No Quick Fixes… Invest in Jesus!
The Internet is full of quick fixes targeted at your own specific needs or desires. It is interesting that after turning 50 my Facebook and other feeds have been full of self improvement, fitness schemes to get me looking ‘better than ever’… I almost wonder if the camera on my phone is always on and they are watching me eating just one more Tim Horton’s doughnut? Perhaps they are?? At any rate, app after app promises instant success; military fitness plans, Tai Che plans for over 50’s, chair work out programs that I can do from the comfort of my home… all promising almost instant results, “do this and you’ll be as fit as me in one month” says some ripped guy walking along a beach. The algorithms know exactly who you are and what you are into, language apps promise fluency in 30 days - and depending on who you are and what you are into, I am sure you have tailored advertisements just for you too. Maybe, there is a knitting app, or investment app, or sports app, etc. reaching out to you right now, promising quick results for minimal effort, and if the rest of you are anything like me, you’ve probably tried quite a number of them!! It’s good to laugh at ourselves from time to time.
The problem with all of these schemes is… there is no quick fix! Making significant changes to our lives or intellect or skills or health takes significant amounts of investment. Many of these ads don’t tell you that part because that wouldn’t sell and most people just wouldn’t want it. We often want the instant fix without the effort, without the sacrifice.
But, if we want to grow, if we want to become an expert or proficient at anything, whether it is a sport, or fitness goal, or language learning, we have to commit and we have to not quit! It is as simple as that! This is the real secret of growth that most schemes don’t want to emphasize.
Jesus was clear and upfront wasn’t he: “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.” Ouch! “Couldn’t you put it in a nicer way than that Jesus? We are trying to be your disciples!” Okay… try another, “So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:33). Hmmmmm… And to the rich young ruler who wanted the end goal of eternal life, maybe hoping for an easy option… Jesus said to him, “...go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.” In other words, Jesus put his finger on the real treasure of this young man’s life and said, this goal that you are after is going to cost you, you have to choose what you are going to put first… and he went away sad because he had great possessions. He didn’t want to significantly invest in something that would have actually been far better for him. He didn’t want the cost.
And so it is for us with following Jesus, yes the cost for our salvation, for us being right with God has been paid for by Jesus himself, but if we want to follow him, Jesus makes no qualms about this, it will cost us everything. And yet we will gain everything! And as we saw last week, he promises us the power to live differently through the Holy Spirit.
This Sunday we are talking about investing our lives in Jesus. He has won us, we are his, the price is paid in full. But if we want to follow him, if we want to grow in him, if we want to be used by him, it will take an investment of our time and of our lives. There are things that we do that will grow our relationship with him, just as we grow our relationship with anyone important to us: We spend time with them; we listen to them; we pay attention to their words; we remember what they have said; we share words of love with them; we enjoy just being in their presence. In marriage, you don’t just sign a piece of paper and say a few words and that’s it, done! No, you invest your lives together. And so it is in our walk with Jesus, we give ourselves to him. The end result is so, so, so, worth it, but there are no quick fixes, we have to invest our lives in him.
Love to all,
Andrew
(pastor/team leader at Kootenay Christian Fellowship)
Communion Sunday
This Sunday, we will have communion, so if you are joining us online, be prepared at home with some grape juice and bread as we share in this special time together.
Spring Ahead 1 Last Time!
It’s that time to set the clocks ahead 1 hour before bed on Saturday.
Multi Church Gathering
The next Gathering will be Friday, March 27, 7pm at KCF. Remember to bring some goodies to share.
Resurrection Sunday
Consider inviting friends and family and join us Sunday, April 5, 8:45am for a delicious Pancake and Sausage Breakfast. Afterwards, we will have a celabratory Sunday gathering.
Watch for the food sign up sheet on upcoming Sundays.
Empowered to Witness Training Conference – Salt and Light
May 13 to 16 (Wed to Sat), Vancouver, BC
Registration Required.
Family Camp
This year Family Camp will be held at Kokanee Park Aug 21-23. Save the dates!
Tithes and Offerings
For those who are wanting to support our Church with offerings, it can be done by etransfer to office@kcfoffice.com, through our website via PayPal, or by calling in to the office with a credit card or mailing in your cheque. Thank you for your continued giving to the church with your tithes and generous offerings.
The Lookout
The Lookout space for our vibrant children’s ministry is now being used! A big thank you to all who have contributed time and resources to make this happen.
There remains a need for financial support. You can help and leave a legacy for generations to come. Please consider financial donations of any amount. Please etransfer to office@kcfoffice.com or provide a cheque or cash at the office marked children. Thank you.
Celebrate Recovery
For anyone with Hurts, Hang ups or Habits.
A Christ-centered 12 Step Recovery Program
Are you ready to embark on a journey of real and lasting change?
Tuesdays, 7pm at the Lookout, 520 Falls Street.
Inquiries to Calvin – spring.10@hotmail.com
Food Bank
Our Food Bank is in regular operation every Thursday from 9 to 11am!
We are always accepting donations of non-perishable food items, so feel free to drop items off that have been lingering in your cupboards.
Volunteers are needed Thursdays from 8:30 – 11:10am. If you are interested or would like more information, please contact Tyler Bethune at odb@odboffice.com.
Our Daily Bread
If God is leading you to help someone not be hungry, to have a safe place to go for community, and to experience the love of God, please consider Volunteering or sending Our Daily Bread a financial gift today.
Etransfer: odb@odboffice.com
Here is a video link that captures the heart of ODB. We hope you can take a moment to click on the link and watch it. We also invite you to share this link everywhere. https://youtu.be/BNJbNrIdQkY?si=I5Yip9tu08MoYKvf
Anne-Marie Rasmussen – Administrator
E-transfers to office@kcfoffice.com
Kootenay Christian Fellowship520 Falls Street (1/2 Block up from Baker Street)Nelson, BC V1L 6B5