How would you react?

Good Morning World!

Someone I know very dearly had a hard day at work the other day, which when talking to that person I heard all about it.  Even though I wasn't apart of the day, the comments and story made me upset too.  After some contemplation a thought crossed my mind - As a Christian and a child of God one of the hardest things to do is keep your spirit right during these situations.

The problem seems to be jealousy, and when someone isn't secure enough in themselves many times they take it out on the one who makes them insecure.  Strife doesn't have to take hold on us when we realize that if we just keep on doing what is right everything will work out right.

The hardest part is going back to work and putting a smile on your face and being nice to the ones who have wronged you.  Not only is this the true spirit of Christmas, but it is also a truth in life.  By being nice to those who wrong us, we heap coals of fire - conviction - upon their heads. (As scripture puts it)  When we turn our spirit to anger and hurt we will only lash out and vindicate the jealousy and insecurity of the one who hurt us!

Rather let us do what scripture says and leave the vengeance to God. Yes, He does fight on our behalf!  If we will keep a right spirit during times of hurt and wrong against us, God will ensure a righteous outcome.  It is a hard thing for our human nature, which loves to retaliate, but letting God take care of these types of problems will bring glory to Him and allow you to walk in freedom from the chains of strife and pain!

So, how would you react if your boss lit into you for something that you know isn't valid, nor wrong?  Just remember there are bigger eyes looking down wanting to help you out. Will you let Him?

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

How to Please God: Part 2

Good Morning World!
Here is our lesson for Sunday Morning November 4, 2012.  Part 2 of our ongoing series about Pleasing God.
--------------------

Joh 8:29-32  And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.  (30)  As he spake these words, many believed on him.  (31)  Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;  (32)  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

We can see from this verse that Jesus did what He came to do, and obedience equalled pleasing God.  Not only did Jesus please God, but because He please God the Spirit of God was always with Him.

I know that this can sound kind of rhetorical as Jesus was the Almighty God wrapped in flesh come to reconcile the world unto Himself, but we must understand the principle of this lesson.  Sure Jesus always obeyed the Spirit within Him as it was what drove Him, but we too who are filled with the Spirit of God, which was in and apart of Jesus Christ also must learn to obey and be driven by this Spirit!

What was Jesus sent to do?
1. I am come to fulfil the law - Matthew 5:17
2. I am come to send a Sword - Matthew 10:34,35 (The sword that shows sin)
3. I am come to send Fire - Luke 12:49 (The Fire of the Holy Ghost is God's consuming fire!)
4. I am come in my Father's NAME - RECEIVE THE NAME - John 5:43
5. I am come for judgement - to show truth and hide it. John 9:39
6. I am come to give abundant life - John 10:0
7. I am come as a light to take away the darkness - John 12:46
8. Tell John this is what I am doing: The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. - Matthew 11:5
9. Luke 4:18,19 - I am anointed by the Spirit of God to: preach the Gospel to the poor, heal the broken-hearted, preach deliverance to the captives, the recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are bruised and preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
10. I am come to seek and to save that which was lost - Luke 19:10
11. I am come not to destroy lives, but to save them. - Luke 9:56

It sounds at the first glance that Jesus came to destroy, but in bringing a sword, fire and judgement He is shedding his Light into our lives.  This light of Truth is so powerful that we often reject it at first.  This causes turmoil where peace was intended.  It causes pain where life was intended.  It is not God who brings destruction  but it is our reaction to light and truth that brings destruction upon us.  Jesus didn't come to destroy, but to give us life in full abundance!

Jesus mission was to open up a door that lead all humanity back to the God who had created them.  The veil had been put in place because sin in men's heart and mind could not be allowed in the presence of a righteous God.

Jesus taught us how to live in this new union, and through the disciples spread this good news all over the world.

Jesus' death on the cross was the final piece to the puzzle, and even though it looked like the end, it was only the beginning!

The purpose of Jesus fulfilled and please God that He continued His purpose in us through the gift of the Holy Spirit, which is the Spirit of Christ, which is Christ in us the hope of glory!

So, what is the lesson here, and how does it teach us to please God?
The lesson that we learn from Jesus is that we must learn to obey and follow His will.  How can we do this?  By learning to listen to the voice of the Spirit in us and doing what it says.  As Samuel said, "Obedience is better than sacrifice."

Fulfil God's purpose for your Life!

My 200th Post! (Do you hear or listen?)

Good Morning World!  WOW!
This will be my 200th post!  I decided a few years ago to stick with this blog, and even though I have changed it twice, and taken a couple sabbaticals from writing it is still here for the world to read and hopefully enjoy a fresh breeze of truth, and a small amount of wisdom.  (That was a long sentence!)
Now we are celebrating 200 bits of information, wisdom, advice, suggestions and sermons - it doesn't seem possible!  Thank You!

Today by way of celebration I am going back a few days to a conversation I had with a couple of my local banks tellers.  They were in the middle of a conversation when I arrived at the wicket, and knowing them as well as I do I made a smart remark; at which they all laughed.  However, because of the comment we started talking about the difference between listening and hearing.

They are both action words, but one is passive and one is active.  Passive means you can do the action without any real effort or action on your part.  Active means that there is a direct action that must be included or follow the use of the word.  So, we have Hearing.  This is a passive word.  This word can be done without any action required.  Listening on the other hand is an active word, and requires action on the part of the doer.  I might hear what my mother is saying, but I do not listen to what my mother is saying!

I have written 200 posts now, and I have had over 4,000 people read these posts, however, I wonder ho many of those people actually listened?  As preachers we are not interested in people who just hear the gospel, but we are trying to find people who will listen to the gospel.  Not very often have I directly preached the gospel in these posts, but almost every post has had an element that will lead you to Jesus if you will listen.  Too, often we just peruse the blogs in our list, but we don't actually digest this soul food and find a why to implement it.  I have a book on my shelf that is just over half finished because I am trying to put into action what is requested in the book. (This reminds me I need to check in the book and see how I am doing!)  I have just started the book of Proverbs, and decided to take it one chapter at a time, even though I memorized about 16 chapters of it as a youth, it still holds great and powerful truth that I will now try to instill into my children!

So, next time you read, or are required to hear something; listen!

Yours for Christ
Pastor Fred

The Wine Press of Life

Good Morning World!


Have you ever felt like life was just crushing you?  Have you ever felt like a little grape being crushed in the press?  I would like to use this analogy to encourage you today.

What are grapes used for?  Juice, Wine, Jelly.  Do we enjoy these products?  Do we know that for the most part they are beneficial to the body? (In Moderation!)  So how do we get these products?  They are crushed, squished, rendered, cooked, boiled just to name a few.  This process of destruction brings forth the sweetest of Juice and is then made into many things!


Your life may seem like it is going through the wringer, but just have faith and trust in God!  You may not like the process, but the outcome will be beautiful and full of flavour! You may be crushed, bruised and thrown from the fire into the frying pan, but remember your problems will only last for a season and joy comes in the MORNING!  His mercy is new every day!


Raise your head, Raise your hands, Lift your voice and let Jesus know that you are holding on!


Yours for the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Pastor Fred

Purposed Righteousness!

During my Bible reading this morning I read a verse that I plan to integrate into my life!


Psalm 17:3b ..."I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress"

This should be a life verse for everyone!  David the great psalmist wrote some of the most poignant literature that there is, and this is no exception.  I wonder what would happen in this world if people would begin to purpose that they were going to talk right?


Just like the old quote, "you are what you eat," the same is true, "you are what you speak!"  We must learn to use right words.  Let us not be crass and obnoxious, but let us learn to speak with wisdom, thought, understanding and tact.


The lost art of being tactful is all but gone, and people don't seem to care what they say or write to each other.  This is a degradation of society that is really a shame.  We must purpose in our own minds that we are going to do what is right.  We must purpose that we are going to take responsibility for our own actions, words and ways.  We must purpose that we are going to do what is necessary to change our lives!


Did you know that you have available the greatest asset to a mind set and life change?  His name is Jesus!  He has offered us all the resources and help that we will ever need to have a fulfilled and successful life.  Jesus gives us assistance through the power of His Holy Spirit and ministering angels.  Through a daily lifestyle of prayer and Bible reading and study we can gain all the insight and instruction that we need to life a peaceable and successful life!


Don't ever complain that you are alone in this life, because Jesus is just a prayer away!


Your's for the Gospel of Jesus Christ,
Pastor Fred

A House With God In It. -- Daily Bible Reading -- Psalm 48

Good Morning World!  Another nice crisp morning is upon us, and Jesus is still on the throne!  As the scripture says, "The heavens are his throne and the earth his footstool."  I'm glad He is in charge and not some universal coalition of bureaucrats.

Psalm 48

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be in a house with God.  I don't mean that God is always everywhere, and of course we are in a house with God, rather you and God are there together, and both of you know it.  This seems to be the scenario that David is describing.  The Palace and Temple are houses not just of the kings and priests, but God lives there, and He directs and guides His people from there.

Oh, to release myself from my own inhibition and learn to live as a family member with Jesus. Yes, I know that we are the children of God, but we do not often live like we live in the same house as Jesus.  Think about it.  Can you imagine racing Jesus for the last cookie, or knocking on the bathroom door so you can have a turn?  Think about being so close to Jesus that you are like family.  Think about trusting Jesus like a father or older brother.  We often ask our earthly fathers for favors, money, gifts, treats, love, hugs, kisses, advice and much more, and yet we can't seem to bring ourselves to treat Jesus, our Heavenly Father, as we do our earthly father.  In many cases I'm glad we don't treat Jesus as we do our earthly father, because there is so much disrespect and such a cynical attitude toward parents.  Yet, if we could learn to treat our "fathers" as truly we ought to there would be so much more of a dynamic between you and your earthly dad, and you and your heavenly dad.

I challenge you today to repent of your sins past, present and future.  I challenge you to try the love of Jesus on for size.  I challenge you to climb up into Jesus' lap, and have a conversation with Him today.  A conversation like you always wanted to have with your physical dad.  I challenge you to get to know Jesus as more than just a God who is out there, but rather as a God who is a part of the family - your family!

Yours for a heavenly family,
Pastor Fred

Daily Bible Reading & Devotion -- Psalm 36

Good Morning and Merry Christmas World! From the "True North Strong and Free" to the south of Chile, From the north of Siberia to the Cape of Good Hope, From the Philippines to the outback of Queensland, From the North Pole to the Antarctic may the Joy of this blessed season wash over you, and the Peace of Jesus Christ comfort you!

December 22, 2009

Psalm 36

Sometimes we forget that we live in a wicked world. The everyday grind makes us immune to the chaos around us. David thought he lived in a wicked world. I wonder what he would say about the generation we live in today?

Still through all the wickedness and crap this world has in it God is still Good All the Time. His word is forever settled in heaven, and He really is in control. He is great in righteousness, mercy and loving kindness. He will take care of all those who put their trust in Him, and He will take care of all those who don't put their trust in Him.

So often we forget to look beyond our little comfort zone. We live a selfish life that consists of all our immediate needs. That is why politicians and country leaders have such a difficult job, because people never want to look at the big picture. This Christmas season, however, you celebrate or don't remember to look beyond your comfort zone and show some love and kindness to someone else!

Merry Christmas!

Pastor Fred

Daily Bible Reading & Devotion -- Psalm 17

Good Morning Again! God is good All the Time!

November 25, 2009

Psalm 17

There is a lot of thoughts, truth and lessons that could be drawn from this prayer of David, however, one particular phrase caught my attention. This phrase really will keep us from much pain, trouble and sorrow in our lives; because we are our own worst enemy!

I AM PURPOSED THAT MY MOUTH SHALL NOT TRANSGRESS...

Wow! What a life lesson! What a goal! What a lifestyle!

If we could just purpose in our minds, and live our lives with this goal in our minds everyday I wonder what would happen? It would literally change our lives, actions and situations. A vast majority of the court cases in our countries that deal with people suing each other would be resolved outside of court simply because our mouth gets us in trouble. Rather than being wise and quiet we like being a fool and noisy! Proverbs shows us that even a fool is considered wise when he keeps his mouth shut!

I challenge you today to purpose in your heart and mind that you will not transgress God, others or yourself with your mouth. If you can't find something constructive to say - zip it! Use your voice to build not destroy. Use your voice for Worship and praise instead of hate and disrespect.

Let everyone know without saying a word that you Love God and respect others!

Yours for a new purpose

Pastor Fred

The Cry of the Heart

Have you ever had something, a thought, idea, person, circumstance, etc, on your mind that just drove you to cry out? Have you ever been driven to cry out to Jesus? There are so many different places that our lives go, often we face "the valley" and must cry out for help, solace, comfort, direction, and/or deliverance. Let me tell you; Jesus is the Good Shepherd and he will be there for you, and will take care of you while you experience your circumstance!

Having said all this, I must admit that my heart has a cry right now, and has for quite some time. I've had a burden burning with in me, and it will not let me go! And, for that I thank God!

Part 1) I have been extremely dissatisfied with my relationship with Jesus, and have been experiencing an emotion much akin to anxiety about soul winning and reaching the lost souls around me everyday! Again, I thank God for it!

You have possibly mistaken my testimony as a complaint rather this is not a complaint, but is a desire, and passion to do more for my Saviour and God Jesus! I do not complain that I have a cry in my heart to God, I welcome it, and long for it to grow in me and develope in to something of beauty and wonder!

If we ever lose our passion for souls we have condemned the world to hell and are quite possibly heading down that road ourselves! Don't ever lose your passion for the lost, and constantly allow Jesus to work through you to become the beacon of light that this lost and desperate world needs!

Part 2) I have a burden upon my heart to have a closer, more powerful, more intimate, more direct relationship with Jesus. I don't want to just be a son, or servant, but I want to be a friend of God! I want to know Jesus better than I know my wife! I want to know Jesus better than I know myself! I want to know Jesus better than anything else in this life!

The one thing that I feel has come out of this so far is a deeper, more consistant, time of Daily Bible Reading. It has been a wonder period of growth for me. I purchased a diary type note book that has attachable tabs and a place for date on each page. In this book I have been writing notes on each chapter I read each day, and this had helped me to look forward to the experience every day!

Again I welcome this cry of the heart, and hope I never lose the desire to be at one with Jesus. If it means quiting a job or two to make more room for Jesus in my life and family so be it! I want and need Jesus more than anything in this mortal life!

What is your heart crying for?

Are you crying for more of Jesus?

Maybe you should be!

Your for more of Jesus

Pastor Fred

The book of Hebrews

Good day folks!

Well, I just finished reading Hebrews today. What an interesting book of the Bible; God's Word. There are so many points to ponder that it would fill a whole volume to discuss them all!

I would like to mention one.

In Chapter 12 we have the verse that says: Lay aside every weight and the sin which does so easily beset us.

I would like to point something out that may help someone in their trials and temptations.

Notice it says that the weights and sins easily beset us, get us down, drag us around in the dirt of life. They easily beset us because they aren't things that we definitly wouldn't do. The "big" sins aren't a problem to us, and so they will not tempt us. However, the little things in life have a tendence to weigh us down, and lead us down the path of sin. Too, much time on the computer could be your problem. Gossiping on the phone could be your down fall. Watching too much TV or Movies could cause you to slip. There are many everyday things that we can allow to weigh us down, which we often don't think about, but it is those little things that will keep you out of heaven's promise!

Don't let the little lies, little gossips, little games keep you away from the word of God, work of God, house of God, and your prayer and bible study life!

Your's for the sake of the little things!

Pastor Fred

Standing for Truth

I've just been reading an interesting article online, about a bold young lady who has become a politician in the United States, all because she took a stand for what she felt was right.

Rep. Michele Bachmann

In the article the writer describes the `persecution` that Mrs. Bachmann is receiving because of her strong stand against the wrongs of the Federal Government.

This reminds me of the Stand that each Christian must take each and every day!

It is imperative that we stand for truth, no matter what this world things. People are becoming so liberal and socially minded that truth doesn`t seem to matter anymore!

Truth is truth no matter if anyone believes!
Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life! This will be the truth supposing the whole world turns their back, and God has to burn this whole planet with fire and brimstone!

I encourage you to stand! When you`ve done everything else for God, continue to STAND, and take up the whole armor of God!

Yours for the Stand,

Pastor Fred

Slow Down!

Good day folks!

I hope the sun and the Son are shining down on you today!

Well, I've been sick for a few days, and it's really made me realize that I need to slow down a bit and take a break! I work full time, have a janitorial contract on the side, my buddy and I go clowning most weekends during the summer, and on top of that God has placed us as Pastor of the Sanctuary of Truth in Springdale, Newfoundland! On top of that I am a husband and the father of 4 wonderful children with one in the "oven" so to speak!

Folks take heed to some hard learned wisdom from a young preacher and business owner!

SLOW DOWN!

Don't work yourself to death! Life is too short, and people are too precious and your family is too valuable! Working so long is not worth loosing your life and family over! Take a break, read a book, go to the beach with your family, relax! You won't be any good to Jesus if you are flat on your back because you wore yourself out!

Slow down!

Have a great day!

Pastor Fred

Stages

I have been feeling like I'm about to enter a stage in my life. Something important is going to happen to me.

Have you ever felt like you have been going through stages?

It's kind of like being a child. Each year you get older you seem to enter a new stage, and as you get older those stages get longer and longer.

Infant to Toddler
Child to Teenie-bopper
Teenager
Young Adult
Adult hood.

However, once an adult the stages don't come so defined anymore.
It seems to come based on lessons in life to be learned.

I hope and pray I am ready for what Jesus has in store for my life!
"Lord prepare me to be a sanctuary!"

What stage are you in? Are you ready for the glory of God!?

Yours for Jesus
Fred

Always looking for the bad stuff!

A short time ago I was asked to pay a little doctor's visit for my friend's computer. As an intermediate self taught technician, and as I do this fairly often I decided to help. So I took his tower home, and cleaned up all the spyware, adware, malware and trojans from off his computer. I availed of many of the freeware and trial version programs which I have tested and found extremely useful. After a couple days of work I finally returned the healthy computer back to its owner. He was happy! Another satisfied customer.

Well, last week he said that he couldn't find any spyware on the computer, and the thought crossed his mind that maybe there must be something wrong with the computer again! Yes, you read right he thought a healthy computer might have something wrong with it because there was nothing wrong it.

No stop laughing at my friend, because after I thought about it for awhile I realized we all do the same thing. (Well maybe not all of us, but alot of us! Especially my wonderful wife!)

Often we are faced with trials and temptations, and our human psyche seems to get used to the fact that bad stuff happens on a regular basis. So, when those "rare" times of blessing come we don't really rejoice in it we are always looking around for that bad time, which we "know" must be just around the corner!

STOP!

Let me relay a circumstance which we went through recently.
A couple weeks ago, my hyper children decided that swinging from the copper water pipe, and of course it broke. Well it just wasn't any pipe it was the water main, that brings water into the house from the town! On top of that the valve inside the house is so old the rubber was all worn off and so it blew off when I tried to fix the problem. Now we have a mess, and we are only about 4 feet from the 4 inch town water main, so we have about 70 lbs of water pressure pulsing into the basement. This happened for about 20 minutes to half and hour. Yes, you guessed it there was inches of water all over the basement. Needless to say after a friend came over and helped me save the day, and all the water was cleaned up we have the problem of clean up. As I'm sure you have guessed by now it wasn't just the flooring that was destroyed but furniture and other things. Once we had time to look around and things started drying out, I realized that this wasn't a bad thing, like my wife believed at first. (to make a long story short) Everything we needed to fix the problem was already around us. The total cost of the repairs including new valves, pipes, flooring and furniture was ----- under $30.00! The good Lord had supplied everything in advance! I had enough good used laminate flooring given to me to redo the necessary floor space. I had enough piping left over from other projects to meet this need. All I needed to buy was a new valve, and cpvc piping glue. Praise the Lord!

To the point. If I had been busy looking for the next problem that is coming down the line, I most certainly wouldn't have seen the blessing that was already standing in front of me!

So, the next time that good happens to you, rejoice and be glad, and give God the glory! Don't always expect and look for the bad, expect God to take care of you. That is exactly what He wants to do!

Yours for blessing,
Pastor Fred

Time flies...whether you have fun or not!

Well it has been another busy couple of weeks, however, God has been great as usual, and many things have been accomplished!

1. We've successfully transitioned from summer mode to school mode! Ethan my oldest has finally started school! Tuesday was the big day and he was extremely excited! Soraya did a wonderful job teaching him. (We are home schooling - challenging, rewarding, and fun) The A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) Curriculum is very well laid out, and easy to follow for both Ethan and Soraya. Kudo's for A.C.E.! Ethan is catching on very quickly, and we have noticed marked improvement in his attention span, focus, and learning ability over the past couple of days. It really is amazing how children grow up, and can learn new things!

2. The Sanctuary of Truth Church website is up and running. Although it isn't completely finished it should be fully functional. The Online Radio is available again. (as you can see above) However, I have noticed a few songs are either not working or not available. (Please help me identify all songs that aren't working or available - leave a comment or email me.) The video media player is still in the works. Some of the media from the last site is gone for ever, but we are in the process of making more. Bear with us as we improve our sites, and enjoy them as they grow. You can visit the site @ www.sanctuaryoftruthupc.com

3. We are in the process of expanding our POWer Hour attendance as we move into the Fall season. We still have a couple of weeks left for the "Friendship" program, and then we will jump into another attendance promotion as we begin a new program for the Fall and Christmas seasons.

4. The Good Lord has given "yours truly" another song. Lord willing I will be able to post a video of it soon. The title is "All I can do is Worship You!" The song sort of just dropped in one evening as I was preparing a message for a Church Service, and developed into a full fledged worship/hymn song.

5. By the Grace of God we are in the process of buying a local business. No we don't have any money, but God works things out, and will make all things possible as He always does! It requires a lot of leg work, but I see Jesus at every turn helpping us along. More info on this will follow....

6. Jesus lead me to a website a few months ago called the www.possibilityvirus.com. It is a website of a life coach and keynote speaker Michael Bungay Stanier the Senior Partner, Box of Crayons . His coaching ability is quite good, and I've been reviewing the emails and questions sent to me. Putting things into practice is quite different than just reading and disgarding. So, that is exactly what I've been doing. By the Grace of God I've been implimenting two questions a day. Now I have posters all over my wall that remind me what my core values are and what I want to happen and be done in my life! It's great! (I'll share this in more detail later.)

Well, that's about it for now, but I do want you to remember a couple things before we sign off.

A. Keep Smiling - as the old children's song says "smilers never lose and frowners never win!"
B. Remember that "God is Good All the Time!" If you can realize that no matter what you go through God is good that knowledge will change your life!
C. Jesus loves you!

Yours for a Blessed Day,
Pastor Fred

The Muddy Puddle Question!

What is it about a muddy puddle that makes a child drawn to it? What is it about the muddy puddle that is like a magnet, and a child just has to step in it and dance!?

This question really struck me Thursday evening as my son, Ethan, and I were going into the Church for Bible Study. It had been a snowy, sloppy, warmish kind of day, and between the van and the Church was a rather large muddy puddle. As we passed, Ethan began to position himself for the big plunge! As I was on hand his impulsive desire to jump was quickly thwarted, and this question crossed my mind. Then in the few seconds before we entered the Church for Bible Study I realized that the Good Lord had just given me food for thought and sermon material!

We need to be like that muddy puddle! Not in respect the the muddy or even in respect to the puddle, but rather we must be like magnets that people feel need to jump into! As a Pastor and a Preacher it can be difficult at times to convince people of their spiritual needs, but if I could become like a muddy puddle I wouldn't have to convince people they would just want to jump in and get their spiritual needs met!

Everywhere Jesus went the crowds just happened. He was like a crowd magnet. He didn't have to announce His arrival into town. He didn't have to put up posters or make radio announcements! Jesus found some needy people and began to minister. The result: shortly afterward a huge crowd would begin to form, and He would have a congregation to preach to! Oh, to be more like Jesus! Oh, to be less like myself!

So my challenge this morning, evening and noon is that you change whatever needs to be changed in your life so that you are a magnetic muddy pool of spiritual desire! You get Jesus so He overflows and people will want the part that is slopping over!

Yours for magnetic Christianity,
Pastor Fred

PS. Enjoy my online Radio at the top of the page! Press the continuous button so the music will continually loop.

How often are you a Christian?

Another title could be:
"What are you doing about the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Jesus Christ?"


"And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch." Acts 11:26b
"...Follow in His Steps." 1 Peter 2:21-25

I have been on a quest. I have been seeking hidden treasure, but have only found questions. These questions need answers, and once answered will tell me if there is any treasure inside or not! I am referring to my own personal quest at self evaluation. This quest has lead to some very important findings about my inner person. (Once I've satisfactorily completed my quest I will share some of my findings.) For the purpose of this post I will focus on one particular question that arose:

"How Often Are You A Christian?"

We claim to be Christians, but how often does this fact show to those we meet everyday? How often are we actually practicing the character that Jesus displayed everyday? How often do we truly walk in Christ's footsteps?

"Do we think that we just are a Christian?"

Matthew 7:16-20

Do men gather grapes from thorn-bushes or figs from thistles? 17 Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore by their fruits you will know them.

Fruit must be found on only its kind of tree or bush. You will never find plums on a blueberry bush or vis versa.

"Does a piece of fruit just happen?" "No! Of course not!"

1. The tree must be watered and fertilized so that the proper nutrients are flowing.
2. There must be enough sunlight and an appropriate temperature.
3. This will help the tree to blossom beautiful flowers, but only if the above two options are met.
4. There must be a transference of pollen. A. By Insects B. By Wind or C. By Self Pollination.
5. There must be an adequate incubation time, which includes the right amount of water, fertilizer, sun and temperature!
6. Finally over the course of a couple months the fruit will grow into maturity. This fruit will contain everything needed to reproduce the process all over again, or nourish another creature.

Let's take a moment to translate this into our spiritual growth period.

1. Prayer and the Word of God are considered "spiritual water" in the scriptures.
2. Bible Study and listening to Preaching are considered "spiritual fertilizer".
3. The Light of the Holy Spirit of Jesus is "spiritual sunshine".
4. Your relationship with Jesus Christ our Saviour is the fragile "spiritual blossom".
5. The "spiritual pollen" is transfered by Christian fellowship and Training from the Pastor, Spiritual Leader or a Christian Friend. The Wind of the Holy Spirit, and Personal Devotions also play a very important role in this pollination process.
6. Through a consistent regiment of all the above we can let our relationship "blossom" grow into a truly amazing and beneficial "spiritual fruit of the Spirit"!

As you can deduct in your own mind, many of us "Christians" aren't the "Christians" we claim to be. It isn't that we don't care, or that we are hypocrites, or even backsliding from our beliefs. We just are not putting enough effort and thought into being everything that Jesus died for us to be!

"Let's look at some of Jesus Christs Character Traits!"

(Note: this is just a brief list as there are over 60 recorded traits...)

• Humble
• Compassionate
• Had righteous indignation
• Courageous
• Loved His Enemies
• Was Kind and Tender hearted
• Took care of people's needs, sickness and afflictions
• Healed ALL of the Sick
• Stood for Righteousness no matter the cost
• He could not be bribed
• He took time to pray
• He went to Church often
• He read the Bible (even though He was the Living WORD!)
• He took time for family and friends (and took care of their needs)
• He took a break (to relax and stay focused on His purpose)
• He fed the hungry
  
• He gave drink to the thirsty
• He gave to the needy
• He was a peace-maker
• He was passionate
• He was focused on the goal and purposes of His life
• He worked Hard
• He Obeyed (even to the cost of His own life!)

He Also taught us what the "Fruit of the Spirit" taste like:

• Love
• Joy / Gladness
• Peace / Calmness of spirit
• Patience / Long suffering
• Kindness / Gentleness
  
• Goodness / Giving
• Faithful
• Meekness / Humility
• Self-control / Temperate

Finally, "How can we have this in our own lives?"

Abide in Jesus the Tree of Life! John 15:4, 5

Follow the steps to abundance that Peter pointed out should be in every follower of Christ's life:
2 Peter 1:5-12

1. Faith / Assurance
2. Virtue / Moral excellence
3. Knowledge / Understanding
4. Temperate / Self Restraint
5. Patience / Stead Fast / Faithful
6. Godliness / Devotion / Passion
7. Brotherly Kindness
8. Charity / Love

Keep these on the top of your vine and you will be full of tasty fruit!

Conclusion:
To give you a couple of starting tips here are some questions to ask yourself everyday, and whenever you have to make a decision in life:

• What Would Jesus Do?
• Is It Good For Me?
• Does It Glorify Jesus?
• Is It Profitable or Uplifting?
• Is It a Stumbling Block to my relationship or someone else?
• Will this become a weight and weigh me down?

Stick to Jesus and He will Stick to You!

Yours for a glorious relationship with Jesus,
Pastor Fred Grothe
PS> Enjoy this youtube Easter video. Let its message change your life!

Fire! Fire!

When someone yells, "Fire!, Fire!" What is the first thing that comes to mind? Stop. Drop. Roll. Call 911. Get water. What comes to mind when you are alerted about a fire? Too, many of us fire is considered dangerous, and we shy away from it as much as possible. Sure, we may heat our homes with, and it may be the driving force in many of our vehicles, but other than that we don't like fire. Forest fires destroy much of our real estate every year. Fires destroy many homes every year. The list could go on and on. However, there is some elements of fire that we must understand before we can truly understand its power, potential and so we can loose our fear of it.

First, fire starts with a single spark which then combusts with something else and oxygen to form a flame. This flame then becomes larger as it consumes whatever it comes in contact with. This is the reason that fire can be so dangerous. However, fire needs oxygen and a slight breeze to burn. Take away oxygen and the fire dies very quickly.

You may be wondering by now what in the world is this crazy preacher talking about fire for? Well, let me get into it.

I would like everyone to become a fire, in a sense. Why, What do you mean?

1. Fire consumes whatever is around it. If we are going to change our world for the better, and impact lives for the sake of the Gospel of Jesus Christ then we must become a spiritual fire that will leap onto those who are near us, and consume them! Every ideal, proposal, business plan, must light a fire under those who hear and read them or they will surely die. We must possess and display such a passion about what we believe in that it must consume those who see and hear it!

2. Fire needs oxygen and fuel to burn. We must be a source of continual inspiration and substance for people to feed off of. We also, must be connected to the ultimate source - Jesus Christ. We must get in His presence and feed upon His Word as often each day as we can. Thus, we will be able to impact other peoples lives more easily!

What do you get excited about? What gets you going? What do you enjoy talking about? Learn how you feel when you are doing those things, and then get just as excited about Jesus, and let your flame burn!

Burning for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Here are a couple of very thought provoking video's

Please take the time to digest this video. We've been preaching about this very thing for years!
If you want the video here is the Link.

This is a pretty vivid description of a persons walk with Jesus! Here is the link.

Jesus is Looking for Just ONE!

The other day I was listening to the radio (www.klove.com), and one of the short programs came on. I don't remember who the guy was or what the program was, but I do remember what he said. As a matter of fact I incorporated it into our Thursday night Bible Study lesson.

Ezekiel 22:30
30And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.

God doesn't want to pour out His wrath upon us, and is search, yea looking for ONE to stand in the gap, and intercede on behave on a nation, the continent, the world!

Did you know or realize that every major revival in the Bible and in this world since the early church has started with ONE person getting ahold of God, and spreading the message to another ONE, and another ONE!

If we would stop focusing on reaching EVERYONE, and just get out and reach ONE we can and will bring Jesus to the Whole World in a matter of years!

Back to our radio program. The announcer was talking about our current rate of evangelizing the world, and that it would take an impossible amount of years to reach the world. However, he went on to describe a method that can reach the entire world in just a matter of years!
(This can also be proven through math give or take a couple years)

If ONE person would go out and reach another ONE person. Then, he/she would disciple that one person for one year, so that they knew Jesus, His Word and had a relationship with Him. After that year the two would go out and reach another ONE person each; that would be four people. Those two new ones would be discipled for ONE year. Next those four would go out and reach out to another ONE person each; that would be eight! ....and this process of reaching the lost and discipleship would continue every year ONE person to effectively start the ball rolling that would reach the entire population of planet earth in approximately ................ (guess)...........
..................................
................................
32 years......!!!!!!!!

Isn't that amazing! So get off your rear end, and get out and just find ONE! If every true Christian and child of God would do this, we could effectively evangelize the world in a matter of years!

I did the math for my community, and in 5 years I could help 100 people find Jesus, learn to know Him and love Him. In 10 years we could reach 3,200 people which would be everyone in my community. Within another 3 years we could reach the rest of the Green Bay Area! And to top it off within 18 years from now we could reach over 819,000 souls. That is more people than who live within Newfoundland and Labrador! All because ONE person stood in the gap and reached out to another ONE!

Be THE ONE!

Yours for reaching the world,
Pastor Fred

PS> It sure feels great to be back in the saddle! It's been a crazy summer so far, but God has been real good. I'll tell you about it sometime!