Summer 1999
From the Pastor
It's that time again, to put pen to paper for the fellowship magazine. It certainly does not seem to be three months since I last wrecked my brain for magazine inspiration! But that's old age for you!
As I sit in my study, we are approaching Sunday the 20th June 1999, otherwise known as "Father's Day," and I find myself wondering what God's idea of the 'perfect' father would be?
Maybe many of the fathers reading this article, would put themselves in the category of 'great fathers.' One sure thing we live in an age when we desperately need good male role models. It seems to be getting harder and harder for boys to find good, Christian males that are worth looking up to. In a society that seems determined to blur the lines between the roles of men and women, we need again Christian men who are not afraid to be men!
Where the men are hardworking, clear-thinking, straight-talking, who, while tender, thoughtful, and loving, do not feel they need to ask permission to take charge!
In Genesis 18 :19 God looked down upon Abraham, and declared him to a good father, and as I look at this mighty man of God, I believe we can ascertain what qualities that God looks For in men in general, and fathers in particular.
A Great Father is a Man Who :-
1.IS IN LINE WITH GOD'S PLAN
Abraham knew God in a personal way. It is a blessing too big to calculate, for children to be surrounded by men who have God's salvation. Men who have repented of their sin and have trusted the Saviour. Men who are not ashamed of Christ, who are not embarrassed by their faith, who are not afraid to announce to the world that they are the children of the living God. Abraham was called by God, at the age of 75, to leave home and all that was so familiar, and set out to follow the God of Heaven, and as far as we know there was no hesitation on the part of Abraham. What an impact on his family?
A man in Chicago made it a practice to stop in the bar for a drink or two on his way to work. One morning as he walked towards the bar in the newly fallen snow, he heard a small voice behind him saying, "Daddy, I'm comin' in your footsteps. " It was the voice of his young son, as he tried to place his feet in his dad's footprints in the snow.
Dad's, men, are you leading the children who are looking to you, in the right - way?
We have a great responsibility before the Lord to train those who are coming after us to teach them of the Saviour, the Bible, salvation, prayer, and a close walk with God.
Are you saved? If not, you can't be the father, or role model that God would have you be. If you are, live in line with God's plan as a spiritual, walking, illustration of Christ.
2.IS ENJOYING GOD'S PRAISE
Abraham was a man who enjoyed the great and abundant blessing of God, and took a great delight in passing that blessing on to the next generation. (Gen 25 : 5) . "And Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac "
Of course, the blessing of God very often is not seen materially many of the most faithful of God's children have very little of this world's goods. But still the blessings of God flow bountifully every day the peace of God, the joy of the Lord, the wisdom of God as we understand His word, the glory of His Divine presence, the thrill of Christian service the list is endless.
Would to God that every child might be blessed to have a Father, or Godly men around who will take and enjoy the blessings of the Lord and pass them along. If we fail in this, the next generation will lose out on so much.
May our children and the children in our fellowship, see many examples of Godly men, enjoying their faith, and enthusiastic in passing that enthusiasm on.
3. IS A MAN WITH A GRACIOUS PERSONALITY
The incident which occurred between the herdsmen of Abraham and those of Lot, in Gen. 13 comes to mind. Abraham was willing to allow Lot to take his choice of the land, and Abraham would be content with what was left over. In chapter 21, there is the conflict between Sarah, Hagar and lshmael. Again, Abraham displayed a gracious spirit, and, in spite of what where very difficult circumstances, he sought to be kind and gracious to every one involved (Gen 21 : 4)
This is an area that so often we fall down on as men. We are inclined to get so wrapped up in our own lives, we forget that children are children, and will not always act like adults!! As we give them room to grow and make their own mistakes, let them see us as kind, gracious, generous and loving, rather than harsh, self-centered or quick-tempered. I look back on my own childhood, and thank God for a Father who showed spiritual and Christ-like attributes in abundance, may I follow his Godly example.
4. IS A MAN OF PRAYER
Abraham was a man of prayer. This is seen in that every time Abraham moved, he erected an altar to God, and there he sacrificed and prayed. (Gen 12 8, 13 4.21 33) He prayed about many things, for example, the impending demise of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 18), but he also prayed about his children:-
He prayed about God's promise of a son Gen 15 1-6.
He prayed for the welfare of lshmael Gen 17 - 18.
To my mind, there is few greater blessings that a child can have, than knowing that their father is praying for them. Fathers should make it a practice, to pray for their children daily, for their salvation, their protection, and that God will use them in the future for His glory
5. IS A MAN OF GREAT PERSUASION
Of all Abraham's accomplishments and achievements, his faith stands head and shoulders above the rest. Abraham is chronicled in the Bible as "a man of faith." In Gen 15-16. the Bible says "And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it unto him for righteousness." Abraham's faith was not a "Sabbath only" faith, it was not a "Comfortable lifestyle" faith, Abraham was fully persuaded and convinced in his faith, and it was the very bedrock of his existence.
Can I encourage every man (and indeed every women) to look into their heart today. Are you saved? Have you placed your faith in Jesus Christ, and in His finished work on the cross for your soul's salvation? If not, then the children in your life, and around you deserve better. They deserve the best example and leadership possible lead by example, and come to the Lord today, repent of your sin, and know the joy of having your sin removed and your life cleansed.
It is never too late to repair the past, and to become the man God wants you to be!
L. Kennedy.
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THE BLESSED MAN - Psalm 32
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered. How different is the estimate which God forms and gives of happiness from that conceived by the heart and uttered by the mouth of man. If man had to write out of his heart what he conceived really to be blessings would he give rent to the same description of beatitudes as we find in the commencement of the Sermon on the Mount. Would he begin with Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven. Would he not rather say, Blessed are the rich for theirs is the Kingdom of earth. Blessed are they that have health, strength and good spirits for they shall never mourn. Blessed are the proud for they shall keep up a proper appearance and carry their heads high above their fellow men. Blessed are they which have everything that heart can wish for, they shall never know either want or poverty Blessed are the unforgiving and unmerciful for that shows a proper spirit. Blessed are the unclean in imagination for they can make up in imagination what they cannot carry out in act. Blessed are the quarrelers for by quarrelling with man one displays a right spirit and is not trodden under foot. So how man, if he could really give rent to what his heart conceives, would contradict the whole list of God's beatitudes. And so in the words before us - Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered - how few there are who really enter into the blessedness here pointed out, how few know it in sweet experience, how few can appreciate it as a blessing from God in having a testimony that their transgressions are forgiven and that their sins are covered. Yet what blessedness is there in the absence of these blessings - to live and die an unpardoned transgressor - to live and die with our sins resting upon our guilty head - to endure the curse of God and to have that which shall be a flaming forth of His indignation for evermore. But Blessed is he - however poor he may be in this worlds goods, however despised by his fellow men, what ever perplexities may beset his path, what ever the difficulties with which he may be surrounded. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered, by the robe of righteousness, whose iniquities are washed out in the fountain opened for all sin and all uncleanness and whose transgressions are covered by the imputed obedience of the Lord the Lamb.
ATTENTION!
Many sinners show signs of laziness, when it comes to the question of salvation. Knowing that they should be saved today, they keep saying, I will get saved tomorrow. My dear sinner friend, are you like that? The Bible says: Boast not thyself of tomorrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Sad to say, many never make a decision for Christ. They never see tomorrow, because of the sudden heart attack, the 'no warning' stroke, or the fatal road accident. Sinner friend, the Lord Jesus Christ made salvation available for us now, when He died for our sins on the cross. The Bible says: Behold now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation .My friend, take the fear out of tomorrow by accepting Jesus as your Saviour today. Prov 27 v 1. 2nd Cor 6 v 2.
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ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
Is assurance of personal salvation possible? Some people say it is impossible for a personal to know whether or not he possesses eternal life until he dies and stands before God; and to say otherwise is only presumption, all we can do is hope for the best: Many are quite surprised and even indignant at the testimony of Christians who say they know that they are saved. Even some true Christians are not sure of their salvation. Being a Christian does not mean doing our best to follow the Lord but never knowing at the end of each day if we are any nearer to Heaven or hell. If the Lord Jesus Christ asked people to receive Him and trust Him but in return gave no assurance of their eternal destiny, He would not be a Saviour at all. But many people still have this opinion of Christ and of Christianity.
What is the teaching of scripture? What is the Bible picture? Does the Bible depict Christians groping around in darkness and uncertainty, never knowing until we die whether they are saved or lost? Is that the best that God offers us? Is that the best Christian 1ife can offer? Is that the best kind of hope we can give to people that we speak to? Is that the best a preacher of the gospel can bring to lost men and women or that a missionary can offer the unsaved? Is the message of the gospel a message of doubt and uncertainty?
Hallelujah - Assurance of salvation is possible. It is the believers privilege to know that he has eternal life. The apostle John wrote, "These things have 1 written1 unto you that ye may know that ye have eternal life. 1 John 5 v13. John indeed wrote this entire Epistle for this purpose - that the believers who read it would know that they have eternal life. To deny the believers assurance of salvation is to deny the message of the first Epistle of John and to say that it was written in vain. Some people feel it is presumption to say that we know we are saved, but is it presumptions to believe God? Is it not instead presumptions to disbelieve God and make Him a liar?
The Lord Jesus Christ promises eternal life as a present possession to all who will put their trust in Him. To doubt that you have eternal life after you have truly received Him is to consider Him untrue in all His promises.
Let us look at some areas of assurance.
1. The Testimony of Word of God:
This is true and sure and we should depend on it for personal assurance of salvation. The early Christians did not have any doubts. "We know that our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of God, an house not made with hands eternal in the heavens. 2 Cor 5 v 1. "We are confident," we are "always confident" v 6 & 8: "We know that we have passed from death unto life."- 1 John 3v 14: "I write unto you little children because your sins are forgiven you, for His Name's Sake"-1 John 2 v 12.
In John 1 v 12 we read "As many as received him to them gave he power, (the right, the authority) to become the Sons of God, even to them that believe on His name." This is my second birth certificate, the right; the authority to be called a Child of God. Nobody questions my first birth certificate, why should they query my second; If God tells me that by believing on Christ I am forgiven and justified which is the greater presumption, to believe or doubt His word.
Dear Friends in so far as scripture is concerned we could go on and on. Acts 13 v 39 it is stated, " all that believe are justified from all things. To be justified means to be declared just and free from the guilt of sin. The Lord Jesus promised in John 5 v 24 "He that hearth my word and believeth.... hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life." If we have placed our faith in the Son of God as our Saviour and Lord, we have eternal life and will never come into judgment. God's word is sure our feelings can be unreliable. "This is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life and this life is in His Son, He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.1 John 5 v 11 & 12. To believe otherwise would be the truth of verse 10- "He that believeth not God hath made Him a liar."
If we are trusting in the finished work of Christ for our salvation, God says we are saved. What better assurance could we have. When the Lord Jesus said to the sinful woman in the house of Simon the Pharisee, "Thy sins are forgiven; Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace from a sinful past, was it presumptuous for her to say, 1 know all that, but ! but ! but!
Satan is out to cause us to doubt; to persuade us to stumble on the Christian journey, don't believe him, rejoice knowing we are the children of God and refer him to the record of God's infallible word.
2. Another Area of Assurance is the Change in a Person's Life.
Paul said, "If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature, old things are passed away, behold, all things are become new." 2Cor 5 v 17. When a person comes to know The Lord Jesus in salvation a transformation is brought about in his life. The new nature of Christ is imparted to him, "partakers of the divine nature." This introduces new affections, new likes, new dislikes, new loves and new hatreds. Indeed in the Christian life we love the things we once hated and hate the things we once loved. The whole inward disposition of the life is changed.
Not only is this change apparent to the individual himself but his outward life will also appear different to those arround him. There is a whole change in his attitude, vocabulary and conversation. There is now the desire to serve The Lord; to be with God's people; to learn the word of God; to attend where the word of God is Faithfully preached. These were all foreign to us before salvation. Bad language just faded away with other evil habits. Smoking was a real problem with me, I smoked both cigarettes and the pipe and there was still a real craving in my system for it. There were many recurrence of it, many times I bought a packet of ten cigarettes and burned nine. I thought that the Bible should say - thou shalt not smoke. My new nature told me it was wrong and I had to be strong enough in Him to overcome it and praise God it did not overcome me. The new birth is the demonstration of a new life in Christ. If we have that new life, is that not evidence and assurance of salvation. Of course we still have the old nature and there is always a conflict between old and new - but this is also evidence that we belong to Him. The flesh lusted against the spirit and these are contrary the one to the other, so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. This conflict is further proof that you live a new life and a new nature.
3. Another Area Of Assurance Of Salvation Is The Inward Presence And Voice 0f The Holy Spirit.
"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God." Rom 8 v 16. The inward voice of God's Holy Spirit assuring us that we are children of God, the Holy Spirit bringing to our inner consciousness the assurance that we are saved. He is in our hearts to comfort us, and to assure us. As a Christian reads the Word of God and meditates on it with an open heart, the Holy Spirit firmly implants the truths of that word in the soul, assuring the person that he belongs to the Lord. The inward witness of the Holy Spirit is further strengthened and deepened as the believer communes with God in prayer. The Christian who does not pray may easily lose assurance of salvation. When our hearts become heavy and we are discouraged, let the Holy Spirit comfort us with His inner voice of assurance and hope. The very fact that we find comfort and assurance when we read and pray is evidence of the Holy Spirit's presence and help. Some new converts become discouraged and do not have this assurance when the zeal of their first love could dim. Please remember that our moods, feelings and affections can change with the state of our health and circumstances but Jesus Christ never changes, " He is the same yesterday today and forever," - Heb 13 v 8.
No Christian has to go through life wondering whether he is saved or lost. The change
in his own heart, the testimony of God's Holy Word and the inward witness of the Holy Spirit will all bring the believer to a definite assurance that he is saved for time and eternity. When doubts come, look back to the Christ of the cross and say, "He died for me and paid my penalty." The Finished work of the cross makes me safe and the infallible Word of God makes me sure: I refuse to believe anyone else:
David Mitchell
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"INSTRUCTIONS"
Have you ever noticed how very simple GOD gives His instructions;
1. To the sick He says, " ARISE"
2. To the weary, He says, "COME"
3. To fishers of men, He says, "FOLLOW"
Gods plan of Salvations was made simple enough for "'EVERYONE" and "ANYONE" to understand and find.
He even identified Himself as "THE WAY."
The Lord does not ask us to walk through rough ground to reach the ultimate in the Christian Life. He says, "THIS IS THE WAY, WALK IN IT."
This does not mean that the pathway is going to be smooth, but it does mean that He will always be there for all to find.
Submitted by Albert Moore.
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ON A HILL CALLED CALVARY
Outside Jerusalem' s city wall, they led my Lord
The perfect man yet He was the Eternal God
He bearing His cross went forth to that hill
All part of God's plan it was His Holy will
Calvary surrounded by sorrow and pain
Why did it happen? What did men gain?
He said Father forgive them they know not what they do
They sat down and mocked Him that evil crew
The thief on the cross cried ' Lord remember me'
He realised He was the Son of God, It's very plain to see
The devoted women stood there by the cross
Their hearts were very sorrowful; to them it was such loss
The Dear Lord they nailed upon Calvary's tree
He suffered and died for you and for me
The sun in the heavens was darkened that day
At the end of the darkness, what did Jesus say?
He cried, 'It is finished,' Redemptions work was complete
He died not in vain, and not in defeat
Nicodemus brought myrrh and aloes about one hundred pound weight
To anoint the precious body and in lined clothes they take
The Dear Lord to His burial in the garden nearby, that day
In Joseph's virgin, pure, new tomb His body they did lay
On the third and appointed day God raised Him from the dead
At God's right hand above He sits, the Church's risen Head.
Ray Morrison
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One of the best marksmen in the country was passing through a little town and everywhere he saw evidence of amazing shooting. On trees, walls, fences, barns he found countless targets each with a bullet hole in the exact centre of the bull's eye. He found the man responsible for such great marksmanship. "This is the most wonderful shooting I have ever seen," the man said. "How in the world did you do it?"
"Easy" replied the marksman. "I shoot first and then draw the circles in afterwards." Sometimes we do the same with spiritual goals and targets.
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REJECT JESUS OR DIE!!
Richard and Sara Michaelski recently ministered in a small village in Belourus White Russia. They were overwhelmed by the warmth of the reception they received and the unique Christian hospitality one finds in Eastern Europe. The "Tabernacle" as it was called was makeshift structure of cardboard, rough-hewn timber and black plastic sheeting. Inside similar rough planks on tree slumps provided the seating.
The songs of Zion filled the air these new converts sang with all their hearts as they worshipped the Lord in Spirit and in Truth and their simple meeting place now reverberated with the vibrancy of verse and song. God was once again inhabiting the praises of His people.
On the Lord's Day souls were saved, many confessed healing from the Lord and great joy filled everyone's heart. As the people shared their testimonies the following precious one unfolded.
A sixteen-year-old sister shared with joy and sorrow the salvation of her family and friends. Some months before at that very same village Ludmilla found her Saviour at an open crusade conducted by Richard and Sara. She returned home that night relating with joy her new faith in Jesus and God's mighty deliverance in her life. As she bubbled over with excitement and delight, someone was listening behind the kitchen door. In the midst of her testimony her grandfather could not retrain himself any longer. He burst through the door in a fit of rage and fury yelling "Daughter, how dare you pollute our house with such fables. What have you done denying our true, Orthodox Faith? Y ou have disgraced our name with this talk of salvation and sins forgiven! If you don't deny this 'Jesus,' in 14 days, I will personally kill you with my bare hands."
Ludmilla's father and mother tried to calm the grandfather but to no avail. What would Ludmilla's response be? Carefully, cautiously she voiced her retort. When I was in the occult, grandfather, you voiced no objections because you made money from me telling fortunes. I spent sleepless nights being tormented by demons, as well as my body being thrashed by demons. Where were you then? Now that I have been set free from these demons I have peace and my sins are forgiven by the Precious Blood of Jesus and you want to kill me! I will never deny my Saviour and Lord, Never, Never, Never!"
With that she ran down the hall to her room, slamming her door and bursting into tears on her bad. The last words she heard her grandfather scream as she ran down the hall were...... "We'll see daughter, we'll see, you have two weeks to make a wise decision of your true faith. Remember two weeks!" What was Ludmilla to do and were would she go for comfort?
The next evening she heard that the church where she was saved was having a prayer meeting. She had no transport as the buses did not run at that time of the day and the only way of crossing the river that lay between her and the church was to walk five miles down stream to the nearest bridge and then another five miles to the church. She decided to swim the river (even though there was a powerful current because of the river's springtime flooding) and go straight to the church.
The saints saw their wet little lamb at the church door and welcomed her into their warmth where she dried herself by the old potbelly stove. That night Ludmilla did not know what was warmer, the fellowship and the prayer or the heat of the stove.After some hours she returned home by the same route she had taken except now, wrapped in a polythene bag was her first New Testament and Psalms which she read at home, under the blankets and with the aid of a flashlight, tears of joy flowing down her face.
Night after night she swam the river and grew in grace, and every night her grandfather would scream, "You have 12 days, you have 10 days........ what's your answer daughter?" But God was strengthening her through His word and the fellowship of the saints.
Finally the 14th day came and grandfather met Ludmilla at the door of their house as she returned from schoo1. Ludmilla saw his eyes glisten with alcohol and rage. "Well," his voice thundered so much that neighbors came out to see what all the ruckus was about, "What is your decision? Will you or won't you deny this 'Jesus' religion?" Ludmilla' s response was being rehearsed in front of an ever-growing crowd of friends, family and villagers. "Grandfather, I love you very much but I could never reject Jesus, my Saviour. He saved me and gave me eternal life through the shedding of His precious Blood on Calvary. Jesus not only died, but rose on the third day; He is the Resurrection and the Life. He has given me true faith and hope and one day I will be, with Him eternally."
Her words hung in the air for what seemed an age. Then, suddenly the silence was broken by the sound of her grandfather running at her even though she was praying. He had a knife in his hand and in his fury he swung it high over his head intending to strike Ludmilla dead. He screamed at her "I'll kill you and the Jesus in you!" Ludmilla opened her eyes to see her grandfather teetering to and fro and then suddenly he dropped dead at her feet.
The Word of God says, "God is not mocked. Whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap. Today is the day of Salvation. Harden not your hearts."
Friend, if you don't know Jesus as your personal Saviour, His word declares that if you confess Him with your mouth and believe in your heart the Lord Jesus, you will be saved.
Ludmilla's mother and father were saved. There is a new church in Ludmilla's village of 178 precious, new converts in Jesus Christ. They all received Christ as a result of the testimony of a sixtcen year old girl who would not deny or compromise her faith in God. Although her faith was tried with fire and it almost cost her her life, yet she was grounded strong in the Word and in her faith in Christ.
May God grant us the grace and boldness to do the same in the midst of an unbelieving world. May we be faithful ambassadors for Jesus, not counting the cost that we might win the lost.
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew, 10:32)
Submitted by Grace McCaughey.
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YPF REPORT
Another quarter, another magazine and another YPF report. Well, the YPF certainly have been busy this past 3 months. The March-April-May period has included a great variety of activities for the YPF including a visit to another Youth Meeting, a house patty, a weekend at Castlewellan and our final meeting of the season.
On Saturday night 13 March, the YPF headed off to Donaghey to take their Youth Meeting. The choir sang and Noel led a discussion type meeting based on the subject of 'Relationships.' This was indeed a relevant discussion and was well worthwhile. Thanks to those members of the choir, to Noel and to Geoffrey Kennedy and Lynsey Gordon who presented a quiz.
The title for the meeting planned for Sunday 14 March was 'Who Knows?' and could be forgiven for thinking that when the committee chose this title, they didn't know either!
This actually turned out to be a large table quiz evening. A changed format saw us going over to the church hall (as opposed to the normal venue, the 'upper room'). Teams around tables in the hall battled against one another to see who could claim the victor. This was an enjoyable evening for all and I feel that even from the questions in the quiz, we each had learned something. Neil' s House Party was on Sunday 28 March. I think I counted 39 Young People packed into Pearl and Sid's sitting room, dining room and hallway! It was indeed a time of 'close' and 'warm' fellowship!!! The purpose of the evening was to prepare for the weekend that was coming up, and for some of us to meet some friends outside of the YPF who would be going with us. Each person had a chance to say a few words about themselves and about what being a Christian means to them. We had a really great night and our sincere thanks go to the Harkness family for allowing us to take over their house for the evening.
The long-awaited weekend finally arrived. Friday evening and we all were boarding an Ulster bus which was packed to capacity with people and luggage. Castlewellan was our destination this year again and I think I speak for many others when I say that the 1999 weekend was a great blessing and growing experience as any other. Henry Montgomery, the Youth Pastor from Ballycraigy Congregational, was the speaker for the weekend and his subject was 'The War Zone' based on the scripture passage Ephesians 6: 10-18. We were very graphically and practically taken through the whole Armour of God and told about how we should never let any part of the Armour go unworn but that we should always be on our guard for the attacks of Satan. I must say that the Young People really had a brilliant time and Henry, who literally 'mucked in' along with the rest outside of the meetings, seemed to get on really well with all of us. Of course, we had the usual overdose of partying and lack of sleep. Throughout the weekend and even in the organising of it, the Lord blessed and encouraged us and Henry's message really has been implanted in our minds. We thank Henry for all the effort and preparation he put into the weekend; it was greatly appreciated by all. Thanks also to each of the Young People who were at the weekend and those who brought along friends. As a Follow up to the weekend, on Sunday 25 April we had 'Reflections of Castlewellan.' The aim of this was to refresh in our minds what Henry had talked about and to have another chance for discussion on it. All armoured outfit was borrowed to aid in this discussion and we would like to take this opportunity to thank those involved in supplying this and also to thank James Elliott who kindly volunteered to model the outfit for us. On this night we also watched some video footage of the entire weekend - now that was worth seeing!!! Our thanks go to Julie McCullough who recorded and edited the video material of the weekend.
On Sunday 9th May we had a visit from Ballyclare Youth People's. We had a good evening with them and Barry from Ballyclare spoke to us on the subject of 'Materialism,' something which is growing more and more relevant today.
Our final meeting was on the 23rd May. As is traditional by now, Pastor Kennedy was our speaker and his subject this time was 'Is Anything More Boring Than Church?'
The Pastor delivered a very interesting and practical guide as to how we should avoid ever having this attitude. Congratulations must go to Pastor on his increasing skills and expertise with regards to the pretty impressive computer presentations produced for the evening - well done!!!
Voting for our new Committee took place also on this night. The committee for the incoming year is:
Noel Bell
Ian Calderwood
Neil Harkness
Pamela Livingstone
Karen Moore
Stephen Smith
We would like to thank Peter Bankhead for his help and dedication in the past year. Our thanks also go to John McCartney who has decided that 'enough is enough' and that it is time for him to take life a little bit easier!!! Seriously though, we would like to really thank John for many years of service to the Young People's Fellowship at Ballee and for all his help, faithfulness and tireless effort put in over the years.
What an eventful 3 months! I think the Young People (and the committee) deserve a long rest after all that. But no!!! Summer looms ahead and summer events must be arranged. But you will have to wait till next magazine to read about those. In the meantime, please continue to pray for the Young People at Ballee and for the committee. We have been really encouraged over the past few months. Numbers have been good and enthusiasm has been high. The Young People have been a real encouragement to us as a committee and I hope that we in turn have been a source of help and encouragement to them also. God has added His blessing to our work in the past few months. Please pray that we will continue to keep seeking the Lord for what way we should steer the Young People's in the incoming year and also pray that the Young People would keep on the whole Armour and be kept from the attacks of Satan over the summer break.
Thank you for your prayers and your continued support for the Young People.
Ian Calderwood.
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Millennium Fever
Well Folks, it's millennium fever season again. After a long break, it looks as if we may be on the verge of a new epidemic. In no time this long dormant yet highly contagious numerological virus could be spreading widely across the land, infecting a large portion of the population.
The last time millennium fever (MF) struck was, of course, in the year 1000 AD. Millions of Europeans caught MF and exhibited the disease's bizarre symptoms. Millennium fever ran wild until finally the dreaded date came and went. It appears from all indications that 2000 AD won't be any better. The symptoms may not be as severe this time around, but because of mass communication, the infection rate could turn out to be a lot higher.
Because the Christian calendar is used world wide, an international outbreak of MF is almost guaranteed. Not just Christians are susceptible to MF. As we move closer to the year 2000 AD, many other religions, New Agers, and even UFO watchers are likely to come down with MF like symptoms.
I read that one woman, who claims she was abducted by aliens, believes she was warned by these space creatures that tribulation was coming. She hopes to be taken off this planet during the worst times via flying saucer, and only when it's safe, will her space buddies return her. This woman sounds like she already has full-blown MF.
What is Millennium Fever?
Millennium fever is the belief that the dawning of the next millennium will herald either apocalyptic destruction, a new age for mankind, or the return of Jesus Christ. Many foresee some sort of combination of these events. However, the return of Christ remains the most predominant event expected to occur. Most cases of millennium fever develop from an inaccurate understanding of Biblical prophecy.
Symptoms of Millennium Fever
People who suffers from MF may display a wide variety of symptoms. They may show Fear, Panic, Anxiety, or Apprehension about the forthcoming Millennium. They also may have the opposite reaction. It's possible they could feel jubilant, ecstatic or even appear almost drunk with elation.
Factors That May Complicate Millennium Fever
1 The Year 2000 bug
2 Major news involving Israel, Russia, or the Middle East
3 Talk of a global government
4 Changes to the financial system
5 Earthquakes
6 Floods
7 Plagues
8 Wars
Signs that Someone May Have Millennium Fever
Their personal planner calendar is all blank after Jan 1, 2000 AD
They've modified their chimney to facilitate a rapture evacuation.
They suffer from severe neck pains from constantly looking skyward.
They may have uncontrollable desires to climb on top of their house or large hills.
Their car bumper is pasted with rapture warning stickers.
They have a plane reservation to Israel dated Jan 2000.
They walk around town wearing sackcloth and are covered in ashes.
They've started hoarding large quantities of food.
Treatment
There is no known absolute cure for MF, but anyone who reads lots of Scripture, and has a well balanced prayer life, can greatly lower their chances of contracting MF. I recommend people with a history of date setting should begin reading Matthew 25:13 "Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh." Through a combination of the Scriptures, like the one just mentioned, it possible for anyone to build-up their immunity to MF.
A word of caution needs to be given to those who totally neglect watching for Jesus' return. If you over medicate yourself on "no man knoweth the hour" scriptures, you could end up coming down with a bad case of left behind. The secret is moderation. Once you get your system stabilized with Matthew 25:13, try balancing this passage also with a daily dosage of Revelation 3:11 "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown."
Submitted by Stephen Johnston
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"Thou will show me the path of life, in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore"
It's All In God's Presence
Your life is a journey you take and a destination you reach only if you take the right path- the one that He promised to show you. God is always trying to show you the path that leads to His perfect will. So why are you failing to get there? Because it requires a daily commitment on your part to walk in it! Yesterdays commitment needs to be reinforced today, otherwise tomorrow will find you off the beaten path. Failure to arrive where God intended you to be always results from your neglecting to stay tuned into His word and His Holy Spirit. How's your prayer and Bible reading been lately? Because we're so easily distracted by what's around us, we can't see that "fulness of joy" comes from within. It can be found only in God's presence. Time alone with Him, meditating on where He's brought you from. Personalisting His promises to you. That's what will cause you to soar to heights that no human achievement, relationship or mood-altering substance can bring. Why do you constantly run after the world's pleasures?
They're temporary at best and addictive at worst.
In your Father's presence, you'll find pleasure without guilt and joy without pain. So let's stayon (or get back to0 the path that leads to real life, for everything your seeking is already in His presence.
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Ladies Fellowship
We have finished another seasons work on 14th April with a visiy from Gordon Campbell and Sammy Graham. These men are responsible for bring a group of Russian children to Northern Ireland in July for a fortnight and listing to them as they told of how God has guided them in this venture was heart warming and totally amazing. It was even more wonderful to hear how God was touching others hearts in providing for these kids when they arrive here. Please remember them in prayer as they plan to arrive on 9th July and as they enjoy so much of what our children take for granted.
As usual we completed our year with our annual outing on 24th April. This year we returned to Londonderry to the Foyleside where the ladies were able to shop to their hearts content. We finished our day off with a lovely home made meal at Aghadowy- once we actually found were it was! God was good and blessed us with a lovely day weatherwise and those ladies who didn't want to shop had the opportunity to walk around and enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
While our missionary meetings have concluded until September, our prayer meetings continue throughout the summer months. It would be great if you could join us especially when a lot of ladies are away over the holiday period. Please come and enjoy a time of fellowship and prayer and encourage those taking an active part.
Please remember to pray as we organize and plan for ladies meetings recommencing in September and if you have never been to a ladies meeting before make a date to join us.
We look forward to seeing you there.
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ARE YOU STUCK AT THE GATE?
"And a certain man lame from his mother's womb, was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple." Acts 3 v 2.
For years this man had been brought daily to the gate of the temple, but that's as far as he got. I wonder why? What keeps us stuck at the gate?
Sometimes religion does! In his case religion said someone with his problem wasn't welcome inside. Do you feel like that? Because of something you've been through orsomething you've struggling with, you feel unworthy or unwanted in the church?
Don't give up on religion until you try Jesus! "He said him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out." John 6: 37. He'll never reject you! He'll love you, lift you and help you to walk right, If you'll only give Him a chance.
Sometimes our attitudes keep us stuck at the gate! This man could have said, "I was born this way and there's nothing I can do about it. Why did God let this happen to me anyway? He could have blamed his parents for letting him down or the church for failing him. Nothing in your life will change until you accept responsibility for yourself. We've all been hurt, but if your telling the story twenty years later, you're not a victim by circumstance you're a victim by choice. Don't blame others for failing to do for you what only God can do. He's the only one qualified to handle your situation and He will if you invite Him into it. The one who lifted the lame man and caused him to walk that day wants to do the same for you. Will you let Him?
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The Almighty Physician
We visit the doctor when we feel unwell
But when our Spirit is broken who can we tell?
Whom do we seek to quench our raging thirst?
The good Lord above is 'Where we should go first
A desire for his word burns bright in our soul
To toil for the Lord is our solitary goal.
Where can we go for the nutrition to feed?
We open our Bibles and let God take the lead
Problems with illness, temptation and sin
The answer is found deep, deep within
In our hearts there's a dweller sent high from above
With a message of peace from our greatest love
Bones that are broken can easily be healed
But when layer after layer is carefully peeled
Our souls are laid bare and opened to sight
There is only one Physician who can make us right
We find Lord Almighty without Your healing hand
That our lives fall and crumble like a gale through sand
So long may your medicine cure all of our woes
And help us all cope with all that life throws
Written by James Clarke.
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My Lord, I did not choose you
For that could never do;
My heart would still refuse you
Had you not chosen me;
You took the sin that stained me,
You cleansed me, made me new,
For you, Lord, had ordained me
That I should live in you.
Unless your grace had called me
And taught my opening mind
The world would have enthralled me,
To heavenly glories blind;
My heart knows none above you;
For you I long, I thirst,
And know that, if I love you,
Lord, you have loved me first.
J. Conder ( 1789- 1855)
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Special Dates.
Holiday Bible Club..Monday 5th July - Friday 9th July {10:30 - 12:30}
Sunday 1st August am & pm Mr. Sherrard McKay
Sunday 8th August am & pm Mr. Robert McMaster
Sunday 15th August am Mr. Geoffrey McGrath
pm Pastor Anton Gromov {Russia}
Sunday 22nd August am & pm Mr. Auldwyn Calderwood
Sunday 29th August am & pm Mr. David Mitchell
Friday 17th September 8:00pm Mr. Billy Campbell
Sunday 26th September am & pm Mr. Albert Gilpen
Bible Study recommencing on Tuesday 14th Sept 8:00pm
Subject to be announced.
In October both Tuesday & Fridays will be prayer meeting in preparation for the mission.
Mission '99 - With Paul Bassett
(Melborne Hall Leicester)
Sunday 17th October - Friday 29th October.
The following belivers were baptised on Sunday 11th April.
Stephen Balmer, Gail Cameron, James Clarke, Stephen Johnston,
John Kernohan, Selina Marrs, Bertie & Lena McCord,
Sam & Ann McMaster, Pamela Neil,
Glen & Margaret Rutherford.
NEW MEMBERS
Believers brought into fellowship.
Reuben & Sandra Drennan 2nd May.
Norman & Mavis Miller 2nd May.
Stephen & Audrey Johnston 6th June.
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