I Am Offended

What is the most heard expression in our world today? I would suggest it would be “I am offended” or an offshoot of that phrase. Now, before people get offended by this article, I am not saying that people’s personal viewpoints and beliefs are not important but some of the presumed offenses are getting to be a bit much. There are challenges being made to people’s beliefs because of personal preferences and the standard response seems to be “I am offended by…” A few years ago, I had a conversation with a person of another religious organization with regards to prayer in school. The comment I made concerned how some groups are not only allowed prayer in school but a special place is set aside for them. The assumption was I was trying to get the prayer room shut down but rather I was fighting for the right to have the same option available to the Christian children. It was not fighting against their faith but rather asking for consideration and equality. There is a ton of room for all to find common ground rather than go straight to “I’m Offended”. Can I throw this out there? If we take the time to build relationships with our neighbours, respect the stance of the other person and seek out the common ground to build community on, would this not help us to love and respect our neighbour and avoid many of the confrontations that are so prevalent today?

Jesus showed us the way. Rather than confront His objectors with “I’m offended” or start a big fight, Jesus gave us examples of what could be in the parables and got the objectors to answer their own accusations through common sense. Consider the example from John 8:1-11. In verse 4 the Pharisee demanded action and an answer so they could be offended and have an excuse to imprison Jesus. Instead of getting all up in their faces, which He could have easily done because He is God, Jesus got them to examine their own position and gave them the opportunity to adjust their thinking in a peaceable manner. He wrote in the sand, no one knows what, and it touched them all deeply so much so that they all walked away.

“Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.” John 8:10-11 NLT

Too many in this world are looking for a reason to be offended, Christians included. It takes a bit more effort to seek out common ground and to work with others to find that peaceful and long-lasting solution but the results are well worth the extra effort. It all starts with each one of us.

We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:
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See you all Sunday.

Blessings
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘The World is Crazy but God is Still in Control’

Day 1: Colossians 1:16, 17 – “... for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.”

Day 2: Psalm 22:27, 28 – “The whole earth will acknowledge the Lord and return to him. All the families of the nations will bow down before him. For royal power belongs to the Lord. He rules all the nations.”

Day 3: Isaiah 45:12 – “I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.”

Day 4: Psalm 99:1, 2 – “The Lord is king! Let the nations tremble! He sits on his throne between the cherubim. Let the whole earth quake! The Lord sits in majesty in Jerusalem, exalted above all the nations.”

Day 5: 1 Chronicles 29:11 – “Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.”

Day 6: Isaiah 46:9, 10 – “Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me. Only I can tell you the future before it even happens. Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.”

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

Does History Repeat Itself?

Consider this; after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 BC, the Pharisee became even more powerful. The beliefs and rituals became the foundation of the current practices where the Rabbis, teachers, took a prominent role in Judaism. The question for me revolves around the focus of their faith. Before I get started, let it be known that I am not bashing the Jewish nation but rather noting a difference between their ways and the ways of Christ. Both Christianity and Judaism focus on a wonderful and all powerful God that created all the universe but the methodology by which they live out their faith differs a lot. The Pharisee were focused on the rules and rituals of their faith. Not only were their a whole set of rules mentioned in the Torah that addressed daily life, but the Sanhedrin, the judicial system of the faith, had full authority to enforce the rules to their fullness. Now Christ came along and explained that the faith priorities were rather skewed. The rules, in their simplest form, could be put into two categories; love God, love your neighbour. Read every rule in the scriptures and you will find they fall into one of the two categories. When the rules become more important than the message, there is a problem. The wants of the people supersede the rules God put forward. Now look to the Temple. This was the place that went from being the Holy of Holies and became the place where the great Priests could be found and where the business of the faith was carried out. Jesus went into the outer court and turned tables and, when Christ gave up His last breath on the cross, the Temple was sullied as the veil was torn apart. The tearing of the veil signified the personal relationship with His children had begun and the need of a go between was no longer required.

 

It is time to look at our own faith practices in our faith communities. Do people see the church as that place where there are hoops to jump through and tasks to perform in order to get the opportunity to have a relationship with a loving God? Have we lost the focus on relationship and become mired in depths of the rules and rituals of mankind?  What would Jesus say is the most important rules in life? Look to the Word for the answer.

 

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” Matt 22:36-40

 

I am not saying that we throw out the manuals and the rules but I am asking us all to reflect on our faith gatherings and ask the tough questions. Have we become the church of old mired in rules over relationship? Is the church a community gathering place or a temple that looks rather like the Temple of Christ’s time? Do we reflect the two great commandments or are we focused on those things that do not contribute the building of a relational community? I may get finger-slapped for asking these questions but I am sure that Christ would have something to say about the state of His house and be asking the same thing. Take some time to Google “Songs That Answer Questions” by the Gaither Vocal Band and consider this; are we arranging the pictures on the wall while the building burns around us?

 

Thank you for allowing me to poke the bear a bit. We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:
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See you all Sunday.

Blessings
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

 

Peter's Picks

 The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Never Quit’ 

Day 1: 1 Corinthians 9:24 – “Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!” 

Day 2: Galatians 6:9 – “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” 

Day 3: Hebrews 12:1 – “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” 

Day 4: 1 Corinthians 16:13 – “Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong.” 

Day 5: Philippians 3:13, 14 – “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 6: 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.” 

Day 7: Colossians 3:23, 24 – “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.” 

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Peter's Picks

 The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God Our Protector’ 

Day 1: 1 Corinthians 10:13 – “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 

Day 2: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 

Day 3: Psalm 5:11 – “But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.” 

Day 4: Psalm 12:5 – “The Lord replies, ‘I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.’” 

Day 5: Psalm 34:19 – “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” 

Day 6: Psalm 138:7 – “Though I am surrounded by troubles, you will protect me from the anger of my enemies. You reach out your hand, and the power of your right hand saves me.” 

Day 7: Psalm 121:5-8 – “The Lord himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night. The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” 

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Wake Up People!

I am not sure where I heard this song and I can’t say I fully understand all the words but the message got me to thinking. The song, “Wake Up And Get Yourself To Church” by Samm Henshaw is quite the video and I watched it over and over (see YouTube). Two things got me thinking; first, there is the message of the title and secondly there is the energy of the celebration in the church.

So, wake up and get yourself to church. I have heard it said hundreds of times that we don’t have to go to church to believe in God. Come to think, I have said that myself in the past as well. Yes, faith is a very personal thing and is the relationship between the individual and God and you don’t have to go to church to go to Heaven. My question is this; why would you not want to go to church and celebrate with other faith family members. Before you start emailing me saying that church is not my thing, I was hurt by the church or any other excuses let me say this; wake up! Jesus wants His family together and He wants us to be in relationship. How are you going to get away from the great celebration when the roll is called up yonder? There is no hiding in Heaven! Wake up and get yourself to church and start practicing here before you get there.

Next, become a part of the celebration. Move your feet, clap your hands and smile while you sing praise with your faith family. Natalie commented that the video was a bit goofy and tough to understand but the energy had the feet tapping and it put a smile on our faces. I used to say that I didn’t want to go to church and Natalie would say “you have to, you’re the pastor”. Actually, I have only ever mentioned that jokingly because we have fun in church on Sunday. There is feedback, some joking around and fellowship. I find our faith family likes to hang around afterwards to chat. This has been made difficult due to restrictions but there is still that joy when we gather. Church is what we make it and if we want to get together and have fun celebrating relationship with our Saviour and with each other, then church is going to be a place we run to. Wake up, it’s time to celebrate!

We invite you to join us online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Click on either link below to join us live:
Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/main.ave.31
YouTube Live – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9LIkN_QTdVM6eVXEgy9QA

See you all Sunday.

Blessings
Pastor Todd
www.mainavefellowship.blogspot.ca

Peter's Picks

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God is For You’
Day 1: Psalm 118:6 – “The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”
Day 2: Psalm 56:9 – “My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side!”
Day 3: 2 Thessalonians 3:3 – “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.”
Day 4: Revelations 21:3 – “I heard a loud shout from the throne, saying, ‘Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them.’”
Day 5: Deuteronomy 31:8 – “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Day 6: Psalm 94:14 – “The Lord will not reject his people; he will not abandon his special possession.”
Day 7: Romans 8:31 – “What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
** Verses taken from the New Living Translation