Murwillumbah Church of Christ

20/09/2021

ENCOURAGEMENT LETTER

One of the great strengths of our little church at Murwillumbah is that we have so many elderly members who are all still faithfully serving the Lord. We have 3 men in their nineties, 15 men and women in their eighties, and several others in their seventies. Many of these have been christians for over 50, 60, or 70 years. What a legacy they have provided.
I am constantly intrigued by the number of men and women in our Bible record who commenced their ministry for the Lord in what we would regard as their “old age”. ABRAHAM, for example, responded to the call of God when he was 75 years of age (he was 100 when Isaac his son was born) MOSES was 80 years of age when God called him to lead his people out of their slavery and bo***ge in Egypt. JOSHUA likewise was 80 when he was chosen to succeed Moses as the leader of his people. CALEB was 85 years of age when he received Hebron as his inheritance (his testimony then was that he was just as strong and vigorous as he was when he was 40) ANNA was 84 years of age when she testified about the infant Jesus. SIMON was even older as he too foretold the significance of the birth of the infant Jesus. JOHN the beloved disciple of Jesus was 90 years of age when he wrote his gospel and the book of REVELATION. Age is no barrier to serving the Lord.
The Bible is full of remarkable promises concerning those who are older in years. I particularly love the promise in Isaiah 46:4 (which I shared in Encouragement Letter 4) EVEN TO YOUR OLD AGE AND GRAY HAIRS I AM HE, I AM HE WHO WILL SUSTAIN YOU, I HAVE MADE YOU AND I WILL CARRY YOU I WILL SUSTAIN YOU AND I WILL RESCUE YOU” Then there is the promise in Psalm 71:18 (which is our life verse) “EVEN WHEN I AM OLD AND GRAY DO NOT FORSAKE ME O GOD, UNTIL I DECLARE YOUR POWER TO THE NEXT GENERATION AND YOUR MIGHT TO ALL WHO ARE TO COME”. And again the promise in Psalm 92:12-14 “THE RIGHTEOUS WILL FLOURISH LIKE A PALM TREE…..THEY WILL STILL BEAR FRUIT IN OLD AGE, THEY WILL STAY FRESH AND GREEN”
Of course it is not how long we may live that is of significance but how effectively we live out those years. Indeed what is the sense of living a long life just to hang around and take up space. More than ever as we advance in years whether we are 90 or 40 we need to pray the prayer of the Psalmist in Psalm 90:12 “TEACH ME TO NUMBER MY DAYS AND RECOGNIZE HOW FEW THEY ARE, HELP ME TO SPEND THEM AS I SHOULD”
To all those who are older and advancing in years let me just say “Don’t resent growing old, remember many are denied this privilege”
Allan and Val Webb
P.S. We love the verse in Proverbs 20:29 “THE GLORY OF YOUNG PEOPLE IS THEIR STRENGTH, THE SPLENDOR OF OLDER PEOPLE IS THEIR GRAY HEAD”

13/09/2021

ENCOURAGEMENT LETTER
“HOW GOOD WAS THAT”

This was the overwhelming comment which was heard right around the church yesterday morning as we emerged out of our enforced lockdown and as we were able to meet together for the first time in many weeks for Sunday worship. How good was that! In fact it was so good that an hour after the service concluded our people were still mingling around (social distancing of course!) reluctant to go home.
During the service we gave an opportunity for anyone to share a personal reflection. Several took the opportunity to do so. My reflection centered around a message of reassurance which I had received from the Lord a few days previously. On that particular morning I was feeling particularly burdened and troubled. The state of the world, the alarming spread of the corona virus pandemic, the serious sickness of many of our closest friends, these had all combined to render me unusually burdened and troubled. But on that very morning during the normal course of my daily Bible reading I read Psalm 54 and 55. In Psalm 55:22 I read “Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you. He will never let the righteous fall” In Psalm 54: 4 I read “Surely God is my helper, the Lord is the one who sustains me” How reassuring it is to know that the Lord is our SUSTAINER, our KEEPER, our HELPER, our REFUGE and STRENGTH, a very present help in trouble. HOW GOOD IS THAT!
These promises from the Psalms reminded me of that great verse in Isaiah 46:4 “EVEN TO YOUR OLD AGE AND GRAY HAIRS I AM HE, I AM HE WHO WILL SUSTAIN YOU; I HAVE MADE YOU AND I WILL CARRY YOU, I WILL SUSTAIN YOU AND I WILL RESCUE YOU”
After reading these verses I was greatly encouraged and strengthened. My burden had been lifted. HOW GOOD IS THAT! Indeed HOW GOOD IS THE GOD WE ADORE, OUR FAITHFUL UNCHANGEABLE FRIEND, WE CAN PRAISE HIM FOR ALL THAT IS PAST, AND TRUST HIM FOR ALL THAT IS AHEAD.
Please be assured that lockdown or no lockdown you continue to remain very much in our thoughts and prayers. Perhaps these ENCOURAGEMENT LETTERS may no longer still be needed (although we are quite willing to continue to send them if there is still a need to do so). We would love to receive some feedback from you in this regard.
May the Lord strengthen and sustain you during these difficult and challenging times.
Allan and Val Webb

09/09/2021

Thanks to Pastor Allan...I couldn't of said this any better! 😊 Pastor Chris.

Dear One and All,

Free at last! Free at last! Praise God we are Free at last! (well sort of) But we are free to meet again for worship on this coming Sunday September 12th. Our freedom will be tempered by the usual restrictions – QR check in, mask wearing, social distancing, no singing, no hugging etc. But we can have morning tea!

Now we know how the Psalmist felt when he penned those words “I was glad when they said unto me let us go to the house of the Lord”. We trust you will be just as glad to join us on Sunday. If you have a personal reflection, or a prayer or praise point or a lockdown lesson please come prepared to share it with us on Sunday. It will be so lovely to see you again.

Yours in Christ

Allan and Val Webb

02/09/2021

To our Praying Friends,

​Back in 1970 when we first commenced our ministry at the Swanston Street Church of Christ in Melbourne the 11:00 am service would always commence with the singing of the introit
“Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
till all our strivings cease;
take from our souls the strain and stress,
and let our ordered lives confess,
the beauty of Thy peace”.

​At the time we used to think these words were somewhat quaint and other-worldly. But now 50 years later in the midst of a corona virus pandemic and severe lockdown restrictions we realise how timely and relevant they really are “Take from our souls the strain and stress, and let our ordered lives confess the beauty of Thy peace”

​Peace has become a very elusive commodity in our world today. Our world is frantically searching for peace but our world is searching for the wrong kind of peace in the wrong kind of places and in the wrong kind of way.
​
​The Bible has much to say about peace. The Bible talks about Peace with God. Peace from God, and the Peace of God.
​Peace with God comes through the sacrificial death of Jesus upon the cross (Romans 5:1)
​Peace from God comes as a personal legacy from Jesus Himself (Johm 14:27)
​The Peace of God comes through prayer and thanksgiving (Philippians 4:6-7)

​The Bible talks about both the Peace of God and the God of Peace.
​It is the peace of God which guards us and the God of peace who guides us.
​How comforting and reassuring it is to know that in the midst of this pandemic of uncertainty and unrest we can know “the beauty of God’s peace”.

​Since the lockdown commenced we have been writing a letter of encouragement to each of our Murwillumbah members. Our first letter was based on Psalm 97:1 “The Lord reigns”; our second letter was based on Romans 8:28 In all things God works for the good of those who love Him”. Some of you may have already received a copy of these letters. For those who would like a copy please let us know by return email and we will send you a copy.

​Within the next 3 months our little great grand-daughter Isabel is to undergo a delicate spinal operation to remove a sac of fluid from her spinal cord. Please join with us in praying that this operation can take place without any complications. Our son in law Roger is hoping to receive a clearance to go back to work next week after 3 months leave following his double knee replacement.

​One final promise from my favourite book of Isaiah “God will keep in perfect peace those who fix their minds upon Him and who put their trust in Him” (Isaiah 26:3)

Yours in Christ,
Allan and Val Webb

30/08/2021

29/08/2021

These are some of the things I miss not being able to share whilst the church is in lockdown:
• Fellowship
• Prayer
• Communion
• Praise & worship
• The reading & hearing of God’s Word
• Smiles, hugs & handshakes
• Sitting around enjoying morning tea & lunch
• Building relationships
• Bible study group

However, I have not allowed myself to get distracted by these current events, but instead, have used this time to focus on what’s important.
My personal month of August daily Scripture & Prayer is as follows:

9:00am
• Psalm 5
• Psalm 51
• Matthew 6:7-13
• Psalm 23

12 Noon
• Psalm 37

3:00pm
• Psalm 55

Before Bed
• Psalm 121

During this month, I’ve also worked my way through the book of Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon & now going through the book of Isaiah. Very timely reading. It keeps my eyes on what’s important & the things yet to come.
Yes, regardless of the distractions around us, don’t allow these things to discourage you.
Jesus warned us that these things have to happen before He comes back!

A simple prayer I often repeat as I close my eyes to sleep & finish the day:
Dear Lord,
You are the Christ. Son of the Living God. Have mercy on me.
Your Steadfast Love endures forever. Have mercy on me.
Amen

Blessings
Pastor Chris Jenkins

21/08/2021

ENCOURAGEMENT LETTER

​Once again we find ourselves in lockdown – for how long no-one really knows. Like you we miss the personal interaction one with another. We miss the hugs and the handshakes, the opportunity to share in communion together and the joy of having morning tea together and the encouragement of hearing Pastor Chris’s exposition of the book of James.
​On the very morning that N.S.W. recorded its highest ever number of corona virus cases and deaths, Val and I read Psalm 97 verse 1 “The Lord reigns; let the earth be glad”
“The Lord reigns!!” this is the message that we need to grasp hold of in the midst of this corona virus pandemic. The Lord reigns! This virus has not taken God by surprise. It has not caught Him unawares. He is the sovereign God. The reins are still held securely in His hands. He is the omnipotent God – all knowing, all seeing, all powerful. As the Psalmist so powerfully reminds us “God is on the throne let all the earth be silent before Him” “the Lord reigns”.
​As we reflected on this great truth we were reminded of the words of an old 17th century hymn (the words are quaint, the message is timeless)
“God is God; He sees and hears
All their troubles, all their tears.
Soul, forget not, mid thy pains,
God oér all forever reigns.

​Verse 2 Fear not death, nor satans thrusts,
God defends those who in Him trusts
Soul, remember, in thy pains,
God oér all forever reigns”.

​Take heart. Whatever your situation or circumstance may be remember “The Lord Reigns!”
Here are a few practical suggestions which may help you to get through this current lock-down.

1) Begin each new day reading and meditating on the book of Psalms (if you were to read 5 Psalms a day you could read through all 150 in one month)
2) Pray each new day for at least one other member and their family (the church directory will help you in this project)
3) Keep in touch with one another either by phone, email, text message, whatsap or by whatever method with which you may feel comfortable.
4) On Sunday mornings you may like to live stream a service from another church or listen in to Dr David Jeremiah on channel 62 or 72 at 8:00 am.
5) Uphold those of our members who are in need of special care – Cec and Pam, Denise, Lyn and George, Rod and any others of whom you may be aware.
6) Above all do not fear. Do not be afraid, Remember that The Lord reigns. He is watching over you. He will take care of you.

May the Lord be with you and protect you during these days.

Allan and Val Webb

18/07/2021

Today's message came from Pastor Chris on James 3: 5-6.

v6 - "And the tongue is a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life, and is itself set on fire by hell".

Proverbs 10:19 reads: "When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable, but he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise." -AMP

The tongue is the most dangerous part of your body and it causes the most sin. Our tongue corrupts and condemns us.

As mentioned in previous messages, someone's life can be destroyed by words that can spread like wildfire. We go to church and listen to sermons and yet we continue to gossip and slander. It needs to stop! How can we learn how to control our words? The only hope we have in overcoming the tongue is to read God's Word!

18/07/2021

Last week Pastor Allan delivered a message from John 13:1-7; 34-35 on 'The Eleventh Commandment'

v34-35: "I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have lived you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another."

The 10 commandments tell us how love should be demonstrated. The first 4 show how to love God and the other 6 show how to love each other. The commandment to love one another isn't new, but Jesus tells us that we are to love as He loved us.

How did Jesus love us? He demonstrates 4 qualities in John 13:1-7.
- His love transcended all barriers of class and distinction v3.
- His love transcended expressions of hatred and evil in that he washed the feet of Judas knowing that he would betray Him.
- His love is an active, practical love.
- His love is a cleansing love.

Love is the identifying mark of a Christian. And that great love is only by His Spirit that dwells within us. Let's demonstrate to others the great love that Jesus has given to us.

18/07/2021

Two weeks ago, Pastor Chris spoke from James 3:2-4. With a focus on verse two which reads:

"For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses]. - AMP

When James uses the word "perfect", he means 'mature'. In this context he's specifically talking about people that can control their tongue. Someone who can control what they say can then easily control their actions. Those who can tame their tongue and control what they say are mature both in themselves and in their relationship with God.

We all stumble. We all slip, but we need to learn to get up and start again.

Let's pray that we mature and can control our tongue.

21/06/2021

Yesterday's message came from James 3:1-5 by Pastor Chris.

James warns us of the dangers of the tongue a number of times throughout his letter. The tongue is a deadly weapon that can quite literally destroy someone's life.

If every word you've ever said was written down in a book, would you let everyone read it?

James says that not everyone should become teachers of the Word. We must be careful about what we say about scriptures. There is a stricter judgement for those who teach the Word of God.

When you talk about God's Word are you sure that you know what it really says? We have to examine ourselves and study God's Word.

Let's be quick to listen and slow to speak. When we do speak, may it be good and true to God's Word.

14/06/2021

Yesterday's message came from Pastor Allan on Mark 11:22-25 titled 'A mountain moving faith'.

There are three stages in any work with God: Impossible - Difficult - Done.

I'm this passage of Mark, Jesus gives us five lessons:

1) Our faith must be in God alone. Read the bible and stand on His promise.

2) We must recognise the power of God to change circumstances. Only God can move the mountain, but we are to ask.

3) We must never doubt in our hearts. Look at difficulties through the eyes of God and nothing is too hard.

4) We must believe in order to see God's work.

5) We must forgive anyone anything. If we don't forgive, not only will God not answer us, but He won't even hear us.

We must go to God with our difficulties. Place your anxieties at His feet and God will work according to His good and perfect will. God's answer may not always be the way we expect it, but have faith and know without a doubt that the King of heavens army is by your side.

Embrace the faith that God has given you.