Sometimes things are way better than we think. 
 
Perhaps it’s been your birthday, and the present turned out to be much better than you expected. 
Perhaps someone has cooked you a meal, and it’s been even tastier than you thought. 
Perhaps a holiday, has surpassed all your expectations.  
 
Sometimes things are way better than we think. 
 
In Zechariah, God’s people have returned from exile in Babylon but everything feels a bit flat and discouraging.  They are a small nation.  They are still under the control of the Persian Empire.  Other nations are making life hard.  Most significantly, the crucial work of rebuilding the temple has stopped, leaving a ½ built construction site.  It all seems so pathetic. So weak.  So insignificant.  It is a day of small things (Zech 4:10).   
 
But in 1:16 God promised that he would begin a building project.  The city and it’s temple would be rebuilt, and things would be good again for God’s people.  But this promise was way better than they thought. 
 
Zechariah 2:1-5 
Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. 2 I asked, “Where are you going?” 
He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.”  
3 While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him 4 and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. 5 And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will be its glory within.’ 
 
It’s not surprising that Zechariah sees a man ready to get on with the rebuilding. Having heard that God will get his own building project started, this man, tape measure in hand, is like a surveyor, checking out that everything is ready for the construction.  But the angel essentially says, ‘put down the tape measure- you’re not going to need that!”  This new city exceeds all of this mans wildest dreams. 
 
This new city will be wall BIG. It is without walls because it is unmeasurably full of life.  There are no borders or boundaries to this city.  In fact, even those from gentile nations will be there (see v11). 
 
This new city will be SAFE.  God himself will be a wall of fire around it, an often-used Old Testament symbol of the Almighty’s protection (e.g., the pillar of fire in Exodus).   
 
This new city will be where GOD LIVES.  His glory – his very presence – will be within this city so that he makes his home there.  God will live in this wonderful place (see v10-11). 
 
This new city will be incredible.  In fact, it will be way better than this man in the vision realises!  He’s thinking in terms that are far too small.  He’s thinking in terms of just the literal physical four walls.  God has something much more elaborate in mind! 
 
God’s building project is about a worldwide people, who will be safe forever and whom God will live with.  This side of the cross, we can see how this is being fulfilled.  The wall-less global church made up of people from all nations is what God is building right now and one day it will be gloriously finished in the New Creation, the New Jerusalem. 
 
We must remember this: what God is doing is way better than we often think.  It’s certainly way better than what it often feels like. 
Much like the people in Zechariah’s day, perhaps you feel like your Christian ministry, your Christian service, your Christian life is weak, pathetic, insignificant.  It can be discouraging when it feels like we are barely making a dent for Christ in our family, in our workplace, in our community.  It can be discouraging when others don’t seem to be as up for serving the Lord as you are.  It can be discouraging when it feels like you’ve been faithfully serving Christ for years and there’s not a lot to show for it. 
 
But be encouraged!  God is building something extraordinary, and he is using you in that work!  You have a secure and wonderful future with your God in the New Jerusalem and some of those you invest in will be there too! 
 
This is not a day of small things.  It’s a day of massively wonderful things.  Because God is building!   
 
Sometimes things are way better than we think! 

Please note that the monthly prayer meeting is on Wednesday 8th September, 7.30pm to 8.30pm in the Church Centre. Please come if you can. It can also be accessed via Zoom. (The link will be available on MyChurchSuite). Do put the date in your diary and make it a priority to be there.

​                                                 What’s Your One Thing?
 
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining towards what is ahead, I press on towards the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenwards in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14

The phrase “one thing” is significant and important. It appears in other parts of the Bible, e.g.

• Jesus said to the rich young man, “One thing you lack” (Mark 10:21).
  
  
• Jesus explained to Martha, “There is only one thing worth being concerned about.” (Luke 10:42 NLT).
  
  
• The blind man testified, “One thing I do know.” (John 9:25).
  
  
• King David prayed, “The one thing I ask of the Lord – the thing I seek most” (Psalm 27:4 NLT).
  
  

As followers of Jesus Christ, are we too involved in “many things”? We may be doing many good, right, and God-honouring things; but are they deflecting us away from the “one thing” that God is wanting us to do?
 
In Philippians 3:13, the Apostle Paul says that one of the essentials of being a Christian is to concentrate on “one thing”. This is a statement of devotion to God. His Christianity was not a sideshow; it wasn’t just a part of his life – it was his life!
 
As Christians today, we need to devote ourselves wholeheartedly to running the Christian race. We need a fresh desire for a life that honours Jesus.
 
Let us pray as King David prayed,
“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.” (Psalm 86:11).
Simon

Please click on the link below for the latest news from Graham and Debbie:
https://mailchi.mp/7802f4e890ac/noticias-5083014?e=abc240d331

Saturday afternoon 4th September 4.30pm
A 'Super' quiz for all the family!  Fun questions for all ages.
Great opportunity to invite another family or some friends to join you and make a team. A good balanced team with some toddlers, teenagers and grown-ups will give you the best chance of winning!! (You could also join up with others to form a team when you arrive.)
Extra points may be awarded to anyone who comes dressed as a superhero!
Tea time snacks will be available.
Please book a place for your group. On Churchsuite or on the website
 
Covid safety: You are not required to wear a mask for the quiz but if you would like to that is absolutely fine. We will be keeping the groups fairly spaced out but if you are concerned about distancing, let us know on arrival and we can help you to find a place where you can feel comfortable. You won't be forced to make a team with others if you'd prefer not to!