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.
We are not here to sell you a false gospel. Jesus said it himself that we will experience troubles in this world from time to time. Here is the scripture that says that.
John 16:33
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
It is important to let Christians know and even people who are thinking of satisfying their curiosity by coming to church, that being a Christian is not a bed of roses, although the Lord can grant us a joyful heart despite our circumstances.
For example the first apostles and disciples. They experienced many hardships. Paul was beheaded, Peter was crucified upside down. Now these are extreme examples, but they are examples that show that it isn’t always plain sailing when being a Christian.
But what you must always remember is this, on the day that Jesus went to the cross and was crucified taking the punishment for our sins so we wouldn’t have to, He won the victory for all of us on that day.
Whatever situation you are faced with, whether in hardship and suffering you can know this, at the end of it you will get the victory. It is promised to us and hardships only last for a little while. Remember that 3 days after Jesus’ crucifixion He rose to life again, as He said He would. He won the victory over death and there was great joy and hope for all who will place their trust in Him!
So, whatever tough situation you are in today, pray to the Lord, ask him to help you, and you must know this that you will be delivered from hardship and suffering and into a place of rest. Always remember that those who are saved will live eternally in a place with Jesus where there is no pain or death, or hardship. Take heart for Jesus has overcome the world.
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.
Church in the Avenue enjoyed helping out with Grand Avenue Festival in Ely over the weekend just gone. We joined up with Reflect Church to help out, to roll up our sleeves to wash the dishes, getting the hoover out but above all to talk to people about the love of Jesus.
Here are a few photos of the event.
We even had a barber who dished out free haircuts.
Why do we put on events like this?
As we mentioned earlier at events like this we like to help out and talk about the love of Jesus. What does the Bible say about serving and mucking in to help events like this. In Matthew it says to share with one another, here is an example of a scripture.
Matthew 5:42, NIV
“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”
What John is talking about is community. There is great unity in sharing what we have with the community, it brings communities together in love and that was exactly what the Grand Avenue Festival in Ely did, it brought us all together where we all served one another and had a great time showing the example Jesus set for us, to serve so that people who needed a day of enjoyment could have it.
This week we had an interview conducted by Chris asking Dean a new congregant of Church in the Avenue the remarkable things Jesus has done in his life. There was a lot said so we are going to pick out just one of the key parts of the interview that has to do with prayer.
Since coming to know Jesus Dean decided to take his prayer life seriously. He didn’t find it easy to pray out loud or in his mind. Dean was advised in Scotland on a discipleship course in 2018 to start prayer journaling. So, he did just that and never looked back.
Here are a shelf full of Dean’s prayer journals.
Prayer journaling enabled him to concentrate better and to have a better relationship with God that was deep and meaningful. One of Dean’s favourite scriptures is in the book of Acts in chapter 2 displayed below.
Acts 2:22
22 “Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.”
Through prayer journaling Dean has seen miracles, signs and wonders. He has seen many answers to prayers such as:
Healings, where people with serious ill health have been healed.
Provision, where Dean has been in need of financial provision and the Lord poured out blessings.
Through prayer the Lord has changed many aspects of safeguarding in principalities and powers that help protect people to this day.
There is so much more we could talk about, but for now we want to talk about the importance of prayer. What does the Bible say about prayer, lets take a look.
Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer
In the book of Luke in chapter 11 Jesus talks in a parable about prayer. Have a read it is displayed below.
Luke 11 v 1 – 8
11 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 He said to them, “When you pray, say:
“‘Father, hallowed be your name. your kingdom come.
3 Give us each day our daily bread.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
5 Then Jesus said to them,
“Suppose you have a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread.
6 a friend of mine on a journey has come to me, and I have no food to offer him.’
7 And suppose the one inside answers, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’
8 I tell you, even though he will not get up and give you the bread because of friendship, yet because of your shameless audacity he will surely get up and give you as much as you need.
9 “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
10 For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
11 “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
What does this parable mean?
When you have given your life to Jesus and declared him Lord of your life it enables us to have a relationship with God our Father, and we have that relationship through intimate prayer.
In the parable Jesus is basically saying pray with shameless audacity. Pray about everything and about every need you have, and as long as it aligns with Gods will for your life it will be given to you.
He is also saying that even though we are flawed human beings and from time to time we will stumble God will shamelessly provide for us.
Conclusion
If you are a Christian and are struggling with your prayer life then take inspiration from this. A deep and meaningful prayer life can open the door to the next part of your walk with the Lord.
Pray with shameless audacity.
If you are curious about the Christian faith then come to our family service that takes place every Sunday from 10.45am. When you give your life to Jesus what can a good prayer life do in your life, come and ask us.
The Church in the Avenue is active in our local area of Canton, Leckwith, Riverside and other surrounding areas of Cardiff delivering all kinds of services.
Hire the Church in the Avenue
We can also hire the church out for an array of events. We have a quality surround sound and video projection system to display media. Here are the photos of the church and space that you can hire for a whole range of events to give you a taste.
We are a church that considers the financial situation of the country at this time. Our aim is not to be a church with expensive rates. We want you to have an abundant joy of the event you want to host, that is our top priority, so our prices will reflect that, basically we don’t want to charge an arm and a leg, your happiness comes first.
If you need to talk to us with regards to hiring the hall for your event then contact us using the form or phone numbers below we are happy to help point you in the right direction.
Contact us
Don’t be shy. Contact us if you need any further information we are happy to help.
If you are unable to use the form below call us using one of the numbers below: 02920560351, 07977181933
