Message from the Pastor
GOD IS ON THE MOVE!
These are both exciting and challenging times. I am hearing about and seeing what seems like the first-fruits of perhaps a great harvest of souls that God wants to give us in the
We have not reached that moment yet, in our nation, when we cannot declare that there is only one way to the true God and that is through faith in Jesus Christ alone, His divine Son. But greater persecution will come as the Holy Spirit moves out across our nation with increased momentum in his work of convicting of sin and bringing a desire within the lost to enquire about life’s meaning and life after death.
We must reach out with compassion and passion to the lost with the vital message of the Gospel. Yet at the same time as we step up our effort in friendship evangelism through to our specific outreach projects, I am hearing of those who are actively touching into church websites to listen or read sermons found on them. Some of these folk were once hardened to the gospel, but now they have become seekers as they are sensing the call of Christ’s love in their lives through the uncertainties all around them in our world today. Others are starting to attend church, which is encouraging, as some Christian writers have taught in the past that people will not come into our church buildings anymore, but I always felt this was untrue; they will; and if they find caring compassionate friendly Christians, whatever their style of worship, they will warm to them. I have found when taking funerals recently that many unsaved friends and family are beginning to re-assess their view on church people as they have seen the joy Christians attending have in the midst of sadness and their faith in the midst of death.
There is an excitement within me, a leap in my heart, because God is on the move! Many say revival is not coming, that what is required is repentance. But I say a study of revival shows me that revival starts with repentance; the repentance of God’s people for their lukewarm hearts and sin. This in turn will lead to a mighty revival of love for God and will bring a fresh passion and urgency to witness. The result of this will be ‘back-sliders’ coming to faith and also the unsaved coming in multitudes! The unchurched were reached with great effect in the early church missions into the Roman pagan world and God can do it again! He has done it around the world many times in the last 2000 years! He can touch the hearts of men and women and draw them to himself, even if they have never ever heard the name of Christ before. I remember one story of a jungle tribe reached for the first time by Christian missionaries who discovered the tribe were already worshipping Jesus. When asked how they knew about him they said they heard his name in wind blowing through the trees!
I need, indeed we all need, to fall in love with Jesus Christ again so that through the inevitable revived spirituality this brings we may reach out to new levels of intensity in our evangelistic efforts! We need to pray as never before that God will be merciful to our nation that he has given us birth in, or we have come to see as our home. We need to pray with renewed energy and increased faith for openness to the Gospel in our communities and across this nation. I believe it was the late Arthur Wallis who wrote, ‘Only when our prayer meetings are full again, only when we fall down on our knees before God in tears for the lost, will he send a fresh and mighty wind of his Spirit into our churches and nation.’ In the meantime, I believe God is starting to answer our present level of prayer with the signs of the first-fruits of a greater harvest of lost souls He wants to give us. Let’s not give up, or even rest from, our kingdom labours, because the prayers and actions of faith move mountains! The world waits to see the fire of enthusiasm for Jesus in His follower’s lives. The world secretly wants to feel the infectious zeal of the children of God and longs to be embraced by heavens eternal peace and love, for God has placed the thoughts of eternity in every heart. He wants none to be lost and left out from the blessings of eternal abundant sinless life in the new heaven and earth he will soon create where there will be no more pain, sorrow, suffering, sickness tears and death! It’s no fairy tale! It is truth which soon will become a reality! Don’t miss out, but put your faith and trust in Jesus Christ today. The following prayer might be helpful for either a fresh start or a first start in the Christian journey of life.
Lord Jesus Christ, I admit I have failed in many ways and have fallen short of your requirements. I need your forgiveness.
I am willing to turn around from all that I know is wrong.
I want to follow you. I want you to be uppermost in my life.
Thank you for dying for me at the cross to take away my sin and failure.
Thank you for your gift of forgiveness and new eternal life.
Come into my life and fill it with your presence.
Come as my Saviour and Lord of my life.
Thank you Jesus.
Amen
Please let us know via this web site if you have prayed this prayer. Let us know how things are going on your spiritual journey and what matters you would like us to pray about for you.
May the Lord grant you the fullness of His peace and joy!
Here is another prayer written by Churches Together in
Take us from where are to where you want us to be;
make us not merely guardians of a heritage but living signs of your coming kingdom; fire us with your passion for justice and peace between all people;
fill us with faith, hope and love which embody the Gospel;
and through the power of the Holy Spirit make us one.
That the world may believe, that your name may be enthroned in our nation, that your church may more effectively be your body, we commit ourselves to love you, serve you, and follow you as pilgrims not strangers.
Amen.
Reverend Don Attenborough
Ashtead Baptist Church
Ashtead
Surrey
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