Pastor’s Page

The Hebrew word “Shalom” means “peace.” It carries the meaning of “soundness of health.” I like to think of it as a condition of freedom from disturbance within one’s soul. A believer can be free from disturbance within himself. God calls this state “perfect peace.”

The prophet Isaiah spoke about this in the twenty-sixth chapter of his prophecy. He said, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”   The rendering of “perfect peace” is really “peace, peace” or double peace. This two fold peace is the peace of “heart” and “mind.” Paul spoke of it in Philippians 4:7 when he said, “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.“    The perfect peace of God calms our heart and garrisons our mind. Regardless of what is happening on the outside, there can be perfect peace on the inside.  God gives us the precious assurance that peace can be realized!

I notice that the Word of God brings two conditions to light if one would experience this type of peace. The first condition is that our mind is stayed on the Lord. The second condition is that we trust in Him. Both of these denote faith–one is connected to our head and the other is connected to our heart. With our head (mind) we believe that God is the author and giver of peace and with our heart we trust Him to do it!

Notice Isaiah 26:3 once again. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.”     It begins with THOU (God) and it ends with THEE (God). In between the THOU and THEE is where we fit in! Where is your mind today? Where is your trust today? God promises to grant “perfect peace” if we will meet the conditions.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”       John 14:27

Teenagers from our youth group are now serving in the Philippine Islands through the 24th of this month. Pastor and Mrs. Phil Smith are leading our other sponsors and young people during this special missions outreach.

The first field that I visited abroad was the Philippines in 1991. Since that time our church has invested thousands of dollars in helping to reach this fruitful land. God has also brought many wonderful Filipino families into FaithWay Baptist Church. They are such a blessing to me and our ministry.

Every year we try to send our senior high youth on a missions trip. They raise their funds and our church helps towards their costs. This trip takes them further away than they have ever traveled. They will be involved in children’s ministries, soulwinning outreach, music, church services and manual labor. Join me in praying that God will use our team to be a blessing to the national pastors and ministries that they are serving. One special ministry that they will serve in is the Bayanihan Children’s Home. We financially support this work every month. This orphanage was spearheaded by Harvesters Baptist Church of Delaware, Ontario. They united with a national church in the Philippines to found this great outreach. We are glad to lend a hand in strengthening this Filipino local church ministry that has strong Canadian roots.

Pray that God will awaken in the hearts of our youth a sincere desire to follow Jesus Christ. It is always our desire that God would get their attention concerning eternal values. These types of trips help in the overall process of the Lord touching their lives.

“….God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”         Acts 10:34,35

Today we began our annual Vacation Bible School. Boys and girls in grades 1-6 are being taught the truths of God’s Word. This is being done in a fun filled environment. The excitement will build throughout the week as the two teams compete for points to help their groups. We will register a large number of children by the end of the week. Our ultimate objective is to lead the children to salvation in Jesus Christ.

I am thankful for the leadership of Pastor Van de Kemp and Pastor Bowler in the VBS work. Pastor Van de Kemp organizes the program and has a great volunteer staff making it all happen. Pastor Bowler organizes the bus transportation and this is a huge task. I appreciate all the volunteer staff that are giving of their time to serve the Lord this week. Several have taking personal time off of work to be a blessing to the work of Christ.

A ministry to children is very dear to the heart of the Lord Jesus Christ. It is a big deal to us at FaithWay Baptist Church. We count this week as one of the highlights of our church calendar. Thank you church family for loving and caring for children!

“And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me.“         Matthew 18:5

The Canadian federal government was created on July 1, 1867. The British North American Act made Canada an independent dominion of England. Since that day, Canadians have celebrated the birth and growth of this nation on July 1st. Originally called DOMINION DAY, it became known as CANADA DAY in 1962. This special day is always an opportunity to thank God for the great freedoms afforded those who call this nation their home. There is no doubt that Canada is one of the greatest places to live in all the world. For many years, the United Nations ranked it at the top of all other countries. Yet, the opportunities that wealth, health care, education, and luxury provide do not usually motivate people to seek the Lord. So this holiday is also a reminder that we need to seek the Lord’s face for the future of this country.

Although the phrase “God keep our land” is written in our national anthem, the truth remains that most Canadians do not claim a personal relationship with the God of the Bible. Since the Word of God gives the assurance that “righteousness exalteth a nation” we recognize that outside of the mercy and longsuffering of the Lord, our future is grim. God’s commitment to “keep” a nation is hinged on their “righteousness.”

I urge you to take a moment to pray for Prime Minister Harper and our key government leaders. We are instructed in 1 Timothy 2 to be serious about this part of our Christian life. According to the scripture “the king’s heart” is in the hand of the Lord. We need to get God’s attention through prayer. And yes, from Vancouver Island in the west to the coast of Newfoundland in the east, Canada is a great place to call home! Let’s offer a prayer of thanksgiving for this land!

“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”          Psalm 72:8

I don’t know how many of you are aware of a recent ruling by a Canadian judge disallowing the authority of a parent. Read a little bit and weep for this nation and for the future of responsible parenting. The judge’s perspective was that a 12 year old girl was “excessively” punished when her dad would not let her participate in a school camping trip because she had broken rules concerning the internet. Can you believe that the girl took the case to court? Can you believe she won the case?

The GLOBE AND MAIL newspaper reports, “First, the father banned his 12-year old daughter from going online after she posted photos of herself on a dating site. Then she allegedly had a row with her stepmother, so the father said his girl couldn’t go on a school trip.”

“Madam Justice Suzanne Tessier of the Quebec Superior Court ruled on Friday (June 13) that the father couldn’t discipline his daughter by barring her from the school trip.”

I read that the father is appealing the ruling. People all across Canada are outraged and rightly so. Let’s pray that “common sense” will prevail. Here we see a daughter disobeying her father and a governmental authority in our land sanctioning it! It is appalling. The Bible says, “Children obey your parents….”

Let’s be aware of the “perilous times” that we are now facing in our nation.

“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.”          Proverbs 23:22

Entering the department store, the elderly lady was startled when a band began to play! Balloons and confetti were dropped from the ceiling high above. A dignified executive stepped forward and pinned an orchid on the lady’s dress. He then handed her a crisp $100 bill. She was the store’s millionth customer. As television cameras focused in on her, a reporter asked the lady, “Why did you come to the store today?” She was startled and replied, “Actually, I’m on my way to the complaint department!”

This scene paints a vivid portrait of the way many Christians go through life. Blessed beyond measure with golden opportunities, yet more often than not, discontent with the lot God has given to them. Most are also too quick to verbalize their discontentment. This attitude is not pleasing to our God. The Bible says in Numbers 11:1, “And when the people complained, it displeased the Lord.”

When a Christian is constantly complaining, they are broadcasting to others their true spiritual condition. Their attention is on self instead of their Saviour! Their atttitude is petty instead of praise worthy! Psalm 106:21 says of Israel’s complaining, “They forgot God their Saviour, which had done great things in Egypt.”

My exhortation is for you to remember the GREAT THINGS that the Lord has done for you! I often say to our Bible college students, “Attitude is everything!”       Life is really only 10% what happens to me. It is 90% how I respond to what happens to me! Benjamin Franklin stated, “To a discontented man, no chair is easy!”      Contentment does not begin with the external circumstances but the internal attitudes. Let’s remember GOD today and then we will be grateful!

“….for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.”         Philippians 4:11

As a child I learned the chorus, “The B- I- B- L- E. Yes, that’s the Book for me. I stand alone on the Word of God. The B -I -B -L -E!” That chorus is not just a cute little song for children. The words summarize the basis of every believer’s life and destiny! I am an unashamed and unapologetic Bible believer. I believe the Bible is the sole authority in all matters of faith and practice.

Below is an outline I preached several months ago with emphasis on the Bible. Think about:

1. The FACTS of the BIBLE: The Word of God is

A. INSPIRED (2 Timothy 3:16)

B. INERRANT (Numbers 23:19)

C. INFALLIBLE (Psalm 119:105).

2. The FUNCTIONS of the Bible.

A. It POINTS us to SALVATION (2 Tim. 3:14-16; 1 Peter 1:23)

B. It PERFORMS our SANCTIFICATION (2 Tim. 3:16; 1 Peter 2:2)

C. It PREPARES us for SERVICE (2 Tim. 3:16-17; James 1:22)

3. The FOCUS of the Bible. - JESUS!

4. The FACILITATION of the Bible

A. Read it (Revelation 1:3)

B. Hear it (Romans 10:17)

C. Study it ( Exra 7:10)

D. Memorize it (Psalm 119:11)

E. Meditate on it (Psalm 1:2-3)

F. Obey it (Luke 6:46-48)

I like what the late Vance Havner said. “I am certain that the Bible is the Word of God. Either it is or it isn’t, and either all of it is the Word of God or we never can be sure of any of it. It is either absolute or obsolete. If we have to start changing this verse, toning down that, apologizing for this and making allowances for that, we might as well give up, so we must take it as it is or leave it alone.”

Let’s not take a back seat in a world that downplays the authority of Scripture. As we rally under the banner of the old rugged cross, let’s remember our “shield of faith” and our “sword of the Spirit.” Let’s be real BELIEVERS of the Bible in an unbelieving world. As “living epistles” we can make a difference for Christ.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”          Matthew 25:35

It is hard to believe that another academic year at FaithWay Baptist School is over. God blessed us with a great year. We thank the Lord for special opportunities to touch the next generation for Christ through Christian education. While parents are given the responsibility to train their chidren, God has ordained the local church to partner with them in this process. Through our church, active church members are afforded the assistance of our Christian education ministry.

This past Sunday evening we saw four young people complete their course of study. I am thankful for each one of them and I am praying that they will always have a heart for God. The blessing of watching them mature spiritually is one of the precious benefits of longevity in a particular ministry. Three of the graduates grew up under my ministry at FaithWay Baptist Church.

Thank you graduates for not only finishing your course, but for finishing well! Your sweet spirits and cooperative attitudes have been a great blessing to me. Pray for our 2008 class. Three of our grads are committed to FaithWay Baptist College of Canada.

“For I give you good doctrine, forsake not my law.”       Proverbs 4:2

I approach this special Sunday a little differently than mother’s day. I guess it’s because I not only have a father, but also because I am a father as well. My daughters are always so good to me and they are a special blessing. I am thankful that they call me “dad” and they are a wonderful gift from God!

I am also thankful for my father. He has lived in Tennessee since his retirement from General Motors. The distance between us has restricted the amount of time that we have been able to spend together. The photo with my dad was taken nearly three years ago on the occasion of his 85th birthday celebration.

As I trace the steps of my childhood, I realize the Lord truly blessed me with a Christian heritage. My dad is a believer and I never knew a Sunday growing up that we did not attend a gospel preaching Baptist church. His father was a Baptist pastor and itinerant preacher in the hills of Kentucky before his death. I have a photo of my grandfather baptizing over one hundred converts following one of his revival meetings.

On this special occasion I take a brief moment to salute my dad. I was able to visit him just a few days ago. I’m glad God gave us that time. His health has failed in recent days and your prayers for him are appreciated. He will celebrate 88 years in November if God grants him those days.

Make sure you honour your father this Sunday! You will always be glad that you were a wise son or daughter.

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”         Proverbs 23:24

Among the many attributes of Deity, there is none more beautiful than mercy! God’s mercy is love in action. It is love binding up a wound or drying a tear stained face. It is love forgiving the one who crowned you with thorns and praying for the one who nailed you to the cross. Our God is a God of mercy!

The prophet Jeremiah gives insight to God’s mercy in his Lamentations. I do not wonder why few people read the Lamentations of Jeremiah. The book begins with a moan, it ends with a sigh, while rivers of tears run through its chapters. Yet nestled right in the heart of the book, couched in the center, we hear the prophet proclaim, “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.” It is easy to believe in a merciful God when Jerusalem sits as a queen among the cities of the earth. It is another thing, perhaps a greater thing, to believe in a merciful Father when Jerusalem is trodden down by strangers and your sons are carried away into captivity. Yet the prophet believes that God was still reaching out to His people in mercy. He calls attention to God’s mercies so that we will believe! God’s mercies are new every morning! This is a powerful and precious promise.

I want to encourage you today to embrace what is happening in your life as mercies from God. We generally find in the package the thing that we seek. If sickness comes, if loss comes, if disappointment comes, do not say, “Why?” or “What did I do?” Simply ask, “What new mercy has God got wrapped up in this strange parcel for me?” Do not be deceived by the coarseness of the wrapping. Time is a great factor in the working out of God’s plans.

As Jerusalem was burning, there was another fire burning in Jeremiah’s heart that turned his attention to the mercies of a loving Heavenly Father. Notice what he said in Lamentations 3:31,32 - “For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies.”

Let’s turn our thoughts today to the God of mercy and claim His precious promises that are new every morning!

“O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”        Psalm 136:1