A Pastoral Note - Nov 08

16th November 2008

A Pastoral Note to All Saints

God is richlyblessing us at the moment. It is wonderful to see many new people joining usand other visiting. As such there is a lot of excitement around, especiallywith Club Wow, Salt and Sunday attendances. Suddenly we are desperately shortof leaders for two of our kid’s ministries – what a wonderful problem to have.

However, I’vealso noticed a level of anxiety in the lives of members of our church above andbeyond the normal. For example, there are new or persistent health issues forsome; others with major challenges at work; others who lack motivation at workand still others who can’t find it. Again others are grieving the loss ofparents; others with relationship difficulties; others with concerns for theirchildren; others coping with loneliness; others with depression; others withanger and bitterness; others struggling to put prayer into their life; otherswith financial stress, burnout … and the list could go on.

As a churchwe are here to strengthen faith, so to that end let me try to share someencouragements. The Christian life as with life in general is often difficult.And one of the chief attributes God is looking for in his disciples is perseverancein faith in the face of difficulty. But perseverance is not the goal – the goalis Christ.

Thus:

“We glory in our sufferings,because we know that suffering produces perseverance, perseverance, character;and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love hasbeen poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given tous.”                                                                                                Romans5:3-5

But also rememberthe words of James from our last sermon series:

“Come near to God and he will come near to you.Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double–minded.  … Humble yourselves before the Lord,and he will lift you up.”   James 4:8 & 10

So what can you do?

v  Draw near to God.

Tough times are the times to reallyensure you are opening up the Scriptures each day and putting time aside topray (even if just a few minutes) because when you do so you find that God isnear. Difficult times are the most important times to be consistent at biblestudy and church because God can correct poor thinking and others can encourageyou to keep going the right way.

v  Be lifted up by God.

James says ‘humble yourself beforeGod’. Confess any sin in your life to God. Do it immediately. Ask forforgiveness and see how the burden is lifted off and how God will lift you upagain! If there is no particular sin you can think of then what aboutcommitting yourself to love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind?

v  Persevere in faith.

There are two options when things gettough. You can give up on God and think to yourself he wasn’t much use anyway(but did you draw near to him?) or you can let it develop in you the type ofcharacter that perseveres and hopes for Christ to return. There will be a daywhen the struggle will end. So keep going until that day!

v  A week of common prayer

Michael and Antony would like to invitethe whole church in having common devotionals this week with a united effort topray for each other. If you know someone doing it tough at church why not readthese passages and then pray for them, but don’t stop there - ring them toencourage them.

Monday: Psalm18                      

            Tuesday: Psalm 22

    Wednesday:Psalm 25                     

    Thursday:Psalm 28

            Friday:Psalm32

            Saturday:Psalm 40

May we know the love God has poured out intoour hearts by the Holy Spirit.

Antony