Sunday May 22, 2016

Some notes from Sunday's service. (Thanks, Heather)

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

• Praise and prayer are two things that many people don't participate in.
• They say they don't hear God.
• Prayer is nothing more than communication. 
• Bible says 'Pray without ceasing.' 
• God said 'my house will be a house of prayer'... Or a house of communication
• James 5 speaks of instances you should pray: when there's trouble or distress; when things aren't going your way (don't say things you don't mean)... PRAY, when you are in need of Spiritual guidance, pray for the nation)
• God will help in all of these.
• Communicate with God in everything, and pretty soon you'll hear God communicating back to you!
• Praise and prayer are essentially the same!
• If you want to hear from God, then you have to communicate to Him.
• We have the Bible and we have prayer, used in the right way we can communicate with God, and He with us.

THE MESSAGE ~ Pastor Keith Hazzard

• GIDEON: Judges 6:1-21
• He was a judge (didn't have a King until some time later)
• Things we can learn from Gideon...
• #1. We need to HEAR what God speaks (vs 10)
• Israel wouldn't have been in the mess they found themselves in if they had listened to God in the first place.
• God will not compete with our devices/distractions. 
• He CALLS us... He doesn't demand our attention.
• #2. We need to SEE what God sees (vs 12)
• Gideon is just trying to keep his family fed and safe... Yet the angel calls him 'mighty Warrior.'
• We often don't see our selves as God sees us, agree?!
• When God calls us to do something much bigger than us, trust that God is right there with you.
• Gideon said 'How can I save Israel?'
• Moses said 'Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?'
• King Saul said 'But am I only a Benjaminite, from the smallest of Israel's tribes, and from the most insignificant clan in the tribe at that."
• #3. We need to GO where God calls (vs go into the strength.. Am I not sending you)
• We need to get our eyes off ourselves.
• God will show up. He is faithful
• In summary...
• Make time to hear from God every day... Read your Bible & pray.
• God doesn't make 'junk'.
• Realize how precious & amazing you are in God's sight.
• When God speaks... Do what He asks you to do... big or small.
• Philippians 4:13: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Pastor Keith closed the night with a couple songs...

Stand By Me

Amazed with lyrics

Sunday May 15, 2016

Some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

** This week's Bible Study will be the last one on James... and the last one for the Summer

**May 29th at 10:30am at Father's House Mrs. Pastor will be speaking.

Something to Think About   

•  (watched a YouTube video) Islamic lady calls Christian TV about committing suicide. The Pastor encouraged her to try Jesus for just ONE day... then God showed up. A miracle took place in her family. They later ministered in an underground church.
• God loves a cheerful giver... We think money, but it's about giving of yourself too!
• He who sows bountifully... Reaps bountifully
• God loves:
• 1. John 3:16 - the WHOLE world
• 2. 1 John 4:15,16 
• 3. Psalm 37:28 - Justice
• 4. Psalm 11:7... 147:8
• 5. Deuteronomy 7:9
• 6. Proverbs 15:9
• 7. Psalm 103:11

• What does God hate?!
• People being persecuted, as well as...
• 1. Proud arrogance
• 2. Untruth, lying
• 3. Shedding of innocent blood
• 4. Those who have evil, or run toward evil
• 5. Perjury
• 6. Problems that deal with disruption between the church/family
• 7. Hypocrisy
• The only thing the church needs to do is have a relationship with Christ!!
• We need to give of ourselves joyfully.

The Message ~ Richard Doucet

• Deception... In the world and in church
• Richard is an apologetic: which is someone who give reasons of Jesus (justification of something such as Religious doctrine)
• 1 Peter 3:15 
• 1 John 4:1-6
• We live in a massive world of deception... Politically (in the States), entertainment-wise, Secular world (not meaning spiritually)
• Deception... To mascarade, leading one away from the truth, making someone believe something that's false, dishonest, corruption
• Joke/story... As a bagpiper I've done many gigs. I was to play at a funeral for a homeless man and because it was in an unfamiliar area, I got terribly lost and was an hour late. When I arrived, the men had already starting filling in the void with soil. Knowing the man must not of had many friends, I played my heart out! When I finished, one of the workers solemnly said "I've never heard anything like that before, and I've been digging sceptic tanks for years." :D
• 1. WHAT can deceive me?
• Satan... He's a spiritual being. His name means 'adversary'. Also called Devil, which is 'false accuser'. The Tempter, the Wicked one, Ruler of the World.
• Don't be deceived. He already has the world... He's now after us.
• Sin... Satan is busy deceiving us through sin.
• Riches... This deceives us by making us think fiscal is more important than spiritual
• Wars, famine, disease, nation rising against nation, deception (false prophets, false teachers, false signs... Mixing scripture with a couple lies, making it hard to decipher)
• Ignorance... It is TRUTH that sets us free!
• 2. WHO can be deceived?
• Those who are satisfied with their own spirituality
• Those who are too involved in the world
• Those who think they are better than others
• Those who place too much trust in tradition
• 3. HOW can be overcome/avoid being deceived?
• Learn sound Doctrine. It's not just about Love and Peace
• "Know what to Believe" Book
• Get the basics of your faith, then you can grow.
• Read the Word constantly
• Exogenous... Taking things out of the Bible. Ingenious... Putting things in the Bible.
• Watch your life and doctrine; persevere in both
• 4. EXAMINE yourself often to see if you're deceiving yourself.
• Those who teach will be of higher standing
• Love the Truth
• Test all things by scripture
• Make sure our priorities are set correctly
• Pray without ceasing, for without prayer we will be tossed about

This night... There was LOTS to think about!

Cheers

Heather

Sunday May 8, 2016

Here's some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

• Please note that Bible Study this week, and next, will be at the New Glasgow Library, 7pm

Something to Think About

• Do you ever wish you could talk with the animals? Your pets?
• You often know what they want by the way they act ;)
• God is omniscient and can talk to the animals
• Maybe the lambs once said to God that they didn't want their children as sacrifices?!
• Maybe that's when God decided to send his own son?!
• Jesus kept Mary in mind until his last breath
• John 19: "behold your son... behold your mother'
• Hmmmm... where were Jesus' brothers at this time?
• Once animals are older, they leave the 'house'... they actually leave, unlike teens and sometimes young adults :D
• There is a bond with a Mother and their offspring!... even if the mother is 94, and she loses her son of 71, deep sorrow is felt.
• A bond that is not easily broken (Isaiah 39)
• The mother does everything for her children and merits honour and respect.
• If you're mother isn't still here... Honour her by your life.
• The first interpersonal commandment is to love and honour your parents.

The Message ~ Jacquie Ross

• Things she learned: If you spray dust bunnies with hairspray and rollerblade over them, they will ignite...You shouldn't throw a softball at a moving ceiling fan... If you hear the toilet flush, it is already too late.
• "I loved you enough" (poem below)
• Mark 2:1-12 (healing of the paralytic)
• 'Ignite Your Life'... Book. 'A saint is someone that light shines through.'
• All of us will leave a legacy.
• It's never too late to leave a good one!
• What would you like to be remembered for?
• Pastor once addressed his congregation that with their support and the help of the Lord, he'll lead them into the 20th century, to which an Elder corrected and said 'it's the 21st century.' The Pastor replied, 'Let's take it one century at a time."
• If we are able to minister to people of this day, we need to be ready to tackle this day of age... The issues, the changes, the demographics
• To be engaged so to communicate the Gospel.
• How can we train ourselves to be aware of opportunities around us?!  It's not necessarily going to another program... It's about the sensitivity of the heart.
• Do we see our relationships as what they are right now?? Or do we look expectantly?!
• ... All because one believed things didn't have to stay the way they were.
• Like a police who gives fines for parking, God gives 'fines' for inactivity, he does not bless this.
• a stock-boy was positioning cans for a display. It is obvious that he has lost his vision when he stops an elderly lady from 'messing up' his display, wanting to purchase a couple cans.
• We want to be the builder, who builds bridges, who helps Doctors Without Borders, who finds the cure for cancer... to 'go big or go home'
• What does God say?! He says "If you give just a cup of water in my name..."
• A cup given in Christ name is worth more than a headline!
• Carry out the Lord's instruction to you... It's a very personal calling.

** Ladies in church left with a planter flower :)

Happy Mother's day to all you ladies; you are of great influence to those around you, biological mother, or not.

Heather


I Loved You Enough

Happy Mother's Day

Sunday May 1, 2016

Here's some notes from Sunday's sevice. (Thanks,Heather)

Well... I'm back from a little vaca, and back to normal life :D 

Please see notes from service below, but there were no bulletins for this upcoming week.

Reminders...

· Mother's Day next week

· Upcoming FCF Meeting

· Nova Scotia Tattoo... Stan Jones has arrangements made for a bus for the Saturday July 2nd, matinee show. Cost is about $65, which includes bus fare and ticket. Please see Mike.

· Eileen Steele passed this week. Our hearts are heavy for the family but we know she is with Jesus in Heaven... Where her laughter continues.

· We sang "Where the Roses Never Fade" in her memory.

Something to Think About

· We are to pray without ceasing and in all things to give thanks to God.

· Mr Stafford lost his son and all his daughters, and through all that he wrote the song "It is Well with my Soul".

· Everyone goes through trials in their life. In the long run, a test is to develop our character.

· Many get resentful and curse God... Some leave and don't want anything else to do with Him.

· Temptations are a test from Satan.

· The way we react to these tests and temptations tell about our life

· Because of the Israelites stiff-neckness, God made them wander 40 years in the desert.  Numbers 14

· We complain a lot, don't we.

· We talk about the 'Patience of Job' but we should talk about the patience of Moses to put up with the people :D :D

· Job questioned God, but he NEVER really complained/cursed God's judgement. In the result he was DOUBLY blessed.

· Do we harden our hearts? Do we complain we don't get what we want, when we want it, as much when we want...  Or do we continue to honour Christ, to walk in His ways... 'Cause in the end, the blessings DO come!!

** Communion 

The Message ~ Pastor Caroline

· "The Bait of Satan" ~ book

· You can be sure when you have an in-filling of the Holy Spirit, the Devil will act fast to try and slap you down!

· When you feel like you want to crawl in a ball and not talk to anyone, you need to know you are NOT alone!!

· We need to stand on the Power of Jesus Christ!... When the attack comes, you need to be grounded in order to stand! We don't sent troops out without the proper armour, or a firefighter without the right gear.

· "Since I am in Christ, by the Grace of God..." (Please see attached pictures)

· If you bought a new BMW, others next week will be checking out new cars as well. We have to be so infectious about Christ that others want to check Him out! This means coming to the throne room and asking God to help you... And He will!!

· With these verses, Oh how this should change the way we believe about ourselves

· The Devil wants to put us down; ONLY Christ can raise us up... Through the scriptures, the words of Christ.

Cheers

The service of Sunday April 24, 2016

Here are some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Jean)

Sunday Night Service Notes

Dr. Barclay- Theme: Man’s detours and diversions

When God created the world he made a sphere. When man first made maps of the world, he thought the world was flat and some distortions came to into play. In man’s wisdom some of God’s message in the old testament became distorted overtime. When Jesus came he broke the distortions man put into the law, and Christ fulfilled the law.

Matthew 5:17-19

17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. 19 Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Today churches are dividing into their own little corners and diversions and legalism are creeping into the church once again and drowning out the true message of Christ. 1 Timothy 1:5-8 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, andfrom sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, Man’s wisdom will only lead to diversions, divisions and legalism. We need only to stay with the gospel of Christ which will lead to love and humility, obedience to Christ and serving others. Pastor Caroline Barclay-Theme: Are you in a time of Job? In the book of Job we read how he lost his children, property and heath. Job was an upright and honest man he went through tremendous trials, yet he did not stop believing, but he questioned God. Job 38:1-7 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? In any time of trial and test in your life the outcome will be different. If we want to receive from God we have to obey and continue serving him. If we stray from God and disobey we cannot expect good results. When everything is going well we seldom question our our faith in God. But in our time of trouble we stand on our faith or else we fall. Sometimes we have to be in the darkest part of our life time, before we truly see the light. In our trials God is sharpening our gifts even the ones we are not yet aware of. Job was tested and tried but he held fast to God and that is what we are to do. Job 42:10 10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses[a] when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. When God brings you out of a battle and brings you out on top again, you are called to rejoice and say “it is well”.

Sunday April 17, 2016

Here's some notes from Sunday's service.  (Thanks, Heather)

Hot off the press...

Something to Think About

• In India the cows are called sacred, and roam all over the place. Someone asked how the cows know how to get home. They say 'they know their master's voice'.
• Isaiah 1:2.
• Sometimes we don't know who our Master is

1. 2 Samuel 22:31... 'Who is God?' Psalm 18:31

• Matthew 16:14. Jesus asked his disciples who people say he is.
• Mankind is known for denying Christ
• 'Who do YOU say that I am?!'
• It's not what the world says about Jesus; It's what YOU say about Him!
• John 18:27 (sheep know my voice)

    2.  John 18:38. 'What is Truth?'

• Today seems full of relative truths, socially truths, scientific truths, absolute truth
• Jesus said I AM the Truth!!

    3.  James 4. 'What is your life?'

• Life is but a whisper, a vapor.

The Message ~ Roxann Spicer

• VIDEO: O'Lord by Lauren Daigle https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uaydMbgaso

• Roxann gave her testimony that God was calling her to quit her employment. As you can understand if you put yourself in her shoes, fear got the best of her and she didn't obey until months later. After putting in her notice, thus living on one income, she lived on God's promise to never leave her,  to provide for her. And he did!! God spoke to many people to bless this family!
• God wanted her to wait, to be patient, to let Him take care of her. And when she 'turned the corner', her previous employer called for her to come back.
• Salvation: simply yielding to what God says for my life. Consciously making each decision.
• God has a plan and purpose for your life!
• Deut 8:1-14 NKJV
• The Lord will open up the good heavens... Blessed you will be if you listen to the words of God.
• Today we live under the grace of Christ. 
• We get restless between planting seeds and harvest. BUT Christ's time is not our time.

There is a due season; Wait.

We can count on three things:

• A. God WILL cause a harvest to come from our seeds (words and works)
• B. Our harvest will have the same nature as our seen sown. You can't cover your ground with doubts or fear; cover it with Faith.
• C. God is never early and never late

What do you do during the growing time?

• Refuse to be discouraged (Gal 6:9)
• Determine to keep our faith alive and active (Psalm 91). Read these verses with Declaration! Now re-read the first 2 verses...
• Give and keep on giving; love and keep on loving. Spirit-directed words, action, giving, serving, and loving are all good seeds. God has promised to multiply those good seeds back to you. 
• Know this... Your harvest is guaranteed! Continue in an attitude of expectancy.
• PROCLAIM God's promises; DECLARE God's goodness, awaits fullness, trustworthiness; RECITE scripture that address you situation; CONFESS your trust in Him to Him, and others.
• 'Patience'... Hold the ground gained.
• Like the childhood game 'King of the Hill'... You fight to get on top of the hill, and you continue to fight to stay on the hill.
• Debut 28:7. Unity makes them strong, but Christ divides them and scatters them
• Give Christ the time and he will make it right!
• "You'll take all that's wrong and make it right' (video)

Cheers

Heather

Sunday April 10, 2016.

From Sunday evening's service (Thanks, Heather)

HOT off the press :D

This is what you missed in church tonight...

Something to Think About

• Acts 8
• Phillip was reading Isaiah when he met a man.
• How can I understand unless someone leads me/teaches me?!
• Sometimes we get the condensed version of truth, and lose the true meaning/interpretation.
• Discouraged when ppl don't get what they pray for
• Luke 18: two men going up to the temple to prayer. Pharisee prays that he's glad he's not like others. Publican prays more sincerely and asked for mercy
• Matthew 6: if you're shown righteous in front of your peers, you have received your reward. Pray in secret and the Lord will bless you
• 1. Pray Humbly. Be by yourself. Do it quietly.
• 2. Pray gently. God isn't hard of hearing
• 3. Ask in faith. (James 1-6)
• 4. Ask with the right motives. If everyone prayers got answered, there will be many billionaires
• 5. Pray according to God's wishes. It isn't what we want, but what I need. 'If it's what the Lord wills...'
• 6. Have the right relationships with others.
• 7. Confess the sin we all have.
• 7 primary things about prayer.
• When you practice these 7 steps, you'll often hear the answer you're truly looking for.

The Message ~ Wesley Whidden

• STOP FOR THE ONE... Take time for the one... Pray for the one
• Stop striving, start abiding
• We can't lose our zeal for God. We need to keep making time for Christ
• Worth is defined by how much someone else is willing to pay for it.
• We are Christ's prize possession
• The cross providers the answer to the human heart
• Mark 6
• Unbelief is a robber of faith.
• Faith comes by hearing; believing with your Heart
• Mark 9:29 (disciples try to cast out spirit of disbelief)
• The heart is where your dreams, ambitions live
• Ephesians 3:20 (God will do abundantly more than what you think)
• Proverbs... Above all things, protect your heart!
• If you're having issues with Faith, you need to pray and fast
• Believe Him at His word! His word is full, infallible, believable and Final!!
• Great testimonies come from great tests
• Need to learn to see the NEEDS of others.
• Stop for the one, and pour out the capacity of Christ.
• One plants, one waters, one sees the harvest...
• Intimacy with Christ is important; is for a purpose!

Before I go... did you know we now have a Facebook page?! Check us out at 'Master's Hand Ministry' :)

https://www.facebook.com/Masters-Hand-Ministry-199166430446284/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel

Cheers