No Middle Ground!

I have just heard a great message from our Senior Pastor's daughter, Olivia Elmes! The question she posed today is "What do we believe about the Gospel?" She was asking what we truly believe - not what we think, or what we may have heard or been told, but what we believe in our hearts and souls to be the truth! 

To understand the question we first need to understand the meaning of belief! The dictionary gives this description:

1. 1.

   an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof.
2. 2.

   trust, faith, or confidence in (someone or something).

It's something that comes from the very core of your being and is not just a passing thought. Thoughts and feelings can be easily changed but belief is not so easily persuaded. It comes from knowing the truth which starts in your head and then travels to your heart and deep into your very soul.

I BELIEVE THAT GOD LOVES ME, CHERISHES ME AND WANTS ME AS A COMPANION AND FRIEND!

I remember when I finally came to see the light of God's truth, that Sunday morning when I raised my hand in response to the prayer of salvation. It hit me like a lightning bolt! Suddenly my heart had hope and an immense weight was lifted from my soul! I cried tears of pure joy that day!

Before that day I had thought I would go to Heaven just because I was a good person, kind to children and animals, and involved in charitable works. I had thought myself a believer - but now I see that I really didn't know God and His heart for me! I didn't truly believe!

Now I see that there is no middle ground. You are either all in or all out! Olivia said that she pictured a great chasm opening up in the ground and I really like this image. You have to be on one side of it or the other because if you are straddling that chasm you are going to fall into the pit! There is literally no middle ground!

Come on people! Open your eyes! Look at what's happening in the world around you. It's collapsing in on itself and spiralling out of control. There is so much negativity along with wars, persecution, prejudice, sickness, famine, floods. droughts, starvation and death all over this world. You see it everywhere you turn!

The good news is that the Gospel is true! You can find salvation, peace and eternal life, but only in Jesus Christ, our Saviour! He who is the Way, the Truth and the Life.

In the Old Testament people would need to offer up a sacrifice to have their sins forgiven, but would have to do that over and over again because this was only a temporary measure - rather like sticking a plaster on a gaping wound that will never heal - all because of the fall of Adam which had given mankind a nature of sin. 

Then Jesus came to Earth, lived alongside us as a mortal man and eventually died on the cross, as the Final Sacrifice, to wash away all sin and shame, and to defeat death through His resurrection. Because of Him we now have the Holy Spirit living inside us and all our sins are not just temporarily covered over but completely obliterated as though they never happened.

We are healed from that sinful nature we once had and have been resurrected along with Jesus. He has brought us out of the darkness of sin and shame into His glorious light and we need Him now more than ever. So I declare this in His mighty name:

Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (gentile).

Believe this! Repent of your sins and turn to the only one who truly loves you with an all-consuming passion - without question, unconditionally and eternally! Experience God's agapē love for yourself!

If you want to know more about our church please go to the website at www.family.church or to the Family Church page on Facebook where you can also find and download our app. Check it out! It turned my life around and it could do the same for you!

God bless you all!

I Am Chosen, Not Forsaken!

While listening to our senior Pastor preaching online this morning I had a revelation about Adam before and after eating the forbidden fruit.

God had told Adam not to eat the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. I believe that tree and that fruit were the obsessions and lies of this world which are in complete opposition to God's wisdom, love and truth. 

Adam had been living in the Garden of Eden and we are told that he was naked. I don't think that just meant unclothed. I think that it meant that Adam was innocent, trusting and truly a blank slate, unaffected, honest and open! He was supremely happy and at peace. God saw him and delighted in his innocence and openness. God walked beside him and they were in constant communication. Adam needed nothing more!

Enter the serpent! I don't know how he entered the Garden, whether it was through the roots of the forbidden tree or that he was maybe a normal snake that had been corrupted by the fruit of that tree. Whichever it was, he was a servant of the enemy and his goal was too see the collapse of all that God had set in place for His children.

So he cajoled Eve into questioning God's instructions. "Did He really say that you would die if you ate this fruit?" She had not known God as long as Adam had so maybe the serpent found her to be more easy to manipuate. Eve then persuaded Adam to taste the fruit and once he had done so he knew that he was naked and was ashamed. So ashamed that he hid from God when he heard Him coming. 

Of course there's no way to hide from God so He called out to Adam and asked why he was hiding, even though He already knew. He must have felt the separation when it happened and it was a source of great sadness to Him. 

Though God still loved him dearly, He had to evict Adam from the Garden - out into this unholy world where God would not be able to walk beside him anymore since He cannot associate Himself with sin.

Adam had been happy, at peace and needed nothing else all the while he walked and was in constant communion with God, but then he turned his face away and was corrupted by the sins of the world. He chose worldy things instead of trusting in God's love to provide all that he needed and his life from that moment on was hard and cold and empty! Here then is my revelation!

I'm just like Adam and Eve, but in reverse!

I was unhappy, unloved and unlovable - dead in my sins. I knew my nakedness and covered it in my shame! I looked for happines and peace in all the wrong places; the wrong people! I was so far from God that, though I believed He exisited, I knew that I was unworthy, so why would He trouble Himself over me? That's just how I saw myself and my life. I believed these awful lies!

Now that I am saved I realise that He was pursuing me all my life! He never left me! Just as He always watched over Adam and his descendants, He watched over me too! He knows me through and through as He once knew Adam, and He never gave up! When I called out to Him in desperation, even though I wasn't saved, He sent help in some form or other! He was preparing me for the day that He knew I would return to Him.

I am His now and I've never been happier! Why would I ever give up on God when He never gave up on me? 

My story isn't unique. People the whole world over are coming to the realisation that God is their only salvation and that He loves and wants us all to return to Him, no matter what we've done!

He is pursuing you too! Stop struggling to find happiness in a world that is ruled by the enemy that comes to steal, kill and destroy every chance for peace, love and acceptance! God is our saviour so give yourself over to Him! He will wipe the slate clean of all your sins as though they never happened. I promise, as a former sinner myself, that you'll find it was the best decision of your life!

And the people said,

Amen!

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

Lost? Not me! by Dawn Ferrett

When someone dies we say that they're lost
As if they have veered from the lane
And are wandering, lonely, searching for home
Until they return once again.

The truth of it is that the ones left behind
Are more lost than they that depart.
They believe that in memories, so precious, so dear
This will heal the hole in their heart.

I lost someone close and the pain is still raw
Though I know that she's not lost but found!
I am certain that she is with Jesus right now
And it's I who must choose where I'm bound.

So I'll battle my way through the sorrow and hurt
And remember that God is my guide.
It's He who will help me to find my soul's ease
And I'll stand firm with Him at my side.

Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life
You guide me though I cannot see.
I will weather this storm and when it subsides
I will stand tall and say "Lost? Not me!"

Eulogy for My Mother

Weep Not for Me by an Unknown Author

Weep not for me though I have gone

Into that gentle night

Grieve if you will, but not for long

Upon my soul’s sweet flight

I am at peace, my soul’s at rest

There is no need for tears

For with your love I was so blessed

For all those many years

There is no pain, I suffer not

The fear is now all gone

Put now these things out of your thoughts

In your memory I live on

Remember not my fight for breath

Remember not the strife

Please do not dwell upon my death

But celebrate my life

Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep

I am not there; I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow,

I am the diamond glints on snow,

I am the sun on ripened grain,

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry,

I am not there; I did not die.

All Is Well by Oliver Wright

Death is nothing at all,

I have only slipped into the next room

I am I and you are you

Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,

Speak to me in the easy way which you always used

Put no difference in your tone,

Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow

Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.

Let my name be ever the household word that it always was,

Let it be spoken without effect, without the trace of shadow on it.

Life means all that it ever meant.

It is the same as it ever was, there is unbroken continuity.

Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?

I am waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near,

Just around the corner.

All is well.

If Roses Grow in Heaven by Dolores M. Garcia

If roses grow in heaven,

Lord please pick a bunch for me,

Place them in my Mother’s arms

and tell her they’re from me.

Tell her I love her and miss her,

and when she turns to smile,

place a kiss upon her cheek

and hold her for awhile.

Because remembering her is easy,

I do it every day,

but there’s an ache within my heart

that will never go away.

A Mother's Crown by an Unknown Author

Heaven lit up with a mighty presence,

as the Angels all looked down.

Today the Lord was placing the jewels

Into my mother’s crown.

He held up a golden crown,

as my darling mother looked on.

He said in His gentle voice,

‘I will now explain each one.’

‘The first gem,’ He said, ‘is a Ruby,

and it’s for endurance alone,

for all the nights you waited up

for your children to come home.’

‘For all the nights by their bedside,

you stayed till the fever went down.

For nursing every little wound,

I add this ruby to your crown.’

‘An emerald, I’ll place by the ruby,

for leading your child in the right way.

For teaching them the lessons,

That made them who they are today.’

‘For always being right there,

through all life’s important events.

I give you a sapphire stone,

for the time and love you spent.’

‘For untying the strings that held them,

when they grew up and left home.

I give you this one for courage.’

Then the Lord added a garnet stone.

‘I’ll place a stone of amethyst,’ He said.

‘For all the times you spent on your knees,

when you asked if I’d take care of your children,

and then for having faith in Me.’

‘I have a pearl for every little sacrifice

that you made without them knowing.

For all the times you went without,

to keep them happy, healthy and growing.’

‘And last of all I have a diamond,

the greatest one of all,

for sharing unconditional love

whether they were big or small.’

‘It was your love that helped them grow

Feeling safe and happy and proud

A love so strong and pure

It could shift the darkest cloud.’

After the Lord placed the last jewel in,

He said, ‘Your crown is now complete,

You’ve earned your place in Heaven

With your children at your feet.’

Only One Mother by George Cooper

Hundreds of stars in the pretty sky,

Hundreds of shells on the shore together,

Hundreds of birds that go singing by,

Hundreds of birds in the sunny weather.

Hundreds of dewdrops to greet the dawn,

Hundreds of bees in the purple clover,

Hundreds of butterflies on the lawn,

But only one mother the wide world over.

.