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NEWS FROM THE BBC

 
John the Baptist-An important historical figure, biblical character and link in the chain of Messianic Prophecy
04/09/2018
John the Baptist-An important historical figure, biblical character and link in the chain of Messianic Prophecy
Many cult leaders are self-appointed and attract a following often through their charismatic delivery, ability to work a crowd and the persuasiveness of their delivery, more so than the actual message they present. The timing and significance of the ministry of John the Baptist pointing to the Lord Jesus Christ as Messiah and the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world goes against the flow of the spiritual fads that fizzle out as quickly as they rise to prominence and directs us to the Saviour who is the way, the truth and the life.  
 
John the Baptist in history

Please click here to read Jon's full article.
 
How to use Biblical Prophecy in a simple and structured way to share your faith
29/08/2018
How to use Biblical Prophecy in a simple and structured way to share your faith
Some of us may have used the ‘Roman Road’ using seven verse/s from the book of Romans to share the gospel. The references can be written on a small card (see summary at the end) and kept in a wallet and can either be given to someone; or used as a tool for witnessing. In the same way, we can use a Scripture or two about the Lord’s birth, John the Baptist as a forerunner, the Lord’s miraculous ministry and speaking in parables, His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension in the form of a timeline to share our faith. On the other side of the card, you can list the seven references from the Roman Road (again see summary at the end). This can be used to make a tract to give out to others.
 
If your Bible has margin references, it is worthwhile circling the New Testament references and if possible, committing the references to memory. In the same way, with the Roman Road, writing R1,2,3, 4, 5, 6,7 next to the corresponding verse/s in your Bible will help you to find it quickly. They will prove invaluable for sharing the Scriptures. Whilst phones and electronic devices are useful for finding these passages, having a Bible to hand is of great benefit for having an orientation of Scripture and linking passages with other ones.

Please click here to read the full story

 
Jon's Blog - The Wisdom of Agur-Living Parts One & Two
19/08/2018
Jon's Blog - The Wisdom of Agur-Living Parts One & Two
Every word of God proves true. Why do we read the Bible and Proverbs rather than Aesop Fables daily? Not the latter isn’t interesting or of no use. God’s Word is true and life changing, is entirely reliable and authoritative, provides instruction and insight, helps us to live godly lives, we are commanded to do so, and it is for our good. The book of the Lord draws us ever closer to the Lord of the book and we can know Him. He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.

What does a godly life look like? Agur is a fascinating character who we know little about, though he may have been a contemporary of Solomon. It is obvious that he was a godly man; yet his opening statement upon the first occasion of reading is somewhat bewildering and doesn’t appear to constitute a suitable introduction for a solid spiritual CV. He describes himself as ‘more stupid than any man, and do not have the understanding of a man, I neither have learned wisdom nor have knowledge of the Holy One’ (Prov. 30:2-3).’

Please click here to be redirected to Jon's Blog page to read Parts One and Two in Full
 
Sola Deo Gloria-Glory to God Alone
27/06/2018
Sola Deo Gloria-Glory to God Alone
In John 17 there are many things that we could consider as our Lord prayed for Himself, His disciples and all believers in His words that were spoken just prior to His betrayal and arrest in the garden of Gethsemane. To mention just a few, we could expound the doctrine of election, assurance of salvation or equality within the Godhead. These doctrines are unquestionably of vital importance although they also serve the ultimate purpose of glorifying God.

Please click here to read Jon's full article on our Blog pages
 
Elder Affirmation of Faith
20/06/2018
Elder Affirmation of Faith
To supplement and enhance our Statement of Faith (see "What We Believe" under "About Us" ) we have now introduced an "Elder Affirmation of Faith". Please click the link below to open the pdf document 

Click here to download the "Elder Affirmation of Faith"
 
Daniel in the lion's den, the resurrection of the Lord and what that means for us today
14/05/2018
Daniel in the lion's den, the resurrection of the Lord and what that means for us today
Some commentaries note the similarity between the stone that was sealed over the lion’s den to prevent the possibility of anyone assisting an escape for Daniel and the stone that was sealed over the tomb where our Lord was buried, to ensure that His body wouldn’t be stolen. There are many other astonishing parallels between the two events, ultimately demonstrating the divine seal of God’s sovereignty throughout the ages and for all time.

To read Jon's complete article please click here to be redirected to our Blog page
 
Resisting the World, the Flesh and the Devil
04/05/2018
Resisting the World, the Flesh and the Devil
Our spiritual opponents fall into three categories. It is a solemn and salutary fact that we are continually at odds with the world, the flesh and the devil. At the dawn of creation, the world wasn’t our foe initially; because Adam and Eve resided in Eden which God created in its perfect uncorrupted state. However Adam and Eve both succumbed to the temptation of the flesh. They were influenced and failed to resist the devil’s lies and deceptive scheming. This resulted in both their and our spiritual death and the need for sin to be dealt with through substitutionary atonement. As sin entered the world, the world itself immediately became a hostile environment and also our enemy.

To read the full article please click here to be redirected to Jon's BLOG page
 
Little Children, keep yourself from idols (1 John 5:21)
24/04/2018
Little Children, keep yourself from idols (1 John 5:21)
Idolatry expressed as the worship of inanimate objects is a curious thing. Isaiah 44:15-20 employs godly logic that we are familiar with. Idols fashioned by human hands which are then venerated is both an absurd thing to do and is greatly offensive towards God. No doubt those advocating the worship of idols would point out that the power and purpose of the practise is not in the object itself, but in what it represents. However, that doesn’t fully explain the deeper motive for the practise and to enable one to do that, it is helpful to consider cultural settings of idolatry, contextually, geographically and historically.

To carry on reading this article please click here to be redirected to Jon's Blog page .....
 
Home Group Notes for Week Commencing 23rd April 2018
23/04/2018
Home Group Notes for Week Commencing 23rd April 2018
Loving God with our minds
Colossians 3:1-4: What are you thinking?
How do the four foundational statements below, motivate us to seek the things that are above, and set our minds on those things?
- We have died with Christ
- We have been raised with Christ
- We are hidden in Christ
- We shall appear with Christ
We said that seeking the things that are above, and setting our minds on those things, means thinking much on Christ. What else might it mean?

See 1 John 1:3, Matthew 6:33, Matthew 6:10
While we live on earth, what do you think is the ultimate goal in seeking the things that are above, and setting our minds on them?
Discuss what practical changes you may need to make, to your current lifestyle, to enable you to seek the things that are above, and set your mind on those things?
 
Initiating Gospel Conversations
06/04/2018
Initiating Gospel Conversations
Often we are encouraged to share the gospel with others, yet we can struggle at first with how, where, when and with whom to start. However, if we know God and are willing to be used by God, He can use us as He wills and the short answer is anywhere and everywhere. Sometimes starting a conversation can be like getting an aircraft off the ground. It is difficult gaining momentum on the runway, though conversation usually runs more smoothly after take-off.  Paul encouraged the Corinthians to become all things to all men to save some (1 Cor. 9:22). There are many ways that we can apply this and begin sharing our faith by using a little forethought, preparation and much prayer that can open exciting opportunities for sharing our faith.

 
THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP
01/04/2018
THREE NEW APPOINTMENTS TO STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH LEADERSHIP
As the church family grows so the leadership and supporting personnel need to expand to manage as far as possible the pastoral and spiritual needs of all.
Very recently three new appointments have been constituently approved to strengthen the church leadership and administration functions.
 
Clive Baines has been serving the Lord as part of the BBC Diaconate since 2004 and at recent members meeting his move from Deacon to the Eldership was affirmed. Clive joins existing elder Stephen Pettifer to jointly support Pastor Tim Gamston.

Clive tells us:-I now serve as an Elder and my desire is to reflect what Paul writes to the Ephesians in Chapter 1 verses 15-23 to continually pray for those under our care so together we may know Christ better.
 
Brian Rawlings now joins the Diaconate taking the maintaining the numbers of Deacons at four individuals to share the many roles and duties. Brian tells us:- It is a privilege but huge responsibility to be elected to serve as a deacon. Whilst a daunting prospect, I know from previous experience that the Lord will give me the necessary resources and enabling to fulfil the role. I trust that my gifts of administration and organisation, experience of major building projects, and heart for mission will be of value to the diaconate.  
 
Finally we have an administrative assistant to support the Pastor and free him from the time consuming tasks of running the church in all its functions. Lis Webb who is already a Missionary Representative alongside Brian Rawlings has taken on the administrative role in a voluntary capacity.
 
emf News from Matt & Judith Hill in Spain
30/03/2018
emf News from Matt & Judith Hill in Spain
Please go to the Missionaries page to read the latest (January 2018) "Hills Happenings" Newsletter from Spain Missionaries
 
Home Group Notes for Week Commencing 25th March 2018
26/03/2018
Home Group Notes for Week Commencing 25th March 2018
Be Filled With the Spirit  - Ephesians 5:18

Taking deeper
In Luke 11:9-13, Jesus indicates that we need to desire this Spirit filled life. We need to ask, seek and knock, believing that God will give the Holy Spirit.
 
Why might we not want to be filled with the Holy Spirit? (Consider Acts 8:29, 16:6-7, Matthew 4:1)
 
Application
We saw five things we can do that will open up the way for the Holy Spirit to work as he wishes. These were;
 
  1. Desire to be filled with the Spirit - Luke 11:9-13
  2. Offer your body to be filled with the Holy Spirit - Romans 12:1-2
  3. Meditate on the Word of Christ - John 6:63
  4. Believe the Word of Christ - Galatians 3:5
  5. Obey the word of Christ - John 14:22-23
 
What changes will you make in order to put these five things into practice? How can you practically change things, so that you can give room for the Spirit to working your life?
 
Worship
Jesus said,  (John 16:12–15 (ESV))
 
12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own
authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. 14 He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. 15 All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
 
What aspects of Christ’s life, has the Spirit revealed to you, that has caused you to worship Jesus?

 
A few brief thoughts about Music and the Bible
09/02/2018
A few brief thoughts about Music and the Bible
Music is an incredibly powerful medium of expression evident throughout the Scriptures with enormous potential for both blessing and harm. Therefore we should consider the roots and fruit of our music. We shouldn’t forget that Jubal was the father of those who play the harp and flute and he was descended from the murderous lineage of Cain and Lamech (Gen. 4:21, 16-20). This doesn’t mean that Jubal was necessarily using music for evil purposes because of his chequered ancestry in the same way that Tubal-Cain wasn’t ‘wrong’ to be an instructor of bronze and iron, though the use of music and metal work throughout history has produced both holy and unwholesome compositions and instruments for the benefit of some and also for the destruction of others.

Please click here to read the complete article.
 
Psalm 22-The prophecy, suffering, ultimate sacrifice and plan of the Messiah
27/01/2018
Psalm 22-The prophecy, suffering, ultimate sacrifice and plan of the Messiah
Psalm 22 foretells astonishing detailed prophecy of the suffering and death of Messiah in addition to the cost of His sacrifice. Since we have finite capacities we are unable to fully comprehend that cost. It was written by David around 1000BC (before crucifixion was invented), though it describes this event. His execution was also attested by Jewish, Greek, Roman, Syrian and Early Church sources in addition to the Bible itself. The implications of the first verse reveal the depth of His love, when the Son of God who had enjoyed perfect fellowship with the Father from eternity past, was separated from His Father. The end of the Psalm speaks of the triumphs of the Messiah and His kingdom and of all the families of the earth that will worship Him.
 
 
Review of the film 'The Case for Christ' (based on a true story)...
09/01/2018
Review of the film 'The Case for Christ' (based on a true story)...
Lee Strobel was a successful reporter with the Chicago Tribune and was promoted to be their legal editor. He had a nice wife, one beautiful child and another on the way. Everything seemed perfect. They celebrated at a restaurant when suddenly their daughter couldn’t breathe as some gum became lodged in her throat. A Christian nurse stepped in removing the offending article, thus saving her life. Lee was grateful but attributed the timing to coincidence; though Leslie his wife was convinced there was more to it. What follows is an unlikely twist of events, journey of faith and a fascinating and scrupulous investigation regarding the resurrection.

Read the full film review by clicking here which will take you to the Blog zone.
 
NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE from PASTOR TIM:
06/01/2018
NEW YEAR'S MESSAGE from PASTOR TIM:
All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the Lord blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40: 6–8, ESV)
 
2017 didn’t end in the way I had anticipated. By God’s mercy, I am alive to write this short message for the bulletin, but I may not have been. Both the surgeons in Poole and Southampton have emphasised that the injuries I received from my accident were life threatening, and I am, to quote them, “Lucky to be alive.” Let, me say, I don’t believe in luck. I believe in a sovereign God, who has determined the day of our death, and determined that the 27th October wasn’t going to be the day of my death.
 
However, I have had cause to reflect on what it would mean to die. During that time of reflection, the Lord has taught me much, including the truth of Isaiah 40:6-8. In fact, in one of the darkest times after the accident, the Lord used these verses to really humble me and encourage me.
 
They teach us that God’s promises are unchanging and that he isn’t dependent on any one preacher to feed his people from his word. For sure, God in his mercy is pleased to raise up preachers and use them. But he isn’t dependent on keeping them alive until the return of Christ, in order to have his word declared. If the Lord had taken me home to be with him, then the word of God would continue to have been preached here at Broadstone Baptist Church.
 
The evidence of that is the way this church has been blessed with good preaching over the last two months. God has continued to speak to us through those who have stood in for me.
 
How we need to grasp this as a church. Although at the moment, the Lord has called me to preach his word here, he is free to use others, and he will use others. Let’s be thankful to God for those he sends to us. And let’s support them in prayer. And let’s ask the Lord to speak through them to us.
 
With much love, Pastor Tim
 
With the Lord a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day
05/01/2018
With the Lord a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day
Last year seemed to race past at the speed of light and it felt like multiple events were condensed into about half that time. In one sense each year may appear to pass more quickly since each successive year represents a smaller proportion of our lives. When Peter speaks of a thousand years for the Lord being as a day and a day being as a thousand years, he is speaking in the context of the certainty and timing of the second coming. Indeed God’s promise is not slack and He is long suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). This also helps us in our finite understanding to comprehend something of God’s essence and purpose; He is from eternity, from outside time and space though His Son entered into our sin-contaminated world and dwelt among us.

To read Jon's full article please click here
 
Contemplating the reason for the Saviour's birth
19/12/2017
Contemplating the reason for the Saviour's birth
 The lives of John the Baptist and Jesus our Messiah were unmistakeably and purposefully intertwined from their remarkable births. Before they were born, Gabriel visited their respective parents. They met whilst in their mother’s wombs, each had a miraculous birth and were filled with the Spirit from birth, were named before their births, were introduced prior to their births and many rejoiced at their births!
 
These events were known to God before they happened since God is from eternity and is infinite and knows all things. It is astonishing to grasp the fact that when Jesus took on flesh and dwelt among us, He stepped into time and space as Immanuel-God with us. Reassuringly David wrote of God’s perfect knowledge of man recognizing that ultimately God formed him in his mother’s womb.
 
 
Anna Testifies of the Redeemer-Luke 2:36-38
11/12/2017
Anna Testifies of the Redeemer-Luke 2:36-38
Anna was greatly used by the Lord to bear testimony of the Consolation of Israel and was in the right place at exactly the right time. It wasn’t merely the case that Anna was simply an incredibly devoted and faithful worshipper who could be counted on to be present for the prayer meetings despite her great age and since she was pious it was likely that she would be there when Jesus was presented at the temple. Anna was another faithful witness like Simeon looking specifically for the redemption in Jerusalem. This required knowledge of the Scriptures and when Messiah arrived she was ready to speak of Him.
 
Please click here to read Jon's complete article of Anna's Tesimony 
 
Simeon sees God's salvation and predicts the fall and rising of many in Israel (Luke 2:25-35)
05/12/2017
Simeon sees God's salvation and predicts the fall and rising of many in Israel (Luke 2:25-35)
Simeon’s ultimate desire was to see the Messiah before he died. And he did; and similarly, that is our greatest need and should be our greatest concern in this world, even if we don’t realise that yet. “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God (Matt. 5:8).” Many Jewish folk are still waiting for the Consolation of Israel whilst some have recognised and believe in Him as Messiah. There were those who saw our Lord’s miracles, heard His teaching and witnessed His precise fulfilment of detailed and specific prophecy, though they still pondered his exact identity and asked whether he was one the prophets, namely Moses, Elijah or Jeremiah.
 
These things are revealed by the Spirit of God. It was revealed to Simeon by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Messiah. These events were foreordained by God and it is no coincidence that Simeon was in the temple as the parents of Jesus were presenting Him to God. As Matthew Henry stated, ‘Those who would see Christ must go to His temple"
To read the full blog article from Jon Taylor please click here.
 

 
Review of 'Why The Reformation Still Matters'-Part 2
18/09/2017
Review of 'Why The Reformation Still Matters'-Part 2
Previously we established that the Reformation was not supposed to be limited to a one- time event but more accurately a continuing process… We looked at justification, scripture, sin and grace and their relevance today. We saw how Reeves and Chester traced Luther’s former view of sin back to Aristotle where righteousness was seen as something to be earned by doing righteous deeds and then recognised that we could never accomplish that in a lifetime of lifetimes.  Our sin needs to be forgiven by God and we need to be declared righteous by Him. Justification is by grace through faith. Though only a small part of the overall book is being reviewed here, it is time now to look at ‘How do we know what is true and how can we know God?

To read the full article please go to Jon's Blog or click here
 
Review of 'Why The Reformation Still Matters' by Michael Reeves & Tim Chester
12/09/2017
Review of 'Why The Reformation Still Matters' by Michael Reeves & Tim Chester
This book is worthwhile reading not simply because it is the 500th anniversary of the Reformation this year and it is important to understand our history. The Reformation still matters today. We should consider the implications of the Reformation concerning issues in the continuous present rather than relegating it to the annals of the past. Reeves and Chester provide an excellent means of communicating that, both in this book and on You-Tube. For the sake of brevity this part of the review is mainly limited to the first four chapters, though of course, that will hopefully be enough to encourage you to purchase it for yourselves!

To read Jon's complete review of this excellent book please click here
 
5 ways to celebrate the Reformation 500 years on...
22/06/2017
5 ways to celebrate the Reformation 500 years on...
It is five hundred years since Martin Luther famously nailed his ninety five theses on the church door in Wittenberg Germany, bringing an enormous change that affects us still today. The Reformation was monumentally important since the Bible became increasingly accessible in English when previously it was mainly read only in Latin by the privileged few who were using it mainly for personal gain whilst exploiting the masses. Salvation by grace not works was preached according to the scriptures replacing the numerous erroneous traditions that were largely outside of Scripture or a misinterpretation of it.
 
The five guiding principles were:
 
·         1. Sola Scriptura: by Scripture alone
·         2. Solus Christus: by Christ alone
·         3. Sola Gratia: by grace alone
·         4. Sola Fide: by faith alone
·         5. Soli Deo Gloria: glory to God alone
 
We have a tremendous opportunity to celebrate the Reformation in this five hundredth anniversary in the following ways…
 
1 At the Bournemouth and Poole Convention this year from 3rd-7th July, during the evening presentations, Tim Chester will be preaching from Galatians and specifically linking in his sermons with the Reformation. Together with Michael Reeves, Tim Chester has authored a book entitled ‘Why the Reformation Still Matters’.
2 Michael Reeves has also produced a series on the Reformation and the Puritans on You Tube. Why not watch some of these and also share them with your friends on Facebook?
3 I will be writing a series of blog articles on the Reformation and will be focussing on some of the key individuals which will include some book reviews. I will also do an article on John Wycliffe, known as ‘The morning star of the Reformation’.
4 On the 31st October, we will be celebrating Reformation Day at Broadstone Baptist Church which will fall on a Tuesday, so we will have a special evening service. Specific details will follow.
5 Why not tell and invite your friends to the events above? Ultimately we want to be changed and transformed by God and His word so that we are conformed to His image.
 
Reflections on the Gideons South West Scripture Focus
20/06/2017
Reflections on the Gideons South West Scripture Focus
On Saturday we split into three teams to give out scriptures and engage in evangelistic conversation in Wimborne, Bournemouth and Christchurch Quay. My team was based at Christchurch Quay. It was a mixed experience since it was initially hard going though half an hour or so in, constructive conversations began to develop and handing our scriptures became easier.
 
Please click here to read Jon's complete blog article
 
Make use of the Christian Institute Election Briefing 2017
27/05/2017
Make use of the Christian Institute Election Briefing 2017
This helpful guide enables quick comparison and analysis concerning issues that matter to Christians. Since we don’t live in a theocracy, there will always be conflict in trying to live as Bible based Christians, observing Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17 and Acts 5:29 in our sphere of influence… It wisely doesn’t state who to vote for, but by providing a systematic layout of the  particular views, positions and policies held by the respective parties, it makes it far easier to not only determine which party to vote for, but to be able to meaningfully articulate your view from ideally a biblical perspective. 
Please Click Here to read Jon's Complete Blog Item
 
Enduring and worthwhile thoughts from the 2017 Gideons National Convention
19/05/2017
Enduring and worthwhile thoughts from the 2017 Gideons National Convention
I arrived at the conference feeling already tired before the first meeting, although I returned greatly encouraged and refreshed. It was an especially full and excellent itinerary which was incredibly well planned and administered.
 
The theme of the weekend was memorably introduced by watching a clip of Jim Peters attempting to run the last lap of the marathon at the 1954 Commonwealth Games in Vancouver. Though he was literally miles ahead, his only mistake was failing to pace himself in a race where the temperatures soared in unbearably inclement conditions.
 
It was an emotionally charged and sombre experience seeing a man who was severely dehydrated and had given his all, known by some as the greatest marathon runner ever, staggering bewildered like a drunk man in plimsoles, trying to run in a straight line and complete what would have been his victory lap. Peters was eventually stretchered off and soon announced his retirement. He was awarded an honourary medal for his courage, though never fully recovered from that race.

Please click here to read the full story
 
5 Reasons to Study Genealogies in the Bible
16/05/2017
5 Reasons to Study Genealogies in the Bible
God’s word is rooted in history and concerns real people involved in real events that affect us today and will continue to do so. History and genealogies are provided for a reason .The way in which the precise historical record and extensive lists of ancestors are presented in Scripture and linked to massively significant events is unmistakably unique, especially when compared with other religious texts, many of which have either less or no concern regarding historical accuracy. Therefore, history is ‘His story’.
Please click here to read the full story
 
God is Light and terrifyingly holy yet approachable and knowable through His Son
25/02/2017
God is Light and terrifyingly holy yet approachable and knowable through His Son
God is light and in Him is no darkness at all and He is perfect in all His attributes. He is of purer eyes than to behold evil (Hab.1:13).Though the entirety of His understanding is unfathomable because we are finite and He is infinite and He isn’t limited by time and space as we are, God is still knowable and we created in His image. He is indescribably holy and can only be approached on His terms not our terms. God’s glory is so great that no one has seen God at any time although, the Lord Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son has declared Him. Encouragingly, Jesus said that He who has seen Him has seen the Father (John 14:9).
Jon Taylor 
Click Here to read the full article
 
 
Use Biblical Terms but Define Them
11/02/2017
Use Biblical Terms but Define Them
Some of us have been attending church services and mid-week services for decades and so we are familiar with Christian vocabulary. Sometimes we need to be reminded that for the unchurched this can be both a confusing and bewildering experience, so we need to present and communicate the gospel in a way that can be understood by everyone present.
 
As a child I sang tremendous hymns that were frequently long without understanding much of their content. Now I really enjoy them, though I wish they had been explained to me simply so I could have grasped their meaning.

Click here to read the full article
 
The benefits of using maps for Bible Study
08/02/2017
The benefits of using maps for Bible Study
Effective teachers are usually aware of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning styles and incorporate that into their presentation for the benefit of their students. The use of a Bible atlas or the maps provided at the back of some study Bibles are an excellent aid to gaining more insight from God’s Word and help to bring it to life. Here are some useful applications for personal study, group work, sermons and visiting biblical sites.

To read this complete article please click here
 
Pastor Tim's New Years Message
02/01/2017
Pastor Tim's New Years Message
The New Year is a God given opportunity to look back and look forward. As we look back we do so with gratitude to God. That’s because our God is a God who everyday gives us grace to help in time of need. There may have been times when we didn’t feel it, but the reality is that he was there sustaining us. He was sustaining our lives, but more significantly he was sustaining our faith. We know that because God is the one who gives faith. That’s what Paul tells us in Romans 12:3; 
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3, ESV)
What that means is that if we have come through trials and we are still trusting in Christ for salvation, then we can look back with gratitude to God.
But we can also look forward to this year with a real and solid hope. We don’t know what this year will bring. For some it may be that the Lord has planned to give us rest from suffering. For others it may be that he plans to bring suffering into our lives. The one thing we can be sure of is that his grace will overflow into our lives to sustain us. 
This Paul’s prayer in 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Thessalonians 1:11–12, ESV)
According to this verse, all that you and I need this coming year to be counted worthy of our calling, and to enable us to do the good we resolve to do, and for that to become an act of faith, will be given by God’s grace.
Practically that means we don’t need to fear this year. For sure we will face fearful things, but God’s grace will abound to us at those times.
May we as a church trust him each day for his grace.
With love,
Pastor Tim

 
That it might be fulfilled
21/12/2016
That it might be fulfilled
Matthew’s gospel contains an astonishing amount of fulfilled prophecy. Even the opening genealogy evidences that Jesus is the Son of Abraham and the greater Son of David. As a Jew, Matthew was writing to a Jewish audience portraying our Lord as the King of the Jews proving that He was the long-awaited Messiah.

To read the whole of Jon's article please click this link
 
In making the connection between Old Testament prophecies finding their precise fulfilment in the Lord Jesus Christ, Matthew doesn’t leave us guessing; often using the phrase ‘that it might be fulfilled’ or mentioning the prophet by name. This gives us confidence and assurance in God and His word since they are both perfect and trustworthy in their entirety. 
 
Autumn Term Sermons Card Now Available
17/11/2016
Autumn Term Sermons Card Now Available
 
AM SERMONS
20th November; Ephesians 4:1-16 - Health Depends on All
27th November; 1 Corinthians 12:1-30 - Gifts That Build
4th December; 1 Corinthians 13 - The Excellence of Love
11th December; Colossians 3:13 - Two Essential Exercises

PM SERMONS
20th November; Galatians 6:1-5 - Caught and Restored
27th November; Galatians 6:6-10 - Grace and Good Works
3rd December; Galatians 6:11-18 - How to Boast Well
11th December; Psalm 13 - Faith, Joy and Singing

Please click here to see the complete Autumn Term Card 

 
 
Review of 'Just do Something- A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will
15/11/2016
Review of 'Just do Something- A Liberating Approach to Finding God's Will
This book is refreshingly concise and uncomplicated; biblically sound, clear and pragmatic. It is an excellent resource for Christians seeking God’s will for their lives today. Joshua Harris wrote the foreword and stated ‘I am a Pastor. And the highest praise I can give this book is that this is my new go-to book on decision making and “finding God’s will (p8).”

Click here to read the full book review 
 
Lis Webb's Baptism Story
10/11/2016
Lis Webb's Baptism Story
What a joyous occassion we had last Sunday to hear Lis Webb's Testimony and to witness Pastor Tim baptise her as part of the morning worship service. 

Lis has given permission for us to publish her testimony here on the church website and to include photographs.  Please read the fill story on our the BBC News page.
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A Constructive Christian Response to Halloween
11/10/2016
A Constructive Christian Response to Halloween
Opinion is divided in relation to how and what Christians should do when Halloween comes round each year. Some view this festival as harmless fun, some recognise connections with paganism and the occult, some hide away and avoid it at all costs, some have church parties celebrating the Reformation or have light parties, whilst others seek to use the opportunity to share the gospel. 

Please click here to read Jon's full article 
 
Four reasons why we do not lose heart
30/09/2016
Four reasons why we do not lose heart
Scripture encourages us in various ways not to lose heart. To use a phrase in common-usage today, we need to keep on keeping-on. Invariably it is too easy to lose heart the minute we temporarily avert our attention from considering the biblical and eternal perspective, or become overwhelmed by our problems. The reality is that we have everything we need in Christ and it is helpful to regularly remind ourselves and others of this.

To read the complete article please click here of go to the BBC Blog page
 
A short and sober note on why we should do good works
25/09/2016
A short and sober note on why we should do good works
There are many paradoxes in the Christian life. To the unsaved, many of these paradoxes will probably remain a mystery or appear to be unresolved contradictions, because they are spiritually discerned and God reveals that which humans cannot resolve for themselves. I am colour blind and there are some numbers hidden in colour mosaic eyesight tests that I cannot see and it would be foolish for anyone to expect me to see what I cannot see. Similarly all believers were blind before God opened their eyes to enable them to see spiritually.

To read Jon Taylor's complete article go to the BBC Blog page or click here
 
LADIES FELLOWSHIP GARDEN PARTY
22/08/2016
LADIES FELLOWSHIP GARDEN PARTY
The Ladies Fellowship held their annual garden party in glorious weather on Wednesday 17th August at the Merley home and garden of Stephen and Ruth Pettifer.  Click to read the full story and to view the pictures.
 
 
Review of 'The Account Which We Must Give' by Carl Johnson
04/08/2016
Review of 'The Account Which We Must Give' by Carl Johnson
I read this book almost a decade ago and found it to be a wake-up call, while simultaneously encouraging. I am glad that I have just re-read it. While several topics relating to judgement are carefully examined and outlined, it is the bema judgement which relates to rewards at the judgement seat of Christ (this is a separate judgement to that of the Great White Throne Judgement) that is the main subject presented.

Please click here to read Jon's complete book review and commentary.
 
Philippians 4:8-9 Godly thinking and Godly actions and the God of peace with you
01/07/2016
Philippians 4:8-9 Godly thinking and Godly actions and the God of peace with you
It is no great revelation that right thinking influences and aids right behaviour. Furthermore, Christians should be doers as well as hearers of the word. However, a reward of the righteous, (that is those who have right standing with God through no merit of their own but through His imputed righteousness), is that they have the God of peace with them.  The peace of God (Phil. 4:7) is incalculably treasured by those who know God and trust in Him as is the God of peace (Phil 4:9) who gives His peace.
 
Please click here to read Jon's complete article 
 
Responding to the EU referendum result
26/06/2016
Responding to the EU referendum result
On Thursday 23rd June 2016, the UK voted, with a narrow majority, to leave the EU. A lot has been written and spoken on social media, in news reports and among friends. The following is an attempt to help us think in a Biblical way so that we can pray into the result. It is written primarily for those who are believers in Christ. It is written as a matter of urgency. It is written as a primer, to get us thinking about the issues. It’s not an exhaustive list and I’m sure that there is more that Christians need to hear and will be said in the coming months.
 
If we are going to respond properly to the result we need to …
 
Remember that what unites us is not politics but Jesus.
 
There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:28, NLT)
 
For [Christ] himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility … that he … might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross. (Ephesians 2:14–16, ESV)
 
As believers we don’t look to find unity in politics. Instead we ARE united together as one body in Christ. We are united with all our political differences and all other differences.
 
This unity needs to be worked out in the way we relate to one another over the EU referendum. It needs to be worked out by us bearing with one another in love and seeking to maintain the unity we have in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)
 
Remember that believers differ over non-Gospel issues and are free to express their differences.
 
Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. (Romans 14:13, ESV)
 
Although this text is referring to secondary issues relating to religious observances it still applies to all secondary issues. Those things that are non-Gospel.
 
We live in a democracy and other believers are free to vote according their own conscience and needs. Our responsibility is to not quarrel with them nor act in a way that will cause weaker believers to walk away from the faith.
 
Remember that God is still on the throne.
 
In the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up; and the train of his robe filled the temple. (Isaiah 6:1, ESV)
 
Israel’s king had died and there was uncertainty about the future for the nation.
 
As a nation we are now in a very similar situation. With leaving the EU, the PrimeMinister stepping down in October, fear in the financial markets and a nation deeply divided, there is great uncertainty.
 
Where are we to look? We need to look up and see that God is still on the throne ruling the nations to accomplish all his purposes. He hasn’t been taken by surprise. Indeed, through the choice we made, God will still accomplish His own purposes for us. In the coming months he will continue to sovereignly rule over the changes that are coming.
 
Can I suggest that as we read newspapers and blogs, and as we watch news reports and documentaries, that we also read our Bibles to ensure that our world view has God at the centre.
 
Remember to pray for our leaders.
 
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. (1 Timothy 2:1–2, ESV)
 
In the coming months and years as Britain extracts itself from the EU our leaders will need great wisdom, strength and integrity if they are to do what is best for us. We need to pray for them. We need to pray that they will have all that is needed to enable them to deal with the changes ahead.
 
Remember that God’s Kingdom has higher priority than the United Kingdom.
 
Jesus said;
 
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33, ESV)
 
Jesus spoke this in the context of worry. Rather than worrying about money, he said seek God’s kingdom as a priority.
 
Although God is obviously concerned for the nations, ultimately the only kingdom that shall outlast every other kingdom is God’s kingdom.
 
To make his kingdom a priority is to pray for Gospel growth and Gospel opportunities. In other words, rather than only being concerned about Britain's financial future we ought to be more concerned about her spiritual future.
 
Remember that this gives us great Gospel opportunities.
 
In your hearts honour Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defence to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15, ESV)
 
Because so many people in our nation will be concerned about the future we have an opportunity to point them to Christ. We have an opportunity to show that we are trusting our futures, both personal and national, to him.
 
Remember the eternal future we have.
 
The Bible ends with a united nations. It’s not a united nations brought about through political agreements or referendums. It’s not a united nations based on trade agreements. It’s a united nations accomplished through the life, death, resurrection and exaltation of Jesus Christ.
 
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:9–10, ESV)
 
Meet Rashmi in Nepal
23/06/2016
Meet Rashmi in Nepal
Read the latest update from Phil & Pratiksha in Nepal 
 
 
5 ways to reach out to Jewish people
21/06/2016
5 ways to reach out to Jewish people
As believers seeking to share the gospel, it is essential to be ready to provide a hope for the reason within us and also to be able to do that in a way that is honouring to God and respectful to others. When sharing the gospel with Jewish people; one approach clearly doesn’t fit all the Jews, since there are differences within Judaism and of course with the individuals themselves. So the five points given can be tailored to the particular person who you are engaging with and in addition to prayer can be used as tools to witness with.

Please click here to read the full article 
 
Accessing Christian resources on the internet-5 simple tests to take heed what you read
30/05/2016
Accessing Christian resources on the internet-5 simple tests to take heed what you read
The availability of ‘Christian resources’ on the internet is both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand there is a terrific amount of excellent material available that is edifying and brings glory to God and is of practical use and we would be foolish in one sense, not to make use of it. On the other hand, there are sites set up by cults that are all too frequently accessed by well-meaning and sincere believers, plus teaching that is clearly not biblically based but is merely opinion, sometimes heretical. Some web pages contain all of the above.
 
We are frequently warned to be careful in this respect. On the Mount of Olives and in the context of the end times, Jesus warned “Take heed that no one deceives you (Matt. 24:4)”, and “For false Christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect (Matt. 24:24).” 

Click here to read the complete article
 
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice...
26/05/2016
Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice...

At the prayer meeting recently, we were encouraged to rejoice and have joy in the Lord. Paul wrote the book of Philippians, one of his four ‘prison epistles’ from prison, though he is remarkably joyful and emphasizes the same throughout this joy-filled epistle. Luke also recalls in Acts 16:25 that before the earthquake and the Philippian jailer was saved, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns at midnight!

Click here to read the complete article

 
Reaching out to Muslims
21/05/2016
Reaching out to Muslims
Ramadan is approaching and Muslims will be fasting and searching spiritually. As Christians, we should be ready to give a reason for the hope within us with meekness and fear and consider how we can share the gospel in a way that is understood and at the same time make an effort to comprehend where those from the Islamic faith are coming from.

Please click here to read the full article  
 
There's a new Fighter Verse on this site
12/05/2016
There's a new Fighter Verse on this site
Better late than never! We are pleased to announce the 2nd Quarter 2016 Fighter Verse that we all strive to commit to memory.

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. (Isaiah 40:29, ESV)
 
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Being all things to all men in the way Paul intended
10/05/2016
1 Corinthians 9:19-23 Being all things to all men in the way Paul intended
These verses grant us liberty in how we present the gospel. The paramount principle is that this freedom is used for the sake of the gospel. That means the content of the message must be biblically sound, though the means of delivery will not be so rigidly fixed that we fail to consider a relevant approach to the recipient.

Read the full article by clicking here
 
JonTaylor elected to the Diaconate
29/03/2016
JonTaylor elected to the Diaconate
We are delighted to announce the election of Jon Taylor to the Broadstone Baptist Church Diaconate. Converted as a child and baptized at twenty one Jon is also a Youth and House Group Leader, a Teacher in the Junior Church and he also helps with pastoral visits and preaching.

Jon is a member of the FIEC Pastors Association and a Researcher for the Reachout Trust. He is employed as a Support Worker and supervises Social Work students on placements. He enjoys exercising and active pursuits, meeting up with friends, reading, writing and travel.
 
Encouragements from Psalm 40
21/03/2016
Encouragements from Psalm 40
We want to know the purpose of enduring trials and to experience God’s blessing in the midst of adversity and this Psalm instructs us in this matter and guides us in what to do. Firstly, we are to wait patiently for the Lord. Waiting in this sense is far removed from passivity and involves seeking the Lord’s will and counsel. 

To read Jon's full Psalm 40 blog article click here.
 
Spiritual maturity is not the same as theological head knowledge
12/03/2016
Spiritual maturity is not the same as theological head knowledge
You may have attended studies where individuals are desperate to contribute something of what they know that is interesting in its own right, though is of little relevance to the passage being expounded. Calvin wisely counselled ‘Almost all men are infected with the disease of desiring to obtain useless knowledge’.

Read the full article on Jon's Blog page by clicking here
 
The Comfort of God's Sovereignty
08/03/2016
The Comfort of God's Sovereignty
Spurgeon believed that God’s sovereignty is His most comforting attribute. Unquestionably God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient; though how does this apply meaningfully and effectively to our lives? How does this relate to the trusting assurance of knowing the peace of God when in human terms the wicked may temporarily appear to prosper and the righteous endure suffering? How should we live today in the knowledge of God’s sovereignty?

Read the full article on Jon Taylor's Blog page - click here
 
The Historical Adam and Eve
17/01/2016
The Historical Adam and Eve

I remember attending a lecture where a ‘theistic evolutionist’ considered the opening chapters of Genesis as akin to a ‘true myth’. In his mind he was trying to reconcile two opposing views though unwittingly failed to account for the historical reality of Scripture. In relation to the above, some today deny that Adam and Eve were our original parents.

Throughout scripture Adam and Eve are considered to be real individuals. This is astoundingly evident in Genesis 5, 1 Chronicles 1, Matthew 1 and Luke 3 where lists of detailed genealogies are provided. Genealogies are what they appear to be; lists of individuals that actually existed showing who was descended from whom. Paul wrote to Timothy, ‘For Adam was formed first, then eve (1 Tim. 2:13). Jude also wrote concerning Enoch, the seventh from Adam (Jude 14) demonstrating that he was familiar with the chronology provided in Genesis 5 and considered Enoch to be a real person, descended from Adam.

Click here to read Jon's complete article

 
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
06/01/2016
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth
Consider a set of dominoes lined up at equal measure representing a timeline of a chain of events. Something or someone, either a hand, breath of air or some agency needs to apply force to topple the first domino and set the chain in motion. By necessity, the cause needs to be independent of the set of dominoes and the dominoes themselves had to be formed from something, not nothing and planned in an order, so that they might continue.

Please click here to read the complete article
 
Angela Roth's 2015 Christmas Poem
21/12/2015
Angela Roth's 2015 Christmas Poem
Do You Hear Him Calling?

Do you hear the Christmas music?
Hits from all the years gone by,
Songs of Santa, snow and sleigh bells,
Meant to lift our spirits high.
 
Meanwhile adverts on the TV,
Full of jingles and good cheer,
Make suggestions for the presents
That we ought to buy this year:
 
ipads, games and gadgets, calling
'If you haven't got one yet,
Then you surely need to buy one,
Latest model, don't forget!'
 
So we're pressured, into spending
Money we don't really have,
Whilst forgetting that our Christmas
Should mean so much more than that.
 
Do we hear the voice of Jesus
Through the busyness and noise?
Do we our Saviour calling
While we're wrapping gifts and toys?
 
Do we think of that first Christmas
When our Saviour came to Earth?
Born to Mary, in a stable,
Come to bring us all new birth.
 
Shepherds heard the Angels singing,
And they listened, as the bowed,
To the message they were bringing
Of the King, become a child.
 
Leaving sheep, they rose together,
Running fast, they reached the place,
Found the baby, in a manger,
Where they gazed upon His face.
 
 
 
Meanwhile,in land far distant,
Wise Men, prompted by a star,
Left their homeland, set to travel,
Destination unaware.
 
But they listened, as they journeyed,
Heard the message loud and clear,
They were bound to meet our Saviour,
And to kneel and worship there.
 
Did they question? Did they wonder,
Who it was that called them forth?
Or did they take a step of faith
And trust the God who made the Earth?
 
Christmas Day is close upon us,
Will we let it pass us by,
Without thinking of the Saviour,
Born to take our sin and die?
 
On a cross, to bear our judgement,
Crucified to set us free,
Raised from death, now King forever,
Arms outstretched to you and me.
 
He will heal your pain and sorrow,
Bring forgiveness, joy and peace,
He will give you life eternal,
For His love will never cease.
 
All you need to do is answer,
When you hear Him call your name,
He will touch your heart forever,
Life will never be the same.
 
So this Christmas, take a moment,
Just to listen to His voice,
Hear Him speaking in the stillness,
Let His ways become your choice.
 
You will find new hope eternal,
You'll discover joys untold,
And no matter where life takes you,
You will never be alone.
 
Is there physical healing promised in the atonement?
29/11/2015
Is there physical healing promised in the atonement?
‘But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5)
 
Great controversy has arisen concerning the above verse. Some wholeheartedly believe that physical healing is guaranteed and can be claimed by the believer since the Lord Jesus Christ dealt with sin past, present and future through His sacrifice on the cross. Others would argue that the remit is limited to spiritual reconciliation and that full organic restoration occurs in heaven only and that God in His mercy heals today by His kind providence, not as an inherent result of the substitutionary atonement.
 
Please click here to read the full story
 
Rugby, Conversion and the Christian Life
03/10/2015
Rugby, Conversion and the Christian Life

It is no secret that in years past and also today, there are a number of solid Bible believing Christians who are zealous for God and playing rugby in the World Cup. Noticeably from the All Blacks, the likes of Michael Jones the ‘Ice Man’ flanker and Va’aiga Tuigamala ‘Inga the Winger’, set a great example in Christian conduct on and off the pitch reminiscent of the timeless concept of ‘muscular Christianity’.

Click here to reads Jon's full article

 
Take heed that no one deceives you
17/09/2015
Take heed that no one deceives you
Jesus commenced the Olivet discourse concerning the signs of the times and the end of the age with these famous though often neglected words ‘Take heed that no one deceives you (Matt. 24:4; Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8)’. I remember the late Doug Harris bringing that to our attention at the last Reachout Trust Conference. Many will claim to be the Messiah and many who listen to those claims will be deceived. Some will get caught up and be troubled by world events and some will be deceived. The good news is that those who endure to the end will be saved.

Click here to read Jon's complete article
 
The Blessing of Small Groups
09/09/2015
The Blessing of Small Groups

Our Lord undertook his earthly ministry with a small group. The many benefits of small groups to list just a few include close fellowship, the opportunity to mature in the faith and encourage others, pastoral support and the opportunity to go out in pairs and evangelise.

Click here to read the full article

 

 
The Blessing of Memorizing Scripture
05/09/2015
The Blessing of Memorizing Scripture
Committing sections of Scripture to memory has profound benefits for the believer. For evangelism this will help us to handle objections, steer people towards the truth and lead them to the Lord. In our prayer life, this will aid us in praying according to God’s will. To encourage ourselves and others, it is a great boon to have ‘go to verses’ for various seasons of the soul whilst God unerringly remains constant. For making a defence for our faith and discerning truth from error, knowledge of God’s word will help us to weigh teaching carefully and accurately.
 
Click here to read the full blog article
 
THE BRITISH MUSEUM WITH AN EYE ON GOD'S WORD
25/08/2015
THE BRITISH MUSEUM WITH AN EYE ON GOD'S WORD
Click here to read the full story 
 
 
A brief note on the importance of church attendance
01/08/2015
A brief note on the importance of church attendance
Some say that religion is a ‘personal thing’ almost like ‘you in your small corner and I in mine’, so why all the fuss about church attendance? Others are on an endless quest to find the ‘perfect church’ which reminds me of a children’s cartoon called ‘The Mysterious Cities of Gold’ in which the adventurers would invariably journey a bit further on their quest in search of the gold though never arrive anywhere near the city.
Read Jon's complete article by clicking here
 
Look to the Son, not to the stars!
29/07/2015
Look to the Son, not to the stars!
Part of me finds it astounding that some people claiming to be rational, read horoscopes and find them convincing. Not only are the write ups ambivalently worded, leaving a vast range of scenarios that may vaguely resemble life events at any given time; furthermore consider cases whereby twins raised in a congruent environment differ markedly in character, personality and of course outcomes. The other part of me is reminded that people are constantly searching and monthly prognosticators are nothing new and their roots can be traced to Babylon.  
Click here to read Jon's complete article
 
When God solves our problems, ............
18/07/2015
When God solves our problems, ............
When GOD solves our problems, we have faith in HIS abilities.  When GOD doesn't solve our problems HE has faith in our abilities.     
        
God's accuracy may be observed in the hatching of eggs. . .                       
-those of the canary in 14 days; -those of the barnyard hen in  21 days; -eggs of ducks and geese in 28 days; -those of the mallard in 35 days; 

-The eggs of the parrot and the ostrich hatch in 42 days. (Notice, they are all divisible by seven, the number of days in a week!) 

                                                      
God's wisdom is seen in the making of an elephant. . . . 

-The four legs of this great beast all bend forward in the same direction. -No other quadruped is so made. - God planned that this animal would have a huge body too large to live on two legs. - For this reason He gave it four fulcrums so that it can rise from the ground easily.  The horse rises from the ground on its two front legs first.  A cow rises from the ground with its two hind legs first. 
 
How wise the Lord is in all His works of creation! 

-Each orange has an even number of segments. 
-Each watermelon has an even number of stripes on the rind.
-Each ear of corn has an even number of rows.                       -Each stalk of wheat has an even number of grains. 
Every bunch of bananas has on its lowest row an even number of bananas, and each row decreases by one, so that one row has an even number and the next row an odd number. 
                                                                                  
Amazing.                 
                                             
-The waves of the sea roll in on shore twenty-six to the minute in all kinds of weather.                                 
-All grains are found in even numbers on the stalks.                                                           
God has caused the flowers to blossom at certain specified times during the day. Linnaeus, the great botanist, once said that if he had a conservatory containing the right kind of soil, moisture and temperature, he could tell the time of day or night by the flowers that were open and those that were closed. 
                        
The lives of each of us may be ordered by the Lord in a beautiful way for His glory, if we will only entrust Him with our life. If we try to regulate our own life, it will only be a mess and a failure.                          
  
Only God, who made our brain and heart, can successfully guide them to a profitable end.           
               
I pray God blesses you in ways you never even dreamed.  I didn't think twice about forwarding this one. 
                                                       
When you carry "the Bible"  Satan has a headache; when you open it, he collapses;                   
 
When he sees you reading it, he loses his strength, and when you stand on the Word of God, Satan can't hurt you! 
 
 Life without God is like an un-sharpened pencil - it has no point. 
 
Some thoughts on 1 John-Knowing, Believing and Loving...
26/06/2015
Some thoughts on 1 John-Knowing, Believing and Loving...
1st John is an excellent and practical application commentary for John’s gospel.  The opening verses are  unmistakeably similar compared with Genesis 1:1, John 1:1  and Hebrews 1:1, though there is a slightly difference emphasis since the focus is on the fact that John and the apostles had seen and handled the Lord Jesus Christ. Gnosticism in its various forms which denied the full deity and humanity of Christ often taught that Jesus only appeared in a phantom state and viewed the physical part of human existence as of little value, was clearly being refuted here. 
 
BBC Family Fun Day - Don't miss out!
25/06/2015
BBC Family Fun Day - Don't miss out!
Saturday August 29th is a highlight to go on your calendars. Its the church Fun Day at Hillbourne Primary School. Lots for all to enjoy 10.00am through to 4.00pm. See you there!
 
 
Space for all at Broadstone Baptist
21/06/2015
Space for all at Broadstone Baptist
Morning Service on Sunday 21st June saw the first use of the wonderful elongated worship area now that the dividing wall through to the kitchen area has been removed. 
 
 
Contemplating the Psalms and their Writers
09/06/2015
Contemplating the Psalms and their Writers
Have you ever scanned through a hymnbook, picking out your favourite ones and then read through their biographies? Maybe someone like Charles Wesley? Or possibly the turnaround in John Newton’s life, or Fanny Crosby who had a massive output and influence despite the fact that she was blind, almost from birth. In the same way, when we read the Psalmists inscriptions, it provides great insight and perspective such as Psalm 34 when David feigned madness before Abimelech or Psalm 51 as Nathan went to him after he had been with Bathsheba. This also helps us to live and feel our theology and can at times provide us with a necessary caution to relentlessly acquiring knowledge for its own sake.

Click here to read the full article
 
What makes a good biblical song?
02/06/2015
What makes a good biblical song?
Good biblical songs are usually taken directly from Scripture or based on scriptural principles. When I was in Haifa, Israel the Messianic congregation listed the Biblical references on the screen underneath the words of the song. This is an extremely effective way of learning Scripture. Similarly in our context, it is often an interesting and helpful exercise to go through a song, hymn book or the words that appear overhead and see how much is derived from the Bible.

Click here top read the full story
 
Reaching out to Jehovah's Witnesses
29/05/2015
Reaching out to Jehovah's Witnesses
Earlier this week I was presented with an excellent opportunity to share the Gospel. Furthermore I didn’t even have to leave the house! The doorbell rang and I was approached by an articulate, sincere and unassuming chap, who helpfully identified himself as a Jehovah’s Witness.

Read the full story of Jon's experience by clicking here.
 
Joshua Meets the Commander (Joshua 5:13-15)
13/05/2015
Joshua Meets the Commander (Joshua 5:13-15)
Under Joshua’s leadership, the children of Israel had crossed the Jordan and were advancing toward Jericho. Before battle, Joshua was isolated and encountered a mysterious Man bearing a sword in His hand. Joshua immediately interrogated his visitor and enquired as to where his loyalties lay.
Click here to read the complete blog item

 
Making Your Vote Count
28/04/2015
Making Your Vote Count
Politics is usually a contentious issue. One of the unwritten rules in Western civilization concerning amicable social discourse is never to mention religion, work or politics when one is ‘apparently outside those realms’ and in the company of friends. I learnt today however that in Australia, there is a fine for non-voters which is certainly a contentious means of combatting apathy.

Click here to read Jon's complete article
 
Thinking Biblically About Facebook
14/04/2015
Thinking Biblically About Facebook
Thinking Biblically About Facebook
 
I was amazed last Sunday morning when I heard this sobering thought. It is possible to read through the Bible in a single year by reading for just ten minutes per day, which would equate to around seventy hours annually. Meanwhile it is the norm to spend one hundred and eleven minutes every day on the internet. Now obviously balance is required here, since the internet has many useful applications. But just imagine the exact opposite. Think how different our lives would be, if we averaged one hundred and eleven minutes reading the Bible daily and restricted ourselves to ten minutes using the internet.

Click here to read Jon's insight into good use of our time

 
Hearing from God - Speak Lord for your servant hears
24/03/2015
Hearing from God - Speak Lord for your servant hears
We all at times struggle to hear from God and so did Samuel. Samuel was a young lad, probably about twelve years of age who was dedicated to the Lord by Hannah and was training for the priestly ministry under Eli.
 
In our contemporary setting it’s often difficult to know why, how and whether God speaks to us. Maybe we are waiting to hear the still small voice, or it could be the case that we experience trouble discerning that voice. Or possibly He is ministering to us via means that we haven’t even recognised, because we are too busy or ignorant of His ways? Most importantly, the way that Samuel was called by God and established as a prophet has an application for believers today.

Click here to read Jon's complete article
 
 
Wrestling with God
10/03/2015
Wrestling with God
Wrestling is an instinctive and natural activity and is the oldest known competitive sport. Several thousand years ago, Jacob had a wrestle with God that would change his life forever. Similarly, when we wrestle with God, He transforms us for His purposes and glory so that our character is refined and becomes more like His. Wrestling is vigorous and demanding and so is God’s chastening of His children that brings about true reform.
Click here to read Jon's full article
 
Five Reasons to Read and Study Deuteronomy
18/02/2015
Five Reasons to Read and Study Deuteronomy
1 This is the book most often quoted by the Lord Jesus Christ. Remember when Jesus was tempted by the devil in three ways, He quoted Deuteronomy on each occasion (Deut. 8:3; 6:16; 6:13).  How do we know who was the Prophet like Moses (cf. Deut. 18:15-22) who Philip told Nathanael about (John 1:45)? This reason in itself is ample justification to read Deuteronomy!
 
Read the other four reasons on our blog page by clicking here.
 
Broadstone Baptist Church History 1968-1976
26/11/2014
Broadstone Baptist Church History 1968-1976
Continuing the serialisation of the book “A Tale of Two Churches on Baileys Hill” we are pleased to release on-line Chapter Three detailing the years from 1968-1967 (Pages 24 – 36).   With Pastor Rogers having retired the helm was taken by Pastor Harold Perrett but only for two years and there followed a number of inter regnum years when a number of key leaders stepped up and kept the church together.  One individual in particular, Mr Leonard Henman will always be remembered for laying down the plans for the new church building. His heritage lives on.
Click here to open the Part 3 pdf