March message

 penned by Revd John F Allen

MEMORIES ARE PROMPTS TO MOVE FORWARD!

 For Christmas I received, among other things, a gadget for the computer which enables me to turn slides into computer pictures, and subsequently to put them onto DVD’s to show through the DVD player.  It has been lovely reliving old memories from slides rarely looked at in recent years because of the need for projector and screen, which was such a major task to find and erect.

 Memories of holidays enjoyed, people met, church special events attended, and relationships shared,  have come alive as we looked at the pictures on computer.  Looking at the family at different stages and ages warmed our hearts, and filled them with gratitude for the way the Lord has led and blessed us over the years.

 In Psalm 77 v 11-12 the Psalmist looks back and recalls the way in which the life of the nation was blessed of God.  Sometimes they were aware of it and praised the Living Lord.  Sometimes they only realised how much they had been blessed when the blessing seemed no longer theirs.  Sometimes they only realised how their God had led them when they looked back with hindsight. 

 The Psalmist recalls these past events to encourage himself and the people at a time in their experience when life was hard and perplexing.  The memories enabled him to put the future into the hands of the living God and trust Him for that future whatever this entailed. 

 I do not know how you feel about the recent decision over your relationship with the Baptist Fellowship.  What I am wanting to do in this article is to encourage you.  Do not despair about the future, or complain about the time it has taken for the decision to be made. or feel rejected because of the decision made.  Rather look to the Lord of the future trusting in Him who brought you through past hardships and difficulties and has given you many a blessing over the years.

 He does not abandon His people. Neither leave them to walk alone into the future.  His love is unending, His Spirit still available, and His timing perfect.  Paul tells the Philippian Church in ch 3 v 13-14 “Forget what lies behind, and strain toward what is ahead.  Press on toward the goal.”  He has a plan and purpose for West Park , and will supply the means to achieve it.  Trust Him; look to Him; step out in obedience to Him. 

 At a time when the temple of David had been broken down, and the city was a heap of rubble, the prophet’s message was that the house of God they were trying to build would know greater glory than that of David’s temple  (Haggai ch2 v 9).  How hard it must have been to believe such a message when all around was rubble.  You may find it hard to believe such a message for West Park as your plans and hopes lie in tatters.  Step out in faith, however, and believe God for the future.  His plans may bring much greater glory to Him, and blessing to you, than that scheme of union promised.  One day you will be able to look back and see why God allowed them to turn it down, because you will understand the greater glory that resulted as you moved on in faith.

 Thank you for the privilege of contributing to your magazine.

John F Allen