Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ATTENTION - 2

 ATTENTION - 2

The Bible indicates that God has used what we consider natural phenomena to draw the attention of nations and peoples back to Him.  Now some will certainly deny that such happens but by doing so they actually deny the Bible itself. So one can ignore what the Bible teaches or can accept the truth of what is bring said. In the past, nations and peoples have ignored what God has said and history has shown that the world has paid a price for doing so.  

If, however, you accept the truth of what the Bible has taught over the years, then it must be evident that God has not only been seeking the attention of nations but also of individual people and has used similar means to try and gain their attention as well. For instance, Jonah tried to defy God and, when asked to go to Nineveh, decided to sail in the opposite direction. So God sent a storm for which Jonah was blamed. He was cast overboard and eventually ended up on the shore of the city he was trying to avoid. God then had his attention.

Another example being Peter who denied God, in spite of declaring he would never leave Him (Matthew 14:31).  Jesus stated that Peter would deny Him before the rooster crowed three times and Peter did just that, denying Christ three times as He faced the Sanhedrin just before the rooster crowed and then realized what he had done. God had his attention.

One more example is the story of Lazarus.  Jesus delayed coming two days so that Lazarus was surely dead by the time He arrived and Jesus knew that this would be the case for He told the disciples “And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, that you may believe…” (John 11:15). When Lazarus came forth from the tomb, as Jesus commanded, then He certainly had their attention.  “Then many of the Jews…believed in Him” (John 11:45).

Jesus got the attention of His disciples when He walked on water. By seemingly disregarding gravity, He came to the disciples while they were in a boat during a storm. After feeding a large multitude and going up to pray, Jesus had sent the disciples ahead of Him, and in the midst of a storm and extremely fearful, the disciples saw Jesus coming to them, walking on the water. He again had their attention and showed how important it was to maintain their focus on Him (Matthew 14:26-33).

Finally, Job was one who felt totally defeated by the problems that beset him. He had everything that a person of that time could want and was God-fearing but God allowed Satan to harass him to the point of losing almost it all. Because Satan challenged God to prove Job’s loyalty, God allowed him to test Job to the extreme. Job questioned God and wanted to confront Him face to face. Although he was humbled he did not buckle and, in the end, regained all.  It was a test that Job eventually passed, but meanwhile God certainly had his attention.

These are but a few examples of how God has used events and circumstances to draw attention back to Him. Perhaps it’s because we need a kick or knock to focus on Him since we often don’t hear “a still small voice” (1 King’s 19:12) which God prefers to use. And we don’t hear that voice because we’re too busy with our own secular pursuits but God tries to get our attention so we don’t end up as they did in the days of Noah. 

“But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark” (Matthew 24:37-38).

God didn’t have the attention of people then and apparently not now either and we have been warned about this as well. 

“..that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying ‘Where is the promise of His coming?’…For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water, by which the world that then existed perished, being flooded with water.  But the heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgement and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Peter 3:3-7).

God apparently wants our attention. What will it take for Him to get it? Wildfires, floods, hurricanes, tornados, changes in climate, lawlessness, what? Hopefully, it will not take a nuclear holocaust. Perhaps we need to remember that life on the planet is really about God and not, in the end, about us.

What will it take for God to get your attention?

It’s something to think about. 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday July 25, 2021 - Going Home

To hear the song "God is My Refuge" by Charlie and Jill LeBlanc, please click on the link below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=TVPs5DP-6g8

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday July 21, 2021 - To God Be the Glory

 

To God Be the Glory

 



To God be the Glory,

To God be the Glory,

To God be the Glory

For the things He has done

With His blood He has saved me

With His power He has raised me

To God be the glory

For the things He has done.

 

If you would like to hear this song in its entirety you could Google: My Tribute to God Be the Glory; as sung by the Booth Brothers. I am using the chorus to their song here above. I can hear them singing this in my head and what a delight to know the truth of these very words.

Now let’s look at scripture. Ephesians Chapter 3 Verses 20-21

(20) to him who by means of his power working in us is able to do so much more than we can ever ask for, or ever think of.

(21) to God be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever! Amen.  (Good News Bible)

 

To him – to God –

Who by His power is able-

God is able to heal us, deliver us from sin, correct us, restore us, renew our minds, transform us, raise us up, forgive us and resurrect us. God can give us patience, hope, joy and teach us to love and serve as Jesus did. He can fill us with the Holy Spirit so that we can counsel others, comfort the sick, and bring peace to the dying. He is able and as He works through us He makes us able to do as He directs and guides us to do. In Galatians Chapter 5 Verses 22 to 23, we are told in the Good News Bible the following;

(22) But the spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness

(23) humility and self-control. There is no law against such things as these.

Therefore we know God wants us to distribute all of these as He makes us able to carry out these acts of love for Him.

 

We cannot imagine all that God has declared in the heaven for us. It goes beyond what we can think or ask for. In His goodness and grace to us we are made able because He desires for us to be a testimony to the world, that we are no longer heavy laden sinners without help, but are transformed into the likeness of His Son, Jesus. We are children of God, and our brother Jesus is heir to all His Father in heaven owns and we are joint heirs with Jesus. This is one amazing thought that goes beyond what we can really understand. We are joint heirs with Jesus. Praise the Lord!!

 

To God be the glory

In the church

In Christ Jesus

For all time

Forever and ever

Amen.

 

We cannot take credit for the good works and deeds which God has prepared for us to do. The work done through the church brings glory to God. The work done in Jesus name brings glory to God. In this life we are given; we are to bring honour and glory to God as He gives us the privilege to carry out His work, for Him, here on earth. Our hearts need to be pure so that people who are not Christians see Christ in us, in our words and our actions. May they see in us love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, and faithfulness. Also see us as being humble and in self-control. Our church needs to reflect this and we as Christians must reflect it as well. The glory of God should be clearly seen because it resides within us. From generation to generation until the end of time this should be how the church and its followers give glory to God for all time, forever and ever. Remember Jesus telling His disciples to go and preach the gospel and that He would be with them always to the end of the age? This is found in Matthew Chapter 28 verses 19 and 20. I am paraphrasing here. To the end of the age; I would take to mean forever and ever.

 

To our God who is able, may we give thanks and glory unto Him every day, forever and ever, until we reside in heaven with Him.  I love how these two verses remind me of the power we have because Jesus resides in our heart. May our personalities reflect the love and glory we receive when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour and He directs our steps, every day, until the very day our journey is complete into heaven.

 

Next week I will be on vacation so I will not have a writing on Wednesday July 28, but I will be back on Wednesday Aug. 04th.  Looking forward to joining you then. Blessings to everyone.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 9

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ATTENTION-1

 ATTENTION (PART 1)

It’s now been over one year since the world was thrown into battle with the virus known as Covid-19.  How this all came about initially is still uncertain, but one thing that is without question is the fact that everyone’s life, to some degree, has changed.  How much of that change is permanent, however, remains yet to be seen.

In addition to the pandemic, the earth has been challenged with wildfires, floods, tornados, hurricanes, extreme heat, etc.  The list seems to go on and on, and the question is why?  Why is all this happening? Some refer to an accident releasing the virus into the world and others think it was deliberately set free. People blame climate change for all the weather related events that have been occurring, and without doubt it has played a large part in the overall problem, but both plagues and weather problems have occurred before.

In the past, God has used both infestations and environmental changes to modify both the attitude and attention of people and there are numerous examples of this in the Bible. The plagues that were inflicted upon Egypt when Pharaoh refused to release the Hebrew nation and the plague that befell the Hebrew people after Korah led a rebellion against Moses (Numbers 16) are two examples.  Another is the time when God sent Quail to try and satisfy the bickering among the people. While they were still eating and “…while the meat was still between their teeth, the wrath of the Lord was aroused against the people, and the Lord struck the people with a very great plague” (Numbers 11:33).

God has also used abrupt changes in the environment to affect people as well. He used a burning bush to adjust the thinking of Moses, and a storm at sea to increase the faith of the disciples (Matthew 14:22-33).  He used an earthquake to convert a jailor (Acts 16), visions to encourage Isaiah (Isaiah 6:1), and tragedy/disaster to change Job from being self-righteous to humble before God.

The point is that sometimes, in the past, God used life-altering events, both globally and individually, to draw attention back to where it should be - on Him.  In this chaos addicted society we now live in, is it not possible that He just might be doing the same again?  He has already told us in Proverbs to “…give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings” (Proverbs 4:20) and also that “[w]e must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Hebrews 2:1 NIV).

In our busy lives we all seem to have drifted a considerable way from where we should  be. Is it not just conceivable that perhaps, once more, God is trying to get our attention away from the chaos and distractions and back to where we give more attention to His words?

At least, it’s something to think about.

Pastor Caroline - Sunday July 18, 2021 - Jesus, the Real Vine

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday July 14, 2021 - Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus

 

Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus



Let’s look at this chorus today. 



Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth

Will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

 

Helen Howarth Lemelle wrote this chorus and over the years we have sung it in church a thousand times.

 

Now I cannot assume to know the thoughts of the author when she penned this. I can only speak about how this chorus speaks to me, line by line. So please let me share with you my thoughts.

 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus–When I turn my eyes upon Jesus, I immediately look up-Jesus is not in this world so I need not look for Him here. I am reminded that because I have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour I am not of this world. In John Chapter 18 Verse 36, Jesus reminds us that His kingdom is not of this world and in 1 John Chapter 2 Verse 15 Jesus tells us;

(15) Do not love the world or anything that belongs to the world. If you love the world, you do not love the Father.

When we live according to the world standards we live by our thoughts, emotions, reactions etc., set by the standards of the world, but when we have Jesus in our life we look up to Him, He who will set our feet in the right direction and our thoughts, emotions and actions shall be more like Christ when we follow Him. We will think like Jesus, feel like Jesus, (be compassionate) and act as Jesus would/does.

 

Look full in His wonderful face -

You’ve seen many pictures of Jesus over the years I’m sure. When I picture in my mind’s eye the face of Jesus, I see a face that is gentle, kind, loving, strong and welcoming. It is a face that draws me close as His eyes draw my attention, the strength I see in His cheekbones erases my fear, His lips speak my name gently and I want to run into His arms where I know I will be safe. His face to me speaks of an extraordinary person and His countenance speaks of love. Over the years we’ve seen many films where someone plays the role of Jesus so I can only imagine what Jesus truly looked like. Many images have come forth over the 2000 plus years since His death so naturally we are not certain of His true image but we can bring to mind what we think He looked like.

 

And the things of earth

Will grow strangely dim -

When I look up to Jesus, my focus is removed from the world. I focus on heavenly things, the very One who created all things, the very One who is seated upon the throne, and the only One who can erase my past and sin because of His sacrificial love. My thoughts change when I look up to where my help comes from. I feel peace and my strength is renewed because of Christ.

Psalm 123 verse 1 in my Good News Bible reminds me;

(1) Lord, I look up to you, up to heaven, where you rule.

I know God is in control and knowing that brings me wonderful peace and comfort.

 

In the light of His glory and grace -

When I turn a light on in a dark room, all of a sudden I can see everything there, where before, when I entered into the darkness everything was hidden from me. To move about in the darkness we move cautiously but when light marks our path we move confidently. When I am in the light of His glory and grace I move confidently knowing He goes before me. One day we will not need the sun, moon and stars for light for God’s light is so bright it will illuminate the heavens. Remember when Moses wanted to see God’s face? God told him in Exodus 33 verse 20

(20) I will not let you see my face, because no one can see me and stay alive.

As we read the scripture where Moses requested in verse 18, “Please let me see the dazzling light of your presence”, he really wanted to see the face of God. But the glory of the Lord is so bright it is blinding to our natural eye. So when I think of His glory and grace I picture the light of God illuminating my way and the grace of God, which is a gift I do not deserve but am so divinely given; because of my Saviour, Jesus Christ. The forgiveness and blessings which I receive on a daily basis are always reminders to me, of the love of God and how much He cares for me.

In Ephesians Chapter 4 Verse 7, again from the Good News Bible we read;

(7) Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given.

 

So in this chorus I receive much when I take it line by line and think of it according to the word of God. I know I am not of this world, I am only passing through to my heavenly home where one day Jesus and I will meet face-to-face. Glory hallelujah!! The memory of this world will be erased from my mind as I stand in the illuminating light of Him, who is my Saviour, Redeemer and Eternal Father.

 

So turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth

Will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace.

 

Enjoy your week ahead and keep Jesus in your sight.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 8

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - HIS? IMAGE

 HIS(?) IMAGE

The Bible relates that God, in Genesis, stated: “…Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…” and “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:26-27).  

If man was made in God’s image, and God being a Spirit, then Man in essence must be a spirit, although presented in a human physical form. The first humans because they had the spiritual image of God had a special relationship with Him and also had no reason not to be on good terms with Him.  “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed” (Genesis 2:25).  They were not ashamed because they had no reason to feel shame. They had no guilt, no reason for fear, or remorse; but after sin entered the picture, guilt, and therefore, shame followed for the spiritual being, and deterioration, as well, started for the physical structure. 

As a result what was apparently intended to be a permanent relationship with God changed. Fear and guilt also resulted in a change from man being in God’s image to that of something else. Now man knew guilt and shame as “…the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew they were naked…” (Genesis 3:7) and Adam said: “…‘I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked’…” (Genesis 3:10).

So if we’re no longer in the image of God, them whose image do we have? Genesis also says: “And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image…” (Genesis 5:3).  Since we all really came from the first family, then we all have the image of Adam, not God, with all the baggage of fear, guilt, and shame as a part of that inheritance.

As the Bible says: “…God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). This spirit is still with us, but since we have now inherited from our past the other problems mentioned above, there seems to be within us a constant conflict between how we actually feel and how we should feel. The spirit of God tells us how we should feel and our inherited ‘spirits’ control how we actually feel. 

The concept of original sin may stem from this inherited image that we obtained from Adam and the only way to change from the image we now have is to regain the image we were initially meant to have. That means reconnecting with the God we rejected when man first turned his back on the initial instruction given to Adam, after Adam had been given God’s image. 

This is probably why the Bible refers to it this way: “…‘The first Adam was made a living being [a living image of God].’  The last Adam [Christ] became a life-giving spirit” (1 Corinthians 15:45).  The first Adam reflected God’s image in a human form and Christ releases that spirit back to what it was meant to be.  It’s something we should all look forward to and aim toward, and while we are doing so consider that “…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 on these things” (Philippians 4:8). 

And that should be sufficient to think about.  

 

Pastor Caroline - July 11, 2021 - The Valley of Dry Bones

From Pastor Caroline

 

Chapel Services

Here is an update on our services as people are wondering when we can return to church.  We will continue on line for the present time. As things come into order, and, when we can return to the Chapel we will, and at that time it will be safe to do so. We cannot accommodate our numbers at present and I am not comfortable to turn anyone away. God will open the doors to our borrowed space when He knows it is safe for us and safe for the funeral home. At present protocols are such that we cannot meet each one in the best interests of all concerned.

 

We are so appreciative to the Funeral Directors at Angus Chapel for allowing us to hold our services there over these past years. Their heart of serving the public is huge and they have our best interest at heart. As they must be careful for themselves they are also careful for us. We truly are blessed and we want to say a huge “thank you” to each one of them.

We stand together to keep each other safe knowing God will direct our steps, lead us through Covid and make us a stronger community of caring individuals. Then He will open the doors to everyone who wishes to fellowship with us, serving God to the very best of our ability, and raising all glory to Him.

 

Thank you all for your patience and obedience, and one day in the future we will gather with voices lifted in testimony to how great our God is, and hugs a plenty for everyone!!

 Bless the Lord and give thanks.

Pastor Caroline

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday July 7, 2021 - The Lord, Our Shepherd

 

The Lord, Our Shepherd

In Psalm 23 the Psalmist says in verse 4, in the Good News Bible:

(4) Even if I go through the deepest darkness, I will not be afraid, Lord, for you are with me.

Your shepherd’s rod and staff protect me.

 

We as Christians take great comfort in Psalm 23. I learned to sing this Psalm at a very early age. I personally come to this Psalm when I am happy and when I am sad. Every time I read or sing it, it reminds me that God is my Shepherd, in Whom I can trust. I can depend on God to look after me physically, mentally and spiritually.

 

On the farm the shepherd tends to the sheep and always knows where to lead them for good food, cool water, and a safe place to sleep. If for any reason one of the sheep goes astray, the shepherd leaves the flock and seeks out the lost one. He brings it safely back to the flock where it enters the fold once again and feels safe. Sheep are comfortable when they know the shepherd is close by, they sense his presence and feel safe. This is how we are as Christians, knowing we are safe in the care of the Lord, our Shepherd.

 

So even when we go through the deepest valley — or darkness — of life, we can be confident that God is with us. We are His flock. He is our Shepherd and just as David the Psalmist, who was a shepherd himself, protected his flock, he also is it is in God’s flock and God is the Shepherd who looked after David and looks after us. We all are sheep who depend on God for everything we have. As we face troubles, heartache, pain, and uncertainty; God will care for us, when we are dependent upon Him. He will protect and lead us through the darkness. Glory hallelujah!!

 

In Ezekiel Chapter 34 Verse 31 we read: (Good News Bible)

“You, my sheep, the flock that I feed, are my people, and I am your God”, says the Sovereign Lord. This is a wonderful chapter to read, from verses 11-31 entitled, The Good Shepherd.

 

There is no need for us to be afraid, as God takes away our fear when we stay strong in our faith. We know His word will come to us in our time of need. God promises in His word to meet every need, and when we recite verse one we can be confident that God will stay true to His word. Verse one tells us,

The Lord is my shepherd, I have everything I need.

When I say this or sing this one line I feel a strength go through me. I am comforted by this one verse so just imagine the comfort and peace I have when I read every line of the 23rd Psalm. I am refreshed, my soul is watered by the anointing I feel when this whole Psalm comes alive in my heart and mind.

 

Verse 6 reads;

(6) I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life; and your house will be my home as long as I live.

This is such a beautiful truth and we can go through every day enjoying the goodness and love from our heavenly Father, when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. As we spend our life here on earth knowing God by studying His word, we realize when we live for Him and by His instruction to us, we can enjoy life, even in tough times; for we know He will take care of us. As long as we live here we live in expectation of our heavenly home and eternal life. As we ponder what that may hold for us, our hearts are filled with joy knowing God is with us here and will be with us there, in heaven, forevermore. So whether we are living here or living in eternity, God is always and forever our Shepherd and He will guide and protect us as He promises.

 

One day a banquet will be prepared for us and we will enter heaven as an honoured guest as we are told here by the Psalmist. Is it any wonder I love this Psalm? Such hope and promise is written here. Such peace and strength can be drawn from this very passage. And I feel completely wrapped in the love of God.

How about you?

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 7

Dr, Barclay with Something to Think About - CAPTIVITY

 CAPTIVITY

On many occasions, during its long history, the nation of Israel was taken captive by hostile states.  Many of these occurred at a time when Israel had been disobedient to God and seemed to withdraw His protection from the nation He apparently favours.  One such occasion was the time when Israel was taken captive by the forces of Babylon.  During this time, probably toward its end, the captives mourned their plight in a way reflected in Psalm 137:

By the rivers of Babylon, 

there we sat down, yea, we wept 

When we remembered Zion.

For there were those who carried us away captive asked of us a song,

And those who plundered us requested mirth,

Saying “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!”

How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:1, 3-4)

In essence, the Jewish people were asking how do you sing a song to God in a foreign land and under strange customs.  How do you praise when the mood is not right?  But in a sense are we not all captives in a strange land?  If we believe in Christ and follow Him, then are we not likewise like Him and not really “of this world” (John 8:23)?  Perhaps that is why at times it seems difficult to sing or pray or relate your feelings to others even though, in a foreign land, it may be necessary to do so. After all, it says:

…a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition…so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)

If we are, as many believe, spiritual beings in human flesh, then we truly are not of this world but are here only for our brief lifetime and in essence are in captivity by “…the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…” (Ephesians 2:2). And just as the Israelites had to try and “sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land” so we must continue to do what we must do while here on earth.  It may seem difficult at times and without much result, but just as the Hebrew people were eventually liberated so shall we be in the future. For it says in 1 John 5:4-5:

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that overcome the world - our faith.  Who is he that overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

It may be hard at times, but while we remain captives “in a foreign land”, it is important to remember that Jesus said:  “…He has sent me heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed…” (Luke 4:18).

What more needs to be said?  Until that time occurs we need to remember to keep singing “the Lord’s song” and not become disobedient as the Israelites had done so many times in the past.  Just keep the faith!  Something to think about. 

 

   

Pastor Caroline - Sunday July 4, 2021 - When One Doors Closes Another Door Opens