Welcome!

A general theme running throught the Bible is one of “new beginnings”, and it looks like 2019 will be one of new beginnings all around, for our Church and our nation. 

As we hurtle towards 29 March, 2019 (that's what it feels like!) I cannot help but be more positive that we are entering a time of new beginings for four nations in a United Kingdom. 

When God created the earth and all that is in it, on it, and above it (Genesis 1), He did not plan for it to end; He did not plan for the day when it might no longer be fit for purpose, it would destgroyed and discarded.  It was, after all, perfect in every way; sin had not claimed it, so there was no need to plan an ending. 

Sin changed everything. Sin introduced death. Many think the journey of life ends with death, but when we think life is ending, God opens doors leading to new beginnings. This is God's love story: He loves us, the pinnacle of His creation, and will restore us to eternity with Him.  

We can either trust God’s love story, or we can reject it, in which case  we take the consequences. The choice is ours.

To anyone who by faith, accepts God’s plan as above, God has the following advice:

“Forget all that is past; it is nothing compared to what I am going to do” (Isaiah 43:18), because “as far as the east is from the west, have I removed any memory of your wrong doing” (Psalm 103:12).

The past is the past. Leave it there.

The present is important. “Look! Look and see! I am about to do something new; can you not see it happening?  I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers will flow in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).  

The work of Christ on the cross opens a new relationship with God, and refreshed it everyday!  Nothing can hold us back from Him who loves us.  The work of the Holy Spirit is like a river of life-nourishing water flowing through our lives, washing away all that is permanently dead, and feeding and bringing to life all which sustains life. 

Look ahead to the future and see, “I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true” (Revelation 21:5). 

Shall we take the opportunity of God's new beginnings? 

Let's forget the past because GOD chooses not to remember it, and He does not want us to keep reminding Him of our past by moaning about it.

God is “making all thing new”. He doesn’t want His His love story to end. He wants us to  transition from the present into eternity, to be reunited with Him and live “happily ever after”, for ever and ever!

May 2019 be the best year yet for you, and for us as a nation, with better years to come!  

Let's live life with this confidence. 

Kalyan 

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If you are new to Botley, North Hinksey, Cumnor (and surrounding areas) or to 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 8th May, 2019 at 7:30 pm at the Das' home.