April 23, 2018 - - Psalm 119:25

My soul clings to the dust;

Give me life according to your word!

Psalm 119:25 ESV

Have you ever taken a swimming course that teaches you how to help a drowning man? The first thing to be cautious of is the fact this man, in his great distress and anxiety, will pull you down with him. You must be strong enough and wise enough to help and rescue him.

Without God we are drowning in the depths of the grave. Our very soul clings to the things which bring us death, not life. As a society we cling to death, for example: the murder of pre-born children is called: abortion, or "pro-choice". Putting to death the aged among us is re-named: "mercy killing" or "euthanasia". Individually, we lose our moorings and get entangled in destructive patterns of behaviour from which we cannot rescue ourselves. The more we try, the more we realize it is hopeless.

The Bible teaches us that Adam was created out of the dust of the earth. God Himself formed Adam and breathed life into his nostrils. Originally Adam was created to be without sin. Adam and his wife Eve, rebelled against God and chose sin. They chose uncreation and death--clinging to the dust from which they were formed.

This Psalmist is referring to Adam and Eve's choice for death. God in His mercy did not put them to death, but promised the sinless One, Jesus, would bear the punishment for our sin.

As dead dust, rebelling against God and drowning, it is Spirit of God Who revives us, He breathes life into us. Our former patterns of sin and rebellion against God are ended and the Word of God lifts us up to the path of life. As those who were formerly drowning, clinging to the dust, we are now compassionate to those who are clinging to the ways of death and drowning in the grave. We speak the promise of this passage and our own experience: Life is found in Jesus Christ--the Word of God.

God of Mercy and Extravagant Kindness, thank You for the rescue You have given in Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your Spirit given so that sinners can clearly see the difference between drowning in the patterns of evil and sin versus the rescue into new life You give in Jesus. Arm us, as those rescued in Jesus who are now living men and women, with the life-ring of the Bible so that with great love and tender compassion we can help others who are drowning. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

April 22, 2018 - - Luke 13:10-11

Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. And there was a woman who had had a disabling spirit for eighteen years. She was bent over and could not fully straighten herself.

Luke 13:10-11 ESV

This is a text I have posted before. It is so powerful to read. This woman did not let her real, painful, physical condition keep her from worship. It moves me, as one who struggles with depression. There are many times I just don't want to see people. Crowds overwhelm me. I am afraid to answer the simple question: how are you today? All I want to do is stay in bed, in a darkened room, listlessly. But this passage inspires me.

Before she knew Jesus would be there at worship, she was prepared to go to worship God her Father.

Before she knew Jesus would heal her, she had determined the most important thing in her life was to praise God, no matter the cost.

Before she knew Jesus would show His great compassion, rather than offering her body as an instrument of unrighteousness, despair, she offered her broken body as an instrument of righteousness unto God.

As each Sabbath approached, for the eighteen years prior to this one, she had prepared the day before so that she would get herself to the Synagogue, doing so with no other purpose than bringing to God the honour due His Name.

Forgive me Father in heaven, for the paucity of my faith. Forgive me Father in heaven for the times I will succumb to whatever struggle I have rather than taking the time to submit my struggle to You in the context of worship. Whether or not You heal me mentally or physically, You are great and the Source of all good. I know that in Jesus Christ, I have the greatest healing imaginable--my sins are forgiven. I know, not I feel, but I stretch out my heart and mind to know by the promise of Your Holy Scripture that the Spirit is the guarantee of my eternal inheritance until I take possession of it, to the praise of His glory. Thank You for the example of the saints who have gone before, whose faith inspires me to hold onto Your promises, of Faithful God. At the same time, help me, this Sunday, to attend church with an ever greater awareness that there are others around me who will present themselves well, but are likely struggling with pains I know nothing about. Blessed be Your Name, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

April 20, 2018 - - II Corinthians 6:16,18; 7:1 God's Great Promises

I will make my dwelling among them

and walk among them,

and I will be their God,

and they will be my people.

...and I will be a father to you,

and you shall be sons and daughters to me,

says the LORD Almighty.

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

II Corinthians 6:16,18; 7:1 ESV

He Who spoke creation into being,

He will live among His people.

He Who gives breath to every living creature,

He is our God.

He Who created the whale and elephant, microbe and mouse,

He is our Father.

The Psalmist exclaims (103:12):

"as far as the east is from the west,

so far does He remove our transgressions from us"

That means, in Jesus Christ, our wrong-doing, our sins, our willful rebellion against God is forgiven!

What incentive we have to cleanse ourselves from sin. What glory is in view, stripping ourselves of old sins and patterns that hinder such sweet communion with God. As family in Christ, we encourage one another with this view--running from sin we flee into the open arms of our Father in heaven. Where one sister is stumbling or another brother has fallen, we pick them up and encourage them and supporting them as we go to the arms of Him Who loves us.

The brightness of this passage is almost too intense for us, too great for our imagining, Father of Mercy. It is easier to see the stains of our sins and the blotches colouring all our thoughts and actions rather than contemplate the majesty of Your promises. Spirit of God, renew our faith so that we will be lifted up to hope and greater faith in Jesus Christ. Let us walk, no run, towards to blessedness pictured here today. Free us from every sin that entangles us and every weight that hinders us and let us, together, set our course to greater intimacy with God. Amen

April 19, 2018 - - I Corinthians 1:2-3 The path to peace

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those in every place who call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

Grace and peace to you from God our Father and

the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 1:2-3 ESV

It is easy to rush past these powerful words. It is helpful to know something about the people of the church in Corinth. Paul is writing to a people who are divided, allowing sexual immorality among the membership, who are failing in their faith and have compromised their faith in order to fit in with their culture.

Sounds familiar, doesn't it? Sounds like people in any number of Christian churches.

These people are sanctified in Christ Jesus and being sanctified by His Spirit. (To be sanctified means to be set apart, to be made holy by God.) Sinners who call on our Lord Jesus lose all their guilty stains. They are declared to be free from the punishment of sin because Jesus Christ has taken their place at the cross. He was crushed and put to death in the place of His people for the sins of His people. Staggering isn't it?!

If you are aware of your stumblings, it is the Spirit Who will lift you up in Christ. If you are aware of your failures and can not bear to look to God know this: Jesus' death is life for ruined, lost sinners who cry out Jesus.

The letter to the people of God in Corinth speaks harshly against sins, failures, divisions and compromises with the culture for this reason: God has supplied His grace so that sin should not master His people! Those who are sanctified and being sanctified (being made holy) in Christ Jesus will have their sins pointed out to them and will run to from this sin to the Saviour Who brings forgiveness and the strength to live in the way the Bible instructs. The way of life and peace.

Faithful Father, sustain Your people. We are so aware of our failures. Keenly knowing the good we should do and don't. We can identify with the believers in Corinth: divided, immoral, compromised and longing for something more, something pure, something different. Thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, in Whose Name we are made guiltless. Thank You for the Spirit poured out Who guards us in Your grace and peace. We often feel too unworthy even to pray, unsure of how You will hear us or receive us--thank You for the blessing of this passage this morning and the assurance of Your grace and peace. Amen.

April 17, 2018 - - Romans 16:20 The defeat of Satan

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Romans 16:20 ESV

Strange statement isn't it? To understand it you need to go all the way back to Genesis 3. When God created Adam and then made Eve from one of Adam's ribs, creation was good. There was no death, no cancer, no accidents, no disease. The world was perfect, declared by God to be "very good". God gave one rule: do not eat of the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, sin, death, evil and all the consequences of this entered the world.

God in His great mercy promised, one day, the offspring of the woman would defeat Satan. This happened at the cross of Jesus Christ. Our sins were placed on Jesus' account and punished on His person, and His goodness was credited to all believers.

Satan's schemes, his temptations, his plans are crushed under the feet of believers who have received the grace of Jesus Christ. Believers still face hardships, trials, and suffering, the consequences of the fact we live in a world under bondage to sin. But the glorious hope of this passage is that the victory of Jesus over sin has won the day and believers will see Jesus face to face and sin and death and disease and cancer will be no more in the new heaven and the new earth. What a glory we will share.

It is the God of peace Who brings this about. Recognize this: any and every violation against the Bible (which is God's revealed will) is rebellion and turmoil and tearing of the heart and mind. Any and every sin brings the raging sense of warfare and disorder. Yet, God is restoring peace by bringing stubborn, rebellious hearts into peace won for us at the cross of Jesus Christ. He stood in our place and took our punishment for our sins and He gives us a clean slate before God. That is true peace. That is why Jesus is so beautiful and glorious in the eyes of believers.

Thank You, Father in heaven for the peace You give us in Jesus Christ. Thank You Jesus, for taking our place and bearing God's punishment against sin. Thank You, Spirit of God, for showing us the riches that belong to believers and revealing the magnificence of Jesus our Redeemer and King. Help me, God of peace, to walk in Your will and Your way, especially when the days are very hard and the temptations to sin are pressing in. As Satan's influence is being crushed, may the true peace of Jesus be the joy and song of believers. Amen.

April 11, 2018 - - Philippians 1:12 The cost of advancing the gospel

I want you to know brothers,

that what has happened to me

has really served to advance the gospel

Philippians 1:12 ESV

Paul wrote those words while he was imprisoned for the sake of Jesus. Amazing. Humanly speaking imprisonment is shameful. For the sake of Jesus imprisonment is for the glory of the gospel and blessing to the Name of Jesus. While in prison, many learned of Jesus, Who He is and why our lives are to be dedicated to Him.

Does that extend to Christians today? Whatever is happening to you, does it serve to advance the gospel? Are you suffering at work because it is known that you are a Christian? Then yes, what you are going through serves to advance the gospel.

Are you suffering sickness requiring hospital visits or regular medical attention? It can serve to advance the gospel. This one particularly comes at some cost to me as I wrestle with depression. Yet there have been a number of times where it has been the case God used this to advance the gospel.

What about celebrations? Birthday parties, anniversaries, promotions, quiet times with friends, family reunions, neighbourhood BBQ's, these too can be used to advance the gospel. Our lives are bound up in Jesus our King, therefore wherever we go, whatever we do, we are His ambassadors. What happened or happens to us really does serve to advance the gospel.

God of Love and Power--for You hold the past, the present and the future of every believer in Your care. No matter what happens to me, to my particular church, or to the family of believers, for good or woe, it is given not by chance but from Your Fatherly hand. Prepare me, Spirit of God, so that in all things I will testify to Jesus Christ, the Captain of my salvation. Prepare us, together as believers, Spirit of God, so that in all things we will hold fast to Jesus Christ our Very Great Reward, and seek to advance the gospel. Amen.

April 9, 2018 - - I Corinthians 12:7, 26 Suffering and hope

To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

If one member suffers all suffer together;

if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.

I Corinthians 12:7, 26 ESV

We live in a world of suffering. The daily news reminds us of this all the time. However, there are times when tragedies touch us, as Canadians, so much closer to home. This past weekend Canadians stood still with grief and bewilderment at the news from Humboldt, SK. The crash of the Humboldt Broncos team bus took the lives of ten players and five others associated with the team.

Years ago in a speech, Ravi Zacharias noted "We live in a world of suffering. We are called to brotherhood. The problem is that we have more hoods than brothers."

Grief strips away all our defenses. We realize exactly what the Scriptures state: if one member suffers all suffer together. While many of us run from grief--frightened by its implications--there are men and women uniquely gifted to who run to those who are suffering. These men and women exemplify the brotherhood that is ours.

Think of first responders rushing to the scene.

Firemen, police officers, paramedics, and behind the scenes workers like communications centre operators who are relaying this dreadful information to the key people who needed accurate information to get to the scene and coordinate services.

Think of the next line of gifted people given gifts for the common good: doctors, emergency room nurses, X-ray technicians, chaplains and surgeons.

Then the longer term caregivers: those who minister to the hockey players who survived, like physiotherapists. Those who offer spiritual care for all the first responders--men and women who saw things which can haunt the heart and affect the brain. Pastors and social service workers who, in the longer term, will care for the players and families and community.

As the President of the Canadian Police Chaplain Association--I write knowing there are members of our team who are on the ground helping--I urge you to pray. Pray for the team members, coaches and all associated with the Broncos. Pray for the family members and their friends. Pray for the first responders and the chaplains who are standing with those in depths of bewilderment and grief. Pray, thanking God, that when disaster and tragedy do come, God has equipped men and women to respond by helping to shoulder burdens. Chaplains offer a stable, loving, knowledgeable presence for a time such as this. Chaplains remind us that we are brothers and sisters--part of the human family.

Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your Name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Yours is the Kingdom and the power

and the glory for ever and ever. Amen.

April 8, 2018 - - Psalm 46:10

Be still and know that I am God,

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

Psalm 46:10 ESV

Where can any of us find stillness in our world today? The cell phone dings and immediately we check our email, or latest instagram or game score. The TV is on. The monitor flashes. There is a constant barrage of noise. Our brains and day planners push thoughts through of all that needs to be accomplished, or all that is not yet accomplished.

What glorious words from the LORD are spoken over us this morning! Still your brain. Turn off all the electronics. Focus your attention on Him Who is exalted and Whose glory will be revealed among the nations!

Sin has been disarmed and defeated at the cross of Jesus. Death itself will one day be defeated as is promised by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The Spirit is calling you to worship. The Spirit of God is stirring you to gather with Christians and know the glory of God, His power and awesome majesty. This life, this earth, and all the chaos of our times will come to an end and the splendor of the LORD Most High will be revealed. Are you ready? Get to church!

God, our Refuge and Strength, thank You for the beauty of Your Word which draws our minds and hearts and attention to Your radiant glory. Spirit of God, draw us to church. Bring us into contact with believers so that Jesus Christ and His great victory will be the song on our lips and the strength of our hearts. Still our raging thoughts and all that might distract us from the gladness of being with You. Praise and honour belong to You, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen.

April 7, 2018 -- Psalm 36:1,6 Anyone need an axe?

Transgression speaks to the wicked

deep in his heart;

there is no fear of God

before his eyes.

Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;

your judgments are like the great deep;

man and beast you save, O LORD.

Psalm 36:1, 6 ESV

Have you heard of the legend of Hydra? It was a mythical creature, snake like, of which it was said if you cut off one head, two more would grow in its place.

For me, it seems like the sin of my heart is like the Hydra. Once a particular sin is slain, I think it is defeated. Then I look closely, deep into my heart and realize there are other sins I had not even seen before, which have grown up in its place. Transgression, sin, speaks to the wicked deep in his heart.

I would be utterly without hope, except for the blessing of verse 6. Higher than any sin is the righteousness of God. Jesus, the sinless one, has taken my place and been punished for my sin. The judgments of God are deep--even deeper than the roots of my sin. It is the good pleasure of God to save sinners.

What is the difference between the wicked and the saved? The mercy of God has reached to the saved. The one saved by the righteousness and judgment of God desires to honour God and hates sin more and more.

God alone can slay the sins of our hearts and mind. God alone can set an axe to them so that they will never re-grow. It is the Word of God, which points us to the victory of Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God uses the Bible to point out the way to our freedom: Jesus.

Tomorrow is Sunday. Plan on attending a Bible-believing church and find freedom from the attacks of sin.

God of the Mountains of righteousness and depths of just judgments, set us free from the monstrous sins that take hold of us. Let the victory and freedom that is ours in Christ be powerfully preached from many pulpits around this world. Spirit of God, bring many sinners to salvation. Rescue Christians who are war-weary and in need of revival. Amen.

April 3, 2018 - - Luke 5:16 What do YOU in secret?

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Luke 5:16 ESV

What are you like when no one else is around? Are you snarky? Do you rehearse all the wrongs others have done against you? How ashamed would you be if other people could see what you do in secret?

Jesus withdrew and isolated Himself so that He could pray.

Jesus, when He was alone, cultivated and deepened His relationship with His Father in heaven.

Jesus was revived by the Spirit by such times in prayer.

Jesus subdued His own will in such times of prayer so that He would carry out the will of the Father, Who sent Him.

Jesus pleaded with His Father for the protection of His disciples.

Jesus sought the strength He needed to carry out the work which was given to Him.

Father in heaven, thank You for the great gift of life that is ours in Jesus. Thank You that Jesus prays for us, at Your right hand. Spirit of God, direct us into times of isolation for prayer, for cultivating a deeper relationship, fleeing from sin and intentionally driving ourselves further into faithfulness. Forgive us for the times we have isolated ourselves to feed our secret sins. Put to death in us the old ways. Even as we pray these things, we are tempted, distracted and half-hearted, renew in us the joy of our salvation so that our time with You is joy. Amen.

April 2, 2018 - - Luke 5:4-6 Your life, is it: pointless or purposeful?

And when he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." And Simon answered "Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets." And when they had done this, they enclosed a large number of fish, and their nets were breaking.

Luke 5:4-6 ESV

Simon had toiled all night with no result.

Simon had come to the end of his human efforts.

Simon was a skilled fisherman.

Simon was obedient to His Master.

Jesus is LORD.

Jesus is the Giver of Blessings when He directs our toil.

Jesus is the One Who gives all strength to the weary.

Jesus used the skills of the fisherman for His divine purposes.

Jesus works in and through our obedience for His glory.

Jesus, Friend of Sinners and Lord of my life, direct my efforts. I confess how easily I am tired or frustrated or stymied. Spirit of God, teach me the patience and the blessing of prayer before, during, and after any undertaking so that He Who-strengthens-the-weary will be the One who directs my thoughts and efforts. Thank You God that my life and the talents and gifts You have given me can be used for divine purposes. Tame my restless and rebellious heart so that I will be directed and obedient bringing to glory to You: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

March 29, 2018 - - Father You increase the strength of my soul.

On the day I called, you answered me;

my strength of soul you increased.

Psalm 138:3 ESV

First I imagine Jesus praying this whole psalm to His Father. The timing would be this: praying in the Garden of Gethsemane just before the betrayer (His own disciple of 3 years Judas Iscariot) led Roman soldiers to that place to arrest Jesus.

God the Father strengthened the soul of Jesus. We see His strength of soul displayed when Jesus was betrayed, flogged, mocked, tried in a court and found innocent and yet sentenced to a cross. He not only endured it, according to Hebrews 12:2 saw through the agonies just ahead of Him to the joy of knowing:

~the Father is glorified,

~Satan the accuser is disarmed,

~dead and ruined sinners are raised to life in His Name.

Because of the accomplished work of Jesus, I know God hears my cries and pleas. The Father's response to my prayer is this: He strengthens my soul to endure all things, and every single thing--until that glorious day when I shall see Jesus face to face.

King Jesus, I praise You for Your great love and steadfast faithfulness to me--a repeat offender in sin. Thank You for the gift beyond all value and measure--Your condemnation and death in my place! Pour out Your Spirit so that the strength of my soul is increased. Break the strongholds of repetitive sin and for the glory of Your Name and the great praise of the Father help me to walk in newness of life. Amen.

March 27, 2018 - - Mark 4:35-41 Jesus: Blessed Rescuer

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 the cushion. And they woke him and said to him, “Teacher, do you not care that we are perishing?” And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so afraid? Have you still no faith?” And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

Mark 4:35-41 ESV

While I served as a hospital chaplain, I was often called upon to comfort families after the death of a loved one. The one who had just died would be laid out on the bed, or a stretcher, or an examining table and the distraught family was nearby.

Many families in that community were Roman Catholic and when a death occured they'd ask me to stay with them as a chaplain until their priest could come and read with them pray with them. I so clearly remember the unexpected death of a middle aged man. His bewildered family was milling around the stretcher and wandering the hallways, confused and pained. Then their priest showed up.

What relief showed on their faces when the family and friends of the deceased saw their priest! They gathered to him. He opened his Bible and read to them this passage from Mark 4. Even as I write this now, I feel the impact of the comfort of these words.

Jesus is greater than any storm in our lives. Jesus stills the waves, tempestuous seas and even the winds which had stirred them all up. What power is at His command. The disciples feared Him--literally: they feared with Him great fear--no longer was their dread focused on wind, waves and sea, but their awe filled fear was for the Majestic One among them: Jesus.

The beautiful point was made. Jesus slept in the boat near His disciples because He was perfectly at peace in the care of His heavenly Father. No harm could come to Him that was beyond His Father's ability to save. Jesus is the Saviour to Whom we cry, He is greater than the storm, greater than the raging seas, and yes, Easter shows us, He is greater even than sin and death. He has brought us the victory. He brings us into the care of our Father in heaven where no one and no thing can snatch us out of His Hand. Cry to Jesus and bring Him your fears.

Blessed Rescuer, Jesus, You are greater, stronger than any storm in my life! Spirit of Jesus, take my focus from the waves and surges I am experiencing and fix my eyes on Jesus, the Storm-Stiller and Wave-Whisperer. Thank You, Jesus, that You have raised me from death and given me new life so that I am called a Child of God. Blessed be Your Name, My God and My King. Amen.

March 26, 2018 - - Matthew 25:31-34 You a sheep or a goat?

When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And he will place the sheep on his right, but the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on his right, "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."

Matthew 25:31-34

The Son of Man is Jesus. One day soon He will be revealed as the Glorious One, the Ruler of all nations with the right to judge the actions of all people.

The life of Jesus is the standard by which Christians must measure themselves. We fail. We fall short. And we cry out to God the Father for His Spirit to give us new strength to overcome our sin and gain the victory over it. We confess our sin and seek to be reconciled in all cases of offense.

There well may be hypocrites in church. But there is a measure by which these can be judged: are they faithful to the Word of God and do they humbly receive correction when their sins are pointed out?

In the world, those whom the parable calls goats, are those who are consistent in their rebellion against God. Such persons act as if Jesus will not judge their actions. The culture we experience now is one ruled by goats. Here is a defining characteristic of this: what is good is called evil and what is evil is called good (Isaiah 5:20).

Those who do not submit to the Word of God and its clear teachings will face Jesus not as Saviour, but as Judge with the right to cast the rebellious into the fires of hell.

Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to turn to Jesus as the Saviour. All of us--rich and poor, famous and unknowns, leaders and followers, from all lands and places and peoples--will face Jesus in His Splendor. Before His throne we will either receive the crown of life, based on the fact that Jesus bore the punishment for our sins and we have followed Him or we will be thrown into hell, receiving the just punishment for our sinful life and rebellion against God.

Father in Heaven, thank You for the Saviour of the World, Jesus, given as the sign of Your great love. Jesus, Friend of Sinners and Ruler of the Nations, thank You for the inestimable gift of Your life given to ruined sinners. At the cross Your righteousness is given to us while You have taken on Yourself our sin and the punishment for it. As the world posts pictures of Easter bunnies and egg hunts, may the true meaning of Jesus' death and resurrection be the clear call sounded by Your Spirit to summon sinners to the only safe refuge: Jesus. Ah triune God, receive the reward of Jesus' great sacrifice--many, many people who finally recognizing their sin will cry out to Jesus and be numbered among the sheep, who inherit the blessing of life in Jesus joyous and stretching into eternity in His presence. Amen.

March 25, 2018 - - Psalm 119:25,32 No point shouting for action in a cemetery.

My soul clings to the dust;

give me life according to your word!

I will run in the way of your commandments

when you enlarge my heart.

Psalm 119:25,32 ESV

Our human nature always clings to death and dust. It is the effect of sin. Our Canadian culture has a Prime Minister who celebrates death--exporting abortion funding to other countries; encouraging the killing of the elderly and calling it "dignified death". Christianity is the religion which our culture seems to be allowed to 'hate on'.

People, do not be fooled. It is not just our Prime Minister. It is easy to point fingers here and there and rant and rave. The fact of the matter is this: without Jesus Christ as Lord of our lives all of us would cling to the dust and death. The stranglehold of sin will drive us to our own destruction.

The psalmist recognizes this and urgently prays: 'enlarge my heart.' This means the following--Enlarge my heart

~by giving me a heart that is brought to life in Jesus Christ

~by increasing my capacity to love You, O God

~by increasing the presence of the Spirit so I will hate sin

~by increasing my love for others so I will pray for them and

speak to them of the life that is found in Jesus alone

~by moving me to do and to act according to the greater life and

love You have put into my heart

Many secular humanists are calling on people to love one another, to put away violence and hate. They might as well be shouting in a cemetery. Just as the dead in the cemetery can't do anything to help themselves, so those who are dead in their sins cannot act or help themselves. Only Jesus Christ can bring dead sinners to live by His Spirit. The Spirit breathes life, the Spirit pours out forgiveness given us in Jesus Christ and then enlarges our heart so that it is a compassionate heart--echoing the compassion and mercy and love of our Father in heaven.

Get to church today. Hear the message of life. Ask God to enlarge your heart. Be prepared for the adventure that will follow!

Spirit of God, thank You for the life You have given believers in Jesus Christ. Thank You that our sins are forgiven and our whole way of seeing the world is transformed. Enlarge our hearts. Give us an ever greater capacity to love You, serve You and bless the people You have put into our lives. Spirit of God stir in the hearts of those who do not yet know You the desire to get to church, to explore Who Jesus Is--especially in view of the fact that Easter Sunday--the Sunday when Jesus rose from the dead--is almost here. Let His life bring life to many. Let our life as Christians be a powerful incentive drawing others to join us in worship at church. Great are You Lord and worthy of glory; great are You Lord and worthy of praise! Amen.

March 23, 2018 - - James 5:16 Powerful Confession

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 5:16 ESV

A day or two ago a radio preacher gave some wonderful insight to accountability--that is confessing our sins to another. First there needs to be honesty--yes, I have sinned. I am a sinner in need of the healing and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ alone. This is the start and honesty is good.

Then the next level is the "why". Ask why have you sinned? Lamentations 3:40 "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD." The point here is to ask: how am I placing myself in situations which will lead me to sin? What void am I trying to fill in my life with sin, rather than filling it with faith in God and cultivating confidence in Him?

The third step is critical--if you are seeing a pattern that leads you to sin, what steps are you taking to break this pattern and walk in obedience? I John 5:4 "For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith." Ask your accountability partner to help you break free from the sin that is tying you down. Offer the same help to him.

Finally--pray. At every step pray. We know that God has chosen to work through the prayers of His people. The very Spirit of God is in believers, prompting you, leading you to powerful, effective prayer. Trust the gift God has given you: prayer--intimate conversation with Him.

Sometimes God, it feels like I'd weary You with my repeated recitation of sin. But the fact is, I am wary of confessing and more likely to want to hide my sin rather than confess it. Thank You for the path of victory You give to believers--confession, examination, and repentance which leads to new obedience. In Jesus Christ I am a new creation, and I confess the old me is dead and I am rising to newness of life. Spirit of the Living God, continually work this new life into every part of my being for the glory of God. Amen.

March 22, 2018 - - Psalm 109:4b How are you using your borrowed breath?

...But I give myself to prayer

Psalm 109:4b ESV

The alternate reading for this line is: "But I am prayer." The psalmist is describing a situation where enemies and troubles are all around. Rather than falling victim to this and moaning, the man is a pillar of prayer.

Why? The answer is given towards the end of this psalm: "For He stands at the right hand of the needy one." God is as near as our most recent prayer. Let me rephrase that: God is always near; our awareness of His nearness is communicated to our soul and mind by our most recent prayer. Sometimes we think God is absent when in fact it is our praying awareness of Him that is lacking.

Yesterday I was singing a hymn and it had this line: "I will praise You while You lend me breath". What a stunning truth--song and prayer, blessing and cursing, encouragement and rancour--all these flow from our mouths and require the very breath loaned to us from God.

Since our very breath is on loan to us from God, let me ask you what you are using your breath for right now? Is it prayer? Is it blessing?

Father in heaven, the urgent prayer of this psalm-writer was answered by the arrival of Jesus Christ. All enemies have been vanquished and defeated so that anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus will be saved and know You, O God, as our Father. While we live as believers we will face threats to our faith and many trials, it is Your Spirit, Father in heaven, Who gives us the words to sing, to pray and to speak--as long as You lend us breath here on earth. May You receive the glory and may our words call many others to faith in Jesus Christ, in Whose Name I pray: Amen.

March 20, 2018 - - Psalm 102:11-12 Call Canada to fasting, mourning, prayer!

My days are like the evening shadow;

I wither away like grass.

But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever;

your renown endures through all generations.

Psalm 102:11-12 NIV

Christians across the land of Canada ought to consider a national day of mourning, fasting and prayer. Yesterday our federal government has reaffirmed an evil commitment to require any organization applying for federal student grant money to include in this application affirmation of LGBTQ rights and support of abortion--even if this is in direct violation of the values of the charity, church or organization. Freedom of religious thought and expression is mocked in Canada.

First and foremost, pray for our government. They are ordinary people with huge responsibilities and they are withering away like grass. Unless the LORD blesses them and the Spirit changes their heart and conscience nothing will move them.

Pray Christians! Pray for your own heart and for the hearts and minds of believers across this land, that the eyes of our faith will see Christ, enthroned as LORD. His renown--His fame, His splendour, His majestic glory--fills our thoughts and vision to such an extent that we will challenge our government with respectful, persistent and forceful protests.

Third--the murder of the preborn children is not acceptable. The land and government and people--WE ALL of us--are polluted by this sacrifice of the children to the fire of abortion. More than this alone, in the current political climate where the government promotes confusion of genders, what is evil is being called good and what is called good is evil, then our nation is defiled and filthy. We as believers must repent. We confess our land is guilty of great sin in abandoning the clear teachings of the Bible: murder is wrong. God created people male or female.

Know that the Day of Judgement is near. Those who are reckless in sin and perpetuating shame will face Jesus as the Judge of the great and small, the rich and poor, the unrepentant and those who have no other hope but His forgiveness. Pray that God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit will rescue ruined sinners from the judgment of hell. The delay of Jesus' return is that many will be called from sin and brought unto salvation. Plead with God for the salvation of many!

The angels of heaven who are before Your throne, veil their faces before You, God of Splendour and Renown and cry: Holy! Holy! Holy! Great men and saints throw down their crowns before Your throne and acknowledge You alone to be worthy of praise and adoration. Restore to us, believers across this land of Canada, a deep, renewed sense of Your Dreadful Majesty. Inspire us Spirit of God to urgent prayer for our leaders, for our land, for repentance, for the glory of God to rise among us. Our lives are short and fading, and in tremendous contrast we see the grace of our Compassionate God rise up to eternity. The enemies of Your Great Name are imprisoned by their sins and their strength will be broken, but You remain from generation to generation. You are the chain-breaker and the restorer of the ruined--bring many daughters and sons to the glorious knowledge of You and obedient, joy-filled living. Amen.

March 17, 2018 - - Psalm 87:1-3 Most amazing destination EVER

On the holy mount stands the city he founded;

the LORD loves the gates of Zion

more than all the dwelling places of Jacob

Glorious things of you are spoken,

O city of God. Selah.

Psalm 87:1-3 ESV

One of the interesting facets of Facebook is that you see all these vacation pics of your friends. Before the trip the traveller to be speaks in glowing terms of the great place and all the adventures in store: sun, sand and surf; or perhaps food, fun and friends. People will tighten their belts in order to afford this trip of a lifetime. They are willing to forego any extras before the trip so that there will more spending money on the trip. Others watch their diet so that they'll fit into their bathing suits...or at least not be embarrassed to be photographed wearing one.

The point is this: the writer of this psalm is looking forward to the ultimate destination: the City of God, the New Jerusalem. A place where the nations will meet without hostility or war, because Jesus Christ is their peace. Zion is so wonderful that the people of God would rather forego anything here on earth than lose their opportunity to enter the gates of this beautiful city.

The light of that city is God Himself. There will be neither church nor temple there because the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God, merciful and good, is there and He will rule the city of glory. Our strength for obedient living now is drawn from the fact that Jesus Christ has opened the way to the New Jerusalem. The Spirit of God inspires our imagination and captivates our thoughts with the goal of spending eternity in the light of His splendour.

Selah--it means: pause, re-read, and reflect.

Better, O God my Father, is one hour in prayer with You, than a winter week of vacation in a sunny locale. Better is a life-time of foregoing futile pleasures and living in obedience to Jesus Christ in exchange for the promised reward of glory, splendour and the magnificence of the New Jerusalem, where You are near to Your people for all eternity. Spirit of God, continue to capture my heart and my imagination so that I will live for Jesus now having the wondrous expectation of seeing Him face to face in Zion. Amen.

March 16, 2017 - - Hebrews 12:21-25 "Brilliance, death and warning."

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, and to the assembly of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven,

Hebrews 12:22-25 ESV

Stephen Hawking was credited as having the highest IQ of our time. He was brilliant and able to cross freely back and forth from academia to pop culture. He made pronouncements on the need for people to be united and unified...but he had no basis for this call to unity. He did not think there was an afterlife and rather than trust in the Living God, he put his faith in humanity. It is tragic. It is the way of one who is wise in the ways of the world and foolish in the sight of God.

The Bible clearly teaches the God Who created the heavens and the earth has appointed the Judge of All. While we live we are called to yield to God and submit ourselves to Him. Our standard against which we measure of our life is not a person we can pick. The measure of our life is taken against the standard of Jesus Christ, the perfect One.

The Father has given us Jesus, the One Who was punished in our place for our sins. Because Jesus was without sin, He alone is the sacrifice that takes away the sins of the world. Those who refuse to acknowledge their sin and their need for Jesus as Saviour in this life will find at the end of time that Jesus is the Judge Who has the right to cast the unbelieving into the eternal fires of hell.

Death, of famous persons, unknown persons, or of our own family members, is the warning from heaven that our lives are not our own. We will, at the end of our lives, give account to God for our actions, our every word and thought. Today is the day of warning, today is the day to seek God while He may yet be found. Talk to a Christian whose walk with God you admire and learn how to follow Jesus. Read the bible and pray.

If this is intriguing you, it is the Spirit of God Himself Who is prompting you to seek God, the very God Who is ready to receive the mightiest and the weakest--any person who cries out to Him.

God, Source of all Truth and Wisdom, thank You for scholars and those who can probe deep mysteries. Judge of All, give to our scientists and biologists, our chemists and geologists, all our scholars, the profound awareness that whatever they study, they are in fact learning from You and about You and Your creation. As they read the book of creation, may they be drawn to know Jesus Christ, the perfect revelation of knowledge and truth and understanding. May the Word of God show the most excellent mysteries worthy of many life-times of examination and study. To You alone, O God, be the glory and praise, the honour and renown forever and ever. Amen.