Sunday, December 31, 2017

Understand the big picture

When we Understand the big picture the victim mentality goes away. 
Keith Eberhard www.ChurchOfTheRock.ca
Matt 16.18
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.
Matthew 16:18 NET

I will build my church
I will build my church
I will build my church

1. Draw near
2. Pick fruit
3. Share
Seek to be near to God and listen. Live to see God's love living powerful. In the Philippines they had typhoon damage. Missionaries Lost everything. Had rats in the ceiling. Termites. So discouraged. Got nothing. No energy. Nothing left to give. Only the shell of self. 
Got a rundown hotel for free and a sizeable donation to start an upscale church to reach the rick. 
2. Good fruit. Every situation has an opportunity to grow fruit. Have patience. Love kindness gentleness mercy.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
Galatians 5:22‭-‬23 NET
The NDP candidate defamed and twisted what he said about abortion. 
I responded in anger. Not fruit of the Spirit.
Always choose fruit. Embrace it. 
3. Share with others
2 Corinthians 4.15 
Every detail works to your advantage
Acts 4 the disciples were beaten but they asked for more boldness. 
Touch lives. 
Elijah had to live off roadkill and then mooch off a widow. God said to Elijah what are you doing? You are not the only one. 
Start ministering. 
Build my church. 
Where is your opportunity?

Sunday, December 24, 2017

God's Potential Affirmation

We met with Loni and Rodney and family at www.mySouthLand.com

Kris
I preach week to week. Whatever comes into my head on Thursday. 

Luke 1 In the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy, the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town of Galilee called Nazareth,  The angel came to her and said, "Greetings, favored one, the Lord is with you!"  So the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God! Listen: You will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus.
Luke 1:26‭, ‬28‭-‬28‭, ‬30‭-‬31 NET
The angel talked to her. At age 12 the parents would arrange a marriage. They would get married at age 16 or 18.
Who says Greetings, favored one to a teenage girl?

Gideon was a hiding coward. 
The Lord's messenger appeared and said to him, "The Lord is with you, courageous warrior!"
Judges 6:12 NET

God speaks into these people with honor and hope and potential. 
God sees the potential and calls it out. 
God calls into existence things that are not. 

God corrects us with hope. Guilt is feeling bad and I make it right. Unconditional sorry. Condemnation is depressing and can't say sorry. It makes you feel bad. There is sorry. 
God doesn't condemn. We need to hear God speaking affirmation to us. God loves you. It starts there.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how we should pray, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with inexpressible groanings.
Romans 8:26 NET

This is who you are. You are God's child. If you think you are feeling worthless get God's DNA with his Spirit. 

The first step is to hear God's affirmation. He is speaking affirmation to you right now. Why do some people not hear it? 
Unbelief is the main problem. We are not open to hear God. We think the affirmation can't be true. 
Mary had a tough time hearing the affirmation. She was greatly troubled. Why? That bothered her. She couldn't take the compliment. She tried to discern. She can't accept it. 
At some point we need to learn to make the choice to accept affirmation. When is the last time you heard affirmation from God. 
From your spouse? Affirmation is a language of love. Kids need to hear affirmation regularly. 
Is God our father? He is much better father and gives affirmation regularly. 
I asked son Charlie if I could tell this story. Calling out the good. We say stop don't smarten up. We should compliment. 
Only and at all times we should encourage the good. The kids were bickering and fighting badly at breakfast. Yelling. How can you encourage a mad kid? Sit down beside him and talk. As he calms down he feels shame. Charlie what's amazing is you didn't hit your brother. I'm proud of you. 

Thankful that God is changing me. He's like that all the time. He says I don't see a failure. 
Affirmation leads to Assignment. Act. You will conceive. 

You are an encourager. He wants to change you. 
Affirmation leads to adoration.
Allow God to speak affirmation into your life. Do it to other people. Quit nagging. It doesn't make people better. 
Speak affirmation to others. Find out what Jesus thinks about your spouse or kid. That will change them and you. 
Fast from nagging and pray over people close to you. Write down the affirmation you want to give them. 

Sunday, December 17, 2017

Stand Out dare to be different

That annoying light won't be there next Sunday
Louise by video. 150 Buddhists were baptized recently. Neighbors came to apologize for mistreatment. 10 mayors recently asked for help. Pastor Isaiah is coming next month. Needs warm jacket and home. 
Pastor Delbert www.EasTview.org
Spent a week in Portugal exploring dead churches. 
Stand Out dare to be different
How? 
Jesus said you are the LIGHT. You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill cannot be hidden.
Matthew 5:14 NET
What difference do we make? In vocation? Day to day? How do I live it out? 
What is secular and what is sacred? Dichotomy how do we deal with that? 
So whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 10:31 NET
 David and Goliath. Challenge from the giant. The shepherd boy was willing to go. 
But David replied to the Philistine, "You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin. But I am coming against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel's armies, whom you have defied!
1 Samuel 17:45 NET
What made it so easy for David to slay this giant? He relied on the God of the Universe?
What are our giants? 
1. Giant of delay. The youngest is a keeper of sheep. Too young. 
2. Discouragement. Demoralized. Where is God? Do you become bitter? 
3. Afraid of rejection and disapproval. Why have you come? 
4. Doubt. Question everything. David went to the king. We want to separate our faith and work. God says you are my beloved all week. He is the same all the time. The insults you get are against God not you. What do you have in your hands? Use your gifts. David faced bitterness. He strengthened himself in God. Yourself what are you doing? 
But David replied to the Philistine, "You are coming against me with sword and spear and javelin. But I am coming against you in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel's armies, whom you have defied!
1 Samuel 17:45 NET

What do you expect God to do? Trust God. Expect God to do more. 

Then he touched their eyes saying, "Let it be done for you according to your faith."
Matthew 9:29 NET

Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.
Luke 2:11 NET
Everything I do is for His glory. 

Be authentic.

Sunday, December 10, 2017

Tithing

Dwight Bennet www.EasTview.org
How much do you make and how much do you give? 
It's a wonderful life. George built lots of homes. Gave interest free loans. 
He was short money and going to jail until the neighbours give him a pile of money. 

Luke 12 He then told them a parable: "The land of a certain rich man produced an abundant crop, so he thought to himself, 'What should I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?'  But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded back from you, but who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'  So it is with the one who stores up riches for himself, but is not rich toward God."
Luke 12:16‭-‬17‭, ‬20‭-‬21 NET

The guy had the wrong attitude. He failed to acknowledge God. Good stewardship includes retirement plans. 

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:21 NET

For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.
1 Timothy 6:10 NET

The love of money is the problem. 
Command those who are rich in this world's goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment. Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.
1 Timothy 6:17‭-‬18 NET

Help others

For the one who has will be given more, and he will have more than enough. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.
Matthew 25:29 NET

Always identified with the 3rd servant. A talent is worth $540,000. The 2 servants doubled the money. 

The 3rd servant saw his master as hard. He didn't dare investing it. 
Jesus is coming back. What account will you give for the talents God has given you? What you have has been entrusted to you. 
The Advent Appeal. What are you going to do with what God has entrusted to you? 

Sunday, December 03, 2017

Baptismal Sunday

Georgia
Grew up in a Christian home
Kara 
Grade 8 great grandma died the best person in my life. Go say good bye. The most beautiful goodbye. 
One day all my friends rejected me at school.
Gr 11 accident 2.5 years head trauma. Lost freedom. Play no soccer. Go worker said there is nothing in you to love. Got very depressed until a boy came to talk and helped her overcome her depression. Johnnie has been a huge help. Thank you. 
Emily 
never went to church until I got invited to Youth Group. The song Never Alone made a huge impact and changed my life. Turned anxiety time into prayer time.

Margarete 
grew up in CFS care. After age 18 was homeless,  trafficked and addicted. Saw a Bible and came to God while locked in the trafficked room. We do not belong to the night. Let us be sober. Has 4 daughters. Getting the youngest one back. Want everything to be new. 

Bertha 
was baptised in 82 married in 83. Moved to Canada with 3 children. In 99 rededicated  through an Alpha course. When God calls I obey.
Henry born in Paraguay went to church. Dad prayed with me. Always close to dad. 
Liked the teaching. Steve led with my favorite song.

Johnnie
This is the 1st Sunday of Advent. 
Light
Have you ever been in total darkness? I was in a windowless basement when the power went off. 
John said in Christ we have light. 
We are made into a disciple of Jesus. 
Jesus gave us hope to spend eternity with him. We are on a journey. 
Come to Jesus today. Come sit at the front for prayer. 
Covenant