When to give the gift of giving?

Good Morning World!

I've decided something.  It is a revelation that has been coming, I'm sure I've seen it, but my eyes were opened this week.  Not because of anything in particular, but there is was - knowledge and wisdom waiting to be seen and used.  What was this great revelation?  What was this epiphany that changed my way of thinking?

Here goes:

All my life I believed in the value of giving and the necessity of giving, but haven't ever been in a place financially or otherwise where I could give like I want to, or even as I know I should.  I have tried to give much money from my own pocket and my businesses, but before the cheques could go through something would always come up to hinder my faith based giving.  My intentions were there, but my reality swept my intentions under the rug.

The revelation I received is this: You have to give anyway!  I don't mean go out and give until you can't by groceries or pay your bills.  I mean go out and buy a cam-bro of coffee from Tim Horton's or Starbucks and take it to those who need it or will really appreciate it.  A friend of mine did that for thanksgiving.  He took 50 cups of coffee to the homeless and had a blast!  This isn't terribly expensive, but it is the kind of giving that really matters.  Find someone who will not be able to afford Christmas dinner, and give that to them.  Find someone who will not be getting gifts for Christmas and make sure they are taken care of.  There are so many ways that are inexpensive, for most of us, to help those in need.  My problem that has slightly stressed me out over the years, is that I want to help but have never felt like I could afford to help.  I have a big family and it takes a fair chunk of change to keep us going, so it always seems like at the end of the day all the money I get is gone, but I want to change that mind set.  I want to just give anyway!

So, one of my first 'acts of kindness' will be to do what I mentioned above.  However, we don't really have any homeless so I am going to take some coffee to the minor hockey game.  I'll find out when there is a hockey game on a weekend and buy an cam-bro of coffee set it up and give it to the cold people at the stadium.  Sure they could buy their own, but that isn't the point.  The point is give anyway!  If I here of someone who has a need this Christmas then I'll see to that then, but for now I will give anyway!

As Jesus said, "Give and it shall be given...!"

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

A Thankful Heart

Good Morning World!

Down south past the Canadian boarder many people are getting ready for thanksgiving, no sorry scratch that, it's Black Friday and many people are getting ready to spend more money than they actually have!  Don't get me wrong finding a sale to save some green backs is very nice and all, but to stand in a line up for hours, and then fight over toys and electronics so that your children or loved ones will be happy on Christmas morning?  What kind of thanksgiving celebration is this?  Now we have black Friday in Canada because many of our chain stores come from down in the USA, I'm not sure how I feel about, NO I am sure.  We shouldn't do this!  The Bible tells us that we should give thanks in everything!  A thankful and merry heart is like good medicine.  All this hustle and bustle just so some giant rich stores can make more money isn't worth it, and the stress you'll feel is definitely not worth it!

So, let's slow down - take a breath - and find something to be thankful about!
Here are a few to help get you going:

I am thankful for fresh air to breath.
I am thankful for a family that loves me.
I am thankful for a home to live in.
I am thankful for a community that cares enough to help those in need.
I am thankful for a Country that still believes in freedom.
I am thankful for those that paid the price of my freedom.
I am thankful for friends who are there....
I am thankful for my Saviour Jesus Christ.
I am thankful for Healing and Miracles.
I am thankful for my sweet Children and the funny things they do.
I am thankful for a wife that loves me - unconditionally.
I am thankful for parents that raised me to know the difference...
I am thankful for a good education and the ability to learn even today.
I am thankful for a good cup of tea.
I am thankful for pancakes, french toast and oatmeal.
I am thankful for the farmers who work hard to supply our food.
I am thankful for the wisdom of seniors.
I am thankful for cameras so I can remember the past in color.
I am thankful for facebook & skype so I can talk to people far away.
I am thankful for my Bible which keeps me grounded on the straight and narrow.
I am thankful for Pie & Ice cream....
I am thankful for my Quad ATV, which gets me away from it all...

As you can see the list can keep on going forever!
Let's remember to be thankful!

Yours for Christ
Pastor Fred

Are you making your father glad?

Good Morning World!

Here is a thought, which came to mind while reading Proverbs:  Are you making your father glad?  The scripture reads like this, "A wise son makes a glad father."  So, I ask the question again.  Are you making a glad father?  Are you a wise son, or at least trying to be?  Or, are you one of the many foolish sons out there who don't have respect for anything?  Society seems to be falling apart at the seams, and I believe it is because we don't have children with wisdom.

What is wisdom?  Basically, wisdom is this.  The ability to understand what is going on around you, and then having the fortitude to act appropriately.  Many people have understanding, but don't know what to do.  Most people have action, but they don't have a clue what is going on, or why people look at them strange.  Wisdom is an equal mix of understanding and action mixed with the salt of experience.  I truly believe that wisdom is developed within a person who is willing to learn.  Learn not just book smarts, but learn life lessons.  Are you willing to learn from other people's mistakes or do you have to learn everything the hard way - by yourself in the school of hard knocks?

This morning let's try on wisdom, understanding and the knowledge to do what is right.  Let us not put on the clothing of the lazy, rude, crude or ignorant.  Rather let us wake up, smell the coffee and look around to what is going on around us.  If you for one moment start looking at life with other people in mind rather than just yourself you will find there is a great big world out there that can be discovered!  Have a little wisdom!  Make your dad proud!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

What do you believe in?

Good Morning World!

I heard this song the other day on the radio while driving, and I fell in love with it.  Too much of our music today is whining about what we don't have, or what we lost, and not enough is about values and what we have.  This is a good song and it is worth listening to.  I know it is country, but this is what country was meant to be.  Let's stop wishing our lives away and start believing in something that will change our world!

Here it is: Call me Old Fashioned by High Valley


Yours for Christ
Pastor Fred

Society Might bread laziness.

Good Morning World!

So, I think I might have figured out why we are breading a generation of lazy people.  This isn't necessarily 100% factual, but it is from my own personal experience, and therefore should have some merit.  Anyway, last weekend we went to the city for a doctor's appointment and to do some shopping.  My wife and I calculated the amount of money that we had available, and it wasn't much but it was more than usual.  So, we figured we had no worries, and while being frugal we would get what was needed, take our three oldest (who were with us) out for a nice lunch.  However, when we got to second store our account was dried up, and we had barely spent $200, which today isn't much.  So, leaving our treasures at the counter and being very frustrated we went to a bank to check out what was going on.  We had forgotten to account for our bi-weekly mortgage payment!  

I know that as a person who trusts in God and believes that all things work to together for the good of those who love God, I shouldn't have had a bad attitude, but it took a couple days and much prayer before I was even keel again!

So, with this story in mind, here is my premise:
How many times have you gone to pay for something only to find out that all your money is gone because someone has withdrawn it for you?  I know that as a parent my children do, on occasion, hear me grumbling about not having enough money.  They know that I work hard, getting up at 6am or before each morning to go to work.  Yet, for all my hard work I have very little to show for it, especially in my bank account!  Sub-consciously we are teaching our children that it doesn't pay to work hard, but rather that no matter how hard we work we will never get ahead.  Don't get me wrong I am teaching my children that working hard is good, but our grumblings and our complaints will get back to them, and the conflicting information will bother their little minds.  At the end of the day I see more and more young people entering the workforce, with little or no work ethic, and I believe this is why.

I am sure that there is more to it than this, but if we can learn to be content with what we have, and stop grumbling and complaining about our state our children would learn to do the same!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Do you know what you will be, so you can be what you will be?

Good Morning World.

Yesterday being the Remembrance Day Holiday in Canada, we decided to clean up the yard and put in a couple cord of wood.  During this activity, Benjamin my son, was helping out by grabbing the little pieces of wood.  At one moment he said, "The wood that I will take, is the wood that I will take."  (or at least something close to that)  It really struck me as I have been studying lately on the scripture that says, "I am that I am has sent you."  Benjamin uses this phraseology all the time, and I think I understand what he is talking about.  He is very particular about the size and shape of wood that he will pick up as he is only a little guy.  So, what he means is: When I look over the stack of wood and I see a piece of wood that meets my criteria that is the piece that I will take and throw into the house.  So, to use my sons way of thinking we can say about God: I exist and am the one who exists without the help anything else, and I am the source of all things, and by me all things exist, therefore I am the ONE who exists.

Do you know what you will be or want to be?  If you do the be what you will be, and do what you will do!  Life seems to work out better when we follow through on what we are going to be and do!

Just a thought.

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

How to Please Jesus: Part 3

Good Morning World!

This will be our final lesson on pleasing Jesus, however, by no means will this topic be exhausted. There is much study to be done, just use these three studies as a foundation to build upon.  There is much to learn on why and how we must please our Lord and Saviour!

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2Ti 2:4-5 MKJV  No one who wars tangles with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who chose him to be a soldier.  (5)  And also if anyone competes, he is not crowned unless he competes lawfully.

Soldiers and Athlets are set aside in our societies, and have been for centuries, so that they may train and perform their tasks and duties to the satisfaction of their leaders.  Ask any professional athlet and they will tell you that they must train eight to twelve hours per day.  They must eat proper foods, and regardless of personal urges to eat other things, must keep to a strick lifestyle that most people couldn't maintain. A soldier must not even live within the regular civilian world.  They are kept separate from civillians by living on a base.  On this base they train daily, and have duties that only a soldier will do.  These training excersizes and duties are meant to keep the soldier in top fighting condition.  If the soldier doesn't please his or her CO they are punished until they line up with the standards of the group.

Paul is writting here to show us that being a Christian and following Christ is very similar.  If they are kept up to a high standard, how much higher a standard are we held up to.  Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, why do we think that we can continually cross the boundary between lost and found?  We must choose our position and stand firm.

A. Faith is the paramount attribute of a follower of Christ.

Heb 11:6 KJV  But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

We must believe that there is a God, and that He exists.
We must believe that if we seek after Him we will find Him and He will reward us.

B. Pray for wisdom and understanding of God's will so that we may do it.

Col 1:7-10 KJV  As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ;  (8)  Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.  (9)  For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;  (10)  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;

As soon as Paul heard of their belief in the Word of Truth of the Gospel and their love in the Spirit he began to pray that they were filled with and understanding of God's will for them so that they could do it and please Him.

C. Children, obey your parents in all things...

Col 3:20 KJV  Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

This is the first commandment with promise.  The promise being that you will live long on the earth.  If we want to please God children need to learn to obey, for if they do they will be able to obey God their heavenly father as He declares His will in their life!

D. We must present the Gospel to all without deceit or guile, but with purity and righteousness.

1Th 2:1-8 KJV  For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was not in vain:  (2)  But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.  (3)  For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:  (4)  But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.  (5)  For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:  (6)  Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.  (7)  But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:  (8)  So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

1Co 1:21 KJV  For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.


The Gospel message which is the power of God unto salvation must be preached, and the more we spread the love of God, and the salvation that is through Jesus Christ the more we are pleasing to God!

E. Keeping His commandments is Pleasing to Him.

1Jn 3:22-24 KJV  And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.  (23)  And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.  (24)  And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

John didn't leave us without an answer:
  1. We must believe on the Name of Jesus Christ!
  2. We must Love one another
  3. We know He is in us by the Gift of the Spirit He gave us.

Faith in the Name, Love of the Brethren and being Filled with His Spirit are pleasing in His sight!  If we can learn to live by this simple mantra we will see so many more ways to please Him!

F. Praise and Worship are pleasing to God.

Psa 69:30-31 KJV  I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.  (31)  This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bullock that hath horns and hoofs.

He desires a personal relationship with us, and it pleases Him when we are willing to have a personal or corporate cummunion with Him!

G. There are some things that we should abstain from, which is pleasing to God.

1Th 4:1-8 KJV  Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.  (2)  For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus.  (3)  For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:  (4)  That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;  (5)  Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God:  (6)  That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.  (7)  For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  (8)  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

   1. Abstain from fornication or sexual sins such as adultery, and sleeping around.
   2. Possess your body in sanctification and honour
   3. Learn not to lust and desire for what is forbidden.  Be content.
   4. Do not defraud your brethren in any matter
   5. Be ye holy as God is holy!

H. Doing good deeds for others and bring aid to those in need.

Heb 13:16 KJV  But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

These are a few ways that we can learn to please God as Christians and born again believers.  If we do these things we can be sure that we are doing what is pleasing to our saviour.  It is important that we pray, for when we do we are in communion with the one whom we wish to please and He can lead and guide us into all truth!

Wise or Foolish?

Good morning world!

Reading in the book of Proverbs today, and many of the verses deal with wisdom and foolishness.  Wisdom being something we should all attain to, and foolishness is something that we should shy away from.  For example one verse tells us the that the labor of the righteous tends to life, and another verse tells us that the back of the foolish is for many stripes.  It might do some people good to get a good smack once in awhile!  Anyway, the point this morning is that we too often jump into situations in our life without thinking about the circumstances first.  Our ability to act with wisdom and understanding in many areas of our life seems to diminish over the past few decades. Years ago people were taught to think before they spoke or acted, but today we jump into life's crap without even knowing there is a bottom.

Why don't we try to use some wisdom today in our daily dealings?  You never know it just might change the outcome of your meeting you have today!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

What are you into?

Good Morning World!

So, my children are really into Gamecube the past week.  Almost an obsession really.  I finally got the cube working again, and that is about all they want to do.  It is even funny to watch the little ones try to play as if they have played all their lives!

It got me thinking this morning, "What if we serve our Saviour Jesus Christ like that?"  What would happen if we really loved Jesus more than anything, and that all we thought about was what we could do that would please Him?  My children are always trying to win new levels and get new awards and unlock new characters, and so they are always taking every spare minute to play.  What would happen in our lives if we took every spare minute to serve Jesus, talk to Him and listen to what He wants us to do for Him next?

I think our lives would change so much that within a few short weeks we would be so changed that we wouldn't even recognize who we are!  I mean a change for the better of course!

So, my question this morning:  "What are you into?"  What do you 'obsess' about?  Why don't you try to 'obsess' about the Saviour and creator of your life?!

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.
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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!

Playing Around will get you nowhere!

Good Morning World!

This morning I heard a song on the radio that got me thinking. It was a country song, and the only reason I had it on was because it seems my CD player has kicked the bucket.  Anyhoo', one line in the song caught my attention, "Friday night football, Saturday night last call, Sunday morning Hallelujah!" Certainly the tune was catchy, but the message was all messed up!

Do we honestly think that we are going to get anywhere by playing with the pleasures of this world during the week only to do lip service to God on Sunday?  Are we willing to sell our souls to carnal nature and "fun" during the week, only to "repent" on Sunday?  Will we truly find salvation by slapping Jesus in the face all week long only to give him a big huge on 'the Lord's day'?  Why don't we just pick up the nails and hammer and crucify him afresh ourselves?  We ought to just push the spear in his side ourselves!

It's a crying shame that we think that we can ride the fence without getting hurt.  It's stupidity to think that we can play with fire all our lives and not get burnt.  If we can't live for Jesus 24/7 then we have a problem.  Too, often we live not for Jesus or others, but ourselves.  Sure, it's nice to take a break and chill, but that should be the exception not the rule!  How is this world going to become a better place if everyone is only thinking about themselves?  Are we not taught as children the only way to change the world is to help others?  Yet, as adults and older teens, we seem to forget that other people are important.  We forget that we are not the only person on the planet with problems.  We forget that someone else has it worse than us!

I think I'll write a poem about this:

Sunday is day we worship the Lord,

I hope you don't get too bored.
I love my hands to raise,
To the Great I am in praise.

Monday my faith is strong,
With His help I'll do no wrong.
Through daily prayer I'll gain,
The strength to stay in the lane.

Tuesday, and I'll not turn back
From the daily mental attack.
I'll read His holy Word,
And fly away like a bird.

Wednesday I'll reach out and touch
A person that needs some lunch.
I'll show this world it needs
To hear some Gospel seeds.

Thursday I'll work for Jesus
Because He saves and see's us!
His will to preform,
My wayward soul to reform.

Friday and we think the work is done,
We are ready to lay it down for some fun.
To our knees we should go,
Before our salvation we blow.

Saturday we reach out to the needy.
Maybe there is someone crying feed me!
Let's take the family to the store,
So we can another life restore.
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Maybe this little poem will help you live you life a little bit differently!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Endurance - Do you have what it takes?

Good Morning World!
This morning while cleaning one of the college classrooms I noticed a textbook opened to a story about Sir Ernest Shackleton a heroic explorer of the Antarctic.  What caught my attention wasn't his heroic feats as much as some interesting seemingly unimportant details.

On one of the expeditions he used a ship called the Polaris of great craftsmanship,  however, he changed the name to Endurance which was based on the family motto: Through endurance we will Conquer. This to me was the most important element of the whole heroic event!  Why?  Because it shows what was in the man.  Through endurance he was able to keep ALL of his crew alive in the Antarctic after a terrible shipwreck in the ice.  Not many people can say that they have what it takes to endure through such hardship and turmoil!

The scripture tells us that Jesus said these words: "He that endures to the end, the same shall be saved!" Do you have what it takes?  This can be a hard life, and believing in Jesus Christ and living by His principles can be difficult at the best of times.  Not because it is difficult to follow Jesus and His ways, but because people in this world don't understand why we do what we do.  It is a lack of understanding in the unknown and fear that causes people to treat those of us who try to live a righteous, God filled life in a not so pleasant manner.

It takes a great deal of intestinal fortitude and endurance to keep your tack, and not turn back.  We must not let the negativity of this world beat our convictions down.  Don't let the majority tell you that you are wrong, just because they don't understand your point of view.  Endure the cross as Jesus did, and one day you will find that it leads to a glorious salvation! Keep the faith and don't look back!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Are your batteries being charged?

Good Morning World!

Last night before bed, as per usual, I made sure my cell phone was plugged in.  I usually plug it into my computer as most nights I leave it on, however, last night to save some energy and give the machine are rest I  turned off my tower.  The thought crossed my mind that my phone probably wouldn't charge, but thought I'd try anyway.  Sure enough this morning I still needed to charge the battery.  This brought another thought to my mind!

Too, often we go through our day without ever taking time to rest, relax, read, pray or meditate.  All these activities if done in a proper productive manner will help to recharge our batteries.  We feel that just sitting in front of the TV for a couple hours in the evening will relax us.  Not so my friend.  I've watched my share of movies before bed, and I have found that it never really relaxes the mind or body. 

We must find activities that we find relaxing.  Go for a walk in the woods.  Go for a ride on an ATV in the wilderness.  Bake a cake. Take a nap. Read a book. Pray.  

No getting more to the point, We also tend to forget, when we get busy to plug into our God and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Just because we say that we are a Christian, doesn't mean that we are automatically and continuously connected to His unlimited power.  No, the fact remains that we MUST take time every day to pray and get connected to His presence.  We MUST read His word every day to stay connected with what pleases Him.  Just because we leave the plug in doesn't mean any juice is flowing!  You must turn the switch on!

Have a great day!

Yours for Christ

Pastor Fred

How to Please God: Part 1

Over the past few weeks I have been studying and teaching on the value of Pleasing God.  In the next couple of lessons I will be showing us how to please God!

How to Please God: Part 1

Heb 11:6  But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.


Pastor Fred's Transliteration:

When we are separated from persuasion and conviction (faith) in God we are weak and unable (impossible) to please Him: for anyone that approaches to worship God must understand it is necessary to have faith in the credibility (believe) that He is (exists), and  He is a rewarder (pays the wages of) of those who seek out, investigate and search for (in a Hebraism - with an attitude for worship) HIM.

1. We must find a way to be persuaded that He Exists.
2. We must find a means of conviction that He Exists.

Example:
1. I am persuaded that God exists from my upbringing and my own personal studies.  Also, nature shows me that there is a God who is a magnificent creator.
2. I am convinced and convicted beyond doubt that God exists because of my own personal experience.  A. God Healed me of Epilepsy  B. God Healed many other people that I saw being healed.  C. God filled me with His presence, and I know that He lives within me.

3. Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 
    A. We must be willing to hear and listen to a Word from God.  This is something that speaks to you about a matter or topic in your life.  That is the reason for the preacher; to bring life into your life for a specific purpose or reason.  The preacher is a guide to lead you the Jesus Christ the Saviour, but he is not a professor to fill you with all the knowledge of God instantly.  You can't handle all of God!  The preacher gives you a word today, and another tomorrow and so on until you come to the knowledge of Christ.  That is why faith is so important!  We must have faith in Jesus that the word we received today will take us through until we receive the next word!

4. Without this kind of faith our spirit is weak and we are unable to do those things that please God.
Rom 8:5-8  For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  (7)  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.  (8)  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

The Carnal mind of mankind is so separated from God's ways that we can't even imagine them, and without even realizing what we are doing go to war against the ways of God.  (No matter how good we think we are we just can't understand God from man's point of view.)

5. There is one thing that we must understand!
God will always reward those who seek Him out!  He will always reveal Himself to you if you are willing to find Him.

Jas 4:8  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. 

Whenever we begin to get close to God He is always near to you and waiting for you to open your heart!

Mat 7:7  Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 
Rev 3:20  Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 

Jesus is always near to anyone if we will just seek Him!

6. We must believe that He exists!
The starting point of any journey is belief that you are going to reach your destination!  We must have a basic understanding that God is out there!

If we can believe that there is a God out there we are on our way to pleasing Him!

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

What is in a question?

Good Morning World!  This morning I would like to turn your brains on, and see if can help me!  As per usually with anyone who asks help I think I may know the answer already.  However, I am not arrogant enough to think that I am perfect and know all the answers - just most! (LOL)

Anyway enough verbal jesting, on the the subject at hand.  We are either crazy enough or fortuitous enough to believe that homeschooling our children is in their best educational and religious interest.  In doing so there have been many different issues that we have had to overcome.  We are currently using one of the best curriculum in the world (my humble opinion) - A.C.E. or Accelerated Christian Education.  That of course has nothing to do with our topic again! So.....

My Oldest daughter and my middle son, both had trouble with understanding what a question sentence was. Or, in grammar an interrogative sentence.  So, in order to help them understand I wrote down a list of words that ALWAYS start an interrogative sentence, or in simple terms, as a question.

• Do (Do you?)
• Have (Have you?)
• Will (Will you?)
• Are (Are you?)
• What (What will you?)
• Where (Where will you?)
• Were (Were you?)
• Why (Why are you?)
• How (How will you?)
• When (When have you?)
• Am (Am I?)
• Is (Is that you?)

As short as this list seems, I cannot think or find any other words, when used as the first word of a sentence that make a question.  So, this morning I am asking for help!  Do you know of any other words?  Have you ever thought of this before? Will you help me? Are you willing to stretch your mind? What do you think will become of me? Where are you willing to look? Were you awake before you started reading this? Why shouldn't you help me? How do you think I can find the answers? When will you answer me? Am I crazy to ask such questions? Is this getting to the point of going overboard with question words?

So we ask the question, "What is in a question?"  The answer will always begin with the first word!

Yours for Christ and proper (to some degree) grammar!

Pastor Fred

Wisdom

Good Morning World!
I just finished reading the 3rd chapter of Proverbs, what a mind filling scripture!  The main gist of the passage is wisdom: its value, potential and necessity.  Too, often I meet people today who don't display a shred of wisdom in anything that they do.  They just blindly fumble through life expecting that everything is going to work out for them.  Sorry, to burst your bubble, but even though I believe everyone has a calling in life, I also believe that we have the ability to shape and possibly even change our destiny.  God gave us free will, and Adam and Eve demonstrated early on that we must work at utilizing wisdom.

The scripture said that God created the world and the universe with wisdom.  Showing that understanding future ramifications of things is smart.  I realize that we may not have the fortitude or brain power to look into the future and see what is going to happen, but we do have at least 10,000 years of history we can bank on! Understanding what happens when we set certain things in motion we give you a good idea as to what will happen in the future.

For example: if you send your child to the store to pick up an item you need to finish dinner, but you don't tell them exactly where it is in the store or how to get help if they can't find the item - wisdom would tell you that you are probably going to get a phone call from the store, or you were better off going yourself.  However, if you basically draw a map for your child then you can foresee that your child will be successful in bringing the said item home.

Wisdom is understanding and planning!  Another for example before I sign off: We are trying to teach my oldest son the value of saving.  We have recently started an allowance for him, and decided that if he would like to have his own laptop then he can save for it.  On top of that he helps me do some of my cleaning contracts and so we give him a little extra.  However, he is already biting at the bit to go to the store and by something,  Wisdom will show him that waiting and saving is better than buying and throwing out.  Too often we opt for the cheaper version or something lesser than what we really want because we can get it quicker. The good things in life don't always come cheap, and if you buy cheap you will soon find out cheap is actually more expensive in the long run.  Use wisdom and self control - you will soon see that you have a more satisfied life!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Are you tired?

Good Morning World!  It is nice to see you again.  Yes, I know that life can take its toll, and you are tired, but you must remember that your sacrifice will pay off; hard work always pays off!

Sometimes we must talk to ourselves like this.  Remind yourself why you are doing what you are doing.  Are you in College or University?  Remind yourself why you chose your area of study.  Remind yourself that your sacrifice of a life will pay off, and you will receive your reward.  Are you working 2, 3 or 4 jobs to keep your family going?  Remind yourself why you work so hard.  Remind yourself that you are working to keep your house, and make sure that you children will get a good education.  Remind yourself that your a saving that money for that new car, that dream vacation or that bigger house.  Remind yourself of your purpose!

Once you have reminded yourself of your purpose and the reason for your sacrifice, make sure that you make time to do something you enjoy.  Make sure to take time to spend with your family.  I know you are busy and you are tired, but trust me it will help.

For example: Here was my day yesterday.  Alarm went of at 5:00am and I was up getting ready to go to work.  Got my son up who helps me, and off we went.  Finished cleaning the first place around quarter past 6am.  Went to the next store, and cleaned until about 7:30am.  Back home in time to clean up the kitchen a bit, and get something ready for breakfast.  My wife got up around 8:00am to help get the two little ones ready for daycare.  Eat, Shower, Dress and out the door about quarter to 9:00am.  Drop the children off at daycare and head to the shop to do my morning office and print work.  Do some errands around town for the shop, and back home to take my wife to work about 11:30am.  More errands and back home with the 3 oldest children for school around 12:30pm.  Eat lunch, make sure the children are working, and start my afternoon designing at home.  Send a few designs off for proof, and about 2:30pm out again to take some photos for a brochure.  Stop at the shop to get the mail and drop a deposit off at the bank, and then back to the house to prepare supper for the family.  At 10 to 5pm I load the children in the van again and go pick up the 2 little ones at daycare. After stopping at the store for an item for supper, back home to finish preparing it.  Supper is over at about 6:30pm, and I am exhausted!  So, I sit down for a while a play one of my favorite computer games, but that didn't really help much - still tired.  At 7:45pm I load the children in the van again and go to pick up my wife from work.  I had dressed for my Karate class, but wasn't sure about going as I was so tired.  I went anyway, and it really helped pick me up.  The exercise was what I needed.

This is just one day.  I do take time for the family a few times per week, and my other favorite past time is to go for a ride on my Polaris four wheeler.  You will be surprised at how much an hour of activity that you enjoy to do will make your day!

PS> Don't forget to pray and read your Bible either, they are important to keep your spiritually and physically balanced!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred

Happiness?

Like my little girl to the right we can all say that we have been happy at some point in time.  However, according to Psalm 144:15 I think that happiness is more a state of being rather than an emotion that we can have on occasion.  Life is tough, and our schedules don't always go as planned; stuff happens!

Psalm 144:15 tells us that, "happy is the people who's God is the LORD," (Speaking of the Old Testament Jehovah, whom in the New Testament we refer to as Jesus the Christ).  The writer is referring to a nation, but I believe that we should also apply this to a personal state too.

Too, often we rely on our own "gods", which we have set up in our lives, to direct our actions and day to day activity.  WHAT?  I don't serve a god, you may say.  I we show you that everyone on this earth has a god.  The following are questions that will show you what or who your god is:

1. Question yourself and find out what drives you.  Or, what do your work toward?  Sports, Money, Pleasure, Alcohol, Sex, Material Gain (stuff), Church, the Bible.  
2. What is the one thing that your mind always turns to when you are alone?
3. What do you talk about after the small talk is over?
4. What do you argue about at work, home or at play?

The answer to these questions, whether it is more than one thing, happens to be what you should call your god, as it is what you worship daily.  Even though we are not going to a "church" or singing a praise song, we all worship a god in our lives.  Unfortunately sports isn't going to save your soul, nor will money, but those are the 2 biggest worldly gods, and people continue to worship at their altars.  There isn't necessarily anything wrong with sports, nor is money a sin, but if we put too much focus on things and stuff our focus is taken away from the Creator.

Back to the scripture: Now on the other hand we can enjoy great peace and happiness when we entrust all of our stuff, money and lives into the hands of the Creator.  Our Saviour Jesus Christ came for one main reason: to show us the way back to a personal relationship with our Creator and God.  When we truly place our lives in His hands and stop worrying about tomorrow we will have peace and happiness that cannot be taken away by any event or person in our lives!

Let's take some time and challenge ourselves to make the true God our God!

Yours for Christ

Pastor Fred

Living with the right attitude!

Good Morning World,

It has been a long time since I have taken time to share my thoughts with you, however, I feel like the time is ripe again to open myself up to you. Just maybe some of the Heavenly light of Jesus Christ will shine through and lighten your path!  Thank you again for reading and returning!

Today's thought:

Living with the right attitude!
This morning I was reading my Bible using my @youversion Bible app on my Android Galaxy Nexus (and listening), and the scripture reminded me of the importance of humility and repentance.  The scripture was Psalms 140-143.  The writer in these scriptures seems to be in a constant state of prayer and repentance, not because he was a sinner committing actions that displease God, but rather because he didn't want to do the things that were displeasing to God.  The writer does claim to be righteous, but in order to stay righteous he takes on an attitude that he is nothing and God and His ways are everything!

I really think that this is a right attitude to have!  We may be powerful in the standards of this world, but we may be nothing in the eyes of God.  If we realize that God is everything and we are nothing, than we are on our way to becoming something important and useful to the Almighty!

Let me share one of the verses that I read this morning.

Psalm 143: 10
Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness.

And may we pray this same pray everyday!
Teach me to do your will; for you are my God!  Your Spirit is Good let it lead me into the land of uprightness (doing things right!).  In the Name of Jesus - Amen!

Yours for Christ,
Pastor Fred