We gathered together this week to start “Christianity Explored” working through Mark’s gospel together beginning with session 1 “Good News” We were pleased to see that over a dozen people turned up, with another four saying they will be with us next week (we had to order more books!)

We kicked off with an explanation of how the course would be running followed by a time of worship. During worship there was a word about being bold and stepping through the vale into the Holy of Holy’s, not holding back or feeling unworthy. Jesus is calling all who know him to himself, into His presence, He has made the way through the Cross, so He is asking us to boldly approach the throne of God.

For Christianity Explore we split Hope Central into two tables with two leaders on each. We started by asking a question: “What is the best news you’ve ever heard?” Followed by watching a video where the narrator raised the following:

“The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ..” (Mark 1:)

• When we see the order and beauty of the world and human body, the question is: Did this all happen by chance? Or did someone create it?
• The Bible says God is the one who created the universe we live in and the bodies we inhabit. So how can we know him?
• We can know what God is like by looking at Jesus Christ
• Christianity is about Christ – a title that means “God’s only chosen King”
• Christianity is “gospel” – the good news – about Jesus Christ
• When Jesus was baptised, God the father announced, “You are my Son”
• God has revealed himself in human history through Jesus Christ. When we look at Jesus, all the guessing games about God stop.  

We then had a great time discussing the following set questions

1] Is there anything that intrigues or puzzles you about Jesus?

2] How do you feel about reading Mark’s Gospel?

3] If you could ask God one question, and you knew it would be answered, what would it be?

We finished by encouraging everyone to read do some homework by reading Mark 1:20, 1:21-2:27 and then 2:18- 3:6 whilst answering the questions set in the handbooks. Ready for discussion and question time next week.

Thank you, Jesus, for another great evening at Hope Central, You will build Your church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it…

Thank you Taste & See for your continuing prayer support please continue to do so it is vital

Here is a powerful word of encouragement that we received at the open night that had been written prayerfully prior to this gathering

You thrill to (get excited over) God’s Word, you chew on Scripture, day and night.
You’re a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month. Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom. (Plasm 1:2-3 MSG)

Dear Mandy and Colin

May you be encouraged and uplifted as you serve the Lord so faithfully.

It is exciting to have a vision and seek the Lord’s will and yet it is also costly, self-sacrificial, hard, demanding, full of the ups and downs of life. Committed risk takers, in Christ see His Glory.

God showed me a healthy, tree planted by the river of life, full to overflowing. The roots of the tree went very deep and no matter what the season was the tree stood, strong and flourished. It therefore attracted life “Hope Central”

In this broken world the Lord uses us, vulnerable, broken individuals, often weak but strong in Jesus, shinning out His light. As you face the challenges know that an army of the saints pray continually for you and these the “lost” generation that world tries so hard to consume. They are an army of warriors whom God will touch and transform. He will heal their brokenness

The harvest is plenty but the workers are few. Seek the Lord in all things, hold fast to this promise. Do not be moved by circumstances around you and what you see, believe – only believe

Trust in the Lord and obey his leading. He is faithful. The seeds that are sown will bear fruit. Abram….. Trusted, believed, obeyed…… God showed up. Joseph had a dream……. He held fast….. God showed up. Moses……. God showed up. Sometimes we do not always see what the Lord is doing but with our faith and His grace!! Miracles come….

He will achieve that which He desires and He asks us to be with Him on that Journey. The foundation of prayer, scripture..….. Living Hope

God is moving by His spirit, hearts are being softened to Him, the opposition comes because the enemy wants to stop the work but God is greater.

He helps us as we “fix” our eyes on Him

“All things are possible for those who believe”

The Holy Spirit our awesome friend within us brings comfort, strength, power, floods of living waters as we meditate on Jesus, His word and the life it brings.

May you both be blessed, encouraged, uplifted, full of health and the power of the Holy spirit continually saturating you to overflowing…. bringing life, transformation 

Many will come to Christ through this powerful ministry

Can you hear those dry bones RATTLING…..