Dear Hope family,
Thought for the Week
Beatitude 4 – Happy are the Hungry
Matthew 5v6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Have you hungered and thirsted for something and not been able to satisfy the desire? Maybe it has been as simple as your need for a drink in hot weather, but you are away from any supply. Maybe it is something deeper you have sought such as achievement or success; maybe it is for a relationship or friendship; maybe it is for aspects of character or looks; maybe for finances or security. Whatever it is has proved either elusive or transitory – just as you think it is in your grasp, it escapes or fades away.
Jesus is saying that, as one who belongs to the kingdom of God, you will hunger and thirst for righteousness – you will seek what is right and good. And this deep desire of your heart will be rewarded – you will be filled. Fulfilment in the Christian life is not about having everything you desire, but about desiring everything God is promising. This comes back again to repentance and a change of heart.
How can we be so filled?
- Firstly, by Christ’s death on the cross, we are declared righteous – our guilt is dealt with and gone. Have you had a nagging guilt which you have wanted to be rid of? The truth is that Jesus has dealt with it and he pronounces you not guilty. You are now righteous in God’s sight, and knowing you are righteous in God’s sight satisfies the soul.
- Secondly, God gives the Holy Spirit to those who are his children, and his Spirit has the power to overcome sin in our lives and bring righteousness. Imagine being filled with the Holy Spirit! I mean really filled – do you want it? Do you seek it?
Our problem is that we want righteousness, but when it comes to it, there are other things we find we want more. I think there are two things we can do to train our hearts to seek righteousness. Firstly, we can control what our heart sees and let it see more of God’s righteousness; secondly, we can pray and earnestly ask God to create in us a heart which craves righteousness and the filling of his Holy Spirit.
With love and blessing,
Roland
News
- Alpha
- We have had people signing up for the Alpha courses. Are there people you can invite – either for online or in person? The St Christopher’s courses start on 24th and 29th September and the NHS one on 21st.
- Sunday mornings
- Covid-19 precautions – There is no change to the instructions issued previously.
Programme – Please contact roland@hopeadmaston.org.uk if you would like to join any of our meetings on Zoom.
Sunday morning worship is now live-streamed on both YouTube and Facebook from Admaston House at 10.30am.
| Thu | 17-Sep | 7.30pm St Cs Ladies’ Group – on Zoom |
| Fri | 18-Sep | |
| Sat | 19-Sep | |
| Sun | 20-Sep | 10.30 Hope Worship @ Admaston and on Youtube and Facebook 11.00 Hope Family time @ Admaston and on Zoom 7pm Youth at Admaston House 7pm Building Leaders Planting Churches course on Zoom |
| Mon | 21-Sep | |
| Tue | 22-Sep | 7.30pm St Cs Men’s Group @ Admaston and on Zoom |
| Wed | 23-Sep | 8am Hope Community Prayer – on Zoom |
| Thu | 24-Sep | 7.30pm St Cs Ladies’ Group & Alpha – on Zoom 7.30pm Christ Central Shropshire prayer for Hope Shrewsbury on Zoom – All welcome. See “Other Items” for joining instructions. |
| Fri | 25-Sep | |
| Sat | 26-Sep | |
| Sun | 27-Sep | 10.30 Hope Worship @ Admaston and on Youtube and Facebook 11.00 Hope Family time @ Admaston and on Zoom 7.00pm Roland & Sue’s Disciple group |
| Mon | 28-Sep | |
| Tue | 29-Sep | 7.30pm Men’s Group & Alpha @ Admaston and on Zoom |
| Wed | 30-Sep | 8am Hope Community Prayer – on Zoom |
| Thu | 01-Oct | 7.30pm St Cs Ladies’ Group – on Zoom |
| Fri | 02-Oct | |
| Sat | 03-Oct | |
| Sun | 04-Oct | 10.30 Hope Worship @ Admaston and on Youtube and Facebook 11.00 Hope Family time @ Admaston and on Zoom 7.00pm Youth at Admaston House |
| Mon | 05-Oct | 7.30pm Hope Community Prayer – on Zoom |
| Tue | 06-Oct | 7.30pm Men’s Group & Alpha @ Admaston and on Zoom |
| Wed | 07-Oct | 8am Hope Community Prayer – on Zoom |
| Thu | 08-Oct | 7.30pm St Cs Ladies’ Group – on Zoom |
| Fri | 09-Oct | |
| Sat | 10-Oct | |
| Sun | 11-Oct | 10.30 Hope Worship @ Admaston and on Youtube and Facebook 11.00 Hope Family time @ Admaston and on Zoom |
Prayer
Give thanks:
- For what God has already done in you – including changing your heart (see “Thought”).
Prayer:
- The Holy Spirit’s anointing on our gathering together.
- The Alpha Courses starting up on 21st, 24th and 29th September (see previous email news).
- For students starting at university this month.
Other general information
Pastoral Care – If you are in isolation and need support (eg shopping), please contact natalie@hopeadmaston.org.uk who will arrange with the team of helpers.
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