Canadian hockey players are well paid athletes. For the 2014-2015 season, Brad Richards from PEI received two million. Brad Malone from New Brunswick got six hundred thousand, Sydney Crosby from Nova Scotia, got twelve million, and Alberta’s Dion Phaneuf earned eight million. Their earnings are based on their skills. Most of us aren’t good hockey players or make this kind of money. But in terms of our relationship to God, when we pass from this life, we can receive the best pay of all- eternal life. Fortunately, this isn’t based on character or lifestyle, because “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” and none of us is good enough to earn his or her way into heaven.” But when we admit our inability to get into heaven on our own, and humbly ask the Lord for forgiveness, we learn that regardless of skin colour, social standing, or educational level. “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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When Harry Truman was thrust into the US presidency by the death of Franklin Roosevelt, Sam Rayburn, Speaker of the House, took him aside and said, “You’re going to have lots of people … tell you what a great man you are, Harry. But you and I both know you ain’t.” As it turned out, many believe that Truman became a very good President. Without a doubt, too many of us spend our lives worrying about other people’s opinion of us. But the great Apostle, Paul thought otherwise. He once wrote, “…do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” This raises another important question- how do we please God? The writer of Hebrews answers, writing- “without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” So if we desire to please God rather than men, we must believe. That’s why Paul told the sincere, seeking Philippian jailer, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The key is faith.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Hello- is this planet earth?” asked Tim Peake, a British astronaut. He was calling from the International Space Station intending to reach NASA. But when a very surprised lady answered the phone, Peake realized he had reached a wrong number. However, viewing our present world, many will find his question “is this planet earth?” relevant. In the book of Genesis, we read, “God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.” Later Paul explained the impact we have had and are having on our world, writing, “… just as through one man (Adam) sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned…” We have really messed things up. Thankfully, Paul was later inspired to write that for those who turn from ungodliness and place their faith in the Savior, “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” What a great way to start the new year.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In November, a Gideon Banquet was held in Charlottetown. Over 400 people attended. Amazingly, about $30,000 was raised, so that 10,000 Bibles could be printed in the Kojo language in India. Similar events are happening all over the world sponsored by the Gideons and other good organizations. This is interesting in light of the fact that more than two hundred years ago, noted atheist François-Marie Arouet a writer, philosopher, historian and playwright, whose pen name was Voltaire, declared that the Bible would be a museum piece within a century. His prediction like all similar ones was wrong, God’s inspired Word still stands just as promised. Isaiah wrote, “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of our God stands forever.” And Peter echoed that truth, as he was inspired to write, “…the Word of the Lord endures forever.” Trust your Bible. Read your Bible. It can change your life. There learn about yourself, and your Saviour

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Apparently not all men of science believe that to have faith in Christ, and believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God is tantamount to committing intellectual suicide. Listen please to the following eminent men. British scientist, the late Dr. Malcolm Dixon, reader in enzyme biochemistry at Cambridge University said, “I have found no reason to think there is any incompatibility between science and Christianity.” Dr. James Shaw, Associate professor of Biological Chemistry at Harvard School of Dental Medicine stated, “for me, the answer is a personal relationship with God, freely given by Him in response to faith and commitment to Jesus Christ.” Small or great, educated or uneducated, all of us must come to God through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ. He said, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” He promises, “Him who comes to me I will in no wise cast out.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men.” Sir John Acton, an English historian and writer said that. History proves he was correct. Psychologist Cameron Anderson, referring to power dynamics says, “It explains why powerful people sometimes act rather like gorillas.” But in the use of power, how different is our dear Lord Jesus. He once said, “ All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” But though He has all power, because He is also a God of love, He uses His power benevolently. Isaiah wrote, “He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength.” Paul explained how Christ’s death at Calvary made the gospel… “the power of God to salvation, available “ for everyone who believes,” when they admit their spiritual need. This was possible because “When we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In the comic strip “Peanuts”, Lucy told Linus that children cannot live at home forever. They grow up and move away. Then Lucy smiled and said, “When you leave Linus, I will get your room.” But Linus quickly reminded her that someday she would have to leave home too. Lucy turned up the TV, and crawled into her chair with a bowl of ice cream. She refused to think about it. Just a comic strip, yes, but Oh so true. Many of us like Lucy, refuse to think about the unpleasant realities ahead. We grow older each day, refusing to think of the fact that one day we must stand before our Maker. Like Lucy, we crawl up into our make believe chairs with a bowl temporary toys and pretend there is no hereafter, no God to whom we must one day give account. But it does not have to be that way. We can face reality, make our peace with God, admit our spiritual bankruptcy ask the Lord Jesus to become our Saviour, and live the rest of our lives for Him.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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His name is Frank. His name is Louie. No, Louie is not his middle name. That’s because Frank and Louie is a cat with two faces, two mouths, two noses and three eyes. This cat seems to get along quite well with these two faces. That’s not always true of people. Sometimes we try to show one face to the world and hide the one that shows our real self. Paul warned, “God is not mocked.” He looks past our posturing and play acting and sees right into our hearts. We may give to the poor, sing in the choir, and appear to be something far different from what we really are on the inside. The Psalmist David knew this, writing, “O Lord, you have searched me and known me…you understand my thought afar off…are acquainted with all my ways…there is not a word on my tongue but behold O Lord, You know it altogether.” While two-facedness may fool people, we cannot fool God.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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I recently read about a family with plans to travel from California to Idaho. The children were asleep and the parents were having an interesting conversation about fun memories. Suddenly, they saw a sign that said, “Salt Lake City.” They knew then were no longer on the road to Idaho, and were on the road to Utah! Unknowingly they had been distracted, and were on the wrong road. Well, many of us have been there, done that, or something similar. It was an expensive and time consuming distraction for this family. But it’s more serious when on life’s highway, through inattention, pride, stubbornness, neglect or self-indulgence we find ourselves on the wrong road. This is dangerous when it pertains to our relationship with God, our lifestyle here, and the next life. Jesus, referring to eternity, once warned, “Enter by the narrow gate, for wide is the gate and broad the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it.” What road are you on?

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Actor Comedian Don Harron, was a familiar figure in Canadian life for many years. He used wigs, makeup, a woman’s voice or a different pair of spectacles. Other times he donned a wool cap, raggedy sweater and became lovable Charlie Farquarson. But from time to time he put away his costumes and appeared as himself. He once said “Playing Don Harron is the toughest for me. I’m an actor and I like to hide. Many of us find it easier to have different faces for different situations, instead of facing our true selves courageously and admitting what we are really like. John’s gospel says of Christ, “He did not need man’s testimony about man, for He knew what was in man.” God knows what we are all about. He calls on us to acknowledge what we are- as Paul explained- “none righteous…none who seeks after God…” And so Jesus He invites us to turn to Him for forgiveness, a right relationship with Him and the promise of a home in heaven some day.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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