Scripture: Psalm 34:8 "Taste and see that the Lord is good."
'It's the Real Thing' has been the advertising slogan for a well known soft drink for many years. It suggests that all other brands are just counterfeits or poor copies. If you really want to know which is the best you must 'taste and see'. Once you have sampled the real thing nothing else will do.
Like many other children I attended assembly at school, sung hymns, and listened to boring talks about religion. I was also educated to believe that human beings evolved from some other form of life and that my ancestors were probably apes. This proved to me at the time that Christianity must be untrue. That human life did not start with Adam and Eve. Science had made faith obsolete.
Over the years there have been many alternative ideas put forward about the life of Jesus Christ; I remember at one time books were written to prove that he was an 'Extra Terrestrial' visiting our planet from another solar system. In recent years the 'Da Vinci Code' has generated a lot interest and speculation because it has been highlighted by Hollywood. These views usually remain popular for a short time and then fade into insignificance.
Reading about someone famous or seeing their photograph in a magazine gives us an impression that may be far from the truth. Meeting and spending time with that individual will give us a whole new perspective because we have met the 'real thing'. The longer we relate to them the better we will know them. I had never given serious thought or attention to the person of Jesus Christ, His life, His death, or His resurrection until I was 15 then I met Him. I tasted the 'real thing'. To my amazement I experienced the very real presence of God.
The Bible says, "Taste and see that the Lord is good." When you have experienced the 'real thing' all else is a poor copy.
Pastor Mick
Sunday, 16 November 2008
Sunday, 21 September 2008
GIVING WHAT WE HAVE
Scripture: Acts 3 v 1-11 (NLT)
The healing of the crippled beggar at the beautiful gate of the temple never ceases to challenge me every time I read it. The New Living Translation (NLT) puts Peter’s response to the request for money in a way that caught my breath; “I don’t have any money for you. But I will give you what l have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk” (v.6).
The phrase “I will give you what I have” quickened me. Peter knew what he had. Inside there was a confidence and assurance. He just knew that he knew. It made me look back over my years in the Ministry to a time when the spirit of God had revived me. Every time I prayed for someone whatever the need, I knew God would minister to them and He did. At almost every home group I attended there came a point when I knew that the spirit would break in upon us and He did. I believed for a demonstration of the manifest presence of God in our Sunday services and again it would happen. Those were exciting days. I knew God was moving and wanted us to move with him.
Peter not only knew what he had but was ready to give it to that lame man. Do we truly know what we have as spirit filled believers and are we giving it away to those in need. What I experienced at that time of personal revival, was it exceptional or meant to be the norm? For Peter and the early church it appeared to be the normal Christian life.
Phillip, one of those appointed as a deacon in Acts 6 finds himself in Samaria after the church is scattered through persecution. He is not one of the apostles, just one of the believers who had to flee Jerusalem. In Acts 8 the NLT makes it clear that Phillip is an example of what happened through the life of Christians as they spread out from Jerusalem. In Acts 8 v 6 it says; “Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did”. Phillip was giving away what he had. Verse 7 tells us “Many evil spirits were cast out screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralysed or lame were healed”.
If this was an example of what was happening, then it is clear that wherever believers found themselves they were seeing ‘signs and wonders’. They had an expectancy that God was working with them and they knew what they had.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus revive us again to know what has been deposited into our lives and give us faith to give it away.
Pastor Mick
The healing of the crippled beggar at the beautiful gate of the temple never ceases to challenge me every time I read it. The New Living Translation (NLT) puts Peter’s response to the request for money in a way that caught my breath; “I don’t have any money for you. But I will give you what l have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk” (v.6).
The phrase “I will give you what I have” quickened me. Peter knew what he had. Inside there was a confidence and assurance. He just knew that he knew. It made me look back over my years in the Ministry to a time when the spirit of God had revived me. Every time I prayed for someone whatever the need, I knew God would minister to them and He did. At almost every home group I attended there came a point when I knew that the spirit would break in upon us and He did. I believed for a demonstration of the manifest presence of God in our Sunday services and again it would happen. Those were exciting days. I knew God was moving and wanted us to move with him.
Peter not only knew what he had but was ready to give it to that lame man. Do we truly know what we have as spirit filled believers and are we giving it away to those in need. What I experienced at that time of personal revival, was it exceptional or meant to be the norm? For Peter and the early church it appeared to be the normal Christian life.
Phillip, one of those appointed as a deacon in Acts 6 finds himself in Samaria after the church is scattered through persecution. He is not one of the apostles, just one of the believers who had to flee Jerusalem. In Acts 8 the NLT makes it clear that Phillip is an example of what happened through the life of Christians as they spread out from Jerusalem. In Acts 8 v 6 it says; “Crowds listened intently to what he had to say because of the miracles he did”. Phillip was giving away what he had. Verse 7 tells us “Many evil spirits were cast out screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralysed or lame were healed”.
If this was an example of what was happening, then it is clear that wherever believers found themselves they were seeing ‘signs and wonders’. They had an expectancy that God was working with them and they knew what they had.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus revive us again to know what has been deposited into our lives and give us faith to give it away.
Pastor Mick
Sunday, 17 August 2008
HEAL OUR LAND
Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7 : 1
Did you know in the UK 100,000 children a year run away from broken homes? We have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe. Over the last 35 years an average of one abortion every three minutes has been carried out legally, 80% funded by the NHS. 36% of conceptions outside marriage end in abortion. Every year 140,000 people attempt suicide and 4,000 children every day call Childline. One third of all children live in poverty, growing up in families that do not have sufficient income to make sure that their needs are met. 60 million acts of crime happen each year.
Did you know there are 5 million people who regularly use cannabis, 3.4 million ecstasy and 2 million who use amphetamines and cocaine each year? British Telecom blocks 20,000 attempts a day of people trying to watch pornographic acts with children on the internet. Sex scenes on British television have increased 300% in the last five years. There are 27 nationally accessible pornographic TV channels. At peak times eight out of ten admissions to Admissions to Accident and Emergency are a result of drinking, costing £12 billion a year.
Did you know 380,000 people are living on the street? If brought together these people would number more than the population of Cardiff. 24 million anti-depressant prescription items are issued each year. And by the way, our society is a trillion pounds in debt. All the above are verifiable statistics. The better question to ask may be not did you know but do you care? If we do nothing – no social action, no lobbying, no prayer – just imagine where our society will be in 25 years time?
God gave this promise many centuries ago for those times when there is a state of national emergency, ”If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land”
2 Chronicles 7 : 14
Mick Reynolds
Did you know in the UK 100,000 children a year run away from broken homes? We have the highest teenage pregnancy rate in Europe. Over the last 35 years an average of one abortion every three minutes has been carried out legally, 80% funded by the NHS. 36% of conceptions outside marriage end in abortion. Every year 140,000 people attempt suicide and 4,000 children every day call Childline. One third of all children live in poverty, growing up in families that do not have sufficient income to make sure that their needs are met. 60 million acts of crime happen each year.
Did you know there are 5 million people who regularly use cannabis, 3.4 million ecstasy and 2 million who use amphetamines and cocaine each year? British Telecom blocks 20,000 attempts a day of people trying to watch pornographic acts with children on the internet. Sex scenes on British television have increased 300% in the last five years. There are 27 nationally accessible pornographic TV channels. At peak times eight out of ten admissions to Admissions to Accident and Emergency are a result of drinking, costing £12 billion a year.
Did you know 380,000 people are living on the street? If brought together these people would number more than the population of Cardiff. 24 million anti-depressant prescription items are issued each year. And by the way, our society is a trillion pounds in debt. All the above are verifiable statistics. The better question to ask may be not did you know but do you care? If we do nothing – no social action, no lobbying, no prayer – just imagine where our society will be in 25 years time?
God gave this promise many centuries ago for those times when there is a state of national emergency, ”If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land”
2 Chronicles 7 : 14
Mick Reynolds
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
LIFE IN THE HEREAFTER?
Scripture: Revelations 1 : 12-18
It is amazing in our materialistic society, how many still hold to a belief in “life in the hereafter”. No one would argue that the body is destined to return to dust and ashes, but is there part of us that lives on? Some would like to believe we are re-incarnated and live again in a different body or as a ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ life form. Others go to great lengths to break through to contact the spirits of the dead to see how everyone is getting along on the ‘other side’.
There have been reports from those pronounced clinically dead, who have later revived, describing an awareness of a spiritual world. In nearly all religions there is an emphasis on ‘the life to come’.
There have been reports from those pronounced clinically dead, who have later revived, describing an awareness of a spiritual world. In nearly all religions there is an emphasis on ‘the life to come’. Equally strong is the idea of some kind of accountability, where we answer for the way we have lived. Is it to be ‘Purgatory’ or ‘Paradise’?
Ancient civilisations went to enormous lengths to prepare for the next life. The pyramids still stand as a testimony to that hope. Is there some form of inner ‘knowing’ in every human being telling us of a future beyond the grave or are we just looking for comfort to make it easier to face death? Where do we go to find an answer? Is there anyone we can trust?
An authority on the subject would need at the very least to have experienced the other side and come to our world in human form to tell us about it. After death and burial they would have to come back to life in a physical form to prove death is not the end. They would then have to be seen to return to the other side without dying a second time. A lot to ask?
Jesus Christ has the monopoly on these qualifications and leaves us in no doubt about the existence of ‘Heaven and Hell’; ‘Judgement and Eternity’. He taught us to pray, “Our Father in Heaven.” Whatever ideas you might have it is always good to consult an expert on the subject.
I Corinthians 15 : 12-20
Mick Reynolds
It is amazing in our materialistic society, how many still hold to a belief in “life in the hereafter”. No one would argue that the body is destined to return to dust and ashes, but is there part of us that lives on? Some would like to believe we are re-incarnated and live again in a different body or as a ‘higher’ or ‘lower’ life form. Others go to great lengths to break through to contact the spirits of the dead to see how everyone is getting along on the ‘other side’.
There have been reports from those pronounced clinically dead, who have later revived, describing an awareness of a spiritual world. In nearly all religions there is an emphasis on ‘the life to come’.
There have been reports from those pronounced clinically dead, who have later revived, describing an awareness of a spiritual world. In nearly all religions there is an emphasis on ‘the life to come’. Equally strong is the idea of some kind of accountability, where we answer for the way we have lived. Is it to be ‘Purgatory’ or ‘Paradise’?
Ancient civilisations went to enormous lengths to prepare for the next life. The pyramids still stand as a testimony to that hope. Is there some form of inner ‘knowing’ in every human being telling us of a future beyond the grave or are we just looking for comfort to make it easier to face death? Where do we go to find an answer? Is there anyone we can trust?
An authority on the subject would need at the very least to have experienced the other side and come to our world in human form to tell us about it. After death and burial they would have to come back to life in a physical form to prove death is not the end. They would then have to be seen to return to the other side without dying a second time. A lot to ask?
Jesus Christ has the monopoly on these qualifications and leaves us in no doubt about the existence of ‘Heaven and Hell’; ‘Judgement and Eternity’. He taught us to pray, “Our Father in Heaven.” Whatever ideas you might have it is always good to consult an expert on the subject.
I Corinthians 15 : 12-20
Mick Reynolds
Saturday, 26 July 2008
A FRESH PERSPECTIVE
Scripture: Matthew 8: 1-4 / 14-17
As I grew up there was one thing I was totally convinced about and that was that church was boring. I am not sure how I first got that impression, but I remember attending a Sunday School for just two weeks as a 7 Year old. That was enough to persuade me I didn’t want to go to church. Later on at the age of thirteen I was persuaded to attend a Carol Service by my dad who wanted me to do this just to please our stepmother who was a devout Roman Catholic.
I went to my local parish church for this service and every worst fear I had about church was confirmed in that brief hour. When I left that building I felt like I had escaped from prison and I never wanted to ever return again.
Like many other children I attended assembly at school, sang hymns and listened to boring talks about religion. I was also educated to believe that human beings evolved from other form of life. That my ancestors were probably apes. This proved to me that Christianity must be untrue. That human life did not start with Adam and Eve. I was being taught these things by people who were educated and therefore if I wanted to show any sense of intelligence I couldn’t accept the things Christianity taught.
Looking back I realise I never really understood much about church or Christian faith. I had never given serious thought or attention to the person of Jesus Christ, His life, His death, or His resurrection. I was making judgements without real understanding or knowledge. I was allowing other people’s opinions and peer pressure to mould my thinking. All that changed for me on Thursday 20 August 1962 when at the age of 15 I discovered God was real. It happened as I asked Jesus in a simple prayer to forgive me and take over my life. To my amazement I experienced the very real presence of God and I have never been the same since.
That sense of God’s hand on my life has never left me and after over 45 years. I am convinced that one touch of the love of God on any life can change everything.
That sense of God’s hand on my life has never left me and after over 45 years. I am convinced that one touch of the love of God on any life can change everything.
Pastor Mick Reynolds
Sunday, 20 July 2008
GOING FOR THE REBOUND
Scripture: Luke 22: 31 – 32
One of the most important moves in the game of basketball is ‘going for the rebound’. Behind the basket into which your team is trying to score is a large board and often the ball will come back from that board if you miss a shot. A good player can anticipate this happening and quickly get into the right position to jump and catch the rebounding ball in order to have a second attempt to score. A similar thing happens in football. When a player takes a shot at goal and the keeper parries the ball a skilful player will be ready to follow up and score from the rebound. A missed opportunity is turned into a second chance for glory.
The same principle is so relevant in life. We all miss the mark at some time. We all make mistakes. We’ve blown it and let ourselves down or failed to live up to our promises. There are occasions when we know we said the wrong thing or made the wrong move. We can even feel we have made a complete mess of our lives. What is important is how well do we rebound when we miss our shots? How well do we come back from failure? How well do we follow up our mistakes with the right moves? Going for the rebound is so important if we are going to make it in life especially as a believer.
The greatest comeback of all was not by a boxer returning to the ring, but by Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He appeared to be down and out as His Life slipped away while He hung from the cross. For those who watched Him die His mission seemed to have ended in failure. As they buried Him in the tomb all their hopes were dashed. Death however, could not keep this good man down. Jesus bounced back, rising from the dead and He’s alive for evermore.
There are times in our lives when we feel we have made a mess of things, we have failed God, we have missed the mark and the enemy like He did with Peter wants to try and wipe us out. Peter as we know bounced back and was able to stand up on the day of Pentecost to proclaim the good news.
Jesus has given all of us who love Him, but have at some point blown it, the power to bounce back and go again for glory.
Pastor Mick
One of the most important moves in the game of basketball is ‘going for the rebound’. Behind the basket into which your team is trying to score is a large board and often the ball will come back from that board if you miss a shot. A good player can anticipate this happening and quickly get into the right position to jump and catch the rebounding ball in order to have a second attempt to score. A similar thing happens in football. When a player takes a shot at goal and the keeper parries the ball a skilful player will be ready to follow up and score from the rebound. A missed opportunity is turned into a second chance for glory.
The same principle is so relevant in life. We all miss the mark at some time. We all make mistakes. We’ve blown it and let ourselves down or failed to live up to our promises. There are occasions when we know we said the wrong thing or made the wrong move. We can even feel we have made a complete mess of our lives. What is important is how well do we rebound when we miss our shots? How well do we come back from failure? How well do we follow up our mistakes with the right moves? Going for the rebound is so important if we are going to make it in life especially as a believer.
The greatest comeback of all was not by a boxer returning to the ring, but by Jesus Christ, God’s Son. He appeared to be down and out as His Life slipped away while He hung from the cross. For those who watched Him die His mission seemed to have ended in failure. As they buried Him in the tomb all their hopes were dashed. Death however, could not keep this good man down. Jesus bounced back, rising from the dead and He’s alive for evermore.
There are times in our lives when we feel we have made a mess of things, we have failed God, we have missed the mark and the enemy like He did with Peter wants to try and wipe us out. Peter as we know bounced back and was able to stand up on the day of Pentecost to proclaim the good news.
Jesus has given all of us who love Him, but have at some point blown it, the power to bounce back and go again for glory.
Pastor Mick
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
TIME FOR CHANGE
Scripture: Romans 1 : 18-32
If we are to believe the media about what is going on in our nation it should shake us to the roots; for example:
If any of this is even remotely true then something is very seriously wrong with our way of life. Human beings are not evolving to be better; they are degenerating into a life form that lives only to satisfy its own selfish desires and greed.
I believe there is good in most people and that every human being has the potential to live like a child of God given the opportunity. There are still many examples to be found of love that is willing to self-sacrifice for the good of others.
Our society can be turned around if the majority will recognise as they once did their need of God and call out to Him for this nation.
Romans 3 : 22 “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are, or what we have done” (N.L.T.)
Pastor Mick Reynolds
If we are to believe the media about what is going on in our nation it should shake us to the roots; for example:
- Young people spend their leisure time binge drinking themselves to an early grave
- Many men are so emotionally inadequate that the only way they can have sex is by rape or by spiking a woman’s drink.
- Violence in the home and society is on the increase and discipline has reached an all time low in our schools.
- Our government is undermining the institution of marriage, introducing children to sex at the earliest possible age and supporting every minority group at the expense of the majority.
- Going into hospital is bad for your health.
- Vast numbers of people cheat the system every day to make fraudulent claims for benefits.
- Most people will spend the rest of their lives in permanent debt.
- The threat of terrorism is now so real that no one is safe.
- Every religion practised in this country is to be encouraged with the exception of Christianity.
If any of this is even remotely true then something is very seriously wrong with our way of life. Human beings are not evolving to be better; they are degenerating into a life form that lives only to satisfy its own selfish desires and greed.
I believe there is good in most people and that every human being has the potential to live like a child of God given the opportunity. There are still many examples to be found of love that is willing to self-sacrifice for the good of others.
Our society can be turned around if the majority will recognise as they once did their need of God and call out to Him for this nation.
Romans 3 : 22 “We are made right in God’s sight when we trust in Jesus Christ to take away our sins. And we all can be saved in this same way, no matter who we are, or what we have done” (N.L.T.)
Pastor Mick Reynolds
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