This week's meeting began with a time of praise and worship led by Natalie, accompanied by Jackie singing and playing the piano, together with Reg and Dave on guitars.

Pastor Ed Evans then delivered a message of encouragement to those of us who are actually orphans or who suffer from emotions of feeling spiritually orphaned and unsure of God's love. We live in troubled times and many people feel under pressure, but we must keep standing, assured of a forthcoming breakthrough. We may have unfulfilled promises, but we can rest in the words given in Psalm 13 v 12 that, "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life."

James 1 v 26 and 27 states that the only religion God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is that we care for orphans and widows in their distress and keep ourselves free from contamination by the world. ie the world's system which is opposed to the values of the kingdom of God.

Exodus 22 v 22-24 Gives severe warnings to anyone who abuses widows or orphans, whilst in Jeremiah 49 v 11 God promises to protect orphans and widows.

Orphans do not have the security of a father's protection and are vulnerable. Many orphans in the world today are literally 'thrown away' to become 'street children,' abandoned to be exploited by predatory people, encouraged to fall into the evils of theft, drug addiction and prostitution. In places like Latin America, many thousands of children are being killed by execution squads, for financial reward. Thankfully, orphanages are now being set up to rescue some of these desperate children.

As Christians, we should feel secure in God's love having a sense of belonging. When we have this relationship with our heavenly Father we are in a position to impart this security to others.

Jesus has given us many promises that he will never leave us as orphans or forsake us. In Ephesians 2 v 19, we have the assurance that we are fellow-citizens and members of God's household. We pray that the Father through His Holy Spirit will reveal and confirm this wonderful truth in our hearts.

Emmanuel Gospel Church, Manorbier meets every Sunday at 10.30 am with Bible study on Monday evenings at 7.30 pm. For more information or a pastoral visit, please 'phone (01834) 871975. Recordings of our meetings are available on CD or by visiting our website http://www.emmanuelgospelministries.org">www.emmanuelgospelministries.org