All The World

21 Nov All The World

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Ok…just checking…who stole our rain?

I was promised many millimetres for my veggie patch & garden & it never showed up! I’m thinking it got pinched & I want to know who’s responsible.

The “science” that has taken the biggest crash in credibility over my lifetime has got to be that of “computer modelling.” Whether we’re talking weather, climate, economics, food, fossil fuels, disease, hydrology… so many have failed to actually offer accurate forecasts.  Lots of pronouncements have produced so little proof. Colour me sceptical in a lot of ways.

One thing about which I am definitely NOT sceptical…is the week ahead. For instance, I know…

1. Caloola Court worship is Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Mary & I will be out there for songs & brief devotions with our friends at BCS Caloola. Pray the current COVID resurgence hasn’t got them locked in & us locked out. Pray too that our words & presence offer some joy, love & hope in the name of Jesus.
2. Zoom Bible Study Catch-up is as always Friday – 24th November 2023 @ 1:00 PM

Join Zoom Meeting  —  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83586782734  —  Meeting ID: 835 8678 2734

We’ll be gathering around Jesus’ invitation, “Come, follow me.” (John 1:35-46 & Ephesians 4:1-6) Don’t miss it!

3. Sunday, 26^th November, we have a baptism! Young Meila Clark joins God’s family through water & the Word. She’ll die & be raised with Christ right before our eyes! Make sure you find a way to encourage & welcome the family & guests. What a great way to hear & live Christ’s command to take his saving love to “All The World.”

 

I was reading Acts 13-14 this morning…The narrative of Paul’s first missionary journey with Barnabbas. They’re eventually hitting the synagogue circuit around Asia Minor preaching mostly to Jews & a few God-fearing non-Jews who are attached to the Jewish community. At one point Paul recounts the story of God’s love for his people from Abraham on & then hits the good news:

We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do. – Acts 13:38-39

And there it is…the distinct break between following Jesus, being a Christian, and every other belief system on the earth. Jesus does for us what nothing else can. Jesus restores our relationship with the Father, destroys the barrier sin places between us & God, crushes hell, evil & the evil one, & releases the shackles of death. There is as Peter & John would proclaim earlier, “No other name given under heaven by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12

Rejoice in that assurance this week & find one other person with whom you can share it…and make it someone who doesn’t yet trust it fully. You might be delighted by their reaction.

 

John