All Things New

I love bananas. For as far back as I can recall, I have always loved bananas. When we go the store, we seek out those bananas that are lightly green and then put them on the counter to ripen up but there is always that moment when you look at the banana and think “it’s only a little green, it should be fine to eat” only to find out that you are a day early. There is a short window that they are perfect and then they start to get – the spot! One spot leads to another which eventually leads to a blackened banana – an overripe, mushy banana. One can look at this mushy, spoiled, good for nothing banana and think that nothing good could ever come of it and then throw it away but add a variety of ingredients such as milk, eggs, flour and then put it in to the oven and you end up with banana bread – fresh, hot moist banana bread. What some may see as waste, garbage even, can, with the right care and attention, become fresh and new. We do not see the banana bread as garbage or rotting fruit but rather we see it as a new and glorious creation. I love bananas and I love banana bread.

Consider this, there are many out there who have convinced themselves or others have persuaded them that they are so sullied that there is no hope for the future. They avoid the church because the church, in their opinion, is the judge and jury for the faith but this is, in my opinion, a fallacy. The church is supposed to be that place where everyone should be welcomed and provided the opportunity to learn about the Saviour. There are none too far gone that God would turn away from but it requires the individual to admit they have been living a rotten lifestyle and ask the Lord to cleanse them from their sins. There is always hope for a new start, there is always hope in Christ.

Now we look inside, and what we see is that anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life emerges! Look at it! All this comes from the God who settled the relationship between us and him, and then called us to settle our relationships with each other. God put the world square with himself through the Messiah, giving the world a fresh start by offering forgiveness of sins. 2 Cor 5:17-19 Msg

This Sunday, we welcome Rev Glenn Reeder as he brings a message of hope and joy.  We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person (we are limited to numbers inside the building) or online. Should you wish to join us online, 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 in the Waiting’ 

Day 1: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” 

Day 2: Lamentations 3:24-26 – “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!’ The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him. So it is good to wait quietly for salvation from the Lord.” 

Day 3: Micah 7:7 – “As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.” 

Day 4: Psalm 130:5 – “I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.” 

Day 5: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” 

Day 6: Psalm 37:7 – “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.” 

Day 7: 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.” 

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation 

 

World Day of Prayer

 

Hello church family,

The world day of prayer will be hosted by Bergen church on March 5th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  They will stream the service on Facebook live and there will be a link on their website: bergenmissionarychurch.ca

Contact Bergen Missionary Church if you have any questions.

What Makes You Right?

Just to start off, I am sorry that last week’s Sunday Service was not what I promised but the Holy Spirit got a hold of me and the service changed the day before. This was the first Valentine’s Day that fell on a Sunday for me since I started in ministry and I felt the need to share the story of Valentinus as it was a very powerful testimony of love for others.

This week, I would like to share something that I was blessed to discuss with a friend the other day. The question presented was not one of challenge or defiance but rather, we were talking about was exploratory and a discussion that would lead to reflection and personal growth. I was asked “why should I believe you?” Now for some, this could be the opening for an argument or a defensive rebuttal but for me, it was a wonderful opportunity to dig into the foundation of my faith.

Why would anyone believe anything we have to say about our faith? Have you ever wondered that? Have you wondered why people are skeptical about Christians or their faith message? Last week, I wrote about a video I watched from Jeff Foxworthy and he made a very valid point – Christians need to walk the walk in order to for the message to be relevant. This is a somewhat correct but there is a caveat; we are all human and are not perfect so there are bound to be some hiccups in our own life. So, again, why trust what I have to say about my faith? This was my answer to my friend the other day. I do not expect people to blindly follow me and believe everything I have to say. There is only one absolute truth and that is by His Word. If what I am saying or what I am doing is contrary to the Word, then I would suggest that you hold me to the Truth. There are many out there who will tickle your ears and feed the population the message they want to hear. This is what makes people question the truthfulness of what is preached or spoken. But if the message is founded on the Word of God, then what is being delivered is the Truth. I have said this before and I will say it again; do not believe me, believe the Word and test what I say against the Word. It is up to us to read and meditate on His Message and to do our best to live it but there are those who will manipulate it for their own purpose.

Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world. 1 John 4:1

This is the start to a new series about the Truth, how to communicate the Truth and how to spot the false prophets of the world. We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person (we are limited to numbers inside the building) or online. Should you wish to join us online, 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 

‘Perfect Love’ 

Day 1: 1 John 4:7 – “Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God.” 

Day 2: 1 John 3:16-18 – “We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” 

Day 3: Ephesians 4:2, 3 – “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” 

Day 4: Romans 12:9, 10 – “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” 

Day 5: 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 – “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. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever!” 

Day 6: 1 Peter 4:8 – “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” 

Day 7: Colossians 3:12-14 – “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” 

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation 

Long And Winding Trail

We were standing at the bottom of a set of trails that would take us to the top of the mountain just outside Radium. Coming down the trail was no problem but we could see that ascending was going to be a bit more of a challenge. There was a path that led straight up the side of the face and another that meandered back and forth. Now, one of the guys in our group was quite the athletic specimen and looked at the direct path as both a challenge and the fastest way up the face. He spent a bit of time trying to convince us all that this was the best way up the hill but for some of us, we chose a different way. There was some friendly banter and teasing but, in the end, a group of them bolted straight up while the few remaining, including me, took to the winding path. Our trek was going to take a bit longer as we had almost triple the distance to travel and we could see the group disappear into the distance. We could still hear them but we remained on our own quest to do the climb in our own time and in our own way.

 

When we got about halfway up, we noticed they had stopped just up ahead to catch their breath as this was no easy climb. The moment they saw us, however, they got up took off except for a couple who decided to join us in our journey. As we got closer to the top, we noticed most of the group had reached the summit but a couple more were missing and we came to find out they had jumped onto the winding trail just ahead of us. The whole time up the hill, we could hear the group hollering and encouraging everyone to keep going, we will all meet at the summit. It was a fun journey and, while we all took different paths, we still got to the same point eventually.

 

I watched a video that Jeff Foxworthy had done for a men’s faith gathering and what caught my attention was when he announced to the group that, when he was younger, he watched as so many held true to the path and rarely wavered, but his journey was more of a winding trail filled with detours and switchbacks. Life is, for some, filled with these sidetracks and rabbit trails and there are times when the tendency is to give up finding the right path and take the detour. Some will recall that when they were the most lost, those on the direct path would taunt and judge but, in this case, our athletic friend made sure we knew he was not far away and the destination was in sight. He did not cast us off as being lazy or forever lost but rather praised us all as we reached our journeys end all together. There are those who do not choose our path as they journey through life but if we empathize with their plight and encourage them along the way, we can all reach the goal and claim the prize.

 

I encourage you to read two passages in preparation for this Sunday. Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) says “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.” while Galatians 6:2-3 (NLT) Paul tells us to “Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. If you think you are too important to help someone, you are only fooling yourself. You are not that important.” 

 

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person (we are limited to numbers inside the building) or online. Should you wish to join us online, 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’s Will For Us’ 

Day 1: Colossians 3:10 - Be Renewed – “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.” 

Day 2: Ephesians 5:15-17 - Be Wise – “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.” 

Day 3: 1 Thessalonians 5:18 - Be Thankful – “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 

Day 4: Micah 6:8 - Be Merciful – “No, O people, the Lord has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” 

Day 5: Psalm 103:2-4 - Be Faithful – “Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies.” 

Day 6: Psalm 28:7 - Be Joyful – “The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” 

Day 7: Psalm 57:2 - Trust God – “I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.” 

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation 

 

The Devil Screams, But God Whispers

It takes me a mere seven minutes to drive home from work each day. During that time I can have the greatest conversation in my head with God, and still listen to the calming tunes from a local radio station. You may ask, how is that even possible? Well, it’s easy, neither one of them are screaming in my ear. If you’ve ever been scolded in school, at home, on the job by anyone who barked at you, or even endured a pulpit message that bellowed to the rafters, then you know that what ever they said probably did not register, let alone sink in. In fact, my parents would probably say it went in one ear, and out the other. I guess they were right.

       

Yet, whenever anyone leans in, speaks with you, not to you in a calming voice and manner, that is when you soak up. For me there are two calming voices that can decompress me in an instant. One is the welcoming voice of calm of my wife, and the other is the voice of wisdom of my mom. You see the way a message is delivered may be more important than the message itself. If I am stressed, or fearful, my wife can instantly bring me back into alignment just by her presence and demeanor. This is so important to me as I have many unknowns to face in the coming months.

       

Now, during my drive home, my workday, and while I am doing some hobby projects, God is always whispering while the devil is busy screaming. Satan will do that to us all. Yes, my friends, there is a Satan. He has one and only one agenda. It is to get in your head, have you doubt, and then kill, or claim you for his own. He does that with noise. He screams doom and gloom by way of your own doubt of self worth, social media, lies and your own past. He has to because that’s all he has. He figures he can distract you with static noise, fear, hate, and prejudice, so you lose hope. None of us are completely immune to this.

       

Yet, we have something he cannot and will not offer. We have God. Yes friends, there is a God. He has numbered all of our days, He opened your eyes, and gave you your first breath, and He has a wonderful plan for your life. He whispers into yours’ and my ears every day, and those whispers have the power to drown out the devil, if we let it. This is where His gift of free will and choice come in. He has gifted us with the choice to accept Him, whereas the devil demands as he screams. God gently holds us up as He whispers His love into our hearts, all the while encouraging us with hope. I mentioned last month that hope is gold, well that’s because it is something we can see as so valuable. He has planned a life for us, and that life, at times will be difficult, but it is life. What He has promised in return for choosing and believing in His son, Jesus, is life eternal, with Him. John 3:16. That, to me is a pretty easy decision to make. It takes work and effort, but worth the journey.

       

Perhaps now is the time we should all take stock of our lives. Have a good hard look at where you are in your faith walk. If you have a faith walk, then step a little higher, if not, find someone to take a stroll with. Let them introduce you to God who never yells, scolds, embarrasses, demeans, or harms. Let Him into your home, head, and heart, and allow Him to whisper goodness back into your soul. Give Him permission to drown out the devil’s screams and replace it with the love and peace He wants for you. Drop your guard, and raise your hands, close your eyes, and open your heart. Tomorrow is a new day, planned for you by the One who made you. It’s time to know that the devil’s screams can be drowned out by the Father’s whispers.

Mike Shindruk

Master’s Hand Ministry

 

I Do Not Deserve This!

How many times has this term crossed your lips or run through your mind? Six months of planning a wonderful vacation. You have made sure all the required reservations are in place, there is a house sitter booked and they will take care of the pets. The itinerary has been reviewed, activities fully booked and planned and just about every possible issue has been addressed. Three weeks out and the all the confirmations have arrived, the weather has been checked but you notice a wheel on your suitcase is broken. No worries, there is time and its an easy fix. Three days out and you have gone to the pharmacy to refresh your medications, grab a couple more sunscreens and grab a couple Pepto’s just in case. Then it happens, the day before you are supposed to leave, you wake up with a temperature, you can barely get out of bed and you are unable to keep anything down.

 

“I DO NOT DERSERVE THIS!!!”

 

You have planned this trip for months, taken all the necessary precautions, the car is fueled and ready to go, the facilities and activities were all set and suddenly you are too sick to travel.

 

“Why does this always happen to me?”

 

There are even times when people blame God for the bad things in life but I need to throw this out there. God is patient and kind. He gives us options and we make up choose our own path. You see, there are many things we don’t deserve and we can put the blame on anything or anyone to calm our own minds but there is one thing that we cannot shift the blame; our sin.

 

Romans 3 starting at 22.

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

 

Jesus has given us the opportunity to grab hold of something we truly do not deserve, His Grace. He has taken that which has sullied us all and we are forgiven. When our time comes, we will know eternity because He has blessed us with His grace. There are many times when I wonder how I was so blessed to be His messenger considering my past. I truly do not deserve this but my Father in Heaven believes differently.

 

We invite you to join us this Sunday either in person (we are limited to numbers inside the building) or online. Should you wish to join us online, 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 

‘Stay Focused’ 

Day 1: Psalm 91:14, 15 – “The Lord says, ‘I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue and honor them.’” 

Day 2: Proverbs 2:2-5 – “Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.” 

Day 3: Colossians 2:6-8 – “And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.” 

Day 4: Hebrews 10:22, 23 – “... let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him. For our guilty consciences have been sprinkled with Christ’s blood to make us clean, and our bodies have been washed with pure water. Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” 

Day 5: Psalm 32:8 – “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” 

Day 6: Hebrews 12:1, 2 – “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. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” 

Day 7: 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.” 

** Verses taken from the New Living Translation