As children grow, we celebrate their development toward independence. When children mature, wise parents rejoice, and gradually decrease their authority role. However, the opposite is true in the Christian life. When we understand that Jesus’ work on Calvary is sufficient for our forgiveness, and that it opens the door to heaven, we realize that we are dependent on Him alone for this wonderful gift. Thus, we grow by depending on Him. Jesus said, referring to our Christian life, “without me you can do nothing. However, we must remember that in order to grow in God’s family, we must first become a part of it by acknowledging our spiritual bankruptcy, inviting Christ into our lives, and being spiritually re-born. That’s what Jesus meant when He said, “You must be born again.” Then we can say, with as Paul, “I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” We grow by depending on Him for strength to live the Christian life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Cecil Rhodes was believed to be the world’s richest man at the height of his career. He was a personal friend of William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army. In contrast to Rhodes, Booth was a poor man, since Rhodes ruled the gold mining industry of South Africa. One day General Booth asked his friend Rhodes, “Are you a happy man?” “Good heavens, no” said Rhodes. Jesus once asked a rhetorical question, “what shall it profit a man if he gains the world, but loses his own soul?” A rich man can be very poor if he does not have Christ in his life. Conversely, a poor man can be very rich, if he has Christ in his life. The Bible, God’s inspired Word reminds us, “In Him,(Christ) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” It is wise and it is a critical decision to live our lives with eternity’s values in view, because we are all going to live somewhere forever.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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The price of gold is now about one thousand and seventy five dollars U.S. per ounce. But in 2011, financial experts announced that the price of gold was on track to break $2,000 per ounce! The value of gold is often seen as a barometer for confidence in the world economy, and a favorite of investors. Gold may be the best in a shaky world economy, but frequent changes in its value reveals, it cannot offer the security many crave. There’s something more valuable than gold. Listen to what Solomon, the world’s wisest man, said about gold. “If I have made gold my hope, Or said to fine gold, ‘You are my confidence’ If I have rejoiced because my hand had gained much; this would be an iniquity…for I would have denied God….” Having a right relationship with God , is the only way to have real security in this world or the next. And that relationship only comes by faith in Jesus Christ, who said, “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“Great News! We have found the Galleon San Jose,” tweeted Jaun Santos. That ship, sunk by the British navy in 1708, is believed to have treasure worth billions of dollars, in gold, silver and gems. It is always great news when something valuable that has been lost, is recovered. This story reminds one of a gospel story in the New Testament. In fact, the word “gospel” means exactly what Jaun Santos said, “good news.” And the Apostle Paul wrote about this “good news”, saying, “By this gospel you are saved,” referring to the salvation of the soul. And he went on to define the “good news” as follows: “Christ died for our sins…He was buried…He was buried,…He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.” When we believe this “good news”, we have found a treasure far greater than that of the San Jose, because it is forgiveness of sin, a transformation, and eternal life.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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In 1995, the late actor, Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident. Before the accident, he played the part of a paraplegic. In his role, he often visited a rehabilitation centre and recalled thinking, “Thank God that’s not me.” But then tragically Reeve was injured and experienced first hand what he feared. Job, in the Bible, suddenly lost his health, his wealth and family. He said, “What I feared has come upon me.” But later, with the Lord’s help, he was able to say, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him,” and continued serving the Lord. How good to know that though many of us do experience physical, mental and financial setbacks, we can turn to the Lord Jesus, who was “touched with the feeling of our infirmities.” and described as “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” If you have a broken heart today, I urge you to look to the One who is the Healer of broken hearts.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Last month, the people of Nova Scotia thanked the City of Boston for their help during the Halifax Explosion, donating a giant Christmas tree to that city. On December 6th, 1917, the Norwegian relief ship SS Imo sliced into the side of the French munitions carrier, Mont Blanc in Halifax Harbour, causing an enormous explosion. Hundreds of onlookers gathered at water’s edge, unaware what the crew of the Mont Blanc knew, as they abandoned ship. But 18 minutes later, the first explosion rocked the city, killing many. 2,00 died, 9,000 were injured. Too late they learned that what we don’t know can hurt us. And nowhere is this more dangerous than when it is in reference to eternal things. But if we refuse to listen to the clear warnings about our accountability to our Maker, great harm will come. Please seriously consider your need to make peace with God. Amos the Prophet warned ,“Prepare to meet your God.” What we don’t know can hurt us.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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“A voice of certainty in a world that was growing more and more uncertain.” That was how President Barack Obama described the late famous broadcaster, Walter Cronkite. As a matter of fact, our world has grown more uncertain now than when Obama made that statement. Today there is the threat of Isis, dark economic times, wars in various parts of the world, global warming and much more. Many no longer want to watch or hear the news. We do not have any guarantees about tomorrow. But there is one place where there is certainty. When we come to know God personally, through faith in Jesus Christ, He guarantees our future. John, in one of his letters, proclaimed the often unknown truth that we can know where we are going when we pass from this life. He wrote, “These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Britain’s Royal Mail has turned to NASA for help, after a five year old boy wrote, asking how much it cost to mail a letter to Mars. It’s not likely that Oliver Gedding will be able to afford it, because the quoted price was $23,425.60 Canadian. And many think that paying one dollar to mail a letter in Canada is high. Well it may be expensive to communicate with Mars, but there is good news. God, our Heavenly Father, desires communication with us, and it is absolutely free! No stamps are needed. The Bible, God’s Word invites us to “Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him…and He will have mercy…He will abundantly pardon.” Though our fellowship with God has been broken by our wrong-doing, the Saviour stands ready to forgive, to transform lives and to prepare us for heaven. Go ahead. Ask Him. He has promised, “Call upon me and I will answer you. “

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Mildred Fello of Miami Beach Florida accidentally discarded her $4,000 diamond ring in a plastic laundry bag. She only realized what had happened minutes after the garbage men had picked it up. Miss Fello then chased the garbage truck for two blocks, but the men could not help her. The machinery had smashed everything together. So she went to the dumping centre and sorted through the refuse. Surprisingly, with the help of the garbage crew, she found her diamond intact. “Even in all that mess, the ring looked just beautiful,” she said. Her unusual story reminds one of a Bible verse in Luke’s Gospel that says, “…the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Just as that diamond ring was valued, and sought after by its owner, so our Heavenly Father valued us, when we were spiritually lost, and sent His Son, Jesus to save us. We are told, “When we were still without strength, in due time, Christ died for the ungodly.”

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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Forty seven percent of Canadians have trouble falling asleep and 38% have trouble staying asleep. 66% believe that stress lies at the bottom of these sleep issues. We all realize that sleeplessness can have physical causes, but there is no doubt that our frantic lifestyle also contributes to the problem. King David, the Psalmist once lamented, “They have increased who trouble me…there is no help.” But then after some reflections, David was inspired to write, “I cried to the Lord with my voice and He heard me and I lay down and slept. I awoke for the Lord sustained me.” Later he added, “ I will both lie down in peace and sleep for You alone, O Lord make me dwell in safety.” While our troubles may be real, and we can see no way out, remember please, that as David learned, God is greater than all our problems. And He is ready to help us when we acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy and turn to Him.

Pastor Alex Rockwell
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