As we’ve been looking at the life of Abram, we’ve been
reminded that God does not keep us away from difficult circumstances, but he
uses them to help us to grow in our trust of him.
When we face difficulties, the Christian has a choice of
what to do. Do we run to other people or other things, and find our comfort and
protection there? Or do we, however weak we feel, run to God, trusting in his
promise to never abandon us, and remember that he is always faithful to us.
It is a test of our Christian maturity as to which direction
we run.
As we look ahead to the future, as individuals and as a
congregation of God’s people, we need to put him first in all things. We need
to come together as his family, praying together and worshipping God together.
We need to give God the honour that he deserves, and place our lives into his
hands.
On this website you can read of the
discussions that are taking place about the future of the Baptist Union of
Great Britain (A Q and A is here). It may be that we feel that much of this conversation is
irrelevant to us in our local congregation, because we are self-governing.
However, an important aspect of our lives as Christians is to watch over one
another, and the Baptist Union offers much support to churches and people that
we don’t fully appreciate until we need it ourselves. It is part of our
responsibility to care for others, even those that we don’t know personally.
We also think about our local situation, and the needs that
we face. We don’t just face a need for a suitable building! We need to care for
one another better, whether that is picking up the phone or sending a text, or
making a visit. We can express our care in serving refreshments at the end of
the service. We can show we care by helping set up the hall for our morning
services, and putting away afterwards. We can show we care by helping with the
children’s groups during our morning services, so that it is not the same
people going out every week, year in, year out, and that parents get the
opportunity to stay in the services too. We show our care by helping with the
building maintenance.
If you would like to show your care for others in the
congregation, but don’t know who to speak to, please have a word with me or
with Alan, and we’ll point you in the right direction.
Something that we can all do to show our love and care is to
pray for one another, and support those that God has called into leadership in
the congregation, and that we have affirmed through our church meeting.
The writer of Hebrews puts it this way:
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for
with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because
they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that
their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live
honourably in every way.” (Hebrews 13.16-19)
God bless,
Nik
