March 3, 2018 - - Proverbs 3:33 Is yours a home of curse or blessing?

The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,

but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

Proverbs 3:33 ESV

Recently a friend and I visited a family from my church. After the visit my friend said, "There is a peace about that house." When I read this text this morning I thought of that observation.

Understand this, the household we visited was and is busy. There are growing boys. There are busy schedules. People were going in and out while we were visiting. There are the ordinary squabbles which are common in a house with children. But there was a peace that passes understanding.

It is the peace of Christ. Where Jesus is honoured as Lord and King, the household has the blessing of His peace.

Whatever our ultimate allegiance is will be reflected in our homes. Even a home that seems to step right out of the pages of a best homes magazine will not have peace that emanates from it if Jesus is not Lord of that family and household. It will be a place that is cursed.

When someone enters your house, what is it that is in the air of your apartment or condo or house? Is it the curse of the LORD that is in the very brickwork of your dwelling? Or does your dwelling display the peace of Jesus that passes understanding?

Mighty God, in Whose power are curses and blessing, splendour and dreadful Sovereignty, help me and the members of my household to serve You only. By Your Spirit, cause us to grow in the righteousness that is ours by the mercy of Your Son, our Saviour, Jesus the Blessed One. May ours be a household of peace where Jesus is highly honoured and many are drawn to Him. Amen.

March 2, 2018 - - Genesis 9:16-17 The Rainbow's Warning

"When the bow is in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth." God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth."

Genesis 9:16-17 ESV

It is called the rainbow covenant. The LORD vowed He would not send a flood to cover the whole earth as He did in the days of Noah. If you look at a rainbow, the arch of the bow is pointed to heaven, as if God would let an arrow fly against Himself rather than flood the whole earth once again.

The flood was sent as judgement against the wickedness of humanity. It is beyond ironic that the sexually immoral of our age use the rainbow colours as the rallying flag for their sinful cause. The LORD will one day judge the heavens and the earth and all peoples. When Jesus returns all the wicked, the immoral, greedy, idolaters, any who willfully break God's commandments will be thrown into hell, the lake of fire, where they shall be punished for eternity and never die.

Just as God sent Noah and gave instructions for the life-saving Ark, so God has sent His Son, and now the life-saving Ark is the Church, the Bride of Jesus Christ. Those who are aware of their sins can cry out to Jesus. The Father will cleanse the guilty sinner of his sins. The Father and the Son will send the Spirit to guide the believer in the paths of life and what is good.

The rainbow is God's covenant sign. The whole earth was judged by the flood waters. One day, the whole earth will be judged before King Jesus. Do not use the rainbow colours mockingly for the celebration of immorality prohibited in the Word of God. Understand that the rainbow colours point forward to the judgement that will soon be here. God has provided the way of refuge in Jesus. Turn from evil ways and walk submitted to God.

Believers, do not knowingly, smugly nod, as your heart consigns the sexually immoral to eternal hell. Instead, pray! All of us, every single one of us, is in need of the mercy of Jesus Christ. All of us were thieves, idolaters, sexually wicked and greedy--and Jesus gave to us His righteousness at the cross when He endured the punishment of God for our sins. We have no right to boast or brag in ourselves or our goodness. Christ is our Shield! He is the source of our being judged good, He is our very great Reward.

Thank You, Father in heaven for rescuing me for the sake of Jesus. Thank You, Father in heaven, that while I was still a sinner, You sent Your Son as the perfect sacrifice for my sins and the sins of the world. Jesus, You are my boast and my song, You are my salvation and my hope. Spirit of the Living God, humbled by the fact that unless You had cut down my stubborn pride and wilful sinfulness I'd still be as guilty as any under the mocking rainbow flag, therefore move me to pray urgently and repeatedly for those lost in sexual sin. Spirit of God, bring honour and renown to the work of Jesus Christ by rescuing many lost and ruined sinners. Father in heaven, You are the giver of every good gift. You are the One Who offers the way out of the prison of sin--be glorified by bringing many lost sons and daughters to the glory of knowing and following You! Amen.

March 1, 2018 - - Proverbs 1:33 When storm-tossed where is God?

but whoever listens to me (wisdom) will dwell secure

and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.

Proverbs 1:33 ESV

On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, "Let us go across to the other side." And leaving the crowd, they took him with them in the boat, just as he was. And other boats were with him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was already filling. But he was in the stern, asleep on a cushion.

Mark 4:35-38a

Let's face it, we all can identify with the disciples. Here is this massive storm, why is Jesus sleeping? Doesn't He care what happens to us?

Jesus is the Son of God--fully God and fully Man. In the Gospels He is shown as the only man ever in the history of the world to be fully obedient to God the Father in heaven.

Jesus could sleep during the storm because He knew His Father would not let Him die before His appointed time. Jesus slept because He knew Proverbs 1:33. Wisdom, which has been built into the very foundation of creation and given to those who have faith in God, means the believer can trust the Father in all circumstances.

Spirit of God, I confess my eyes are on the storms in my life more often than they are fixed on my Father in Heaven. Give me such faith so that I know in Christ my sins are forgiven and because of Jesus I am secure and no thing or circumstances can ever rip me out from my Father's care. Amen.

February 28, 2018 -- Proverbs 28:26 Toddler steps in wisdom

Whoever trusts his own mind is a fool,

but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Proverbs 28:26 ESV

One British comedy series from years back had an outlandish female character who had strong opinions. When there was a debate and a decision to be made, no matter what anyone else said, she would give her decision and say: "And I am unanimous in this!" It is funny because we know how wrong it is.

Our minds fool us all the time. We make New Year's resolutions and break them (usually within a day or two, if not within hours!) We take a hard stance on something and a single piece of information given to us after the fact can make us sheepishly realize how wrong-headed we were.

In every single human endeavor, we need a standard outside of ourselves. The Bible is this unchangeable standard. It is the wisdom from God and trustworthy to the utmost.

God You imbued creation with Your wisdom; wisdom is woven into every part. God You have given Jesus Christ, Who reveals You and Your work perfectly, so that all who follow Him walk in wisdom. God You and Your Son Jesus have given believers the Spirit Who opens the minds of Jesus-followers so that wisdom will be perceived and received in the pages of the Bible. I confess how stubbornly I cling to my pig-headed ways and foolish ideas. Humble my heart and purify my thoughts so that I long for the wisdom that is God-given. As a father takes the up-stretched hands of a toddler into his own, bend over me, take my hands and steady me by Your Word and Spirit so that in the confidence of Your presence I learn to take stronger steps in the way of wisdom. Amen.

February 27, 2018 - - Proverbs 27:21 How does praise define you?

The crucible is for silver,

and the furnace is for gold,

and a man is tested by his praise.

Proverbs 27:21 ESV

The furnace and the crucible are the places for fires which refine precious metal. The metaphor here is that praise is a refining fire that proves a man's worthiness.

The proverb is somewhat ambiguous. Did you notice that? Is it what a man praises that shows his worthiness? Or perhaps is it how a man receives praise that shows his true values? I believe the answer is both. What a man praises shows what he values. How a man receives praise shows the condition of his heart.

Spend some time with anyone and in short order you'll know what is important to him. A man may praise his own business sense and ability to acquire money. Another man may talk only about himself. Once in a while you'll speak with a man of integrity who in his daily conversation praises God and credits Him.

When you notice something you admire about someone and mention it, this too tests their metal. One man may mutter a thanks and turn away. Another man's eyes may brightened as his soul greedily longs for such praise. A man of integrity will receive the praise and honour God, Who has strengthened him for such service.

Teach me, O LORD, to bring You praise

both in my heart and mind and with my words and lips.

Spirit of the Living God, reveal to my heart

the glory of Christ that is at work in me.

Amen.

February 26, 2018 - - Hebrews 4:14-16 Meeting Jesus at His throne of grace

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4 ESV

Pastor Stephen Richardson in his sermon yesterday gave four wonderful, helpful pointers which unpack these verses.

First we have confidence or boldness to approach the throne of grace; the accomplished work of Jesus Christ means the way is open to ask of Him.

Second it is a throne of grace and Jesus the King has the power to do all we ask. He will deal royally with His people. Do we confidently, boldly pray for evil to be overthrown and for His kingdom to increase?

Third. it is a throne of grace. We find exactly what we sinful people, don't deserve. We deserve judgement and hell. At this throne we receive forgiveness and help.

Fourth at this throne of grace we can expect to bring our fears, our failures, our missed opportunities and ask forgiveness. Beg for His help. Call on Him and learn Who He is. It is the throne of grace, not of spirituality, not of judgement. It is the throne of grace where the unqualified and the hopeless find He saves to the uttermost.

It is the proof of our depravity that we have such a throne opened to us and we must be urged to kneel, to pray. We have free access to God through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, given us by the Spirit: pray boldly.

Jesus, help me overcome my unbelief. Jesus give me the faith I need so that my prayers will be bolder, and the times of prayer rich and steady. I know I am weak. Yes, I am sinful in ways I haven't even considered. But I believe Your Word, and at this throne of grace I ask: save me to the uttermost. At this throne of grace teach me to pray, to delight, to expect. You are God and I am not, let me find my strength and my song in You. Amen.

February 20, 2018 - - Psalm 102:18-22 Leading the Next Generation in Praise

Let this be recorded for a generation to come,

so that a people yet to be created may praise the Lord:

that he looked down from his holy height;

from heaven the Lord looked at the earth,

to hear the groans of the prisoners,

to set free those who were doomed to die,

that they may declare in Zion the name of the Lord,

and in Jerusalem his praise,

when peoples gather together,

and kingdoms, to worship the Lord.

Psalm 102:18-22 ESV

Look at the opening sentence of today's reading. The focus here is on the next generation. Each generation looks to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders who praise the LORD. This is our life's goal and purpose: to praise the LORD while leading others up to follow in praise.

Why should we, or the generation that follows us, praise the LORD? The Bible teaches this is what we were created to do: to praise the LORD. The passage here reminds us the LORD has set us free from the prison of our sins. He has put the judgment for our sins on His Son so that those who look to Jesus and follow Him will be set free.

You'll sometimes read memes of people so grateful that the person in line ahead of them at Tim Horton's paid for their order. How happy that makes someone. Others express joy when receiving unexpected help, especially when it is given at the moment of greatest need. That brings such delight.

The LORD hears the groaning of His people, He rescues them. The deliverance of the LORD begins now and lasts for eternity. No wonder peoples gather to praise Him! Little wonder then that kingdoms gather to worship the Lord--the Master of Rescue for the helpless, Father to the fatherless.

Spirit of God remind me, throughout the course of this day, of the way Jesus rescued me from sin and saved me from experiencing the bitter, deadly consequences of it that should have been mine.

Jesus, Captain of Salvation, blessed are You! Who is like You? You have paid the penalty against my sin, doing so before I ever knew You, doing so while I still hated You and was drowning in my sin and its consequences.

Father in Heaven, blessed is Your Name. Glorious and magnificent is the plan of salvation which You are bringing to fruition in the life of believers.

Triune God--help me to keep the vision of this passage: praising You while leading others to follow in bringing praise to up Your great and wonderful Name. Amen.

February 19, 2018 -- Proverbs 19:9 Emptying a lie of its power.

A false witness shall not go unpunished,

And he who speaks lies shall perish.

Proverbs 19:9 NKJV

What a clear call the LORD gives to speak the truth. The Mighty God Who created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them with the word of His mouth can with His word punish those who are liars.

False witnesses are those who speak contrary to the Bible.

False witnesses are those who honour science or philosophy, art or medicine, heroes or family above the Word of the LORD.

To tell a lie is to knowingly twist the truth.

To speak a lie includes withholding key facts.

To lie includes allowing slander to continue unchallenged when you know your words could exonerate someone, even if that person is your enemy.

The Proverbs are so practical. At the start of this chapter there is a call to walk in integrity. This means when we know we have lied or falsely handled the truth, we confess it to God and then to the person we have wronged.

All wrongdoing and all sin is first and foremost a violation of our commitment to walk with God and to honour Him with our whole heart, all our mind and with every gram of our strength. All the punishment our sins deserve have been poured out onto Jesus. At the cross all our wrongs and lies have been disarmed by Jesus, Who endured this punishment in our place. We are free because He was punished. Therefore, we are called to holiness.

Believers in Jesus Christ are not free from lies or falsehoods. Believers are the people who walk in their integrity for the honour of Jesus' Name and glory of God the Father. When a believer is confronted with his lie, he should confess it, and so God is praised as the Truth. When a believer realizes her falsehoods, she seeks to honour God by making it right. All of this is done in humility, under the protection of the Holy Spirit Who is the deposit guaranteeing our eternal inheritance. The Spirit works in us and in others so that hurts are healed and lies lose their power. We are human. We are sinners. We will fail. We will do so knowingly and many times without realizing our own sinfulness. We are wilfully blind to our own sins.

God of Truth and Knowledge thank You for the purity of Your Word. Thank You that everything You teach in the Bible is trustworthy and true. Thank You for the Spirit Who teaches us the deep truth of Scripture. Thank You for the work of Jesus, which has exposed the lies of the enemy and disarmed the power of falsehood. Help me to know You better. Help me to live as a truth-bearer and so confirm the glory of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Assist me and all those who follow Jesus Christ to be quick to acknowledge our lies and falsehoods, slow to find offense in others and gracious in offering and receiving the healing work of forgiveness that Jesus alone can supply. Amen.

February 15, 2017 - - Proverbs 15:28 Giving a right answer

The heart of the righteous studies how to answer,

But the mouth of the wicked person pours forth evil.

Proverbs 15:28 NKJV

The righteous person is one who knows he is a sinner. He is not superior to anyone else. He is not proud of his accomplishments, rather, he knows his sins have been put on to Jesus and Jesus bore the full weight of God's punishment against his sin there. When the righteous man is made aware of his sin, he turns from it, asks God for forgiveness, based on the merits of Christ, and lives a new life strengthened by the help of Jesus' Spirit.

The righteous man studies the word of God.

The righteous man studies how heroes of the faith life.

The righteous man studies listening to advice.

The righteous man studies learning from Biblical sermons.

The righteous man studies his opponent in order to win him to Jesus and the way of life.

King Jesus, I confess I am not righteous. There is no ground for me to boast or to hold up my life as an example. Jesus, Friend of Sinners and Savior of those who call on You, it is You Who are my boast and my song, my hope and my joy. Teach me more and more about You. Show me Your will and Your way so that I will honour our Father in heaven and by the strength of Your Spirit will end whatever contentious and divisive ways I have been pursuing. Let me study and grow in all that is excellent and good for the glory of Your Name and thereby win others to Christ--the joy and crown of believers. Amen.

February 12, 2018 - - Isaiah 55:8-9 What are the fundamental entities of the universe?

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,

Nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord.

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,

So are My ways higher than your ways,

And My thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8 & 9 NKJV

...the foundation for materialism (atheism, humanism, evolution) is that the universe consists of only two entities: mass and energy. Therefore, if a third entity can be shown to exist, then materialism and all philosophies based on it must also be false. Information is this third fundamental entity.

Mike Riddle

Indeed, Einstein pointed to the nature and origin of symbolic information as one of the profound questions about the world as we know it. He could identify no means by which matter could bestow meaning to symbols. The clear implication is that symbolic information, or language, represents a category of reality distinct from matter and energy.

John Baumgardner

The presupposition of the Bible is that there is a God who created the universe, the earth, and all organisms living on earth. This has been shown to be consistent with scientific discoveries that there is a nonmaterial third fundamental entity called information that originates only from an intelligent source. The universe consists of more than just mass and energy, and the information found within the DNA system of life originated from an all-knowing, all-powerful Creator God.

Mike Riddle

These last three quotations are drawn from the book: THE NEW ANSWERS Book 2. Gen. Ed. Ken Ham; chapter 20, 8th printing, March 2011.

Here's where the rubber meets the road. When you meet with or debate a person who claims to be a materialist, someone who states there is only mass and energy and by extension claims there is no God, no Divine Source Who gave a beginning to the universe, then challenge him. Ask him to explain things using the only tools he claims exist as foundational entities in the universe: mass and energy. It is nonsensical. Of course he can't. He must use the gift of information, of language, of drawings and symbols--all of which are God's thoughts--even to argue his own position that there is no god! Ask such a materialist to explain the very conundrum Einstein couldn't explain: how can matter bestow meaning to symbols? Only God can be, only God IS, the source of information.

He is the Creator. He is the Beginning. He is the Goal of all history. He created in six days, the heavens and the earth, the stars and the creatures that exist. On the seventh day He created a sanctuary in time, a day of rest and delight wherein the people who know Him worship Him!

Blessed be Your Name, O God my Father!

Praise belongs to You, Lord Jesus Christ, Ruler of all!

Blessed are You, Spirit of God, Wise Counselor Who leads believers to Jesus Christ.

Thank You, God of Thought and Information, for the proofs You have set in our bodies, written in the very code of our DNA, the evidence of information which can only have its source in You. Thank You that You spoke life into being and thank You for the way in which You sustain the faith of Your people until that great and glorious day when we shall see Jesus Christ return, with all His holy angels, to bring judgment to the unbelieving world and salvation to believers. May the mysteries of this universe and the enigmas of our times draw many, many unbelievers to consider You, to find their restless questions can only be answered in the Person of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior. And so bring many sons and daughters to know and believe in Jesus, the Joy of the Redeemed, the Captain of our Salvation, the Radiance of the Father's glory. Hallelujah! Amen.

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.