January 25, 2018 - - John 3:27 - 30 What is your life's mission?

27 John answered and said, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves bear me witness, that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before Him.’ 29 He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.

John 3 NKJV

This is text is my motto, especially verse 30: He [Jesus] must increase, but I must decrease. These words are precious to me in so many ways.

Jesus must increase in my heart as the centre of my life, the goal of and focus of worship.

Jesus must increase and His presence be the focus of my thoughts and the greatest topic of joy in my conversations. Life is about all He has done. I must decrease, my ego, my supposed accomplishments, which are nothing except His Spirit has given me opportunity and strength.

Jesus must increase as I witness to Him and what He has done in this world, for this world.

Jesus must increase. His Word, the Bible, is the sole source of authority in my life.

Jesus must increase, when the stars run out, and the time is no more, Jesus will be the Light in the New Heaven and the New Earth--He will be all glorious. How my heart yearns within me for the marriage feast of the Lamb of God with the Bride, His Church, His people.

What is your life's focus? What drives you to get out of bed in the morning, or to put one foot in front of another when you are exhausted?

Jesus, Friend of Sinners and Just Judge of the Nations, let Your glory shine over the people of this earth. Help us, as Christians, to examine our lives, our priorities, our free time and our work, our ethics and our goals in the light of Your glory and also examining all these under the microscope of Your right to rule every aspect of our lives. By the Spirit, cause the sinful thoughts and the impulses towards rebellion which we find in our lives be more and more hateful, something to be plucked out. Direct our living so that with the eyes of faith we will see Your handiwork in the world around us and understand the times. The evil of our days is gathering, like a boil to be lanced, and Your are directing the hosts of heaven for the final victory battle. Therefore as Your servant, I trust in all what You will bring to pass. Therefore as Your witness, I long that full count of believers will be gathered in--return quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.

January 23, 2018 -- Matthew 27:43 Let God deliver Him

"He [Jesus] trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He [Jesus] said, 'I am the Son of God.'"

Matthew 27:43 NKJV

These taunting words were hurled at Jesus as He was on the cross. Ironically, these same leaders who taunted Jesus, asked the Governor, Pontius Pilate, to post guards at Jesus' tomb, recalling that Jesus said He'd rise from the dead after three days.

After bearing the curse of God against our sin on His own body and soul, Jesus proved Himself the Son of God as He rose from the dead. God did in fact deliver Him. God honours Jesus as triumphant and has given Jesus the Name that is above every name.

Today the hard-hearted still taunt Jesus. Those who mock deny Jesus' bodily resurrection from the tomb. Those who insult Jesus claim He was merely a prophet or a great teacher.

Since God delivered Jesus from the grave:

~Those who believe in Jesus experience new life now, enduring suffering as a badge of honour for the Name of Jesus.

~Those who taunt Jesus now, God will one-day cast into the fires of hell.

~Those who believe in Jesus see Him as truly God and truly Man, the Suffering Saviour, Rescuer of all who believe.

~Those who mock Jesus do not realize He will return as their Judge and at the end of time there will be no mercy.

~Those who believe in Jesus willingly endure insults because of the glory of Jesus, the One Who was slain and is now the triumphant King seated in glory next to the Father in heaven.

~Those who insult believers in Jesus are to be pitied and prayed over for the very breath they draw in to their lungs to insult their Maker and insult Jesus-followers, is the gift of life given by God.

God, our Deliverer, now is the Day of Salvation, now is Your appointed time for mercy. Send Your Spirit to soften hearts; let the Spirit of Truth prepare the way so that mockers and revilers, taunters and insulters will be broken of their foolish ways and brought to the joyful knowledge of Jesus--Who once was slain and now is the Salvation of all who believer. Jesus, You taught that the fields are ready to be harvested, many who seem hardened against the Good News are nearly ripe and ready for the Gospel. Give to us, as believers, the steadfastness of heart and the courage to continue to proclaim Your Name and declare Your glory to the people around us, as we joyfully live with ever greater anticipation of Your return!

January 22, 2018 - - Deuteronomy 5:7

You shall have no other gods before Me.

Deuteronomy 5:7 NKJV

The "Who" of worship. The One, True, Living God, Him we worship. He is at the centre of life as a congregation, the centre of the galaxy and the centre of our lives as individuals. He spoke and everything came into being.

Brian Murray, "Settle for Nothing Less than God Himself"

Anything that can be known is known because God has revealed it. It is the blasphemy of this age to teach children that nothing came together, nothing exploded and nothing formed the galaxy. It is the blasphemy of many Christians of this age to accept the lie of evolution. Life did not evolve. Could not evolve by chance.

God spoke. The DNA in our cells is tightly packed with vast amounts information. Our DNA, and the complexity of each cell in our body, point to our Creator. For example: kinesin, the motor proteins which move cargo from the centre of a cell to its peripheries--these are no accident. Knowing this, studying such things, brings us to our knees in worship of the One True God Who Is.

Jesus, the Very Son of God, walked this earth and affirmed the truth of God's Word. Jesus affirmed the Creation story, because He was there and all things were created through Him and for Him. Jesus revealed the depths of human ignorance, the sinful notions we cherish in our hearts. In Jesus alone we have the Way to the Father, the Truth of what life really is about, and fullness of Life that begins now and lasts forever.

God of Truth and Life, blessed be Your Name. Thank You that the heavens declare Your glory and the very cells of our body proclaim Your handiwork. Blessed be Your Name, Jesus, for You perfectly reveal the Father. Forgive me my sins. Forgive me when I let anything, any false notions or the lies of this age in any way diminish the true understanding that You, O God, Authored and sustain life. Spirit of God, renew my mind by the written word, the Bible, and the Living Word, Jesus Christ. Honour, glory, majesty, power, and dominion are Yours, O God, now and forevermore. Amen.

January 21, 2018 - - Matthew 7:21 Examining your urgent need for church

Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,'

shall enter the kingdom of heaven,

but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Matthew 7:21 NKJV

How many versions and remixes of "Peter Pan" have you seen? Godzilla? Halloween? You get the idea, right? From various movie-making factories the same stories are endlessly repeated, new actors playing familiar characters. We willingly, mindlessly, watch and hear these repetitions. Foolishly paying good money to see and hear the same old story over and over again.

Many people claim to hate church because it is so repetitive. What we really hate is having our core beliefs examined. We say we believe, but we act in ways that directly contradict the things we say. We say we hate adultery, but our entertainment is adulterous. We say we hate idolatry, but we worship our favorite foods, movie stars, hockey teams, and so on.

Today, right now, Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation, is calling out to *somnambulant people: wake up! Examine your core beliefs and your actions!

(*somnambulant--sleep-walking, sluggish, lazy)

We are not Christians because we say we are Christians. We are Christians when God takes hold of us in Christ and the Spirit changes us from the inside out. When the Spirit of God cleanses us, our thinking changes and our actions change. Our words and actions will line up with God's Word and His ways.

This Sunday, get to a Bible-believing church. This Sunday, break the old habits and old patterns which keep you sleep-walking through this life. Understand Who Jesus really Is. There is a such an emphasis on physical fitness in our culture--I challenge you, get spiritually fit. Work on your core so that your words and your actions will more truly line up, and so bring glory of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

God of Splendour and Dreadful Majesty, the people around me can see what is consistent and what is out of step with my faith. By Your Spirit, hold up the mirror I need--the perfection of Jesus and His Salvation--so that belief, words and actions will more truly align. Forgive my sleep-walking. Forgive my sputtering commitments. As a gym gladly welcomes out-of-shape newbies to starter work-outs, help my congregation welcome out-of-shape newbies to be introduced to Jesus, Who by His Spirit re-makes us and bring into joyful relationship with our Father in heaven. Amen.

January 19, 2019 - - Psalm 93:3-4 the LORD Who is Mighty

The floods have lifted up, O LORD,

The floods have lifted up their voice;

The floods lift up their waves.

The LORD on high is mightier

Than the noise of many waters,

Than the mighty waves of the sea.

Psalm 93:3-4 NKJV

It is likely something we never think about--the power of waves. Unless you are a surfer, you really don't think of it. Until we read of storm surges associated with hurricanes. Or we read of tsunamis. Suddenly everyone is interested in waves and their incredible power.

When looking at an average big wave, each cubic meter

of water weighs about 1 ton. If the wave is about 10 ft tall

and the lip (top) of the wave is about 20 ft long, the wave itself weighs about 410 tons, which is equal to about 315 small cars.

The Surf Channel, The Blog, update Dec. 6/17

The LORD is mightier.

Think about the LORD, greater than the waves of all the seas. Mightier than the crashing flood waters when stirred up by storms and also many times stronger than waves empowered by whipping winds roaring over all things in their path. The Creator of the vast oceans is infinitely greater. Then see how your prayer life changes.

Increase my imagination, LORD of Power and Might! Increase my capacity for awe and wonder before Your greatness! Superior to this is Your great mercy shown to sinners by the work of Jesus Christ. More incredible is Your patient work, Spirit, in calling and bringing prodigal sons and daughters to the knowledge of the glory of Jesus our Lord and the love of our Father in heaven.

Blessed be Your Name, triune God, terrible and mightiest Sovereign. Amen.

January 18, 2018 - - Proverbs 18:5 Be Mindful of Whom You Celebrate

It is not good to show partiality to the wicked,

Or to overthrow the righteous in judgment.

Proverbs 18:5 NKJV

It is a sad when men are built up to be great heroes and no reference is made to their failings. One startling case in point is Martin Luther King Jr. His sexual misconduct and profligate affairs are part of public record. Many denominations hold this man up as an icon, nearly worshiping MLK jr for his ground-breaking vision with regards to civil rights; but I have never heard a church acknowledge his gross weaknesses. In fact, as it is written in Proverbs, it is not good to show partiality to the wicked.

In the Bible great men and their failings are acknowledged. King David's affair with Bathsheba was very public and his confession and repentance were equally public. David was a man after God's own heart because he knew his weakness and confessed his sin and acknowledged his desperate need for God.

There are questions I have and even by posing them I know some will deem it offensive. It is not my intention to be needlessly offensive, but to ask questions that lead to an examination of the heart and the soul and the subsequent conduct that results.

When a man, like Martin King Jr., who was so sexually immoral, is celebrated and his faults never acknowledged, is it any wonder that the sexual licentiousness we see today would be celebrated?

When a man, like MLK Jr., who acted so callously against his own vows of marriage, is given a great place of honour in the life of a nation, is it any wonder that so many who honour him are the very ones who are okay with children being born out of wedlock and households with absentee fathers?

Leaders past and present must be held to a high standard.

In Canada we have a Prime Minister who is profoundly immoral. His stance on abortion, euthanasia, his prideful disregard for Christianity and his violation of ethics are just the tip of the iceberg and along with the Proverbs, I say, it is not good to show partiality to the wicked.

Ontario's Premier pushes an education agenda that is anti-family and anti-Christian. Two leaders in Premier Wynne's government are in jail for their sexual predilections. Under their leadership, writers produced the education material that is now mandatory in Ontario schools. This mandatory material contains graphic and vivid sexual material. Little wonder this is the case as immoral men were in leadership at the time it was written. It is not good to show partiality to the wicked.

There is no one righteous, no not one, except the Man Jesus Christ. It was wicked that this righteous man was overthrown in judgment. He was without fault. Jesus Christ alone can bear the punishment for our sins because He was perfect in His conduct towards others, He was perfect His obedience to His Father in heaven and He treated persons with great dignity and called out the faults of others so that their need for God would be exposed. He alone can be worshiped and adored without reservation, for there will be no revelation that will spoil His beauty or greatness.

Do not put your trust in princes, nor depend on human help or place any confidence in celebrities. Place your trust and your faith in Jesus alone. Find in Him your cause to celebrate, find in Him your icon and deepest joy.

Great and Holy King of Heaven, leadership here on earth is never easy. Some leaders are appointed to chastise a land, a consequence of the godlessness of the people they rule. Other leaders are in place, crying out for a return to old paths and righteousness. Jesus, Saviour and Sanctifier, before Your throne of grace we plead for the leaders of the various levels of government: municipal, regional, school boards, provincial, territorial and federal. We confess our leaders and the people of our land are mired in such godlessness and rebellion against Your Will and Your ways. Heal our land. Restore to us eyes to see our sin and a humble spirit to acknowledge our deep need for the Saviour. Restore our conscience so that we will not celebrate what is wicked.

God of Revival and Sender of the Spirit rebuild the ruins of the Church. May believers hold the truth of the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. May believers once again hold Jesus up as the Only Way, the Truth and the Life. Let Your true worshipers arise and live as salt and light in a world shrouded in darkness and rotting with sinfulness. Let believers once again be bold in the public sphere to claim what is good and work for that which is right according to the standards set out by the Bible. Thank You, Jesus, that Your victory is sure and Your cleansing power is near at hand for all who believe. Great Is Your Name and Great is the glory that belongs to You alone. Amen.

January 17, 2018 - - Proverbs 17:16 The Price of Wisdom

Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom?

Since he has no heart for it?

Proverbs 17:16 NKJV

God put wisdom into the very fabric of creation. It is near at hand but the fool ignores this witness to the Living God

Jesus is wisdom personified. He showed us the true purpose of life: love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbour as you love yourself. The Bible is right there for anyone to read and gain wisdom that leads to everlasting life.

The Spirit is near at hand, near as a sigh, a prayer, a tear and He will lead you in the path of all wisdom. Ask Him for wisdom.

Do not neglect the gift of wisdom God has placed so near to you this day! Believers, speak to your co-workers and friends. Those who have received wisdom in Jesus Christ, share the glory of knowing Him! This life has one serious purpose: to know God and walk in His wisdom.

Thank You God that You have placed in my life persistent, God-fearing parents, faithful Sunday School teachers and Vacation Bible School leaders who love You and showed how near at hand wisdom is. Thank You, Jesus, that You are the Salvation of all who believe in and follow You; thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who makes written word living to both the heart and imagination. Make me keenly aware this day of those who are seeking wisdom, who hold in their hands its purchase price and are ready to buy such wisdom at Jesus' expense. Amen.

January 16, 2018 - - Proverbs 16: 13, 27 The Importance of Remembrance

Righteous lips are the delight of kings,

And they love him who speaks what is right.

An ungodly man digs up evil,

And it is on his lips like a burning fire.

Proverbs 16:13, 27 NKJV

The old saying is promptly proven right that a dying people

ignores its great men. A glorious heritage claims responsibility

for the future: individuals and nations, which have stood in

first ranks, should maintain their place. As long as a people

maintains its greatness, it will know its history and honour its

great men. But when there is apostasy, one will rather not hear

the strict exhortations of the past. In such days, people will

belittle the same miracles which once had made them proud.

They will ridicule their history and despise their great men, so

that the crooked and wayward children will not feel shame

when the memory and image of the great and mighty fathers

beckons them.

Klaas Schilder

Seeking escape from the shame of faithlessness, many

professing Christians have foolishly joined in the West's

present obsession with ridiculing our history and neglecting

or despising great Christian leaders in our past. For the most

part, we are actually far too ignorant of our history and

ambivalent toward, if not contemptuous of, the past. As a

consequence, today's church is in urgent need of reviving

the memory of great Christian leaders who modelled living

faith in the power of the gospel of the kingdom.

Joseph Boot "Gospel Witness Vol. II, page 102

Ruler of Nations and Guide of History, Great and Mighty God of heaven, You have given us a glorious heritage of faithful men and women who have served You. Spirit of Power, You have raised up men and women who, in their service to Jesus Christ, abolished slavery, spoke against racial injustice, upheld the virtue of marriage and worked with faithfulness in various levels of government. Spirit of the Living God, grant Christians to be a people with excellent memory so that we can recall the glory of Jesus Christ and look forward to His return, with all His holy angels, at the end of the ages when all flesh shall be judged according to their righteousness. Awesome and dreadful is Your Majesty triune God, great is the praise and honour due Your Name. Amen.

January 15, 2018 - - Luke 12:5 Is hell real?

“And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!

Luke 12:4-5 NKJV

Almost every natural man that hears of hell,

flatters himself that he shall escape it.

Jonathan Edwards

In his powerful preaching yesterday, Stephen Richardson reminded us: the uncomfortable teaching of the Bible is that hell is real. God will throw unbelievers into hell. It is a place of agony and torment that will not end. God is infinitely good and infinitely glorious and He deserves our love and obedience. Sin, any and every sin--one lustful look, one instance of coveting, one time of knowing what is right and not doing it--is an infinite violation of the infinite holiness of God and deserves God's infinite wrath.

Why speak of this? For God in His multitudes of mercy has shown us the depths of His great love in Jesus Christ. Only those who believe in Jesus and are obedient to Him are by grace given life everlasting. The Spirit, by the Bible, shows us the glory of God and the joy of those who are lifted from hell. It is not my own merits, it is not a measure of any good I can do--nothing I ever can do will earn my way out of hell. It is only sinners, fully aware of their sin and need for the Saviour who escape hell. In fact, the focus is not on our escape, but on the great glory, kindness and love of God. He could have filled hell with all the people of the earth, all who lived, live and ever would live. But He has shown mercy beyond our deserving, those who look to Jesus and follow Him are saved and rejoice in His love.

If your conscience bothers you, speak with a Bible-believing Christian today. If you have questions about the justice and love of God and struggle to balance this with your understanding of hell, speak to a Christian whose walk with God you admire. Now, today is the day of salvation.

God, You are great and glorious. Blessed is Your Name. Great is the praise and honour that belongs to You alone. This topic of hell is one of the most uncomfortable topics of the Bible, and yet it is urgently important that people hear and understand that however great our sins are, the mercy held out to us in Jesus Christ is greater for those who believe. Spirit of God help us this day, as believers, to be urgent in our witness to the glory of Jesus Christ. Amen.

January 14, 2018 - - Psalm 74:23b Why go to church?

The tumult of those who rise up against You

increases continually.

Psalm 74:23b NKJV

Worship is the oasis from the storms and protests the world has against the Living God. Joining with fellow believers--who are affirming the Truth of the Word and delighting in the promises of God that are "Yes" and "Amen" in Jesus Christ--causes the godly to rise from their slumber and bless the God of Glory!

Do not be surprised at the world's hatred of God. It has ever been so and the warning is that will increase. In the last days, Revelation records, people will experience great trials and gnaw off their tongues and yet rather than fleeing to God, will curse Him. The writers of the Bible are not surprised by the viciousness of the attack people of world try to launch against their Creator. Because they cannot reach God, they will strike out against Jesus' followers.

It is difficult to stay true to God in a world that rages against Him. Physical fitness takes effort, yet despite obstacles, many of us strive for it. Going to work takes effort--and we're paid to go! We often don't feel like it, but we know we must. Even with our most favorite hobbies we can have days when we just don't feel like it. But once we start at it, we realize the joy it is.

I challenge you this day: stir yourself up and delight yourself in the LORD. Find in Him your peace. Get together with fellow believers being armed with Truth which will enable you to face the pitched battles all around us. Get to a bible-believing church and get spiritually fit.

God, Source of Truth, thank You for the clarity of the Bible. Thank You that Your Spirit inspired the words of the Bible to reflect the harsh reality of this world and then gives us the reality check we need: Jesus' victory over sin, death and the grave. As Your Spirit pricks the conscience and prompts some to go to church, I pray that we, who are believers, will offer a warm welcome in Jesus' Name. Strengthen Your people in the marathon of faith. Bless Your preachers and evangelists, missionaries and student pastors who bring the word this day, may they speak with power supplied by the Holy Spirit. Amen.

January 13, 2018 - - Psalm 70:4c "Let God be magnified!"

Let God be magnified!

Psalm 70:4c NKJV

God, Who is from eternity to eternity, great and awesome, cannot be greater than He was. There is no sense in which He could ever be less or more magnificent than He Is. So, what does this brief phrase of our text mean?

"Let God be magnified! It is the prayer and exclamation of the believer. Believers cry out, let God be magnified:

~in my heart, may He be an ever greater part of my thoughts

~in my words, may I acknowledge His rescue before all people

~in my hopes for the future, may I have a greater sense of Christ

~in times of temptation, may His honour be the greater so that

temptations are shown to be tawdy, small, and pathetic

~in times of turmoil and grief, may His glory as my Deliverer be

my ever greater song and trust

~in times of joy may His Goodness be even more credited

~in the moments when people mock me for my faith, may my

trust in Him grow.

~in my contemplation of His salvation, may the victory of Jesus

and the love of the Father and work of the Spirit to minister

these to the believer be the song of my life that grows and fills

more and more of who I am

God, Deliver and Covenant-Keeper, be magnified in my thoughts, in my heart, in my life. God, Source of Salvation and all true believing, be magnified among believers around the world. You are the Helper of all who call out to You--be magnified in the eyes of this world! Amen.

January 12, 2018 - - Psalm 62:12, Hebrews 11:6 How does God reward believers?

Also to You, O LORD God, belongs mercy;

For You render to each one according to his work.

Psalm 62:12

NKJV

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Hebrews 11:6 NKJV

God rewards those who diligently seek Him. What a concept that is! While in Sunday School class, one of people asked a great question: "In heaven we will be perfect, so it is hard to frame this question here, but won't it be hard to see one person more blessed, more 'rewarded' than another person?"

Our pastor answered very well. Our work here is to learn to trust in Jesus, to love Him more and more, and delight in Him. Some have a cup of capacity, others a double measuring cup, others a large mixing bowl, and so on. So, according to the capacity you have to delight in Jesus, in heaven your cup will be filled to overflowing. So the one who has a single cup capacity to love Jesus, and the next one has a mixing bowl worth of capacity, to each one his capacity to receive reward will be filled. You will not be jealous of others because your cup is full and overflowing.

Oh Jesus, it is so sweet to trust in You. Spirit, pour out the grace of the Father in heaven so as to increase my capacity to love and trust in Jesus more and more. Let my love and trust in Jesus result in a greater capacity to love and care for the people You have placed in my life here on earth. Oh God of multitudes of mercies, teach friends and family members who don't yet know you, to understand their restless hunger is a desire to know You more and more. Blessed be Your Name, Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

January 11, 2018 - - Philippians 4:2 Begging to be forgiving and forgiven

I implore Euodia and Syntyche

to be of the same mind in the Lord.

Philippians 4:2 NKJV

Face facts: Christians will argue and disagree. Even the Apostle Paul had a huge disagreement with Barnabas (Acts 15:39). They parted ways for a while. Yet we read in the Bible that the reason they parted ways, over their difference of opinion on the trustworthiness of John Mark, was addressed. Paul was reconciled with John Mark and speaks of him as a comfort (Colossians 4:10 and II Timothy 4:11).

Paul was strongly urging the women Euodia and Syntyche to work together once again. It is the sign that that Christ has come and His victory is sure--our old hostilities are broken down in the light of the cross of Christ. We humble ourselves and find in Him no cause for the "high moral ground" or boasting. We are all sinners, together in need of His mercy. As such, we are then able to forgive and receive forgiveness even after great wounds. It is what causes the world to proclaim in wonder: "See how they love one another!"

As I read these words from Paul to the congregation at Philippi, urging the congregation to help these woman be reconciled I keenly feel the weight of this urgent appeal in my own life. My heart is open to my former denomination, the Christian Reformed Church in North America. There have been terrible wounds and a hard falling out. But I hear and feel the impact of Paul's words, written so long ago, reaching out across the centuries, which now find their bulls-eye in my conscience: to be of the same mind, be reconciled in Christ.

Recently I was in a grocery store and one of the members of my former church board was there as well. He clearly saw me, but turned away--both of us were embarrassed and uncomfortable. It should not be! God, who began a good work in us in Christ, will by His Spirit see it to completion.

As long as brothers in Christ are not reconciled, there is the need for Paul's pray to continually be taken up on the lips of believers everywhere: "I pray that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ" (Philippians 1:9-10).

I plead with you, in so far as you are able, make things right. If you know a brother or sister is offended with you or by you: pray for reconciliation. Let God have no rest but urgently beg Him by your prayers and tears for the glory of the gospel that in Jesus Christ you will find peace that grows under His gracious governance of your lives.

For the record, I do work to make things right. It won't mean I will return to my former denomination; it does mean when I happen to meet with people at the grocery store, or some other place, for the sake of Christ we will meet as brothers. If anyone on FB who knows the situations can be of help, send a personal message to me. Pray. Encourage me and my fellow believers to be reconciled in Christ.

God our Father, source of all grace and peace in Christ, I pray that my love may abound still more and more in knowledge and discernment, so that I may approve the things that are excellent that I may be sincere and without offense until the day of Christ's return in glory. By Your Spirit make the way open for true peace with my offended family members in Christ. I fully acknowledge all and every sin is ever, always first against Your Majesty and glory and only secondarily an offense against a brother or sister. The great commandment teaches me to love You with all I am and all I have and to love my neighbour as myself. In showing love to neighbour I am visibly demonstrating my love for You. Forgive my sins. Forgive my stubbornness. Grant me a greater capacity to forgive and to be humble to receive forgiveness whenever it is offered. By Your Spirit and the Word You have planted in my heart, increase my love for You and make this visible in the way in which I love my neighbour. Amen.

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.