April 25th we'll be talking about "Faith vs Fear".   God responds to faith and satan responds to fear.  Without faith it is impossible to please God and without fear you can't please satan.  Faith is the substance of things hoped for and fear is the substance of things not desired.  Do you "mediate" on words of faith or fear?  There are consequences to faith as well as fear.  God is a "good" God and has given us all "good" things to enjoy.  Satan gives us "undesirable" things that will steal, kill or destroy our lives.  God made us "choice" beings and it's up to us to "choose" which will operate in our lives.  Why is it so hard to believe that God wants to give us "good" things.  Good means that which is beneficial, useful, of excellence!   Think on this.  It doesn't take a brain surgeon to figure out what is "good" and what isn't.  Pastor Debbie

We're blessed to be able to offer a Discipleship Class on the first Saturday of each month starting at 9:30 a.m.  Everyone is welcome.  If you're hungry for more of God's Word, please come and join us.  We'll be teaching on, "How Does God See Me?"  Unfortunately, many people see themselves through the eyes of other people.   We need to see ourselves through the eyes of God.  When we see ourselves through peoples eyes we get a twisted view of who we are.  We need to stop looking through the "physical eyes" and start looking through our "spiritual eyes."  Who better to judge us than God, who sees all and knows all. (Job 34:21 says, For His (God) eyes are upon the ways of man, and He (God) sees all his goings.) If this topic is something you need for your life, I want to encourage you to join us.  We look forward to seeing you!  Pastor Debbie  

Starting a new series on the Holy Spirit.  This can make a difference in your life.  Come worship together with us and see what God has in-store for you!  Pastor Bob

This is the time when people start making New Years resolutions.  The only way a change can take place is when we put feet to the resolution.  We may start out with zeal or a desire, but as time goes on it fades away.  It will take preservation, determination, sacrifice and, sometimes, hard work to press on.  How bad do we really want the resolution to come to pass.  Whether it's losing weight, being a better parent/spouse, being more committed/faithful or a number of other things, the only way change will take place is when we adopt it as a lifestyle.  Not just "try it" to see if it will work.  We're the ones that choose whether or not it will work.  No one can make us give up, give in or stop advancing.  Only we can make that choice.  Remember, when we're weak, He is strong.  We are MORE than overcomers!  Not just an overcomer!  MORE than an overcomer!  Stop blaming everyone and everything else for your choices.  Be truthful with yourself.  Repent!  Start Over!!  God's given us the gift of a "FRESH START".  Happy New Year!!   Debbie    

     We've all heard, over and over again, unjust stories in the work place.  There seems to be MANY in management positions today that don't honor, respect and treat their employees the way they themselves would like to be treated.  It's a give ME, give ME, take, take world.  Leaders taking credit for things they didn't do or think of, deceiving, not honest, trying to get one step up on the ladder no matter who they hurt or what the outcome is for the ones under their feet. This leaves employees believeing, "What's the use in giving my all only to be pushed down, crushed and thrown away like a piece of tissue!" "Not appreciated for my efforts, ideas, and dedication to the company."  They're told they are troublemakers, complainers, not appreciative, or some other line if they bring up an issue of concern.  If they don't say anything, they're accused of being lazy, unproductive, not a team player and not out for the good of the company. 
     I have some encouraging words for you!!! I've been in the same boat myself.   God's Word is the most important when it comes to this subject.   They will reap what they're sowing! There are principles in place, no matter if you're a Christian or not!   We're told in God's Word to treat others BETTER than ourselves.   Ephesians 6:6 says, "...not with eyeservice, as menpleasures, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart..." and First Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love suffers long and is kind; loves does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the TRUTH; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things".  The last scripture I want to share is Romans 12:19, "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay, "says the Lord.  We know God is just and He will take care of the situation for our good!

I've been preaching on the subject of stewardship and have been learning some very interesting things.  One of those items is, as far as I can see, in the Old and New Testament, I can’t find where any of us exclusively own anything.  We are merely stewards of possessions that God has made us responsible for. Somewhere in my thinking I owned some things and was a steward over other things.

 I certainly see stewardship exemplified in the Old Testament where we see God gives land to his people as a possession.   Def (1 a : the act of having or taking into control b : control or occupancy of property without regard to ownership).
I’ve always thought of the word possession as owning something but that is not necessarily true. 

 We see this over and over in the Old Testament yet when His people were disobedient He would give the land to their enemies.  Vise versa.  He would give the land to His people, taking it from their enemies, when they were obedient.  The question is how could God give the land to either party if He did not own it to begin with? Would He not be a thief if it was not His to begin with?   And how could He turn around and give it back to either party if He had not retained the ownership of it right along no matter who had possession (stewardship) of it.

 I find many scriptures that says He owns the Earth and all it contains and statements like that.  Acts 4:32 says, "All the believers were one in heart and mind". No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. They understood stewardship.  How freeing it is to give when we don’t consider ourselves as owners but simply managers of God’s property. How differently will we manage our possessions knowing they all belong to God?

Pastor Bob 

Come join us at our new location, 9C Beaver Street, in the Opera House building in downtown Belfast. (On the side of the building that faces the bay) The service begins at 10:45 a.m.  We are very excited that God has provided us with this opportunity. Over the next few weeks we will be preparing the new space.  We have contemporary style worship and uncompromised bible teachings.  If you want a life changing experience come celebrate our God with us. For additional information contact us at bob@fsministries.net.   

  
Two weeks ago I started a mini series on humility at our Sunday morning service held at the Belfast Harbor Inn.  This has proved to be a timely message for God has met with his people in these meetings.  Being humble is a vital key that opens the door of your heart to God.  Remember God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.  That tells me that humility makes the way for God to be intimate with me while pride keeps me at arms length from him.  Notice some facts in the scriptures below.  Numbers 12:5-9.    5 Then the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud; he stood at the entrance to the Tent and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When both of them stepped forward, 6 he said, "Listen to my words:
       "When a prophet of the LORD is among you,
       I reveal myself to him in visions,
       I speak to him in dreams.
 7 But this is not true of my servant Moses;
       he is faithful in all my house.
 8 With him I speak face to face,
       clearly and not in riddles;
       he sees the form of the LORD.
       Why then were you not afraid
       to speak against my servant Moses?"
The LORD says about his prophets he speaks to them from a distance in dreams and visions yet with Moses he speaks face to face. He speaks clearly, not in riddles; no Moses sees the LORD’S form. Up close and personal. See God is intimate with Moses.   He moved in as close as He could, as much as Moses could contain, as an unregenerate man. Wow, how come God would do this for Moses and not His prophets?  Verse 12:3 of Numbers reveals the answer.  3 (Now Moses was a very humble man, more humble than anyone else on the face of the earth.)  Humility is the key. Moses was a very humble man, more than anyone on the earth at that time. God says of Moses that he was faithful in all my house or you could say in all of God’s assignments.  That speaks of obedience. This is a direct fruit of humility and pleasing to God.  Moses did what he was instructed to do.  Do you want a closer relationship with God and fulfill His will? Oh what is in store for a humble individual. The preceding was just a snipped from the last two messages on humility.

Pastor Bob  

Welcome to Fresh Start Ministries Online Community!
This is an area for you to keep in touch with everyone in the church.
Make prayer requests or give us your testimony!  Pastor Bob.