to be so clear in his mind to these things.

The answer is found in this Epistle. You will notice on a closer reading, that in each chapter Paul has something to tell Timothy about the WORD OF GOD. This appears to be the key to his success. Paul knew the value of God’s Word, not as a set of rules, but as a living vital force which was relevant to life and circumstances. Look at what he says in each of the four chapters.

                    Ch4v2 Preach the WORD.

If we are to have some measure of this confidence in our God, there is only one way for us, - get to know HIM through His WORD. Hold it fast, rightly divide it, continue in it, preach it and live by it. Why do we meet so many sad Christians, tried Christians, weak Christians, confused Christians today. I believe there is only one answer - a lack of individual personal communion with God. Please don’t get me wrong this speaks with challenge to my own heart. Do we realise that God wants our daily company wants to know our battles our failures our problems. Plenty of people will go to meetings but few spend time with God’s Word and the treasures He has placed there for us. Let us take a ‘leaf out of Paul’s book’ and get alone with the scriptures day by day so that we might build up our faith.

We should divide our day into four parts (1) Work (2) Sleep (3) Relaxation/Leisure and (4) Communion with our God.

The child brought home his school report which was littered with poor grades. His mother asked “What have you to say about this?”. The boy replied ,“One thing is for sure — you know I’m not cheating!

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1996 has so far been a very encouraging year for our young people. Ivan and Barbara Bankhead returned to us in January with an issue which is unfortunately becoming quite popular nowadays— AIDS. We were challenged as to how we would react if someone with Aids started attending our church. We also heard how members of our own church have to take safety precautions against Aids in their own jobs— this was provided by Stephen Irons, Richard Magowan and Barbara Bankhead.

Now, on Sundays the Pastor always announces the Young Peoples is for those of secondary school age and upwards. However, I personally think it should be for those at primary school. Perhaps even nursery school if we stretched it a little. Why? Well, if you were at Jungle Jim’s on Saturday 20th January, you would have seen some of the grown men of our congregation doing some... well, we’ll not embarrass them by telling everyone what they were actually doing... and it was not just the men... Returning to the YPF meeting the next night was a rather difficult task for some of us. Bruises, sore bits, aching muscles.. Fortunately, this time the least amount of physical activity was required of us. Wesley Coulter and Wilson Logan gave us as insight in to the work of a Gideon. Sunday 4th February we had an enjoyable evening of fellowship with Ballyclare Baptist YPF and Pastor Boreland. This time we got the venue correct.

An ‘In-house’ meeting was held on Sunday 18th February and thanks to everyone who took part in the meeting.

Ivan and Barbara, seemingly not able to get enough of our young people, returned for more punishment on Sunday 25th February. It being missionary weekend, we played the Development Game. It involved a Development Team going into a tribe in an African village to help them improve their lifestyle and also to tell them the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ. We concluded that it must be very difficult to missionaries to enter such a village. It also highlighted the point that there are simply not enough missionaries out there. (These conclusions were reached after playing the game, which involved a number of our congregation taking on roles — some were married to each other, some were traditional healers and some were chiefs.. Stephen!!)

More recently we had a visit from Pastor Lowrie and friends from Lantara Baptist. He baffled us with big words, more commonly known as Bible Doctrines. The conclusion being, when it comes down to it, we don’t know enough about our Bible and our Faith.

Nothing left to say except thanks to all those who took part and helped out at our meetings and also to those who opened their houses for us after choir practices etc., so we could have a wee gab amongst ourselves. Please pray that God will continue to bless our young people and challenge us.

Karen Moore.

He KNOWS our NAMES - John 10v3

He NUMBERS our HAIRS - Matthew 10 v 30

He COUNTS our STEPS.... - Job 31 v 4

He BOOKS our THOUGHTS. - Malachi 3 v 16

He BOTTLES our TEARS. - Psalm 56 v 8

He TAKES our HANDS - Isaiah 41 v 13

He SUPPLIES our NEED - Philippians 4 v 19.

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Ladies its hard to believe we are near the end of our programme for the Winter period. We have had a very enjoyable time with a wide spectrum of differing speakers. In January we had a very enjoyable evening with the Hill Street Baptist ladies listening to testimonies and songs. February we had a visit from David Knox from the Seamen’s Mission taking us on a world tour around the docks talking and listening to what lonely sailors had to say. March we had a slide presentation from Roy Gamble from S.I.M. To end our Winter period in April we look forward to a lovely time with Margaret Russell from D.C.F. To conclude our evenings we enjoy a cup of tea and a time of fellowship together. This time of fellowship is important in that we can set aside the chores and routines associated with family life and focus our minds for a short time on the words of the Master. Each of us have found this beneficial and constructive in our spiritual lives and if you feel this may be an encouragement in your own life then you would be made most welcome to our ladies fellowship. As we embrace the Spring time and the dawn of new life, what an opportunity is afforded to you in joining with us in our times of prayer when we can seek God’s face and thank Him yet again for all his goodness and unfailed promises. This we seek to do the last Wednesday of each month.

*Ladies a special date for your diaries:­

SATURDAY 11 MAY

Ladies fellowship outing to Foyleside in Londonderry.

Grace Logan

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Precious Memories

I had a blessed Mother

Who meant the world to me

And from her sweet fond memories

I never shall be free

She taught me how to love and care

And how to understand

She taught me to reach out in love

To help my fellow man

She taught me it is good to laugh

And also good to weep

She taught me always to forgive

Before you go to sleep

She taught me never ever hate

For life it is so brief

It passes like a vapour

Like the binding of a sheaf

She taught me to appreciate

The good things God bestows

And not to dwell on sadness

Or upon earths many woes

So with a Mother such as this

To guide you day by day

What can you do but kneel in gratitude

Give thanks and pray

And thank God for the precious years

And the ones that are in store

When I’ll find my Mother waiting

At Heaven’s open door

She’ll welcome me with open arms

And she’ll smile that smile of love

And we’ll be together always

In our heavenly home above

That’s why salvation precious

To protect our souls from loss

And eternal separation

By the gulf that can’t be crossed

So please be wise and place your soul

In to God’s loving care

And you’ll have the Blessed Assurance

That there’ll be no parting there.

Margaret Carlisle

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As I journey through this life with all its ‘ups’ and ‘downs’ and think of the changes (some happy ones; and some sad ones) that time brings with it I am so often amazed at the wonder of God’s love, how he ever could love a wretch like me, so sinful and so unworthy.

I look at my life and so often, sadly, I feel so empty, so weak and so unworthy, and at times I feel such a failure, but it never ceases to amaze me the wonder of God’s mercy and forgiveness, and although my life is far from perfect. God will one day make me perfect in Glory.

I just thank God from the depths of my heart for that Tuesday night 13 :July:93 that I received renewed and complete assurance of my salvation and that Jesus Christ is my Saviour, that he died for me and that by his precious blood my sins and failures can all be forgiven.

Yet, as I look on the church of Christ, I am so often discouraged at the lack of friendship and fellowship among Christian people. The church sometimes is referred to as the fellowship of God’s people, and rightly so, but yet I ask so often; “Where is that fellowship?”. Sadly pride has crept into a lot of our churches to­day and instead of them being a place to go and worship God, sadly sometimes, they are made a place of fashion where who can wear the grandest outfit of clothes; who can have the newest car; or even the grandest home!

I ask the question, is this what true Christianity is all about?. Is this really what God would want us to be like?. Pride can take hold on such an individual, that they are so taken up with wealth and style, rather than on the basic and humble things, and just a little reminder; we don’t take our wealth with us; someone said we leave it all behind, but rather we are taken from it, so in the end a lot of wealth and grandeur means nothing, yet it seems to be a very big priority in life these days, sadly.

It never ceases to amaze me why Christians so quickly form “clicks “or “groups” —and not just in a denominational sense, but it can also happen within local church fellowships

Sometimes all is required is a friendly ‘hello’ or ‘how are you’ to make people feel welcome and at ‘home’. I feel its much better to be humble and God help me to be humble in my life than to be so ‘proud’ where others are left to feel ‘unwelcome’. Thankfully, God loves us all equal; he makes no difference so why should others?. We are all equal in his sight. God doesn’t look up to the rich and despise the poor; God didn’t just die for the rich he died for the poor; God loves the rich as well as the poor and thank God he can gloriously save the rich as well as the poor. God is no respecter of persons; we are all one with him. Dear saints of God let us ever be mindful that: God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble (Js 4 : 6 ) Let us never forget that we are all only what the grace of God has made us. ( l Cor 15 :10)

Diane Johnston.

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“Things of Life”

One evening we were sitting in my Mother-in-laws talking, she was going through her Bible when she came across a very old clipping from a Christian magazine. I thought how true this is, so I would like to share it with everyone. It reads:- Funny- Funny how ten pounds looks so big when you take it to Church, and how small when you take it to the supermarket. Funny how long an hour seems when serving God and how short 60 minutes seem when playing golf or bridge. Funny how hard it is to read a chapter of the Bible and how easy it is to read a three hundred page novel. Funny that we can’t think of anything to say when we pray and have no difficulty in carrying on a conversation with a friend. Funny how easily we find reason for not going to Church and never think of missing a night out in the pub. “funny isn’t it”.

GOD BLESS ALL

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“ON EITHER SIDE ONE”

JOHN 19v18

Somewhere in or near the land of Palestine about two thousand years ago were born two little boys. Probably two ordinary children, for of the place and circumstances of their birth and childhood we know absolutely nothing. History,. both secular and religious is silent. Their names are not recorded but we know from the gospels that they had grown up to lives of banditry and crime, and that for both their last hours on earth would be spent nailed to Roman crosses on a bill called Golgotha on either side of One whose cross bore the inscription “This is Jesus the King of the Jews”. (Matt 27v37). Mark records the scene (15 vs 3 l&32). “Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with Him reviled Him. What followed was the wondrous conversion of the one known only as ‘The Penitent Thief’. We do not know how God worked in this dying sinners heart, we can but speculate. Could it have been that as a little child he had sat at some old rabbi’s feet and recited the scriptures (0.1.) word for word and book for book as was the custom? Could some of the great Messianic Prophesies in his last hours been by the Spirit of God brought to his memory. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities, the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed” (Is 53v5). “He was numbered with the transgressors” (Is 53v12). By the grace of God repentance and living faith was implanted in this man’s heart. “Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom” was his cry. Immediately comes the answer” Verily, Verily I say unto thee, today thou shalt be with me in paradise”. Truly his man was lifted from the brink of hell to the courts of heaven.

What of the other thief? Sadly there is no record of him ever turning to Christ. What held him back? Was it the love of money? No, he had no time to accumulate or spend one penny. Was it work commitments? Again no. The Roman nails ensured that his days of robbery and thievery were finished forever. Was it ungodly companions? Still no. His only companions in his dying hour were the Sinless Son of God and a converted sinner. Was it the pleasures of sin for a season? What pleasure was in the agony of a Roman cross and then a lost eternity. It could be said of this man that he fell from the door of Heaven to be lost forever. Foolish? Yes. Incredibly foolish? Yes. Unusual? No. Many are still rejecting the “SON OF GOD WHO LOVED THEM AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR THEM”.

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What does the future hold, we ask?

Midst murder, death and sin,

What does the future hold? and

Who the victory will win.

What can the future hold when men

regardless of God’s will,

Rush heedless on from day to day

To work their evil skill?

What will the future hold for all

Who will not heed His voice?

Who serve the God of pleasure now,

and make the world their choice.

But all who trust the precious blood

To cleanse, and save and keep,

Do know that God the future holds;

He slumbers not nor sleeps.

What does the future hold? Why ask

The coming days to see?

God holds the future, safe we are

and evermore shall be.

E.A.Bailie.

Unless there is within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us.

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Guest Singers

7th Robert &Margaret

14th Robert Mitchell

21st Janet Milligan

28th El-shaddai group

5th  Billy Weatherall

12th  Sam Jenkins

19th  Glenice & Pearl

26th  Patrica Storey

2nd  Beuleah singers

9th  Ken Maxwell

16th  Testimoney Meeting

23rd  Castlereagh Choir

30th  Youth Sunday

Billy & Lorraine McDowell  - 28 1 96

Mena Davis  - 28 1 96

Jeremy & Judith Whann  - 4:2:96

David & Marlene Houston  - 11:2:96

James & Fiona Fullerton  - 24:3:96

Special Dates

Friday 17th MAY 8:00 pm - Mr Billy Campbell (OMS)

SATURDAY 1st June 3:00pm & 7:30pm      ----   OPENING OF NEW CHURCH BUILDING

GUEST SPEAKERS   3:00pm                     ----   Mr Ronnie Mc Cracken

                                 7:00pm                       ----   Mr Tom Shaw

GUEST SINGER                                       ----   Mr Ken Maxwell

Sunday 2nd June 11:30am & 6:30pm                  ----   Special Lunch Sunday

GUEST SPEAKER                                             ----   Pastor Geoffery Ward  (Kilkeel Baptist)

Friday 21st June 8:00pm                                      ----   C.P.A. Gospel Service

Sunday 23rd June 6:30pm                                    ----   Castlereagh Male Voice Choir

Sunday 30th June 11:30am  &  6:30pm                 ----   Youth Sunday  (Guest Speaker) Mr Bobby Brown

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Another piece of history was made in Ballee Baptist on the morning of Sunday 11 February 1996 when we saw an increase of 25% in our Eldership. The Eldership moved from four to five, with the recognition and appointment of David Mitchell as an Elder. We recognise that the work of an Elder (same word as ‘Pastor’ in scripture) is not a position to lord over the saints, but rather a work to serve the saints.

With careful examination of the criteria of an Elder found in 1 Timothy 3:1-7, one can think of no better person, nor one who so fully meets the qualifications, as David Mitchell. He displays a great love for the Lord, the saints, and the work of God in our fellowship. He has a caring sympathetic ear and is very approachable in times of trouble. He is a man who keeps confidences and leads by example, this all done with a spirit of humility and Godliness.

It has been noted, that this appointment has been met by overwhelming approval and support of the members and friends of the fellowship. May the Pastor together with the rest of his Elders and deacons know the support and prayers of God’s people, and the wisdom of God for the days that lie ahead.

The Elders are:- Robert Cameron, Ronnie Linton, David Mitchell, James Robinson, Pastor Kennedy

From our annual business meeting on Thursday 8th Feb.... We can report the following deacons have been elected :- Ivan Bankhead, Auldwyn Calderwood, Wesley Coulter, Raymond Herbison, Stephen Irons, Joe Stevenson, Ken Storey.

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