A Word of Encouragement

Today’s Word of Encouragement comes from Rick Warren’s daily devotional entitled Choose Hope; it is a part of his Daring Faith: The Key to Miracles Study Guide.

“Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing: The Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue, fresh as the morning, as sure as the sunrise. The Lord is all I have, and so in him I put my hope.” Lamentations 3:21-24

(Today’s English Version)

Pain is a natural part of life. We can’t escape it. Broken relationships, missed opportunities, and rough seasons will always be with us. When they come, you can either become bitter or hopeful. The choice is yours.

Jeremiah faced the same choice. When his world came apart, the prophet wrote the book of Lamentations to share his honest frustrations with God. But he didn’t settle in his bitterness. After sharing his bitter feeling he wrote, the words from Lamentations 3:21-24. In the midst of a terrible situation, Jeremiah changed his perspective.

It’s healthy and good to be honest with God about your feelings, but eventually you have to change your perspective. As long as your mind is on your pain, you won’t solve anything. Instead, like Jeremiah, you need to recognise God’s unfailing love and mercy for you. No matter what the problem, no matter how much anger you’ve spewed at God, he still loves you, and that will never change.

The longer you focus on what depresses you, the longer your depression will last. Bitterness keeps you caught in your own pain. Jeremiah gives us a simple cure for bitterness: In the midst of a depressing tirade, he says, “Yet hope returns…”

How can you have hope even in your darkest days? By remembering that “the Lord’s unfailing love and mercy still continue.” You can count on that! God’s mercies are “as fresh as the morning” and “as sure as the sunrise.” He is all you need. And, no matter what, you can put your hope in him.

You’ll never know that God is all you need until he’s all you have. Are you there yet? There’s no better place to be.

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Journey to the Cross – Good Friday Reflection

This morning is the third in our series looking at the journey that Jesus took to the Cross.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic that is sweeping the world, and the subsequent lock-down of many countries to stop the spread of the virus, this Good Friday will look very different to normal, as many churches around the world have moved their services online (ourselves included). However, we would not want for our people and those that have chosen to join us in this fashion lose the significance and meaning of Easter.

Therefore this reflection has been done so that you can reflect on the journey that Jesus has taken thus far, and his final day of earthly life. (If you need a refresher of what we have covered over the past couple of weeks you can access links to our previous week’s services here).

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Friday 10 April – Good Friday

The below links have been created to the introduction and message that Annette has prepared, along with the songs and music that we would have used if we had met together in person at the Corps.

Lead me to the Cross – Brooke Fraser

Watch Annette’s Introduction to today’s reflection here or by clicking on the image to the left.

 

 

 

The Gospel of John (Video) – You can also read John 19:13-30

Nothing But Thy Blood – North York Temple Band     and / or

Nothing But The Blood – Hillsong (Songs for Communion)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hanging tree – Emily Bray

How can you refuse Him now? – Hillsong Worship

Annette & I hope that you have enjoyed this time of reflection and that you can join us on Sunday, as we celebrate the Resurrection scene. This will conclude our time exploring the Journey to the Cross.

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