Visit our new web page @ www.mainavefellowship.ca

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Peter's Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘When Storms COME’
Day 1: Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.
Day 2: Isaiah 25:4 – “But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord, a tower of refuge to the needy in distress. You are a refuge from the storm and a shelter from the heat. For the oppressive acts of ruthless people are like a storm beating against a wall.
Day 3: Psalm 91:1, 2 – “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.
Day 4: Psalm 25:8, 9 – “The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
Day 5: Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.
Day 6: Psalm 9:9, 10 – “’The ashes will spread like fine dust over the whole land of Egypt, causing festering boils to break out on people and animals throughout the land.’ So they took soot from a brick kiln and went and stood before Pharaoh. As Pharaoh watched, Moses threw the soot into the air, and boils broke out on people and animals alike.
Day 7: Exodus 15:2 – “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise him – my father’s God, and I will exalt him!
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Tuesday, February 26, 2019

True To The Cause


What is our cause? Is our cause to put pants in the pews? Is it to proselytize the nation for denominational growth? I am sitting in a meeting and just before the gathering was brought to a screeching halt by technical difficulties, one of the points of discussion was about the term conversion. What does that term represent and how can we view it in a variety of ways that may or may not be detrimental to the cause? First thing that needs to be established is cause. I view our cause as this; to present the message of God to a nation in such a way that they have the opportunity to make a choice for faith or for other options. The choice is left up to the individual but we are here to answer the questions, alieve fears and help people better understand the Truth.

Do we give people the chance to have their Paul moment? Are we the ones who come alongside the Paul’s of the world, take their hand and lead them to a place where they can ask the questions, find understanding and, when their sight is restored, watch as they begin on a new journey. Paul hit a wall. He was high on his horse and suddenly found himself looking up at the belly of his horse and those who were under his authority, as prescribed by man, were suddenly the messengers of mercy through both their actions, love your brother as yourself, and prayers. It was not Ananias who saved Saul from his errant ways but rather Holy Spirit.

17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:17-19 NIV

Ananias brought Saul the message, Saul accepted the message and he became a passionate messenger of the Truth throughout the land. Our cause is not to fill coffers but rather to communicate, with passion, the true message of God; Jesus saves. There is proof in the Gospel, there is proof in history and there is proof in the lives of all mankind. My cause, our cause, is to share that message and let the world choose their path.

This Sunday, we hope and pray that the live broadcast will work. We invite you to join us in person or online at 10:30 MST or you can watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd


I Am Not Anonymous


I’m sure there has been a time in everyone’s life where we have felt completely anonymous. I don’t know of anything that can hurt the heart more. In our workplace we may come and go and never have a conversation, or be acknowledged by the owner. They can walk by you for days and never make eye contact, yet expect your loyalty. We could be with a group of friends, and be excluded from idle chit chat, and then they wonder why they are not invited to your home. Then there’s the one friend who listens when you speak, but never hear a word, because they’re thinking of what they will say next as their eyes dart around you. All of these are situations that make anyone feel totally invisible. In an instant we are reduced to mute, and that is a tragedy. No one deserves to be treated this way, whether by mistake or intention.
          
Jesus doesn’t deserve this treatment either. He died for us, all of us. The very least we can do is pay attention to Him. Even we Christians can forget about Him when life is smooth. We slip into the world of, how great am I that I have a good job, money in my pocket, good health, and a few nice toys to play with. Sunday’s come and go, and the lure of the beach and sports on television place church and God on the back burner. All the while, Jesus is with us, every step of the way, speaking His love words in our ear. We don’t hear Him, because we’ve allowed the world to drown Him out, until we hit a wall. Then the first thing we cry out is, “why me Lord, or oh my God”. It’s amazing how we can forget Jesus until it’s convenient, even though we know He died on a cross for us all. How tragic that we can make even Him, anonymous. He has no ego, yet I’m sure He does have a heart with feelings. Just like us, He is injured when we don’t include Him in our daily lives, yet He invites us to His house every Sunday. He never takes us for granted, is always waiting in the wings for us to call Him, and He is the one we can all count on to erase our anonymity. Humans may fail us, but Jesus does not. He tells you every day that you are not anonymous. Just turn the volume of the world down a bit, and you will hear Him.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com


Friday, February 22, 2019

Thank Our God, For Eternity


This past week my last surviving aunt passed away. Of the eleven brothers and sisters, my mom is now the last remaining. As my pastor shared a prayer before worship practice, she thanked God for eternity. This struck a chord with me as I realized how wonderful a gift this is. Even in our last hour, minutes, or second He still offers us life eternal with Him. All we need do is reach up with our heart and say yes.

Being a thousand miles away from my aunt and cousins in Ontario, our lives have a disconnect where we don’t really know where or how anyone else’s walk with God is. Our lives, over the years have all led us in many different directions. As far as God is concerned, our personal relationship with Him is just that, personal. The last few weeks of my aunt’s life left her without verbal communication with my uncle and cousins, so we may never know if she spoke of God. My hope is that in her time and in her own way, there was an accepted love gift in her heart that was a key to the gates of Heaven. That gift would be her yes to Jesus’ invitation.

It’s not for us to speak into someone else’s faith walk, yet it is up to us to make sure that everyone knows that there is an eternal place of rest. It is up to us to offer that place, and share the gift of promise in the eternal home with Christ. God has given us all the gift of freedom of choice. He has also offered us all the gift of an eternal home Him. All we have to do is claim it, by accepting Jesus as our one and only Savior, with no other god’s before us.

 My hope is that my aunt and all the other aunts, uncles, mom’s, dad’s, and loved ones realized that, yes there is a forever home. Yes, all of our ills, afflictions and weaknesses are erased once we say good-bye to those we leave behind. That home, if we accept Jesus, is Heaven. Then when we are face to face we can all thank our God for eternity.
  
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 21, 2019

Peter's Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Wise Words’
Day 1: Proverbs 10:19 – “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”
Day 2: Proverbs 12:18 – “Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.”
Day 3: Proverbs 15:31 – “If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.”
Day 4: Proverbs 19:20 – “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”
Day 5: Proverbs 29:11 – “Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back.”
Day 6: Ecclesiastes 8:1 – “How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness.”
Day 7: Colossians 2:2, 3 – “I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation


To Live The Love Of Christ


I was asked to confirm our Mission Statement with our District office today. As I read our statement, I took time to contemplate the magnitude of that statement. Think of it -- to live the love of Christ. He loved each of us so fully and so completely that He gave up His life willingly so that we would not know the sting of death. I could write chapters on that one thought. There are those out there who believe that there is something or someone who is not of this world but they have no concept of what happens after death. Many will say that they come back as another life, another living form; some describe an afterlife in the clouds or in another plane of existence. When I talk to these people, many times the conversation starts “well, we may go to…” I hang on that one word, “may”. There is no certainty and little hope. There are also the conversations with those who believe in nothing after death. The ones who believe we become worm bait and there is nothing beyond this life. Where is the hope in that?

My God said in John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” Jesus willingly and purposely gave up His life for each of us so that we could have hope in more than a dark grave. He gave us a look into glory by pointing the way, by beating death and He did it for you and me. Would you put down your own life to save the life of another? Would you put your fears on the back burner so that you could tell someone about the good news of glory? I have lost a few friends when I began to follow the way of Christ and chose to be a messenger for His Message on this world because they did not want to hear but I don’t blame them, rather I pray that one day they may come to understand the hope that is found in Christ’s message. When we give up our past and embrace a future filled with hope and peace, that is when we will see a new change. When we grasp the fullness of His love and treat each other with the same love and respect, life will take on a whole new joy.

This Sunday we welcome Rev. Glenn Reeder and look forward to another wonderful message. We invite you to join us in person or online at 10:30 MST or you can watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd


Tuesday, February 12, 2019

How Can I Keep Quiet?


My son graduated a couple years ago from University College of Dublin with a Master’s Degree in Mathematics and I was so proud of his accomplishments. There were a few who would have liked me to keep it to myself as I went on and on about all he had done. No one asked me or even commanded me to stop talking about it but there was the odd comment like “yes, you told me” or “you did mention something about that”. Now I am bragging on my daughter-in-law as she prepares to graduate from Trinity College. When the accomplishments of those you love move you, there is a need to communicate it to the world. I can honestly say I am passionate about my family and talk about them all the time. How can you not speak out when it is something that truly speaks to your heart?

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20

There are those in the world who speak of their passions and some of them I am not all that passionate about but everyone has a right to speak out about their passion. We give them the respect due because we also expect the respect in return when we speak to our passions. There are a great many subjects people avoid because it usually leads to either an argument or social bullying. It almost seems like there are people out there that are looking for a reason to be offended. Peter and John were passionate about what they had witnessed and what they understood to be the truth but the Sanhedrin, the rabbinical court of the city, did not want to hear the truth or of the Truth and commanded them not to speak or teach such fallacies. I can understand how they must have felt. Do not ask me to speak of my Lord and Saviour. You may as well ask me to cease breathing. My Jesus is my life and my salvation. The Spirit that is God has breathed new life into my soul and to deny or to keep mute would be tantamount to death because He has given me life, through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross He has guaranteed me Glory. Respect flows two ways. Respect my passion to speak the Truth of my faith and I will respect your right to speak of your truth as well. This is the honour we afford to each other and this is how we can live in peace.

We invite you to join us in person or online at 10:30 MST or you can watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca). We truly hope the glitch that delayed our live broadcast will not repeat itself!

Blessings
Pastor Todd


Peter’s Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Does God Know Me?’
Day 1: John 10:14 – “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me.”
Day 2: Nahum 1:7 – “The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.”
Day 3: Psalm 139:16, 17 – “You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.  How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered!”
Day 4: Psalm 139:1, 2 – “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.”
Day 5: Psalm 139:13 – “You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”
Day 6: Psalm 139:15 – “You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb.”
Day 7: Psalm 121:8 – “The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation


Monday, February 11, 2019

Love Your Neighbour


So the month of February is the love month. Yes, chocolate and roses are the traditional gifts given to our sweethearts to show, or reaffirm our affection and love for each other. For the last four years, our ministry, Master’s Hand Ministry has called February, Love Thy Neighbor month. We have encouraged people to do simple acts of love to friends and strangers alike. It could be a coffee, a meal, a chocolate bar, or even a listening caring ear, called time. None of these cost a lot, yet are so valuable. In fact my wife and I have already been blessed with a breakfast, a pot of beef stew, and a package of cookies. I have had a medical appointment phone call out of the blue. All of these were because someone cared enough to love us.

This past week I have read where some new sponsored families will soon be arriving in our community and an article where the local Muslim community will soon have their own mosque to gather in worship. These things in themselves serve to show how diverse we can be in our community. God is showing us that just because we are different, doesn’t mean we cannot co-exist. Regardless of our color, creed, or faith belief’s we are not the enemies that the world wants us to be. What we are is the world that Jesus wants us to be. In the Old Testament we were given the Ten Commandments, in the New Testament, or new covenant, Jesus gives us two commandments. In Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV) the Pharisees tried to trick  Jesus with this question. “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus, who is the son of God, has given unto us a great responsibility. Love without borders. He is not our religion, He is our redeemer.  His words instruct us not to kill those of another faith, but to love those who are different than us. Each of us on this earth will perhaps be given eighty years of human life if we are so fortunate. We will all find out the truth when we leave and are standing in front of God. Meanwhile, let’s offer one another a handshake in peace and love, and perhaps a friendly coffee or piece of chocolate.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Going To Bat For You


In the game of baseball, it is common for a player to pinch-hit for someone else. It means that one person will step up to the plate and wait for the pitcher to drill one in, and for another to run when a hit is achieved. I remember that when we were kids on a school playground. For some reason, I learned how to swing a bat, cross handed and could never get correction on that. For that reason I was a mediocre hitter at best, but I could run like the wind. That for sure wasn’t yesterday. I was relieved when a stronger hitter, like my best friend then, would go to bat for me. What he was really doing is standing in the face of whatever was being thrown at me, staring it down, and defending me. When someone goes to bat for you, this is what occurs.

My mother and father went to bat for me when I was new to the workforce. When we as young adults, apply for that first car loan, our parents will most likely be the ones who co-sign, or go to bat for us with the bank. As we grow older, we also do this for our kids, and the cycle will continue for each coming generation. You see, we all will have times in our lives where we too will go to bat for someone. We, as parents, and friends will step up to the plate and stand firm in front of any threats to those we love. We will stare the threat down, and hold fast to protect others. This will give the slow runners in life, time to make their way to safety.

Jesus does this for us every day. Sometimes we see it, and acknowledge it, but most times we are unaware. Every day we are alive, the evil one will be that proverbial pitcher from the opposing team that wants to bean you with a ninety mile an hour curve ball. He is standing at the mound, staring Satan in the face, and just waiting for whatever will come our way. We, just like the runner, only have to wait for the crack of God’s bat then we can walk, or run, because the threat has been knocked out of the garden. 2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV assures us this way. But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.

Knowing this, we should forever be willing to have Jesus go to bat for us. So, step up to the plate and get ready to run.

Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Thursday, February 7, 2019

Things On Earth Are Tools For Living


I have said on numerous occasions that the things of earth are designed for living life. They are a resource for people to utilize while they are on earth to make their lives a bit easier. Go back forty years and I was taking a typing course because there were girls in the course and today I can type at close to ninety words a minute on the computer because I not only use it every day but I took a foundational course on typing so that I could be proficient when the time came to spend hours in front of a keyboard. As time went along, the tools of the world expanded to include computers which has now become an indispensable part of everyday life but it is not the be all and end all of life. It is a tool yet doctors are now saying that the abuse of the computer, the internet and social media is creating problems in our culture. When the tools of life are elevated to idol status, this is the time to worry.

It is written Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands.” Eccl 5:15 NIV. This is not to say that we need to give up those things that make life easier but rather it says that we should not get too attached to them because there is nothing of this earth that will go with us to the grave. Do not allow the things that make life on earth easier become the gods over your time and life but rather look to that which is going to be with us forever. My God is a relational Creator. He made mankind in His image and eagerly awaits our arrival in Glory but until that day, Spirit walks with us and loves us while we live our time here. God also wants us to realize that relationship is the most important aspect of life. Love God with absolutely every ounce of your being and love those around you without reserve. This is the message from the Prince of Peace, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. With that in mind, consider the things of life. Is the relationship a one way street? Will there be fancy cars and expensive diamonds in Glory; doubtful. Will there be peace, love and absolute joy in Heaven? For sure!!

 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.  ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” Rev 21:3-4 NIV

Seek that which is most important and consider the rest simply as tools for a time such as this. This Sunday, we welcome Rev. Bob Hillock and look forward to his message of joy in Christ. We invite you to join us in person or online at 10:30 MST or you can watch live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Wednesday, February 6, 2019

Peter's Picks


The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Why Jesus Came’
Day 1: Ephesians 5:2To please His Father – “Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.”
Day 2: John 3:16To show the love of God – “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 3: Mark 10:45To show His love for us – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Day 4: Ephesians 1:7 To pay for our sins – “He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.”
Day 5: Colossians 1:22To make us blameless – “Yet now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his own presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault.”
Day 6: Romans 8:32To provide for us – “Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else?”
Day 7: Titus 2:14To fulfill us – “He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation