December 10, 2017 - - What or Who is guiding you?

For this is God,

Our God forever and ever;

He will be our guide

Even to death.

Psalm 48:14 NKJV

What is the first thing you pick up in the morning? The newspaper? The cell phone to check for texts? Coffee and some gaming? TV remote? Twitter? FB newsfeed? Crosswords?

It is obvious to me that the writer of this Psalm begins and ends the day in contemplation of the Greatness of God. Even life itself begins and ends with instruction from the LORD, the Great Sovereign over nations and creation, the vast cosmos and the mighty ranks of angels, all the events of history and the individual human heart.

Consider this: if you would live life fully and have a good death, pick up your relationship with the Living God, each day. Read the Bible. Pray. Ask His help so that you can live blessing His Name, obedient to Him, facing life's sorrows and joys. He alone is the right guide for living life to fullest measure.

Take hold of my heart and my schedule, God my Guide. Be my best thought by day or by night, so that my life is lived under the shadow of the throne of Jesus, my brother, my Savior and my King. Amen.

December 9, 2017 -- I Corinthians 14:8 Trumpet call of Truth

For if the trumpet makes an uncertain sound,

who will prepare for battle?

I Corinthians 14: NKJV

While reading "Six Days: The age of the Earth and the Decline of the Church" by Ken Ham, I was reminded of this wonderful verse and its clear implications for us as Christians. As Christians we take the Bible to be our foundation and starting point for every part of life. Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden. Death entered creation and humanity needed a Savior. Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World--fully human and fully God. In His humanity He took in Himself the punishment for our sins, in His divinity He bore the full weight of God's wrath. Jesus' perfection is now ours.

If death and predation and cancer and murder were all part of the creation before the Garden of Eden, then what is God restoring? What a bleak future--death and cancer and sin like there was in Eden. No, the Church must raise the clear battle cry, sin and death entered creation by Adam's fall. Therefore we need a Savior. Therefore, all who believe in Jesus Christ look forward to the joy of a new heaven and a new earth, a restored Eden, where sin and death, predation and illness are forever put away with and are no more!

Evolution is a lie. A church member who sounds this trumpet note makes an uncertain noise.

Billions of years makes no sense. Believers who try to hold to God's Word and the human lie of billions of years squawk with the trumpet, but make no sense.

All the moral quandaries of this age can be traced to the discordant trumpet of confused Christians.

The trumpet can only be sounded by Christians who believe Genesis to Revelation as the Truth of God. Such Christians make a clarion call for battle against the lies of our age. We know that God's blessing flows far as the curse is found because Jesus Christ, the One promised in Genesis 3, is the answer to the world's need and evidence of God's glory.

Blessed be Your Name, LORD God Almighty!

Prepare Your preachers to sound the trumpet with clarity, reading from the pages of Truth in God's Word. Each and every Sunday may Your missionaries and preachers, Your evangelist and church planters boldly speak the Truth that is found in Jesus alone. Raise up a generation of believers who speak truth to the powers of darkness in this age. Let Your glory shine, O God, this Christmas season and beyond. Amen

December 8, 2017 - - Ephesians 5:1 Resemblance

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.

Ephesians 5:1 NKJV

Recently my aunt looked at me and said: "You are looking more and more like your grandfather."

Now, understand that I loved my paternal grandfather very much. He is the only one of my grandparents that I ever got to know. He was always kind to me.

However I remember him as very heavy-set, and he always had his pants up to his armpits (that is how I remembered him when I was young) and was bald. Oh yeah, if it was even just one minute after 12 noon, then he would have a cigar (one of two Dutch brands: Ritmeester, or Witte Os) clenched between his teeth.

My cousin, intuitively noted that I was processing this and wondering how much of a compliment it might be, prompted her mother to amend that statement by adding something like: "And he was handsome."

My aunt pursed her lips in a mix of a grimace and a flicker of a smile.

I quickly took that in, turned to my cousin, and jokingly said: "My aunt can't lie, it isn't in her."

We all laughed.

Still, an important truth emerges. It is my desire to be recognized as a dear child of my Father in heaven. It is my desire that people who see me or hear me speak will say: "You must belong to God as His child."

Spirit of the Living God teach me the way of Christ my King. Spirit, empower my obedience to Jesus and the Bible so that it may be evident to all that I am a child of my Father in heaven. Amen.

December 7, 2017 - - Isaiah 60:1-2 Jesus Light of the World

Arise, shine;

For your light has come!

And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you.

For behold darkness shall cover the earth,

And deep darkness the people;

But the LORD will arise over you,

And His glory will be seen upon you.

Isaiah 60:1-2 NKJV

For with You is the fountain of life;

In Your light we see light.

Psalm 36:9 NKJV

Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.

John 8:12 NKJV

On Christmas Eve in 1818

A blizzard stranded the tiny village of Ogledorf

Nestled in the Austrian mountains

That same day the people of St. Nicholas' church found their organ broken

So the priest and organist began composing a song that could be sung without

An organ yet beautiful enough to express their Christmas joy

All day and all night long they worked

And at midnight the gentle carol Silent Night was born

The pure clear tones echoed through the hills

And the world has been captured by the beauty of that simple song ever since.

Silent Night Holy Night

All is calm All is bright

Round yon virgin

Mother and child

Holy infant so tender and mild

Sleep in heavenly peace

Sleep in heavenly peace

Silent night, holy night!

Son of God love's pure light.

Radiant beams from Thy holy face

With dawn of redeeming grace,

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus Lord, at Thy birth

Jesus, Light of the World, pierce the darkness of sin and gloom. Jesus, Lord and King, let Your Spirit lead us by the light of the Bible and Your shining example.

Jesus, break the power of sin and bring redeeming grace.

Amen.

December 5, 2017 Luke 24:46-48 New Life and Suffering

Then He said to them, "Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things."

Luke 24:46-48 NKJV

"If you yield to Satan in the least, he will carry you further and further, till he has left you under a stupefied or terrified conscience: stupefied, till thou hast lost all thy tenderness. A stone at the top of a hill, when it begins to roll down, ceases not till it comes to the bottom. Thou thinkest it is but yielding a little, and so by degrees are carried on, till thou hast sinned away all thy profession, and all principles of conscience, by the secret witchery of his temptations."

- Thomas Manton

We suffer for the Name and reputation of Jesus. We will not yield to temptations and sins, nor begin down a pathway that will lead to destruction.

Knowing Jesus and knowing the strength His Spirit gives us to lead holy lives, we declare His goodness and the freedom found in His Name alone to all the world. Begin at home: keep your appointed times with Jesus in bible reading and prayer. Speak at work of your faith and hope in Jesus. Tell of His greatness when you gather with neighbours. There is no greater topic of conversation than sharing the Good News of Jesus.

Jesus, re-awaken my conscience and soften my heart to the plight of others. Forgiveness my stubborn unwillingness to endure suffering for Your Name's sake. All around me people are marching towards an eternity of torment and hell. Break my heart with grief and renew the urgency of soul to speak to them and call them back from the abyss. Spirit of God as I live with my eyes fixed firmly on Jesus, help me then to declare the forgiveness of sins He brings and share the glorious vision of new life as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. Amen.

December 3, 2017 - - Matthew 16:24-28 Following Jesus

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Matthew 16:24-25 NKJV

To deny oneself and take up the cross and follow Jesus daily means total commitment to the Savior: our obedience, our time, our finances, our family and our work life all submitted to Him.

If you want to know what people think of church,

go to the morning worship service.

If you want to know what people think of the pastor,

go to the evening worship service.

If you want to know what people think of God,

go to the midweek prayer meeting.

The midweek prayer meeting is the most sparsely attended meeting of the church.

What an indictment this is against our age!

We chose our hobbies, recreation, and sports first and give God the left-overs.

If we prize our life more than we honour His,

we are not disciples of Christ.

~Some notes from the Rev. Stephen Richardson's 12/3/17 sermon on Matthew 16:24-28

Fill me, Spirit of God, to overflowing measure. Reorient all my thinking and my actions so my whole being is directed in obedience to Jesus Christ for the glory of the Father. Amen.

December 3, 2017 - - John 8 Jesus the Truth in a world of lies

Then Jesus said to them, “When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am He, and that I do nothing of Myself; but as My Father taught Me, I speak these things. And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.” As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.

John 8:28-32; 42-45 NKJV

Here is a good example of why I don't trust the words of scientists and biologists, philosophers and theologians, astronomers and geologists unless they first have submitted their hearts and their studies to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. More than this even such leaders in academia and professors in seminary and preachers must also, before they can be considered fully trustworthy, have as their worldview that God created the heavens and the earth, out of nothing, in 6 days, and rested the seventh. It was good. There was no death nor cancer, no predation or disease before Adam rebelled against God. Adam rebelled against God and sinned. Therefore God alone is the source of Truth. He provides access to His Truth shown most clearly in Jesus Christ, and God preserves access to Truth by His Word--the Bible--and Spirit. The Spirit of God, with Jesus as the touchstone and Word help us make sense of the cosmos and they alone can guide us in a world steeped in lies and deception:

Robert Trivers, professor of anthropology and biological sciences at Rutgers University (USA), told "New Scientist" that we need a better evolutionary understanding of deceit and self-deception. His thesis is that lying benefits us ("If you're going to steal, you've got to lie to cover it up"), and that we are better able to deceive others if we can deceive ourselves into believing that what we are saying is true ("to render the lie unconscious, the better to hide it").

When asked if he himself is a self-deceiver, Trivers admitted that "I have been remarkable unsuccessful at fighting my own self-deception", but hastily added: "though my professional life as a scientists, I feel that I probably practice less self-deception."

When the New Scientist interviewer logically pointed out that "You could be deceiving yourself about that", Trivers responded, "Absolutely".

"Don't believe everything you think, "New Scientist" 212(2833):32-33, 8 October 2011

Today go to a church where the preacher believes Jesus first and more than all the noises of the world. Today, admit your own self-deceptions and lies about how well you are doing without having God firmly in control of your life.

Get spiritually fit. Get to a Bible believing church. Ask a friend to go with you. Go to a church of a co-worker whose faith you admire. Let God direct you in all truth.

Today, God of Truth, direct my steps and motivate me into action. With Your help, bring me to a church where You are praised. In the light of Jesus, Who is Truth, let me see Your Light and better understand this world's need (and my great need) for You. Amen.

December 2, 2017 - - Isaiah 40:22a Debunking the flat earth myth

It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,

Isaiah 40:22a NKJV

The truth is, at the time of Columbus, no-one in recorded history believed the earth flat, and all theologians and scholars who had commented on the issue had affirmed the Earth as a globe. Rather, the scholars contended with Columbus because they (rightly!) believed the distance to Japan was much greater than Columbus had claimed. At that time they had a reasonable estimate of the circumference of the earth.

The flat earth myth was invented and propagated by anti-Christians in the 1800's, especially by Washington Irving in his 1828 autobiography of Columbus. The story has been eagerly endorsed by historians until recently. The myth was especially exposed by the work of distinguished medieval historian Jeffrey Burton Russell. The flat earth myth is still used by anti-Christians today to cast aspersion on creationists"

Michael Oard's review of: "Bearing False Witness: debunking centuries of Anti-Catholic history" by Rodney Stark.

JoC 31(3) 2017

I wonder how many Christians promulgate this lie as well? How many Christians want to discredit the truth that the earth is just under 6,000 years old and God by His Word, created out of nothing, the heavens and the earth? Many Christians have bought into the lie of evolution.

It pleased God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom, and goodness, in the beginning, to create, or make out of nothing, the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible, in the space of six days, and all very good."

The Westminster Confession of Faith

Chapter IV Of Creation, I

Your Word is Truth, O King of Glory! Blessed be Your Name.

Keep me, and my brothers and sisters in Christ, from bearing false witness. Aid us by Your Spirit to ever seek Your Truth, in the Word and in creation, and live as Your ambassadors. We pray this, in the Name of our Jesus, our Monarch, reigning from heaven above the circle of the earth". Amen.

December 1, 2017 - - I Corinthians 15:21-23 The First Adam and Christ the Final Adam

I came to the conclusion that there are two factors which destroyed Christianity in Western Europe. One was the theory of evolution, the other liberal theology ... Liberal theology is just evolution applied to the Bible and our faith.

Josef Ton, exile pastor of largest Baptist Church in what was then communist Romania

For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.

I Corinthians 15:21-22 NKJV

The test of faith for our tumultuous times is this: do you believe the testimony of the Bible? God created, out of nothing, by His word, the heavens and the earth. Everything was good. There was no sin, no cancer, no death. When our first parents, Adam and Eve, sinned against God, they brought the curse of God into the creation. Death entered creation. Up to that time there was no death.

The Bible does not teach long ages. Creation takes place in six twenty four hour days and the seventh day is the day of rest. Exodus 20, where we read the Ten Commandments, affirms this. Jesus confirmed the testimony of Moses (the author of the first five books of the Bible, John 5:45-47).

If you wonder why Christians today lack the zeal for evangelism, look no further than the destructive teachings of evolution and liberal theology. When the lie of evolution takes hold of a church or denomination, then there is a loss of zeal for the mission field. Liberal theology becomes concerned for man improving man's condition.

The only cure against the infectious lie of evolution and the pernicious curse of liberal theology is a return to the Word of God. God, Who created the heavens and the earth, He Who was there and recorded our origins in the Bible so that we may believe, has given the only healing remedy: believe the first Adam brought death into creation, Jesus is the final Adam, He brings life. The lie of billions of years and the discredited hoax of pond slime becoming a person are theories from the pit of hell.

Ask yourself: how can you believe in Jesus, if you can't even take Him at His word? Jesus' Word is true, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible is trustworthy. When His Word is restored to its rightful place in your life, you cannot help but go out and tell the world Jesus is the only hope for our sin-cursed and death-riddled planet. Believe on Him and live.

Jesus, You are the Truth and the Life, increase my faith. Jesus, Your Spirit alone can expose the lies of liberal theologians and misguided findings of minds who knowingly (and some unknowingly) teach falsehood. The Bible proclaims this frightening fact: You shall destroy all those who speak falsehood. I plead on behalf of scientists and biologists, astronomers and geologists, theologians and philosophers who are entangled in the lies of this age--give them the Spirit directed clarity to discern Your Truth displayed so clearly in creation and in the Word. Bring me to an ever deeper confidence in Your Word and increase my boldness to declare Your Truth to a desperate world in need of You. To You alone the heavens declare glory. From You alone, Triune God, all creation and creatures and things derive their origin and value. Spirit of Wisdom and Counsel, let Christ be openly declared to be as He truly Is: the Head of all things to the glory of the Father! Amen.

November 30, 2017 - - Revelation 1:10-13 Jesus' Bride

I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying, "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last," and "Whatever you see, write in a book and send it to the seven churches which are in Asia: to Ephesus, to Smyrna, to Pergamos, to Thyatira, to Sardis, to Philadelphia, and to Laodicea." Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to his feet, and girded about the chest with a golden band.

Revelation 1:10-13 NKJV

Recently I saw several advertisements for "Christmas Movies". Each of these happened to be love stories. The moment you saw the commercial, you already knew the man and the woman would meet, encounter difficulties and by the end of the movie overcome all of these and be united together in love.

Suddenly I had a better sense of what is going on in the story of Revelation. All these earthly stories are a pale imitation of the Great Story. John received the revelation of Jesus. He is standing in the midst of His various churches. He has spoken His love to His Bride. She does not even know her status. She often doesn't even know her inestimable value in His eyes and all He is doing to bring her to Himself in love.

Yet the story's ending is sure. Jesus will bring His Bride to Himself. The world and all the evil of the hosts of hell will not thwart His plans and keep Him from the great wedding feast.

If this day God seems far off, if this day you wonder about how things could possibly turn out okay, remember this: the story's ending is already assured. Jesus is bringing you to the wedding hall and He will purify you as His bride. Pray. Trust Him. Keep reading the story of His love found in the bible. I have read to the end and I know Jesus' love wins. Rededicate yourself to walking in His ways, no matter the obstacles. He is Bridegroom and we are His Beloved.

Thank You, Jesus, for the story of the Revelation. Thank You for the assurance that all obstacles will be overcome and Your great love for Your Bride wins the victory. In this day, which already feels shaky and I don't clearly see the path, help me to hear Your voice. Increase my faith. Bless me with Your Spirit so that I will not lose heart or lose my footing. Through the events of this great story may God, the Father be praised and His sons and daughters brought to glory in His Name. Amen.

November 29, 2017 - - Jeremiah 10:1-4 No Christmas Tree

Hear the word which the Lord speaks to you, O house of Israel.

Thus says the Lord:

“Do not learn the way of the Gentiles;

Do not be dismayed at the signs of heaven,

For the Gentiles are dismayed at them.

For the customs of the peoples are futile;

For one cuts a tree from the forest,

The work of the hands of the workman, with the ax.

They decorate it with silver and gold;

They fasten it with nails and hammers

So that it will not topple.

Jeremiah 10:1-3 NKJV

This is the very reason I don't want a Christmas tree in my house. Don't get me wrong, I love the true celebration of Christmas! In obedience to and love for the Father, Jesus voluntarily humbled HImself and took on flesh. True God and true man, Jesus born of the Virgin, grew and lived perfect in every part of His life. He was without sin, the perfect sacrifice Who stood in our place and at the cross bore God's just punishment against our sin. He died and rose, the victor over sin and death and He is our Savior, the One Who rescues us from this evil age. All who believe in Jesus are justified in Christ and by the Spirit are being made holy.

The Christmas tree has no part of this story. It is a futile custom that is rooted in ancient paganism, the very paganism that the LORD our God detests. The very fact that I write against Christmas trees means some Christians will be angry. Some will point to traditions and the fact this has been done for a long time so what harm can there be?

Presbyterian and Reformed Christians (my wife and I are members of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church) conduct our worship under the regulative principle. We worship as families in our home, knowing worship is not just for church and Sundays, then my question is this: where is the scriptural warrant for a Christmas tree?

I wonder how many Christian friends will read this passage and prayerfully consider it? How many of my brothers and sisters in Christ then will see their tree, in the heart of their home, adorned with silver and gold, as a monument to this generation's consumerism and a gateway to joining with the idolatry of this age?

Fill Thou, my life, O LORD my God, in every part with praise.

Let my whole being, all I do and what I choose to leave undone,

Be in conformity to Your Word and Your will.

Forgive the accommodations I have made for worldliness,

Whatever these may be.

Spirit of God, work in me

To bring every part of my life into joyful submission to Christ,

My Lord and my King. Amen.

November 28, 2017 - - Psalm 138 Trouble and trials

Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me;

You will stretch out Your hand

Against the wrath of my enemies.

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;

Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever;

Do not forsake the work of Your hands.

Psalm 138:7-8 NKJV

It is a difficult teaching: the very troubles and trials we are walking through are used by God to perfect us.

The troubles of my life are overwhelming. LORD do as this psalm promises: use these circumstances so that I will learn of Your mercy and grow in my faith. While I walk stumbling with trials smashing against me on every side, I pray at minimum show me mercy, better yet, revive me. Remind me that Jesus was forsaken and punished for the sins of the world so that I might be Yours forever. While You are shaping me according to Your perfect purposes, do not let me go. Amen.

November 27, 2017 - - Proverbs 27:7 Jesus the feast of the soul

A satisfied soul loathes the honeycomb,

But to a hungry soul every bitter thing is sweet.

Proverbs 27:7 NKJV

It is a proverb that I have read quite often. There are pithy proverbs nearby to this one, so this particular one I have not really paid attention to it. But today it took hold of my imagination.

Who alone can satisfy my soul? It is the LORD. Worshiping the King of heaven is the soul's delight. Reading the Word and knowing Him--every single thing else on earth pales in comparison. Consider even something as delicious as the honeycomb--it is repulsive, not because there is anything wrong with it in and of itself, but a soul that is satisfied with the love of God cannot even be tempted with something as good as the sweetness of the honeycomb.

What is a hungry soul? God made men and women so that they could be in relationship with Him. Nothing else will satisfy the heart, nothing else will bring contentment to the soul. The one who is in rebellion against God will try everything the earth has to offer. All kinds of rank sins and bitter, destructive-to-the-soul worldly pleasures will be sought and considered as a sweet substitute for the relentless hungry longing for Jesus. All these will fail to satisfy.

Knowing Jesus--getting to speak with Him in prayer, letting Him speak to you as the Spirit makes His voice plain when you are reading the Bible, and listening to sermons by preachers whose hearts are satisfied in Jesus alone--knowing Jesus is the sweetest thing God offers us.

Father in heaven, in Your Word You have set a banqueting table that is the feast of knowing Jesus. Cause Your Spirit to bring my soul to delight, ever more deeply, in the feast of knowing Jesus. As Your Spirit works in me and Jesus is confirmed as the King of my life and the feast of my soul, let Your great Name, Father, be declared to all near and far. Amen.

November 26, 2017 - - I John 5:19-20 God's Truth in an ages of lies

We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in HIm who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

I John 5:19-20 NKJV

Truth is not something to be found by the latest focus group or some opinion poll. The Bible is clear: all people are sinners. The world is held in the grip of the devil. Our thoughts deceive us. Our actions do not line up with our words. What will break the sway of the devil and darkness?

God has shown us what is true. Jesus is the Way to God, the Truth of God, and brings to believers now fullness of Life which is joyful obedience to Jesus. The Spirit of God reveals Jesus through the Bible. The lies of this age are exposed by the Truth of the Bible. Truth does not shift. Truth is not negotiated. Truth remains true no matter how many or few believe it. Because Truth is found in the One Who made the heavens and the earth, Truth is built into every part of creation and the standard of Truth rules from the throne of heaven.

The followers of Jesus Christ delight in worship. When the Word is read, lies are dispelled. When the worshipers arise and praise Him Who is True, the understanding from God's perspective is given. One day all flesh will give an account for their thoughts, words and actions. The wicked will be thrown to hell. The followers of Jesus Christ, who by their life showed the root of faith and the fruit of obedience to Him, will delight in God for all eternity.

Do something radical today: get to a church where the Word of God is preached and truth is revealed.

Spirit of God, the lies of this world are repeated so often and in so many places that it can be hard to distinguish what is right and true. Draw many people to worship this day. Believers and curious, prodigals and newbies--let the Word of God fill our imagination, heart and soul with the wonders of Jesus, Who is Truth. Spirit of God, dispel the lies of this age that cling like burrs to the worshipers who gather, and set hearts free to find delight in joy-filled obedience to God. Spirit of power, bless the preachers and evangelists, missionaries and Bible-teachers who bring Your Word today. Blessed be Your Name, triune God of Glory, now and forever. Amen.

November 25, 2017 - - Psalm 119:73 Image bearers in a disintegrating culture

Your hands have made me and fashioned me;

Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments.

Psalm 119:73 NKJV

What is man?

We are not even confident of the intrinsic value of the human person made in God's image, whether pre-born, new-born, disabled, aging, sick or despairing. Indeed, we are so fundamentally uprooted that we are no longer assured of the scientific and chromosomal reality of the binary gender distinctions of male and female, of normative human sexuality, or of the oldest institution known to the human race--marriage and family.

Our profound confusion today is such that some people are not even sure that they occupy the right age group or gender, were born into the right people group, or even gestated by the right species, since they "feel" like something else. No one dares to challenge these inner fictions, since all that is left of the human personality is the notion that an autonomous and subjective feeling has the absolute existence of God himself. As such, there is no longer a basis for differentiation of any objective kind. And thus, in a world mired in the irrational fluidity of all things, where the possibility of normative differentiation between truth and falsehood, right and wrong, reality and unreality, has collapsed, culture has not simply reached a bump in the road, but has been sucked into a kind of vortex of democratic insanity..."

By denying, debunking and defacing the image of God in man we are losing our very soul (Matthew 16:26).

Jesus Christ said: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).

The Rev Dr. Joseph Boot "Gospel Culture" page 14

Out of this vortex of insanity and chaos, God the Creator, Who made us male and female in His image, calls us to holy living. In Jesus Christ we find both our example for holy living and the One Who stood in our place, taking God's rightful condemnation against sin. The Spirit of Jesus restores our humanity. The Spirit of God gives those who follow Jesus Christ the compassion to deal with the inane concepts of our age and point to the aimless, helpless, and confused people of our age find welcome Truth in the Word of God.

God, if You are for us as believers in Jesus Christ, who can be against us? Let my life and my witness shine brightly into the darkness of this culture. Spirit of God, embolden Christians to speak to this culture the reality of life as it is revealed in the Bible: One God to Whom all people, as His image-bearers, are accountable. Father in heaven, as Christmas approaches, remind this world Jesus has come, as a Man, born of a woman. Jesus Christ by His perfect, obedient life, and His death by which He took our place and bore the punishment against sin we deserved and His resurrection and session to Your right hand ensures the victory of Your glory and triumph of believers. Let the lives of Christians continually declare these things to Your glory and through our life and testimony thereby give hope to the people of this age. In Jesus' great Name I pray. Amen.

November 24, 2017 - - Isaiah 55:8-9 How to interpret life

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,

neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the Lord.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth,

so are my ways higher than your ways

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV

Perhaps the greatest danger of all for Christian people is the danger of understanding the Scriptures in the light of their own experiences. We should not interpret Scripture in the light of our experiences, but should examine our experiences in the light of the teaching of the Scripture.

Martyn Lloyd-Jones "Joy Unspeakable: Power and Renewal inn the Holy Spirit" page 16

Sovereign of Heaven and Earth, forgive my presumptuous ways and haughty heart. You are All-Glorious. Your Word alone is Truth. By Your Spirit help me to faithfully follow Jesus, not the standards and norms of this world, but lead me in the way of Jesus. Amen

November 23, 2017 - - Matthew 19:21-26 Possessions or Faith

Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

This passage aims an arrow straight at the heart of Christians living here in North America. We are very rich. We are devoted to our things, our cars, our electronics, our furniture, our homes, our closets filled with clothes and vacations.

What would it take for a camel to go through the eye of a needle? It would have to be broken down into its component atoms in order to get through that tiny hole. It is impossible, especially if you'd expect the camel to be alive on the other side of the needle's eye!

God has made the impossible possible in Christ. We are cleansed, right down to the very atoms of our being. Sin has been expunged and Christ's righteousness (His right way of living before God) has become ours.

The Holy Spirit shows us our sins. The Holy Spirit walks us through the riches we trust in and the riches we spend so much time trying to maintain and removes from us the lust and greed for things and by the Blood of Christ and the Bible. Sin is now hateful to us and we cry out to the Spirit of God--take it off us, cleanse me, make me clean.

Ask yourself, oh rich man, ask yourself, oh rich woman--am I clinging so closely to my things that there is little room for Christ? With God all things are possible. With God our hearts can be made right and our priorities transformed so that our greatest joy is found in our relationship with the Triune God.

Furthermore, it is offensive that Christians pour so much money, time and effort in giving Christmas presents to the needy. Those who are in need should not be taught or confirmed in the lustful consumerism of our culture. No matter people's economic situation, the greatest need is relationships which will lead people to Christ.

How grotesque and worldly a picture we paint: giving the lost presents for their tree all the while not knowing whether or not their hearts are far from the One Who can save them from hell. Give the treasure of heaven: teach obedience to Jesus to the rich and the poor. Jesus alone is the High King of Heaven, our Ruler and our Joy.

Jesus, continually pour out Your Spirit on me so that the thorough-going lust for things and the avarice of my heart will be purged from me. Lord Jesus, as I read the Word, as I pray, as I walk in stumbling obedience that seeks to mature into greater faithfulness, cause my faith to increase. God my Father, give me the boldness of the Spirit to declare Jesus as the Treasure to all and any who will listen. Bring many prodigal sons and daughters to Yourself this Season. Amen.

November 22, 2017 - - Proverbs 22:6 and Matthew 28:18-20 Joy-Filled Obedience

Train up a child in the way he should go,

And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV

In what way are you training up your child? It is easy to binge watch the latest series of your fav episodes. Ordinary activities and schedules all must yield for this. Yet for church services and prayer meetings are low on the list of priorities. Your children are watching. They will follow in your footsteps.

In what way are you training up your child? At Christmas time budgets for presents are made and exceeded. Belt tightening measures are undertaken in the lead up to Christmas so that the little members of the family can be more spoiled than they already are. Yet the tithing for church and belt tightening so that extras can be given to the needy are neglected. Your children are learning obedience to the dictates of the culture rather than obedience to Jesus and his commands.

We are storing up for ourselves treasures on earth where the moth eats and banking fluctuations devour and heaps of presents given to children are soon forgotten. Extended church and bio family members can be so guilty of this as well. The treasure of greatest price which our children and youth need is walking with Jesus. It is a precious gift for the community of faith to see costly obedience to Jesus.

Give to your children the lasting gift of mentoring them in obedience to Jesus Christ. Give to your children the wonder of delving into the Word and teach them the joy of the LORD and the expectation of good which can only flow from the throne of our Father in heaven. Pray that the Spirit of God will wean them from the world and its fool's gold pleasures. The Rock on which to build a life of satisfaction and trust, of joy and hope that can weather any storm is Jesus Christ.

Father in heaven, it feels like it is so late for me, so overwhelming to set things right. I confess I am so set in my ways and so devoted to things and programs and what is familiar that the treasures of heaven seem so far beyond me. Thank You for the love of Your Son, my Savior Jesus, Who rescues me from the present evil age. Thank You that in obedience to Jesus I die to myself, this world and the lies of this world and rise to new life in Him. Spirit of God, let the splendour of Christ and the renown of His Name be my highest pursuit and pleasure. As the world enters this season of excess and heightened materialistic pursuits, let my faith be anchored in Christ and my joy be the worship of His Name and love for Him shown by my obedience to His commands. May my children and grandchildren, my church family and friends not see a grinch, but a man zealous for the things of God and radiant in obedience and so finding the true pleasures You offer. Amen.

November 20, 2017 - - Psalm 99:1-3 Sinners and the Mercy Seat

The LORD reigns;

Let the peoples tremble!

He dwells between the cherubim;

Let the earth be moved!

The LORD is great in Zion,

And He is high above all the peoples.

Let them praise Your great and awesome name--

He is holy.

Psalm 99:1-3

What does it mean that "He dwells between the cherubim"?

In the Old Testament times the LORD commanded that an Ark of the Testimony would be constructed. This was a box made of acacia wood and overlaid with gold. In it was kept: a jar of manna, a staff that had budded and proved the leadership of Aaron as priest and the stone tablets that had the Ten Commandments written on it.

The Ark of the Testimony was topped with gold and two cherubim, warrior angels, who facing each other had their wings outstretched to cover the top of the Ark of the Testimony. They looked down onto the top of the Ark of the Testimony and that place they were looking was called: The Mercy Seat. It was the very place where God, the Holy One, lived among His people.

The Ark of the Testimony showed the LORD as: Law-Giver (by way of the Ten Commandments), as Leader-Judge (by way of a dead walking stick that had budded and produced almonds in one night); and Shepherd Who feeds His flock (the jar of manna).

Now the Mercy Seat is in heaven. Jesus sits on the Mercy Seat at the Father's right hand. He fulfilled the 10 commandments perfectly. He went to the cross in our place. Jesus the perfect one bearing the punishment for our sins so that we would be counted as holy before God. He feeds us with His Word and directs us by His Spirit.

Today, if you are aware of your sins and how your mind and heart are rebellious against God, go to the Mercy Seat. Pray to Jesus and ask His forgiveness. Ask for the strength to turn from sin and walk in obedience to the Bible.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners, great and glorious is Your Name! Who is like You? By Your blood our sins are forgiveness. By Your mercy, we are presented to God as beloved sons and daughters. By Your leadership we are directed in holy paths. By Your Word and Spirit we are fed with the bread of heaven. Blessed be the Father Who gives us such a Savior!

Blessed be Jesus, the Savior, Who pours out the Spirit so that prodigals can find their way home.

Blessed be the Spirit Who leads our wayward feet home and directs us to the Mercy Seat, the place of prayer and blessing. Amen.

November 17, 2017 - - Proverbs 17:16 The price of wisdom

Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? KJV

Why should a fool have money in his hand to buy wisdom

when he has no sense? ESV

Proverbs 17:16

Two things are here spoken of with astonishment:-- 1. God's great goodness to foolish man, in putting a price into his hand to get wisdom, to get knowledge and grace to fit him for both worlds. We have rational souls, the means of grace, the strivings of the Spirit, access to God by prayer; we have time and opportunity. He that has a good estate (so some understand it) has advantages thereby of getting wisdom by purchasing instruction. Good parents, relations, ministers, friends, are helps to get wisdom. It is a price, therefore of value, a talent. It is a price in the hand, in possession; the word is nigh thee. It is a price for getting; it is for our own advantage; it is for getting wisdom, the very thing which, being fools, we have most need of. We have reason to wonder that God should so consider our necessity, and should entrust us with such advantages, though he foresaw we should not make a right improvement of them. 2. Man's great wickedness, his neglect of God's favour and his own interest, which is very absurd and unaccountable: He has no heart to it, not to the wisdom that is to be got, nor to the price in the use of which it may be got. He has no heart, no skill, nor will, nor courage, to improve his advantages. He has set his heart upon other things, so that he has no heart to his duty or the great concerns of his soul. Wherefore should a price be thrown away and lost upon one so undeserving of it?

Matthew Henry Commentary

If today you are curious about God and the Bible, then do not be a fool. Do not throw away the great opportunity to ask and gain understanding. Look up a Christian friend, or family member or minister, whom you know and respect, and find out about the great gift that God has placed in your hand.

God of love and justice, let me be sensitive to the people around me. If there are any who want to know more about You, stop me from carelessly brushing aside their curiosity. Spirit of God give me the perception to clearly show and teach of Jesus to those who have questions. Jesus, You are not a religion, or a theory, but the Dearest Desire of my heart. Thank You for those people in my life who took the time to share with me their love for You. Deepen my devotion and obedience to You, King of kings and LORD of lords. Amen.