My week

I have had a great week this week - not that other weeks are boring. I went to Aberdeen last Saturday to speak at a conference. It was really encouraging to meet believers who are keen to be involved in what God is doing in the world today. We heard from Ian Burness of Echoes of Service about how God is saving people in other countries today and using them to reach their own people with the good news of God's saving grace. I was asked to tell folks about the work that I do pointing people to the Lord Jesus Christ in Liverpool, the North West of England and further afield.

Sunday saw us start a Gospel Mission in Haydock near Liverpool. A friend of mine came up from Southampton to help me and this has really been a bonus. Another friend and I have been preaching at these meetings about God's plans for the future of this planet and for mankind. It is really exciting (and worrying at times) when you realise that Jesus will come again. The birth pangs of His coming could be taking place even now - economic turmoil, wars and rumours of wars, increased seismic activity in the earth's crust. The first thing that will happen is that the Lord Jesus will return to the skys above the earth and remove all the believers from the earth. This will be a silent coming but will no doubt cause great (if brief) consternation in the world. Jesus said clearly to His followers in John 14 'I will come again'. Other New Testament Bible references back this up. After His coming the world will be exposed to seven years of great trouble and turmoil. In the Bible the second half of this period is called 'the great tribulation'. This period of time will be preceded by apparent peace and tranquility. First Thessalonians chapter five states 'For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction comes upon them'. The prospect of this is scary though not for the believer in Jesus Christ. If you are (or get saved) you will escape the wrath (anger) of God (see Romans 5:9). God is angry because of my sin and your sin but His Son, the Lord Jesus, died for our sins. Whosoever believes in Him shall be saved. We are accountable for what we do and God has defined what is right and wrong in His word, the Bible.

The future of our planet and the souls of those who live (and have lived) on it are in the hands of God. Today you can hear His voice, repent (change your mind, turning from sin) and be saved. Tomorrow may be too late.

May God encourage those of us who are believers to rejoice in what He has done and those who do not believe to 'call upon the name of the Lord'. It's not too late as I write!