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Newsletter
We hope to be able to produce a monthly newsletter with more news, stories and information that may be relevant to you. In particular we will want to highlight any events which are taking place in the United Kingdom. We do not pass your email address on to any third parties. For previous editions of the newsletter follow the links on the left. NEWSLETTER - JUNE 2010
VERSE OF THE MONTH ASK FOR THE ANCIENT PATHS Abraham was chosen by God to be the father of the nation of Israel. He was given a promise that his descendants would be more numerous than the stars in the heavens. Moses is referred to as the ‘friend of God’. He would go into his tent outside of the camp and talk face to face with God. Noah was found to be blameless and, in a time of great wickedness, was a man who walked with God. David, a man after God’s heart, was a worshipper and loved intimacy with God. What they all had in common was that they walked closely with God. They knew about intimacy, worship and devotion. They knew who God was and were prepared to follow him, often at great personal cost. Their obedience to God did not come from a sense of subservience, but came out of a strong relationship. They knew God personally and intimately. Of course, we know they weren’t perfect and some our favourite Bible stories are of occasions when they got things wrong. In the book of Jeremiah we see God yearning for his people to know who he is and to return to him. In chapter 3 verse 19 he pours out his heart to them: I myself said, “How gladly would I treat you like sons and give you a desirable land, the most beautiful inheritance of any nation. I thought you would call me ‘Father’ and not turn away from following me.” As their Father he wants them to know that they are his sons and daughters. In chapter 6 verse 16 he encourages them to look for something they have lost - the ‘ancient paths’ or the ‘good ways’. He is calling them to consider the ways of their forefathers and realise what they have lost by choosing to go their own way. He is calling them back to relationship with him, to walk in his ways, to intimacy with him and to find rest for their souls. In this verse there are some pointers which may help us as we seek to find the ancient paths, or the good old ways. First of all we are encouraged to stand at the crossroads and look. I guess many of us live busy lives where we move quickly from one thing to another without taking time to stop and reflect. But if we take time we may discover, or re-discover, pathways of life or, as Jeremiah says in chapter 2:13, springs of living water. Some of the ancient paths may be covered over and we may therefore have to search carefully for them. The prophet encourages us to ask where the paths are. There may be occasions when we need to ask for help in finding the paths that lead to life. Having stopped and looked, hopefully, we will find the paths that lead to life. As we choose to walk in these ways we can grow in our intimacy with the Father. We will realise more and more that he is our Father and we are his sons and daughters. For each of us the ancient paths may be something different as we may find intimacy in many different ways. This is because our relationship with the Father is unique to us. Sadly, God’s people in Jeremiah’s day made the wrong choice. If we choose to stop, look and find those ways he promises us ‘rest for our souls’. AUDIO/VISUAL TWITTER In His Love Mark Gyde |
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© Mark Gyde 2010 |
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