What are the actual qualities that God is looking to grow in each of us? The kind of qualities that He wants to see fill the Kingdom of God.
We’re in the middle of a special series based on the incredible, hit show, “The Chosen”. This Sunday’s message is based on Episode 3, from Season 1. Give it a watch! (For direct links to watch the show, visit: https://www.tob.ca/current-message-series)

The term Shabbat refers to the Jewish Sabbath: keeping the seventh day to rest and worship God. By Jesus' time it had become a huge weekly burden and Pharisees and Scribes were strictly enforcing Shabbat laws. Sadly, they missed the entire spirit of it, becoming experts in minutiae instead. In the middle of all that, Jesus gave a simple, memorable guideline: The Sabbath was made for people, not people for the Sabbath! With those words, Jesus and His followers were headed for trouble... really BIG trouble.

At The Olive Branch, we are going to be journeying together in a series of talks based on the show, “The Chosen”. It’ll be an experience that will help you get to know Jesus in a new way — one that we are praying will help you fall in love with Jesus all over again.
Visit www.tob.ca/current-message-series for the schedule (and direct links for where to watch) of when we’ll be discussing the episodes! Today, we will be taking a look at Episode 1 together.

Everyone wants to be valued for who they are — and loved unconditionally.
But here’s our core problem: how is our growth as lovable people? Love attracts; un-love (let’s call it that) repels. The work of the Spirit of God in our hearts is to grow us up as loving people, that is, to develop the FRUIT of the Spirit in us. And all of that fruit, interestingly, are qualities are all outward facing. We need the Holy Spirit to grow us in this way if we want to be the kind of people who aren’t hard to love!

Jesus posted all kinds of warnings around money because, like all powerful things – water, fire and sex – when it gets out of the boundaries it does a lot of damage! ...and there is only one antidote for it.

Every health issue makes it clear that death still has a grip on our world - and we have all had it touch our lives. So it is a legitimate thing to ask God for good health for ourselves and the health of those we love. Some would say that if we ask and have faith then God should heal us… every time! If that happened, then the followers of Jesus would have stellar health records;  better than anyone else in fact. But we all know that’s not the way it is. So... what does that mean?

It’s a safe guess that at the forefront of just about every heart right now is the longing for peace. Jesus called us to love others, even our enemies, and to pursue peace in every arena we are involved in. Is this even possible?

We love comfort and what we are the most familiar with. When something new enters our lives, it can sometimes feel like a threat. But here's the thing; there are so many new things God wants to to give you. You don't necessarily need a new year to start fresh – but if you want God to work… you need to make room.

Thank you for joining our Christmas Eve service!

When you read the accounts of who was invited to be a part of the amazing story of Jesus’ birth - it’s astounding to find out who accepted and who turned it down. It’s shocking when Magi follow a star for 900 miles (without a car, mind you!) to worship and bring gifts to Jesus — and people just a few miles away, who should know better, don’t even bother to check it out! Heaven has invited everyone into true joy. This deep, pure crystal clear river of joy is open to everyone — no matter how far away they are from God.