To listen to the audio version, click the media link. https://eslcooperative.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GodCameNear.mp3 Theme: God became one of us. Text: John 1:1-18 Here’s a thought: Someone has concluded, “One birth, one child, changed the course of history and humanity itself. He can change us as well.” C.S. Lewis wrote in a letter to his friend Arthur
To listen to the audio version, click the media link. https://eslcooperative.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Between-Two-Worlds.mp3 During my elementary and junior high school years, my classmates and I perfected the art of “teacherless classroom behaviour.” Our teacher occasionally had to leave the room for various reasons, leaving behind 30 crafty, restless students just waiting for this opportunity. For the
To listen to the audio version, click the media link. https://eslcooperative.ca/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Life-or-Death.mp3 An Arab chief tells of a spy who was captured and then sentenced to death by a general in the Persian army. This general had the strange custom of giving condemned criminals a choice between the firing squad and the big, black door.
To listen to the audio version, click the media link. https://eslcooperative.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/God%E2%80%99s-Heart-for-the-Nations.mp3 The history books could have been rewritten in 1271 when Italian travelling merchants Niccolo and Matteo (Maffeo) Polo (the father and uncle of Marco Polo) were visiting the Kubla Khan. At that time, Kubla Khan ruled all China, India and the East.
–by Allan Pole Most people miss the significance of Christmas. Is it all about Santa Claus, shopping, exchanging gifts or eating a lot of food? Is it about spending time with family? Or even about the baby in the manger? Don’t answer this last question too quickly. Instead of focusing on the baby in
–by Allan Pole Snow covered the ground where three boys were playing. A man asked them, “Would you like to try a race and have the winner receive a prize?” The boys agreed, and the man told them that his race was to be different. “I will go to the other side of
–by Allan Pole As our Lord began His earthly ministry, He looked for disciples He could transform into fishers of men. Significantly, He called hearty, faithful fishermen to this task. Many natural qualities and techniques for successful fishing are similar to the spiritual qualities needed to serve Him. Jesus goes fishing for certain
–by Allan Pole Have you ever driven somewhere and forgotten the last 15 minutes on the highway you just travelled? Have you ever listened to a sermon, read a book or heard someone tell you about their day and suddenly realized you didn’t have the slightest idea of what the preacher said, what
–by Allan PoleServing others is challenging and rewarding, frustrating and fulfilling. We sacrifice time, energy and money to reach out and help. Why do we do it? I find the answer in Psalm 126:5-6: “Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will
–by Allan Pole The God of heaven and earth invites us into His family! The Apostle John describes who we are and what we will become in 1 John 3:1-3. Please take a few moments to read these verses. The relationship between Jesus and His people grows because of who we are and
–by Allan Pole Many Jews expected the Messiah to arise in great glory and lead them in a mighty military victory over their oppressors. When would this king and His kingdom appear? How would God establish and expand His influence on the earth? While the people talked about a glorious, conquering king, Jesus
–by Allan Pole When the American space program chose its first seven astronauts, an essential part of the screening process involved their answers to the simple statement, “I am ...” They asked each candidate to complete this sentence 50 different ways. After using the common responses “I am a man, I am a
–by Allan Pole The Son of God could have stayed safely and comfortably in heaven, enjoying unbroken communion with the Father, the Holy Spirit, the angels and the saints who have gone before us. Instead, He put the needs and desires of others before His own to become a baby in a dirty,
–by Allan Pole Mary, the mother of Jesus, has received much attention. She is admired by many for her willingness to cooperate with God’s plan. Consider the qualities of the Messiah’s mother that prompted the angel Gabriel to greet her with, “You who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.” Please take
–by Allan Pole Having a clear vision is essential for progress—especially through difficult times. Imagine how difficult it would be to walk if your eyesight was poor, if it was dark in the room, or if you had your head down. It’s not difficult to imagine, because I have stubbed my toe in
–by Allan Pole A self-made millionaire, Eugene Lang greatly changed the lives of a sixth-grade class in East Harlem, New York. Mr. Lang had been asked to speak to a class of 59 sixth graders. What could he say to inspire these students, most of whom would drop out of school? He wondered
–by Allan Pole I am encouraged as I reflect on how far my relationship with the Lord has grown. I have come a long way from when I went to church meetings, Sunday School, kids’ club and camp as a boy. All this from small beginnings! The Lord’s influence in my life certainly
–by Allan Pole“I did all that for him, and he didn’t even say thank you!” I know people who raise children, serve in the church, volunteer in the community and serve others with little or no recognition. These are heroes amongst us who have discovered the joy of serving. How often have we complained about
Lifeway research summarizes 7 Encouraging Trends of Global Christianity in 2022 as follows: 1. Religious faith is growing faster than the irreligious. 2. Christianity continues to grow. 3. Growth is fastest in the global South (especially Africa and Asia). 4. Christianity continues to spread out. 5. The percentage of non-Christians who know
I enjoy travelling. I have discovered, however, that it is good to go away, and it is good to come home. Restaurant food can be good, but it can all taste the same after a while. I have recognized that there is no bed quite like my own. Yes, travelling is fun, but
