Dear Brothers and Sisters,
I wish you a blessed and happy New Year – comforted and captivated by the Lord Jesus Christ, the source of every spiritual blessing and true happiness!
As some of you will know, I have been reading a devotional book based on the resolutions of the Puritan Jonathan Edwards. These were not New Year resolutions – these were 70 personal statements of intent that Edwards read prayerfully every week for 36 years of his life from the the age of 18 until his death in 1758.
The latest one I have been considering goes like this:
Resolved to seek to cultivate a sweet, benevolent, contented, serving spirit, and to say “no” to whatever might threaten the growth of such a spirit. Resolved to examine myself weekly in this regard.
There’s a challenge and a great gospel opportunity don’t you think?
In a world that champions the exact opposite, we as Christians can find ourselves ‘going with the flow’ on more occasions than we might care to admit to! In attitude and action, in conversation or email/text messages, with Christian brothers and sisters and with those we are seeking to reach with the gospel – in all these ways and perhaps many others our self-examination as we look back over 2024 is a little uncomfortable isn’t it? And the challenge as we head in 2025 is no less real!
Our only hope is to abide in Christ – the True Vine – and pray for more of the transforming and conforming work of the Word and Spirit in our lives. And to encourage one another in the grace of God – the grace that “teaches us to say ‘no’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age…”
On Sunday morning at Family Church we will be looking at the first of our mini-series – “What would Jesus say to …” This week it’s “What would Jesus say to Prince Andrew” and we will be considering the lessons Jesus teaches from the parable of The Prodigal Son in Luke 15. Whilst these are lessons we all need to learn and be reminded of, the opportunity to invite friends and family along, who may not yet know the love and grace of Jesus – perhaps especially those who came along to the Christmas events, is also the intention over the next 5 weeks. It will also give us an opportunity to encourage them to join the Christianity Explored course that is scheduled to begin on 14th January.
So be praying with lost men and women in mind, and for Mike as he speaks on Sunday morning.
On Sunday evening we will share communion together at 6pm.
Next week – Tuesday-Thursday – we have our New Year’s Prayer Times:
Tuesday 7th – 10:30am and 7:30pm
Wednesday 8th – 7:30pm
Thursday 9th – 7:30pm
Please do all you can to get along to all these gatherings.The biblical command to make prayer a priority is self-evident. Our only question is whether we will obey or not.
If you need any support or information please get in touch with Andy, Danny, Matt or Mike and we will do our best to help.
Until next time …
In Christ Alone,
Mike