the author and perfector of our faith,
who for the joy set before Him
endured the cross...
Hebrews 12:2 [NIV]
Jesus curses the fig tree - Matthew
21:18-22.
Jesus... ...was hungry, and he noticed a fig
tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were
only leaves. Then he said to it, "May you never
bear fruit again!" And immediately the fig tree withered up. The
disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, "How did the fig tree wither
so quickly?" Then Jesus told them, "I tell you the
truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you can do things like this and much
more. You can even say to this mountain, May you be lifted up and thrown into
the sea, and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have
faith, you will receive it."
Matthew 21:18-22. [NIV]
This passage is sandwiched between two events at the
temple, both of which include Jesus' identity being disputed by the religious
leaders. In between the two we read of a fig tree that had leaves
but no fruit. It looked the part but was lacking the fruit that it was
supposed to be carrying. The response of Jesus is to curse it so that it
withers. A challenge to each of us that its not just about our lives
looking good but that we bear fruit. For as John 15 says the branch that bears
no fruit will be cut off and burnt. The servant who doesn't wisely use
what he has been given, even what he has will be taken from him. May we
remain in Christ branches attached to the vine carrying fruit that only Christ
can develop in us and through us. But the point that Jesus makes to his
disciples is one about faith. He illustrates the power of words of
faith. What do we speak? There's power in words of faith. When
we speak the negative, we speak a faith in the negative and it can be self
fulfilling in our lives. When we speak words of faith, God can do the
impossible. Fruitlessness will be done away with and mountains moved!
Let's get speaking words of faith... Speaking those things that are not as
though they are!!! (Rom 4:17).
UCB is a Christian media ministry
within the U.K. and Ireland formed to promote the good news of
the Kingdom of God. Their mission and vision is to change lives for good by the
power of God's word. Tens of thousands of people's lives have been changed
simply through reading 'The Word For Today' born from the inspiration of Bob
Gass. 2014 is the 100th anniversary of the beginning of the
1st World War * a time in our history when the UK lost many fathers. At times it
seems as though we have become a fatherless nation.
PLEASE PRAY :-
1. That this nation will return to Father God
again.
2. For the volunteers who staff the UCB Prayer line
that they will be a blessing to everyone who phones in.
3. That sufficient funding will be provided for this
ongoing ministry.
4. Give thanks to God for the blessing of ongoing
Christian radio.
If you would like to give to Missions just place your Missions gift
in an envelope marked Missions and drop it in collection any time along with
your Tithes and Offerings. Each month, you can read a little more about
Christian Mission organisations and what they do!
Gather to...
>encourage each other spiritually, to better
equip us to fight the battle that God expects us to fight, looking at what God's
Word has to say
>provide an environment where people are able to
share any issues they may be dealing with and gain support, prayer and advice
>bring in a degree of accountability for
ourselves in relation to
**our own walk with God
**our efforts to encourage and support our
partners
>have a jolly nice time together, possibly
including some sort of food
Don't
miss it!!!
6pm
Thurs 24th April
at
The
Kings Head
(Llangyfelach Road)
APRIL BIRTHDAYS
4th Lowri James
5th Eran Locker
6th Aaron Day
7th Mark Williams
16th Neil Williams
19th Michelle Davies
22nd Angel Benjamin
25th Sian Hughes
30th Ryan Gormley
30th Szymon Sowinski
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Steph & Tony - April 10th
Ben & Rubina - April
18th
Sunday
10:30am - Morning Service
3:30pm - The O-Zone Family Service
Monday
7pm - 21/04/14 - Life Lounge
Wednesday
7:00pm - Prayer Meeting
(02/04/14 - Kids/Youth Focus)
(09/04/14 - Mission Focus)
Thursday
9:15am-11:15am - Coffee Morning/Parent & Toddler
(There will be no Coffee Morning on Thurs 19th April)
Friday
7:00pm - 8:00pm - R-Gen (Ages 11+)
8:15pm-9pm R-Gen After Hours Bible Study (Age 11+)
(There will be no R-Gen on Fri 18th & 25th April)
