NHCF Blog

by Calven CelliersI once read a chilling illustration about a man in France who was bitten by a rabid dog. This was years before a treatment had been discovered for rabies. When it was determined the dog was indeed rabid, a kind doctor told the man he had only a short time to live. Upon hearing this distressing news, the unfortunate man asked the doctor for some paper and a pencil and then commenced writing furiously. After a few minutes, the doctor interrupted. “If you are writing out your will, you have time. Think carefully about your estate; you still have a few days.” The patient replied sharply, “I’m not making out my will. I am making a list of all the people I’m going to bite before I die!”Bitterness. Some people are controlled by it. They have been treated badly and in return they wish bad things would happen to their offenders. Some brood for years, tormented by memories of the wounds they received. I once chatted to a man who had been offended by something someone said to him and openly bragged how he waited 30 years to get even. That’s a true story! Sometimes people get so angry that they make sure something bad does happen, and take revenge. But the Bible says that this is the very worst possible “solution” to resolve the hurt in our lives. Forgiveness is something all of us want to receive but most of us hesitate to give. Jesus makes it clear, however, that we can't have it without giving it.“14 For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6: 14 & 15NIV)These words allow no wiggle room for doubt or discussion. Forgiveness flows two ways. We cannot separate receiving forgiveness from extending forgiveness.One day the apostle Peter came up to Jesus and asked him a question:“21 Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?”” (Matthew 18:21NIV)We’ve all asked this question at one time or another. “How many times do I have to forgive this person? I’m getting tired of it.” To be honest, forgiving someone seven times is commendable. Most of us get frustrated if we have to forgive someone twice. By human standards, what Peter said was admirable and perhaps even extravagant. It seems to me that Peter wanted Jesus to help him set some forgiveness limits. Peter wanted to know when it’s ok to say, “That’s it. You’ve messed up one too many times!” When you think about it, we all have some barriers that keep us from giving the gift of forgiveness to others. We have a threshold that we don’t want to cross, a limit we won’t go beyond. I can think of at least three barriers of an unforgiving heart: Revenge ­ “I’m going to get…

by Graham MolThis morning on the Bible App on my phone the "verse of the day" was Proverbs 4:23Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. (CSB)Here is another version of the same verse:Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. (NIV)These are wise words and there is a lot I could go into about this statement. But what I want to focus on is the Heart itself. When the Bible speaks about the heart its not talking about the vital organ that pumps blood around our body, and yet what it is speaking about is just as vital. The heart in Hebrew refers to one's emotions, intellect, discernment (values) and will. We often make the distinction in English too, we are heart-sore when we are saddened, we do things wholeheartedly when we put in all our effort. We speak of knowing in our heart, the right thing to do. When we receive God's word, whether it is through reading the Bible, listening to a sermon or singing it in a worship song, we need to make sure that we do not just acknowledge that word with our mind, to intellectually accept it, but that we take that word into our hearts and allow it to transform us. This is why, in my opinion, the best sermons are those that not only speak to our minds but to our hearts, messages that don't just make us think but make us feel.The psalms give us a good example of how we should engage with God's word:30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,    and their tongues speak what is just.31 The law of their God is in their hearts;    their feet do not slip.  (Psalm 37:30-31)8 "I desire to do Your will, my God; Your law is within my heart.” (Psalm 40:8)10 I seek you with all my heart;    do not let me stray from your commands.11 I have hidden your word in my heartthat I might not sin against you.(Psalm 119:10-11)I want to encourage you as you read the Bible, as you worship, as you listen to sermons, don't just acknowledge God's word but receive it into your heart. Apply that word to your life, respond to it, meditate on it, allow it to shape your actions and your values. As Proverbs 4:23 states, the heart is the source of life, everything we do flows from it, make sure that the Word of God, Jesus Himself, is at the centre of it.God BlessGraham

by Luke KincaidThere have been a few days when the reality of the pandemic has really gotten to me. When I sit down and contemplate the amount of loss and fear of loss people have had to go through it can be quite overwhelming to comprehend. Two areas that have stood out to me is the fear of losing one’s life as well as the threat to others livelihoods as some have had major financial setbacks over this period. The other day while researching sermon ideas I came across this text in Peter that I think can bring a lot of comfort to us in the midst of this pandemic: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 4 and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you. 5 You are being guarded by God’s power through faith for a salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; though not seeing him now, you believe in him, and you rejoice with inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 because you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls    – 1 Peter 1:3-9While I haven’t had enough time to truly grasp the truths contained in this text, what stood out to me the most was the reminder of the fact that disciples of Jesus will one day resurrect after passing away to the new life we have had a taste of in the present. Death is not the end for a child of God as we have a living hope in Jesus and this is something which I think we need to hear today. Another point that stands out to me is that we can lose everything while on planet earth but our inheritance as children of God is kept safe for us in heaven. While we may very well face hardships while on earth, we will one day receive an inheritance of the greatest worth upon arriving in heaven because of our faith in Jesus and everything that He accomplished for us. Much love,Luke

Guest Postby Dave GriffithsThe world is in crises. Never have we experienced problems of this magnitude. Thousands of lives are now being lost on a daily basis across the planet, and even the most brilliant of men have no answers, as coronaviris cannot be seen, felt, or heard, but it’s effect is devastating.The Bible is God’s Word in written form, and Christians  believe it contains the divine answers to the deepest needs of humanity. It sheds a unique light on our path in a dark world, and it sets forth the way to our eternal being.God said everything He made was good, very good, so why now a virus that certainly doesn’t “look” good? It might help to go back to basics, to the beginning. There is something refreshing and optimistic about begin, start, commence. Genesis means beginnings and it unfolds the record of the beginning of the world, human history. It’s the story of God’s purpose and plan for His creation. It reveals the person and nature of God as Creator, Sustainer, Judge and Redeemer. It clearly spells out the consequences of sin, as well as assurance of salvation and forgiveness. A wonderful relationship for each and every one of us.We are made in God’s image, that is, we are blessed with the characteristics of love, but, it didn’t take long for mankind to create havoc and bring sin into the world.Genesis tells us that fellowship with God was broken, evil and destruction entered the world. God was not pleased with His creation of man, so eventually a small family led by Noah, the only godly person, was left on the planet. Everything changed. Everything. God went back to a new beginning.Because God’s great plan includes salvation, there is hope! No matter how dark the world situation seems right now.  God makes promises to help and protect mankind. He promises to love us, accept us, and forgive us.We, on the other hand, are commanded to believe Him and follow Him, and place our complete faith and trust in Him.It is apparent, that today things have “gotten worse”. We have polluted the world, created weapons of mass destruction, and forgotten God. He promised not to flood the world again, but, there is no promise not to create a virus!God our Father, is now waiting for us, in particular our world leaders, to humble themselves and pray. To seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways. Until we do this, He will not forgive our sin and heal our world. Dave