A GLORIOUS BUT GRACIOUS GOD
“For My own name’s sake I delay My wrath; for the sake of My praise I hold it back from you, so as not to cut you off. See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sake, for My own sake, I do this. How can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.” (Isaiah 48: 9-11)
One of the characteristics of today’s society is the confidence (or is it over-confidence?) of people that they can find solutions to every problem that comes their way.
Human nature does not change. The people of Judah, living in the 8th century B.C., felt confident because they lived in Jerusalem, the city of God’s temple. They depended on their heritage, their city and their temple – but this was false security because they did not depend on God. Their enemies were to make them suffer greatly.
Do we feel secure because we go to church or live in a country with a Christian heritage? Nations, buildings or heritage cannot give us a relationship with God. We must truly depend on him personally with all our hearts and minds.
These verses from Isaiah 48 remind us that there was nothing in Israel’s actions, attitudes or accomplishments to compel God to love and save them. But, for His own sake, to show who He is and what He can do, He saved them.
God does not save us because we are good but because He loves us and because of His forgiving nature. If we put our confidence in God and the Lord Jesus Christ we will never be disappointed!
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Speakers for Sundays in August:
3rd:am: Pastor Peter Cho
pm: Pastor David Cook
10th: am: Pastor Peter Cho
pm: Rev. Jim Webber
17th: am: Mr John Gibby
pm: “ “ “
24th: am: Mr Ron Spillards
pm: Mr John Thomas
31st: am: Pastor Peter Cho
pm: Rev. Roy Evans
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CHILDREN’S SUMMER BIBLE CLUB
We wish to thank everyone for their generous support of the Children’s Summer Bible Club held from 22-25 July. We are also indebted to the team from the United States and volunteers from Beulah and Tabernacle who worked so hard.
The aim was to reach out to the children and young people of the community by arranging activities which they enjoyed while learning more about the Scriptures.
More than a hundred children and young people attended the club on each of the four days culminating in a successful street party in Grove Street on the final day.
The event was organised by a team of 17, plus four-year-old Sebi, from the Antioch Church of Philadelphia in the United States. The team was led by John and Kathy Park, who have been with us since the venture started three years ago. Their son, Sebi, made his third visit to Newbridge.
This was the fourth time for the Bible Club to be staged and another is being planned for next year.
Many thanks again.
Parents and children queuing outside Tabernacle to register for the Summer Bible Club.