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- Conquering The Fear
A few months ago, I was out with friends and we were having a great time chatting, laughing and basically being ourselves. One of the guys referred to me as Padre and the conversation stuttered for a moment. Most of the guys know what I do but it was the new guy who took a stutter step at the mention of religious affiliation. I smiled and waited for the shift and it didn’t take long for his behaviour to change. Every time someone cracked a joke, it seemed he nervously looked over to see my reaction. What you need to understand is this, I am used to it, in fact, I have come to expect it. Later in the evening, I got up to order more wings and he got up to come with me. He wanted me to know that he went to church as well and told me that his preacher was nothing like me. I braced myself for a lecture on how my demeanor was not representative of the clergy or the friends around the table were not all fine Christians. The conversation did not go that way however. He wanted to know how I could be so open with my faith in the setting we were in surrounded by people who, by his assuming, were not all Christian. Simple response, God uses us all in different ways and gifts us with the talents needed to be relevant in our community. We all have the ability to affect lives but we do not always do it in the same way. Some of us are able to go into certain environments and boldly proclaim God’s message without pounding a pulpit and we do so through the strength of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at his tax collector’s booth. “Follow me and be my disciple,” Jesus said to him. So Matthew got up and followed him. Later, Matthew invited Jesus and his disciples to his home as dinner guests, along with many tax collectors and other disreputable sinners. But when the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?” When Jesus heard this, he said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Matthew 9:9-12 NLT Jesus showed the way to getting His message out there. Sunday church is only a small part of the plan. We need to live boldly in our communities, living our faith each moment of the day and “preach” the gospel as God has gifted us. None of us can be Billy Graham but we can all be followers of Christ in our own special way. Yes, I will sit down with friends in a pub and share in their lives. Jesus went to where the people lived and affected the lives of thousands. He sent the disciples into the world to deliver the Good News. He did not tell them to go build a church building but rather build relationships, build a family. We returned to the table and the conversation took on a whole new life and through it all, my friend came to realize that all at the table were brothers in Christ. For those of faith, be bold and hold fast to the strength He provides. Honestly, it takes more courage to not believe. This week, we continue with a look at the story of Lazarus where we will explore Lazarus the bound. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
- It’s My Way Or The Highway
Yesterday, we had our first board retreat for the church since before the great lockdown. There were numerous items on the docket that could have proved to be slightly divisive because, going into the meeting, there were comments made on both sides of a couple points that led me to think we could have a bit of a debate happen. The agenda was out there, notes and reports were prepared and, when the point came up for discussion, the conversation was calm and professional with all listening intently to the information being presented and, in the end, all were completely satisfied with the direction of the vote. No one person dominated the discussion and we all chose the best decision for the faith family and the church. Now, you may think, “okay, so what” but consider this; look around you and, with open eyes and a discerning heart, dig into some of the arguments that you have witnessed or even been involved in and ask yourself if the desired outcome was self centered or other centered. You may be surprised at what you discover. Ten people got together one day and formed a group to lobby the government to change a policy that they thought was infringing on their personal right. They gathered together to form a plan and get the ball rolling. They elected a leader, started to form up a vision statement but found out that they did not all fully agree on some points and cracks started to form in the group. Arguments started to erupt and, as lines were being drawn, one person stood up and declared, “If you don’t like it, then you can leave!” A few left with the person and started their own group and, once again, cracks developed because they wanted the direction of the group to service personal needs rather than the needs of the whole. We see this in so many things these days and it divides families, communities and countries. If the rally call is “it’s my way or the highway” the guarantee is that conflict and strife will always be a key part of the movement and the chance of a unified front will never be achieved. Consider the church. In the days of Christ, a group of 12 went forth under the banner of the Saviour and the faith grew. It did not take long for personal preference to trump divine principle and the faith movement split. Look, I am being honest here. Read the Epistles of Paul as he tried to get the churches to focus on Christ’s message rather than society’s preferences. Strife, chaos and division are the tools of the evil one and it works. Our focus should remain on the Son of God and His example. My suggestion is quite simple and you can either take it or leave it – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Pro 3:5,6. If your vision is “my way or the highway”, look around, you may be the only one on that road. We invite you to join us this Sunday for a message from Rev. Glenn Reeder. Pastor Todd will be away this weekend at a conference. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca Our Mission “To live the love of Christ”
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘In His Presence There is…’ Day 1: 2 Thessalonians 3:16 - PEACE – “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all.” Day 2: Psalm 16:11 - JOY – “You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Day 3: Isaiah 40:31 - STRENGTH – “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” Day 4: Psalm 37:7 - REST – “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.” Day 5: Psalm 46:1 - HELP – “God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.” Day 6: Proverbs 3:25, 26 - CONFIDENCE – “You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.” Day 7: Proverbs 2:1-6 - WISDOM – “My child, listen to what I say, and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures. Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God. For the Lord grants wisdom! From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- The Story of Lazarus is Death; Maybe.
If there was a simple rule such as “you shall not do any work on the Sabbath”, it would seem to me like a fairly easy thing to follow. For six days God created and on the seventh He rested. Did God know something we didn’t? Talk to most experts in the field of medicine and they will tell you that a day of rest, complete rest, helps reduce stress, reduces inflammation and the risk of heart disease, boosts your immune system, adds years to your life, restores mental energy, you're more creative, you'll focus better and improve short-term memory. So, when I looked at what you can do on the Sabbath according to the Mishnah, there were a ton of things that were allowed so that life could go on and the Lord’s command did not get broken. They talked the simple rule of resting to death and got to the point where you needed a cheat sheet just to remember them all. There is more stress in trying to relax as God commanded then there was in the simple act of rest. When we start to over-regulate the law, do we not create more opportunity to “sin”. As we cast judgment upon those who are breaking the law of man, are we not committing them to death on a spiritual level? Follow me if you will. God says rest, man defines rest and states what does or does not define acts against the law. So, what about the actions of Jesus in Matthew 12:9-12. Then Jesus went over to their synagogue, where he noticed a man with a deformed hand. The Pharisees asked Jesus, “Does the law permit a person to work by healing on the Sabbath?” (They were hoping he would say yes, so they could bring charges against him.) And he answered, “If you had a sheep that fell into a well on the Sabbath, wouldn’t you work to pull it out? Of course you would. And how much more valuable is a person than a sheep! Yes, the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath.” This does not give us freedom to breach the law for it is written “love God with every ounce of your being and love your neighbour”. This means do nothing to bring grief to those around you. This is the difference between preaching (or living) spiritually alive or being mired in spiritual death. Rest in the Lord, know He has only your best interest at heart and do not add to His message; it is perfect already. God says rest, then rest – it is that simple. Spiritual life can be found in the message of the Saviour for the law permits a person to do good on the Sabbath. Take some time to look up “The Story of Lazarus – Bud Robinson”. There is a free version on the web ( https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/96/ ) and plan to join us this Sunday for week two of what should be a fascinating series. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God’s Promises - He is Not a Man That He Should Lie’ Day 1: Isaiah 26:3 – “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Day 2: Psalm 32:8 – “The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.’” Day 3: Psalm 37:23, 24 – “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.” Day 4: Exodus 14:14 – “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.” Day 5: Isaiah 40:29 – “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Day 6: Psalm 50:15 – “Then call on me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give me glory.” Day 7: Isaiah 54:10 – “‘For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. My covenant of blessing will never be broken,’ says the Lord, who has mercy on you.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘A Very Present Help’ Day 1: Job 5:11 – “He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.” Day 2: Psalm 27:13, 14 – “Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living. Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.” Day 3: Romans 15:13 – “I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Day 4: Psalm 147:3-6 – “He heals the brokenhearted and bandages their wounds. He counts the stars and calls them all by name. How great is our Lord! His power is absolute! His understanding is beyond comprehension! The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.” Day 5: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10 – “Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” Day 6: Psalm 9:9, 10 – “The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.” Day 7: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. For the more we suffer for Christ, the more God will shower us with his comfort through Christ.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- Lazarus Series Week 1
Have you ever had someone speak words of prophecy over you? For some out there who do not believe in the Word of God or of religions, an example could be something as simple as “that kid is going to be an amazing artist” or “with a wrist shot like that, the kid is going to be the next great one”. There were also some whom it was said, were going to end up on the short end of the stick or be in jail before their fourteenth birthday. I just watched a documentary about Dr. Billy Graham and, before he was touched by God, some would say he was not going to amount to much. The one statement that drives me right round the bend is when people spread false prophecy over others when they declare a person is going to hell for what or who they are. They have basically taken the position of God by declaring eternal damnation upon another simply due to their own limited perception of that person’s life. Let us consider Lazarus. In John 11, it is declared that Lazarus was a sick man. In those days, sickness was a sign of sin and it would have been wrong for a Rabbi or a Priest to come into his home but Christ went there for a visit with His friends. Unwell physically meant unwell spiritually and Lazarus was, in essence, bound for the depths of hell yet Jesus knew better. Let’s think about this for a moment. There were those out there who, when they became unwell, were shunned because illness equals evil which was contagious so one must stay away lest they be affected. I can assure you Lazarus did not want to get sick but it happens, right? The keepers of the Law would be the first to point out that Lazarus is dirty and must be avoided yet Christ sought out His friends, Lazarus, Martha and Mary. While the keepers of the Law are blinded by the fear of breaking the rules set before them, Christ is bent on being with those who are in need of healing, desire release from the torment of the judgement and simple want to be embraced in the loving arms of the Master. Isn’t that what we all want? Scripture says “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. John 3:16-17 For God’s children to think they are greater than the Master and declare judgement upon their brothers and sisters is the greatest tragedy they could do. We are commanded to declare the love and grace of the Saviour to all who will listen rather than call down rivers of fire on those who will not listen. Remember, the thief on the cross declared the glory of the Messiah with his last breath on the cross and Christ declared “you will be with Me in Glory”. Do the world a favour and point them to the Way, the Truth and the Light. Take some time to look up “The Story of Lazarus – Bud Robinson”. There is a free version on the web ( https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/96/ ) and plan to join us this Sunday for the start of what should be a fascinating series. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca
- The Story of Lazarus
I was recently given a book by my father-in-law called “The Story of Lazarus” by Bud Robinson. Never heard of him. Neither had I. “Reuben "Uncle Bud" Robinson (1860-1942), was a Methodist Episcopal evangelist, who would later become a part of the Church of the Nazarene. Known for his folk wisdom and colorful phrases, his preaching focused on the message of entire sanctification. His father made whiskey and ran a bar in the hills of White County, Tennessee. "Uncle Bud" grew up in a poor family, one of thirteen children, and did not get an education. After his father's death, his mother moved the family to Texas, where he fell into a wild life of drinking and gambling. In 1880, he attended a tent revival, was converted, and then joined the Methodist Episcopal Church. It was a Sunday school teacher who taught him how to read at 20 years of age. In the 1890's he studied at Southwestern University and would become a major influence in the emerging Church of the Nazarene. He experienced the call to preach at his conversion, and despite a bad stutter remained an active evangelist for 60 years. He is estimated to have preached over 33,000 sermons and witnessed more than 100,000 conversions. He died in 1942 at 82 years of age, but remains one of the most colorful folk evangelists in the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. An example of one of his well-known prayers is when he asked God to "help me sign the contract to fight the devil as long as I've got a fist, and bite him as long as I have a tooth, then gum him till I die."(My Life Story – Bud Robinson, Published by First Fruits Press, 2015 Previously published by Pentecostal Publishing Company, 1096”). One may wonder why I have included all this information before we start the series but the reason is simple, God does not always call the equipped but He will equip those He has (the) called. I did take some liberty with the saying as you can see but I wanted to make a point. So often, the ones who have not been with the church since their father’s, father’s, father built the First Church are not truly considered worthy to lead the children of God in the Holy of Holies yet Bud was an integral part of the faith journey for over 100,000 people. Can’t read, doesn’t matter, God will equip. Have a drinking problem, don’t worry, God can help with that. Have a gambling problem, God can strengthen you and help you overcome. Have a stutter, the Holy Spirit can work through you. Take some time to look up “The Story of Lazarus – Bud Robinson”. There is a free version on the web ( https://place.asburyseminary.edu/firstfruitsheritagematerial/96/ ) and plan to join us this Sunday for the start of what should be a fascinating series. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Faith or Fear’ Day 1: Isaiah 41:10 – “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.” Day 2: Romans 8:15 – “So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, ‘Abba, Father.’” Day 3: 1 John 4:18 – “Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.” Day 4: John 10:10 – “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” Day 5: John 14:27 – “I am leaving you with a gift - peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” Day 6: 2 Timothy 1:6, 7 – “This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Day 7: Psalm 56:3, 4 – “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- Peter's Picks
The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Encourage and Be Encouraged’ Day 1: Hebrews 10:24, 25 – “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Day 2: Psalm 90:17 – “And may the Lord our God show us his approval and make our efforts successful. Yes, make our efforts successful!” Day 3: 1 Corinthians 15:58 – “So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” Day 4: 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4 – “All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.” Day 5: Psalm 118:14-16 – “The Lord is my strength and my song; he has given me victory. Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things! The strong right arm of the Lord is raised in triumph. The strong right arm of the Lord has done glorious things!” Day 6: 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are[a] being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.” Day 7: Ephesians 6:10, 11 – “A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation
- Construction Phase
We have been talking about the fact that we are all under construction. The second we take our foot off the pedal, the moment we stop questing to learn more or even share what we know with others is the second we begin to stagnate. Last week we talked about how we all have a purpose that does not have an ending. Then the Lord said to Moses, “Pay close attention to this. I will make you seem like God to Pharaoh, and your brother, Aaron, will be your prophet. Tell Aaron everything I command you, and Aaron must command Pharaoh to let the people of Israel leave his country. But I will make Pharaoh’s heart stubborn so I can multiply my miraculous signs and wonders in the land of Egypt. Even then Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you. So I will bring down my fist on Egypt. Then I will rescue my forces—my people, the Israelites—from the land of Egypt with great acts of judgment. When I raise my powerful hand and bring out the Israelites, the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord.” So Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them. Moses was eighty years old, and Aaron was eighty-three when they made their demands to Pharaoh. Exodus 7:1-7 NLT Yes, this was a rather large section of scripture but the key here is the last two sentences; Moses was 80 and his brother, Aaron, was 83 years old. I have more years behind me than I do ahead and question if I have what it takes to be a spiritual leader or an effective rabbi (teacher). Do those in the younger demographics still look to us for direction or wisdom or are we supposed to fade off into the background? I read this and realized that we will never be ineffective unless we talk ourselves into it. Stagnation leads to degeneration which, in turn can lead to a spiritual death. If Moses had decided he was too old or not good enough to lead a nation, where would the faith be today? Read Exodus 4 again, Moses said that he was not good enough, not ready to lead yet God knew exactly what He was doing. We, as a society, need to not only check our ageism at the door but also seek out ways to engage those who are older (the grey hairs) as a resource for spiritual growth. When I hear those in the community describe their congregation as senior heavy, I rejoice because there is a ton of wisdom there and even more opportunity to mentor the next generation of spiritual leaders. We need to encourage our seniors to reach out to these generations and become the cheerleaders of future church mentors. This week we look to some of the greatest leaders in scripture who started their ministry in their senior years. Youth should be encouraged and enabled but it is the seniors who must be the ones to set them free to minister and grow. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca
- Flip Flop
Have you ever considered the flip-flop? It is a staple for most people in the summer, it is an easy item to pack and store and it can be dressed up to match occasions. I have done a few weddings where the bride and her attendants have opted for the simple flip-flop as a comfortable and light shoe for the event. They come in so many colours and styles, they are very affordable and can easily be accessorized. I have even seen the groom and groomsmen wearing these laid back casual kicks. The sound of the flip-flop is also very distinctive and had a large part in the naming of the beach shoe. The versatility of this shoe plus the fact it has been in use far longer than we think makes it an integral part of our society. In fact, if you research it, the flip-flop goes back to ancient Egypt more than four thousand years ago. It is such a simple item to make, easy to repair and almost every culture in the world has benefitted from their existence. If you ask anyone, they can define the basic make up of the sandal but it will differ slightly depending on where you are from. The ancient Romans had a strap after the second toe, the Mesopotamians, the third toe. Were they wrong? Nope, just different. Is it worth arguing over? Nope, not really. Do people argue over it or disagree with where and when they should be worn? All the time! I went to a really nice restaurant in Jamaica with my wife a few years ago and I can tell you we were not the only ones wearing sandals, in fact it would have been out of place to wear dress shoes. So why does society feel such a need to make such a big deal out of such a small issue? There are those in this world who look at other religious organizations, other denominations within a religious order, and they find ways to push these groups out of their own little circle of righteousness because they do not hold the same ideals or beliefs of that individual or group. Here is my question, in order for someone to be my friend, must they hold the exact same values and beliefs as me? If that is the case, Natalie and I would not be married because she would rather play with her plants than go quadding with our group. Natalie would rather sing than beat on the drums. I like a plain ordinary pair of flip-flops as opposed to Natalie who likes a sandal with a bit more character. Here is the thing, I love my wife regardless of her choice in sandals, despite her choice in hobbies or her choice in hockey teams. I have many friends who do not believe in what I do and each friendship is as different as one could imagine but there is something that is very much the same – we appreciate and respect the relationships we have with each other. My closest friend wears the most amazing sandals and we have a perfect relationship. I am called to share this news, it is up to you if you want to hear it. It won’t change our relationship going forward just like your flip-flops won’t affect my walk. Love God, love each other – it is that easy. Last Sunday, things went a bit sideways and the message was not what we had planned. This week, we look at how we can release the bonds of over doing it with the rules and leaning on the Word of God. We would love for you to join us either in person or online Sunday at 10:30 AM MST. Facebook Live - Main Ave Fellowship YouTube Live – You Tube We look forward to seeing you this Sunday. Blessings, Pastor Todd www.mainavefellowship.ca