Joe Toplis, Newport

A very big thank you for asking me to do this; it is a real privilege to write among some great brothers and sisters of Christ. It has taken a lot for me to not be that guy who will say Genesis 1:1 - Revelations 22:21.

Which verses would you take to the desert island?

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:41

This verse was one that always stuck out to me having becoming a Christian. It was a warning that became ingrained into my mind and as a super energetic young Christian, one warning I would surely never stumble at … oh. The problem I had was I used to cut this verse short, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak”. No wonder I kept messing up! There, in front of those words I would recite to myself, were the words to help me, but I never took notice, “Watch and pray”. I thank God, in His grace He showed me and helped me understand His word. I thank Him that now I can ready myself in daily life by reading the bible and coming to Him in prayer. I'm not saying my prayer life is perfect by any means, but there is that opportunity to come to God and ask for his strength to overcome temptation and live for Him. Thank you Lord!

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8: 38-39

These verses have always been a comfort to me, I have always struggled with the question, ‘how could God love me’? He does, and so much more than I could possibly manage, wow! He loves me with a perfect love that nothing can stop, not even death. An unmeasurable and endless love!

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21

These beautiful words show us the gift of salvation. If someone asks you why you’re a Christian, show them this. I remember sitting in church looking at the cross at the front (something I had not paid much attention to) when it hit me, this verse shows us who Jesus is and why He died on that cross for us. For so long Jesus was just a good role model to me; someone I could emulate to be a good person. ‘Good people go to heaven right? And I’m good.’ Well, I wasn’t, and I was so unaware of how far short I fell of God’s glory. I could never be good enough on my own but this verse shows me how I could be, I need Jesus! When God put this on my heart, it was like I couldn’t think of anything else. Over and over again I would think, ‘I need Jesus’, and even though I tried to fight it for a bit, I gave my heart to Jesus and asked him to be my Lord and Saviour. When I think back to when I did, the line from Amazing Grace comes to mind: ‘How precious did that grace appear the hour I first believed’. I did nothing to gain salvation but “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Who would you like to find on the island for company?

I would have to choose Charles Spurgeon, not just to compare beards but to listen to him speak about Christ. I was first introduced to his work at my first Christian conference. Many friends had recommended his ‘Morning and Evening’ daily readings book and I remember thinking, ‘it just repeats itself every year’? Thankfully, the Christian faith is a journey where we don't stop growing and it's amazing what the Lord reveals to us as we grow more and more. Spurgeon has always been known as being cross-centred and his theology is cross-shaped and that was always something that resonated with me.

Which song would you take to the island?

I honestly didn't think choosing a hymn would be as difficult as it has been. So, after much deliberation I've chosen ‘I need Thee every hour’ by Robert Lowry. I always find myself singing this hymn to myself; at home, in the car and in work (I try and count it evangelism if I sing it in work). The words just say it right, the world tells us to be independent but I can't be, I am Christ-dependent. Dependent every hour.

I need Thee every hour, most gracious Lord;
No tender voice like Thine can peace afford.

I need Thee, oh, I need Thee;
Every hour I need Thee;
Oh, bless me now, my Saviour,
I come to Thee.

I need Thee every hour, stay Thou nearby;
Temptations lose their pow’r when Thou art nigh.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain;
Come quickly and abide, or life is vain.

I need Thee every hour; teach me Thy will;
And Thy rich promises in me fulfil.

I need Thee every hour, most Holy One;
Oh, make me Thine indeed, Thou blessed Son.