Pastor Caroline - Christmas Eve 2021 - The Light of Christ

There's a slight pause towards the end.

Make sure to stay tuned to hear the last two songs - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen and Do You Hear What I Hear?

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday December 8, 2021 - The Poor Among You

 

The Poor Among You

You will always have the poor among you.

John Chapter 12 Verse 8, Good News Bible.

 

I am ever thankful for the people who give to the poor. The people who open their hearts to the lonely and the lost. They spend their time talking to them about Jesus and the gift of salvation He brought at Christmas. They make sure these lonely and lost know Jesus and receive the gift of salvation as they offer prayer to them. They lift those who are poor in spirit.

 

To those who serve the sick; in hospitals, nursing homes, at home, in institutions and on the street; you help these people become well. To you I say thank you. You help to heal.

 

The hungry receive a meal from the community centres and churches that open their doors with a hot cooked meal prepared and ready to serve those who are hungry. How wonderful you are to do this work that welcomes the hungry to sit at a table of plenty. My heart of thanks is lifted to you, for you feed the hungry.

 

To those who over the past few weeks have called me and given me monetary gifts so that our church could give those gifts to those in need at this Christmas season, a hearty and humble thank you. With these gifts we were able to provide food, clothing, medication costs covered, a hair appointment for someone, (it was over two years since her last appointment) grocery cards purchased and distributed, toys for the sick children; a power billed paid, these are just some of the ways we used those funds to make someone’s Christmas a little brighter, sharing the love of Christ through the gifts given to our ministry. We also share the gospel of Christ as these gifts are given out. We thank you; and those who were the recipients thank you as well.

 

My prayer this Christmas is that we see the poor in spirit, the sick, the hungry, and that we reach out to them with the hands, feet and heart of Jesus. To be able to help with the needs of people is reassuring them that God hears their cry for help even if not spoken out loud, He knows their need. He promises to meet our daily needs. Through the gifts of others, needs are met and indeed this is how love is given in the name of the Lord.

 

As we read the scripture of John chapter 12 verses 1 to 8 God wants us to understand that the poor will always be with us and that we are to help others who are less fortunate than we are. Mary poured expensive perfume on the feet of Jesus, giving Him all she had in reverence to Him. Then she wiped His feet with her hair. She was serving Him with grace and love, not because He demanded such an action, but rather to show Him she loved Him and would gladly give freely unto Him. Oh; to have the heart of Mary and just share what we have with others out of the depth of that love. May we serve those we meet with grace and love at Christmas and all year long. May we give our daily bread to someone in need and in that action may the love of Christ fill the needs of the poor among us. May we give unto others as Christ has given unto us.

In the action of giving, we are blessed, and we are blessed, to be givers.

 

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.  I will be back with a new writing and more encouragement from the Lord on Wednesday January 05 2022.  Be blessed and remember to give as it has been given unto you.

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 15

Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - THREE STRIKES

THREE STRIKES

In the book of Genesis, we are told that: “…God formed man of the dust of the ground…”(Genesis 2:7) and that man was to “…have dominion over…all the earth…” (Genesis 1:26) and “subdue it” (Genesis 1:28). So man was really told to take control “over all the earth” (Genesis 1:26) in God’s place.

Now in those days, God was apparently the friend of man and came down to earth and could be heard “…walking in the garden in the cool of the day…” (Genesis 3:8). I would imagine that He was disappointed when the friendship with man was broken and mankind went essentially its own way.

Now the idea of man subduing and having dominion over the earth did not come about due to the pride and greed which developed in man after the separation from God. The resultant misbehaviour and activity became so rampant that God almost wiped mankind off the face of the earth, but He did not entirely do so. Instead, He set down a series of Laws by which man should live and thereby perhaps regain his proper position on the earth. Man, however, did not follow the meaning of these laws either and continued to have wars and conflicts, and repeatedly to behave in disobedience to what God desired.

Now I can imagine God saying: “I created man as the most intelligent species on earth and yet all they seem to exhibit is foolish behaviour. I came to earth as a friend but perhaps I need to do something different to really understand how these humans think.” So, He decided to come back to earth a second time as a human Himself in order to have a better understanding of how we think. Thus one morning, about 2000 years ago, He returned this time as a babe in humble circumstances in an effort to understand us better. His only announcement was to shepherds by angels who pronounced “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men” (Luke 2:14). 1 John later stated that: “…the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world…” (1John 4:14).

Again, unfortunately, mankind was not receptive to God’s plan. Instead of being in agreement with what God had planned, Jesus was persecuted and condemned. Instead of man having salvation and at last having “…control and dominion over all the earth…” (Genesis 1:26) and subduing it, earth has developed control over us and tends to subdue mankind. Floods, tornados, hurricanes, rains, winds, and climate changes of all types, along with innumerable conflicts, and now recurring and ongoing pestilences, all show just how much control nature and natural forces have over us.

I wonder if God perhaps thought that the 10 Laws He proclaimed initially were too much for mankind to follow so He even made it simpler - instead of 10 Commandments, He gave only two: love God, and love each other. How much simpler could it be? “And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). If this is done there should be no problem with the second commandment: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself”(Mark 12:31).

There is a saying in baseball ‘Three strikes and you’re out.’ Even with the simplicity with which God proclaimed the commandments, we still don’t seem to get it. When God came as friend, we discarded Him; when He came as saviour, we condemned Him; when He comes a third time it will be as The King of kings and Lord of all lords.  He will come in all His power and glory and this time He will do the choosing. Those who have accepted Him, He will likewise accept; those who have rejected Him will in turn be rejected.

So this Christmas, although it is not the actual day of Christ’s birth, it has been accepted as the day we commemorate such. So perhaps we should remember that this day should be regarded as a Holy Day and not just a holiday. Christmas really means Christ’s Mass.

And that should give us all something to think about.

So do have a Happy Holy Day and a Merry Christ-Mass

p.s.: There will no writings for the next two weeks. 

Pastor Caroline - December 19, 2021 - The Fourth Sunday of Advent - Peace

Pastor Caroline - Wednesday December 15, 2021 - Light Your Candle

 

Light Your Candle

 

John Chapter 1 Verse 5 says in the Good News Bible:

(5) Now the message that we have heard from his Son and announce is this; God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him.

 

There are many scriptures found in the Word concerning light. When we think of the darkness most of us also think of light. The dark of the night gives way to the light of a new day.

 And we can change the ambiance of a room by changing the depth of light.

 

I personally do not like a dark room. Every night when I retire to my bed, I turn on a small candle like electric light and it just gives enough light to soften the darkness. I enjoy being able to say my final prayers of the day to the Lord in the soft light. After I’ve drifted off to sleep my husband turns off my light every night before he retires. This little light (pictured above) by my bedside is what brings this message today because it is in the shape of a candle and it inspired me to think that perhaps others like the light more than the darkness as well.

 

The word of God says as we read in the scripture above, God is light, and there is no darkness at all in him. When I think of God I think of Him as light. I realize that in my darkest times of life during struggles and upsets; when darkness seemed to engulf me, I prayed; and the darkness lifted and I became able to see the light. The light; in how to make my situation less burdensome by being able to use knowledge and change the outcome. God provides us with knowledge and wisdom when we come to Him in prayer.

 

When we think of the light of Christ we think of His life. Often throughout the word of God we see the light of God, the life of God, and the word of God shared with us to bring us hope, peace and joy. How wonderful to know we need not dwell on the darkness of the world, but rather seek the scriptures and know that Jesus, the light of the world, will bring us to eternal life.

 

God did not intend for us to live in darkness as we are told in Genesis Chapter 1 verse 3; Then God commanded, “Let there be light — and light appeared”.

 

Today as I think of light, I think of happiness, contentment warmth and peace.

 

When we let our light shine we can change the mood or atmosphere around us especially if negative or unsettling thoughts are filling the space; we can bring joy into the room. You’ve often heard the expression, that person just lights up the room. Hopefully that person is you as you bring the light of Christ to all you say and do. When God leads us in tenderness, love, understanding, compassion, and care we bring light to those who may be in a dark place. We help them come into the light, we help left their burdens, bringing peace and joy to them.

 

Jesus said in Matthew Chapter 5 Verse 16; “in the same way your light must shine before people, so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven”.

 

We are to be the light of Christ here on earth, we as Christians are children of the light and so may we shine for Jesus. May our light be what draws others to the very heart of God.

When we light a candle we put it on a high spot so the light radiates through the room. It disperses the darkness. When we live our lives with Jesus as our light, and have His light within us, we bring light to the area around us and therefore we are letting our light shine. So today and every day, light your candle before leaving your house in the morning and let that light shine all day. Pray to God and ask Him to make you a candle in the darkness and just watch as the light fills your day and the day of those who are in your presence. Tell them you are a candle for the Lord and you want your light to shine.

 

I remember singing, This Little Light of Mine. It was composed by Harry Dixon Loes.

 

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine

This little light of mine

I’m gonna let it shine,

let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine

 

Everywhere I go

I’m gonna let it shine

Everywhere I go

I’m gonna let it shine

Everywhere I go

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine.

 

Jesus gave it to me

I’m gonna let it shine

Jesus gave it to me

I’m gonna let it shine

Jesus gave it to me

I’m gonna let it shine

Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine

 

Let me close with Ephesians Chapter 5 Verses 8 and 9 from the Good News  Bible.

(8) You yourselves used to be in the darkness, but since you have become the Lord’s people, you are in the light. So you must live like people who belong to the light.

(9) for it is the light that brings a rich harvest of every kind of goodness, righteousness and truth.

 

Today let your light shine, be a candle in the darkness letting light shine wherever you go. Enjoy the harvest of goodness, righteousness and truth.

 

 

 

Dr. Barclay's Bible Study - The Book of Judges Part 14