Ignite the light and let it shine…

/2 Comments/in , , /by

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!

Go!

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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!

Get Set…

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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!

On Your Marks…

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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!

 

Angry Birds! Rargh!

/0 Comments/in , /by

Last Sunday night at Redefine we had a brilliant, fun evening playing a live action version of the popular computer game/app ‘Angry Birds‘. The first game in this popular video game franchise was launched in 2009, and since then it has spawned multiple other versions (26 in total), including the popular ‘Angry Birds Star Wars’. There has also been a film, and another is set for release in 2019.

In the game of Angry Birds, the player launches the ‘angry bird‘ from a catapult at a fortress made of stones and wood, that hides assorted green piggies that have stolen the birds’ eggs. The birds have to knock all of the piggies to the ground to win.

In line with the style of game play, we had boxes, cones & platforms upon which we placed green balloons with piggy faces drawn on them. The boxes were arranged by a competing team, to try and make it as difficult as possible for the team that was to launch the birds, to knock the piggies to the ground. The ‘bird’ team then launched red, blue or yellow footballs at the structures, trying to know the piggies from their perches. Each piggy that hit the ground earned the ‘Angry Bird‘ team 1000 points, with a bonus of 5000 if you managed to eliminate all 8 of the piggies.

Everyone involved had a blast. It was so much fun, and everyone really got into the spirit of the game, working together in 3 different teams to see who would be crowned the ‘Angry Bird‘ champion.

Our director Mr Tim Gough, then gave an uplifting and encouraging talk about Jesus & Peter walking on the water. Saying that when Peter faltered in his faith, Jesus was right there to save Peter and pick him up. Jesus is the same for us, when we are sinking in doubt, mired in fear and worry. Jesus doesn’t leave us, he doesn’t let us drown. No he reaches his hand out and saves us. Jesus never changes.

His faithfulness to Peter extends to us too today.

So even when like the piggies fortress, we find our life in tatters and all broken apart, Jesus is right there with hand extended to us in love. Ready to pick us up and get us walking with Him again.

It’s great being able to host these fun events that speak into the lives of the young people.

Please do continue to support us financially, in prayer and in a voluntary capacity, when and where you can. Let’s continue to see young people’s lives transformed by Jesus.

Be blessed!