Love is…

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This Thursday we are all going to be inundated with red roses, chocolate hearts and romantic cards. Yes it’s valentine’s day.

You might be fed up with this annual celebration of romantic love and see it as simply a commercial endeavour set to line the pockets of businesses. However, as it does focus on the most impart thing in life, ‘love’, it shouldn’t be so quickly dismissed.

Interestingly enough, this last Sunday at ‘Redefine’ we were studying chapter 12 of the gospel of Mark; verses 28 to 34 to be precise. In this passage a religious scholar asks Jesus what the most important commandment is. Jesus’ reply is this “The most important of all the commandments is this: ‘The Lord Yahweh, our God, is one!’ You are to love the Lord Yahweh, your God, with every passion of your heart, with all the energy of your being, with every thought that is within you, and with all your strength. This is the great and supreme commandment. And the second is this: ‘You must love your neighbour in the same way you love yourself.’ You will never find a greater commandment than these.” – Mark 12:29-31

Jesus is saying that loving God and loving those around us are the greatest commandment. It’s all about love. After all God is love.

And loving our neighbour just means those around us, even those people who dress differently than us, who think differently to us, who have different beliefs than us. Those people that we don’t always get along with, or want to get along with. As we love them, we are demonstrating our love for God also. For the apostle John in his first epistle writes “Anyone can say, “I love God,” yet have hatred toward another believer. This makes him a phony, because if you don’t love a brother or sister, whom you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see? For he has given us this command: whoever loves God must also demonstrate love to others” – 1 John 4:20-21.

This is a tough call and a difficult ask. The romantic love of Valentine’s day may be easy, as easy as popping to the shops and buying a card and some flowers, but the powerful and robust, unconditional love of God; the Agape love of God; is much harder to do. Indeed, it is impossible for us to do in our own power and strength. We can only accomplish it by God’s Spirit moving in and through our lives.

So this week as we are reminded of love wherever we go, let us remember that God loves us with an unconditional and reckless love and as we are transformed by that love, let us love those around us with the love He gives us.

Be blessed!

More than meets the eye…

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The title to this blog post is the tagline to the Transformers franchise. I’m writing about Transformers (no, not the electrical one for changing voltages), because my son and daughter just received a surprise bag of some vintage and nearly new Transformers for them to play with. They loved them and were very eager to play and ‘transform’ these toys.

The Transformer toy line has been around since 1984 when it was created by Bob Budiansky and Nobuyuki Okude as a joint American Japanese venture between Hasbro (USA) and Takara Tomy (Japan). I grew up with Transformers and in fact if you ever visit the Llandudno Youth for Christ offices, you’ll see 4 vintage Transformer toys from my childhood on display above my desk. Transformers are robots that ‘transform’ into various vehicles and objects, they are ‘robots in disguise’ (another tagline for them). Some are easy to transform, whilst others are quite tricky and complex.

Indeed, 2 of the new Transformers my son had were so tricky that even I didn’t know how to transform them from vehicle mode to robot mode. I needed either a direct line to the toys’ creators or at the very least the instruction manuals.

This struggle with the transformers sparked something in me, and whilst I was praying at Redefine, I kept on getting images of Transformers in my head and realised God was trying to tell me something. So I listened more intently to what the Spirit of God was telling me.

I felt God was saying that as human beings we are even more complex than Transformers and that we need both the Creator and the instruction manual in order to be transformed. God was reminding me that it was His job and responsibility to bring the transformation in our lives and that we cannot do that on our own, but by letting God transform us by His presence and His word (the Bible).

I was really encouraged by this and by these words from Psalm 139:13-16.

“13You formed my innermost being, shaping my delicate inside
    and my intricate outside,
    and wove them all together in my mother’s womb.
14 I thank you, God, for making me so mysteriously complex!
    Everything you do is marvelously breathtaking.
    It simply amazes me to think about it!
    How thoroughly you know me, Lord!
15 You even formed every bone in my body
    when you created me in the secret place,
    carefully, skillfully shaping me from nothing to something.
16 You saw who you created me to be before I became me!
    Before I’d ever seen the light of day,
    the number of days you planned for me
    were already recorded in your book.”

Remember there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to you. God has made you and He doesn’t make mistakes. He created you and He knows what you need.

This week as you meditate on the above truth, please be praying for the young people that attend the different events we hold. Pray that they would come to realise that they are a beloved and unique creation of a loving and unique Creator, God.

Be blessed.

ἐν ἀρχή…(In the beginning…)

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“Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn’t make. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it.” – John 1:1-5 (TLB)

January is almost gone and we’ll soon be stepping into February, but now whilst we are still at the beginning of the year, let us look forward to all that is in store for us in 2019 with hope filled hearts and joyous expectation.

Like Paul, let us forget what is behind and press forward to what God has in store for us in the coming days, weeks & months.

Let us remember that the God we serve is one of life & light and a light that the darkness can NEVER extinguish!

There is nothing ahead of you in 2019 that God is not big enough to carry you through.

Perhaps there are new opportunities coming your way? New connections to make or perhaps God is going to resurrect dreams that you long thought were dead and gone.

Perhaps God is asking you to step out in faith and partner with us here at Llandudno Youth for Christ. Either financially by becoming a monthly financial supporter of the work we are doing in seeing young people’s lives turned around by Jesus, or partnering with us in prayer, daily seeking God for the lives of the young people in Llandudno and beyond and joining with us monthly at our prayer gatherings.

Perhaps it is in partnering with us by volunteering at one of our events, such as ‘Reverb‘, our after-school drop-in youth club that is held every Thursday during term time from 3:15-5:15pm. Or perhaps volunteering at our community cafe ‘Reverb Saturday Cafe @ St John’s‘ where we serve people in Llandundo with coffee, cakes & a friendly smile – this is a great ministry that not only blesses the people of Llandudno, but also raises much needed funds for the ministry work that we are doing.

Please prayerfully consider how you can help support the work of Llandudno Youth for Christ in bringing Jesus’ light to the young people of Llandudno and beyond.

Have a great 2019 and shine His light for all to see.

Be blessed!

Love Came Down at Christmas

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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!

 

Who do YOU say I am?

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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!

Through it all my eyes are on You.

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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!

Ignite the light and let it shine…

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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!

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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…

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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…

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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!