Heartland News & Prayer

January 29, 2012 by Wendy Carter.

Hi there!

“… for death is the destiny of every man; the living should take this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2

I often say when sending out a sympathy card after someone’s loved one has passed away that death is a very unwelcome visitor. This past Thursday my neighbour greeted me from her side of the road as we were entering our houses at the same time. Ten minutes later she was at my door to say that it wasn’t looking good. The fire engine, three ambulances and three police cars on our street confirmed a crisis. She had found her husband lying on the floor near his bed and she couldn’t wake him up. An hour later she was told after much work by the paramedics that they could not resuscitate him and that he had died. No last minute words of farewell; he was just gone. Death is so final and those without hope their grief is agonizing. Please pray for my neighbour, her daughter and granddaughter who will terribly miss their “poppa.”

Good news – Richard and his gang in Myanmar were able to sell almost $6000 or 35,000 bricks this past week. Bad news – his lender on his property decided to reneg on the loan as promised and took half of their property. There is no protection in this society for such action. The debt is now paid but next step to house 50 children plus staff plus brick-making business is the question. Maybe they can rent/purchase land from their neighbour.

Happy birthday to Steve Macdonald who is celebrating this Tuesday. Thanks so much for all your study on Revelations to our benefit. Lots of figuring out being done by our whole church.

Pray for Heather Macdonald as she considers various options for life after high school. Brandon Spears continues to look for part-time work while going to school.

Home Group happens again this Thursday at the Burtons’ new home at 7:00 p.m.

Apologies to those who checked out Sara Burton’s book From the Couch to the Stage (www.tothestage.info) and inherited a virus. Gary will work on his websites this week to get rid of those nasty bugs.

Happy Ground Hog Day on Thursday!

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.

Renovations by Gary Carter: Gary has been installing a new shower stall in the Burton house for Ron Burton and has had to correct his thinking several times particularly when he has only measured once and then cut once coming up short. He should have measured at least twice before cutting copper piping/a 2×4/whatever. Can you think of any Bible verses to remind you to measure properly? How about Jesus’ parable about building a tower and counting the cost or building on a solid rock foundation versus sand? We are all prone to make mistakes without second chances or do-overs like the movie, Groundhog Day. Someone has suggested to figure out 6 major issues you want to see accomplished in your life this year. Maintenance is necessary but if you clear away these items faster you can get to the other, maybe more important items. Figure out the cost, live by it and count every day special.

Conversations with Jesus – Peace Applied Correctly (Luke 12:49-53; Matthew 10:34-36) by Chris Burton: Jesus and His disciples have been on the road for a while and there have been harsh discussions with the Pharisees e.g. “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!” (Luke 12:49). He didn’t come to make peace but division. He probably felt the constraint on His life knowing that He had the power within to wipe everything clean but couldn’t until He did what God had assigned Him to do.

But what about all the Christmas songs, hymns, Christian literature that talks about His “kind and peaceful nature” (Matthew 9:49-50; Luke 2:13-15; 7:49-50; John 20:20-22; Acts 10:36)? Which is true? How do these passages link with, “Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace. He did come so that we might have peace for in the Gospel of John He says: “I have come so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have troubles, but take heart, I have overcome the world.” He is not giving out two different messages. There may be moments of “peace on earth”. We may be “at peace” and “content” most of the time. But while here on earth it won’t last while Satan is in charge. As long as we live in this broken world where Satan and human sinfulness exists, we will see division and conflict.

We see it everywhere. The Christian message, although loving and peaceful, receives attacks from this world (particularly in Myanmar!). This conflict will continue until Jesus comes again and reigns over a new heaven and a new earth.

Knowing our belief in Christ will bring about division, what should we do? We stay on the narrow path! We remain loving and peaceful no matter how we are treated. We let the light of Christ’s love shine through us for the world to see the difference/ contrast. We don’t do as our neighbour / enemies do. We are called to love our enemies, go the extra mile, turn the other cheek, love and forgive others as Jesus has. “But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed!” In our own way we have our own “Baptism” to undergo. We may not be constrained but we need to show restraint when dealing with those around us. Perhaps that is where the “peace” comes in.

Revelation (Part 14 – Revelation 7:3-8) by Steve Macdonald: In this passage we learn about the 144,000 from the various tribes of Israel that were sealed. So who are the 144,000?  Are they Jehovah Witnesses?  Are they converted Jews?  Is it a literal number?  Is it Jew and Gentile? John gives us every detail necessary to identify this group. Since he says, “from every tribe of the sons of Israel“, there should be no question about the identity of these people. “Every tribe of the sons of Israel”, in relation to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the Old Testament occurs over 50 times. John is writing to the 7 churches; there is no need to use symbolism. John is giving a depiction of God’s mercy to a divinely chosen remnant of Israel. Or is he?

When we compare the tribes listed by John to those listed by Moses what is happening?
Where’s Dan (Judges 18:30-31)? Are none of Dan’s descendents bound for heaven because of their idolatry? Why should Reuben be exempt after his behaviour (Genesis 35:22)? Each of these sons at times were equally as lacking in character as these two. Who’s Manasseh (Genesis 41:50-52)? How could John mess up the list so badly?

Are there other reasons why the 144,000 cannot be considered as literally tribes of Israel (2 Kings 17:6). The Israelites sinned, worshiped idols, got in union with the Assyrians. What are the possibilities that there are any pure line, pure blood sons of Israel today? What is John trying to reveal to us through his vision and what he has been told? If not a literal meaning for sons of Israel, if not Jehovah Witnesses, if not converted Jews and Gentiles, is John trying to give us a spiritual message? Is this a picture of what has happened and what will be occurring through references to the Old Testament (Genesis 29:31-33)? By adding a few words to the meaning of the names of the Israel sons, John is telling us that, “I will praise the Lord (Judah) for He has looked on me (Reuben) and granted good fortune (Gad). Happy am I (Asher) because my wrestling (Naphtali). (God) is making me to forget (Manasseh). God hears me (Simeon) (and is) joined to me (Levi). (He has) purchased me (Issachar) a dwelling (Zebulun). God will add to me (Joseph) (the) Son of His right hand (Benjamin).”

Is it literally sons of Israel or a special message to all who believe? How about the reassurance we are given in knowing that despite the terrible things that will be unleashed, the damage to the earth, sea and trees, our God is still in control. He controls the winds. He can make sure nothing happens until the right time - His time. Everything will be in order; every person He has called will be protected. God is protecting His chosen people by placing His mark on them - His seal (Exodus 12:23).

So you can get all caught up in who the 144,000 are or what they symbolize. You can lose yourself in deciphering secret messages according to a name’s placement. You can decide that there is only enough room for 144,000 saints in heaven. Or you can read the Gospel, listen to what Jesus tells us and believe that He is telling us the Truth (John 10:1-16). He protects us now and in the future. He is in complete control of everything -
the weather, the land, the sea, the heavens, the angels, the demons. Is He in control of your life? Have you received the seal of approval?

Me, Myself & I by Gary Carter: Life is not about believing in God; it’s about your relationship with Him and His Son He sent. Even the devils believe in God and tremble. Here are three questions for you with Biblical answers:

1. In what ways is Jesus Lord?

Jesus is God: “yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.” 1 Corinthians 8:6
Jesus is the Creator and Sustainer of the Universe: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” Genesis 1:1
Jesus receives worship: “Let all the angels of God worship Him” Hebrews 1:6
Jesus is Our Owner: “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s” Romans 14:9
Jesus is Our Judge: “For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ” Romans 14:10
Jesus is the Victor: “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57
Jesus is Our Master: “For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.” 1 Corinthians 7:22-23

2. What if I don’t believe Jesus is Lord?

Judgment is coming:

“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment, so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews 9:27-28

“And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books. … and each person was judged according to what they had done.” Revelation 20:12-13

Hell is sure:

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:40
“Say to them, ‘As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign LORD, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that they turn from their ways and live. Turn! Turn from your evil ways! Why will you die, people of Israel?’” Ezekiel 33:11

3. What if I don’t live with Jesus as Lord?

Rebellion Is Serious:

“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the LORD, he has rejected you as king.” 1 Samuel 15:22-2

Rewards will not be granted: “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6

Loss of being fully rewarded:

“Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” 1 John 2:8
Rewards can be burned up:

“By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work. If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Do the best you can with what God has given you. He has given us His son Who is all that He said He would be. He is our Balm in Gilead, our Rose of Sharon, our Lion of Judah, our Saviour. Little things don’t matter but we won’t have any second chances.

Punny or Not, Here They Are! by Steve Macdonald:
Greeting Sheep Strangers  by Hugh R. Ewe
Hertz, Don’t It? by Lisa Carr
Hopelessly Lost  by Werz D. Eggzit
I Need Insurance  by Justin Case
I Was A Teenage Werewolf  by Harry Boddy
In The Trenches  by Helmut Wearer
Interior Decorating b Curt Enrod
Jaws  by Tay Kabite
Late for Work Dr. Wages

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