Up To The Minute News

It was a wonderful day at the camp this morning. Main Avenue Fellowship closed the doors this Sunday and will do so again next Sunday so that we can come together with our brothers and sisters from across the Canada West District at Camp Harmattan. It was so good to see our friends and to fellowship with such a wonderful group of Christians.

There are numerous events going on over the next week such as morning prayer from 9-10 at the camp, morning services, evening services and much more. I will put the timings on this web page for everyone to see and we truly hope to see you there. I will be in the office at some point Monday and Tuesday. If you wish to meet up for a coffee, drop me a line at mainavefellowship@gmail.com .

We will also be having a town hall 7:00 pm on August 23rd at the church. We are going to be talking about the future of our gathering plus answer any questions you may have in a public forum. There are a few questions circulating and it will be a great time to dream big going forward. As with all planning, there are going to be questions and concerns and I am hoping we can address these and more to ensure the health of our church going forward.

Blessings all

Pastor Todd

Over Not Under

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Over not Under’

Day 1: Isaiah 35:4 – “Say to those with fearful hearts, ‘Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.’”

Day 2: 1 Peter 5:6, 7 – “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you."

Day 3: Joseph 1:9 – “This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Day 4: Isaiah 43:1 – “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.’”

Day 5: Psalm 118:6, 7 – “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me? Yes, the Lord is for me; he will help me. I will look in triumph at those who hate me.”

Day 6: Psalm 34:7 – “For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him."

Day 7: Isaiah 40:31 – “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

His House Is Our Home

A number of months ago, my wife and I “adopted” an elderly cat as a result of his owner passing away. He was strange in our home for some time but eventually the fear and uncertainty of his new life became a distant memory. He has quite attached himself to me in particular and my every step is shadowed by his frail frame. He has accepted me as his master, so to speak, seemingly depending on me for everything. From his morning greetings, treats, hours of cuddling on my lap in the evenings to tucking me in each night, each day he depends more and more on me because he has gotten to know me. It’s a familiar unconditional love that a pet brings.

Our relationship with Father God is much the same. He claimed ownership of us long before we ever knew. As we live one life then accept Him into our hearts, we change. Our not knowing Him will quickly fade to memory as we fall in love with Him. The more we learn, the more we want to know about Him. The more we know about Him, the more intimate our relationship with Him becomes. And a day comes when we realize we are completely dependent on Him and not the world. I have experienced more and more of this over the last number of months. Jesus has made His presence known in so many countless ways that it’s now impossible to miss anything He provides. Just like an old frail pet, we can and should live in the comfort of the house of our Master. He has offered His house as our home and Jesus has gone there to prepare a place for us all, and He is coming back, as promised in John 14:2.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Our Sure Hope’

Day 1: Psalm 147:11 – “No, the Lord’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.”

Day 2: Psalm 25:3 – “No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others."

Day 3: Hebrews 10:23 – “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.”

Day 4: Proverbs 23:18 – “You will be rewarded for this; your hope will not be disappointed.”

Day 5: Romans 5:5 – “And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.”

Day 6: 1 Thessalonians 5:8 – “But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation."

Day 7: Hebrews 6:11, 12 – “Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Gathering of the Faithful

Last week I wrote about how we, as a Christian nation, need to take back our rights to freedom of speech, our freedom to gather and our right to have a say in the matters of our community. We are silent because we have been told that we offend yet the message we are bringing is one of peace and love towards all mankind regardless of their race, religion or creed. Granted, not all faith gatherings are focused on this but the Message, God’s own command, love God with all you are and love your neighbour as yourself is being preached in the majority of His faith gatherings and yet we are told to be silent.

Jesus came to fulfill the prophecy that the Saviour would come and He would be the Prince of Peace. Yes, though the ages that has not always been the case but the message is clear; be a merciful nation. So why silence the Message? Is there a fear that people might actually believe that there can be a peace in the community or even in the world? My question is this; if someone off the street were to walk into a church and find it to be full of people with hurts and fears just like everyone else and come to realize there is no condemnation or segregation in the gathering body but rather acceptance of the hurting and compassion for their needs, would this be a place of comfort and strength? If this body of believers loved on the person and provided them with help for their emotional, physical and spiritual needs, would this not be a fabulous message to spread throughout the community? So why demand silence?

Oh nation of believers in our Saviour Jesus Christ, call upon the power of the Spirit that is God to stand up and stand strong. Do not let the world push us out of the way while it promotes the ways of the world but rather ask the question “where is our voice?” We have a right to be heard and seen and not just when it is convenient. We pour millions into compassionate endeavours around the world both financially and in volunteer work but can’t put up a manger scene on the grounds of city hall at Christmas. The reason for the season is the Prince of Peace is born and His message is powerful – love the world even when they persecute you, love on them as He loves on you. Where is the evil in that message?

This Sunday we are at Camp Harmattan for our service but we will have a devotional online for those unable to get to the camp.

Peace be with you all.

Pastor Todd

Rock of Ages

For a number of years now, our singing group, Master’s Hand Singers, has had the privilege of visiting local nursing homes to share the gospel through music and song with the residents. We may not get to know all of their names yet we have come to call them our friends. Many are independently mobile where others require assistance. Some are blind, some are quiet in their demeanor and some come keeping eyes closed just to worship. Much of this changes the moment we begin to sing. As we present the songs, both contemporary and traditional, we see the faces change as many sing along or at least emote to the familiar melodies and words of their long ago youth. We are blessed as we watch how God awakens in them a time when they all were vibrant active church members who, in all honesty, probably raised many of the churches we see in our community. It shows the power of God’s Word as it remains active in the minds and hearts of those in their last few years. Unlike mankind, God holds a purpose and a plan for us all, Jeremiah 29:11, even when we are given a seat in the “amen” corner.

I realized that even as we ourselves in our groups advance in years, we have been given the power of Jesus’ message of salvation and promise to share in a way He has designed. Like many worship teams who visit nursing homes, we will eventually allow the music and God’s message to be carried on by a younger generation.

Jesus told Peter that He would have His church built on a rock. Matthew 16:18 NIV Jesus says,” and I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”. For two thousand years, God’s undefeated church has been on this rock. The elderly in our community raised churches on rock foundations and remain committed to Christ as they relive their youth when familiar hymns are presented. All of us today who speak or sing about Jesus continue to build His church on His rock. We can be assured that God’s enduring power is raising new generations to grab the baton and keep building. Through the ages the rock remains. After all, our Father knows best.

Mike Shindruk

www.masterhandministry.blogspot.ca

 

Christian Soldiers Unite

I have spoke of this in the past and felt compelled to address it again. For so long we, as Christians, have rolled onto our backs to expose our soft underbellies and society has taken the opportunity to rip the guts out of our faith and tell us we are not allowed to speak our faith in public. Some may think that I am going to rant about other religions but that is not the case. Other religions can fight for their constitutional rights just as we should be doing. Did you know that Christians have the right to be Christian with out fear of discrimination or retribution? Did you know that Christians have the right to peaceful gatherings?

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Acts 9:26-30 (NIV)

Last week this passage came up in the sermon on forgiveness and today I opened up my devotional and the same passage was there again. Coincidence; I think not. Saul, the great Christian persecutor, was boldly preaching the Gospel, the Good News, the Message of Jesus Christ and he had been doing so throughout Damascus and now he had brought the message to Jerusalem. He debated with the Hellenistic Jews, he spoke fearlessly throughout the city and the word went out that Saul must be silenced.

While the world seeks to find ways to kill the word of God being spoken throughout the land, should we not be fearlessly wandering the streets letting the world know that we will not go quietly into the night? Is it time to declare that our faith gathering is prepared to speak out and speak up. During times of disaster the church is welcomed and acknowledge for their contributions but when the church wants to speak peace and love in the media, there is no room for input. Yes, even our local paper will not support the church unless there is something in it for them. Time was we were the go to in the community and now we are told to mind our place.

This Sunday we will speak the truth, we will take back our rightful place and dedicate our gathering to the betterment of our community. Join us Sunday at 10:30 am or online at www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Blessings

Pastor Todd

Which Way Now

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Which Way Now’

Day 1: Psalm 32:8 – “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’”

Day 2: Proverbs 3:5 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding."

Day 3: John 10:27 – “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me!”

Day 4: Psalm 25:4 – “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.”

Day 5: Isaiah 43:19 – “… For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Day 6: Proverbs 16:3 – “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed."

Day 7: Psalm 37:23, 24 – “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

God's On It

While chatting and sharing breakfast this week with a friend, our conversation took no time at all to be about how God has impacted our lives. We shared some personal things back and forth that allowed us to get to know each other a bit more. He recalled about attending one of our services over a year ago and how something in the worship songs that evening caused him to weep. After the service, he felt a complete release of sorts and he now recognizes that it was Holy Spirit touching him. As worship leaders and teams prepare to present on a Sunday, the music is chosen by God as only He knows that someone out there needs His message to touch and heal their wound. It could be a word, a lyric, a melody or sometimes just the sound of the team who is presenting. Through it all, God knows who is spiritually hungering and feeds them His Word, often in a manner we don’t see coming.

He also remains at the side of someone who has experienced a severe personal loss and, for whatever reason, cannot find it in themselves to believe there is a God. I’m sure there have been times in all of our lives where we asked “If God is so good, why did this or that happen or where was He when I needed Him most. The answer is painful, yet simple. He was, and is, always there at our sides through thick and thin. He is as close as the length of your arms. If you are in turmoil or suffering and push Him away, He is three feet away, yet if you reach up for Him and draw Him close, He is right where you need Him to be in your heart.

So you can see now that God is never far away from your situation. He feeds those who are hungry for Him, He waits on those who have yet to accept Him and He is with every one of us in our lives, even when we don’t see any evidence of Him. If you, or someone you know, is in any of these situations, sit back, close your eyes, open your heart and listen to the prayer songs of your worship team. Listen to a friend tell you of a friend named Jesus and always know that God’s on it.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Count Your Blessings

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Count Your Blessings’

Day 1: Proverbs 16:3 – DIRECTION – “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”

Day 2: Exodus 23:25 – HEALING – “You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness."

Day 3: Psalm 34:8 – PROTECTION – “Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!”

Day 4: Proverbs 16:20 – TEACHER – “Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful.”

Day 5: Psalm 23:1, 2 – PEACE – “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams.”

Day 6: Habakkuk 3:19 – STRENGTH – “The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."

Day 7: Proverbs 3:7, 8 – WISDOM – “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

Am I Paul?

As Saul watched over the cloaks of those around him, did it ever enter his mind that he was participating in the killing of one of God’s children, one of His chosen? He begged for the authorization to eliminate the Christ-followers in all Israel and he received it. The world of the Christians community was about to get a lot tougher but God had other plans.

…“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”

“Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.

“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” Acts 9:4-6 NIV

Saul had, in the moment He followed Christ’s command, become a follower of Christ and his ministry to the lost had taken birth. God chose His messenger perfectly and began to prepare Saul for a new way of life where love and forgiveness superseded the oppression of the Sanhedrin of the time. In fact the congregation in Jerusalem was very skeptical of Saul’s conversion that they feared to meet with him.

When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 

So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. Acts 9:26-30 NIV

When Jesus came to forgive He forgave completely. People feared the old Saul yet the new Paul spoke boldly to the nation. He spoke of love and forgiveness and he spoke of the salvation of the Messiah with such power and conviction that the believers had to remove him from the area upon fear of death. Still, Paul preached on. With his past firmly anchored in the past, Paul preached the salvation message and was one with the Christian leadership.

Life is too short to dwell in the rear-view mirror. Let the sun set on not only other’s past but also on your own. Re-born in Christ means a new start and a new life in the presence of a merciful Father. This Sunday we conclude the forgiveness series but this message continues on.

Blessings

Pastor Todd

Devotional from Military Christian Fellowship of Canada

Reprinted with permission.

 It's been five sleeps since most of us last gathered with our church family to pray, sing songs of praise and listen to God's word.  In a few days we will again drive to those places of worship while driving past the homes of people who do not find God necessary. These are people who have chosen to stay away from church because they would rather sleep in, take a child to a sport practice or game, cast a lure into a lake, hit a golf ball or gather with friends at Timmy's to share a few laughs.  Many of these people are our friends who we have socialized with, talked about their lives, and have been on our prayer lists.  Many of them are satisfied with the lives they have built for themselves, with their homes, their jobs and their children; people we view life as good enough and see no need for Jesus.

Why indeed. Scripture tells us that there is no difference between any of us and we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin interferes with day-to-day living and has eternal repercussions. However, many, including believers, have chosen to define sin based on their circumstances while believing they are doing life well enough. They see the bible as antiquated musings that do not apply to 2016 and unfortunately, many believers contribute to this mindset. If we stand some followers alongside those who choose not to believe and compare their lives, we probably would see no difference.  These type of believers act as if they had no hope. They complain about the same things, they are stressed and anxious when family issues arise, they rant about their neighbours, complain about their politicians, question church decisions and offer similar excuses on Sunday mornings when they choose to skip church. Side-by-side some are very much like their non-believing friends because life seems good and they see no need for God beyond Sunday mornings. They see no need to set aside time to pray, to reading scripture, or to want to share the Good News with others.

There is an intentionality required to be a follower of Christ. It leads to rewards both on earth and in heaven; peace and calmness on earth and an eternity of happiness in heaven. It cannot come about with part time commitment. It requires the follower to commit to Jesus. It requires reading the bible and not just to say they read so many pages but to say they read a story about God's love. A love that encourages them when they are trying to understand a disruptive neighbour, deal with an angry driver in traffic, or encounter a heavily tattooed homeless youth wearing clothes they could never imagine should be worn by anyone. A follower, who chooses to read God's word and talk with Him, sees the world differently. When they respond to what they read, they make different choices including wanting to share Jesus with those who believe that life is good enough. Followers of Jesus should be able to share about a life that is different from the one lived before they choose to become a follower. They should want to talk about the circumstances that lead to their decision to follow Jesus, and they should be able to speak glowingly about a life transformed because of the commitment to follow. The committed follower will want to share this Good news because their life is not the same as the friend who does not know God.

Believers should seek to become holy not to suggest they are better but to acknowledge they are transformed. They should want a 24/7 relationship with God that goes beyond satisfying our carnal desires; a relationship that gives hope to fulfilling spiritual and emotional needs.  Believers should want to experience life differently so that when they are faced with lives' difficulties they can respond with a peace and calmness.  Committed believers should love those who do know Jesus but should no longer want to be like them. The life of a believer should cause others to ask questions and point them to Jesus and not remark "we are no different."  Are you a committed follower of Jesus?

Blessings

Anton Topilnyckyj

Prayer Coordinator

Military Christian Fellowship of Canada/ Fraternité Chrétienne Militaire du Canada

Feeling Defeated

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Feeling Defeated’

Day 1: Deuteronomy 20:4 – “For the Lord your God is going with you! He will fight for you against your enemies, and he will give you victory!”

Day 2: Matthew 19:26 – “Jesus looked at them intently and said, ‘Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.’"

Day 3: Romans 8:37 – “No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.”

Day 4: Deuteronomy 28:7 – “The Lord will conquer your enemies when they attack you. They will attack you from one direction, but they will scatter from you in seven!”

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 15:57 – “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Day 6: 1 John 5:4 – “For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith."

Day 7: Hebrews 4:15, 16 – “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.”

** Verses taken from the NLT.

God Never Takes A Vacation

Well it’s sunny and hot here in Nova Scotia, at least for now. Many people, myself included, will be enjoying some vacation time to do, well perhaps, nothing. Each of us will look forward to a break in our daily routine from our job. We intend to sleep in and not watch the clock, yet instead watch the sunsets over a favorite lake or ocean view beverage in hand, bare feet up, with the crackle of a summer evening’s campfire in the back ground. Yes, we will most likely even miss a few church services with our faith friends and family. How sweet will be the quiet sunrise coffee on a deck, being interrupted by nothing but the flutter of wings and the chorus of hymns from the resident song birds.

Now that I’ve painted a picture in your mind of a blissful presentation that we can never tire of, take a moment and remember just who was responsible for it all. That’s right, you’ve guessed it, it was God. Your vacation time is a reward from your employer for the effort that you gave. The rest, and all of what I have described has been created by our Creator, as described in Isaiah 45:18, and given to us all not because we earned it yet because of His love for us. These things and more are to be noticed and enjoyed always not just when you take a break.

God, our Father, never takes a break or a vacation. Think of Him and He is tuned to you. Pray to Him and He is always listening. Cry to Him and He is always comforting. Thank Him for everything and He is always smiling. So you’ve taken a break from church. No problem, says my Pastor, you can still pray every day. Sleep as long or as little as you want as He will be the one that opens your eyes in the morning. Oh yes and that first breath of fresh air in the morning came with His compliments also. Psalm 150:6 NIV tells us to praise Him for this. It reads, “Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord.” We may take vacation or a rest as we would know it but as you can see, our Father God does not. Remember to give Him thanks for every sunrise and sunset.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

I'm Really Forgiven

Here is the question; are you perfect? I can honestly say that I am far from perfect and every day is a new adventure in the journey of moving towards perfection. So, why do I bring this up? As I mentioned in the service last Sunday (you can listen online on our message page www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca), we are none of us perfect and my sins are no better or worse than anyone else’s but they are all covered by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. So the question is this; are we ready, as a nation of believers, to lift one another up rather than place more burden upon each other?

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tender-hearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Colossians 3:12-14 NLT

Read this passage closely – make allowances for each other’s faults, that is, do not hold it over them for you never know the plank that is in your own eye. As you treat others that is inevitably the way they will treat you and if your practice is to deal with others as is written in verse 12-13 then will that be how others will act towards you. There is a calming aspect to that thought – clothe yourselves with love, that wonderful binding agent, and you will not only grow in peace but will also affect the harmony of the community around you. And who are those around us? Look at the verses before these.

Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us. Colossians 3:10-11

In Christ we are all on the same footing, the same level and since His love and strength is our guide and the spreading of His Message is our mission, reach out in love, do so with tender-heartedness and kindness and be patient because it will, in some cases, take time for His Message to reach into the lives of those who are skeptical.

This Sunday, we continue with the forgiveness message.

Shalom

Pastor Todd

Week At A Glance July 4-10, 2016

Church Office Open        - 9:00 PM – 4:00 PM Monday-Tuesday, July 4-5

Church Office Closed      - Wednesday and Saturday, July 6-9

Church Service                 - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sunday, July 10

Special Events

Prayer Time and Coffee - 9:00 AM Tuesday, June 12 Main Ave Fellowship

Care Home Services         - No Care Home Services this week

Movie Night                      - No Movie This Week

Men’s and Lady’s Bible Study done until September

Please note:

Services on July 31 and August 7 will be held at Camp Harmattan starting at 10:00