Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FALLING AWAY

FALLING AWAY

As days go on, it seems that the world is heading further and further along the path toward a cataclysmic event. This seems to be in keeping with the Bible when it states:

Now…concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ…

we ask you not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, 

either by spirit or by word or by letter…

Let no man deceive you by any means; 

for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, 

and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition…

(2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

In the recent past, I don’t think that it has been hard to accept that there has been a falling away from the Scriptures, but whether it indicates the nearness of the event referred to above or not, only God Himself knows. In any case, most people still seem sure that they will be going to heaven eventually in spite of the fact that so many have fallen away from the word. Aren’t people told, after all, that God loves them and that such a God would not condemn anyone to a place other than heaven.

In fact, the Bible states very clearly that not all will be going to heaven; actually it does not exactly state that anyone will be going to heaven when they die but instead we are to be considered the Bride of Christ in the New Jerusalem above the earth.

Then, I, John saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, 

coming down out of heaven from God, 

prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 

(Revelation 21:2)

But I saw no temple in it, 

for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. 

(Revelation 21:22)

And the nations of those who are saved shall walk in its light… 

(Revelation 21:24)

Not only does the Bible indicate that we are not going heaven when we pass, but nowhere does it indicate that God loves us individually. True, collectively, God loves the world.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life.

(John 3:16)

But individually, God apparently only loves us ‘in Christ’

…nor any created thing, shall be able to separate us 

from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

(Romans 8:39)

For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 

(Galatians 3:26)

Since creation came by the Word and therefore our being came by the Word:

In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God. 

(John 1:1)

All things were made through Him, 

and without Him nothing was made that was made. 

(John 1:3)

then it is only reasonable to consider that a falling away from the word leads to the opposite of creation; that is destruction. Destruction of the created as well as destruction of our being; our individuality, our purpose, our status, and overall the person we were each created to be:

…children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation 

(Philippians 2:15)

And that should give one pause and something to think about.

YOU'RE INVITED

 

COME JOIN US FOR CHURCH

Matthew Trott is speaking and worship with Jasmine Trott.

WHEN?

Sunday October 29th at 6 PM

WHERE?

Hillside Community Hall

27 Chance Harbour Rd, Trenton

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Daniel Part 4

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - FORSAKE(N)

 FORSAKE(N)

The Dictionary.com defines the word “forsake” as “to renounce, to quit or leave entirely, to abandon.” When one gives up something to that degree, it really indicates finality and that whatever has been “forsaken” is not likely to be taken back.

In the NKJV Bible, the term ‘forsake’ is used 58 times and ‘forsaken’ is similarly spoken of 75 times. The context is often in that of the Israelites leaving the protection of God or of God apparently abandoning His people. In Judges, for example, it says:

…the children of Israel cried out to the Lord, saying, 

“We have sinned against You, because we have both forsaken 

our God and served the Baals. 

(Judges 10:10)

and also:

Yet you have forsaken Me and served other gods. 

Therefore I will deliver you no more. 

(Judges 10:13)

Is it possible to really conceive what it must be like to be truly forsaken? I suppose there are some similarities to going through a divorce that you actually don’t want or losing something special that you value dearly or when a child you love states that they are leaving and never going to return again. But it is really more than all of that. In the Bible it refers often to a complete separation of God and His people.

But now the Lord has forsaken us 

and has delivered us into the hands of the Midianites. 

(Judges 6:13) 

I…will utterly forsake you, and the city that I gave you… 

(Jeremiah 23:39)

When there appears to be a separation between God and man, there is also evidence that God will leave people to their own devices and will allow their enemies to overpower them. It must be a terrifying feeling to realize that the God in whom you depended and the security on which you depended has been suddenly taken from you and now, you are not only on your own but that any protection you may have had is now gone. Just imagine what it might be like if the God on which you rely is suddenly not real and the basis of your existence is removed from you. And yet, this is what happens and has happened in the past when man and God become separated. God’s chosen were left to themselves and given into the hands of their enemies. It happened many times in the Book of Judges and again in the Book of Daniel when God:

…gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his (Nebuchadnezzar) hand…

(Daniel 1:2)

It would have been this feeling of total separation and abandonment that caused Jesus, when on the cross, to shout out:

My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?

(Mark 15:34) 

A feeling of bring totally abandoned by God and being given over totally to His enemy, Satan. A chill, a feeling of being on the edge of a precipice and knowing you were about to fall and also knowing there was absolutely nothing you could do to prevent it. It would be a feeling of total despair and loss provided, of course, that one recognizes the edge of the precipice and the danger one is really in. Jesus did, however, recognize the situation; may of us do not.

When we don’t recognize the situation and

…forsake the Lord to serve other gods… 

(Joshua 24:16)

can we not, as in times past, be delivered into the hands of our enemies? And, can it be a comforting fact to know that, to those who have accepted Him, that we really don’t have to worry because He has promised:

…never to leave [us] nor forsake [us]. 

(Hebrews 13:5)

Another little thing to keep thinking about.

  

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

Dr. Barclay with Somethig to Think About - HELP

                                                                                                     

                                              HELP

Sometimes, one of the difficulties in reading the Bible is in the different translations that are available and the different inferences of the implied meaning. For example, in Psalm 121 in the KJV, we have this statement:

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, 

from whence cometh my help.

 (verse 1)

This is considered a Song of Degree or of Ascents and was sung by travellers or pilgrims as they made their way to Jerusalem. As they approached the city, they would look to the surrounding hills and sing this song, acknowledging the fact that the Temple was located within. However, the rest of the verse is a little more difficult in that it is a statement in some versions of the Bible and a question in others.

For instance, in the KJV, AKJV, Webster’s, Wycliff, and the Orthodox Jewish Bible the latter part of verse 1 is given as a statement. In most other translations, it is written as a question.

where does my help come from?

When this Psalm was written, the writer certainly must have known that the rocks and hills of the mountains around Jerusalem would, of themselves, be of no help to any traveller nor could the Temple itself for the next line really settles the question:

My help cometh from the Lord, 

which made heaven and earth.

(verse 2)

It gives an indication of how it is important not to take one line of the Bible out of context with the full meaning. By asking the full question, this first verse really means that our help never comes from the majesty of nature, no matter how impressive and majestic it may seem. Nor does it come from the structures made by man, even one as magnificent as the Temple in Jerusalem. Even more, the question implies that true help does not come from within one’s self, for if this were the case, there would be no need to pose the question.

The true answer lies in verse 2 where it states that help comes from the Lord, and not just any lord or god but the one who made heaven and earth. There are many gods worshipped in this world, and in many ways, but only the God who made heaven and earth can provide the help one needs.

So, look to the hills and enjoy what you see; admire their majesty and the grandeur of nature. And don’t neglect examining within for whatever you can do for yourself, for to some extent self-help can be of benefit. But, the primary fact to keep in mind is that all true help comes from the one who made heaven and earth, and all that is contained within - and that includes ourselves.

Just another small thing to think about.

Special Guest Speaker Pastor Dave Campbell - October 15, 2023

Rev. Vincent Hanley at Master's Hand Retreat - Oct. 14, 2023

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

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - TO STAND

                                                                                                     

  

                                       TO STAND

As we go through life we often hear the phrases “stand on our own two feet” or “to stand tall.” We are encouraged “to stand up for ourselves,” “to stand firm,” or at least “to take a stand.” All of this essentially means that we are to have a sufficient degree of faith in ourselves; in what we believe and in what we desire to achieve. And at the very least, to try and withstand any deterioration of what we already enjoy.

In the Bible, the situation is really no different. We are requested many times to take a stance for beliefs and situations that have and will develop over time. In Ephesians, we are requested to:

Put on the whole armor of God, 

that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

(6:11)

We can have an impressive ability in this regard if we focus on the Lord and trust in the One who: 

…will not allow your foot to be moved… 

(Psalm 121:3)

We have this ability because we can stand in grace.

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, 

and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

(Romans 5:2)

We can stand in the gospel.

…I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, and in which you stand… 

(1 Corinthians 15:1) 

We can stand in courage and strength.

Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. 

(1 Corinthians 16:13)

We are able to stand in faith.

Not that we have dominion over your faith,

 but are fellow workers for your joy; for by faith you stand. 

(2 Corinthians 1:24)

We have the ability to stand in Christian liberty.

Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, 

and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

(Galatians 5:1)

We should also stand in a unity of Christians.

…let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…that you stand fast in one spirit, 

with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel…

(Philippians 1:27)

We can stand in the Lord.

Therefore…stand fast in the Lord, beloved.

(Philippians 4:1)

And overall so

…that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

(Colossians 4:12)

And as we see what is going on around us these days, being able and willing to stand is something we may all have to soon think carefully about.

Guest Speakers

 

We are so pleased to have Pastors Dave and Laurilyn Campbell as guest speakers at our retreat this year as well as our Sunday Oct. 15 th service at Hillside community Hall , 6 pm.

Master’s Hand Annual Retreat

 

Master’s Hand Annual Retreat

Camp Geddie 2023

Friday, October 13- Saturday, October 14

Join us for our Annual Weekend Retreat taking place at Camp Geddie.

Cost $30 for the weekend + bring a dessert.

-OR-

Cost $20 for Saturday only + bring a dessert

If you haven’t already paid, payment can be made at the retreat.

Arrive at Camp Geddie any time after 12:00pm on Friday, October 13. (Lunch is not provided this day)

Service begins at 2:00pm.

Saturday guests come along anytime, service begins at 10:00am.

What to Bring:

Sleeping bag, flashlight, pillow, toiletries, warm clothing, bible, pen and notepad. Warm blankets if sleeping in cabins.

A hunger for God, expecting great things.

If possible, bring a dessert- all other food and refreshments are provided.

Directions to Camp Geddie from New Glasgow:

Head towards Antigonish on Trans Canada Highway 104

Take exit 27 onto Highway 245- Merigomish

Travel 18km

Camp Geddie turn off on left

The address is 3555 Shore Road

Contact Peter MacLaren with any questions by phone (902) 485-6384 or email: peterbmaclaren@hotmail.com