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- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God Forever and Always’ Day 1: Isaiah 44:6 - “This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies: ‘I am the First and the Last; there is no other God.’” Day 2: Isaiah 40:8 – “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.” Day 3: Psalm 90:2 – “Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God.” Day 4: Hebrews 1:8 – “But to the Son he says, ‘Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever. You rule with a scepter of justice.’” Day 5: Psalm 73:26 – “My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever.” Day 6: Psalm 119:160 – “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” Day 7: 1 Timothy 1:17 - “All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- The Cost Of Walking Away
For over twenty years, I have been counselling couples, helping them to deal with their disagreements and giving them the tools they need to overcome whenever arguments threaten to drive a wedge into their relationship. You see, the key to a strong relationship is not covering up issues with a big thick blanket but actually dealing with it with a mindset that focuses on finding a good solution for both parties and also treating it as an opportunity to grow stronger in your relationship. Here is a quote from a fairly wise counsellor. “If every time you walked away when you did not get your own way, very soon you will be living alone in a very quiet house.” JTM Think about this for a moment. There is not a single person in this world who is exactly like another. Each of us has our own opinion that differs from others in some way. Should there be a difference of opinion that leads to an argument, there are two primary methods to dealing with the issue; plant the feet firm, close off the listening device and determinedly focus on getting your own point across, or open up a dialogue, listen to each other and, together, develop a plan that will be mutually beneficial. So many will take the easy road, the third road, the route of avoidance. Here is an example. Two friends, Jon and Jin, had an argument that started small but slowly developed into something that resembled a full-on feud. Jin would not budge and changed his daily routine so that he would even breath the same air as Jon. In doing this, he alienated others as a preventative measure including those who were trying to help the both of them. Jon tried everything to mend fences but it just didn’t work. Soon, Jin found himself alone, his friends moved forward and he was left behind. I have also seen this in many churches, it happened in our church decades ago. When you hear the term church split, it is because no one wants to focus on the primary message, unity in Christ, but instead focus on their own wants to the point of disharmony. I remember a split that happened quite some time ago where one person was so demanding and steadfast that they said “if you don’t like it, leave. This is the way it has always been done and nothing is going to change. This is my church!” It took six months for the remaining people to leave. In the end, four people and one clergy remained and the doors finally closed for good. The devil had won and the Kingdom was in mourning for those who left the faith family for good. Here is my question; what have you done lately to contact those who have left, to re-build the relationship and invite them back into fellowship with Christ and the faith family? “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! Luke 15:4-7 NLT Blessed are those who find ways to bring peace and love into a situation and work hard to build up the body for they will be surrounded by a faith family united in Christ to promote strong community. There is no worse place to be, lost in the wilderness, alone and without the love of those around us. If you are the one who is lost and alone, shake off the bonds that are keeping you hidden and grab hold of the hand reaching in to help you up. This week, we welcome members from Teen Challenge. They will be bringing a message of hope and redemption. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘No Condemnation in Christ’ Day 1: Romans 8:1-4 - “So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.” Day 2: John 3:17, 18 – “God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. ‘’There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son.’” Day 3: 1 John 1:9 – “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” Day 4: John 5:24 – “I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.” Day 5: 2 Corinthians 5:17 & 21 – “This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! ...For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” Day 6: Hebrews 8:12 – “And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.” Day 7: Galatians 5:1 - “So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- Doing It My Way
I was going to write an article on a particular subject, but, due to circumstances, I have chosen another subject and will hold off on that one until a later date. Today is not the day to open that can of worms, I’m not fishing for an argument. A few weeks ago, I was struggling with a few choices that required some rather big decisions and, while I am fairly good at thinking things through analytically, this required much more wisdom then I was able to provide. I was stuck looking at a massive wall that seemed to be rather formidable and suddenly a massive waive of doubt rolled over me and I was sucked into a well of despair and self-doubt. I am a fairly confident leader but when so many choices come to light and the need for answers comes on like a tsunami, it feels like I’m drowning and suddenly I am grasping around for any answer that will do in order to come up for air. That has been my summer and, yes, I have made some bad decisions as a result, but for the past few weeks, I have heeded my own advice and taken time out to focus on prayer and waiting on my Lord for His input. There have been some who demand instant answers and throw the burning embers of fires at my feet for immediate attention, but I am becoming more and more aware that our society is suffering from immediateness obsession disorder, yes I made that up, where they want an answer or results right now. Consider this, if you want an answer right away and you are relying on me for a quick response, then 1+1=5, math is not my gifting, but if you wait upon the Lord, the answer will come back 3. Do not become so reliant on the world, or even Google for that matter, just because it is convenient or you can find the answer you want by trying to manipulate the data, instead, take the time to ask, pray, and then listen. Secondly, don’t get all uppity with the person if they are not quick to respond, not everything in life is a home makeover reality show. Trust in the Lord, take time to listen, He is a lot smarter than any of us. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Psalm 37:5-7 NLT This week, Pastor Todd will be bringing a message, what it will be is still to be determined because he is waiting on the Lord to calm his heart and mind so the message will touch the hearts and minds of those who tune in. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca
- The Time Has Come
Over my life, I have heard this term, and I have also communicated it to others. There was “the time has come to get off the couch and look for a job” and “the time has come to shake off the ughs and embrace the happy”. When a good friend passed and I was going through a rough time letting go of the grief, someone offered up sage advice and told me “The time has come to let go and move on with your life”. Now, as a counsellor, I can tell you that it is not the best advice but that was then, this is now. I will, however, say this – the time has come to make a decision that will affect not only your life today but also the lives of those around you going forward. The time has come to repent, declare Jesus as Lord and Savior and let Him bless you in ways that you could never imagine. Over the past decades of ministry, I have seen and heard of people who have some very questionable theories about salvation and grace. There were some who thought they were going to heaven because they were good people but when asked “do you have a personal relationship with Jesus?” they were rather put off. “I have read the Bible; I know what it says” but the question remains; do you have a personal relationship with Jesus. Have you repented of your sins and claimed Him as the King of your life? The time has come to evaluate one’s own relationship with the King of all kings and ask yourself, “have I asked Him to forgive me, have I asked Him to direct me on my journey to Glory?” Decades ago, my life took a turn for the worse and I idolized the things of the world over my relationship with my Lord. One day, I ended up back at the church I was born into and was challenged by the speaker, Dr. Alden Aikens, during the sermon. He was talking on the perfect healing through the Blood of the Lamb in Acts 3. 16 “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed—and you know how crippled he was before. Faith in Jesus’ name has healed him before your very eyes. 17 “Friends, I realize that what you and your leaders did to Jesus was done in ignorance. 18 But God was fulfilling what all the prophets had foretold about the Messiah—that he must suffer these things. 19 Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. I was crippled in my own sin because I had lost sight of the Savior, but, in that moment, I went to the altar and laid my sins at the foot of the cross and turned away from my past. Since my birth, I was in the church, I was in VBS, I memorized bible verses and knew the Lord’s prayer but until I realized that the time had come to repent and declare Jesus as my Savoir, I was still lost. I was one of the people who said, “I am going to heaven because I am a nice guy”, but now I know I am going to Glory because I have repented of my sins, and I know Jesus and declare Him as my salvation. Don’t wait for it to be too late to repent, the time has come to embrace His saving grace. This week, Community Minister, Eryn Austin-Bergen, will start a two-week series where we will be seeking direction for our faith family’s journey for the next year. Your input either online or in person will truly help us continue to be relevant in our community, both online and in our town. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God’s Protection’ Day 1: Psalm 91:11 - “For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.” Day 2: 2 Thessalonians 3:3-5 – “But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. And we are confident in the Lord that you are doing and will continue to do the things we commanded you. May the Lord lead your hearts into a full understanding and expression of the love of God and the patient endurance that comes from Christ.” Day 3: Proverbs 18:10 – “The name of the Lord is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.” Day 4: Psalm 121:7, 8 – “The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Day 5: Psalm 34:17, 18 – “The Lord hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” Day 6: Psalm 32:7 – “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude” Day 7: 2 Samuel 22:2-4 - “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation Homework: Really read Psalm 23 for Peace and Protection
- Identity 2024
Who are we and where are we going? On Sunday August 18, I challenged our community to take one week to pray and ask God what our identity is. Ask him, what is Main Avenue Fellowship's unique identity and calling within the wider Family of God and among the other churches in the Sundre area. Then listen to what he has to say! Below is the prayer guide (the "homework") that was passed out at the end of Sunday's service. I invite you - even dare you! - to ask God to speak to you about our congregation's identity. Then come to church on Sunday August 25 ready to share what you've heard him say. God speaks to each one of us differently and every member of Christ's body is needed when we're discerning God's voice together. I'm so grateful for you!
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Will You Be Found Faithful?’ Day 1: Galatians 5:22-25 - “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” Day 2: 1 Peter 4:19 – “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” Day 3: 1 Samuel 12:24 – “But be sure to fear the Lord and faithfully serve him. Think of all the wonderful things he has done for you.” Day 4: Proverbs 3:3 – “Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.” Day 5: Deuteronomy 6:5 – “And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.” Day 6: James 1:12 – “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Day 7: Hebrews 10:23 - “Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- Touching The Edge
Before I get started on this article, I want to make one thing perfectly clear – I am not knocking His church, I am questioning the misconceptions of His Word by members of the establishment. If I have to listen to one more person make false assertions on the validity of a person’s faith or whether a church is legitimate because it does not meet the criteria of an individual’s preferred belief, I am going to push back a bit more than I have in the past. Yes, there are churches out there that add rules and regulations to the already perfect Message, and there are those who make up criteria to judge a person’s whereabouts in their faith walk, but I would suggest they are adding their own finite parameters to an already perfect, infinite Message. She can’t be a Christian; do you see the way she is dressed? He can’t be a preacher; he is covered in tattoos. This isn’t a real church; they don’t follow the liturgical calendar. This church is not a proper church, it’s full of homeless people and drunks. They don’t do communion properly, the preacher wears shorts and sandals, the music is not to my liking. I was watching a video from Zach Williams called “Heart of God” and the chorus, in my opinion, says it all: 'Cause there's only love in the heart of God No room for shame in His open arms There's beauty from ashes, so come as you are And there's only love in the heart of God Consider this for a moment, in Luke 8:43-48, a woman who had been suffering for twelve years could find no relief from her affliction. She could not go to temple, could not talk to the holy men, could not have contact with anyone for she was considered unclean. Jesus went out into the market place and she took a chance at a miracle, she snuck in and simply touched Christ’s robe. The second Jesus recognized her touch, He stopped and called her forward and said to her “Daughter,” he said to her, “your faith has made you well. Go in peace.” A man stricken with leprosy, suffering great pain not only physically but emotionally and spiritually because he was shunned and unable to attend worship ceremonies sought out the Son of God (Matthew 8:2-3), knelt before Jesus and said “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.” Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. The heart of God on full display. There was no room for shame in His presence, there was no question of whether they were in good standing with the church, with the holy leaders, there was only compassion and complete healing. As I mentioned in last week’s sermon, we are a broken community with churches divided by manmade rules. If His churches came together as one united voice calling out to the world that “… everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.” Rom 3:23-24 NLT and accept that we all stand on equal footing before the Lord, division would disappear. You see, no one is better than the next person, His infinite love and forgiveness is available to all who call upon Him, to all who have faith in Him, to all who give over their sins to the Master. Do you have the courage to reach out and embrace His perfect forgiveness, His perfect healing? Are you willing to touch the hem of the Master’s robe? Are you willing to tell the world that He has saved you? This week, Community Minister, Eryn Austin-Bergen, will start a two-week series where we will be seeking direction for our faith family’s journey for the next year. Your input either online or in person will truly help us continue to be relevant in our community, both online and in our town, Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms , or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca
- The Heart of Jesus
As I started to write this, I had nothing but issues with the tablet, the keyboard and the word program, but I carried on and persevered. You see, there are things of this world that are manipulated to cause us angst. Many times, we ask God “why me” when we should really be asking for strength to overcome, to persevere and to overcome. The question should not be “why did You allow this to happen” but rather we should be speaking the heart of God and leaning on His strength and wisdom to overcome. Think about this for a moment, if you want to build up your body, you do not sit around in front of a big screen TV in a plump recliner and expect to get buff, rather you go to the gym expecting there to be some resistance and pain as you work through the cycle and use the resistance to strengthen. Now, I’m not saying that we should intentionally place ourselves in harm's way but rather we should seek the counsel of those wiser, strength training coaches, scholarly mentors, Jesus, to help us grow in body, wisdom, and spirit. You see the heart of Jesus is for all of us to be filled with love and compassion for God and for each other. Proverbs 3:5-6 does not say lean on your own understanding, rather it says lean NOT on your own understanding, trust in the Lord. In all situations, don’t look around for someone else to blame, rather seek the heart of Jesus, let Him show you the path to take. Reading on a bit further, the Scriptures also say, “Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom, instead fear {respect) the Lord and turn from evil”. You can take the victory lap but make sure to acknowledge His part in the win. I can, at times, feel compelled to “flip over the tables in the Temple courts” and I have to remind myself to calm down and seek His will before I throw the tablet and the keyboard across the room. The devil loves the chaos and anger, Jesus loves all His children. Remember to take a breath, a spiritual breath through the power of the Holy Spirit and seek His heart before losing it over something that really doesn’t rate the angst or anger. This week, Pastor Todd, will share a message with us, a message and a challenge that will help to share with those around us in a powerful way. Please plan to join us either in person or online at 10:30 AM this Sunday. The service will be broadcast online on our website ( https://www.mainavefellowship.ca/socialplatforms ), or you are more than welcome to join us in person at 402 Main Ave. W in Sundre, AB. Blessings, www.mainavefellowship.ca
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘If You Are Looking For Truth’ Day 1: John 14:6 - “Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.’” Day 2: 1 John 1:8 – “If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.” Day 3: John 17:17 – “Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.” Day 4: Psalm 25:5 – “Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.” Day 5: Ephesians 1:13 – “And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago.” Day 6: 1 John 5:20 – “And we know that the Son of God has come, and he has given us understanding so that we can know the true God. And now we live in fellowship with the true God because we live in fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ. He is the only true God, and he is eternal life.” Day 7: Psalm 119:160 - “The very essence of your words is truth; all your just regulations will stand forever.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation