October 12, 2018 - - Job 38:1-7 - - Calming Climate Fears

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said:

2 “Who is this who darkens counsel

By words without knowledge?

3 Now [a]prepare yourself like a man;

I will question you, and you shall answer Me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?

Tell Me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements?

Surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 To what were its foundations fastened?

Or who laid its cornerstone,

7 When the morning stars sang together,

And all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Job 38 NKJV

Once again there were breathless news reports about 'climate change'. In the 1970's it was the fear of a new ice age. In the 1990's it was global warming. Now it is 'climate change'. Some new intergovernmental report is shouting that the sky is falling and we are responsible. The reporter commenting on it yesterday was saying there is a critical point, some twelve years out. Hmmm.

What hubris. Puny people, what a huge egos we have. The Bible sets the record straight.

Scientist, where were you some six thousand years ago when the earth's foundations were laid?

And government ministers, do you understand the purpose of creation--to sing the praises of its Maker--the very Creator and Sustainer you do not acknowledge!

Do people contribute to pollution--absolutely.

Do people have the responsibility to care for creation--yes!

We are to address our wasteful ways knowing God is in charge.

We are to care for our planet with the great security of knowing God Himself, Who governed the earth through the Flood, ruled all things during the ice age, is the same God bringing history to its climatic conclusion. That conclusion will be revealed when Jesus Christ returns with all His holy one and as the Mediator and King will judge every person of the earth.

The sky is not falling. Jesus Christ, by Whom, for Whom and through Whom all has been created will return soon. Fear Him, honour and worship Him.

You, LORD God of History, cause the dawn to know its place. You have the treasury of snow and hail, lightning and thunder, ordering all things according to Your grand design. Blessed be Your Name.

You, Jesus Christ, are the Mediator, our Shield and the Captain of our Salvation bringing us to the day of victory at the final judgement. Blessed be Your Name.

You, Spirit of Truth, lead believers into all truth. Keep our confidence firmly fixed not on human endeavors or the fears of the proud--but teach us the security of knowing the Sovereign Hand of God is on all things. Blessed be Your Name.

Amen.

October 11, 2018 - - Colossians 4:2-4 - - Boldness to witness

Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-4 NKJV

One of the things you have probably heard from the pulpit and from your church is: you must go and evangelize. You hear that and, if you are like me, you probably think: well, I am not like the Apostle Paul, so that doesn't refer to me. Think again. Read the passage again.

First, we are commanded to be vigilant in prayer.

Second, we are to pray for open doors, clear opportunities to speak the truth of Jesus Christ.

Third, notice what Paul says: pray for me/us that I may make the Gospel manifest--other translations have it: that I may declare the gospel boldly as I ought to speak it.

Even Paul needed prayer in order to declare the truth of the Word and the glory of Christ. So, pray to God, the better You know Him the more you will speak of Him in every day conversation with whomever you meet. Pray for clear opportunities, people who are needy and ready to hear the Gospel. And pray to be bold in speaking of:

God the Father Who is the Giver of every good gift,

Jesus in and by Whom we have the gift of life that never ends

the Spirit Who lives in believers so that the blessings of God will never be removed from us.

Forgive me, God my Father, for all the excuses I make as I try to get out of speaking about You. Instead, Spirit of the Living God, remind me again and again of the rich blessings that are mine in Christ so that it is my joy to speak of You, O God, everywhere and anywhere I am. Give me holy boldness to speak to the people whose hearts You have already softened so that they are ready to hear the Good News of Jesus. Amen.

October 9, 2018 - - Psalm 43:3-4 - - Thankfulness

Send forth your light and your truth,

let them guide me;

let them bring me to your holy mountain,

to the place where you dwell.

Then I will go to the altar of God,

to God my joy and my delight.

I will praise you with the harp,

O God, my God.

Psalm 43:3-4 NIV

Jesus, our Savior, declared in the Gospel of John: "I am the light of the world". In that same Gospel He proclaimed: "I am the way, the truth and the life". For us as New Testament Christians it is Jesus, our Redeemer and King Who brings us to our Father in heaven. It is Jesus Who prayed to the Father so that the Holy Spirit is given to believers in order that we may understand the joy and delight that are ours in Christ.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to hear Rev. Brian Murray preach the Thanksgiving Day Service. He noted: "Prayer is the most important part thankfulness...Prayer is the out-working of what God has done for us in Christ: Christ purchased redemption and reconciliation with God, communion and fellowship are established. Christ purchased prayer for us--it is essential--this must become the most important part of our thankfulness."

You are God, my Stronghold!

I will praise Your Name forever, giving thanks because of the work of Jesus Christ--Who brings me to the place where You dwell in splendour and glory.

I thank You, God my Father, for the wondrous gift of Jesus, Who leads me into Your presence, forgiven and clean, going with anticipation as a well-loved child.

Spirit of God, as this day unfolds, fix my mind on Jesus Christ, that I may worship Him and through Him give thanks to My Father in heaven for all the rich blessings of being His child.

When the amen is sounded from my lips, though the formal prayer time may be ended, let my heart and my mind remain fixed on You throughout the day. In Jesus' Name and for the glory of God I pray: Amen.

October 6, 2018 - - Exodus 33:7-10 - - Worship

Now Moses used to take a tent and pitch it outside the camp some distance away, calling it the “tent of meeting.” Anyone inquiring of the Lord would go to the tent of meeting outside the camp. And whenever Moses went out to the tent, all the people rose and stood at the entrances to their tents, watching Moses until he entered the tent. As Moses went into the tent, the pillar of cloud would come down and stay at the entrance, while the Lord spoke with Moses. Whenever the people saw the pillar of cloud standing at the entrance to the tent, they all stood and worshiped, each at the entrance to their tent.

Exodus 33:7-10 NIV

Notice how the awesome, majestic holiness of God impacts His people. When Moses, the leader of God's people, spoke with God, all the people worshiped. There is a sense of the weight of the glory of God that affects all the people.

I wonder how much we, as worshipers of God today, have a sense of the weight of the glory of God? As a minister I have seen so much that shows many in the congregation are not respectful or are not aware of the holiness and splendour of God. People stroll in late. Others are carrying their favourite coffee concoctions. Some chat and joke among themselves. Others leave church early for sports commitments, or skip church entirely.

How telling is this short passage from Exodus. So compelling, so excellent is the LORD God that His people forsake all else and gave their full attention to the worship of His great and glorious Name. Beloved in the LORD Jesus Christ, know that He worthy of all praise. Know that the LORD is God and His people gathered in worship give to Him their heart, their time and their full attention. Blessed is He.

Great are you Lord, and worthy of glory.

Great are you Lord, and worthy of praise.

Forgive us for our distracted worship and inattentive praise.

Spirit of the Living God, help us to grow in our love for Christ and awareness of His awesome perfections. Teach us the way of worship in formal times of worship and direct us in the practice of praising You through the course of the day. Amen.

September 23, 2018 - - Psalm 118:28-29 - - Get to church

You are my God, and I will give you thanks;

you are my God, and I will exalt you.

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;

his love endures forever.

Psalm 118:28-29 NIV

Today is Sunday. Get to church. Rediscover the reasons for giving Him thanks.

Today is Sunday. Call a friend and invite yourself to church going along with that friend. Learn why God is worthy of our adoration.

Today is Sunday. Turn off the TV. Put away the grocery list. Set aside the honey do list. Get to church and learn about His goodness the is never-ending.

Today is Sunday. It is the dress rehearsal for eternity--those who have served the devil all their lives will join him in hell. Those who exalt God here on earth will delight in His love for ever.

Honoured and blessed be Your Name, Lord God Almighty!

Thank You for the gift of Jesus Christ, in Whom our sins are punished, through Whom we are justified, and for Whom we live our lives here on earth.

Thank You, God our Father and Christ our King for the gift of the Holy Spirit Who teaches us the way of wisdom and the wonders of God's great love--shown in creation, in the written Word and in Jesus Christ.

You alone are God. You are worthy of all our praise. Blessed be Your Name, now and forever more. Amen and amen!

September 20, 2018 - - Proverbs 20:27 - - What motivates you?

The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man;

it searches out his inmost being.

Proverbs 20:27 NIV

What happens if a good man, who has never heard the Good News about Jesus, dies? Surely a good man should not fear death and hell.

There is no one who is good. The proverb quoted above shows how the Spirit of the LORD searches out the deepest things of the heart of every person.

Here are the words of the Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter XVI.VII

Works done by unregenerate men, although, for the matter of them, they may be things which God commands, and of good use both to themselves and others; yet, because they proceed not from an heart purified by faith; nor are done in a right manner, according to the word; nor to a right end, the glory of God; they are therefore sinful, and cannot please God, or make a man meet to receive grace from God. And yet their neglect of them is more sinful, and displeasing unto God.

unregenerate: those not showing repentance, turning from sin and turning to God

meet: old term meaning "fit"

When the brilliant light of Jesus shines, it exposes our every motive, our every concealed thought and our every deed. The lamp of the LORD reveals how we are serving ourselves, rather than God. Unless the Spirit of God takes hold of the heart and cleanses the inmost person, one does not serve God in every deed, cannot aim to glorify Him in every action, nor acts out of right motives.

Thanks be to God, that in Christ Jesus our LORD, our hearts are changed. As we confess our sins, the Father is faithful and just, He cleanses our hearts from all unrighteousness. Thanks be to God, that those who recognize they are sinful, are transformed so that the Spirit changes the heart and mind, fitting them for service to the glory of God. Therefore as Christians we must go out and preach good news, the truth of Jesus, to all the world. So that hearts and lives will be changed for the glory of God and ruined sinners will be snatched from the teeth of hell by the great blessings which are found in Christ alone.

Purify my heart, God my Father. As the Spirit shines the lamp of Jesus' perfections and grace into every corner of my heart, my mind and my motives, let sin be exposed and scrubbed out by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, move me to speak with friends and family, neighbours near and far, of the Good News which is found in Jesus alone. All praise and glory, honour and power belong to You, Triune God, now and forever more. Amen.

September 18, 2018 - - I Corinthians 10:13 - - Tempted again? Here's help.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

I Corinthians 10:13 NIV

Why do we face temptations? One day things are going along swimmingly and well and suddenly, bam! Temptation shows up. And there are days when temptations are beaten back. But, too often I find, temptations seem overwhelming.

Today I heard this wonderful quotation:

"I find it to be most true, that the greatest temptation out of hell is to live without temptations. If my waters would stand still, they would rot. Faith is the better of the free air, and of the sharp winter storm in its face. Grace withereth without adversity. The devil is but God's master fencer, to teach us how to handle our weapons."

Samuel Rutherford

God has given us His Word. Scripture is a great weapon against illicit allurements.

God has given us Christ. Jesus is the Captain of our Salvation and our Champion Who leads us into battle and victory.

God has given us prayer. We don't have to be eloquent or have just the right phrases because the Holy Spirit deep within us is praying.

God has given us the history of His faithfulness. All around us are Christians who have gained the victory. Learn from them and pray with them. Read of them.

God has given us His grace to withstand temptation. We will never know the full measure of His grace unless we have also seen how this grace withstands the slings and arrows of the enemy. God is fully reliable and His grace is sufficient.

Thank You, Heavenly Father, for the great men and women of the faith who are such an encouragement to us. Thank You, Spirit of God for Scripture which draws us back to Jesus again and again. Thank You for the promise that there is no temptation except that which is common. Whatever it is I am facing, so many other brothers and sisters in Christ have already faced it too and under the Lordship of Jesus Christ they have won the day. Give us, O God, grace to endure. May Your Name be praised. Amen.

September 17, 2018 -- Genesis 1:30 - 2:3 -- The gift of evening and morning

And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.

God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Genesis 1:30 - 2:3 NIV

"The Hebrew evening/morning sequence conditions us to the rhythms of grace. We go to sleep, and God begins his work. As we sleep he develops his covenant. We wake and we are called out to participate in God's creative action. We respond in faith, in work. But always grace is previous. Grace is primary. We wake into a world we didn't make, into a salvation we didn't earn. Evening: God begin, without our help, his creative day. Morning: God calls us to enjoy and share and develop the work he initiated. Creation and covenant are sheer grace and there to greet us every morning. George MacDonald once wrote that sleep is God's contrivance for giving us the help he cannot get into us when we are awake."

"We read and reread these opening pages of Genesis, along with certain sequences of Psalms, and recover these deep, elemental rhythms, internalizing the reality in which the strong, initial pulse is God's creating/saving word, God's providential/sustaining presence, God's grace."

"As this biblical genesis rhythm works in me, I also discover something else; when I quit my day's work, nothing essential stops. I prepare for sleep not with a feeling of exhausted frustration because there is so much yet undone and unfinished, but with expectancy. The day is about to begin! God's genesis words are about to be spoken again. During the hours of my sleep, how will he prepare to use my obedience, service, and speech when morning breaks?"

from: E. Peterson, "Working the Angles: the shape of pastoral integrity" page 68-69

Mighty God, thank You for the pattern of the day and the night, rest and activity. Thank You, King Jesus for the work of salvation, not of our making nor earned by our achievements, but the great gift of Your lovingkindness. Thank You, Spirit of God, for the Word of God that continues to teach us and give us the rest Christ promised His followers. Amen.

September 15, 2018 - - Psalm 76:4-5, 7-9 - - Where is the mighty man?

You are radiant with light,

more majestic than mountains rich with game.

The valiant lie plundered,

they sleep their last sleep;

not one of the warriors

can lift his hands.

It is you alone who are to be feared.

Who can stand before you when you are angry?

From heaven you pronounced judgment,

and the land feared and was quiet—

when you, God, rose up to judge,

to save all the afflicted of the land.

Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,

and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

Psalm 76:4-5, 7-9 NIV

Why is God to be feared? Generations of soldiers and valiant men rise and fall--ultimately they are heaped into graves. Even the most decorated soldier, one day, will be too old, or too weak, or too stroke palsied so that he cannot even lift his hand. Forget about grabbing a sword or gun because of the severity of his human frailty.

Over every generation, from the very beginning of humanity, to the final breath of the last man or woman, God rules supreme. At the moment in time appointed by God, He will rise up and judge all the people of every nation and all the angels. Hell will be filled with the anguished cries of those who thought they could defy the Radiant One.

Who can endure it? Who can withstand the anger of God against sin? Well, the survivors of His wrath bring Him praise. The anger of God against sin was poured out onto Jesus Christ. In the body and on the Person of Jesus, our sins were fully and finally paid for. We who believe in Jesus Christ are survivors of God's anger because the Father's anger fell on the Son. The Spirit of God shields us in Christ so that we who believe in Jesus have great reasons to praise God. We have been spared.

Believers in Jesus have no reason to boast in themselves; we are no less sinners than any one else. Here is the difference. Believers in Jesus Christ--at the core of who they are--fear God and know Him to be the One Who alone can save. There is no other refuge. He alone is our shield and very great reward.

Therefore in awe, wonder, and holy fear we praise the Name of Jesus. We are named sons and daughters of the Most High God in Jesus. Every time, each day, the Spirit shows us our sins, the Spirit also humbles us so that we hate our sin more and more and desire to turn from it and look fully to the Radiant One.

Your respendency and awesome power, O God, are from everlasting to everlasting. Before the mightiest military man was ever powerful, he was crawling in fouled diapers and dependent for food and shelter and clothing and protection. To the nth degree of contrast, You, LORD of Angel armies, never needed anyone, anything or any help. You, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, One God in glory, in power and grace, cannot increase or decrease in any way. You are forever All-Powerful, All-Knowing, All-Present, All-Sufficient. Great are You, Sovereign LORD. Blessed are You, Jesus, Friend of Sinners, our King. Glorious are You, Spirit of the Living God, nearer to believers than the breath that we take. As survivors of Your wrath, through the mighty work of Jesus Christ, we praise Your Name. Hallelujah! Amen.

September 14, 2018 - - Psalm 72:18-19 - - Be very afraid

But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

Luke 12:5 NIV

It was mid-August when I saw the first Halloween displays. Yes, you read that right, mid-August. It seems people love to be scared. The problem is scary movies become predictable. Evil has a limited repertoire.

Jesus shows His followers Whom to fear: the Living God. We fear the Living God because:

~He rules all things from quarks to galaxies, all animals and all the peoples of the earth

~His glorious holiness is beyond our comprehension and no person can stand in His presence

~He will judge all people; every single man and woman who ever lived will give an account before Him and will either be thrown into the lake of fire or because of Christ's intervention be brought into heaven

~hell is real and the torments there are unending--puny humans that we are we tremble before a hurricane or fear things like forest fires that sweep up many kilometers of forest yet these things are temporary, great and unending are the terrors of hell

Christians fear the Living God for a different reason:

~In His great love He has given us Jesus Christ, Who has taken away the punishment for our sins and has made us fit to be called sons and daughters of God; we tremble knowing we are unworthy, we have not earned this abounding love;

~We fear the Living God because we love Him, therefore we do not want to offend Him by our words or actions, nor sully His reputation

Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel,

Who only does wondrous things!

And blessed be His glorious Name forever!

And let the whole earth be filled with His glory.

Amen and Amen.

(Psalm 72:18-19 NKJV)

September 11, 2018 - - Psalm 56:13 - - How great is your sin? Your salvation?

For you have delivered my soul from death,

yes my feet from falling,

that I may walk before God

in the light of life.

Psalm 56:13 ESV

The Gospel of John (1:4) describes Jesus this way:

"In him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Perhaps some of you remember this from about three decades ago: an "artist" [Andres Serrano] took a photograph called "Immersion". It was a picture of a crucifix which was submerged in a glass of the artist's own urine. Even writing this is so offensive to me. Though I am not a Roman Catholic and I disagree with any depiction of God (in accordance with the Ten Commandments) I find Serrano's work beyond disgusting. It angers me that galleries feted the artist and displayed his work.

Then I am led to reflect on my own sin. It is so easy to call out the sins of others and feel superior. How often don't we compare our deeds to someone whose deeds we consider to be way worse and think "Wow, God must be pleased with me. I am not so bad as THAT person."

Every sin, every thought against His Majesty, every good work left undone, is as vile a rebellion against the holiness of God as Serrano's work. Every man, woman, and child is immersed in sin and spews sin. Who will rescue us from death?

To be delivered from death is to be delivered from the steady acts of evil which we knowingly and unknowingly commit against God. When God rescues us it is by Jesus Christ, the life who gives light to men. Our sins, and revolting, disgusting lives which deserve everlasting punishment have been punished in the Person of Jesus Christ, Who died in our place. All who believe in Jesus are rescued from death. Our hearts are changed. In contrast to our former way of spouting all sin all the time, the Spirit of God enthrones Jesus Christ at the centre of the believer's life. In Him we have life and all our actions are illuminated. Those who once walked in death and darkness, but who now believe in Jesus they now walk according to the Light of Life. Jesus is our chief joy and very great reward.

We, Christians, still sin. Though we still have rebellion clinging to our flesh and thoughts, the core of who we are has been thoroughly changed. We are given life in Jesus. We are called sons and daughters of God. Our hearts now hate sin and we grieve it wherever we see it--in ourselves, in our peers and in our world. We do not point out sin because we feel superior, no, never that! We point out sin because we know the unspeakable, great joy of being thoroughly washed and cleansed by Jesus Christ.

King Jesus, how can we ever repay You for Your immeasurable love? God of Angel armies and inestimable holiness, Who is like You? You have removed our sins far from us--as far as the East is from the West! You, God, have anointed us with Your Holy Spirit so that our hearts have been utterly transformed by the resurrection power of Jesus Christ. We now walk in the Light in Life. Blessed are You O God. In view of Your resplendent gloriousness, cause us to walk in the light of life. May our words and our actions be such a powerful witness to Who You Are that others will seek to know You and join us in blessing Your Holy Name--we pray it through Jesus Christ--Amen.

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.