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In his letter to Titus, the Apostle Paul gives a beautiful and yet simple summation of the Gospel message.3 For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.4 But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, 5 he saved us—not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy—through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. 6 He poured out his Spirit on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life. 8 This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.(Titus 3:3-8 CSB) Verses 4-7 are great passage of Scripture to memorise as it reminds us of our salvation in Christ. Sometimes we tend to complicate things when it comes to our faith. We get caught up or fixated on side issues, we focus more on the religion than on the relationship.Easter is a good time to get back to the basic truths. The Gospel story is more than enough on its own. We don't need to add anything to "improve" it, and neither should we take anything away to "sanitise" it for modern sensibilities.Paul understood the value of the Gospel simply communicated. This is why he said the following to the Corinthians:And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.(1 Corinthians 2:1-5 NIV)Let us rejoice in the Simple Gospel. Let us rejoice in Jesus.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcJV7j5D3PU

It’s happened again. I am starting to feel some extra chunkiness on parts of my body that wasn’t there two weeks ago and I must admit that it is only my fault. I have no one else to blame. Here’s my confession: I have been snacking A LOT since lockdown began and parts of my body are starting to become the evidence of all this snacking. It has become a habit for me to work a bit, get a cup of coffee and then find something sweet to nibble on while enjoying my coffee.This wouldn’t be a problem if it happened every now and then but it is something that I like to do every day – sometimes multiple times a day – to the point of making me want to get up right now and get a snack while I am typing this up (which I ended up doing by the way!) This realization of over snacking is something that frustrates me because about two years ago I preached on this very topic of self-control and it was an area that I was showing some strength in but now… not so much. And this got me thinking, “Why is self-control so important in the life of a Christian?” A scripture that I have seen a few times since our lockdown began is 2 Timothy 1:7 ESV which says:"7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." It’s amazing how I have often focused on the fact that the Holy Spirit is powerful and loving but needed to be reminded this morning that he is also the Spirit of self-control. While doing some reading on the topic I came across these words by David Mathis who is the executive editor at desiringgod.org:“It sounds so simple and straightforward, perhaps even commonplace. It’s not a flashy concept or an especially attractive idea. It doesn’t turn heads or grab headlines. It can be as seemingly small as saying no to another Oreo, French fry, or milkshake — or another half hour on Netflix or Facebook — or it can feel as significant as living out a resounding yes to sobriety and sexual purity. It is at the height of Christian virtue in a fallen world, and its exercise is quite simply one of the most difficult things you can ever learn to do.To put is plainly, to be self-controlled is to be like Jesus and this is why it is something that we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate within us. According to the book of Hebrews Jesus was tempted in every way like we are but never sinned. This means that Jesus is incredibly self-controlled. This is why being self-controlled in every area of our lives is so important – nothing should have such a hold on us to the point of feeling like we have to give into it. So it may seem like something small but the next time I say no to the…

 Today I have something different for you. Instead of sharing my own thoughts I will be sharing a poem that was sent to me from one of the congregation members.  It is very well written and I was blessed and encouraged as I read it. I pray that you will be too.God BlessGraham  THE UNWANTED GUESTUnannounced, uninvited and unwanted:He arrives, like a thief in the night -To steal one of your most prized possessions -Your HEALTH, to which you held on so tight.No matter your colour or culture,No matter the state of your health -To him, absolutely nothing mattersNot even the state of your wealth.It all starts so innocently,Maybe a cough, or a sneeze -Plus a fluctuating temperature,And then, your lungs start to wheeze.Now starts the frightening process -First, a visit to the Doctor for you -Then those dreaded, scary words -“It’s the Corona virus, not just the ‘flu!”Isolation in the ICU ward,With oxygen, tubes and meds:So many others in the same condition,But sadly, not enough beds!God created this magnificent planetAnd gave us the privilege to live here.But now this dreadful VirusIs just destroying all we hold dear.So many Families have been split apartBecause of this awful disease.Which transmits from one person to anotherWith droplets from a cough or a sneeze.(BUT…...There is HOPE)I know if we all stand togetherAnd pray for God’s healing handHe will show us His mighty loveAnd HEAL our beautiful land.How wonderful if a cure may be foundTo cleanse the Earth from this affliction -But first we must all have absolute faithAnd pray with total conviction.“Dear God, we beg you on bended kneePlease send us a cure,That we all might endure -This is our passionate plea!”Let’s start by obeying our Country’s rules,Self-isolate and always wear masksIf you have to go out, Stay a metre awayFrom others while completing your tasks.We must have faith that this time will passIf we pray and obey the laws of the land -In years to come, we’ll look back amazed -We saw the work of God’s own hand!(Thoughts surrounding our present conditions as a result of the Corona Virus.  In self-isolation March/April 2020, I took some time to put my thoughts into words.)