With all the time challenges this month, we try to keep the calendar updated as best we can. If there is an activity that we have missed or one you would like to include on the front page calendar listing, please feel free to contact us by email at mainavefellowship@gmail.com
Blessings
Pastor Todd
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
For God So Loved
We are just about to enter into the month of December and
there is finally some snow on the ground. Not a lot of snow here in town but a
bit more out in the foothills and on the mountain peaks. We have a few terms
for snow such as dry snow, wet snow, snow pellets, crusty snow and so on but
did you know that the people in northern Canada have over fifty words for snow?
So many ways to describe frozen water, incredible isn’t it?
There is another word that can be expanded and that is love.
In the English language love can be used to describe a type of love, I love
that sweater, or, I would love another cup of tea but, truth be told, it is a
rather limited word. I would suggest there are varying degrees of love such as
I love my dog but not in the same way I love my wife. The Greek language has us
beat there. Love is defined in numerous ways such as eros; a sexual or
passionate love, philia; a deep friendship or brotherly love, ludus; a playful
love or friendship love, pragma; a long and deep love built over time,
philautia; a narcissistic or self love and finally agape; a perfect and
complete love.
In John 3:16, the scripture reads that God so loved the
world that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not
perish but have eternal life. The term love in this passage is ηγαπησεν, which is
in the family of words under agape. God loved us with such perfection that the
term used is indefinable in English terms. The perfection of this love is like
trying to define infinite. Absolute perfect and infinite love. He sent His Son
to earth so that we would know that perfect love right here on earth and God
sent His Son that we might know eternity. Merry Christmas; a joyous and festive
time of giving thanks for Christ, Emmanuel, God with us. This is the time we
celebrate His agape for all mankind.
This Advent Sunday, we look at the agape in the Christmas celebration.
Pastor Todd
Week At A Glance – Nov 28 – Dec 4, 2016
Office Hours
Church Office Closed -
Mon, Nov 28
Church Office Open -
9:00 PM – 1:00 PM Tues-Fri Nov 29-Dec 2
Church Office Closed -
Sat, Dec 3
Church Service -
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Dec 4
Special Events
Monday Outdoor Adventure -
Call for time and details
Morning Prayer -
9:00 AM Tues, Nov 29
Ladies Bible Study -
1:00 PM Wed, Nov 30
Lady’s Craft for a Purpose -
2:00 PM Wed, Nov 30
Movie Night -
7:00 PM Wed, Nov 30
Men’s Bible Study -
8:00 AM Thurs, Dec 1
Men’s Coffee Fellowship -
9:00 AM Thurs, Dec 1
Sundown in Sundre -
5:00 PM Fri, Dec 2
Carol Service at Sundre Community Centre – 7:00 PM Sunday,
Dec 4
Care Home Services - No Services This Weekend
Note: Quadding Fellowship on Monday requires participants to
contact Pastor Todd to sign up, have an insured and registered quad, have a
helmet and bring a lunch. This is not a ministry of Main Avenue Fellowship but
rather a gathering of people who want to go out into the great outdoors and
enjoy each other’s company and God’s gift of nature. MAF does not assume any
liability for injuries or accidents.
Sunday, November 27, 2016
Sunday Service
Every Sunday we post our messages online. If you are snowed in, shut in or just want to hear a message of hope, we invite you to give us a try. Follow the link above to Message online for the latest service.
Blessings
Pastor Todd
Blessings
Pastor Todd
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘I am a Work in Progress’
Day 1:
Philippians 1:6 – “And I am certain that God, who
began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally
finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
Day 2: 2
Corinthians 3:18 – “So all of us who have had that
veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord – who is
the Spirit – makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his
glorious image."
Day 3:
Philippians 3:12-14 – “I don’t mean to
say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached
perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus
first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but
I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies
ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize
for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Day 4:
Ephesians 4:15 – “Instead, we will speak the
truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head
of his body, the church.”
Day 5:
Philippians 2:12 – “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 6:
Isaiah 30:18 – “So the Lord must wait for you to come to him so he
can show you his love and compassion. For the Lord is a faithful God. Blessed
are those who wait for his help."
Day 7: 2
Peter 1:5-8 – “In view of all this, make every effort to respond
to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral
excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with
self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance
with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection
with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and
useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Striving To Live Out The Love Of Christ
Whatever happens,
conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Phil
1:27
Over the past few months our church has been working towards
defining the vision for the gathering as it relates to our community and
beyond. I read through the vision statements from so many different churches
and they all seemed quite fine for their Faith Gathering but nothing really
resonated with me in relation to our focus at Main Avenue Fellowship. We sat
around the table discussing who we are, how we are perceived by the community
and how we would like to be perceived. We were very blunt and realistic with
our review.
We recognized that we are not as pure as the driven snow but
we are really trying. So many in the world think you need to be perfect and
sinless to come through the doors of the church but, truth be told, we have all
sinned and fall short of the glory of God but His grace is fully sufficient. He
wants us all to realize that the church is the perfect place for all God’s
children to come and realize the cleansing grace of Christ. My responsibility,
our responsibility, is to allow His grace to cleanse us. When that happens, the
journey begins and we strive to live out the love of Christ in all we do.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and
you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I
needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I
was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry
and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see
you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When
did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of
the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matt
25:35-40 NIV
Sunday marks the first Sunday of Advent, Hope! Where there
is Christ’s love, there is always hope.
Blessings on you all
Pastor Todd
Week At A Glance – Nov 21-27, 2016
Church Office Closed -
Mon, Nov 21
Church Office Open -
9:00 PM – 1:00 PM Tues-Thurs Nov 22-24
Church Office Closed -
Fri - Sat, Oct 25-26
Church Service -
10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Nov 27
Special Events
Monday Outdoor Adventure -
Call for time and details
Morning Prayer -
9:00 AM Tues, Nov 22
Alpha -
7:00 PM Wed, Nov 23
Putting on the Greens -
1:00 PM Wed, Nov 23
Lady’s Craft for a Purpose -
Cancelled for Decorating
Men’s Bible Study -
8:00 AM Thurs, Nov 24
Men’s Coffee Fellowship -
9:00 AM Thurs, Nov 24
Annual Christmas Fellowship Feast after service this Sunday
Care Home Services - No Services This Weekend
Note: Quadding Fellowship on Monday requires participants to
contact Pastor Todd to sign up, have an insured and registered quad, have a
helmet and bring a lunch. This is not a ministry of Main Avenue Fellowship but
rather a gathering of people who want to go out into the great outdoors and
enjoy each other’s company and God’s gift of nature. MAF does not assume any
liability for injuries or accidents.
He’s Not Finished Yet
My wife and I built our house, literally, almost thirty-five
years ago. We raised a family there and seemed to constantly be making changes,
improvements and upgrades. Our children, now adults with their own lives,
outgrew this house and, in some ways, even us. When available, all are willing
to repair, rebuild or rework what we cannot and that’s a gift. I have learned
all these years later that the house will never really be finished. Some
projects fall by the wayside and most never seem to fit into our
budget. Yet, we, my wife in particular, never stop dreaming, planning or looking
forward. My age, energy and ability have changed over time and my best
intentions will probably never match her creativity. This does not stop the
effort and willingness to forge ahead, it just slows the program.
In God’s eyes, we are like houses. He will never be finished
working on us. He planned, designed and built us. He laid a foundation for us
to be built on, His rock. Our walls are the family and friends He surrounds us
with. Our roof is His presence in our lives to protect us from the elements.
The furnishings we accumulate are the experiences, victories and failures we
endure in our life. These, like paint color, will change many times. Our
windows are the eyes for us to see what He has provided for us. Our window
dressings are the freewill decisions He allows us to exercise. We can shut the
world or Him out or open them to allow the light of His spirit into every
corner.
Like our houses, we will be new only once, then time will
have its effect on us. We will age, perhaps not so gracefully and be patched up
along the way. Yet He will always have a plan to keep improving us, even when
we think we have outgrown Him. Then one day, we see ourselves differently and
realize that even with our imperfections He still loves us. We are a house
worth working on. Do you think God is finished with you? No, He’s not finished
yet. In fact, He may just be getting started on you. He’s knocking on your heart
door. Let Him in to have a look around and let the renovations begin.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca
Monday, November 21, 2016
Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Can I be Blessed?’
Day 1: Psalm
23:1, 2
– “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 2: Exodus
23:25
– “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: Matthew
5:9
– “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will
be called the children of God.”
Day 4: Psalm
119:2
– “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him
with all their hearts.”
Day 5: Matthew 5:6 – “Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their
hearts.”
Day 6: James
1:25
– “But if you look carefully into the perfect law that
sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then
God will bless you for doing it."
Day 7: Ephesians
1:2
– “May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give
you grace and peace.”
**
Verses taken from the New Living Translation
Saturday, November 19, 2016
Think….God, Thank God
I wonder how much time or how many times each of us spent
thinking about God this week. It is not uncommon for people to attend a great
church service, listen to wonderful worship music, a great and encouraging message
then leave for another week dreading yet another Monday. We don’t intend
to but in many lives and homes, this happens. We sit and soak up a Sunday
sermon with all the trimmings, prayers and pulpit promises and then allow the
world to wring us out as the work week begins.
If this speaks to you today, here is my encouragement. When
you wake each day, think…God. When you go to your workplace or seek employment,
think…God. If your career or job is going through some changes for you,
think…God. If your health is challenged or you experience a healing in your
body, think…God. If you or a loved one has reached an age milestone, think…God.
If any stresses have been released in a family situation, think…God. Psalm
40:17 NCV reminds us this way. Lord, because I am poor and helpless, please
remember me. You are my helper and savior. My God, do not wait.
If anything of the last week has either shown an improvement
in your life or someone else’s you know, then thank God. Thank Him in the tough
times and thank Him in the grace times. Has a window closed and yet a door
opened for you? Then thank God. Did you have a bad week, get knocked down? Then
thank God for picking you up. Were you drained of life energy, yet are still
standing? Then thank God for carrying you. Have you realized that you have a
faith family around you? Then thank God for the hearts that pray for you, the
hands that hold you, and His boots on the ground that walk with you. Psalm
100:4 NIV instructs us; enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with
praise; give thanks to Him and praise His name. In other words, enter His gates
as you think…God, then thank God, as He truly has your future and your best
interests in His hands.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
I Have Fallen And Can’t Get Up
Overheard about a month ago “Mom, I don’t want to ride the
bike, I keep falling off and I hate it.” The mother’s response was “You don’t
have to worry, you don’t have to ride it if you don’t want to.” Today, I
started to think about this a bit deeper. My grandmother used to say “You don’t
have to eat it if you don’t like it, just leave it off to the side.” Then there
was, “You don’t have to go if you don’t want to.”
I am much older now and I love brussel sprouts, haggis, long
drives in the country, bagpipe music, reading, history and attending church
with my friends. All of these things I was told at one point in time that I did
not have to do them or eat them or attend if I did not want to. I missed so
much growing up and the substitutes were so; unfulfilling. Days of lazing in
front of the one eyed monster rather than going for a drive with the folks out
to the countryside. Decades later, reuniting with friends from long ago because
I had better things to do on a Sunday then go to church. I simply did not feel
like going. Funny, when I ended up in the greatest need, I tended to call upon
the church but it was on my time schedule, not the church’s. The wonderful intricacies
of the Bible, lost until a couple decades ago because, for me, the Bible was
old and irrelevant and I didn’t want to read it. “Don’t worry” the devil says “you
don’t have to read it if you don’t want to!”
Jesus said to the disciples at the very beginning of His
ministry “Follow Me!” All of the men who heard His call probably questioned
leaving what they knew for the unknown. What would have been had they said “Do
I have to?” And what would have happened if Christ replied “Don’t worry, you
don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Salvation relies on all God’s children
saying “Yes, I will follow Christ!” Should you attend a church, be in fellowship
with other Christians, learn God’s word, support one another in times of good
and in bad, commit to serving the needs of the church and of others. The answer
is Yes! Beware world, the devil wants you be indifferent because it makes his
job easier.
Be blessed all.
Pastor Todd
Saturday, November 12, 2016
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Can I Have Victory?’
Day 1: Psalm
18:35
– “You have given me your shield of victory. Your right
hand supports me; your help has made me great.”
Day 2: 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. "
Day 3: 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 4: Psalm
18:32-34
– “God arms me with strength, and he makes my way
perfect. He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain
heights. He trains my hands for battle; he strengthens my arm to draw a bronze
bow.”
Day 5: 1
John 5:4, 5 – “For every child of God defeats
this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. And who can win
this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of
God.”
Day 6: John
16:33
– “I have told you all this so that you may have peace
in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart,
because I have overcome the world."
Day 7: James
1:12
– “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and
temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised
to those who love him.”
**
Verses taken from the New Living Translation
Week At A Glance Nov 14 – Nov 20, 2016
Office Hours
Church Office Closed - Mon, Nov
14
Church Office Open
- 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Nov 15 - 18
Church Office Closed - Sat, Nov
19
Church Service - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Nov 20
Special Events
Quad Fellowship - 7:30 AM Mon, Nov
14
Lady’s Bible Study -
1:00 PM Wed, Nov 16
Lady’s Crafting with a Purpose - 2:00 PM Wed,
Nov 16
Alpha Small Group - 7:00 PM Wed, Nov 16
Men’s Leadership Study - 8:00 AM Thurs, Nov 17
Men’s Coffee Fellowship - 9:00 AM
Thurs, Nov 17
Church Service - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Nov 20
Care Home Services - No Service This Week
Note: Quadding Fellowship on Monday requires participants to
contact Pastor Todd to sign up, have an insured and registered quad, have a
helmet and bring a lunch. This is not a ministry of Main Avenue Fellowship but
rather a gathering of people who want to go out into the great outdoors and enjoy
each other’s company and God’s gift of nature. MAF does not assume any
liability for injuries or accidents.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
He Is….
For a moment, let’s think about the many times God was
with us this year. He was with families as they watched their children graduate
from high school, and held hands with all of us who had a loved one go to
heaven because their room was ready. He was in our midst when a job was
secured, and also when one was lost. He remains with congregations who were
forced to close church buildings, yet is with every ministry that will be born
in His name.
He is the head of our planet’s household. I’m so glad, for a
God who welcomes everyone into His family. My Lord, Jesus Christ does not
instruct you to kill non-believers, yet tells you to love one another as in
John 13:34. He does not condemn those who mock the Bible, He offers His
words to their hearts. He did not invent religion, yet He created faith. He
does not discriminate, as He made us all in His image, Genesis 1:27. He
acknowledges those who claim to be atheists, even as He surrounds them with
evidence of His existence and presence. He forgives those who trespass against
Him and His children. He dwells in the minds of those who are ill and cannot
speak. He protects the weakened from satan’s cowardly attacks.
He remains in the homes of the weary and worried. He
steadies the hands of every surgeon. He inspires each one of us to help, not
hinder, to love and forgive, and not to hate and destroy. He cries when we
destroy each other. He gave us all the freewill to believe in Him, or to
foolishly reject His love and walk away. He owns all time, and has enough of it
to wait patiently for us to allow Him into our hearts and our world. Although
He died, He is alive, 2 Corinthians 13:4. He is not imaginary, God is real.
God’s not dead, and He is calling, waiting for your answer to accept His
invitation to come to Him. Jesus left to be with the Father, but He Is, coming
back. John 14:28 NIV “ You heard me say, ‘I am going away and I am
coming back to you’. If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the
Father, for the Father is greater than I”.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Remembering
Why do we make such a big deal about remembering such
horrible events? We relive the travesty of 911 every year. Society holds onto
the devastation of past wars, WW1, WW2, Korea, and Afghanistan. But why? Go
back even further and we can see even more events that are continually brought
up and they are either worldwide events or are geographically specific. What is
it that keeps society clinging onto the past?
Here are my thoughts on this. I hope we, as a society, never
forget the travesty and losses that are associated with wars and conflicts. The
moment we forget, the second these losses become as commonplace as breathing,
that is the moment we become ignorant to the pain of loss. I would suggest that
the memory of such huge loss should never be forgotten. When we forget the
loss, the pain, the destruction and senselessness of such conflict, we could
find ourselves in much larger and more damaging conflicts.
Men and women have put their lives on the line and given up
so much so that others are safe. They put the needs of others ahead of self.
John noted in chapter 15 verses 12-13 “My command is this: Love each other as I
have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for
one’s friends.” So many gave their lives so that others may know the safety and
freedom we enjoy here in Canada. The least we can do is remember their
sacrifice and never forget the gift they gave to their friends. To forget would
be a travesty just as forgetting the sacrifice one Man made for all mankind
almost two thousand years ago would mean certain death. Never forget the
devastation of war, never forget the selfless sacrifice on those who chose to
answer the call and never forget the sacrifice on the cross for all mankind.
Take some time this week to thank a Veteran, take time to
let a Forces member know you appreciate them, remember the sacrifices of those
who gave their life and let Jesus know that you will never forget His sacrifice
for your life.
Shalom
Pastor Todd
Saturday, November 5, 2016
Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Is GOD listening to ME?’
Day 1: 1
John 5:14
– “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask
for anything that pleases him.”
Day 2: Psalm
34:17
– “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for
help. He rescues them from all their troubles."
Day 3: Psalm
86:7
– “I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble, and you
will answer me.”
Day 4: Psalm
55:17
– “Morning, noon, and night I cry out in my distress,
and the Lord hears my voice.”
Day 5: Jeremiah
33:3
– “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do
not know about things to come.”
Day 6: Isaiah
58:9
– “Then when you call, the Lord will answer. ‘Yes, I
am here,’ he will quickly reply. Remove the heavy yoke of oppression. Stop
pointing your finger and spreading vicious rumors!"
Day 7: 2
Chronicles 7:14 – “Then if my people who are called by my name will
humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I
will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
**
Verses taken from the New Living Translation
Thursday, November 3, 2016
Week At A Glance Nov 7 – Nov 13, 2016
Office Hours
Church Office Closed - Mon, Nov
7
Church Office Open
- 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM Tues Nov 8
Church Office Closed - Wed,
Nov 9
Church Office Open -
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Thurs, Nov 10
Church Office Closed -
Remembrance Day, Nov 11
Church Office Closed - Sat, Nov
12
Church Service - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Nov 13
Special Events
Quad Fellowship - 7:30 AM Mon, Nov
7
Lady’s Bible Study -
1:00 PM Wed, Nov 9
Lady’s Crafting with a Purpose - 2:00 PM Wed,
Nov 9
Alpha Small Group - Cancelled for Missionary Visit
Pelton Tour -
5:00 PM Wed, Nov 9
Men’s Leadership Study - 8:00 AM Thurs, Nov 10
Men’s Coffee Fellowship - 9:00 AM
Thurs, Nov 10
Care Home Services - 1:30 PM Sunday, Nov 13
Note: Quadding Fellowship on Monday requires participants to
contact Pastor Todd to sign up, have an insured and registered quad, have a
helmet and bring a lunch. This is not a ministry of Main Avenue Fellowship but
rather a gathering of people who want to go out into the great outdoors and enjoy
each other’s company and God’s gift of nature. MAF does not assume any
liability for injuries or accidents.
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
Have No Fear
We humans are a fearful species. Some common fears are of
insects, reptiles, dogs, crowds, rejection, even our past. I myself have a
healthy fear of heights, the dark and a few other things. A friend
shared with me how, when his son was very small, was afraid of the wind and how
the son became terrified when it howled. He would cry out, daddy what’s that?
As he took his son by the hand, he spoke reassurance and they walked among some
apple trees on their property during a windy day. All the while the little boy
held on for dear life. When they reached one of the trees, the father told the
boy to feel the tree trunk as it moved to and fro. Then he asked his son if he
held his hand, would he like to sit on a low branch for a ride and the son
agreed and again, felt the tree gently swaying in the breeze. The
son’s fear faded away as that day he learned the wind was not the monster he
feared. He saw how his father was there to teach and protect him just by his
presence and his word.
What a wonderful lesson may be taken from this in our own
lives. Most of our fears are of the unknown or misunderstood. The world itself
can be a scary place yet it doesn’t have to be. We have a Father to take our
hand when we are fearful. He is available to talk to and will walk with us when
we’re facing the wind. Jesus will never leave us alone with our terror as He
offers all of us a place of safety in Him. Isaiah 41:10NIV may be applied to us
individually. It reads “so do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed
for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with
my righteous right hand”. Perhaps we can also recall Psalm 23.
It’s a matter of trust. That’s a hard thing for us to give
up yet there comes a time when we have to go out on our own limb and just ask
Jesus to come into our lives. The insects, the dogs and the dark will always be
there yet with your hand in the Master’s, they will no longer be something to
fear.
Mike Shindruk
www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca
Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks
‘Grace’
Day 1: John
1:14
– “So the Word became human and made his home among us.
He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the
glory of the Father’s one and only Son.”
Day 2: Ephesians
2:8, 9
– “God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you
can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward
for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it."
Day 3: 2
Peter 1:2
– “May God give you more and more grace and peace as
you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.”
Day 4: 1
Peter 4:10
– “God has given each of you a gift from his great
variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.”
Day 5: James 4:6 – “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the
proud but gives grace to the humble.’”
Day
6: 2 Corinthians 8:7 – “Since you excel in
so many ways – in your faith, your gifted speakers, your knowledge, your
enthusiasm, and your love from us – I want you to excel also in this gracious
act of giving."
Day 7: Hebrews
4:16
– “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 New Living Translation
Do Not Give Up On Your Faith
As I sat there watching a friend’s quad slowly sink deeper
and deeper into the muskeg, I wondered how much longer until he/we finally gave
up and just let it sink out of sight. With every attempt made to get the muskeg
to release this poor defenseless quad from a watery grave, the deeper it sank.
At one point the quad sounded more like a motor boat than an ATV as the muffler
went underwater. As more and more people gathered and came together to assist
the owner in this endeavour, the odds began to move into our favour and
finally, the muskeg released its grip on the quad.
There are times when we feel all alone, wondering where God
is it all of this. I have said it myself “God WHERE ARE YOU!!!”. There are many
times when people have asked me “where was your God when my mom/dad was sick?”
So many times we are caught up in the despair that we forget to look around and
focus purely on the problem. Where was God when I was sinking ever deeper into
the muskeg of life? God was there! He sent friends to come along side and lend
a hand, He provided the means to get out of the situation and He did not let
the earth swallow us up. God sent His Son as the life line to eternal life and
joy. He has never given up hope in any of His children even though so many
either question His existence or plain give up on Him.
The next time you are feeling alone and abandoned, take your
focus off self and look to Jesus for guidance, look around you because He will
provide for your needs. Sometimes what He provides is not what you expect so
look carefully. Never give up, never surrender because He will never give up on
you.
Blessings
Pastor Todd
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