Winter 1998

From the Pastor

Welcome to 1998 with all its uncertainties, yet all its potential. It is a glorious truth that the Christ of Christmas did not stay at Bethlehern, that, was not His purpose in coming. He went on to Calvary to die "The just for the unjust that He might bring us to God." (1 Pet 3:18), or as Isaiah puts it, " He was wounded for our transgressions He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His strips we are healed." ( Isaiah 53 : 5). But praise God He did not stay at Calvary either or in the tomb, but rose from the dead..... He is seated at the Fathers right hand and lives by His spirit in every born - again Christian. So we don't face, or needn't face 1998 on our own, but with the indwelling Spirit of the living God.

One day recently I phoned a friend of mine and asked "How's it going?" His reply was "Well, I'm having one of those days ! " that said it all ! we have all had ‘those" days when everything seems to go wrong, your plans are failing apart, you don't feel well, there are problems and burdens and it seems as if all the forces of the enemy are against you. A little girl and her Mother were walking down the street after a heavy shower of rain. Someone had spilt motor oil on the footpath. As the little girl looked at the oil she remarked "Mummy, look at all the smashed rainbows !" What do you do with "those" days, and those smashed rainbows of your life ? Either Satan will use them to draw you away from God, and make you hard and bitter and cynical, or the Spirit of God will use them to draw you close to the Master's side, into that place of close fellowship. The Psalmist in Psalm 55 was having "one of those days," he had seen his rainbow dream smashed, the enemy was oppressing him, his heart was broken, it seemed as if death was closing in. His reaction was maybe like yours "Oh that I had wings like a dove ! for then would I fly away and be at rest. Lo then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness" (v6 & 7 ) ....... That is the advice of Satan..... run away isolate yourself from the feelings of pain and hurt. If I could escape from my family demands and responsibilities, if only I could run from life with its hardships and pressures. Pastor, is there an alternative ? YES v 16 the Psalmist found the Godly alternative. "As for me, I will call upon the God and the Lord shall save me, evening and morning and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me, for there were many with me .... (v 22) "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved .... I will trust in Thee."

In 1998 we will have many of "those" days, and possibly "smashed rainbows," may we respond like the Psalmist and draw closer to the one who can sustain and strengthen us. My prayer for 1998 is three fold ..........

Like Hezekiah (2 Kings 20: 1-6) I ask for an extension of time

Like Jabez (1 Chron 4: 1 0) I ask for an enlargement of coast

Like Elisha ( 2 Kings 2 : 9) I ask for an enduement of power

"TIME" to fulfill all that God wills for my life, "BLESSING." (enlargement of coast) that we might see God's family grow both numerically and in maturity, and "POWER' so that we never operate in the limitations and logic of man's wisdom.

May God bless all our members, and magazine readers in 1998, and grant that all will know the reality of sins forgiven through repentance and trust in the finished work of Calvary.

ENJOY THE REST OF THE MAGAZINE.

Lawrence Kennedy

THE KING AND FLY

In the palace in a broom cupboard
There nestles a little fly.
As the maid goes to swat

The king wishes it not.

Why he loves it, I'll never know why.

So he sends the prince to stop the maid

Dish out the fly's fatal blow.

The prince steps in front

And takes the full brunt

And the fly is free to go.

Now the fly loves the prince because he took the blow

Meant for him who lived 'mongst the brooms

So he follows him round

Til he's finally found

In the king's most palatial rooms.

A story far fetched, or so it may seem

Until you have realised

That you are so small

In the scale of it all

And yet God sent His Son and He died.

The one who hold the universe

In the palm of His mighty hands

Has a place for me

Though small as a flee

In His eternal plans.

Don't ask me to explain

God's love for me and you

For just like the fly

I do not know why

But I am so glad that it's true

Jeremy Whann

I watched a little boy in a confectionery store. He wandered from stand to stand, from counter to counter ..... He had a worried look on his face as he studied each sweet and bar of chocolate. His mother got frustrated as she waited "Hurry up son ....... spend your money ........ we have to go." The boy looked up 'But Mum, I've only one 50p to spend, and I've got to spend it carefully! .......... ONLY ONE LIFE, TWILL SOON BE PAST, ONLY WHAT'S DONE FOR CHRIST WILL LAST, - SPEND IT CAREFULLY.

The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention

STAR CHILD

The silent stars on Christmas night

Remind us of a time long gone

When one great star's unearthly light

Above a humble stable shone

And shepherd's worshipped half afraid

A star-child in a manager laid.

No crown adorned this gentle child

No fanfare marked His natal - day

The ox and ass companions mild

Stirred softly in the scented hay

And kings who sought a Royal birth

Found love divine come down to earth.

And still, each starry Christmas Eve

New hope within us warmly springs

We scan the skies, perhaps believe

We hear the beat of angel's wings

Or, softly, ere the stars are gone

The echo of the seraph's song

When He, who caused the stars to be

Became a Child for such as we.

Submitted by Louise McAuley

NEW YEAR

Welcome New Year! Welcome New Year!

You are my bright new tomorrow ! Whatever the past –

Dreaming dreams that don’t last! I greet you with anticipation

God knows what’s ahead, So there’s no need to dread.

What hides behind moments and hours:

I will hoist up my sail; Not fearing the gale –

My captain is King of All Ages

By Faith Noah; being warned of God; prepared an ark to the saving of his house.

‘Close Enough To Hear’

Do you live close enough to God to hear his warnings when danger is present ? Noah did and he saved his entire house. Are we close enough to our family for them to have confidence in what God has spoken to us ? We can literally change the direction of our whole family without argument or discussion, through prayer. Our loved ones need to be sheltered under the covering of our prayer life. No wonder the disciples of Jesus cried out "Lord teach us to pray" (Luke 11 v 1 ). We're emotionally overwhelmed and spiritually depleted because we have not learned the power of prayer. Lack of prayer has left us weak and anxious so we blindly make decisions in our business, our homes and our ministries without taking any serious time to talk it over with the Lord. You can't prepare an ark in time - without warning and direction from God. That means staying close enough to him to hear what He has to say. Listen, "If my people, which are called by my name; shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and heal their land. (2 Chro 7 v 14). God has promised to heal any situation that pertains to the man or woman who pray; Solomon was concerned about the things that were beyond his power; But God made it clear that nothing is beyond His power. Child of God put prayer back at the centre of your life and watch what happens.

Elizabeth McBride

The Eternal God is thy Refuge (Deut 33v27)

One night during a terrible storm a certain man walked along the seashore. The clouds hung low overhead. The wind howled. Thunder rolled, lightening flashed and the rain poured down in torrents. The man pulled his heavy overcoat closer round him, bent his body against the gale and hurried home. A little bird lost in the storm sought shelter under his coat; he took it in his hand, carried it home and placed it in a warm cage. The next morning after the storm had subsided and the clouds had cleared away, he took the little bird to the door. It paused in his hand for a moment; then lifting its tiny wings, it hurried back to its forest home. Then it was that Charles Wesley caught the vision, and going back to his room he wrote the words to a song that is loved around the world today and will live on in time.

JESUS, LOVER OF MY SOUL,

LET ME TO TRY BOSOM FLY:

WHILE THE NEARER WATERS ROLL

WHILE THE TEMPEST STILL IS HIGH:

HIDE ME, O MY SAVIOUR HIDE,

TILL THE STORMS OF LIFE BE PAST;

SAFE INTO THE HAVEN GUIDE,

O RECEIVE MY SOUL AT LAST.

OTHER REFUGE HAVE I NONE,

HANGS MY HELPLESS SOUL ON THEE

LEAVE, AH! LEAVE ME NOT ALONE

STILL SUPPORT AND COMFORT ME.

The Christian and His Attitude To Gambling

Most people in the United Kingdom will be aware that the first weekly National Lottery was held on 19th November 1994. 'Me publicity devoted to the subject has been enormous. The lottery has been sponsored by Government legislation, personally endorsed by the Prime Minister and lavishly supported by full page newspaper advertisements. As a consequence the nation has been swept by gambling hysteria. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ traditionally have had nothing to do with gambling in any form, and rightly so. However, by its very scale, and the subtlety of its media promotion, the National Lottery may pose a significant challenge to some Christians. Soon we will all know of someone who has won money on the Lottery. Unsaved people will not see any harm in this activity. Indeed, this form of gambling will have general social acceptability, mainly because some of the money raised will benefit good causes. It has a fun image, is accessible easy to play and, at only £1 per entry, relatively cheap. Furthermore, there is the chance, however remote, of a large winning. People hitherto uninterested in gambling will be attracted to this form. Some will be religious. Some Will be 'nominal' Christians. Some will 'profess' faith in Christ. Sadly, some may be saved, but misguided. But what about you? What will you do when encouraged to 'give it a go', or join a gambling syndicate?

We should, I think, look a little further at the Lottery advertising. It's main logo and caption is a coalescing of the stars in the night sky to form the outline of a man's hand pointing downwards with the words, 'It could be you.' The starry outline is to represent the hand of fate, the finger of providence and, to some, the intervention of God. Let us state at the outset, believers should not be deluded by talk of fate, luck or chance. The God we have come to know, and the Saviour in whom we trust, is not unknown: "In Him we live, and move, and have our being." (Acts 17:28). He is in absolute control of everything, including our lives. "When I consider The heavens, the work of Thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which Thou hast ordained; What is a man that thou art mindful of Him?" (Psalm 8:3,4). Not a sparrow falls to the ground without His knowledge. Life and death are at His command. The believer who has his trust fully stayed upon the God who has promised to 'supply all your need' (Phil 4:19) will have no interest in the supply of greed on the principle of random chance

If the graphic designer thought 'his finger from the sky' imagery would help endorse national gambling he was guilty of a grave oversight. You will recall that it was the finger of God that condemned the illicit desire behind gambling; 'Thou shalt not covet.' (Exod 20:17).

Although the first tables of the Law were broken (Exod 32) they were rewritten by God without alteration (Exod 34; Deut 10:4).

This national folly is being operated by a company called "Camelot", its name taken from that city of English myth where alchemists sought to turn base metal into gold. The 1994 Camelot seeks to take money from many to turn it into a fortune for a few. And the majority of people will prefer to pursue this elusive dream than to seek the certain riches of salvation.

Let us for a few moments review some of the reasons why gambling is incompatible with Christianity-

Gambling is founded upon covetousness which is condemned by scripture. 'They that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. ' ( 1 Tim 6:9, 1 0).
It violated the Biblical principle of working to provide for the necessities of life: 'This we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. '(2 Thes 3: 10). 'But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. ' (1 Tim 5: 8). 'Let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. '(Eph 4:28).
It demeans any profession of faith, and devalues any testimony to, the God who has promised to care for His own: 'Casting all your care upon Him: for He careth for you. (1 Pet 5:7).
Finally, it would give a totally detrimental focus to interests in life: 'Lay not up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal.. but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through and steal: for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Matt 6:19-2 1).

In addition, we have much more in Christ than any rich person envied by the unsaved. Such riches are uncertain and transient. By contrast, the believer is rich beyond compare having experienced the "riches of HIS grace" (Eph. 1:7 ) and is destined to experience the "exceeding riches of His grace" (Eph. 2:7)

I do trust that this article may confirm our conviction to have nothing whatsoever to do with gambling; whether lottery, ballots, betting, scratch cards or any other form. Our interests should be exclusively centred on our spiritual and eternal riches in the person of our soon coming Lord Jesus Christ.

Reproduced with kind permission of lan McKee. Newtownards

Psalm 23

The Lord is my Shepherd Possession

I shall not want Provision

He maketh me Power

To lie down Position

In green pastures Place

He leadeth me Pilotage

Beside the still waters Peace

He restoreth my soul Prosperity

He leadeth me Progress

In the paths of righteousness Piety

For His name's sake Purpose

Yea, though I walk Pilgrimage

Through the valley of the shadow of death Pain

I will fear no evil Protection

For thou art with me Presence

Thy rod Punishment

And Thy staff Persuasion

They comfort me Pleasure

Thou preparest a table before me Preparation

In the presence of mine enemies Persecution

Thou anointest my head with oil Preservation

My cup runneth over Plenty

Surely goodness and mercy Promise

Shall follow me Pursuit

All the days of my life Period

And I shall dwell Placement

In the House of the Lord Palace

For ever Permanence

David Mitchell

A Sinner Saved by Grace

Brought up in a good home with a family of 10 sisters and 1 brother. My mother faithfully sent us to Sunday School and Church where we heard the truth of the Gospel that if you wanted to go to Heaven you had to be born again. At the age of 11 or 12 I remember asking the Lord into my heart. Not continuing to follow the Lord 1 went through school then went to work finding myself caught in the things of this world. I met Norman and married in 1971. I was still found in the clubs and pubs. Something I continued to do was to go to Church every Sunday as I believed that’s where I should be. When my Dad died and I stopped drinking I knew there must be more to life than this. The Lord had been speaking to me telling me I needed to be saved. On Saturday 15 February 1986 …..I didn't know who to turn too. The Lord led me to read John 3 v 16 still a battle was raging within. Norman came home from work and I burst into tears telling him I needed to be saved. Norman said "don't tell me tell the Lord". So I went upstairs got down on my knees at my beside and asked the Lord to save me. I came down a new creature in Christ. Old things passed away all things become new. It hasn't been an easy road, but I thank God for His guiding and leading even using me in His Service amongst the boys and girls of Laymore and Fountain Place Sunday School and I praise God for my family who know and love the Lord, and by His grace I mean to go on.

Esther Harcourt

TEACH ME

Teach me O' Lord thy pathways,

Cleanse me O'Lord from within.

Bring me back daily to Calvary,

From there make each day begin

Putting my trust in Jesus,

He'll always show me the way.

He carries me through stormy waters,

To bring me a brighter to-day.

His power is made perfect in weakness,

None other is weaker than I,

He purchased my soul on that old rugged cross,

He died for a fool such as I.

But here my dear friend is the marvel,

He rose from the grave once again,

He glorified God with His body,

When He visibly walked amongst men.

He has shown us His pathways already,

He has given a gift with His blood,

A gift which is life everlasting,

A life filled with goodness and love.

Elaine Elder

Are you standing at "Wit's End Corner," Christian, with troubled brow ?

Are you thinking of what is before you and; all you are bearing now ?

Does all the world seem against you, and you in the battle alone ?

Remember -at wits' end corner is just where God's power is shown.

Are you standing at wits' end corner, blinded with wearing pain,

Feeling you cannot endure it, you cannot bear the strain,

Bruised through the constant suffering, dizzy and dazed and numb?

Remember - to wits' end corner is where Jesus loves to come.

Are you standing at wits' end corner, your work before you spread,

All lying, begun, unfinished and pressing on heart and head,

Longing for strength to do it, stretching out with trembling hands?

Remember at wits' end corner the burden bearer stands.

Are you standing at wits' end corner, yearning for those you love,

Longing, praying, and watching, pleading their cause above,

Trying to lead them to Jesus, wond'ring if you've been true?

He whispers - at wits' end corner - "I'll win them as I won you"

Are you standing at wits' end corner ? then you're just in the very spot

To learn the wondrous resources of him who faileth not!

No doubt to a brighter pathway your footsteps will soon be moved,

But only at wits' end corner is the "God who is able" proved.

LADIES FELLOWSHIP.

By the time this magazine reaches you Christmas will be over for another year and probably by now the Christmas tree will have been packed away or getting ready to be taken down. Many households look forward to a sense of normality returning after the festive period and the many demands that are made. Maybe you are one of those people who have made New Year resolutions and are promising to do your best and keep it - this year. January 1 1998 is for many people an occasion to turn over a new page - a new beginning - to forget 1997 and the problems and disappointments you may have incurred. As I reflected on our ladies meetings from September 1997 I was once again challenged as I thought about each speaker and of each different circumstances in their lives. Phyllis Arnold as she spoke of the death of not one but 2 of her children within 9 days, Mrs Arthur Williams dealing with an alcoholic husband and how God saved them and gave them a love for those with this addiction and finally in November with a visit from Pauline English who is a converted nun. How she challenged us as Christians about telling others about Jesus Christ and how by living close to the One we claim to serve we can be an example to others in our daily living. Each of these have memories of previous years that they would perhaps choose to forget and yet God has taken each circumstance and used it for His purpose and plan. As we prepare to close the door on 1997 hope that each woman will remember the challenge of 1997 in each meeting and will actively seek to respond in a positive fashion in 1998. How ? By drawing close to our Saviour, by wanting to learn more about Him and learning from others what God is doing in their lives, by being involved, by being there. Where ? The ladies hold a prayer meeting on the last Wednesday of each month. It is a small meeting and yet it is wonderful to feel the presence of God in that little group of ladies. Our first meeting of 1998 is a visit from Sam and Andrea Gibson from G.L.O. (Gospel Literature Outreach) who are presently home on furlough from France.

May 1 extend a warm invitation to all ladies to attend and enjoy fellowship over a cup of tea afterwards. As you prepare to put Christmas 1997 behind you and begin 1998 why not come and join us on 14 th January and start 1998 as you plan to continue. Happy New year to you all.

Leslie Kennedy

A REMARKABLE ANSWER TO PRAYER

There was once in a village In the Isle of Lewis an old Christian woman who set out with two younger men to be present at a communion service in Stornoway. This meant a journey on foot of many miles over rough moorland tracks. When they had travelled fourteen miles the old woman’s strength gave out and they all three sat down on the side of the road and prayed to the Lord for help. Not long after a horse and cart appeared driven by a surly looking man who although the cart was empty positively refused to help. As he drove away however the horse reared up and continued to do so until the cart was stuck fast in the bog on the side of the road. All efforts by the man to set the horse and cart free were unavailing the horse just would not go on. The young men who knew their Bible well reminded him of Balaam whose ass was used by an angel to rebuke him in a not dissimilar situation. In the end the man was at his wits end not knowing what to do when one of the young men advised him as follows. We shall let this woman sit in the cart and if the horse still refuses to move forward God's hand is not in the matter, but if it does you are meant to take her. As soon as the woman was seated with one mighty heave the horse freed itself with the cart and moved on perfectly normally.

A lady sold by auction

Will you listen, friends, for a moment,

While a story I unfold;

A marvellous tale of a wonderful sale

Of a noble lady of old:

How hand and heart, at an auction mart,

Soul and body, she was sold.

'Twas in the broad king's highway,

Near a century ago,

That a preacher stood, though of noble blood,

Telling the fallen and low

Of a Saviour's love, and a home above

And a peace that they all might know.

All crowded around to listen;

They wept at the wond'rous love,

That could wash their sin, and receive them in

His spotless mansions above,

While slow through the crowd, a lady proud

Her gilded chariot drove.

'Make room," cried the haughty outrider,

"You are closing the king's highway;

My lady is late, and their Majesties wait,

Give way, good people, I pray.

The preacher heard; his soul was stirred,

And he cried to the rider, 'Nay".

His eye like the lightning flashes;

His voice like a trumpet rings,

"Your grand fete days, and your fashions and ways

Are all but perishing things.

'Tis the king's highway, but I hold it today

In the name of the King of Kings."

Then, bending his gaze on the lady,

And marking her soft eye fall,

"And now in His name, a sale I proclaim,

And bids for this fair lady call.

Who will purchase the whole - her body and soul,

Coronet, jewels and all?"

I see already three bidders:

The WORLD steps up as the first,

“I will give her my treasures, and all the pleasures

For which my votaries thirst;

She shall dance each day more joyous and gay,

With a quiet grave at the worst.”

"But out spake the DEVIL, boldly:

'The kingdoms of earth are mine.

Fair lady, thy name, with an envied fame,

On their brightest tablets shall shine.

Only give me thy soul, and I give thee the whole,

Their glory and wealth to be thine.'

"And pray what has Thou to offer,

Thou MAN OF SORROWS unknown?

And He gently said, 'My blood I have shed,

To purchase her for mine own.

To conquer the grave, and her soul to save,

1 trod the winepress alone.

"I will give her My cross of suffering,

My cup of sorrow, to share;

But with endless love, in My home above,

All shall be righted there:

She shall walk in light, in a robe of white,

And a radiant crown shall wear."

"Thou, hast heard the terms fair lady,

That each hath offered for thee.

Which wilt thou choose, and which wilt thou lose,

This life, or the life to be?

The fable was mine, but the choice is yet thine,

Sweet lady, which of the three?"

She took from her hand the jewels,

The coronet from her brow.,

"Lord Jesus," she said, as she bowed her head,

"The highest bidder art Thou.

Thou gav’st for my sake Thy life, and I take

Thy offer - and take it now."

"Amen," said the noble preacher;

And the people wept aloud.

Years have rolled on - and they all have gone

Who formed that awe-struck crowd.

Lady and throng have been swept along

On the wind like a morning cloud.

But the Saviour has claimed His purchase

And around His radiant seat,

A mightier throng, in a joyful song,

The wond’rous story repeat;

And a form more fair is bending there,

Laying her crown at His feet.

A true incident in the life of Rowland Hill.

Submitted by Mavis Millar

A MESSAGE THE WORLD NEEDS TO HEAR:

As we move rapidly to the end of the century and as society becomes more and more ignorant of and antagonistic towards Christian truth and practice we need to examine ourselves and question whether or not we are ready and equipped to face the demands that will certainly come, and the opportunities we pray will come.

The prevailing atmosphere and attitudes in society are concerned with "getting;" getting more and more of this worlds goods, getting more and more satisfaction for life, and more and more pleasure. In a society like this the vital basic need is for people to hear the Word of God and the truth of the Gospel message presented with grace and authority, warmth and earnestness. It is when people see and hear the truth of God in their lives, attitudes, practices and words of Christians living and working with them that they begin to recognise that they have been with Jesus." But, of course, the message presented must be the balanced one of the Bible. Jesus did call the weary and heavy laden to find rest in Him, Jesus did say that He had come to bring life in all its fullness to those who believe and follow Him. Jesus did assure sinners of forgiveness and did deal with tenderness with those whose lives were broken and hurting. But Jesus also called people to self - denial, to a life of discipleship and service that would be costly.

Jesus also spoke of the eternal issues in the world to come. Faith and unbelief have very different consequences. It was Jesus who spoke in solemn terms of people dying in their sins and passing to a lost eternity, forever separated from God. This is another note in the gospel that has largely been forgotten. Entertainment, pleasure and self-fulfillment are the emphasis in society but we are not in the entertainment business. We are servants of the good news of salvation in Jesus Christ and of life that is eternal. This is the message the world needs to hear and to believe: JESUS SAVES.

Submitted by Albert Moore.

GOD KNOWS BEST

As we go through sorrow

We forget God has a plan,

And that He can see much further

Than us - mere mortal man.

We don't know why we're suffering

Or why we go through pain,

It's only when we see Him

That it will all come plain.