Sunday September 27, 2015

Enjoy Sunday evening's sermon on our YouTube channel. Just click here:

Master's Hand YouTube Channel


Some notes from Sunday's service. (Thanks, Heather)

Hello Friends.

If you weren't at the Annual Prayer Retreat this past weekend, you've certainly missed out on blessings!! ... But, you can plan to attend next year :)

Sunday night, to leave plenty of time for Prophet Abadir, Spencer didn't give his 'Something to Think About', but here are notes from the Message:

- 'Christian Race'

- lazy believers think Christian life is an easy journey; no accountability, no sense of responsibility.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24+ (how we strive for the crown)

- Are you 'running' the Christian race to win the prize, or are you walking with no enthusiasm?!

- Running is costly.

- If you are not looking forward to obtaining the prize, you may become lazy.

- We are approaching severe tribulation... as said in Revelations.

- How many don't want to take another step in slowliness?

- Temperance- self-discipline. If you are not willing to self-discipline, the Devil will snare you...

- If you are not temperate, you will not be able to stand on God for yourself.

- There are lots of beautiful lusts and if you are not self-disciplined, you may neglect your spiritual walk.

- What kind of crown are you looking forward to?? Perishable crown, to be well-known?

- As Christians we have nonperishable crown... eternal crown; an everlasting bliss!

- While you are weeping now, yet in eternity you will never be under stress; you will be victorious... run the race!

- At the end, are you certain you'll be found in the throne-room of Christ?

- You must strive!!

- You have to be disciplined or the devil will find a way to captivate you.

- The more disciplined you are, the more certain you are of your crown.

- Running the race is not optional... it's mandatory! (no matter where on the track you are, or if you're found at the starting line)

- Do you want to be disqualified? Do you want to see Jesus?

- A sense of accountability is highly needed today cause our world is highly corrupt!

- Holy Spirit is the only help to discipline yourself.

- When you are continually filled with the Holy Spirit, you will start to feel abstinence of all earthly things. If not, you will be greedy for worldly things!

- To think you can enjoy lusts and come to Christ before the end of time... this is immature!!

- You must be ready at ANY... GIVEN... TIME!!

- You need to be steadfast, patient, and the Lord will protect you against any dangers of divided life.

So, grab a friend and a good pair of running shoes... we are in this race together! :)

Sunday September 20, 2015

Here's some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

Hey all... from near and VERY far!! Here's a recap of Sunday past, which was in the Stellarton Chapel.

Something to Think About

- There are two inevitable events in life: to be born, and to die.

- and in between, the process is called 'Life'.

- Life... some blame past, parents, finances, experiences

- We put emphasis on knowledge, therefore when something goes wrong we think 'lack of education'.

- Sampson didn't want to know right or wrong (knowledge), he ask for wisdom.

- 1 Corinthians 1:27 "But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong."

- Dr. Lisa Miller wrote a book called 'Spiritual Child'. The referenced the affects of depressed Moms to their children, and of mothers who shared a Spiritual relationship with their children. Depression was found lower in daughters who had spiritual relationships with their mothers... This speaks 'God does heal!'

- Proverbs 1:7 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

- If we have wisdom, along with knowledge, this world would be a better place!!

The Message ~ Buhle Dlamini

- "God's best for your life"; which came from a book 'God's Best for You'

- Life... discovering God's will/direction in our lives

- GPS... 'turn left... turn right'... go decide you know best, and find yourself in high traffic.

- Isn't that like God!! He's giving direction/instruction, we go our own way and find ourselves in 'situations'.

- You can find yourself asking... Does God care about the details in my life? Is my suffering part of his plan? Does God care about my happiness?

- Life... being on a Christian walk.

- Matthew 10:29-31 "... you are of more valuable that many sparrows."

- God KNOWS you and has a plan!

- We can get caught up in what we DON'T know as God's plan... but we know somethings that IS.

1. God's will is not negative

- how often do we hear 'that's God's will' in a negative situation (death, loss of job, miscarriage, etc)

- No wonder some of us wan to run far from God's will! 

- However, we can't see the bigger picture. Jeremiah 29:11-14

- To know God best... you need to ASK- PRAY!

- God's will is much bigger than this year!

2. God's will is VAST but it is knowledgable

-Start with what you know; you don't need to search... these you already know.

a) It doesn't matter who you are; love him enough to put him first in everything you do. Matthew 6:33

b) Love other people, as much as you love yourselves

c) Tell others

d) Be a servant to God... and to others

- Sometimes we make his will complicated

- We need to surrender to Christ

- When was the last time you asked for an 'assignment'... to visit, to call, etc

3. God's will is specific for specific situations

- Sure he can use us everyday, but sometimes there is something more specific 

- Ex: Esther. God seeds a plan. Her parents die and she was adopted by her cousin Mordecai. Through her being raised by her uncle, she is eventually appointed Queen and used to power of influence to redeem the whole nation, not just her family.

- Sometimes God is waiting for US to step up to the plate

- God's will... we think sometimes it's going to be a burden.

- How often do we miss out on the adventure with Christ because of this?!

- Let's run towards God's will.

- Greater things are yet to come!!

- Believers cry "Show me your will... send me!"

We finished with 'I Give Myself away", which I've attached. What a challenge... and what a blessing!

Cheers

Heather

Click here:

I Give Myself Away

Sunday Septmeber 13, 2015

Here are some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather!)

Hope you were able to see Jesus' love in something thus far in the week; I assure you, you are being pursued!!

Something to Think About

- The last supper, there must have been some tension as this supper was very different than the others... but they still sang a hymn.

- Noah building the boat... continued to honor God.

- Job never cursed God; he praised Him.

- "It is well with my soul" was written through great tragedy!

- Maybe that's why Psalms is the longest book in the Bible... most diverse book, dealing with God and His creation, war, worship, wisdom, sin and evil, judgment, justice, and the coming of the Messiah.

- and 1 Thessalonians 5:18... 'In all things give thanks..."

- In one of Rick Warren's books he writes ways praise can be effective:

1. accurate... To be to the God in the Bible; who HE is, not who we want him to be

2. authentic, true worship

3. thoughtful, not just words

4. practical

- Rick Warren said (quote) "If you want help learning how to praise God, read through the Book of the Psalms."

- Those that do the will of God... they love God, and they love others!!

The Message ~ Father Gary MacPherson

- "Do you hear any voices?"

- Mark 6:7-13

- When you are given Drs advice we take their words with authority. Pastor Caroline has an authority over us.

- Jesus has expectations of us... to love, continue His mission, and do not be discouraged.

- Reminder: WE ARE ALL ON A JOURNEY!! We have not reached our destination yet.

- Some reactions to Jesus' words:

    - only meant for Pastors

    - only meant for ones willing to give up everything

    - only meant for disciples years ago

- Jesus says:

    - go in pairs. This shows the importance given to 'community' among other believers (support)

    - don't be worried of wants and needs

    - we are called/invited to spread the Good News... not OUR news; His news!

    - turn our lives over to Christ; to turn our lives around.

    - bring forgiveness, healing, mercy to all

- We have what the world needs... we just need to be convinced of THIS!

I've attached a powerful song by Casting Crowns "Praise You in this Storm'. There's been much sorrow in just our congregation along, and life is well... LIFE! I know the "Letter from God' in the bulletin asks to give 30 seconds, but give a prayerful 4:58min listen to this song.

Cheers

Heather

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5bLvVjJ4MA

Sunday September 6, 2015

REFLECTIONS

Some notes from Sunday’s service. 

(Oh, how I miss my note takers.)  :-(

If you would like to see and hear Pastor Caroline's sermon and Dr. Barclay's Something to Think About and much more, please go to:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrUaNS-N8LPEpsbWiJDYloQ

Welcome song

Announcements

Congratulations on this week’s Birthdays and Anniversaries 

Peter MacLaren gave an update on the fast approaching retreat. 

If you would like to attend the retreat even for a few hours, please see Peter. 

Something to Think About 

Dr. Spencer Barclay

What drives your life?

Most people are driven by:

Resentment and anger. 

Guilt. Blaming yourself. 

Materialism. Keeping up with the Jones. 

Trying to appease others. Getting the approval of others. 

Fear. People are afraid of what's going to happen. In life or in death. 

Satan tested Job. He lost everything. 

But he never lost his Faith. He got angry, but it did not drive his life. 

He was fearful 

He felt guilty 

He felt resentment. It did not drive his life. 

He was a man who disposed evil. He was a good man. 

Satan goes about like a roaring lion taking who he can. 

Job developed his own sense of achievement. 

Perhaps we all have to do what Job did. Admit that God is in control. We should all let God drive our lives. 

Only by putting God first can we thwart Satan's advances. 

Something to Think About. 

Holy Communion by Pastor Todd MacDonald. 

Pastor Caroline Barclay

A member of the congregation shared that he has thought that his purpose in life was over, but after a close-call at work this past week; something that should possibly have killed him, he now knows that God has more plans for his life

Caroline said this story made her reflect that in a moment we are here or gone. 

How Awesome is Our God

What do you see when you look in the mirror? Someone sad? Happy? 

This past week was one of reflection. 

He brought us from an old barn to where we are today. 

From a small group of people with a new beginning. Pastors raised up. Authors born. Musicians made. 

Who knew?

God knew. 

God sees it all. 

He has so much more for this ministry. But we cannot do anything without God. 

Sometimes we wonder if we are making a difference. We are as long as we stayed focused on Jesus. 

Stay grounded in Him. 

Even when we think we are so tired we cannot go on God gives us more strength. 

We need to remember to share with people we meet. 

God is changing lives in this congregation. 

We will never know the lives we touch. 

When you are overwhelmed with the work of the Lord stop for a minute and reflect on the lives you may have touched. 

In this message, God wants us to reflect on:

His Birth

His Life

His Mission

His Ministry

His Teaching

The Cross

His Promise

His Advocacy

His waiting 

He wants us all to share this message until we are called home.

As we look at those that were called home, we know those who loved Jesus are now in their Heavenly home.

John 14 1-3

Matthew 13:43

1 Peter 1:3&4

Romans 8:11

Matthew 10:42

I know because the Bible tells me so. 

How awesome is our God

Closing Prayer

The service closed with prayer and a call to the front of the church for anyone who needed prayer.

Sunday August 30, 2015

Hi

Better late than never.

I have to apologize. I don't have any notes for Sunday's service.
I figure that I was too into the service that I didn't think about it.

But.

There are videos of Pastor Dave's sermon and Pastor Todd MacDonald giving us "I Didn't Know That."

Please click on this YouTube link and enjoy. 


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrUaNS-N8LPEpsbWiJDYloQ/playlists

A reminder that Wednesday night Bible study will be resuming after our summer break. For an hour of study and fellowship, please join us starting Sept. 16th.