In The Fullness of Time

But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

All the conditions were perfectly lined up for the birth of God’s own Son, Jesus.  The political, spiritual and social climate were all set for the entrance of the Messiah into the world.  At this time, we also reflect on how God’s timing is always perfect in orchestrating the events for Church at the Manor.

One of our recent highlights began one afternoon began as Sharon and I along with Steve, Carolyn, Kristen and Jen blitzed the local neighbourhood surrounding the Manor with flyers sharing that Mike ‘the bull’ Roberts was speaking the next day.  We met lots of people from talks at the door to apartment lobbys.   There was a great build up of excitement, prayer and anticipation on that Saturday. Then Sharon and I had to race off to pick up Carrie who was speaking that night at “Break The Chains,” an event being held  the Father’s Heart Ministry in Waterloo.  By the way, she did fantastic… check it out here   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN3I2IBp4Sg

So, there we are making our way to this event and a text came to Sharon.  It was Mike and he was sorry, but he was going to have to cancel his engagement with us.  My heart sank and we were stunned by the turn of events.  He went on to share that he had spoken tirelessly at so many church and school events that week and was completely spent. He spoke with his mentors and felt he needed to take time off.  What do you do?  Do we accept it or challenge him to reconsider.  As it turned out Sharon and I had just spoke about the fact that we wanted to bless Mike and his ministry with what little we had at the Manor…sometimes the offering in our beer bucket is $3-, but we were determined to honor him.  So, Sharon asked him to simply pray and ask God to speak to him and we left it at that.  Shortly after, Mike made the decision to come and honor his commitment.

Sunday is here and the Manor is packed out to the gills!  We have one of our best attendances to date with over 70 people present to hear Mike share.  Mike is pulled aside to meet with Roger in his office as an engaging conversation unfolds as Mike shares how he was once a white supremacist, but how God changed all that one night while lying on the floor in his apartment.  He speaks of going to Auschwitz and the smell of death and how God broke him.  They talk about their dogs and have a great moment.

Later Mike shares his story, going from notorious to glorious, from a life of abuse, crime, drugs, gangs, violence to being completely transformed by the love of God. 

Sharon pulls me aside to share how we need to have each person come forward afterwards to bless and encourage Mike.  A beer bucket is placed on the stage behind him for people to give to bless his ministry.  So, a long train of people unfolds and for the next 45min, the people who attended did just that, blessed him and gave.

Here follows how Mike shared about the events that unfolded that day.

so there is no other way to describe what happened today other than to say holy s__t I can't believe that just happened.yesterday I was so deflated and never wanted to go speak at my event today.but I went anyway because I gave my word. The strip club I spoke at was full and I spoke next to the st poll and between the blessing the people gave me and the line up of thank you and encouragement all I can say is God came to help me today and renewed my strength I feel very humbled and thankful for the church at the manor that blessed me today it has been a long time since I have felt so appreciated for the work I do. Even the owner of the joint invited me back to his office for a chat nice Jewish fella...thank u lord for m daily bread

Over $1000- was generously given in the beer bucket to support Mike's ministry!

And now here is the teaching focus for Church at the Manor.  We took time to look at life lessons on breakthrough from Jonah.

Running in the opposite direction!

The Lord gave this message to Jonah son of Amittai: 2 “Get up and go to the great city of Nineveh. Announce my judgment against it because I have seen how wicked its people are.”

3 But Jonah got up and went in the opposite direction to get away from the Lord. He went down to the port of Joppa, where he found a ship leaving for Tarshish. He bought a ticket and went on board, hoping to escape from the Lord by sailing to Tarshish.   Jonah 1:1-3NLT

Why did Jonah do that?

Did he really think that he could get away from the Lord?? As Pastor Jim has shared, sin makes you stupid!

Sin also brings shame - hiding from God is our natural learned tendency. Instead of running to God, we run away… in the opposite direction!  We run, withdraw when we sin. We choose independence from God

Jonah really had no interest in going to Ninevah, there was no love for the people there.  In fact, he most likely wanted nothing to do with them.  It’s like being a pastor and God says, you know what, I want you to go and start a church in a little place like Timbuktu but no, this pastor wants to go to sunny southern California where it is warm and sunny and more fun!

Have you ever gone completely opposite of what you know God told you to do or spoke to you about?

Why do we do that?  What is the lure?

Often we think we know best.  We say things like ok, God, this is the path that I’m choosing, now go bless it.

However, it doesn’t work very well does it?

The starting point for all of us in knowing the right way to go is to not lean on our own understanding.  The first decision we have to make is to say, OK, God you are in control.

Proverbs 3:5,6  Where are you leaning?

REMEDY – lean heavily ON God for wisdom, direction in all life’s choices.

Swallowed Up By Our Bad Decisions

12 “Throw me into the sea,” Jonah said, “and it will become calm again. I know that this terrible storm is all my fault.”13 Instead, the sailors rowed even harder to get the ship to the land. But the stormy sea was too violent for them, and they couldn’t make it. 14 Then they cried out to the Lord, Jonah’s God. “O Lord,” they pleaded, “don’t make us die for this man’s sin. And don’t hold us responsible for his death. O Lord, you have sent this storm upon him for your own good reasons.”15 Then the sailors picked Jonah up and threw him into the raging sea, and the storm stopped at once! 16 The sailors were awestruck by the Lord’s great power, and they offered him a sacrifice and vowed to serve him.

So, here’s an incredible takeaway that even in our poor choices God can use us.  He can use our life lessons to reveal Himself powerfully to others, yes, even in our own stupidity!  The sailors were completely transformed by these events and worshipped the Lord.  Nothing is impossible for God

Have you ever made a bad decision that you later paid dearly for?

What happened to Jonah?

He knows that he is running from God and it is not just affecting him, but it is affecting those around him.  He knows that he has to take responsibility and he own his mistake.  This is huge and this is a really important part of the Christian life.  It is called repentance.  He does a 180 degree turn in his thinking that leads to a change of direction.

Listen to his prayer in chapter 2. It is beautiful and it is powerful. We have all been there figuratively speaking.  We’ve been in the belly of the whale, in a place of despair.

Then Jonah prayed to the Lord his God from inside the fish. ² He said,

“I cried out to the Lord in my great trouble,
    and he answered me.
I called to you from the land of the dead,
    and Lord, you heard me!
³ You threw me into the ocean depths,
    and I sank down to the heart of the sea.
The mighty waters engulfed me;
    I was buried beneath your wild and stormy waves.
⁴ Then I said, ‘O Lord, you have driven me from your presence.
    Yet I will look once more toward your holy Temple.’

⁵ “I sank beneath the waves,
    and the waters closed over me.
    Seaweed wrapped itself around my head.
⁶ I sank down to the very roots of the mountains.
    I was imprisoned in the earth,
    whose gates lock shut forever.
But you, O Lord my God,
    snatched me from the jaws of death!
⁷ As my life was slipping away,
    I remembered the Lord.
And my earnest prayer went out to you
    in your holy Temple.
⁸ Those who worship false gods
    turn their backs on all God’s mercies.
⁹ But I will offer sacrifices to you with songs of praise,
    and I will fulfill all my vows.
    For my salvation comes from the Lord alone.”

¹⁰ Then the Lord ordered the fish to spit Jonah out onto the beach.

What does God do?

He does the unthinkable and Jonah is swallowed by a fish.

Now the Lord had arranged for a great fish to swallow Jonah. And Jonah was inside the fish for three days and three nights.

What happens to us?

I believe with all my heart that God is gracious and He is completely forgiving, but yes, we still live with the scars and the memories. 

The hope is that those painful memories serve as a reminder for us.  The decision is that I won’t go down that path again, but I will allow those moments to propel me into the presence of God.

Do you know God as your deliverer, your rescuer? You can!

REMEDY – God is our rescue!

Matt Redman

Who, oh Lord, could save themselves,

Their own soul could heal?

Our shame was deeper than the sea

Your grace is deeper still

You alone can rescue, You alone can save

You alone can lift us from the grave

You came down to find us, led us out of death

To You alone belongs the highest praise

You, oh  Lord, have made a way

The great divide You heal

For when our hearts were far away

Your love went further still

Yes, your love goes further still

When Things Don’t Go Our Way…or according to plan…or should I say OUR plan.

So, Jonah finally is obedient and He follows through with the message that the LORD gave him and plans change.  He brings a message of judgement,  it’s time to pay the price for Ninevah’s wickedness, but the LORD sees their change of heart, their repentance and a miracle takes place!

5 The people of Nineveh believed God’s message, and from the greatest to the least, they declared a fast and put on burlap to show their sorrow.

6 When the king of Nineveh heard what Jonah was saying, he stepped down from his throne and took off his royal robes. He dressed himself in burlap and sat on a heap of ashes. 7 Then the king and his nobles sent this decree throughout the city:

“No one, not even the animals from your herds and flocks, may eat or drink anything at all. 8 People and animals alike must wear garments of mourning, and everyone must pray earnestly to God. They must turn from their evil ways and stop all their violence. 9 Who can tell? Perhaps even yet God will change his mind and hold back his fierce anger from destroying us.”

10 When God saw what they had done and how they had put a stop to their evil ways, he changed his mind and did not carry out the destruction he had threatened.

When has God answered a prayer in your life that turned out differently than you expected?

 How did you respond?

What happened to Jonah?

He has a pity party and he sulks about his situation, but the story is left unfinished and the hope is that Jonah does another turn around and continues to be God’s messenger.  The final chapter didn’t get published for his life and we have a cliff hanger.

What happens to us?

So, maybe we pray God get me out of here…BEAM me up Scotty so to speak.  I don’t want to be here, but God doesn’t answer that way.  Often, He keeps us right in the place we are and He enables us to bloom where we are planted.  He doesn’t remove us from our world, our situation, but He allows us to be transformed in the midst of it and we become an amazing testimony or story for God, of His power and His presence to carry us through!

It could also be that we have a difficult time praying for someone that God is calling us to forgive.  It may feel like the last thing that we want to do.  You might even say it’s not in me to forgive and I would agree, but then, we are in Christ and only because of Him do we have to strength to forgive those who have wounded us.  God is pretty serious about the whole forgiveness thing.

25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”  Mark 11:25

We are called to obey His whether we agree or not with God.  We all have unanswerable questions with God. We need to trust God with this.

What will be the final chapter be in our lives…that we finished well I pray!

It is only by the Holy Spirit’s power and the presence of Jesus in our lives.

And on that day

When my strength is failing

The end draws near

And my time has come

Still my soul will

Sing Your praise unending

Ten thousand years

And then forevermore

Forevermore

From 10000 Reasons Matt Redman

Joey, the latest person to be baptized at Church at the Manor on Sunday December 13th!

Overcoming The Giants In Our Lives

A couple weeks ago on a Friday morning I went down to the Manor to meet with Roger, the owner, to discuss the Christmas party that we were having for Church at the Manor.  By the way this year, Roger is paying for the catering that will cover the costs for all the hors d'oeuvres and food for the festive event.  It all started last year with generous friends from BC, Tammy and Ross, who believed this is what the Lord told them to do and put on a lavish event last year https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goQvD86BPdI

So, here we are again and now Roger wants to make it bigger by inviting all the staff of the Manor and friends and well.  A Jewish owner of a strip club paying for a Christmas party for a Christian church celebrating the birth of the Messiah!  Amazing…only God!

As I walked in the office there was a man with his head in his hands overwhelmed by his own personal situation.  Michel hadn’t been able to see his boy, Bentley, for the past 6 months and he was distraught.   He just recently started doing renovations for Roger on some of his rental properties.  Roger tells him Jack is here for you and he can help you with your soul.  So as Michel shares  and I listen, we connect and a good conversation flows.  At the end of our time together, I ask Michel if I can pray for him and  prayer begins for reconciliation with the mother and for God to open the door back to allowing him to see his son.  Michel shows up for church on Sunday and listens to our message on ‘Overcoming Giants’ in our lives and there is an opportunity to take smooth stones and a sheet of verses to remind those attending on how to slay the giants in our lives.  I hand them to Michel and encourage him to trust God. 

The next Sunday Michel shows up to church and he is flying high.  He has been reunited with his son and he can’t contain himself.  It was such a great opportunity to affirm the power of prayer that we have seen and the bond that we both have after sitting together in Roger’s office….God works in mysterious ways.

It appeared to be a giant in Michel life, but it was overcome by the power of God.

So, what are the GIANTS that we face in our lives… well we took an easel out at church and here are the responses we heard

·         Finances, fear, depression, anxiety, fear of death, fear of others, loneliness, stress, self-doubt, jealousy, believing lies, rejection, frustration etc..

Just as David took up five smooth stones to defeat the giant Goliath in his life, we need to take the same approach and be on the offensive with the stones we need to use to slay the giants in our lives.

We affirmed the following as the stones we need to use in our day to day lives.

1.       Worship and Thankfulness

2.       Speaking Truth and Declaring Verses Out Loud

3.       Forgiveness and Love

4.       A Renewed Mind – Staying positive, focused on the good things. Simply put,  if you focus on all the crap around you in your life, you are going to feel like crap!

5.       Stay in Community, not withdrawing.    Learning to reach out for support, positive influences in your life, people that support you and encourage you. 

The smooth stone is a take home reminder, something to place on your bathroom counter and the verses need to be put on your fridge or bathroom mirror.

WORSHIP and THANKFULNESS – to overcome a spirit of worry, anxiety, finances

Psalm 100:4

Enter His gates with thanksgiving, And His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

SPEAKING TRUTH AND DECLARING VERSES OUT LOUD – to overcome fear

Proverbs 18:21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit,

 John 8:32

Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

2 Timothy 1:7

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

FORGIVENESS AND LOVE – to overcome unforgiveness, bitterness, anger

1 Peter 4:8

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

Colossians 3:12-14

Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

RENEWED MIND = to overcome depression

Philippians 4:8

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

Romans 12:2

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

STAYING IN COMMUNITY – to overcome loneliness

Hebrews 10:24,25

And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.

1 Thessalonians 5:11

So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

So I had a wonderful opportunity to pray over Carrie’s home last week as she and her children discovered that there had been a little baby’s life had been taken in that apartment by a former tenant.  We wanted to pray over that home and pray against the spirit of death and pray for the Spirit of life to dwell there.  We prayed over every room and anointed them… even the bathroom!  Why?  Well, the enemy can also grip us with lies about who we are in that place.  So, it was powerful and God was moving and we took turns praying.  Before I left, Carrie asked her daughter, Trinity, if she would be ok with me praying for her.  She said yes and we had a great talk first and it was in her room that I sensed a spirit of anxiety.  She readily affirmed that social anxiety was a huge struggle for her.  As we talked it became clear that even days before when Sharon was there that she struggled even with living itself and through Sharon’s hug, she felt the presence of God.  She wanted more and that led us to a time of prayer where she gave her life to Jesus!  It was such a strong affirmation that God has placed on my heart to see new adoptions into God’s family and raise up sons and daughters of the King!

Loosening The Grip

The afternoon started as Larry approached me about his need for reconciliation with Jesus and in a relationship as well.  As he shared, the tears welled up in his eyes.  He needed to receive deep, inner healing and he experienced it.  Earlier in his life he had found Jesus and today, he reaffirmed His faith as we took communion together.  It was a great moment for me to be there with him.  Normally, I would have been behind the sound board tweaking the music for the band but because Juan Carlos stepped up to be our sound guy, I was available at that very moment.  I love how God provides because it was only a few weeks ago that our core team was praying for someone to step into this position.

Ed Witvoet, on behalf of Love In Motion, blessed ‘Church at the Manor’ with  a cheque for over $4K supporting the ministry at the Manor.  Love In Motion is connected with the Christian and Missionary Alliance and unites cyclists and motorcyclists as well in raising funds for ministry projects across Canada.

http://www.loveinmotion.ca/

http://www.iamsecond.com/seconds/ra-dickey/

Today we brought in R.A. Dickey to share his story of surrender… by video.  It felt very fitting seeing that he will be pitching on Tuesday night and because it’s a powerful reminder of the power of the cross and the transforming power of a life changed by Jesus.  We took time to celebrate communion and remember that Jesus is our bread of life and our forgiveness. 

Hebrews 7:26 He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. 27 Unlike those other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices every day. They did this for their own sins first and then for the sins of the people. But Jesus did this once for all when he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins. 28 The law appointed high priests who were limited by human weakness. But after the law was given, God appointed his Son with an oath, and his Son has been made the perfect High Priest forever.

Today we clenched our fists as a spiritual exercise to express to the LORD the things that we are hold on to, whether it was something that was done to us, abuse, neglect  or something that we have done, whether that was a sin that we have not forgiven ourselves for or something  or someone that we can’t let go.  In an act of surrender after time had passed for us to ponder where we were at, the challenge was to release it to God in an act of surrender. 

The challenge in an act like this is if we can say, ‘thank you Jesus that you are my permanent High Priest, You are pure, blameless, set apart and that you always live to intercede for me!  You have made a sacrifice once and for all and paid the ultimate price, Your life for me.

There is no limitations with Jesus, no sin He cannot bear, no burden He cannot bear when we come in our own human weakness to the cross, when we come in humility and bring the pain, the need for forgiveness, the need whatever it is, He can take it and He is there to take it.  Can you loosen your grip and open your hands to trust Him with your life?

Listening When It Really Matters!

This is why I use parables.  For they look, but they don’t really see.  They hear, but they don’t really listen or understand.   Mathew 13:13

I am convinced that God is always speaking to us, but the question is are we really hearing His voice.  It has been said that the average person interrupts a conversation about 17 seconds into one with another person.  Most of us are really good at letting God know what we think matters, but how good are we at listening to His voice for what really counts?  Now when we talk about hearing God’s voice, we aren’t talking about new age philosophies or inner monologue, mediums or philosophies or self-talk for that matter.  It is real intimate conversation with Jesus Christ through His Holy Spirit.  It is the voice of the Shepherd that we want to recognize because ‘my sheep hear my voice’ in John 10.

The exercise of hearing God’s voice is for those who have put their faith in Jesus, believe that the Bible is God’s Word, desire to submit to God and allow Holy Spirit to direct you.

This is not a mind thing, this is a Spirit thing where our spirit connects with the Spirit of God.  God wants to direct us through Holy Spirit.

I also want to note that these following keys are comprised from the teaching of Mark Virkler on this subject.

Key#1  Be Still

1 Corinthians 2:9-10New Living Translation (NLT)

9 That is what the Scriptures mean when they say,

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared  for those who love him.” 10 But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.

The challenge here is to turn off all the competing voices in our life so we can actually focus on His voice.  This means turning off the phone, computer and remove myself from all distractions.  Recently I watched the movie,  War Room, and it was the walk-in closet that became the room where the battle was fought, where prayers and verses covered the walls.  It was inspiring for sure!  Go to your sweet spot, that place where you can be in His presence.   If you have distracting thoughts, take a piece of paper to write the “to do list’ down.   It is also a good time to confess your sins and just be humble in His presence.  Think about your day, the attitudes, reactions, wrong words etc… Confront them, accept them as sin and get it right with Him.

Key#2 Fix Your Eyes On Jesus

Hebrews 12:2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Take time to bring yourself into His powerful presence.  Worship music is a great way to draw near to Him and reading Scripture is also excellent.  I also find that even a simple act like taking my shoes and socks off to remind me I'm in the presence of God is a powerful act of faith.

Become aware the presence of God - this is where great accomplishments start. Acknowledge God-  The name of God is embedded in the name  of Jesus.  Yahweh is in Yeshua  Agree to His assignment- if God is in it, it's going to be easy.  He's the One who does it.  All you have to do is say yes.  It's God in you the hope of glory. Our job is to yield, surrender to the HS.  The biggest battles are inside of me.  Less striving, more receiving.  Heroes aren't born, they are cornered.  I love this statement because it reminds me that there is always going to be a battle between where I am and where God wants to take me and it is the same for all of us!

Key # 3 Tune Into Spontaneous Thoughts

John 10:14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, 15 just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

The mind is analytical and the Spirit is spontaneous, it bubbles up and flows like a river inside of us.  The ways that God speaks to us are many but they include the Bible, pictures, dreams, a word and there are those who have heard the audible voice of God.  If it’s a picture, journal it and take time to look up the meaning or biblical significance of it.

Key #4 Write it Down!

Revelation 1:1 This is a revelation from[a] Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants the events that must soon take place. He sent an angel to present this revelation to his servant John, 2 who faithfully reported everything he saw. This is his report of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Take time to write down what you sense God is speaking to you.  Get a blank journal and fill it with your God thoughts and insights.  Let it inspire, motivate and challenge you.

So, what would get in the way of hearing His voice? 

·         Unforgiveness in our heart – bitterness towards another person can keep us disconnected.

·         An idol in our heart –it becomes are sole focus when we are connecting with God, it could be a relationship, our job, whatever is consuming us.

·         Our own agenda – we already know how we are going to handle the situation.

How can I know if it’s God ?

Some tests are:

1.        Is it encouraging and building you up?  God will convict you, but He will not shame you.

2.       Does it contradict the Word of God?  God will not contradict Himself with messages that He gives you.

Questions to ask God

How do you feel about me?

What do you want to say to me today?  Speak LORD for your child is listening!

God is not a crystal ball, He is not a magic genie.  He is not going to tell you when you are going to get married or when you’ll die…

Finally, leave your agenda.  He knows what you need to hear.  He knows your desires, your thoughts.  Give Him freedom to speak into your life.  Remember He is a good God, trust HIM and know that His plans are good. 

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 12 In those days when you pray, I will listen. 13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

Breakthrough FAITH!

The gospel of Mark is one of the biographies of Jesus’ life.  Mark gets straight to the ministry of Jesus and here in chapter 2, we see that Jesus is preaching the words of life to a packed house as the place was filled to overflowing. Jesus was gaining a lot of attention as people were being healed everywhere he went.

They knew that Jesus was the only hope, He had a ministry of healing and they needed a miracle

 (The following is comprised with thoughts from Josh Monen)

What happens when you or someone very close to you has a need. A need that only Jesus can meet? A need that can only be met by a miracle? 

Without oversimplifying, I've discovered that there are two basically different mindsets on this as it relates to people who call themselves Christians.

The first teaches that you can, and should, press in for breakthroughs. And even if circumstances seem really dire and bleak, you still contend for it and believe in God’s power to overcome and see the breakthrough.

The second is more of a passive approach. This belief system teaches that God will move in His own time and there is nothing we can do to influence Him to move. And really, the breakthrough is not what’s important anyway, what’s more important is “accepting” that God has ordained these circumstances and that they are all part of a bigger plan...

Now, I have a real problem with the second mindset. I believe it’s this kind of thinking that has hurt a lot in Christian circles.  Why is this?  Well, when we are not allowed to press in for breakthrough we are sentenced to a life where circumstances become our lord instead of the Lord.

OK, let's look at this amazing story in Mark 2

2 A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. 2 They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. 3 Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

 Four friends bring their paralyzed friend to the meeting where Jesus was. They could not get in through the front door so they dug a hole in the roof and then let down their friend through the hole.

Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying. Mark 2:3-4 

And what did Jesus say when He saw this?

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”  Mark 2:5

First of all, he admires the boldness of the friends and He rewards their faith.  It is amazing to see that our collective faith makes a huge difference.

So, here is what He didn't do... Jesus didn't rebuke them for their “works”. 

Did He remind them it is God alone who has the power to heal and in “His time” He would do it, “if He was willing”? Did He stop the meeting and point to the men and teach everyone that man can do nothing and these presumptuous  men should learn to “wait on God” instead of taking matters into their own hands?

No. He did none of that.

Instead the Bible says, “When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

Why are we afraid of being bold?

 Wow! What these four friends did was considered an act of faith and Jesus honored them and healed the man. Where is this kind of teaching in the church today? Why are we so fearful of being accused of “taking matters into our own hands” and approaching God?

The Bible teaches us to approach His throne with confidence and boldness in Hebrews 4:19 This does not mean we are arrogant or full of pride. We desperately need to understand the difference between arrogance and boldness. 

We need to understand faith and works.

Of course we cannot perform miracles on our own. Nor can human will power take the place of God’s power. But we can exercise our will and our faith so that we can achieve breakthroughs with God.

Does that make sense?

Those men believed something and that belief led them to overcome any obstacles in their way. They did not look at the problem of a full meeting and say, “God must have other plans for our friend.” No, they said, “We will get our friend to Jesus and we’ll do whatever it takes.”

Whatever it takes

Jesus Christ is perfect theology. He is a perfect representation of Father God. If He commended these men for their faith this should encourage us not to back down when we are seeking breakthroughs of our own and for those we love.

Josh Monen

TAKEAWAY

Let’s  BE BOLD and really trust God for the miracles, believe that He still heals, He still speaks and wants to be involved in our lives, in the big things and little things.

It's Never Too Late To Get It Right!

Luke 23:33-43

Two thieves on the cross

32 Two others, both criminals, were led out to be executed with him. 33 When they came to a place called The Skull,[e] they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice.35 The crowd watched and the leaders scoffed. “He saved others,” they said, “let him save himself if he is really God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.” 36 The soldiers mocked him, too, by offering him a drink of sour wine. 37 They called out to him, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 A sign was fastened above him with these words: “This is the King of the Jews.”39 One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!” 40 But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? 41 We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”

43 And Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

What is the difference in the attitude between these two thieves.

CRIMINAL 1 – The Scoffer	CRIMINAL 2 – The One Who Feared God
Self assured	Self aware
Smug	Repentant – knew he deserved what he received,
Proud	Humble
Indifferent to who Jesus was	Recognized who Jesus was
Indignant	Showed dignity

What do we learn about the criminal who mocked Jesus?

He took his sins with him to his grave

What do we learn from the criminal who feared God on the cross?

Jesus paid the price for his forgiveness right there on the cross

It’s never too late to put your faith and trust in Jesus.  He was right there dying beside Jesus as these events took place.

What do we learn about ourselves?

We simply can choose to accept or reject His free gift. 

What do we learn about Jesus?

Merciful, kind, not willing that anyone should not discover His saving grace

Salvation is by faith alone in Christ alone.

Salvation = faith + nothing!

 We are all sinners in need of a Savior, and no matter the number of our sins and no matter if we, or the world, think our sins are minor or extreme, it is never too late to repent and accept the free gift of salvation

Luke 5:31 And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Are you ready to nail your sin to the cross today?  Are you ready as an act of faith to stop trying to pay for your own mistakes and accept His gift?

Communion is all about a heart of thankfulness, it is truly a celebration that my sins are forgiven and that I have freedom and it’s all because of Jesus. 

He took my shame and my sin and they are to be remembered no more

Psalm 103:12

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Micah 7:19

He will again have compassion on us;  he will trample our iniquities. And you will hurl all their sins in the depths of the sea.

Ready, Get Set, GO!!

Sharon spoke at the Guelph Vineyard and I wanted to share her thoughts so this blog is all about the S in  jsninaber.blogspot.ca J 

Sharon refers to herself as a ‘recovering Baptist’ as she struggles with works, performance and striving as it relates to the Christian life and because anything has the potential to become legalistic in our lives.

She shared three simple but profound points.  Fill Us, Use Us, Show Us.  We get ready as we are filled, we get set to be used, and we go and He show us!!

1.   

FILL US!

Before we can reach out to our neighbours, let’s consider how vitally important it is for the Holy Spirit to be at the center. 

We had a neighbor back in the day named Selma* who Sharon tried to reach out to and share her faith with.  She didn’t know the Holy Spirit in an intimate way at that time and she relied on her own abilities and knowledge to witness to her.  When Selma eventually became a believer, she asked Sharon, “Why didn’t you tell me?”???

The lesson to be learned is this.

1.       The Holy Spirit convicts of sin John 16:8

2.       The Holy Spirit DRAWS people. John 15:26 The Greek word here for ‘draws’ means to ‘DRAG’. It is the same word that is used in John 21:6 when referring to a heavy net full of fish being dragged to shore!  So just ponder that for a moment. It is the Holy Spirit’s work and Holy Spirit literally drags us to Christ…awesome truth!  He does the work.

3.       Holy Spirit gives us authority and power and even the words we need when we need them.  Matthew 10:19

God’s timing is perfect.  It is amazing to know that He sets up the divine appointments and leads and directs when we listen for His voice and seek to obey Him!  Our motto at Church at the Manor is simple.  LOVE and SERVE.  We don’t debate and we trust in the Holy Spirit to work and He never fails us.

Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit.

This past Sunday I (Jack) had the opportunity to just sit with one man who was completely distraught over the loss of a relationship for 5 years. He normally just comes down for lunch and then leaves.  A simple question just to ask how he was doing led into the complete undoing of his heart.  As I listened, Holy Spirit led the conversation to the place where I was able to place my hand on his shoulder and pray that the Father would heal his pain and wrap His loving arms around him.  There was incredible receptivity and I really sensed the Spirit leading during this time.

      USE US!

In the book the Art of Neighboring, the story is told of a group of 20 pastors in the Denver area who met with the mayor to ask the question, “How can we as churches best work together to serve our city?”  The mayor shared that the majority of the issues that our community  is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbours!

One pastor in the meeting was rather embarrassed because what the mayor in reality was saying was that it would be great if their congregations could just live out the second part of the great commandment to love our neighbour as ourselves – it is actually a command from Jesus.  Matthew 22:37-40

“Solutions for our society are NOT found in government, police or schools or in getting more people to go to church.  The solution is within us”

After one year at the Manor we have seen this first hand.  We have seen doctors hand out prescription after prescription, judges whose hands are tied, people who KNOW the system and the loopholes, frustrated parole officers.

We have seen breakthrough because of caring relationships, people who are just willing to SHOW up and be there for those who attend our services.  We are so excited to see some of them getting real rehabilitation through the intensive ministry of Teen Challenge, we have seen a mother reunited with her children and a new home, a new family (believers in Jesus) who care to meet with her and encourage her in her new journey.

Don’t get hung up on getting people into your church.  Jesus didn’t say to build nice church buildings and have great programs and Bible studies and then they will come.  Jesus said GO!

Most people that we’ve met are open to talking about God and open to a relationship with Him.  They may not be ready to step foot into a traditional church.  An interesting point to note though is that when they do accept Jesus into their life they eventually want to experience deeper teaching, fellowship with believers and are hungry for more.  The Holy Spirit will take care of this process.

We are in way over our heads at the Manor.  It’s great to be in a situation where we desperately need God’s Spirit!!  We need to step out in His power and ask Him to use you.  It is SO GOOD!

3.        SHOW US!  

God, show us how valuable people are!  WE need to ignore what we see in the physical as we meet oru neighbours.  Don’t draw conclusions or make assumptions.  Reach out and ask God to see them through His eyes.

Why would Levi, the tax collector, leave everything behind when Jesus said, ‘follow me’?   Matthew 9:9-13 A few thoughts.

Jesus accepts him and loves him just as he is.

Levi feels wanted and needed.  Jesus has a plan for him despite his past.

Jesus engaged him in conversation even though he was  despised and hated.

“Let’s be honest.  The fact that the Pharisees question Jesus’s attendance indicates that this party was likely not a “Mountain Dew and pizza” kind of party.  This, for sure wasn’t a Sunday afternoon church potluck.  This was a party where people were having a lot of fun.”…When was the last time you were accused of doing something like this?  Has your character ever been questioned you ate or drank with sketchy people?”  from The Art of Neighboring by Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon

Here’s the amazing teacher, prophet, miracle worker inviting Levi into a relationship.  To ‘follow me’ means to ‘walk the same road’ It is to enter the teacher/ student relationship, master/pupil.

How bizarre for Levi, how exciting!

Jesus doesn’t care about how others look at or value a person.  He loves the outcasts and unloved.

One older man who comes every Sunday for lunch at the very least is very bitter towards God, He is angry and has been abused by a trusted religious leader.  He refers to God like Santa or the tooth fairy. He shares “I admire your faith, but I still don’t believe in God” and the response Sharon gave is that’s ok, but I know that God loves you and has a plan for your life.   As that was shared, his tears began to flow.

Another man with a tough exterior who now is a follower of Jesus shared how he used to hate Christians because all they did was quote Scripture at him.  He shared how we were different and just showed him love.  The first time Sharon saw him she told him that she saw a spirit of compassion in him and that he had the gift of mercy.  At that time, he said, “lady you don’t know me, I could throw you in a ditch” to which she replied that is not who you are though.  Over the course of the year we have known him he is living out who God called him to be, a man with a heart of compassion for others.  He also has been prophesied over as a “loose cannon in God’s gun”!

Here’s Jesus.  He didn’t come to polish the righteous, he came to rescue sinners.  See your neighbours through God’s eyes. They are loved, valuable and uniquely made.  They have purpose and destiny.

*names have been changed for privacy 

Jack of all trades...a typical week in the life of a church planter!

Sunday

8am   A crazy morning as I countdown the minutes to getting everyone in the van  "5 MINUTES" to getting to the first service for 9am.  We get energized in the Holy Spirit through powerful worship and then every service a team of people surround us as we are prayed over for our service at Church at the Manor.  We hit the church kitchen to pick up all the donations of salads, sandwiches, desserts and head home.  Time to load up the drum kit and keyboard and head to the Manor

11:30am Paul opens the doors for us and we go into the storage room and grab our speakers and sound equipment and begin the stage setup.  Bob, Laura and Jen oversee the set up of the food on the pool table.  Sharon leads the band in prayer and they begin worship practice.

1pm  The band starts to play and worship changes the atmosphere!  At roughly 1:30pm the speaker shares and a time of prayer follows.  We pack up and leave shortly after 3pm

Today we head out as a family to the local food event taking place at Ignatius Farm and see friends, listen to local music, sample food.  The evening finishes with a campfire in the backyard.


Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday are roofing days as I wake up at 7am and get roofing with my brother Ralph and the My Three Sons crew.  LOTS of sweat, sunscreen and laughs as we knock off the roofs together.

Monday night

7pm  Sharon and I head out to prayer ministry training at Freedom House Center here in Guelph.  It is a great time of insight and understanding with Dr. Wendy Thome.

Tuesday night

7pm  I meet Butch at the Royal to take him to prayer ministry but he has too much anxiety to go so I end up being blessed myself as the prayer ministry team at the Freedom House pray over me.

Wednesday night

Date night with Sharon!  We either go out for dinner, catch a movie, do some thrift shopping at Salvation Army or have some wine and cheese and watch a favorite TV episode

Thursday

7:50am get on my bike and head down to University of Guelph to participate in the pudding study. I get paid to eat pudding for a research study,  what I forget to see in the fine print is that they do finger pricks for blood at 0m, 15m, 30m 60m,90m 120m!  Eat a pizza lunch and head home at 11am

11:30am travel to Memory Gardens and meet with a family who lost their father, learn about him and the family, discover stories, prepare my notes and complete a memorial service at 1pm

2:30pm meet with Kellen, pastor of Crossings Community, downtown Guelph at Salsateria for nachos and talk life, ministry and family.

Relax

Friday

Ninabrook day!  Well that's the plan anyways.  I take time to help pull and pack orders and ship them to Canada Post on Woodlawn.  Sometimes I pull off a blog and there are always expenses and invoices to record in Simply Accounting.

Saturday

7am Wake up and hit the garage sales with Sharon and find amazing deals on things we really need!  Excellent bonding time.  In the afternoon, possibly do a community wedding with Geoff and Michelle recently or take part in a game of ball hockey in the neighbourhood or the annual street party with George doing a sweet job

**every morning I try to take time to get on my knees, pray, read the Word and spend time listening and journalling.  It doesn't happen everyday, but its my goal to start with Jesus.  Drive time can also turn in to listening to Steven Furtick on my Elevation app or praying on the way to the job site!