Author: Gareth

God wants you in His Kingdom

~ Gareth

We are living in very unusual circumstances at the moment, most of us have never seen or heard of a time like this.  It can be worrying and distressing, particularly if loved ones are sick or pass away.  I have a strong faith in God and that is helpful and comforting during times of uncertainty and sadness.

Having faith doesn’t mean that we won’t get sick or suffer or even die prematurely but it does mean that I always have someone to talk to, someone who cares for me and loves me and always has time to listen – my heavenly Father. Jesus tells his disciples in Luke chapter 21 verse 18 that not a hair of their head will perish. If we read from verse 12 onwards, Jesus is telling them about all the difficulties that will come on them such as persecution, imprisonment, betrayal and even death.  He has their eternal well being at heart, just like his Father does.

Even though we will go through trials and hardship God and his son Jesus are always there with us, to bring us to God’s eternal kingdom.  This is my very real and certain hope for the future beyond this life.  God tells us in the Bible in the book of Ecclesiastes chapter 3 verse 11 that he has set eternity in the human heart.  This explains why humans find it natural to believe in something beyond this life.  If we read God’s word we can learn what this eternity is; it’s very real and coming to the earth soon.  This kingdom will be like no other, it will be ruled over by Christ in peace and with perfect judgment.  There will be no more suffering, sadness, tears or death as we can read in passages like Revelation chapter 21 verse 4, a personal favourite of mine. 

God has invited everyone to be a part of this kingdom; he wants you and me to be there as Jesus says in Luke chapter 12 verse 32.  In order to take up God’s invitation there is a responsibility on our part – we must read, understand and have faith and then express this understanding in repentance and baptism.  In Mark chapter 16 verse 16 Jesus tells us that whoever believes and is baptised will be saved.  Now would be a good time to read your Bible and get to know your heavenly Father and Jesus, His son, who died for you.  If you would like further help or resources to read and understand the Bible yourself you may like to look at the following:

Email: info@gorseinonchristadelphians.org.uk or find us on Facebook

There is HOPE for this hopeless world

~ Gareth

Due to current circumstances, with the measures in place to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Gorseinon Christadelphians are not currently meeting at our hall for Bible study classes and Sunday services.  All meetings are now being held online or by other means.

These are unprecedented times, creating a lot of anxiety and uncertainty.  As a Christadelphian community, we believe that all things are ultimately in God’s hands.  Though for now there is a period of great distress on this earth, there will come a time when all things will be made new.

Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us if you ever want to talk about the message of HOPE contained within God’s Word.

A Sure Word of Prophecy

~ Gareth

A large proportion of Bible content is prophecy, much of which has been fulfilled in precise detail, often against all human odds and expectations. This striking fact places the Bible in contrast to the attempts of human beings, such as Nostradamus, to predict the future. Fulfilled prophecy is powerful evidence that a supernatural God exists, who can not only predict the future, but actually controls the future. This is His claim in Isaiah 46v9-10 (ESV):

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.

Isaiah 46v9-10 ESV

One of the most remarkable prophecies is found in Daniel Ch. 2, describing a dream experienced by Nebuchadnezzar, the powerful emperor of Babylon around 600 BC. Over 2,500 years of world history in advance is depicted in an image of a human body comprised mainly of different metals.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Image

The interpretation, given by God through the prophet Daniel is illustrated in the diagram. The metals stood for the succession of powerful empires that would particularly affect the history and destiny of Israel. History testifies to the uncanny accuracy of this prophecy.

The image was destroyed by a stone which struck the image on its feet, pulverising it into fragments blown away by the wind. The stone then grew to fill the whole earth.

The interpretation of this detail is startling. The stone represents the return of the Lord Jesus Christ, who will displace all human governments and set up the worldwide Kingdom of God on earth. The fulfilled part of the prophecy is an assurance that the return of Christ is soon to become a reality.

The God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever… The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.

Daniel 2v44-45, ESV

All you need is love…

~ Gareth

The origins of Valentines day have been lost in the mists of time but still it remains with us for better or for worse as a celebration of all things romantic, an opportunity to profess our love for our significant other or a cynical commercial ploy depending on your point of view.

What is much clearer is the emphasis on love in the Bible.  Time and time again love is described in scripture as the pinnacle of Christian endeavour, the thing to aim for above all else.  It is the first and second greatest commandments, as defined by the Lord Jesus himself when questioned by a lawyer:

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.  This is the first and great commandment.  And the second is like it, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.

Matthew 22v37-39 MKJV

Of course, the kind of love being described here is not of the hearts and flowers variety, it is what is sometimes called “divine” love, or “agape” love (from the Greek word it is translated from in the New Testament, as opposed to “eros” which refers to what we might want to politely call “romantic” love).

Jesus tells us to show this sort of love to everyone, including most famously our enemies.  He says:

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them

Matthew 7v12 ESV

This “divine” love is so called because it is something that God Himself has.  In fact, it was His love for humanity which motivated Him to send his only Son to die so that we could live, as this most well-known of Bible verses says:

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.

John 3v16 MKJV

Bible Reading Planner

~ Gareth

‘Seek the Lord while He may be found’ – Isaiah 55v6
‘Delight in God’s Word and meditate upon it’ – Psalm 1v2

You may have set yourself many different goals in the past and wondered why some of them were so hard to keep… the trick is to set out some realistic and achievable steps to follow.  If you do this, you will find it much easier to keep to your goal.

Here are 5 steps to help you achieve your new goal:

  1. Set aside some time to read the Bible every day, even for just 10 minutes or so…
  2. Find a Bible or download a Bible app onto your phone.
  3. If you like to have something to follow, you could use the Daily Reading Planner (see below) or you could choose a book of the Bible to read through at your own pace. 
  4. Read carefully and meditate on what you have read.  Think about the meaning… what is God trying to say to you? 
  5. Put what you learn into practice – live your life as a follower of Christ.

‘Receive the word with all readiness of mind… search the scriptures daily’ – Acts 17v11

The FREE Bible Reading Planner suggests a chapter for each day and includes helpful notes.

To request your free copy email: info@bibleinfo.org.uk