Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed by a situation where you had no answers and felt like there was no way out? The story of King Jehoshaphat, from 2 Chronicles 20:1-13, is very similar. Facing a "vast army" that was closing in from all sides, Jehoshaphat found himself in a position many of us recognize: he was alarmed, outnumbered, and out of options. But instead of giving in to fear or relying on his own military strategy, Jehoshaphat pivoted and everything changed — He simply turned to the Lord. Pastor Dean Skinner breaks down the spiritual roadmap for navigating life's most "impossible" moments. Learn how to shift your focus from the size of your problem to the size of our God. Key Insights from the Message: The Power of Fasting and Prayer — When crisis hit, Jehoshaphat proclaimed a fast and gathered the people to seek help from the Lord. Acknowledge Your Limitations — "We have no power to face this vast army... We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You (v12)." God can work most powerfully when we admit we can't do it on our own. Recalling God's Faithfulness — Jehoshaphat’s prayer was a reminder of God’s past deliverances and His covenant promises, not solely a list of complaints. The Battle is the Lord's — The Israelites moved from fear to victory by standing firm and letting God fight for them. Worship as a Weapon: Jehoshaphat sent the singers and worshippers out in front of the army—praise can confuse and defeat the enemy in your own life. If you are facing a "vast army" of financial trouble, health issues, or family conflict, this sermon is for you. Stop looking at the storm and start putting your eyes on the Saviour. Scripture Reference: 2 Chronicles 20:1-13 (NIV) Connect with Us: On socials @Bethelottawa At our website www.bethel.ca **#Sermon #PastorDeanSkinner #2Chronicles20 #Jehoshaphat #WhatToDo #FaithInCrisis #PrayerAndFasting #TheBattleIsTheLords #ChristianLiving #WorshipIsAWeapon**

What does it truly look like to live as a follower of Jesus every single day? Pastor Dean Skinner explores the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:1-18 — revealing how we live out our faith through actions that please the Father. Jesus assumes certain disciplines will be automatic for His followers. Notice He doesn’t say "if you give" or "if you pray," but "when you give," "when you pray" and "when you fast". These three practices work in parallel to challenge our wrong motives and refine our character. At the core of this message is the "secret" nature of these disciplines. Jesus warns against being a "hypocrite"—someone who performs spiritual acts just to be seen by others. Instead, we are called to practice our righteousness in secret, knowing that the Father who sees what is done in secret will reward us. Key Pillars of the Disciple’s Lifestyle: Giving to the Needy: This is an "art" that goes beyond the regular tithe. It is about denying the flesh to bless others, following the example of our God who blesses even those who don't deserve it. A Life of Prayer: Prayer is genuine communication with God, not a public performance. Using the model of the Lord’s Prayer, we learn to prioritize worship, establish Kingdom principles in our lives, and seek God’s daily provision and forgiveness. Growth Through Fasting: Fasting is the voluntary abstinence from things like food, social media, or television to create a greater appetite for God. It is a powerful way to deny the self and spend focused time in the Lord's presence. This sermon serves as a call to move beyond religious rituals and into a deep, private, and powerful relationship with the Father. Let 2026 be the year your lifestyle fully reflects your devotion to Christ! Scripture Reference: Matthew 6:1-18 (NIV) Connect with Us: On socials @Bethelottawa At our website www.bethel.ca **#Sermon #PastorDeanSkinner #LifestyleOfADisciple #Matthew6 #SermonOnTheMount #PrayerAndFasting #Generosity #Faith #ChristianLiving #Discipleship**

Are you waiting for your circumstances to change, or are you waiting for God to change YOU? Many of us are looking for a fresh start in 2026. But a fresh start in a new year doesn't mean much if we are the same people walking into it. Pastor Mathios Felmina explores how God is more concerned with changing what is within you than what is around you. Matthew 14:22-33 reveals that while we often pray for the storm to stop, Jesus often chooses to walk right through it with us. He didn't immediately rebuke the wind; He addressed the internal "storm" of doubt in Peter’s heart. We want you to know that your peace is not determined by the absence of a storm, but by the presence of freedom inside of it. Key Takeaways from the Message: **The Prison Principle:** In Acts 12, God removed Peter’s chains before He opened the prison doors. If you walk out of a prison still chained, freedom will still feel like bondage. God wants to free you internally before He delivers you externally. **Familiar Pain vs. Unfamiliar Freedom:** The human mind often prefers the pain it knows over the freedom it doesn't. Don't let the "Egypt" of your past keep you from the "Wilderness" of your growth. **Focus Determines Depth:** Peter didn't sink because of the wind; he sank because his focus shifted. As long as you are beholding Jesus, the external storm has no access to your spirit. **Feed the Fire:** Using the story of Paul on Malta (Acts 28), we see that the same fire that reveals the "snake" (danger/fear) is the fire that kills it. You must keep feeding your spiritual fire through prayer and the Word, or your passion will die. **Diagnosis is Required:** You cannot treat what you haven't diagnosed. Ask God to "search your heart" and reveal the anxious thoughts that are truly holding you back. This is your word for 2026: Let God work IN you so He can eventually work THROUGH you to change the world around you. Scripture References: - Matthew 14:22-33 (The Primary Text) - Acts 12:6-10 (Peter in Prison) - 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (Transformation by Beholding) - Acts 28:1-6 (Paul and the Viper) - Psalm 139:23-24 (Search Me, O God) Connect with Us: On socials @Bethelottawa At our website www.bethel.ca #sermon #PastorMathiosFelmina #changewithin #WordFor2026 #matthew14 #faithoverfear #newyear2026 #christiangrowth #jesuswalksonwater

What is the significance of the tiny town where Jesus was born? Well, The name of this little town reveals the true meaning of Christmas. Pastor Dean Skinner explores the story of the Magi (or wisemen) in Matthew 2:1-12, focusing on Bethlehem. While King Herod was troubled by the news of a new King, the Wise Men followed a star to a lowly manger to find the prophesied Ruler of Israel. Bethlehem literally means the "House of Bread." Pastor Dean discusses the connection of this place and Jesus’ ministry, reminding us that Jesus is the Bread of Life sent from heaven to nourish our souls. The sermon breaks down the three gifts the Magi brought — Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh — which prophetically symbolize Jesus’ entire life and destiny: 1. Gold: A gift fit for a King. 2. Frankincense: A gift for divinity, symbolizing His life as a Priest. 3. Myrrh: A gift foretelling His suffering, death, and burial. Christmas is not about commercialism, but about finding the Bread of Life. If you are spiritually hungry this season, this sermon will challenge you to seek out Jesus, the King of Israel, who came to give you eternal sustenance. Key Takeaways: — Bethlehem is the “House of Bread,” foretelling Jesus as the Bread of Life. — The Magi’s journey shows that even outsiders are drawn to worship the true King. — The gifts of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh summarize Jesus's role as King, God, and Savior. — The true hunger we have is spiritual, and only Jesus can satisfy it. Scripture Reference: Matthew 2:1-12 (NIV) Connect with Us: On socials @Bethelottawa At our website www.bethel.ca **#Sermon #PastorDeanSkinner #Bethlehem #Christmas #Matthew2 #Magi #BreadOfLife #Worship #JesusIsKing**