NHCF Blog

We have been going through a selection of the Psalms at our Friday evening youth discussions online via Discord. This past Friday we looked at Psalm 8 and this is what I want to share with you today. This is what Psalm 8 (NLT) says:1 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!    Your glory is higher than the heavens.2 You have taught children and infants    to tell of your strength,silencing your enemies    and all who oppose you.3 When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers—    the moon and the stars you set in place—4 what are mere mortals that you should think about them,    human beings that you should care for them 5 Yet you made them only a little lower than God    and crowned them with glory and honor.6 You gave them charge of everything you made,    putting all things under their authority—7 the flocks and the herds    and all the wild animals,8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea,    and everything that swims the ocean currents.9 O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!While we could spend a lot of time analysing and studying every aspect of this Psalm, there are only a few things I want you to know today. Please know that regardless of what type of day you have had or what you are currently going through in life, whether good or bad, God has thought about you today. The God who created the universe, whose fingerprints are clearly evident in the sky through his marvellous creations, has thought about you personally. Not only has He thought about you, He has also cared for you because you are created in His image. You are an image bearer of God and you are valuable because of this fact. Have you ever wondered about the greatest way in which God has ever shown His care for humanity? Take a look at what Hebrews 2 (NLT) says:9 What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honour.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. 10 God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation. 11 So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. If you want to know just how much God cares about us we need to only look at Jesus and what He did for us and secured for us when we believe in and follow Him. God loves you, thinks about you and cares for you. Much Love,Luke

Psalm 2 (CSB)1 Why do the nations rageand the peoples plot in vain?2 The kings of the earth take their stand,and the rulers conspire togetheragainst the Lord and his Anointed One:3 “Let’s tear off their chainsand throw their ropes off of us.”4 The one enthroned in heaven laughs;the Lord ridicules them.5 Then he speaks to them in his angerand terrifies them in his wrath:6 “I have installed my kingon Zion, my holy mountain.” 7 I will declare the Lord’s decree.He said to me, “You are my Son;today I have become your Father.8 Ask of me,and I will make the nations your inheritanceand the ends of the earth your possession.9 You will break them with an iron scepter;you will shatter them like pottery.”10 So now, kings, be wise;receive instruction, you judges of the earth.11 Serve the Lord with reverential aweand rejoice with trembling.12 Pay homage to the Son or he will be angryand you will perish in your rebellion,for his anger may ignite at any moment.All who take refuge in him are happy.Psalm 2 was a royal psalm and used at the coronations of the Davidic kings but it is also more than that as the psalm prophetically speaks of Jesus, the King of kings. It is quite easy to see how this psalm speaks of Jesus, the Son of God who was born in the line of David. The day will come, at Christ's triumphal return, when He will reign over the earth forever. What this means is that there are some serious implications for those who rule over the nations of the earth today.What drew me to this psalm today was the opening section. The psalmist begins by asking the rhetorical question, why do the nations rage and people plot, why do the rulers conspire? Why do they seek to overthrow what they see as God's "oppressive" authority? Do they realise how futile this is? The topic of conspiracy is one that raises its head regularly at the moment. As people question the policies of their governments, the regulations and restrictions that have been put in place during this pandemic. I listened to a Christian radio host speak about the these rumours of conspiracies and he gave quite a startling answer: "Of course there is a conspiracy! To this day the devil has been conspiring against God's people."He's quite right. Satan has ever been opposed to God's work since the very beginning in the garden of Eden. He is constantly scheming, making use of those who give into their sinful nature to bring about his wicked purposes. Are some of those people in power? Are some of them members of governments and organisations? Certainly. We know all to well of the corruption that can be found in the positions of power. But... Jesus has overcome the devil, He has overcome death and sin. Satan's fate is already decided and he loses. Those who conspire against God's Son and His rule are foolish for they will not escape God's judgement and wrath.This is why the final section of the psalm advises the kings and rulers and leaders of this world…

Guest Post 2 Chronicles 7:14 NIV14 "...if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land."I have read IF, a small word but with massive meaning that requires some action. It appears to be a message to the Hebrew people of Israel (Gods chosen nation) some time back, but I have no doubt applies to us in 2020. He says IF my people, who are called by My name (Christians) will Humble themselves and pray. Now that doesn’t seem to be popular these days when I hear the top politicians on CNN and Sky news. They believe they have answers to the international crises taking place now.   And turn from their wicked ways, these ways are an everyday occurrence among the modern world. And seek My face daily, a personal invitation from the Lord. Then, I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, ( All of us have sinned and fallen short of His glory) And I will heal their land.This is the answer to Corona virus and all of our needs, then, and now. Our love to all Gods people at New Harvest.Dave Griffiths

How guarded are you in your relationship with God? I am nearly done with my first read through of “Crazy Love” by Francis Chan and am really enjoying it. It has been very challenging as it has highlighted some weaknesses in my life when it comes to my relationship with God. I am really grateful for this role the book has played as I can now work on these areas and get to a place I am happy with. I wanted to share a small section of the book that I read today that I thought was really interesting:“Before my wife and I got married I knew that I had to tell her everything about me, all the ways I’d messed up. All the things I’d done. She had to know what she was getting before she agreed to marry me. That conversation was not easy, but at the end of it, we still chose to be with each other, to commit our lives to one another. I find myself acting differently with God. Often, when I pray, I will phrase my sentences in a way that makes me sound better. I will try to soften my sins, or touch up my true feelings before laying them before God. How foolish it is for me to be completely honest with my wife about my shortcomings, but try to fool God!... People who are obsessed [with God] are raw with God; they do not attempt to mask the ugliness of their sins or their failures. Obsessed people don’t put it on for God; He is their safe place where they can be at peace.” – Francis Chan I think that this is such an interesting observation that Francis Chan makes. As children of God we have no reason to try and edit ourselves in how we interact with God in any way or in any situation. If we have messed up we can be completely transparent with Him in asking for forgiveness as there’s no point in trying to hide anything from the One who knows everything!1 Lord, you have searched me and known me.2 You know when I sit down and when I stand up;you understand my thoughts from far away.3 You observe my travels and my rest;you are aware of all my ways.Psalm 139:1-3God desires an intimate relationship with each and every one of His children and one of the ways in which we can make this happen is through being vulnerable enough to always be honest with our amazing Father. Much Love,Luke