DON’T UNDERESTIMATE WHAT GOD CAN DO!
Gideon, like many of us, doubted his own abilities. He had suffered so many defeats and failures that he even put God to the test–not once but three times.
In the Bible story, Gideon is introduced threshing grain in a winepress, a pit in the ground, so the marauding Midianites did not see him. God appeared to Gideon as an angel and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior.” (Judges 6:12)
Gideon prepared a meal for the angel. The angel touched the meat and unleavened bread with his staff, and the rock they were sitting on spewed fire, consuming the offering. Then Gideon put out a fleece, a piece of sheep skin with the wool still attached, asking God to cover the fleece with dew overnight, but leave the ground around it dry. God did so. Finally, Gideon asked God to dampen the ground overnight with dew but leave the fleece dry. God did that as well.
God was patient with Gideon because he had chosen him to defeat the Midianites, who had impoverished the land of Israel with their constant raids. Gideon gathered an enormous army from the surrounding tribes, but God reduced their number to only 300. There would be no doubt that victory was from the Lord, not from the army’s might.
That night, Gideon gave each man a trumpet and a torch concealed inside a pottery jar. At his signal, they blew their trumpets, broke the jars to reveal the torches, and shouted: “A sword for the LORD and for Gideon!” (Judges 7:20)
God caused the enemy to panic and turn on each other. Gideon called out reinforcements and they pursued the raiders, destroying them. When the people wanted to make Gideon their king, he refused, but took gold from them and made an ephod, a sacred vestment, probably to commemorate the victory. Unfortunately, the people worshipped it as an idol.
Through the story of Gideon, the Lord teaches us five main lessons:
* Don’t underestimate what God can do in and through you.
* God will always be with you in whatever He’s called you to do.
* The Lord is ready to give you assurance when you doubt Him.
* His ways are often surprising and challenging, but they’re always the best and the most successful.
* The Lord always works in a way that exalts and glorifies Him.
A courageous life begins with the Word of God and prayer. That’s where we hear His instructions and receive the mind of Christ. However, if we shut our Bibles, we’re also closing our minds to His encouraging words. God wants to work in and through us if we’ll just cleanse our hearts, surrender our lives, and walk obediently with Him in confident trust.
Speakers for Sundays in October
6th: a.m. Pastor David Palmer
p.m. Prof. Aija Kim (Big Welcome)
13th: a.m. Rev Derek Rapps
p.m. Gail Dixon
20th: a.m. Mr Colin Gregory
p.m. Pastor Peter Cho
27th: a.m. Pastor Peter Cho
p.m. Mr Robert Richards
Diary Dates for October
Thursday 10th: 12.30 p.m. Luncheon Club
“ 17th: 7.00 p.m. GBA meeting at Bethesda, Rogerstone
“ 24th: 12.30 p.m. Luncheon Club
“ 31st: 7.00 p.m Service at Moriah Chapel,Loughor
TOP MARKS FOR FOOD HYGIENE
Tabernacle has been awarded the Food Standard Agency’s highest rating – 5 which means “very good” – for food hygiene following a recent inspection of our new kitchen and food handling and preparation procedures.
The inspection was carried out by a Caerphilly County Borough Council official on Thursday, 26 September – the same day as our first Community Luncheon Club was held.
The Agency, in partnership with local authorities, runs the scheme (popularly known as Scores on the Doors) in Wales, England and Northern Ireland and a similar scheme in Scotland. The schemes help consumers choose where to eat out or shop for food by giving them information about the hygiene standards in restaurants, cafés, takeaways, hotels, food shops and other premises such as churches who run luncheon clubs etc.
The schemes also encourage businesses to improve hygiene standards. The overarching aim is to reduce the incidence of food-borne illness.
Many thanks to the catering team for all their hard work in helping us to achieve this excellent result.
The next luncheon clubs will be held on 10th and 24th October (12:30 pm). Please note that names of those aged 50 and over wishing to attend must be put on the list in the schoolroom or given to Lynne. 
Tabernacle and Beulah took a stand at the One Beat conference organised by Caerphilly County Borough Council and the Gwent Association of Voluntary Organisations on 19th October. Youth Club volunteer Arthur Withers (left) and Pastor Peter Cho (right) with some of the guests who visited the stand.