September 9, 2018 - - John 16:4 - - how is YOUR memory?

Remember the days of old;

consider the generations long past.

Ask your father and he will tell you,

your elders, and they will explain to you.

Deuteronomy 32:7 NIV

But I have said these things to you,

that when their hour comes

you may remember that I told them to you.

John 16:4 ESV

In eulogizing the famed poet Robert Frost, J. F. Kennedy said:

"A nation reveals itself

not only by the men it produces

but also by the men it honors,

the men it remembers."

We are living among a forgetful people. Statues are being defaced and torn down. Our history is a muddle. I believe this is so because of a forgetfulness that is far worse. As Canadians and as Christians we are forgetting Jesus. Where Jesus Christ is no longer honoured nor remembered people run amok.

Jesus Himself spoke of these days of lawlessness. It is not surprising. In order to interpret these days and the times of upheaval and incivility, we need to turn to the Word of God. In it we learn of God, Who loves this world and has given Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God takes the great teaching of Scripture and reveals Jesus, helps us to honour and obey Jesus and remember the great Truth He taught. Jesus Himself is the way of salvation in this wicked and crooked generation.

Today is Sunday. Get to the Bible-believing church. Find a Christian you admire and ask to go along with him to church. My fellow Christians, those with the character integrity and good memory rooted in Jesus Christ, welcome all who join your for worship.

Great are You, King Jesus, once a humble servant Who walked among us on earth. Of blessed memory and great renown are You, Jesus, Lord of Glory, for You have swept away our sins and given us new life as sons and daughters of our Father in heaven. God, LORD of Angel Armies and Terrible Majesty, forever adored and honoured are You. Send Your Spirit so that the Church may drink deeply from the wells of salvation. Let Your Spirit stir to memory those great works of Jesus Christ so that we will teach them to one another, to our children and all who come within our orbit. In the teaching and the receiving and believing Your Name and Your renown will increase until the great and glorious day when Jesus Christ returns to judge all nations. In Jesus' Name we ask it. Amen.

September 8, 2018 - - Pray! Why? Find out.

Pray without ceasing...

I Thessalonians 5:17 ESV

And pray in the Spirit

on all occasions

with all kinds of prayers and requests.

Ephesians 6:18 NIV

These instructions are in the command form. Like there is an exclamation mark after them: pray! Perhaps one of the reasons we neglect to pray is that we don't have a sense of the heaven-moving, earth-affecting implications of our prayers.

"To clasp hands in prayer

is the beginning of an uprising

against the disorder of the world."

K. Barth

In prayer we are addressing the Judge of All the Earth. Our prayers are pleasing to Him because of His Son, Jesus Christ, by Whom our sins are forgiven. When we believe in Jesus we receive His righteousness. God call us His sons and daughters. The Holy Spirit prompts us to pray. It is the Spirit Who brings people to mind. Who shows us the terrible majesty and great, unlimited power of the Living God Who delights to hear His children praying.

Perhaps, before we post another diatribe against a world leader who is driving us crazy--we should pray.

Perhaps, before sending that text letting someone know exactly what you think of them--you could pray.

Perhaps, before going into the next round of arguing with your spouse, or co-worker, or partner, it is time to earnestly pray.

Spirit of Power, guide us in our Scripture reading so that we see the urgency of, blessing and great gift prayer is.

Jesus, by Whom, for Whom, and through Whom, all things are created, we bless Your Name for removing from us the curse of God against our sin and making us new inside and out.

Father in heaven, thank You for this mighty conversation called prayer! Blessing and honour, glory and power are Yours forever and ever!

God of mercy forgive us for our prayerlessness.

God of love prompt us to pray expectantly in every circumstance and insistently for all those You have placed in power.

God, in Whose image every man and every woman is made, before we speak a word, post another opinion, or rise to the bait which will lead to another argument, bring us to our knees in prayer. Change us. Charge this world with awareness of Your mighty glory and the splendour of Your Kingdom. In Jesus' precious, powerful Name we pray. Amen.

September 6, 2018 - - Proverbs 6:16 - 19 - - a quick examination of the heart

16 There are six things the Lord hates,

seven that are detestable to him:

17 haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

18 a heart that devises wicked schemes,

feet that are quick to rush into evil,

19 a false witness who pours out lies

and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Proverbs 6 NIV

What a great check-list for our hearts. As we examine ourselves before the Lord, Who searches out hearts, before Whom nothing is hidden, we can ask:

i. Am I haughty--look down at someone as if I am superior?

ii. Am I truthful in all my words, in what I said and what I leave unspoken?

iii. We may think: it is unlikely anyone in my circle of friend has shed innocent blood. Really? Abortion is the shedding of innocent blood. According to Jesus, anyone who lives with unforgiveness is a murderer.

iv. Am I secretly plotting revenge against someone for what they have said or done? I Corinthians 13 teaches us, even keeping a record of the wrongs others have done is unloving. Therefore detestable to God.

v. Am I training myself for evil? What am I playing? What am I watching? What am I celebrating--ask yourself, are any of these a training ground for evil?

vi. Am I guarding the good reputation and character of those around me? Am I speaking in confidence and in love to one who is slandered?

vii. We live in an age of exaggeration and hyperbole. Are my posts, my words, my comments adding fuel to the fires? Am I like healing anointment to the heart of one who is wounded?

Thank You, Father in heaven, that the end of all warfare and conflict is found at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Father in heaven, that Jesus has reconciled us to Yourself. Thank You, Father and Son, for the Holy Spirit, Who knows the deep and hidden things of our hearts and digs them out, purging them so that the grace of Jesus and the healing He brings can be applied to every relationship and every painful wound we carry. Jesus by Your rule You are bringing everything into submission--give us the gift of the Spirit Who softens our hearts so that we humbly offer and receive Your healing grace. Teach us, Spirit of God, the way of humble obedience. Blessed be Your Name, O God. Amen.

September 5, 2018 - - Proverbs 5:1-6 - - The pathway of purity

1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom,

turn your ear to my words of insight,

2 that you may maintain discretion

and your lips may preserve knowledge.

3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey,

and her speech is smoother than oil;

4 but in the end she is bitter as gall,

sharp as a double-edged sword.

5 Her feet go down to death;

her steps lead straight to the grave.

6 She gives no thought to the way of life;

her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it.

Proverbs 5

The media trumpeted the fact that the Ontario Teachers Union is going to court to fight Premier Ford's decision to repeal the 2015 sex ed curriculum. A spokesman for the union noted they have a duty to protect students in this sex charged environment. On August 30th it was noted in the news that math scores continue to decline for students across Ontario, despite the fact that millions have been spent to address this. What a dark day in our province.

I wonder, does the sex education curriculum teach against the bitterness and harm of adultery?

On the one hand our sex-soaked culture celebrates "free sex" and "experimentation". On the other hand our culture is appropriately crying out against the abuses of sex and the predatory behaviour in sexual relationships. This is the same culture that celebrates the porn trilogy "Fifty Shades". How are the teachers qualified to teach what is right and wrong?

The Word of God clearly shows us God created them male and female. Marriage is one man and one woman given to each other to the exclusion of all others. Premarital sex, and adultery, these are destructive to the mind and the heart and the soul, as is described here in Proverbs.

Jesus Himself taught clear moral boundaries for marriage and sexuality. He Who created us, knows what is best for our heart and mind. He Who redeemed us from the brokenness of sin, can and does rescue fallen, ruined sinners who have been chewed up by the ravages of adultery. Jesus can bring His healing and restoration.

The Spirit of God is given so that we, prone to all sin and evil though we are, might avoid the sourness of adultery and the regrets of toying with sex too soon and before our maturity and emotions are prepared for it.

God, Who makes the boundaries of our lives fall in pleasant places, send Your Spirit to help men and women who are striving to be obedient to Your wise instructions in morality.

Jesus, our Redeemer, thank You, that not one single person (no matter their sexual sins and fallenness) is beyond the healing grace You offer.

Spirit of God, for those who find themselves despairing and ugly because of failed sexual encounters and their own sexual confusion, guide these prodigal sons and daughters to the cross of Jesus Christ where mercy and healing win. Lead them to confess their sins and pour out their grief before Christ.

Thank You, Father in heaven, that You have raised up the cross of healing for all those who have been poisoned by the sexual sins of this age.

Triune God, our province is morally bankrupt and confused. Revive our leaders in the way of Truth. Renew our churches in their commitment to the profound Truth of Your Word. Let Your creation norms be taught once again so that we may delight in You, O God, and enjoy the great blessings you hold in store for the life as men and women created in Your image.

Bring us, as Christians to urgent, faithful prayer for our churches, for our politicians, for our children and our culture. We long for the day, Father in heaven, when the knowledge of Your glory covers the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen.

September 4, 2018 - - Psalm 17:8 - - God's Protection

Keep me as the apple of your eye...

Psalm 17:8 NIV

How readily we understand this prayer request! Think how carefully we guard our eyes. Recognize how carefully we protect them from too much light, the blast of wind or any other threat potential or immediate. Whenever something gets into our eyes, that irritation promptly has our full attention.

Here the psalm-writer appeals to God for such careful attention: with the same tenderness that we guard our own eyes, God of heaven, guard us.

God our Shield and very great reward, thank You for the righteousness that is ours in Christ. Thank You that we are called beloved sons and daughters in Christ our Lord. Spirit of God, increase our capacity for joy in our Saviour and cause us to grow in humble, love-directed, obedience to Him. God of heaven, guard us as the apple of your eye. Amen.

September 2, 2018 - - I Corinthians 4:15 - - Who is speaking into your life?

For though you have countless guides in Christ, you do not have many fathers. For I become in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

I Corinthians 4:15 ESV

There are so many books on Christianity. So many radio stations offering guidance in the faith. There are, of course, a plethora of sermons you can find on line. There are countless guides but not many fathers. What is the difference? All the books, radio, media and sermons are arm's length. A father knows you well enough to speak into your life the great truth of the Word that is particularly applicable to you and your situation.

We are blind to our faults. The faults we do acknowledge we can excuse through various justifications and rationalizations. As Christians we all need spiritual directors. We need those who are fathers in the faith.

Eugene Peterson offers these three tasks as the particular work of a spiritual director:

1. God is always doing something: an active grace is shaping this life into a mature salvation;

2. responding to God is not sheer guesswork: the Christian community has acquired wisdom through the centuries that provides guidance;

3. each soul is unique: no wisdom can simple be applied without discerning the particulars of this life; this situation.

(E. H. Peterson "Working the Angles" page 150)

One cannot be a Christian without going to church. The Church is the visible expression of the Body of Christ--the people for whom He died and the people whom He rules in glory through the power of His Spirit. And it is in the context of attending a local church that we find worthy fathers (spiritual directors) in the faith who shape us and bring our attention to the things God is doing and thereby sharpen us for holy service.

Majestic Creator, God of greatly varied splendid and beautiful works, thank You for giving us Jesus Christ. Thank You for working out in our lives Your holy purposes. Spirit of God, so purify our hearts that Christ will be our only King and the Captain of our Salvation. Awaken in us, Triune God, the profound truth and deepening awareness that You Who have begun a good work in us will see it to completion. Spirit of God, grant to us, the gift of discerning who might be a father to us in the faith. Spirit Who guides us in all truth, give us the patient love and desire to be a spiritual director in the lives of those around us who are seeking such help. In Jesus' precious Name we pray~Amen.

September 1, 2018 - - Colossians 3:17 - - Humble Heights of Good Works

And whatever you do, whether in word or in deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17 NIV

They who in their obedience attain to the height which is possible in this life, are so far from being able to supererogate, and to do more than God requires, as that they fall short of much which in duty they are bound to do.

The Westminster Confession of Faith, XVI.

The teaching of this text from Colossians and this paragraph from the Westminster are this: God will NEVER have to say to us "I owe you one". There is nothing we earn, nothing which merits His praise. To supererogate is defined in the Westminster Confession--to do more than God requires (and so in a sense put Him into our debt for our works or kindness).

We are endlessly debtors to Jesus and His love for us shown at His incarnation, His obedience learned through suffering, death at the cross, resurrection and ascension to the Father's right hand. Our lives are either poured out in thanksgiving to Him or we live in rebellion against Him. There is no neutral ground. There is there no ground for any boasting on our part. Our only boast is this: Jesus and His great love for us His sheep.

In the morning, when I rise, blessed be Your Name, God of glory.

In the day, as I work and play, rest and socialize, Spirit of God, stir up in me the desire to live ever more fully for Jesus. May the thoughts of my heart and words on my lips be offered in humble, thankful praise to You, Jesus, for all You have done for me.

In the evening, when the day is done, blessed be Your Name, God of splendour and renown. Amen.

August 30, 2018 - - Psalm 145:4 What will be your legacy?

One generation will commend your works to another;

they will tell of your mighty acts.

Psalm 145:4 NIV

When your children speak of you to their friends, do they note your love for Jesus Christ? Is that what stands out about you? I am sure your children will remember some of your hobbies, your delight in favourite recreational pursuits but the most important thing you can communicate to them is this: to speak of the mighty acts of God with awe and joy.

When your nephews and nieces, or your circle of friends start talking about you amongst themselves, does your service to Jesus immediately come to the forefront of those conversations?

We all have "short-hand" ways of speaking of people we remember.

Oh yeah, he was drunk by 9pm every New Year's Eve.

Do you remember her crazy hats? Hahaha.

Didn't he always had corny jokes?!

When people speak of me, may the "short-hand" be "he loves talking about the LORD". For my part, it is my dearest desire that my children and grandchildren, my nephews and nieces, my friends and acquaintances will recall this one thing about me: He loved the LORD and often talked about the things God was doing in his life. That would be a glorious legacy!

To You, O God, be the glory! Great things You have done and marvel things You are doing! You love us with the tender love of a Father. You demonstrated Your love by giving us Jesus Christ. Who is like You, O Christ, while we were yet sinners and hating You, You died for us taking us from the kingdom of death and having made us alive again bring us into the glorious presence of the Majesty in Heaven. Spirit of God, You make the mighty acts of God--past, present and future--known to our souls. Blessed are You, God of dominion and power. May the splendour of Your Name and Your awesome works be our life's joyful song~in Jesus' Name we pray it. Amen.

August 29, 2018 - - I John 5:21 - - Get rid of idols.

Dear children, keep yourselves from idols.
I John 5:21 NIV

These words are the succinct ending of the first letter of John. Children's passions are easily anchored on their latest toy or game or stuffed animal. Take it from the child and he pouts and rages. Until something else grabs his attention.

We are to keep ourselves from idols. It is so easy to fall under the influence of things in this world. Things that are passing away. We can go astray in so many ways, we are die a death of a thousand little cuts, small things that consume our time, attention, and thoughts.

Idolatry is not just an ancient problem, nor just a modern one. It is the same in every age. Listen to these words penned in 1769: 
The dearest idol I have known, Whate'er that idol be, 
Help me to tear it from thy throne, And worship only thee. 
So shall my walk be close with God, Calm and serene my frame; So purer light shall mark the road That leads me to the Lamb.
"Be Thou My Vision" William Cowper

How do you know something is becoming an idol in your life? Let me suggest, for example: get rid of Netflix. It is taking too much of your time and the things you are watching are inappropriate. Let me guess, you are getting your back up and defensive as you prepare arguments why it is good, or at least worth keeping. At this point it is a good guess if it is not already an idol, it is on the way to becoming one.

Dearest Father in heaven, by the powerful presence of Your Spirit, help me to see what is becoming an idol in my life. God, the True Desire of Every Longing Heart, by Your Spirit fix my thoughts and attention on Jesus so that my walk will be serene as I walk in the light of Lamb. I confess how easily I am distracted. I confess how easily my attention turns to people, things, and worldly pursuits rather than the fulfilment of my deepest longing--to know You more. Amen.

August 27, 2018 - - Acts 6:1-4 - - The Shape of Ministry

In those days when the number of disciples was increasing, the Hellenistic Jews among them complained against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. So the Twelve gathered all the disciples together and said, “It would not be right for us to neglect the ministry of the word of God in order to wait on tables. Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them and will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the word.”

Acts 6:1-4 NIV

"Three pastoral acts are so basic, so critical, that they determine the shape of everything else. The acts are: praying, reading Scripture, and giving spiritual direction. Besides being basic, these acts are quiet. They do not call attention to themselves and so are often not attended to. In the clamorous world of pastoral work nobody yells at us to engage in these acts."

from: Eugene Peterson

"Working the Angles: the shape of pastoral ministry" page 3

Christian, engage in praying, reading Scripture. Make it your priority.

Christian, pray for your pastor, earnestly, faithfully and urgently. Pray that your pastor will be drawn to a life of prayer, of reading Scripture and giving spiritual direction which flows from and is informed by his love for God and knowledge of the Scripture.

There are so many forces which will pull your pastor from being faithful in his prayer time and Scripture reading. There are demands on his time, his energy and his emotions. Pray that your pastor will have his time alone with God and His Word guarded and protected so that he will be a wise spiritual director. This is the most important gift you can give your pastor.

Thank You, Jesus, for the gift of our pastors. Thank You for all those who work so diligently among us as under-shepherds of Jesus Christ and representatives of our Father's great love. Spirit of the Living God, bless our pastors in their work. Refresh them in prayer. Equip them with mental, physical, emotional and spiritual energy so that they will preach the Word of God to their own souls and from that rich time of banqueting in Your presence enable them with hope and zeal to speak Your words of life to all You give them to serve. In Jesus' Name we pray~ Amen.

August 26, 2018 - - Psalm 130 - - What's your story?

1 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord;

2 Lord, hear my voice.

Let your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

3 If you, Lord, kept a record of sins,

Lord, who could stand?

4 But with you there is forgiveness,

so that we can, with reverence, serve you.

5 I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,

and in his word I put my hope.

6 I wait for the Lord

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7 Israel, put your hope in the Lord,

for with the Lord is unfailing love

and with him is full redemption.

8 He himself will redeem Israel

from all their sins.

Psalm 130 NIV

Our lives are shaped by stories. We willingly hear familiar stories over and over again. Consider how many times you've listened to that favourite album of your favorite band. How many times have you watched your favorite movie? Even mentioning these things means you'll probably start humming or making air guitar motions along with the tunes flying around your brain.

Oddly enough, people will pay big bucks to go see the latest remake of a movie and not flinch. But will say they are tired of church because it is all the same. Strangely people will say "boring" to a familiar hymn. When they hear a rock anthem on the radio they will forget themselves and sing (while the others in the van shout "Don't quit your day job!) It is a song they've heard countless times and readily listen to again and again.

All of us are being shaped by the stories we hear over and over again. TV series, movies, music, talk programs, opinion shows and so on impress themselves on our hearts and brains. Ask yourself: is what I am listening to worthy of my time, worthy of the space I give it in my heart and brain? Is this story going to be a good guide for eternity?

By God grace I have the opportunity to go to church twice on a Sunday--in the morning and afternoon services. The Bible is the foundation of the preaching. The stories from God's Word shape my living. The psalms and the hymns anchor my thoughts on Jesus Christ. The sermons teach me that I am the beloved child of my Father in heaven because of Jesus' work. The Spirit of God seals these stories to my heart and soul against the days of trouble and help me to correctly interpret the world around me and the world to come.

Today is Sunday. Consider getting spiritually fit. Come on out to a bible believing, Jesus exalting church.

Your Word, O God, reflects the glory of Who You are!

Your life, death, and resurrection, Lord Jesus, is the story that shapes our planet and all the people on it.

Spirit of God, You take the great truth of the Jesus and His Word and plant it deep into our souls and imagination so that we can respond with joy and wonder to all that God is doing.

God of Splendour, summon people to church this day.

Spirit of God, cause me to be a welcoming presence to whomever You bring to church.

Jesus, let the story of Your love and victory over sin and death be the song of our hearts and the story of our lives. Amen.

August 23, 2018 - - Deuteronomy 6:4-5 - - Listening to Thundering

Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one!

You shall love the LORD your God

with all your heart,

with all your soul, and

with all your strength.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5 NKJV

Notice the very first word of this morning's passage--it is a command and it is emphatic--hear! Read the whole passage out loud. Go ahead. Close the door of your room. If you are on the commuter train, don't worry, just pretend you are putting in ear buds and you are talking on the phone--then folks will ignore you. Now, say it aloud. (It feels a bit funny, doesn't it. Try again, with feeling this time!)

Eugene Peterson notes:

The Christian's interest in Scripture has always been in hearing God speak, not in analyzing moral memos. The common practice is to nurture a listening disposition--the 'involving ear' rather than the 'distancing eye'--hoping to become passionate hearers of the word rather than cool readers of the page.

So we listen in order to find out what is going on--in us. Ezra Pound's H. Selwyn Mauberly expresses the zest of this kind of reader/listener: 'Tell it to me, all of it, I guzzle with outstretched ears'!"

From: E. Peterson "Working the Angles: the shape of pastoral integrity" page 87 & 89

By the Word of the LORD Creation sprang into being.

By the Voice of the LORD the cedars of Lebanon break!

At the thundering declarations of the LORD the people trembled.

Beloved in Jesus Christ, the One Who called stars into being, those white hot, furnaces converting hydrogen to helium by fusion, fiery celestial phenoms, is our King. The out-poured fury of His anger against sin burned against Jesus on the cross. His Word is living and active. It is not tame. It is consuming the sin from within and by the Spirit creating in us new life, the resurrection life of Jesus Christ. Read the Word out loud. Listen to the spoken Word and let the Spirit of God change you according to it.

God of Splendour--You are God and we will praise You!

Christ seated at the Father's right hand--You are God and we will praise You!

Spirit of the Living God, move in our hearts and in our souls and be our strength so that we will give thanks before the Majestic One of heaven and earth! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

August 22, 2018 - - Psalm 106:47-48 - - No such thing as little prayers!

Save us, O LORD our God,

and gather us from the nations,

that we may give thanks to your holy name

and glory in your praise.

Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel,

from everlasting to everlasting.

Let all the people say, "Amen!"

Praise the LORD.

Psalm 106:47-48

"One of the indignities to which pastors are routinely subjected is to be approached, as a group of people are gathering for a meeting or a meal, with the request, 'Revend, get things started for us with a little prayer, will ya?' It would be wonderful if we would counter by bellowing William McNamara's fantasized response: 'I will not! There are no little prayers! Prayer enters the lion's den, brings us before the holy where it is uncertain whether we will come back alive or sane, for it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of a living God'."

From E. Peterson "Working the Angles: the shape of pastoral integrity" page 46

Peterson reminds us that God's word is always first. Every prayer is ever, always a response to God. The Triune God is from everlasting to everlasting. The LORD speaks and requires a response.

The LORD spoke creation into existence.

The LORD, Who is Christ, gave Himself up for us while we were yet sinners.

The LORD, Who is the Spirit, breaks down hardened hearts so that we can with awe and wonder declare of Jesus: "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God."

The prayer that follows are sentences and phrases from Psalm 111. The Psalms are the great prayer-book, the response to Him, our Glorious God.

I will extol the LORD with all my heart!

Great are the works of the LORD;

they are pondered by all who delight in them.

Glorious and majestic are his deeds!

The LORD is gracious and compassionate.

He provides food for those who fear Him,

He remembers his covenant forever.

To You, O LORD, belongs eternal praise!

August 21, 2018 - - I Peter 5:1-3 - - Be a Christ-like example

To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

I Peter 5:1-3 NIV

Be examples to the flock. As leaders in the household of God (which is the church), and as Christians in our own home, we are called to be an example. The way in which we care for our family, which is our lasting congregation, is a true witness to our character as Christians.

Al Martin offers these great observations on the faith, leadership and domestic competence. He is addressing preaching elders, but I think his words suit all Christians.

"What would you say to a man who desires to be an elder if he is indifferent to theology, systematics and all that is necessary to be a safe guide through the bible? You'd throw a bucket of cold water over him. So also if a man is a competent guide in the bible but can not rule his own house well!"

"Some may object: "Brother Martin, if we take this seriously then half the pulpits in our country would be empty. What would you say to the people?"

"I would say 'Good! I would not fill a pulpit that God would empty! Perhaps all these empty pulpits would be the beginning of a revival'."

We are living in an age where the home is viciously attacked. Where one man and one woman who commit themselves to one another to the exclusion of all others seems to invite scorn and acrimony from the world around us. We are living in an age where gender dysphoria is celebrated.

The world around us is desperate for the example of Christians who joyfully serve God publicly and in their homes they model Christ-likeness. Our society is so degenerate. Home life is fragmented and embattled. What a witness Christians offer when we are faithful to the Word of God and faithful shepherds of our families, raising them in the fear and joy of the Lord.

Father in heaven, You have given to us the gift of family. One man and one woman in marriage who raise children to know Jesus Christ and serve Him. As the Spirit applies the instruction of the Word and leads families in faithful churches what a glorious witness we can be to our world. God of grace and mercy, protect our family units. Single or married, with children or child-less, whatever our circumstances, bless us so that from our hearts and homes we may praise and serve You and so be a witness to the world around us. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

August 17, 2018 - - Proverbs 17:10 - - Who commands your respect?

A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.
Proverbs 17:10 NLT

The more you ponder this proverb, the more it works on your mind, soul and heart. 
Am I willing to receive a rebuke? 
Am I am person of understanding? 
Do I weigh the things people say to me? 
What is God teaching me through the words of others?

Jesus promised to His followers the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit of Truth will lead the soul to whisper to God: "Abba, Daddy". The Spirit will lead the heart to listen to and love Jesus more and more. The Spirit will prick the conscience of the believer and this will have more effect than any coercion, beating, or verbal shoutings for love makes the man tender to God and desirous to honour the Captain of his salvation.

Jesus, You are the Savior of the World. In Your death and resurrection we are dead to sin and raised to new life. 
Jesus, You are the Captain of our Salvation, Who leads believers to victory over sin and joyful service in Your Kingdom cause. 
Spirit of God, keep our hearts tender to the commands of Jesus and shield us in our Father's love. Amen.

August 15, 2018 - - Matthew 7:21-23 - - Sobering words leading to life

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

Matthew 7:21-23 NKJV

Westminster Confession of Faith X Effectual Calling

IV. Others, not elected, although they may be called by the ministry of the Word, and may have some common operations of the Spirit, yet they never truly come unto Christ, and therefore cannot be saved: much less can men, not professing the Christian religion, be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they never so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the laws of that religion they do profess. And to assert and maintain that they may, is very pernicious, and to be detested.

The passage from Matthew and the words of the Westminster are some of the most sobering words I have read in a very long time! Forsake the world and come to Jesus while there is yet time.

G. I. Williamson writes:

"Christ's parable of the sower and the soils reminds us that it is possible to give every appearance of being in possession of faith and obedient for a time, and even to evidence great zeal for the things of Christ, and then to lose all interest or even to lapse into hostility to the kingdom.

"The Scripture itself, therefore, leads us to the conclusion that it is possible to have very uplifting, ennobling, reforming, and exhilarating experience of the power and truth of the gospel, to come into such close contact with the supernatural forces which are operative in God's kingdom of grace that these forces produce effects in us which to human observation are hardly distinguishable from those produced by God's regenerating and sanctifying grace, and yet be not partakers of Christ and heirs of eternal life."

pages 122 - 123

Now is the day of salvation.

Now is the day to turn away from sin and turn to Jesus.

Your Word, O God, promises "he who has the Son has life; and he who does not have the Son of God does not have life". Let Christ, the true light that gives life to all who believe, take up residence in the hearts of those who cry out to Him. Spirit of God, remove the hard heart of stone and give to those crying out to Jesus a heart of tender flesh which yearns for Christ and walks in obedience to Him. Amen.

August 11, 2018 - - Deuteronomy 28:47-48 - - Fight for joy!

Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, therefore in hunger and thirst, in nakedness and dire poverty, you will serve the enemies the Lord sends against you. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you.

Deuteronomy 28:47-48 NIV

We are called to fight for joy in our life with Christ. This passage from Deuteronomy notes the curse that would fall on the people of Israel if they neglect joy in their walk with God.The Bible repeatedly calls us to joy! Philippians 4:4 commands us "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!"

There are so many things, distractions, and false joys in this life. We must fight against all of them and find our deepest joy in Christ, Who alone brings us to our Father in heaven. The Spirit of God will stir up in the Christian the will and desire to fight for such joy. While on vacation I had a wonderful reminder to fight for joy. I picked up a book by John Piper and the fight for joy, it is a key emphasis in Piper's ministry.

"...God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. Therefore, to make pretensions about honouring him more, while not calling people to the most radical, soul-freeing satisfaction in God alone, is self-contradictory. It won't happen."

"Nothing shows the direction of the deep winds of the soul like the demand for radical, sin-destroying, Christ-exalting joy in God."

from: J. Piper "'When I Don't Desire God How to Fight for Joy" pages 30-31

If you want joy in knowing God: pray for it! Ask the Spirit of God to give you great joy in knowing and serving Jesus Christ.

If you want joy in living for God read Bible passages like: Matt. 13:44; Psalm 35:27 & 43:4 & 111:2. As you read your Bible, note all the references to joy in relation to one's walk with God.

If you want joy to be contagious in your life spend time with joy-filled Christians who love God now and desire Him as their greatest joy!

If you want joy to be anchored in the depths of your soul fight for it. Put away distractions. Empty your life of the weight of sin that would trip you up and keep you from joy. Fight against the habits of your heart and mind that refuse to find joy in Christ.

If you want joy in Christ sing for it! Train your heart and mind to rejoice in Christ as you hymn His Name.

If you want joy in the Living God, get to a Bible-believing church that does not put confidence in prosperity, but proclaims Jesus Christ as our abiding joy no matter our circumstances.

Glorious God, You have made known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy! At Your right hand, where Christ is seated, there is eternal pleasure forever more. Spirit of the Living God, clear out the clutter of my life and the baggage of my mind so that heart, mind, body and soul I may be filled with true joy, the joy of the LORD. Amen.

August 6, 2018 - - Psalm 28:6-7 Christ our Strength and Shield

Blessed be the LORD!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

The LORD is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

Psalm 28:6-7 ESV

In verse 2 of this Psalm the author cries out: "Hear the voice of my plea for mercy". As I read this I have the image of a soldier weary, struck down in a raging hand-to-hand skirmish about to receive the final blow who then reaches up his hand in an appeal for protection in the fierce battle. The opponent has no mercy.

Christ, the Captain of our Salvation, rushes to the aid of the wounded man. Christ, the Captain of our Salvation, stands over the soldier who is wounded and shields him in the fight, shouting encouragement to him. Christ, the Captain of our Salvation drives back the enemy. The Spirit of God is that encouragement, going right to the deepest recesses of the soldier's heart, driving out his fears and drowning out the wicked, defeating words of Satan.

No matter how often we are cornered, struggling or wounded, there are these promising words from Proverbs 24:16a: "though the righteous fall seven times, they will rise." The glory of the Father which clothed Jesus in resurrection power, is given to believers who cry out to Jesus. No wonder then that our hearts trust in Him and we helped! No wonder then that our victory song hymns Jesus as the glorious one.

To You, alone, O LORD, we call.

You are the strength and shield of Your people.

Thanks and praise belong to You, forever and ever.

In Jesus' Name we are helped,

in Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

August 2, 2018 - - Psalm 7:10, Proverbs 2:6-8 - - God our Shield

My shield is with God,

who saves the upright in heart.

Psalm 7:10 ESV

For the LORD gives wisdom;

from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;

he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;

he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,

guarding the paths of justice

and watching over the way of the way of his saints.

Proverbs 2:6-8 ESV

The Names of God found in Scripture move me and capture my imagination. This morning my devotions led me to read of Jesus as our Shield. That old-fashioned word, shield, has modern applications. For example you have a windshield in your car that protects you from flying debris. And those who weld have a face shield which protects them from the intense heat and the protective glass protects their eyes from the intense light.

Jesus is our Shield. The Holiness of God burns with such intensity and purity that we immediately know our sin. Whenever we approach Him in Scripture reading and prayer we would come undone, disintegrate. Jesus is at the right hand of God, His sacrifice at the cross shields us from God's right and just wrath against our sin. Jesus' prayers shield us as He prays to the Father, taking away our sins and shielding us with His perfect righteousness.

Jesus offers us His Shield, the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God is a shield to those who walk in integrity. Like a car's windshield that protects the driver from stones and the force of the wind when traveling, the Holy Spirit, by the Scripture, by His Presence in the heart of the believer and through the community of faith is Jesus' gift of the Living Shield guarding believers in all their ways. Protecting us from the attacks of the enemy. Alerting us to the things which might hurt us our damage our relationship with God.

Blessed Father in Heaven, to Abraham You promised You would be his shield and very great reward. As the drama of Scripture unfolds we understand the fulfilment to be Jesus, Who is our Shield. Blessed be Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ, our Shield and Defender. We praise You, O God, for the gift of the Holy Spirit, our shield guarding us against the attacks of the enemy and traps and stones we would never anticipate. Thank You, Spirit of God, that You lead us in the path of wisdom and of life. Great are You, LORD God, and worthy of glory! Great are You LORD God, and worthy of all praise. Amen.

August 1, 2018 - - Psalm 1:2b-3 - - What do you meditate on?

...his delight is in the law of the LORD

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree

planted by streams of water

that yields its fruit in season,

and its leaf does not wither.

In all that he does he prospers.

Psalm 1:2b-3 ESV

My current, part-time job involves a lot of driving. So I have a chance to listen to the radio. A couple of times I have noticed how much air time is spent on movies: analysis, reviews and quality of the acting and so on. It is interesting to see how often friends on FB post their favs and co-workers talk about movies in the cinemas or on their subscribed channels.

What I am missing is conversation about the Word of God.

If we, as Christians, meditate on the Word day and night, then we should be talking about the latest chapter we read.

If we, as Christians, delight in the Law of the LORD, then we ought to be overflowing with information about the insights the Spirit has given us as we read the Word.

If we, as Christians, are fruitful our lives must reflect the glory of Jesus for whom and about whom the Scripture is written.

Perhaps Christians are not reading the Bible so they have nothing to say.

Perhaps Christians are neglecting time with God so they are embarrassed to contribute to conversations.

Perhaps Christians are more familiar with the tawdry things of the world than with the glories of knowing God.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, begin the day with the Word of God. Fill your mind with thoughts of glorious things. When people around you are talking about movies, sports, or the latest craze, in effect, meditating on what the world has to offer, consider what you have read in the Bible and think of it! Meditate.

What are the implications of knowing God in this sin-filled world?

What is it God is calling you to do or say?

Be bold to interject your delight in God, not as an apology, or shyly, but with wonder-filled delight.

Blessed be Your Name, God of Wisdom. Thank You for opening the way to heaven through Jesus Christ, the sinless One. It is incredible to contemplate that Jesus walked among sin-drenched people and was Himself without sin. Spirit of God, Who rested on Jesus without measure, fill our thoughts with the Word and with wonder for our Saviour. Spirit Who Counsels believers, direct our living so that all we say and wisely leave unsaid, what we leave undone and choose to do, reflects our delight in Christ and our desire to serve Him. In Jesus' Name we pray~Amen.