A NEW YEAR

 

13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus

 

     The year 2020, has been quite the year.  It started off with promise as any other year did but something changed it all.  From the country of China came a virus that changed everything.   This satanic disease as ravaged our country, provinces, cities, towns, villages, hamlets and settlements.  It has killed in our province almost 900 people, infected almost a 100,000 people.  In Canada,540,000, 15000 deaths, in the world 80 million with 1.8 million.  Countries have borrowed trillions of dollars.  Canada this year will face a 400 billion dollar debt making our total debt 1 trillion dollars.  In Alberta we have lost 1000 people to overdose, 500 to suicide.  There is no family, church, community through this province or country that has not been effected by this pandemic.  Currently we are in the midst of a lockdown.  But it is not all bad.  Our social media grew to over 70,000 contacts, basically this broadcast today can reach to over 70,000 people worldwide and to this point no one in this church has caught Covid 19.  This is something which we should be thankful for. 

 

     Paul said, brothers I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it.  What is it?  He has not fully realize that he has.  So what does he have and ourselves?

 

1.       Eternal and Abundant life.

2.      Salvation, healing, restoration, forgiveness, grace, mercy, love, joy, faith, freedom, victory, anointing, empowerment, authority, acceptance forgiveness.

3.      You are a chosen generation, royal priesthood, holy nation and unique called out person.

4.      You past, present and future is forgiven and assured. 

5.      You have power in prayer and in all realms.  You can defeat the devil, release yourself, spouses, family and friends, pastor, church, community, province and country in prayer.

6.      Your past has been forgiven, your present is secured and your future is assured.

7.      You have the mighty God in your corner.  He will never leave or forsake you.  He loves, accepts and forgives you.  You have all of heaven working with you and for you.   One day you shall know him and be like him.  Paul had not full taken a hold of it but he was attempting too.

 

Paul then says, there is one thing I do, I forget the past.  I will not let the past affect my present or the future.  If you do not learn from the past you are destine to repeat it.  So here are six reasons to forget the past.

 

1.      If you never truly drop the past, you can never truly move on. ...

2.      Living in the past allows old doors to stay open, and new doors to remain shut. ...

3.      This life is too short to waste time on what's already done. ...

4.      You can't rewind time and change what already happened.

5.      If you do not learn from the past you are destine to repeat it. 

6.      The devil will use it against you.  So whenever the devil reminds you of your past remind him of his future.

 

Paul says I strain, I press onward to the goal.  I want to win the prize.  What are the prizes?

 

Crown of Life.

Incorruptible Crown.

Crown of Righteousness.

Crown of Glory.

Crown of Rejoicing.

 

To the overcomer!  The tree of life is symbolic of eternal life.  Not hurt by the second death.  Hidden manna.  A white stone and new name.  Power over the nations, a rod of iron, and the morning star.

White garments and the Book of Life.  A pillar in the temple of My God.  Sit with Me on My Throne. 

 

Paul says I have a heavenly calling.  He is working towards eternity.   We are only two things we should be doing.  The great commission or telling others in our world about Jesus Christ.  The great commandment which is love God with our whole being and love our neighbor as ourselves.  Simple, concise and succinct. 

 

So here are some goals for 2021

 

Do not worry or fret.

Do good.

Delight in the Lord.

Commit your way to the Lord.

Be still before the Lord.

Avoid being angry .

Be meek.

Enjoy peace and prosperity.

Spend more time with God in prayer.

Spend more time with God in the Bible.

Go to church more often.

Tell others about Jesus.

Spend more time with family and friends. 

 

Jeremiah  29:11:  For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

 

Dear God, Thank you that you make all things new. Thank you for all that you've allowed into our lives this past year, the good along with the hard things, which have reminded us how much we need you and rely on your presence filling us every single day. We pray for your Spirit to lead us each step of this New Year.

QUOTES FOR APRIL 4, 2026

 

ONE FINE MOMENT

 

19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

 

     We certainty have seen the reality of this scripture this week.  The Covid 19, Pandemic has caused panic, fear and a new reality.  No longer all the things we do to show love and kindness are now considered taboo.  Hugs, kisses, handshakes and formal greetings.  You now have to self isolate, social distance and avoid large gatherings.  Sports events, social events, funerals, weddings, church all things are now considered a health risk.  It has caused people to buy sanitizer, toilet paper runs and panic buying.  It has caused governments to imposed draconian measures and stock crashes, no travel out of the country and people are stranded in foreign countries.  So who do you trust?  Where can you go for stability?

 

Jesus warned us about this fine moment in Matt 24, so today who do you trust? 

The word trust means faith or putting your confidence in something or someone.

The Bible teaches us not to put our trust in. 

 

Weapons:  Ps 44:6 -  I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory.

Wealth:  Ps 49:6-7 - those who trust in their wealth and boast of their great riches?  7 No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them.

Leaders:   Ps 146:3 - Do not put your trust in princes, in human beings, who cannot save.

Man:   Jer 17:5 - This is what the Lord says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man,

who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord.

Words:   Jer 48:7 – There is a lesson we can learn from Moab Jeremiah said to them,  “Since you trust in your deeds and riches, you too will be taken captive, and Chemosh will go into exile, together with his priests and officials.”

Own righteousness:  Ezek 33:13 -  If I tell a righteous person that they will surely live, but then they trust in their righteousness and do evil, none of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered; they will die for the evil they have done.

 

Mankind will learn and should learn too placed their confidence and trust in the Lord and in Jesus Christ.  That is great thing about the Lord we can trust Him during these incredible times of turmoil.  You can trust.

 

God’s name:  Ps 33:21 - In him our hearts rejoice, or we trust in his holy name.

Mercy and love:  Ps 52:8 - But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever.

Word:  Ps 119:42 - then I can answer anyone who taunts me, for I trust in your word

Christ:  Matt 12:18-21 - 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:  18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  19 He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.

20 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,

till he has brought justice through to victory.  21 In his name the nations will put their hope.”

 

Now here are the benefits of trusting in the Lord not only during this time but in all times. 

 

Joy:  Psalm 5:11 - But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy.  Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Deliverance:  Ps 22:4-5 - In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.  5 To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

Triumph:  Ps 25:2-3 - I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.  3 No one who hopes in you I will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

God’s goodness:  Ps 21:19 - How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.

Mercy and love:  Ps 32:10 - Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Provision:  Ps 37:3-5 - Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.  4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.  5 Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this:

Blessedness:  Ps 44:4:  You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob.

Safety:  Ps 56:4&11 -   In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can mere mortals do to me?  in God I trust and am not afraid.  What can man do to me?

Usefulness:  Ps 73:28 - But as for me, it is good to be near God.  I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Guidance:  Prov 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

Inheritance:  Is 57:13 - When you cry out for help, let your collection of idols save you!  The wind will carry all of them off, a mere breath will blow them away.

But whoever takes refuge in me will inherit the land and possess my holy mountain.

 

In these turbulent and uncertain times we can trust the Lord.  There is an anchor in this storm of Covid 19.  His name is the Lord and let us trust Him.  I am not saying we should not be wise cautious and discerning but trust him.  We have seen what happens when we trust in man.  Now put your trust in God and His benefits.  Close with prayer.

 

 

 

 

WALK SECURELY

 

I always like to start with something funny so here are some Christian snap jokes.  2. Who was the fastest runner in the race?  Adam. He was first in the human race.

3. Why are atoms Catholic?  Because they have mass.

4. Why didn’t they play cards on the Ark?  Because Noah was always standing on the deck

5. Why didn’t Noah ever go fishing?  He only had two worms.

 

Integrity – “Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9  Solomon gives a pithy but powerful truth.  When you walk with integrity you are secure.  When you decide to shortcut the process or go after crooked ways.  You will be found out. 

 

The definition of Integrity is this.  The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles; moral uprightness. "he is known to be a man of integrity"  synonyms:    honesty, honor, good character, principle(s), ethics, morals, righteousness, morality, virtue, decency, fairness, sincerity, truthfulness, trustworthiness and living whole and undivided.  In the Bible it is soundness and completeness.

 

Some examples in the Bible and Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Joseph and Daniel.  They were men of faith who lived their faith in honesty, with ethics, morality, truthfulness and trustworthiness.  Talk about Joseph and Potiphar’s wife.

 

I am now going to give you some principles and ways to be people of integrity.

 

One of the best definitions of character we've ever heard goes something like this: "Character is what you do when no one else is looking."

 

People of integrity value what is honest, true, noble, trustworthy, kind and right ahead of personal gain. Once integrated into our foundational operating system, integrity ceases to be optional or "add on" but instead becomes a way of life.

 

Here are some suggestions that will help once we decide to make integrity a foundational value:

 

1. Root yourself in a moral foundation. It's been said that everyone has a god; the question is only "What god do we choose?" But many of us fail to even address the issue. Once considered, this question can give us a firm place to anchor.  Put your life in the hand of the Lord. 

 

2. Look for the positive. Load your consciousness in a positive direction by scanning the news for examples of integrity. Read the Bible and look for examples.  Make endorsing integrity a stronger value in your life than criticism and scorn.

 

3. Resist the temptation that comes into your life.  Determine to be a person of integrity; then practice at home, at work, at play—wherever you are.  This is a personal decision.

 

4. Determine to live for others ahead of yourself. The root enemy of integrity is selfishness. The "Golden Rule" requires treating others the way we would like to be treated. It is impossible to follow the Golden Rule without a boost to personal integrity.

 

5. Participate in an active accountability group. There's a great story about the great leader Moses when his friends Aaron and Hur stood with him to hold his arms up high until the battle was won. We all need friends to hold our arms up, to help keep us strong.

 

6. Partner with a friend where you need to make progress. Take accountability to the next level by asking another person to hold your feet to the fire where necessary. This can be a mutual arrangement. We know a man who asks his friend to call several times a week and ask point-blank if he’s been morally right.

 

7. Be in the habit of sharing everything with your spouse. When we don't keep any secrets from our spouse, it tends to have an impact on who we are.

 

8. Practice the habit of imagining the presence of someone whose opinion you value. What if my father was present at this business meeting? I wonder how Grandpa would enjoy being part of this foursome? Would I tell this joke in the presence of my wife? How would my kids feel if they listened in on this conversation?

 

9. If you have children hold them accountable. It's cliché to say that "to teach is to learn." But the truth is, every lesson we bring to our children is something we need to hear too.

 

10.  Lastly remember one day you will have to give and account to God.  You always have an audience of one.  You cannot hide from God.  Talk about Lois hid under the bed thinking she g=could escape God’s sight.

 

1 Pet 3:16  keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

 

Prov 4:25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.

 

Heb 13:8 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

 

Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

 

There was once an Emperor from China who had no children and needed to choose a successor.

Thousands of children from across the kingdom came to the palace and were surprised when the Emperor exclaimed that he was going to choose one of them.  He gave them all a seed.  They were to go home to their villages, plant the seed in a pot and tend it for a year.  When they return in a year, the Emperor would judge their efforts and choose his successor. There was a boy named Ling who received his seed and returned to his village.

 

His mother helped him to choose a pot and put some soil into it. Ling watered his pot every day. Once a week, the children of the village would get together to compare their plants.  After a few weeks, there were signs of life in all but Ling’s pot.  The weeks passed and Ling continued to water his pot every day.

After a few months, the pots really came to life.  Some had trees starting to grow, some had flowers and some had leafy shrubs.  Poor old Ling still had nothing growing in his pot, leading the other children to make fun of him.  Ling continued to water his pot every day.

 

A year passed and it was time to return to the palace to show what had grown and decide on the new heir.  Ling was anxious as his pot still showed no signs of life.  “What if they punish me?  They won’t know that I’ve watered it every day, they’ll think that I’m lazy.”  His mother looked him in the eye and explained that whatever the consequences were, he had to return and show the Emperor his barren pot. Ling and the other children entered the palace gates.  By now, some of the plants were looking magnificent and the children were wondering which one the Emperor would choose. Ling was embarrassed as other children looked at his lifeless pot and scoffed.

 

The Emperor came out and started to make his way through the crowd, looking at the many impressive trees, shrubs and flowers that were on display.  The boys all puffed their chests out and tried to look as regal as possible, hoping that they would be chosen as the heir to the empire. Then the Emperor came to Ling.  He looked at the pot then he looked at Ling.  “What happened here?”  He asked. “I watered the pot every day, but nothing ever grew.”  Ling muttered nervously. Then he grumbled something to himself and moved on.  After a few hours, the Emperor finally finished his assessment.

 

He stood in front of the children and congratulated them on their efforts.  “Clearly, some of you desperately want to be Emperor and would do anything to make that happen, but there is one boy that I would like to point out as he has come to me with nothing.  Ling, come here please.”  “Oh no,” thought Ling.  He slowly sauntered to the front of the group, holding his barren pot.

 

The Emperor held up the pot for all to see and the other children laughed.  Then the Emperor continued, “A year ago, I gave you all a seed.  I told you to go away, plant the seed and return with your plant.  The seeds that I gave you all were boiled until they were no longer viable and wouldn’t grow, but I see before me thousands of plants and only one barren pot.  Integrity and courage are more important values for leadership than proud displays, so Ling here will be my heir.”  Let’s close with prayer. 

 

April 4 – Famine - Isaiah 19:5-10

 

April 4 – Famine - Isaiah 19:5-10

 

     One of the time-tested ways of God’s judgment is natural disasters.  Egypt will face a drought.  The results will be rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds will dry up.  Fields will yield no crops.  Fisherman and the economy will collapse.  The people and the nation will face great deprivation.  Today natural disasters instead of being heeded are now blamed on climate change and man’s influence.  God’s judgment is ignored, and man’s importance and so-called changes mean nothing.  In the author’s country the government has been taxing the population to reduce carbon emissions only to find in the time they have been doing these emissions have increased.  Man’s wisdom is always foolish and ineffective.

April 3 – Egypt - Isaiah 19:1-4

 

 

April 3 – Egypt - Isaiah 19:1-4

 

     Isaiah is a prophet to the nations.  His knowledge both natural and supernaturally is amazing.  He then prophesises the ruin of Egypt.  The Lord had already dealt with Egypt and its idols during the time of Moses.  Each plaque was a direct attack on the gods and idols of Egypt.  This time the Lord will come like a storm on a swift cloud.  The idols of Egypt will tremble before Him, and the hearts of the people will melt with fear.  The results us that Egyptian, neighbor, family, city, and the whole kingdom will be fighting amongst themselves.

     The Egyptians will lose heart, their plans will come to nothing and when they consult their idols and demons nothing will change.  The mediums and spiritists will not be able to help.  They will be oppressed by an evil king and the Lord will make it happen.  Idols and occult activity is a sure fire way of being judged by God.

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF OTHERS

 

The Significance of Others

 

Humility – “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:3-4

 

Paul tells us to never do anything from rivalry which means you do it because someone else is doing it.  Also don’t do something because you get recognition or a buzz.  Do not do something to get something from someone.  But in humility.  That means to do something when no one is watching.  Do not let your right hand know what your left hand s doing.  A good example was the widow woman who gave all she had to live on when others we giving from the excess.  Sacrificial giving is so important.  Humility is putting others ahead of yourself.  It breaks selfishness and greed.  Paul says that we should put others before ourselves.  Jesus did when it came to us.  In the garden He said not my will but yours be done.  Put then says we are to put the interests of others before our own.  This is what the early church did.  It change their world.  God has called us to be a blessing  Like the old song says,  “Make me a blessing.”

 

Random House Dictionary says a blessing is this.

 

The act or words of a person who blesses.

A special favor, mercy, or benefit

A favor or gift bestowed by God, thereby bringing happiness.

The invoking of God's favor upon a person.

Approval or good wishes.

 

Giving obeys God’s command

As all of God’s commands are given to enhance our lives, obeying this command will increase our happiness.

 

2. Giving submits to God’s Lordship

Every act of obedience recognizes that there is a higher authority in our lives, that there is a Lord over us who is entitled to honor and respect.  If only we could remember that Divine Lordship is not a threat; rather it’s the place of greatest safety.

 

3. Giving exhibits God’s heart

God is THE giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1:17).

 

4. Giving illustrates God’s salvation

At the heart of the Gospel is sacrificial self-giving (John 3:16). That’s why when the Apostle Paul wanted to encourage the Corinthians to give more, he pointed them to the person and work of Christ. “When we give sacrificially, painfully, for the benefit of others, we are faintly and on a small-scale preaching the Gospel message.

 

5. Giving trusts God’s provision

 

We are expressing our faith and trust in God to provide for us and our family. This is not an argument for folly, but for faith. Many Christians have discovered the joy of casting their crumbs of bread upon the waters and multiple loaves returning after many days (Ecclesiastes 11:1). It’s such a joy to see God fulfill His promise of provision when we obey Him.

 

6. Giving widens God’s smile

The Lord loves a cheerful giver (2 Corinthians 2:7). It delights Him to see His people gladly opening their hearts and hands to provide for the needs of His Church and indeed of all His creatures  There’s nothing that makes a Christian happier than knowing that she’s made God happy, and happy giving means a happy God.

 

7. Giving advances God’s kingdom

 

We are paying salaries of ministers and missionaries. We are funding resources for outreach, evangelism, and discipleship. But above all we are investing in the spiritual and eternal welfare of people from every nation, tribe, kindred and tongue. Our dollars are changing homes, relationships, countries, and even the eternal destiny of many souls.

 

8. Giving promotes God’s sanctification

Giving not only promotes God’s work through us, but also God’s work in us, our sanctification. Giving money, especially when it pains us, requires much self-denial and self-crucifixion. However, as every act of giving weakens and even breaks our sinful and selfish nature

 

9. Giving testifies to God’s power

 

10. Giving praises God’s character

Giving in a right spirit is an act of worship. It is rendering Him a tribute of praise. It is saying. “You gave me everything and here is a small expression of my gratitude and praise for all your good gifts.

Giving better that getting?

 

 

1. Give A Listening Ear

 

Take the time to listen to a friend or family member in need.

 

2. Use Your Resources

 

You can bake some cookies or a delicious recipe and bring some to a co-worker.  You can give an amount of money to help raise money for a cause.  You can use your connections to get someone a discount to new tires or something else.

 

3. Give Away What You Don’t Need or Use

 

4. Volunteer Time

 

You can serve food at an orphanage, volunteer time to feed the homeless, help at your church, or help someone at work.  Start with family and move on from there and see who else you can help.  Take time to do special for something for some.

 

5. Write A Note

 

I think this has been my favorite thing to receive.  Every time my students left me a note on my desk, it brought a smile to me.  When people write me a note just because and tell me something special, I feel instant happiness.  Be a blessing to someone by thanking them for something they do.  Write a note telling them what good workers they are or how special they are.  You will sure make them happy.

 

6. Use Your Words

 

There are so many people we can motivate and lift up with just a sincere compliment.  Someone may have needed a simple “you’re great at this” to feel better about themselves.  Maybe someone is having a rough day, and a compliment can brighten their day up, one word can change someone’s day into a positive one.

 

7. Lend A Hand

 

Try to do favors with a cheerful heart.  Do it because you care for them and really want to help.  Maybe someone needs you to babysit or someone needs a ride.  Cook for your spouse when they are busy.  You can be a huge blessing when someone is in desperate need for help, even at the most inconvenient times.

 

In 2008, 9-year-old Katie Stagliano brought a tiny cabbage seedling home from school as part of the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. As she cared for her cabbage, it grew to 40 pounds. Katie donated her cabbage to a soup kitchen where it helped to feed more than 275 people. Moved by the experience of seeing how many people could benefit from the donation of fresh produce to soup kitchens, Katie decided to start vegetable gardens and donate the harvest to help feed people in need. Today, Katie's Krops donates thousands of pounds of fresh produce from numerous gardens to organizations that help people in need. Katie, now around 19, continues her work with the charity.

 

Whatever you do will make a blessing.  So go and do it in your world today.