Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE COMFORTING HAND

THE COMFORTING HAND

It seems difficult these days to accept anything as real, except that which can be experienced by our five senses and confirmed by science. After all isn’t it essentially taught throughout the educational process that everything can be explained by physical and natural means? So, as a result, there is no room left for events or happenings outside of the scientific realm.

Throughout history, however, there have been those happenings which seem to defy the above principles.  In doing so, those instances tend to give credence to that famous line of Shakespeare - “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”*

Anna** was a young Jewish woman imprisoned in Bergen-Belsen, a Nazi concentration camp, during WW2. She had been there four years and most likely had been exposed to all the hardship, brutality, pain, and suffering imaginable during that time. In addition to all this, a typhus epidemic was raging and had, by itself, claimed thousands of lives prior to Anna becoming infected. Her friends in the camp essentially gave her up for dead and told her that to fight the infection would be useless. Anna, however, was determined.  She felt that if she could only keep moving, she would be able to keep going but if she lay down, she would die. So fevered and delirious, she wondered about the camp, tripping over dead and dying persons, often stumbling and falling but determined to keep going. 

She noticed in the distance a small hill and, drawn to it, she felt that if she could reach the mound, she would survive, but, if not, the typhus would triumph. Weak and often unable to walk, she ended up crawling on her hands and knees to finally, with the last of her strength, reach that small hilltop. There she collapsed and crying, called out to her father whom she knew was also somewhere in that same camp.

Suddenly, she felt a warmth and the sensation of a gentle hand on her head, the same feeling and touch that her father used to give when he stroked her head and blessed her when she was a child. Anna recognized her father, and told him she had no more strength to live any longer. Her father said to her “Don’t worry, my child. You will manage to survive for a few days, for liberation is very close.”

That was on Wednesday night, April 11, 1945. On April 15, British tanks entered Bergen-Belsen. 

Anna survived in a hospital in the British zone, and when well enough returned to Bergen-Belsen. It was then she learned that the mound or hill that she had been so desperate to reach during her interment and illness was in fact a huge mass grave of Jewish prisoners and that her father was one of those who had been buried there sometime prior to Anna’s illness. The night Anna felt the hand on her head, she was weeping on her father’s grave.

So what did Anna really experience that night in Bergen-Belsen? Was it a delusion or did her father really reach up from the grave to comfort his daughter? Perhaps it was an angel or even God Himself who reached down to give her solace. Scientifically we will never know but then can all things really be explained by science?

The Bible states that: “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever…” (Deuteronomy 29:29).  In 1 Corinthians, it’s put this way - “…Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

There must be hundreds of thousands of experiences similar in a way to that of Anna. Are they all imaginary or is there really more to this world then science can explain? To those of us who have faith and believe, such experiences just give further evidence that there is something beyond this existence. To those who don’t believe: well, it should give them pause and something serious to think about. 

• From the play Hamlet by William Shakespeare

** Adapted from Hasidic Tales of the Holocaust by Yaffa Eliach as written in Jesus and the Holocaust by Joel Marcus pg 91-93

 

Pastor Caroline - August 29, 2021 - In Praise of God's Goodness

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 13

Pastor Caroline - August 25, 2021 - His Sacrifice

 

His Sacrifice

 

As Jesus prayed in Gethsemane he knew his time on earth was coming to an end. He knew the sacrifice he was about to make was close at hand. In Mark Chapter 14 Verse 36, we are told Jesus said this;

(36) “Father”, he prayed, “my Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet not what I want, but what you want”.

This is the reading found in the Good News Bible.

 

When we offer a sacrifice we give up something precious, or at least this is one meaning of the word. You may have said over your lifetime, that you would sacrifice anything you have or own for the sake of your children. And I am sure you would.

 

Jesus poured out His life – let’s look at Isaiah chapter 53 versus 10 to 12, again taken from the Good News Bible.

(10) The Lord says;

“It was my will that he should suffer;

his death was a sacrifice to bring forgiveness;

And so he will see his descendants;

he will live a long life, and through him my purpose will succeed.

(11) After a life of suffering, he will again have joy;

he will know that he did not suffer in vain.

My devoted servant, with whom I am pleased,

will bear the punishment of many

and for his sake I will forgive them.

(12)And so I will give him a place of honor,

a place among great and powerful men.

He willingly gave his life and shared the fate of evil men.

He took the place of many sinners

and prayed that they might be forgiven.”

(We are among those many sinners, forgiven because of his sacrifice.)

 

God sacrificed the life of Jesus, His son, for all His children. We are those; who Jesus poured out His life for. He took our suffering, the pain we deserved because of our sin, and carried that sin to the cross giving up His life for us. He sacrificed His own life so that we may be forgiven our sin, Jesus, our redeemer and Savior! His death was not a murder, He was not executed, and He did not commit suicide.  It was a true sacrifice, He gave up His life in the most self-giving love anyone could offer. His love and His blood has covered our sin – once and for all.

For all who will receive Him as Lord and Savior.

 

We say thank you Lord for the greatest sacrifice ever made. For every heart that has accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour over the past 2000 years and many more years to come, we say thank you. Lord, only the sacrifice of Your precious son could have made this possible.

 

I am reminded of a chorus we sing in church, perhaps you know this as well;

Thank you Lord for saving my soul

Thank you Lord, for making me whole

Thank you Lord for giving to me

Thy great salvation so rich and free.

These words were written by Seth and Bessie Sykes.

 

Our God is amazing and what a Lord we serve. Do we sacrifice our all for Him? Do we truly comprehend the magnitude of this sacrifice? We must thank Him everyday for the sacrifice of His life that offers us life eternal.

Isaiah 63:7a  says:

I will tell of the Lord‘s unfailing love;

I praise him for all he has done for us.

 

So let us tell the world of this wonderful sacrifice, His sacrifice. A sacrifice that assures us of our eternal home when we accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

Praise His wonderful name!!

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - DISOBEDIENCE

 DISOBEDIENCE

To say that we are born with a tendency to disobey is another way to say that we all have a tendency, from birth, to sin. All children, for example, seem to want to test their parents by pushing the limits of what they can do. If told not to do something, go somewhere, or be with somebody that is usually what they want to do or go or be with. It’s being disobedient and many times it’s just shrugged off as being cute, or kids just being kids, or of not great consequence. That is, of course, until something serious happens. 

Adults are really no different. We are given laws to follow but many times think nothing of exceeding or breaking them in some small way. After all, if no-one is injured or interfered with in some way and if there is no property damage then does it really make a difference? It’s done all the time and no one seems to be the worse for it, providing no one gets caught.

But the Bible indicates that God may not be as lenient as we are when it comes to seemingly minor episodes of disobedience. Time and again, it reveals God’s reaction to so called “minor indiscretions.” For example, we all know the story of Adam and Eve and their defiance regarding God’s orders and the forbidden fruit, as told to us in Genesis chapter 3. On the surface, not an exceptionally huge disobedience, but it was a defiance of God’s instruction and it was enough for God to change the course of the world.  

Then God told man to “…Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it…” (Genesis 1:28) and He meant just that.  Man, however, decided to “…build ourselves a city, and a tower…let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth…” (Genesis 11:4). Once again humans were being disobedient to God and as a result God punished them with that which they feared.  He “…scattered them abroad from there over the face of all the earth…” (Genesis 11:8)

Even such a simple thing such as turning around when commanded not to can lead to severe punishment. During the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the angel said: “…Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain…” Genesis 19:17) but the wife of Lot “…looked back behind him, and she became a pillar of salt” (Genesis 19:26).

What about Moses himself, the one who worked so hard for God in bringing the Hebrew people out of Egypt? He was told to “…Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water to them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals” (Numbers 20:8). But “…Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, ‘Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.’” (Numbers 20:11-12).  A simple act of disobedience but still punished in spite of all that Moses had apparently done before.

Choosing to obey or disobey can make a huge difference even if the disobedience seems to be minor. In Deuteronomy it says very clearly:

See, I have set before you this day life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statues, and His judgements, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you…But if your heart turns away so that you do not hear, and are drawn away, and worship other gods and serve them, I announce to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days…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, that both you and your descendants may live; that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him, for He is your life and the length of your days…” (Deuteronomy 30:15-20).

So are we today still disobedient to what Good says? After all, He has said that Christ is “…the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through (Him)” (John 14:6). Are we obedient to this? It has been shown many times in the past that even minor indiscretions can lead to major repercussions. So how about this last one? Will God be as lenient with our disobedience in not following Christ as we often are when our children or others do not follow our directions? We will someday find out, for after all, we have been warned. 

In the meantime, it’s certainly something to think about.

 

   

Pastor Caroline - Sunday August 22, 2021 - Cast Your Anxieties on Him

Pastor Caroline - Wise Words

 

Wise Words

 

In a book called, Life Wisdom from Billy Graham, I happened upon these words;

Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength.

God wants us to have compassion on those who are suffering and do what we can to help.

 

These are great words of wisdom and over the past few weeks many tears of sorrow have been shed as a number of funerals have taken place in our community. Many families are grieving their loss and will walk their journey of grief with the Lord by their side as they turn to Him for comfort. God understands grief as He grieved the loss of His precious son Jesus; and so He knows all the emotions that overtake us during our journey. He is there to be by our side, to never leave us alone as He shares in our sorrow.

 

In our tears for ourselves, in our weakness, we need to turn to God for strength. Only He knows how to give us the strength we need to come through our grief. Only He can turn our heartache into joy. We feel it is not possible and yet I know from experience how He can. In 1989, I lost 6 of my family and 15 friends, so I attended 21 funerals and I thought I would never be able to move forward. His strength allowed me to take one step at a time, one day at a time, until He turned my sorrow into joy. He took away my pain and filled me with joy, giving me special moments that brought to mind my loved one, (who was in my mind at the time), bringing them close to me in spirit. Now my memories are precious of each one of them, and I can speak about them with a heightened sense of love as I wait to be reunited with them in heaven. What joy that will be when we are all together once again, knowing separation will never be an experience we have in heaven. Hallelujah.

 

Tears shed for others are a sign of strength. I remember when people cried for me and with me, I drew on their strength because somehow I knew their tears were tears of compassion in my sorrow to comfort me. It gave me great comfort to know I could share my real and true emotions with them and they were willing to stand by me. All the love and strength of friends is truly known to us in the silence of their words, in the shedding of their tears and in the comfort of a hug that holds you so close it tells you it is all right to cry and let your emotions be released. This is when you know they are carrying your burdens to help lighten your load. Thank God for friends we can depend on and lean into. They are treasure God sends to see us through.

 

As you do for others in times of sorrow please know you are the hands and feet of Jesus, being sent out to minister to the needs of the very one, who, at this time, need strength from others more than they know. In the loss of a loved one at any age of life and / or for any reason – our heart breaks. It is so very hard to say goodbye. We are never ready to say goodbye. We all ask why? We all say, if only. We all break in two, and feel as if a piece of our heart has been removed. This is all normal. I guess the only way to say goodbye for me was when I took the opportunity to say;

“I loved you always and will love you forever, until we meet again, please watch over me. Thank you for the life you shared with me, the laughter and the tears we experienced together, and the love we have for one another. Until we meet again, I will carry beautiful and precious memories of our life shared because you were so very special to me.”

 

Today, as we come alongside those who suffer, let us have patience, giving them the time they need to grieve,  love to help them through, a helping hand for whatever needs to be done, and a caring heart to help alleviate the pain and suffering. Tell the person you will be there for them and follow through. Let’s remember what the Lord tells us in Psalm 145 Verse 9(GNB)

(9) He is good to everyone and has compassion and all He made.

 

His compassion and strength will be given to us in good measure so that we can give to those who need us now. God never fails!! He will comfort each one as only He can.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 12

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TEMPTED

 TEMPTED

Have you ever been tempted? Of course you have. Everyone has, in some way or another, been under temptation at one time or another in their life. If you watch any commercials or read any ads, temptation is often involved. In fact, attempting to cause a degree of temptation is probably at the basis of all commercials. On the other hand, many people as well are involved in tempting others in various ways, from eating differently to trying to entice others into taking drugs.

People are tempted all the time in insidious ways. Most of these temptations develop in three general patterns: either into dealing with one’s well being, allaying one’s fear, or  promoting one’s pride. Furthermore, in dealing with these, one often ends up trying to make deals with God or trying essentially to tempt Him.In times of need, especially, we often try to make promises to God, make a bargain with Him, or in other ways try to tempt Him into doing what our wish(es) or fulfilling our need(s). We often try to test Him, as well thinking that no matter what we do, He will protect us and keep us from harm. Doing foolish actions to test this idea is just another way to try and tempt God.

But scripture tells us that “…God cannot be tempted…nor does He Himself tempt anyone” (James 1:13). This was illustrated in Matthew when Satan tried to tempt God (as Christ) after His 40 day fast in the desert. He was hungry, and so Satan appealed to His sense of well-being and challenged Him to “…command that these stones become bread” (Matthew 4:3). Satan was saying that Jesus’ well-being and needs would be well served by using His abilities, but Jesus replied by saying: “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).  He was saying that a man’s well-being and physical needs were less important than listening to and following God. To really live, you need God’s word.

Then Satan appealed to Christ’s possible fear. He took Jesus to the temple and said: “…throw Yourself down…and He (God) shall give His angels charge over you, and in their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Matthew 4:6). We often act the way we do out of fear and the worrying about what might happen ends up being one of mankind’s greatest difficulties.  Because of this we spend so much time and money being tempted to do things to excess: buying extra insurance, trying to maintain and regain our youth, working on our physical appearance, etc. Overall it’s a battle we can’t win. When we are so tempted, it might be wise to recall Jesus’ response to Satan - “You shall not tempt the Lord your God” (Matthew 4:7). When we are tempted to excess to allay our fears, we should keep this reply in mind.

Finally, Satan took Jesus to a very high mountain and “…showed Him all the kingdom of the world, and their glory. And he said to Him ‘All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me’” (Matthew 4:8-9). In addition to revealing Satan’s dominance of this world, it was an appeal to mankind’s pride in wanting control. How often is man tempted to do whatever he can to obtain power, prestige, wealth, or whatever to satisfy the desire of pride? Jesus replied and said not to worship pride but “…You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve” (Matthew 4:10). After all, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:35).

Jesus was tempted in all the ways man is usually tempted and He overcame them all by using Scripture as His defence. Perhaps when we are tempted in areas of self-preservation, or by fear or in matters of pride, doing the same is something we should more seriously think about. 

Pastor Caroline - Sunday August 15, 2021 - A Prayer for Help

Brian Haines and Family

 

Good morning.  Please keep Brian Haines (who attends our services) in your prayers as His Mom went to be with the Lord Friday evening. These next days and weeks will be tender for Brian so prayers of comfort will be a blessing and he will so appreciate knowing we are holding him before the Lord.

 

I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me shall live even if he dies; and everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die (John11:25,26)

 

We thank you Lord for Your promise.

 

Our sympathies to Brian and his family.

 

Pastor Caroline and Friends of Master’s Hand Ministry.

Prayers for the Late Pastor Leon Teal's Friends and Family

 

Prayers for Diane and family

Dear Diane, family and friends:

Our hearts are saddened and broken for your loss. As we lift you before the Lord, we pray that you will feel the prayers of many, and God wrapping His arms around you and covering your sorrow. Words cannot express how are hearts want to reach out to you. Please know that many will continue to pray for you.

Heavenly Father, we thank you that in our time of sorrow you are as close as the whisper of Your name. You understand grief and you see the tears today, and you know how heavy our hearts are. As each one speaks about Leon today and in the days ahead, they will share what he meant to each one of them. everyone sharing a particular moment in time that they spent with Leon. His wise words will come to mind, and we will remember him fondly and with great respect. His work here on earth has planted many seeds and only on the other side of the curtain will we see the harvest.

We pray for strength, healing, comfort and peace for all who are mourning the passing of Leon. May we bring love to the family and extend our care in whatever way we can. Show us Lord how to be the feet and hands of Jesus we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 147:3 Good News Bible:

He heals the broken-hearted and bandages their wounds.

 

God is with you all.

In tender love and sympathy

Caroline and Spencer

Family of Master’s Hand Ministry

Prayers for Leon

 

Many of you know that I am not on Facebook, so my only way to reach out to ask for prayers right now is on our website. I just received a message that needs urgent prayer. A friend of many, a Pastor in our community, a husband to Diane, and Father, went for a hike yesterday and has not returned home. Pastor Leon Teal needs our prayers right now.

Heavenly Father, send angels to be with Leon and keep him safe until he is found. May those searching be guided to where he is and be able to attend to his need. May those waiting for his return lift their prayers to You and You will hear them and answer. May this be a support of love, concern and care for Leon, who serves you with the heart of a servant. You will take care of Your own and Leon is your son. In the precious and powerful name of Jesus, who can do all things, bring Leon back to his family safely. We thank you now for answered prayers.

Caroline

Diane, if we can do anything to help please let us know.

 

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday August 11, 2021 - Till the Storm Passes By

 

Till the Storm Passes By

 

Till the Storm Passes By is a wonderful older Christian song that we love to sing. The chorus goes like this;

Till the storm passes over, till the thunder sounds no more

Till the clouds roll forever from the sky

Hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand

Keep me safe till the storm passes by.

 

You may want to Google this and have a listen to the full song. The title is Till the Storm Passes By, and it is a wonderful song to enjoy anytime.

 

We all face storms in our life. Natural storms such as floods, fires, thunderstorms, snow storms, etc., and over these we have no control. God will watch over us in these storms.  And in the storms of life; losing a job, a friend moving far away, your health, or a dream you’ve held onto all your life and now it seems impossible, it is during these storms God’s word says, He will take us through the storm.

Jesus calmed the storm when He was with His disciples, as we read in the Gospel of Mark when He said to the storm, “Peace! Be still!” And the storm ceased. When we face storms of uncertainty in our lives we can rest in the scripture,and one of my favourites is Jeremiah Chapter 29 Verse 11,

I alone know the plans I have for you, plans to bring you prosperity and not disaster, plans to bring about the future you hope for. (Good News Bible)

 

God wants us to know; He knows our future. In our present storm of life God promises to walk with us through the storm because He holds our future, yet unseen to us, but completely known to Him. Every detail!! He does not say we will not have heartache, hardship, or suffering, but He does say, I will never leave you or forsake you. Hebrews Chapter 13 Verse 5. God will carry us when we are weak, comfort us in our sorrow, be with us when we are afraid, answer our prayers in His timing and His best interest for us, because, He loves us. We need to learn to trust Jesus when we cannot see what is ahead, when doubt overtakes us, when fear creeps in, when sorrow takes our breath away, Jesus, and only Jesus, is our safe place. He is our refuge. We need to keep the faith!! Focus on Jesus in any troubled circumstance and you will soon feel His peace. Jesus put himself in the will of the Father before His crucifixion, (the hardest storm of His life), and He knew God was with Him and God would show the world the power of His love through the life, death, resurrection, and ascension of His son Jesus Christ. God proves to us He has the power over death, so I know, that I know; He has the power over any storm in life anyone of us might face. God has you in the shelter of His hands, in the storms of life and He has the power to bring peace. Call a scripture to mind and focus on it while you’re in your storm. I love Psalms 118 verses five and six from the Good News Bible;

(5) In my distress, I called to the Lord; he answered me and he set me free

(6) The Lord is with me, I will not be afraid; what can anyone do to me?

 

Stand strong in the storm and let God take you through the storm and let that be your testimony to the world. God‘s power is greater than any storm we face. Remember Jesus spoke to the storm, “Peace! Be still!”

He sets a good example for us. Remember God is with us always – to the end of the age - 24/7; we are never alone.

 

What glory we shall see when the storm passes over and the thunder sounds no more, when the clouds roll forever from the sky, hold me fast, let me stand in the hollow of Thy hand, keep me safe till the storm passes by.

These words can bring us comfort and peace as we sing them or recite them, followed by your favourite scripture, and then we will have rest in any storm, natural or otherwise, God has us in the hollow of His hand.

 

Enjoy your day in Jesus.

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 11

Dr.Barclay with Something to Think About - SAVED

 SAVED

One of the basic themes of the Bible is the concept of being saved. People often ask “Are you saved?”, “Have you been saved?” or remind you that “It’s important that you be saved.” Of course, being saved implies that just, actually being saved from something. The Bible gives many examples of something being saved. For humans, for example, it’s “our lives” (Genesis 47:25) or another example is “Israel” 2 (Exodus 14:30). It talks about being “…saved from my enemies…” (2 Samuel 22:4) or how God “…Himself saved you from all your adversities and your tribulations…” (1 Samuel 10:19).

These are all specific examples, however, and although it’s nice to realize that help is there for our problems on this planet, such help is not what is really inferred with the question, “Are you saved?”  So, what then is the “something” we are being saved from? Also, how does this relate to God’s mercy and grace which we now hear about most of the time.

If God’s attributes are all love and mercy, what is there really to be saved from? Certainly not from these attributes of God because they should be what we strive to obtain. The problem is that we no longer talk about sin and the relation of this to the other attributes of God which we also no longer like to think about. The Bible states that: “…all have sinned…” (Romans 3:23) and as result of this “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23). To put it another way: “The labour of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked is sin” (Proverbs 10:16). So, does being saved mean that we can avoid death? No, because “…it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgement,” (Hebrews 9:27).

Really, in essence, one cannot even be saved from the judgement of God if the above statement is true. What then is that something we are to be saved from? It’s something we no longer talk much about. It’s really the wrath of God; not a temper-tantrum type of behaviour but a fairness and holiness that cannot tolerate sin. And since we have all sinned, we are all in the same situation: headed for death. Not the physical death mentioned before, but a spiritual separation from God. The death referred to by Satan in Genesis when he said in reference to the forbidden fruit: “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), although God had said that they would.

This holiness of God prevents us from retiring into His presence after our physical death. And if we cannot enter into His presence, then we are forever separated from Him and will experience a spiritual death as well as His wrath which is reserved for those who have been convicted of sin.  There is only one way to prevent this separation and that is to accept His gift of grace embodied in the death of Jesus and His resurrection. Such acceptance is a guarantee of being saved from the separation and wrath that sin commits us to.

“Are you saved?” A simple question and an easy answer, but one with eternal ramifications if not responded to correctly. Only one way is possible and that is why the comment “Jesus Saves” has such significance because only His sacrifice has made it possible for us to avoid the penalty of sin and the wrath of God

You can be saved, by Jesus, from eternal separation and for eternal life with Him.

It’s certainly something to think about. 

Pastor Caroline - August 8, 2021 - God, Our Protector

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday August 4, 2021 - God is My Strength

 

God is my Strength

God truly is our strength. In Exodus Chapter 15 Verse 2 in the Good News Bible we read:

(2) The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.

Wow isn’t that beautiful?  We have our strength in the Lord, He gives us a song and we are assured off our victory. Now that is the way to start your new day. Confident in the Lord because of His word.

 

God is always caring for us. Even in our sleep He watches over us. That is a very comforting and peaceful thought.

 

In the trials of life, we can count on God. His resources are unlimited and we can avail ourselves in His resources because He wants to help us every day. We are told not to be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Now these are not my words, these are words found in our Bible in Philippians Chapter 4 Verses 6 and 7 (NIV)

 

I know every day I need the Lord. In my strength and in my weaknesses, I need Him every hour of every day. And dear friend, so do you. Tell others what God has done for you, pray with and for others, help someone build their faith as you example God‘s love and power in your life. Be bold —speak of the blessings God has given you and always give thanks to God, sing His praises for He loves to hear us in song and in word. Speak victory before you see victory and claim the completion of any work before the Lord, and then watch it come to pass. Praise the name of the Lord!! Be kind, loving and grateful and people will see this in you and then you can boast on the Lord by declaring:

The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory.

 

No matter where life begins, in the lowest of lows or the highest of highs, our God is always the same. He is no respecter of persons and therefore treats everyone of us the same, offers everyone the gift of salvation, loves us equally and He will never change. We are truly blessed by the Father who is our strength, song and victory.

 

Enjoy your day in Jesus in strength, in song and in victory!! Be blest!!

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Galatians Part 10

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - OBEDIENCE

 OBEDIENCE

How often do we obey what we are told to do when we are given instructions or advice?  More often than not we tend to do our own thing rather than listen to what we have been told.  Hence the phrase ‘When all else fails, read the directions.’

We are more likely to listen to what family or friends say than to hear what experts or leaders request.  It seems that we are also more likely to listen to someone, anyone, other than the one who has given all the advice we really need to know - God.  Sometimes we are tested in our obedience more that we might know.

In Jeremiah 35, the story is told of an attempt to have a group called the Rechabites drink wine.  This was a redial nomadic sect who were committed not to drink any wine on the command of their father.  “…We will drink no wine, for Jonadab the son of Rechab, our father, commanded us saying: ‘You shall drink no wine, you nor your sons, forever’” (Jeremiah 35:6).

Then God, through Jeremiah, rebuked Judah by using this example saying: “…Will you not receive instruction to obey My words?…” (Jeremiah 35:13). “The words of Jonadab the son of Rechab, which he commanded his sons, not to drink wine, are performed; for to this day they drink none, and obey their father’s commandment.  But although I have spoken to you…you did not obey Me” (Jeremiah 35:14).

God used the example of the tempting of the Rechabites and their subsequent refusal as a contrast to the people of Judah.  They repeatedly refused to heed God’s instructions even though He repeatedly brought His commands to them through prophets. David Guzik, in his commentary*, makes the following points:

• “The Rechabites obeyed a fallible leader, the people of Judah disobeyed the eternal God.”
• “The Rechabites received their command only once from their leader and obeyed; the people of Judah received their command from God again and again and still disobeyed.”
• "The Rechabites obeyed regarding earthly things; the people of Judah disobeyed in regard to eternal things.”
• "The Rechabites obeyed their leader’s commands over about 300 years; the people of Judah continually disobeyed their God.”
• “The Rechabites would be rewarded; the people of Judah would be judged.”

And judged they were for God said: “…‘Behold, I will bring on Judah and on all the inhabitants of Jerusalem all the doom that I have pronounced against them; because I have spoken to them but they have not heard, and I have called to them but they have not answered’” (Jeremiah 35:17).

Are we any different today? Have we not been told many times through His Word, His Prophets, and even history that He sent His Son to us to redeem us and to give us the gift of eternal life?  But we still do not listen. In our proud and haughty attitude, we continue to try our own ways to meet God rather that listen to His commands.  But listen we must at some time, or face His judgement. In the words of a Booth Brothers Song:**

See the humble hearts adore Him

Jesus saves, Jesus saves

And the wisest bow before Him,

Jesus saves, Jesus saves 

We can be proud and haughty or humble and wise but the only thing we can be sure of is the need to be obedient for it is only Jesus who saves.

Just something to think about.

*   David Guzik Commentary from Blue Letter Bible 

** Jesus saves by Travis Cottrell, David Moffitt and sung by The Booth Brothers

 

 

 

Communion Sunday with Pastor Caroline - Aug 2, 2020

 

As you know, Pastor Caroline is enjoying a well-earned vacation break and she asked if we could share communion today while re-watching this sermon from one year ago.

Communion Sunday August 2, 2020

Birth Announcement

 

Kevin and Jean (Austin) Cornett want the world to know that on Friday July 30 2021 at 4:44 a.m. their daughter Lydia Doreen Ruth was given to them as a gift from God. Lydia weighed in at a little over 8 pounds and she and Mommy are doing well. Kevin is blessed now with 2 loves in his life to cherish, love and care for.

Congratulations to them from all of us, and our prayers are with them for much health and happiness in the years ahead.

Jesus loves the little children of the world, and His instruction in Matthew Chapter 10 Verse 14 is:

“Let the children come to me, and do not stop them, because the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these”.

 

We welcome Lydia and hopefully one day soon we will all get to meet her when Kevin and Jean come home for a visit.