Hi there!

“Blessed is the man …he is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither…the Lord watches over the way of the righteous.” Psalm 1

Wendy
wendy.carter@kainos.org
This blog is a summary of our 9:00 Sunday morning services held at 7777 Churchville Rd., Brampton, ON L6Y 0H3, 905-230-8116. It can always be found at www.blog.heartlandfellowship.ca.

The Right Trees by Gary Carter: It was really windy yesterday. The top half of a Manitoba Maple (Box Elder) fell down onto the property next door. Fortunately nothing was damaged. These trees live in the area of a river (the Credit River is across the street), grow quickly but generally last only about 80 years. You can’t rely on them as they rot from the inside. On the other hand there is a strong oak tree near the Carters’ property. These trees grow very slowly but last so much longer. They get plenty of water into their root system when it is dry. The Bible refers to trees several times (see the verse above). Isaiah 61:3 mentions “oaks of righteouness.” We must sow the right kind of seeds for the right kind of trees in our lives. Gary remembers as a very young child his mother always taking notes in church. This was a great example to him. She was sowing the right seeds in his life. People are watching.

Conversations with Jesus – Who Do You Say I am? (Luke 9: 18-20) by Chris Burton: Here is a conversation between Jesus and His disciples during a time of prayer and reflection. Jesus asks them, “Who do the crowds say I am?” You can imagine that during the previous weeks and months and years, as Jesus was performing His miracles and teaching the crowds of people following, that there must have been debate amongst those following asking, “Who is this guy?“ This conversation is coming at time when Jesus’ ministry is nearing its end. It is almost like a final exam question for the disciples. First the 12 are sent on a little mission trip and now they are taking a break in Caesarea Philippi before heading to Jerusalem. This is a time of prayer and preparation as Jesus gets ready for the most difficult part of His ministry. Jesus takes time to reveal more about who He is and why He is here.
Three answers are given to Jesus’ question about who the crowds were saying He was. Some thought he was John the Baptist. John was a very powerful teacher so people viewed Jesus as a great teacher in the spirit of John. Some said He was Elijah. Elijah was a very important, powerful prophet in the history of the Jewish people. They viewed Jesus in the same way - a prophet who has a word for today from God. Others said Jesus must be a reincarnation of an ancient prophet who has come back to life. How does Jesus respond to this? He doesn’t say yes or no to these ideas or opinions. Just as then, even today, many have a variety of views as to who Jesus is. The question itself is the starting point to figuring out the answer; but the answer is one that must be discovered by each individual so Jesus asks, “But what about you?” Peter speaks up without hesitation, “You are God’s Messiah!” He is the One sent by God to deliver HIS people. It’s time for the disciples to “fish or cut bait.” Do they get it? Do they believe it? The prophesies are being fulfilled before their eyes but can they see it?
Because we have read ahead we know that Peter will soon forget his lesson, so what can be taken away from that? Facts, knowledge or education don’t necessarily equate to a transformed life. Peter knew the facts; he knew the correct answer but his heart didn’t fully comprehend it. Knowledge, theology, charismatic leader - none of it matters without the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit), which comes from an understanding of who Christ is, God’s Messiah, the Savior, the One sent to restore. This was a lesson that the disciples still hadn’t fully grasped just yet.

Revelation by Steve Macdonald: In Revelation 1:17-18, John records that when he saw Jesus he fell down at His feet. Sixty years before, being with Jesus, knowing Him, eating, sleeping, spending almost every second of the day with Him for 3 years, the sight of Jesus now was truly magnificent. Or maybe the fear of facing judgment by Jesus is such an ominous reality that John is afraid to be in His presence (Psalm 27:1). In verse 20 Jesus says that the seven stars in His hand are the seven angels of the seven churches. Angels are spiritual beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles and the Quran. Angels delivered letters to the seven churches as seen in chapters 2-3.
1. Ephesus, the church that had forsaken its first love, is promised “the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” Even in Eden God’s desire for man was to eat from the tree of life, to have eternal life with Him. By fixing our thoughts on Jesus, we tap into the unlimited source of life, power, joy and strength that we need to be victorious. Focusing on Jesus means we aren’t trying to understand what is good or evil; we aren’t concerned about ourselves being first or what is best; for us, we already know Jesus is.
2. Smyrna, the church that would suffer persecution, is promised that those who are victorious “will not be hurt at all by the second death.” “Second Death” means the permanent separation from God (Matthew 10:28). Jesus is our absolute guarantee that we will live in heaven and never be separated from God.
3. Pergamum, the church that needed to repent, is promised “hidden manna” and “a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it.” Manna, an edible substance that God provided for the Israelites during their travels in the desert, was sweet to the taste like honey. It arrived with the dew during the night and had to be collected before it was melted by the heat of the sun. Hidden manna sustains and strengthens us as Christians in our faith. We need God’s manna to sustain us in the world like the Israelites in the wilderness. It is a free gift, come from above, ground on the mill, white to express purity – Jesus (John 6:48-51). In ancient courts, the accused were acquitted or condemned by vote of a jury, council or panel. The voting member would cast a white pebble for “acquittal” or a black pebble for “guilty.” Members of tribunals condemning Christians would have cast “black stones” against them. At Pergamum, evidently black stones had been cast when judging Antipas. Jesus says, “I will give one who overcomes a ‘white stone’.” He is declaring the recipients as vindicated, pure and guiltless.
4. Thyatira, the church that had a false prophetess, is promised “authority over the nations” and “the morning star.” There is victory of the faithful over evil. Despite the plans and intentions of man, God’s plan cannot be altered. Through steadfast faith and not through compromise will the believer receive this promise (Psalm 2:2-9). The morning star is the brightest of the stars. It tells of the end of night and the dawn of a new day. Despite the darkness, the problems, the fears, the persecution, the promise of a new day would come. These are only temporary, but the victory is forever. Jesus is our Morning Star.
5. Sardis, the church that had fallen asleep, is promised they will be “dressed in white” and their names will not be blotted out of the book of life. The white colour speaks of the righteousness of Jesus, but also of the marriage garments worn by His bride and those who attend the wedding feast who are found to be “spotless and without blemish.” Prior to coming to faith in Jesus, their cloths were dirty rags (Isaiah 64:5-6). Jesus is telling the church members to be concerned whether they are in the Book of Life rather than on the church roll. What a powerful incentive to witness about Him in the face of co-workers, friends, neighbours, family. When standing before these people, consider standing before the very throne of the Father in our confession of our testimony about Jesus. Jesus promised not to erase any overcomer’s name, this reminds us that many Christians have an obstructed view and when before the throne will hear some terrible words, “But whoever publicly disowns me will be disowned before the angels of God “ (Luke 12).
6. Philadelphia, the church that had endured patiently, is promised that they will be made pillars “in the temple of my God” and a new name will be written on them. Jesus promises to make the overcomer a pillar in God’s temple, a temple which they will never be forced to leave. This promise makes perfect sense when the continual earthquakes which rocked the earthly city of Philadelphia are considered. Instead of sleeping outside and living in fear, God’s people will be given a permanent residence with perfect peace and safety. Jesus also promises to give each of his people the name of His Father, as well as the name of the heavenly city. The idea of naming implies ownership and protection. Twice the city had been rebuilt and given a new name. The earthquake of 17AD severely damaged the city.
7. Laodicea, the church with the lukewarm faith, is promised the right to “sit with me on my throne” despite their short comings. He is telling them they must overcome their failings. They need Jesus to clothe them in white, to forget about earthly riches and focus on the purity of Jesus.

Obstructed View – Why Can’t They See? by Gary Carter: You might not be able to see if you are sitting in a baseball stadium right in front of post or behind someone holding a sign up that says, “The guy behind me can’t see!”

What do you want? To be happy, to have a happy family, to have a good job, to have enough money, to feel good/relaxed, to get your own way, to write your own contract, to be accepted/belong, to keep the peace, to know the truth, to be free, to be forgiven, to quench the burning of the soul? Why would you think you know what is best for you to want?

Many rely on the wrong authority for your answers - a parent, a partner, a respected example/mentor/coach, an author, a heritage, a religion, an experience, a feeling. Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32).

Read John 8:12-59 to quench the burning of your soul and learn who Jesus really is without an obscured view. As a young man Gary came to love the following hymn.
All my life long I had panted
For a draught from some cool spring,
That I hoped would quench the burning
Of the thirst I felt within.
Chorus: Hallelujah! I have found Him
Whom my soul so long has craved!
Jesus satisfies my longings;
Through His life I now am saved.
2. Feeding on the husks around me,
Till my strength was almost gone,
Longed my soul for something better,
Only still to hunger on.3.
3. Poor I was, and sought for riches,
Something that would satisfy,
But the dust I gathered round me
Only mocked my soul’s sad cry.
4.Well of water, ever springing,
Bread of life, so rich and free,
Untold wealth that never faileth,
My Redeemer is to me.

Communion: John the Baptist knew that Jesus was the Lamb of God who “takes away the sin of the world.” Communion or Lord’s Supper gives us an opportunity on a monthly basis to thank God for this provision. In 1 Corinthians 11:11 the Apostle Paul mentions, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood…” A covenant is a contract usually established by a sovereign. Jesus offers this new covenant. Communion is not a ritual but a time to remember Him and His offer.

Punny, I Think So! by Steve Macdonald:
Be Your Best! by X. L. Lent
Irish First Aid by R. U O’Kaye
First Step to French Fries by P. L. Spuds
Russian Noise Ban! by Nada Loud
Bad Investment by Les Riches
The Source of Electricity by Jenny Rator
Balancing Act by I. Y. Yerr
Overpopulation in Paris by Francis Crowded
In Farmer MacGregor’s Garden by Peter Abbott