church4u

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A fun talent act item at our recent family camp from Josiah Williiams

Don't worry Neil is as tough as nails, and survived intact!

A call to arms: to enlist in God's Army. How are we to deploy as true soldiers of Jesus Christ? How to enter the frontlines of the spiritual battle. Calling Aussie Battlers to serve in the army of the Lord, and enter into the battlezone by faith! God's Army is not by conscription but by enlistment. 2 Timothy 2:1-4 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. BE STRONG, in Grace. We have some fighting to do, there’s some battles going on. His grace is the strength that we need. Sometimes the biggest fight is on the inside of us. BE FAITHFUL. As soldiers we are called to report for duty. Paul tells Timothy to transfer what he learns to others - to other faithful men. Let us be true and faithful and stedfast. In a way we're all meant to be recruiters - to recruit new soldiers. Faithful Men are men with reliability think - who stick at it. Wherever the soldier is in the world they wear their uniform. They're an ambassador - a representative of their commander and their nation. May we always be ready to serve our Lord. As to faithfulness - it's been said that small drops of water hollow out a stone. You might think my little bit is just a little drip – and yet keep faithful and you'll make an impact. Be that faithful soldier, who'll man your post, and faithfully so. You can count on the faithful to be faithful, no matter what, whatever the role. It’s a soldier's orders that determine where he lives and how he spends his time. The faithful are there when the work needs doing. The faithful will show up. They'll be ready to serve. Like Theodore Roosevelt said: Do what you can, with what you have, where you. Do what you can with what your God given ability. Do your little bit and keep on doing it, and you'll make an impact. BE ENDURING. …thou therefore endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Be prepared that hardness will happen. It may mean affliction or hardship. You might suffer trouble. Being a soldier means trenches and foxholes. We're all on active duty - against the spiritual forces of evil. You've got an enemy pitted against you. The fight means enduring hardness. It means the hard yards, the long haul. Our Lord says, you shall have tribulation. This is war. We have need of thicker skins. Be willing to endure, and keep on enduring. An old proverb says, Unless the clay be well pounded no vessel can be made. The US Marines have the motto, “Always faithful”. God will reward you that endure hardness. For those battle scars. BE RESOLVED. We have a focus - a purpose. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. The good soldier's greatest desire is to please the Lord Jesus Christ, our commanding officer. We aren’t serving him begrudgingly but because we love Him. We've got our marching orders here - the Great Commission. His command, Go and preach the gospel. Jonathan Edwards says, Resolved, that all men should live for the glory of God; resolved second, that whether others do or not I will. A zealous Christian …sees only one thing, cares for one thing, lives for one thing, he is swallowed up in one thing - and that one thing is to please God (J. C. Ryle). Prepare for battle daily. Put your armour on. Our Commanding Officer has fought the battle. He's won the victory already. Will you seek His face? Seek to please Him? We already have the victory that overcomes the world - even our faith. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Through life's trials and tests, and when the burdens are heavy the Lord will give us grace – and strength to endure the hardness. We're on the victory side.

How can I become a strong Christian - How can I grow my faith? Here’s three keys for spiritual maturity. 1. GROW UP Some people stay in spiritual babyhood. God says, be no more children - stop being childish. God wants you to grow. It’s sad to see a baby stop growing. That can happen spiritually. How can we grow spiritually? We need spiritual food. The word of God feeds us and sustains us. …as newborn babies desire the sincere milk of the word. Get this milk – unadulterated and pure. It’s food to our soul. …blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly …but his delight is in the law of the Lord and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water that bringeth forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. There’s a flourishing there, with leaves green and fruit flourishing. Like a healthy tree, God wants you to grow. 2. WISE UP Be wise …be no more tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness …There's contrary winds that threaten to blow us of course. Paul calls the Corinthians “babes in Christ”, still on baby food. They’re “carnal” - full of their own fleshly and selfish ways. They’re like big spiritual babies – still in nappies - still in their spiritual babyhood. Our growth as a believer can be stunted. It's the Word that we need – and it’s practical. We apply it when the rubber hits the road. We're meant to be “doers of the Word”, not just hearing it, but applying it. Let’s put the Word of God into action in our daily lives, in our practical living, in our relationships. Children can get caught easily up in crazy fads. They’ve just got to have this or that toy. Christians can get caught up in teachings that change like the wind. They run after whatever the latest band wagon is. Many are gullible and get tricked by deceivers and fakes. The Word warns us against “false apostles, deceitful workers”; they try and sell some sensual, sensational experience. Many churches get conned with the latest shallow, spiritual craze, even witchcraft and mind control. Rather, be a lover of the truth old-fashioned truth. Ask, is it biblical? Is it sound doctrine? Is it the truth - that will save Hellbound sinners and spur the sleeping Christians to action? Beware of a compromised, counterfeit, watered down gospel. There is a distinction between truth and error. There shall be false teachers among you who shall bring in damnable heresies… they shall make merchandise of you. Paul says, Brethren, be not children in understanding …but in understanding be men. Beware of the slick tricksters, the convincing smooth talkers. Paul; warns of savage wolves. There’s wolves in sheep's clothing. Look out for them! There's many flaky preachers. 3. JOIN UP In Ephesians 4 Paul's talking how Christ is “the head, from whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in love”. The church is “the body of Christ”. We do the growing when we're together. When we get together we can encourage one another there's a mutual growing. To be an effective, growing Christian we need to join up – in union with him; in our relationship with him. And, attached to the body – to one another. Spiritual maturity grows as we join up together. With Christ as the head – He gives us direction and has authority. We draw our strength from Him. And He fits us all together and makes all the different parts work right. Join up - as joined up Christians we've got a wonderful connection with the head, our Lord Jesus, and with each other. That's how we're going to grow. We're interdependent. He knits us together. We're connected. As every separate part works properly - works like it should - it's a picture of a healthy body. We grow and function together. We can be more effective in our faith together. Paul talks with the Colossians about how the Body of Christ functions, “with joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, and knit together” and there’s an “increase of God. Here’s when the body is going to grow. We've got to be joined together. Be where the Word is, so you can grow. We don't fly solo as believers - we're here for one another. Be a constructive part of the body. There's a mutual benefit. Move out of spiritual babyhood. Be like that tree, that's planted by the rivers of water. There's going to be fruit and freshness there. See the value of being joined - together - with your brothers and sisters. Let’s aim to help one another to grow. Be a healthy, growing believer as part of a healthy, growing church, to the glory of God!

Consider the three gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus when he was a young child - and what they represent. A communion message from preacher, Peter Gregoric. Note, these three gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh. The wise men gave them to Jesus. The gifts are symbolic of Him as king, of the worship due to Him, and of His death on the cross. Matthew 2:9-11 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. 11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. Herod sent these wise men to Jesus, to find where he was, and then to tell Herod where he was. Herod wanted to kill him so that he wouldn't become king. These wise men came and found Jesus. They gave Him these treasures, of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These wise men sought the Lord. They sought Jesus. And for us to be truly wise – we ought to do the same thing, and seek after the Lord. GOLD is a picture of Christ becoming King, and recognising him as a king. Herod said, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? In Psalm 72 we have a King - which is Jesus. Psalm 72 is about Christ and that gold was given unto him - Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king's son. It is talking about the king - the King's son. Psalms 72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. Psalms 72:15 And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Sheba: prayer also shall be made for him continually; and daily shall he be praised. These wise men recognise that Jesus is the king that is to come. During his first coming he didn't come to set up a kingdom in this world. At His first coming He was come as the Lamb of God, to die on the cross. But when He comes again during the Millennium He’s going to set up his kingdom. Revelation 17:14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. Jesus is the king of kings. Do we yield to Him as king – for what He wants for us in our life? FRANKINCENCE is the second gift that was given to Him. Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin that can be ground into powder and burnt to produce an odour - a sweet smelling odour. It's used to picture His worship. In the Old Testament in the temple frankincense was used when they would worship the Lord. The wise men gave him these gifts, and then they fell down and worshipped Him. The Lord told Moses of frankincense, in the context of worship, in Exodus 30:34 …Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight …and thou shalt make it a perfume… Our Lord is worthy of our worship. He's worthy to be praised. And may we worship Him in the right way - in the way that He wants to be worshipped. During his ministry Jesus never rebuked people when they came and they worshipped Him. Matthew 8:2 And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. Our Lord was willing to heal the leper. The Lord is willing for us to be saved, and to come unto him. When Peter was walking on the water in the Sea of Galilee he saw Jesus, and he walked out to him. And he began to sink, and he said, Lord, save me. And immediately the Lord came and saved him. MYRRH is the third gift. Myrrh is a picture of Christ’s death. Myrrh is a resin that's usually taken from the bark of trees. It's considered a luxury item - very valuable. Like an expensive perfume. Mark 15:22-23 And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. 23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not. When He was being crucified they tried to give our Lord this wine mingled with myrrh, but he refused to drink it. When they took the body of the Lord down from the cross: John 19:38-39 And after this Joseph …came therefore, and took the body of Jesus. 39 And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight. They had myrrh and aloes inside the linen cloth that they wrapped around His body, as they took Him to the tomb. The gifts of the wise men foreshadowed Christ, as King, as due worship, and as witness of His saving death on the cross - all of this is part of His great plan for us - to be saved and redeemed by faith - through his death, burial, and resurrection.

National Baptist fellowship meetings are in planning stages for 2024. Here is a basic overview so far.

Grace. How do you define it, measure it? What is it? Grace is God's mercy and love extended. It is not merited, or deserved. Without Grace we are lost. BY grace we can be saved. Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men… Every man needs grace. Grace comes from God. Our Lord is full of grace. He embodies grace. John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. Who does God give grace to? James 4:6 …God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: God displayed Grace at the cross: Hebrews 2:9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man. Behold Him there! This embodiment of grace! Grace incarnate! Grace looked out at the men who had whipped him, nailed him, and mocked him. And Grace prayed, Father forgive them. God’s grace is real, and it is for you. The gospel is the gospel of the grace of God: Acts 20:24. The gospel is grace abounding to the unworthy sinner. God’s Word is called the Word of His grace: Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up... The early church knew the grace of God: Acts 4:33 And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. What does it look like when God’s Grace touches human lives? Grace changes our lifestyle. Grace teaches us. How to live. We learn to stop some things. Ungodliness and worldly lusts. We learn - by Grace - to live… Soberly, Righteously, Godly… Soberly - we have need of soberness; it’s a mindset. Despite facing numerous trials, including betrayal by his brothers and unjust imprisonment, Joseph maintained a clear and focused mindset. His commitment to moral integrity and self-discipline led him to rise from the pit to the palace. In Potiphar's house and later in prison, Joseph demonstrated resilience, humility, and wisdom, exemplifying a sober and stedfast approach to life. Righteously; May we get right with God; we see Daniel’s unwavering faith; his commitment to do right, despite cultural pressures - he did not compromise. Godly; God’s character; David lived godly - he was a worshipper; sure enough he had his shortcomings, yet he yearned to do God's will and God honoured him for that. Grace has a transforming power. It’s real. and Grace avails today. Grace is an important part of our new life in Christ. God’s grace can so extend, to the very weakest. The worst. Graces expends and grace extends. God’s strength can be your portion. We can minister grace to others: Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. One of the greatest things we can ever do is tell others of the grace of God. To bear witness to the God of all grace, and the work of grace that came by the cross of our blessed saviour. You can… Minister grace to others. Minister forgiveness. You can speak with grace: Colossians 4:6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Be strong in grace: 2 Timothy 2:1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. True strength is grace. How we act towards others. Like Stephen… As he was being stoned, he prayed for forgiveness for those who were killing him. Will you apply God’s grace in your daily life? Or will you limit the work of grace in your life. Hinder it? Grace is powerful. Grace goes beyond expectations. Grace is supplied by God’s power. We can access grace by prayer. You can find Grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Grace avails. Grace is within reach. Grace reaches us. And Grace shows us where to look, for the Blessed Hope. We have a sure an certain hope - our Lord is returning. The One who is the source of grace and salvation. Also, one more thing about Grace… Grace is meant to grow… to keep on growing in grace. 2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Grace went to the cross. The Lord Jesus in grace was pierced by the guilty. His spotless blood was outpoured for our redemption. Grace is growing. Growing more like Christ. Grace grows and keeps on growing. Grace saves. Without Grace we are due wrath. The closing verse of the Bible leaves us with this challenge: Revelation 22:21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

1 Corinthians 16:9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me, and there are many adversaries. Life presents us with lots of doors and possibilities - life choices. Do we see the hand of God, opening doors? Maybe closing doors? Do we see the door? Or do we miss it? Miss God’s will? The door of salvation is the one and only door that all must enter by, to be saved. John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. Paul writes about this theme of a door, as representing a faith step, a step into ministry. It’s God’s providence. God’s provision. The door represents the opportunity to do God's will, and to advance his cause. Has God set before you a door? An open door? Will you follow God’s leading? How do you know what that is? Paul faced the opportunity to take the Gospel to Ephesus, this idolatrous city. God shows us places that we can serve. This door was great. It was significant. Sometimes we face a great door. It can seem daunting. Humanly, we can feel inadequate. We have need of courage, as we take the leap of faith. Sometimes the great door can be doing something small. Something little for God. Because that’s the right thing to do. To be faithful in the little. Sometimes God will by pass the proud and the big shots, and He will use the little for His glory. Interesting that God chose Saul and renamed him Paul, which means little. God is with the small ministry, the faithful labourer. That can be the great door. It can be that the faithful labouring in a small ministry can be a big thing for God. A great work. We have before us a great door. When God opens a door, it’s effectual. Effectual - it’s same word as powerful where it talks about the Word of God being quick and powerful… in Hebrews 4:12. It’s talking of God-empowered. Energeo. This door is powerful. It’s the operation of God. If God is in it, then we can trust the power of God to work. God will operate and intervene. God will enable, and do a work. We all have a work to do. The work is God’s to do. He will energise, He will quicken, He will enable, He will supply. God works, as He opens doors for us, across our pathways of life. And He’s wanting to show His power in us. Joshua and Caleb entered in. The ten spies who doubted did not. By faith they could see what God can do. Believe God. It’s an effective door. God’s doors are not ineffective. God will effect what He wants to effect. And God empowers US to ACT. Daniel 11:32 …the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. We have to activate our faith. When God is in it He will do a work by His Hand. We are instruments held in that holy hand of God. He will effect some things… The Bible tells of a door of hope, a door of faith, a door of utterance - or witness. The door is open. God opens the door. 2 Corinthians 2:12 ...when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a door was opened unto me of the Lord. There’s a place for us to serve. Find the place of service and serve well. Paul said, "The door is opened unto me." It had opened to him. He felt a personal obligation. God will put upon your heart where He has called you to be. Will you seize the opportunities that God gives to you? Many adversaries. Do something for God and you can expect difficulties. Hardships. Disappointments. When you do God’s will it is not always easy. Ministry can be a struggle. Paul says that he fought with beasts at Ephesus. 1 Cor. 15:32. Ephesus was a place of testing for Paul. Ephesus was given over to superstition and magic and the occult practices. The idol making business was against Paul. Expect testing. Like Job. When you do something for God, expect criticism, attacks… Gideon’s army was only 300 men and they defeated an army of 135,000. Trust God’s guidance. Don’t be afraid to make the hard choices. Galatians 6:7-9 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. Soldier on. Battle on. Be persistent. Don’t get discouraged. We shall reap, IF we faint not. Battle through the weariness. We can feel faint. Yet there’s an open door. We can choose to ignore it. Avoid it. Refuse it. Or, you can - Enter in - the open door. By faith. Don’t miss the open door. Sometimes we get too busy with doors of our own choosing and we miss God’s open door. We can have wisdom in hindsight… When we look back on life and we see the doors we have missed. Some would say that we need to Let Jesus Christ be Lord of every aspect of our life. Jesus is Lord. We do not give Jesus his Lordship. May we willingly and self-consciously submit to Jesus and His Lordship. Trust Him now, and for Him to guide you.

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There's a hope that we can know in the last days. In our earlier message we talked about how Christ is coming, and the need to prepare. The trumpet call will sound in the heavens. Are we ready? The Bible tells how we can expect times of peril. People are losing hope, and feeling despair. Some are asking, Is there any hope? The latest headlines show us things are looking bleak - hopeless. War in the Middle East. What’s next? The mounting dangers are real – there’s threat of nuclear war. The Bible tells of how people without Christ have no hope. I would urge you today. There is Hope while there is life. Even if you have come to the very bottom - the place of despair. While you have breath you can have hope. Jesus is the Blessed Hope - He is the basis for our hope. You can know a hope that is within you - 1 Peter 3:15 …be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. We can have a Hope on the inside of us - a hope that we want to share. It's a confident hope - a glad assurance. in the last days, we’re told how scoffers will come, walking after their own lusts, and saying where is the promise of his coming? They'll laugh it off, despite all the signs. We have a source of Hope today. This is a hope that won't disappoint. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ… This is a joyful, confident expectation. Life WITHOUT Christ is a hopeless end. But life in Christ is an endless hope! Our Lord has given us a book of hope - it's full of hope - full of promises -full of assurance. …we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together …to meet the Lord in the air. The Bible tells us of the hope of eternal life. There is hope in Christ for you. Hope when life has struggles. Hope when you face hurts. It’s a glad hope - a certain hope - a wonderful hope. You can know your sins are forgiven. Your name written in heaven. He's made you His own. And, this glad hope you have, you want to share it! We have a God of Hope - that's what He's called the Bible. We read how The God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that you may abound in Hope through the power of the Holy Ghost. He's also the God of Peace in a world that's torn by war. He’s going to fill us with joy and peace in believing. He’s also the God of all comfort. Now is the day the accepted time - find your hope in Christ. Make peace with God.

As a young family we would take some long country trips – often our children would yell out, from the back seat, “Are we there yet?” The Bible tells of Christ's coming. You wonder, with current events, are we there yet? Israel is at war. People are stirring up - chaos is everywhere. What are we to make of all this as Bible believing people? Israel in the Bible is Ground Zero for the end times. Israel is God's time clock. The Bible tells of Jacob's trouble. Surely there's some trouble brewing right now in the nation of Israel. Jeremiah 30:7 says, Alas for that day is great so that none is like it - it is even the time of Jacob's trouble. The media is calling it unprecedented and saying, This is getting Biblical. There’s mounting signs. Demonic ideologies, evil acts, fear. prophecy tells of an invasion of Israel; Ezekiel 37, 38. Turkey, Iran and Russia are increasingly in close alliance. We need to prepare for the coming of Christ. What are God's people to do? Our Lord tells of the time of his returning. He refers to two men in a time of judgment. Luke 17 says, As it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be so shall it be also in the days of the son of man… Noah lived in evil days - yet it was business as usual - people were oblivious. God's judgment was so close, yet they carried on as normal. Genesis 6:1 says that the Earth was corrupt before God, and filled with violence. Like in Noah's day, people are spiritually careless. But Noah found Grace in the eyes of the Lord; Noah walked with God. Noah had a fear of God. By faith he was moved by conviction. Don't miss the boat! God's judgment is sure. Noah was the world's first preacher. What was his first sermon? His message was one of strong warning. God saved Noah …a preacher of righteousness. God is going to pour out his judgment; his wrath. Only some will be saved. Noah and his family entered the Ark. They were saved, kept safe in the ark - which represents for us Christ - our safety is his salvation. God shut the door. So many would not hear the warning. Flee from the Wrath to come! Get in the ark! Luke 17:28, Likewise also it was in the days of Lot. They did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded, but the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the son of man is revealed. Sodom was a depraved city. Its people were unbridled in their sin and godless ways. God's people were taken out. Then judgment fell. Are you in the ark? Are you are you in God's safekeeping? Are the angels going to lead you out of Sodom? Or will you be damned and destroyed with the depraved city? God delivered righteous Lot. He was vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked. He was grieved by the filthy ways - the sensual culture. We see the ungodliness of our own land and our leaders. Oughtn't we to be vexed? It's got the sense of distress, trouble. We should be disturbed spiritually - disturbed in our spirit? Sodom was a graphic picture of sin, and of the lifestyle of sin. The angels warned Lot of the impending danger and he gave warning to others. Some laughed it off. They dismissed his warning. Some who we would beckon to flee to Christ won't take it seriously. As the judgment fell, Lot's wife looked back. Some are careless, like Lot's wife. With both Moah and Lot we see a conflict between righteousness and evil. A warning. An urgency to wake up, to flee to Christ. Both times there’s the removal of the righteous and the judgment of the unbelievers. The message is: be ready. Be ready, for in such an hour as you think not the son of man cometh. Judgment is at the door. Are we there thet? I can't tell you how much longer. How many more days. Yet I can tell you, there's some signs. There's some signs of wars... false religions and philosophies - deception. There’s expectations of a Christ – a false Christ. In Noah's day, corruption and wickedness prevailed. In Lot's day the lifestyle of the world was described as filthy. Noah was a preacher of righteousness. Lot was a righteous soul. God gave Grace to Noah. Things are getting biblical. So we ought to check the Book, and see what it says. Make preparations. Be spiritually prepared. As we see the day approaching… don't be discouraged in your faith, even when hardness comes. A time of testing is surely coming. I believe that the people of God will be taken out - caught up. Our Lord says, I will keep thee from the hour of temptation - or the hour of trial. We're going to be out of here. Christ is coming. There is an escape plan an escape plan - we can escape this judgment. Are we there yet? I think the time is short - and we should get right with God. These are perilous times. Yet, for the believer, there is a blessed hope. Get ready.

A song item from North Valley Baptist Church. Isaac walked up the mountain his father by his side Never realizing he would be the sacrifice And when Abraham raise his hands to take his child's life In his heart he must have wondered why Sometimes God will take us to unexpected places But in every situation we will find God will provide, beyond what we imagine So much more than we can fathom He will supply, God will provide When we trust in him completely And take each step believing like a child God will provide. On another hill called Calvary a father's only son Was offered as a priceless gift of faithfulness and love Amidst the cry of all mankind God reached down from above and covered us With Christ's atoning blood No matter what your needing God will always meet us I know His grace will always be enough God will provide, beyond what we imagine So much more than we can fathom He will supply, God will provide When we trust in him completely And take each step believing like a child God will provide God will provide, beyond what we imagine So much more than we can fathom He will supply, God will provide When we trust in him completely And take each step believing like a child God will provide God will provide, beyond what we imagine So much more than we can fathom He will supply, God will provide When we trust in him completely And take each step believing like a child God will provide God will provide, He will provide, I know my God will provide

To bee or not to bee. Here’s some fascinating fun facts about bees. One colony can contain around 20,000 to 60,000 bees. One hive can pollinate up to 50 million flowers per day! The reason bees are so noisy is because they beat their wings 11,400 times in one minute! 1 bee has 5 eyes - and 4 wings. Only female bees can sting. Male bees don’t have stingers. In her lifespan of 6-8 weeks, a worker bee produces an average of 1/12th teaspoon of honey. This is about 0.8 gram (0.0288 ounce) of honey. In their lifespan of 6-8 weeks, worker bees have to fly approximately 145,000 km, equivalent to 1½ times the earth’s circumference in search of quality pollen and nectar, to produce one pound of honey. Honey bees communicate through a series of complex dance moves. Honey bees carry a load half of their own body weight. Honey bees have an incredible sense of time, distance and direction. They use the amount of optical information they experience during a flight to measure distances. Although it has a sesame seed sized brain, studies have shown that the honey bee can calculate the most efficient route faster than a modern computer. Honey bees are capable of flying at an average speed of over 30 k per hour if they are not carrying any load on their body. They are able to fly at these speeds because they flap their wings over 200 times every second. The honey bee is the only insect that makes food man can eat. Eating honey makes you smarter! It has an antioxidant that improves brain functions. Honey bee workers spend their entire day outside foraging food for the hive. In a day, they make more than 100 foraging trips. Other workers in the hive whose job is to make sure the hive is kept at the right temperatire at all times. What an amazing creature that God has made!

Matthew 1:21-25 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24 Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25 And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS. His Name is Emmanuel. Outline: 1. Prophecy fulfilled Verse 22 – 23 • Matthew’s Purpose o Fulfilment of many prophecies o Faithfulness and power of the One who promised • Isaiah’s Prophecy o Let us examine the context o Let us examine the content  God with us – It emphasised the Nature of Jesus  God with us – It emphasised the Nearness of Jesus 2. Prophecy demonstrated Verse 24 - 25 • Immediate obedience of Joseph • Irrefutable reality of Mary’s virgin birth

Paul tells of serving the Lord with all humility of mind, with many tears and temptations. Paul was stedfast. We are called to be unmoveable. 1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord… The devil wants you to drift. To drift off. Are we stedfast? Unmoveable? OR - are we easily moved? For some, they are moved away from the hope of the gospel (Colossians 1:23). They are not grounded. Paul warned the Galatians. Some are being moved to another gospel. Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Some follow a works-based gospel; Lordship salvation. Some folk are moved by the troubles of this life… 1 Thessalonians 3:3 That no man should be moved by these afflictions.. Afflictions are by His appointment. We are called to perseverance. Paul knew many tears, many trials. Paul faced all kinds of difficulties, but he said, Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me… People will try to move you. Nehemiah had his Tobias, and Sanballat. Paul faced many trials and tests. Much opposition. And obstacles. He was faithful. To the finish. Some are moved by disappointments. By hurts. Some by doubts. By fears. Don’t let discouragement move you. Paul was steady, he served with HUMILITY - TEARS - MANY TRIALS. What did he exhort the early believers? Acts 14:22 …to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Some have gotten the idea of a Christianity without test or challenge and it’s all easy breezy. That’s a concept that is foreign to the New testament church. It’s about time we toughened up and got ready to face some obstacles. We need to have a muscular Christianity. We need to man up. We need to be ready to face whatever lies ahead. We need to brace ourselves. Too many have settled for a weak, namby pamby kind of soft and sloppy, effeminate Christianity. 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 We need to get ready for some painfulness. Some perils. Some weariness and watchings. Paul says get ready for labours more abundant. Are we ready? Or will we be moved? Some people are getting moved away from Biblical truths. From godly convictions. They’re veering off into questionable practices. Paul was a man that could not be moved. Paul tells of much afflictions… Longsuffering… here’s Paul’s Bible school curriculum… He says get ready for some things… 2 Corinthians 6:4-8. Paul’s subjects at his Bible school are afflictions, distresses, imprisonments, tumults, labours. He has classes about testing out the armour. He says get ready to face deceivers and evil reports. In all that we face we have our hope – and it is anchored in Christ. We have a deep joy that is beyond our circumstances. We are called to endurance through trials. We can have an attitude of thanksgiving even in the most challenging of times. Get ready for some testing. We can be unshakeable, even when others falter or fade. We can have a boldness that doesn’t flag. We can be unwavering in a world full of doubters and deniers. We can be strong in a world where many weaken and wilt. We can go against the flow and be different. Be separate. We can live righteously, soberly and godly. We can persist in prayer and hold onto God. We can be patient with people in our lives. We can demonstrate love and grace and the character of Christ towards others. Some people I know have been moved. They are not where they used to be. They have gone backwards. They have been moved by backsliding. Backsliding is just that. It’s a slide. Slow and subtle. A downward slope. Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? What went wrong? In the context Paul tells of a little leaven. Something small wrecked everything. It’s the little foxes that spoil the vines. What has hindered you? Retarded your growth. Chances are - I know for me – I am my own worst enemy. But there is hope. If you’ve slipped, you can return. If your job is stopping you from fellowshipping then change jobs. How can you be effective for Christ if you are not fellowshipping? You can’t. Some people are moved by materialism. Moved by the flesh. Moved by worldly movies. But the Word of God doesn’t move them like it used to. Something is wrong. We should tremble at the Word, but instead we are laughing and crying because of some worldly movie. We should be moved to serve God, but we have stopped hearing His voice. The Word doesn’t move us in God’s direction any more. There’s a reception problem. Too much static. We should be moved to obey God, but instead we deny His presence in our lives. We are moved by the rock beat, but we are not moved on by the call of God. We are moved by the world and its magnetic pull, but we are not yielded to the Spirit of God. What about you? Have you got moved. Who’s moving you? What we truly need is a move of God.

Judah was under God’s judgment. Its people had forsaken God. Then Josiah takes the throne. 2 Chronicles 34:1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign… The life of Josiah helps us answer the question: How do we live for Christ in a hostile culture? Judah was a nation far from God, a land filled with idols. Josiah the boy king takes the throne. He had no close godly model to follow, yet God used this boy to guide Judah back to Him. 2 Chronicles 34:27 - God saw that Josiah’s heart was tender… What makes a tender heart? 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. Notice, Josiah did what was right. He didn’t go along with his nation’s godless choices. He wanted to please God with his life! What were the ways of David? He was a man after God’s own heart. 1 Samuel 13:14 …the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart… David was a humble worshipper of God. He was devoted to the Word, to prayer, to worship. Josiah walked in the ways of his father David, plus he didn’t waver. Josiah was wholehearted. No compromise. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: Aged just 16, it says that Josiah began to actively seek God. At the age of 20 Josiah began to rid the land of the idols. 3 …and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. Judah had fallen deep into sin. It had become a pagan nation. The wise Josiah set about cleaning up everything. 4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. He smashed all the false idols, the graven and molten images of Baal and Molech. Josiah made dust of the pagan altars. He crushed the idols to powder. He was present when they broke down the altars of the Baals, and hewed down the images. It was a dramatic repentance - a forceful turning away from sin. What about us? Can we identify and confront areas of sin in our life? The false gods that take our Lord’s rightful place. Will we remove the idols and distractions that hinder our relationship with God? Is our heart tender towards our God? Can we seek out the idols that control our lives, and fully be rid of them? Josiah turned his attention to the Temple. It was in a state of neglect. Josiah, now at the age of 26, refurbished the Temple. Josiah ordered builders to make repairs. The people did the work faithfully. 12 And the men did the work faithfully… The worship of God had been neglected. What about for us? Have we forsaken the place of prayer? Of fellowship? What of our place of worship? Is it covered in the dust of neglect? Has it been so long that it’s covered in cobwebs? Have we neglected the house of worship? Next up, something wonderful happened - Hilkiah the priest found “The Book.” It had been forgotten in some old, unused room. It had been carelessly mislaid. Possibly thrown into a corner, like some Christians treat the Bible today. Is our heart tender towards the Word of God? Do we treasure His Word, and heed its message? Do we let God's Word convict us and transform our heart, our thinking? Judah had lost the Book. We have lost The Book. It’s time that someone finds The Book! We need the kind of respect for God’s Word that they had. Oh, how we need to have our land purged of its idols! How we need the Book! Look at what happened when Josiah found the Book: 2 Chronicles 34:19 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. When they discovered the book of the law, it was revival. Let us seek God’s ways, and be sensitive to sin. God’s Word is sadly neglected. People have become indifferent to the Bible. Josiah was hungry for the Word. Josiah humbled himself before the Word. Josiah gathered all the people together. He recommitted himself to the Lord and renewed His holy covenant that had been badly broken. What about us? Is our heart tender towards the Word of God? Josiah led the people in renouncing idols and rededicating themselves to the Lord. Josiah sets an example for us. We need to rid idols in our life and cleanse OUR temple. Let us love our Lord and His word - and let go the things in our lives, whatever gets in the way. May we, like Josiah, re-discover the Book, the Holy Book. God has given us a plan for us to follow. Josiah restored the true worship, the services, and the Passover. When we seek God He will do a work, in and through us! Can we be like Josiah? He was just 16 years old when “he began to seek after the God of David his father”. Are you willing to smash your idols? Seek after God!

The almost believer. Preacher Michael Orlino tells of King Agrippa. There is a possibility that someone will be so close to a saving knowledge of the gospel yet not actually saved. There is a possibility that someone will be almost saved but not entirely saved. Outline: What are the qualities of an almost saved person? He has the knowledge yet will not believe. Acts 26:26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. • Personal knowledge • Undeniable knowledge • Public knowledge He has the conviction yet will not decide. Acts 26:27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. • Preaching from the prophets • Passionate plea He has the chance yet will not take advantage of it. Acts 26:28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. • He demands more time. • He demands more explanation. • He demands his sinful life.

1 I've found a secret place of comfort and release, A special place of healing, a quiet place of peace. And everyone who dwells there finds rest beneath God's wings. In the shade of His pavilion, new strength He always brings. Chorus I find hope; I find grace far away from the world's embrace. He gives me rest; He keeps me safe; I find His strength; I seek His face in the secret place. 2 With every trial He brings, my Lord will make a way To strengthen and protect me, to help me face each day. He leads me through the valley to draw me closer still, Knowing even in the shadows, I find His perfect will.

Psalms 37:23 The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. #baptistchurch #songitem

"BUT CONTINUE THOU" | The Wilds These days are drawing close to an end. God has been working on you my dear friend. Your heart has been tender, tho' others stone cold. For you who are hungry a message we hold. But continue thou in the things thou hast learned. But continue thou in the things thou hast learned. May ev'ry seed sown in love here be reaped in your life. But continue thou in the things thou has learned. Now to the journey You must now face. Champions He'll make you if you'll run His race. Your strength is made perfect when it is so weak. His grace is sufficient when His face you seek. But continue thou in the things thou hast learned. But continue thou in the things thou hast learned. May ev'ry seed sown in love here be reaped in your life. Oh, but continue thou, But continue thou, But continue thou, in the things thou hast learned.

To the work! To the work! We are servants of God; Let us follow the path that our Master has trod; With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew, Let us do with our might what our hands find to do. Refrain: Toiling on, toiling on, Toiling on, toiling on; Let us hope, let us watch, And labor till the Master comes. To the work! To the work! Let the hungry be fed; To the fountain of life let the weary be led; In the cross and its banner our glory shall be, While we herald the tidings, “Salvation is free!” To the work! To the work! There is labor for all; For the kingdom of darkness and error shall fall; And the love of our Father exalted shall be, In the loud swelling chorus, “Salvation is free!” To the work! To the work! In the strength of the Lord, And a robe and a crown shall our labor reward, When the home of the faithful our dwelling shall be, And we shout with the ransomed, “Salvation is free!”