We Are Sheep – February 2020

Ok. This is not the most attractive title. It doesn’t stir up thoughts of greatness and triumph. As I type this, we are in Super Bowl weekend, for those who track the NFL. Two teams have struggled through their American football season to get to the near pinnacle of their sport in the hopes of bringing home the victory. And yet, there are many elements of this that are about following.

The players don’t get to do anything they want. In fact, no one is completely without leadership. The players on the field have someone calling the plays. The plays have been worked out before the game even started. Each player has his to try to execute his part of the play to his best ability. There will be resistance but each player must give his all and, as they say, “leave everything on the field.”

The coaches give direction to the game but they are accountable too. They have owners and managers who want to see their team succeed. The owners trust that the coach will take their skill and experience to produce a winning scenario. The coaches trust that their players will follow their lead. Owners and managers work through the coaches and players they hire. It’s only the players that get to move the ball.

If you are watching the football game on television, then you are probably the most led people. Last year’s Super Bowl advertising was charged by the television network a reported base cost of $5 to $5.6 million for a 30-second ad. That’s just the cost to put it on the air, not the addition cost to produce the ad. Why are they spending that kind of money? Because they want to lead you around like sheep.

In John 10, Jesus said that He is the Good Shepherd and that we are all sheep. The prophet Isaiah also wrote that “we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way” (Is 53:6). We are all sheep that need to be led and hopefully will listen to the voice of God. That voice comes through the Bible, prayer, God’s people, and also specifically through shepherds He has appointed. Let’s all be led into the field God desires and produce the results He intends for us. To do this, we have to admit that we are His sheep.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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Fasting Forward – January 2020

Happy New Year!

Let’s launch into 2020 with fasting and prayer! Our theme this year is ‘Advance’ as we ‘Fast Forward’ in God. Beginning a year with the month of fasting and prayer has become a normal part of our church life by now but then we have to be careful of it not becoming a cliché. Let’s consider some keys that fasting and prayer offers us.

Dependence—Fasting and prayer reminds us that God is the source of all we need. We give up things that provide, or seemingly provide, us with life so that we can know more fully that God is the true source of life for us. Jesus said that He is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6). Our tendency to be independent from God goes back to the fall in the Garden of Eden. Fasting and prayer combats that independent attitude and spirit.

Repentance—Fasting and prayer calls us to shift to move forward with God. While repentance can certainly mean dealing with sin in our life; it can also mean turning more fully towards God and what He is calling us to. We are called to turn away from the things that will trip us up and hold us back and look to Jesus (Heb 12:1-2). Fasting and prayer is a conscious decision to focus fully forward in God. We are thankful for all that has happened to bring us to where we are but our future is not in our past.

Alliance—Fasting and prayer as a church, rather than merely individually, is a means of aligning ourselves with each other in God. We commit ourselves to something together so that we can better move together. We recognize our need of each other prayerfully and practically. As a church, we respond to God’s call to be of one heart and mind in love for the sake of advancing His Kingdom (Phil 1:27; 2:2; 1 Pet 3:8).

Let’s Fast Forward together as we see God move in greater ways in our lives, our church, and our community.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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God is Faithful and Good – December 2019

Greetings,

As I think over what we have experienced in 2019, I am amazed at the faithfulness of God and His people. I can think of the Fall Work Bee, where we had the most people turn out for it in my memory. I think of our furnace issues, where God came through with a solution that was low cost. I remember people taking some initiative, putting together plans, getting approval and then updating our stage. I ponder how some have pressed through difficult times to see God meet them.

There are many more things that run through my mind but suffice it to say that God is good. He is good in a ways we cannot imagine: doing “abundantly more than all that we ask or think” (Eph 3:20). He is the very definition of what “good” is. The Ladies’ Life Group went through a study called “Good or God.” We can struggle with this in our lives. We all have had some difficulties and disappointments in 2019 but do will we choose forget the good things. We can put ourselves on the throne and judge what is good in our own eyes. However, this is a distraction and deception that stops us from seeing how faithful God is.

Many people review the year that is closing and make goals or commitments or “New Years’ Resolutions” about the coming year. Often this is based on what wasn’t accomplished and what they want to now see happen. But, what if we thought about what was accomplished, what God did do, and use that reflection to propel us into what God intends to do in 2020? What if we built upon God’s goodness, upon God’s faithfulness, then what would our view of 2020 be?

Whatever our trials and tribulations, and even disappointments and failures, God is faithful and good. Let’s remind ourselves of his benefits (Ps 103:2) and trust in Him for 2020.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril


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Last Full Measure of Devotion – November 2019

Greetings,

We are having a Remembrance Day service on November 10th. I would encourage you all to be mindful of all of those who have given of themselves for our freedoms and safety. Most especially, those who have given the “last full measure of devotion” for us. My great uncle died in Italy in during the Second World War. Another of my great uncles came back from WW2 and struggled with what he had seen and done for the rest of his life.

I have recently heard of pastors who are also giving their full measure of devotion to serve God and reach people for Him. They are paying the price to win a war for people’s eternal freedom. Pastors and their wives also get counseling from PTSD counselors due to the trauma they face in ministry. They are pouring out their lives like a drink offering before God (Phil 2:17; 2 Tim 4:6).

What I am leading to here are people who have devoted themselves and given in their devotion. I am thankful for the many people who have given their time, energy and resources to God in their devoted work here at Freedom Centre Church—you know who you are. I also want to encourage and challenge us all to not grow weary in well-doing (Rom 2:7; Gal 6:9). I do not want any to be cunningly “led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ” (2 Cor 11:3). We all must give an account to the Lord. Let none of us have to admit that we held back in our devotion to Him.

So, I call us all to humility in recognizing the great sacrifice the our Lord gave for us without holding back anything. He left it all on the field, as they say. Remembrance of the sacrifices of others recognizes that we have not gotten here on our own. It also calls us to prayer. Prayerlessness is rooted in pride. God is gracious and there are many battles still to be won for the hearts of people.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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Prayer in the Trenches – October 2019

It’s been said that “there are no atheists in foxholes.” Kelly Kapic writes that “for most people the question is no whether God exists, but what is God like.” How you pray often arises from your awareness of your circumstances and what you truly believe about God.

Just so you’re aware, we are in a battle. We are on the frontlines of a spiritual war. Paul writes about our spiritual warfare and needing the whole armour of God in Ephesians 6. After instructing us to wear that spiritual armour, he writes: “ praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel…” (Eph 6:18-19).

Prayer is a key part to the advancement of God’s kingdom. You may need to reverse your thinking about that battle though. We are not the ones under siege, the enemy is. Jesus said that “the gates of hell will not prevail against [the church]” (Matt 16:18). The context of that statement is Jesus blessing Peter for his confession of Jesus as “the Son of the living God” and that upon the rock of that confessed revelation Jesus would build His church. We advance as we call on the name of the Lord and confess who He is, what He has done and what His will is. We also petition Him for our brothers and sisters in Christ and that the good news of Jesus Christ is spoken of boldly.

I encourage you all to be in prayer and to join others in prayer when the opportunities arise at our building or in small groups. Let’s advance together in God through prayer!

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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We Need the Holy Spirit, More Now Than Ever – September 2019

I was blessed to be able to attend the 25th Pentecostal World Conference in Calgary at the end of August. It happens every three years and was close enough to drive to. 74 countries were represented and about 3,500 were able to be there (although 5,000 were registered but many had their travel disallowed). This is not simply a gathering of those directly connected to the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada but brothers and sisters of many Pentecostal persuasion (Foursquare, Apostolic, Holiness, etc.).

The theme of this conference was “Spirit Now!” The church in the world today needs the Holy Spirit now more than ever. We were challenged by speakers from Ghana, Malaysia, South Korea, India, South Africa, USA and Canada to re-emphasize and engage with the Holy Spirit in our churches. We can attempt much for God but to truly be fruitful in our day we will need to have Spirit empowered prayer and practice of our faith.

The apostle Paul wrote about our needs in this way. He wrote that he was thankful for speaking in tongues more than anyone in Corinth (1 Cor. 14:18)  and I’m sure it was because of how much he needed to built up in his own walk with God (1 Cor. 14:4). What we need in this life is given to us by the Holy Spirit. Jesus even told His disciples that they needed to make sure that they were empowered by the Holy Spirit for the work they had (Acts 1:8).

As much as we need the Holy Spirit for our own walk with God, much more we need to be actively engage with Him for the sake of building the church. Paul saw this as the greater work and the greater expression of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 14:1-5; but you could read all of 1 Cor. 12-14). Jesus did not come to be served but to serve (Mt. 20:28). The heart of God in the gifts of the Spirit is not to boost selfish ego but to accomplish His mission.

So, I want to encourage and challenge us all to be continually being filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). However, a pool with only an inlet can become stagnant. We also need prayer and practice outlets in seeing the kingdom of God move forward in our world.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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God’s Good Plan – August 2019

“Hello? Is there anybody in there? Just nod if you can hear me. Is there anyone at home?” These are the opening lyrics of “Comfortably Numb” as sung by Pink Floyd. While you could argue about the meaning of the song, I think this sentiment comes to all of us at times.

We all have difficult times. The Bible says there will be various trials and tribulations. Jesus warned us that we would have opportunities to be offended. We all have times where we need support and comfort. The question is where we will find that comfort.

While escape through various means can be a temptation, we should be seeking the Lord for how to go through. This requires a level of faith and trust in God. Do our circumstances dictate our beliefs about God or do we draw on a wealth of the testimonies of ourselves and others about God’s goodness?

The verse noted on the cover of this month’s newsletter is Jeremiah 29:11—”For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (ESV)

God speaks this to the people of Israel through the prophet Jeremiah at the time of their captivity. If you read from the beginning of the chapter, you will see that God is also saying that they will be in exile for a long enough time to set down roots where he has sent them.

Can you see beyond your circumstances, even if they are not short in duration, to the good plan of God? Can “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Rom. 8:28, NKJV)? Look to God in all circumstance with a faith in His character that is true, good and loving—it never changes. Plus, God comes through in the end.

God’s promises are sure. Jesus return is guaranteed. God’s love for us is proven. Our faith in Him should never waiver.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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Made to Worship – July 2019

Now this is an interesting and somewhat provocative title. Normally you might think of us as being “made for worship.” Made to worship tends to leave the impression of obligation and duty. Worship is something that God is simply worthy of to such an extent that rocks will even affirm it if man doesn’t (Luke 19:37-40). Have you thought of God being that worthy of worship? And what is worship anyway?

Worship is ascribing worth-ship to someone or something. When you worship you acknowledge and express the degree of worth. So, how worthy is God? The Lord is great and greatly to be praised (1 Chron. 16:25). He is worthy to be blessed and exalted above all blessing and praise (Neh. 9:5). The heavens even declare the glory of God (Psa. 19:1). But are they made to do this?

This is where it gets tricky. God is not tyrannical and demanding of praise like earthy kings may do (Dan. 3:1-6). God’s worth is so great that see Him, to recognize His majesty, to behold His glory and to be overwhelmed by His presence will require a worshipful response. It is required because there is no other appropriate action and attitude. That is why every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Phil. 2:9-11). So, how will you be made to worship?

What attitude do you bring before God’s presence? We can be made to worship out of duty or indebtedness. However, we can also be made to worship out of devotion (2 Cor. 11:3). What makes us worship is the spiritual drive from a heart of love. Just because you feel compelled to worship from the depths of your being does not mean that it is insincere. Allow yourself to be overwhelmed by Him again and rediscover the joy of being made to worship because we were made for it.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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Who Are You? – June 2019

“A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” (Romeo & Juliet) That may be true on some level but the rose has not attachment to or expectation arrived from its name. We do attach a sense of identity to our names.

God chose to change some names in the Old Testament. Abram means “high father” but that was changed to Abraham: “father of multitudes” (Gen. 17:5). Jacob means “at the heel” or as “one who takes another’s place through treachery. God did not want that to stick with him and therefore changed it to Israel, which means either “contends with God” or “God contends” (Gen. 32:28)

Jesus also chose to change someone’s address. Simon is a popular Greek name and could be related to the Hebrew word for robust. Jesus saw something other than the belligerent personality that other saw. Jesus called him Peter which means “a rock” (Matt. 16:!6-18). That rock was founded on the revelation of God.

The Bible also has other people who didn’t go by their birth names. Barnabas was born Joseph but got a nickname that means “son of encouragement” (Acts 4:36). Saul was a Pharisee who persecuted the church but sometime after his encounter with Christ in a vision he became known as Paul (Acts 13:9) and all of his letters are addressed as from Paul.

So, why am I writing about all these name changes? Freedom Centre is the third name for this congregations. The first two had to do with their location and affiliation: Beverly Pentecostal Tabernacle and Clareview Pentecostal Assembly. However, in the early 2000s the church felt led to change its name again but this time in relation to its calling: Freedom Centre Church. It’s not simply about having a name but about how we identify and see ourselves. It’s also about the future that God has in His heart for the church.

At our annual congregational business meeting, I told those there that the elders had a discussion about this and reaffirmed our commitment to be the Freedom Centre. Those who were in the meeting soundly agreed. Now we are left with the task of working that commitment out. Living in the freedom that Christ intends for us, along with leading others into that freedom, will take dedication and diligence. Let’s work together to see God’s destiny for this church fulfilled.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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Renewal – April 2019

Easter is coming! Spring has sprung! The sun is more present in our days as we move into summer. The cold, dreary, dark days of winter are becoming a faint memory (until autumn at least).

We are in a season of renewal. It’s a time for grass to start growing again and deciduous trees to put buds and flowers on their branches. As a child, this was the time to go looking for pussy willows to snatch up and bring home.

While all of this renewal is happening around you, have you considered that, like our environment, we too need seasons of renewal in our spiritual lives? Easter is a celebration of the power and life that brought Jesus back from the dead. We are having a water baptism on Sunday, April 14th and in that we celebrate and symbolize being raised to new life in Christ—we were dead in our trespasses and sins but through Christ’s death and resurrection believers have been born again (Eph 2:1-5). However, is that it? Or, is there more?

You can only renew what was new. (Huh? you may ask) I said in one of my sermons last month that part of the struggle that people have with the Christian message of needing to be born again is that we think we’re alive without Christ. As I stated earlier, without Christ we were dead in our trespasses and sins … not mostly dead; all dead. Once someone receives Christ as Saviour and Lord, they are made new creations (2 Cor 5:17). Once you’re a new creation, there can be a need to renew along life’s journey.

One other aspect of spring is mud. My dog likes to tuck it into his paws. I’m sure he isn’t purposefully trying to get mud on the floor in our house but unless we watch and clean his paws the floor will get dirty. His paws and my floor need a lot more renewal in the spring. Jesus even taught that we can be clean but put up dirt walking in the world (John 13:10). We all need renewal. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:4) but also afterwards as they continued serving Christ (Acts 4:31). Paul encourages us to be continually renewed in the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18). He even writes: “Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.” (2 Cor 4:16)

Be encouraged brothers and sisters in Christ. Be renewed.

Journeying with you,

Pastor Merril

 


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