November 6, 2018 - - Psalm 31:6b-8 - - Wide mercy

But I trust in the LORD.

I will be glad and rejoice in Your mercy,

For You have considered my trouble;

You have known my soul in adversities,

And have not shut me up into the hand of my enemy;

You have set my feet in a wide place.

Psalm 31:6b-8 NKJV

How many of your apologies to your friends began with: "I am so sorry, I was not at my best because..." Then you fill in the reason, the excuse, the mitigating circumstance. When our soul is in adversity, what we have stored up in the core of who we are pours out. It can be ugly. It can poison friendships. The ugliness of our hearts can bring sour times into marriage. The twisting of adversity can damage our relationships with family members.

The LORD our King has seen our worst--in fact, He sees beyond just the outward evidences of our trouble. He sees not only our bad deeds and hears our stinking words, His penetrating graze stares into the utter blackest regions of our soul so that He knows all our troubles, our weaknesses and our failures and sees to the source of the foulness that flows out of us. Here is the glory of this brief text, the evidence of the cleansing salvation: He set my/our feet in a wide place.

Consider this wonderful New Testament passage which for me, shows the wide place of God's mercy to us:

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom the whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV

This is the wideness of His mercy: The treasure of Christ and His immeasurable forgiveness and healing love directed by the Spirit cascade ceaselessly into the depths of who we are. Sin is displaced at its source and the beauty of Jesus takes hold. As long as we live trusting in Jesus Christ our hearts changed. We are a new creation, the old has passed and the old habits at being put to death at their source. Blessed be Jesus, our Righteousness.

Lord Jesus Christ--You are the Peace treaty between my sin-darkened soul and the Holy One of heaven. By Your glorious riches I am called a child of God. Spirit of the Living God continue to strengthen my inner being in Christ so that the darkness will be cast out and the Light of Christ's presence will fill me to the measure of all the fullness of God. Amen.

Nov 5/18 - - Matthew 6:11 - - Daily bread from heaven

Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11 NIV

Q. 104 What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition (which is, Give us this day our daily bread) we pray, that of God's free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life, and enjoy his blessing with them.

Westminster Shorter Catechism

It does not take very much imagination to realize how shakey our finances actually are. One huge stock market crash can wipe out billions of dollars. The loss of a job and finances become precarious. A hike in interest rates unexpectedly makes a mortgage payment nearly impossible to maintain. Sudden illness and medications wipe out savings.

This simple petition from the Lord's Prayer reminds us that we are utterly dependent on God. In Christ, God becomes the Father, Who shows us mercy. He is our Father Who gives every good gift. Food. Clothing. Shelter. Our basic physical needs. We also believe plenty and poverty come from His hand as well. In fact, all things work together for in our lives so that we will be humbled and by the Spirit of God turn to Him for all things we need.

It is interesting to be in my mid-fifties and to be learning this truth all over again. As many of you know I have changed denominations. For more than 20 years I was a minister in the Christian Reformed Church in North America. Now I am in the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church. So, as I worked to be recognized as a minister in the ARP I have been jobless at times, and now under-employed, for three years. In all this time, I have learned once again, with humble thanks, the power of turning to God and asking Him for my daily needs. I have learned to give thanks for a wonderful wife who stands by me through all the vicissitudes of our life.

Faithful Father in heaven. Give me this day, my daily bread. Spirit of the Living God, teach me to find in Christ my highest joy and greatest peace. Spirit of God, in plenty and in poverty, anchor my soul in heaven, where Christ is seated, at the Father's right hand. Thank You, Mighty God, for all the blessings of this day. In Jesus' Great Name, Amen.

Nov. 3/18 - - I John 3:5-6 - - Who can tame sin?

And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in Him. Anyone who continues to live in Him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know Him or understand Who He Is.

I John 3:5-6

I have read of a young lion that could only be awed or kept down by the eye of his keeper. With the keeper anyone could come near the lion, and he would crouch--his savage nature still unchanged, thirsting for blood--trembling at the keeper's feet. You might even put your foot on his neck so long as this keeper was with you. But to approach him without the keeper would be instant death.

In the same way, we can have sin and yet not practice sin. The evil nature, the flesh, is unchanged in its rebellion against God, but the abiding presence of Jesus keeps it under control. In faith the believer can entrust himself to the keeping, the indwelling, of the Son of God; as he abides in Him, he can count on Jesus to be there for him.

~Andrew Murray

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin--and through the power of the Spirit of Jesus living in me, my Keeper subdues the power of the law of sin. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Amen.

Nov. 2/18 - - Luke 1:1-4 - - Confident Truth

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. With this in mind, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.

Luke 1:1-4 NIV

Why do you believe what you believe? What is your authoritative source? For some people science is their greatest authority. Interesting because the "certainties", ideas and theories of science are always changing. Science textbooks are written by men and women who are just as fault-filled as the next person. There are disagreements within the various factions of science writers and theorists.

Others trust themselves. I am my own final authority. Interesting. Where are you getting your "truth" from? Teachers? Movies? If you can't even keep your own New Year's resolutions for more than a day or a week or two, how can you keep to your own principles?

For me, the Word of God is my final authority. From beginnings in Genesis to the triumphant victory of Christ over all in Revelation, it is given to us by God communicated to men who faithfully wrote it down. The Spirit of God preserved the Scripture through the centuries. It is my certainty in a world that is constantly changing its values as quickly as fashions change.

Thank You, Glorious God, for Your Word of Truth. Though the grass withers and the flowers fade, Your Word stands True forever and ever. Lord Jesus Christ, send Your Spirit to continually capture my heart and steer me ever deeper into the rich mine of wisdom found only in Scripture. Amen.

October 31, 2018 - - Psalm 149:4 - - vivified and beautified

For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;

He will beautify the humble with salvation.

Psalm 149:4 NKJV

A couple of the reasons to bring praises to God is given here in our text this day.

~The LORD--when His Name is all in capitals it emphasizes He is the covenant-keeping God of our salvation. He is faithful even when His people falter and stumble.

~Can you imagine it--the LORD taking pleasure in you? in me? When we truly realize He takes pleasure in us, we, the beloved strive to live up the way in which the lover sees us. As the bride of Christ, in Whom Christ delights, we long to live up to His love and joy in us.

~For the record, I hate Halloween. Men and women, teens and children, often dress us in the most disfiguring and disgusting costumes. It feels to me as if they are parading their own inner darkness. Here we are promised that the LORD will beautify us, those humble enough to walk with Him, will be made beautiful with His salvation.

~We are no longer hell-bound, dead men walking, but we are changed to heaven-bound, living representatives of Jesus Christ who are beautiful in His sight.

~A man, who in the eyes of the world, is not chiseled and handsome radiates the beauty of Christ. A woman who is not considered lovely or attractive is suddenly compelling because of the Spirit of the Lord Who is within. We are drawn to one another because of the beauty of Christ in us.

Who am I, O LORD of Glory, that You should condescend to look at me? Yet You have lifted me from the ash-heap and given me Your Name. You have made me Your child. You have taken the rags of my sins and the stench of death from me and in Christ have vivified me and clothed me with beauty. Great are You my God and my King. Praise the LORD! Let His praise be sounded in the assembly and in the streets, in the places of work and in the homes of His people. Praise the LORD: Father, Son and Holy Spirit! Amen.

(vivified: brought to life, animated)

October 28, 2018 - - Psalm 136:1-2 - - Repeated mercy

Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!

For His mercy endures forever.

Oh, give thanks to the God of gods!

For His mercy endures forever.

Psalm 136:2 NKJV

This past week I was in Orillia at the Canadian Police Chaplains Annual Training Seminar. On the return drive I had the privilege of traveling with fellow Chaplain Angus Haggarty. As we drove along, we shared our favourite texts. What a blessing it was.

Angus reminded me of this Psalm. There are 26 verses. Every single verse ends with the refrain "For His mercy endures forever." Why all this repetition?

God is the Merciful One.

We are in need of mercy every moment of every day.

Our hearts deceive us and we sin despite our good intentions--we are creatures sorely in need of mercy.

Our hearts rebel against the way of God--we are trembling creatures held in the grip of embrace as He whispers mercy over us, to us, in us, until mercy accomplishes its work.

The enemy hisses in your ear: Can God really love you? And the Word of God echoes back: His mercy endures forever.

To the anxious heart, worried mind, and in response to the endless racing thoughts the refrain echoes: "For His mercy endures forever."

His mercy is for you.

Battle-weary, wounded heart--return to the strong tower, our Father in heaven, Who welcomes you with open arms.

Return to a bible-believing church and find rest for your soul.

Assured Christian, faithful church attender, welcome in the Name of Jesus, all those who hesitantly, fearfully are coming to church. They have been summoned by the Spirit's clear call of mercy. Show the mercy of God to them.

Thank You, God of gods, that You show us mercy that endures forever! Thank You, Father in heaven, that Your mercy is most clearly seen in Jesus Christ. Thank You, Spirit of God, for taking the truth of Scripture and bringing its wondrous assurances home to the deepest recesses of our troubled hearts. Thank You, Triune God, for mentors, mothers and fathers in the faith who show Your mercy in fresh and living ways. Blessed be Your Name, mighty God, now and forever. Amen.

October 27, 2018 - - Psalm 132:12

If your sons will keep My covenant

And My testimony which I shall teach them,

Their sons also shall sit upon Your throne forevermore.

Psalm 132:12 NKJV

For a couple hundred years there were no evident successors to the kings of Israel. The monarchy fell. Governors were appointed, in the line of King David, then there were no more governors; to human understanding this promise of Psalm 132 had failed.

When you read the genealogy of Jesus, found in Luke 3, it is different from the genealogy found in Matthew 1. It seems that Matthew 1 traces Joseph's family line--through the kings and later governors. Luke 3 traces Mary's family line, through David and an almost unknown son of his: Nathan.

What impacted me this morning is the fact that God saw Nathan's faithfulness. He might be a tiny footnote in history, unknown really, except for the brief genealogical footnote in Luke and passing references to David's sons in the Old Testament, but this man's faithfulness and that of his sons, meant that they are part of Jesus' family line.

Brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ--God sees you. Whether or not you are well known or not--seemingly lost in your own generation God sees and rewards His children. Though it is the Spirit of God prompting us to act in faithfulness to Christ, it is also our willing, humble obedience to the prompting of the Spirit which God, in His great grace, rewards.

Do what you know is pleasing to God. Follow His will and His ways--even if no one follows, or understands, the Lord watches over you.

Oh LORD my God, to all things perfect and beautiful there is a limit. Beauty fades. Wealth vanishes. Strength is broken. Generations rise and fall as quickly as the tide. But Your commandments are never-ending in their excellencies. In keeping Your will and walking in Your ways there is great reward and tremendous blessing. Whatever situation or circumstances You place me in, help me to honour Your Name and bless You in my words and deeds. Lord Jesus Christ, may Your Spirit direct me and keep in me the path of life. Amen.

October 21, 2018 - - I Peter 1:3-5 - - Overflowing mercy

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

I Peter 1:3-5 NKJV

While driving for work I have the privilege of listening to sermons. Sinclair Ferguson is one of my current favorites and I am listening to a series from I Peter. Some of his observations and mine are presented here.

Note that it is the work of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit who bring us to and keep us in this great salvation. The whole trinity is at work. What hope and encouragement that gives to us. We do not keep ourselves in His love, but He by His power keeps us. It is to me like the picture of a squirming child, ill at ease in mom's arms and flailing all over, as mom gently whispers, soothes and holds her child. Mom holds the child until the child is quieted in her arms.

This is one aspect of the glory of God. He stoops down and cares for ruined sinners. None of us is as good as we think we are, in fact, most of us cannot admit to ourselves how stained with sin our hearts and minds really are. Yet we are united with Christ into His death. Our sins are punished on the Person of Christ at the cross and buried, and we rise with Him to new life. We are completely made new. This salvation, this glory will be fully revealed when Jesus returns.

Today is Sunday. Get yourself to a bible-believing, Good-news preaching, church. What glory belongs to God. What beautiful hope is ours! Blessed be His Name. If you are a church-goer already, make sure you welcome those who are new-comers. Speak with someone who you haven't talked to in a while and break from your usual huddle of friends.

Great are You God! Marvellous and abundant is the salvation You have prepared for Your people through Jesus Christ.Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit Who guards us in Your great love and keeps us in this living hope of salvation. Bring Christians to worship you this day with joy. Draw those who are hesitant to go to church in through the doors of churches where you have prepared people to receive them and bless them in the great Name of Jesus. Comfort the ones who are carrying sorrow into church. Strengthen those who feel weak. Encourage those whose hearts are tunneled with self-doubt. Bring us, whatever our condition or need, into Your loving arms and hold us until we are quieted in Your love. Amen.

October 19, 2018 - - Psalm 89:15-17 - - Rumours of Heaven

Blessed are the people who know the joyful sound!

They walk, O LORD, in the light of Your countenance.

In Your name they rejoice all day long.

And in Your righteousness they are exalted.

For You are the glory of their strength,

And in Your favor our horn is exalted.

Psalm 89:15-17 NKJV

Yesterday I was watching a TV where one of the main characters died. During the series there was no reference to faith or any church involvement, yet when this man died his family had a minister do the funeral. Strange. My question is this: why would a family, who had no comfort in God during their life together with this husband and father, find comfort in the LORD at the time of death? This reading from Psalm 89 offers some insight to this life and eternal life.

Those who know God now--not just as a concept, or a theory, but talk to God as Father, find in Jesus their strength and salvation, and are filled with hope and song by the Spirit--will rejoice in eternity in His presence. Why would a sinner who had no use for God in this life suddenly want to be in God's heaven? Heaven is all about the glory and wonder of Who God is. Heaven is the place where the people of God rejoice in the presence of God and find their capacity to find joy in Him ever increases and ever is filled.

A man who did not find any comfort or purpose in knowing God in this life time will not find eternity a comfort. It will be hell. God's holiness will be a consuming fire that scorches the conscience and torments them. Where Christ and His blood are not interposed the sinner will feel the full effects of God's just anger against sin.

The man who in this life finds comfort and purpose in knowing and delighting in God receives these blessings because of Jesus. The Saviour, also called: our shield, stood in our place, taking the punishment of God against sin upon His Person at the cross so that all who believe in Him and rejoice in Him delight in their Father in heaven now and for eternity. The believer in Jesus hates sin more and more in this life and finds joy in knowing God. That is why eternity and heaven are such high and holy expectations for believers because sin will no longer block our view of the glories of God.

You, O God, are the King of believers and the glory of their strength!

You, O Christ, are the shield protecting and keeping us in the embrace of our Father in heaven.

You, O Spirit of Wisdom, take the precious truth of the Word and the accomplished work of Jesus and apply these to the heart, mind and life of every believer.

Blessed are You, O Living God.

Great is the joy that is ours today.

Greater and more glorious is the hope that is ours for eternity!

Blessed be the LORD, forever and ever! Amen.

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.