John 13:35 By this shall all men … – That is, your love for each other shall be so decisive evidence that you are like the Saviour, that all people shall see and know it. It shall be the thing by which you shall be known among all men. You shall not be known by special rites or habits; not by a special form of dress or manner of speech; not by special austerities and unusual customs, like the Pharisees, the Essenes, or the scribes, but by deep, genuine, and tender affection. And it is well known it was this which eminently distinguished the first Christians, and was the subject of remark by the surrounding pagans. “See,” said the pagan, “see how they love one another! They are ready to lay down their lives for each other.” Alas! how changed is the spirit of the Christian world since then! Perhaps, of all the commands of Jesus, the observance of this is that which is least apparent to a surrounding world. It is not so much that they are divided into different sects, for this may be consistent with love for each other; but it is the want of deep-felt, genuine love toward Christians even of our own denomination; the absence of genuine self-denial; the pride of rank and wealth; and the fact that professed Christians are often known by anything else rather than by true attachment to those who bear the same Christian name and image. The true Christian loves religion* wherever it is found equally in a prince or in a slave, in the mansion of wealth or in the cottage of poverty, on the throne or in the hut of want. He overlooks the distinction of sect, of colour, and of nations; and wherever he finds a man who bears the Christian name and manifests the Christian spirit, he loves him. And this, more and more as the millennium draws near, will be the special badge of the professed children of God. Christians will love their own denominations less than they love the spirit and temper of the Christian, wherever it may be found.

Barnes Bible Commentator

*James 1:27 “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” King James Version (KJV)

…that one day God’s People will walk with dignity, with shoulders held high, knowing their identity as royal priests in the Kingdom of God.

…that Jesus’ People will be recognized by the world for their strength of character, their courage, generosity, uprightness in money matters, distinctiveness in the way they value and live out the covenant of marriage, sacrificial love for one another, and mercy and love for their enemies.

…that the purpose and thrust of Christianity will become the completion of Jesus’ Great Commission–proclaiming the Good News and making Disciples–and that this purpose will burn hot in the blood of every disciple.

…that the equipping servants will care more about God’s People ministering than about their own platform, image before men, or paycheck.

…that elders in each city will unify, recognizing their part in the One Flock in their city, and pray and work together for each sheep’s development and safe arrival in Jesus’ coming Kingdom.

…that sincere believers will all unify, in heart, in thought, in purpose, and in respect, under the One Head of the Body, Jesus, and lose sight of human organizational or minor doctrinal divisions.

…that what’s come to be known as “church” will reform to match the New Testament Scriptures, with freedom and full participation of each member of Jesus’ Body, for the full edification of God’s People and salvation of the world.

— David O’Brien, from his book Return to Acts Christianity. All for the prize publications.

Directory-of-Services-Final-Version-Nov-17

May I take this opportunity to thank everyone of the Ards & North Down Christian Community that took part in and availed of the opportunity to pray at the 24-7 Prayer rooms. What an amazing time of blessing and refreshing in the Lord. Many of you have expressed a desire for there to be a continual prayer space in the town and for a continuation of united fellowship in prayer with each other.

That is what we see God’s will being and would invite any of you to contact me on 07799929131 to share your thoughts on how we could do that together.

Thank you and the Lord continue to bless us all.

Yours sincerely,

David Gourley

Arise! Shine! For your light has come! And the Glory of the Lord has risen upon you!

Surely we have tasted and seen that the Lord is good this week of prayer. We have been witness to God’s mercy, forgiveness, love, compassion, peace, comfort, restoration and grace and so much more.

We have seen the unifying force of the Holy Spirit at work in people and a refocusing and renewal of the high calling of God in their lives.

We rejoice in the Lord that he has heard the prayers of his people for our Town, our Borough and our Country. He has gone before us breaking the yoke of bondage in lives, casting out the darkness and bringing livery to the captives.

Rejoice in the Lord! Again, I say, Rejoice!

Let us gather this afternoon in unity and purpose at 3pm in Conway Square and raise shouts of praise and adoration to our great God and King, our Emmanuel, our God who is with us.

Let us praise the name of the only Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and lift him high for he shall draw all people unto himself and we shall see the salvation of the Lord.

Let God arise and his enemies be scattered.

The Lord bless us all.