The message given in Tenby's Carringtons Restaurant on Sunday afternoon was to "seek the Lord and live". Rev. Peter Richmond, Pastor of Hesed Fellowship, continued his series on the prophet Amos, stating that even if we live in a society that doesn't respect God - even if we seem small and insignificant - we can still make a difference by seeking the Lord. It might go so far as to save a country from destruction. "Beware of empty religion," he continued, explaining that it was important to seek God himself, not just spiritual experience. The pastor described repentance as "changing the way you see things; loathing the sin in your life," and drew attention to a promise in the Bible: "A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." "God is a consuming fire," Peter said. "Why take confidence in a city, or in wealth or power, when they are all subject to the Lord who put the stars in place, commands rainfall and could destroy a nation at will?" Yet that is exactly what Israel were doing in Amos's day. They lived in luxury while the poor starved, they had dishonest leaders, the justice system was corrupt, and good people, if they were wise, would keep quiet, because the generation was so wicked. Yet the majority could not see the problem, because religion thrived, without obedience to God, and they mistook wealth and power for evidence of his favour. The pastor compared this with the state of the United Kingdom and its church today and asked, "What is God saying to his people?" As the Lord's prayer was said, everyone was encouraged to express each line on behalf of the whole nation, thereby asking the Father to forgive this generation, to protect it from evil influences and to continue with his provision, recognising that "every good thing comes from him." Telephone 01646 681805 for details of Hesed Christian Fellowship, and their Bible study/prayer meetings. Services are held every Sunday at 4.15 pm in Carringtons Restaurant, under The Atlantic Hotel on Tenby's Esplanade.
