Sabbath March 5th 2022 at OCC

 The lesson study was Jesus Opens A Way Through the Veil. 

Hebrews is about assurance of salvation. How, though, must we be careful not to mistake presumption for assurance?

One thoughtful question in last weeks study. 

Thank you all for coming for the discussion time and for all who took part in it. 

Alex was our platform person for this service.

Bonnie was part of the mornings Praise Team  

Karen lead the singing for our Praise Time

Joel as a deacon collecting offering.

Lori-Anne shared a very interesting story for the story time. It was a personal story from years ago when she went snowboarding for the first time.  On the bunny hill all day she got a bit frustrated by her heading to the orange plastic fencing to keep people away from the drop off at the side of the hill. 

Finally she asked a board instructor how she can steer herself properly to keep from going that direction and his answer was simple and profound.  "Look where you want to go",  he told her. 

She tried that advice and it worked.  Now she tells her family and herself often that in life we tend to go where we are looking towards. 

Let's look to Jesus!

Thank you Lori-Anne. 

Loretta had the scripture verse for the service. 

What a nice treat to have Oliver sing for the special music.  We were impressed with his low voice now as he sang, "Lady's and Gentlemen, may I have your attention.... Champion of Love. 

We enjoyed hearing his mum Lori-Anne play the accompaniment for Oliver. 

The speaker for the morning was Frank McMiller from Rock Creek area.  His wife and youngest son were with him.

Frank spoke to us about miracles of Jesus and how we can learn from them. 

Here is a little recap of his talk. 

I am fascinated by expressions.

Some are similes using like or as...

Happy as a pig in mud.  Or happy as a lark or happy as a clam. 

Our backs against the wall.

You are in trouble...

Between a rock and a hard place.

At your wits end. 

Being in circumstances  out of your own choice. 

There is a way that seems right unto a man...

Tina and her husband are coming home from a gathering in Alberta.  She hits some slush and it pulled her in and the van rolled 4 times. 

The infant and two boys along with the  mum and dad were in the van. 

Not a scratch. 

Every airbag deployed. 

We say isn't that a miracle. 

Example 2 is very different. 

It is embarrassing  but I need to humble myself so... 

We need to depend on God and not ourselves. 

..Anarchist mountain. 

Can't see the snow covered lane lines and can't see the truck turning left but thought I could make passing the truck.  Then he knew he would hit him. 

Tried to hit a snowbank to slow me down

And I hit his rear tire and blow out my tire.  Motor is still running fine.  Dusted the glass off of ourselves and we're perfectly fine.

He must have had something more to do. 

The Bible is riddled with people whose backs against the wall.

Our extremities are God's opportunities. 

Times of helplessness are times of great hope. 

God please get us out of this. 

I can't see a way out.

No place in scripture  is in Elijah and Elisha.  

A powerful display was at mount Carmel.

1 kings 18: 21. 

It was so amazing that even the water was dried up and the stones were gone. 

Elijah went from a very high high to a very low low. 

We probably have all gone up and down like Elijah did. 

We need to master staying one to God and trusting him completely. 

Give me a double portion of God's blessing.

24 oxen pulling the wagon Elisha has Elijah s mantle on his back. 

He immediately  know God's will for him. 

He goes to say goodbye to his parents and off he goes. 

Make haste is stepping up right away for God. 

There is great value in looking at these miracles God gave the Bible people. 

Have we learned anything at all from the Israelites ?  

We can not lose the opportunities to speak up for Jesus. 

What is the source of happiness and security you have when others are confused.

Why did God have these stories in the Bible? 

We will need the faith of Elijah and Elisha. 

He smites the water and goes across.

Do you have those miracles in your life?

To encourage you.  Sure. 

2 kings.  Salt in a vessel and pours in the salt and the water is purified. 

There is no limit to the restoring  power of our living God. 

Naaman a commander and is reluctant to dip in the muddy river. 

The little slave girl mentions to Naamans wife

How he can get well. 

He finally aquessiences...reluctantly  gives in. 

Then he was clean. 

God is no respect ror of person. All are precious in his sight. 

2 king 5: 26 and 27

Gives as gifts for Elijah  a talent is 75 lbs...16 I6 inch beach ball  300, 000.00 dollars. 

He would never take those gifts but Gehazi thought it was not right to refuse the gifts and then he got the leprosy.   Greed never pays. 

We may think we are on the inside circle with God but if we lose our faith and trust we can lose God's protection.

The oil ended.  One more meal.  Elisha embarks you a plan  to get all the vessels.. He tells the family to get all the vessels  you can find and then they were  filled with oil they could then  sell it so pay off the debt. 

We may think we have little talent or funds  but that limits God and what he can do for other through you. 

The lad borrows an axe 🪓.   The ax floated to the surface.  A miracle of God. 

God will do whatever it takes to protect His reputation. 

What will I do to protect God's reputation. 

Are you willing to stand out in a crowd?

If not us who?

You keep it best by giving it away. 

Life up to the light you have. 

Share what He has done for you in your life. 

Sing like a red winged black bird and share His love. 

On a bit of a snowy hour in Kelowna on Friday March 11th. 

Enjoy your Sabbath day.