Our Father

Because of Gods' amazing grace

2008-04-12T12:59:00.000-07:00

We here at North Shuswap Christian Fellowship,, have come to appreciate how much the Bible highly praises the roles of women, who are so influential in shaping the lives of those precious people entrusted to you in your homes. For example, the writer of Proverbs lists several responsibilities of the woman in the home, (things which most of us men either take for granted or are too naive and/or preoccupied to appreciate). Near the end of the chapter, we read these words, "Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband, also and he praises her". Then he comments how a woman can have an even greater impact by including God and Biblical principles in her life. "Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. (Proverbs 31:28, 30) There is obviously nothing wrong with looking nice, but the point he is making is: to focus only on externals is to deny the true inner beauty of a God centered life, which is modeled in the home.

Many of you were possibly so busy raising your families, with all the energy that entails, that maybe you have some regrets about quality time you missed out on. What a tremendous opportunity this presents as a grandmother, to invest your time and energy encouraging your grand children.

The North Shuswap Kicker May 2004
"Pastor John Giesbrecht"

The Rapture and Jesus' Return to Earth

2008-02-27T09:42:00.000-08:00

"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man [Jesus] will come [again] at an hour when you do not
expect him."1

When one of my nephews was only five, he heard me talking about Christmas being the time when we celebrate Jesus Christ's coming to earth. He wanted to know if Jesus would come back to earth again. I assured him that Jesus promised that he would come back again.2

According to Bible scholars the return of, or second coming of, Jesus Christ is called the Rapture which comes from the Latin word "Rapare" which means to take away or to snatch out.

Following Jesus' crucifixion and resurrection, he was "snatched away" and taken up to heaven. While Jesus'
disciples were standing there looking up in amazement, two angels appeared to them and said: "Men of Galilee,
why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven."3

Jesus' first coming to earth 2000 years ago is an undeniable fact of history. His second coming is just as certain. The critical issue is to be ready for Christ's return. According to God's Word here's what will take place at the rapture: "For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we [true followers of Jesus] who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever."4

Jesus is coming again just as He went. It could be today. He said that He would come at an hour when we do not expect him.5

To be absolutely sure you are ready for the rapture be sure to accept God's invitation for forgiveness and his gift of eternal life. To do so click on the God's Invitation" button below.

http://tinyurl.com/8glq9

Suggested prayer:
"Dear God, again I thank you for the promise of Christ's return. Thank you for your great salvation and the promise of a home in Heaven for all who believe in and have accepted you as their Savior. Help me to be sure I am ready today for Christ's return by having repented of my sins, asked for and accepted your forgiveness and received Jesus as my Savior. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

NOTE: For an interesting depiction of the Rapture click on:
http://www.youtube.com/v/SmLhyPjHVes
We do not endorse any of the other links on this page.

1. Matthew 24:44 (NIV).
2. See John 14:3.
3. Acts 1: 11 (NIV).
4. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 (NIV).
5. See Matthew 24:44.

"ACTS Daily Encounter" - Feb 25/08

Nourishment

2007-11-28T02:24:00.000-08:00

Then Jesus explained: "My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work."

John 4:34

Encouragement for Today

"Nourishment"—energy—came to Jesus through doing God's will and completing the work he was given to do. A strong sense of purpose energizes spiritually as much as food energizes physically. It's also just as important as food. Do you possess this strong sense of purpose, of knowing the work God sent you to do on earth? If not, pray for God to show you!

Encouraging Words - Nov 23/07

Don't Worry

2007-11-19T08:26:00.000-08:00

Do not worry ..... Your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.

Matthew 6:31-32

Worry is a burden God never intended us to bear.

"Our Daily Bread" - Nov 19/07

Burdens

2007-11-19T08:13:00.000-08:00

Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the
law of Christ.

Galatians 6:2, New International Version
"http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=Galatians+6:2"

“Heartlight” - Nov 16/07

Failure

2007-11-19T08:12:00.001-08:00

Whatever does not begin with God will end with failure.

“Our Daily Bread”- Nov 15/07

Faith

2007-11-19T08:10:00.000-08:00

Here we get some insight into the faith of John the Baptist. When he first obeyed God and started baptizing with water, he didn't know for whom he was preparing the way. All he knew was he was supposed to baptize with water, and God had said he'd point out the One in due time. He gave John the sign to look for; John looked and eventually saw. In the meantime, he trusted and obeyed God. That's faith

“Encouraging Words” - Nov 7/07

Temptation

2007-11-19T08:05:00.000-08:00

Therefore he had to be made like his brethren in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make expiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered and been tempted, he is able to help those who are tempted.

Hebrews 2:17,18 RSV

Computers Gone Wild

2007-11-05T02:23:00.000-08:00

As a teacher, I've overheard a lot of interesting things from my students. For instance, when Andrew, age 5 and very much into computers, was saying the Lord's Prayer, he did well till near the end when he said, "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from e-mail."

—Gusty Chartrand, Lampman, Saskatchewan, "Kids of the Kingdom,"
Today's Christian - Nov 02/07

How To Walk

2007-11-05T02:03:00.000-08:00

We are not equipped to handle all the problems we face, but God is. That's why He told us to give them all to Him - to "cast your burden on the Lord" (Ps.55:22). Walking with Jesus doesn't depend on our legs. It depends on our heart.

"Dave Branon"

I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
"Stanphill"

That, He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man.

Esphesains 3:16

We can walk through the darkest trials when we walk with God in the light.

"Our Daily Bread" - Nov 3/07

Lost Prayers

2007-11-02T01:50:00.000-07:00

"all my desire is before You," David wrote in the midst of a deep personal crisis, "and my sighing is not hidden from You" (Ps.38:0). David understood that we can cast all our cares on the Lord, even if no one else prays for us. He confidently concluded, "In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me" (86:7).

"David Roper"

God has given you His promise
That He hears and answers prayer;
He will heed your supplication
If you cast on Him your care.
"Bernstecher"

In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.

Psalm 86:7

Jesus hears our faintest cry.

"Our Daily Bread" - Nov 2/07

Two Kingdoms

2007-11-01T03:40:00.000-07:00

The insights of Jesus in Matthew 22 helped His followers think clearly about their civic duty in the world. The Jews were required to pay taxes to the Roman government. They hated this taxation because the money went directly into Caesar's treasury, where some of it supported the pagan temples and decadent lifestyle of the Roman aristocracy. They may have questioned whether they even had a civic responsibility to Caesar. Jesus reminded them, however, that they had dual citizenship. They lived in a world with two kingdoms - Caesar's kingdom (human authority) and God's kingdom (spiritual authority). They had responsibilities to both, but their greater responsibility was to God and His kingdom (Acts 5:28-29).

As followers of Christ, we are commanded to cooperate with our rulers, but we are called to give God our ultimate obedience and commitment.

"Marvin Williams"

We live today as citizens of two worlds,
And this demands a duty to fulfill;
But greater far should be our heart's desire
To honor Christ and always do His will.
"Hess"

Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are Gods.

Matthew 22:21

Government has authority, but God has ultimate authority.

"Our Daily Bread" - Nov 1/07

Fear God ?

2007-10-31T03:48:00.000-07:00

5. "How can we fear God and also love Him at the same time? Isn't that a contradiction?" Read Billy Graham's response:

Yes, the Bible's command to fear God and yet also love Him may seem like a contradiction at first -- but once you understand what the Bible actually means, the contradiction goes away.

Let me explain. It's true that the Bible repeatedly tells us to fear God: "Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere him" (Psalm 33:8). But what does it mean by "fear"? We usually fear something (such as a vicious dog or a violent storm) when we expect it to harm us. In other words, we fear something that has no concern for us, and is a source of constant danger to us.

But that isn't what God is like! God created us, and He also loves us -- and the proof is that He sent His only Son into the world to die for our sins. Would He have done this if He hated us? No, of course not. The Bible says, "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins" (1 John 4:10). Stop right now and thank God for loving you and sending His Son to die for you.

To fear God is not to shrink back from Him in terror. To fear God is to have a deep reverence for Him, and to stand in awe at His holiness and majesty and power and love. Only then will we love and serve and worship Him as we should.

PEACE WITH GOD
Would you like to know how you can have peace with God through Jesus Christ? Learn more.
"http://www.billygraham.org/SH_StepsToPeace.asp?BA=1040&QR=116"

“Billy Graham” - Oct 25/07

Future and Priorities

2007-10-30T23:59:00.000-07:00

Thought for the week:

"Where you are headed is more important than how fast you are going. Rather than always focusing on what's urgent, learn to focus on what is really important."

Stephen Covey

“Weekend Encounter” - Oct 25/07

He Watches Me

2007-10-30T23:57:00.000-07:00

God takes the time to speak to me—even when I don't think He has anything to say.

by LaTonya Taylor

“Ignite Your Faith Newsletter” - Oct 22/07

Wisdom

2007-10-30T03:09:00.000-07:00

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.

James 1:5, New International Version
"http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=James+1:5"

“Heartlight” - Oct 21/07

Bon Voyage

2007-10-30T02:11:00.000-07:00

For believers in Christ, death is not an end but a beginning. It means leaving this old world behind and getting to a better place, completing the purpose for which we were made. It's a time for joy and excitement and a hearty "Bon Voyage!"

Al voyages, however, are fraught with uncertainty, specially those that pass through waters never sailed before. We don't fear death so much as we do the passage. Who knows what dangers lie ahead?

But the journey is not uncharted. One has taken it before us, and He has returned to bring us safely through. Although we pass through the valley of the shadow of death, God is with us all the way (Ps. 23:4). His hands are on the helm as He guides us to the heavenly haven He has prepared for us (John 14:1-3).

"David Roper"

Say not it's a dreadful journey
When the Savior leads the way:
It's but passing through the shadow
To the land of endless day!
"Bosch"

The time of my departure is at hand.
2 Timothy 4

Those who fear God need not fear death.

"Our Daily Bread" - Oct 30/07

Trust and Faith

2007-10-29T02:02:00.000-07:00

While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins.

"I tell you the truth," Jesus said, "this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has."

Luke 21:1–4
"http://lists.christianitytoday.com/t/8896934/5827047/139345/0/"

Encouragement for Today

What faith it must have taken for that widow to put in "everything she [had]"! No doubt she was unaware Jesus was watching. Her act ministered to Jesus' heart as he was about to face his suffering and death. He commended her act of faith. Consider what it would mean for you to give everything to God; in light of the grace he's given us, anything less seems trivial

“Encouraging Words: Your Daily Devotional” - Oct 24/07

Growth Persuasion

2007-10-28T04:50:00.000-07:00

When trouble comes into our lives, we sometimes feel as if we’ve been hit broadside. We fell desperation and then we wonder. Why is this happening to me ?

One possibility is that God is using a painful experience to get our attention. In Psalm 119:71, David wrote, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.” And Hebrews 12:11 says that chastening “yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.”

Is God using pain in your life to lovingly persuade you to change? The season of trouble may not be easy, but if we let ourselves be trained by it, new growth will result as we become more like His Son (Phil. 3:10).
“Cindy Hess Kasper”

We shrink from the purging and pruning,
Forgetting the Gardener knows
The deeper the cutting and paring
The richer the cluster that grows.
“Anon”

No chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but...it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:11

Affliction for God’s people can be the pruning knife to prepare us for greater fruitfulness.

“Our Daily Bread” - Oct 25.07

Sin

2007-10-28T04:49:00.000-07:00

Now Jesus turned to the people again and told them this story: "A man planted a vineyard, leased it to tenant farmers, and moved to another country to live for several years. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent one of his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers attacked the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed. So the owner sent another servant, but they also insulted him, beat him up, and sent him away empty-handed. A third man was sent, and they wounded him and chased him away.

"'What will I do?' the owner asked himself. 'I know! I'll send my cherished son. Surely they will respect him.'

"But when the tenant farmers saw his son, they said to each other, 'Here comes the heir to this estate. Let's kill him and get the estate for ourselves!' So they dragged him out of the vineyard and murdered him.

"What do you suppose the owner of the vineyard will do to them?" Jesus asked. "I'll tell you—he will come and kill those farmers and lease the vineyard to others."

Luke 20:9–15
"http://lists.christianitytoday.com/t/8871615/5827047/139038/0/"

Call to Worship

2007-10-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

Encouragement for Today

The call to worship is to be a joyful one, not a dry duty. Why? Because it's a call to walk in the light of the very presence of God. It's to be a time to exult in his perfect character and wonderful reputation, to gather strength from his love, and to find protection in your trust in him. Joy, rejoicing—does this characterize your worship, corporate and private? If not, ask yourself if the focus of your worship is right. Worship is to be about God and who he is. Lose yourself in that, and joy is bound to follow.

“Encouraging Words” - Oct 19/07

2007-10-28T04:22:00.000-07:00

Have you ever faced an unwanted chore and felt as if it were the last thing on earth you wanted to do? Mowing the awn, doing the wash, cleaning the house, or even preparing a Sunday school lesson after an exhausting week can make us feel like procrastinating.

When this happens, my wife and I have a motto we repeat to each other: "I don't feel like it - but I'm going to do it anyway." There is something about recognizing our lack of motivation and then choosing to be responsible that helps us follow through.

God's value on faith and obedience can be seen in the parables of Jesus. Christ spoke about two sons who were asked to work in the vineyard. The first said no, but "afterward he regretted it and went" (Matt. 21:29). The second said yes, but did not follow through. The the Lord asked His listeners, "Which of the two did the will of his father?" (v.31). The obvious answer is the one who finished the task.

Our Lord's illustration underscores a key spiritual principle. God is interested in our faith and obedience - not just our good intentions. Next time you are tempted to shirk your duties, why not say, "I don't feel like it," and then ask God for the grace to do it anyway.

"Dennis Fisher"

O help us, Lord, to heed your Word,
Its precepts to obey;
And give us strength to quench the urge
To do things our own way.
"Sper"

Obedience is faith in action.

"Our Daily Bread" - Oct 28/07

Looking Unto Jesus: Our God and Saviour!

2007-10-27T03:12:00.000-07:00

Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:13 KJV

_______________

My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield and the horn of my salvation.

He is my stronghold, my refuge and my
savior-- from violent men you save me.

2 Samuel 22:3 NIV

_______________

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.

2 Peter 2:1 KJV

_______________

While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.

2 Peter 2:19,20 KJV

_______________

But as for me, I will look to the LORD,
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
my God will hear me.

Micah 7:7 RSV

_______________

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

1 John 4:14 NASB

_______________

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.

“ArcaMax” - Oct 20/07

Looking Unto Jesus: Our God and Saviour! Looking unto Jesus!

2007-10-27T03:10:00.000-07:00

Looking for that blessed hope,
and the glorious appearing of
the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ;

Titus 2:13 KJV

_______________

And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world."

John 4:41,42 NIV

_______________

I will mention the loving kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all that the LORD hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Saviour.

Isaiah 63:8 KJV
_______________

But our commonwealth is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power which enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Philippians 3:20,21 RSV

_______________

God, Whose grace is all sufficient, be glorified!

Thanks be unto God for His wonderful gift:
Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God
is the object of our faith; the only faith that
saves is faith in Him.

“ArcaMax” - Oct 19/07

1. God of the Ordinary

2007-10-27T03:00:00.000-07:00

"For many are called, but few are chosen."1
"There are many reasons why God wouldn't want to use many of us, but don't worry. We're in good company! As another has shared:

"Moses stuttered.
David's armor didn't fit.
John Mark was rejected by Paul.
Hosea's wife was a prostitute.
Amos' only training was in the school of
fig-tree pruning.
Jacob was a liar.
David had an affair.
Solomon was too rich.
Abraham was too old.
David was too young.
Timothy had ulcers.
Peter was afraid of death.
Lazarus was dead.
John was self-righteous.
Jesus was too poor.
Naomi was a widow.
Paul was a murderer. So was Moses.
Jonah ran from God.
Miriam was a gossip.
Gideon and Thomas both doubted.
Jeremiah was depressed and suicidal.
Elijah was burned out.
John the Baptist was a loudmouth.
Martha was a worrywart.
Samson had long hair.
Noah got drunk.
Did I mention that Moses had a short fuse?
So did Peter, Paul—well, lots of folks did."

"Satan says, 'You're not worthy.' Jesus says, 'So what? I AM.' Satan looks back and sees our mistakes. God looks back and sees the cross. He doesn't calculate what you did last year. Sure. There are lots of reasons why God shouldn't have called us. But if we are magically in love with Him, if we hunger for Him more than our next breath, He'll use us in spite of who we are, where we've been, or what we look like."2
Perhaps today's Scripture could be interpreted as follows: "For many are called, but few prove themselves to be chosen." In fact, God calls every one of us to follow and serve him. If he waited until we were fully mature, whole and complete, he wouldn't get anything done. He will use us exactly as we are as long as we are available and willing to be used. In so doing we will then prove ourselves to be chosen ones.
Suggested prayer: "Heavenly Father God, I'm available—warts and all—please use me to be a part of what you are doing in the world today. Help me to keep growing so I can, with your help, become more usable. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."

1. Jesus (Matthew 22:14).
2. Author Unknown.

“Daily Encounter” - Oct 18/07