Hope – The First Parousia

What does hope mean for you? For those facing layoffs and uncertain futures, hope lies in the mercy of a compassionate owner or in people who are negotiating for them. For those facing heart wrenching news of a debilitating disease, hope lies in the expertise of doctors, scientists and medicines. For those facing empty cupboards, cold nights and minimal resources, hope lies in the compassion of those around them. I do not want to minimize the needs of people today but I do want us to take a look back in history. For those in Israel hundreds of years ago, the oppression of the masses through multiple layers of rule and control could not be ignored. Hope was fleeting especially considering the prophet Isaiah told of a time when God’s people would rule the nation, even the world, and yet the people of God were in a place of servitude and darkness.

Many of the things we complain about today were very relevant back then. There were three major levels of governance, the Romans, King Herod and the Court of the Priests, and the taxation was incredibly oppressive. There was little trust between the levels of governing and the ones who truly suffered were the common people. Taxed into submission, kept down by numerous levels of bureaucracy and people begging for scraps in order to live. Hope was fleeting but the scriptures told of a Saviour to come and in this they held out hope. Thousands of people put their hope and faith in a finite resource but forget to seek out the foundation of hope, Jesus Christ. The message of fulfillment of hope comes directly from the Saviour. He asks us all to follow Him, follow His ways. Give unto others without thought for self. Seek out ways to pour into lives not just at Christmas but every day. If we all look out for each other, we can eliminate the fear of no hope. Jesus came to earth, taught us to love one another, pour out into the lives of the less fortunate and seek our opportunities to love our neighbours. It is true that salvation does not rely on works but when we understand how much we are loved and how He gave everything so that we could live forever with the King, how could we not share this joy, this hope, with those around us?

This Sunday we will celebrate the hope, the eternal hope who came to earth so that we may know a new joy.  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

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘What GOD Thinks of Me’

Day 1: 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Day 2: Galatians 4:7 – “Now you are no longer a slave but God’s own child. And since you are his child, God has made you his heir.”

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: Ephesians 2:10 – “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

Day 5: Matthew 10:29-31 – “What is the price of two sparrows – one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.”

Day 6: Romans 5:1 – “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”

Day 7: Jeremiah 29:11 – “’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.’”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘Freedom from FEAR’

Day 1: Psalm 27:1, 2 – “The Lord is my light and my salvation – so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.”

Day 2: Psalm 34:4 – “I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.”

Day 3: Psalm 56:3, 4 – “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?”

Day 4: Proverbs 1:33 – “But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.”

Day 5: Psalm 46:1-3 – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. So we will not fear when earthquakes come and the mountains crumble into the sea. Let the oceans roar and foam. Let the mountains tremble as the waters surge!”

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

Day 7: John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

What Is Truth?

Yesterday I wrote something on Facebook that I thought would get some rather harsh responses but instead the replies were not only intriguing but very positive. If you think the truth is going to hurt your feelings, don't ask me what I think. I make no bones about where my faith is and I do not compromise. That said, I also have the utmost respect for other’s opinions and views but my ideals are mine. There are those who will challenge and get all upset about things I believe but my question is this; if you didn’t want to know my perception of truth, why did you ask? Sure, I could lie in order to conform but think about this for a second, I train people the skills required to perform first aid. This is all laid out in a tried and true methodology and it is, according to the majority of the first aid courses in Canada, the truth. I teach the truth to the best of my ability and believe in it. If someone says “so we have to stop the bleeding first, can’t it wait until the end?” and I say it is up to you just to avoid an argument or keep from hurting your feelings, what happens?

I hold to the Truth and hold strong to His message of love and compassion for not only our Creator but also for each other. Jesus said in John 8:31-32 “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” We can speak in riddles and half truths but this does not benefit anyone. The lack of truth and transparency in any relationship is like building a tower on sand. It may stand in times of peace and calm but it does not have the strength of foundation to handle any shaking or stress. There are many out there who will speak and teach in a language that will tickle the ears and placate the masses into acceptance of fallacy and others who will try to sully the truth to lead others astray. Paul does talk to this when he wrote to the Ephesians that we must stand up to the deceitful scheming. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. Eph 4:15 Msg.

This Sunday, we celebrate the Truth of the Lord. 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

Where Jesus Carries You

How amazing is the human spirit? We are a species that can cause hurt and humiliation to one another at the drop of a hat. That being said, we seem to grow through life with one eye looking forward, and the other over our shoulder. Even when we don’t see them, we seem to live in constant fear of invisible enemies. Well one enemy has a name, Satan. As much as I don’t wish to give him and real estate here, I must acknowledge his existence as much as I acknowledge God’s existence. Here is the difference. Satan comes to rob and destroy, where God sent Jesus to save and deliver. John 10:10 NCV Jesus tells us ”A thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I came to give life, life in all its fullness”.

This comes to light when we are faced with challenges. A cancer diagnosis, a financial burden, a mental, emotional or spiritual attack are just the things that Satan revels in and feeds on when it is at our door steps. He then invades our head space and takes up residence. Once he’s in, he will constantly yell and scream so loud that it almost drowns out God’s still quiet voice. If you notice I said, almost. Satan will dance on our grave, long before we’re in it, and keep planting seeds of guilt, doubt and hate, because that’s all he has.

What we have, is Jesus. Just by the mere mention of His name and the inviting of Him into our lives is enough to send Satan packing. Is it easy? Not always, but it works. When our homes are attacked, Jesus will pour in His presence and replace that which has been stolen, ten- fold. Health scares become complete healing. Financial strife, changes to financial blessing. Spiritual bankruptcy becomes spiritual prosperity. This takes effort on our part, as God cannot do anything without our permission. When we open the door and allow Him in, our world and life will change so quickly, we may weep. When we simply say “Lord, come into my life, by my invitation”, He will wash over you like a warm summer rain. It will be such an unspoken feeling of complete love that our knees will weaken, yet our spirit will rise.

It will be then that a newness in you will come to life. It is what we call, a baptism, a rebirth of your soul. This, my friends, is where Satan gets off your train and where Jesus carries you. So now, answer the door, it’s Jesus on the other side. Go let Him in.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Looking With Your Heart

There was a time when I had no time for God. Most of us, if we were truly honest, can say the same thing. As we get along with life, we are put on a tread mill that has no stop button. We go through school then go to work, and along the way we take on the world. Our lives can and will move so fast that we miss living. Heaven forbid that someone mention Jesus or God to us while we’re building our fortune. Some will call themselves, self-made because of what they have amassed claiming any god out there had nothing to do with their success. Some will be secretly interested in God, yet remain skeptical, and that’s alright. We are told by God, in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 to test, or question everything, and keep what is good. The way I see it, if you are skeptical, at least you’re asking.

Many will watch how we Christians treat each other, and conduct ourselves. We are probably scrutinized more than others, and that is alright. Our friends and family who perhaps don’t follow Christ, or even believe in God will still have that tiny bit of curiosity. They will watch our life, then one day ask why we can be so calm in a crisis, or why we handle bad news without falling off the rails. That is the time when we simply tell the truth. Tell them the peace of Christ is in us, from knowing the peace of God. Let them see with their heart that Jesus is alive and well in you. Assure them that He is available to them, by simply asking.

We cannot and should not force anyone to believe in God, as not even God will force Himself on people. He will however, constantly make His presence known. I recognized and welcomed that into my life a number of years ago and haven’t looked back. I have also learned that everyone has their own moment when they finally get it. That is the wonderful reward of God’s gift of freedom of choice. So now when a friend or loved one finally drops their wall to let Him in, conversations will lead to so much more to explore together. We will see God’s existence like never before. We will view our world with the wonder of a child, and marvel at the perfection in everything, knowing that our existence and being were not some random act of spontaneous combustion. We will realize that we were wonderfully designed and made by the very One who loves us the most, our Father.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Joy to the World

Remembrance Day has come and gone. Christmas songs are slowly replacing thoughts and memories of the travesty of wars gone by and decorations begin to appear from out of nowhere. While we should not downplay the importance of remembering those who served and sacrificed, we shift now to the message of hope through our Saviour. Consider the title of this article. Everything we see on television is of doom and gloom because good news stories do not sell. News agencies clamour to bring stories of destruction and calamity to keep their audience glued to the television. How many people would be captivated by an entire hour of good news messages? Joy to the world, that is our wish and our prayer for all mankind, what’s wrong with that?

In Romans 15:13 (ERV) it is written:

 I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.

What we fill our hearts and mind with is what we will project to the world. We can choose our attitude right off the hop before out feet hit the floor in the morning. I can face the world with moaning and groaning, complaining about the lack of light or the brightness of the sun or I can take a few minutes and pray for God to fill me with His joy and peace, in that lies the hope of a glorious day. Let His love flow in and through us all so that we may be the light and joy of the Holy Spirit for those seeking hope.

This Sunday we celebrate the joy of the Lord. 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

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks

‘True Contentment’

Day 1: Luke 12:15 – “Then he said, ‘Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.’”

Day 2: Hebrews 13:5 – “Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’”

Day 3: 1 Timothy 6:6-9 – “Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction.”

Day 4: Philippians 4:19 – “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 5: Psalm 37:3-5 – “Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.”

Day 6: Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

Day 7: Matthew 6:32, 33 – “These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

November 11, Remembrance Day

This Sunday we pay tribute and honour those who have served monarch and country. This marks 100 years since the signing of the Armistice ending WW1. Many brave Canadians have given their lives over these many years protecting those who were not able to protect themselves. Thousands came back from these campaigns changed and broken. We continue to serve at home and abroad and pay respect to those who continue to serve as well, our Canadian Forces, RCMP and other law enforcement agencies and our first responders.  These are the brave personnel who rush in where others fear to tread and like those before them, think more of the lives of others than themselves. 

Our services this Sunday will be moved to 4:00 pm so that we may take part in the Remembrance Day services being held at the Elementary School in Sundre starting at 10:30 am but we will be having our own special service being led by Chaplain Tim Kirby and Captain J. Todd MacDonald. We look forward to seeing you here but if you cannot make it, we will broadcast the service at  live on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/MainAvenueFellowship/) or view it afterwards on our website (www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca).

They shall grow not old. As we that are left grow old. 

Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn. 

At the going down of the sun, And in the morning, 

We will remember them

Ring the Bells

The St Cuthbert & St George Anglican Church, located at 602 - 1st St NE in Sundre, AB will toll the bells 100 times on Nov 11th, 2018 to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WW1, Armistice Day. 

There will be coffee served

For more information, please contact the Anglican Church at 403-638-2356

I Remember

We have been preparing for the solemn occasion of remembering those who paid the ultimate price for their brothers or sisters. On numerous occasions, men and women have stepped up to serve Queen (and King) and country. They have donned the uniform of the Canadian Forces and voluntarily laid aside their civilian duties in order to assist those who are in need. Many of us know or are related to someone who has been or is a serving member of either the Canadian Forces or our Emergency Services. There are those who suggest that the act of Remembrance perpetuates the idea of war and suppression but I would suggest that we need to never forget the sacrifices and the services of those who willingly place themselves in harms way for the well-being of others.

John 15:12-15

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. 

You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 

Three things of note here. First of all, Jesus endorses defines loving each other. Love each other so much that their needs are more important than the needs of self. When this passage is spoken on, many look at the selflessness of this act of love but I would like you to consider the next sentence. We are friends of Christ and we are no longer servants. Servants are under the command of the master but a friend willingly steps up and steps out in love. Christ loves so much that He gave up His life for everyone of us and He did so willingly. This is an example for each of us and one that should never be forgotten. We must never forget the sacrifice of the Son for every child of God. The second we forget this, the message and importance of love and self-sacrifice is forgotten and we run into the chance of repeating the tragedies of the past.

This Sunday, please take time to pause at 11:00 AM and remember those who have or still are serving others around the world. We will be moving our service from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM so that we can gather with others to honour our veterans and our serving members.  We invite you to join us in person or online at 16:00 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

Know The God You Serve

Last Sunday during our communion time, we were encouraged to get to know the God we serve. This one statement resonated with me and stirred my thought process. In numerous sermons I have also heard that we cannot serve two masters. Matthew 6:24 NCV “No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches. As I rolled this in my head I could see clearly how any of us can become trapped. We are in the world, yet trying to not be of the world. Our daily existence depends on working for a living, in order to provide for ourselves and our families.

Trying to serve God, and enjoy the good things in this life can get complicated. There are those whose masters they are slave to become money, rather the lust of money, possessions, influence and power, or even local fame and notoriety. There are people who work to build a portfolio, rather than a life. In doing so, they miss a family growing up or a circle of friends who drift away. There are others who place more value on cars and real estate, than on love and relationships. They will go from being twenty and able to sixty and disabled in the blink of an eye. Then what?

There must be balance established in our lives. There is nothing wrong with nice things, as we earn what we can to enjoy life. What is being forgotten a lot these days, is that establishing a relationship with God, and investing time in getting to know Him is equally important. When we do this, we enter into a calling of serving Him. Like any job, we start at the bottom, and we work our way up. The more we learn, the better we do. The better we do, the more we become secure in knowing the true master we serve. We have all heard that money is the root of all evil. This is not correct. The love of money is the root of all evil. There is a difference.

When a health scare or challenge comes upon us, all the possessions in the world won’t help. Yet if we have a genuine faith walk with God, our true master then His peace will envelope us like the warm blanket it is. The reward for serving our one true master is peace, His peace. So I encourage you to spend some time getting to know the God we serve. It will be time well spent, it costs nothing, yet the reward is priceless.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com

Look To The Mountains

I’m sure that all of us have gone through situations that sent a jolt of fear and disbelief through our very soul. It could be the loss of a loved one, failed relationship, health challenge, or loss of a job you thought was secure. These days are no different than my father’s generation, though with our world in high gear, it seems like we are constantly having to avoid being under the bus. Things in life, and our life itself can change in a micro-second, without warning. When it happens, we immediately recoil in fear, disbelief, denial, and then anger. It’s a human thing that is built in as we age I guess. The point is, we are then changed forever. Priorities will change.

A process takes place where we either cave in, cash out, or conquer. Like you, I have experienced most of the above in my life, and expect that until I lay down for the last time, it will continue. Before I had a relationship with God, I would stress out and cave in because I had no coping mechanism, other than a few choice words, and some sleepless nights. Basically I knew only to rely on, well not much.

This past year, my home like many others has been under attack. Anything from health, to finances, and yes, faith, have all been challenged. I tell you now, we have chosen to fight, and so should you. Just because we go to church, and do our best to follow at path that God has mapped out, does not grant immunity from bad things happening. Yes, we church going folk struggle with sickness, injury, loneliness, depression, addiction and financial strife. Will we all rise above everything? No. What we have though is hope, and peace.

Bad news will jolt us, yet God will allow the intelligence He gave us to reason things out, to a place and time of calm. Once He has carried us through that, He will then sweep in and surround us with a peace beyond all understanding. To many, this will defy logic. Yet I have learned that fretting, and worrying every day only causes stress, lack of sleep and loss of hair. We will stress, yet He will sweep in, and carry. We will mourn, and He will comfort. We will suffer illness, and He will remain at our side and bring many forms of healing. Will we all die? Yes, eventually. Will we all live? Well that depends on how much we lean on Him when we are on top of our mountain, or in our own valley.

If you got knocked down today, get back up, continue with life, and look up to the mountains, where your help will come from. Psalm 121.

Mike Shindruk

www.mastershandministry.blogspot.com