What do I do each day?

Some people ask what I do so I am writing this week a brief summary of how my week usually looks.

My standard week is like this.

Monday
Preparation Day & Personal Time (sometimes)
Tuesday
Tract Distribution at shopping area, Bible Study and Coffee morning in my local Gospel Hall, Street Meeting in the afternoon.
Wednesday
School work, Street Meeting & Home Visitation with the gospel
Thursday
Taking the gospel to business events, Bible Study and Home Visitation
Friday
One to one Bible studies, Street Meeting.

In the evenings I am often speaking at a series of gospel meetings, speaking at Bible Teaching Meetings or attending my own Gospel Hall. I also visit Hospitals, Prison Hostels and meet people for coffee to explain the gospel to them. I also am involved in editing a Christian Magazine (Precious Seed), write, record gospel and bible teaching CD’s for handing out to my contacts.

I am off to Ukraine for 10 days soon to give some Bible Teaching. That will be an interesting experience.

E-mail me and tell me about your weeek.

God Bless you,

Stephen

Nothing lasts for ever!

We often say things like 'nothing lasts for ever' or 'all good things will come to an end one day'. Did you know that Jesus Christ said that 'heaven and earth will pass away' He predicted the end of this universe as we know it. Scientists tell us that the second law of thermodynamics means that everything is degenerating. The Bible in other places (Isaiah 51/Hebrews 1/2 Peter 3) states that this universe will end one day. So what then? The Bible also states that God will create a new heaven and a new earth (2 Peter 3/Revelation 21:1/Isaiah 66:22). There will however be a major difference to the present world. It will be a righteous place. All that is right will feel at home and be welcome in this new heaven and earth. Utopia indeed. This is guaranteed to happen (but we are not told when) because the Lord Jesus Christ came into this sinful world, dealt with consequences of sin by his death on the cross and rose again on the third day.

Where would you rather live? This sad and sinful world or in the new one where everything is right. You can be there courtesy of the Lord Jesus if you come to Him admitting and confessing your guilt before God and requesting forgiveness through faith in Christ.

Liverpool City of Culture 2008

Not only is Liverpool 800 years old but it is celebrating being the City of Culture this year. As part of the celebrations one of the Gospel Halls (an independant local evangelical church) in the city is hosting a two week mission. I have been invited to speak along with couple of others. The strapline for the two week mission is 'One year of Culture, an eternity of ?' An interesting question! The question addresses the fact that life for all of us on this panet is temporary. We will all die one day! The question is, is this all there is or is there more to come?

If we are left to our own thoughts we might assume that it would be a waste to achieve so much on earth and for it all to account for nothing in the end. Think about the considerable talent that most humans have and the amazing talents that certain individuals have. Is all this ability for nothing, wasted on a pointless existence. Even if we use it all the talent we have to it's best advantage ultimately it is of no signifance if there is nothing beyond this! But is this true?

I suggest that there is more to life! This suggestion is not based on a hunch, a gut feeling or wishful thinking. It is based on the revelation of God in the Bible, the word of God. God says he made us in His image. He created us for His glory. The Lord Jesus stated that he came 'that we might have life', abundant life. But our wrongdoing, our sin has deprived us of joy knowing life now as God intended it and could prevent us (if unconfessed and unforgiven) from knowing the God's quality eternal life, now and in heaven.

The situation is basically simple. Mankind made a wrong choice. In Adam, the first man, we all sinned and continue to do so. Our sin has consequences it must be accounted for and be dealt with legally. Our physical and ultimately eternal death is the result.

The solution is simple. It has been paid for but at a very high price. This is why Jesus Christ was born. He 'came into the world to save sinners'. By Jesus' death of crucifixion He paid the price in full for sin and can offer to us the gift of eternal life. In other words 'Christ died for us' and as a result God offers, when we confess our sins and receive His Son as our Saviour, the forgiveness of sins.

Will you celebrate salvation in Liverpool's year of culture? I trust that you will.

What is the main thrust of the message of the Bible?

The main message of the Bible is that God created us. We as a human race do not know God personally because of our sin and disobedience. Ultimately God will hold us accountable for our beliefs and behavior on the great judgment day. This all sounds depressing and it would be if the rest of the story was not know. The rest is this: God sent His Son, Jesus, into the world 2008 years ago. History and the Bible record His life, death, resurrection and return to heaven. Jesus was perfect and unique and for 33 years he lived on this planet providing evidence that he was God (all His miracles and teachings). The Bible records His death and coming to life again after three days (the Bible calls it resurrection). The claims of the Holy Scriptures (the Bible) are that Jesus paid the full price God demanded in payment for human sin. God offers to all people personal forgiveness and the removal of our legal guilt before Him when we turn from our sin to God and trust Him for salvation.