23) * CREATION CALLS

Fred McConnell

Brothers and Sisters = (Brethren)


Please forgive me for posting late. There is a video which comes with this message. Please look for it if it isn’t above or below this message that you may view it before proceeding with this message. The video is Creation Calls.
I’ve listed these paragraphs as 2 and 3 for a reason. I’ll explain below.


Paragraph 2: Before we begin, I would ask all to quiet themselves a few moments that we may offer a prayer in unity. In order to quiet ourselves we must push everything else away and concentrate upon what is the most important matter in our lives. It is our Lord and our salvation. They go hand in hand and we must as our Lord tells us in His Word to come out of the world and let go of the things of the world, that we may correctly perceive our Lord’s Word. Work today, kids today, shopping today, school today, pay the bills, have an important thing to do today, and the list goes on and on. Let’s forget such things and concentrate on why we’re here. We are here to share some quality time with our Lord.


Paragraph 3: Let our beloved Lord then lead us in our prayer of unity. I’m sure all know His prayer and can speak it verbatim, but let us look at our bible in Matthew 6:5-15, so we also add to our prayer those things that go hand in hand with His prayer. You can also add whatever matters you want to add to His prayer. It’s as when we pray over our food giving thanks, we know that all things are made clean and good by His Word and prayer. Everyone sharing in this message today will all pray the same prayer, thus in our prayer we have unity with our Lord and one another.


TODAY’S MESSAGE: LET US WALK HAND IN HAND TOGETHER AS ONE


What I want to share with everyone today is in regards to the church guidelines which I believe all new members have received a copy. If not, they can be viewed at our church website. They are important as our Lord set them before us as we begin to set up His church. He did so that we maintain harmony and order and not have chaos. The guidelines set each day’s event, whether sermon, worship, posting praises, prayer, fellowship, etc. If we read carefully to understand the guidelines and follow them, we are all doing everything according to His Will and not doing things our way. In this same mindset there are other matters we need to attend to and adhere to that we maintain harmony, order, and unity in our fellowship.


These matters have to do with our perception of God’s Word. This is the main topic of my discussion. It is pertinent that we listen to our Lord’s words carefully. Using our eyes to see His written words, but also training our ears to listen along also, and taking His words to heart to contemplate His word and discern it correctly.


Contemplate (to think about something seriously and at length, especially in order to understand it more fully). Let’s try it with the following scripture.


Luke 8:18 Take heed therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.


Read it again and contemplate the scripture within your heart to perceive what it is really saying. I see our Lord as saying hear my words, discern them correctly, and you will receive more. (Discern is to see or notice something that is not very clear or obvious.)


It is true that most people today do not read to contemplate understanding of what they are reading. Especially in this world today, if we are all caught up in the world and its things, the cares and the worries, our minds are everywhere else. Do you the reader, remember what I had said above in the 2nd and 3rd paragraph in regards to our prayer. If you don’t remember, let’s look at the paragraphs again.


Paragraph 2
Before we begin, I would ask all to quiet themselves a few moments that we may offer a prayer in unity. In order to quiet ourselves we must push everything else away and concentrate upon what is the most important matter in our lives. It is our Lord and our salvation. They go hand in hand and we must as our Lord tells us in His Word to come out of the world and let go of the things of the world, that we may correctly perceive our Lord’s Word. Work today, kids today, shopping today, school today, pay the bills, have an important thing to do today, and the list goes on and on. Let’s forget such things and concentrate on why we’re here. We are here to share some quality time with our Lord.


That is what I said above, now let’s contemplate it with our heart as to what is the most important matter in our lives in paragraph 2 as follows:


We are here to share some quality time with our Lord. We take the most important matter in our lives, which is our Lord and our salvation; they go hand and hand, and close out the world, its cares and worries and its things.


In this same mindset, let’s take a closer look at our prayer in paragraph 3, which I listed in the 3rd paragraph above, but I will list below what is most important in what I had said.


Let our beloved Lord then lead us in our prayer of unity. I’m sure all know His prayer and can speak it verbatim, but let us look at our bible in Matthew 6:5-15, so we also add to our prayer those things that go hand in hand with His prayer. You can also add whatever matters you want to add to His prayer.


Let’s look again in our bible at the scripture in Matthew 6:5-15.


Our Lord’s prayer is shown in verses 9 to 13. But the verses that were listed were 5 to 15. We need to look at verses 5 to 8 and 14 and 15. In verses 5 to 8, our Lord is telling us how to pray correctly. In verses 14 and 15, Jesus is telling us to be forgiven we must always forgive others.


These scriptures are those things that go hand in hand with our prayer. These scriptures are important to discern and in keeping them, our prayer is right with God. We go into our closet (some place quiet as a bedroom) shut off the world and pray to our Father which is in secret. We also truly forgive others, thus our Father forgives us. If we don’t keep His Word, which are those things which go hand in hand with our prayer, then why should our Father hear our prayer.


Now that we have the mindset keeping the world, its cares and worries, and its things out of the way, let’s look at Luke 8:18 again.


Take heed therefore how you hear: for whoever has, to him shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have.
Now let’s look at those things that go hand in hand with Luke 8:18.


Luke 8:14-17 And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience. No man, when he has lighted a candle, covers it with a vessel, or puts it under a bed; but sets it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light. For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.


To discern correctly the scripture Luke 8:18 is to bear the fruit of His Holy Spirit and let your light shine so that others may see your light. This will negate the other part of Luke 8:18 which says and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even that which he seems to have. What is it that you seem to have, but do not really have?


Let’s not fool ourselves. Let us keep His Word and our prayers will be heard and answered in accordance with His Will. Thus we will have unity. Oneness with our Lord and our Father, and our brothers and sisters who keep His Word also.


Why we need to bear the fruit of His Holy Spirit. Gospel John 15:1-7


The Fruit of His Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23


2Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what partnership does righteousness have with unrighteousness? and what fellowship has light with darkness? And what harmony has Christ with Belial? or what does he who believes have in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? for we are the temple of the living God; as God has said, I will live in them, and walk among them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore, come out from among them, and be separate, says the Lord, and do not touch the unclean thing; and I will welcome you, And will be a Father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.


Brethren, I hope I didn’t lose any of you along the way in this message. It is given to force you to think, contemplate, and meditate upon God’s Word with prayer for understanding. If you have any question or need more clarity, please leave it in comments and I will gladly follow up with you.


May the peace of God which passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus, our Lord.


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Creation Calls -- are you listening? Music by Brian Doerksen

Fred McConnell

At the same time came the disciples to Jesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child to him, and set him in the middle of them, And said, Truly I say to you, Except you be converted, and become as little children, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:1-4


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American Southwest Landscape -Time-Lapse

Fred McConnell

For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans 1:20-21

Brethren, Let us not forget our morning offering to our Father as Jesus instructed us, and let us remember those things that go hand in hand with our prayer offering. This church body remains in my prayers daily, and I touch on several of you each day, and several the next, so that I remember you all.
And this is love that we love one another as we love our Lord.