The Abiding Presence of God

Our senior Pastor, Andy Elmes, has just shared a great word this morning about the abiding Presence of God. He reminded us that, under the old Covenant, priests had to go to a specific holy place to speak with God, but since Jesus gave His life for us and was reborn, we are now reborn in His likeness. 

Jesus stated that He was the True Vine and that we are its branches. (John 15:4-5 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.)

This means that the sap from that True Vine - Jesus' blood - is also flowing through us! This is the reason why the Holy Spirit can abide in us, because that sap - that blood of the Lamb - has washed us clean and made us brand new! (Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.) (Isaiah 1: 18 “Come now, and let us reason together,” says the Lord, “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.")

Where Moses, Eli, Samuel and all the Old Testament priests had to go to a specially sanctified place, and go through numerous cleansing rituals before they could speak to the Father, we have God with us always, wherever we go!

This is the good news, that through the sacrifice Jesus made on our behalf, the Holy Spirit now lives within us! We are now the tent of meeting, the temple of God! We are righteous, holy, sanctified and God is always accessible to us, because we take Him with us - everywhere!

Take heart! You are NEVER alone and He will NEVER leave you! (Deuteronomy 31:8 And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.)

Amen

My Journey to God - A Testimony of Faith

I will start this testimony with a simple confession. I have not always believed that Jesus is my Saviour!

Don't get me wrong, I have always believed that there WAS a God and that Jesus came to Earth to die for us on the cross. In my heart I have always known this, but whenever I was taken to church, I never felt His presence. Church always seemed a cold, impersonal, judgmental place so I assumed that God was an "absentee landlord!" That He did once exist - may still exist - but that He wasn't concerned with me or whatever happened in my life. I had no faith!

Because of this mindset I went about my life thinking I was no good, ugly, useless, worthless. I never strove to make a difference in this world because - well, I didn't matter! I never expressed a strong opinion on anything because I thought no-one would ever want to hear my point of view anyway.

So as I grew up I learned to form a shell around my heart, and though I was kind to others and put them before myself, I was careful not to let anyone close enough to see what a fraud I was. Determined not to let anyone see how much I was hurting inside, no matter how bad it got. 

Unfortunately, this kind of existence tends to rebound on you - and it did. I became severely depressed, spent most of my life that way, actually. Outwardly I looked like I was holding it all together, had all my ducks in a row, if you will, but inside me there was a gaping void that nothing could fill. Even my son, who means the whole world to me, couldn't ease that ache within me, because I knew I wasn't worthy of true and lasting happiness. That the most I could expect were brief spells of joy and laughter and then a return to the abyss that my life had become.

I was a sorry human being - and that's how I would have remained if not for God! This is how He turned my life around.

My sister came to Christ a few years before I did. She had met the man she wanted to spend eternity with, and they wanted to be married in church, but they didn't want to do this without finding out more about Christ. So, they joined a local church and made a commitment to God and whenever I went to visit them, I would go to church with them, hoping to see whether I could feel what they were feeling.

Soon they moved to another church nearer to their home which was a more progressive church than I had ever experienced, and I have to say that I liked this new direction that Christianity was taking. It still wasn't for me, but it made me think that there was a church out there where I would feel more at home. It gave me hope!

A few years later my mum told me that the old Methodist church around the corner from her had been taken over by another church called Family Church and that as she was passing by and heard the music, it reminded her of my sister's church. She was intrigued enough to ask what time the services were held, and when she decided to go the next Sunday, I said I'd go with her.

We were met by some lovely people, one of whom took us inside and introduced us to the Pastor and his wife. Looking around the hall I remember thinking that these seem like good, kind, friendly people and as mum and I took our seats, choosing the third row from the front so as not to be too close to the stage but not too far back from it either, other members of the congregation welcomed us.

Then the service began, and everyone was singing and though I didn't know the songs, the words on the screen started to speak life into my heart. So much so that, even though I can't remember now what that first sermon was, I remember that it reached into my very soul and I realised that I was home!

Lord, I gave you my life that day and I have never regretted it. I feel such a peace in my heart, an immense love for the people around me and a desire to see others saved by Your perfect love.

I have learned that my past, my sins and my failings have not just been forgiven but have been obliterated! (Psalm 103:12 as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.)

I have also learned that I'm loved, wanted, worthy and even beautiful in His eyes! (Romans 8:39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.) (Song of Songs 4:7 You are altogether beautiful, my darling; there is no flaw in you.)

I also have a purpose, a mission in life beyond my understanding, and all I need to do is trust in Him!

(Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)

I choose to follow Jesus! My God! My Salvation!

I am happier now than I have ever been, and I know that there is even more happiness to come for I am a child of God which means that I'm accepted, secure and significant. (Ephesians 2:6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,)

My lovely mum went to Heaven earlier this year, but her faith was so strong right to the last! She couldn't speak at the end but kept putting her hands together and looking up to Heaven as if to say "God's got this! Don't worry about me. I'll see you again in Heaven. Just let me go!" I miss her so much, but I take comfort and rejoice because I know she has at last gone Home! (John 14:2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? The NKJ version says In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you) 

So, I know mum, my sister and I are safe, but I also know there's a lot of people out there who aren't! They don't know Jesus and Jesus is the only way to the Father! The only way to ensure your place in Heaven at the end! (John 14:6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.)

Remember that thanks to Jesus who died and was resurrected, defeating Death forever, your life, your soul, is now eternal! Death could not hold Him and will not hold you either. You won't just wink out of existence as some would have you believe but your soul will last forever. You will also not be reborn, except in Christ! (Revelation 20:14-15 Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. Anyone whose name was not found written in the book of life was thrown into the lake of fire.)

There are just two directions to choose from. There's the road to Hell which is wide and smooth, but leads to damnation, purgatory, pain and anguish - or there's the pathway to Heaven which is narrow, bumpy and difficult - only accessible through Jesus Christ - but which leads to peace, love and happiness everlasting! 

It comes down to a simple choice between two extremes - there is NO third choice and not choosing as just the same as choosing Hell! 

The end of days is upon us. Time is running out. So, choose wisely! Choose the narrow path! Choose Jesus!

My dear friends, God loves you unconditionally and wants to save you - He wants to save all of us - but He will not make that choice for you. That would be taking away your free will!

So, if you want to turn to Jesus - to make the best and most important decision of your life - all you need to do is say the following simple prayer.

Father, I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please wipe away the sins of my past and make me brand new. 

I give You my future and I promise to follow You for the rest of my days. 

I give You my life as an acceptable offering, made pure by Your grace and mercy. 

I declare this in Your Son's holy name, Jesus Christ,

Amen