Pastor Caroline - January 31, 2021 - Advice to Young Men

* Please note that at the beginning of the sermon Pastor Caroline said Chapter 13. It should be Chapter 3. We are reading from Proverbs Chapter 3 today.

Pastor Caroline - January 27, 2021 - Wisdom

 

If I said to you, come and sit with me awhile and I will tell you how to have great wisdom. Would you take the time to listen?

Well thank you, for I have much to share with you today.

God’s Word says in Proverbs Chapter 1 verse 33

(33) But whoever listens to me will have security. He will be safe, with no reason to be afraid.

This is how this verse reads in my Good News Bible and I will continue to use the Good News Bible for all scripture verses referred to today.

 

It is wonderful to know we can be secure, safe and not afraid. Today’s world does not offer us this; it is “the word of God” that offers us security and safety, with no reason to be afraid. That is good news!! Praise be to God!

 

As we move down to Proverbs Chapter 2 verses 6, 7 and 8 it says:

(6) It is the Lord who gives wisdom, from him come knowledge and understanding.

(7) He provides help and protection for righteous, honest men.

(8) He protects those who treat others fairly, and guards those who are devoted to him.

 

So far in our reading today we learned we have:

Wisdom

Security

No reason to be afraid

Knowledge

Understanding

Help

Protection

Instruction to treat others fairly

A guard over us, someone who shields us.

That is nine things we find in the word we are looking at this morning. We are blessed to be given these, however, we must hear the Lord in His instruction to us, for us to attain all of the above. God gives us wisdom, good advice and discipline because He loves us.

We must live a life of integrity, honouring God who made us.

When we listen to God He will never lead us astray. He will keep us on the straight and narrow path of life. Verses 5 and 6 of Chapter 3 in Proverbs tells us;

(5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart, never rely on what you think you know

(6) Remember the Lord in everything you do, and He will show you the right path.

And verse 7 states:

(7) Never let yourself think you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.

 

When we trust in God (because He is more wise than we are) our lives will be blessed by Him. Ask God for instruction and direction in all you do and then; follow His instruction and direction.

Simply obey — that is pretty plain to understand — simply obey and refuse to do wrong.

If we all lived this simple instruction to the fullest every day our world would be a much nicer place to live, would you not agree?

 

There is so much on wisdom in the book of Proverbs in Chapters 1 through 9 and today I just really want to “whet your appetite” so to speak. I want to cause you to be curious enough to pick up your Bible and read for yourself how this book helps us deal with everyday life. If you want wisdom this is a good book to read, study and apply to your life. It will show you how to live a life of integrity, following God‘s instruction, giving you wisdom, understanding and knowledge along the way. His word will protect and guide you keeping you safe to live a life that holds no fear of what happens in this world because you trust in the God, Who is in complete control of this world and will shepherd us until we arrive safely to our heavenly home.

 

Take your Bible and a tea or coffee and enjoy the rest of the chapters I did not touch on. You will be glad you did.

Enjoy your week and stay close to the Lord and you will be safe in His precious arms. Remember, He loves you and wants to share His wisdom with you and so He sent you His Guide book, the Bible,

B - Basic

I - Instruction

B - Before

L - Leaving

E - Earth

The only book that needs to be in your home. Just think of the space you now have for other precious items. 😊😊🙏🙏

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Ecclesiastes Part 26

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - PROVERBS

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
(Proverbs 1:7) 

Solomon was considered to be the wisest of men due to the favour granted to him by God. “…I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you,”(1 Kings 3:12).  If you look at what Solomon wrote, it would appear that wisdom encompasses three main factors: seeing, hearing, and feeling. It’s really not complicated but usually these problems arise: we see but do not observe, we hear but do not listen, and we have feelings but without the empathy and concern that true character implies. This often leads, in turn, to a degree of pride and hypocrisy.

An example is the story of Teodorin Obiang, son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, who expressed his love for country and his concern for the people, taking only a meagre salary when he became Minister of Agriculture. He said and appeared to do the right things for the good of everyone, only to be found later to have amassed a large fortune in property and goods using the money supposedly meant for the good of the people for himself.* 

How often do politicians operate more for their good than for the people they are supposed to serve? How often do we hear of churches and leaders becoming wealthy in deference to the flocks they are supposed to lead?  How do such actions belie any “Fear of the Lord” and how often do all of us become Sunday-only Christians, behaving differently on that day compared to other days of the week?

Perhaps it’s for reasons such as these that the church no longer seems to be thriving, at least in the West, as it once did. Perhaps, for the same reasons prayers no longer seem to be answered in the same way as before. If we defer to God only one day of the week, then doesn’t a form of pride and hypocrisy really determine our lives? Perhaps we should hear and listen to the words of Samuel “…to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry…”(1 Samuel 15:22-23).  If “[t]he sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord…” (Proverbs 15:8) then perhaps the prayers of the proud and hypocritical meet the same fate. “One who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination…”(Proverbs 28:9). In addition, we are told “whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be heard…” (Proverbs 21:13).

Perhaps the church has not done as well in the West as it could have because we, as a whole, have become Sunday-only Christians.  If we only think about God on Sundays and special days, and not throughout the week as a whole, then are we not doing as those to whom Isaiah spoke about 2900 years ago?  The Lord said through him:

Bring no more futile sacrifices;

Incense is an abomination to Me.

The New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies-

I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting.

Your New Moons and your appointed feasts

My soul hates;

They are a trouble to Me,

I am weary of bearing them.

When you spread out your hands,

I will hide My eyes from you;

Even though you make many prayers,

I will not hear.

Your hands are full of blood.

Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; 

Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes.

Cease to do evil,

Learn to do good;

Seek justice,

Rebuke the oppressor,

Defend the fatherless,

Plead for the widow.” 

(Isaiah 1:13-17)

If we are to really do such, then we must look and really observe, listen and really hear, and feel with empathy and compassion. Perhaps then, we would all have more involvement in the church and more prayers answered. Just something to think about.

*Taken from Straight to the Heart of Solomon by Phil Moore pg 179

 

Fix Our Eyes on Jesus

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday January 20, 2021 - Psalm 100- A Hymn of Praise

 

Today as we read this beautiful Psalm over line by line we are reminded of God’s awesome presence. When we sing old or new hymns or old or new worship we are drawn close to the Father’s heart.

(1) Sing to the Lord, all the world! (— what a beautiful instruction), worship the Lord with joy; come before him with happy songs!  If you are singing you are most likely joyful. Lift up your voice to the Lord even if you cannot sing. Your voice sounds wonderful to Him for He longs to hear from you.

 

(3) Never forget the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, we are his flock.

Here in verse 3, it is made very clear as to Who made us. God created us, each one of us, uniquely different and amazingly special. He loves us, just as we are and He wants us to love and accept Him. He shepherds us every day. How beautiful it is to know the depth of His love.

 

(4) Enter the Temple gates with thanksgiving;

go into the courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise him.

Now, verse 4 invites us into the very place where God is. Any place we enter with thanks and praise God is present. It can be a church, a chapel in the hospital, the bedside of a loved one who perhaps is preparing their final days before going to glory. Wherever we are, He is present because God is everywhere. Sing, praise, give thanks, laugh and be joyful in His presence.

 

(5) The Lord is good;

his love is eternal

and his faithfulness last forever.

What a promise we see here in verse 5, His love is eternal and His faithfulness last forever.

No wonder we can make this bold statement,

The Lord is good!!

Have you ever wondered why everyone in the world would not want to love and accept the Lord God Almighty? I have and for the life of me I just cannot understand why some people do not want to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. I could not do one single day in my life without knowing Jesus. Every morning I am so thankful for His love, protection and provision for my life and the life of my family and friends.

 

I hope you take time to read the psalm over again and meditate on each line.

I love to read verse 3 like this;

Never forget the Lord is God.

He made me, Caroline, and I belong to him;

I am his person, I am his flock.

 

This tells me who I am and whose I am. This one verse, verse 3; makes my day special. No greater love can I ever know than the love of God! This alone gives me reason to sing to the Lord, every day..

(This little chorus comes to my mind, if you know it, perhaps sing it out loud. It will do your heart good).

 

         Ascribe Greatness

Ascribe greatness to our God the rock

His work is perfect

And all His ways are just

Ascribe greatness to our God the rock

His work is perfect

And all His ways are just

 

A God of faithfulness

And without injustice

Good and upright is he

A God of faithfulness

And without injustice

Good and upright is he.

 

(Words and music by Peter West/Mary Kirkbride/Mary-lou Locke)

 

The words to the piece are beautiful and came to mind as I finished writing this morning. We used to sing this years ago and the message still rings true today.

 

Have a beautiful day in Jesus and please stay in touch with our web site.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Ecclesiastes Part 25

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - CHOICES 2

 CHOICES 2

Choices: what we do almost every minute, of every day, of our lives. Whether we realize it or not, our time is literally consumed with the constant choosing of one path or another. Most choices are very minor, but in reality they almost all stem from that original choice made by man when he decided to disobey God and discover the difference between good and evil. And in effect, most of our choices today are essentially that - choosing good or evil; although today, we don’t think of it in those terms.

Most choices we will make consciously.  Do I eat healthy (good) or all junk food (evil),  stay sober (good) or drink to excess (evil), be productive with our time (good) to lazy about it (evil)? You get the picture.  However, some choices are made by default, so we don’t really tend to notice them (e.g.: the choice to breath). It, therefore, becomes really important to seriously consider the big picture choices we must make. For example: do you choose to believe that you are the result of billions of random mutations beginning from primordial sludge to the human that you are today or do you choose to believe that you were the creation of an intelligent being?

Do you believe that the universe with its two trillion galaxies and innumerable stars and planets came from a singularity which suddenly exploded into our universe or do you choose to believe that it was planned by an omniscient God?

If you do believe that there is more than just random choice in everything, then just what kind of “god” do you choose to believe in? Do you consider God to be a distant, austere deity? One that requires constant work or even human sacrifice to satisfy? A god who has no involvement in one’s life or activity other than a judge after death? Or are you more apt to think of God as being caring and loving? A God who is intimately involved with His created beings,  even though His standards are such that no human could possibly meet them, overcoming this problem by forgiving us through His own sacrifice. Rather than demanding we sacrifice to Him, He has sacrificed for us. So which God would you choose? 

We all have choices to make in this world; choices that have to be made in faith. Billy Graham was once asked how he had become so successful. His reply was that he had made a choice to preach the word of God in all of its offensive glory.

“As that night wore on, my heart became heavily burdened. Could I trust the Bible? …I had to have an answer. If I could not trust the Bible, I could not go on… “O God! There are many things in this book I do not understand. There are many problems with it for which I have no solution. There are many seeming contradictions. There are some areas in it that do not seem to correlate with modern science.”
I was trying to be on the level with God, but something remained unspoken. At last the Holy Spirit freed me to say it. “Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word - by faith! I’m going to allow faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be your inspired Word.” …Not all my questions were answered, but a major bridge had been crossed. In my heart and mind, I knew a spiritual battle in my soul had been fought and won”*

Billy Graham made a choice; he chose to accept the Word of God by faith. He chose to accept the God of the Bible rather than another possible deity as many people do. Making the right choice can make all the difference in your life and for eternity.

God said “I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19) and “…I have set before you today life and good, death and evil,” (Deuteronomy 30:15).  To choose good or evil, life or death is ours; we have that authority. 

Joshua 24:15 put it this way “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve [either the gods of the land or of others]…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

We should all make the same choice if we think carefully about it.   

*Quoted from The Minor Prophets by Phil Moore (2017), pages100-101

Pastor Caroline - January 17, 2021 - Duties Towards State Authorities

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday January 13, 2021

Psalm 40 Verses 4-5

In the Good News Bible, Psalm 40 verses 4 and 5, read as follows:

(4) Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who do not turn to idols or join those who worship false gods.

(5)You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you!

You have made many wonderful plans for us.

I could never speak of them all —  their number is so great!

 

Isn’t it true? God has done so many wonderful things for us, it is difficult to recount them all. When our trust is in the Lord we are not counting on anyone else, including ourselves, to see us through this life, we understand, only God knows all —  from the beginning to the ending of time. We know we are safe and secure in His arms, resting in His peace that goes beyond what we can even understand. We place our life in His hands, as well as our eternal life. There is a joy that overcomes us when we think of how majestic God is and so that makes it easier to fully trust in Him.

 

We must give thanks always for the many things He has done for us. The list is endless, from His plan for our life even before we are born, to His purpose and plan for our lives from the day we come into this world until the day He calls us home. Just meditate on that for a few minutes.

 

At the beginning of this year I asked out loud, “Lord what will this year bring?”  He said, “only I know, and you need only to trust in me”.  Another wow moment!

I was at once put to rest in my thoughts, released from any fear, felt a calm over my spirit, had an understanding that each day is gifted to me, and mercy and grace are new to me each morning. That was amazing, and still is each time I think of it.

He reminded me that He calms the storms of life and teaches us new things in all circumstances and challenges. He sets us up for success when we allow Him to direct our path and place ourselves in His service. In our weakness we find His strength and we need Him more every day. He blesses us with peace, as we are told in Psalm 29 verse 11 in the Good News Bible. It reads,

 (11) The Lord gives strength to His people, and blesses them with peace.

I, personally stand on the word of God and all the promises found within.

 

When we learn to accept each day as it is presented and trust our actions to the guidance of our Lord, then we need not be anxious, worried, afraid, unsure, intimidated, or stressed; to name just a few. That certainly relieves a heavy weight from our shoulders each day wouldn’t you say?

 

So let’s stand tall in His presence, give thanks for all He has done, is doing, and will do in our lives. Let’s share with others how God cares for us, loves us, protects and provides for us, and how He sent His only son to die for us; to save us; so that one day we can enjoy eternity with Him.

 

I personally cannot list all the wonderful things God has done for me over my lifetime, but I can tell you I would rather have Jesus than silver or gold. (Just  a few words from an old hymn that came to mind just now), all things in this world will one day be gone, but Jesus is our eternity! I choose to walk hand-in-hand with Him in faith until one day my faith shall be sight!!

 

God is my Lord and provider in whom I trust and this is why I am happy every day. As the psalm says, happy are those who trust in the Lord. I am happy, grateful and thankful.  How about you?

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Ecclesiastes Part 24

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHEN THE TIME COMES

 WHEN THE TIME COMES

Most people are interested in the future. We listen to forecasts for the weather, the economy, what’s going to happen after this pandemic, and almost everything else of which you could possibly think . The future interests us on a daily basis, and in some ways life might be easier if we knew what would happen in the next short period of time. But this has not been given to us to know.

In Ecclesiastes 8:5, Solomon states that: “…a wise man’s heart discerns both time and judgement…” But few seem to have that wisdom - wisdom to prepare for unexpected and sudden changes and for that reason many turn to those who claim they can foretell the future by means of the stars, cards, crystals, etc. But God has apparently not allowed this, so that we might and should always be prepared for changes. Although it might be possible to avoid some of the pitfalls and problems in our future by such knowledge, it might also cause considerable anxiety and distress being aware of the ultimate fate that might befall us.

And one fate that awaits us all is our eventual death. The Bible states that: “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement…” (Hebrews 9:27).  Now, many people when anxiety and stress appear to be too great take their own lives, perhaps forgetting that afterward there is a judgement. Others wish for assistance in dying, not wishing 

(usually due to illness) to endure living any longer. But with these exceptions a person has no alternative but to live until the soul is required, and then he has no ability to alter the situation. When a person’s spirit is ultimately summoned, then that person has no further say in the matter. We can no more prevent our ultimate demise than we can voluntarily will our own death.

And this, in fact, gives us one more piece of the reality that Christ was really who He said He was. You see, Christ really did have power over His own Spirit. In John 10:18 we read: “No one takes it [my life] from me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.” Then when on the cross “…He said ‘It is finished!’ And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit,” (John 19:30).  In Luke 23:46, Jesus said: “…'into thy hands I commend my spirit.’ Having said thus, He breathed his last.”  Again in Matthew 27:50 it states that: “Jesus cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit.”

When the time comes, humans cannot voluntarily retain or give up their own spirit but Jesus did; another example of His divinity over His humanity. And just something else for us to think about.  

 

Pastor Caroline - January 10, 2021 - Life in God's Service

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday January 6, 2021

 Early Morning Glory

I took this snapshot of the beautiful sky to remind us that behind the clouds is beauty unseen, every day. The picture is found in the devotional I am currently reading by Sarah Young.

 

The reading from Peace In His Presence by Sarah Young, says God searches for the awakened soul that thrills to the joy of His presence! We thrill to the joy found behind the clouds, and that is God Himself, in all His splendour. We glorify God because of all the beauty He shows us and we realize only God can and will create the natural beauty we see in all four seasons. I am talking about the seasons of our life as well as the seasons of our year.

 

When we see (using our imagination) behind the circumstance or situation we are presently experiencing, we are giving glory to God by living close to Him. The trials of the world are not ours to be anxious over, we trust in God who created and controls the whole world, allowing us, to rest in the assurance that He knows exactly what He is doing.

When we live in the joy of the Lord every day, we are well able to praise Him with all our heart, and glorify His name forevermore as stated in Psalm 86 Verse 12.

 

We must proclaim His goodness, His love, His faithfulness, every day; and then joy will overflow in us and we can share that joy with others.

We will be the “burst of light” behind the cloud, so shine, people, shine!!

 

So today and every day see yourself as a bright and shining light with a mission to light up the world around you. Be the glory off the Lord!! and praise His name forevermore!

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Ecclesiastes Part 23

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TO KNOW

 TO KNOW

So 2020 is officially over and many people are saying: “Good Riddance”. It has not been the best of years by a long shot. In addition to Covid, and the lives lost because of it, there has also been the hit to the economy and the associated job losses, the mass shooting in Nova Scotia, and the multiple natural disasters that have occurred around the globe. Certainly, not the best 12 months this world has ever seen. 

So now we look forward to 2021. The hope is that it will be better. We now have vaccines for Covid, the economy appears to be doing a bit better, and job losses declining. So far, no great disasters this year but it’s only early. We hope and speculate that things are getting better, but do we really know?

Perhaps it’s time to stop speculating on what may or may not be and concentrate more on what we really do know. We do know that if you’re reading this, you survived last year, but hundreds of thousands of people in North America did not. We know that there has been a trend back to more simple and family oriented activities over the past few months, and perhaps this is more the way it should be all the time 

Moreover, whatever the final outcome of this year, we know who really holds tomorrow. For even if “…we have no power…nor do we know what to do” (2 Chronicles 20:12) ourselves, “…[W]e know that you are true…” (Mark 12:14) and “…we know that You say and teach rightly…” (Luke 20:21).  Furthermore, “…we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

And who are those who are the called according to His purpose? Ephesians 1:11 states “In Him…we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined {called} according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…” To put it in simple terms, we all have, at one time or another, heard the small voice of conscience calling us and if we have believed and love God, then all things will work together for good. And in the meantime, we will all hopefully avoid any pitfalls or potholes that may come at us. 

We must be concerned but not unduly anxious because we know in the end it will be good. So let us not speculate too much about this year but focus on “…whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate{think} on these things” (Philippians 4:8). 

And in such times as ours, these are certainly the things we should be thinking about.

Pastor Caroline - January 3, 2021 - 365 Days Ahead

Thank-you from Randy MacDonald

 

I,  Randy MacDonald would like to thank each and everyone who has contributed in any and all ways during this challenging time for me. My health is compromised at this moment however, with help from the  doctors, nurses and all those at the hospital who will be at my side, I truly believe God will see me through and bring me to a great recovery and testimony. 

Thank you to Rhonda MacDonald, my sister, who immediately set up a Go Fund Me account, to Master’s Hand Ministry, who did a private fundraiser and continue to hold me in prayer, to Bruce McKay and friends at the V Filling Station, a special thank you to Lorna and Scott Cameron and Larry and Carol Campbell, and to all my business clients.

Thank you to The Lodge That Gives, where I will spend the next six weeks as my home away from home.

Philippines chapter 4 verses 4 to 13 reminds us that we can do everything through Him who gives us strength and so I believe I can come through this challenge because God is my provider and protector. I wish to thank everyone, each of you know who you are, for the help given to me which allows me to care for myself and my brother Larry. May God bless each and everyone of you.

Sincerely,
Randy McDonald.