Who Among You Is Greatest?

Years ago, The Daily Mirror reported that Noel Gallagher of Oasis said 'We are bigger than God'. Some speculate that to a lot of young people pop music and pop stars are more important than Religion. So often we see people fall over themselves to seek out and serve self-proclaimed gods who lord themselves over the populace by means of their talents or schemes. Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m not picking on the youth because we all have our idols and we put them on high pedestals. So, if a human can elevate another to that status, does it not make sense that the same people can pull out the pedestal at any time? Let us all remember that the bigger they are, the harder or farther they can fall.

So, what man or woman is greater in the kingdom of God. There are many out there who want us to believe the theory that the universe was made from a series of events that have not been proven or duplicated by anyone thus the term theory is employed. The Kingdom was created by intelligent design, God. He is the Supreme Authority and in that there is none above or bigger. So with that said, let us consider this:

The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Matthew 23:11-12 (NIV)

Jesus then defined this when He took the time to wash the feet of His disciples and give them the message to be ready to wash feet, to serve, to love so much that the needs of others are more important than the needs of self. I know I preach on this a ton but it is so important because it is at the heart of loving each other as Christ loves us. I have said on many occasions that, as the minister of the church, I am not here to be put on a pedestal but rather to be the first servant. As one moves up the chain, one must be prepared to show the way, to be the first in line to serve the needs of those around them.

Do not mistake power for supreme authority but rather as a opportunity to lift those around you to greater heights. God gave His one and only Son so that those who believe in Christ will one day join Him in a new and glorious realm.

We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or you can watch us live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘GOD Says to You: ’

Day 1: Jeremiah 29:11 – I am for you – “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’”

Day 2: Philippians 4:13 – I will strengthen you – “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

Day 3: Psalm 62:1, 2 – I will give you rest – “I wait quietly before God, for my victory comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will never be shaken.”

Day 4: Jeremiah 33:3 – I will answer you – “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.”

Day 5: Philippians 4:19 – I will provide for you – “And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Day 6: Psalm 121:8 – I will bless you – “The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.”

Day 7: Psalm 94:14 – I will not fail you – “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

God Never Takes A Vacation

Well it will eventually be sunny and hot here in Nova Scotia, at least we hope so. 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 quite sunrise coffee on a deck, being interrupted by nothing above the flutter of wings, and the chorus of hymns from the resident songbirds.

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 thing’s, 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. Carry Him with you always, as He has been carrying you since birth. 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 will come with His compliments. Psalm 150:6NIV 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 give thanks, for every sunrise, and sunset.

          

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Coming In September

Upcoming Events

In The Depths Of The Darkness

I came back from holidays this past Sunday and was looking forward to jumping right back into the fray , to start moving forward in His plan for my life, for our lives. On my desk to greet me was a flashlight, some chocolate and a scripture message.

“Let your light shine before your family and men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven!” Matt 5:16

It took a mere ten days for Natalie and I to cast off the burdens of our daily responsibilities and find a newness in the joys of what God provides for us daily. The beauty that surrounds us is always there for the taking but it can be dulled or even blotted out when the Light of the world is hidden by the veil of busyness and distractions. We did not attend one single church service while we were in Ireland but we did take in the wonder of His creation and gave thanks for the beauty He provided. There was something else that came with that peace and serenity; there was a feeling of calm and joy.

Truth be told, this was not an immediate action but rather a process. There were times when my feet were sore from all the walking, my back hurt from navigating the many hills or I just got tired and I began to sink into that place of darkness. Just about that time, we took a rest, sat down for a tea and scones or just relaxed and watched the world rush onwards. There are times when God says, “take a break, rest and let me renew you”. Modern culture says, “power through it and get ‘er done” but I say when the challenges of life start to dim your light, take time out for Jesus and let Him renew your spirit, your strength and your mind so that you can shine brightly. The slide into the depths of doom and darkness does not need to be an eternal ride, take time out to renew and be healed. The great tempter likes to keep our eyes on earthly prizes so that we cannot see the heavenly rewards that await those who lean on the Lord for their strength.

This Sunday, we will be back live on Facebook live as the computer issue has been rectified. We invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or you can watch us live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

When You Think You Have Nothing

There was a time, and all of us have them, when I thought I had nothing. Nothing to offer, nothing to look forward to, and nothing left. It was period almost twenty five years ago when my wife and I were struggling, just to get by. We had just endured both of our fathers passing away. Our teen aged children were wanting to sprout their individual wings and leave home for better pastures. Health and financial pressures and a vehicle breaking down almost daily, was our life. I didn’t know the Lord then, so all I saw was a dark abyss in front of me. I was at a point of just giving up, whatever that meant back then. Many of you reading this today may be going through the same thing. These troubles transfer from one generation to the next. So if you are in the middle of one of these situations, please know that although you feel it, you are not alone.

I did not know then, what I know and believe now, and that was, my situation would change. I can look back now and see where God was in my troubles. He carried me, everywhere, and always.  I didn’t see Him then, but He carried me through grief, disappointment, financial and physical fatigue, and through my children’s growing pains. He carried me, without me knowing it. Then there came the day when I accepted Jesus into my life completely, and He gifted me with a replay of just how and where He saved me from myself, and my self-doubt.

I know from experience that we are isolated from the world when we are without God in our life. I was, or at least I felt that way. Now, whether we have Jesus in our life or not, we will go through tough times. Vehicles and our bodies will break down, and all families will have growing pains and conflict. The difference will come in the way we handle everything. I know now that with Christ in me, I can and will face anything the world will throw at me because I know He will never leave nor forsake me. God never promised us a smooth life, but He has promised us life. When we go through a valley, He will give us a mountain to stand on so we can see where we will be once we accept Him. So go ahead, reach for the Master’s hands, hold on and even in the hard times, raise His name and give thanks. When you think you have nothing, you too will realize that He has given you more than you know, and has been carrying you the whole time.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Father's Day

Each year in June, we mark Father’s Day with well wishes, cards and gifts. For many, it is a time of celebration, and for others, it is a time of hurt. Some fathers are still with us, and some, have been called home to be with the Lord. Some of us had a loving relationship with our father, and some did not, or perhaps never knew theirs. I would like to tell you that one father is always here, God, our Father in heaven. No one except Jesus, has ever seen His face, yet everyone can know who He is. If you wonder, how can I meet God? Very easy, just speak to Him and ask Him into your life. He hears the cries and prayers of all of us, His children.

He sent Jesus, His Son in flesh, and most precious gift, to live and die among us. This sacrifice was to show His love for us. Jesus dwelled, witnessed, healed and ministered to the scorned, the sick, the poor, and rejected, the lowest of people. This was a true demonstration of unabashed acceptance and love by God. He asks us to believe in Jesus, and He will provide the way to the Father, as told in John 6:37-40NCV.”The Father gives me my people. Every one of them will come to me, and I will always accept them. I came down from heaven to do what God wants me to do, not what I want to do. Here is what the One who sent me wants me to do: I must not lose even one whom God gave me, but I must raise them all on the last day. Those who see the Son and believe in him have eternal life, and I will raise them on the last day. This is what my Father wants.” So you can see that God, our Father has given us the best Father’s Day gift of all.

Today, let Father God, or your father figure know you love him, as he would gladly sacrifice everything for his most precious possession, us his children. A lesson well demonstrated by Our Father, God.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Ever Present Friend’
Day 1: 2 Timothy 4:16, 17 – “The first time I was brought before the judge, no one came with me. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be counted against them. But the Lord stood with me and gave me strength so that I might preach the Good News in its entirety for all the Gentiles to hear. And he rescued me from certain death.”
Day 2: 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 3: Matthew 28:20 – “Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Day 4: Psalm 147:3 – “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds.”
Day 5: 1 Samuel 12:22 – “The Lord will not abandon his people, because that would dishonor his great name. For it has pleased the Lord to make you his very own people.”
Day 6: Isaiah 49:16 – “See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands. Always in my mind is a picture of Jerusalem’s walls in ruins.”
Day 7: Psalm 73:23-26 – “Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand.  You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Passion of Faith

A few months ago I talked about passion and how we can be passionate about something and it truly shows. Christ was passionate about serving the Father and about the needs of all mankind, God’s children. It showed in His every thought and deed. When the Pharisee came against Him, Jesus took the time to listen and He also took the time to teach. This is where the point fell mute on the ears of the religious leaders. They wanted Him to conform and adopt the passion for the rules set out by the Sanhedrin. These were the same rules they passionately believed in to the point of, dare I say, extremism. People were stoned to death for non-conformity yet Christ came to them with a different passion. He restated the law of God on which all laws were based; Love God with absolutely every ounce of your being and love each other with that same passion (my paraphrase).

There are rules set out by all organizations and churches that are set in place to guide or keep order but, like the Sanhedrin of ancient times, do some of these rules serve the passion of man or of God. There is a litmus test that can be used to test the rules and it is simply this; does the rule serve the community in the same way Christ served when He was among us? I know there are those who will blindly confess that they do but I challenge everyone to take a close look and not with a legalist eye trying to manipulate the rule to fit the passion of Christ, but rather with an open mind and willing heart to hear the truth from Holy Spirit. I propose this; the question to ask yourself is whether the rule or action will help build relationship or cast up a wall that deters it. Jesus broke down barriers, healed the sick, cured the blind, forgave the unclean and loved all God’s children, young and old, rich and poor, man and woman, sinners and the “clean”.

I am, as an old friend once reminded me, a follower of Christ and His passion is my passion. Love God, Love Each Other. This Sunday, we hope to have the service available online as Pastor Glenn brings Part Three of his message series. If it is not available live, I will attempt to broadcast it when I return from Ireland on Monday. Check us out this Sunday in person at Main Avenue Fellowship or on Facebook Live.

May God bless you all richly,
Pastor Todd

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Why Pray?’
Day 1: Psalm 34:15 – “The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.”
Day 2: 1 John 5:14 – “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”
Day 3: Mark 11:24 – “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
Day 4: Matthew 26:41 – “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Day 5: Philippians 4:6 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.”
Day 6: James 5:16 – “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.”
Day 7: 1 John 1:9 – “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Is Yours Real Commitment?’

Day 1: Luke 9:62 – “But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.’”

Day 2: John 8:12 – “Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, ‘I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.’”

Day 3: Acts 2:42 – “All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord’s Supper), and to prayer.”

Day 4: 2 Timothy 2:15 – “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 5: 1 Kings 8:61 – “And may you be completely faithful to the Lord our God. May you always obey his decrees and commands, just as you are doing today.”

Day 6: Romans 12:1, 2 – “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice – the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Day 7: Deuteronomy 13:4 – “Serve only the Lord your God and fear him alone. Obey his commands, listen to his voice, and cling to him.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

If I Told You Once, I’ve Told You A Million Times

This was a favourite saying of my father. I later heard a joke regarding that saying. If I told you once, I told you a million times, quit exaggerating. My father did have to tell me a few times about some things and, as I got older, I began to fight back, to question and argue with him. I look back on these times and realize three things; my parents are a lot smarter than I ever gave them credit for, I was an idiot and I am certainly glad they never stopped watching over me and giving me sage advice. There was a time when many of us have not been devoted to doing what is good but rather have sought out and created controversy just for the sake of creating issues or for selfish reasons. This is not a good or healthy way to live.

He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned. Titus 3:5-11

There is a difference between respectful conflict where both sides listen to each other and selfish or self-serving controversies where one or both parties refuse to respect and listen to each other. If we choose to argue and quarrel, there is rarely a winner as one or even both parties will walk away hurt and, in many cases, destroyed relationally. God does not want us to avoid arguments that lead to destroyed relationships. Mutual respect for each other’s opinions helps us to work through our issues and conflicts allowing us to grow. When those around us refuse to listen or work towards resolution, there comes a time to be wise, be silent and just walk away.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues. Pr 17:27-28

This Sunday, Rev Glenn Reeder will be bringing the message this weekend and we invite you to join us if you can at 10:30 MST on Sunday or you can watch us live online on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

Blessings
Pastor Todd

Try To See It His Way

I recently celebrated yet another birthday. The out pouring of greetings both personal and on social media was very touching. As I walked next door to visit my mom just before church service, it hit me. She has looked into my eyes on every one of my sixty three birthdays. What blessings that God has given to both she and I.  She has watched me from my infancy through my younger years all of my life, and I have watched her age into her eighties. I also thought that God was looking into my eyes through my mother’s at the moment I was born.  Just like my mom, He has been with me every day, through every moment, and with every breath.

I wonder what He must be thinking when He does that with all of us. I would expect that He celebrates the plan He has mapped out for each of us, as in Jeremiah, as He waits patiently for us to accept Him into our lives. Can you imagine for a moment that He sees, through our eyes an entire lifetime of love, hate, joy, sorrow, happiness and disappointment? Like my mother, Jesus will look into our eyes and heart on every birthday given to us. The question I put out there now is this. Will we realize that He sees everything we see, and will we use His gift of free will to align ourselves with Him?  Will we accept Him as the one and only true Messiah as Lord and Savior of our lives? Will we go through this life and leave this world a better place than when we arrived? I certainly hope so.

There are times lately when it is hard to view the world in a positive light. It seems that our society is degrading at an alarming rate. Social media and all the toys have replaced hand written notes and face to face conversations. Commitment of marriage has been replaced with arrangement of temporary convenience. We concentrate on a forecast of forty percent chance of rain, rather than a sixty percent chance of sunshine. So is our world doomed? I really don’t know. What I do know is if our circumstance is not where we are content then we need to change. Look to the mountains as in Psalm 121. Ask Jesus into your life as a permanent resident, and accept God’s promise in John 3:16.

For a moment, put yourself in Jesus’s sandals and try to see your life through His eyes. Imagine His voice asking you to try to see it His way. Do this, and see how quickly, for the better, your life will change.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com