NTUMC Men’s Group Men’s Breakfast Report   12th August 2006 was our most recent monthly Men’s breakfast and this is the thoughts and scriptures shared by Robin Davidson at that breakfast.   In case you didn’t notice, summer is already coming to a close. Many of us have had a summer vacation and last weekend Virginia had a tax holiday on back-to-school supplies as students, maybe reluctantly, start thinking about returning to school in few weeks. As for me, I’ve not been too far the last couple of months. However we do plan to fly to the UK in about four weeks for a two-week break. With the events of 10th August concerning the apparent attempted mass attack on flights between the UK and the US, perhaps I should be concerned about taking a flight between these destinations at this time? I could ask the questions should I go, is it safe, will I get blown up? We can say that we trust the CIA or MI5 and other security forces but they too are only human! What does the bible say about those who trust in God being kept safe from harm?   Let’s look at an OT passage firstly;   2 Kings 6:14-23   Then he (the king of Aram) sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city. When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked. "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria. After they entered the city, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria. When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?" "Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master." So he prepared a great feast for them, and after they had finished eating and drinking, he sent them away, and they returned to their master. So the bands from Aram stopped raiding Israel's territory.     God put a shield of protection around Elisha and his servant, Elisha apparently saw the protection with eyes of faith but his servant couldn’t until Elisha prayed that he might see them. Not only did God protect Elisha and the servant but as Elisha and the king blessed their enemies by feeding them and letting them go, they were also blessed with peace as the king of Aram stopped their attacks on Israel. Also consider these passages that speak for themselves.   Isaiah 26:3-4 You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you. Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.   Job 14:5 Man's days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.   Even if we were to go through death as a result of a terrorist attack, why should we be afraid? Unless the Lord comes back we shall all have to pass through physical death at some point to which the Word of God tells us;   1 Corinthians 15:55-57 "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.   Whether we are flying when the terrorism threat level is high or feel threatened in some other way, we can be thankful we live in a relatively free and peaceful society. How would we feel if we were threatened daily, not just by terrorists but by members of our own family, community or government? Why? – because we put our trust in the Living God. Millions of people around the world live like that, putting their own lives and physical well being on the line for the sake of Christ. As we thank God for our freedoms, how about we remember those suffering for their faith, the same faith you and I share. There but by the grace of God, it could, and maybe at some point, will be, us suffering for our faith. Why not take a few moments of your spare time as you surf the internet to see how you can encourage and pray for those in ‘closed’ countries? Check out these links;   www.vbbonlline.org www.persecution.com www.persecution.com/actions www.prisoneralert.com   Hebrews 13:3 Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.   Remember our next breakfast, back at Country Harvest Buffet (changing it’s name to Captains Galley), is on September 9th at 8.00am We are also hoping to get a group of men going to the VA UMM retreat at Blackstone, VA ove the weekend of 3rd – 5th November. The main speaker will be Dr Winston Worrell, director of the World Methodist Evangelism Institute. Contact Robin for more information on this retreat.

Pastor David Ford

Worship Services
Sunday Worship
9:15am & 10:45am
Dress is casual & comfortable

Sunday School
Adult:              9:15am
Children:        9:15am

Healing Services
1st Wednesday of the month
 

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New Town United Methodist Church, 5209 Monticello Avenue, Williamsburg, VA  23188
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ntjoy@newtownumc.org


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