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January 2020 – A Quiet Word

The Bible opens with four profound words: ‘In the beginning God.’ From this everything flows: the vast, mysterious world of outer space, the beautiful and dynamic world in which we live. You and I are part of God’s creation. God’s handiwork is to be seen both in history and current events. Both God’s creation and His love are beyond our comprehension but, nevertheless, real. Indeed, the whole of our lives are acted out against the background of this divine scenery that is constantly moving, always vibrant.

Sometimes it’s good to step back for a moment and see the bigger picture. This helps to clarify our values, sifting out those gold nuggets that really matter. With prayer, it enables us to glimpse God’s plans and purposes for us as individuals and as a church family. As we stand on the threshold of a New Year, let’s pause to catch our breath; maybe to check the spiritual compass readings and so on.

Each New Year invariably is a mixture of the new and what’s already happening. Change can be as uncomfortable as it is challenging. We love and serve a God who says, ‘Behold I make all things new.’ One who calls us to follow is the One who assures that He is alongside.

The world we live in is constantly moving; things are changing politically in our own land (for which we need to pray with urgency). In our church, there will be significant changes over the coming months. When you follow Jesus, you are never quite sure what’s going to happen next – and, it’s best to follow rather than try to lead. All of which boils down to this: what counts is our relationship with Jesus.

‘In the beginning God’ – our lives are all part of His unfolding story, so, as Paul writes: Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

In 2020, may Whitehouse Baptist Church be a people whose desire to glorify God is paramount.

Blessings and Love for the New Year

Norman