Pastor Caroline - Wednesday June 23, 2021 - Power, Love, and Self - Control

 

Power, Love, and Self - Control



Power, love, and self-control, is what everyone wants, right? Is this possible? How can we have this?

We can have this when Jesus lives in our heart and is Lord and Saviour of our life. The word of God in 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 7, tells us in the Good News Bible;

(7) For the spirit that God has given us does not make us timid; instead, his Spirit fills us with power, love, and self-control.

This is a beautiful scripture to have tucked away in our mind and in our heart.

 

As Paul writes to Timothy, he assures Timothy that keeping the faith is exactly what he needs to do and as we apply this word of God to our life, this is what we need to do. So let’s look at this word today as if God is speaking directly to us.   No matter what comes in our path we must always be witnessing for our Lord. On days when we are weak in the flesh we know God will strengthen us in our spirit and rise up to do all that He enables us to do.

When we fill up on the power, love and self-control of the Lord we can be confident in how much more pleasant our day will be. As we open our mind each day to receive His power, love and self-control our mind will not be overtaken by the worries of this world. When we suffer in this world, and we will, we can be sure that God will keep us safe until the day of His return when we trust in Him alone. His word says so. 2 Timothy chapter 1 verse 12 confirms this. You can read it there.

 

As we follow the plan the Lord has for us and remain in faith and love that is ours in union with Jesus (verse 13 in this chapter of 2 Timothy), we will be well cared for.

 

As you read this full book of Timothy from chapter 1 to chapter 4 (this is Paul’s second letter to Timothy), you will see Paul tells Timothy to endure through to the end, to the day of the Lord’s return or Timothy’s day of being called home.

As we apply this word to us we are told to be strong in the word and for the word. To openly spread the Good News of Jesus and to be filled with the power, love and self-control provided to us. We are reminded not to follow the ways of the world that are evil but to rise up to the standard that God sets and be an example of how to live a Christ-like life, even when people make fun of us, criticize and abuse us for our faith. As we work out our faith, being an example to others as to how to live and believe in our Savior, Jesus Christ, we will increase in power, love and self-control as told to us in verse 7 of this chapter. God has not given us a timid spirit but one that can be bold for the cause of Christ. I love when I have an opportunity to tell people about Jesus and how he’s changed my life, making it a beautiful testimony of how He lives in me and how I live in Him. As He gives me power and self-control I am well able to stay clear of what this world will entice me do and live in heavenly peace until the day I journey home to eternity.

 

His love teaches us about patience, endurance, confidence and suffering and in His love, He enables us through our union with Jesus to endure all things knowing one day we will be raised to glory!

 

How I love the word and instruction of the Lord. Perhaps you would like to read all of 2 Timothy using your name where you see Timothy’s name and make Paul’s letter personal to you. Now let the gift of the Holy Spirit fill you always with power, love and self-control and be bold in sharing His love and power to help others learn self-control, keeping them safe until the day of His return.

 

If you know this worship piece please sing it out loud and rejoice!

        Be bold! Be strong!

       by Morris Chapman

 

Be bold! Be strong!

For the Lord, your God, is with you

Be bold! Be strong!

For the Lord, your God, is with you

I am not afraid

I am not dismayed

Because I’m walkin’ in faith and victory

Come on and walk in faith and victory

For the Lord, your God

Is with you.

 

Enjoy you day in Jesus

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 5

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - JUSTIFICATION

JUSTIFICATION

Justification refers to the act of becoming right with God so that it’s as of you’ve never  done anything wrong. Now if you don’t believe in God then the term really has little meaning. Most people, however, including those who deny God’s existence, often refer to heaven or to meeting those who have passed away once again.  The vast majority of people believe in some sort of afterlife in spite of the prevalence of teaching regarding evolution. Most, if not all cultures, since the dawn of man, have believed in an existence beyond one’s earthly life.That in turn implies a belief in a spiritual being and a need to somehow please such an entity.

Such efforts on the part of mankind have essentially known no bounds. To appease their gods, people have sacrificed young women and men, infants and children, and animals by the thousands. They have done self-mutilation, self punishment, deprivations, penances by the score and pilgrimages. And since sexual activity is pleasant, and therefore must be pleasing to the gods, sexual orgies on pagan temples were often part of man’s efforts to please “god”. Although some of this seems very bizarre today, man still does almost everything in his power to please and make oneself right with “god”.  Most, if not all, religion is based on the premise that we can do enough right to rectify our wrongs and, therefore, make it to heaven, even if god is distant and austere or nearby and personal. 

Yet the Bible states that “…God is holy” (Psalm 99:9) and that even though “he is a holy God. He is a jealous God” (Joshua 24:19). Furthermore, in Leviticus, God has said: “And you shall be holy to Me, for I the LORD am holy” (Leviticus 20:26).  But, no one fits that bill because “…all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23). Since the Laws were given to point out this sin and because “…it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail”(Luke 16:17), we have little hope of pleasing God by our efforts such as rules, rituals, sacrifices, feast days, pilgrimages, etc. “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

The Bible states it very clearly - “For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin” (Ecclesiastes 7:20).  In 1Corinthians 15:56 it says “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law” while 1 John 1:8 states “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

So the crux of the matter is this: if we are full of sin and can’t keep the laws to make ourselves right with God, then making more regulations, rules, and/or rituals (aka more laws) won’t make it any better. That is why God Himself decided to forgive us by taking the punishment that we deserve upon Himself, as Christ, and all we have to do is accept the gift and grace that His gesture implies. By acknowledging that God, through Christ, paid for our discretions, and truly accepting that gift, we can receive that justification before Him that countless people throughout the ages have tried to do for themselves. True acceptance of His Gift means that what you do in His name, you do because you have been made right before Him and not to become so. It’s not complicated but in fact so simple that people reject it and try to do something themselves. We always seem to want it that way.

This Father’s Day what better gift to give to our Heavenly Father than to fully accept the gift that He has so graciously given to us and acknowledge the sacrifice He made by doing so. After all, it’s apparently all He really wants. It’s also something we all should carefully think about.                        

Pastor Caroline - Sunday June 20, 2021 - Happy Father's Day

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday June 16, 2021 - Embrace Change

 

Embrace Change

 

 Don’t fear change. Welcome it as an opportunity! If change is a great problem, it is also a grand human hope. One word, one illustration, one idea can transform the whole complexion and destiny of our life. I see this happening constantly. Some positive idea falls unexpectedly on the mind and changes forever the destiny of an entire family. Thank God we are not created to be rigid, non-changing objects of marble, granite, or steel!

 

These words were written by Robert H. Schuller in his book entitled Hours of Power.  Why am I sharing this particular message from his book with you today? Well first of all, this last year and a half since Covid we have all had to make some changes. Some easy, some not so easy. People in their workplace suddenly found themselves working from home, school children found themselves separated from their friends and their sports programs and other extracurricular activities they were involved in at school, those in church leadership had to find new ways of keeping their congregations involved and connected as church doors closed to gathering as an assembly. Hospitals, doctors and nurses, and all frontline workers faced change as to how to serve the people. Funeral directors were greatly challenged when trying to be a compassionate service at a difficult time for families when they found themselves mourning the loss of a loved one. So many services, which we all took for granted, changed within weeks of the first Covid experience.

 

However, (aren’t you glad there is always an however), as Robert Schuller says in the last line of the reading today:

Thank God we are not created to be rigid, non-changing objects of marble, granite, or steel!

 

With change comes opportunity. If we face change knowing God is with us we can do anything. The word of God says, all things are possible with God! Matthew Chapter 19 Verse 26

 

When we pray and wait on the Lord, He will show us how to change a problem into an opportunity. True prayer brings renewal. We are looking forward to the times of renewal ahead. In all the changes that had to take place to keep us safe during Covid, I personally can see a new way of moving forward in all areas of life. We all can see – we are capable of change and of making it work! People continue in their employment, students are still being educated, ministry is much more widespread because of technology as the gospel is shared online, the medical professionals are looking after and taking care of the sick and the funeral directors are still able to accommodate the brokenhearted in their time of grief.

 

The one thing I find challenging is not being able to be with people, in close contact with the many people even just in my circle of contacts. I am sure you are too. But one day soon, after the pandemic, we will all be joined back together; stronger, more compassionate, with a greater sense of loving and kindness because God has grown each one of us in new and marvellous ways. As we wait on the Lord we know He will renew our strength! He has, He does, and He will continue to do so. Praise His name.

 

As we embrace change let us lift a prayer to the Lord.

Thank you Lord for change. Whatever it may be, if we wait on You and hear Your voice we will be encouraged, strengthened, enthused and renewed! Let us not be afraid to move in a new direction, for it may be just the move we need. A new job, a new home, a new city, town, or rural area may be calling us. So let’s go into the unknown with a heart of excitement, trusting in You Lord, to encounter the new and undiscovered possibilities you have prepared for us. Education, medicine, ministry and dying may look different to us but you Lord will always make away for all services to be carried out. Change brings growth, and growth brings change. Let us all be flexible enough so as not to break when change happens. Let us move with the assurance that you Lord are leading us, and in every step, through every challenge, we know all things will work out to the glory of You and You alone.

Amen.

 

Psalm 25 versus 4, 5 and 14 are reassuring indeed:

(4) Teach me your ways, O Lord; make them known to me. (5) Teach me to live according to Your truth, for You are my God, who saves me. I will always trust in You.

(14) The Lord is the friend of those who obey Him and He confirms His covenant with them.

 

There is such strength and promise in the word of God. He shows us His answer when we pray about anything / everything  and / or, for ourselves or others. This message, Embrace Change is for you who are waiting for God’s answer to your prayer. I believe you will see this answer today!

God bless you — each and everyone who reads this message. May it be a blessing to your heart and a stronghold in your decision. Embrace Change as Robert S. Schuller says in his book.

And always remember to give thanks and praise to the Lord as He sees us through each day.

Have a great week ahead.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 4

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - BREAD

 BREAD

Bread is mentioned more than 340 times in the NKJV of the Bible.  The first mention of it is in a curse, when God told Adam “…Cursed is the ground for your sake…in the sweat of your face you shall eat bread…” (Genesis 3:17,19).  Man has been working and labouring to obtain bread to survive ever since.  Bread was, and remains today, a staple of man’s diet. Whether it was for survival - “Now there was no bread in all the land; for the famine was very severe…”(Genesis 47:13) - or for ceremony - “Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine; he was the priest of God Most High,” (Genesis 14:18) - bread has played an important role. 

It was during the Hebrew enslavement in Egypt that they would have become familiar with the Egyptian practice of using leaven (or yeast) in the bread making process. Therefore, for the Hebrews, leaven became synonymous with sin, and so to leave Egypt entirely behind, God commanded the Hebrew people to eat unleavened bread beginning at the time of the Passover.

And they shall eat…unleavened bread…Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses.  For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel…So you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this same day I will have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt…”
(Exodus 12: 8,15,17)

Unleavened bread thus became synonymous with sinless bread or bread without sin. This is why Christ, when confronted by Satan in the desert and challenged to “…command that these stones become bread,” (Matthew 4:3) replied by saying “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God,” (Matthew 4:4).  Christ Himself was that Word.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us…” (John 1:1,14).

So Christ became for us “…the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger” (John 6:35) because “…I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly,” (John 10:10).  In other words, if you only have what the world offers you will survive, but if you take in the sinless Bread then you can really live.

It’s important to realize that much of the Bible has an allegorical as well as a literal meaning.  Taking bread is as essential for our physical being as taking the Bread of life is for our spiritual life.  Christ did this at the Last Supper when He broke bread and said “This is (symbolic of) My body which is given for you, do this in remembrance of Me,” (Luke 22:19).

Jesus used this symbolism in a number of ways in addition to the Communion. When talking to the disciples he said: “How is it you do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread?—but to beware of the leaven [sin] of the Pharisees and Sadducees,” (Matthew 16:11).  Then He stated “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst,” and “…he who eats this bread will live forever” (John 6:35,58).

He who receives Christ takes in the bread of life with all its’ benefits.  It’s as simple as that.  What more is there to think about?