forgiving

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TRAFFIC JAM


Pickering Market Place

GOING NOWHERE!

A regular occurrence in Pickering Market Place. Unfortunately!

This ancient Market Town wasn’t designed with motorists in mind, so when too many of them want to traverse its Market Place there is gridlock.

The number of older residents means there’s a higher than average number of disabled drivers for whom double yellow lines are a parking space. Add to them delivery vehicles and those who think the highway code is for other people, and scenes like this become a daily event.

For all our intelligence, ingenuity, and technology there are times when we get stuck.

At the end of the line!

Jesus’ Parable about the LOST sheep, coin and son in Luke’s Gospel chapter fifteen inform us that its our choices that get us in trouble, and that only when we are ready to admit we’ve come to an end of ourselves can our mess be untangled.

The sheep was lost because it was silly, the coin through someone’s negligence, but the boy is lost because he chooses to get far away from all who love and care for him.

Luke 15:14–16 But when he had spent all, there arose a severe famine in that land, and he began to be in want. Then he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have filled his stomach with the pods that the swine ate, and no one gave him anything.

He’s fallen out of the good life, into a world where pigs eat better than he does! He’s in a jam!!

Back in the Market Place, there was a lot of maneuvering going on, and some even had to go into reverse.

As drivers acknowledged their mistakes, one by one the mess was unraveled and order was restored.

We don’t know how long the boy in Jesus’ parables was stuck at the end of his line, but we do know that when ‘he came to his senses’ he could see the way out: –

Admit He Was Wrong, Go Back Home and Cast Himself  Upon His Father’s Mercy.

Jesus calls it ‘repentance’ – A change of heart that results in a change of mind and then of direction.

Matthew 4:17 (NKJV) From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

Luke 5:32 (NKJV) I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”

Luke 13:3 (NKJV) I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.

To repent is to change your mind. However, this only defines the word, not the concept, for you need to ask, Change your mind about what? …
If repentance is understood to mean changing your mind about your sin—being sorry for your sin—this will not necessarily save. There are plenty of criminals in and out of jails who are repentant in this sense. They are sorry for making certain mistakes, but this does not mean they give up a life of crime. People can be sorry for their sins without wanting to accept the forgiveness of a Saviour.
But if repentance means changing your mind about the particular sin of rejecting Christ, then that kind of repentance saves, and of course it is the same as faith in Christ. C. C. Ryrie
 
Repentance isn’t feeling. It is turning from sin to God. One of the best definitions was given by a soldier. Some one asked him how he was converted. He said:
“The Lord said to me, Halt! Attention! Right about face! March! and that was all there was in it.” D. L. Moody

The Way Out of His Jam was to turn from the tangled mess he’d made of his dead end life and go home!

Believing his father would receive him, he’s ready to consign himself to the most menial tasks necessary – To his great delight and benefit – When he reaches home there’s a welcome and he’s embraced as a long lost son.

This Is Jesus Message for All of Us – 

Left to ourselves we get get into such a jam that there’s no way forward, someone has to give way – and when you do you will find the relief and freedom of forgiveness and restoration to the family of the God and Father of all mankind.

Luke 15:21–24 (NKJV) And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.

Backs Turned to God.

ISN’T IT ABOUT TIME

YOU RETURNED HOME?

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Today’s Youth.


A DIFFERENCE 

BETWEEN GENERATIONS

The Older One Imagines They Know All There Is To Know About God.

This was certainly the case with the elderly man who thought he’d have the last word by asking about the old chestnut: ‘Where did Cain get his wife if Adam and Eve only had two sons?’

Apparently it had been enough to silence the priest during their preparations for his wedding. Shame on him!

But, then when I told him the answer to his conundrum, instead of admitting he was wrong and exploring the truth, he walked away, it was just an excuse!

Romans 1:20–21 (NKJV)  For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,  because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

You will find the answer to this question and thousands of others here:

http://www.gotquestions.org/Cains-wife.html

The Delusion of the 60+ generation is tragic!

War, Politics, Hardship, Family illness or tragedy, they all conspire to harden their unbelieving hearts. Add to this the utter confusion brought about by Liberal Christians, it’s no wonder the Established Churches are closing down!

Two wrongs don’t make a right, but they make a good excuse. —THOMAS SZASZ, TheSecond Sin

It is never too late if we want to pursue a goal. No one can plead old age as an excuse for not changing, not learning a new habit, or not becoming a Christian. We still eat in old age, and sleep, and think. Why can’t we change habits in our senior years? 
 

CONTRAST HIM WITH THESE LADS:

Listening to the Gospel.

They’d stopped to take a leaflet, and after a few minutes stood to listen to the Gospel.

Here they learned that all are equally sinners, that God holds each individual responsible for their sin, and that unresolved sin would mean eternal separation from God in hell.

Then they heard the great Good News of God’s resolving the sin of believers through the work of Jesus Christ, whereby He paid our penalty and now sets free from sin and judgment all those who will take Him at His word, repent and believe on Him as Saviour. So Simple, yet So Hard to Accept.

You can watch a presentation of this Gospel Message here:

These lads listened respectfully, said they’d never heard this before and went off home. I pray that we will hear from them again soon.

WHAT A CONTRAST – I WISH MORE WOULD AT LEAST LISTEN

We are not out to force people to conform to our opinion, but to ask them to honestly consider the Good News.

Romans 6:23 (NKJV) For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

A Free Gift

Remember, salvation is a free gift, and it is a free gift for us. Can you buy it? It is a free gift, presented to “whosoever” will accept it.
Suppose I were to say, I will give this Bible to “whosoever” will take it; what have you got to do? Why, nothing but take it. But a man comes forward, and says:
“I’d like that Bible very much.”
“Well, didn’t I say ‘whosoever’ will can have it?”
“Yes; but I’d like to have you mention my name.”
“Well, here it is.”
Still he keeps eyeing the Bible, and saying, “I’d like to have that Bible; but I’d like to give you something for it. I don’t like to take it for nothing.”
“But I am not here to sell Bibles; take it, if you want it.”
“Well, I want it; but I’d like to give you something for it. Let me give you a cent for it; though, to be sure, it’s worth about five dollars.”
Suppose I accept the cent; the man takes up the Bible and marches away home with it.
His wife asks, “Where did you get that Bible?”
“Oh, I bought it.”
Mark the point; when he gave the penny, it ceased to be a gift. So with salvation. If you were to pay ever so little, it would not be a gift.

D. L. Moody

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SPOT THE DIFFERENCE:


Market Place

Pickering Market Place

Market Place

Pickering Market Place

Ultimate Questions

This Is The Difference

ANSWERS TO LIFE’S ULTIMATE QUESTION:

What Happens Next!

The Grand Journey of Life Moves on Relentlessly

Time to Go?

OLD CARS CAN BE RESTORED:

Classic Car – E type Jag!

BUT WHAT HAPPENS TO PEOPLE?

No, we are not left to guess, our Maker and Designer has spoken plainly.

Romans 2:4-6   do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honour, and immortality; but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness—indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; but glory, honour, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

HOW CAN ANYONE PREPARE FOR THAT DAY?

That’s the purpose of the Bible and all that other literature on the table – it’s time to ‘HELP YOUR SELF’.

Take up and Read!

I was weeping in the most bitter contritition of my heart, when I heard the voice of children from a neighbouring house chanting, “take up and read; take up and read.” I could not remember ever having heard the like, so checking the torrent of my tears, I arose, interpreting it to be no other than a command from God to open the book and read the first chapter I should find. Eagerly then I returned to the place where I had laid the volume of the apostle. I seized, opened, and in silence read that section on which my eyes first fell: “Not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not is strife and envy; but put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.” No further would I read, nor did I need to. For instantly at the end of this sentence, it seemed as if a light of serenity infused into my heart and all the darkness of doubt vanished away. – Augustine

Romans 13:14 (NKJV) But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. God.

Read about the amazing God who made us, His Holiness and Righteousness, His Love and Mercy. How He acted in time to bring about the permanent restoration of the human heart and mind so that men might live in His presence – Forever!

Romans 5:10 (NKJV) For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Romans 3:26 (NKJV) to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Mary had a little pig and it was white as snow,
That is when it had had a bath, as you of course might know.
But Mary had an awful time to keep the piggy clean,
For it was just the dirtiest pig that one has ever seen.

She’d wash him and she’d scrub him, till he would squirm and squeal,
As if he wanted her to know it was an unfair deal.
And then inside his green backyard he’d plan from morn to night,
Unless he happened to sneak out and lose himself from sight.

And then when Mary found him he’d be blacker than ere before, 
So Mary’d get the soap again and scrub the pig some more.
Poor Mary thought and wondered much what she could ever do
Until she figured out a plan, and this she carried through.

She took him to a doctor who put the pig to sleep, and then he 
Took his heart right out, but not of course to keep.
And then he took a little lamb and took his heart out too
And put it in the little pig before the piggy knew.

When little piggy did awake he had no more desire
To wallow in the mud again or ever in the mire.
And try as hard as ere he could he never understood,
How such a pig as once he was could ever be so good.

And so you see, dear friends of mine, you need a new heart too,
Just like the little piggy did, the old will never do.
If you’ll receive a brand new heart, well, here is how you may.
Accept God’s son as Saviour now and let him in today.

NEED HELP TO UNDERSTAND ALL THIS?
Just Ask!

Ready to Help – Yes It’s Me. Get in Touch.

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Life at the End of the Line.


http://www.nymr.co.uk/enthusiasts/locomotive-allocations/

The train might turn around, but all the passengers had to get off.

PICKERING  – THE END

 .

OF THE LINE FOR MANY.

 .

THE BEGINNING FOR SOME.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England. First opened in 1836 as the Whitby and Pickering Railway, the railway was planned in 1831 by George Stephenson as a means of opening up trade routes inland from the then important seaport of Whitby. The line closed in 1965. It was reopened in 1973 by the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust Ltd. The preserved line is now a significant tourist attraction and has been awarded many industry accolades.

The NYMR carries more passengers than any other heritage railway in the UK and may be the busiest steam heritage line in the world, carrying around 350,000 passengers in 2009. The 18-mile (29 km) railway is the second-longest standard gauge heritage line in the United Kingdom and runs across the North York Moors from Pickering via Levisham, Newton Dale, Goathland and terminating at Grosmont. Some heritage rail operations continue along Network Rail tracks to Whitby.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Yorkshire_Moors_Railway/

http://www.nymr.co.uk/

Thousands of Journeys have been made on this rolling stock, each one different yet because of the limits of the track and equipment there are obvious similarities.

You buy your ticket, take your seat,  then enveloped in oily clouds of steam and smoke you enjoy the scenery along the way, but all too soon it’s over and you return to the hum drum routine of life.

A snapshot of life itself, we are all on the same journey, whatever our individual variations of race, colour or creed we relentlessly move along the rail track of life from the cradle to the grave.

A highlight of the train journey is the arrival of the ticket inspector to check the validity of your ticket, you mustn’t travel without one. You may have to buy it yourself, or perhaps enjoy the benevolence of a generous friend, parent or companion, but not to have a ticket is to contravene the railway’s regulations. Those who break the rules must pay up, immediately or find some generous soul to bear the cost.

The Journey of Life is relentlessly traversed  by every human being, and like on the underground/metro/tube, tickets are checked at the exit barrier.

Do you have one? We begin this journey by just being born, using the amenities and consuming resources day after day after day, no one has a ticket, yet everyone needs one to exit on the right side of  the track at the end of the road.

NYMR Station, Pickering.

Wise travelers check the timetable and plan their journey.

Wouldn’t You?

Yet billions muddle along the journey of life without giving a thought to where they are going and how it will end.

Offer them a timetable or details of what to expect at the terminus and they foolishly brush you aside with a curt, ‘No thanks I’m OK’ . What a tragic mistake, for it’s not a train they miss but the privilege of knowing God and the provision He has made for all who can see their need and accept His ‘gift’ of the full and free cancellation of all charges incurred enroute, with a guaranteed welcome into His world of beautiful peace and joy at the end.

Proverbs 14:12  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.

John 14:6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Acts 13:38–39  Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins;  and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

Acts 16:30b–31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Meandering through Life without Checking your Ticket is Madness.

Luke 12:20–21 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?’ “So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”

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HAPPY DAY?


HAPPY DAY? Depends on What’s Happening!

The Happy Couple.

Beginning A New Life Together.

Its Enough To Turn Your Head.

BUT JUST A FEW MINUTES LATER!

 HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON WHAT’S HAPPENING.

The Same Day Can Be Full Of Delight for Some and a Disaster for Others.

God’s Word Describes The Last Day Like This:

Revelation 20:12 (NKJV)

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

Revelation 20:15 (NKJV)

And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.

Revelation 21:27 (NKJV)

But there shall by no means enter it anything that defiles, or causes an abomination or a lie, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

 FOR SOME A DISASTER, FOR OTHERS A DELIGHT!

Too many have embraced the lie of religion that their works will be enough to give access into the land without tears.

There is but one way in, through Him who describes himself as the door:

John 10:9 (NKJV)

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

The ‘Lamb’s book of Life, belongs to Him, and records the names of those for whom He died.

Those included are revealed in their complete surrender to Jesus Christ, which means confessing you are caught out and condemned by the law, and that you are relying on Christ’s good work, not your own works.

John 1:29b (NKJV)

 “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”

THE GOOD NEWS IS FREELY AVAILABLE HERE:

Free And Comprehensive Good News

It’s Time You Faced The Awesome Truth:

Matthew 19:24 (NKJV)

And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.

Matthew 18:3 (NKJV)

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Those who have their names in the Lamb’s book of life, and who alone will enjoy the future happiness reserved for them, have abandoned the notion that you can write yourself in His book by their own efforts, and humbly come as a child to receive eternal life as a free gift from Jesus Christ.

John 5:24 (NKJV)

“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.

You’ve probably heard the  story of the man whose name was printed in the obituary column of a daily paper by mistake. Greatly disturbed, he went to the newspaper office and exclaimed, “This is terrible! Your error will cause me no end of embarrassment and may even mean a loss of business. How could you do such a thing?” The editor expressed regrets, but the man remained angry and unreasonable. Finally the editor said in disgust, “Cheer up, I’ll put your name in the birth column tomorrow and give you a fresh start!”
Are you registered in Adam’s obituary column, or is your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life? There are only two books, and you are in one or the other!

Neither Coach,

Nor Motor Vehicles,

Nor Trains. 80072

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PICKERING, MARKET PLACE, 13th August 2011.


WERE YOU IN TOWN TODAY?

Here are some pictures around town, can you see anyone you know?

Twelve Thirty Two.

Twelve Forty Nine

Thirteen Twenty

The place remains the same, only the people change.

Here’s where I stand and take these pictures:

ULTIMATE QUESTIONS NEED SATISFACTORY ANSWERS

A Number of People Stopped To Talk, One Lady Even Before The Table Was Setup!

A Methodist Lay Preacher, A Christian Family From Leeds, A Little Old Lady who was frightened off by the mention of being ‘born again’.

Then finally a man who wanted to be friendly with everyone. So concerned that he should not be coerced to conform to anyone’s criteria, he’d invented a whole new set of boxes to tick!

HE RAISES THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER EVERYONE CAN BE RIGHT AT THE SAME TIME.

Can you be BOTH black and white at one and the same time, I fear not, you are simple left as a shade of gray.

Jesus clearly says, there is only one way to God, you must come through Him:

John 14:6 (NKJV)

 “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

That’s What Peter Understood Him To Have Said: 

Acts 4:12 (NKJV)

 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.

My friend agreed, as of course you might expect!

Then proceeded to explain that he believed each person would be judged by the light he had received.

This is often thought to be the meaning of:

Romans 2:11–16 (NKJV)

There is no partiality with God. For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.

Tragically it describes the fate of ‘sinners’, whether they’ve had the privilege of the revelation of God’s Law or simply the Light of God’s Creation.

Either way they are lost and without hope, it may sound generous to talk about being ‘judged by the light you have’, but in fact its the terrible truth that:

Romans 3:10–12 (NKJV)

 As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.”

Romans 3:19–20 (NKJV)

Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

Those who’ve never heard of the Living God, The God of the Bible, fair no better, the light of creation defines them as sinners too:

Romans 1:20–25 (NKJV)

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God!

IT’S ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL THAT WE ARE HONEST WITH PEOPLE.

Jesus Christ came to save sinners, and all who recognize their name, and only they, will find themselves ‘safe’ in the salvation provided in and by Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 (NKJV)

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

NO FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST – THEN YOU HAVE NO HOPE!

TRUSTING ON, BELIEVING IN JESUS CHRIST, YOU HAVE PEACE WITH GOD.

PEACE LIKE A RIVER TRANSCENDS THE BELIEVING SOUL.


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CHARITY CASE


A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF GOOD WORK IS DONE IN COLLECTING FOR CHARITY.

Charity Collector

 It was fascinating to watch how people respond to the solitary figures with their money boxes and giving away sticker badges.

Some completely ignored them, others immediately approached, dropped their coin in the bucket and went away wearing their badge of honour .

The intriguing people were those who felt the need to explain that they’d already given but lost the badges.

Charities are well respected, and rightly so, for the opportunity they provide for donors to be generous and all the good work they do. 

The Free Dictionary defines ‘charity thus: [ http://www.thefreedictionary.com/%5D

1. Provision of help or relief to the poor; almsgiving.
2. Something given to help the needy; alms.
3. An institution, organization, or fund established to help the needy.
4. Benevolence or generosity toward others or toward humanity.

5. Indulgence or forbearance in judging others.

It goes on to describe a 6th meaning of ‘charity’:

 The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one’s neighbours as objects of God’s love.

In this 6th sense (???) the work of sharing the Goodnews of God's love for sinners, His provision of His Son as a substitute for sinners, His calling of people to believe and be saved is 'charitable' work  of the highest importance.

Charity Display

The Distinctive of This Charitable Work is that it’s about Giving Instead of Collecting.

The greatest gift anyone can give, the greatest good anyone can do is to provide you with all you need to understand the love of God for lost people.

As long as people are around there will be a need to give to those who help cancer sufferers, provide lifeboats, air ambulances and provide for human and animal welfare.

But only the gospel of God’s kindness to undeserving sinners meets mankind’s great need of a Saviour. The cancer of sin, the danger of drowning in it and just plain compassion for mankind is the primary Christian Charitable Cause.

Martin Luther wrote: “The believing man has the Holy Ghost; and where the Holy Ghost dwells, He will not suffer a man to be idle, but stirs him up to all exercises of piety and godliness, and of true religion, to the love of God, to the patient suffering of afflictions, to prayer, to thanksgiving, and the exercise of charity towards all men.” 

Because of this the Church in Pickering makes the Good News available to tourist and local people alike.

Mark 16:15 (NKJV)

 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Romans 1:15 (NKJV)

So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in [Pickering] Rome also.

1 Corinthians 9:16 (NKJV)

For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I do not preach the gospel!

As A Charitable Act We Would TELL YOU About God’s Great Love and Call You to Receive His Free Gift of ETERNAL Life.

You must either be a ‘Charity Case’ or  suffer the ravages of your own sin forever.

A.B. Simpson is reported to have said that the gospel “Tells rebellious men that God is reconciled, that justice is satisfied, that sin has been atoned for, that the judgment of the guilty may be revoked, the condemnation of the sinner canceled, the curse of the Law blotted out, the gates of hell closed, the portals of heaven opened wide, the power of sin subdued, the guilty conscience healed, the broken heart comforted, the sorrow and misery of the Fall undone.”
Evangelism, A Biblical Approach, M. Cocoris, Moody, 1984, p. 29

63395

Market Place Park Street Junction

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KINDNESS


People out again after the rain.

Matthew 5:45 (NKJV)  He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

“I Think

,

the Most Important

,

Characteristic of God

,

is His Kindness”

 That’s What ‘Jim’ Thinks Anyway! We’ve spoken now for 4 weeks or more, and he approached me to raise the matter. “I’ve been thinking since last we spoke, and that’s the conclusion to which I have come.“

He’d gone away the previous week to consider the searching question: ‘Am I good enough to be allowed to enter heaven?’ We’d spoken about the fact that everyone sins, and that there are no perfect people in the world.

Romans 3:23 (NKJV)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God .

We’d considered further that God is Perfect, and looks for Perfection in those who would enter His heaven.

Matthew 5:48 (NKJV) Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Concluding therefore that no living person is ‘good enough’ to dwell with God forever.

Romans 3:10 (NKJV) As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one.

What Is Sin?
Sin is anything that is contrary to the law or will of God. For example: if you lie, you have sinned. Why? Because God has said not to lie (Ex. 20:16). If you do what God has forbidden, then you have sinned. In addition, if you do not do what God has commanded, you sin (James 4:17). Either way, the result is eternal separation from God (Is. 59:2). Sin is lawlessness (1 John 1:3) and unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). Sin leads to blindness (John 9:41) and death (Rom. 6:23).

 Serious Stuff – Jim had gone home to consider where he stood before God, and came back speaking about God’s kindness!

Like so many of his generation he was hoping in that kindness which simply overlooks imperfections and rewards ‘best efforts’, ‘good intentions’, etc..

I was able to explain a little of the revealed nature of God as holy, righteous  and committed to justice, therefore committed to consistently deal fairly with sin of every degree.

A Policeman or Judge might be able to ‘turn a blind eye’, but the living God will not, can not!

Deuteronomy 18:13 (NKJV) You shall be blameless before the Lord your God.

1 Peter 1:15–16 (NKJV)  but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”

Thankfully, God Is Also KIND, His KINDNESS is Shown in His Amazing Gift of His Only Son to Deliver Sinners from Judgement – That’s KINDNESS!

Titus 3:4–5 (NKJV) But when the kindness and the love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.

In a world changing act of mercy He has shown mercy to millions who deserve punishment – THAT’s KINDNESS! – Love in action, according to Charles Allen.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)  Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up

Everyone knows the story of the ‘Good Samaritan’, that’s Kindness, a lesson in God’s kindness to those beaten up and left for dead by sin. Jesus [God] is the Good Samaritan who stoops down to tend our wounds, lift us out of danger and provided for all we need to bring us safe to heaven.

How?

Colossians 1:28 (NKJV) Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.

Those who understand the KINDNESS of God don’t want Him to turn a ‘blind eye’, they are rejoicing and resting in the work of God’s Son on the Cross to make them perfect, and thereby fit and ready for eternal life in the presence of the Perfect One.

Table loaded with information about the KINDNESS of God.

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Locomotive leaving

by

RUBBISH


Refuse Collection Van

Where would we be

|

without someone

|

who was willing

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to clean up after us?

27 Million Tonnes Of Rubbish Is Thrown Away In The U.k. Every Year.The Current Population Of The U.k. Is 60 Million. So How Much, On Average, Does Each Person Throw Away Each Year? 27 000 000 / 60 000 000 =0.45 tonnes. Therefore, each person produces 0.45 tonnes of rubbish on average in a year.

"And humans make such a fuss about us"!

Dirt and pollution is everywhere, we may love our steam locomotives, but who would want live near them?

I may look shiny, but I pour out soot all the time.

I'm no different.

Clean enough to eat from .. !

Much as we like our streets to be clean and tidy, it takes lots of work and must be repeated each and every day.

Their task is endless, the rubbish just keeps on coming – and thankfully going – so we live a healthy life in a healthy environment !

 The Physical Problem and how it’s managed pictures a far greater pollution, the crippling , all contaminating corruption of sin.

Everywhere is affected, the world itself groans under it’s weight:

Romans 8:22 (NKJV)

For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now.

Mankind is Corrupt, to the extent that he pretends pollution is good and being clean is bad:

Genesis 6:5 (NKJV)

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Jesus Christ Came To Cleanse Believers and Restore Them To Their Original Condition:

Matthew 8:3 (NKJV)

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

 Those whom He has cleansed are kept clean by the daily application of Jesus’ sacrificial death

1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The Work He completed on the Cross has changed the world forever.

1John 1:7b (NKJV)

The blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses us from all sin. 

A preacher was speaking from the text, “The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin.” Suddenly he was interrupted by an atheist who asked, “How can blood cleanse sin?”

 For a moment the preacher was silent; then he countered, “How can water quench thirst?”

 “I do not know,” replied the unbeliever, “but I know that it does.”

 “Neither do I know how the blood of Jesus cleanses sin,” answered the preacher, “but I know that it does.” —Sunday School Times