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Quick preface before I start; I have never and will never preach a sermon directed at any one person.  Last weekend after service, I was asked what I was going to preach about next week. Jokingly I said “whatever He wants me to talk about” and then I asked why and the person said that this week’s sermon was rather harsh and tough to listen to because it felt like I was trying to make them feel bad about themselves, in fact others had told them the same thing. I asked who else and they simply said others. This never washes with me. If someone says others are talking, then, out of love, encourage them to come forward in love to openly discuss the situation. In love, we can honestly talk to each other and grow with each other but if all we can do is go behind our backs, gossip and try to tear each other down, we are not acting out of love but rather we are reacting from the position of the world.  The evil one does not need our help to make things worse, he is doing well as it is. It takes effort to lead out of love, it takes no wisdom to force one's will through fear. To lead by fear is to lead through temporary power, but to lead through love, His love, is to depend on infinite power that is over and above all that we know on this planet.   My beloved friends, let us continue to love each other since love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and experiences a relationship with God. The person who refuses to love doesn’t know the first thing about God, because God is love—so you can’t know him if you don’t love. This is how God showed his love for us: God sent his only Son into the world so we might live through him. This is the kind of love we are talking about—not that we once upon a time loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to clear away our sins and the damage they’ve done to our relationship with God.   My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this, we certainly ought to love each other. No one has seen God, ever. But if we love one another, God dwells deeply within us, and his love becomes complete in us—perfect love! 1 John 4:7-12 MSG   John talks of love, agape, that is the foundation of all we should endeavour to follow in our daily lives. Agape, that unconditional, never dependent on payback, freely given love, is above all and is the guiding principle for prevenient grace, that grace that goes before us all and that grace that forgives perfectly. This is the premise for the final sermon in this series before we head into the Easter season. Go figure, we are almost upon that celebration of God’s gift for us all, our salvation through His Son.   This Sunday, we finish the Temporary Power series with Pastor Todd. 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 Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘God’s Power is in Your Life’ Day 1: Colossians 2:12 - “For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.” Day 2: 2 Peter 1:3 - “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.” 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: Ephesians 3:20 - “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.” Day 5: 2 Timothy 1:7 - “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” Day 6: 2 Corinthians 12:9 - “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.” Day 7: Isaiah 40:29-31 - “He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 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.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Listen… God is Talking to You’ Day 1: Proverbs 19:20 - “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.” Day 2: Matthew 7:24 - “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.” Day 3: Isaiah 55:3 - “Come to me with your ears wide open. Listen, and you will find life. I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised to David.” Day 4: Romans 10:17 - “So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.” Day 5: Proverbs 4:20 - “My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words.” Day 6: Proverbs 5:1 - “My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel.” Day 7: Proverbs 8:32, 33 - “And so, my children, listen to me, for all who follow my ways are joyful. Listen to my instruction and be wise. Don’t ignore it.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

As many of you are aware, I am not one for taking praise for anything or boasting in my own achievements especially when it comes to my own future. You see there are so many out there who preach salvation through works and yet scripture is so clear that it is not by my own merit that I am saved but rather the grace of God. I want to take us back momentarily to the teachings from the past couple weeks where I talked about temporary power and selfish desires instead of focusing to serve the needs of the common good. To look for the needs of the many around us is not what gets us to Heaven, but it is a reflection of what the Master did for us. I am so tired of hearing the term “self-made person” because, truth be told, we all owe who we are to our Creator. Jesus came to save us through His personal sacrifice, He did not come to make everyone super important through temporary power or super rich with things that are very temporary like money and trinkets. In fact, you will not find access to Glory based on your bank account, you can only find it through the grace of God.  That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.   Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away.    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.   2 Cor 12:5-10 NLT   This is a tough passage to dig into but on Sunday, I will dig in deeper to this so that we cannot only reflect on how God’s grace is all sufficient for each and every one of us, but I also want to help us all examine His perfect gift for us all and the promise He has given to all His creation. This is not a time to find ways to drive in wedges around us but rather unite around Him and rally the faithful to take back that which the devil has stripped of us all. Little arguments becoming massive threats, threats becoming wars and canyons becoming so wide that there is little chance for grace and love to fill in the chasm. Pride and selfish desires are the tools of the devil, doubt is the fuel for the fire and his only focus, his only goal is to cause so much chaos that the faithful lose focus and each wander in separate directions into the wilderness. Once the strand of the rope of faith is unraveled, it is easy to cast it to the wind and the faith family is weekend. The devil says the sky is falling, the Lord says, do not be afraid, my grace is sufficient for you.   This Sunday, we will continue with the Temporary Power series, the third of four with Pastor Todd. 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

I have been working my way through the book of Ecclesiastes over the past month and have stumbled upon, or should I say guided to, some passages that are very relevant to what we, as a society, are facing. Last week, we looked at what church is defined, as in the Bible, that is the gathering of the faith-filled and those searching into a place of discussion, reflection and worship. It becomes even more relevant when times become rather difficult and chaotic and there seems to be no place to turn. Where does one turn in these times to find guidance and hope? If one places their hopes in temporary things of this earth, two things will happen; there will be an end or conclusion and there will be a moment of change because the goal posts will move at some point because that is the way it is. We can grab hold of each new trend that seems to address the needs of the moment and work our selves to the bone to achieve the perfect answer but this can be fleeting. There can also be that moment when one realizes that the efforts of the self are fleeting and it is easier to sit and do nothing than be disappointed once again. “Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.” And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.” Eccl 4:5-6 NLT You may think this passage rather confusing as did I but after a time of quiet reflection, I realized the depth of wisdom. Let me break this down a bit. In the verse before, the observation was that most people are motivated to success because they envy those around them, their neighbours, relatives, and people of power to name but a few. It says that this is meaningless, they are chasing finite gains and when they are found to be rather unattainable, they fold their hands and just sit. The wise will sit and meditate in the wisdom of the Word, they will seek the guidance of He who is without end, the only One who has the perfect answers and will provide the Way. You see our Father in Heaven is not about making life unbearable and seemingly impossible but rather He sent His Son to show us the best way. Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” Matt 11:28-30 NLT Mortal leaders are only here for a time. There will be good leaders and disappointing leaders. Many will tell you what you want to hear so you will like them, follow them and bow down at their feet, groveling and asking for tiny morsels to fill their bellies. They will do this as long as they hold the power but once that is gone, those who bowed down to them will be lost and working to find a new saviour. They will forever be chasing the wind. For those who seek the love and wisdom of God, the peace and security in the Son, the hope brought through the Holy Spirit, there will be rest for our souls. Yes, things seem very dark right now in the world but know this, He has it all in control. None is greater than our Lord and He has promised us a place in Glory. This Sunday, Pastor Todd will be expanding on this passage and other supporting passages from the New Testament. 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 Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Just Talk to Father God’ Day 1: 1 John 5:14 - “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.” Day 2: Jeremiah 29:12, 13 - “In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” Day 3: Matthew 6:6 - “But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.” Day 4: 1 Thessalonians 5:17, 18 - “Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” Day 5: 1 Timothy 2:1, 2 - “I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.” Day 6: Jeremiah 33:3 - “Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come.” Day 7: Matthew 6:9-13 - “Pray like this: Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks   ‘Benefits of Walking Daily with God’ Day 1: Psalm 84:11 - “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.” Day 2: Psalm 119:1-3 - “Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the Lord. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths.” Day 3: 1 John 1:7 - “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” Day 4: Psalm 23:1-3 - “The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name.” Day 5: Proverbs 2:7, 8 - “He grants a treasure of common sense to the honest. He is a shield to those who walk with integrity. He guards the paths of the just and protects those who are faithful to him.” Day 6: Proverbs 28:18 - “The blameless will be rescued from harm, but the crooked will be suddenly destroyed.” Day 7: Psalm 1:1-3 - “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

Let me tell you about the term Ecclesia. In ancient times, this was commonly used to describe an assembly or gathering of the citizens or those who held rights within the city to make decisions for the community. Over time, it came to represent the gathering of the faithful of the Christian nation to learn, discuss and grow in their faith. There can be some rather heated discussions but so long as the focus was on the Lord, just about anything can be overcome and the whole is strengthened through intense respectful discussion. So why does the church go through such turmoil at times and why do people leave? I am going to be brutally honest here so if you do not want to be offended, look away. There is turmoil in the church because the church is filled with people. On more than one occasion people have confided in me that they have left the church because the church did them wrong. This is an opportunity to ask what they mean by that and in most cases, it is not the church that caused the issue but rather the people in the church. Now, don’t get me wrong, most people do not purposely set out to cause issues, in many cases it starts with a misunderstanding that escalates. There are those who are in it to win it, that is, they want to win the argument at all costs while others have no idea that they have caused an issue. Again, I am going to be completely honest here, many times the “in it to win it” are forgetting one important thing; we are all in this together, it is the selfish who want to come out as the ultimate victor over the needs of the faith family. I observed yet another example of something meaningless under the sun. This is the case of a man who is all alone, without a child or a brother, yet who works hard to gain as much wealth as he can. But then he asks himself, “Who am I working for? Why am I giving up so much pleasure now?” It is all so meaningless and depressing. Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. Eccl 4:7-12 NLT This Sunday, Pastor Todd will be expanding on this passage and other supporting passages from the New Testament. 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

I do not know about you but over the past few months I have been watching the news and watching as the press and the people of our country are getting yanked all over the place by contradicting stories that are causing all sorts of chaos. There are stories where some say the trade deficit is at a certain level and then later in the week, the number has risen, then the story rebuttal where the number is reportedly very skewed, and this is the real number. My personal view is this; there are two sides to every claim and then there is the third version somewhere in the middle that is the truth. All sides are trying to manipulate the feed so they can get the most support and be declared the keeper of the truth.   So, the question is this; do you take the word of one side or the other and allow them to make up your mind or do you take a moment to fully research both sides of the equation and seek out the actual truth? Here is an example for your consideration. One group says you need to be a member of the church in order to take communion while another group says that you simply need to be a follower of Christ, membership has nothing to do with taking communion. Both sides argue their point and camps are made, people are recruited to one side or the other and, in the end, the split is made and the faith gathering is fractured and hurt, in fact, I have seen families divided because of these issues. Let us keep on with this illustration. On one side, members only can take communion and on the other, it is open to all who proclaim Christ as Saviour. Research the supper in the upper room. How many were members of an organized church? How many in the room also shared in the meal besides the disciples? Do you have to be completely without sin to take communion. Consider who ate with Jesus at the table. Was Peter going to deny, was Judas going to betray, were the others going to run in fear and abandon the Lord? This is only one example of what research can do for understanding and, yes, it does take effort to consider all the information available for the time to create an environment of understanding.   12 Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. 13 Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.   14 Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.   15 See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.   16 Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.   19 Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.  20 Do not scoff at prophecies, 21 but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. 22 Stay away from every kind of evil.   1 Thes 5:12-22 NLT   I did underline this last bit for a reason. Do not let people lead you down the garden path by tempting you with a piece of fruit. Ask questions, be open to the advice from others even if it differs and do not stifle the Holy Spirit, allow Him to guide you in your pursuit of the Truth. This is also very true in life as well. Use the wisdom that God has provided to make good choices for the betterment of all. You may find that being the peacemaker will be a blessing and you shall be called a child of God (Matt 5:9)  This Sunday, Pastor Eryn is going to bring us a delightful message. 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 Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks ‘Are You a Builder?’ Day 1: Romans 1:17 - Building Faith - “This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.’” Day 2: Colossians 3:12-14 - Building Godly Character - “Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Day 3: Hebrews 4:15, 16 - Building Relationship With God - “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Day 4: Hebrews 3:12-15 - Building Up Each Other - “Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still ‘today,’ so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says: ‘Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.’” Day 5: Philippians 2:2-5 - Building Relationship With Each Other - “Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” Day 6: John 15:4, 5 - Building His Kingdom - “Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. ‘Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.’” Day 7: Psalm 34:18 - Building Up The Broken - “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The Perfect 7-day Diet – Peter’s Picks   ‘Do We Really Reverence God? For He Is…’ Day 1: John 1:1-3 - Creator - “In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him.” Day 2: Psalm 55:22 - Sustainer - “Give your burdens to the Lord, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” Day 3: 2 Corinthians 9:8 - Blesser - “And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.” Day 4: Matthew 6:31-33 - Provider - “So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Day 5: Colossians 1:13, 14 - Saviour - “For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.” Day 6: Psalm 103:3 - Healer - “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Day 7: Psalm 18:2 - Deliverer - “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.” ** Verses taken from the New Living Translation

The other day, I was asked about the tradition of the prayer altar in our denomination and I had to say I had no clue. They had always been there and if you ever thought to remove them, there were those who would suggest that was a hard no. You see, the prayer altar is that place in the church were people come to offer sacrifices, prayers and intercessions to God. In the Nazarene church, this place is at the front of the church running, in most cases, across the front of the platform and has a padded kneeling area so it doesn’t hurt so much. In some Catholic church, there are drop down kneeling benches right in the pews where you can kneel in prayer without leaving your pew. I have also seen prie-Dieu (pray to God) which can be single or double stand alone kneelers that have s slanted table where you can put your elbows in prayer or even place your Bible for those times of contemplative meditation and prayer. There are those who go into a closet to pray in their special prayer room, others like Susanna Wesley would cover her head with her apron as a signal for others that she was in her alone time with God and there are those who will cover their heads with a tallit, a prayer shawl, and spend time with the Father there. No matter what, however, the purpose is the same, to spend quality time with God. I attended a church where the prayer altar was always full. We had an altar ministry where people were willing and able to come alongside those at the altar and pray with others should they wish it. There was never a force call, none felt they had to go to the altar during prayer time, they just came forward and knelt in prayer. Some prayed in intercession for others in their lives, some prayed for healing and comfort while others prayed with tears of joys for answered prayers. Regardless of what their prayers, they were never alone at the altar and it was a wonderful place of communication with the Father and the faith family came alongside to share in the good and the hardships. I do remember one person who went to prayer at the altar and I asked if I could pray with him. He was about to go into an interview the next day and wanted to thank God in advance for what was about to happen. Whether the results were positive or “try again”, he wanted to let God know he was fully leaning on Him for strength and that His will be done. He was there again the next Sunday giving thanks for the opportunity presented (he did not get the job) but also praised the Lord for the better job offer he got two days later. Here is the thing that really troubles me. I have seen the prayer altar go empty for months, even years, because people think that the congregation will assume they are there for confess all manners of sins but, truth be told, in that church I was in years ago, most of the prayers were intercession for others and prayers of thanksgiving for answered requests. This is not meant to brag or anything but on Sundays, I am usually at the altar an hour before I start to crank up the computers and get things ready. I am usually there again once the computer messes up but that’s a story for another time. The altar is that place where we can go for that time with Him, it is not a requirement for God to hear prayer but it is symbolic of kneeling before the Lord. The key is to pray, pray and rejoice.   Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thes 5:16-18 NLT Never let pride get in the way of kneeling before the Lord. This Sunday, Pastor Todd is going to dig a bit deeper into the blessing of prayer. 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