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Date | Blog |
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2020/07/28 | Keep in step with GodKnowing biblical principles is essential for living the Christian life as God desires. Perhaps the most important one to learn is to obey God and leave all the consequences to Him. And alongside it is another one that’s very important—learn to wait upon God for His timing. Obeying the Lord doesn’t just include doing what He desires, but doing it when He says and how He says. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/04/10 | A different Hope and VictoryHe isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. (Matthew 28:6) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/03/27 | Adjusting to a new normalWe are living in a way we would have never imagined a couple of weeks ago. COVID-19 reminds us of our frailty and vulnerability. This is a time of great concern for everyone, it will involve suffering and many will experience the sadness of bereavement. To stop the spread of coronavirus we have gone into lockdown. We have been told to stay at home and socially distance ourselves. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/03/20 | Honouring mothersShe is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. (Proverbs 31:26-31) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/02/24 | Powerful PathwaysTrust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3:5-6) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/02/07 | Reluctant? Dull? Indifferent?We are confident that you are meant for better things, things that come with salvation. For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers. Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance. (Hebrews 6:9-12) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/01/31 | Transforming Power“Let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses. When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarrelling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” (Galatians 5:16-25) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/01/24 | The power of praying in Jesus’ nameJesus told His disciples, “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.” (John 15:16). Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/01/07 | Do you walk with God?Enoch was a man who walked with God until the Lord took him to heaven. “When Enoch was 65 years old, he became the father of Methuselah. After the birth of Methuselah, Enoch lived in close fellowship with God for another 300 years, and he had other sons and daughters. Enoch lived 365 years, walking in close fellowship with God. Then one day he disappeared, because God took him.” (Genesis 5:21-24). How can we walk with God in the way Enoch did?We must listen to God. We need to spend quality time reading His Word and talking to Him in prayer, this is how we receive guidance for our daily walk. Throughout the day we should ask God for wisdom and direction. We must trust God. We may not fully understand God’s plans or purposes, but we must always trust Him to always lead us on the right path. Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.” We might disagree with His direction and think we know a better way, but God’s Word tells us to follow God, not our own limited understanding. We must obey God. God is omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent. We need to align ourselves with His commands and precepts. If we do not obey His Word then we are not obeying Him. if we are not obeying God then we are not walking with Him. God calls us to do what He says, when He says, and how He says, without obedience, we cannot fully be followers of Christ. We must surrender our will to Him, trust His guidance, and follow Him. We must seek The Holy Spirit’s guidance. We must be committed to doing whatever God desires us to do in the power of The Holy Spirit. He will always lead us to make wise and godly decisions. We must love God. If we truly love the Lord, we will do what He says because we will desire to please and obey Him. We must forsake sin. To walk with God we need a clean heart. Whenever we sin in thought or action, we must deal with it immediately and turn from it. We must ask God to reveal any sin in our lives that is causing us to stumble, so we can forsake it and continue walking with Him and enjoying the blessings of obedience. To walk with God, we need to keep Him at the centre of our lives. Is God at the centre of everything you do, say or think? Is God at the centre of your relationships, your finances, your plans? Do you allow God to be at the centre of every area of your life? Rev. Dean Courtier |
2020/01/03 | Faith in our powerful God“It was by faith that Moses’ parents hid him for three months when he was born. They saw that God had given them an unusual child, and they were not afraid to disobey the king’s command. It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons. It was by faith that the people of Israel went right through the Red Sea as though they were on dry ground. But when the Egyptians tried to follow, they were all drowned.” (Hebrews 11:23-29) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/12/31 | As the new year approaches...“Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.” (Hebrews 10:24). Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/12/25 | God’s Plan Fulfilled in ChristChristmas is far more than trees, lights, gifts, food, and parties. It’s one of the most important events in human history. God’s plan for mankind’s salvation began with the birth of Jesus Christ. Without that, there would have been no crucifixion, no resurrection, and no hope for humanity. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/12/12 | Prophecy FulfilledAdvent helps us to remember and celebrate the amazing truth of John 3:16-17, “This is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent His Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him.” Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/11/28 | Different fulfilmentFor all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for His glory.(2 Corinthians 1:20) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/11/17 | Freedom to serve one anotherFor you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Galatians 5:13-14) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/11/01 | Freedom and responsibilityFor you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another. (Galatians 5:13-15) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/10/20 | Freedom from the penalty of sinTherefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honour beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. (Hebrews 12:1-3) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/10/13 | Different FreedomSince God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living. Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you. Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living. Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:15-23) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/09/29 | God answers prayerSo we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of His will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honour and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. We also pray that you will be strengthened with all His glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to His people, who live in the light. (Colossians 1:9-12 NLT) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/09/22 | HarvestGrowth is exciting. Gardeners and farmers tend their plants with care and watch crops closely, hoping to see them flourish at just the right time. Parents constantly monitor the development and maturing process of their children, looking out for signs of trouble and celebrating accomplishments along the way. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/09/08 | Jesus Christ is LordIf you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:-9) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/08/23 | Functional FaithHe personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/08/16 | We have ChristThe hymn “How Firm a Foundation” describes God’s purpose for our trials: “For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.” The pain and hardship we endure is meant not to crush us but to refine and shape us into Christ’s image. God alone knows how to replace ashes with a crown, and mourning with the oil of gladness (Isaiah 61:3). Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/06/23 | Passenger or participant?Over the years I’ve noticed there are Christians who go to church and listen to sermons every Sunday but have no motivation to serve God in any way. Does this describe you? Do you feel more like a passenger than an integral participant of the church you attend? Are you ignoring what Jesus has called you to do? Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/06/16 | FatherThe Old Testament provides us with many names and titles for God, the New Testament reveals Him most fully. Jesus shocked the religious leaders of His day by claiming that He had a Father/Son relationship with the God whose name they feared even to pronounce. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/05/24 | Let the children comeOne day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him But Jesus said, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” (Matthew 19:13-14) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/05/19 | What defines you?From birth and throughout life, we are defined in little boxes on forms by our origin, address, education, experience, bank account, credit score, employer, friends, race, ethnicity and religion. We are labelled one thing or another: educated or uneducated, responsible or reckless, qualified or inexperienced, young or old, shy or outgoing, too much or not enough. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/05/03 | God does not always choose our first choiceBut the Lord said to Samuel, “Don’t judge by his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/04/25 | Justified by FaithThe central theme in the books of Galatians and Romans is justification by faith. When Paul wrote these books, many early believers were emerging from a religious practice where righteousness was earned through adherence to the law. Paul stated justification by faith and justification by keeping the law are mutually exclusive. Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection covered the law so that only the believer’s faith is required. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. (Galatians 3:13-14). Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/04/21 | A different Hope and VictoryHe isn’t here! He is risen from the dead, just as He said would happen. (Matthew 28:6) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/04/05 | Are you afraid of talking about your faith?Few people enjoy conflict. We want to get along with others, it is much easier to stick to topics where we can agree, or at least pretend to agree. Does the fear of offending someone keep you from saying anything about your faith? The truth is, you might offend people. Some might take offense at their need for a Saviour or to accept Jesus as Lord. Jesus said people will be angry at His message (Luke 21:12-19). If concern for keeping things pleasant stops you from talking about Jesus, you need to examine your priorities: Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/03/29 | Adopted into God's FamilyStanding near the cross were Jesus’ mother, and His mother’s sister, Mary (the wife of Clopas), and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother standing there beside the disciple He loved, He said to her, “Dear woman, here is your son.” And He said to this disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from then on this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/03/15 | Chosen ChildrenFor those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share in His glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. (Romans 8:14-18) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/02/24 | Different Courage"Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/02/15 | What difference shines in your life?Each of us has been uniquely created, God’s plans for each of us are individually crafted as well. One thing that is common in His plan for you and for me is that God intends for our lives to make a difference. Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/01/31 | Fix your Focus on GodSo we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:18 NLT) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2019/01/20 | Action not just wordsJesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, He said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed his instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” (John 2:7-10) Rev. Dean Courtier |
2018/12/23 | The Coming KingThe Christmas season is full of activity. Sometimes we can be so busy with the shopping and celebrating that we miss the real reason for the season. Christmas is a time to celebrate both the past and the future, we remember when Jesus came into this world 2000 years ago, born as a baby, fully human and also fully God. Rev. Dean Courtier |