This year's Motto Text reminds us that God is the eternal One. He was before time and is the Lord of time - He dwells in eternity. And He is eternal in terms of His character. His attributes, that is, those qualities which make God to be God, are unchanging. Not only is God all-wise, totally just; completely holy, entirely faithful, and perfect love, but He is everlastingly so!
Our Motto Text then says our eternal, unchanging God faithfully keeps safe those who belong to Him - all who have committed their eternal destinies to Jesus Christ. God is our "refuge," that is, our dwelling place, our secure home. And beneath us are His "everlasting arms" which are a safety net for our souls. God’s arms are everlasting because they never tire, but stay strong forever, and because not one of His children can fall beyond their reach.
We have felt our mortality and life's uncertainty more than ever over the last two years. God's wonderful promise sustains and upholds us in all our challenges, trials and temptations. As preacher JR Miller said: ‘Our security does not depend upon our own feeble, wavering faith – but upon the omnipotence, the love, and the faithfulness of the unchanging, the eternal God! We can never sink away in any flood.’
- Pastor Peter Bines
This year we will still be printing Motto Cards for you to take home and keep and in addition we have provided a virtual (print it youself) card. Using the buttons below, you can download a copy of this year's motto card to print out or to display on a digital photoframe or similar.
To download a copy, click on one of these buttons:
Document for printing (PDF) Image (JPG) LARGE image (JPG)2021's Motto Text puts the focus on God's saying to His people, "fear not," and bringing comfort and strength by reminding us, firstly, that He has redeemed us, that is, paid the ransom to set us free from sin's guilt and power. The price was the precious blood of His Son shed on the cross. There Jesus offered Himself up as a sacrifice to bear the penalty and consequences of our sins so as to set us free from condemnation and sin's dominion.
God, secondly, reminds us that He calls us by name to show that He knows and loves us in a very special relationship. It's why He can declare: "You are mine." God's ownership of us points to the fact that having purchased us by Jesus' blood we belong to Him and our purpose is to gladly and freely serve Him in His kingdom.
So, we can approach 2021 with great confidence, not in us, but in our God who has once for all rescued us through the blood of His Son and assures us that we are forever His and He keeps safe and cares for each one who belongs to Him. This truly is the marvel and wonder of His love and grace toward us!
- Pastor Peter Bines
This year we will still be printing Motto Cards for you to take home and keep but we appreciate that receiving a physical card may take some time. In the meantime we have provided a virtual (print it youself) card. Using the buttons below, you can download a copy of this year's motto card to print out or to display on a digital photoframe or similar.
To download a copy, click on one of these buttons:
Document for printing (PDF) Image (JPG) LARGE image (JPG)