February 11, 2019 -- I Peter 1:13-15 -- Prepared for action

Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” 

I Peter 1:13-15 ESV

We are always preparing for this or that. In a few minutes I need to prepare my lunch and snacks for work. Company is coming and we prepare by getting the house picked up and ensuring there are things to serve, like coffee or beer, cookies or pretzels. Rent is due and we are prepared by having sufficient monies in the account to cover it.

As those who are awash in the grace of Jesus Christ—the punishment for our sins was fully meted out against Jesus at the cross, the righteous life of Jesus is credited to us in exchange for our sinfulness, Christ is at the Father’s right hand, praying for us—we are called to prepare our daily lives so that they are fixed on, conform to, the grace that is ours in Jesus Christ.

In response to His grace, prepare your mind for action—read the Word. Make sure there is time in your schedule each day to be alone with God and get to know Him better.

Prepare your mind for action—know that there will be push-back against believing in Jesus Christ. Be ready to answer your critics and those who mock you. Pray that the Spirit will direct your response.

Prepare your mind for action—being ready in every circumstance to be obedient to Him. You know at work there is always the boss who pushes your buttons. You don’t want to get fired, so you control your reactions and keep a tight rein on your tongue. As followers of Jesus Christ, we do not want to discredit His Name or His reputation—so as those who bear His Name (Christians) we keep a tight rein on our tongues and are prepared not to fall for any temptations. We need to be prepared, knowing temptations will come.

Holy God, we praise Your Name. Thank You for the love You have shown us in Jesus Christ, by Whose blood we are called Your sons and daughters. Spirit of the Living God help us to prepare our minds for sober actions and joyful obedience so that in all things we say and do those around us will see Jesus Christ and know we are His followers. In the times we stumble and fail, give us the humility we need to confess our wrongs to You and those we wronged. The day is dawning, work and school, coffee times and idle conversations are all ahead of me—keep us alert and prepared for holy service. Amen.

February 9, 2019 -- Hebrews 6:19-20 -- Hold the Rope

We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain,  where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Hebrews 6:19-20 ESV

When the missionary William Carey went to India as a missionary, he told his friend Andrew Fuller: “I will go into the pit, but you must hold the rope.” Carey was prepared to endure hardship, suffer for the sake of the Name of Jesus Christ, that many would hear and believe. Those who stayed behind, life his friend Fuller, had the important work of holding the rope—that which anchors our souls to Jesus Christ. The rope which is anchored in the promises of Jesus and His faithfulness.

Did you know that for every line of duty death in police services and in fire fighting services, there are at least four suicides? Experts who study such things, such as Dr. Robert Douglas, note many of these suicides go unreported. Our police officers and our firefighters go into the pit. They go into danger every day, putting their lives on the line so that we, as ordinary citizens may live at peace. Many of these men and women have severe trauma arising from the things they have heard, smelled, seen, touched and investigated. They encounter evils that are rivaled only by what soldiers witness on the battlefield. They battle in the pit, at the front lines of evil. Hold the rope.

Believers, hold the rope for these men and women by praying for them. Regularly, faithfully, pray. When you see a media report of a line of duty death, or a suicide, or a report of the work of their work—hold the rope by praying for them so that they are anchored in Jesus Christ.

Hold the rope for the firefighters and police officers by providing for counselors and chaplains. Encourage your city councilors and police boards to make sure the firefighters and police officers have access to spiritual counsel as well as psychological counselors. We are spiritual beings waging war against evil, many of these men and women need spiritual help to overcome what a secular counselor will not acknowledge. Hold the rope that anchors these men and women to Christ in Whom we have victory.

Hold the rope for them by offering encouragement wherever you see them.

Hold the rope for them by countering the media’s all-too-often negative reports of our firefighters and police officers. Get informed on their work.

Hold the rope for them by regularly asking your church members and pastors to pray earnestly for the police officers and firefighters. These men and women have chosen to go into these difficult professions because of the gifts they possess, their strong desire to help others and out of passion to keep their communities safe. Hold the rope for them and honour such lofty desires!

God of Glory thank You for the Spirit Who gives to men and women tremendous gifts of service, help and mercy. Thank You Spirit of God for the men and women who serve as police officers and firefighters. Lord Jesus, thank You that You are the anchor for our souls when the times are troubled and the battles of this life rage at their fiercest. Thank You for the intercessors who go to Your throne room, holding the rope on behalf of men and women facing dangers and keeping our communities safe. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that at the cross, You disarmed evil and You are the way of healing and life. We pray today for the men and women who have nightmares, anxiety, stress, and other symptoms which are a direct result of their hazardous work. Bring them the relief and help only You can provide. Thank You for the many, many who serve with mental and spiritual resilience. Keep them safe and cause them to be a caring presence to their fellows who are struggling. Bless the chaplains and the psychiatrists, the counselors and the doctors who use their gifts and talents to help our wounded warriors. Help us, as ordinary citizens to hold the rope which anchors others to the throne of grace where Jesus is seated in compassionate glory. Amen.

February 8, 2019 -- Isaiah 40:21-23 -- Real Life

Do you not know? Do you not hear?
    Has it not been told you from the beginning?
    Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
 It is he who sits above the circle of the earth,
    and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
    and spreads them like a tent to dwell in;
 who brings princes to nothing,
    and makes the rulers of the earth as emptiness.

Isaiah 40:21-23 ESV

Recently I was reading an issue of National Geographic. There’d been a discovery of many human-like bones in a hard-to-reach portion of a cave in South Africa. The authors were breathless spelling out how these might fit into the “family tree”. All kinds of “just so” stories were spun. It is sad to think how far godless scientists will go to deny the creation and deny the work of God, the Creator, Who in six days made the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. These false prophets of our age—secular scientists—seek any explanation that does not involve the Living God or His creative work.

The earth is not billions of years old. There was no evolution from non-living chemicals to single-cell life that eventually becomes human beings over hundreds of millions of years. The earth is around six thousand years old. The LORD Who made the heavens and the earth, put the very first humans—Adam and Eve—in the Garden of Eden. They rebelled against God and brought all of humanity and all of creation into the ruin of sin. God in His mercy gave to us His Son, Jesus Christ, the final Adam, in Whom all who believe have the forgiveness of sins and new life. What is truly amazing is that this God of Wisdom had Isaiah speak of the circle of earth. Those who believe in God have His Spirit by Whom we can interpret creation, understand its purpose and our purpose—to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

There are basically two views. First view: nothing coalesced, nothing became something, exploded and formed planets and stars and comets and galaxies. Then lifeless rocks and chemicals came together and sparked life. In this scum all the information for all life was already written. By the way, this contradicts materialism which states all that exists is mass and energy (matter). There is no place in materialism for understanding information. True view: there is mass and energy and information. God Who is eternal, with no beginning and no end, is all-powerful and all-knowing, created the heavens and the earth. He put into creation the fundamental entity of information. All men and women bear His image and our very DNA testifies to His glorious works. We cannot understand the beginning nor the end, unless we encounter Him Who knows the end from the beginning and sustains all of creation by His great grace and mercy.

God of creation—Great are You and worthy of praise. Thank You that the heavens declare Your glory and even our DNA pronounces Your magnificence. Help us, we who believe in Jesus and by Your Spirit know the Truth of the Word, to speak against the myths and lies of our age which deny Your Splendour in creation and Your Omnipotence through-out the ages. Make us bold witnesses for the truth which is found in Jesus. By Your Spirit make us worthy students of the Word and soldiers of the cross who disarm the false claims of this age. In our words and our lives, Lord, be glorified. Amen.

February 7, 2019 -- Psalm 119:11 -- Remember your resolutions?

I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11 ESV

It is early February and I must admit, my New Year’s Resolutions are so hard to keep. The first is to lose a pound a week. Seems simple enough, until the evening comes and I want to snack. (Right now I am off by half-a-pound.) The second resolution is to memorize one bible verse a day (six verses a week and Sundays is supposed to be the day to review). This second resolution is challenging my memory banks. But the fact that throughout the day I have flash cards and am reviewing Scripture is a blessing.

The Word of God stored up in my heart directs my conscience.

The Word of God stored up in my heart keeps me from asking for things I know are wrong.

The Word of God stored up in my heart reminds me of the nearness of God.

The Word of God stored up in my heart means that my mouth speaks of God to co-workers and fellow Christians. As the Word promises: from the overflow of (what He has stored up in my) the heart the mouth speaks. If we are only storing up wickedness and empty TV dramas, then our hearts are echo chambers for emptiness. (Though I confess here that I am not always faithful in this either. Help me God to be far more faithful in declaring Your goodness!)

The word of God stored up in my heart shows me the condition of my heart and my great need for Jesus.

Blessed are You, O LORD, You know what Your people need. Help me in my efforts to memorize Your Word. Forgive me for the times I have been less than faithful in declaring Your goodness to my co-workers. King Jesus, thank You for being the Savior of my soul and for giving to me the righteousness of Your perfect ways. Spirit of God, help me to keep my resolutions faithfully that I may grow in grace and integrity as a man of God. Amen.

February 5, 2019 -- Romans 12:16 -- Live in harmony

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.

Never be wise in your own sight.

Romans 12:16 ESV

At my workplace there are two men who will ALWAYS scrap about politics. If you didn’t know them, you’d think they are serious and quite angry with one another. What is far more subtle is the disagreements between people who won’t work together. It is sad to see this in the workplace. They quietly move things around so that they won’t have to work together. They duck out of certain responsibilities—and it is an open secret. Such actions undercut smooth operations. However, it is not unexpected. People who are not Christians do not have a standard by which to measure their actions.

It is inexcusable when, in church, brothers and sisters do not live in harmony. Paul is writing the house churches in Rome. The people in these churches are former Jewish people and non-Jewish people, Gentiles. Historically, the Jewish people would NEVER associate with the Gentiles—they are considered unclean. In Rome you have slave owners and slaves in the SAME house churches. You can imagine all the challenges these race and class divisions must have presented. Yet they are called to live in harmony.

How is this possible? Because at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ there is no one higher or lower. All persons are debtors to the cross of Christ. There is no status, no rank, no social class, no race—only sinners in need of His mercy. When we are truly aware of this, we can live in harmony with all people.

Lord Jesus Christ, how vast is Your love and incomprehensible the depths to which went in order to lift sinners from the hell we deserve to the undeserved glory of salvation. Forgive us for our squabbles and in-fighting. Forgive us for the times we have brought shame to Your blessed Name by our actions or inactions. Help us to live in the shadow of the cross in such a profound way that Your Name is honoured and adored in the communities of believers. Amen.

February 4, 2019 -- Luke 6:46-49 -- Rock-solid Faith

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.” Luke 6:46-49 ESV

It is important to note both of these men called on Jesus. Both of these men built houses. Both of these men would encounter storms and floods. Trials come to all people. Such trials and floods can be: cancer diagnosis, death of a loved one, financial loss, family in-fighting, betrayal by a friend, flooding, burglary and the list goes on and on.

The man who built on the Rock, trusted in Jesus. When the flood and trials hit, his faith remained. Think of Peter. He betrayed Jesus. He denied Him three times. When the horror of what he’d done overcame him, he turned to Jesus. He had nowhere else to go. And Jesus received him and forgave him. No wonder Jesus is the Rock of our Salvation!

The man who built on the ground, claimed to trust in Jesus. He may have attended church regularly. But when he encountered the flood and trials of life, his faith crashed to the ground. When Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus and the horror of what he’d done overcame him, he turned away from Jesus. He did not believe Jesus could forgive him. Judas killed himself.

Ask yourself: am I building my life on Jesus?

Has the recent storm in my life drawn me away from OR closer to Jesus?

Jesus is the sure foundation for our times. If you find you are wobbling in your confidence, talk to a Christian whose faith you admire.

Jesus, thank You for being the sure foundation for ruined sinners. When everything else has been taken from our lives, You cannot be taken from us. Indeed, You are the sure foundation for our times and the rich treasure of wisdom and hope. Help us by Your Word and Spirit to be a strong community to help those who have encountered flooding and storms which have brought great ruin and destruction. Amen.

February 3, 2019 -- Proverbs 3:1 -- Heart attitude

My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments

Proverbs 3:1 ESV

In this chapter of Proverbs, it depicts a father instructing his son in the way of wisdom, the way of God. There is a tenderness in this, a father loves his son enough to teach him and be persistent in these lessons. If you read on, you’ll note that the entire section, 3:1-12 are the father’s instructions to his son concerning the way of wisdom and the benefits of following wisdom.

For our purposes, I wanted to note this important phrase: let your heart keep my commandments. Our hearts govern our attitude. You have no doubt seen a co-worker receive instructions from the boss. Maybe you have witnessed a scene where he nods politely, but as soon as he turns away, his eye-rolling is seen only by the watching co-workers. His heart’s bad attitude leaks out in his expression of contempt.

Our hearts determine the purposes for which we do or choose not to do this or that. Either our heart is committed to the way of the LORD, or our heart is committed to serving ourselves. Our hearts ultimately lead us to God or lead us away from Him.

Ezekiel 36:26 shows us the heart surgery which God performs: He removes our heart of stone and gives us a heart of flesh. A heart that is softened and inclined to listen to Him and serve Him. Why should we bother with this? In Jesus Christ, God has become our Father. Those who remember the teaching of God and wholeheartedly live it prove themselves to be sons and daughters of God. Those who refuse His teaching prove themselves to be children of the devil and by their every heartbeat show their allegiance to evil.

Get to a bible-believing church this Sunday. Decide to go. Examine your heart and see if you are in need of the heart surgery which only God can perform. He has given us the greatest invitation ever: “come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest”. Rest from the devil’s hounding. Rest from the insecurity of a stone heart.

Father in heaven, refresh our hearts in worship this day. Remind us of the great and glorious promises that are “yes” and “amen” in Jesus Christ. Move us greater acts of obedience and service in Your Name: the fruit of which is to show our love for and allegiance to You. Let Your Spirit continue to make Your teaching powerful to us and inspirational so that it is our heart’s desire to honour You in our words, our actions, and in the depths of who we are. Direct us to welcome newcomers to church and offer hearty blessing to those who hearing the Spirit’s call, have returned once again to their heart’s true home. Amen.

February 1, 2019 -- Proverbs 28:23 -- Accountability

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
    than he who flatters with his tongue. Proverbs 28:23 ESV

Let a righteous man strike me—it is a kindness;
    let him rebuke me—it is oil for my head;
    let my head not refuse it. Psalm 141:5 ESV

To be corrected by a righteous man is far better than flattery. It is a blessing to have a man of integrity tell you where you are going wrong and what needs to be fixed in your life. Who in your life have you given permission to tell you hard truths? Do you have an accountability partner who knows you well enough to know when you are telling the truth or when you are self-deceived?

The fact of the matter is that Christ has been punished in our place for our sins. We are to confess our sins and root them out of our lives. It is all too easy to think “I’m good” and have our standard of comparison be someone other than Jesus Christ Himself. When we compare ourselves to the perfections of Jesus, we are aware of our glaring sins, our neglect of doing good and our unwillingness to change. On our own we might still be too lethargic to change or too overwhelmed to know where to begin.

In our marriages we might be tempted, for the sake of peace , not to be as forthright and as bold as needed in pointing out the other’s sins and failures. Those who are among who are single and are part of the family of God have much to offer in true community. Only when sin is exposed as sin do we confess it. Only when we grow in devotion to the Saviour and follow Him as the Captain of Salvation do we realize how lax we can be in our training for holiness. Men need other godly men to hold them accountable. Women need other godly women to hold them to account. Who in your life tells your hard truths? Who has permission to do so in your life?

Faithful Father thank You for the gift of Christian community. Thank You for the blood of Jesus Christ which cleanses us from all our sins. Thank You for the Spirit Who takes the accomplished work of Jesus and applies it to our lives. Father of all mercies, we confess how perverse we really are. Hiding sins which are plain before You. Lord, You discipline us, You teach us out of Your law. Give to us men other men with whom we can be honest and open so that sin is rooted out. Give us to women other women with whom we can be honest and open so that sin is rooted out. In all things it is our desire to be conformed more and more to the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, by the Word and Your presence in us and among us, give us an ever deepening love for our Savior and our King. Amen.

January 30, 2019 -- I John 4:1-3 -- Not Just Tidying

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,  and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.

I John 4:1-3 ESV

All I had to type was “Ma” into my internet search engine and Marie Kondo popped up as the first suggestion. She is that popular. Her books are trending. Her movie channel show is wildly popular. While driving for work one day, I heard an interview with Ms Kondo. What stopped me cold was her advice to “tap the object you are holding to wake the spirit of that object.” Suddenly her organising and clean-up protocols went from folksy advice to a revelation of dark spiritual forces. Her self-effacing manner, high twittering voice and seemingly-harmless advice are a sheep’s clothing covering for a very demonic understanding of the world. Ms Kondo shows herself to be a false prophet and worse than this. People unknowingly walk into her demonic worldview and toy with her understanding of the world. Do not be fooled and do not welcome demons.

Inanimate objects are just that. Dead. Inanimate. Jesus Christ is Lord over all of life, and all who believe in Him are soldiers of the cross. When one plays with the concept of spirits in inanimate things and possessions, one is welcoming the enemy, Satan. He is already defeated by the cross of Jesus and therefore he is a wounded lion, seeking whom he may devour by his lies, with his demonic fallen angels and with deceptions such as Ms Kondo puts forward. It all seems so innocent. Such a simple, fun way to organise and tidy up—but it is neither innocent nor fun. By her methods one puts oneself under the charge of very real, very demonic forces, asking an object “does this spark joy”?

What is truly funny-sad to me is that the very same people who mock Christians for believing Satan spoke through a snake in the Garden of Eden, have no trouble tapping an object to awaken its spirit and thank it.

Jesus, Captain of our Salvation, by Your Word and Spirit lead us through the battlefields of this life. Make us wise to the potential ambushes of the enemy. Forgive us for the times we have toyed with things wicked or dangerous and so taken our eyes off the splendour of Your Majesty. Jesus, You alone have the power and the right to bring us without spot or blemish into the Presence of our Father in heaven. Help us to set aside every weight and whatever might hinder us from being strong and faithful soldiers of the cross. Amen.

January 29, 2019 -- Proverbs 22:6 -- Invest in kids

Train up a child in the way he should go;

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6 ESV

“According to Dr. Bronfenbrenner, this rat race is particularly incompatible with fatherly responsibilities, as illustrated by an investigation in the 1970’s which yielded startling results. A team of researchers wanted to learn how much middle-class fathers spend playing and interacting with their small children. First, they asked a group of fathers to estimate the time spent with their one-year-old youngsters each day, and received an average reply of fifteen to twenty minutes. To verify these claims, the investigators attached microphones to the shirts of small children for the purpose of recording actual parental verbalization. The results of this study are shocking. The average amount of time spent by these middle-class fathers with their small children was thirty-seven seconds per day! Their direct interaction was limited to 2.7 encounters daily, lasting ten to fifteen seconds each!”

Seven Promises of a Promise-Keeper. Colorado Springs, CO: Focus on the Family Publishing, page 116.

I wonder how things have changed since the 1970’s?

More women have entered the work-force.

More joblessness and economic uncertainty haunts today’s fathers.

More distractions are available—cable TV, video games, tablets, cell-phones, on-demand movies.

More children are in day-care.

More confusing data is being given by a government which directly opposes the Word of God in the areas of valuing life, marriage, family, and sexuality.

More than ever men need to be men in their homes. It is critical for a man to be present. It is godly for a man to love his wife, spend time with his children each and every day. The children need to see their father at meal times, at prayer times, rough-housing and listening.

If you are absent you train your children to be absent parents.

If you train up your children by TV and tablet, you are forfeiting your responsibilities and allowing the culture to shape the heart and minds of your most precious little ones.

The beauty of the word of the LORD is to promise healing in Christ. The hope of the Gospel is that there is time to have a great impact on your children for the King. Do not waste it.

LORD Jesus, thank You for faithful fathers and mothers. Thank You for grandmas and grandpas who are on their knees pleading for their family members to know You and walk with You. King Jesus, by Your Word and Spirit awaken Your people to our failings and areas of neglect so that we will be the people You have called us to be: coaching, teaching, training and delighting in the children You have given. Spirit of God, direct us as seniors, uncles and aunts, to know our role in helping shape the lives of vulnerable youth who are so desperate for male leadership and dependable adult interaction. Forgive us for the times we have valued retirement and selfish things above the call to community to which Your Spirit directs us. Thank You Father in heaven, that You love our children and grandchildren, You love the fatherless and the orphan. Amen.

January 27, 2019 -- Matthew 16:24-25 -- Minimum or Maximum?!

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.  For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 16:24-25 ESV

C.H. Spurgeon described the minimum Christian this way:

The minimum Christian! And who is he? The Christian who is going to heaven at the cheapest rate possible. The Christian who intends to get all of the world he can — and not meet the worldling's doom. The Christian who aims to have as little religion as he may — without lacking it altogether.

The minimum Christian goes to worship in the morning; and in the evening also — unless it rains, or is too warm, or too cold, or he is sleepy, or has the headache from eating too much at dinner. He listens most respectfully to the preacher, and joins in prayer and praise. He applies the truth very judiciously — sometimes to himself, oftener to his neighbors

Ah, my brother, are you making this attempt? Beware, lest you find at last that in trying to get to Heaven with a little religion — you miss it altogether; lest without gaining the whole world — you lose your own soul. True godliness demands self-denial and cross-bearing — and if you have none of these, you are making a false profession! C.H. Spurgeon

The text set before today has a picture of glory and cost, of self-denial and wondrous privilege: following Jesus Christ wherever He may lead. It is in stark contrast to the objectives of the minimum Christian! Ultimately Jesus Christ leads us through-out this life, not in dribs and drabs, in minimal expressions and with allowances for laziness—no! He leads us from victory to victory through the maze of battles we face in this life. Jesus Christ leads us to Presence of His Father. Jesus Christ gives to His followers His Word so that we will know right from wrong. Jesus Christ gives us His Spirit so that our strength will not fail. Jesus Christ gives us the family of God—true brothers and sisters who care for us, pray with us, and have our back. This is the picture of the faith that would make the whole world jealous, wondering what is it that Christians have? It is so compelling.

Thank You, Jesus, for inviting us to follow You. Thank You for the assurance that Your cause will not fail. Forgive us for the times we have been minimal Christians and faint-hearted. Forgive us for the times we have known what is right and not carried it out. Thank You for Your victory at the cross, where all the punishment for our sins was poured out on You. What a Savior You are! What a glorious Lord. Renew our strength and our vow to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow You. Amen.

January 26, 2019 -- Revelation 2:10b-11 -- Conquerors

Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.

The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.

Revelation 2:10b-11 ESV

These verses are found in a brief letter within Revelation which was sent to the people at the church of Smyrna. It was a church facing great trials and persecution. Here King Jesus, the Captain of their Salvation, gives words of encouragement through the Apostle John who saw the vision of Jesus and wrote this letter.

Remember these people at Smyrna are part of Jesus’ army. They are counted among the people of God. Jesus is encouraging them to stay the course, to continue to walk in His strength and His mercy. We have all seen people fall out of favour with their churches and abandon their walk with God. So how would these words be helpful?

Those hearing these words are encouraged to hear the what the Spirit says to the churches. Get hold of the Bible and know it. Read it. Love it. When we love a sport, we know all the rules and intricacies of the game. If we follow a television series closely we might even have the mug: “If Daryl dies we riot” (though I confess I have no idea what that means I saw this mug at a family member’s house). Sometimes without even thinking we make great commitments to all kinds of things, but not to the study of and the love of the Word of the Spirit.

Being faithful is a decision we make based on what the Spirit says. So that we face every circumstance, every trial, all wounds and suffering armed with this sure conviction—we are in Christ’s army and we will not be fighting for the devil nor aiding him by our words, actions or inaction. We will be true to King Jesus’ Whose banner waves over us. We follow Jesus the Captain of our Salvation wherever He leads for we know He has conquered even death itself.

Brothers and sisters, this means we must guard our thought life! “We have never committed a visible act of sin that has shamed us before others that was not first a shameful thought. We have never wronged another person without first wronging that person in our thoughts. What we habitually think will, sooner or later, manifest itself clearly in some visible expression of that thought.” (Gary Oliver)

Get to a bible-believing church. Get armed once again in the Word of the Lord. Spent time with Christians whose walk with God you admire. Do not let sin master you, rather, follow Jesus, your Master, and offer the parts of your body and your mind as instruments of righteousness.

King Jesus, thank You for these important words You have to the people of Smyrna and to us today. Thank You that by Your Word and Spirit we can indeed be conquerors over perpetual sins and habitual thoughts. Give into our lives true soldiers of the cross in whom we can confide, and with whom we can find holy encouragement. All glory be to You, Living God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

January 25, 2019 -- Colossians 1:15-20 -- Jesus and T.O.E. (Theory of Everything)

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

Way back in 1992 Stephen Hawking published a book called: “A Quest for the Theory of Everything”. It is the quest that continues to haunt secular scientists and philosophers. In short T.O.E. is a single all-embracing picture of the laws of nature. For those who are utterly secular and deny the existence of God, the TOE will ever remain not only elusive, it is impossible to find.

Secular scientists think life arose from non-life—abiogenesis. This self-contradictory view is taken as true for those who believe in evolution.

Christians know that life came into being because God spoke it all into being and Jesus Christ is ever pictured as He Who created with the Father. Life was given and is sustained by the Author of Life.

Secular scientists cannot account for morality. Famously Richard Dawkins stated: “no purpose, no design, no evil, no good, nothing but pitiless indifference.” Oddly enough, such scientists would freely use the legal system if their university didn’t pay them. There is an expectation of purpose and good—the every things they claim to deny.

Christians know that creation was good. Adam and Eve rebelled against God and brought sin into the world. Jesus Christ, the sinless One, died in our place. He bore the wrath of God against sin. Therefore there is a place of reckoning. All deeds, all actions, all inaction will be brought to account before Jesus Christ. There is purpose. There is design. There is love and mercy, justice and goodness.

Secular scientists have no basis for assuming there is order in the universe. If life arose from non-life, what else might unexpectedly happen by random chance? This is why scientists are ever alarmist: global warming, global cooling, immanent ice-age to start again, climate change. There is no reason to expect any stability.

Christians have the great assurance that Jesus Christ governs all things well. We can study and learn, measure and understand because He designed all things with purpose and order.

Glory be to Your Name, Lord Jesus Christ. Thank You for the book of creation and the testimony of Holy Scripture. Vanquish my sin. Create in me a clean heart and a growing desire to serve you—which is the only source of joy for any person—the delight of serving You. Let my life be a light in the darkness of this secular age. Let this light shine like a light-house for those who are navigating the rocky shoals of hopelessness and pitiless indifference so that they can find their way safely to You, King Jesus. Amen.

January 22, 2019 -- Colossians 1:15 -- Jesus the Revealer

He [Jesus] is the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15 ESV

…in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. Hebrews 1:2-3a ESV

It is a difficult saying: Jesus is the image of the invisible God. You might be tempted to scoff. Consider this:

Jesus Christ is the “television set of God.” Right now as you read these words, there are actual

television waves bouncing all around you! You cannot see them or hear them, but they are there.

They are invisible, yet real. If you take a box called a television and turn it on next to you, those

invisible waves become visible. You will see a picture and hear sound.” Carlson & Decker page 20

What a helpful illustration. The Word of God helps us to know Jesus. And Jesus reveals the invisible God. The Spirit of God, Who carried men along and inspired them to write the Bible, is the very same Spirit who lives in you. When you turn to Jesus and obey Him, His Spirit leads and instructs you. The fruit of obedience is the great confirmation that we really are children of God. Jesus reveals to us the great love of our Father in heaven.

Faithful God, thank You for the revelation of Jesus Christ. Thank You that He is the visible image of You, the invisible God, Who lives in unapproachable light. Thank You, Spirit of God, for making the beauty of the radiance of Jesus Christ known to our hearts and to our senses by the wondrous Word. Amen.

January 20, 2019 -- Proverbs 20:9 -- Who is this Jesus?

Who can say, "I have made my heart pure;
I am made clean from my sin"?
Proverbs 20: 9 ESV

Are you a sinner? According to the Bible Adam and Eve were made in God's image. They were created good, that is to say, they were without sin. In the Garden of Eden they rebelled against God. Because every human is descended from Adam, and he was our representative in the Garden of Eden, all of us bear the sin of Adam. Until someone could take away the sin of the world, the blood of goats and sheep and bulls pointed to the need for a blood punishment. Sin is gory and messy and bloody and such sacrifices showed this again and again.

The Final Adam is Jesus Christ. He lived in perfect obedience to God our Father. When Pilate declared Him to be without sin, He was approved as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. That is, all who believe in Him, have their sins taken away and receive from Him the credit of His perfect obedience.

We cannot add to Jesus' work. We cannot make our hearts pure. We are sinful men and women. We lie to ourselves. We cheat others. Every sin imaginable lives in our hearts, lurks in the secret places of our minds. We cannot make ourselves presentable to God. That is the reason Jesus came.

He was sinless. At the cross God placed on Him our every sin. Jesus became sin for us and that sin was punished at the cross. No one gets away with sin. Either it was punished upon the Person of Jesus Christ at the cross, or we think we live well and can present ourselves to God as acceptable, in which case He will punish us for our sins.

This teaching is so contrary to the world. The world tells you: Love yourself more. Accept your failures. The Scripture tells your: listen to your conscience. Confess your sin. Turn to Jesus and live. The more you love and obey Jesus, the more you will understand your need for the Savior Who cleanses your heart from all sin.

Prayer ~

Jesus, Who is like You? While we hated You and despised You, You went to the cross, the perfect lamb of God, and stood in our place, bearing the just punishment of God against our sin. Spirit of God, keep me humble. Spirit of God, by the truth of the Bible show me again and again the extent of my sin and that I can do nothing to add to my salvation. It is Christ alone Who bore the punishment. Christ alone Who is perfect. Christ alone Who credits believers with His obedience all to the glory of the Father. Amen.

January 19, 2019 -- Proverbs 19:27 -- Return to Jesus

Cease to hear instruction, my son,

and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Proverbs 19:27 ESV

Tomorrow is Sunday. Plan on going to a Scripture-believing, faithful-to-Jesus living church. The only way to grow in true faith is to be instructed in the Word of the Lord.

Earlier in this chapter we read:

"The fear of the LORD leads to life,

and whoever has it rests satisfied." (23)

In Christ we find our reason for living. In Christ we hate our sin more and more and find joy in Him Who is the Desire of all nations. We fear to offend Him, even as a husband who deeply loves his wife will not not do certain things--he fears offending her. He wants her to see and experience only his best. So we, as followers of Christ, fear to offend Him--He has given us so much, He loves us so deeply we give Him our all.

If you have neglected church, if you have strayed from instruction, here is your clear call to return. Welcome back. Come and be instructed. Come and find people who receive instruction and joyfully walk in the way of Jesus. Phone a friend if you are uncomfortable returning by yourself. Invite yourself to go with him or her so that you are not alone.

LORD of Life, thank You for the picture of Scripture, that You stand at the porch of Your house, scanning the horizon, to welcome back prodigal sons and daughters. Thank You that You have the words of knowledge and the gift of life given us in Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your Spirit Who speaks to our hearts teaching us that through Jesus Christ we can call You: Abba, Father. For those who are on the edge of decision whether or not to go to meet with Your people on Sunday, speak to their hearts of the open invitation You offer them. Father in heaven, help us, who regularly fill the pews each Sunday, to be warm and welcoming to each person whom You bring to church. Amen.

January 17, 2019 -- Ephesians 6:18 -- Pray

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints...

Ephesians 6:18 ESV

Brothers, pray for us.

I Thessalonians 5:25 ESV

We call ourselves men of God, but too often we are men of our own needs. All needs are met on our knees.

Even the church is aimless. Why? Because those who say they are men of God are so seemingly helpless to bring about change. They say they study the Word, but their wives and children see little evidence in their lives. Our prayer and study lives should have an immediate, ongoing effect on our families. They should be so moved by our love and mercy that they want to emulate what they see in us of the character and qualities of Christ.

Wellington Boone "Why Men Must Pray"

Thank You, O God, for the profound gift of prayer--that believers can speak with You, know You, worship You, and ask of You. By Your Word and Spirit bring us to our knees in true faith and great conviction. Spirit of God, as we study the Word and pray, let our lives reflect the love and mercy of our Father shown so clearly and extravagantly in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

January 16, 2019 -- Psalm 2:11-12 -- Jesus the King

Serve the Lord with fear,

and rejoice with trembling.

Kiss the Son,

lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,

for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2:11-12 ESV

Perhaps you are very familiar with this Psalm because of Handel's oratorio: "The Messiah". I love this setting of Psalm 2. The majestic challenge of this Psalm is for the people of the earth to quit their vain plotting and raging and acknowledge Jesus Christ as the LORD and serve Him.

The LORD of Glory preserved for Himself a people, the Jewish people, through whom He gave His laws, His promises and finally His Son--Jesus. Now Jesus--by flesh descended from King David--is the Eternal Son of God and by His descent from David the true King of both the Jewish people and the non-Jewish people. God's plan is one for the Jewish people and the non-Jewish people: acknowledge the Son.

Many people picture God as weak. As if He is pleading with the people and nations to obey. It is not so. He is the King All-Glorious and All-Powerful. He does not share His power nor compromise. As the One Who holds history in His hand, He shows the final end of all flesh: serve Jesus Christ alone as your King, or be swept away in His wrath to the agonies of hell.

The Jewish people must acknowledge Jesus as their Messiah. The cults, such as Muslims, Jehovah's Witnesses and Masons (and all others) which slander our King Jesus, will on the Day of Judgment be brought before the Terrible Throne of Justice and held to account for their blasphemies.

Blessed are those who take refuge in Jesus:

~Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” John 6:29

Thank You, Father in heaven, for showing us the King of Your own choosing--the Ruler of Nations--Jesus. Spirit of the Living God, help us to tear down any contrary teaching or any false hope we might be trusting in, so that our hearts may be fully dedicated Jesus Christ. Amen.

January 15, 2019 -- Romans 5:1-5 -- Courage

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

Romans 5:1-5 ESV

Courage is not simply one of the virtues,

but the form of every virtue at the testing point.

C.S. Lewis

Where is your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ tested?

How do you exhibit peace even in a world that hates God?

Where are you called to endure in faithfulness? Perhaps your marriage vows are strained and require great faithfulness of word and deed. Or maybe you must be faithful in your finances because it is tempting to spend foolishly on yourself rather than keeping commitments.

Know that our Father is truly our God because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Courage to live for Jesus is tested and tried in every part of our lives and God has given us fiery courage in the form of the Holy Spirit Who lives in every believer.

Forgive me Father, for the many times I have failed to honour You by my words or my actions. Forgive me for the times I have not spoken of my faith publicly. Thank You for the saving work of Jesus Christ, in Whom is all my hope and trust. Thank You, Father, for the gift of Your Spirit Who applies the healing work of Jesus and Who fortifies us for faithful, courageous service. Amen.

January 14, 2019 -- Proverbs 14:34 -- Righteousness Exalts a Nation

Righteousness exalts a nation,

but sin is a reproach to any people.

Proverbs 14:34 ESV

Recently I heard this: "Whatever god a nation serves, that will be the standard by which she makes her laws". The more I think about this in light of the reading from Proverbs, the more I think it is true. So I grieve for Canada.

Canada's most recent laws and rulings are in direct violation to righteousness. The ruling of the Supreme Court that bestiality is allowed, as long as there is no penetration, shows the depths of our sinfulness. Even other nations' headlined this despicable news.

According to our government's own website there are ninety-one boil water advisories (yes, you read that correctly, 91!!) among aboriginal and indigenous communities in Canada. That is a shocking state of affairs. Some of these communities suffered under this for a long time. Yet it does not seem to be a priority for our government.

Alberta's NDP government, September 2018, said that Christian Schools in Alberta cannot state God's authority supersedes human authority. What a reproach this is to our nation.

It is obvious that our nation is embracing the reproach of sin. As Christians we are:

called to fervent prayer for our leaders--may they repent

called to the Word and humble obedience--that godliness and

truthfulness from Christians will exalt our nation

called to confession of our own sins and complicity

called to hope, God is Sovereign and His purposes for history will one day be revealed

King of Glory, give to Your people, who have been made righteous through Jesus Christ, an ever greater measure of Your Spirit. Bless Your people living in the midst of the stench of decay, rottenness of sin and death of this world so that the followers of Christ may be the fragrance of Christ in every part of Canada and by our conduct and witness be ambassadors of life in His Name. Thank You for the leaders You have placed in local, provincial, territorial and federal government who are faithful to You and cause them to exercise the talents and abilities You have given them for blessing to our nation. Bless every Christian, in work, rest, recreation, play, and retirement--in whatever community wherever You have placed us so that we may shine for Jesus Christ. Amen.