This Week At MAF

Week At A Glance – Jan 30 – Feb 5, 2016

Church Office Closed - Mon, Jan 30

Church Office Open   - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Tues-Fri, Jan 31  Feb 3

Church Office Closed - Sat, Feb 4

Church Service           - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Feb 5

Special Events

Monday Outdoor Adventure      - Will resume at a later date

Morning Prayer                          - 9:00 AM Tues, Jan 31

Ladies Bible Study                     - 1:00 PM Wed, Feb 1

Lady’s Craft for a Purpose         - 2:00 PM Wed, Feb 1

Alpha Program                           - 7:00 PM Wed, Feb 1

Men’s Bible Study                      - 8:00 AM Thurs, Feb 2

Men’s Coffee Fellowship           - 9:00 AM Thurs, Feb 2

Mountain View SH Services      - 1:30 PM Sunday, Feb 5

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. 

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘True Love’

Day 1: John 13:34 – “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”

Day 2: Philippians 2:3, 4 – “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too."

Day 3: Ephesians 4:29 – “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Day 4: Galatians 6:2 – “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.”

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.”

Day 6: Philippians 4:8 – “And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise."

Day 7: Hebrews 6:10 – “For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for him and how you have shown your love to him by caring for other believers, as you still do.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Lost and Found

I’m sure that all of us at one time or another, have lost something or have had something stolen from us. Regardless of the circumstance, we felt empty inside at the loss. In each instance, there was an opportunity for the thief to make good their escape with your belonging. It could have been that what we lost was left unattended, was ignored, left unsecured, or even unprotected. Now, remember the feeling of relief when we found something we thought was lost for good, or a stolen item that had been returned to you. As your possession was safely in your hands, you would clutch it as if to never let it go.

I can only imagine the joy Jesus feels when we, His children are under His protection. Then, as we grow up, and He honors His promise of letting us have our free will, the world slowly overtakes us. We go through a time in our aging where we think we know everything, like teenagers. We allow the attraction of our worldly surroundings to pull us away from Him. Eventually we may just fall away Him, and become what we would call, lost. Without His influence to guide us, we wander aimlessly, without direction. This is the moment and the opportunity where Satan will sneak in and steal us away from Him. Now God is wearing that same kind of raw emotion of loss that we did. His broken heart each day we are away from Him, is a constant reminder how much He loves us. Yet, every day of our lives He is constantly beside us, speaking to our hearts, hoping we listen for His voice of rescue. As in John 10:10 NIV, He is always telling us these words. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Then, one day, we finally hear His still quiet voice over the static of our world, and have that aha moment. We realize that He never left us, rather, we walked away from Him. He welcomes us back like the prodigal son as in Luke 15:11-32. He then will hold us as tightly as we held our possessions. So if you think you are lost or have been stolen from Jesus, listen for Him, He’s whispering in your heart, I’m right here child, come home.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

‘Does Prayer Work?’

Day 1: 1 John 5:14 – “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.”

Day 2: Philippians 4:6, 7 – “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus."

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

Day 4: 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.”

Day 5: Psalm 145:18 – “The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth.”

Day 6: Psalm 18:6 – “But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears."

Day 7: Matthew 6:6 – “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Week At A Glance – Jan 24-29, 2016

Office Hours

Church Office Closed      - Mon, Jan 24

Church Office Open        - 9:00 PM – 5:00 PM Tues-Wed, Jan 25-26

Church Office Closed      - Thur-Sat, Jan 26-28

Church Service                - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Jan 29

Special Events

Monday Outdoor Adventure      - Will resume at a later date

Morning Prayer                          - 9:00 AM Tues, Jan 24

Ladies Bible Study                     - 1:00 PM Wed, Jan 25

Lady’s Craft for a Purpose         - 2:00 PM Wed, Jan 25

Alpha Program                           - 7:00 PM Wed, Jan 25

Men’s Bible Study                      - 8:00 AM Thurs, Jan 26

Men’s Coffee Fellowship           - 9:00 AM Thurs, Jan 26

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. 

The Entirety of the Armour

Truth, righteousness, salvation and peace; this is Armour of God. It is His protection against the slings and arrows that are brought against not only the children of God but also against the Kingdom of God. If we, as a community of faith, are persecuted for His name sake and we stand before the oppressors dressed only in our own means then we are simply defending ourselves by our own finite means. If, however, we put on the protection of God, His Armour, then we defend with infinite power, infinite wisdom and perfect peace.

His power is perfect but ours is limited by our own mortality. We are made perfect in His grace; His grace is our armour. By putting on the Armour of God we are ensuring not only our own protection in the face of evil but also presenting a message of hope for those looking for answers, for meaning and security. Like the days of old when gilded knights on horseback roamed the land protecting the people from the evils that would do them harm, should we, as a community of faith, also put on the full Armour of God and be prepared to protect those around us?

Protection comes in many forms. Some consider protection in the physical form but what is spoken of in Ephesians 6 is of the spiritual form. God’s armour protects the heart and soul, protects the mind and helps us to understand His perfect will for our lives. Is this not the perfect armour to have in place every single day? When we live within the Armour of God and reflect the security and strength of God in our life, is this very similar to days of old when Knights represented peace and protection? The Knights of the King protected land, property and persons where those who claim to being Knights of the Kingdom speak truth, love without end and protect through prayer and petition.

We have not done with the Armour of God however. There is still the shield of protection and the sword of the Spirit; the protection from the slings and arrows that the enemy will throw because with any good and honest message, the Message of God, there will be an enemy that will want you, want us, silenced. That Message of God is the Sword of the Spirit. This is the ultimate weapon against the devil as it foreshadows his end and contains the instructions on how to avoid his presence in our lives.

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Tim Kirby as he brings a message of hope to Main Avenue Fellowship and our friends and family online.

Shalom
Pastor Todd

Would You Change Anything?

I was asked recently, if I could go back in time, what would be my dream job. I had to think about that for a moment. I have many hobbies, interests and skills yet my answer was a musician. I have played guitar and sang for almost fifty years, had a secular band for twenty years, and now am a worship leader in ministry. Upon reflection, I immediately said that I wouldn’t have changed a thing in my life. If I had have pursued music, I may not have married my wife, then I would not have my children and grand-children. That would be so much of a void for me. I see my years in a band as my training ground for where God planted me, and keeps in His service.

I love my life, and when I look behind me, I clearly see the winding foot path that God had me on. I see where I stumbled, fell, was picked up, carried, injured and healed, all by His hand. I realize that the life I have, is what God has designed for me, and in that I am satisfied. He truly had, and has a plan for me, and for all of you, as in Jeremiah 29:11. I frequently use this scripture in my messages, as it is such a powerful truth, when we think about it.

Jesus had the opportunity, the power, and the perfect reason to come down from the cross, to go back and change history, but He didn’t. He was faithful and obedient to the Father. Perhaps, even on the cross, He also looked behind him at the footpath that was laid out for Him by God. He would have seen where He was loved, followed, forsaken, denied, broken, beaten, and crucified. Then He looked up, and asked the Father to forgive mankind for they knew not what they were doing. Luke 23:34.Well we know the story never ends, as Jesus rose from the dead, and waits now as each of us, one by one, make our decision to believe in Him as our Savior. Maybe, just maybe Jesus knew from the beginning that He had His own dream job, to be the way, the truth and the light, and the one way to the Father. I’m glad I didn’t change anything in my life, and so grateful that Jesus didn’t either.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Fresh Start’

Day 1: Isaiah 43:18, 19 – “But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”

Day 2: Psalm 51:10-12 – “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you."

Day 3: Romans 6:4 – “For we died and were buried with Christ by baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

Day 4: 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 5: Isaiah 44:22 – “I have swept away your sins like a cloud. I have scattered your offenses like the morning mist. Oh, return to me, for I have paid the price to set you free.”

Day 6: Isaiah 40:30, 31 – “Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 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 7: John 15:15 – “I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Our Changing Times

Many occasions I write in relationship to what will be spoken on Sunday but today I felt the need, no the urge, to write about something different. Yes, Sunday will still focus on the Armour of God but, for this article, let us look at change.

Change is the most difficult thing to deal with at times because it means stepping out of our comfort zone and taking a new path that, at times, can feel like stepping onto a trail that is fraught with unknowns, hazards and obstacles. Some people thrive on that rush of jumping into the unknown but there is still that sense of apprehension as they stand on the edge looking into the chasm and take inventory of their faculties. Some may weigh the options and step away while others will not give it a second thought and plunge headfirst into the great expanse.

We do need both types of people. We need those who will look at the situation and consider the risks. They will formulate a plan, assess the risks involved and provide alternatives should the risk be too great but we also need those who will jump headlong and show the way. I am a little of both. When we were cliff diving at Cascade Falls years ago, I was the one at the top of the cliff on the first jump considering the risks before my son and I jumped. In what seemed like an eternity (it was actually about five minutes), I weighed the risks, developed a plan and then we jumped.

Yes, there are times when the thought of change can scare the pants off us but change is inevitable for without change there is no growth, in fact there is only stagnation and eventually death. Many years ago, I was wondering about being in ministry and asking myself “what are you thinking?” I am not an eloquent speaker like those on TV or in the big churches, I am not as caring and compassionate as other ministers out there and when it comes to smarts – there are many who are very well versed in theology. It was when I asked God, “What would you have me do?” I received His message. It was clear and concise “You will be a catalyst for change”. Talk about being on the precipice and wondering which way to run.

We are all a catalyst for change in one way or another. Some will take cautious steps while others will take a running leap. We are all tasked to take that leap though because it says in scripture “Go forth into all the world, preach it, teach it and baptize them in the Word.” You don’t need to be Billy Graham to make a huge difference, you just need to put on the Armour of God and let His love shine in your life.

May God bless you all richly!

Pastor Todd

The Armour of God

For part two of the Armour of God series, click on the Online Message tab. Next week, sandals and shields.

Week At A Glance Jan 16-22, 2017

Office Hours

Church Office Closed      - Mon Jan 16

Church Office Open        - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Jan 17-20

Church Office Closed      - Sat, Jan 21

Church Service                - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Jan 22

Special Events

Quad Fellowship                         - Call Pastor Todd for details

Lady’s Bible Study                      - 1:00 PM Wed, Jan 18

Lady’s Crafting with a Purpose   - 2:00 PM Wed, Jan 18

Alpha Study                                 - 7:00 PM Wed, Jan 18

Men’s Leadership Study              - 8:00 AM Thur, Jan 19

Men’s Coffee Fellowship             - 8:00 AM Thur, Jan 19

Church Service                            - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Jan 22

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.

God Is On The Move

As you read this, my hope is that you see how God is on the move. Over the last number of weeks, I have watched how the family of Barb Spicer, John’s mom, rallied around her as she patiently waited to move to her new home in heaven. As Barb was waiting for her room to be made ready in God’s mansion, Holy Spirit was busy bringing comfort to her friends and family. The round the clock visits by John, Roxann and the rest of the family, showed true agape love for their mom. The prayer warriors who in high gear for support were wide spread from many places in Canada and the U.S., from former and current faith-families. I saw celebration rather than grief, as Barb and her family knew exactly where she was going. She was a faithful child and servant of God, and anticipated the reward that waited for her just over the hilltop. God’s promise of eternity in His presence has now been fulfilled.

I can only imagine her expression when she saw God’s face for the first time. Can you imagine the view she has, and how she and Jesus are smiling down at everyone who walked with her those last few miles? Only God knew the life and the path she would enjoy. I didn’t know her very well, but through John and Roxann’s friendship with us, I see just a bit of the fine cloth she was cut from.

This is one of many life stories that God looks after. He has been moving for years in our lives, even if we don’t realize it. He has put people and circumstance in all of us that makes perfect sense to Him. We will never fully understand how He works, and perhaps that is where we need to allow faith to prevail. He is constantly moving. He can move families closer together (figuratively) when a parent dies and moves us all when we need it. It may be from one church body to another, from one job to another, and will even move your heart closer to Him when His time is right. If we reflect back to a year ago, I’m quite sure we are all in a different place. So, today, as we begin a new year, let’s anticipate, like Barb did, just how and where God will move you. After all, Barb’s family did not lose her, rather God just moved her to a room with a wonderful view.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Prepare Yourself in Truth and Righteousness

What is truth? You can ask anyone what truth is and you will get as many answers as number of people you ask. There is self perceived truth, generational truth, societal truth, religious truth and so many more. Wars are fought based on how individuals understand and buy into a certain model of truth, arguments are raged, friendships lost and divisions created. The question then becomes “which truth is correct?”

I believe in one truth, God is King. From this truth comes a variety of understandings and personal perceptions but the foundational truth in those who believe in the Eternal Father is this, God is King. Upon this truth, God’s Truth, hangs the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit. God’s Truth is the Word and the Word is perfection without the Truth there is no Word. They are one in the same.

In this Truth there is perfect righteousness. We are but a soft shell, able to be pierced by lies and deceit by evil one bent on seeing the failure of God’s creation but when we are clothed with the belt of Truth and our hearts are protected by the breastplate of righteousness, God’s righteousness, we can be prepared for the attacks that are sure to come our way. When the shouts of “your God doesn’t care for you, where was he when you needed Him” come your way, God will guard your heart and you can respond in the wisdom of the Truth with courage and strength. Without the breastplate of God’s righteousness protecting your heart and the belt of Truth giving you wisdom, these attacks can and will find the chinks in the armour and will do damage.

His Truth is my truth, its our truth. While some may scoff and say it is nothing more than tales or myth, rely on His armour to protect your heart from bending and being torn apart. His love is forever and His provisions are perfect.

May God bless you all richly.

Pastor Todd

Week At A Glance Jan 9 – Jan 15, 2017

Office Hours

Church Office Closed      - Jan 9 – Jan 14

Church Office Open        - 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM Dec 28-30

Church Office Closed      - Sat, Dec 31

Church Service                - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Jan 15

Special Events

Quad Fellowship                           - Cancelled due to cold temps

Lady’s Bible Study                        - 1:00 PM Wed, Jan 11

Lady’s Crafting with a Purpose     - 2:00 PM, Wed, Jan 11

Alpha Study                                   - Resumes Jan 18, 2017

Men’s Leadership Study                - 8:00 AM, Thurs, Jan 18

Men’s Coffee Fellowship              - 9:00 AM, Thurs, Jan 18

Church Service                              - 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM Sun, Jan 15

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. 

Onward Christian Soldiers

Like many other people on social network, I find myself posting greetings of a Happy New Year, Merry Christmas, and wishes for prosperity for the future. I am so fortunate to have such a great personal relationship with God, on a level that I immediately see when He’s had His hand on a situation. Even in the last few weeks I have seen how He answered prayers for employment for people. He has touched the ailing with their health scares, situations, and yes, healing. He has protected from bullies, those who raise His name.

He provided a hedge of protection for friends and family who travelled great distances to visit family, or enjoy vacations in other countries. He held the hands and hearts of friends who lost beloved loyal pets over the Christmas Season, and with others who gave pets a forever home. He is with those now who must let loved ones go home to a prepared room and be with the Father. He will remain with the loved ones that will mourn, yet not grieve. Just as He promised his followers in John 16:5-24 that they would see Him again, so shall we see each other in heaven. He extends that same promise to each of us, asking only that we only believe in Him, come to Him, and recognize Him as our Savior.

Our Lord is right now planning good for this coming year. Yes there will be struggles and conflicts in our world. There will be persecution of Christians and Muslims alike, and the list goes on. We need to push this back. We as people, cannot survive if we continue to hate each other because we are different. The world just celebrated the birth of Jesus, the Prince of Peace, the King of Kings, the Lord of all nations, and that should be something to remember every day. If you are looking for an achievable new years’ resolution, I encourage you to keep greeting each other the way you may have over the last month, with love. Show those around you how our Prince of Peace can be alive and well in all of us.

Allow Holy Spirit to overtake you, like and share as you would on Facebook. Like me, you will see His presence and influence every day. Let this year be the one that He makes a difference in you. Onward Christian Soldiers.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.ca

Armour of God

A man went out to face the enemy ill prepared to do battle. Before he went out to face imminent death, a rich and powerful man offered him all sorts of help but it was rather cumbersome and restrictive. He was unable to effectively utilize the gifts and left them behind. Through it all this man relied on the strength and wisdom of God choosing to put on the armour of God rather than rely on the weapons of mankind. This man was David and with him was the Spirit of God.

Saul had been chosen to lead God’s people but, as we see in Samuel, God was always that ace in the hole as it were. God, however, had different plans. He saw David as a man after God’s own heart and where Saul was a man after his own needs. David was gifted with the armour of the king and he found it to be heavy and cumbersome. To rely on the strength of manmade weapons and armour would have been foolish in this case and instead David followed what could only be God’s promptings, gathered five smooth stones and he proceeded out to the battle field. David relied on the armour of God, claimed victory in God’s name and he won the day for the people of Israel.

So what is the armour of God? There is the belt of Truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet fitted with readiness, the shield of faith and the helmet of salvation all to protect and the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God. How often are we burdened in life and look for ways to break free from the Goliaths of the world only to realize that the cure is worse than the cause. The Goliaths of the world can be pressures on the job site or stresses at home, debts piling up, issues that lead to mental and physical issues and what do we do? For many they will seek out manmade solutions such as drugs and alcohol or even the arms of another in order to find a peace but truth be told, this is only a temporary peace. The armour of God is a perfect and indestructible armour that can never tarnish, it never becomes too heavy or burdensome and there is nothing that destroy it. When one fully relies on the armour of God, it is like wielding the perfect stone and resting in His perfect protection.

This weekend begins the series on the Armour of God. You can hear the service at www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca after noon Mountain time by clicking on the Online Message tab.

Shalom

Pastor Todd