In Jeremiah 8 and 9 we are reminded that the prophet takes no delight in delivering his prophecy concerning the judgment that will come upon his people. On the contrary, it grieves him and causes him to weep over their condition (Jeremiah 8:18; 21 & Jeremiah 9:1).Despite his tears for his fellow men however, he does not doubt God’s goodness and righteousness in judging them. In spite of his concern for his people, he does not think that God is unjust in His treatment of them. He knows that the people have repeatedly provoked God with their idolatry and turned their backs on Him (Jeremiah 8:19b; Jeremiah 9: 2-3).Moreover he also knows that if only the people would repent of their sin, then God would save them. In what are some of the most well known verses in Jeremiah, he reminds himself (and us) that God is merciful and is willing to heal the wound – to heal the sin – of His people. If they would only return to Him, Jeremiah knows that there is “balm in Gilead”. He knows that there is a “physician” there who can heal the people of their wound; a physician who can remove their sin and restore their relationship with God (Jeremiah 8:22). That physician is God Himself and He will heal them if only they would return to Him (Jeremiah 30:17)!What a reminder to us of our Great Physician. What a reminder to us of the Lord Jesus Christ who willingly came to heal the sin-sick soul of all his diseases (Matthew 8:3; Luke 5:31); and who has indeed healed us of our sins through His own wounds upon the cross (1 Peter 2:24). Praise God that Jesus is the “balm in Gilead” that this passage speaks of; that Jesus is the One who is able to heal and bring us back into relationship with God by taking away our sin!Praise God that there is “balm in Gilead”! Praise God that “whosoever” calls upon the name of the Lord, will be saved (Romans 10:13)! Praise God that if we want to be made well (John 5:6); there is a Redeemer, there is a Saviour, there is a Great Physician who is more than able and willing to heal us of all our diseases (Psalm 103:1-5)!
God sent His son, they called Him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive;
He lived and died to buy my pardon,
An empty grave is there to prove my Saviour lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
How sweet to hold a new born baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance:
This child can face uncertain days because He Lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
And then one day, I’ll cross the river,
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain;
And then, as death gives way to victory,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He lives!
Chorus
Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!
Notices and Points for PrayerSome of our folk are still going through great trials – let us continue to bring their need of Christ’s peace, joy, strength and grace to God in prayer (Galations 6:2).
Re: Members’ meeting on Weds 21st July 2021. Please can you inform Dawn (preferably by Saturday 17th July 2021) of your intention to attend this meeting. This is so we can ensure that we make adequate provision to comply with Covid restrictions. Thank you.
Re: Request by local police to use Lonlas as a local “hub”. Following the disclosure that the police had made this request, the church leadership has received numerous objections from the membership. As a consequence, the local police have been informed that we will not be able to offer them the building for this use.
Please find enclosed our latest update from Ice Wales and please continue to pray for their work.
Following a specific appeal from the Christian Institute, we will (on behalf of the church) be making a gift of £500 to their Legal Defence Fund – the fund set up to support and defend Christians discriminated against because of their faith. Again, let us remember this important work in our prayers – praying with thankfulness for those who are willing to stand up for Jesus and for those who are standing with them.
Every Blessing
Rich
—
Richard Jenkins 1cor6v11@gmail.com; 07761979015
Ice Wales Newsletter – July 2021
Another academic year draws to a close and what a year it has been. We ve had fun filming our video links to the schools where they have been well accepted. Nothing, however, quite replaces the in person contact with the children and we have been blessed by several schools that have opened their doors to us this half term.
We have had a great welcome and the challenge is to be able to continue contact in September with all those we have reached electronically this year. It is uncertain at the moment how much freedom schools will have to host visitors but what is certain is that we will need more volunteers. If anyone reading this feels God may be calling them to this work please get in touch and we can meet and discuss how you can be involved.
We were greatly encouraged by the following response from one teacher who has really appreciated the input we have had into her school this year.
I showed my class “Jonah the Groaner” yesterday. We had a lovely discussion at the end. Most said that they were like God … others said they were in the middle!! Some said they find it difficult to forgive and I challenged them as to whether they would still demonstrate compassion towards someone who had wronged them even if they were struggling to forgive them! Most said that they would! I was able to explain how Christians believe that we should forgive because God has forgiven us! They went on to ask me what it means to have a calling from God. They didn’t understand that. I was able to use myself as an example and say I was always adamant that I didn’t want to be a teacher. I was never going to do it, but I felt God was calling me to work with children and particularly the children of our school. They love the videos. They love the songs and really engage with them! They pull up their chairs to the whiteboard for a better view!! It makes my heart happy! Thank you! Actually, they said they want to see me in the next one!!
We need to thank God for Christian teachers who take every opportunity to share their love of God with their classes.
Thank you to all reading this who support us prayerfully and financially. Please continue, so that more children and staff can be blessed as they learn of our great God.If you want to find out more about the Trust visit our new website at www.icewales.co.uk