In the Old Testament and New Testament God is constantly telling us not to worry. So, we have been looking into this more and more and we concluded. There are two scriptures that bare very similar themes we have found. The first is from the Old Testament in Proverbs 3 v 5 to 6 shown below.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
The second scripture is in the book of Matthew which is outlined in the New Testament. Here is the scripture Matthew 6:25-34 shown below.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
It is like God has been pulling his hair out and has always told us don’t worry from Old Testament times to New Testament times. Obviously God doesn’t pull his hair out he is God, that was our poor attempt at humour. But the point is the Lord has given us clear instruction to not worry, to not lean on our own understanding and let God look after us ensuring our paths are straight.
Yes we are saying that in Proverbs 3 v 5 to 6, is the Old Testament version of the Lord saying do not worry. Unfortunately we do worry, but today we are here to challenge you, stop worrying about things and trust the Lord to provide for your needs, when you start trusting the Lord as if you are little children you will see God show up in your life, and as he provides your faith in him will grow and grow.
Pray on this and start trusting the Lord he can help you.
Visit us at Church in the Avenue
If you have a natural curiosity about existence or God, then why not pay us a visit. We are happy to have a friendly talk and you can come and listen to our family service to quench that curiosity. Our family service takes place every Sunday where people are welcome to join us for refreshments from 10.45am.
In the book of Matthew Jesus said that on this rock he will build his church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus wasn’t just saying that the church was only for one particular type of person he was saying it was open to everyone, and especially those in need of a second chance in life, making forgiveness available for whoever desired it.
Jesus set the example for all of us to love our enemies and to show us that the Gospel is open for everyone. Let’s look at an example. During Jesus ministry he walked through Samaria. It was an odd thing to do for a Jewish person to walk through Samaria as Samarian’s and Jewish people were sworn enemies. Why might you ask?
Let’s take an in the nutshell look. In the book of 1 Kings, it tells us that Israel was divided into two kingdoms, and Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom, this led to disagreements with where people from Israel should worship God, where the normal tradition was for Israelites to go to the temple in Jerusalem to worship God and to offer sacrifices. Because of these disagreements, it led to idol worship, there were also problems with intermarriage, and this led to much hatred amongst people from Samaria and Jewish people that went on for hundreds of years.
However, with Jesus walking through Samaria he was making the point that the good news to be found in him is for everyone, even old enemies like the Samarians. Jesus was basically saying there should be no discrimination, favouritism or picking and choosing who gets saved, salvation is available for whoever turns to the Lord and accepts him as saviour.
So, if someone turns up at your church remember, the Gospel is for them too, and they should be welcomed into the church to learn more about Jesus. So give them a warm welcome, go up to them and ask them how they are? This will help the church grow not being a small tribe but an ever growing family built on the values that Jesus taught and what the word of God teaches.
The Bible contains many different books from those in the Old Testament and New. One book is called Proverbs and this was written by King Solomon and is an Old Testament book. When Solomon became king he pleased God by asking for wisdom and this is how the book of Proverbs came to be. It is a book jam packed with useful scriptures and wisdom that can help us in our lives today.
We are going to look at a very well known scripture from chapter 3 in the book of Proverbs. Here is Proverbs 3 v 5 – 6.
Now the reason we want to talk about this scripture is this. Are you in a bit of a dizzy spell when it comes to life right now. Is all hell breaking loose. You have this bill to pay, that commitment to keep and the clock doesn’t slow down it is only speeding up and day after day it is the same grind just trying to get by.
Well Proverbs 3 v 5-6 is a promise of God. He promises that if we acknowledge God and put him first in our lives, leaning not on our own understanding he will make the path straight for us.
Lets go a little deeper. What does this scripture mean when it says lean not on your own understanding? Sometimes we can worry about things and take action in our own strength. For example. We may need money to feed our children, you are desperate and things are getting ever so tight. The Lord says seek first his kingdom and you will be provided for. Instead of worrying have faith that the Lord will provide for you, and you will see miraculous provisions in your life that can help you.
When these miraculous provisions arrive, you will not likely understand how these things have happened, accept God provided for you. This gives us every opportunity to not lean on our own understanding but to accept that God is a great provider and loves you. It is about having faith that the Lord can do all kinds of miracles in your life to help make your path straight, and he will.
Are you curious and want to know more?
If you are someone who’s life is being turned upside down, you are worried what the future holds, and are thinking to yourself how am I going to get to each day to the next? This scripture is a promise of God you can claim. Put God first and do not lean on your understanding what each day could bring. Worry less and God will reward you and put your path straight.
The only way to know if this is true is to try it for yourself. So, spend a season being curious about God whether you’re a Christian or not and see that he is good, that he loves you and cares about you. In months to come you could have a testimony that can encourage others to do exactly the same, and your life will improve once you allow the Lord in to make the pathway straight.
Visit us at Church in the Avenue
If you have a natural curiosity about existence or God, then why not pay us a visit. We are happy to have a friendly talk and you can come and listen to our family service to quench that curiosity. Our family service takes place every Sunday where people are welcome to join us for refreshments from 10.45am.
It has been a productive time to which the Lord deserves all the glory, and Psalm 115 is the perfect way to start off this article.
Psalm 115:1
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!”
We can say without any doubting that the Lord has been steadfast, and without question faithful in the projects that are happening in the life of The Church in the Avenue.
So as the summer is coming to an end, we thought we would recap on all of the goings on at The Church in the Avenue as the Lord does new and fresh things at our church.
Free Lunch Club Every Tuesday
Over the summer we have continued to run the FREE lunch club taking place every Tuesday. This takes place between the hours of 12pm and 1pm. We see all kinds of people coming along to enjoy a free lunch, where people can make friends and come and get connected in the community. If you’re new you can come along, you’re more than welcome. Here are a few photos.
Free Coffee Morning Every Tuesday
We open the doors of the church every Tuesday from 10.30pm to 12pm for those who would like drinks and refreshments. This is an ideal time for people to come together, make friends and join in community events. It is also a great resource for the local community during autumn and winters months, if you need a warm then you are welcome to join us. Here is a photo.
Providing Practical Support to Make Lunch Grangetown
We joined the team at Make Lunch Grangetown this summer helping out and making ourselves useful. Make Lunch is run by Grace Church Cardiff who are based in Grangetown. During school holidays Grace Church Cardiff run two lunch time dinner servings a week.
This is a resource that brings the community together, for parents and children to have a little fun and enjoy free food. Here are a few photos.
Providing Practical Support for the Grand Avenue Festival in Ely
We also joined local churches in Ely and helped them with their annual event Grand Avenue Festival. We rolled up our sleeves washed the dishes and got the hoover out. We had a great time. Here are a few photos.
We led a memorial service at Cardiff City FC Memorial Garden
We were invited to lead a memorial service at the Cardiff City FC Memorial Garden on a beautiful Saturday morning remembering past Cardiff City football supporters.
Our Family Service Running Every Sunday Morning
We have been delighted to welcome new church congregants to the Sunday family service. This service runs every Sunday opening the doors at 10.45am for drinks and refreshments, the family service then starts at 11.15am. Here are photo’s of recent service’s.
Launching of the Toddler Group.
Every Thursday Church in the Avenue is hosting The Shining Stars Toddlers group. We had our first session this Thursday just gone. We saw up to 20 children and many parents and family members arrive, it was such an encouragement. Here are photos of the toddler group setup before the adults and children arrived.
Launching of Shining Star Nursery
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday the church hosts Shining Stars Nursery with sessions starting from 9am. This nursery has been established for many years and are now based at The Church in the Avenue. Here are photos of the nursery.
Grace Church Cardiff Church Plant
The church has been used regularly through the summer by Grace Church Cardiff. Grace Church are planting a new congregation based at The Church in the Avenue for afternoon services. This church will be starting in Autumn 23 in October. Here is a photo of us all getting together to get to know one another on a more personal footing.
Following Jesus Example
Let’s cap this article off. All of these events are only possible because Jesus is at the helm of them. There are many scriptures in the Bible that say it is important to serve the community and one another. But here is one scripture that we feel is important.
John 13:13-15
“You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. 14 Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. 15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.”
Jesus is humble and washed all of the disciples’ feet. Imagine what it was like in Israel two thousand years ago, those must have been some really dirty and smelly feet. But Jesus set the example, if he the son of God can wash his brothers and sisters’ feet and set the example for us, look at what happens when we follow that example.
It creates all of these projects like the one’s we have been blessed to be a part of this Summer mentioned above. So, lets keep serving and helping the community because it is what Jesus calls us to do.
Lastly, in Hebrews it says God is pleased when we sacrifice our time to help people. Here is the scripture.
Hebrews 13v16
“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”
What could be more joyous than pleasing God. God bless you all who serve which pleases God.
It is always important to read the Bible in its context and what the culture was like when it was written. Such as Jeremiah 29 v 11. This is a very popular scripture amongst Christians, but it has to be read properly. Here is the scripture.
11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
This scripture was written by the prophet Jeremiah when the Jewish people were under control of the Babylonians and were in exile. The exile was planned by God because of Israels sinfulness and with God being a just God he had to do something.
Even though the Jewish people asked the Lord to deliver them he did not do that straight away, Israel remained in exile for 70 years, but he did give them hope, and that is why Jeremiah 29 v 11 was written, to let the Jewish people know they will be delivered, and that they will have hope and a better future at some point.
Even though the context of this scripture was written for the Jewish people in a time they were facing suffering and hardship, you, in todays times, can also claim this promise for your life. It could be that you are going through a time of suffering yourself. We want to tell you that God has a plan for your life, a plan not to hurt you but to prosper you and give you a better future, just like he did for his people thousands of years ago.
So if life is tough then why not come and see what the Christian faith is all about. God can deliver you, make your path straight and give you purpose just as he did in times after the exile of Israel. These promises of God are for you to claim, you just need to learn how to walk in them.
Visit us at Church in the Avenue
If you have a natural curiosity about existence or God, then why not pay us a visit. We are happy to have a friendly talk and you can come and listen to our family service to quench that curiosity. Our family service takes place every Sunday where people are welcome to join us for refreshments from 10.45am.
