January 10, 2018 - - Proverbs 10:23 Are we fools for sports or wise for God?

To do evil is like sport to a fool,

But a man of understanding has wisdom.

Proverbs 10:23 NKJV

Think of the different levels of athletics. You have your hockey moms bringing kids to 6 am practices; you have soccer dads working out with their kids training them for proficiency. Then there are the self-motivated skate-boarders capable of awesome aerial twists and jumps. Right up to Olympic athletes whose lives revolve around their chosen sport.

You get the drift, right? How many of us, parents, train our children in wicked ways, in the things of our culture and this world but do not give more time and more attention to our faith and communicating the richness of knowing Jesus Christ!

I am not saying sports are wicked. But we watch endless hours of sports on TV, enduring commentary, commercials and replays, pre-game shows and post-game jaws, but gripe if the worship service takes more than an hour and fifteen minutes. We are prepared to drive across the province for sports events, but can't get out of the house for a prayer meeting on a week-night. We are training the children to sacrifice for their sport, buying the gear they need, paying for ice time and coaching and so on. But do we train them to give equally, or more joyfully, in tithes?

The man or woman of understanding knows the greatest treasure is knowing Jesus Christ. The parent of understanding longs for his child, above all else, to know the Word of God, be guided by the Spirit and dedicate himself to God. This is what makes one's life rich.

God, in Whose presence is fullness of joy, cause me to understand the richness of knowing You in Jesus Christ. Spirit of all wisdom, from the depths of this place of love and wonder, cause me to be a parent-coach training my children, and those in my sphere of influence, in the path of holiness. Amen.

January 7, 2018 Psalm 39:5c-6 - - Athletes: what happens when the cheering stops

Certainly every man at his best state is but vapor.

Selah

Surely every man walks about like a shadow;

Surely they busy themselves in vain;

He heaps up riches,

And does not know who will gather them.

Psalm 39:5c-6 NKJV

[Selah means: pause. reflect. re-read. reflect]

Recently I have had a chance to watch some episodes of shows like "Beastmaster" and "American Warrior Ninja". Very young, strong, fit athletes compete against one another to go through various obstacles which test their endurance, hand-strength, agility and so on. Every single one of them considers second-place the biggest loser.

These athletes are parkour experts, fitness trainers, extreme rock-climbers, jiu jitsu experts and so on. They are in peak condition. It is awesome to see their feats of prowess. And it is poignant.

In recent episodes athletes were interviewed as to their motivation. Some were doing this to impress their fathers, who were never satisfied with their performances. Others worked out to the limits of endurance in respect or honour of a dead loved one. What haunted me is how many of these young athletes succeeded so well and then after the cheering of the crowd and fist pumping, flag-draped victories were so hungry for the next high, the next win, or the next moment which would validate them. They are busying themselves in vain. They don't even know what to do with the accolades they have heaped up. They cannot in any meaningful way present a medal to the dead.

In this Psalm David is confessing the emptiness of life; but then he explains the key. A life that has no eternal focus and no vision beyond what this life can bring is ultimately meaningless. Fitness fades.Trophies are so yesterday. One man looked directly at the camera and said, "No one cares what you did last year or last week, they want to know what you can do today, right now."

Athletes constantly must fight off the newest young, rising star and the next sensation. Fitness fanatics are constantly battling the relentless effects of age. The only thing in this universe which can turn everything around from meaninglessness is: hope. Only the Lord can give us hope that reaches beyond this life.

It is the start of the year. Get to church. Speak with a friend whose Christian faith you admire. Explore what is beyond the limits of this world and life's endless busying in vain. When the Bible is opened and you meet up with God, you will find that elusive prize your heart is longing for.

God, You alone, are all hope and meaning. God my Father, when I am head-down, hard-running fast away from You, the Bible shows me it is You Who places various obstacles in my path so that in anguish and bewilderment I will have no choice except to throw my eyes and hands up to heaven and find hope in You. Though beauty melts, though fitness is one fracture away from failing, though my life is vapor which is disappearing with the rising heat of the sun, You know the length of my days and You draw my attention to Your glorious Presence. Blessed be Your Name! I pray for those who are relentlessly chasing approval they can never gain; I pray for those who realize they are frail but have no shelter or resting place for their tormented psyche. Today, draw them to Yourself in love. Today let me welcome into church whomever You have drawn in by Your Spirit so that together we will find our reason for hope in Jesus. You, Lord Jesus Christ, are an epiphany to weary souls. Amen!

January 6, 2018 - - Isaiah 40:8 & John 1:14 What Goes Before Good Works

The grass withers, the flower fades,

But the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8 NKJV

Your word is a lamp to my feet

And a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 NKJV

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 NKJV

There must first be in the heart of a man before he do any good works, a greater and more precious thing than all the good works in the world...That precious thing which must be in the heart, ere a man can work any good work, is the word of God, which in the gospel preacheth [preaches], profereth [offers], and bringeth unto all that repent and believe, the favour of God in Christ. Whosoever heareth the word and believeth it, the same is thereby righteous, and thereby is given him the Spirit of God, which leadeth him unto all that is the will of God, and is loosed from the captivity and bondage of the devil, and his heart is free to love God, and hath lust [desire] to do the will of God. Therefore it is call the word of life, the word of grace, the word of health, the word of redemption, the word of forgiveness and the word of peace; he that heareth it not, or believeth it not, can by no means be made righteous before God.

William Tyndale "Parable of the Wicked Mammon"

Thank You, Father of multitudes of mercies, for the written word, the Bible, and the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Increase my hunger for the Word so that I will be strengthened for joyful service in Jesus' great Name. Amen.

Psalm 29 - - Can I really forgive?

Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones,

Give unto the Lord glory and strength.

2 Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name;

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

3 The voice of the Lord is over the waters;

The God of glory thunders;

The Lord is over many waters.

4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;

The voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,

Yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon.

6 He makes them also skip like a calf,

Lebanon and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7 The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire.

8 The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness;

The Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

9 The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth,

And strips the forests bare;

And in His temple everyone says, “Glory!”

10 The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood,

And the Lord sits as King forever.

11 The Lord will give strength to His people;

The Lord will bless His people with peace.

Psalm 19 NKJV

9 years ago today I was in a car accident that changed my life. The other driver ignored a stop sign. It shook my world. It shook my life.

This Psalm is of great comfort to me. From the secret places where the deer gives birth, to the resounding praises of heaven, from the mightiest storm to the fiercest fires, from the Flood that devastated the planet to the awesome beauty of His holiness--from the greatest to the least detail over the heavens and the earth, God is in charge.

He has given me strength to make a come back--though many friends abandoned me, God is faithful. Those who employed me were very cruel with regards to the crippling depression that followed, but God gave me His peace. This is not a litany of bitterness or anger, this is a testimony to the fact that the Voice of the LORD broke through the storms and upheaval of my life and showed me His mercy.

In Christ I had the strength to wrestle through the waves of impact this event had on my life and my faith and my trust and faith was deepened. In Christ I was given every blessing, one of the crowning blessings is a supportive wife,my steadfast partner, Carolyn. In Christ I was given His Spirit Who guarded me in His peace--while those who should have been kind spoke evil against me, behind my back and via emails.

Yet, Christ the LORD has come to bring His peace. The dividing walls of hostility and real hurt and pain we inflict on others finds its resolution at the cross. I learned to forgive the driver of the pick-up. I have forgiven those who were so cruel. I speak this to encourage others that through the powerful Spirit who lives in believers you can offer forgiveness in the most difficult places in your life and find peace.

Glory be to You, God of splendour and majesty, God of angel armies. You rule over particles and over as-yet-undiscovered wonders of this cosmos. You rule over nations, and waves and creatures and history. Continue to tame my heart so that more and more my strength and my peace is found in You. Heal the broken relationships that desperately need Your touch and let the world say of believers: "See how they love one another!" In that reconciliation Your ever greater glory will shine! Amen.

Psalm 24:1-2, 7-8 The Splendour of God

The earth is the LORD's and all its fullness,

The world and those who dwell therein.

For He founded it upon the seas,

And established it upon the waters.

Lift up your heads, O you gates!

And be lifted up, you everlasting doors!

And the King of glory shall come in.

Who is this King of glory?

The LORD strong and mighty,

The LORD mighty in battle.

Psalm 24:1-2, 7-8 NKJV

If an army of 75 soldiers were facing a horde of 10,000 soldiers on a battlefield, they'd have to be lunatics not to be afraid. For all their posturing and nerve, it is a forgone conclusion it will be a slaughter.

Ever wonder why you wrestle to pray? Ever wonder why your prayer life is limp and boring? Let me suggest perhaps it is because you have not be reading your bible. Perhaps you have not been reflecting on the fact that the Great Glory of God commands 10,000 times 10,000 angelic hosts. He, Who by His Word created the heavens and the earth, can with one word defeat and uncreate any and every enemy and army!

Greater is He Who lives in you (The Spirit of the God of Glory) than he who is in the world! (I John 4:4). Even when you stand by yourself against your peer group, against co-workers bent on evil, or wherever you find yourself confronting evil--God is the Greater. He is already on victory parade leading His troops to their eternal victory in the new heavens and new earth. Stand your ground. To live is Christ, to die is gain!

Break open my hard heart, Spirit of the Living God, smash it open. Sledgehammer into me the terrific, pounding splendour of the LORD. Scrape the dullness from these glazed eyes so that I will see the majesty of God's victory in Jesus Christ. As the victory drumbeat sounds move me to join the train of His victory parade as His followers are led to the New Heaven and New Earth where sin and death are no more! Hallelujah! Amen.

Psalm 19:12-13 Secret sins and Presumptuous sins

Who can understand his errors?

Cleanse me from secret faults.

Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins.

Let them not have dominion over me.

Then shall I be blameless,

And I shall be innocent of great transgressions.

Psalm 19:12-13 NKJV

Someone may ask: "Why I do impulse shop?

Another person may ask: "Why do I jump to conclusions about others and get angry before I have the facts?

Others ask: "Why am I eating this whole bag of chips? I am not even hungry.

There are many things we do in life that are inexplicable to us. The errors of our life flow from secret faults and wounds in our life. The Word of God addresses even the deepest things of our life and brings the cleansing of Jesus Christ.

Presumptuous, or willful, sins are those of entitlement. We sneer at our Prime Minister and Finance Minister for cheating on ethics with regards to undeclared business interests, or perks and free vacations but every single one of us reading this today has a sense of entitlement in some area. The Spirit applies the Word of God to root out of us what is contrary to the way of Christ our King.

Sin wants to dominate us. The evil practices of our life and the entitlements we think are ours, well we are familiar with these and we don't want to get rid of them. But if Christ is King, as we claim, there cannot be two people enthroned in our hearts. Either we serve Christ and lay down our secret faults and presumptuous sins or we add to all our sins this: the hypocrisy of merely pretending to serve Him all the while we are bowing to our own tyrannical ego.

Your Law and Your Word are perfect O LORD of Power. As the Psalmist declares, Your Word has the power to convert the soul. Reveal my hidden fault lines and the secret sources of my sin and break down the idol of presumptions.Spirit of God steer the course of my life so that I will follow Christ in word and in action. Amen.

January 2, 2018 - - Proverbs 2:1-9 The Treasure of the Bible

My son, if you receive my words,

And treasure my commands within you,

2 So that you incline your ear to wisdom,

And apply your heart to understanding;

3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment,

And lift up your voice for understanding,

4 If you seek her as silver,

And search for her as for hidden treasures;

5 Then you will understand the fear of the Lord,

And find the knowledge of God.

6 For the Lord gives wisdom;

From His mouth come knowledge and understanding;

7 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

He is a shield to those who walk uprightly;

8 He guards the paths of justice,

And preserves the way of His saints.

9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice,

Equity and every good path.

Proverbs 2 NKJV

"It was an outlawed book, a text so dangerous 'it could only be countered by the most vicious burnings, of books and men and women.

"What book could incite such violence and bloodshed?

"The year was 1526. It is the age of Henry VIII and his tragic Anne Boleyn, of Martin Luther and Thomas More. The times are treacherous. The Catholic Church controls almost every aspect of English life, including access to the very Word of God. And the church will do anything to keep it that way.

"Enter William Tyndale, the gifted, courageous "heretic" who dared to translate the Word of God into English. He worked in secret, in exile, in peril, always on the move."

Tyndale: The Man Who Gave God an English Voice" D. Teems

back cover intro to the book

Think of it, the book that often gathers dust on our shelf is really explosive, dangerous and vital. Men died so that this book, the Bible, would be put into our hands in a language the average person could understand.

Proverbs teaches us this book is a hidden treasure, like silver. By reading this book one finds the pathway to wisdom, understanding and knowledge.

What better way to start this year than to recommit to daily Bible reading?! Say you miss a day or two? No worries, the book is still within reach and God is ready to reveal His glories to the one who sincerely searches for Him.

Thank You, Father in heaven, for the work of Your Spirit Who has preserved the Bible for each generation. Thank You, Father in heaven, that by Your Bible we learn of Your multitudes of mercies shown us in Jesus Christ. Forgive me for the times I have ignored the treasure You have given me. Forgive me for the times I have lightly scanned through the Bible just to check off one more thing on my "to do" list. By Your Spirit, lead me to the riches of wisdom, understanding and knowledge as I read the Word and stir in me a greater love and devotion to Jesus, my Saviour. Amen

January 1, 2018 -- Ephesians 5;15-16 Redeem the Time

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Ephesians 5:15-16 NKJV

Happy New Year, one and all! May you delight in the blessings of our God and Father, Who has given us rich salvation in Jesus Christ and sealed us in His love by the Holy Spirit.

Many of us are no doubt waking up to the New Years resolutions we have made and wondering how long we will be able to keep them. Yesterday, Pastor Stephen Richardson gave a wonderful challenge for our congregation to "redeem the time."

Richardson noted when he was a child there were three categories used in his household to help determine whether or not an activity was to be pursued. First, it is allowed, by Scripture and family? Second, is it forbidden? Then it is clear, don't do it. Finally, for things that weren't clear cut a third question was asked: does it cause weaker brothers or sisters to stumble?

This passage added a new, important criterion for Richardson. Does it redeem the time? Since we were bought at the price of Jesus' precious blood, and we are called to declare the praises of HIm Who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, is the activity we are engaging in using the time wisely?

Father of multitudes of mercies I confess how easily I foolishly use Your precious gift of time. Forgive my laziness and carelessness. In light of the soon-returning glory of Jesus' judgment and kingdom, inspire me by Your Spirit to redeem the time. Bring to mind a friend I can call. Embolden me to speak of eternal things. Draw me to read Your Word with renewed interest and passion. Let my life better reflect the glory of all the blessings I have received in Christ and the joyful anticipation I have for eternity in Your presence. Amen.

December 31, 2017 -- Psalm 5:7 Returning to the God of Many Mercies

But as for me, I will come into Your house

in the multitude of Your mercy;

In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Psalm 5:7 NKJV

When someone has wronged us, we are very likely to hold it over their heads. We stew over it. We think: "That so-and-so had better grovel if he wants me to forgive this!"

What a sharp and wondrous contrast the Psalmist paints of God's response to our rebellion and multitudes of wrongs. The LORD of Glory has multitudes of mercy, of forgiveness, of awaiting kindness--more than enough to cover all our wrongs and sins and rebellions against Him. In fact, all our sins have been punished and been borne by the Person of Jesus Christ. God sees us through Jesus.

No wonder the Psalmist experiences the fear of the LORD. This is utterly beyond our experience. No one in our world forgives so extravagantly! God our LORD alone is worthy of worship and praise.

Get to church today. Explore what it means that the One Who created You has also provided a way for you to get to know Him.

Lord of many mercies, when someone new comes to church today, help me to be welcoming. Lord of extravagant forgiveness, when someone who has offended me, enters church today, in view of the rich mercies poured out on me in Christ, let Your forgiveness flow from Your throne over me and that person so that in Christ we are reconciled. Spirit, stir up my friends and family members to end this year and begin the new by returning not just to church, but by returning to joyful relationship with You, the triune God. Amen.

December 30, 2017 -- Proverbs 30:32 Victory Shouts

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself,

Or if you have devised evil,

put your hand on your mouth.

Proverbs 30:32 NKJV

Recently during a show on terrifying, stinging, biting, and dangerous creatures there was included a brief (corny) montage of black and white horror films. When the scary monster, or creature, or thing appeared, inevitably the frightened person put her hand over her mouth and screamed in terror.

The proverb quoted above instructs us to put our hand over our mouth when we realize we have been prideful or have been devising evil. It the case of this proverb putting your hand on your mouth is a sign of the fear of the LORD. We are to be afraid of offending the Lord God of heaven by our foolish conduct and ungrateful hearts.

The holy fear of the LORD means:

His Name and reputation are so great we do not want to bring Him into disrepute by our words or actions;

The holy fear of the LORD means:

Our love for Him is so strong that when we realize our wrong-doing we clap our hand over our mouth because we have offended the One we love. More importantly, the One Who loves us is our very great shield and reward so we do not want to speak ill of Him or act against Him.

The holy fear of the LORD means:

we acknowledge all that Jesus, the Rock of our Salvation endured. He endured contempt and hatred and crucifixion and did so with His eyes fixed on the glory of His Father and in obedience to the Father's will He brought about the rescue of sinners (such as we all are) from the clutches of pride and evil.

Those who remember the 1993 World Series, will remember that it was the second year in a row that the Blue Jays won the championship. They beat the Philadelphia Phillies. You CAN NOT imagine a Blue Jays fan shouting and cheering for the Phillies, can you? When it is the bottom of the ninth and Joe Carter hits that home-run, there is no way you'd be yelling and shouting for the Phillies when you are in a sea of Jays fans!

So it is with us, as Christians, Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation, has hit it out of the park--He has rescued us. The game's final victory is assured. We do not shout and cheer for the losing team. Therefore we put a hand over our mouth when we find ourselves in the wrong and we confess it. We look to our King and shout in praise.

We praise You, O LORD!

Join in, little children, add your songs and shouts old men and families. For Jesus, You have won the greatest victory, the only competition that matters. You have shown the glory of our Father in heaven. Jesus, You have revealed the Father's patient mercy for lost sinners as at exactly the right moment in history, You publicly defeated the devil and disarmed the hosts of hell at the cross. All the claims of the devil against us have fallen to the ground the way to God is open. Blessed be Your Name, Spirit of the Living God for showing us this great salvation. Forgive me for the times I have wavered, or have admired the losing team. Give me the grace and courage to stand up for Jesus, even if the stadium around me is filled with fans for the losing team. Let my voice grow hoarse shouting Your praises, triune God! Amen.

December 29, 2017 - - Isaiah 55:8 True Knowledge

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.

Isaiah 55:8 NKJV

"...if all the beliefs, spiritualities and worldviews of this world are akin to blindfolded people all feeling a different part of an elephant and insisting that their description of what they feel is the true one--since one feels a tusk, another the trunk, another the tail etc.--then clearly all religions are in fact feeling the ONE divine truth, but from different perspectives. This would seem for some to establish the truth of religious pluralism or syncretism. But in what epistemic position [position of authority of knowing] does the teller of this story need to be? Clearly the religious syncretist believes he occupies a position of true objectivity, possessing absolute knowledge without any blindfolds on! As such, this approach to religion not only dashes to pieces the real and historical claims of biblical faith (and of other historical faiths) by relativizing them, but also presupposes an absolute, divine perspective on truth for the syncretist.

This pagan turn actually constitutes the basic claim of the West's humanistic religious pluralism--that man has a divine perspective because he is an aspect of the divine--and is implicit in all efforts at promoting religious syncretism which urge that we all "just get along" and frowns upon evangelism. Inherent in this religious faith is a shift of the locus of revelation and authority from God to man."

Joseph Boot "Gospel Witness: Defending and Extending the Kingdom of God" pages 137-138

In sharp contrast the by the words of the psalm-writer, the Living God declares:

But our God is in heaven;

He does whatever He pleases.

Their idols are silver and gold,

The work of men’s hands.

They have mouths, but they do not speak;

Eyes they have, but they do not see;

They have ears, but they do not hear;

Noses they have, but they do not smell;

They have hands, but they do not handle;

Feet they have, but they do not walk;

Nor do they mutter through their throat.

Those who make them are like them;

So is everyone who trusts in them.

Psalm 115:3-8 NKJV

You alone, God of Power and Glory, are Truth and teach Truth. Let my eyes see, ears hear, and mouth speak the wonderful news that You are God and in Christ have shown mercy to the people of this world who are hell-bent on rebellion against You. Spirit of God, break through the fortress of lies constructed by the forces of darkness which fills this age which seeks to guard people against hearing and knowing the Truth which can only be found in Jesus Christ. Bring into Your Kingdom many people set free from the tyranny of lies dominating this age. Thanks God, that Your Truth--Your Word--goes out and accomplishes the purpose for which You send it. Amen.

December 28, 2017 - - John 1:14 Discovery that changes everything

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

John 1:14 NKJV

Last night I was watching the news and Bob McDonald, the host of CBC's science program "Quirks and Quarks" gave his "top 5 stories of the year". One was the discovery of gravitational waves. Einstein had predicted these, but wasn't sure they'd ever be observed. In 2016 two collapsing black holes gave evidence of gravitational waves. And now, in 2017, this phenomena was observed again.

Bob McDonald's comment about this was so striking to me. It was something like this: "One discovery can change the way we view everything."

Indeed.

Jesus became flesh. The Very Glory of God became veiled in flesh and bore our sorrows. That is the history-shattering, science and philosophical upsetting, sociological and economic up-ending and artistic re-interpreting discovery that changes the way in which we view every single thing in this life and the life to come. Nothing will ever be the same. We cannot view anything in heaven, on earth, in the cosmos, or under the earth in the same way ever again. God in near. Those with the eyes of faith will see His glory.

Jesus, King of Glory, the carols are now fading and people are gearing up for New Year's Eve parties so I pray now more than ever, that the people around me will not have missed the greatest news story of history: Your Incarnation. Bring many friends and relatives, people near and far, to see Your glory. Amen.

December 26, 2017 - - I Chronicles 12:32 Understanding the times

from Issachar, men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do—200 chiefs, with all their relatives under their command;

I Chronicles 12:32 NIV

This incredible statement is part of a huge list of the army officers of King David. The list is long and there are very few footnotes or comments on the names and peoples in the list. So it is significant that the leaders of the tribe of Issachar should know the times, know what to do and know how to keep their relatives under their command. What a strong statement of faith and courage.

"It has been rightly said that the loves of a few men move the lives of many. The deeply-held convictions of a zealous minority, tenaciously pursued, are culturally formative--at times for good, and at times for ill."

Joseph Boot "Gospel Witness: Defending and Extending the Kingdom of God" page 1

A few men and a few tenacious women are controlling the culture in Canada and leading all of Canada into ever greater perversity and grossest rebellion against God. Christians today must be those who understand our godless times and are prepared to stand up for righteousness and justice as God reveals it in His Word and while doing so call their relatives (brothers and sisters in Christ in the same denomination as well as their family in Christ from different denominations) to serve under the command of Christ.

Now is not the time to huddle in small fortresses of churches and moan about how the culture is going to hell in handbasket, instead, it is time to stand up and protest the wrongs. It is time to speak for what is right. It is time to be prepared for battle for the sake of Christ the King.

"...we are not to take flight, but to fight in prayer for the courage we need to witness to the truth with boldness, as we ought to speak. We should be confident of being granted this grace, because the Lord Jesus reminds us of his total victory, "You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world" (John 16:33).

Joseph Boot, ibid, page 9

Lord Jesus Christ, born a child and yet a King, move Your people to stand up for what is right and good. Let us be, as the men of Issachar were of old, those with understanding of the times and as those having wisdom bound up with courage in order to act as salt and light in this culture for Your glorious Name. Amen.

December 19, 2017 - - Proverbs 19:27 and John 1:1-5 The (undeclared) faith of scientists

Cease listening to instruction, my son,

And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 19:27 NKJV

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.

John 1:1-5 NKJV

Hmm, I have some questions for the people of this age.

Is the belief in millions or billions of years a religion? A foundational belief used to interpret all information and data?

Even if all the evidence ended up supporting whichever scientific theories best fitted Genesis, this would only show how clever the old Hebrews were in their use of common sense, or how lucky. It does not need to be explained by an unobservable God.

From "The Southern Skeptic" Autumn 1985, Vol. 2, no 5

This brief quotation shows that the belief of scum to man evolution and millions/billions of years is a faith claim, not a fact claim made by scientists who follow this.

Richard Dawkins, during a debate with Cardinal George Pell, was asked by the moderator what kind of proof would change his mind about God's existence. Dawkins indicated in his response that even if a "great big giant 900-foot-high Jesus...strode in and said, 'I exist. Here I am,' his mind still likely would not be changed.

From "The Lie: Evolution/Millions of Years" Ken Ham 25th Anniversary Edition, page 44

The leading figures promoting the lies of pond-scum to man story of evolution and that the universe is billions/millions of years old dismiss out of hand any possibility there is a god. Interesting. That is a faith claim. It is the foundational claim of their belief system.

As a Christian, who believes Genesis - Revelation, start to finish, all of the Bible is trustworthy because it is given to us from God I at least have the integrity to state my foundational faith position. The deceivers of this age, cloak their lies in "science" without admitting their faith position. No wonder many are being led astray and mired in lies.

All people live in the same universe, on the same planet, have the same observable things of creation, how one interprets it depends NOT on "neutral science" (as no one is ever neutral) but on the starting point of one's foundational faith claim.

I encourage you, reader, to consider the way in which our God is speaking to you today. This season, as you investigate the reason for the season, ask yourself, "Who do I trust?" and with that ask: "What is their foundational faith--either by the deceit of the devil dismissing out of hand God exists, or do they begin with a full-on trust in God, fueled by the Spirit of God Who reveals Jesus Christ as the centre point of history, the One for Whom and through Him and by Whom all things were made?"

You, LORD God, have established Your faithfulness in the heavens and creation itself testifies to You as her Creator and praises You as the One Who upholds the universe. Those who know You, walk in the light which shines from Your glorious face! Cause us, Spirit of God, to long for instruction and make us to realize we are hungry for true knowledge that has as its foundation an abiding trust in Jesus as King of this World. What man can live and not see death? All of creation and all peoples, of every nation, region, tribe and language will one day give an account of their life to You, Jesus. May Your Name be known now! May Your glory rise above us. Bring home wandering prodigal sons and daughters to bolder, fuller faith. Destroy the works of liars and the faithless, cast such thrones of deceit to the ground. Raise up Your lovingkindness and restore Your mercy to Your people. Amen.

Prayer uses words and phrases from Psalm 89

December 16, 2017 - - Job 38 Climate Change and Christian Faith

Have you seen the treasury of snow,

Or have you seen the treasury of hail,

Which I have reserved for the time of trouble,

For the day of battle and war?

Has the rain a father?

Or who has begotten drops of dew?

From whose womb comes the ice?

And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?

The waters harden like stone,

And the surface of the deep is frozen.

Job 38:22-24, 28-31 NKJV

Hmm, I have some questions for the people of this age.

So many people are wringing their hands about climate change. It is the money pit of our age, the "hot" conference topic for world leaders.

Hasn't the climate ALWAYS changed? Digs in the deserts across Africa show these used to be lush with growth. What about ice ages?

The Bible shows us that Job was familiar with the ice age. Normally the Middle East did not have ice and snow. Those who believe in a young earth, like I do, understand that God created the heavens and the earth. There was a world-wide flood around 2354 BC (as the Jewish Calendar names it 1656 anno mundi or am. Anno Mundi means year of the world, it references creation which was the start, about 4010 BC by our reckoning.) This flood created the ideal conditions for an ice age. Young earth creationists think this ice-age (in fact the only ice age our planet endured) lasted less than 1,000 years.

This ice age, written about here in Job and other places in the Bible, point to the fact that God is in charge of our planet, the cataclysms of history and also the climax of history which will be when Jesus is revealed to all the earth as the Savior of Mankind and the Just Judge of the living and the dead.

Does this mean Christians should not be concerned about pollution--garbage, waste, emissions from cars and factories etc? Not at all. Christians are stewards of the planet. Christians must work to care for creation. It does mean, however, that human should not be so filled with ourselves that we think we are in charge of all that happens in climate change because of our actions. We can make regional differences.

Remember your history, in the UK London-during the time of the industrial revolution-used to have pea-soup fogs and accompanying these were the soot and slime of pollution. As manufacturing processes were better regulated, the fogs and the soot slime that accompanied it were greatly reduced.

All the speculations about climate change and mankind's influence on it are distractions. Our truest and most important purpose is to love God and love the people He has put into our lives as we live in obedience to His Word. This is the most important work of our times.

Your Word, O God, teaches us that those who rule their spirit, who govern their thoughts and actions, are better than those who are mighty. In fact, it is a tribute to the powerful work of the Spirit in the life of believers when the followers of Jesus turn from perversity and evil teachings of this present dark age and instead live in faith-filled trust and obedience to You. Renew in us, O God, the commitment to the Great Commission. As Christian communities are planted near and far let there be a deepened commitment to caring for others and living as good stewards of this planet all for the glory and honour of Your great and awesome Name. Amen.

December 15, 2017 - - I Chronicles 27:30-31 Humble Service

and Jaziz the Hagrite was over the flocks. All these were the officials over KIng David's property.

Also Jehonathan, David's uncle, was a counselor, a wise man, and a scribe; and Jehiel the son of Hachmoni was with the king's sons.

I Chronicles 27:31-32 NKJV

When reading through the Bible, you'll probably come across a few difficult verses, or paragraphs, or even whole chapters. For me the hard-to-slog-through portion was yesterday's reading: a series of very-difficult-to-pronounce-names all of whom were King David's officials, these four chapters--I Chronicles 23-27.

Ever see TV credits or movie credits? My nephew, Charles, is a regular on Murdoch Mysteries and his cousins love to point out his name in credits. They do this to prove to their peers that Charles is in fact a TV personality with cred.

Reflecting on this made me realize something. The men in King David's service, and their families, no doubt were so honoured to be named among David's wise counselors, providers of service and blessing to the King's household. Their families probably joyfully pointed out to others, "Hey, Jaziz is my nephew! He is now the chief shepherd over King David's flocks. Yes! The very man who himself used to be a famous shepherd."

More importantly even than their families' accolades and recognition, these men and their various forms of service (which may seem such a hard list for us to endure) are known to the Living God. He has appointed some for mighty service and others for humble service. (God is the Judge: He puts down one and exalts another. Psalm 75:7)

Today, do not be discouraged if your work is not noticed by your peers, the LORD sees. Do not lose heart for service if your family does not see what you are doing in love for them, the LORD knows and blesses. When your hands are employed in volunteering and it seems an endless and thankless task, do not lose heart. Today, understand, obedience to Jesus Christ means that sometimes God exalts a person in His service and allows for the recognition of the community; other times He puts one into humbler service or circumstances, knowing what egos and souls need for His purposes.

Fellow believers, no matter where you serve, you are known to God. Beloved of God strengthened by His Spirit you are being conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ. The greatest joy for us is to know our names are written in the lists of Lamb's Book of Life; whether or not we are known to others, we are daughters and sons of God, co-heirs with Jesus, to the honour and glory of God our King.

Forgive the times we have been found grumbling in Your service, O King of Glory. Thank You for the gifts and the talents which Your Spirit pours out on believers so that it is a joy to serve for Your glory. Renew our commitment this day so that we will serve You aware of the reputation of Jesus Christ and longing to add to the greater renown of Your Name. Amen.

December 14, 2017 - - Mark 9:2-4 Transfiguration and Human Understanding

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James and John, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.

His clothes became shining, exceedingly white,

like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.

And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.

Mark 9:2-4 NKJV

Have you ever pulled on a loose thread dangling from your clothing only to find that pulling it caused more problems? Consider these lyrics

"If you want to destroy my sweater

Hold this thread as I walk away

Watch me unravel, I'll soon be naked

Lying on the floor (lying on the floor)

I've come undone."

— Weezer, "Undone (The Sweater Song)"

Now consider what is happening in the Bible the text above. Jesus met on the mountain top with Elijah (who represented the prophets) and Moses (who represents the Law based on God's covenant faithfulness from creation, through the Exodus to the Promised Land). His glory, already hinted at the prophets and the law, is now revealed and Scripture pictures His glory ever increasing for those who are beginning to perceive Who He Is. His glory is also revealing the great glory of the Father.

If you pull a thread of teaching from the Old Testament and disregard it, then you'll see the unity of the Bible unravel. Ignore the literal six day creation and Exodus 20 makes no sense, nor does Jesus' teaching on the Sabbath (Matthew 12, Mark 2 et al).

If you pull on the thread of Adam and Eve, as our first parents, uniquely created, then you see the teaching on marriage unravel (as it is in our times), you'll believe in evolution and accommodate godless "science" which is historical science, not operational (measurements and repeatable, observable experiments) science. And life is no longer valuable: evolution does not teach man made in the image of God, but as the product of time and endless death. Lose the historical Adam and there is no need for the final Adam, Jesus (Romans 5).

Of course "science" and all other fields of human searching for knowledge have made many, many adjustments and course corrections. For example, it is interesting to me that Math has five axioms that are unprovable, but are taken as the foundation of mathematics. One of them, has to do with triangles. All triangles, when you add up their three sides, have 180 degrees. Except when you are dealing with curves; suddenly triangles have three sides that equal more than 180 degrees (consider that our earth is a globe with a curved surface!) Consider how many variables that have not even been considered yet, let alone calculated. One simple variable changes everything. This beautifully, complex creation requires the revelation which the Spirit of God can show us, He Who knows the deep things of God and shows them to the believing heart.

Science, math, philosophy, all human knowledge in fact is always a work in progress because there is so much that is not known and new information can make everything else obsolete. Only the Word of the Lord, the Bible is utterly trustworthy as it the Truth given by Him Who is infinite in power and knowledge and is the source of all Truth.

It is sad that many Christians willingly pull on the sweater of their faith, while vehemently refusing to consider pulling at the accommodations they have made in order to hold to their tattered, cherished views on evolution or whatever other human views are current. What is stranger still is that Christians, who are so divided and illogical in their thinking, are surprised that their children cannot see the value of holding onto the nakedness of their parents' unraveling faith and abandon it for the very teachings which compromised the Christian faith.

We confess with Paul, O God, "let God be true and every man a liar!" With the Psalmist we declare "Against You, You only have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight--that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge." In the tangled cords of human reasonings and rebellious ideas which would strive to define You out of Your own universe, help me to hold ever closer to Your Word. You alone, oh Jesus, are the Light of the World. By Your Spirit continually teach me and cause me to live in confident, obedient faith. Amen.

Prayer includes quotations from Romans 3:4 and Psalm 51:4)

December 12, 2017 - - Hebrews 13:16 Care in January as well as December

But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Hebrews 13:16 NKJV

This is the season where many people share: giving to Kettle Campaigns, Food Banks, and various other charitable causes. That is wonderful. Remember that January can be especially hard for people. Many people have empty wallets and Christmas bills coming due. Planning now to be generous in January is one way of blessing God and blessing the people around you.

God has richly blessed us. He has given us life in Jesus Christ. He has given us family, friends, homes, food, freedom to worship and so much more! Let Him be praised and pleased by the return we make out of the abundance He has given us.

Thank You, God our Father, for all the rich blessings You give.

Help us to live with a view of praising You and caring for those around us. Amen.

December 11, 2017 - - Psalm 50:15-21

15 Call upon Me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

16 But to the wicked God says:

“What right have you to declare My statutes,

Or take My covenant in your mouth,

17 Seeing you hate instruction

And cast My words behind you?

18 When you saw a thief, you consented with him,

And have been a partaker with adulterers.

19 You give your mouth to evil,

And your tongue frames deceit.

20 You sit and speak against your brother;

You slander your own mother’s son.

21 These things you have done, and I kept silent;

You thought that I was altogether like you;

But I will rebuke you,

And set them in order before your eyes.

Psalm 50 NKJV

What a glorious promise and stark warnings we find in these few verses. We can call on God in our day of trouble and God will deliver His people. He has done so perfectly in Jesus Christ. Our sins have been punished upon Jesus and we have received His righteousness.

Then the warning: those call on God for deliverance are to glorify God--giving thanks for what He has done and turn from sin. When God delivers His people He has the right to demand that we walk away from those who call us to sin and from adulterers and gossips. Indeed, if we keep on sinning after having received God's deliverance we will receive His rebuke.

Walk in close company with fellow Christians. Encourage one another to turn from sin. It is easier to walk in the right ways when you have a friend holding you accountable. Read the Bible. Ask yourself--how has God answered my prayers? What are the blessings I have received for which I need to give Him thanks?

God, You are the Mighty One.

You have shown Your glory and Your help in the midst of the tempests of our lives.

Thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ.

Thank You for a new day.

Thank You for fellow Christians who are praying for me.

Thank You for food, shelter, clothing

and purposefulness in my days.

Thank You for Your Spirit

Who teaches me to walk in the way of joyful obedience.

In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.