Hey God, Are You Listening?

Every day I see God’s presence. I do because I look for Him. My job is a busy one and my days are sometimes a blur, yet I always have time to speak with Him. We can never get too busy to have a conversation of thanks with God. There was a time when it wasn’t that way. I had a period in my life that grief was so blinding and deafening that I thought I had lost my faith. I thought that God and I had nothing to talk about. Where was He when I cried out over the death of my dad? Why was He deaf to my prayers of Him allowing me to have one more conversation with my Father. I even asked Him if He was even listening at all.

   

Well, I expect that many of you have worn these shoes. We are human, and when we are faced with a hurricane in our life, we all go through a time where we can’t see the Father for the storm. We wonder why we have to endure the tortures of health scares, inconveniences of waiting on Him, and not being able to see any improvement in our situation. We think that prayer is a waste of time and we ask that same question. God, are You listening?

  

Now I have some great news. Yes, my child, I hear your cries, is His answer. I can almost hear Him giving us Jeremiah 29:11,” Only I know the plans I have for you, they are plans for good, not for evil”. You see, I have learned that He is always listening, and even though we may not realize it, He is now arranging for your situation to be resolved. Listen closely, and you will hear Him. He may have sent an army of prayer warriors to pray when you couldn’t, to believe when you wouldn’t, and to remind you that your faith need only be the size of a mustard seed to make a difference. He arranged a phone call for a medical appointment, a job placement, and He also woke you today with air in your lungs, all because He has a plan for you. He may have just cleared the storm you had to walk through in order to get your attention. Yes friends, take a moment and make a list of every little blessing you had today. It will be longer than you think. Was God listening to you? Yes, now the question should be, are you listening to God?

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘This is Real Love’

Day 1: John 3:16 – “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

Day 2: 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 3: Romans 5:8 – “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Day 4: Romans 8:35-39 – “Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, ‘For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.’) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.  And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Day 5: Ephesians 1:4 – “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.”

Day 6: Ephesians 3:17-19 – “Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Day 7: 2 Corinthians 13:14 – “May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

When Love Means Letting Go

Many years ago, my son chose to head to the east coast for university. Natalie and I had already decided to head east but it was not to be close to Austin but that was a nice plus. We got to see him a few times a month but we really didn’t want to interfere in his life. It was great to be available but it was even nicer to see him mature into a fine young gentleman. As time went on, he met a very wonderful young lady, Sham, and his visits to us became a bit less frequent. We watched as they both grew closer and closer and realized we had gained a daughter. This coming week, we are privileged to watch them exchange their vows and our family will grow a little bit more. I was always told that family is family and when you welcome one into the family through marriage, you welcome their family as well.

Jesus welcomed all into the family, Jews and Gentiles alike. His message, love everyone equally and with all you are because we are all His children and we are all related through Him. Last week, the Holy Spirit got a hold of me and I put aside the sermon I had planned and went on a journey of understanding in 1 John 3:11-24 where, in the 23 verse John says “And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.”

I hope that I have been a good and loving father for my son. For years I have prayed for his wellbeing and for his happiness, I have prayed that God keep him and protect him, I have prayed that he find a special partner to share his life with. God has given him a wonderful and very special woman and for that I thank God. Now, it is time to say goodbye to that little boy and welcome a new family, husband and wife.

 ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Matt 19:5-6 NIV

This Sunday, we welcome Rev. Glenn Reeder and look forward to the message he has for us. Service starts at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Return to Innocence

Most common question I hear from those who do not have a belief in Christ, “what proof do you that He exists”? What proof do I need? Does one need massive amounts of empirical proof before they believe in the person of Christ? Okay, let’s try this on for size. There are an estimated 6.9 billion people on this planet of which an estimated 2.2 billion are Christian, 1.6 billion are Muslim and 17.3 million Jewish people. Of that, Christians believe Jesus to be the Messiah, Muslims believe Christ to be a great prophet of God and the Jews see Jesus as a rebel Rabbi. Jesus is identified, in writings, by over half the world’s population and, if you add the comment made by the Dalai Lama concerning Christ being enlightened, then you can add another 1.6 billion and that brings the total who acknowledge Christ to 5.5 billion people.

The argument of proof then moves to there is no footprint historically but this too is false. There are documents not only in the Christian libraries but the Roman documents concerning the Hebrew rebel, His disciples and the works of the Christian and the Jewish nations. The argument is then, “well these records don’t prove anything, most are false” yet these records are utilized in many archeological studies and research in the empirical community. So, where am I going with this?

My God says follow me, believe in me and love me with all your heart, soul, mind and body AND love your neighbour. Why are so many trying to deny a God who teaches peace and compassion? Yes, there are those out there who claim faith in Christ and do not walk the talk but there are so many more who walk the talk. Sometimes, what is needed is to turn against the flow of society, that is, always looking for the negativity around them, and give the way of Peace and Compassion a try. In John 20:27 Christ said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” All we are saying, like the Beatles said years ago, is give peace a chance!

This Communion Sunday, we celebrate Christ’s love for us and give thanks for the blessing He has been for us. Service starts at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca). Following the service, we will also enjoy each other’s company at the Fellowship Feast.

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Who is This God of the Bible’

Day 1: Genesis 1:1 – Elohim – GOD – judge – creator – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”

Day 2: Genesis 22:14 – Jehovah Jireh – my provider – “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the Lord will provide’). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’”

Day 3: Genesis 49:10 – Shiloh – the peace keeper – “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.”

Day 4: Exodus 15:26 – Jehovah Rapha – my healer – “He said, ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.’”

Day 5: Exodus 17:15 – Jehovah Nissi – my miracle – “Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means ‘the Lord is my banner’).”

Day 6: Psalm 23:3 – Jehovah Raah – my restorer – “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”

Day 7: Judges 6:24 – Jehovah Shalom – MY peace – “And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”). The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer to this day.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Who Speaks For Me?

This past Saturday, I woke very early to the sun filling my home with daylight. Without a thought for the early hour I made a coffee, spoke to the cat, and sat quietly in our great room while my wife caught up on some much needed sleep. While mentally planning a perfect day at the lake I clicked the television on, and without any intent, began to watch the Royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meaghan Markle. I really had no interest, yet I was captivated. Then, as everyone was seated in the cathedral, Bishop Michael Curry began a fifteen minute message to the young couple, and to the world. As he spoke with pure conviction, he reminded all that God must be in, and all around the marriage of this man and this woman. He reminded the world that as a groom takes his bride, so does Jesus take us, the church as His bride.

  

He described God’s redemptive power of love, and how each of us can receive that gift and use it to make our world a better place. He spoke this into the hearts of all the Royalty, celebrities, and common folk alike. He absolutely captivated me, and I thought, wow, how perfect, how simple, and how many would actually listen. He had the attention of most of the planet, and I saw how powerful a speaker he is. Just imagine, if you will how great an influence he must be.

  

Then it occurred to me that Jesus, began by speaking softly to twelve. He did not have billions hanging on His every word. Yet, His message was taken, then shared, and has endured for over two thousand years. One man, Jesus, made the most profound impact on the world, that mankind has ever known. When we accept Christ into our hearts and home, He gifts us with His redemptive power of love. When we share that with another, and another, without the fan-fair of mass media, it is just as important to God, as Bishop Curry’s was to the masses.

   

There is nothing that any of us has ever done, thought, or said that cannot be forgiven by God. There is no addiction strong enough to hold God at bay or defeat His love for us. You and I, common everyday people are just as valuable to God as any Royal, celebrity, or anyone who may have the ears of the world. We are His children, loved equally, no one better than the next. Can we make the world a better place? Of course we can. We just need to listen to the one who truly speaks for you, for me, and for the rest of the world, and that would be Jesus.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Who is This God of the Bible’
Day 1: Genesis 1:1 – Elohim – GOD – judge – creator – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Day 2: Genesis 22:14 – Jehovah Jireh – my provider – “Abraham named the place Yahweh-Yireh (which means ‘the Lord will provide’). To this day, people still use that name as a proverb: ‘On the mountain of the Lord it will be provided.’”
Day 3: Genesis 49:10 – Shiloh – the peace keeper – “The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from his descendants, until the coming of the one to whom it belongs, the one whom all nations will honor.”
Day 4: Exodus 15:26 – Jehovah Rapha – my healer – “He said, ‘If you will listen carefully to the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the Lord who heals you.’”
Day 5: Exodus 17:15 – Jehovah Nissi – my miracle – “Moses built an altar there and named it Yahweh-Nissi (which means ‘the Lord is my banner’).”
Day 6: Psalm 23:3 – Jehovah Raah – my restorer – “He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.”
Day 7: Judges 6:24 – Jehovah Shalom – MY peace – “And Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and named it Yahweh-Shalom (which means “the Lord is peace”). The altar remains in Ophrah in the land of the clan of Abiezer to this day.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Revived and Saved

Two of my favorite subjects to write or talk about is my Dad, and my Father. Both were on earth, both died, and are in Heaven. One is coming back, and the other is waiting there for a family reunion someday.

          

This week I met a man who, out of the blue told me of a time over thirty years ago when my dad saved an outboard motor from certain death. It was submerged in salt water, and a panic call to my dad resulted in it being transported to my dad’s repair shop. When it arrived, contaminated, my dad in a fever pitch, removed spark plugs gear oil, and anything that was in his way in order to rinse, flush and clean the insides with fresh running water. Dad worked tirelessly, and as a result the salt and silt that would have meant certain engine death, was gone. With tender loving care, that engine was revived and saved, and ran for many more years.

       

My heart was melted as this story came back to life, as I recall my dad doing this, many times. What touched me is that after so many years, my dad was remembered fondly to me, as his actions, and diligence made a lifelong impression on a stranger. Why? It’s because that’s how my dad was. He cared enough to do what it took to help someone.

     

I could not help but think that this is how our Father (Jesus) is. When we become contaminated, damaged, injured, and come to the drowning point, He is right there for us, when we call. When we lay ourselves at His feet and ask for help, He will immediately begin ripping, tearing, and removing all the things within us that harm us. Our saturated spirit will be drained so we can breathe. Our spark, or lack of, will be replaced with fire. Our silt, or grime in our souls will be flushed with His water until all of the contaminants are gone. He will keep working on us, even when it seems like there is no use, yet He will keep on keeping on. Just when all seems lost, we will crank back to life, and carry one for as many years as He gives us. Then, like that stranger to my dad, we will share our own story of being given up on by the world, delivered to our Master mechanic, cleaned, flushed, revived, and saved. All of this is, and will, be done by our Heavenly Dad, because that, is just way He is.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

The God of Finiteness?

A friend of mine was touting the newness of his new phone and how it was so technologically advanced that there was none that could compare. He told me it was waterproof, dust proof, bullet proof and was exactly what he needed in his life. He dressed it up with a variety of accessories and even set it up as the center of his everyday life. It booked his appointments, kept track of his steps, communicated with his friends and was at his beckon call to entertain him with games and distractions. This was his idol, the very best in smart technology. Three weeks later, he was mister misery when he found out that the god that served him required upgrades, updates and more upkeep and suddenly he was serving a needy idol. Then came the final straw. This god was no longer the elite idol he had come to expect, it was obsolete and needed to be replaced.

While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols. Acts 17:16 NIV

A group of Epicureans and Stoics were looking for a debate and … they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we would like to know what they mean.” (All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) Acts 17:19-21 NIV

“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. Acts 17 24-25 NIV

My God has provided the needs of all mankind throughout the world. All we can make through our own devises, be it false idols such as gold and silver, paper currency and shiny rocks or even a new Black Apple Galaxy Triplay 10 with shockwave quad core 5G technology is temporary and fleeting. The last part of the sentence in Acts 17:25 says it all, He gives life and breath and everything else. His is a message of caring and sharing. There is only one God and His primary concern is for all He has created. There are places all around us set up to be worshiped as idols. Do not loose focus for the One who created everything is the One who never changes, never becomes obsolete.

This Sunday, This Sunday, we celebrate Pentecost and give thanks for the blessing He has been for us. Service starts at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Never Give Up’

Day 1: Deuteronomy 31:8 – “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

Day 2: 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.”

Day 3: Psalm 34:18, 19 – “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed. The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”

Day 4: Psalm 143:7, 8 – “Come quickly, Lord, and answer me, for my depression deepens. Don’t turn away from me, or I will die. Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.”

Day 5: 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Day 6: Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”

Day 7: Proverbs 3:5, 6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Peace Be With You

This past week, two friends, brother in Christ, went on to Glory leaving behind a huge hole in many lives. At the one funeral, Pastor Mike said that Big Larry went to close the gate to the pasture one morning but ended up walking through the gates to Glory. What a wonderful image for myself and many others gathered. I could see the smile on numerous faces when this was communicated and a peace fell over the gathered.

John writes in Chapter 14 verse 27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” At the time, the disciples probably did not understand the enormity of this claim as they could not know that Jesus was going to be leaving them fairly soon. Christ was proclaiming that even though He was there with them at that moment, a time was coming when He would be leaving them but Holy Spirit would come to be with them. Christ was going to prepare a place and could not do so while still on earth but His peace would rest upon them all. Holy Spirit, He represents the peace and love that is God always with each of us.

Our friends have gone and now know the glory of God but we who are left behind still feel the loss. My Lord has granted us a peace however. Peace, the peace that is found by the power and presence of Holy Spirit is with us, given for all of us by our Father in Heaven. Do not left the sorrow of loss burden your hearts and do not fear the future. The Son has gone before to prepare a place but until then, the Peace of God beacons us to live life to the fullest in the warmth of His blessing.

This Sunday, we celebrate mothers and give thanks for the blessing they have been for us. As is tradition, Natalie MacDonald will bring us a message of joy and encouragement. Services start at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Mom, I Love You

If Jesus asked, are you running away from me, or running toward me, could you truthfully answer this question? Our relationship with Jesus is an intimate, one to one union of love. When we stray from, or get angry with Him, He understands, forgives, and loves without conditions. When we are ill and suffering, or healthy and celebrating, He is with us. His love is always the same as He comes into our situation as our comforter, and our confidant. There is a very moving scene in the movie, The Passion, where Jesus is being flogged, and the anguish on His mother’s face touches the soul. The adaptation of this image shows the unbridled love of Christ for all of us, and also demonstrated the unbreakable bond between a mother and a child. Through Jesus’ crucifixion, the Romans and the Pharisee’s tried and failed to separate Jesus’ love for us, and it also failed to separate His mother’s love for Him.       

              

When we get cut by the world, our mother is the one who figuratively bleeds be it physically, emotionally, or financially. From the day she brings us home, until the day we carry her home, through all trials and triumphs, without condition, just like Jesus, mothers love us through everything. There may be times when she’ll ask the same question as Jesus, child, do you love me? Without hesitation answer, yes Mom, I love you. You were conceived, carried, born, raised, and set free, all out of love that God placed in our mothers’ spirit. You are not a mistake. You are a miracle.

I’ve heard that soldiers, wounded in battle, inherently cry out for their mothers, perhaps from the bond of being woven in her womb. I encourage all, whether in battle or victory, if she is still with you or in heaven, if you are a husband, son, or daughter, offer a prayer of thanks to God for her. This Mother’s Day take time to reflect how she is the nurturing maternal connection to Jesus, as He is the nurturing eternal connection to our Heavenly Father.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘God’s Faithfulness’

Day 1: Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

Day 2: John 1:9 – “The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

Day 3: Isaiah 25:1 – “O Lord, I will honor and praise your name, for you are my God. You do such wonderful things! You planned them long ago, and now you have accomplished them.”

Day 4: 1 Thessalonians 5:24 – “God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.”

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 10:1 – “I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.”

Day 6: Deuteronomy 7:9 – “Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.”

Day 7: Revelations 19:11 – “Then I saw heaven opened, and a white horse was standing there. Its rider was named Faithful and True, for he judges fairly and wages a righteous war.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Glass Half Full

I sent a note into my MP suggesting that they adopt the practices of the local provincial opposition. They have decided to refrain from heckling during the question period and listen to the member across the floor from them. It adds not only a sense of professionalism and courtesy but also lends to an air of respect within the halls of government. I watch our leaders in the federal house and am ashamed for them. It is so easy to lean towards the negative side and holler out like a spoiled child on a playground who is not getting their own way.

The Pharisee followed Christ around throughout His ministry and tried to drown Him out, make a mockery of Him or even catch Him in hypocrisy yet Christ maintained a calmness that I am not sure I would have been able to match. Christ proved that the way of peace and understanding can always defeat the deceit and maligning but it does take a little longer. The decent into anger and argument is so easy, it only takes a couple words or deeds and the dance begins. Christ showed us a better way. Peter, filled with a sense of anger and protectiveness lunged at a member of the arresting party in the Garden of Gethsemane and lopped off his ear. Instead of using this as a catalyst to attack back in anger, Christ calmed the situation and restored the ear of the high priest’s servant Malchus.

“Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. Matt 26:52 NIV

Life is too short to be watching one’s back at every turn. Live a life filled with the joy and peace of the Holy Spirit and find ways to give others a bit of happiness every day.

This Sunday, we will celebrate another year of ministry with our Annual General Meeting. There is a slight bit of business to attend to but it will be mostly a time of worship and praise. Services start at 10:30 MST and can be seen live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or viewed afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

If I Can Dream

I can’t count the number of times that a busy day or week has welded itself to my subconscious. Between my work, home, and ministry duties, there are times when I either drop into a deep sleep, or cannot sleep at all. There have even been times when I’ve been trapped in a nightmare so real that I would wake up covered in sweat. I would immediately walk through the house checking every door and out every window for the invisible demon that was chasing me. When this happens, even as a grown man I cannot separate the real from the unreal, and drifting back to sleep is hard.

Then there are the comforting dreams, again so real that you can know you’re dreaming and don’t want to wake up. I’ve dreamed that my own father came back from heaven, only to wake up to bitter disappointment. I’ve dreamed about walking with Jesus, facing the sun but never seeing His face. His robe was not white, yet a cream color that had soil at the bottom. We spoke, I don’t know about what, yet carried on a full conversation. Again, I would wake to find I’m back to reality in my bed.

I can’t begin to tell you what these mean but here is my encouragement. If it is comforting then I’ll accept that it was God speaking to me in my sleep time because He knows I am at peace with no world distractions. If it’s a night mare then it may be Satan’s way of keeping us from engaging with God, or at least finding the strength to keep working in God’s Kingdom. Satan will use every trick to get to us, to derail our faith, and life. He will infiltrate our minds and attack what is important to us in our sleep time. He’ll show us family members dying, or suffering. He’ll show the world laughing and spitting on us because we follow Christ. He will exhaust us to the point where we cannot function.

God on the other hand does the opposite. He comes into our sleep time with images of His promises. He may show us what we see as our loved ones in Heaven with Him, our children saved by His Word, our health and finances renewed, and our own faith in revival. He will assure us of His plan for us, and finally give us our first breath as we wake, and our first image of reality with the opening of our eyes, just one more day.

So now, when I lay down after a busy trying day or week, I will rest knowing that if I can dream in peace, it’s because God is wide awake, protecting me from the evil one. The great thing is, so can you.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘It Takes Work’

Day 1: Philippians 2:12 – WORK – “Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear.”

Day 2: 2 Timothy 1:6 – USE – “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.”

Day 3: Isaiah 55:6 – SEEK – “Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.”

Day 4: Ephesians 6:11 – PUT – “Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.”

Day 5: 2 Timothy 2:15 – STUDY – “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.”

Day 6: Hebrews 12:1 – RUN – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

Day 7: Matthew 7:7, 8 – ACTIVATE – “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation