Merry Christmas to all our amazing supporters!
May your hearts and homes be filled with the love of Jesus today and everyday.
Be blessed
Well we had the first of our Christmas themed Redefine’s last Sunday evening and next week we will be having our second and last Christmas themed evening before the Christmas break.
We will also be having our last Reverb after-school drop-in on Thursday 20th December.
Please be praying for us all at Llandudno Youth for Christ. Pray that at this time of the year, we will reach out to and impact the lives of young people in our area with the good news of Jesus, our Emmanuel – God with us.
This time of year hearts can be so much more open to receiving the truth of God’s love for us. So it’s an important time to be praying for the work that we do.
Our director Tim Gough has been holding assemblies in the local secondary school – Ysgol John Bright, every morning this week. Please pray that the talks that he gave have really hit home and that in 2019 he would have more opportunities to speak in schools in the area.
Thank you for supporting us at Llandudno Youth for Christ, financially, with your time and most of all with your prayers.
So keep on praying for us. Pray for all of our volunteers and staff over the Christmas period, that God would keep them safe & well, and that we’d be ready and refreshed for another term of outreach in January.
Have a truly blessed Christmas and a prosperous New Year!
We had another great evening at Sunday night’s ‘Redefine’.
After playing some fun team games which involved smarties, balloons & plastic cups, we broke up into our small groups for our Bible study time. Tonight we were looking at Mark 8:27-30. A fairly short passage of scripture, but one chock full of importance.
Jesus asks the disciples who the people around them that they have been ministering to think that He is? Then Jesus gets more personal and asks the disciples directly who they think that He is. “Then Jesus and his disciples walked to the villages near Caesarea Philippi. On the way, he posed this question to his disciples: “Who do the people say that I am?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptizer, others say Elijah the prophet, and still others say you must be one of the prophets.” He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter spoke up, saying, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” Then he warned them not to breathe a word of this to anyone.“
Interestingly Jesus has just healed a blind man before this in the town of Bethsaida. It’s on their journey from Bethsaida to Caesarea Philippi that He poses this question to them. The only disciple to have full revelation of who Jesus is, was Simon Peter. He was the only one not blind to who Jesus is. Simon Peter’s name in Aramaic is ‘Shimon‘ which means ‘he who hears’. Simon was the one who heard from God the Father the truth of who Jesus was. That reveals to us an important point. We need revelation from God of who Jesus truly is, otherwise we can be left floundering like the disciples, saying that He is a prophet, wise teacher or good man, but not the promised anointed one; the Son of God.
Another fascinating point is that at Caesarea Philippi there was a cave dedicated to the pagan god Pan that had a deep pool in it that was so deep it couldn’t be measured that was called the gate of hell (hades) and also it was the source of the principal spring of water that fed the river Jordan (see here).
Jesus the Messiah is more powerful than any pagan god and he is more powerful than death itself. ‘On this mountain he (God) will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death for ever.’ – Isaiah 25:7-8 We know that by His death & resurrection Jesus would deliver us not only from sin, but also the power of death.
Back to Jesus’ question – ‘Who do you say I am?’ It’s important to ask yourself that question. Who do you say Jesus is?
Again, it was a great evening and a lot was discussed and learned from the passage. Please be praying for the young people that come to Redefine. Pray that just like Simon Peter, they would have a revelation from God the Father of who Jesus truly is.
Be blessed!
We’ve been working through the gospel of Mark over the past several weeks and last Sunday night we looked at the miracle of the feeding of the 5,000. This is the only miracle of Jesus’ that is recorded in all 4 gospels. Pretty amazing.
It’s a part of Jesus’ ministry that we can become too familiar with and the wow factor isn’t there for us because we are so used to it.
But last Sunday night at ‘Redefine‘ we looked at it with fresh eyes, not taking it for granted but being staggered by not only Jesus’ phenomenal miracle working power, but also His massive heart of compassion for everyone.
Jesus had saw the crowd of desperate needy people and He fed and nourished them; first spiritually as He taught them, and then physically with the bread and the fish. In fact it was an over abundant supply, for there were 12 baskets left over: signifying the 12 tribes of Israel and Jesus’ provision for the whole of Israel as their Messiah.
Just like the young people at last Sunday night’s Redefine, have a read through Mark 6:30-44 asking God to show you something new about the passage. Something that will make you go wow! and fall more in love with Him.
Also, please keep praying for us at Llandudno Youth for Christ. Pray for the young people that come to our events. Pray that they would come to have a relationship with Jesus and grow in their faith.
Have a great week and be blessed!
Last week at Llandudno Youth for Christ’s after school drop-in: ‘Reverb‘ we held a fantastic Connect 4 competition, with everyone involved challenging each other to games of Connect 4. We were searching for the connect 4 champion.
It was loads of fun for everyone involved and we eventually found out who was the king of the board games!
Connect 4, also known as Captain’s Mistress, Four Up, Plot Four, Find Four, Four in a Row, Four in a Line, Drop Four, and Gravitrips (in Soviet Union) was first produced all the way back in February 1974 by the Milton Bradley Company that specialised in manufacturing board games, such as Buckaroo, Guess Who, Jenga & Kerplunk. It has been a popular strategy game since then, and everyone at Reverb loved challenging each other.
We love seeing everyone who comes to Reverb getting involved with the different events we hold; for them to get connected. But not just connected to the events, but each other; that Reverb becoems as safe space to meet up with friends and connect with each other. Also we want it to be a safe space for them to explore faith and have opportunity to hear the good news about Jesus.
This week at Reverb we are going to be being thankful, with it being the American Thanksgiving this week-end. We will also have a ‘Thank You’ board up for everyone to write things that they are thankful for.
Please do continue to support us in prayer. Please pray for the young people that come to the events we hold at Llandudno Youth for Christ. Pray that they will above all else get connected with God.
Thank you & be blessed!
As I write this post I know that it is the 5th November and soon in Colwyn Bay, as there was 2 weeks ago in Llandudno, a big fireworks display.
Looking at Fireworks is like Stargazing; both make us lift up our heads and look skyward.
Why is that important, well this morning I woke up with part of a worship song going through my mind on repeat. Not in an annoying way, but in a reassuring and comforting way. The song was ‘It is well‘ by Kristene DiMarco, and the part of the song that I kept on singing both in my head and out loud throughout the day was ‘through it all, through it all, my eyes are on You. Through it all, through it all, it is well.‘
I felt that God was saying that whatever circumstances I go through, I need to keep my eyes on God, just like the Psalmist says “I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” – Psalm 121:1-2. I need to keep looking towards God with expectation and hope. I need to lift my eyes upwards. No hanging the head in fear and shame, eyes downcast and furtive, but eyes gazing heavenward in awe and wonder, waiting for God to move.
So my encouragement to you is whatever you are going through to look upwards in faith and expectation to the God who loves you with an everlasting love. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.“- Romans 8:38-39.
Please also be praying for us at Llandudno Youth for Christ and joining with us in expectation for Him to move in the lives of the young people that come to our different events. Join with us in prayer for God to send more people to join us in seeing young people’s lives changed by Jesus. Join us in praying for God to financially provide for all that we are doing to reach out with the gospel in Llandudno and beyond.
Have a great first week of November and be blessed!
The title of this post is taken from pop singer Katy Perry’s song ‘Firework‘. It’s a really encouraging song, with a catchy tune. In the lyrics she encourages the listeners by singing “You just gotta ignite the light, and let it shine. Just own the night like the Fourth of July; ’cause, baby, you’re a firework, come on, show ’em what you’re worth. Make ’em go, “ah, ah, ah”, as you shoot across the sky.”
It makes me think of Jesus’ encouragement for us to let our shine: “‘You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.'” – Matthew 5:14-16.
Last night in Llandudno the annual fireworks display was held with hundreds of people flocking to watch it. The whole town was abuzz with excitement and anticipation. Everyone was eagerly looking up at the dark night sky to see the pyrotechnics start and fill the air above them with blazing light and brilliant colour.
In the metaphorical darkness of the world around us, God wants the light of Christ that is in believers’ lives to shine out and fill the world around them with blazing light and brilliant colour. Especially at this time of year when the nights get darker and the air gets colder; let’s blaze like fireworks, illuminating the darkness.
I love how the Message version puts this passage from the gospel of Matthew; “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:14-16.
Let’s be generous with our lives and love those we find around us. Being used by God to open others up to himself so that they can enter into relationship with this generous Father in heaven.
Also, please be praying for the young people that come to the events we hold at Llandudno Youth for Christ. For those that are already followers of Christ to be bold and courageous and let their light shine, and for those that have yet to put their trust in Jesus to be drawn closer to Him.
Have a great start to the winter season.
Let your light shine & be blessed!
We are still working our way through the gospel of Mark at ‘Redefine‘ and last night we looked at the 2nd chapter of Mark.
If you’ve not read it before or recently, it is the retelling of Jesus healing a paralysed man. It’s quite a shocking and unorthodox account, because Jesus had gone back home and a large crowd had gathered at the house, so much so that 4 men who were bringing their friend to Jesus to be healed couldn’t get into the house by conventional means, but instead had to tear up the roof to lower their friend down to Jesus.
This act of faith caught Jesus’ attention. Well He could hardly miss it, what with all of the debris and roof fragments showering down as these men created a hold in the ceiling for their friend.
The passage puts it this way – “When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralysed man, ‘Son, your sins are forgiven.’” – Mark 2:5
Hang on a second, they wanted Jesus to heal him, not forgive His sins…but for Jesus forgiving the man of his sins was more important that physical healing.
This shocked the religious leaders that were present, after all only God could forgive sins. To them Jesus was blaspheming by making himself equal with God. They couldn’t see who Jesus really is. The Son of God & the Son of Man.
They were blinded to the truth.
I love what Jesus did next;…“‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralysed man, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, take your mat and walk”? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” – Mark 2:8-12.
When Jesus is around, things happen. He is God after all, and He loves us no matter what state we come to Him in.
The paralysed man didn’t have anything to bring to Jesus except himself and even then he needed the help of his friends. Jesus gave him far more than he could ever bring to God. Jesus gave him forgiveness & healing.
It’s the same for us today, all we bring to Jesus is ourselves, with all our sins and frailty and He forgives us and heals us. He doesn’t and hasn’t changed. His heart for us is just like His heart for the paralysed man.
So today come to Him just as you are, even if it looks messy and uncomfortable. He loves you and wants to see you forgiven and whole.
Another point in the gospel account is that the man needed his friends. We too need good friends who will carry us to Jesus in prayer with faith. So today bring a friend to God in prayer and see what he does with your faith on their behalf.
Be blessed!
When a runner gets set he hunkers down and prepares to run the race and run it to win. We looked at the first chapter of the gospel of Mark last Sunday night at Redefine, and what really jumped out at some of the young people was John the Baptist’s work of preparing the way for Jesus.
“as it is written in Isaiah the prophet: ‘I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way. A voice of one calling in the wilderness, “Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.”’ – Mark 1:2-3
John wanted the people to get ready, to get set for the coming of the Messiah, Jesus.
Like a runner getting ready to race, there is a sense of anticipation. An eagerness and readiness for Jesus’ arrival. When He does turn up on the scene, He too is baptised by John in the river Jordan and Jesus and the people around Him hear God declare ‘You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.’ At once after being baptised the Jordan, the Holy Spirit sends Jesus into the wilderness.
There is so much action in this passage. It’s just like a runner launching themselves from the starting blocks, ‘Bang!’ and away they go.
Just like John the Baptist Mark wants to get people ready for Jesus. For the readers of this gospel to clear a straight path inside their hearts for Jesus as one translation of the passage puts it.
Mark really wants people to focus on Jesus. Like a runner looking at the finish line with uncluttered focus.
Mark wants his readers to know without a doubt who Jesus is and why He is so important.
Maybe during the rest of October you might think about reading through the gospel of Mark, just like the young people in ‘Redefine’ are, and ask God to reveal more to you about Jesus and why He is so important.
Also please continue to pray for us and the ministry of Llandudno Youth for Christ. Pray that as we study Mark, the young people will get a clearer picture of Jesus and be wowed by how amazing He is.
Be blessed!
At Redefine last Sunday night we started our new study topic, looking at the gospel of Mark.
“This is the beginning of the wonderful news about Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. It starts with Isaiah the prophet, who wrote: “Listen! I am sending my messenger ahead of you and he will prepare your way! He is a thunderous voice of one who shouts in the wilderness: “Prepare your hearts for the coming of the Lord Yahweh, and clear a straight path inside your hearts for him!” – Mark 1:1-3.
Mark doesn’t miss a beat as he dives straight into the message of Jesus. He wants his readers to grasp the good news of Jesus’ coming. Unlike Matthew & Luke he doesn’t start with the miraculous birth of Jesus, or like John with his glorious declaration of the pre-existence of Jesus as a member of the Godhead and the Creator of everything. Mark goes straight to the beginning of Jesus’ ministry on earth, from his baptism in the river Jordan by his cousin John the Baptist.
Mark declaration of Jesus is like ‘Bam! Bam! Bam!’ as he moves from the Baptism to Jesus’ temptation by the devil in the wilderness, to His calling of the disciples, to his preaching ministry, to demonstrations of Jesus’ power over sickness and demons.
It’s a really fast paced account of Jesus’ ministry on earth, with no let up. Mark wants the message that Jesus is the long expected Messiah to really sink in. He also wants to get across the message that, as Jesus declares in Mark 1:15 – “At last the fulfillment of the age has come! It is time for the realm of God’s kingdom to be experienced in its fullness! Turn your lives back to God and put your trust in the hope-filled gospel!”
That is the gospel, or good news of Mark in a nutshell. Jesus is the culmination or fulfilment of God’s plan for mankind. Jesus is the way back to God and the one worthy of our trust.
As we read through and delve into Mark’s gospel, please be praying for us. Pray that God’s Word would impact the hearts and lives of the young people that come to Redefine and that Jesus would be clearly demonstrated as the coming King and Son of God.
Perhaps you might like to read through the gospel of Mark during the month of October and be encouraged by the life and ministry of Jesus too.
Be blessed!
