Thursday 10th May marked a special day in the Christian calendar, Ascension Day. This is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter, but somehow often seems to get forgotten, unlike Christmas (when we remember Christ’s birth) and Easter (when we remember His death and resurrection.) Nonetheless, as Stephen pointed out, the ascension of Jesus (recorded in Luke 24:50-53 and Acts 1:3-11) matters enormously to us in its significance for us.

The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross opened the way for mankind’s reconciliation with God (Heb 9:12) and His ascension essentially meant the giving of the Holy Spirit to His disciples (see John 16:7) as our counsellor and comforter, thus also paving the way for us to receive spiritual gifts (Eph 4:7-8). The ascenion of Jesus also means His present activity includes His ongoing intercession for us (Heb 7:25, 1 Jn 2:1-2). We can be comforted and encouraged to know that He is praying for us and caring for us.

Jesus told His disciples that His ‘going away’ would lead to the preparation of a permanent home with the Father (see John 14:2), a future promise which gives us both comfort and hope in the darkness of this present age. We can be sure that although the wise men brought gifts for the newborn king, they did not see the full kingly majesty of Jesus. (He was a child in common circumstances, not living in a royal palace or surrounded by splendour.) We now see Jesus ‘crowned with glory and honour’ (Heb 2:9) and have the assurance that He will come again in glory (Acts 1:11).

The ascension of Jesus therefore has significance for us now – we have access to the gifts of the Holy Spirit and the assurance that Jesus is praying for us and preparing a place for us – and significance also for the future, when He will come again for His people (1 Thess 4:16-18).

This morning, Garry spoke about how God wants to guide us and lead us in the light. In spring and summer, the day dawns early, but in winter, he often rises in the dark and dislikes having to be dazzled by the light, preferring to walk around the house in darkness. That’s all very well when you are in a familiar environment, but in the past, it’s led to a broken toe when he walked into the skirting board! Ultimately, it’s much safer and wiser to walk in the light.

Often, life can feel very much of a muddle, as if we are stumbling around in the gloom and in the dark. We don’t know what will happen tomorrow; uncertainty and confusion are everywhere. Some people consult mediums and spiritists to find out what to do, but God reminds us that we should seek Him and not the dead (Is 8:19-20). His word acts as a light to us (Ps 119:105, Ps 19:8), guiding us and leading us. So often, it’s not that we find God’s word difficult to understand; it’s that we don’t like what it tells us to do! God’s word has the power to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6, KJV), but so often we are like Garry, preferring the gloom to the light. (John 3:19)

Jesus described Himself as the ‘light of the world’ (John 8:12). If we want to be wise and live well, we need to listen to God’s advice and leading and follow Him. Don’t settle for living in the gloom, but allow His light to illuminate your pathway.

Yesterday Fredrick and Reeba visited Chatsworth with us. Living in a busy city like Bangalore, the sprawling estate of Chatsworth in Derbyshire with its stately home and vast gardens was hugely different from what they are used to.

Reeba and I were glad we don’t have to serve meals in this dining room!

… though maybe she would have like to sleep in this bed!

We enjoyed admiring the horse in the former stables:

On such a lovely day, we enjoyed the gardens especially:

Today, Fredrick was able to meet up with Kevin Watts, the pastor at Thurnscoe Pentecostal Church, whom he has not seen since graduating from Mattersey Bible College in 2005.

We are so glad to have been able to spend these few days with Fredrick and Reeba and renew our connections with them and the work they are doing in Bangalore. Please continue to pray for their ministries and for them to be led by God as they seek to serve Him as best they can.

Fredrick shared with us some of the amazing things God is doing in India. The talking bibles are a way of evangelising in remote areas where literacy levels are low and the electricity supply is not reliable. God has provided money for these bibles (which cost £15 each) in amazing ways (sometimes through the unexpected arrival of visitors bringing ‘just enough’ money to purchase what is required – ‘where there is a vision, there is God’s provision’) and Fredrick shared stories of giving these out – for example, to a doughnut vendor who plays the Bible on his stall, giving all who come to buy the doughnuts opportunity to hear God’s word.

He reminded us all that God is mindful of us (Psalm 8:4), caring about each one of us individually. Ps 115:2 tells us that the Lord remembers us (is mindful of us) and will bless us. God’s goodness and mercy follow us (Ps 23:6). We need to be aware that God knows each one of us and cares about each one of us. He is able to use each one of us and His care for us is personal because He is interested in each one of us and has made us all unique.

Reeba encouraged us all by singing for us again, a song reminding us that God is both father and mother to us and His grace is sufficient for us.

We were privileged to pray with Fredrick and Reeba and very grateful to receive gifts of key rings for church members.

The quiz tonight had different sections about God’s wonderful world. First of all, we were given flags and had to name the country and its capital.

Then we had to identify famous landmarks and name the country in which they were found and finally had to identify countries from flags with no colour (surprisingly difficult!)

There were some wonderful prizes, including chocolates from around the world and puzzles and geographical prizes for the children who had been busy colouring flags during the quiz.

Our thanks to J-P and Herlen for their work on the quiz and to all who took part enthusiastically.

Answers:

Brazil (capital Brasilia)/ Switzerland (capital Bern)/ Sweden (capital Stockholm)

Tonight’s family service had the theme ‘God’s Wonderful World’ and Mark spoke about the wonders of creation. God’s creation was pronounced good and HIs creation of mankind very good (see Gen 1:1-31); when we think of some of the amazing places we can visit or the latest photos taken by powerful telescopes, we are staggered at the size, diversity and wonder of creation.

Ps 8:3-9 looks at how God made creation for humanity, giving us charge to ‘run the earth’ under God’s authority. We have a responsibility towards creation, but though this task may seem very daunting – particularly in the light of modern industries and the damage these can do to creation – God is still firmly in control. (Ps 104:5-9)

The physical world is a beautiful place, but God is a spiritual being and has blessed us with every spiritual blessing too. (Eph 1:3) The physical and spiritual worlds interlock. We live in both worlds and God has blessings for both worlds. Our times and our worlds are in His hands (see Ps 31:14-15). We can’t begin to imagine the blessings God has prepared for those who love Him (1 Cor 2:9), but we can be glad for the wonderful worlds He has given us.