Our world is constantly changing. We see new technology everywhere – smartphones, electric vehicles, 5G – becoming commonplace, even within this last decade. Roughly a hundred years ago, in 1924, transcontinental air mail from the US to the UK took one day, ten hours and twenty minutes (USPS, 2022). Today, instant messages can be delivered at the touch of a button! Driverless vehicles are no longer an image of the future but becoming a reality. Moreover, these advancements seem to be speeding up, not slowing down!

Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” He is constant in our ever-changing lives and world.

So if you’re looking for stability in these uncertain times, look no further than the Bible — God’s message has always been the same. From the beginning of the world until the end of time, we know that the good news of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God will persist. We can place our trust in Him; for, in the words of King David, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer” (Psalm 18:2)

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A phrase often heard in conversation amongst our family, friends and neighbours; but really, what is the world coming to?

These news items and personal accounts made me think about the Bible verse in the gospel of Luke when Jesus talks of a future time when people will be so frightened that they will faint because of what is happening to the world. It feels like the general feeling in this country at the moment is concern, and a time of desperation and fear for many. However this chapter in Luke goes on to say that when these things begin to happen we should look up because we shall see Jesus coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21:25-28)

So the answer to the question ‘What is the world coming to?’ is that it is leading to the return of Jesus to the earth to set up God’s kingdom. We hope and pray that this time will be soon, when all the suffering and worrying will be gone and the whole world will be ruled in peace and righteousness by Christ, for the one true God—with justice for everyone.

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The cost of living crisis we are living through right now is making life really difficult for some of us as things become more expensive to buy.  Many are experiencing real anxiety about how to pay for the basics of life like food and heating.  The Bible has a unique offer for all who are struggling.

Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And let your soul delight itself in abundance.

(Isaiah 55:1-2)

In these verses, God is encouraging us to think about the relative worth of things.  We spend our money on food and drink which are necessary, but we consume them and eventually we become hungry again and need more.  We also buy other things which we like for a time, but we soon get bored of and move on when the novelty value wears off, usually to buy more things.

On the other hand, there is a truly satisfying produce on offer in God’s ‘shop’.  Not literal food and drink but items which sustain a healthy and long life.  Things like truth, wisdom, love, forgiveness and hope – all of which we can find if we listen carefully to what God has said in his Word, the Bible. This is the ‘treasure in heaven’ which is freely available to anyone who genuinely looks for it.

Jesus once told a parable of a man who found a pearl of great value in a field.  He sold all that he had to buy the field and get that pearl.  The pearl represents the Gospel.  Maybe for you the pearl is still out there, waiting to be found!

Queen Elizabeth II has become the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. It’s a momentous occasion that has been celebrated all over the world, from Great Britain to Canada, Australia to the Bahamas.

But did you know that the ‘year of jubilee’ is also mentioned in the Bible, recorded more than 3500 years ago? This jubilee was a time of celebration too, and it occurred every 50 years in Israel. During the Jubilee year, all slaves were freed and all property that had been sold to pay off debts was returned to its original owner. Both people and land were liberated – set free! It was a truly joyful occasion.

These days, we are so concerned about the state of the world. We see wars, suffering, famine and violence on a daily basis. Yet, this negativity will be put to one side on the 2nd of June as people come together to honour and celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

Wouldn’t it be wonderful for this joy and peace to last forever? To no longer hear of wars, illnesses and suffering, but love, kindness and good health. To no longer be in debt, sick or frail? To never again be tempted by our own guilty pleasures or feel remorse for people that we’ve hurt with our words and actions. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be truly free from all of that?

Well, God has promised us that this will be the case. A king is coming who will unite all nations and people on Earth. A king who is fair and just, pure and without sin. In fact, he will take away all sin and death from this world.
This king is Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His jubilee will bring a freedom like no other! His kingdom will cover the whole Earth, his reign will last for eternity. A kingdom of peace, liberty and love.
The question is – will you be there?

Find our video on YouTube.

These are words we usually hear in association with a court room setting – outside of this context they are not part of our everyday language, and even less our everyday practice. There are many reasons for this: we may hold back the truth to protect the feelings of others or embellish the truth to get a laugh or to make it seem more exciting. In the environment in which we live, it is often difficult to get to the truth of the matter. Photographs can be enhanced, people can alter their appearances, news stories can be exaggerated and advertising is a law to itself.

We need to read it all, accept it all and not add or take away from it. The last book in the Bible carries a warning for us in Revelation chapter 22 verses 18 and 19 “For I testify to everyone who hears the words of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city and from the things which are written in this book.” (NKJV)

God has a wonderful plan and purpose for this earth and an invitation for us all to be a part of it – He is faithful and will fulfil His promises.

To see a very interesting video and a more detailed explanation of this phrase, please visit our YouTube channel and watch our presentation entitled ‘The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth – the Bible’ by Steve Jones.

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