February 10, 2018 Proverbs 7:4-5 Where is dignity truly found?

Say to wisdom, "You are my sister,"

And call understanding your nearest kin,

That they may keep you from the immoral woman,

From the seductress who flatters with her words.

Proverbs 7:4-5 NKJV

A few days ago I was listening to a story of a person's desire to "die with dignity". The person who walked with this family through this journey is called an "escort". Immediately, because of the word "escort" there was for me the clear connection between prostitution and the desire for death. Please understand, I am going to speak very directly and openly here. My goal is not to wound further, but to give those who are suffering the hope that there is refuge in the arms of our Father in heaven. There are believers who will stand with you, grieve with you and walk in the path of life and truth.

To begin with, according to the Bible, men and women are created in the image of God. Our lives, from conception to natural death, are precious in the sight of the LORD. God knit us together in the womb. We are His. Our joys and our sufferings are sanctified, made holy and purposeful, because of the cross of Jesus Christ. The Spirit is the deposit guaranteeing the salvation of those who believe and follow Jesus Christ.

In this story I was listening to, the escort spoke flattering words of the manner of death. The escort seduced this family with the hope of the end of suffering and the peaceful rest that would follow. The media continues this lie by reverent interviews and soft music and playing on emotions as if this were a beautiful event instead of the violent rebellion against God which assisted death really is.

The Bible teaches us that life is a gift. Life and death away from God are the path to hell and destruction. There is no death with dignity if God is not in the picture. We do not have the right to commit suicide. It is right and proper for society to be horrified at the suicide rate of returning soldiers or teen-agers. So too should each person be horrified at the desire to kill off pre-born children or those who are ill, depressed, or deemed inconvenient.

What the media neglects to portray is the wounds left in the heart of women who undergo abortions. What the media wouldn't speak of is the anguish of men who do not have a say in the life of their pre-born child who is killed, perhaps without their knowledge or consent. After an abortion the media wants women to continue to talk as escorts, as if abortion were okay, and not tearing up their soul.

The media won't talk of the guilt and tremendous grief that friends and family members experience amid the wreckage which suicide or assisted death inevitably brings. After assisted suicides the media wants the family to prostitute their souls and speak as if there were great dignity in this all.

Wisdom tells us that God knows our deepest sorrows and our heaviest burdens. Understanding, which the Spirit gives us through faith in Jesus and reading the Word, teaches us that every life is valuable and every moment of life has dignity because the person is made in the image of God. We are stamped with God's claim on us--we are not our own, but are to live and die with the great purpose of showing we belong to God.

Followers of Jesus Christ, arise. Walk with those who are distressed and in crisis because of a pregnancy. Believers, speak of the fact all people are made in the image of God, life is precious because each person is made in the image of God. We are stamped as precious in His sight. Comfort those who experience suffering. Sit in uncomfortable places and times with those who need community.

God of life blessed be Your Name for the sanctity of life. Great and glorious are You, LORD Jesus Christ because You have shown the height, the depth, the breadth and the width of Your love for every single person--from the child in utero to the person breathing the last gasps of breath. Spirit of God forgive us Christians for our towering silence and for our all too often absence from the places of crisis and need. Embolden us as believers to go to the places of greatest need and by our presence to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Amen.

February 9, 2018 - - Psalm 40:11-13, 16-17

Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord;

Let Your lovingkindness and Your truth continually preserve me.

For innumerable evils have surrounded me;

My iniquities have overtaken me, so that I am not able to look up;

They are more than the hairs of my head;

Therefore my heart fails me.

Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me;

O Lord, make haste to help me!

Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You;

Let such as love Your salvation say continually,

“The Lord be magnified!”

But I am poor and needy;

Yet the Lord thinks upon me.

You are my help and my deliverer;

Do not delay, O my God.

Psalm 40:11-13, 16-17 NKJV

The awesome, terrible, holiness of God means that our own sinful condition is immediately revealed to us. The sins that cling to us and our "go-to sins" are subject to His unspeakable, just, punishment. If we choose to hold onto our sins, we will miss the mercy of our God. The writer of this psalm realized the trapped feeling brought on by this conundrum.

As New Testament believers we know that God's punishment against sin was emptied out onto the body and soul of Jesus Christ at the cross. Those who believe on Him and follow Him, leaving sinful paths, will find God's forgiveness full and free. The Spirit of God applies this to our hearts. The Spirit seals us what is broken in us so that we understand we are held, even restrained from our propensity to wander: by the Word of God, the work of Christ and the Spirit of God. When you realize the depraved inclinations of your heart, when in view of the unendurable holiness of God our Father, you know you need to be rescued, cry out to Jesus. He is the Captain of our Salvation and the Deliverer of those who cry out.

Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O LORD,

my sins, my wrong-doing, my grossly immoral behaviour rise up as a stench around me. Rescue me and deliver me from this sinking sand. I have no other rescue, no other source of help, You are my Deliverer, Jesus, the Only One appointed by the Father to save the sinking and the stinking. Spirit of God, do not delay, seal to my heart the healing ointment promised in the beautiful words of this psalm. LORD of Lords, be magnified! Amen.

February 7, 2017 Isaiah 57:15 Glimpses of God's Holiness

For thus says the High and Lofty One

Who inhabits eternity,

Whose Name is Holy:

"I dwell in the high and holy place,

With him who has a contrite and humble spirit,

To revive the spirit of the humble,

And to revive the heart of the contrite ones."

Isaiah 57:15 NKJv

Many people point out that God is love. The worldview of many goes something like this: 'because God is love what I am doing is not so bad. He loves me.' The standard of our conduct should never be our own arbitrary, fluctuating standards. We are wrong when we compare our conduct against someone we consider to be worse that we are. The gold standard of our conduct is Christ Himself. Jesus, the Perfect One, is the One to Whom we must compare our conduct. How wicked we are! How puny and filthy our best intentions and deeds when viewed in the Light of His perfection.

Interestingly enough, the angels of heaven do not cry out: "Love, love, love, is the LORD Almighty." Instead, they cover their faces and cry out: "Holy! Holy! Holy! Is the LORD God Almighty." Why is that significant?

The Holiness of God reveals the sin within every human heart.

The Holiness of God humbles sinners making them aware of their great need for His cleansing.

The Holiness of God destroys our pride and boasting.

The Holiness of God revives the heart of the broken.

The Holiness of God drives us to Jesus Christ.

The Holiness of God makes us long for the work of the Spirit to teach us the way of Him Who is Holy so that the stench and stain and filth of sin are washed away.

God, High and Holy, Blessed be Your Name!

Living as I do in a world steeped in sin and living with a heart that is prone to evil and to wandering, Your Holiness is a mystery to me. Whenever the Bible shows me smallest glimpse of the weight of Your Holiness I am undone. My foolish boasts and claims are shown to be empty and wicked. Clean out my heart, Spirit of God, by the blood of Jesus Christ. Father in heaven, revive me, so that I will long to walk in the way of holiness. Steer the course of my life back on track, Jesus, Captain of Salvation, so that I will not wind up broken on the rocks of familiar sins and wicked patterns of behaviour. You, Holy One, are more willing to answer than I am to sincerely pray! I believe, help me overcome my inertia. Holy Are You, LORD of Lord--Great is Your mercy in revealing Yourself to this world. Amen.

Feb 6 2018 radio interview

http://hopestreamradio.com/track/richard-vander-vaart-still-cant-help/

February 6, 2018 Genesis 15:1 God the Omniscient

After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram, I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward."

Genesis 15:1 NKJV

The Mighty God of Heaven and Earth never says: "Oops." The Omniscient (All-Knowing) God never whispers to Himself, "I didn't see that coming!" in relation to whatever happens in our life. Abram, who later would be re-named "Abraham", faced many varied hardships immediately after this vision.

The LORD is Omniscient. He will never increase in knowledge, or in understanding. Our lives are utterly secure in relation to Him because He is our Shield. He is our Protector. Whatever happens to us in our lives, whatever we might count as good or bad, God has His shield surrounding us so that all things, every single circumstance, will ultimately be shown to be good.

The descendant of Abram is Jesus Christ. He is the Exceedingly Great Reward for all the world and especially all who believe on Him. Jesus reveals to us the Father. Jesus demonstrated in His Own body the Shield the Father promised.

The wrath of God against our sin was poured out on Jesus at the cross--that means all the condemnation we deserved for every single act of sin and every single good thing we should have done but neglected to do--was vented on Jesus like a firehose of punishment and appropriate anger. And by the accomplished work of Jesus, all who believe in Him, are forever shielded from God's rightful punishment against sin and are now called sons and daughters of the Most High God.

Conversely, those who know of God but do not follow Him will receive the just reward for this rebellion--it is punishment. Those who know of Christ, but do not exercise faith in Him nor walk according to the commands of the Bible will find that God is the Just Judge. He will reward the sinful conduct of men and women with an eternity in hell where those who rejected Him and His mercy in their life-time will FOR ETERNITY bear the punishment their sins deserve.

In Jesus Christ our exceedingly great reward is: to know God right now. And this reward is called "exceedingly great" for this reason: by the work of God's Spirit within us (another reward God generously gives to us) we get to know God better and more fully (another reward) through the study of the Bible (another reward) and by maturing faith (another reward) we anticipate the joy of the new heavens and the new earth (another reward) where death is no more and sin is forever banished (another reward) and God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit unites all believers and heals the nations (another reward).

Truly God, You are our Shield and Exceedingly Great Reward! Increase my faith. By Your Holy Spirit draw me to study the Bible and deepen my commitment to follow Jesus Christ. I desire to be obedient to Your commands, Spirit of God, help me to walk the Jesus way when I am tired, or when I seem to be all alone in such obedience and especially when don't feel like doing so! There are many friends and family members who know of You, but refuse to follow You, break down their stubborn resistance and give them a heart that finds in You alone the true reward which You so mercifully promise! Glory to Your Name. Honour and Power are Yours God of gods and LORD of Lords. Amen.

February 1, 2018 - - Isaiah 6:1-3 Holy! Holy! Holy!

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one has six wings: with two wing he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew.

And one cried to another and said:

"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;

The whole earth is full of His glory!"

Isaiah 6:1-3 NKJV

Recently I have been studying the attributes of God (these are the characteristics which God has revealed that show Him to be the One, True God alone). He is holy. He is set apart by His purity. He cannot be sullied or touched by any sin. The exquisite weight of His brilliant holiness is such that even angels have to cover their eyes in His presence.

The prophet Isaiah has this vision of the Holy God. The vision takes place after one earthly king, Uzziah, has died. The point of this vision is that the Holy God rules and reigns forever, earthly kings and despots, rulers and leaders rise and fall, age and die but the Holy One of Heaven is LORD of Lords and KING of Kings and His reign will never end. An earthly monarch has a long robe, a sign of power, rule over conquered people and territories. The train of the LORD's robe fills the temple, He has power without measure.

Ever been at a ball game where fans are shouting out the name of their team? One side shouts and the other shouts louder the name of their beloved team. The angels in heaven shout to one another the Holiness of the LORD of Heaven's armies. It is joy. It is adoration. It is the knowledge of victory that prompts them to shout and sing.

The whole earth is filled with His glory. A heavy snowfall will bring cities to a standstill. Heavy rains will overwhelm an area's capacity to cope. Drought will ruin whole areas. We are puny. The LORD God is great, stronger, the Mightiest as He rules all the elements and He is the Keeper of the storehouses of rain and hail, drought and plenty. The day and night, the seasons, the sun, moon and stars--all of these proclaim the glory of God and all of these and so much more underline the fact that He is holy.

God is holy! Jesus is holy! The Spirit is holy! As you think of this, meditate on this, what God has revealed about Himself stirs the heart to wonder and to praise. It is not dull to praise Him, it is the work of angels, it is the joy of saints, it is to the cleansing of the heart and mind to praise the One Who alone is holy!

The prayer this morning is the beloved hymn printed below, which was written by Reginald Heber, in 1826. It is based on Isaiah 6:1-3 and Revelation 4. It is in the public domain. Hum or sing, shout and let your spirit soar in praise of Him Who is Holy!

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee;

Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! All the saints adore Thee,

Casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

Cherubim and seraphim falling down before Thee,

Who was, and is, and evermore shall be.

Holy, holy, holy! Though the darkness hide Thee,

Though the eye of sinful man Thy glory may not see;

Only Thou art holy; there is none beside Thee,

Perfect in pow’r, in love, and purity.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

All Thy works shall praise Thy Name, in earth, and sky, and sea;

Holy, holy, holy; merciful and mighty!

God in three Persons, blessed Trinity!

January 31, 2018 - -Ephesians 1:11 The Glorious God Who Is Sovereign

In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will.

Ephesians 1:11 NKJV

The God of heaven and earth, the only True God, is Sovereign. That means all things happen according to His will. He has predestined--He has predetermined the destination--of all people. Those Whom God has chosen in Jesus Christ will gain an inheritance in the new heavens and new earth. Those whom God has predestined for wrath will spend eternity under His judgment. It is His right to rule and His glory to rule.

He is not pleading with us to follow Him. He is not begging that we should invite Him into our hearts and then we do as we please as if we had security for our future. No, it is believers who beg others to see the glory and Sovereignty of God.

Believers who know His power and His right to cast into hell or usher into heaven, it is believers who plead with others to yield themselves to Him Who Alone Is True. When the heart of a man or a woman is confronted with the great power of the Living God that person cannot help but bend the knee before Him and offer the will to His eternal purposes.

God of Terrible Majesty and Awesome Power thank You for the work of Your Spirit Who guards believers in the Faithful One, Jesus Christ. Prevent my heart from wandering and seeking after things and stuff that can never satisfy. The great promise and picture of the Bible is that You are the Shield and Very Great Reward of Your people. Be for me what You promised to Abraham and his descendants, be what You promised to all who are in Jesus Christ--the Shield and Very Great Reward of my life. By my life and by the word of my mouth, by the life of believers and their testimony, draw many sons and daughters to the great glory of knowing You. Amen.

January 30, 2018 - - Psalm 145:3, 10 - 11 Do You Think You Know God?

Great is the LORD,

and greatly to be praised;

And His greatness is unsearchable.

All Your works shall praise You, O LORD,

And Your saints shall bless You.

They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom,

And talk of Your power.

Psalm 145:3,10-11 NKJV

The attributes of God are the excellencies of God, the very characteristics that are revealed in the Bible showing God to be True God. Here are some examples of the "attributes of God": He is self-existent: always existed, always will exist and in Him is life and all other things and all other life are utterly dependent on Him. He is Love. He is Just. He is Holy. He is all-knowing, He can never gain more knowledge, from eternity to eternity He always is the source of all knowledge and infinitely more knowledge is His.

Since God is so great, He must communicate with us, His creatures, in the simplest language so that we will gain some comprehension of Who He Is, His Grandeur, Greatness and Power. In a sense, the Bible is baby-talk so that we will have the beginnings of language and He gives us the simplest tools in order to aid comprehension. God stoops to our weakness.

While listening to an interesting lecture series given by Steven Lawson, on the attributes of God, he noted several things.

Any encounter with the true God will utterly change us. Pastor Steven told the story of a man who said he had "encountered God while brushing his teeth." Steve's deadpan response was: "Did you continue brushing your teeth?" The point being, if he did keep on brushing his teeth, he did not encounter the God of Scripture!

God is all-powerful. His greatness is unsearchable--throughout eternity believers will continually learn new things about the GREATNESS of our God. One cannot have encountered the Majesty of God and be unimpressed or unmoved.

How you think about God will show in your every action, word, thought and hope for the future. The writer of this psalm understood this. Saints are those who have encountered something of the superb, resplendent, spectacular kingdom of God, which is but a small revelation of His even greater power and glory.

Language nearly breaks down in an effort to praise You, King of kings and LORD of Lords. Blessed and glorious is Your Kingdom revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Greater still will be the knowledge of Who You Are when sin no longer clouds our view. Spirit of the Living God increase our hunger to know more of God. Spirit of all Wisdom, lead us to Jesus Christ--The Radiance of the Father's glory--so that our hearts and hopes, our minds and the mundanities of this life are swallowed up in a greater awareness of Your brilliant Presence, O LORD our God! Hallelujah. Glory! Amen.

January 29, 2018 - - John 17:17 Dispelling the well-packaged lies of our age

Sanctify them by Your truth.

Your word is truth.

John 17:17 NKJV

Al Mohler, among others, in reference to the Bible uses this interesting Latin phrase: 'norma normans non normata." It translates to this: the norm of norms which cannot be normed.

The Bible 'norms' us. It is our source of truth. It is the lens through which we are to see the world and understand it.

Our culture is 'normed' by pseudo science. Many of our politicians are governed by the lies of social scientists. Many of our politicians advocate the murder of pre-born babies, that detestable practice declared by God to be an abomination. Fake scientists, normed by the lies of our age, preach evolution and proclaim that the earth is billions of years old with a straight face offer their catechism that: nothing gathered together, nothing exploded and nothing formed everything.

When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold

gradually to the masses over generations, the truth

will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a

raving lunatic

Dresden James

What should be the standard, or the norm, for Christians are the words of Jesus. God's word, the Bible, is truth. By the Bible we understand God spoke and created, out of nothing, all that exists. He governs the heavens and the earth. Jesus, by Whom all things were created, and in Him all things consist, is the glorious Head and purpose of creation. This should be the norm that organizes our thoughts. He should be the standard on which our hearts meditate of our heart and our mouth breaks out into songs of praise. The Spirit will reveal Truth that norms our thinking when we turn to the Author of Truth and the Perfecter of all true believing.

God of Wonder and Glory, we live in a world filled with rebellious people who hate You. Jesus, resplendent with majesty on the throne of heaven, pour out Your Spirit so that believers will be able to discern the well-packaged lies of this age. Spirit of the Living God, give us hearts that are normed to the truth of Scripture and both the wisdom and the ability to contradict the lies which govern our age. Thank You, God of Dominion and Power, that one day, all flesh and all people who ever lived, will stand before Your throne of Judgment and will understand the glorious Truth found only in Jesus Christ. As Christians we pray, convert the lost. As believers in the Truth we pray for the victory of Jesus Christ so that many will see the Great Glory of our God and believe. God our Father, answer the prayer of Jesus, sanctify us, make us holy by Your Truth and make us wholly devoted to living for You now and always. Amen.

January 26, 2018 - - James 1:27 and I Timothy 5:4 Combating the epidemic of loneliness

But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God.

I Timothy 5:4 NKJV

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

James 1:27 NKJV

While listening to a news commentary on toys and buying trends I learned a toy company has been marketing to seniors. It intrigued me and then saddened me. The product is robotic pets. These are marketed as companions to lonely seniors. In the U.K. the government has created a government Minister for Loneliness.

While reading the Word I am challenged to consider the work of true Christians. Followers of Jesus Christ are called to care for seniors and the vulnerable. The shape of such care would be to visit. Care would include hugs, regular visits, invitation to meals.

The same news commentary noted that one high school age girl was tired of being bullied and weary of eating alone. She created an app which allows students to find other students who are open to sharing a place at their table and eating together. What a cool idea.

Who is lonely in your community? Who is in need of a visit? Who in your church family or bio family or community has God placed on your heart? In this age of hyper-connectivity: duo, social media, twitter, insta-gram, facetime and cell phones, it is staggering that loneliness should be so prevalent. God has created us to be in community and by Jesus Christ draws us close to Himself. May the Spirit of the Living God help us to connect with and bless one another.

God Who created the building blocks of society in the family, remind Your people today, the great calling that is ours in Christ Jesus to be and live as true community. Pour out Your Spirit so that followers of Jesus will live in ways that are out of step with the world and in harmony with the way we were created: for wonderful relationship with You and with others. In our lives, be glorified. Amen.

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.