Caroline Barclay Christmas Eve 2023

Christmas Break

 

Dr. Barclay will be taking a well-deserved break over Christmas, so there will be no "Something to Think About" or Bible study next week.

We will look forward to hearing from him in the new year.

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - HIS TRUTH

                                                                         

                                          HIS TRUTH

At this time of year, we often hear of the prophecies that predated the birth of Christ. We hear of Micah, the prophet, who, approximately 750 years before Christ, wrote that:

“…Bethlehem Ephrethah,

Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,

Yet out of you shall come forth to Me

The One to be Ruler in Israel,

Whose goings forth are from old,

From everlasting.”

(Micah 5:2)

And we often hear about what Isaiah prophesied when he said:

   

For unto us a Child is born,

Unto us a Son is given…

And His name will be called

Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, 

Prince of Peace.

(Isaiah 9:6)

…He will teach us His ways,

And we shall walk in His paths…

He shall judge between the nations,

And rebuke many people… 

(Isaiah 2:3-4)

We hear much less about prophecies such as the one in Daniel:

“I was watching…and behold, One like the son of Man,

He came to the Ancient of Days…

Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him.

His dominion is an everlasting dominion,

Which shall not pass away,

And His kingdom the one

Which shall not be destroyed 

(Daniel 7:13-14)

The prophecies regarding the birth of Christ are ones which are frequently repeated in churches at this time of the year. But the others are often not mentioned as much at this or any other time of the year, and this is unfortunate because understanding the prophetic nature of scriptures can lead to a greater awareness of the full meaning of the Bible itself. After all, it is estimated that there are over 1800 prophetic utterances in Scripture and the likelihood of these being fulfilled entirely by chance is staggeringly small. In fact, it has been estimated that Christ fulfilling only 17 of the prophecies relating to the Messiah by chance and not by being who He said He was is in the range of 480x10 to the 30th power.*

When you consider this it really does give one something to think about.

*Adapted from The Signature of God chapter 8 by Grant R. Jeffery

Deepest Sympathy

Our deepest sympathies to Mike Shindruk and family on the death of Mike's mother Doris.

Please keep Mike and his family in prayer.

Obituary of Doris Shindruk

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - WHY?

 WHY?

We are once again approaching Christmas, the time when the church has decided to recognize the birth of Christ. And although the date of December 25th has probably nothing to do with the birth of Jesus, it is certainly true that He was born on some date and that He actually lived a life among us. The real question is not whether He was born or not but why did He in fact come to earth all?

Why did the creator of the universe decide to come to earth as a human? Many religions dispute that He did or that He would or even that He could. But we certainly believe that God did come to earth in the form of man and as Christ, but the question still remains as to why. Why would the supreme being in the universe suffer the trauma of being born as an infant, the trials of growing up as a child and youth, the troublesome difficulties of preaching to those who for the most part did not listen, and the torture of bring whipped and crucified by the ones He came to save? Why?

The book of Hebrews gives us four reasons as an answer to that question.

Firstly, He apparently did it to help man regain that which had been lost. It was the initial intent for man to: “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion…over every living thing…” (Genesis 1:28). In Hebrews, it goes on to say:

You have made him [man] a little lower than the angels;

You have crowned him with glory and honour,

And set him over the works of Your hands.

You have put all things in subjection under his feet… 

(Hebrews 2:7-8)

But this position was lost when man first sinned and so needed to be reclaimed. The way for this to be accomplished was through Christ’s efforts on our behalf.

And so comes our second reason, Christ came to help us regain that association with God, that we had lost, through His suffering and His empathy.

But we see Jesus…for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, 

that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. 

For it was fitting for Him…in bringing many sons to glory, 

to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 

For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one… 

(Hebrews 2:9-10)

Thirdly, He came to free us from fears and bondage. Not only did He come to help us regain what we had lost and to pay the penalty that such loss cost us, but He came to ensure that we are free from that price that the penalty put upon us.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, 

He Himself likewise shared in the same, 

that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, 

that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death 

were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 

(Hebrews 2:14-15)

Lastly, to relate to us and so that we could relate to Him. It is essentially impossible to understand and relate to a Spirit which we cannot directly see or to whom we cannot directly speak. It is much easier to do so to a Man who walks with us, talks with us, and lives with us for a period of time. God knows us but it is us who need to know Him in a personal way and as a personal Lord. And so:

…in all things He had to be made like His brethren, 

that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, 

to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, 

He is able to aid those who are tempted.

(Hebrews 2:17-18)

So, as we once again approach Christmas it is important to remember that it is not really about all the secular activity that has become associated with the season. It's about a God who decided to come to earth as a human, to spend time with other humans, and to become known by them. By doing this He enables humanity to once more have access to the eternity designed for them. When Christ came to earth is not overly important - it’s the fact that He did come. That is what we should remember about Christmas and always continue to think about.

Jasmine Trott - Service of December 10, 2023

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THE WAY OF...

 THE WAY OF...

The book of Jude is one of the shortest books in the Bible and is considered primarily as a book of warning. It tells us a great deal about what we should not do and is placed directly if front of the book of Revelation, which tells us what we can expect if the warnings are not heeded. It implores us to strive diligently for the faith which had been given to the saints and warns against those who have insidiously and surreptitiously tried to change the gospel message from its original. 

In this book, we are warned of three things in particular, especially if attempting to contend with Satan. It says:

Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain… 

(verse 11)

Cain was the one who killed his brother Abel, after Abel gave an offering from his flocks and Cain from his grain harvest and God rejected Cain’s sacrifice. But it was apparently not because Cain’s offering did not contain a blood sacrifice but because Cain did not display the faith that God needed.

By faith Abel offered to God more excellent sacrifice than Cain, 

through which he obtained witness that he was righteous… 

(Hebrews 11:4)

for

…without faith it is impossible to please Him… 

(Hebrews 11:6)

A religion without faith is vain and empty, and often leads to jealousy, persecution of the faithful and anger - a murderous anger - the way of Cain.

In addition, it says that men have run in the way or in the error of Balaam. The story of this prophet is told in the book of Numbers, chapters 22-25 and 31. Balaam was hired by King Balak to curse the Israelites and to help the Moabites overcome the advancing Israeli people. Balaam, in fact, ended up being unable to curse the Israelites. Instead, he blessed them under God’s direction. Even though Balaam could not fulfil his obligation to Balak, and God had warned him about going back to Balak, he persisted because he was desirous of the rich reward he had been promised by Balak. And since he seemed unable to curse the Israelites, Balaam decided to deceive them by sending young women into the Jewish camp and leading them into fornication and adultery. As a result, God would curse the Israelites Himself. And so Balaam was guilty of leading others into sin and all for the love of money.

And finally it says that certain men have… 

perished in the rebellion of Korah.

(verse 11)

Korah was a Levite and a prominent man in Israel but one who evidently resented the authority given to Moses and Aaron by God. He wanted the authority and ministry for himself, similar to that wanted by Satan from God. As Satan tried to supplant God, so Korah wanted to replace Moses and take over his authority. God apparently does not appreciate it when we try to replace His appointed. He evidently would like us to do what He has requested us to do and not try to be something other than what He has called us to be. Korah’s rebellion led to the  destruction of Korah and his followers because they tried to usurp God’s authority and his appointed. If one looks carefully, the same type of situations still occur today with similar results.

So, the Bible indicates that men have crept in and have gone the way of Cain with false faith, increasing anger, and jealousy against those who have true belief. It implies that men have followed the ways of Balaam, and have exchanged integrity and conviction for deceit and corruption; often for the sake of money or they have tried to usurp power and authority over the ones designated for such positions. It seems to be the way of the world rather than following the way of Christ, which is humility and surrender. We all have to determine the way for ourselves. Perhaps this is why initially Christians were deemed to be members of “The Way.” Going the way of the true gospel is something we should all think about. 

Happy 1st Day of December

 

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FAITH AND SALVATION

 

FAITH AND SALVATION

The author of the book of Jude in the Bible was believed to be the half-brother of Christ. It is said that, before the resurrection, even the family of Jesus did not believe in Him.

For even His brothers did not believe in Him.

(John 7:5)

But after His resurrection, this belief changed and His siblings became strong believers and stalwarts in the church. As such, it is believed to be His half-brother who is the author of the second last book in the Bible. And thus it was Jude who wrote:

Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerting our common salvation, 

I [also] found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend 

earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. 

(Jude 1:3)

When Jude talked about the common salvation, he was not considering salvation as being ordinary or being of little value but of it being the same for everyone regardless of the mode or method of worship or service. Provided the faith in Christ is there, then salvation is the same or common for everyone, for after all it is:

…by grace you have been saved through faith…it is the gift of God… 

(Ephesians 2:8)

If salvation is common (or available) to everyone through faith, then that faith is valuable and worth contending for, or agonizing over; it certainly is worth protecting. This is why we are warned to ever keep diligent and watch over that faith which was once delivered to the saints because:

…certain men have crept in unnoticed…ungodly men, 

who turn the grace of our God into lewdness 

and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

(Jude 1:4)

and 

…that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, 

afterward destroyed those who did not believe.

(Jude 1:5)

The tendency of the world is to compromise almost all belief in order to accommodate as many as possible, and while that accommodation is to a degree important, it should not result in a compromise of the basic tenants of the belief on which our salvation rests. But over the years “certain men have crept in.” As a result, many of the basic beliefs and tenants of our faith have been changed so that it can be difficult at times to even see those tenants exercised in many places. We have not, to a large extent, contended earnestly enough for the faith that leads to salvation and as a result may suffer the same as did those Hebrews who left Egypt so long ago.

Maintaining the true faith without compromise is important and needs to be earnestly contended for, more so than we appear to be doing at present and it is something we should all be thinking about.

Meal at Swiss chalet

 

Master's Hand Ministry has Swiss Chalet booked for Tuesday December 5 at 6 pm.

Please call Peter ( 902-485-6384) or message him to confirm your attendance.

Rev. Roxann Spicer November 26, 2023

November 26th Service

 

Please join us in worship this evening at 6 PM at the Hillside Community Hall 27 Chance Harbour Rd.

Rev. Roxann Spicer is speaker, with Amy Rafuse and friends leading worship.

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - MOSES-MICHAEL

 MOSES-MICHAEL

There are a number of instances in the Bible where information seems lacking or incomplete for what is really needed to get a full understanding of what Scripture is trying to convey to us. One example of this is in the Book of Jude where it is states that:

…Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, 

when he disputed about the body of Moses, 

dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, 

but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” 

(1:9)

There are two interesting points to consider here. First, why was there a dispute over the body of Moses? Moses has been one of the most important and prominent figures in Jewish history. At about the age of 80, he was sent, albeit somewhat reluctantly, to enact God’s freeing of the Hebrew people from Egypt. He led them through the desert and was entrusted with the Law. He also, on many occasions, interceded with God on behalf of the people. He apparently made one simple but grievous error in that he was commanded to:

…Speak to the rock before their eves, and it will yield its water… 

(Numbers 20:8)

Instead, Moses…

…struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly…

Then the Lord spoke to Moses and Arron, 

“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:11-12)

Thus,

Moses…died there in the land of Moab…and He buried him in a valley…

opposite Beth Peor; but no one knows his grave to this day.

(Deu 34:5-6) 

Apparently custom has it that it was Michael who buried Moses in the valley, but was it because of this one digression that the devil contended over his body? Or was it because Moses, in his earlier life, had killed an Egyptian official? When God states:

Their sins and lawless deeds I will remember no more.

(Hebrews 10:17)

perhaps Satan is not so generous and remains prepared to bring up any past offences against us. And could this be one of the reasons some people have such a struggle in their last days or hours? Is Satan still contending for bodies today as he did for the body of Moses?

Secondly, Michael did not rebuke Satan directly even though he would be considered a brother. He left the rebuke to the Lord. It makes one wonder how people in our time tend to rebuke or rail against the devil. If the chief angel of the Lord refuses to confront Satan directly, perhaps we should always be sure that the Lord is in front of us.

Just one verse from one of the shortest books in the Bible.

And two points to really think about. 

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - 7 ANGELS

 7 ANGELS

And I saw the seven angels who stand before God… 

(Revelation 8:2)

If you believe in angelic beings, in what way do you picture them? There is no indication in the Bible that they are as portrayed in cards and pictures as cherubic little beings, lazing about on clouds and playing miniature harps. In Scripture, they are said to be of different types and sizes. The first mention of an angel, other than Satan, is in Genesis 3:24 when: 

…[God] drove out the man; and He placed cherubim 

at the east of the garden of eden.

Cherubim are mentioned in Ezekiel as being those angelic beings under the throne of God and 

each one had four faces and…four wings, 

and the likeness of the hands of a man under their wings.

(Ezekiel 10:21)

A second type of angel is mentioned in Isaiah and they are also in association with the throne of God. In this case, Isaiah is referring to a place above the throne of God.

…I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, 

and train of His robe filled the temple.

Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: 

with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, 

and with two he flew. 

(Isaiah 6:1-2)

So this tells us what beings are above and below the throne of God but not those angels who stand before God. These are, according to Jewish literature and tradition, the seven majestic archangels who surround God’s throne. Only two are mentioned in the Bible but all are apparently strong and majestic creatures who ask:

 

“Who is worthy to open the scroll?”

(Revelation 5:2) 

Also, John saw:

…[F]our angels standing at the four corners of the earth, 

holding the four winds of the earth… 

(Revelation 7:1)

The two mentioned include Michael who fought with the prince of the kingdom of Persia in the book of Daniel (10:13), contended with the devil over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9), and also fought with the dragon and his angels (Revelation 12:7). The name Michael apparently means ‘Who is like our God?’

The other named archangel is Gabriel whose name apparently means ‘Strength of God’ and is primarily a messenger of God. It was, after all, Gabriel who brought the message to Daniel regarding the understanding of the vision (Daniel 8) and also the message to Mary about her bearing the Son of God (Luke 1:26-30). Gabriel also took the message to Zacharias concerning his wife bearing a son (Luke 1:13).

The other five angels are not mentioned in our Scripture but are mentioned in the Scriptures of the Eastern Orthodox, Ethiopian and Roman Catholic churches, and in well established Jewish teachings. They include:

• Raphael whose name apparently means ‘God Heals’ and who deals with Temperance, Justice, and Humility and
• Uriel ‘God is my light’ who apparently deals with Wisdom, Retribution and Chasity.

The remaining three archangels, whose names differ in various sources, are not as well defined and are given different duties depending on which source is utilized. 

• Raguel ‘Friend of God’ apparently helps with relationships and the healing of such.
• Sandelpon ‘Prayer of God’ again helps with healing and relationships and lastly there is
• Zadkiel ‘Righteousness of God’. 

These last two are also supposed to be the Angels of the Resurrection who appeared at Christ’s tomb.

As mentioned, the names, duties, and functions of these last three vary depending on the source used but at least it does give some picture of what is said in Scripture when it is stated in Revelation:

I saw the seven angels who stand before God (8:2)

I saw another sign in heaven…seven angels having seven plagues (15:1)

…out of the temple came the seven angels… (15:6)

Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels 

seven golden bowls full of the wrath of God… (15:7)

Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came… (17:1)

Seven angels stand before God; certainly something to think about.  

Dr. Spencer Barclay November 12, 2023

Lest We Forget

Terry Kelly - A Pittance of Time

CHURCH SERVICE SUNDAY NOVEMBER 12, 2023

 

Master's Hand Ministry will be having a Church service this Sunday Nov. 12th 6 pm at the Hillside Community Hall 27 Chance Harbour Rd Hillside

Spencer Barclay speaker with Masters Hand Singers leading worship

COME ON ALONG EVERYONE

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Daniel Part 6

Women4Women Woman's Day

 

A day to enjoy connection and women together as advent approaches

Hosted with Jasmine Trott and Jeanne Kirk
Our first event since covid
Come. Bring friends
Preregistration on line

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - ANGELS

ANGELS

Do you believe in angels?

In 2002, a car accident on Christmas Eve resulted in a vehicle plunging over a cliff near Joggins, N.S., and landing on a beach about 100 feet below. The woman driving the car was killed, but her 3 year old son was apparently not hurt; just wet and cold after having spent the night on the beach in freezing temperatures and wet weather. He seemed unafraid and said he had been kept company all night by two girls dressed in white in the water.

Do you believe in angels?

If one believes the Bible to be true, then belief in angels must follow for angels appear more than 90 times in and throughout the Scriptures. They apparently perform many roles as messengers of God “…who excel in strength [and]…who do His pleasure.” (Psalm 103:20-21)

When Paul was shipwrecked in a storm, an angel brought a message of comfort:

 

For there stood by me…an angel of the [Lord]…saying ‘Do not be afraid’… 

(Acts 27:23-24)

When Abraham’s nephew, Lot, took lodging in Sodom, two angels, dressed as men, were sent for protection and helped get Lot, his wife, and daughters away from a crowd and from the city before it’s destruction as recorded in Genesis 19:1-26

When Philip was preaching in Samaria, an angel came and gave him direction to go to the road from Jerusalem to Gaza. There he met the Ethiopian eunuch and led him to Christ. (Acts 8:26-40)

After Elijah had his confrontation with the prophets of Baal and was subsequently threatened by Queen Jezebel, he fled and became exhausted. As he lay and slept, an angel brought him provisions on two occasions saying:

“…Arise and eat…Arise and eat for the journey is too great…" 

(1 Kings 19:5,7)

After the apostles had preached in Jerusalem following Pentecost, they were imprisoned by the Jewish authorities. An angel came and delivered them from prison:

But at night an angel of the Lord opened the prison doors and brought them out… 

(Acts 5:19)

In a similar way, an angel brought deliverance to Peter when he was in prison. (Acts 12:6-10)

Angels can also be messengers of judgement as Herod Agrippa found out in Acts chapter 12. He claimed glory for himself instead of giving it to God.

So on a set day Herod…sat upon his throne and gave an oration to them. 

And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man.” 

Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, 

because he did not give glory to God… 

(Acts 12:21-23)

Angels also, at times, are messengers of revelation.

…the angel Gabriel was sent by God…to a virgin…(whose) name was Mary. 

“…[B]lessed are you among women…for you have found favour with God.”

(Luke 1:26-28,30)

And again, when Gabriel appeared to Zacharias to announce that he would be the father of the forerunner of the Messiah in Luke 1:1-20. And again when angels announced the birth of Christ as recorded in Luke 2:8-14.

Angels can also give messages of warning as happened when Herod became intent on killing Jesus after His birth. An angel warned Joseph to flee to Egypt.

“Arise, take the young Child and His mother, flee to Egypt, 

and stay there until I bring you word; 

for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” 

(Matthew 2:13)

And finally, angels can be spirits of ministry.*

Are they not all ministering spirits sent 

forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation? 

(Hebrews 1:14)

So angels can be and do many things and in addition, the Bible tells us:

…[N]ot [to] forget to entertain strangers, 

for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. 

(Hebrews 13:2)

So do you believe in angels? With all they can apparently do, it is certainly something to think about.

*Adapted from Turning Points Magazine November 2023 by Dr. David Jeremiah