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by John Doyle What does it mean ‘to leave a Godly heritage?’ Heritage can relate to many things, but for our purpose we will use the Oxford Dictionary definition which states; Heritage is “Valued qualities and cultural traditions that have been passed down from previous generations.” Psalm 127: 3 "Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children are a reward from Him" The 78th Psalm v 5-7 harmonises with many other scriptures. God’s word says ‘He established a law in Israel and commanded our forefathers to teach them to their children, even the children to be born, and they in turn will tell their children. Then they would put their trust in God and not forget His deeds.’ A big question: Is this happening in your home and the homes of the people involved in the church? How do we treat, teach, protect and nurture our heritage and our rewards from God to continue into the future? The family home is the most crucial and important learning environment for our children. It is here, in their early formative years, where the child will be most influenced – for better or for worse. They will learn, or not learn how to bond with those around them. Children learn language, positive and negative behaviour and how to interact with others in the home from their Parents first and foremost . Modern research confirms that the first five years of a child’s life is the most crucial and vital time to instill good attitudes and create healthy habits, especially regarding their spiritual growth and understanding. To further explore what it means to leave a Godly heritage consider the instructions given to Moses before the Israelites went into the Promised Land. Consider how these instructions relate to us today. My conviction is that these Scriptures set out God’s plan for families and show how to impart their faith to their children. The home is the place where children should be introduced to the Lord of Creation and the Saviour of the World. Deuteronomy 6: 4-9, is known as the Shema (pronounced “Shem- ar”) and is worthy of our examination. These instructions for the family were given to Moses to be passed on. It is considered by devout Jews as the most critical and significant portion of the book of Deuteronomy. Jewish children are taught this as a prayer. Devout Jews recite it three times a day. Each Friday evening, as the Sabbath begins, in Jewish homes around the world, the father, and sometimes the mother, lay hands on the children’s heads and pray for them. Deuteronomy 6: 4 – 9 “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God is one” ‘You shall have no other gods before me’ states the First Commandment. The land into which the Jews were going was a land with a multitude of gods. Sadly this is the same as the society our children find themselves in today. We have the answers to help them make right decisions. “Love the Lord…

by John DoyleIsaiah 41: 10 "Fear not, for I am with you; be not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you, yes I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." On Jesus’ instructions, the Disciples had sent the crowd away and had set out to go over to the other side of the lake into the country of the Gadarenes - Mark 5:1.At some point in the journey, Jesus, being tired after ministering, fell asleep, placed His head on a pillow, in the back of the boat. Everything seemed fine as they left, but then the story tells us that after a while “there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the boat so that it was now full” Mark 4:37.The word translated Storm could also have been translated "squall" which is defined as “a sudden violent wind often with rain or snow.” Despite some of the Disciples being seasoned fishermen, they were overwhelmed by what had overtaken them. So much so that “they awake him (Jesus), and say unto him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?” v38.The Disciples’ words reflect the feelings of some of us at times of distress especially in these days of Lockdown, when many are overtaken by the storms of life. Times when it seems that the phrase “God doesn’t give us more than we can bear” seems hard to understand when dealing with all that we have to endure in these days.“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” rings true from the depths of the souls of many that have faced these challenges of Lockdown and the Pandemic, and for those who have lost loved ones and special friends.So, Does Jesus Care? Hymn writer Frank Graeff put words together in 1901 that reflected his thoughts on this very matter that so many are facing today. Using the same question for his title, he asked a series of questions that some of us can identify with. The first verse:“Does Jesus care when my heart is pained, Too deeply for mirth or song, As the burdens press, and the cares distress, And the way grows weary and long?” Many have travelled these paths in this period of COVID - 19.It is important to note that Jesus did not sleep through the Disciples’ despair, but “He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, ‘Peace, be still.’ "And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm” v.39. Did Jesus Care? Of course He did! Those of us who profess Jesus as Lord should be encouraged that He responds to the cries of the sincere, and not only does He respond, but He has all power and authority to rebuke every adverse wind in our lives and speak peace into our troubled hearts and minds. The circumstances that provoked fear in the Disciples were immediately stilled by the words from the Lord Jesus.Though they woke Jesus in a moment of despair,…

by John DoylePsalm 71:23 - 24 "My lips will shout for joy when I sing Praises to you; my soul also, which you have Redeemed, and my tongue will talk of your righteous help all the day long..."What comes to your mind when you hear the word "Redeemed" in the Word of God? What comes to my mind immediately is that 'Redeemed' brings me to think of God's amazing gift of salvation through the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ and because of that we have been redeemed from the pit of Hell and also providing "abundant Life" here on earth. Redemption literally means "saving or improving something that has declined into a poor state". Without the redemption of our souls through faith in Jesus Christ we remain "declined and in a poor state".  Hence our Redeemer came. Jesus Christ is our Redeemer.Please read the scriptures below:The Bible says that we are -Redeemed from the "Grave" - Psalm 49:15Redeemed from Death - Hosea 13:14Redeemed from the Law - Galatians 4:5Redeemed from all wickedness - Titus 2:14Redeemed from the curse - Galatians 3:13Redeemed from the Pit - Ps. 103:4"Who redeems you from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,"  Psalm 103:4The Apostle Paul summarized it by saying, "Live a life worthy of the Lord, to please Him in every way, bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His Glorious might, so that you might have endurance..." Colossians 1:10Gods Word is Truth and it is purposed for His people to live the Redeemed life in Christ and to have abundant "Faith, Love, Hope and JOY in our relationship with Him and each other as Believers in Christ.As a result of this great Redemptive gift from God we have free access to a Personal Relationship with Father, Son and Holy Spirit both now and Forever. So as we read in scripture above may our "Lips shout for Joy" our voices sing "Praise to our God" and our "tongue will talk of His righteousness all the day long".Its not an easy task to take on in these difficult days we are going through, but we are still living the 'Redemptive' Life in Christ and we have great promises from God for Living, speaking and even singing "Praises to our great Redeemer"Time to sing with me:I've been redeemed (I've been redeemed)by the blood of the Lamb. (by the blood of the Lamb.)I've been redeemed (I've been redeemed)by the blood of the Lamb,I've been redeemed by the blood of the Lamb,filled with the Holy Ghost I am.All my sins are washed away,I've been REDEEMED.May the Lord bless you and your precious Family. In the Love of the Lord Jesus, John and Barbara

by John Doyle “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not be weary, they will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31) The name Isaiah means “The Lord is salvation,” and this theme resonates through all of the prophet’s book. The writing reflects an acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty over His people and all nations, as well as a reminder that no one can be holy in their own strength and that we must *wait on the Lord* for Him to provide this through His Word and by His Spirit, in His time. In these days of the Covid Pandemic and Lockdown we do need to be reminded that we serve a Sovereign God Who Created the earth and gave us life and He knows the exact time when the Lockdown will be over. In the meantime lets apply Gods word and "Wait upon the Lord". Along with these difficult passages, the book of Isaiah offers a glimpse of God’s amazing plan to reclaim His people through the arrival of a Deliverer. In the meantime, passages like chapter 40 declare God’s promise of provision and victory for those who rely on Him as they WAIT upon the Lord. Isaiah pronounced in Chapter 39 that the Babylonians would invade Jerusalem, leading to a period of captivity for God’s people. This was a frightening prospect, especially following all the messages of judgement and condemnation Isaiah had already brought to the nations. God’s faithful needed reassurance, and He graciously shifts the tone of Isaiah’s words to encourage them. Starting in Chapter 40, wonderful prophetic words tells of the comfort, forgiveness and incredible blessings God has in store for those who Love and Obey Him. The glory of God is a theme that runs throughout the whole book of Isaiah. But rather than keeping the focus on the fearful aspect of oncoming invasion, Chapter 40 jumps ahead to a time after God’s people have been in captivity in a foreign land. Now comes a touch of consolation and anticipation of a new thing that God will be doing. It starts with the voice of a loving Father to his children who have just been released from Babylon to return home. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the Lord's hand double for all her sins” (Isaiah 40:1-2) Then comes the start of joyful proclamations for those that *WAIT upon the Lord* Isaiah leads up to his promise in verse 31 with many other beautiful verses: 1. “And the glory of the Lord will be revealed, and all people will see it together” Isaiah 40:5. 2. “You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Zion lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up,…