Test all Things

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22; “Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.”

When we are about to do something that we think might be ‘un-Christian’ it is necessary for us to pray about it asking Jesus’ blessing on it. Many Christians though pray and try to rationalise what they are about to do, hoping that God will condone their divorce, their affair, and the abuse of their bodies. It is when you pray and bring these issues before Jesus, that you will likely reconsider them. The Bible tells us to avoid the very appearance of evil. So it is not only a matter of doing the wrong thing, it is even doing something that would look like you are doing the wrong thing as a Christian. Avoid even that. Be smart about the choices you make, and as much as possible, stay out of the way of temptation.

A call to our Business Owners!

Please would you e-mail Pastor Grant with your business details, company name, contact details, service offering, and preferably an image of your logo, in order that we can inform both our congregation, and the many others who visit this site daily, enabling them to support you. Please e mail same to my personal church mail address. Let us assist you in the growth of your business!

What I'm Reading!

Pastor Grant has been asked by folk to recommend books and web-sites which will assist them in their growth which is awesome, as there has been an excitement rekindled over this past year to learn more, to study more, and to draw closer to Jesus in relationship with him. So what he will do on a weekly basis is give you this updated information.

Books I am Reading and Recommend:

Jesus and Nonviolence: A Third Way – Walter Wink

Reframing Paul: Conversations in Grace and Community – Mark Strom

Christian Spirituality: An Introduction – Alister E. McGrath

The Jesus Mission: Christ completed 27 missions while on earth. Take up the 4 he assigned to you - Steven K. Scott

PG has recommended, and folk have purchased over the past six months or so, the following book which is an amazing supplement to any study of the Bible;

Unlocking the Bible - David Pawson

Websites and Blogs:

NT Gateway Weblog - Professor Mark Goodacre (New Testament)

Exploring the Matrix - Dr. James F McGrath

The Bible and Culture - Professor Ben Witherington

Old Testament Gateway

Bible Commentaries/ Online Bibles and Translations:

The Easy English Bible Commentary - www.easyenglish.info/bible-commentary/index.htm

The IVP Bible Commentary - www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/

Biblegateway - www.biblegateway.com

"We search for God in order to find him with greater joy, and we find him in order to keep on searching with greater love" (Augustine).

Coming up ....

Sunday 20th May 2012:- 9:00 - "Abundant Life"! This morning we delve into the fact that shepherds want their sheep to be well fed, to flourish, to be cared for, to grow, to mature, to be content, and also to be satisfied. We discover life as it was meant to be. Pastor Grant encourages you to bring a friend this morning as this message, as with every other, will be a life-changer for both believer and non-believer alike! Definitely not to be missed!

Sunday 20th May 2012:- 18h00 - We continue the 'How to grow a High Impact Church' series which speaks of our God-ordained role in this process. Making an impact in a community is what we have been biblically called to do. We have three more parts to go through, a part a week, over the next three weeks, each portion being 30 minutes in length per evening. Join us!

Sunday 3rd June; 10th June; 17th June 2012:- 18h00 - Reach (Connect), Teach (Direct), and Shine (Reflect): With the Leadership Team in place, it is absolutely vital that each one of understand our church's vision and mission. Pastor Grant will be fleshing each of these facets of the vision out for us from a biblical perspective and would appreciate all of you to attend these meetings. You will be both encouraged and blessed!