Sharing The Word
Johnny 7!
When I was young my Father asked what I would like for Christmas – there was only one answer…A Johnny 7!
Johnny 7s were it. If you had that plastic rifle, with its spring propelled grenade you were The Man!
Later I met a man in work; he also wanted a Johnny 7. One Christmas he got one too…his memories were not so good.
My colleague had watched his neighbour’s boy playing with a Johnny 7 with envy.
His dad was a drinker, they had no money.
The young neighbour lost interest in his Johnny 7, so his mum, knowing my colleague would get no presents, wrapped it up for him – Inside the booklet was someone else’s name – this spoilt it for the boy.
Despite this, my friend noticed his dad seemed happier when drinking; unfortunately he followed in his footsteps....like father like son.
Both became alcoholics, had ill physical and mental health. Following this path ultimately led to death.
Who do you follow, what do you believe? Where do you draw inspiration?
Your parents, teachers, friends, colleagues, leaders, celebrities, the media, nature – God?
If you see someone in need, do you show compassion, like our creator, Father, in heaven? Or are you cold and hard because of life and how the world is?
Do you share hope, or just feel hopeless?
Do you forgive those who persecute you or bear a grudge?
If we are believers we should look to our Father in heaven.
As we draw closer to God, we become more God like, less world like.
Even when the world turns on us, we need to show and share God’s ways.
What we speak influences others.
Think how Jesus died. Sacrifice and forgiveness, love in action.
If we follow Jesus, he is in us and we are in him; we have the Holy DNA of Jesus flowing through our veins.
We can forgive. It may take time.
People are walking in the darkness. Jesus is The Light. We can reflect The Light.
God deals with things His way, a warrior who fights the battles we face.
Pray for God to sort things out, hand it over. Do not worry.
The Johnny 7 was a great gift, but the greatest gift of all was given 2000 years ago, Jesus.
He never wears out, runs out, goes missing or breaks.
Jesus is there for us - always.
Will you unwrap Jesus gifts of love to you, and follow his lead today?
The Word By Garry Emlyn.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com
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Watching extreme weight loss programmes it is amazing to see the habits and hurts affecting people’s lives, broken by a motivator who helps people change for the better. The transformation is incredible if people stick to the plan.
How can we apply our“spiritual muscles” to difficult situations we face?
If an obstacle comes along the Bible tells us to “talk to” the situation. It’s like there is power in our tongues.
Change your words, change your world!
We can look at things in 2 ways: see problems or opportunities. It is time to start speaking God into situations.
Jesus never confronted the devil physically; he spoke The Word to him.
Why is it so easy to take our eyes off God, get distracted, then doubt God’s provision?
Jesus (Matthew 6) says: “Don't worry”
Why do we have so little faith?
If we seek to put God first and do what is right; it is promised that all the good things we need will come.
Let's start saying: “God is able, we can do all things through Christ! God can make a way, if not this time, then next time.”
If a problem comes along, try to confront it with what God promises.
Be aware of where you are heading and what you are speaking. Blessings and breakthroughs are around the corner. Speak out God’s word and the enemy has to move!
Jesus came out in power as he spoke his Word of Truth into situations.
Speak life giving words.
Believe in hope.
Do not give up!
Take advice from our life coach, the Holy Spirit, listen and let Him speak life,givingusstrength to transform situations.
We can be the people who say, do and change things today!
The Word By Chris Rees.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com
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Love
What kind of love does God want? How should we live?
Self-centred, empire building, wealth accumulating, uncompassionate lives?
No!
God wants us to love Him and our neighbours.
Jesus was concerned for the poor, those marginalised by society, the outcasts of his day.
His message was to look after the weak, the vulnerable, widows and orphans.
Jesus preached Good News to the poor, not just those poor in wealth but those poor in Spirit… people who feel empty, lost and broken…those hungry to hear.
Jesus wants to give us beauty for the ashes of our lost hope; to restore our broken dreams and heal our hurting hearts. To forgive us for our mistakes.
Do we recognise our needs or are we too busy judging others?
One “religious” man boasted of his exemplary life, he belittled the “sinner” tax collector.
This tax collector poured out his heart to God, he opened himself up – he was honest and humble, recognised he was bankrupt, and needed God.
Are we too busy judging, bearing grudges, thinking of our own achievements that we miss God’s message of forgiveness and compassion?
Do we let God do His work in us?
Loving our neighbour, love in general, is costly.
It cost Jesus his life. His sinless soul was stained. His wounds are our healing. His death is our life. His Light dispels our darkness.
If we want love it costs.
There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, unless that wealth rules us…makes us misers, ignoring, judging or despising those who have less.
We may be spiritually bankrupt but full of wealth, or visa versa.
The rich young ruler who spoke to Jesus was too attached to his wealth, he couldn’t let it go.
If you are loaded with cash or flat broke, look to what God wants you to do. Share what you have and pray for what you need.
Love others, forgive – turn from what is not good. Follow the right path and do not let anything get in your way.
Be ambassadors for God, whether you are rich or poor.
Show compassion, give hope, let your actions and life choices be fair and just for all people – even if society says you shouldn’t.
Above all, Love….
Because Love conquers all!
The Word By Billy Evans.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com
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Light
Lots of people are walking in the darkness.
When a group of Christians get together and pray, it's amazing, sometimes you just feel the power and close presence of God.
An unbeliever said..."Why don't I feel it?"
If you don't seek God, you are in the dark.
Only when the light shines in, we realise we are in the dark.
Some people are so covered in darkness, they don't react to the light.
True light gives light to all.
Go into a room, put a light on, instantly darkness goes.
This is how it should be with us believers.
Do we take The Light with us?
When The Light shines, it shines through flesh, walls, nations.
We can be a chink of light in the the darkness, a lamp to the world, be a light to someone and help them from stumbling in the darkness?
Jesus is The Light.
Because God loved the world so much he gave his one and only Son, so that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life...
God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in Jesus is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son...
"This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God." (John chapter 3).
Whoever lives by the truth is in the light. Jesus is the Truth and the Light.
This Light in us can never be put out.
If you choose to walk away, that is your choice....but no one else can put it out.
Can you say, all is well with my soul? Are you in the dark?
You may not know you are in the dark, but you feel lost.
You might feel empty and don't know what your purpose is.
Jesus is the Way.
Jesus is the Truth.
Jesus is the Life.
Seek God, come out of the dark, and be filled with his Light today.
The Word by Garry Emlyn.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
Do you feel dried up, washed out, drained; like a lifeless existence?
Elijah had a vision....
The hand of the Lord was upon him, he saw a valley full of dry bones.
God asked: "Can they live?"
God said Elijah should speak, using God's words.
The bones rattled, flesh appeared....but there was no breath.
The Lord said toprophecy, then they came to life...a new life from a lost life.
If you feel lifeless, with a life like dry bones....God can revive you.
What area of your life is dry?
Do you have financial struggles or situations that are getting you down, family troubles, ill health, depression, stress, have you lost hope?
God canbreath new life in you.
Prophecy to that area of dryness. Speak out what God says.
Little by little the bones started to come together. It takestime to build up flesh and muscle. Don't give up.
Speak life and breath into the situation.
When we speak the Word of God, God's Spirit breathes and moves.
Speak to the situations...the things that needlife, hope, help.
Thank God for things.
Speak to the things using God's word, rely on God's promises.
When we bring in light through the Word of God, God will watch over the Word and make it active.
No matter how dry, no matter how weak, broken, lost or hurt; God can give peace, hope and strength.
Stop. Listen. Hear. Receive. Speak. Hope.
Let God's breath revive you today.
The Word Chris Rees.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
Hope
Do you live in hope? Or is your life so filled with fear, anxiety and worry, that have you lost all hope?
If we live with one eye onworld, and one eye on God we can become spiritual blind and deaf.
The Israelites fled slavery in Egypt and were stopped by the Red Sea. This was a huge barrier, but God, who made everything, was bigger and nothing was impossible. He parted the sea, and made a way, bringing hope.
Is something troubling you, have you done or said things that would go against God. Do you beat yourself up for things, or are you sure you are forgiven, set free from any wrongs....does your "forgiveness" rely on rituals you perform, and not just Jesus?
We can all be saved and set free bygrace of God, we can know we are saved, not hope we are.
Faith is being sure of what we hope for, certain of what we do not see.
Only faith gives a real, living hope.
People who have faith in Jesus, those who believe there is a heaven, a resurrection are sure of security.
Those who have no faith have no sure hope, nothing to look forward to.
Jesus is the Way, the Truth and life....the living hope of the world.
We all hope for more.
Jesus was in town, so a blind man had hope. Jesus restored his sight.
Leapers had no hope, relying on charity...they had to shout "unclean". They saw a chance of hope, shouting to Jesus: "if it'syour will make me clean!?" Jesus acted, and their hope was rewarded with healing.
Jesus gives hope.
We needn't live in fear, with worry and anxiety....we can live in hope.
How do we cope whenworld says there is no hope?
When the world says "there's no hope!" don't believe it!
We are VIPs on earth, cleaned from ourdisgressions, nothing can separate any of us from the love of God.
Next time you feel hopeless, turn to Jesus. Know he loves you.
Accept this hope today.
The Word by Garry Emlyn.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
A beautiful mountain stream, surrounded by glorious countryside. An amazing sight.
A fallen tree in the distance, lying across the stream, appears to blot the landscape....but what if we saw it differently?
What if this calamity offered new hope, a way for us to cross the stream, sending us in a different direction?
Without the fallen tree, there may never have been a way.
In life we hit road blocks, we suffer loss, ill health, dissapointments. We make mistakes.
Change isn't always easy.
Trees appear a lot in the Bible. It begins with the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. Tempted by the devil, the humans disobeyed God's instructions and ate from the forbidden Tree of Knowledge. This had consequences, disobedience put distance between God and mankind.
We live with these consequences as fear, death, hopelessness, "sin" surrounds us.
God didn't end the story here.
There was another tree, one that would reunite us with him and cover our mistakes and bad choices.
That tree is the cross.
Purity personified was crucified on a tree.
Jesus death brings new life. A way where there was no way. The Way. Our way back to God.
If we accept what Jesus did and ask for forgiveness we can have a new life of faith and hope.
As we life this new life we still face struggles, pain and hardships. This is where we need to be like the oak tree. Strong, sturdy, secure, with deep roots in God that can withstand any storm.
Trees offer life. They take in CO2 and give out oxygen that we need to live.
Like trees, we need to take the bad things and wrong choices, and with God's help turn them into something good.
There are many varieties of trees, some good for building, some offer shade, others bear fruit. So with us, we are all different but we have a purpose.
Remember, if God has promised something it WILL be done.
Storms are scary, we want to run and hide. Fear is disabling, doubt makes us worry...remember God is working ALL things out for good for those who love him. God is our strength, our hope, an ever present presence in times of trouble.
So next time something happens, remember the fallen tree.
Pray for hope and a new way, fulfilling the promises of God.
Draw your strength from Jesus, soak up his Light and life today.
The Word shared by Billy Evans - with a message from Mark visiting from Hereford
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
This is Jesus’ ,his
Luke 4:18-21 NKJV
This: "The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD.” Then He closed the book, and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.””
So what was it he said that was so controversial?
Some were amazed. Locals said, "isn't this just Joseph's son?". Religious leaders were enraged, making today's tabloids look sympathetic, they tried to throw him off a cliff!!
His first recorded action? Visiting his hometown synagogue, he got up and spoke.
and comes out the victor, empowered.defenceBattling the enemy for 40 days in the desert, Jesus uses Scripture as
What about Jesus, what's his "mandate"?
Debates, polls, votes; weeks of parties partitioning for power. People divided by mandates, manifestos, unsure of the future. message,hismandate, if you like.
Good news, healing, sight for the blind, liberty.....hope.
Why did this amaze and anger people? Because Jesus was proclaiming to be God's Chosen One, saviour of the world, the Messiah!
He paid a high price for this position. Facing opposition, agony, death on a cross - the wrath of God for every ounce of the World’s impurity.
Why? To make a way, The Way, for us to be reconciled with our Creator, God.
This is what love looks like. This is our mandate. Love. Self-sacrificing, tangible, active love.
A love that cares for others, a love whose heart is broken by injustice and suffering. A love that makes us look at our life choices, seeking options best for people and planet, where oppressed workers get a fair deal, and modern day slaves, trafficked children, are set free.
It is time to go beyond just studying, discussing, writing about what Jesus did, and to start following his lead. To be unpopular because we spend time with those society rejects, to care for orphans, widows, the lost, starving and sick. Moved by the pain of hopelessness in our broken world, becoming a balm of activity that actually makes a difference.
Now is the time to act. To open our eyes and see where the need is, step in, get our hands dirty and our feet moving, releasing our mandate of true love’s good news today.
The Word By Christopher Rees
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook
What holds you back, confidence, money, lack of skills? The main thing that stops people from achieving their dreams is fear!
What is fear? For believers it is a disbelief or doubt that God can help.
God made a promise to Moses and the Israelites that he was giving them a land. When scouts came back from the land the majority reported giant people, triggering fear! The voices of the positive reports of a land of plenty were drowned out by the gossip of fear and doubt.
Considering their experiences gaining freedom from slavery and God parting the sea, you think thepeoplewould of had faith, yet fear gripped them.
Does fear grip you, do you loose today worrying about tomorrow?
Jesus said that we shouldn't worry about tomorrow and face each day as it comes. Negative words and thoughts achieve nothing. What is your problem? You CAN overcome! If God is with you, who can be against you?! God will give you the strength and resources to succeed as you follow Him.
The Israelites saw a good land but spoke death, doubt, over it. It cost them, 40 years wandering in the desert until a new generation was born.
Lack of trust costs us our dreams, delays blessings. We may have to fight a few battles to get the blessing, but it's worth it to not let fear destroy our fun! Fear is a robber of a good time.
With Gods Spirit and strength we can stand, fight, we can face and overcome anything!
Often it is not what you see but how you see it. God promises "I will never leave you" ...we "are more than conquerors".
Just as they lost the land because they saw problems and not blessings, they doubted and spoke fear, so we should not listen to voices of doubt, negativity and fear...making out the problem is bigger than it really is. God hears you. His Word is life. Never put the word of man before the Word of God.
They faced giants. Giants aren't always flesh and blood....what is your problem, what giant is in your path? The devil wants to destroy your life, steal your peace, robyourhope. Don't assist him! Read God's Word, trust God's voice. God is with you working a way through. The devil is defeated by Jesus. The battle was won on the cross.
Put your worries and problems at the foot of the cross, and walk free from fear today!
The Word by Garry Emlyn.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook.
Who's in charge?
In business it's the manager, in the military it's the general.
What about in your life, and the Church?
No one person is in charge but God Himself!
God sets believers free.
Do you feel free or are you religiously trying to organiseeveything, you need to be in control?
Do you allow God to move and speak, do you listen to His leading?
God took His only son and let him be put on a cross. He was pierced and punished, it is by Jesus' wounds we are healed...do you trust this? Or do you feel you need to earn forgiveness?
As aChristian you must trust in God, and the forgiveness found through the cross.
God's Word promises God will guide and restore us.
We will face knock backs, we might get held back....but God is still in charge.
Put yourself in charge, you losetrust, and get lost.
God is so close He whispers....God can do allthings, if you let Him, but God can not move with your stubbornness or pride.
God knows you inside out, you can't swerve or hide.
God said: "Behold I am the Lord, is anything too hard for me?"
Daniel was thrown into the lion's den....he didn't get eaten.
His friends faced the furnace, yet the God we serve was able to save.
Jesus laid down his life of his own accord....can you imagine the level of trust on the way to the cross?
Could we have that much trust?
God has got your back....give your worries to Jesus, he'll help you.
God is so close He whispers. God can doit, if you let Him.
It's all been made so easy, all we have to do is trust...all the pain of the cross has been done for us.
We keep our responsibilities inlife, but should acknowledge that we need help. We need to let go and put God I charge...after all, He is anyway!
So in decisions, facing loss, failure, fear or weakness; in success, happiness and brokenness, trust in God.
Let Jesus set you free today.
The Word by Garry Emlyn.
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit:newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook.
Powerful Opinions
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Whether it's Trump, politics, sport or whatever, opinions can unite or divide.
Opinions seem more powerful thanks to social media, everybody has one!
How do you view yourself and others?
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How we view things can change outcomes.
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Perhaps we would worry less of what other people think about us if we realised how seldom they actually think of us!
Born in dangerous times Moses's family sent him off down the river in a basket, rather than see him murdered. That choice landed him in the palace where he became a prince. One day he saw a fellow Hebrew being harshly treated, he challenged the Egyptian and killed him. Filled with fear he ran away.
40 years later the prince was a shepherd, taking orders, with zero self confidence.
Can you relate to this, do you doubt yourself, think you are incapable of achieving things?
Gideon was so afraid he hid in a barn, but God called him a mighty warrior...."who me?!" Gideon said.
God told Moses to go and free his people, he feared and doubted, despite God's demonstration of power.
How do we get a healthy opinion of ourselves?
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We can look at things from Gods perspective!
We need to stick with God's opinion of us, God knows us inside out, He knows what makes us sad, glad and mad.
Stay close to God, don't listen to your feelings or the opinions of others, keep God's opinions of you close to heart.
Maybe you've been brought up to believe God is angry?
The Bible says that God loves us so much He was willing to take on human flesh, live perfectly then suffer and die in our place. God is madly in love with each one of us.
Jesus loves us. He cares for us.
Jesus meets people where they are at and loves them. He was only negative about "religious" people who stopped people from knowing God.
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It's also good to have positive opinions of other people. First perspectives aren't always correct.
It's time to look at our opinions of ourselves and others. To look from a new, God based, perspective.
Will you let Jesus transform your life, and start believing in His positive opinion of you today?
The Word by Chris Rees
New Life Church meet in Llanteg Community Centre Sundays from 10.45am. Contact: 07976 675732, 07824 900992, 01646 651332 or visit: newlifechurchpembs.com find us on Facebook.
