(by pastor Jean)
The disciples were in a storm on the sea of Galilee, Jesus came to them walking on the water and He said, “Don’t be afraid, take courage, I am here” (Matt 14:27; NLT). He told them not to fear because He was with them. That is not the only time in the Bible that God tells us He is with us. The 23rd Psalm in verse 4 says that when we walk “through the valley of the shadow of death” we have no need to fear because God is with us. Also, the final words of Jesus to His disciples were, “I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matt 28:20; NLT). In fact, the name of Jesus, Emmanuel, means God is with us (Matt 1:23). God also told Moses that He was, “I am who I am” (Ex 3:14). This name reveals God’s eternal existence and presence with us. Like the disciples we also go through storms from time to time (Ps 34:19, 1 Peter 1:6) but what Jesus told His disciples is still true today, “I am” is still with us. I am what? I am whatever you need – help, healing, deliverance, provision, comfort, joy, peace and the list goes on. If you are going through a storm today look to “I am” to help you. The apostle Paul experienced many storms in his life but he said, “Despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us” (Rom 8:37; NLT). Because Jesus was victorious over death, we share His victory. “Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but take heart, because I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
(by Pastor Norman)
As Christians who believe in Christ and have made Him Lord and master of our lives (Rom 10:9-10) God has an amazing, abundant, blessed life for us (John 10:10b), shining as a light for Christ (Phil 2:15), His ambassadors on this earth (2 Cor 5:20). The Holy Spirit can transform us to be more like our Saviour (2 Cor 3:18; Gal 5:22-23) and at the end of our life or race on earth, we will receive the crown of life, eternal life in heaven with Christ (James 1:12). In the gospel of John 17:6-8 Jesus, at the end of His ministry on earth said, “I have glorified You on earth, I have finished the work which You have given Me to do” (John 17:4; NKJV). Paul the apostle wrote, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim 4:7; NKJV). I trust we will all be able to say the same. However, satan comes to, “steal, and to kill and to destroy” (John 10:10; NKJV), to prevent us from finishing our race for Christ. To be victorious over satan’s attacks we need to stand fast on God’s word (Phil 2:16), do things God’s way (Matt 11:28), press into Him (Phil 3:12), keep our focus on Christ and resist the devil so he runs from us (James 4:7). “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Christ” (Phil 1:6; NKJV). God enables us to run and finish the race, look to Him, trust Him and cooperate. He will not fail you but meet you at life’s end with, “Well done good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your lord” (Matt 25:23; NKJV).
(by pastor Jean)
When you read the news these days you could easily get very depressed and fearful and then combine that with your own challenges and trials that you might be going through and it would be easy to lose your peace. When we find ourselves getting overwhelmed with these types of emotions it means we are meditating more on the fearful things than we are on what God has to say. I don’t say that in a condemning or judgmental way because we are all guilty of that at times. But what exactly does God have to say? For one thing, He bequeathed His peace to us, “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the gift I give is a gift the world cannot give so don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27; NLT). One of the names of God is Jehovah Shalom, the Lord is peace (Judges 6:24). Shalom means completeness, soundness, welfare, peace with God and man, nothing missing, nothing broken. Jesus Himself is called the Prince of Peace (Isa 9:6). If you have accepted Jesus into your heart that peace is what you carry on the inside of you. Jesus said that we could cast our burdens on Him (Matt 11:28). The apostle Paul said to, “be anxious for nothing” (Phil 4:6). If you find yourself feeling troubled or fearful start reading, meditating and confessing all the scriptures you can find on peace. Get your focus back on the Prince of Peace; take anxious thoughts captive and replace them with God’s word. You might have to do this over and over each day but keep at it, the victory is yours (John 16:33).
(by pastor Norman)
“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Ps 19:1; NKJV). “And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14; NKJV). What is this glory of God the Father and as manifested in Jesus? The glory of God is His splendour, beauty, radiance, perfection, greatness, wisdom, majesty, love, compassion, grace and power to use but a few words. Jesus demonstrated God’s glory on earth in His grace, love, compassion, wisdom and miracles. If people are sensitive enough to God, they will see His glory in all of His creation (Rom 1:2-0, Is 6:3). When I am in the Rocky Mountains, by a northern lake in Saskatchewan or on the seashore in an unspoiled area, I always sense the amazing creative power, glory and presence of God. In many places throughout the Bible the writers acknowledge the glory of God, praising and honoring Him (E.g. Ps 86:12, Rom 11:36). We should do the same. Jesus said to God the Father, “I have glorified You on earth, I have finished the work You have given me to do” (John 17:4; NKJV). As we focus on the glory of the Lord in His word, we will be changed to be more and more like Him (2 Cor 3:18). All we do should glorify God (2 Thess 1:12) not ourselves; all glory and honour is God’s alone (Ps 115:1, Isa 42:8).
(by pastor Jean)
“Kind words are as honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body” (Prov 16:24; NLT). This is reiterated in Proverbs 15:4 where it says that “A gentle tongue (with its healing power) is a tree of life” (AMPC). We see from these 2 verses that a kind word from someone can actually bring health to the body. (See also Proverbs 12:18). There is nothing like a kind word to encourage you and lift your spirits. Proverbs 12:25 tells us that anxiety will weigh us down but a kind word will cheer us up (NIV). It does not require much energy on our part; it is largely making the decision to be led by the spirit rather than our flesh (Gal 5:16). The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 is a good example of this, “on her tongue is the law of kindness” (Prov 31:26; AMPC). She had obviously made it a habit to speak kindly because it had become a law for her. The apostle Paul also stressed the importance of kind words as he said that our speech should be gracious and “an encouragement to others” (Eph 4:29), Col 4:6). Like love, speaking kind words is a choice. I always remember what my mother used to say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all!” That is scriptural! I encourage you to look for opportunities today to say something kind and encouraging today, even something as simple as “your hair looks nice” might just make all the difference in someone’s day!