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Prayer: Overview of the land

10/6/2024

You can grow in your prayer life if you know the lay of the land better. There are many dimensions of prayer.
Pastor Dwayne gave us a more complete picture so that we can distinguish childish prayer (which is not wrong) from mature prayer.

Genesis 12:8
8 From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 13:4|NIV
and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Revelation 19:1|NIV
After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
Revelation 5:8|NIV
And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.
Hebrews 8:6|NIV
But the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, and it is founded on better promises.
Matthew 13:17|NIV
For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.
1 Peter 1:10|NIV
Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care,

1 Corinthians 15:47-49|NIV
47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
48 As was the earthly man, so are those who are of the earth; and as is the man from heaven, so also are those who are of heaven.
49 And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.
Acts 1:8|NIV
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
2 Peter 1:3-4|NIV
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Matthew 28:19-20|NIV
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Mark 16:15|NIV
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.

Worship & Prayer- Weapons in our fight

9/29/2024

Pastor Dwayne Trelenberg highlighted the roles of worship and prayer as weapons in the fight in the spiritual domain.

Genesis 12:8
From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent, with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to the LORD and called on the name of the LORD.
Genesis 13:3-4|NIV
3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier
4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD.
Daniel 10:12-13|NIV
12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them.
13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia.
Ephesians 6:12|NIV
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Psalms 51:11|NIV
11 Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
John 14:16|NIV
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever-
Genesis 1:26|NIV
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Proverbs 18:21|NIV
21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
1 Corinthians 15:45|NIV
45 So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a lifegiving spirit.
Isaiah 9:6|NIV
6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Why do we pray?

9/22/2024

Still on the theme of "Why do we do what we do?" and preparing for a week of prayer and fasting, how does the idea of "pray without ceasing" become part of what we do?
Ferdi also introduced the concept of "sandwich" prayer where joy and thanksgiving form part of your conversation with God.
Revival (personal or corporate) shows us the importance and role of prayer.
Links:
PrayBC https://Leadinginfluence.com/PrayBC
North Georgia Revival https://www.YouTube.com/@ChristFellowshipChurch
Cora Franz testimony https://youtu.be/dDA0sE0U47w
Desperate for More: North Georgia Revival – 2024 documentary, 1 hour but we watched at 52:00 https://watch.RedeemTV.com/north-georgia-revival

Philippians 4:4,6
4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18|NIV
16 Be joyful always;
17 pray continually;
18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Pray without ceasing [KJV]
Pray continually [NIV]
Never stop praying [NLT]
Ephesians 6:18|NIV
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

1 Corinthians 14:18-19|NIV
18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you.
19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words...
1 Corinthians 14:14-15|NIV
14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful.
15 So what shall I do?
I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind;
I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.
Romans 8:26|NIV
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Luke 11:13|NIV If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Why do we rejoice?

9/15/2024

Why do we rejoice? The Bible tells us to take up our cross.
Mike talked about self-denial and the joy of the Lord.
Enjoy this message, but more so, do everything God asks including the joy part.
The song at the end is "House Of The Lord" by Phil Wickham.

Philippians 4:4|NLT 1996 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!
Matthew 10:38|NLT 1996
38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
Matthew 16:24-26|NLT 1996
24 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me.
25 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.
26 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?
John 14:6-7|NLT 1996
6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
7 If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!"
Matthew 11:28-30|NLT 1996
28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
John 12:49|NLT 1996 49 I don't speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say.
Psalms 16:11|NLT 1996 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Hebrews 12:2|NLT 1996
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.
Hebrews 1:9|NLT 1996
9 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else."
Psalms 45:7|NLT 1996
7 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
John 15:11|NLT 1996
11 I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
John 16:24|NLT 1996
24 You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
1 Peter 1:8-9|NLT 1996
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
9 Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
Nehemiah 8:10|NLT 1996
10 And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"

Worship lifestyle and idolatry

9/8/2024

What is idolatry in our modern lifestyles?
When would action, passion, participation, devotion in a certain protocol, willing committing to lifestyle result in worship?

Psalms 135:15-18
15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, made by the hands of men.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see;
17 they have ears, but cannot hear, nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them, and so will all who trust in them.
Jeremiah 2:5|NIV This is what the LORD says: "What fault did your fathers find in me, that they strayed so far from me? They followed worthless idols and became worthless themselves.
Jeremiah 2:13-15|NIV
13 "My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.
14 Is Israel a servant, a slave by birth? Why then has he become plunder?
15 Lions have roared; they have growled at him. They have laid waste his land; his towns are burned and deserted.
Colossians 3:10|NLT
Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him.

Psalms 135:19-21|NIV
19 O house of Israel, praise the LORD; O house of Aaron, praise the LORD;
20 O house of Levi, praise the LORD; you who fear him, praise the LORD.
21 Praise be to the LORD from Zion, to him who dwells in Jerusalem. Praise the LORD.
2 Corinthians 3:18|NIV
18 And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
John 4:1-24
19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”
21 “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.
23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

Worship and restoration

9/1/2024

Worship in the presence of God even after we have failed to listen, can be a part of powerful restoration.
The song we listened to at the end was "Praise Ye The Lord" by Randall Wallace https://youtu.be/kPrEbkCpcbY

1 Samuel 6:19-20
19 But God struck down some of the men of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they had looked into the ark of the LORD. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the LORD had dealt them,
20 and the men of Beth Shemesh asked, "Who can stand in the presence of the LORD, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?"
1 Chronicles 16:1|NIV
They brought the ark of God and set it inside the tent that David had pitched for it, and they presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings before God.
Exodus 29:42-43|NIV
42 "For the generations to come this burnt offering is to be made regularly at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting before the LORD. There I will meet you and speak to you;
43 there also I will meet with the Israelites, and the place will be consecrated by my glory.
Psalms 141:2|NIV May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice.

1 Chronicles 23:30|NIV They were also to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening
Hebrews 13:15|NIV Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess his name.
Acts 15:16-17|NIV
16 'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'
Amos 9:11|NIV "In that day I will restore David's fallen tent. I will repair its broken places, restore its ruins, and build it as it used to be,

Interview with Lionel Batke

8/25/2024

Pastor Dwayne interviewed Lionel Batke.
https://ReleaseMinistries.ca/LionelBatke/
Lionel's book can be ordered from
https://www.amazon.ca/God-Has-Spoken-What-Concision/dp/B0CX1C8Z46

Why Praise & Worship?

8/18/2024

Marina brought today's message in the series "Why do we do what we do".
Primarily, it is not about the songs or the music - but about closeness with God.
God doesn't only want us to be saved. He wants growth and connection with us.

Revelation 21:3|MSG
I heard a voice thunder from the Throne: "Look! Look! God has moved into the neighborhood, making his home with men and women! They're his people, He's their God.
Psalms 22:3|WEB But you are holy, you who inhabit the praises of Israel.
Psalms 100:4-5|MSG
Enter with the password: "Thank you!" Make yourselves at home, talking praise. Thank Him. Worship Him. For GOD is sheer beauty, all-generous in love, loyal always and ever.
Hebrews 13:15|TPT
So we no longer offer up a steady stream of blood sacrifices, but through Jesus, we will offer up to God a steady stream of praise sacrifices — these are “the lambs” we offer from our lips that celebrate his Name!
Psalm 57:7-11|NLT 2007
7 My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident. No wonder I can sing your praises!
9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people. I will sing your praises among the nations.
10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth.

John 4:23|MSG
But the time is coming —it has, in fact, come— when what you're called will not matter and where you go to worship will not matter. "It's who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That's the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before Him in their worship.
Psalms 51:1|NIV
A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Samuel 6:14,16|NIV
14 Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might
16 And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.
Joshua 3:13|NIV
And as soon as the [Levitical] priests who carry the ark of the LORD —the Lord of all the earth— set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.

7 Hebrew Words for Praise

8/11/2024

After a wonderful time of worship, pastor Dwayne continued the theme of praising God.
There are 7 different Hebrew words that all were translated into the English word "praise".
The song in the message is "Praise Ye The Lord by Randall Wallace"

https://www.TheToneShepherd.com/blog/the-7-hebrew-words-for-praise

Yâdâh | Extend hands, throw a stone, shoot an arrow.
Psalm 44:8 In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise (yâdâh) your name forever.

Shâbach | To address in a loud tone. To shout. To commend, glory, and triumph.
Psalm 145:4 One generation shall praise (shâbach) your works to another.

Tôwdâh | An extension of the hand. Thanksgiving for things not yet received. A sacrifice of praise.
Psalm 56:11-12 In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?...I will render praises (tôwdâh) to you.

Tehillâh | A song of praise. A new song. A spontaneous song.
Psalm 22:3 | NKJV But you are holy, enthroned in the praises (tehillâh) of Israel.

Bârak | To kneel. To salute. To thank.
Psalm 103:1 Praise (bârak) the Lord, my soul;

Zâmar | To make music. To celebrate in song and music. To touch the strings or parts of a musical instrument.
Psalm 144:9 | NKJV I will sing a new song to You, O God; On a harp of ten strings I will sing praises (zâmar) to You.

Hâlal | To boast, to rave, to shine, to celebrate, to be clamorously foolish.
Psalm 149:3 Let them praise (hâlal) his name with dancing and make music to him with timbrel and harp.

2 Chronicles 19:4|NIV Jehoshaphat lived in Jerusalem, and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the hill country of Ephraim and turned them back to the LORD, the God of their fathers.
2 Chronicles 20:1|NIV After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.
2 Chronicles 20:3-4|NIV
3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.
4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.
2 Chronicles 20:12|NIV O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."
2 Chronicles 20:15|NIV He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's.
2 Chronicles 20:22|NIV As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Ephesians 6:12|NIV For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Galatians 5:20|NIV idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions
Galatians 5:22-23|NIV
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Praise & Worship's place in revival

8/4/2024

Listen to testimonies from some of the people who were baptized last week.
While looking at Praise & Worship's place in revival, pastor Dwayne also look at it from an Old Testament perspective, recent history and the peak of a revival.

Tehillah: spontaneous new song from the heart
Acts 15:12-17|NIV
12 The whole assembly became silent as they listened to Barnabas and Paul telling about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done among the Gentiles through them.
13 When they finished, James spoke up: "Brothers, listen to me.
14 Simon has described to us how God at first showed his concern by taking from the Gentiles a people for himself.
15 The words of the prophets are in agreement with this, as it is written:
16 "'After this I will return and rebuild David's fallen tent. Its ruins I will rebuild, and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of men may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who bear my name, says the Lord, who does these things'
Psalms 137:1|KJV By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion.

1 Chronicles 15:1&16
1 After David had constructed buildings for himself in the City of David, he prepared a place for the ark of God and pitched a tent for it.
16 David told the leaders of the Levites to appoint their brothers as singers to sing joyful songs, accompanied by musical instruments: lyres, harps and cymbals.
2 Chronicles 20:21-22|NIV
21 After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever."
22 As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Psalms 22:3|NIV Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel.

Baptism 2024

7/28/2024

We thank the Holy Spirit for working in people's hearts.
Seven persons have decided to follow Jesus and were baptized in the Ashnola River.
Listen to pastor Dwayne's message, some testimonies (more testimonies next week) and the slide show shows the baptisms.
It was followed by a picnic next to the river.

Map: George’s Place at the Ashnola River

Walking with the Lord

7/21/2024

Once you have accepted the incredible invitation by God, you start your walking with the Lord.
Don't just be a good Christian. Take the responsibility and start walking with the Lord.
Look at the remnants of God's people in the Old Testament and follow their examples.

The Incredible Invitation

7/14/2024

Pastor Dwayne's message gave light on these questions: What was God's purpose (or plan) with us? How has it been changed over the ages since Jesus was resurrected?
Is it easy to be a partner with God? What does that involve?

Matthew 11:28-29|NIV
28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

2 Timothy 1:9|NIV
who has saved us and called us to a holy life — not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Genesis 1:26-27|NIV
26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth, and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Genesis 2:19-20|NIV
19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.
20 So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds of the air and all the beasts of the field. But for Adam no suitable helper was found.

Deuteronomy 28:1-14|NIV
2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
...
13 The LORD will make you the head, not the tail. If you pay attention to the commands of the LORD your God that I give you this day and carefully follow them, you will always be at the top, never at the bottom.
Romans 5:14|NIV
14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who was a pattern of the one to come.
1 Corinthians 15:45-47|NIV
45 So it is written: "The first man Adam became a living being"; the last Adam, a lifegiving spirit.
46 The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.
47 The first man was of the dust of the earth, the second man from heaven.
John 14:12|NIV
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Romans 8:11|NIV
11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you.
Romans 8:28|NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

You are the message & Imitators

7/7/2024

Pastor Jason Goertzen from Leading Influence was our guest speaker this week.
He introduced his colleague, Fred Hill, the chaplain for Saskatchewan's legislative assembly. https://Leadinginfluence.com
We heard some testimonies, with a lot of humor.
Pastor Jason had an encouraging word for people persevering through hard times. Also for those of us who were hurt and sit with very tense relationships.
The main message taught us how to be the Good News message by imitating Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:
1 Thessalonians 1 NIV
1 Paul, Silas and Timothy,
To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace and peace to you.
2 We always thank God for all of you and continually mention you in our prayers. 3 We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
4 For we know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. 7 And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, 9 for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath.

1 Corinthians 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is accompanied by power. It has power for miracles; power for wonderful signs from God; and best of all, it has the power to change minds, hearts, and lives.

1 Corinthians 2:1 NIV When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God.

Acts 10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.

1 Thessalonians 1:5 MSG When the Message we preached came to you, it wasn't just words. Something happened in you. The Holy Spirit put steel in your convictions.

Philippians 2:3-4 NIrV “Don’t do anything only to get ahead. Don’t do it because you are proud. Instead, be humble. Value others more than yourselves. 4 None of you should look out just for your own good. Each of you should also look out for the good of others.”

“The church always looks more Christlike when we are defending other people’s rights rather than our own.” - Andy Stanley

Blessed to be a blessing

6/30/2024

Pastor Jason Goertzen from Leading Influence was our guest speaker this week.
He first shared a bit about the work at Canada's parliaments with politicians. He also included a personal testimony of seeing God's power at work.
God wants to bless you to be a blessing. What is your calling? Sometimes people try to "help" God when they think things are not going to work out.
Wisdom and revelation: What is the difference and value of it?
https://Leadinginfluence.com/
https://ChristianRootsCanada.org/the-Location-of-the-25-scriptures-on-Parliament-Hill/

Genesis 12:1-3
1 The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you.
2 "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."
1 Peter 2:9-10|NIV
9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
10 Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Isaiah 54:13|NIV
13 All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children's peace.
Genesis 15:5|NIV
5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars-if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."
Genesis 11:31-32|NIV
31 Terah took his son Abram, his grandson Lot son of Haran, and his daughter-in-law Sarai, the wife of his son Abram, and together they set out from Ur of the Chaldeans to go to Canaan. But when they came to Haran, they settled there.
32 Terah lived 205 years, and he died in Haran.

1 Peter 2:17 – Fear God, Honour the king.

The Father's heart

6/23/2024

Last week was a panel discussion with 3 fathers about raising children.
This week pastor Dwayne looks at Biblical ways for parenting with the emphasis that God is a good Father!
If you have made mistakes, there are ways to change it. God can repair where we have made a mess.

Psalms 136:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever.
Ephesians 1:3|NIV
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.
Romans 8:28|NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
John 14:8-9|NIV
8 Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us."
9 Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?
Luke 15:1-3|NIV
1 Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him.
2 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

Luke 15:5-7|NIV
5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders
6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'
7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
Luke 15:8|NIV
"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?
Genesis 1:27|NIV
So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.
Luke 15:10|NIV
In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
John 3:16|NIV
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Power in personal testimonies

6/9/2024

In the past pastor Dwayne covered being born again, being filled by the Holy Spirit and recently how we do "church".
It is commonly believed that you can be a Christian without going to church, but what example do we have nowadays?
How does this influence your personal testimony?

Jeremiah 6:16
This is what the LORD says: "Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, 'We will not walk in it.'
Deuteronomy 28:1-2|NIV
1 If you fully obey the LORD your God and carefully follow all his commands I give you today, the LORD your God will set you high above all the nations on earth.
2 All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God:
Deuteronomy 28:15|NIV
However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

Isaiah 35:8-10|NIV
8 And a highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness. The unclean will not journey on it; it will be for those who walk in that Way; wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there, nor will any ferocious beast get up on it; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there,
10 and the ransomed of the LORD will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Who are you?

6/2/2024

Pastor Dwayne's message covered:
We are human, we can fail and fall. But God gave us an identity in Him.

John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
Matthew 7:16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
Proverbs 24:16|NIV for though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again, but the wicked are brought down by calamity.
Romans 8:28|NIV And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

Psalms 1:1-3|NIV
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
2 Timothy 1:9|NIV who has saved us and called us to a holy life - not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time,

Do Christianity or be Christian?

5/26/2024

We are not perfect, therefore we would mess up a perfect church when we join.
Do you want to be a "successful" Christian?
Learn how God's divine power has given us all we need to participate in His divine nature.

John 10:12 The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.
2 Corinthians 3:2|NIV You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everybody.
Ephesians 5:25-27|NIV
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
John 14:12|NIV
I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.

Romans 12:1-2|NIV
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.
2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
2 Peter 1:3-4|NIV
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.
4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

Cowboy Church at the Rodeo 2024

5/19/2024

We use the Sunday opportunity at Keremeos' annual rodeo to invite people who are not church going, to join a Christian event.
Troy Mac came from Saskatchewan (https://www.facebook.com/Troy.MacNaughton) to entertain us.
Pastor Dwayne spoke on the memories we make and the damage of bad memories.

Mothers' day panel & testimonies

5/13/2024

For our mothers' day celebration, Marina and her children participated in a panel discussion on being family.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27|TPT
Just as the human body is one, though it has many parts that together form one body, so too is Christ.
For by one Spirit we all were immersed and mingled into one single body.
And no matter our status we are all privileged to drink deeply of the same Holy Spirit.
In fact, the human body is not one single part but rather many parts mingled into one …
But God has carefully designed each member and placed it in the body to function as he desires.
A diversity is required, for if the body consisted of one single part, there wouldn’t be a body at all! …
It would be wrong for the eye to say to the hand, “I don’t need you,” and equally wrong if the head said to the foot, “I don’t need you.”
In fact, the weaker our parts, the more vital and essential they are.
The body parts we think are less honorable we treat with greater respect.

And the body parts that need to be covered in public we treat with propriety and clothe them.
But some of our body parts don’t require as much attention. Instead, God has mingled the body parts together, giving greater honor to the “lesser” members who lacked it.
He has done this intentionally so that every member would look after the others with mutual concern, and so that there will be no division in the body. In that way, whatever happens to one member happens to all. If one suffers, everyone suffers. If one is honored, everyone rejoices. You are the body of the Anointed One, and each of you is a unique and vital part of it.
Psalms 68:5-6|TPT
To the fatherless He is a father.
To the widow He is a champion friend.
The lonely He makes part of a family.
The prisoners He leads into prosperity until they sing for joy.
This is our Holy God in his Holy Place!

The Burden of Responsibility

5/5/2024

Pastor Dwayne shared about our responsibility towards church and God. The gifts that we all have received may not be wasted.
There are again parallels between family life and church life.

Ephesians 2:19-22|NIV
19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household,
20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.
21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord.
22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Ephesians 3:14-15|NIV
14 For this reason I kneel before the Father,
15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.
2 Chronicles 20:22|NIV As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.
Psalms 22:3|NIV Yet You are enthroned as the Holy One; You are the praise of Israel.
John 17:20 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in Me through their message,

Human nature from paradise to church

4/28/2024

Pastor Dwayne compared the creation in Paradise with the creation of the church. Central to it is what and how we commit in marriage.

Ephesians 5:25-27|NIV
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

Ephesians 5:32 This is a profound mystery — but I am talking about Christ and the church.
Genesis 2:23-24|NIV
23 The man said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, 'for she was taken out of man."
24 For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh

Abide in Christ

4/21/2024

Terry Friesen brought a message to encourage us to walk deeper with Jesus.
Listen to what God is telling you. Terry also shared some personal testimonies.
We also honoured Terry's dad, Art, for all the blessings he brought to the family.

Psalms 24:1-10|NKJV
1 The earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein.
2 For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters.
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face.
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
8 Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, The LORD mighty in battle.
9 Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
10 Who is this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory.

Isaiah 60:1-3|NIV
1 "Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.
2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the LORD rises upon you and his glory appears over you.
3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.
John 15:1-8|NKJV
1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.

Building a holy church

4/14/2024

Are all churches good? Pastor Dwayne started from Ephesians 5 looking at the parallels of a good marriage and the relationship between Jesus and his church.

Ephesians 5:21-27|NIV
21 Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.
23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.
24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
Ephesians 5:32|NIV This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.

Matthew 16:18|NIV And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
Hebrews 13:8|NIV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
Leviticus 10:1-2|NIV
1 Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu took their censers, put fire in them and added incense; and they offered unauthorized fire before the LORD, contrary to his command.
2 So fire came out from the presence of the LORD and consumed them, and they died before the LORD.
Acts 5:4-5|NIV
4 Didn't it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn't the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God." 5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.