Summer 1994
From the Pastor
Let me welcome you to another publication of the quarterly newsletter from Ballee Baptist Church, full of articles, poems and information. I trust and pray that it will be used of God to encourage, bless and challenge your heart.
At this time of the year the numbers in our service drop, as our faithful members and friends enjoy a well earned holiday. For some it might be a trip to the sun, for others a shorter journey to Portstewart or Ballycastle where the sunshine is a lot more elusive and difficult to find! But wherever you go I want, in this article, to give you a wonderful promise from God's Word to take with you. It is found in Exodus 33:14 and reads:-
" My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest".
1 The circumstances of this promise
Under the direction of Moses, whom God had called to lead His people out of bondage, the Israelites had left Egypt, which to them was a place of toil, oppression and misery. They were journeying through the wilderness on their way to Canaan, which they believed was a place of freedom, rest, abundance and happiness. As they journeyed, God manifested His presence with them by preserving, protecting and providing for them in miraculous ways. While Moses was on the Mount Sinai communing with God and receiving His commandments and instructions the people quickly turned to idolatry. When Moses descended the mountain and found them worshipping a golden calf he was disappointed, disillusioned and disheartened. Knowing that God had declared a breach or break between himself and His people due to their wilful and terrible sins, Moses could not see anything ahead except defeat, disintegration and disaster. He resolved that this disaster must be averted at all costs.
It is not surprising that in response to Moses' s longing and praying for the assurance of God' s presence with him and His people, God spoke the comforting promise: " My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest"
2.The content of this promise
The very first word of the promise "My" pledges to the children of God (ie those saved by repentance and faith in the finished work of Christ) the side-by-side, step-by-step and heart-to-heart fellowship of God himself. A literal translation of the first clause in the text is "My face shall go with thee". How richly expressive!
How wonderful it is to be able to converse with one who is strong enough to supply all of the guidance and strength that a child of God needs! What inspiration this promise brings us. It is not ambiguous, complicated or hard to understand, indeed the opposite, it is unequivocal, positive and clear. So whether on a brisk walk along the front at Ballycastle or lying on a sandy beach in Spain, we know the Master's presence.
There are two aspects to the promise:-
(a) Companionship
Darkness cannot invade the soul that is constantly bathed in God' s presence. Remember the testimony of the Apostle Paul (2Tim4:16,17) "No man stood with me, but all men forsook me... notwithstanding the Lord stood with me".
Years ago a Christian missionary, Felix of Nola, was being pursued by a hostile tribe. His strength was almost gone, and seeing a narrow cave he crawled into it, prayed for safety and committed himself to the care of the Lord. Scarcely had he entered when a spider began to weave a web across the entrance to the cave. Before long his pursuers came and were about to search the cave when one of them noticed the spider' s web and said "It is useless to enter there, for had he gone in he would surely have broken that web". They hastened on in search of him and the servant of God escaped. God' s resources are infinite and He sustains and protects His children.
(b) "I will give thee rest" - not only does companionship make a holiday but also rest. The Lord in this wonderful promise offers rest from doubts, fears, anxieties, dangers and afflictions.
3. The consequences of this promise
If you are a Christian reading this newsletter, then take this promise with you from day to day, on holiday and at home and you will be assured of at least three special invaluable things:-
(i) SAFETY - God' s presence with us guarantees our protection and safety, nothing can happen to us outside His sovereign control. What a cheering word for us as we face the unknown future!
(ii) STRENGTH- God's presence may not always keep us from temptations and trials, but it does guarantee our deliverance and victory over them.
(iii) SATISFACTION - God' s presence accompanies those who travel the highway of Christian obedience. It enriches all earthly blessings and makes them worth having.
I pray that every Christian will write this promise upon their heart, and that any of our readers who are not yet saved might even now turn from sin and believe that the Lord Jesus Christ on Calvary died in payment for their sin and trust Him alone for eternity. Now enjoy your holiday and also the rest of our newsletter.
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Date: 14 June 1994
Time: 8.00pm
Place: Lantara Baptist Church Reason: Baptismal Service
Seated on the front row of chairs in Lantara Church, I had my first view of the baptismal tank along with other candidates. I did not realise what joy would fill my heart during the hour long service. The singing was overwhelming, the testimony was so precious and the preaching of God's word a blessing. I felt a presence of God engulf the service as never before. All nervousness had been taken away by the beautiful hymn "Where He leads me, I will follow". As I came out into the tank, there was a peace in my heart which I could not measure. During the few precious seconds I was under the water God spoke in that I was not to fear the water. It was a beautiful picture of what Christ had already accomplished in my heart. That night, in symbol, I was dead and buried and arose to live in the Power of Christ.
Albert Moore
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FIRST FRUITS OF REVIVAL
Recently we have heard much about the lives of the "Guildford and UDR four". Such has been their fame, that public interest in them has dictated that both books and a film have been written about their cases.
As a believer I' m always interested in the lives of great men and women of faith, folk like the Wesley brothers and John Newton who wrote such inspiring hymns as, 'Amazing Grace' and 'And Can It Be' that have touched the souls of millions over the years; bishops Riddley and Latimer, who literally defended the gospel with their lives.
As one reads the list of faithful servants, they and their circumstances seem far removed from us in environment and time, so I'll tell you about a group of local men known as the 'Kells Four' and the impact they had not only upon the province of Ulster, but on the U.K.
The names of James McQuilken, Jeremiah Meneely, Robert Carlisle and John Wallace have largely been forgotten about today, but between 1857-1859 these local men found themselves the focal point of interest and media attention throughout the land, their endeavour was not to gain fame or financial reward, but to win lost souls for Jesus Christ.
My introduction into the lives and times of these men begins on a cold November day 1856 in Mill street Ballymena. Mrs Colville, a Baptist missionary from England, was addressing a young lady in her home who was terminally ill, a crowd of people had gathered to listen, and heard about their need of a saviour.
Mrs Colville had laboured without any reward for some time , but unknown to her a young man called James McQuilken was listening that day, her message pierced his heart and soul causing him concern about salvation. Some time later he visited Mrs Colville who again told him the simple truths about salvation and eventually James could resist God' s Spirit no longer and put his trust in the Saviour.
Such was the transformation in the character of James that he soon became the talk of Kells where he and his wife lived. After a meeting held in the national school in Kells to discuss its proposed renovation, Robert Carlisle, a personal friend of James McQuilken, asked his two companions (J. Meneely and J.Wallace) had they heard about the change in his life? Their reply was no, but Robert soon changed all that.
Jeremiah Meneely was thunder-struck by James's conversion, he visited him personally to see for himself. So impressed was he by the transformation in the life and home of James, that he began to search the scriptures himself and was soon converted by his bedside at his home in Ferniskey. Within a short, period of time both John Wallace and Robert Carlisle also experienced the saving grace of Christ in their lives.
All four now had a kindred spirit and desired to have fellowship and seek God' s face in prayer for the salvation of their friends and neighbours. Initially they travelled to a fellowship meeting held in, Tannybrake Sabbath-School but found the travelling arrangements a major problem, consequently they dicided to find a venue that was nearer home.
The place chosen was the old school-house in Kells and the name given to their meeting was 'The Believers Fellowship Meeting'. It began in the Autumn of 1857 and they met every Friday evening, it continued for three months before there was any visual sign of prayers being answered, then on Christmas day 1858 there was an out-pouring of God's Spirit the like of which had not been seen since the Day of Pentecost.
Samuel Campbell, who was an acquaintance of the four men, was the first convert through their prayers, he worked in Ballymena but lived in Connor. Within a week his whole family circle had been gloriously saved. Soon children in the Sunday School classes which the men taught were coming to know the Saviour and by the end of 1858 over fifty people were attending the prayer meetings in Kells, all a direct result of the prayers of the "Kells Four".
From this small humble beginning a tidal wave of God's Spirit was about to overcome the district and the country. Jeremiah Meneely, in and interview given in 1903, said this of the prayer meeting: "Each Friday evening the four of us brought along our Bibles and an armful of peat each. The peats made a fire in the school house grate that warmed our bodies from the winters' chill, as we read the scriptures our hearts were set aflame, and our prayers brought down unquenchable fire from heaven which set Ulster ablaze for God".
Dear reader the "Kells Four" have proven one undeniable Biblical truth 'No prayer - no blessing, some prayer - some blessing, much prayer - much blessing'. Do you pray and believe that God must answer your petitions, the "Kells Four" did, and changed the course of history in our land, and produced the first fruits of revival.
Billy Jones
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TRUST AND BELIEVE
Whatever our problems, troubles, and sorrows,
If we trust in the Lord,
there'll be brighter tomorrows.
For there's nothing too much
for the great God to do,
And all that He asks or expects from you
Is faith that's unshaken
by tribulations and tears
That keeps growing stronger
along with the years,
Content in the knowledge that God knows the best
And that trouble and sorrow are only test -
For without God's testing of our soul
It never would reach its ultimate goal...
So keep on believing, whatever betide you,
Knowing that God will be with you
to guide you,
And all that He promised
will be yours to receive
If you trust Him completely
and always believe.
Helen Steiner Rice
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MISSIONARY REPORT
Far far away in heathen darkness dwelling,
millions of souls forever will be lost.
Who who will go salvation's story telling,
looking to Jesus counting not the cost.
Great truths are contained in the words of this little verse. Yes friends, many precious souls are being ushered out into eternity daily throughout the world, and sad to say many who have never heard the message of the Gospel. Yes these dear souls will be lost forever and there' s nothing we can do about it now, but there are millions more still alive today. I wonder does it ever stir us to know that they too may be lost forever unless God, by His Spirit, moves or sends someone to tell them about Jesus. Could I urge you today to do what we are commanded to do -" ...pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He might send forth labourers into His harvest." We thank God for those who have went at God's call down through the years and have seen many souls won for Christ. We praise God for all the young folks we have heard about lately who will shortly be going into God' s work on the mission fields of the world. Please pray for each and every one of them, we know of at least four young folks who will be going to the Acre - Sam and Andrew Scott and two of our own young people Agnes and Billy Jones. We would ask you to pray for them as they make preparations and then head for language school, pray too for Victor and Audrey Maxwell as they are hoping to go back to Brazil in February '95 D.V.
Most of us will have received an update from Geoffrey and Gillian McGrath. I' m sure that when you read it you will realise the great need for prayer on their behalf, so much sickness in the family, a lot of discouragement and satanic attacks. Pray that God will overrule and drive back the forces of evil and that the whole family will know the blessing of God and freedom from all this sickness and discouragement. We pray for a safe journey home and God' s blessing for all the family during their time here at home.
Sam and Anna have many requests for prayer in their work at Hollywood, so lets not fail them. They have already had many answers to prayer and they are standing on the prayers, praise and promises of God.
Once again there have been many very encouraging prayer letters, 37 people saved in a little place called Hausa in West Africa and 87 people baptised. Quite a lot of people are coming to know the Saviour in Nepal and new churches are being planted. This is a real miracle, when you think that four years ago a person could be jailed for following Jesus Christ. Yes friends God is working in answer to your prayers.
We praise God for His hand of blessing on others connected with the fellowship, Alan and Heather Hoey, Derek and Anne Young and James and Audrey McKeown, pray that God will lead them to the place of His choosing.
I finish with a challenge from a missionary magazine - Christ's commission in Matthew 28:9-20 has become the great omission, Christ commanded us to make disciples who will actually obey everything He commanded. We have barely begun to fulfil the great commission.
Desmond
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There' s a piece in my heart that the world never gave
A piece it cannot take away,
Though the trials of life may surround like a cloud
I've a piece that has come there to stay.
This is my favourite verse of the hymn. There may not be much peace in our land, but it's great to know the peace of God in our hearts. From a very early age I was taken to Sunday School, Church, Sunday School in the afternoon and then to the gospel meeting at night. It was at these meetings that I was faithfully taught the way of salvation. At the age of nine, I asked the Lord Jesus to come into my heart and to be my Lord and Master.
For the next few years I just seemed to run with the crowd and there was no outward signs of any change in my life. Just over twelve years ago God brought me to a point in my life where I realised what I was doing, just taking God for granted. Whilst lying in a hospital bed, God spoke to me through a verse, Matthew 10 v 8 which reads;
And fear not them which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul,
but rather fear him which is able to kill both soul and body in hell.
In all our lives at some time, we wonder does God really hear and answer prayer: I can say "Praise God He does". He heard the prayers of friends and of loved ones and brought me from the hospital bed and restored me to full health and strength. Could I encourage all (myself included) to keep on praying for friends and loved ones.
At the end of my testimony may I finish with the words: "To God be the glory." Amen
Ian.
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Extract from a beautiful hymn written by P. P. Bliss
Have you on the Lord believed?
Still there' s more to follow;
Of His grace have you received?
Still there' s more to follow;
Oh, the grace the father shows!
Still there's more to follow!
Freely He his grace bestows,
Still there's more to follow
chorus
More and more, more and more,
Always more to follow!
Oh, His matchless, boundless love!
Still there's more to follow.
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LADIES' MEETING
As I write this for the magazine, I am once again amazed at how quickly our meetings have gone. June is now upon us and our missionary meetings have now finished until September. March saw a visit from the ladies of Templemore Hall, Belfast with each lady giving a word of testimony. It was encouraging to see how God has helped each of them in their daily lives and how they have dealt or are dealing with their individual concerns. Our God is indeed able and it was a very challenging and encouraging meeting. April finished our year with a visit from Pat McCracken. She gave us a word on Anna in the temple and inbeing gracious. It was quite a humbling experience when we thought of how many (or few) gracious Christians we know. Let us hope and pray that graciousness has not become a victim of our modern day 1990' s.
May saw 44 ladies heading to Bangor for our annual outing. We missed Raymond and our own transport this year but we thank God for journeying mercies coupled with an absolutely beautiful day which made for 44 happy and contented ladies arriving home at 8.00 pm. A very enjoyable day was had by all.
As usual our prayer meetings continue throughout the summer. It would be encouraging to see YOU there - especially over the holiday period. If you are unable to come please continue to pray for the ladies work as we try and plan a programme for next year.
"What' s going to happen next year", I hear you ask. Well, it would only spoil things if I told you now.
Why not come along in September at 8.00pm and see for yourself. I look forward to seeing YOU there.
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LOVE IS THE WAY
Out in the darkness
Shadowed by sin
Souls are in bondage,
Souls we would win
How can we win them?
How show the way?
Love never faileth,
Love is the way.
Think how the Master
Came from above
Suffered on Calvary,
Breathing out love;
Think how He loves us,
even when we stray?
We must love others
ove is the way.
Love never faileth
Love is pure gold;
Love is what Jesus
Came to unfold
Make us more loving
Master we pray,
Help us remember
Love is thy way.
Amen
F. Kickland
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PRAYERS AND PRAISE FOR LITTLE CHILDREN
Jesus is our Saviour
Jesus is our Saviour, He is the King of Kings,
He's mightier than the mountains, creator of all
things.
Jesus rules in Heaven, He's always near us too;
Oh, let us sing His praises in everything we do.
Thank you Loving Father
God made all the food we eat;
Thank you loving Father.
God made all the flowers so sweet;
Thank you loving Father.
God made all the birds that sing;
Thank you loving Father.
God made us, and everything;
Thank you loving Father.
Lord we bring our offering
Lord, we bring our offering;
Use it that your word may be
Told to children that have never heard.
Some are in our homeland,
Some across the sea;
May they learn of Jesus;
This our prayer shall be.
When the stars are peeping,
And its time for sleeping
Jesus will be keeping little
Ones like me. Amen
God's Gifts to Me
Birds and bees, flowers and trees,
Sun and moon to see;
Rain and snow, and winds that blow,
Are God's gifts to me.
Night and day, friends for play,
all my family;
Love and care, and clothes to wear,
Are God's gifts to me.
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"IT IS JOY UNSPEAKABLE AND FULL OF GLORY
AND THE HALF HAS NEVER YET BEEN TOLD"
How far the glories and comforts of the New Testament church exceed those of the Old! The great forgiveness, through Jesus' s Blood, inflames the heart and tunes the lips of praise. Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Oh the inexpressible pleasure of enjoying a reconciled God as our all in all. If He be ours, we may safely trust Him with all our happiness, all our work, all our care. If He be our strength, no foe can hurt us. If He be our salvation, eternity is too short to speak His praise.
Great is the happiness, temporal, spiritual and eternal, which we may, by faith, draw from His perfection, His Christ, His promises and ordinances. And thrice happy is the church when her members know Him and His mighty works, and with one mind and one mouth glorify Him.
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Y.P.F REPORT
Once again we have concluded a year of meetings. It' s hard to believe that we are about to start into the summer's activities once again.
On 20th March Cullybackey Elim Y.P.F. took our meeting, then on 3rd April we had a visit from Lawrence Ferguson, who spoke on the subject of drug addiction. He is involved with a rehabilitation centre in Belfast, dealing with drug addicts.
On 17th April our very own Ivan Bankhead dealt with the very controversial subject of Euthanasia. Ivan and Barbara split everybody into separate groups and gave each group a separate case of Euthanasia to discuss and give their views on. On 1st May Ken Brown spoke on "knowing God's will" and on 15th May we had a visit from Ballyclare Y.P.F. On 29th May Pastor Kennedy finished off our year' s meetings on "cleaning out the rubbish" in our lives, so that God can fill us and use us in our every day Christian walk. We have covered a wide range of subjects throughout the past year and everyone has enjoyed the meetings, as well as the fellowship.
We have already commenced our summer's activities with a barbecue at Billy and Agnes Jones's house. Volley ball kept most folk amused all night, whilst a game of football was taking place in earnest in one of the fields. The Y P.F. would like to take this opportunity to thank Billy and Agnes for their hospitality and for the full use of their facilities!!
Over the summer months we have planned a full range of activities including: a walk the full length of Portstewart Strand, Pony Trekking, Church Barbecue and Treasure Hunt, attending some of the 'New Horizon' meetings, water sports at Coleraine and of course the Go-Karts. If any young person wishes to know more about any of these activities, please see any of the Y.P.F. committee. Finally, a big thank-you to all who supported us by coming to the meetings throughout the year.
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The light of Heaven is the face of Jesus
The joy of Heaven is the presence of Jesus
The melody of Heaven is the name of Jesus
The harmony of Heaven is the praise of Jesus
The theme of Heaven the work of Jesus
The employment of Heaven the service of Jesus
The fullness of Heaven is Jesus Himself
Anon
"Know each other! Blessed comfort!
When this mortal life is o'er,
We shall know our friends departed,
Kindred spirits gone before;
In our holy thrill of transport
They will be the first to share,
First to bid us kindly welcome;
We shall know each other there
Fanny Crosby
We teach no new thing, but we repeat and establish old things, which the apostles and godly teachers have taught before us.
Martin Luther.
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POINTS TO PONDER
The besetting sin of a young pastor was conceit. He frequently boasted in public that all the time he needed to prepare his sermons was the few moments that it took him to walk to the church from his manse next door. The elders had the perfect remedy. They bought him a new manse five miles away !
George Whitefield, the great eighteenth-century preacher, told a story about the most famous actor of his day, David Garrick. A preacher asked him, "'How is it that you actors are able , on the stage, to produce so great an effect with fiction; whilst we preachers, in the pulpit, obtain such a small result with the facts? "Garrick replied, "I suppose it is because we present fiction as though it were fact, whilst you, so often, offer facts as though they were fiction."
Many years ago a widower was at a mission meeting led by the preacher Gypsy Smith. After the meeting He wrote to Gypsy Smith "Dear Sir, I feel that God is calling me to preach the Gospel. The trouble is, I have twelve children at home to care for. What shall I do?" Gypsy Smith replied: "Dear Sir, I am delighted to hear that God has called you to preach the Gospel. I am even more delighted to hear that He has provided you with a congregation."
You cannot change the past ... But you can ruin a perfectly good present by worrying about the future.
Overheard during a gospel mission: " I was very depressed earlier in the meeting, but now that it's finished I feel so much better."
Tradition is the living faith of the dead... honour it
Traditionalism is the dead faith of the living... abandon it
Isaiah 1:3- "The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master' s crib. But Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider."
Mankind calls himself brilliant, and yet the animals of the field are smarter in many ways, because they know their master and depend upon him for everything. Can we not learn from the animals, and in all things, consider our Master?
Psalm 46:10 - "Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the Earth."
God demands reverence. In an age of haste, it is a good thing to remember that there is much still to be learned in the art of waiting. "Wait on the Lord. . .and He shall strengthen thine heart."
Don't be annoyed when your children ask impossible questions. Be proud that they think you know the answers!
It's about time we gave up on the theological grand opera and went back to practising the scales.
Vance Havner
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GUEST SINGERS
July
3 Mr Ken Maxwell
10 Miss Sadie Morrison
17 Mrs Jean Lucas
24 Mrs Jean Wilson
31 Mrs Ivy Bell & Family
August
7 Robert & Margaret
14 Mrs Montgomery
21 Mr William Warwick
28 Jim & Thomas
September
4 Derek & Trevor
11 Beulah Singers
18 Mrs Helen McNabney
25 Beacon Choir
BAPTISMAL SERVICE IN LANTARA BAPTIST (kindly granted)
On 14th June 1994 the following candidates were baptised:-
Karen Boville Alister Mark
Derinda Hanna Billy McDowell
Ivan Hanna Lorraine McDowell
Albert Moore Lily Picken
Gillian Moore Diane Riddell
Karen Moore Stewart Riddell
Congratulations!
Mervyn and Joan McMullan on the birth ofJoanna Victoria on4/4/94
Wilson and Grace Logan on the birth of Olivia Joanne on3/6/94
Colin and Elizabeth Alexander on the birth of Lynsey Sarah on 7 /6/94
NewMembers
Billy Jones
N.B. Bible Studies on 'The Book of the Revelation' "Where do we go from here?" recommence on
Tuesday Sept. 6th at 8.00 p.m. (starting at Ch. 12) Prayer meeting returns to Friday night on Sept. 2nd.
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SPECIAL DATES
August Alan Hoey is responsible for all the services while the pastor is on holiday.
Sunday 4th September-
Student Sunday a.m. Pastor Kennedy
p.m. Derek Young
Friday 9th September-
Mr Ken Johnston (New Tribes Mission)
Tuesday 20th September-
Mr Stanley Mawhinney (Dublin Christian Mission)
Friday 30th September Mr Walter Burrell (Seamens' Mission - Cork)
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How little we know what God has in store,
As daily He blesses our lives more and more,
I've lived many years and learned many things,
But today I have grown new "Spiritual Wings".
For pain has a way of broadening our view,
And bringing us closer in sympathy too,
To those who are living in constant pain,
And trying somehow to bravely sustain,
The faith and endurance to keep on trying,
When we almost welcome the peace of dying.
And without this experience,
I would have lived and died,
Without fathoming the pain of " Christ Crucified",
For none of us know what pain's all about,
Until our "Spiritual Wings" start to sprout.
So thank Thee dear God for the gift Thou has sent,
To teach me that pain is heaven sent.
A.R. Cameron
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