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What Would Jesus Say to Churches Today?
By Dan Delzell, Christian Post Contributor
If Jesus walked into your church this weekend, what do you think He would say? Would He primarily affirm the good things going on, or would the bulk of our Lord's comments likely be corrective in nature? In reality, His words would probably include both affirmations and corrections. That's at least the way He did it with seven churches at the end of the first century.
The revelation which our Lord gave the apostle John on the island of Patmos was instructive and insightful on multiple levels. Seven churches in seven cities of Asia Minor were each given a special letter from Christ, and each letter addressed issues going on in that particular church.
Imagine a parent, for example, writing seven different letters to seven different children. Each letter would obviously address things unique to that child. Likewise, Jesus loved each of the seven churches because these were people for whom He died. And each church needed to hear words from their Lord which "comforted the afflicted" and "afflicted the comfortable."
That is to say, those who were faithfully facing pressure received much encouragement from Christ, while those who were coddling sin received a stern rebuke. After all, that is how love operates in a family and in God's church. And no one is more loving than Jesus with His people.
These seven letters have amazing relevance for Christians today. The teaching and behavior exhibited in those first century churches continues to surface today in one way or another. The heart of man has basically remained the same, and the temptations faced by Christian disciples have not really changed. While the exact details differ from one century to the next, the spiritual struggles remain very similar.
For this reason, we can apply these seven letters today wherever Christians gather around God's Word and sacraments. The true church of Jesus Christ has been in existence ever since our Lord first started calling disciples to follow Him. And the insights gleaned from these seven letters have guided an untold number of churches and Christians into greater faithfulness to Christ.
Go to and read the entire article: What Would Jesus Say to Churches Today? | Opinion News (christianpost.com)
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What Is Peace?
peacewithgod.net
So many people strive for one thing more than any other—peace. The reason they seek it is because there’s no lasting comfort or freedom in their lives. It’s like they are always unsettled. The Bible defines peace primarily in three ways.
- Psychological peace, the comfort within.
- Relational peace, harmony among humanity.
- Spiritual peace, which is between God and man.
The Bible outlines how sin damages or wipes out all three types of peace. When God created man, he was at peace with God, himself, and everyone else. However, that peace was lost when he turned against God. Peace can be restored, but we can’t do it alone. God provided a way.
Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, was sent to our world to take away our sins. He did so by allowing Himself to be crucified, and it was that sacrifice that made it possible for us to have peace again—peace within ourselves, peace with each other and peace with God.
After Jesus died on the cross, He came back to life. That demonstrated Jesus is God, but also made it clear He desires for everyone to have perfect peace. “For He Himself is our peace, … and He came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near” (Ephesians 2:14-17).
Jesus empowers each of us to overcome every type of sin. No matter how difficult your situation feels, Christ can break through it. But you must first acknowledge your sin and commit to Jesus, then you can have perfect peace and know its meaning.
Jesus said, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me” (John 16:33). To have peace, you must know the One who can give it.
Past Articles
First Baptist Church Wants Rezoning of Former Milk Plant
Smoky Lake Town Council – February 5, 2014
by Bernie Heinz, Smoky Lake Signal, February 12, 2014
Council chambers overflowed with a contingent of 21 supporters from the Baptist Church, with some of the delegation having standing room only in the lobby of the Town office.
The Church completed the purchased the old milk plant after Council had previously given first reading (Dec 4/13) to rezone the lands from industrial to institutional. This was based on the assumption that second and third reading were to be given after the purchase was complete.
It was done this way since the land owner did not want the property rezoned to institutional if the sale did not materialize. If the sale did not go through, Council could then defeat second reading and the rezoning would be dead.
Mayor Brousseau thanked the delegation for attending and said, "We asked you to come to fill us in as to what's happening with the site, what's going on, so our decision will be easy to make."
Dwight Pritchard, Chair of the Leadership Team, spoke on behalf of the group. "Basically, what we would like to do is put forward the benefits that we feel what we're doing there with the old milk plant (to renovate into a church building) and future considerations for a community type centre, or things that would benefit the community."
"Some things in our vision - first off -renovate the big warehouse part as a worship centre that will seat approximately 350 people. Other things we would like to see happen (and we are open to suggestions) is a daycare centre. We are definitely going to develop a gym for a teen walk in centre (floor hockey to concerts for the youth). We also plan to put in an industrial kitchen so we can have a banquet facility -even meeting rooms for groups that want to have meetings (example Chamber of Commerce) or whoever."
Pritchard emphasized that .they want to develop it as a community centre as opposed to just a church. He also stated that "It is not going to happen overnight! We will develop a bit at a time. We are excited about it and we know the community is too. We plan to sell the existing church property and parking lot and take that revenue and pour it into the new building. But, also, we want to dispel any concerns or misinformation you may have."
Councillor Mykitiuk asked Pritchard about the timeline of the project and Pritchard responded, "We hope to be using part of it by fall time. It all depends on how fast we can raise funds."
Councillor Palechuk told the delegation, "We have been hearing rumors in the community, so we really appreciate you coming to talk to us." Palechuk expressed concern over the loss of tax base to the Town, upon rezoning, as only the daycare area would be taxed. "However, that property has been sitting empty forever."
Pritchard acknowledged the loss of tax base, "However, it will be an asset. Even to the businesses locally. There is always the possibility of conventions, where people come from all over the province and western Canada, and that definitely will put money into the community. Local businesses will benefit."
Councillor Palechuk, regarding the banquet facility, "A personal caution...we have the Ukrainian National Hall, and there is a skeleton crew of us working, and it is really difficult to get people to pay the price you need to keep the facility going. Between the Complex and ourselves, we always seem to be under booked."
As there are usually about 100 people at the service, the delegation indicated that they "need a fellowship area for coffee and lunch after service. We would do the kitchen for our own use anyhow"
CAO Harvey Prockiw indicated to the delegation that "There are two parcels. Actually, lots 16 and 17 have been consolidated on one title and then there is the vacant lot on lot 18. Are you opposed to having that vacant parcel on the south side rezoned from industrial to institutional?"
Helen Axford responded, "It is all part and parcel of the church. We want it all to be institutional. It was on those grounds that we purchased it. As far as losing the tax base, it might be a loss for about a year, but we have all the confidence we are going to bring in new life with the church. Things like the pumpkin festival -if people want to park their cars there or just take time away from the busy rush. We want to be there, available for the community. So, it might look like it's a $10,000.00 loss every year, but it's really nothing. It's going to be an asset to our community. So, for the parking lot, we would like it to be institutional as well, as it is part and parcel of the church."
Council motioned for second and third reading on the rezoning and both motions carried.