Welcome!

November! The penultimate month of the year! One more month, and 2018 will be history! 

Perhaps in the scheme of things, it is appropriate for us at this time, to pause and think about the value of life, before we gather next month, to celebrate greatest gift of life! 

We pause every year on Armistice Day, now Remembrance Day, very poignantly on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, to remember ordinary people like us, who “gave their today for our tomorrow”. 

The effort to bring peace seems to run on parallel tracks: there are those who are looking for ways of making peoples and nations behave in ways that foster peace, and there are those who are working to alleviate the suffering, the result of the absence of peace. 

It is fascinating that at Christmas we celebrate the arrival of the “Prince of Peace”, who at the end of His time on earth said, I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart!  And the peace I give isn’t fragile like the peace the world gives. So don’t be troubled or afraid. (John 14:27 - Living Bible)

There’s the answer! We are given God’s gift of Peace by the Prince of Peace Himself!  The Peace He offers us genuine, true and real peace! 

Paul explains this very clearly when writing to the Church in the Greek province of Philippi. 
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything; tell God your needs, and don’t forget to thank him for his answers. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 4:6-7)

As we bow our heads in silence at 11:00 am on Sunday 11th November, perhaps it is appropriate to remember those who gave their today fighting for peace, now at peace in the presence of the Father, but more importantly, to remind ourselves, The Prince of Peace offers us true, genuine, long-lasting peace, which the world cannot give.
Might this be the right time to take Him up on His offer?

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If you are new to Botley, or Botley Baptist Church, or have been worshipping here for a long time and wish to explore more about Church life, Baptist beliefs and how you can participate in the life of the Church, you are most welcome to join us on Wednesday 5th December, 2018 at 7:30 pm at the Das' home.