KatoombaBaptistChurchBulletinOh,magnifytheLordwithme,andletusexaltHisnametogether.Psalm34:4

41WaratahStreet,KatoombaNSW2780. August2020.Pastor:SteveCooper.Contact:mob.0451954675;emailcooper.steve.j@gmail.com.RestrictedchurchservicesareincompliancewiththeNSWGovernmentrules.10amSundayserviceisalsostreamedonKatoombaBaptistChurch’sYouTubechannel.KBCwebsitehttps://katoombabaptist.org.auBibleStudy:SecondandFourthWednesdayofthemonth,onZoom (toparticipate,pleaseemailGrahameMcCraw:mowogmaca@gmail.com).Prayermeeting:EachSaturday,9am.PrayerforIsrael:ThirdFridayofthemonth,1.30pm.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FromthePastor It’sarealdelightformetowritetoyouasyour‘Pastor’!It’sbeenafewyearssinceKBChashadaPastor,andIknowyou’vebeenprayingtotheLordtosendtherightperson.Forme,earlierthisyeartheLordputitonmyhearttoapplyforthisposition.Godhasshownbothmeandourchurchthatthisishisarrangement.It’sniceforJoyandmetothinknowofKBCas‘ourchurch’,andfeelpartofthischurchfamily.Thankyouforyourwarmwelcome! For this first ‘From the Pastor’, let me describe the way I see my pastoral role. I see a Pastor as acompanion.Iwanttocomealongsideeachofyou,andthechurchasawhole,andwalkthejourneywithyou.Myfirst priority is to attend tomy own personal relationshipwith the Lord,meditating on Scripture, faithful inprayer, and in communion with God. Then as I come alongside as a companion and friend, I am ready toaccompany you as youwalkwith the Lord. I can get to know you, listen to your story, pray for you, discerntogetherwhatGodmightbesayinganddoing inyoursituation,andencourageyoutorespondtoGod. Ienjoyvisitingpeopleintheirhome,orchattinginacoffeeshop–letmeknowwhenyou’reavailable! TheverseIselectedtopreachonformyinductionserviceisasuitablemottoformypastoralministryandourchurch:‘OhmagnifytheLordwithme,andletusexalthisnametogether!’(Ps34:3)Thisversegivesavisionforthefuture.Ourhopeandprayeristhateveryweek,eachofuswillgrowinourunderstandingofGod.MayourmindsandheartsgraspagreaterandclearerviewofwhatGodislike,theGodwhorevealshimselfasFather, Son and Holy Spirit. May our Sunday worship services, our relationships with one another, and oureverydaylivesmagnifyandexaltourgreatGod.Andlet’sdothistogether! AttheheartoftheChristianlifeisprayer,ourdailyconversationwithGod.Animportantpartofmyroleas Pastor is to help us all to pray. Therefore, my preaching during the coming months will address variousaspectsofprayer. InAugust-Septemberwe’ll lookatPrayingtheLord’sPrayer(Matt6:9-13).Then inOctober-Novemberwe’llreflectontheBookofHabakkuk,learningfromtheprophet’sdialoguewithGodinprayer.I’llbepreachingeverysecondSunday,whileotherspreachontheotherSundays.WhenI’mnotpreaching,Iwillleadtheservice,andwhileI’mleadingwewillexplorevariousaspectsofprayer. WearebeginninganeweraforKatoombaBaptistChurch.Wedon’tknowwhattheLordhasinstoreorwhat the future holds. Butwe do know that God is in control, and he has a good plan for us and the UpperMountains.Iinviteyouto‘magnifytheLordwithme,andexalthisnametogether!’(Ps34:3) YourswithaheartgratefultoGod, PastorSteveCooper._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Pleasepray

• withthanksandpraisethattheLordhascalledSteveCoopertobeourPastor.• fortheLordtoguideusthroughthesetimesinwhichwelive,andgrantusstrengthandwisdom.• forourleadersandauthorities,formedicalstaffandindeedallthosewhoaredealingwiththiscrisis.• thattheLordwillministertoallwhoareundergoingtrialsandsuffering,hereandeverywhere.• forIsrael,forthe“PeaceofJerusalem”(Ps122:6)andfortheGospelthere“TotheJewfirst.”(Rom1:16).• forourpersecutedbrothersandsistersinnationsrichandpoorandforthosewhopersecutethem.• forthepeoplewhoselivelihoodshavebeenimpactedbytheCoronavirus,thedroughtandfires.• forrevivalinourcommunity,state,nation,andthroughouttheworld,andforourfaithtoincrease.• thattheLordwillhelpustouseourgiftsforHisgloryandtosharetheGospelwithothers.• thattheLordwilldrawourunsavedlovedonesandallforwhomwehaveaburden.• formissionstobefruitful,especiallythosewesupportasachurch,andforthepreservationofconverts.• thatwecontinuetogrowinChristianloveasachurch,servingtheLordandeachother.• Maranatha!(“Come,OLord!”)

“Rejoicealways,praywithoutceasing,ineverythinggivethanks:forthisisthewillofGodinChristJesusforyou”(1Thessalonians5:16-18).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Churchannouncements

• KBCSundayserviceisavailableonline.Google“KatoombaBaptistChurchYouTube”.• KBCnowhasawebsite!(ThanksDanielandJosh!).Visithttps://katoombabaptist.org.au• PleaseregisteronthewebsiteifyouwishtocontinuetoreceivetheKBCBulletinbyemail.

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“Godisnotdiscoverableordemonstrablebypurelyscientificmeans,unfortunatelyforthescientificallyminded.Butthatreallyprovesnothing.Itsimplymeansthatthewronginstrumentsarebeingusedforthejob.”[JohnBertramPhillips]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FromFEBCwebsite[https://febc.org.au/seven-generations]SevenGenerationsshapedbyFEBCGospelBroadcasts “It all startedwithmy great, great, great grandmother, who first tuned into FEBC’s Liangyou Radio inChina more than 50 years ago. Later, after being called by God to become a pastor, my great grandfatherestablishedtheChristianfaithinourfamily.I’mthesixthgenerationofChristians;mychildrenaretheseventh. Ourjourneytofaithwasnotwithoutdifficulties.Atalowpointfortyyearsago,whenlivingconditionsinChinawerenotgood, itwas impossible togather inchurch.Whenour family’s spiritual lifewasvery fragile,Godintroduced us to FEBC. It was like discovering a priceless treasure! We immediately began listening regularly.LiangyouRadiosowedalotofseedsinourfamily.Now,mysevenchildrenandtheirfamiliesarealsoChristians. Weall serveGod. If itwerenot for thebroadcastersatFEBCwhohelpeduskeepour eyeson Jesus, thiswouldnotbepossible. LiangyouRadiohasbeenawonderfulcompanionaslongasIcanremember.Asachild,Ilovedlisteningtotheir programs until I fell asleep.My grandmotherwould also listen and sharedmuch ofwhat she learnedwithothers.WhenIreturnedtoChinaforavisit,Istayedwithherforafewnights.Intheevening,Ilaidinbedwithherwhile she turned on LiangyouRadio. Iwas grateful I could still hear those familiar voices and programs,whichevokedmanybeautifulchildhoodmemories. LiangyouRadioispartofourfamily’slifetothisday.ItissuchanhonourtoconveyourgratitudeonthisspecialanniversaryandtotestifyfortheLord.IwanttosharethiswithyouallatFEBC:ThefieldGodgaveyouisalotbiggerthanyouthink.Thewheatyouharvestedthroughtheyears,isfarmorethanyouwilleverknow.PleasecontinueservingGodandaskHimforadditionalanointingtoblessevenmorepeople.ThankyouFEBC!” It is almost incomprehensible, a small dream 75 years ago would eventually reach half the world’spopulationwiththeGospel.TheimpossibleonlybecamepossiblebecauseGodwasinthecentre.FEBCis,afterall,God’sministry,weareheretoserveandwe’regratefulyouhavechosentopartneralong-sideus.WewillcontinuetoLetThemHear._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Augustbirthdays:GrahameM4th,MargaretN5th,SimeonW9th,PeterB10th,TonyS17th,MerryanneM21st,PaulT26th,JudithH29th,AnneH30th.MaytheLordblessyouabundantlyonyourspecialdayandthroughtheyearaheadinyourwalkwithHim._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________SpurgeononpreachingtheGospel ...ThereisawayofpreachingsomethingthatlooksliketheGospel,andwithwhichalmosteverybodywillbequitesatisfiedandwellpleased.Thereisawayofdoingthis,butletthemanwhoistemptedtodoitbewareofthejudgmentofthelasttremendousday.Thereisawayofsaying,‘Well,Ishallsoftendownthedoctrineofeternalpunishment;Iwillbequietastothatverydoctrineofelection,andastosubstitution,sinceitisveryobjectionabletothecarnalmind,verylittleshallbesaidaboutit;ifthereisanythinginourChurchdisciplinewhichisobnoxioustopeople,wewillsoftenitdown,andmakethewayassmoothaspossible;wewillrolleverystoneintotheroad,andhaveabigrollertocrushthemall;wewilltakeeverystumblingblockoutoftheway,andinthiswaywewillhopetobuildupaChurch.’Yes,thatisaverylikelything,butletamantakeheedhowhebuildeththereon,foreveryman’sworkmustbetriedasbyfire,andifhehasbuiltofwood,hay,andstubble,hemaymakeaveryprettybuildingofit,butthefireshalltryeveryman’sworkofwhateversortitis.ButwheretheGospelisunhesitatinglypreached,andwhereitisattendedintheChurchbyreallyearnestandholyliving,itbecomesagreatwinnowing-fan.[CharlesSpurgeon,fromtheprayermeetingaddress,“TheWinnowingFan”.]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FridayJuly21st—PrayerforIsraelatKatoombaBaptistChurch,1.30pm“For the children of Israel shall abide many days without king or prince, sacrifice or sacred pillar,withoutephodor teraphim.Afterwardthechildrenof IsraelshallreturnandseektheLORDtheirGodandDavidtheirking.TheyshallfeartheLORDandHisgoodnessinthelatterdays.”[Hosea3:4-5]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Contributionswelcome:OurchurchbulletinisavailableonthefirstSundayserviceofthemonthasatwo-pageprintversion.Alonger,multi-pagePDFversionoftheBulletinisuploadedtothechurchwebsiteeachmonthandmaybesenttoyoubyemailuponregistration:https://katoombabaptist.org.au/library/bulletins/.Contributionsandenquiriescanbemadetotheeditor,BillFewer(email:hillbillyfewer@gmail.com)._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Giving: Please remember that you can give online to KatoombaBaptist Church at BSB 704-922 andAccountNumber100008926.Thankyouforyourfaithfulcommitmenttogiving._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SoJesussaidtothem,“Whenyoupray,say:OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeYourname.Yourkingdomcome.Yourwillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven.Giveusdaybydayourdailybread.Andforgiveusoursins,forwealsoforgiveeveryonewhois

indebtedtous.Anddonotleadusintotemptation,butdeliverusfromtheevilone.”[Luke11:2-4]

KatoombaBaptistChurchBulletinOnlineExtra*PleasenotethattoaccesswebsitesreferredtointheBulletin,pleasecopyandpastethelinkintotheaddressbarofyourwebbrowser.*AreminderthatKBCnowhasawebsitehttps://katoombabaptist.org.auAbigthankyoutotheThomasbrothers,DanielandJoshua,whohavespentmany,manyhoursdevelopingthechurch’swebsite.Itisveryprofessionallydone,withaclearlysetoutstatementofourbeliefs,andwithamassofwell-chosenresources,sermons,Bulletins,andsoon.It isalsoveryeasytofindyourwayaround,evenforthemosttimidofinternetusers.AremindertoothatifyouwanttocontinuetoreceivethechurchBulletinbyemailthenyouneedtoregisterontheKBCwebsite:https://katoombabaptist.org.au/library/bulletins/Let’spraythatwiththisnewonlinepresencethattheLordwilldrawpeopletoHimthroughourchurch.Inallourministries,individuallyandasafellowship,maytheLordbeblessedandglorybetoHim._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________BaptistChurchesofNSW&ACTwebsiteInresponsetotheCovid-19crisis,theBaptistUnionhasputtogetheraveryhelpfulpageontheirwebsitewhichisanexcellentguideforlocalchurchesandtheirfellowships:https://nswactbaptists.org.au/covid19/Plus,thereisanationalcalltodailyprayerat7pmtoseektheLordaboutthecrisis:https://www.baptist.org.au/covid-19-national-call-to-prayer/Andthereisalsothepreviousdisasterwhichisstillaffectingmanypeople:BushfireReliefandRecoveryCampaignhttps://nswactbaptists.org.au/bushfire-relief-and-recovery/And,finally,youcancontacttheBaptistUnionwebsiteandrequesttobeaddedtotheprayermailinglist._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FromJ.I.Packer,“KnowingGod”

MeditatingontheTruth ...HowcanweturnourknowledgeaboutGodintoknowledgeofGod?Therulefordoingthisisdemanding,butsimple.ItisthatweturneachtruththatwelearnaboutGodintomatterformeditationbeforeGod,leadingtoprayerandpraisetoGod. Wehavesomeidea,perhaps,whatprayeris,butwhatismeditation?Wellmayweask;formeditationisalostarttoday,andChristianpeoplesuffergrievouslyfromtheirignoranceofthepractice.Meditationistheactivityofcallingtomind,andthinkingover,anddwellingon,andapplyingtooneself, thevariousthingsthatoneknowsabouttheworksandwaysandpurposesandpromisesofGod.Itisanactivityofholythought,consciouslyperformedinthepresenceofGod,undertheeyeofGod,bythehelpofGod,asameansofcommunionwithGod.Itspurposeistoclearone’smentalandspiritualvisionofGod,andtolethistruthmakeitsfullandproperimpactonone’smindandheart.ItisamatteroftalkingtooneselfaboutGodandoneself;itis,indeed,oftenamatterofarguingwithoneself,reasoningoneselfoutofmoodsofdoubtandunbeliefintoaclearapprehensionofGod’spowerandgrace. Its effect is ever to humbleus, aswe contemplateGod’s greatness andglory, andour own littleness andsinfulness, and to encourageand reassureus— ‘comfort’ us, in the old, strongBible sense of theword—aswecontemplatetheunsearchablerichesofdivinemercydisplayedintheLordJesusChrist....AnditisasweentermoreandmoredeeplyintothisexperienceofbeinghumbledandexaltedthatourknowledgeofGodincreases,andwithitourpeace,ourstrength,andourjoy.Godhelpus,then,toputourknowledgeaboutGodtothisuse,thatweallmayintruth‘knowtheLord’.[Packer,J.I..KnowingGod,London,Hodder&Stoughton,pp.22-3]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

J.I.Packerdeliversamessageon“PersonalHolinessFromTS4MYouTubechannel:Oneofthe'foundingfathers'ofTrinitySchoolforMinistry;renownedauthor,speaker,andTheologicalteacher—the Reverend Dr. J.I. Packer — speaks on Personal Holiness from the heart and head of one of WesternChristendom'smostbelovedandprovidentiallyinfluential,Evangelicalvoicesinthe20th&21stcenturies.Itwastheschool'shonortohostthiseventinCommon'sHallontheeveofJanuary16th,2014.Watchthevideoat:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDnk-jSz7Z4_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“WhatDoYouRelyUpon?” byCostaKaragounasHavingreceivedBill’sreminderthat the latestBulletin ispending, therewassuddenpressuretowrite.EleventimesintheBookofRevelation,theapostleJohnisadmonished:‘Writethisdown!..’Johnwasinastupor.Hewasinwondermentaboutthethingshewasseeingandhearing.Theangelwas‘whipping’himalong.Deadlinesandpressurearesometimesanadvantage.Haveyouwondered that innumerableGodlywritingswerepenned regardingScripture?Thereare still thingsbeingwritten,andmanymorewillcome.Aretherevastlibrarieswrittenaboutanyothersubject?Thereareover300titlesandnamesreferringtoJesusinScripture.Noothermaninhistoryhasevencomeclosetothatnumber.Nokingnoremperor,nosagenoranyone.ThelettersofPaultothevariouschurchesaretheoldestsurvivinglettersinhistory.Let’spleasenotforgetthelettersJesuswrote.Arethereextantletters,asinmaildelivery,fromkingsandqueens,letalonelaypeopleof2000yearsago?I’mnotsure;Iverymuchdoubtit.Itdependswhichhistorianyouask,butwehaveseveralinourBible.TheBibleisauniquehistoricalaccount.Allotherwrittenhistorypurportstodescribepeopleandeventsfromacertaintimetoadifferentcertaintime.TheBibletellsusaboutthetimebeforehistory,beforemanevenpennedhistory.Italsotellsusaboutthetimewhichistocome.ThereisnotoneexampleofanarchaeologicalfindwhichcontradictstheBiblicalaccount.Therearethousandsofsucharchaeologicalfinds.Bibleinerrancyispresentlyundergreatattackfromtheenemy.He’susedallsortsofsecularscholarsthroughoutthetimestoundermineBibleauthenticityandveracity.He’snowmorethaneverusingprofessingChristianstodohisbidding.AfterDarwin’stheorywaswidelypublishedmanyChristianvoicesfromthepulpitwerefrightenedandcoweredunderthelectern.What!?Gorillasandchimps,thescientistsshouted,areourcousins.Highercriticismfollowed,and in itswake, furthercallow(but learned)retreats fromthetruthof theWord.HowmanyprofessingGodlymenthensecretlydoubted intheirprayerclosets,secretlybeganto losetheir faithpreciselybecausetheyputtheirfaithintheopinionsofmen.John‘theElder’issaidtohavepennedtheBookofRevelation,becausehighercriticism foundadifferentwriting style in that text compared to theother Johnwritings.But if youwere inaswoon,ingreatdreadandfeelingasthoughdead,withanangelurgingyoutowrite,andyourshorthandwasn’tthebest,wouldn’tyoutooexpectyourwritingstyletodiffersomewhat?TheoriginalGreeksentencespennedbyJohnareinplacesincomplete!Perhapshewasinahurrytogettohishighercriticismlectures.Ican’tgointothedetailofcellularbiologybutit’ssufficetomentionthatevenDarwinconcededtheprincipleofirreduciblecomplexity.Thatprinciplestatesthatifastructure(sayasimplebacterialcell)issocomplex,andsomadeupofmultiplepartsthatthewholecannotpossiblyfunctionunlessallthepartsaresimultaneouslypresentandoperating,thenthetheoryofevolutionisshotthrough.Darwinacknowledgedthis.Ofcoursehelivedinanepochofrudimentarymicroscopesincapableofpeeringintothecellularuniversewehavetheprivilegetopeerinto.Asimplebacteriumcellcontainshundredsof thousandsofcomponents,allmust functionsimultaneouslyotherwisethatcelldies.Themathematicalprobabilityofthosecomponents‘evolving’simultaneouslyispreciselyzero.Ifwesay tounbelievers,whomweareadmonishedtohonour, ‘werelyontheBible,whatdoyourelyupon?’,thentheshortsilencewhichfollowswhiletheythink,isdeafening._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________APrayerrequestfromAdrianforUgandaMyUgandanbrotherMatovuhastoldmetheUgandanpeoplearestrugglingmorethanevertogetfoodbecauseof their lockdown. As you know, Idi Amin drove the Ugandan economy into the ground and the country hasstruggledever since.AswithotherAfrican countries, I fearUganda is on thevergeof famine , broughtonbyCovid-19,amongstothervirusoutbreaks ,politicalcorruptionandmilitiawarfarethere.Pleaseeveryonekeepthisinyourprayers._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“Shelter” apoembyJemimaWoolleyWindwailing,rainfalling,Miserableandgreyoutside.Pillowssoft,blanketscozy,Teaandtoast:desiredprize.Soundfortress,strongrefuge,Wallsandroofwithstandunchanged.Watchingwildweatherweeping,Safelystowedinbed,unfazed.Alltheworldmaystormaroundme,Yetthewallsstillstandhere,sure.Itrustinthem,notalwaysJesus.Helpmerestinyou,myLord.SoliDeoGloria.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________“WorldGoneCrazy” byMichaelWoolley*Pleasenotethattoaccesswebsitespleasecopyandpastethelinkintotheaddressbarofyourwebbrowser.*Christiansshouldnotbeafraidofbeingcontentious-orcontroversial–Jesuscertainlywasn’t:https://www.frcblog.com/2020/07/christians-must-not-be-afraid-being-controversial/Beingbannedfromchurcheshasn’tstoppedthesalvationofsoulsthathasexplodedontoCalifornianbeaches:https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/california-beach-revival-draws-hundreds-to-christ-likened-to-jesus-people-movement.html…thisiscertainlythenorm–andcostly-tobelieverslivinginplaceswithoutthemorallegacyofourforebears:Evenwiththislegacy,PowerfulForceshaveunderminedourEducationalsystems,https://twitter.com/Pismo_B/status/1287157771993878528ourMedia,https://www.zerohedge.com/political/10-big-fat-lies-youre-being-told-about-portland-riotsespeciallythechildreninthewesthttps://www.zerohedge.com/political/inner-city-chaos-armed-gang-children-car-jack-over-dozen-vehicles-chicagoandwhatwasourCulturalnorms,https://www.campusreform.org/?ID=15249causingthefracturingofsocietythathasnowreachedfull-bloomintheUSA:https://twitter.com/MrAndyNgo/Havingnowpushedtheirviews“TooFar”,theCulturalCentrists/conservativeshaveseenthroughtheTissueofLieshttps://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/07/how_white_educated_female_liberals_are_destroying_the_culture.htmlhttps://www.zerohedge.com/political/get-woke-go-broke-strikes-ae-after-canceling-live-pd-show…andarerejectingtheFalseNarrativeofPeacefulProtests–andaresupportingthoseexcoriatedbytheCancelCulture.https://www.zerohedge.com/political/lefts-boycott-goya-has-backfired-spectacularly-conservative-customers-clean-out-storeDotheabove(andothersigns:https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/bridge-nowhere-good)announcetheturning-point of the golden-age of Globalism? Certainly the rise of China would warn as much:https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/international-risk-assessment-has-just-deemed-us-china-military-conflict-highly-likely Via the FBI & DoJ : Over the past 18 months, the DoJ has arrested several Chineseresearchers and charged them with stealing trade secrets or research – from 25 US cities:https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/fbi-warns-secret-pla-members-are-doing-scientific-research-25-us-cities , as well as Biolabs throughout the US: https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/has-chinas-military-deeply-infiltrated-us-medical-research - this week the FBI said the Chinese government is acting like "anorganizedcriminalsyndicate": https://www.zerohedge.com/geopolitical/state-dept-china-stole-least-1-billion-trade-secrets-research-us and before using Chinese video-sharing app TikTok (or Huawei equipment), onemight want to read this article: https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/protonmail-slams-tiktok-chinese-trojan-horse.

You may want to recall how our brethren in China are suffering under this regimehttps://soundcloud.com/family-research-council/bob-fu-3–andhowtheirSocialCreditScoreSystemmimicstheBeastsurveillance,inRevelation.________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Let’spraisetheGodofallcreationforHiswonderfulworks!

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________FromPhilYancey’s“Prayer:DoesItMakeAnyDifference?”JesusatPrayer ...TheGospelsrecordjustoveradozenspecificprayersbyJesus,alongwithseveralparablesandteachingson the subject. He followed the normal Jewish practice of visiting the synagogue, the `house of prayer', and ofprayingat least three timesaday.Wecan safelyassume that Jesusalsoprayed inprivate, forwhenhisdisciplesasked for instruction on prayer Jesus said they should seclude themselves. Such prayers in solitude made animpressiononhisfollowers:fivetimestheGospelsmentionJesus'practiceofprayingalone. Likemostofus, Jesusturnedtoprayerintimesoftrouble.Nodoubtheprayedintenselyashefastedandmeditated on the Bible during his time of wilderness tempting. He prayed aloud as the rendezvous with deathapproached,thewordsexpressinghisinnerturmoil:`Nowmyheartistroubled,andwhatshallIsay?"Father,savemefromthishour"?No, itwasforthisveryreasonIcametothishour.'Hisprayers intheGardenofGethsemanepushed him to the edge of endurance, and three times he fell to the ground, overcome. Jesus' prayers held backnothing. Twooftheprayersintroubledtimes(theAbbainGethsemaneandEloifromthecross)weresomovingthatwordsfromtheoriginalSemitic languagestuckinthemindsofhearers.Ofthesevencriesfromthecross,at leastthreewereprayers.Hebrewsreportsthat`heofferedupprayersandpetitionswithloudcriesandtearstotheonewhocouldsavehimfromdeath'—butofcoursehewasnotsavedfromdeath.Likethepeoplewhowrotemeletters,likeallofusattimes,Jesusknewthesensationofgettingnoanswertohispleas. The other typical formof request, prayer for trivial things, apparently had little place in Jesus' practice.Common,everydaythings,yes: theLord'sPrayermentionsdailybread, temptationsandbrokenrelationships,butthese requestsarehardly trivial. Jesus' prayers, in fact, showa remarkable lackof concernabouthis ownneeds.`Takethiscupfromme'mayrepresenttheonlytimeJesusaskedsomethingforhimself. Ifhemadefewrequestsonhisownbehalf,Jesusoftenliftedupprayersforothers.Heprayedforchildrenbroughttohimbytheirmothers,andfor`thepeoplestandinghere'atLazarus'sgraveside,andforSimonPeterwhofacedatimeoftesting.Inhisfinalintercessoryprayer,onelastgaspofgrace,heaskedonbehalfofhispersecutors,`Father,forgivethem,fortheydonotknowwhattheyaredoing.'

Thankyou,Trish,forthisphotoofthe‘SnowDrops’inyourgarden.WhatabeautifulexampleofGod’shandiworkaretheselittleflowers.IwouldliketoincludeineacheditionoftheKBCBulletinaphotothathighlightssomefeatureofGod’swonderfulcreation.Sopleasesendmeaphotothatyou’vetaken,somethingthatyou’veseenthathasinspiredyoutoworshiptheLordastheCreator.

Whenalone,Jesusreliedonprayerasakindofspiritualrecharging.Afteranexhaustingdayofministry—recruitingdisciples,preachingtocrowds,healingthesick—hewouldwithdrawtoanisolatedplacetopray.Thetempter had used the lure of popularity and acclaim to test him in thewilderness, and perhaps Jesus needed toescapetheclamour inorderto firmuphisresistanceandrenewhissenseofmission. `Ihave foodtoeatthatyouknownothingabout,'hereassuredhisdisciples,whoworriedoverhislackofnourishmentatsuchtimes. Jesus'prayersintensifiedaroundkeyevents—hisbaptism,anall-nightsessionbeforechoosinghistwelvedisciples,ontheMountofTransfiguration—andespeciallyashepreparedforhisdeparture.Once,heburstintoanexuberant prayer when a large group of his followers on a short-term mission returned with tales of spiritualtriumph.HeprayedforhisdisciplesthattheHolySpiritwouldcomeasa`Counsellortobewithyouforever'.Inonelong, magnificent prayer recorded in John 17, he prayed not only for the immediate disciples but for all of usthroughouthistorywhowouldbelieveinhimbecauseoftheirmessage.DoesPrayerMatter? After surveying Jesus' practice of prayer, I realise that his example does answer one important questionaboutprayer:Doesitmatter?WhendoubtscreepinandIwonderwhetherprayerisasanctifiedformoftalkingtomyself, I remindmyself that theSonofGod,whohad spokenworlds intobeingand sustainsall that exists, feltacompellingneedtopray.Heprayedasifitmadeadifference,asifthetimehedevotedtoprayermatteredeverybitasmuchasthetimehedevotedtocaringforpeople. AphysicianfriendofminewholearnedIwasinvestigatingprayertoldmeIwouldhavetostartwiththreerather largeassumptions: (1)Godexists; (2)God is capableofhearingourprayers;and(3)Godcaresaboutourprayers.`Noneofthesethreecanbeprovedordisproved,'hesaid.`Theymusteitherbebelievedordisbelieved.'Heisright, of course, although forme the example of Jesus offers strong evidence in favour of that belief.To discountprayer,toconcludethatitdoesnotmatter,meanstoviewJesusasdeluded. Inkeepingwithhisrace,Jesustrulybelievedthatprayercouldchangethings.Romansofthetimeprayedtotheirgodsasonewouldfingeragoodluckcharm,notreallyexpectingmuch.ThescepticalGreeksderidedprayer,theirplaywrightsweavingfoolish,ridiculousandevenobsceneprayersintotheirplaystoprovoketheaudiencetouproarious laughter.OnlythestubbornJews,despitetheirtragichistoryofunansweredprayers,contendedthatasupremeandlovingGodruledtheearth,listenedtotheirprayersandwouldsomedayrespond. Jesusclaimedtobepartofthatresponse,thefulfilmentoftheJewishlongingforMessiah.`AnyonewhohasseenmehasseentheFather,'heoncesaid,andwentaboutexhibitingthewilloftheFather:byfeedingthehungry,healingthesickandliberatingthecaptives.WhenIgetlettersfrompeoplewithintractableproblems,ItellthemIcannotanswerthe`Why?'questions.Ican,though,answeranotherquestion,andthatishowGodfeelsabouttheirplight.WeknowhowGodfeels,becauseJesusgaveusaface,onesometimesstreakedwithtears.WecanfollowJesusthroughtheGospelsandseehowherespondstoawidowwhohaslostherson,toanoutcastwomanwhosebleedingwon'tstop,eventoaRomanofficerwhoseservanthasfallenill.Inhistendermercy,JesusgaveusavisiblesignofhowtheFathermusthearourprayersevennow. `Yourwillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven,'Jesustaughtustopray,andheofallpeopleknewthecontrastbetweenthetwoplaces.OnearthJesusdailyconfrontedtokensofoppositiontothatwill.Mothersthrustsickbabiestoward him, beggars called out, widows grieved, demons mocked him, enemies stalked him. In such an alienenvironment,heturnedtoprayerbothasarefugefrommewlingcrowdsandasareminderofhistruehome,aplacethathadnoroomforevil,painanddeath. Jesusclungtoprayerastoalifeline,foritgavehimboththeguidanceandtheenergytoknowanddotheFather'swill.Tomaintainbeliefinthe`real'worldfromwhichhecame,tonourishmemoryofeternallight,hehadtowork at it all night on occasion, or rise before daybreak. Even then he sometimes grew exasperatedwith hisearthly surroundings ('0 unbelieving generation, how long shall I staywith you?'), sometimes fought temptation('DonotputtheLordyourGodtothetest'),andsometimesdoubted('MyGod,myGod,whyhaveyouforsakenme?'). Scepticsraisequestionsaboutprayer’susefulness.IfGodknowsbest,what'sthepoint?Asonepastoraskedme, `Should I just stop bothering himwithmy petty requests formyself and others, and let God get onwith thebusinessofrunningtheuniversewhileIdomybesttotakecareofthingsdownhere?'Tosuchquestions,Ihavenobetteranswer than theexampleof Jesus,whoknewaboveanyofus thewisdomof theFatherandyetwho feltastrongneedtofloodtheheavenswithrequests. Although Jesus offered nometaphysical proofs of the effectiveness of prayer, the very fact that he did itestablishes its worth. `Ask and you will receive,' he said frankly, a rebuke to anyone who considers petition aprimitiveformofprayer.Whenhisdisciplesfailedtohealanafflictedboy, Jesushadasimpleexplanation: lackofprayer.[Yancey,Philip.Prayer:Doesitmakeanydifference?,London,Hodder&Stoughton,2006,pp.68-71]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Dr.MartynLloyd-JonesinterviewedFromMLJTrustYouTubechannelDr.MartynLloyd-JonesisinterviewedbyJoanBakewellinDecember1970Watchthevideoat:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vbydx95tVQ_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

“CyrustheGreatinBiblicalProphecy” byWayneJackson[fromChristianCourierwebsite]OneofthetrulyastoundingpropheciesoftheBibleisfoundinthelastverseofIsaiah44,togetherwith45:1ff,(anunfortunate chapter break). It has to do with Cyrus, king of Persia. According to the historian Herodotus (TheHistories i.46), Cyruswas the son of Cambyses I. He came to the Persian throne in 559 B.C. Nine years later heconqueredtheMedes,thusunifyingthekingdomsoftheMedesandthePersians.Cyrus is mentioned some twenty-three times in the literature of the Old Testament. Isaiah refers to Cyrus asJehovah’s “shepherd,” the Lord’s “anointed,” who was providentially appointed to facilitate the divine plan. Godwould lead thismonarch to “subduenations”and “opendoors” (anallusion to the Jews’ release fromBabyloniancaptivity). He would make “rough places smooth,” i.e., accommodate the Hebrews’ return to their Palestinianhomeland.HewouldultimatelyberesponsiblefortherebuildingofJerusalemandthereconstructionofthetemple.Amazingly,thekingwouldaccomplishthesenobletaskseventhoughhedidnot“know”Jehovah(45:4,5).Inotherwords, thoughhewasapaganinsentimentandpractice,yet,asanunconscioustool inthehandsof theLord,hewouldcontributemightilytotheJewishcause,andso, indirectly,tothecomingofGod’sgreaterAnointed,JesusofNazareth.Thefulfilmentoftheseplainandspecificpredictionsissetforthin2Chronicles36:22,23andEzra1:1-4,7,8;3:7;4:3.TheEncyclopaediaBritannica,anunlikelysource,acknowledgesthat“in538[B.C.]CyrusgrantedtotheJews,whomNebuchadnezzarhadtransportedtoBabylonia,thereturntoPalestineandtherebuildingofJerusalemanditstemple”(1958,940).H. G. Wells, in his book,The Outline of History, concedes that the Jews “returned to their city, Jerusalem” and“rebuilttheirtemplethereundertheauspicesofCyrus,”thePersianmonarch(1931,p.253).WhatmanypeopledonotrealizeinreadingIsaiah44:28ffisthatthisheathenrulerwasnamedbytheprophetlongbeforethemonarchwasevenborn.IsaiahprophesiedinthereignsofUzziah,Jotham,Ahaz,andHezekiah(1:1).Hisministry thus occurred in the latter portion of the eighth century B.C. (ca. 740 – 701 B.C.). This was some onehundredfiftyyearsbeforeCyruscametothethrone!Incredibledeclarationsofthisnaturehaveledcritics(whorejectthepossibilityofpredictiveprophecy)tosuggestthattheseportionsofthebookofIsaiahwereaddedmuchlater—afterthefact,asitwere.Apopularreferenceworkstates:

BecausethebookofIsaiahincludespropheciesconcerningeventsduringandaftertheExile,criticalscholarsgenerallyattributeportionsofthebooktoone,two,ormoreprophetsinadditiontoIsaiah(esp. Deutero-Isaiah, chs. 40-55; Trito-Isaiah, chs. 56-66) (The Eerdmans Bible Dictionary 1987,531).

Here is an example of how the liberal viewpoint is reflected even by a professor in a Christian university. IndiscussingthepromisessetforthinIsaiah44:26-28,JohnT.WillisofAbileneChristianUniversitysays:

All of these promises assume that Jerusalem and the cities of Judah have been razed, that thetempleisnolongerstanding,thatCyrusisonthesceneandswiftlygrowinginpower,andthatthereturnoftheexilesisimminent(1984380).If such is thecase, then thismaterial couldnotpossiblyhavebeenwrittenby theprophet Isaiahsincehediedlongbeforetheseeventstranspired.Theauthor,inspiteofhisclaimofaconservativeapproach to thebook(31),clearlyreflectshisopinion that thisportionof thebookof IsaiahwasauthoredbyawriterofthesixthcenturyB.C.(cf.381).

Against such a viewpoint we have the assurance of Scripture itself. Earlier, in 41:25ff, Isaiah had spoken of thecomingof“one...fromtherisingofthesun.”Thoughnotcalledbyname,theallusionisclearlytoCyrus,whowouldbringgoodtidingsregardingJerusalem.In41:26,IsaiahmakesitplainthatthemissionofCyruswasamatterofprophecy,noteducatedspeculation.Itisareflectionofcompromisedfaithtopostulatealatedatefortheseprophecies.Finally,asaninterestingsidelight,wenotethatJosephus,theJewishhistorian,statedthattheJewsinBabyloniancaptivity showedCyrus thepropheciesof theOldTestamentScriptureswhichcontainhisnameanddescribedhisroleintheschemeofGod.Thehistoriansaysthatitwasthiscircumstancethatmotivatedtheruler“tofulfilwhatwaswritten”(AntiquitiesoftheJews11.1.2),andthustoissuehisedictpermittingIsrael’sreturntoherhomeland.

Excavations at Babylon (1879 – 1882) led to the discovery of a clay barrel, known as the Cyrus Cylinder,whichcontainedamarvelloushistoricalconfirmationofthebiblicalnarrative.ItportraysthebenevolentpoliciesofCyrusinthefollowingfashion:“AlloftheirpeoplesIgatheredtogetherandrestoredtotheirdwelling-places”(seePrice1902,234).PredictiveprophecyisacompellingevidenceforthedivineoriginoftheHolyScriptures.WorksCited:

• EerdmansBibleDictionary.1987.GrandRapids,MI:Eerdmans.• EncyclopaediaBritannica.1958.Vol.6.• Price,IraM.1902.TheMonumentsandtheOldTestament.Chicago,IL:ChristianCulturePress.• Wells,H.G.1931.TheOutlineofHistory.GardenCity,NY:GardenCityPublishing.• Willis,JohnT.1984.Isaiah.Abilene,TX:ACUPress.•

ScriptureReferences:Isaiah44;1Chronicles29:22,23;Ezra1:1-4,7,8,3:7,4:3;Isaiah44:28;Isaiah44:26-28[Jackson,Wayne."CyrustheGreatinBiblicalProphecy."ChristianCourier.com.Accessdate:July24,2020.https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/264-cyrus-the-great-in-biblical-prophecy]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FromThePersecutionofChristianswebsiteNews:Congo:April13,2020PersecutionofChristiansintheDemocraticRepublicofCongo:Christiansarenearly94%ofthepopulation,butasinNigeriaandelsewhereinAfrica,Islamicjihadisareincreasinglyaggressive.ThispriestandotherChristianslikehimarebeingcalledupontohavethecourageandperseveranceoftheHolyMartyrs.There is in Congo a small indigenous Orthodox Church under the jurisdiction of the Patriarchate of Alexandria.Pleaseprayferventlyforanendtothiscrueltyandbloodlust,andaskourLordandSaviorJesusChristtoenabletheOrthodoxChurchinCongotoenjoypeaceandsecurity,andtoflourish,bringingthelightofChristtothistroubledregion.FormoreChristianPersecution.comcoverageofthepersecutionofChristiansintheDemocraticRepublicofCongo,seehttps://christianpersecution.com/category/congo.“OnlyGodKnows:DRCPriestMartyredforChrist,”InternationalChristianConcern,April9,2020:04/09/2020WashingtonD.C.(InternationalChristianConcern)–Twomonthsago,anAnglicanpriestwaskilledinEringetivillagebymembersoftheAlliedDemocraticForces(ADF),anIslamicrebelgroupthattargetsChristiansintheDemocraticRepublicofCongoandUganda.TheRev.Ven.BatsemireNgulongoYessewaskilledalongside35otherChristianslivinginfourvillagesintheWestdistrictofBeni.ThefatherofeightwasslainwhenherefusedtoconverttoIslam.InternationalChristianConcern(ICC)metwithhisfamilyattheborderinBweradistrict,Uganda.“Wewere inourhouseat thechurchon January29,whenweheardpeoplewalking insidethecompound.Myhusbandopenedthedoorandwefoundthattheywereagroupofmen,armedwithmachetes.Theyorderedmyhusbandtositdown.Wewentinsideandhidunderthebed,butwecouldhearwhattheyweresayingtohim.ThepeopleintroducedthemselvesasMuslims.TheyaskedtheReverendwhyhewasstillpastoringthechurchandwhatreligionhebelongedto.HesaidwewereAnglicans.TheytoldhimtoconverttoIslamifhewantedtolive.Hedeclined.Rightthere,theyslewhisneckandleft.Hediedonthespot,”saidKapitulaFrancoiseMbambu,thewidowofRev.Ven.BatsemireNgulongoYesse.Hisson,PalukuNgalyananzighu,narratedthehorrificincidentthattookthelifeofhisfather….“Nowthistime,theycameatnight andknockedat thedoor.My fatheropened thedoor.Theyaskedhimwhyhehaddefiled theirorderofleavingChristianityandbecomingaMuslim.HerepliedthathewasraisedinaChristianfamily,becamea Christian and baptized in an Anglican church and he cannot convert to another religion. The Islamiststhreatenedtokillhim.HesaidthatitisonlyGodwhoknowsthetimeofhisdeathandifitistimeforhimtodiethenheisreadytodieaChristian.Thentheyslaughteredhim.IwasinanotherhouseandIheardallthattheyweredoing.Whentheyhadkilledmyfathertheyleft.”The church in Congo has been experiencing continued attacks on Christians for over a decade.Many have beenkilledandcarsandvehiclesbelongingtobelieversburnt. InNovember2019theADFgroupkilled thepastorofaBaptist church in Mayimoya. The Christians there have been living in fear since them. In other instances, theattackerswouldmeetpeopleonthewayandseparateChristiansfromMuslimsandkillthem.

ReverendWilsonKasereka,theBusongoraArchdeaconintheDioceseofNorthKivu,whoaccompaniedthefamilyoftheslainpriest,said,“ThewaragainstChristianshasbeenescalatingandpeoplearedyingdailyintheterritoriesofBeni, Mbau, Eringeti, Mayi-moya, Kokola and other towns.We have lost several pastors that have been servingChristians in Congoandwe live in fear becausewe do not knowwhen theADFwill come for us.WehavemanyrefugeeshereattheborderofCongoandUgandabecausethereissomepeace.WehavemanyChristianswhohavetaken shelter in our diocese. The Anglican of Congo is not strong enough to support all these Christians. TheseChristianrefugeesneedalotofprayersandsupport.”TheADFisanIslamicrebelgroupthatoriginatedinUgandainthe1980sandsettled intheRwenzoriMountainsthatsitalongtheborderofUgandaandCongo.Theyhavebeenkilling,raping,andkidnappingChristiansformorethantwodecades….[ThePersecutionofChristians,https://christianpersecution.com/congo/congo-they-told-him-to-convert-to-islam-if-he-wanted-to-live-he-declined-they-slew-his-neck-and-left.Accessed26/7/20.]_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FromMAFUKYouTubechannel“Beingshotwon’tstopmissionaryMaudservingGodinCongo”One year after being shot at her home by robbers, MAF helped return SIMmissionary Maud Kells to service inMulita,DemocraticRepublicofCongo.Whereshereceivedahugewelcomeby thecommunity!MAFpilotshelpedsavetheNorthernIrishmissionary’slifethroughanemergencymedevacflight,andwe’resopleasedourfriendhasrecovered.Watchthevideoat:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Jlmo1q5Jk_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

EzraReadsandExplainstheLaw[Nehemiah8:1-12]

NowallthepeoplegatheredtogetherasonemanintheopensquarethatwasinfrontoftheWaterGate;and they told Ezra the scribe to bring theBookof the LawofMoses,which the Lordhad commandedIsrael.SoEzrathepriestbroughttheLawbeforetheassemblyofmenandwomenandallwhocouldhearwithunderstandingonthefirstdayoftheseventhmonth.Thenhereadfromitintheopensquarethatwas in frontof theWaterGate frommorninguntilmidday,beforethemenandwomenandthosewhocouldunderstand;andtheearsofallthepeoplewereattentivetotheBookoftheLaw.SoEzrathescribestoodonaplatformofwoodwhichtheyhadmadeforthepurpose;andbesidehim,athis right hand, stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Urijah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah; and at his left handPedaiah,Mishael,Malchijah,Hashum,Hashbadana,Zechariah,andMeshullam.AndEzraopenedthebookin the sightofall thepeople, forhewas standingaboveall thepeople;andwhenheopened it, all thepeoplestoodup.AndEzrablessedtheLord,thegreatGod.Thenallthepeopleanswered,“Amen,Amen!”whileliftinguptheirhands.AndtheybowedtheirheadsandworshipedtheLordwiththeirfacestotheground.Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad,Hanan,Pelaiah,andtheLevites,helpedthepeopletounderstandtheLaw;andthepeoplestoodintheirplace.Sotheyreaddistinctlyfromthebook,intheLawofGod;andtheygavethesense,andhelpedthemtounderstandthereading.AndNehemiah,whowasthegovernor,Ezrathepriestandscribe,andtheLeviteswhotaughtthepeoplesaidtoallthepeople,“ThisdayisholytotheLordyourGod;donotmournnorweep.”Forallthepeoplewept,whentheyheardthewordsoftheLaw.Thenhesaidto them,“Goyourway,eat the fat,drinkthesweet,andsendportionsto those forwhomnothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is yourstrength.”SotheLevitesquietedallthepeople,saying,“Bestill,forthedayisholy;donotbegrieved.”Andallthepeoplewent theirwaytoeatanddrink, tosendportionsandrejoicegreatly,becausetheyunderstoodthewordsthatweredeclaredtothem._________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________