Telling others about Jesus can sometimes feel like it's a difficult and a scary thing to do.  What if they don't like me, what if they get hostile, what if they have a better answer than I do....

And yet we are called to go and make disciples.  This is what Jesus says in Matthew 28:16-20

The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Last week one of my members shared an article about how everyone has a different faith sharing profile.  Understanding which profile is you can help you see that you do not have to share faith the way others do...and in fact you might be better off being more of an action focused person than words, or perhaps you have a story to tell of what God has done for you that might help.  We are all different and we all can play our part is seeing God's kingdom (aka God's family really) grow.   So this week I simply encourage you to go and have a read by clicking on the link below.

God Bless

​Jon

At church on Sunday we kicked off the year focusing on a particular verse that will be our theme.  It was this:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

Act Justly

Love Mercy 

Walk Humbly

Simple really, but also deeply challenging.  Very easy to say and put on a banner or on a card but when you really drill down to the heart of each of these three things that God requires it requires you to live a radically different life to the way of the world.

There has been lots of talk of humility with the Premier League with various players making statements about staying humble but in the end many have an ego the size of the weekly pay cheque.  Being humbly before God is recognising your need of him.  I cannot do the things I do in my own strength but in Gods.  I have fallen short of perfection, and sin has broken me to the point that I cannot ever fix myself or my status....only God can do that - through Jesus.

Being merciful is also tough - because it means showing kindness not just to those who deserve it, but to those who don't.  That person who cut in front of you; the noisy neighbour whose dog barks nonstop 24/7; the homeless lady who keeps asking for money from you every time you pass.  But this is the point really.   Showing kindness to people you get on with is easy, anyone can do that.  But to turn the other cheek or go the extra mile is the right thing, the kind thing, the merciful thing and ultimately the Christ like thing as well.

Acting justly is probably the messiest one as this one often requires one to roll up your sleeves and do something.  Being merciful or kind could simple be saying a kind word or something encouraging, but to act justly implies you are actively doing something on behalf of someone or a group of people who cannot get the justice they deserve.  It also often puts you on one side of a situation that can be costly to you.  But again Jesus when he saw how women were treated, or the sick and infirm, or the young always acted for their benefit even though it caused others to look down and judge him harshly.

This year as a church and as a minister I am hoping we can become more Christlike in all these areas.

You can watch the service below

God Bless

​Jon

Here at the start of a New Year many will be making resolutions or plans.

To get fitter, eat better, improve life in some way, spend time with family more, or whatever.  Perhaps you are looking for a new direction in your life?
Seeking to be closer to God?

I have never been very good at these whole resolutions things, start well, but usually fail within a week or two if I am lucky.

Well last night, or early this morning depending on your point of view we gathered at church to see the year out and the New Year in together.  We worshiped, prayed and broke bread (aka communion, aka shared a simple meal of bread and wine just like Jesus asked us to do) and listened to these words from Psalm 119 (which is longest Psalm in the Bible with a whopping 176 verses!)

Your word is a lamp for my feet,
    a light on my path.
I have taken an oath and confirmed it,
    that I will follow your righteous laws.
I have suffered much;
    preserve my life, Lord, according to your word.
Accept, Lord, the willing praise of my mouth,
    and teach me your laws.
Though I constantly take my life in my hands,
    I will not forget your law.
The wicked have set a snare for me,
    but I have not strayed from your precepts.
Your statutes are my heritage forever;
    they are the joy of my heart.
My heart is set on keeping your decrees
    to the very end.
Psalm 119:105-112

As the year begins it was good to be reminded that the words of Jesus can be a light that can guide us.  Your future is not yet written, this year is yet to unfold.  One hopes that it will be filled with good things, blessings and not hardships, joys and not sadness but the reality is that we cannot be certain.  

Life can be like a game of snakes and ladders, with ups and downs, successes and failures, dreams and nightmares.  Nothing is certain except that life is uncertain.  And with this in mind these words from Psalm 119 are a timely reminder that whatever 2025 throws at you there is one whose words and teaching can help us navigate a path onwards.  Jesus came to bring us a full of life (John 10:10) and promised to always be with us (Matthew 28:20).  

For this to be true we need to look for the light that Jesus is offering.  We need to seek the "word" of God, commit to understanding who Jesus is and what his teaching means for each of us.  And to do that we need to spend time reading God's Word (aka the Bible).  It's a big book for sure, and maybe it is hard to know where to look.  If you've never opened it before, or it's been a while can I suggest you look at one of the Gospels (the books that talk about Jesus life) Matthew, Mark Luke or John.  You could see to try and read the whole bible - it's possible you know, about 3 or 4 chapters a day would see you through, but this isn't a musing about making New Year resolutions its about seeing that the way to walk through 2025 is not with some grand plans or resolution, but with the a simple act of faith to look to Jesus and let the Light of the World lead you.

So as this year around the sun begins my prayer for you is that you will see the light of Jesus and that light will help you navigate a path through whatever lies ahead.

God Bless

Jon