Pastor Bell's Words To Live By

^4-6You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness (Ephesians 4:4-6 The Message).

We are all called to part of a family. No one can give birth to themselves nor can a single human being propagate live on their own. Even with invitro fertilisation we need someone to do it.  We all need someone else. This is contrary to popular culture which celebrates individualism, selfishness and greed. The mantra of ‘so long as I am alright and my family are doing well then the rest of the world can go to hell’, is a false concept. This notion denies the sameness we share and does not celebrate our diversity. We are called to be individuals but also to act as a unit. This is modelled for us by Jesus Christ. Among all his miracles as recorded in the gospels, we will notice that he was on a mission that would take him to Jerusalem and eventually the cross. Because he was part of the trinity, that is communion with the Father and Holy Spirit, he kept telling us that he could not act on his own.  So he would spend hours alone praying or talking to/with his father (John 6:15 18:1) so that he would do what his father wanted him to do. This is the essence of being part of a family unit.  We should develop the skills to talk regularly and discuss issues which are pertinent to how we operate.  Eventually though if there is a dispute a decision is taken by the head of the family, the father.

So we are individuals but part of a larger body. We act independently but our actions impinge on those who are connected to us. We operated in unity although we are different and all have different life experiences. We are brought near to God because of the blood of the risen saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.  So today remember you are not alone, he is here with us, though he may seem far away, he is here to stay.

Isaiah commends us to seek the Lord while he may be found and call on him while he is near and if we are wicked forsake our old ways and old thoughts and return to the Lord who will abundantly pardon us (Isaiah 55:6-7).

Read Matthew 17