Hi All
I have been thinking lately about why so many young people and even young adults in their 20,30,40s see it necessary to take their lives to end what appears to them to be an unfulfilled life.
As someone who was brought up from a very young age in the confines of church surroundings I have found that I always had an underlying assurance that God was who He said He was and that He was always there as someone to confide in and ultimately rely on.
At the early age of 13yrs realising that I had sin in my life and that it needed to be dealt with, I trusted the Lord Jesus Christ for my salvation from sins curse and eternal security that only He can give.
I saw a witness from others that convinced me that God was One who would always be a constant in my life.
I did fail Him many times after my original decision yet I always knew of His loving and restraining hand on my shoulder.
Thankfully He led me in a way of His choosing so that with His blessing I am where I am today in His work.
Why I am relating this in thinking about a younger generation?
When I look at teens, twenties, thirties and perhaps even into forties I see generations that did not have the same influences from church based organisations and pastoral care that I was privileged to have.
Things like Sunday School, youth club, after church meetings, Boys Brigade and many other activities that kept me in touch with my God.
Many may well say well this church thing is wrong and it gives our children a false hope of a Deity that may be true but maybe is not true.
That may well be an opinion of those who are a stranger to God's love and care through Salvation however this man can attest to a supernatural keeping of my soul by His power.
Our children today and others who are adults in many cases do not have the surety that when humanly speaking all else fails there is a personage in God in whom they can turn to and He will always listen.
Whether that is a real relationship with God or not the teaching and assurance at a young age that God is there may well have saved many a young person's or older person's life as they sought to die. The teaching that there is a person in whom there is no change is definitely an assurance in life that counteracts despair.
Some might say this is Psychosomatic and that I am advocating that someone may well be saved by a false hope.
Obviously my earnest prayer is that many would see and believe in the Salvation that God provides through the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ.
All really I am stating today is that there is a rise in suicides and depression illnesses because society has disposed of God and the hope that He always brought to past generations.
Is this disposal of God right for the people of this world
The problem is that God has been and currently is being airbrushed out of the lives of all and when it comes to despair then that someone (maybe a family member) in thinking that nobody in the human sense understands, will have no one not even God to turn to.
Why? Because they have never been taught about God and His love for the individual.
No matter what you as an individual think about God surely the thought of our children being taught wholesome truths from the Bible is more beneficial than the trash that they see on TV, computer type games and also listen to in their headphones.
Two passages of scripture stuck with me from Primary school days and have been a source of comfort and strength throughout the rest of my turbulent years and I leave them with you:
Isaiah 26:3-4 - Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. (4) Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:
Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. (6) In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
May God be your help in times of despair.
He is always a constant in this world when all things around us fail.
Sin that we all have condemns us to separation from God in eternity but acceptance in belief and faith of the gift of His Son Jesus Christ and His sacrifice at the cross saves and seals us in salvation.
Act 4:12 - Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Thanks for reading
Peter Skillen
www.braehillbaptist.org
Friday, April 4, 2014
Saturday, January 11, 2014
Time just flies and before you know it....
Hi all.
I have just realised that it has been some time since I last made any comment on this blog. I just kept putting it off and before I knew it over six months had passed.
So I will rectify this in the coming weeks and will seek to post more thoughts.
In thinking of my reasons for this I thought of the comparison that can be made with all of us as regards what God requires of us.
Many set up to take a look at God and the Salvation that He has offered through His son Jesus Christ and keep looking for a period of time however at the end of this examination there is the thought - I will get round to it someday.
Today in Northern Ireland the Police have made the comment that NI is facing a 'Road Safety Emergency' due to the number of unexpected deaths occurring on our roads in the past ten days.
The thought is of course that our lives on this earth are not guaranteed forever.
James in his New Testament letter indicates this:
James 4:14 - Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
The putting off of our reconciliation to God through the Lord Jesus Christ is something that we should be conscious of in the presence time and as James declares; the passing of life is but just a vapour.
2 Corinthians 6:2b - ..........behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
God indicates through the Holy Spirit that there is an urgency in seeking peace with Him.
The Lord Jesus Christ paid the price of our sin at the Cross of shame over two thousand years ago and only asks us to repent of our sin and have faith in His Calvary sacrifice that it was sufficient to appease God who is Holy and Righteous.
Christ paid a debt that we could never pay.
Are you still in the debt of sin to God or will you accept the gift of payment on your behalf.
We can put many things off and get away with it but putting of being right with God has dangers.
Hebrews 9:27 - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
The Bible speaks of Heaven and Hell as being the result of judgement - A Heaven to be gained by those trust in Christ and a Hell to be eternally endured for those who reject Jesus Christ and His gift of Salvation.
That is why we have such a Saviour in Jesus Christ
Hebrews 9:28 - So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Allow Christ to give you peace in your life and so having sins forgiven look forward to being in the presence of God for eternity.
Peter
www.braehillbaptist.org
I have just realised that it has been some time since I last made any comment on this blog. I just kept putting it off and before I knew it over six months had passed.
So I will rectify this in the coming weeks and will seek to post more thoughts.
In thinking of my reasons for this I thought of the comparison that can be made with all of us as regards what God requires of us.
Many set up to take a look at God and the Salvation that He has offered through His son Jesus Christ and keep looking for a period of time however at the end of this examination there is the thought - I will get round to it someday.
Today in Northern Ireland the Police have made the comment that NI is facing a 'Road Safety Emergency' due to the number of unexpected deaths occurring on our roads in the past ten days.
The thought is of course that our lives on this earth are not guaranteed forever.
James in his New Testament letter indicates this:
James 4:14 - Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
The putting off of our reconciliation to God through the Lord Jesus Christ is something that we should be conscious of in the presence time and as James declares; the passing of life is but just a vapour.
2 Corinthians 6:2b - ..........behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
God indicates through the Holy Spirit that there is an urgency in seeking peace with Him.
The Lord Jesus Christ paid the price of our sin at the Cross of shame over two thousand years ago and only asks us to repent of our sin and have faith in His Calvary sacrifice that it was sufficient to appease God who is Holy and Righteous.
Christ paid a debt that we could never pay.
Are you still in the debt of sin to God or will you accept the gift of payment on your behalf.
We can put many things off and get away with it but putting of being right with God has dangers.
Hebrews 9:27 - And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
The Bible speaks of Heaven and Hell as being the result of judgement - A Heaven to be gained by those trust in Christ and a Hell to be eternally endured for those who reject Jesus Christ and His gift of Salvation.
That is why we have such a Saviour in Jesus Christ
Hebrews 9:28 - So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
Allow Christ to give you peace in your life and so having sins forgiven look forward to being in the presence of God for eternity.
Peter
www.braehillbaptist.org
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Waiting for the Rapture
“Thine, O LORD is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.” -1 Chronicles 29:11
As I was reading this verse I just thought of the mess that our country and many other countries are in by allowing Godless men and women free reign in their perversions and continued sin against God.
Who in their right mind would see God as being pleased at what He sees.
The next great Prophetic event in this world is the catching away of the body of Christ which is the Church: 'and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord'
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Peter Skillen
www.braehillbaptist.org
As I was reading this verse I just thought of the mess that our country and many other countries are in by allowing Godless men and women free reign in their perversions and continued sin against God.
Who in their right mind would see God as being pleased at what He sees.
The next great Prophetic event in this world is the catching away of the body of Christ which is the Church: 'and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord'
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
Are you ready to meet the Judge of this world - the Lord Jesus Christ.
Rom 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
www.braehillbaptist.org
Monday, December 3, 2012
Update! Why no-one seems to want the Love of God?
On October 12th I posted how I believe that God had answered my question of why no-one had made a profession of Christ's saving and keeping power in their lives.
God, as you can read on the post, gave me something to think about as regards the fact that His ways and timings are not always what we want in our haste.
I thank God as the seed was sown that one young man the following week trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as His own and personal Saviour.
What a joy it is to know that God is still in the unchanging position of plucking brands out of the fire.
The old devil seeks to keep the Gospel hid:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Satan continues to try and keep the gospel away from those who are at one with their sinful ways.
Why?
Because he knows that it will release them them from the curse of sin and that they will have peace with God.
Praise God for the Gospel.
Peter Skillen
www.braehillbaptist.org
God, as you can read on the post, gave me something to think about as regards the fact that His ways and timings are not always what we want in our haste.
I thank God as the seed was sown that one young man the following week trusted the Lord Jesus Christ as His own and personal Saviour.
What a joy it is to know that God is still in the unchanging position of plucking brands out of the fire.
The old devil seeks to keep the Gospel hid:
2 Corinthians 4:3-4
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: (4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
Satan continues to try and keep the gospel away from those who are at one with their sinful ways.
Why?
Because he knows that it will release them them from the curse of sin and that they will have peace with God.
Praise God for the Gospel.
Peter Skillen
www.braehillbaptist.org
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Attacks you will not hear about on the TV News
506 ROCKETS/SHELLS FIRED ON ISRAEL
THIS YEAR (Friday Church News Notes, October 26, 2012, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143) -
On
October 17 a rocket exploded next to a Jewish kindergarten in the Israeli Negev
(“Rock Attacks This Year,” Israel National News, Oct. 17, 2012).
That
was the 506th rocket or mortar shell that fell on Israel this year, an average
of almost two a day.
The facts speak for themselves.
Peter Skillen
www.braehillbaptist.org
Friday, October 12, 2012
Why no-one seems to want the Love of God?
The question may well be asked 'Why has there been no-one saved yet through the faithful preaching of the Gospel during this week of mission'?
In answer to my prayer God reveals His Word on the matter through a daily reading book by H A Ironside that I would use.
2 Cor 9:10 - Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; The seed is sown; there is no doubt about that. That's the Word of God's Gospel preached in its fullness. We see no results perhaps immediately yet we believe the harvest is sure.God states that His Word will not return unto Him void:
Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. It will accomplish and prosper where He sends it.We who sow the seed have that hope that the Holy Spirit will encourage the germination of the seed to bring glory to God's name. Peter Skillen www.braehillbaptist.org
In answer to my prayer God reveals His Word on the matter through a daily reading book by H A Ironside that I would use.
2 Cor 9:10 - Now he that ministereth seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness; The seed is sown; there is no doubt about that. That's the Word of God's Gospel preached in its fullness. We see no results perhaps immediately yet we believe the harvest is sure.God states that His Word will not return unto Him void:
Isaiah 55:11 - So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. It will accomplish and prosper where He sends it.We who sow the seed have that hope that the Holy Spirit will encourage the germination of the seed to bring glory to God's name. Peter Skillen www.braehillbaptist.org
Thursday, October 11, 2012
Mission 2012
Hi All
Our series of Gospel meetings started on Sunday 7th October and at this time we have only two nights left.
It has been a privelage to have such a speaker as Graham Anderson from Rathfriland. He has given all who attended a great insight of the love that God has for all in this world through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over 2300 invites have been passed into the surrounding community with a church produced leaflet called the 'Braehill Beacon'.
Many in our society call for peace and reconciliation yet they fail to even look at the one person who has the complete and perfect answer - the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many believe the lie of the devil himself who wants no-one to see this Gospel that brings peace to the soul. Many will laugh at the existance of this person called Satan yet we only have to look around us even in recent times of how he empowers people to evil.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
There is no doubt that the god of this world desires all to remain in a lost condition before God.
If you can come to the last two nights of the mission you would be very welcome. Come with an expectant mind and God will not fail in presenting Truth to you.
Details are at www.braehillbaptist.org
Peter Skillen
Our series of Gospel meetings started on Sunday 7th October and at this time we have only two nights left.
It has been a privelage to have such a speaker as Graham Anderson from Rathfriland. He has given all who attended a great insight of the love that God has for all in this world through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Over 2300 invites have been passed into the surrounding community with a church produced leaflet called the 'Braehill Beacon'.
Many in our society call for peace and reconciliation yet they fail to even look at the one person who has the complete and perfect answer - the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many believe the lie of the devil himself who wants no-one to see this Gospel that brings peace to the soul. Many will laugh at the existance of this person called Satan yet we only have to look around us even in recent times of how he empowers people to evil.
2 Corinthians 4:3-4 - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
There is no doubt that the god of this world desires all to remain in a lost condition before God.
If you can come to the last two nights of the mission you would be very welcome. Come with an expectant mind and God will not fail in presenting Truth to you.
Details are at www.braehillbaptist.org
Peter Skillen
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