In everything give thanks!
(Thomas Watson, "All Things for Good")
"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28
See what cause the saints have to be frequent in the work of thanksgiving! In this, Christians are defective; though they are much in supplication — yet they are little in thanksgiving. The apostle says, "In everything give thanks!" 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Why so? Because God makes everything work together for our good. We thank the physician, though he gives us a bitter medicine which makes us nauseated — because it is to make us well. We thank any man who does us a good turn; and shall we not be thankful to God — who makes everything work for good to us?
God loves a thankful Christian! Job thanked God when He took all away: "The Lord hath taken away — blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Job 1:21). Many will thank God when He gives; Job thanks Him when He takes away, because he knew that God would work good out of it.
We read of saints with harps in their hands — an emblem of praise (Revelation 14:2). Yet we meet many Christians who have tears in their eyes, and complaints in their mouths! But there are few with their harps in their hands — who praise God in affliction.
To be thankful in affliction — is a work peculiar to a saint.
Every bird can sing in spring — but few birds will sing in the dead of winter!
Everyone, almost, can be thankful in prosperity — but a true saint can be thankful in adversity!
Well may we, in the worst that befalls us — have a psalm of thankfulness, because God works all things for our good. Oh, be much in giving thanks to God!
Sunday 27 December 2015
Tuesday 22 December 2015
Christmas Bible Club
On Monday 21st of December we held our first Christmas Bible Club between 10.00 am and 1.00 pm for children from 4-11 years of age. Invitations were hand delivered to the doors of all around the Mary Cave Centre, Manselton Swansea along with Trinitarian Bible Society calendars by members of the Church.
Activities included the singing of Christmas carols, learning of a Christmas verse, listening to the Christmas story followed by refreshments before continuing with craft activities and indoor games.
We are grateful to the Lord for answered prayer in that we saw new faces in attendance.Also that all the children were so appreciative of everything that we had prepared for them.
We were very encouraged and grateful for all who gave of their time and talents and reminded that "we must not despise the day of small things".
Activities included the singing of Christmas carols, learning of a Christmas verse, listening to the Christmas story followed by refreshments before continuing with craft activities and indoor games.
We are grateful to the Lord for answered prayer in that we saw new faces in attendance.Also that all the children were so appreciative of everything that we had prepared for them.
We were very encouraged and grateful for all who gave of their time and talents and reminded that "we must not despise the day of small things".
Sunday 20 December 2015
Samson's riddle unriddled!
Samson's riddle unriddled!
(Charles Spurgeon)
"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating" Judges 14:5-9
Conflicts come to us when we are least prepared for them. Samson was walking in the vineyards of Timnath, thinking of anything but lions, and "Suddenly," says the Scripture, "a young lion came roaring toward him!" Fresh and furious, a young lion is the worst kind of beast that a man can meet with. Let us expect, as followers of Christ, to meet with strong temptations, fierce persecutions, and severe trials, which will lead to stern conflicts.
What a type we have here of our Divine Lord and Master, Jesus, the conqueror of death and Hell. He has destroyed the lion that roared upon us and upon Him. To me, the comparison seems wonderfully apt and suggestive. I see our triumphant Lord laden with sweetness, holding it forth to all His brethren — that we may have our lives sweetened and our hearts filled with joy.
All this is clear to the eye of faith, which unriddles the riddle. Alas, when under deep depression, the mind forgets all this, and is only conscious of its unutterable misery — the man sees the lion, but not the honey in its carcass. But faith finds honey in the lion!
"This riddle may be an emblem of those sweet blessings of grace which come to the people of Christ through His having destroyed Satan the roaring lion, and all his works." (John Gill)
"This riddle may be viewed as referring to the blessed results of affliction to the Lord's children." (Arthur Pink)
"Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson. But if we overcome them, the next time we see them, we shall find a nest of honey within them!" (John Bunyan)
(Charles Spurgeon)
"Then went Samson down, and his father and his mother, to Timnath, and came to the vineyards of Timnath: and, behold, a young lion roared against him. And the Spirit of the Lord came mightily upon him, and he rent him as he would have rent a kid, and he had nothing in his hand: but he told not his father or his mother what he had done. And he went down, and talked with the woman; and she pleased Samson well. And after a time he returned to take her, and he turned aside to see the carcase of the lion: and, behold, there was a swarm of bees and honey in the carcase of the lion. And he took thereof in his hands, and went on eating" Judges 14:5-9
Conflicts come to us when we are least prepared for them. Samson was walking in the vineyards of Timnath, thinking of anything but lions, and "Suddenly," says the Scripture, "a young lion came roaring toward him!" Fresh and furious, a young lion is the worst kind of beast that a man can meet with. Let us expect, as followers of Christ, to meet with strong temptations, fierce persecutions, and severe trials, which will lead to stern conflicts.
What a type we have here of our Divine Lord and Master, Jesus, the conqueror of death and Hell. He has destroyed the lion that roared upon us and upon Him. To me, the comparison seems wonderfully apt and suggestive. I see our triumphant Lord laden with sweetness, holding it forth to all His brethren — that we may have our lives sweetened and our hearts filled with joy.
All this is clear to the eye of faith, which unriddles the riddle. Alas, when under deep depression, the mind forgets all this, and is only conscious of its unutterable misery — the man sees the lion, but not the honey in its carcass. But faith finds honey in the lion!
"This riddle may be an emblem of those sweet blessings of grace which come to the people of Christ through His having destroyed Satan the roaring lion, and all his works." (John Gill)
"This riddle may be viewed as referring to the blessed results of affliction to the Lord's children." (Arthur Pink)
"Temptations, when we meet them at first, are as the lion that roared upon Samson. But if we overcome them, the next time we see them, we shall find a nest of honey within them!" (John Bunyan)
Sunday 13 December 2015
The Bible is like a sealed book!
The Bible is like a sealed book!
(George Everard, "Christian Living!" 1881)
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:18
To very many, both learned and unlearned, the Bible is like a sealed book! They see the words, but they do not discern the meaning. Or if they understand something of the meaning, they do not feel its mighty power. It does not convince them of their sin — nor does it help them to know and love the Saviour. And why is this? Because the veil is upon their heart.
Reader, be sure you never neglect to pray whenever you take the Bible in your hand. It is only in this way that you will find real profit and comfort in reading it. Pray that you may understand whatever you read.
If you read there of one who committed sin — then pray that the grace of God may preserve you, that you may never fall into the same snare.
If you read of any one who exercised any particular grace, as faith, or repentance, or love, or patience, or obedience — then pray that the Spirit may plant the same grace in your heart.
If you read any solemn warning or threatening — then pray that the curse or punishment spoken of may never light on you.
If you read any gracious promise — then pray that God may make good the promise to you.
If you read anything of Christ, as the Good Shepherd, as the High Priest — then turn in prayer to Him, and ask Him to guide and guard you, to make you and keep you as one of His sheep, to bear your name before the Father, and to intercede on your behalf.
There is no part of Scripture that you cannot in some way turn into prayer — and the more you do so, the more you will find it like a well of living water. You will never fail to find help and refreshment from it.
Reader, may you learn to prize God's precious Word, and to find it food and drink to your soul. The Bible is the only book that tells us...
about the way of salvation,
of Christ and His cross,
of the gift of the Holy Spirit,
of the new life, and
the blessed hope of everlasting life.
May it be yours to use the book aright, to meditate therein, and as you read to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord.
(George Everard, "Christian Living!" 1881)
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:18
To very many, both learned and unlearned, the Bible is like a sealed book! They see the words, but they do not discern the meaning. Or if they understand something of the meaning, they do not feel its mighty power. It does not convince them of their sin — nor does it help them to know and love the Saviour. And why is this? Because the veil is upon their heart.
Reader, be sure you never neglect to pray whenever you take the Bible in your hand. It is only in this way that you will find real profit and comfort in reading it. Pray that you may understand whatever you read.
If you read there of one who committed sin — then pray that the grace of God may preserve you, that you may never fall into the same snare.
If you read of any one who exercised any particular grace, as faith, or repentance, or love, or patience, or obedience — then pray that the Spirit may plant the same grace in your heart.
If you read any solemn warning or threatening — then pray that the curse or punishment spoken of may never light on you.
If you read any gracious promise — then pray that God may make good the promise to you.
If you read anything of Christ, as the Good Shepherd, as the High Priest — then turn in prayer to Him, and ask Him to guide and guard you, to make you and keep you as one of His sheep, to bear your name before the Father, and to intercede on your behalf.
There is no part of Scripture that you cannot in some way turn into prayer — and the more you do so, the more you will find it like a well of living water. You will never fail to find help and refreshment from it.
Reader, may you learn to prize God's precious Word, and to find it food and drink to your soul. The Bible is the only book that tells us...
about the way of salvation,
of Christ and His cross,
of the gift of the Holy Spirit,
of the new life, and
the blessed hope of everlasting life.
May it be yours to use the book aright, to meditate therein, and as you read to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord.
The Bible is like a sealed book!
The Bible is like a sealed book!
(George Everard, "Christian Living!" 1881)
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:18
To very many, both learned and unlearned, the Bible is like a sealed book! They see the words, but they do not discern the meaning. Or if they understand something of the meaning, they do not feel its mighty power. It does not convince them of their sin — nor does it help them to know and love the Saviour. And why is this? Because the veil is upon their heart.
Reader, be sure you never neglect to pray whenever you take the Bible in your hand. It is only in this way that you will find real profit and comfort in reading it. Pray that you may understand whatever you read.
If you read there of one who committed sin — then pray that the grace of God may preserve you, that you may never fall into the same snare.
If you read of any one who exercised any particular grace, as faith, or repentance, or love, or patience, or obedience — then pray that the Spirit may plant the same grace in your heart.
If you read any solemn warning or threatening — then pray that the curse or punishment spoken of may never light on you.
If you read any gracious promise — then pray that God may make good the promise to you.
If you read anything of Christ, as the Good Shepherd, as the High Priest — then turn in prayer to Him, and ask Him to guide and guard you, to make you and keep you as one of His sheep, to bear your name before the Father, and to intercede on your behalf.
There is no part of Scripture that you cannot in some way turn into prayer — and the more you do so, the more you will find it like a well of living water. You will never fail to find help and refreshment from it.
Reader, may you learn to prize God's precious Word, and to find it food and drink to your soul. The Bible is the only book that tells us...
about the way of salvation,
of Christ and His cross,
of the gift of the Holy Spirit,
of the new life, and
the blessed hope of everlasting life.
May it be yours to use the book aright, to meditate therein, and as you read to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord.
(George Everard, "Christian Living!" 1881)
"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalm 119:18
To very many, both learned and unlearned, the Bible is like a sealed book! They see the words, but they do not discern the meaning. Or if they understand something of the meaning, they do not feel its mighty power. It does not convince them of their sin — nor does it help them to know and love the Saviour. And why is this? Because the veil is upon their heart.
Reader, be sure you never neglect to pray whenever you take the Bible in your hand. It is only in this way that you will find real profit and comfort in reading it. Pray that you may understand whatever you read.
If you read there of one who committed sin — then pray that the grace of God may preserve you, that you may never fall into the same snare.
If you read of any one who exercised any particular grace, as faith, or repentance, or love, or patience, or obedience — then pray that the Spirit may plant the same grace in your heart.
If you read any solemn warning or threatening — then pray that the curse or punishment spoken of may never light on you.
If you read any gracious promise — then pray that God may make good the promise to you.
If you read anything of Christ, as the Good Shepherd, as the High Priest — then turn in prayer to Him, and ask Him to guide and guard you, to make you and keep you as one of His sheep, to bear your name before the Father, and to intercede on your behalf.
There is no part of Scripture that you cannot in some way turn into prayer — and the more you do so, the more you will find it like a well of living water. You will never fail to find help and refreshment from it.
Reader, may you learn to prize God's precious Word, and to find it food and drink to your soul. The Bible is the only book that tells us...
about the way of salvation,
of Christ and His cross,
of the gift of the Holy Spirit,
of the new life, and
the blessed hope of everlasting life.
May it be yours to use the book aright, to meditate therein, and as you read to grow in the knowledge of Christ Jesus your Lord.
Sunday 6 December 2015
If I had a little bucket of water
If I had a little bucket of water
(George Everard, "Christian Living!" 1881)
1. I must use life well, because every moment of it is so precious. The minutes and hours of life are like the gold-dust which the goldsmith so carefully gathers together that none be lost. "I have lost a day!" was the sorrowful lament of one who had learned the real value of time. Life is very precious, and I dare not and will not throw any of it away!
2. I must also use life well, because it will soon be over. "The time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29. My days and years will soon be spent, and I cannot recall them. My life is but a shadow — it is but a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. Even if I am spared to the full age of man, compared with the long life awaiting me hereafter — my life here is but as a moment. "Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. " Psalm 39:5.
Let me endeavour then to remember how soon life will be gone, and be very careful to use well each precious moment.
If I had a little bucket of water, and no more could be obtained — how carefully would I watch that none of it ran to waste. Each drop I would reckon of great value. Such is my life. It is all I have. I must therefore lose none. I must squander none. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12
3. I must use life well, because it is very uncertain. I may have far less than I think. I may be looking forward to years to come — and yet I may have but a few months or weeks or days to live!
I remember a woman who said that some day she would begin to attend our village church. She was in middle age, and had lived a sadly wicked and abandoned life. She thought that she had time enough and to spare, to think of more serious subjects. She did indeed soon afterwards come to our village church — but how did she come? She was carried in a casket on men's shoulders, and then left in the silent grave. Only six weeks had passed since the day she promised that some day she would begin a new life. "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1
So I trust my life will not be a wasted one. And though I can do but little compared with many others, I trust that He will say to me at last: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:23
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16
(George Everard, "Christian Living!" 1881)
1. I must use life well, because every moment of it is so precious. The minutes and hours of life are like the gold-dust which the goldsmith so carefully gathers together that none be lost. "I have lost a day!" was the sorrowful lament of one who had learned the real value of time. Life is very precious, and I dare not and will not throw any of it away!
2. I must also use life well, because it will soon be over. "The time is short!" 1 Corinthians 7:29. My days and years will soon be spent, and I cannot recall them. My life is but a shadow — it is but a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. Even if I am spared to the full age of man, compared with the long life awaiting me hereafter — my life here is but as a moment. "Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. " Psalm 39:5.
Let me endeavour then to remember how soon life will be gone, and be very careful to use well each precious moment.
If I had a little bucket of water, and no more could be obtained — how carefully would I watch that none of it ran to waste. Each drop I would reckon of great value. Such is my life. It is all I have. I must therefore lose none. I must squander none. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." Psalm 90:12
3. I must use life well, because it is very uncertain. I may have far less than I think. I may be looking forward to years to come — and yet I may have but a few months or weeks or days to live!
I remember a woman who said that some day she would begin to attend our village church. She was in middle age, and had lived a sadly wicked and abandoned life. She thought that she had time enough and to spare, to think of more serious subjects. She did indeed soon afterwards come to our village church — but how did she come? She was carried in a casket on men's shoulders, and then left in the silent grave. Only six weeks had passed since the day she promised that some day she would begin a new life. "Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." Proverbs 27:1
So I trust my life will not be a wasted one. And though I can do but little compared with many others, I trust that He will say to me at last: "Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord." Matthew 25:23
"See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:15-16
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