For The Lord is Good and His Love Endures Forever

Last Sunday morning was a wonderful intergenerational celebration of families! Five families committed themselves to the nurture and care of their children in the ways of the Lord. What a blessing for the church to see some of these families who have grown up at St Peters bring back their children to celebrate with us this important occasion of their Christian walk. Hallelujah the Lord is gracious to all, His mercies are new every morning, we give thanks to God for the gift of children.

Last week Felicity and I celebrated the first birthday of our youngest granddaughter “Heaven Akenese Leavasa” who also experienced the same celebration in our church at the beginning of the year. She is the baby we are holding in the front cover of the notices. Now 1 year old.

Psalm 100 says.

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations”.

A friend reminded me this week of how time flies as we come to the end of July, the seventh month of 2023. I thought about that, and my mind turned to the events that are coming up for the rest of the year in New Zealand and across the world. We are currently hosting the Women’s World Cup Football with Australia, there is the Rugby World Cup in France in September, we have the New Zealand general election in October then Christmas in December. On the church front, we have the Presbyterian Church of Aotearoa New Zealand (PCANZ) General Assembly scheduled for September.

The events above don’t mention the community events in our area in Tauranga nor the social issues faced by the world at large including war, homelessness, hunger, fire ravaged areas in Europe and extreme weather conditions in the world. “Too much information, slow down, I can’t cope” may be the reaction!!!!!!!.

Whatever your reaction God’s reaction is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. He cares about mankind and the world He created, He cares about His relationship with us as individuals and as a community. Here are some scriptures to ponder on as you look towards the second half of the year.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God (Philippians 4:6).