The way ahead is clear

I PREFER to do it properly,’ the man said. He was talking about a car journey, and wanted to chart his way on a map before he set off. For many people the days of map-reading are over. They prefer to rely on satellite navigation systems to find their way.

SatnavSome manufacturers are making the satnav experience fun by having the voices of Homer Simpson, John Cleese and Sean Connery tell drivers to turn left, to bear right and that they have reached their destination.

But I wonder whether we ought to rely entirely on technology. If you only listen to the ‘voice’ giving you directions, you may not take notice of your route so that you can find your own way another time. Added to that is the possibility of the machine’s malfunction.

The Daily Mirror reported the story of one pensioner who, twice in three days, was taken the wrong way to hospital because the ambulance crew relied on their satnav. On both occasions what should have been a 20-minute journey took more than twice as long, once because the satnav sent the crew in the wrong direction, and the second time because it sent them down country lanes rather than the motorway.

When we are following directions we want to be confident that we are being sent the right way.

Jesus told his disciples that he was the one to follow. He said: ‘I am the way’ (John 14:6 New Inter­national Version).

The disciples had followed him for three years, and then he shared with them where he was going: ‘In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you’ (14:2). Thomas, one of his disciples, asked for clarification. Jesus replied: ‘No one comes to the Father except through me’ (14:6).

Jesus’ claim to be the only way to God has caused much debate over the years. But millions of people have found it to be true. With one sentence Jesus takes away any idea that there are many ways to God.

Jesus’ death – the sinless for the sinful – is the reason why he is the way. It is through Jesus’ dying on the cross and his resurrection that the way to God is opened.

We do not have to be lost, even if we have taken a wrong turn in life. Jesus offers to accompany us to our destination.

TSA UK

The life that knows no end

DYING is a very dull, dreary affair. And my advice to you is to have nothing whatever to do with it,’ said the English playwright, poet and author W. Somerset Maugham.

Unfortunately, it is not possible to evade the inevitable – we are all destined to die at some time. A rather blunt statement, I know, but nonetheless true.

It may be traumatic to consider our own departure from this life, but the loss of someone we love is also very painful. The grief we feel can show itself in emotions such as shock, anger and guilt. The sadness may appear to be endless. Many people believe that death is the end, after which there is nothing.

But is there anything after death? Is there any hope?

Lazarus, a friend of Jesus’, had died at Bethany, and Jesus went to visit the two bereaved sisters, Mary and Martha. They were distraught, and Jesus felt their pain. The biblical account says that ‘Jesus wept’ (John 11:35 New International Version).

Earlier Jesus had told Martha: ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die’ (11:25).

Jesus’ words in Bethany were not just an attempt to ease the pain of the grieving sisters. Nor did they refer to the time that some Jews expected when everyone who had died would be brought back to life.

Jesus was claiming that, through him, everybody could enjoy eternal life beyond death. As a sign of God’s power over death, Jesus raised Lazarus there and then. He instructed that the stone in front of the tomb be rolled away, and he called: ‘Lazarus, come out!’ (11:43).

Then people saw Lazarus, who had been dead and buried for four days, come back to life and walk out of his tomb. As they saw him, so they discovered that Jesus was no ordinary man.

The Jesus who spoke those words so long ago is still the same today. He has not changed.

Life for us can seem dull and finite, and death absolutely final. But that does not have to be the case. Jesus offers us a life of quality here and now which will never cease.

Jesus offers us a resurrection life, if we will believe in and follow him.

TSA UK

Colonel Keith Wake Service Video

For more video, kindly visit

http://www.justin.tv/jasontsa/all#r=4LW1tnA~

http://www.justin.tv/tomsmm/all#r=4LW1tnA~

Someone you can trust

‘I’VE just met the man who’s going to change my life!’ Sally announced as she entered the living room where her three flatmates sat. They were used to Sally’s quick turnover in the boyfriend department.

‘Who is it this time?’ Beth asked. ‘It’s not that guy upstairs, is it?’

‘No,’ Sally grinned.

‘Well, you want to be careful,’ Alison told her. ‘Remember what Ray did to you – stealing all that money and running off.’

‘This man won’t steal from me,’ Sally said confidently.

‘Then there was Bob – he really let you down,’ Laura chimed in, ‘being married with kids and everything.’

‘This man won’t let me down. I know for sure he isn’t married.’

‘Then there was Johnny, who…’ Beth began.

‘Hold on! I didn’t know you were all keeping count.’ Sally looked at the three of them. ‘You know I’ve been going to the Alpha course at St Mark’s Church with Mum – well, this evening it suddenly all made sense to me.’

‘What did?’ Alison asked.

‘This believing in Jesus thing. We were talking about how Jesus died on the cross so that everyone’s sins could be forgiven, and I suddenly realised that that included me. The guy in charge, Craig, must have seen the light dawning for me – he came over and told me what I had to do if I wanted Jesus to save me.’

‘And what was that?’ Beth asked. ‘Start going to his church?’

‘No. I had to pray. That was hard. I didn’t know what to say. But Craig helped me.’

‘So, what did you say?’ Laura queried.

Sally blushed, but she knew she had to go on. ‘I told Jesus that I knew I have done tons of wrong things. I know that – and that he died for me. I asked him to forgive me and to be my saviour and friend.’

‘And?’ Beth and Alison asked.

‘And I suddenly felt warm – and loved. I knew Jesus had heard me. I knew he had saved me. And I know he is going to change my life.’

Over the centuries millions of people have seen life in a different way because of Jesus’ death – and because two days later God raised him to life.

Even though it is 2,000 years since those life-changing events, Jesus still has the power to save people from the consequence of their sins. He is still only a prayer away.

TSA UK

Pastoral Letter - UNITY

UNITY

Dear Fellow Salvationists,

This eighteenth Letter comes to you with warmest greetings in the Lord Jesus Christ. You are constantly in my prayers. Prayer unites us before the Throne of Grace. We are bonded in prayer. Please continue to pray for me - for wisdom and for constant guidance from Almighty God.

My wife and I, ably supported by my Private Secretary, Major Richard Gaudion, have recently made visits to the Congo (Brazzaville) Territory and to the USA National Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. What contrasting locations! Yet we met in each place the same spirit of Salvationism and the same ardour for the Gospel that marks the Army in every corner of the globe. These two visits reinforced our awareness of the unity of God's Army.

In Brazzaville I was blessed to enrol 190 new Junior Soldiers, and the next day 185 Senior Soldiers - every child and adult in full uniform. The children and the adults made the same sacred promises and entered into the same holy covenants that are such a strong and unifying factor for Salvationists everywhere. The Territorial Commander, Commissioner Mfon Akpan, invited me to sign personally every single Promise Card and Soldier's Covenant. What a marvellous privilege to see the names appended to these God-blessed commitments. Many thousands attended the meetings to encourage the new Junior and Senior Soldiers.

Endless miles away, just a few weeks later, we encountered the same spirit of Salvationism as we met the officers and employees of National Headquarters in the USA. What a contrast from Brazzaville in terms of affluence, as once more we visited the richest nation on earth. Yet the Army spirit is the same. The goals are the same - the souls and needs of others! The commitment is the same - to serve in the Name of Jesus regardless of self!

How moving it has been, how inspirational, to witness our unity in the Army's global response to the Haiti earthquake and shortly thereafter to the quake in Chile. The instant, godly response has been wonderful, resulting in personnel, money, and equipment from across the globe in answer to the plight of the victims. Again, God is blessing and deepening our unity in Christ and in our callings to be Salvationists in a hurting world.

Unity pleases God. The Scriptures make this clear. In John 17 we read our Lord's passionate prayer that his committed followers would not allow discord to divide them. In Romans 12:5 Paul reminds us that 'in Christ we who are many form one body.' So let us each work for unity, especially in our local corps. A united corps is a growing corps. A united corps is an attractive, and attracting, corps.

Our English language Song Book has words that express our unity in Christ. Song 660 speaks of our hearts being bonded 'in Christian love', of the sharing of 'mutual burdens', and of our being 'joined in heart'. Song 573 offers an eloquent reminder of the role and place of the Mercy Seat in symbolising our oneness. It mentions (verse 3) our being gathered 'around one common Mercy Seat'. We are equal, we are one, we are united in our need of grace as we kneel at the feet of Christ.

Therefore I am praying for strong unity in the Army. I am asking God to deepen still further the bonds that unite us. I am praying that there will be no spirit of strife among us. I am pleading in prayer for unity in every part, and in every place where the Trinitarian flag of God's Army - the yellow, red and blue - flutters in the breeze, whether it be Africa or America, whether it be north or south, east or west.

Thank you for your faithfulness. I thank God for you.

Here today in London, as I write, the sky is overcast, but there glows within our souls the bright sunshine of God's love! May you know and feel that same love today, moment by moment.

I commend you to the grace of Christ.

Sincerely in Him,

Shaw Clifton

General

What happens when we fail?

WHEN Rachel left home to move into a flat, her father Geoff told her: ‘If you ever need me for anything, just ring. I'll be there.'

Some time later Rachel went out for the evening, but at the end of the night discovered that she had no way of getting home. She thought she had 10 in her purse for a taxi. She did not. She remembered what her father had said and gave him a call.

Geoff had just got in from working late. It had been a hard day, and he was exhausted. He told Rachel that he was sorry, but he couldn't fetch her.

The next phone call he had was from the hospital. Rachel had been mugged walking home and was being treated for a broken nose and other injuries.

Geoff was devastated. He couldn't even face visiting Rachel in hospital. He felt that he had let her down.

As soon as she could, Rachel went to see him. The first thing she said to him was: ‘Don't worry, Dad. I forgive you.'

‘But I should have come to get you. You were mugged because I didn't come.'

‘That's true. But you're my dad. I still love you. I know you wouldn't let someone hurt me on purpose.'

‘But you'll never trust me again, will you? You'll never phone me for help again. You'll always remember this.'

‘No, Dad. I'd phone you any time. You won't let it happen again,' she assured him.

It's easy to say the right thing; doing the right thing is harder. So what happens when we fail?

Only a short time before Jesus was arrested, one of his followers, Peter, gave him an assurance: ‘I will never leave you, even though all the rest do!' (Mark 14:29 Good News Bible). Within a few hours, as Jesus faced execution, Peter was telling people that he had never seen the man before, that he didn't know him.

What could follow such a betrayal? After he was raised from death, Jesus made sure Peter knew that he was forgiven. And he entrusted Peter with the task of helping to spread his message.

When all is said and done, we are only human. We will make promises we don't keep. People will feel hurt and betrayed. But there is always forgiveness available from Jesus. We can be like Peter and accept the chance to start again.

War Cry 27 March 2010 - TSA UK.

Prayer Request

1. Please pray for the Fund Raising and Helping Hand Project 2010

2. Pray for worship team, worships leaders, technician and musician. They need support of new members to help in their music ministry.

3. Pray for Mother's Day event on 8th May 2010

4. Pray for our Flag Day 2010, school and public collection

5. Pray for more volunteers for corps ministries.

6. Pray for peace in Thailand

7. Pray for the dry season in many countries that needs water for drinking and daily needs. Pray that God will send rain.

Annoucements

Mother's Day Celebration
Date: 8th May 2010 (Saturday) Time: 7:00pm Venue: Bro Tan's Home.
Please invite friends and neighboor to come along.

All man are encourage to come and prepare a dish for the dinner.
The ladies will be the judge. Those man who are cooking please arrive at 6pm.

Detail map of Bro Tan's home will be published the soonest.

Corp's Council Meeting
Date: 14th April 2010 (Wednesday) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Corps Community Hall

Cell Group
Date: 15th April 2010 (Thursday) Time: 8:00pm Venue: Captain Tan's quarters

Flag Day
Date: 17th April 2010 (Saturday) Time: 7:00am ownwards Venue: Meet at TSA Children's Home. For more contact please let Major Kamala or Capt Tan.
Brother and Sister are encouraged to take a tin each to help on street collection.

Helping Hand - Walkathon
Date: 1st May 2010 Time: 9:00am Venue: Air Itam Dam. Fund raising for Myanmar region. Another special collection will be held on 18th April 2010, Sunday. Please contact Mrs Tan for more information.

Prayer Cell - Everyday Friday, 8pm, Corps
Brother & Sister are encourage to come together to prayer for all member of the church and the list of prayer request.

Easter Article 2010 by Capt Tan Guat Hai

Captain Tan Guat Hai, Penang Corps

Yes, all for me-the cross, the grave,
A risen Lord with power to save!
My joyful heart is filled with praise
As sings of happiness I raise.

A preacher was preaching one Sunday about how good God is. From among the congregation, there was a lady who stood up and questioned the preacher: “How would I know that God is good?” At that, the preacher had her come on stage, gave her an orange, and asked her to peel the orange. Then the preacher instructed her to place the orange slice by slice into his mouth, and after finishing the orange, the preacher asked her, what do you think, is the orange sweet or sour? The lady answered, “Are you crazy? You are the one who tasted the orange and how would I know what it tastes like?” The preacher replied: “Precisely, you never tasted it, how would you know? So, unless you experience what I have experienced, you will never know what this song verse means to me.”

Every religion talks about sin and the way out, but Christianity tells us that sins separate man from God, and because our Holy God dislikes man’s unrighteous, disrespectful, untruthful and other unholy ways, God Himself came into the world that He had created, to show man the way to heaven and how they should live holy lives. Yet many still want to go on with their own sinful ways.

Unless we confess that we have sinned, that we have lived a life unpleasing to God, we will never know how much Jesus did for us, by dying on the cross. Though people may think that Jesus was crucified on the cross as a result of unrighteous judgment, God used this crucifixion as His rescue plan, to let Jesus suffer and die as a substitute in our place, for the punishment of our sins. Imagine, if we had to pay for our own sins in this manner, how much suffering and shame would we have to bear? But Jesus was willing to suffer and die on our behalf.

This is not the end, for our saviour not only saved us from our sins, but was also resurrected, to prove that those who believed in Him would be like Him, to die one day, only to rise again on another. There is a saying: “All religious founders have died and lie in tombs, but only the Christian faith has an empty tomb and a risen saviour.”

If Jesus had not risen from the dead, then all living Christians today and all the early Christians before them have been foolish. Jesus’ disciples and the early Church testified that what they had seen and heard was true, and for that, they were willing to lay down their lives to testify to it (Acts 4:20).

A song from Salvation Army song book 334 goes:
I serve a risen Saviour
He’s in the world today
I know that he is living
Whatever men many say
I see His hand of mercy
I hear His voice of cheer
And just the time I need Him
He’s always near
Chorus:
He lives, He lives,
Christ Jesus lives today!
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow ways.
He lives, He lives,
Salvation to impart!
You ask me how I know He lives?
He lives within my heart!

I know the end of my life; I will see my saviour there! (Job 19:25) “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.” Was it for me? Yes, it was for me, the saviour, the grave, and the resurrection.

Greek searchers look for the right approach

Greek searchers look for the right approach

PHILIPPA SMALE takes a look at major and minor characters in the Bible's accounts of the days before and after Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection
This week: Greeks who wanted to see Jesus

GREEK married couple Neofytos and Anastasia are Christians.

It was on Easter Day in 1991 that Neofytos decided to follow Jesus. Later he became an associate pastor of a church in Thessaloniki. In 2007 he met some Salvationists who were visiting Greece. He remembers: ‘After we finished our conversation we prayed together and embraced.

‘I felt God saying to me: "Welcome to your family." God called me to The Salvation Army, and I responded.'

Anastasia was 19 when she asked Jesus to forgive her sins and help her start a new life.

Three years ago she felt that she should serve God in a different way - but she was not sure how. When her husband described his meeting with the Salvationists she knew the answer.


Neofytos and Anastasia becoming Salvation Army members
The couple are now training to be Salvation Army ministers in the hope that they will help other people to see Jesus as their saviour.

They are following in the footsteps of one of Jesus' disciples who, almost 2,000 years ago, helped some of the couple's cultural ancestors.

John's Gospel records that when Jesus was in Jerusalem in the days before his crucifixion some Greeks in the city became intrigued by him.

They wanted to find out more, but did not want to approach him directly. So they went to the disciple Philip, and said: ‘Sir, we want to see Jesus' (John 12:21 The Message).

Perhaps they went to Philip because he had a Greek name. Perhaps they, like him, were from Bethsaida. Perhaps he just looked like an approachable guy. Whatever the reason, they talked to Philip; Philip found his fellow disciple Andrew and the two of them talked to Jesus.

It was almost too late for the Greeks to see Jesus in the flesh - his time on earth was nearly up, and he knew it. His response to the request was: ‘If any of you wants to serve me, then follow me' (12:26).

Today we are in a different situation from those Greeks because we cannot see Jesus in the flesh. But that does not mean we cannot meet him. We can know him as a living reality and follow him.

If we want to find out more about him, we could start by talking with Christian friends or acquaintances - just ordinary Christians, such as Neofytos and Anastasia, who are engaged in the task of helping others who have said: ‘We want to see Jesus.'

- TSA UK War Cry