If We Suffer With Him, We Shall Reign With Him

I thank God for suffering. I could not be saved if it were not for the suffering of Christ Jesus. If He did not suffer, we would be lost forever. It is my honour to be reviled or abandonded for the sake of Christ. He suffered all loss so that I could be saved. If we suffer with Him, we shall rule with Him.
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Mark 8:31-32 KJV
31And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
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Peter could not accept the concept of suffering at first. He did not want his Rabbi to suffer. But Peter did not understand that without Jesus suffering, and dying, and rising again, there could be no salvation for Peter, or anyone else. Not to mention the fact that Peter probably realized that if Jesus suffered, then he probably would suffer also! In his flesh, he did not like that idea!

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2 Tim 2:8-13 KJV
8Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
9Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
10Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
12If we SUFFER, we shall also REIGN with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
13If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.

We are patterned after the pattern Son, Jesus. If we believe and follow God (Jesus), we WILL suffer one way or another at the hands of others. That is because the corrupt world-system hates Christ. It hates light, and it hates anything bearing His Light. There are also other kinds of suffering. I realize that. There is the pain of ill health due to the sinful nature of Adam. His sin caused all of us to return to dust. Our body degrades and dies But Jesus rose from death. We can and will share in this resurrection! Also, there is pain that we bring on ourselves when we do something only to regret it later. There is suffering that has no explanation. But we do not love this life or the "things" in it. We love Jesus. And we forsake all to follow Him. When circumstances are good, bad or ugly, we choose to be His disciples. (See Mark 8:34-35) Will we trust Him in the bad times? It is part of our character training, in becoming more like Him! (See Galatians 5:22-23) We grow more of His fruit/character when we are trimmed and pruned. But we must be as branches, attached to the Vine, Jesus, before we can bear any fruit!

During the pruning season, Jesus sends us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to help us when we do suffer. (See John 14:16)

And if we endure to the end, we will reign with Him. An awesome promise.

There is more to this. What we see and feel matters to God. Jesus felt the same things as us and is a faithful high priest after the order of Melchisedec. And He sees the whole picture. He knows where you are going in Him.

Indeed when I have suffered, I could not see clearly in those moments. But then Jesus comes to me in a powerful, gentle, caring and high-priestly way and reminds me of what I am taking to heaven. I am not taking possessions, money, or "worldly fame" to heaven. I take my character with me. Times of suffering are opportunities in disguise. I say that because I truly have not seen the benefit of my bad times while enduring them.

And yet, When I stand before Him in the judgement, I will be in His blood, and pronounced righteous before His throne. I am redeemed with the precious blood of the Lamb who suffered for me! (1 Peter 1:18-19). And He will also want to see the image of Himself and His character formed in me!

To follow Jesus is to follow His way. And the comfort we receive from His Spirit in those times of suffering is unparalleled. I speak from experience. Simply ask Him.

And as the book of Revelation puts it, suffering is temporary. But joy and peace and freedom is eternal, in Christ! And when we spend eternity with Jesus, we spend it in the very character we formed here on earth while learning to trust Jesus. Quite amazing when you think about it.

Revelation 21:4 Geneva Version
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, neither crying, neither shall there be anymore pain: for the first things are passed.

The suffering is part of the pattern, and Christ Himself willingly submitted to this process. The suffering is temporary. It builds fruit in us if we yield to the Holy Spirit. And if we endure the suffering in Jesus to the end, then we shall rule with Him.
Bless you! Be encouraged in Jesus.

Pastor Curtis
Wed. Aug 27, 2014 11:34PM EST

Defy The Negativity of Others with Gratefulness

In defiance of the negativity sometimes confronting me from people or situations, here is a list of the things I am blessed with! I challenge you to do as Paul tell us in 1 Thess. 5 and to give thanks in Christ, in every circumstance! Genuine thankfulness in Christ is very moving to God, and it can help you make a breakthrough in your Character development.

1 Thessalonians 5:15-23 Geneva Version

¹⁵ See that none recompense evil for evil unto any man: but ever follow that which is good, both toward yourselves, and toward all men.

¹⁶ Rejoice evermore.

¹⁷ Pray continually.

¹⁸ In all things, give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

¹⁹ Quench not the Spirit.

²⁰ Despise not prophesying.

²¹ Try all things, and keep that which is good.

²² Abstain from all appearance of evil.

²³ Now the very God of peace sanctify you throughout: and I pray God that your whole spirit and soul and body, may be kept blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We see that thankfulness is possible in each situation. Even if it is a bad situation. We can still find things to be grateful for. It is God's will for us to do so!

You can make a list. Just read your Bible, look around, pray, and ask Jesus to open your eyes to all that you DO have in life. Once you have your list, thank the Lord Jesus for everything on it. He will receive your gratitude, especially in the midst of trying circumstances. Jesus loves gratitude. It moves Him.

I am grateful for so much.

- I have salvation in Christ Jesus. I believe in Him and confess He is Lord! My sins are forgiven and I am made a part of the Body!
- I am accepted and approved by God in Christ. I am before Him in Love. No threat can overcome the Overcomer. Negative people cannot remove my approval from God because I dwell in His Son, Jesus Christ.
- I have His Grace and Favour, no matter what comes against me, or makes me scratch my head in bewilderment.
- I come home to peace and quiet- I can pray and read the Bible, and relax. I have no strife at home whatsoever. This is something I will always be grateful for. Plus I have a great cat named Tess who loves me and greets me!
- I have work. I work two paying jobs for which I am so thankful for! I am actually gaining financial strength.
- I have friends and family whom I love and cherish
- I am able in Christ to teach and lead others in the Word and in worship. What an awesome privilege it is to be called "pastor". My ministry has survived personal loss and God protected me in many storms. One could say my ministry is a miracle!
- I have a great church family at Church On The GO. It is my honour to serve among. It has been nearly 14 years now.
- I am blessed with many creative abilities which I find freedom and strength in. Music, cartooning, photography, poetry to name some.
- I have known the beauty of marriage and the mystery of its union. I will always cherish the memory. Yet through tragedy, I now know the freedom of singleness and the ability and peace I am granted through this lifestyle.
- I have been granted God's love for others. Yes, this includes even those who are threatening and being negative many times. I may be quiet at times, but I harbour no fear or hatred (by His grace). I just develop love, power and a sound mind, all by God's Spirit. I could not do it without Jesus!! 
- I have been renting my wonderful apartment for a full 9 years now. Still enjoying it.
- I have relatively few bills and expenses.

My list is incomplete, and in no specific order. Some things are big, others are little. Some things are spiritual, others are natural. But all items listed are good, and God is worthy to be thanked for all of it. I will probably think of other things to be thankful for, after I post this.

So! What are you thankful for?

How will you defy the negativity coming from others?

Love them in Christ, be patient in the Holy Spirit, and count your blessings! And don't do evil to those who do evil to you. Follow always after that which is good!

Be encouraged, and be thankful! It is God's will for you in Christ!

Pastor Curtis
Aug. 11, 2014, 11:41PM EST

Singles Ministry Meets Spiritual Resistance

Woah... Spiritual warfare. Total resistance this morning at church especially in technical issues. Satan tried to attack my personal worship and also tried to appeal to my pride this morning. Not only was I distracted from worshiping, trying to figure out computer woes, I did not get to lead worship as per usual. 

So when the announcements were on I went out in the hall for a walk with the Lord and refused to let satan steal my worship unto God. I sang to Jesus and worshiped Him. And no one but Jesus and the devil heard me. I was satisfied with just that. Then I returned and rejoined the service. At the end, the guest speakers and our lead pastor prayed for me and my upcoming meeting. I needed the prayer support.
I am Not tolerating satan's appeal to my pride. I refused to let myself turn into a grump on the day of my first meeting of singles! I am humble and I remain humble. I am able to go with the flow of the Holy Spirit, even when plans don't go... well.... as planned. God's plan always goes forward, no matter what I plan. My job is simply to agree and follow. Please pray for this evening's Christian Singles On The GO meeting. 5:30pm EST.

People, after my past week, it is clear that satan does NOT WANT THE CHRISTIAN SINGLES MOBILIZED and serving Christ! The satanic attacks are constant, personal, subtle and sneaky. But Christ guards me in the armour of light, God's protective gear. Satan must flee when we submit to God and resist the devil. That is in the book of James.

So let's band together and worship JESUS And give our Lead Singer, Jesus, the glory due His name. I even have a new song in the works.

5:30pm tonight.... Christian singles (who never married, or are divorced or are widowed) can come and discover their G.I.F.T.S. in Christ. I am more convinced now than ever that this is the time to act. 

www.churchonthego.ca/christiansingles.html 

Bless you!

Pastor Curtis

Sun July 27 2014 2:03pm EST

Singles Ministry coming

So, I was recently approached to do a singles ministry by a church goer and also by my pastor. I accepted.
It just felt right to me in the Holy Spirit.
I feel now is the time.

I have been divorced now for almost 5 years. (since Oct 2009).
I have failed to restart my dating life. Rather, God has prevented me. And He has reasons. God has been moulding me into a message. I was meant to be single for a season, this season.

Now, I am in the remarkable position of having the opportunity to encourage singles to follow God. All those Christians who have never-married, are legally divorced, or are widowed need support and direction. They need to be told that God has gifted them to do work in Christ's Kingdom, and He has gifted them to get closer and closer in their walk with Jesus.

The details can be found here: www.churchonthego.ca/christiansingles.html

The facebook page is: www.facebook.com/christiansinglesonthego

Our first meeting at the church here in Newmarket ON. will be 5:30pm Sunday July 27th.

I am truly excited for what God has in store for this meeting. I truly hope and pray people will respond and attend. They told me they were interested.

I have, over the past week, received much spiritual resistance to this movement into singles ministry. From my computer at home acting out, to a person suddenly denying their own divorced status and arguing, to someone meddling in my own past with things they know nothing about. I kid you not. Once you stick your neck out for Jesus, you will be attacked. Satan has made it clear to me that he does NOT want me to minister to an all-ages Christian Singles adult group. He does NOT want Christian singles to move forward in their purpose and calling in God's Kingdom!

Well in God's grace, that is what I hope to accomplish! I wish to help singles make the most of this season of singleness. To see what my acronym G.I.F.T.S. stands for, visit the webpage! Again it is:  www.churchonthego.ca/christiansingles.html
Also, that webpage has a video explaining more of my own story and this ministry. Please check it out!

God bless, and I will keep you posted on how things go!
-Pastor Curtis
Thur July 24/14 5:59 EST

Benefits to Singleness

For all those people who follow Jesus and are single and/or divorced.
Don't you wish sometimes that you could change your circumstance?
I have been there. I wished I could change my circumstance. I prayed. Yet here I am, still a single all this time.

BUT! I am here today to remind you that The Apostle Paul viewed singleness and marriage both as gifts from the Lord. Each has their own gift, one after this manner, one after another manner. Read 1 Corinthians 7:7.

So to encourage you - let me share the benefits and blessings I have experienced in the past 4 and a half years as a single divorced man. Keep in mind, I have not had even one date yet, since the divorce in 2009. The LORD knows why. In the mean time I can start to assert now the great blessings I have been accumulating as I walk this long season alone with Him.

Singleness is a gift from God. So is marriage.

1) I am driven to seek the Spirit of Jesus more. I have always enjoyed alone time. But when I am truly alone with no one else around, I also tend to seek Jesus more often. He always meets me faithfully and often speaks to me with pictures and visions and words and Scripture.

2) The Lord has cleaned some ugly little areas inside me. I yielded to Him, and gave up to the Light. And it has been a wonderfully powerful liberation. I could not have done it this way as a married man. As a single, I was left with no choice but to lean fully on the Lord. And what a great choice it was and is!

3) Freedom to serve Jesus in ministry without distraction. Freedom to please just the Lord.

4) Time to heal. The Lord called me to take up the piano in 2007 at church and has since inspired me to write well over 20 songs. I lead worship, and some of my songs have made it into the church repertoire. These songs have been a process and journey for me. And the time I have spent with Jesus has been restorative, and healing to me. The music, writing, and prayer were all avenues of God's healing to me personally. His very presence is life and rest and restoration. I found new strength in the dark times when I decided to WORSHIP JESUS (both alone and in the local church).

5) Freedom of  time. I have little spare time because I am a bivocational pastor (a pastor with another job in addition to pastoring). But when I do get free time, I am really able to relax, spend time out, get chores done, etc. Rest is truly important, even for those who feel they don't need it.

6) Finances for a single person are relatively simple compared to those of married couples and families. (I am speaking as a single man with no children).

7) Decision making is more straightforward. At least, I find it has been simpler for me. (again I speak as a divorced man with no children.)

8) I have truly learned that Jesus is my ALL. No woman could possibly fulfill the longings of my heart like God can. I am full of His Spirit and so amazed at His grace to me. I don't deserve it. YET, He has proven to be my supplier and helper and guide. If I did not experience this road, this gift of singleness, then how would I have discovered how truly complete Jesus's love for me is? His complete love of me is what completes me indeed. I am complete in HIM. Nothing lacks, and nothing more is needed. This has been a long hard lesson for me- I am still learning to depend on Jesus fully for every need and every provision. 

Enjoy this journey you are on. You have a gift, whether you are married or are single. I know both gifts. I have learned to enjoy whatever state I happen to be in. It has been a long lesson that the Lord taught me. I am humbled by His goodness that continues to flow to me.
 Most importantly... follow the ministry call on your life! ALL believers are called to some form of ministry! Don't wait another day to seek His will for your life and actions. Be sure you are connected as the Spirit leads you in the local church!

Blessings
And Happy Canada Day! 
~Pastor Curtis
Tues. July 1st, 3:53AM EST

Find Your Alone Time

John 6:15
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

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What did Jesus do often? In between serving others and preaching and healing, He spent lots of time alone with the Father. This was key to His success. And it is key to ours as His disciples.

I really want to challenge each of us to spend some time alone with the Father. I have been doing that periodically for a month now. Concentrated intentional time alone with Jesus. I put facebook away. I leave the cellphone and digital tablet at home. I go for a walk and pray. It has been perfectly refreshing and restoring to me... And when I return, I see things a little clearer. 

Yesterday evening, I spent 3 hours with the Lord, praying, speaking in the Spirit, and making photos and videos. It was awesome. Below are some of the pictures. When I create, I sense the Lord is with me, and I have come to realize that my arts are a form of worship to Him. Photographs, videos, poems, blogs, and music writing are things that He moves me to do. And it brings me closer to Him in Spirit and in Truth.

I asked the Lord to bring this little muskrat to me yesterday and He did! I was able to photograph it.

Like myself, this Canada Goose was spending time alone. The difference is, we as people who believe in Jesus have the LORD. (June 25/14) (c) CJA

The more patience you have, the more you see, like this frog. Praise the Lord God who created all things in heaven and earth! (c) CJA

Find your own alone time with the Lord. Find something to do with Him. Spend time with Jesus in the Spirit. 

Everyone who spends time online needs to put the social media on hold and sacrifice some of that time to Jesus and The Word. Go ahead, be bold. Leave the phone at home. Leave the computers alone. Go for a walk or go in your prayer chamber. Pray and worship. Spend a few hours. Sing to Him. Talk to Him. Create something for Him. Listen to Him. Your unique and dynamic relationship to Jesus is VITAL to your life! This goes far beyond religion.

I see things that deeply sadden me and break my heart both in the world and also online. Even some events in church are saddening. 
But for me, I will regroup in Him in my alone times. God forbid I be exalted by human means. Jesus did not want a human, limited, politically-plagued crown. He already had an inheritance from the Father and a Heavenly incorruptible crown waiting for Him. To settle for the human crown would be to completely abort the plan of salvation and take on a life of human politics! So glad Jesus stayed focused in the Spirit. 

In order to obtain His crown of glory, He had to first endure the crown of thorns, which led to the cross. So Jesus left these folks in the passage above because they wanted to "skip a step" and give him earthly honour and a human crown with no suffering. Jesus knew that was not the Father's will and escaped to be alone. 

Matthew 14:23
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

We all need times to escape human passions, promotions, crossfires, backbiting, and politics. Things of the flesh war against things of the Spirit.

We need time alone with the Father, through Jesus. Understand that we too must bear the thorns people jab into us, for His sake. But know that your crown is in heaven! 

James 1:12
Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Jesus received His crown, and if you love Him, He has a crown of LIFE for you! Endure those temptations by escaping from them and getting alone with the Lord.
Bless you!
Pastor Curtis

Thur. June 26, 2014 11:24 EST

Biblical Leaders who were not Men

Lately I have seen a lot of comments from some Christians saying that women cannot minister or pastor in a church, as a leader of mixed gender groups. A lot of this is legalism and tradition. But what does the Bible actually say? Are there women leaders in the Bible? It turns out there are plenty of examples of women leading in both the Old and New Testament. Some like to point to Deborah, and some try to discredit her as a leader. But she was one sent from God. But going beyond the same old Bible references, let us take a look at just a few others that are less commonly used: 

a) Huldah the prophetess was a woman sought by men, the king and the priest, for guidance and a word from God - 2 Kings 22:14-15 (whole chapter for context)

Also 2 Chron. 34:21-28.

b ) Priscilla and her husband Aquila were co-pastors of a church. Once, they both taught a man the way of God more perfectly. She was clearly teaching the man, or else she would not be in this verse. Acts 18:26, Also Romans 16:3

c) Phoebe was a "servant" of the church at Cenchreae ( Servant in the original Greek: "deeakonos" (Strongs #1249) meaning "a waiter, a deacon or deaconess, specifically a Christian Pastor or Teacher") Paul spoke highly of Phoebe. See Romans 16:1.

Romans 16:1 

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea,

- - -
These are just some of the examples.

The conclusion? Galatians 3:28-29. 

Galatians 3:28-29

New King James Version

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 

29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. 

In Christ we believers are all one. There is no male or female in Christ, spiritually and ministerially speaking. This goes along with the revelation that if you accept Christ, you are more than just saved... He is making you a king and a priest...  A Leader! Rev. 1:5-6 and Rev. 5:10-11. These verses from Revelation are not gender exclusive. Men and women are all being transformed into rulers in Christ. It is a present reality and truth in the churches.

 God does not play favourites and give men an upper hand over women in ministry. I have news for you: Man is NOTHING without Christ. We have no authority, as men, to teach the Gospel if we are apart from Christ. Women are no different.
Historically there is evidence for women leading in congregations as well. 
See: http://ezinearticles.com/?Women-As-Bible-Teachers---Early-Church-History&id=2082432

So, all those barriers that are put up in church are blown away by Jesus. If Christ is less than gender (as some would suggest), then apparently not even Christ can 
qualify a woman to serve in ministry leadership. Maybe someone should have told the early church this. Maybe God needs correction in allowing women as leaders? Or... maybe we should simply believe God and His infallible Word! May God grant you revelation of these verses in the Holy Spirit. Do the reading... look up these passages and see if what I say is true or not. I challenge you. 

Blessings, be encouraged!
~Pastor Curtis 
June 5, 2014, 6:04 PM EST.