Month: June 2019

Yesterday was a major challenge. I was in preparation for the 45^th anniversary service and I faced some significant setbacks to my recovery process. It was a very discouraging day. Early in the evening my daughter suggested I might want to check to see if there was some form of spiritual attack taking place, especially in light of the importance of what was to happen on the 30^th, and yes there was. 1 Peter 5:8 reminds us, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

I then struggled with why it never crossed my mind as to what was really going on. This is a warning to us all to be careful to not be so caught up in what we are doing that we forget to make sure our spiritual defences are fully secured and employed.

The hour is getting late and I still have some things to finish up for the 30^th so I am going to keep this article short. The warning here is not to be taken lightly, or ignored.

I trust you will join us at 10:30 a.m. Eastern at: www.SayYEStotheRelationship.com, or catch the message at approximately 11:10 to 11:15 a.m. Eastern on Face Book live, or watch the replay at a later time. Blessings to you.

A good portion of my day yesterday was focussed upon the upcoming celebration on June 30^th of the 45^th anniversary of beginning our pastoral ministry. I was so blessed to receive a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a personal family gift and to read the notes of blessing and encouragement that have come in. There is still time, please feel to send in your response. Information is available on how to do that at www.BobMcLellan.com/anniversary.

I have also been spending time working on the sermon and planning out specific graphics for the Power Point presentation. As I was reviewing the past I was especially blessed to see the hand of God working through our family and through that of our church families. My challenge has been what to share, as time is limited and the focus is not on the past, but the future.

God is always at work, even when we do not see, or understand what may be happening in a given situation. Hind sight will generally provide a much clearer picture than the present moment.

I did spend some time with our new little kitten, MacGyver. He went from a scared little ball of orange when he first arrived to calmly stretching out and peacefully sleeping on my lap in less than 24 hours. Check out my Face Book page to see the picture my wife captured of the moment. Treasure the little moments that make up your present as they will become lasting positive memories in your future.

I have worked hard in this article to provide no spoilers in reference to tomorrow’s celebration. Join us 10:30 a.m. Eastern in Shelburne and be part of the after service BBQ, or at least join us online at www.SayYEStotheRelationship.com. The message will be on FaceBook Live at approximately 11:10 to 11:15 a.m. Eastern. This is slightly later than normal, because we do have special music provided by Ken Shaw in the service.

I close this article by passing on to you God’s blessings in abundance as I have been so blessed.

This week has provided an opportunity to experience much anticipation. In just a few hours MacGyver will be arriving home with my wife. This little kitten was a humane society rescue sold through the PetSmart store. This was a picture taken shortly before the paperwork was completed to bring him home.

We are also currently working on preparations for the 45^th anniversary celebration on Sunday, June 30^th of when I began pastoral ministry. Anticipation is also high for all that is planned for the day. I am also anticipating preaching for the first time since my surgery. There is much to be thankful and grateful for. If you would like to send greetings, testimonials etc. go to www.BobMcLellan.com/anniversary.

This event looks back at the past, but it also contains some elements of reveal in regards to the future. Something else to anticipate and be excited about. It is my hope that you are anticipating and planning for that which will excite you and bless you and others in and through your life. I realize just how important this is, as I reflect upon some darker days in my recent past. Jesus came that you might have life and live it to the full (John 10:10). Don’t disappoint Him or yourself. Anticipate and plan for your future with great joy!

I was taking some quiet time yesterday morning and began to wonder how many people address their fathers as “Father.” I only called mine “Dad.” The word “Father” carries a sense of formality to it and in my mind a lack of intimacy. In my thought meanderings I began to wonder about the process by which we interact with God. I am aware of the Old Testament Hebraic mindset which viewed God in terms of His holiness and separateness from humanity. I am aware of our need to acknowledge God’s holiness and our need for the perfect alignment of our life with His pure selfless love (holiness). At the same time, Jesus spoke in terms of endearment in His relationship with His Heavenly Dad.

As individuals who have said YES to the relationship with God through His Son, Jesus and who have been identified as children of God and joint heirs with Jesus, I wonder what kind of a connection do we really possess?

In most Christian traditions, we have been taught to address God as our Heavenly Father. To keep and maintain a formal and in a sense, more emotionally distant relationship. In my mental meanderings I found myself asking, “Why?” Are there underlying controls at work seeking to force me to depend upon some other mediator, perhaps human, perhaps organizational, that I must depend upon to access God? For me, such a process does not line up with Scripture.

Before Adam and Eve’s rebellion, God personally walked and communicated with them. My understanding of the sacrifice of Jesus, God’s Son on the Cross of Calvary brought about reconciliation between humanity and God. The curtain in the temple, symbolizing the separation that our rebellion had caused, was ripped from top to bottom. Hebrews 4:16 declares, “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”

What produces more confidence? Coming into the presence of a holy, powerful monarch with our request, or coming into the presence of a loving Dad, who knows us and is able to meet our need?

If God truly loves us and interested enough in relationship with us to have His Son sacrifice His life for us (Romans 5:8), then perhaps He is not as concerned that we might somehow mess up royal standards of etiquette, as He is about our heart felt love and passion for relationship with Him.

Yes, those who are in a loving committed relationship will seek to live in ways that shows respect and honour, but at the same time there is a desire to truly connect and relate to the one who is loved. I am giving careful consideration to working at shifting how I address God. Heavenly Dad is much more appealing to me, than Heavenly Father. What do you think?

I came to the realization yesterday that there is no difference between saying my strength will be restored in a week versus saying, my strength will be restored in a month. Both statements require belief and faith. Both are statements of intention. The difference between the two is the length of time it takes for physical strength to be restored. Your intentions are critical! They will determine your reality!

God is equally able to bring about the result on the time line you choose to speak into existence through faith.

This week the “to do list” for our family is significantly large and much of it is “must do” with specific deadlines.

We are also working on the 45^th anniversary celebration at the church for June 30^th. This will be my first Sunday preaching since my surgery. I will not only be taking a look back, but also taking a look forward.

Much thought and energetic intention (prayer) is being put in terms of what we are looking to see manifest in the coming days. Connecting to God energetically is the same as connecting spiritually. The Apostle John records the words of Jesus in John 4:23-24, “A time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks. {24} God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” There is a ripple effect that spreads out when we put out our intentions. The spiritual realm is an energetic realm and we are accountable and responsible for how we respond within it.

I am excited about the future and what God is going to do. What about you? Have you worked on your intentions in recent days? Have you sorted, sifted, defined and distilled what they truly are? If you haven’t, it is time to do so!