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POWER
FOR LIFE
Colin Bond asks - can we choose what power rules our lives?
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I write this article the road outside our house has just been
opened again. It has been closed for half a day owing to a three-vehicle
accident. A lorry-driver had set off from Somerset in the morning;
by lunch-time he had collided with another vehicle. His lorry
rolled over and he was flung through the windscreen. He died upon
impact. The poor man had probably set off in the morning with
a busy day ahead and no thought of eternity.
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Since September
11th our world has changed. Evil forces twisted the minds of men,
provoking them to plan the death of thousands. A flight attendant
phoned her base to tell them of the hijack - they heard her gasp,
”Oh my God, there are buildings -” ...and the line went dead.
An evangelist has spoken of how, while he was travelling on an
US airline on September 10th, he felt a strange urgency that he
must speak to an attendant about Jesus and eternity. He caught
her attention. She sat by him for a while. He explained to her
the love of Jesus, the importance and finality of eternity, of
her need to be forgiven and to accept Jesus into her life and
become God’s child. Amazed, she told him, ”You are the third person
to tell me this on this flight.” She prayed with him and reached
to Jesus for forgiveness and acceptance. On the 11th when the
terrible news sank in he checked the flight list of the planes
used in the attack. Her name was on the list.
Power...
Our cover
picture portrays the power of lightning. From our garden we see
one of the large mine chimneys over Gunnislake. One morning we
woke up after a lightning storm to see the top of that chimney
had been blasted off during the night. We all see the power of
the sea, of the wind, of speed when there are accidents, of earthquakes,
flood and fire. Yet there are other powers, hidden, unseen, subtle
but still dangerous and destructive.
 here’s
the power of fear and what it can do to us. Early in October I
flew to the States on an United Airlines jumbo. Stretching my
legs and watching the TV near an exit I was surprised by an attendant
challenging me, ”Excuse me Sir, you are invading my space!” Apologising,
I asked what was wrong. ”Oh, we’re all a bit jumpy.” She explained
pointing out that I was too close to her. The tragedy of September
11th had so affected her that fear of a repeat event was destroying
her enjoyment of her job and stirring up attitudes and reactions
not there before. Fear has a powerful effect on us. How many of
us find we are really driven by fear.
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Deception,
too, is much more powerful than we would believe. It is so sad
to see how some have believed gossip or let unkind words from
friends or criticisms or injustice toward their businesses cause
grudges, divisions or even feuds! They carry resentment and un-forgiveness
over some long past offence that poisons their personality, destroys
relationships and probably robs their business. But that’s not
all! The terrible deception that is the most powerful is that
in church they ask God to forgive their trespasses in the same
way they forgive others. Well, if we haven’t forgiven others we
are actually asking God not to forgive us! One day they slip into
eternity unforgiven, into an everlasting existence with no love,
no friends, no kindness surrounded by remorse, anguish and fear
and with no God or presence of the Holy Spirit.
Then there’s
the destructive power loosed into our families when we are deceived
into believing that ’just a little fling’ with another, so-attractive
partner will not do any damage. The results, as so many couples
are discovering, are a broken marriage, disillusionment, shame
and guilt. Children are deprived of a parent, leaving one overburdened
as she (or he) tries to do the work of two, with frustration and
resentment spilling over onto the children. In their turn they
have to overcome the past to establish a healthy and happy family.
So many of our children now bow to the pressure of ’enjoying’
sex to discover later that their security in marriage has been
undermined, they are vulnerable to jealousy and their families
are stressed by accusation, mistrust and worry. God calls it adultery
and says ”Don’t do it!” He has much better plans for love and
joy and peace. There are so many deceptions powerfully robbing
us of the joy and fulfilment, the love and hope, the health and
prosperity and, in the end, an eternity with a loving Father.
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There
is hope and a way through...
You may notice
our cover picture shows a sword piercing through to touch the
power of the lightning. There is a hand controlling the sword.
The Bible says that God’s word is a sword held by the Holy Spirit;
a sword that divides between soul and spirit of man - that judges
our thoughts and intentions. God’s word says that Jesus can help
us. He has a way to lead us into a life of love, joy and peace.
He has designs for our families to be prosperous, healthy, purposeful
and enjoying one another. His will is that those that follow Him
shall be leaders in the nations!
There
is a rub!
 hat
is the rub? The sword that He holds brings separation. His followers
have to be prepared to turn from deception and all the sadness,
the loss, the brokenness, the fear and destruction it brings.
They need to trust His teaching and His Holy Spirit to take them
on into better things. His way and His teachings are profound
but His promise is that the Holy Spirit will reveal them to honest
searchers. We are in Tavistock to help you. Tavistock Community
Church meets at The King’s, Pixon Lane. Visit it or phone any
leader whose number can be found on our Round
the Korner page. No strings, no deception. We are here to
serve.
Colin
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