SPEAKING OF LIFE
A weekly web programme from GCI commenting each week providing a biblical perspective on how we live in the light of God's love.
SPEAKING OF LIFE 3020 | LIFE IN A HANDFUL OF DUST
7SPEAKING OF LIFE 3020 | LIFE IN A HANDFUL OF DUST

Throughout the Bible, God uses dust to reveal how he can transform something lifeless into something wonderful. Even now, God continues to breathe life into us and he can restore what is broken and change it into something amazing.​
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Jesus says “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE…” – John 14:6

You can view other Speaking Of Life episodes here:
https://www.gci.org/videos/media-spea...

Thought for the Week

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Hello,

Did you read in the news this week of an attempted robbery that took place in Augusta, Georgia? At around 4am one morning a hooded man smashed his way into Diablo’s Southwest Grill, grabbed the till, which was empty, and fled.
When interviewed about the incident the Grill’s owner, Carl Wallace, said his first reaction was one of anger, frustration and wanting to call the police, as he had to get up in the middle of the night to clean up the mess and get everything ready to open later that day.

But then his thoughts turned to the would-be robber and that maybe this man has never had an opportunity and had always been put down in life – he asked himself what would Jesus do?  ‘Forgiveness’ flashed into his mind and so instead of reporting the incident to the police, Wallace thought the better way was to show forgiveness, and so he used his Facebook page to invite the burglar to ‘swing by for a job application’ and ‘let’s see how we can help you and fix the road you are on.’

The founder of Christianity, Jesus Christ, forgave people as the first step in turning their lives around. With there being so much hatred in the world the better way of forgiveness advocated by Jesus is certainly something to consider.

Kind regards,
Barry Robinson

Barry Robinson is a Minister and the Ombudsman of the National Ministry Team of Grace Communion International in the UK and Ireland. He is also a Pastoral Worker for Grace Communion International in Southern England (including the Greater London area).


Visit our website because.uk.com for more articles - 3 new posts every week.
9th April 2021

Bible Study: Back to Bible Study

Back to Bible Study Series
​by James Henderson...

Taken from - Word of Life - Growing Together in Life and Faith                                     ​https://wordoflife.gracecom.church/

Friday Bible Study
9th April 2021

Where Does God Live?

“However, the Most High does not live in houses made by human hands.”
Acts 7:48 (NIV)
In reading the story of Stephen and his martyrdom one is struck by the grace that surrounded him, ‘Now Stephen, a man full of God’s grace and power, performed great wonders and signs among the people.’ (Acts 6:8). And it was the inspiration of the Spirit of God that energised him as he approached death. It transformed how he looked (like an angel), what he said (divine utterance) and what he saw (vision of heaven). His dying testimony demonstrated that God lived in his heart and mind.
Some of the qualities of those appointed to serve in the early Church included being of good repute and “full of the Spirit and of wisdom” (Acts 6:3), and ‘full of faith and of the Holy Spirit’ (Acts 6:5). When God lives in us it changes everything and it will be clearly discerned by those around us, although sadly the goodness of God is not always recognised as good news by all.
Stephen saw the glory of God and his risen Saviour which removed his fear and filled him with confidence and compassion for the mob who were stoning him (Acts 7:55). Because God lived and was active in his mind and heart he was able to make two profound and incredible statements: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit” (Acts 7:59), and “Lord, do not hold this sin against them” (Acts 7:60). Wow! The fruit of the spirit – love – flowed out to those who opposed, lied and then murdered him.
To quote from two hymns, we know that, like Stephen, we ‘serve a risen Saviour’ and have  ‘blessed assurance, Jesus is mine’ –
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Christ Jesus lives today
He walks with me and talks with me
Along life’s narrow way
He lives (He lives), He lives (He lives), Salvation to impart
You ask me how I know He lives,
He lives within my heart. 1
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior, am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love. 2
In the story of Stephen we see the fulfilment of the two great commandments: to love and worship God, and to love our neighbour as ourselves. We are reminded that the price can be high when we live this way, and proclaim the Gospel. But because God lives in us we know it is worth it, no matter the cost.

1 Alfred Ackley  He Lives (I Serve A Risen Saviour). 
2 Fanny Crosby  Blessed Assurance

Prayer
Loving Father, help us through your Spirit, that like Stephen and Jesus, we daily commit our lives to you and the service of others. We pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Study by David Gibbs - Minister in the Birmingham congregation of Grace Communion International, and also serves on the Pastoral Council.

You're Included

https://www.gci.org/videos/youre-included/
Author William Paul Young is a friend of Grace Communion International whose book, The Shack, has sold over 20 million copies worldwide since it was first published in 2007, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.

Below are two interviews from the GCI web programme "You're Included" with writer Paul Young and theologian Dr. C Baxter Kruger.
​Dr. Kruger uses William Young's book The Shack to discuss the triune God's love for all humanity.
Dr. C. Baxter Kruger is the founder and the president of Perichoresis, Inc. and of Mediator Lures. He obtained his doctorate working with James Torrance in Aberdeen, Scotland. He is also the author of  "The Shack Revisited."
Copyright 2015 - Grace Communion International
All Rights Reserved
​Paul Young talks about how "The Shack" was written, and he discusses how the nature of relationship is embedded in the Trinitarian character and nature of God. William Paul Young is the author of the best-selling novel "The Shack" and "Cross Roads." Copyright 2015 - Grace Communion International All Rights Reserved

The God Revealed in Jesus Christ

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A collection of articles outlining Trinitarian theology

The series begins with Jesus Christ. As God in the flesh, he reveals to us what God is; he teaches us that the Father is in character just like Jesus. Other doctrines flow from that point. Jesus reveals that there was, even before time began, love between the Father and the Son.

There are relationships within God, yet there is only one God. Humanity was made in the image of God, and we are made for the purpose of having eternal relationships, based on God’s love, with him and with one another. Yet we fall short of this divine purpose; we are unable to qualify ourselves for the kingdom of God. This brings us back to Jesus, the incarnate God.

As our Creator, he could represent us all, and so he became human as our representative and substitute, to atone for the sins of all humanity and to reconcile all humanity to God. He extends unconditional love and grace to us. Humans, however, do not always return that favour, and so there is a growth process toward the goal God has established for us. It is tremendously good news, and the more we learn about the God revealed in Jesus Christ, the more that we desire a relationship with him. We have not earned his love, but he has earned ours. It is all built upon the unity of the Father and of Jesus. And yet the Bible says that there is only one God. How can we have plurality within one Being?

​The doctrine of the Trinity was formulated to say how Father and Son are one God: two Persons in one God. As we discuss in another book, the Holy Spirit is likewise a Person in the Triune God. God is love, and we are invited to join him for eternity!​

Gracelines

check our our new local online church magazine...Gracelines

Gracelines is a new monthly magazine published by Grace Communion Church Cambridgeshire as a grace-driven, gospel-orientated, Christ-centred resource for believers and non-believers alike.
Mission Statement
Gracelines aims to provide regular Gospel related articles and resources, designed to encourage, edify and support believers in their daily Christian walk, and to introduce others, who don't yet believe, to the good news of how God has redeemed mankind through the vicarious humanity of his Son, Jesus of Nazareth.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
​that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV).
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​The Gospel declares that because of Christ, all people are loved, forgiven and accepted by God—we all belong to God (Ephesians 1:4-6). Gracelines is dedicated to bringing home the truth of our belonging to God by means of the new humanity established in Jesus.

​Unless indicated otherwise, all scripture references on this site are from the Holy Bible,
​Authorised Version (KJV)​

Copyright © 2012 Grace Communion Church CAMBRIDGESHIRE: All Rights Reserved