Location! Location! Location!

I was really challenged by Pastor John's question to us as a Church congregation yesterday morning; how many of you have a testimony of God's saving grace from this week? This question came by way of a response to a new song we had sung; Jesus Saves by Tim Hughes. Pastor John was seeking to make the link that being saved by Jesus is not a one-off event in the past, instead it is an ongoing process whereby we see God at work in and through us over the course of our entire lives. Saying you are 'saved' but show no further evidence of God's work in your life since then is a problem!

Upon reflection, I can identify many moments last week where I have seen God do something or remind me of something which confirms His continuing saving grace towards my life. Although seemingly 'small' events, I believe they are 'big' both to me and in God's eyes!

Youth In the last week, I have seen God really grip the young people with a fresh excitement for Him. At Faith Camp I prayed that God would release a fresh passion for Jesus in the lives of BCC Young People and when we met last Tuesday I saw this flame burning bright in their lives. They are really excited about putting together the programme for this term and have approached the task with maturity, faith and passion. In addition to this, one young man was talking to me about a real breakthrough in his life after what has been quite a challenging year.

House I realised last week that in a couple of weeks time I will have lived in my Kingswood flat for a decade. After 10 years of living there, I was so grateful to God for providing this wonderful little home for me which has been a source of great blessing, peace and refuge over the years. It is doubtful that I would have been able to afford it now, even with the current economic climate, and looking back I see just how perfect God's timing was back in 1999.

Travel On Saturday I went down to Woolacombe to meet up with some friends, enjoy the sunshine and go surfing. Sadly the sea was doing an excellent impersonation of a lake and so the boards stayed on the beach. However, I still had a lovely day out; eating ice cream, fish and chips and hanging out with friends. On my return journey I found myself following another driver (with surf boards on the roofrack!) and we stuck with each other all the way back to Bristol. It felt like such a little thing but this company on the motorway kept my attention and proved to be a real blessing, along with the preach by Pastor Neil which I was listening to on my stereo. On my return to Bristol, a rather aggressive driver cut me up at a roundabout and nearly ran into the side of me but I felt God's watchful eye (Psalm 121) covering my life and keeping me safe. I arrived home safe and sound!

Yes, I am saved and going to heaven. Yes, the same power which raised Jesus from the dead is dwelling in and through. Yes, His acts of saving grace continue. Why don't you keep your eyes open this week and come ready to share all that He has been doing with you when we meet again this weekend?