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by Luke KincaidAs I was reading through To Live is Christ to Die is Gain by Matt Chandler I came across a phrase which Paul used quite often in his writings:1 Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, – Ephesians 4:1 9 For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, 10 so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God, – Colossians 1:9-10 11 As you know, like a father with his own children, 12 we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. – 1 Thessalonians 2:11-12 27 Just one thing: As citizens of heaven, live your life worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or am absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit, in one accord, contending together for the faith of the gospel, - Philippians 1:27Now this is a phrase which I am familiar with but one which I never truly understood. Does it mean living in such a way that makes you worthy? This can’t be because Jesus is the only reason we can be saved so that can’t be it. Matt Chandler provides the following thought provoking explanation of what Paul means when he uses this specific word:“What does the word worthy mean? For Paul. It means ascribing worth. When he commands others to live in a ‘worthy’ way, he means we should live in such a way that shows what we believe is of supreme worth. For Christians, it means living in such a way that Jesus is seen as big, that Jesus is seen as glorious.”Do I live in such a way that shows that what I believe is of supreme worth? Now that’s a challenging question and one which I think we can all think through as we go through the week ahead. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will show us all areas of our lives that are in conflict with walking worthy and valuing our belief in Jesus above everything else. Much love,Luke

by Calven CelliersFor me personally, one of the most difficult aspects of the 2020 World Pandemic, and the ensuing – yet necessary – lockdown, was the fact that I was not allowed to socialise, and most especially that I was not allowed go to Church. In our individualistic society, some may believe that we are better off by ourselves, but being a ‘peoples person’ I definitely believe that life is better together! Scripture reinforces that we are created for community. God created us not as isolated beings, but to live our lives with others. Better together is such a fantastic slogan. It simply means that when we share our lives with other people, we thrive! Life is meant to be shared. I’m totally convinced that God intends for us to experience life together. Even in the perfect, sinless environment of Eden, God said, “…It is not good for man to be alone…” (Genesis 2:18NIV) We all know of and appreciate the benefits of time out, momentary periods alone with God, but in terms of living out your walk with Jesus ‘the Bible knows nothing of solitary saints or spiritual hermits isolated from other believers, and deprived of fellowship.’ (Rick Warren)While your relationship with Christ is personal, God never intends it to be private. As Christians we are called to belong, not just believe. In a worldly sense, community is often thought of in terms of a club formed around a specific interest or cause. But the church is far greater than that. The nature of our relationships with each other as Christians is described in the New Testament as koinonia, a Greek word often translated as communion, which also means fellowship, participation and partnership. I seem to think that for many today the word fellowship has lost some of its biblical meaning. Even in church, we have fellowship luncheons that are held in fellowship halls and we get together for fellowship in our fellowship groups. When we overuse a word, it can lose its meaning.These days fellowship generally refers to casual conversation, socialising, food and fun. But real fellowship, koinonia, is experiencing life together. It includes unselfish loving, honest sharing, practical serving, sacrificial giving and sympathetic comforting.The variety of uses in the New Testament reveals that koinonia involves a deeper level of fellowship than an informal social gathering. The essential element of koinonia is participation. That’s why when new members are taken into fellowship at New Harvest we clearly state that the Lord is entrusting these folk to this congregation, and we ask existing members if they will receive them as brothers and sisters in Christ, welcoming them into this spiritual family, loving them, caring for them and being open to receive the Lord’s ministry to you through them.In heaven we will enjoy God’s family forever, but first we have some work to get through, in the here and now, to prepare us for an eternity of loving. God trains us by giving us “family responsibilities” as we faithfully serve Him by loving and serving…

Guest PostTHE GOOD LIFETony Doyle poem & testimony Just give me the ‘good life’” I once use to cry,I measured success by the things I could buyMaterial things were my food and my drinkin a futile attempt to find life’s missing linkA sinner’s existence was an everyday scenewith scornful dismissal of Jesus routineIt took me some time and some heartache to seethis ‘good life’s’ not all that it’s cracked up to be I wasn’t aware of the prayers being said,I couldn’t care less, save my ego was fedThen one day I went to the house of the Lordand was shown by my brother (John) the power of his wordI listened reluctantly, clutching my pride,not knowing the spirit was moving insideThen Jesus said “I love you no matter what’s been,just take up your cross and I’ll wipe the slate clean”I couldn’t believe He was speaking to mebut I swear to you now it was as clear as could beWithout hesitation I committed my alland gratefully answered the life changing call Since that day my old life has sunk without tracein peaceful contentment I treasure God’s graceAnd if there are times when I think of the pastI speak to my Lord and the doubts never last, It won’t always be easy the cost maybe highbut Jesus' sacrifice saved you and IA wonderful legacy, lest we forget,lets not waste what truly is the greatest gift yetAs my new life begins it’s the end of my search,I experience great joy when I enter His church.With Jesus beside me I’ve nothing to fear, brother and sisters the                                   ‘Good Life’ is here! Written by Tony Doyle, Baptismal service: 5th January 1992