Religious Freedom in Canada

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Isn’t it wonderful that we are able to go to church every week without condemnation, have the ability to freely praise and worship, and can pray when we want, how we want, and to Whom we want? Though we may not recognize such blessings day to day, they should not be taken for granted. Such advantages, people in other countries have to fight for, hide from, and risk their lives to do. We are truly fortunate to be living in Canada. This upcoming weekend, as we go to celebrate Canada Day, let us be exceptionally thankful for such blessings. Canada Day is a day which remembers when our country was first able to make its own laws, determine its own rights, and be independent of any other nation. Canada was also founded on Christian principles. Take for example, Canada’s official Coat of Arms, which bears the Latin writing, “A mari usque ad mare” which literally means, “From sea to sea”, a phrase that was taken from Psalm 72.8: “He shall have dominion from sea to sea.” This is a perfect reminder that Canada, just like every other motherland in the world, has a Father and King who rules over all His people. Zechariah 14:9 says, “The Lord will be King over the whole earth. On that day there will be one Lord, and His name the only name.” What a glorious day it will be when Jesus returns and takes us home! Blessings to everyone; let’s be thankful for our privilege to be at church on Sabbath!

Why do we come to church?

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Do you ever wonder why we come to church? We may come for many reasons, like the social network, the fellowship, the music, even the food! However, hopefully, we are coming because of the teaching of the Word and, above all, to worship! It’s a call to worship! What’s your calling in life? What are we called to do for God? We are called to serve Him. In whatever way, capacity, or corner, we can represent Him. Oswald Chambers writes, “God did not direct His call to Isaiah — Isaiah overheard God saying, ‘… who will go for us?’ The call of God is not just for a select few but for everyone. Whether I hear God’s call or not depends on the condition of my ears, and exactly what I hear depends upon my spiritual attitude.” Our attitude towards God is in direct proportion to the condition of our heart. God calls us to be the best in what we find ourselves to do (Eccl. 9:10). Martin Luther King says it quite aptly, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets as Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job.’” So, what will you do? What’s your calling today? Where will you serve God?

Stuck in Traffic?

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Think about when you were last stuck in traffic. Were you angry you were late, sad you were delayed, or upset your schedule was pushed back? Worse than being stuck in traffic is being stuck spiritually. Has your faith dwindled to embers of complacency? Do you feel the fire is extinguished? The passion dissipated? You’re not alone. Many people experience this feeling. At this point, we need spiritual CPR or spiritual booster cables to re-ignite that faith to burn again. Your faith is not for you alone; it’s to be shared with others. But if you don’t have a fire in your soul that burns with passion for God, you’ll lack the power to proclaim the Gospel as He calls you to do. Pray for God to help you see yourself as He sees you. When you have the humility to recognize that you must depend on God to do anything that matters, the confidence to recognize that God made you in His image (Genesis 1:26) for great purposes, and the understanding that He deeply loves you, then you’ll be free to live in ways fuelled by a burning passion to follow where God leads you. The Bible says, the “love of Christ constrains us…” (2 Corinthians 5:14). May God’s love for you re-ignite a burning passion and compel us to live for Him and serve Him, because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

Summer is Just Around the Corner

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Summer is just around the corner and we certainly appreciate the good weather. This season makes us feel happy, warm, and perhaps energized to get up and get going. However, for some the season may indicate a desire to get things done but may feel inert, incapable, and incapacitated. Have you ever felt that way? Have you felt that you want to do something but can’t seem to find the power to accomplish it? Have you felt setback by circumstances, hindered by the past and hampered by life? Have you ever met someone who is a chronic complainer, a non-stop whiner, and perennial pessimist? I heard someone once remark, “If I had a penny for every time someone said to me ‘You don’t know my circumstances’ I would be able to pay for my dream trip to Bora Bora.” You’re not alone! Many people feel that life has dealt them a bad hand and may blame themselves or others for their present situation. However, God reminds us that “with men this is impossible, but with Him, all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). God can take your worst and make it better or turn circumstances around so that obstacles become opportunities. I heard a quote that read, “God never gives you a dream that matches your budget; He’s not checking your bank account, He’s checking your faith!” So what do you have to give? What’s holding you back? Stop sitting around – rise up and walk by faith!