It's raining . . .

There used to be an old rhyme that went something like this: 'it's raining, it's pouring . . .' How appropriate for our experiences in June 2012. It has been the wettest June since records began. Hosepipe bans have been lifted but we're all wondering when we're going to get a summer!

On June 23rd we hold what we call an evangelism day in Kirkby. With the weather as it has been In the UK, wet on the Thursday and Friday, you might be wondering why we would want to do that. Why set out in the rain to deliver leaflets around the doors of Kirkby? Either you must be getting well paid or you must be mad. The answer is neither! We're not getting paid. Anyone who helped us did do freely and willingly. Are we mad? No, but we are serious about the message that we seek to carry to you.

The message of the gospel is God's good news to you - that's what gospel means, 'good news'. However, as is often the case in our experience, it is a 'limited offer'. Time is short. Salvation from sin will not be available forever. That's why we are serious about getting this message to you. We don't want you to miss the opportunity that God is giving you NOW.

If you want to do something about your sin - that which separates you from God and eternal life - you need to do it now. God gave His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die upon the cross (Roman crucifixion) for your sin and mine. The Lord Jesus Christ was punished for our sin that we might go freely to heaven, saved and cleansed by His death. Have you recognized that you are a sinner before God and need the Lord Jesus? Do it now and ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you!

Falklands - 30 years on

I suppose, for some, the Falkland Islands would be largely unknown. That they are a British territory thousands of miles away in the South Atlantic may be surprising to some but many British soldiers lost their lives on those tiny islands 30 years ago. Perhaps the more recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq have overshadowed any memories of that overthrow of Argentinean invaders. However, one thing is shared between that Falkland Island war and that being waged in Afghanistan and Iraq. People asked then, as they ask now, ‘why should British soldiers die to protect something so far away and so detached from life in the UK?’

This anniversary reminded me of One who left heaven to come to earth to give His life. The Lord Jesus Christ came to this sin-stained planet, was scorned, ridiculed, and ill-treated, before dying a criminal’s death upon a Roman cross. He had done nothing wrong. He was falsely accused. He was wrongly tried, abusing every decent court process. He was brutally killed. What for? What relevance has that got for life in 2012?

Britain went to war against Argentina in order to rescue those who had been taken over by invading forces. British soldiers fought, and, in some cases, gave their lives to bring freedom to the Falkland Islanders. In a similar way, God’s Son came to earth to lay down His life. He laid down that life, gave it, to deliver us from the “invading force” of sin. We were captives to sin—in its grip and unable to release ourselves from its hold. Christ’s death upon that Roman cross was the price necessary to deliver us from sin’s power and from sin’s penalty. By faith in Christ and His finished work at Calvary’s cross we can be forgiven and made fit for heaven. That is a sacrifice that we should never forget. Do we believe it, have we accepted Christ?

60 Years

After 60 years of service to this country, this weekend has been set aside to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Whether supporter or opponent, most would agree that sixty years is a long period of service and, at 86, most people would be well into their retirement. Not so the Queen! She remains committed to the service of her people and the prosperity of this country. We would add our best wishes to Her Majesty on this occasion and pray that she might be given strength to continue.

It was the psalmist who wrote in the Bible, 'The days of our years are threescore years and ten (70); and if by reason of strength they be fourscore (80) years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away', Psalm 90 verse 10. We all have to acknowledge that, even though some people live longer, death is inevitable. We are grateful to God for the Queen's continued reign, but we admit that it will come to an end at some point. I'm sure that politicians and civil servants will have thought about this possibility, and made plans for the eventuality.

What plans have you made for the end of your life? This is not a question of being morbid. Neither it is about a funeral plan and a will. Have you made plans for eternity? After death, what? The Bible tells us that 'it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this . . .' There is something after death. We live on in either one of two places, heaven or hell. Only with Jesus Christ as your Saviour can you be sure that you will be in heaven. Have you confessed your sin to God and accepted His Son in faith?