The Worship Band led by Sharon!
Do you ever find yourself defeated, discouraged or even
devastated by the circumstances in your life? You know it is that place where
even getting out of bed can even seem overwhelming!
How do you keep going in your pain? I believe the answer is in the resurrection
of Jesus Christ!
Easter is about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus
Christ.
Friday was filled with suffering
and pain and agony. Saturday was filled
with doubt, confusion and misery, but
Sunday is filled with hope, victory and joy!
Here is an important truth that a pastor reminded me of this
week.
You will face these 3 days over and over and over again in
your lifetime!
The reality of this fact
leads us to 3 questions that we need to know the answer to.
1. What do you
do with the pain, the agony, the suffering?
FRIDAY?
God cares.
Isaiah 61:1-3
The Spirit of the
Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news
to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom
for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, 2 to proclaim the
year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all
who mourn,3 and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a
crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a
garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be
called oaks of righteousness , a planting of the Lord for the display of
his splendor.
We know that Jesus weeps and was a man of sorrows and the Spirit grieves.
God can take what man meant for evil and redeem it!
God can resurrect a dead dream, dead marriage, dead job!
If you’ve gone through a major’ train wreck’, be encouraged
because God does His finest work here!
The day I lost my dad to cancer was one of my Fridays, but
even in my sorrow, my dad taught me, “It is well with my soul!’
2. How do you
get through the doubt and confusion?
SATURDAY?
John 20
24Now Thomas (also
known as Didymus ), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus
came. 25So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said
to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the
nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.” 26A week later
his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the
doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with
you!” 27Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out
your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 28Thomas said to
him, “My Lord and my God!” 29Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me,
you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
I have experienced SATURDAY.
I lost my job as a pastor this past fall and it can really led you to a
place of doubt and confusion in God’s goodness.
You start to question whether God is in control. However, the most assuring thing during my
time of confusion was when the Holy Spirit showed up through the vision of
someone who wasn’t even aware of what I was going through. She shared with me that I would be a pioneer
before I even knew where Sharon and I would be pioneering! God confirms His word, His messages through
His servants if they are listening! He
will tell us exactly where to place our fingers and our hands and bring
believing faith. For Thomas, it was His
literal body and for us, it is His presence that He is calling us to! It is there that we experience His blessing,
word and confirmation!
3. How do I get
to the days of joy and victory? SUNDAY!
1 Corinthians 15:17,19-22
19If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of
all people most to be pitied.
20But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the
firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21For since death came through a
man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam
all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.
I have felt most alive when I know that Jesus is living in
me and living through me. There are
still many who don’t believe that Jesus rose from the grave, but what I find
most fascinating about the historical account of His resurrection is that women
where the first eyewitnesses and recorded in Scripture.
In the first century,
women were not even eligible to testify in a Jewish court of law. Josephus said
that even the witness of multiple women was not acceptable "because of the
levity and boldness of their sex." Celsus, the second-century critic of
Christianity, mocked the idea of Mary Magdalene as an alleged resurrection
witness, referring to her as a "hysterical female … deluded by …
sorcery."
This background
matters because it points to two crucial truths. First, it is a theological
reminder that the kingdom of the Messiah turns the system of the world on its
head. In this culture, Jesus radically affirmed the full dignity of women and
the vital value of their witness. Second, it is a powerful apologetic reminder
of the historical accuracy of the resurrection accounts. If these were
"cleverly devised myths" (2 Pet. 1:16, ESV), women would never have
been presented as the first eyewitnesses of the risen Christ.
From
Christianity Today
I have experienced SUNDAY!
The days I have baptized my children, missions trip to Africa, Mexico…
I have experienced
Sunday this past week, an Easter Sunday like no other in my entire life!
It was our first service at the Manor.
There was great
support from believers who attended along with people who came from the drop in
center downtown, residents from Sue's Inn, the apartments above the Manor and a
few Guelphites that were simply curious.
There were close to 70 in attendance and the atmosphere was
changed on that glorious Easter afternoon! The doors opened at 12:30pm allowing
the light rush to rush in! There was plenty of food for all who came, along
with laughter and lots of mixing and mingling.
The worship music started and continued to build with energy and people
danced in celebration. Bobby Clark
shared his journey and how he came to Jesus!
We were so blessed. During
Bobby’s testimony, there was a lady in attendance who received HEALING in her
ear! Praise God!
A huge thank you to all those who donated to our launch, but
please remember that our goal is to do this every week! The challenge that we face is finding regular
dedicated workers to donate sandwiches, wraps, salads or squares each and every
week. The food is a drawing card and
helps set an atmosphere of sharing and love.
If you can be involved with the food, worship or on our
“Covergirl” team, please email us at manor@ercf.ca
If you want to be
part of a monthly rotation, please indicate that as well.
Here are some links to the story:
From the New York Daily News: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/canadian-gentlemen-club-turns-christian-church-service-easter-sunday-article-1.1764141
From the Guelph Mercury:
http://www.guelphmercury.com/news-story/4478076-guelph-strip-club-becomes-church-on-sundays/
CTV News Kitchener: http://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/guelph-gentlemen-s-club-to-start-hosting-church-service-1.1784066
From the Guelph Tribune:
http://www.guelphtribune.ca/community/easter-with-difference-at-church-at-the-manor/
and apparently we were mentioned on 102.1 The Edge by Dave
FM as well as 97.7
Wendy S
shares from Charleston, SC. When her
tour guide Eric heard she was from Ontario, he told me he had heard of a funny
named place that was having church in a strip club!
I was also told that there were people in attendance who wanted to be introduced to 'Father Jack'! lol
Swing Wide you heavenly gates, prepare the way of the risen LORD!!
Worshipping the KING!
Nest Eggs for Easter!! great treats from our volunteers.
