A lot of people are disappointed with God. And the reason is simply because God did not perform as they had believed he would/should. Is that you? Perhaps it is not God’s fault, but that you have misunderstood faith. When you step out in faith, it better be a sure thing! One might argue, if it is a sure thing, then it isn’t faith. Ah, that is a misunderstanding of Faith. Sometimes I hear of that we ought to have “blind faith.” I would suggest that blind faith is often presumption which frequently results in pain, disappointment and personal loss. However, when one operates in faith (without knowing all the details) we can be confident of success.

So just how do you do this? One of the safe guards for us is to differentiate between a general promise of God’s word and a specific word from God for a particular situation.

A number of years ago, Jack (not his real name) confidently declares that God has called him to go on a mission trip with me. I ask him how he will finance this mission. He says, God will supply all his needs, because that is what the Bible says. True, the scripture teaches that God is our resource and will meet all your needs. But this is a general principle and not necessarily a specific one for one’s desire to visit a foreign country on a mission trip. The story ended with the Jack not receiving enough funds and so he had to pay for it on his credit card. This resulted in deep confusion and financial hardship for Jack.

One could easily insert into this story other scenarios, like ‘God told me to start a business, a ministry, marry someone in particular, all citing God’s general promise of success, only to have their dreams dashed in awful failure.  The problem is not God or the surety of God’s promises. The problem lies in the presumption that God has to bless me.

If you have struggled with this, or acted in presumption and would like to share your story with me, I would be pleased. I would keep it confidential of course, unless you indicated otherwise.

This Sunday, I will be teaching on this subject laying out the three concepts that have to be in place for your “faith” to achieve the desired results. I could tell you here, but then you might not come on Sunday. Okay, if you live in San Diego or some other far off spot like Haiti, you are exempt. The sermons at KCF are on line at our website each Tuesday following the past Sunday.

Growth Groups

For those that are interested in following along with the sermon study, but are not able to come out to Growth Groups on Thursday evenings, we invite you to visit our website and click on the Growth Group tab.  There you will find the study questions.  Here are the direct link for your convenience.

http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/images/2018-01/living-faith---what-does-jesus-say-about-faith.pdf

http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com/dat/?w=kcf-sermons

People from the KCF congregation are meeting on Thursday evenings for Growth Groups to grow deeper with God and each other.  These groups are now full and will run until March 15^th. 

The next group start-up will be April 5^th.    

If you are interested in joining or have questions, just contact the office.

International Dinner

We are partnering with Rotary to host the International Dinner which will be held Thursday, Feb 8, 5:30pm at Mary Hall, Selkirk College.  They money raised will go towards a teacher at Haiti Arise and towards food security in Nelson, namely Our Daily Bread and Polio Eradication. 

Tickets are available at the KCF office.  $50 per ticket (includes 20 dollar tax receipt).

KCF will be contributing a Pasta Basket to be auctioned off at the dinner.  We are welcoming quality items – all things Pasta and pasta related to be put in this awesome basket.  Items can be dropped off at the KCF office.

Our Daily Bread

Most days at ODB, quality donated fresh vegetables and fruit as well as bread etc. is available to take home for free. Firstly, we welcome you to come and select from this abundance of food. Secondly, people often require plastic bags to take this food home in, and so we have an ongoing need for plastic bags.  If you have extra plastic bags that are overflowing in your closet or cupboard, please keep ODB in mind and drop them off anytime during our open hours or on Sunday mornings.

S.H.A.R.E. Nelson

S.H.A.R.E. is accepting and receiving donations and new items are being put out for sale every day. If you would like to volunteer at S.H.A.R.E. we currently have great ministry opportunities.  Call the store at 250.352.1222 or stop by the store to inquire.  Click on this link to check out S.H.A.R.E.’s video! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aZX9v7gxdM

Calendar of Events

• International Dinner, Thursday, Feb 8, 5:30pm at Mary Hall, Selkirk College - Tickets at KCF office.
• Growth Groups, Thursday at 6:45 – 8:30pm, registration required.
• Bright Lights for Kids K to Grade 4, Tuesdays, 3:30 – 5pm at KCF.
• Junior Youth for ages 11 – 15.  Fridays, 4pm – 5:30pm at KCF. 

Visit our website at http://www.kootenaychristianfellowship.com for all the news, sermons, and places to donate.

Pastor Jim

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January 25, 2018