Pastor Caroline - March 31, 2021 - True Contentment

 

True Contentment

 

Please see and read, the reading for today; from Strength for Today, by David Jeremiah, as found in the picture.

 

Now may I share my thoughts?

True contentment is knowing what God‘s will is and living by faith in it. David ends his reading today with this powerful statement which is so true. Now also in David’s reading above, he tells us that Paul cared less about what God‘s will “was” then he did about being faithful “in” it. Paul wanted to be faithful in all things especially being faithful in God’s will.

 

I would say that when any of us are truly grateful for all God does for us then we should be content. This does not mean happy — content is being at peace in whatever the situation or circumstance may be, because you know God will be with you. Happiness is fleeting but contentment is being at peace with what you have rather than looking for something to make you happy. Choose to be content and happiness will follow suit.

 

To live a life that is content;

Stay in the word of God

Pray

Sing

Share the word with others

Give yourselves to God as a living sacrifice in order to present the “perfect will of God“ (Romans 12:1-2)

Rejoice

Bless others — and know they will be blessed — to bless others! (This is paying it forward as we say today).

We find all this in our reading today.

I would like to add,

Live in the moment — you may not be granted the next moment. (Think about this and realize that life is short).

Be grateful

Be thankful with who God made you to be. You are special!! The very design God used for you He did not give to anyone else. So thank God for He never makes mistakes. You are His beloved and precious in His sight!!

 

The older I get the more content I am, because, I realize God is in control of all things and because He does an excellent job; I reap the benefits when I stay in His will.

 

Now that my dear friends, is being content. My faith sets and keeps me in a place of contentment.

How about you?

Does your faith set you and keep you in a place of contentment?

 

Let’s be grateful for our very lives, our family, friends, professions, food on our table, our homes and our pets. All things may not be perfect — but that is OK —  be content in all things and you will see life is sweeter, moment by moment. Find the love, joy, peace and contentment in all you do and share that with all who are in your presence at any given time. Let’s be faithful to God and do His will every day bringing all glory to Him. In this, we will be content.

Have a great day in the Lord.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Esther Part 3

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DETAILS

DETAILS

It has been said that “the devil’s in the details,” but more often it’s really that the truth is in the details and usually it seems that we just don’t wish to know or discover what that truth really is. Perhaps that is why we often just skim material, picking out what we think is important rather than examining everything carefully and noting all the details we might otherwise have missed.

It has also been said that nothing in the Bible is there without a reason; that every detail has some meaning and it is up to us to find out what that meaning really is. There are, for example, small details in the story leading up to the events of Christ’s crucifixion that we often do not pay much attention to but they are not without a degree of significance

In Mark’s gospel, we read of Christ’s entry into Jerusalem and His request to the disciples to “…‘Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat…’” (Mark 11:2).  Now if an animal has not been previously ridden, it is not likely that a person attempting to get on it’s back would just be totally accepted but “…they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it,” (Mark 11:7).    

Jesus also said: “‘And if anyone says to you ‘why are you doing this’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here,’”(Mark 11:3).  When the disciples were questioned involving this thing “…they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go,” (Mark 11:6).

Later on, when He was arranging a place for the passover, Jesus told His disciples to “‘Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him,’” (Mark 14:13). Another small but important detail. 

So why were these small incidences mentioned at all? Are they really required for the story?  You see, a donkey or colt that has never been ridden would normally not readily accommodate someone on its back.  Likewise, people who see strangers taking something that is obviously not theirs usually in some way protest and don’t just accept the event so casually.  Finally, men in those days did not usually carry water, that was the job for someone else, so finding one that did was out of the ordinary.  

These incidences are likely noted so that we can see how Jesus can control even animal behaviour and can have people undertake actions which are not their norm or in their character.  Even when people are not aware of any influence, God may be behind the scenes causing things to happen to fulfil His purposes.

It therefore behoves us to consider every detail in these recorded events and actions in the Bible for they may be more applicable to our everyday life than we at first realize. In the lesson of the fig tree, Jesus is on His way back into Jerusalem from Bethany, where He had spent the night.  “And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. In response Jesus said to it, ‘Let no one eat fruit from you ever again’…”( Mark 11:13-14).  Fig trees are not supposed to have only leaves, in fact, they often have fruit before leaves. This is the only destructive miracle of Jesus and in the detail is a warning to us: while we are living we should be not only be just producing leaves but also fruit. God said in Genesis 1:22 for man to “be fruitful.”  He meant as such for man to fulfil His purpose on earth as well as to populate it. And His purpose really is for us to “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).

It’s amazing what’s in the details of Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Details we should remember and continue to think about.    

Pastor Caroline - March 28, 2021 - Palm Sunday

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday March 24, 2021 - Trusting Our Source of Wisdom

 

I would like us to look at Proverbs Chapter 3 verse 5 in three different Bibles.

From the Good News Bible verse 5 reads as follows:

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

The Amplified Study Bible presents it this way:

(5) Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

Now in the New King James Version we read:

(5) Trust in the Lord with all thy heart; and lead not unto thy own understanding.

 

I used all three Bibles today to show you that you will find differences of sentence structure, however, they all mean the same and give the same instruction.

 

When I personally read this, I realize that I can count on (trust in) God with all my heart. Sometimes I get a notion or feeling that I am to do something or I am not to do something. I believe this is a nudge from the Lord leading me. He wants me to know, that from His point of view, this something is either right or wrong. I believe He knows better than I and I can trust in His nudging me, and I can confidently move forward knowing it is not my decision, but His.

 

I don’t know about you but I know I need God‘s strength, and I need Him to guide me, give me instruction, advise me, and lead me to the answers of life‘s many questions. This is why the Bible is such a source of information. We can look up a subject and be directed in the word of God as to where to find the answer. We are not to rely on what we think we know, for our knowledge is limited and His wisdom — is vast.

It is tested, tried, and true; in other words, the word of God has been recognized for over 2000 years as reliable, faithful, trustworthy and good. Now this is where we need to be drawing our daily instruction from!! Then we can move forward confidently knowing the word of God lights our path.

 

When we lean not on our own understanding; we can lean on, (press into and study) God‘s word.

 

We must believe in Him, trust in Him and pray to Him. If we do not believe in Him than our trust and prayers in Him are in vain. Our belief must be the lifeline that keeps us connected to Him. Love the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul as Jesus tells us to do in Matthew chapter 22 verse 37.

What if we change the word love, to know — know the Lord with all your heart, mind and soul.

To love and to know the Lord, is what we all must do to be able to “trust in the Lord with all your heart”, and to use His knowledge and wisdom; which is far better than all we will ever know in our human form. Hence, His instruction found in Proverbs chapter 3 verse 5 is powerful!

(5) Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what do you think you know.

 

May this word from the Lord guide you today and everyday, in all you do. Always seek His wisdom and trust in Him alone, and all your days will be greater still.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Esther Part 2

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE FACTS

 

Once again we are approaching Easter, the time when we remember Christ’s sacrifice and subsequent resurrection. The fact is, however, that Easter, per se, has no real association with Christ, His death, or resurrection. In reality, Christ died at the time of Passover, not at the festival of Isthar (Easter) and most likely not on a Friday.  Nor was He likely resurrected on a Sunday. But regardless, the fact is, He was a real person who lived and walked on this earth in the first part of the first century.*

It is also fact that He died a cruel and painful death on a cross under Roman authority around 30 AD. Some sources seem to indicate that the short time He was on the cross may mean that He did not really die as He seemed, but that He somehow survived the ordeal. Many, however, are surprised that He even lived to be on the cross considering the torture that He suffered before His walk to Golgotha. In his book, The Crucifixion of Jesus A Forensic Inquiry, Dr Frederick Zugibe outlines the condition Jesus must have been in prior to the crucifixion. In fact, his survival was most likely only possible because of the Roman soldiers.  They were trained in keeping prisoners alive until the time of crucifixion and ensuring they were truly dead before being removed from the cross.**

Another fact is that He was alive again after being in the tomb for three days and three nights. This timing is significant for two reasons at least. Jesus had said previously, that only the sign of the prophet Jonah would be given to the generation to which He was speaking, “…And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights”( Jonah 1:17).  After three days in the grave, an ordinary body would have begun to decompose (e.g.: Lazarus) and “…by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead 4 days” (John 11:39).  The fact is that Jesus exited the tomb, just before Sunday after three days and three nights, and He was essentially as He had been before.

The fact of His early life is really not in question, nor really is His death on the cross disputed by any who has really studied the situation; and in fact, neither is the resurrection.  In addition to the many evidences in the Bible, there are the multiplicities of reports from non-Bibical sources on the subject of His life, death, and resurrection. Perhaps the most succinct s from Gilbert West, an 18th century theologian, who is mentioned in Michael Green’s book Man Alive.  In this text it is stated that: “the evidence points unmistakably to the fact that on the third day Jesus rose”*** However, the most impressive evidence may have come from the disciples themselves in the transformation that occurred after seeing Jesus alive following the crucifixion. From being unsure men, hiding behind doors during and just after Christ’s death, they became dynamos for the gospel; fearless in their approach and behaviour after seeing the resurrected Christ. The activities of these mostly uneducated disciples challenged the Jewish and Roman societies and changed the world forever.

The facts are these: Christ lived on earth, died on the cross, and lived again after the resurrection. Before, however, our heart can rejoice in such facts, our mind must be willing to accept them, and for that reason we must be willing and able to look for the true aspects of the faith and not be confused by other influences that have evolved. The disciples focused on one primary event as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 1:23: “[B]ut we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness…”

The difficulty today is that too many people still consider the event foolish and refuse to consider the facts. Perhaps it’s because the facts dispute man’s desire to do what each one considers his/her right; to be their own person and to be self made. This is siimilar to the time in Judges when “…everyone did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).  In addition, accepting the facts would also mean that there is a God above us and to whom we must eventually give account. And that’s a fact we should certainly be thinking about.

*Did Jesus Exist by Bart D. Ehrman.  Professor of Religious Studies University of North Carolina

**The Crucifixion of Jesus A Forensic Inquiry by Frederick T. Zugibe, M.D., Ph.D.  Former Chief Medical Examiner of Rockland County N.Y.

***Gilbert West as noted in Man Alive by Michael Green and mentioned in The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Joel McDowell pg 219.

Pastor Caroline - Friends, Neighbours, and Family

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday March 17, 2021 - His Hand and Our Hands

 

You have probably heard the expression;

Leave it in the hands of God

                   Or

May the hand of God be with you

                    Or

God holds you in the palm of His hand.

 

I believe when someone prays over me putting me in God’s hands, I have received a special blessing. What better place to be than in the hands of the Lord? His hands; that hold the whole world and all that is in it!!

I believe I am safe, protected, provided for and invited into His presence, when His hands are over me. I believe God guides me, and, shows me the path I should be on as I stay under His directive hand. I believe He cares for me, lifts me up and takes care of my worries; as I humble myself in His presence.

 

In 1 Peter chapter 5 verses 5 to 7 in the Good News Bible we read this;

(5) In the same way you younger men must submit yourselves to the older men. And all of you must put on the apron of humility, to serve one another; for the Scripture says, “God resists the proud, but shows favour to the humble.”

(6) Humble yourselves, then, under God‘s mighty hand, so that he will lift you up in his good time.

(7) Leave all your worries with him, because he cares for you.

 

I believe God strengthens me keeps me from fear and helps me, because in Isaiah chapter 41 verse 13 I read:

(13) I am the Lord your God; I strengthen you and tell you, “Do not be afraid; I will help you.”

 

For those of us who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, God’s hand one day will take our hand in His as we enter heaven and we will see Jesus seated at the right hand of God, a place of honour. What a glorious day that will be for all of us.

 

Today as I look over the past year of Covid I’m reminded of the many hands it takes to continue our ministry and all the many people who give their time, talent and treasure to keep the word of God afresh in the minds of others. The Board of Directors made a heart wrenching decision a year ago to cease in person services for the safety and protection of everyone who came to church. They also wanted to obey the government rules, decisions and suggestions as to how to navigate through COVID-19 as this was totally new to all of us. A year later, all of us are still navigating and believing that one day God will open the doors and we will all join once again in fellowship with everyone, hearing and learning the word, and praising His name for the safety we received under His hand of protection.  When all restrictions are lifted we shall all gather in complete safety. We will join hands in wonderful confidence and raise our hands in praise to Him, who is higher than any other.

 

Today I send thanks to all those who keep us in prayer, your hands lifted to the Father on behalf of our ministry. Thank you!! We as a ministry appreciate your love, prayers and patience as we await our joining together again in person.

 

To those who continue to support us, your giving to our ministry has been greatly appreciated. When we place your giving into the hands of those in need, rest assured those people are very thankful for the help they receive. When they pray, hands open before the Lord, God brings the blessing they need, through your hands and the offerings you give. Your gifts bless those in need. Praise be to God!! We are the hands of Jesus in these situations. We have a saying here at Master’s Hand Ministry:

Little as much when God is in it.

This is so true. All amounts, small and large, come together for the greater need of those who are waiting for an answer to prayer. So thank you for your giving, may God bless you always.

 

Without the help and direction of many; our services would not be available on social media. It takes many hands to make light work. We all work together, inputting what God gives us to share and believe His word is reaching farther than ever before. Only God can reach out when it seems as if we have to shut down. His ways are so much greater than ours. We are grateful for His hand of direction in us, through us, and over this ministry.

 

We lift our hands in prayer, we give thanks to God who enables us to do as He asks, who entrusts us with the mission to share the gospel, who blesses us so we can bless others, and, in all of this, we see His Mighty Hand at work. We are on the winning team!!!

 

In closing today may I suggest that you leave everything in God’s hands, He will direct the outcome, and may God‘s hand be with each one of us. Let us all remember, He holds us in the palm of His Almighty Hand.

 

Let us close our hands in prayer and say, Thank you Lord.   🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

Let’s lift a prayer everyday, hence the seven praying hands you see here.  Just a little reminder😉

 

Have a wonderful day in the plans God has for you today.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Esther Part 1

Dr. Barclay with "Something to Think About" - WHO LOVE HIM

 WHO LOVE HIM

There are many rewards and benefits promised throughout the Bible, however they are not available to everyone as many seem to believe, but really only to those “who love Him.” Seven times in the Bible (NKJV) is this phrase used and each time there is a different blessing or benefit associated. 

In Deuteronomy 7:9, it is said that He is faithful. “…He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments…”

In Judges 5:31, we read about His protection. “Thus, let all your enemies perish, O LORD! But let those who love Him be like the sun when it comes out in full strength…”

Psalms tell of His preserving power. “The Lord preserves all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy…” (Psalms 145:20).

Daniel refers to God not only as the faithful one but as the great and awesome God who keeps His word. “…‘O Lord, great and awesome God, who keeps His covenant and  mercy with those who love Him and with those who keep His commandments,’…”(Daniel 9:4).

The Bible speaks of places and events unimaginable to us in this present time, things which we cannot comprehend. “…[I]t is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him’…” (1Corinthians 2:9).

James 1:12 tells us that if we can endure the pangs of temptation until we are approved, then we will receive the promise of eternal life.  “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”

This book also tells us of those who will be given riches in faith and who will be the heirs of the kingdom. “…Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised those who love him?…” (James 2:5).

As seen above, we have promises of a faithful and powerful God; of a God full of mercy.  One who keeps His covenants and who protects, preserves, and promises inconceivable glory in an eternal life, rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom.  These are only some of what awaits those who love Him.

It may best be summed up in Romans 8:28, when Paul says: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”  That, in turn, should give one enough to think about.

Pastor Caroline - Sunday March 14, 2021 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Pastor Caroline - March 10, 2021 - Faith

 

In today’s picture you see the title, Faith. Then you read what is under the title. I found this in a book called Hours of Power, by Robert H Schuller. It is a book of motivation and inspiration; given to me many years ago, actually back in 2005 from my husband. Many of you may remember Robert Schuller. I personally love his writings.

 

Faith

Lord, I believe,

In the sun, even when it is behind the clouds;

In the seed, even when it lies unsprouted under the ground;

in faith, even when I have been betrayed;

in love, even when I have been rejected;

in hope, even when I have been hurt;

In God, even when you do not answer my prayers.

Amen

 

The Bible teaches us in Hebrews Chapter 11 Verse 1:

(1) To have faith is to be sure of things we hope for, to be certain of things we cannot see.

and Hebrews Verse 6 in this same Chapter reads:

(6) No one can please God without faith, for whoever comes to God must have faith that God exists and rewards those who seek him.

 

Chapter 11 of Hebrews is entitled — Faith.

Faith is obedience to the divine word or instruction of God and we learn in this chapter about the faith of many. If you’re struggling with your faith this is a good chapter to read through as it will teach you about those, who, by faith, stayed the course of life.

Faith is believing, believing that God knows best and wants the best for us. Hence the reason our prayers are not always answered in the way we want but rather; in the best interest for our lives according to God‘s will. Aren’t you glad God knows what is best for you?

 

Believing the word of God grows our faith and understanding the word of God teaches us to be strong in our faith. This is truly what I believe. And in times of struggle I sometimes just say:

Lord I believe!

      Lord I believe!

             Lord I believe!

 

When I keep my faith and trust in God I see things in a new way. I am able to see through what originally I was not able to. I begin to do that which I was not certain I could do, but because of God’s word, I understand that all things are possible through Christ. Standing on my faith; I believe!!

How about you?

 

Stay safe, keep focused on the Lord and keep the faith, exercising it daily.  Live is full of God’s wonderful plans for each one of us. He has rewards for us and yearns to give those rewards to us when we believe and keep our faith!!

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Ecclesiastes Part 32

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - HOW FAR?

How far would you go to see someone you admire or to do something you really wanted to do? Some people would think little of flying to Montreal, Toronto, Boston or even New York in pre-pandemic times to see a Lady Gaga, Paul MacCartney, or Rolling Stone concert or some similar act.  Many would easily go considerable distances  to watch a baseball or hockey game, or go down south to play golf for a week or fly to Florida to see Disney World; the list goes on.

How far would you travel to meet with the one you love? Would you go to Truro, or Halifax, or further? Would any day be too dreary, any weather too inclement, any evening too short to prevent a meeting if such were really desired? Usually one would probably not do too much to meet with someone who was just an acquaintance, someone you just knew casually, but for someone with whom you were really in love with? Well, the sky is often the limit as to how far the feelings would take you.

So the question really is, how much do you really love the Lord? How far would you go to be where He is? Many people say they know God and who He is, but do you love Him? If you would go to a distant city to see a sporting event or a concert, will you walk across the street or around the block to attend church when it is opened?  If you are willing to spend hours with the one of your dreams, will you walk across the room to pick up a Bible and spend some time getting to know the one you’re supposed to love? After all, the Bible states “…eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him…”(1 Corinthians 2:9). I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the Bible uses the word the ‘love’ not ‘knows’.  “…God has prepared for those who love Him…” In addition, it says in Romans 8:28 - “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

Again the question is, do you love the Lord? A few decades ago, churches were often full and people seemed to have a greater connectivity with their creator and demonstrated such with their actions. As I mentioned an earlier Something to Think About (Sept 13, 2020), in earlier times in this province, people would sometimes walk up to 12 miles, carrying their shoes because they were so expensive, in order to attend church.* And in a CBS booklet, mention is made of a Mary Jones who, in the year 1800 in Wales and at the age of 16, walked 40 kilometres in order to obtain a Bible from her pastor.**

Paul states in Romans 8:38-39 that “…I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If God has shown His love toward us in such a persuasive way, how then do we indicate our love toward Him?

Just how far are you willing to go? Something to think about.

• Plaque outside a church in Minudie, Nova Scotia

** From a Canadian Bible Society booklet (date not available) but you can read her story at Mary Jones and her Bible

   

Pastor Caroline - March 7, 2021 - Sermon on the Mount

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday March 3, 2021 - God’s Amazing Grace

 

Hebrews Chapter 4 Verse 16 tells us in the Good News Bible, (16) Let us be brave, then, and approach God‘s throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and grace and help us just when we need it. And also in James Chapter 4 Verse 6 it reads, (6)But the grace that God gives us is even stronger. As the Scripture says, “God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble”.

 

God‘s amazing grace. The above scriptures remind me that God does extend to us His amazing grace.

 

How can we be an example of His grace?

One way is to be forgiving, as God is forgiving to us. When someone wrongs us and asks for forgiveness we must extend that forgiveness fully, just as God forgives us when we say we are sorry. God forgives us and forgets our sin. In Psalm 103 verse 12 the Psalmist reminds us what God says about our sin,

(12)As far as the east is from the west so far does he remove our sins from us.

A wonderful reminder of God’s love and grace and how He forgives and forgets.

 

When Jesus went to the cross for our sin, grace was extended to us, in unmerited mercy (favour) which God extends to every one of us, because, Jesus paid our debt of sin and purchased our eternal life, through salvation, when He freely gave up His life for our sins.  What a gift we receive when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. We owe a great debt of gratitude to Jesus who bore our sins on the cross and to God the Father who extends His mercy and grace to cover us from the very judgement we deserve.

We understand that grace is; when we get something we don’t deserve (such as the forgiveness of our sin), and mercy is; when we don’t get what we deserve (such as the full punishment and judgement of our sin). Jesus came to rescue us from our separation, (we were separated because of our sin) to God when He paid the debt of our sins on the cross, thus keeping us from the full punishment and judgement that sin deserves. Thank you Jesus.

 

We can, now, fully accept God‘s Amazing Grace and live a life of abundance as the word of God tells us in John Chapter 10 verse 10, last line says, (10) I have come in order that you might have life — life in all its fullness.

This was Jesus speaking and He meant fullness of joy, peace and comfort. How amazing is that?

 

We can extend God’s grace to others when we are kind to one another. When we pay forward the kindness given to us we are extending grace. When we help someone in need, when we give thanks before meal, when we are at the bedside of someone who is ill, or when we share a time with the lonely, we are extending grace. When we give a hot coffee and a sandwich to a homeless person we are extending grace. God will give us many opportunities in a day to extend His grace if we pay close attention to how He is leading us.

 

Before we are introduced to Jesus we are spiritually blind, and we do not have a heart for Jesus because we do not even know Him, our thoughts are formed by the world around us and so we can be wicked in our ways and in our deeds. We are self people, looking out for ourselves and looking after our selves. We are all about us!

But; when Jesus comes into our lives, (after someone introduces Him), we begin to change, little by little as we are taught about Him and His ways. As we study His word we become “people who see”, leaving behind our spiritual blindness, and we are no longer “lost in this world”, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour, for in His word we find our path in life here leading us to our eternal home with Him. How beautiful is this?

 

God gives us His amazing grace the very moment we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. His powerful love covers us and His amazing grace is found in His life.

 

Let God’s powerful love for you with His amazing grace fill you and you will experience a fuller, closer, relationship with Him.  Be humble and receive His grace as told to us in James Chapter 4 Verse 6, which I have at the top of my message for you to refer to.  

 

Let’s give God thanks for His powerful love, His amazing grace, His unlimited mercy to us, and the gift of salvation. One day in glory we will have the full realization of these gifts we are now enjoying. We have so much to be thankful for so; Thank you Lord!!

 

I have a wall hanging that my niece sent to me and it reminds me every day of God’s Amazing Grace. It is the first verse of the hymn, Amazing Grace. I used it as my picture today so please take a close look at it.

 

Be blessed in this day and all your days ahead, and live the abundant life that God has just for you!! Be humble, give thanks and share your gifts with everyone you meet. What a difference you will make in the lives of others and what a joy will bubble up in you. Enjoy your day.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Ecclesiastes Part 31

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - OBEDIENCE 2

There are a number of examples in the Bible where individuals, who disobeyed God, received punishment or discipline, sometimes exceeding what one might consider as being reasonable. It’s evidence of how seriously God feels we should take the commandments He has given us, especially since these rules are for our good and not His. 

There are as well examples of how He desires His laws to be followed by nations or institutions as well as by individuals.  Deuteronomy (chapters 28-30) lists the blessings and curses that can follow when nations do or don’t obey God.

In addition, Amos summarizes three of these. First, he says that God curses Israel for their smugness and self-righteous attitude. They had built large places of worship, had many festivals, and offered sacrifices, appearing very religious, but in reality they were not knowledgeable about what the Scriptures really said. In addition, they had developed their own ways to worship, their own places of worship, and submitted to the leaders that they chose rather than the ones God chose for them. In response, God states in Amos 5:21&23 “‘I hate, I despise your feast days, And I do not savor your sacred assemblies’…‘Take away from Me the noise of your songs, for I will not hear the melody of your stringed instruments.’” Today, it seems that anyone can become a church leader and can promote any type of worship that pleases them without any true regard for what God has said. In 1 Corinthians 11:17, Paul states: “Now in giving these instructions I do not praise you, since you come together not for the better but for the worse.”

Secondly, Amos tells about how complacent Israel had become and how secure they seemed to feel in themselves and surroundings. They seemed to be more concerned with having the finest of everything; wine, music, accoutrements, fragrances; the finest of everything except the finding of forgiveness. In effect, Amos talks about the destruction of the nation if such behaviour were to continue.

Thirdly, Amos curses Israel for being so proud. “…I abhor the pride of Jacob, and hate his palaces…” (Amos 6:8). All that the Israelites did, they attributed to their own resources rather than God’s beneficence, and as Phil Moore puts it: “Because they have forgotten that He is ‘the Sovereign Lord’, He will bring upon them such a devastating exile that they will learn to fear the very utterance of His name.”*      

Smugness, self-righteousness, complacency, pride - these were the basis for the warnings put forward by Amos and others in the Old Testament, and in many ways are repeated again by Jesus in the Gospels. But these are still attributes which seem to exist today in ourselves and in many of our places of worship. Considering the changes that developed in  Israel following the prophecies of Amos and others, perhaps it’s something that we ourselves and our leaders should be thinking more about.

*from Straight to the Heart of the Minor Prophets by Phil Moore pg 31