April 23, 2019 - - Proverbs 23:29-35 - - Sin's Defeat

29 Who has woe? Who has sorrow?
    Who has strife? Who has complaining?
Who has wounds without cause?
    Who has redness of eyes?
30 Those who tarry long over wine;
    those who go to try mixed wine.
31 Do not look at wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup
    and goes down smoothly.
32 In the end it bites like a serpent
    and stings like an adder.
33 Your eyes will see strange things,
    and your heart utter perverse things.
34 You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea,
    like one who lies on the top of a mast.[a]
35 “They struck me,” you will say,[b] “but I was not hurt;
    they beat me, but I did not feel it.
When shall I awake?
    I must have another drink.”

Proverbs 23:29-35 ESV

Do not think it is just those who struggle with alcohol who need to be warned by these words. All of our sins, whatever they are, make us “sin-a-holics.”

Consider how the man who struggles with porn despises himself realizing the guilt bites him like a serpent and stings like an adder.

What about the angry woman? She knows her raging is causes sorrow and strife. She intends to change it but there are so many stupid people and her children are so cruising for a bruising. Such anger stings her and the venom of it poisons others

Sports fans are willing to rearrange their schedules, be rude to family and friends, cheer and sacrifice for their teams. Win or lose. There is wreckage in the wake of this as careless words bite those vying for your attention. Our zeal for God does not hit near the same high points as the unbridled enthusiasm for The Team.

People of God, our sins are the problem. Our strange visions are planted in our brains as temptations by Satan to blur reality so that we think we will be satisfied in something, anything other than knowing and being faithful to Jesus Christ.

If you are waking up with regret, realizing your sins have once again won the night and guilt is threatening to ruin this day know it pleases God to save wretched and ruined sinners. It brings glory to Jesus Christ to cry out to Him confessing your sins. The Spirit, Who raised Jesus from the dead through the glory of the Father on Easter Sunday, is that same Spirit Who empowers believers to live a new life. Confess your sins to a fellow believer and ask for prayer support and tell that person you might need to call and ask for help to fight the old temptations. As you see sins lose their appeal and power, praise God. Honour and bless His Name remembering how powerless you were beforehand to rescue yourself. In all things, let your boast be in the strong Name of Jesus. Believers, reach out to new Christians and stumbling believers. The enemy loves it when Christians condemn each other rather than pointing one another to the cross of victory and the empty tomb of triumph. Warfare requires soldiers of Jesus’ army to guard one another in the strength of Jesus and for His glory of His Name.

Consider this also: what you have stopping doing leaves a gap in your schedule and time. Invest in your extra time in your marriage by doing housework. Instead of sinning, find sermons or Christian teachings on line. Focus on the areas where you had been struggling. You will find wonderful resources. Ask your pastor, a Christian friend, an elder in your church for resources. Read your bible. Volunteer. Consciously fill the time you used to spend on your sins in service to God, sacrificing yourself for the honour of Jesus so that the habits and patterns of your old sins will not suck you back into their vortex. Know this and be assured: God created the heavens and the earth by His Word. It is as simple as speaking for Him to bring about galaxies and stars, to form whales and order the sequence of DNA—your sins are no match for His power. Trust Him and obey. He will speak His forgiveness and healing—according to Micah 7:18 He delights to show mercy to sinners!

Oh Jesus, I give myself to You, weak as I am. I know my sins rise up again and again and surround me as a stench. I have lost count of how often I’ve asked for Your forgiveness. All I can do is hold onto the promise that You delight to show mercy. Show Your mercy to me once again. Thank You for the Power of Your Word, God of Angel Armies and Galaxies. Spirit of God give me faith enough to hold on and believe that sins are conquered and victory is sure in Jesus. Spirit of True Community, give me the necessary empathy and love to reach out to others who might be struggling and failing and in need of a word of encouragement and love in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Proverbs 21:27 - - April 22, 2019 - - Newly Minted Outrage

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination;

how much more when he brings it with evil intent.

Proverbs 21:27 ESV

Perhaps you have already heard all the hype of the new loonie—celebrating 50 years of gay rights. Our Prime Minister is sacrificing political capital in order to celebrate his father and to score political points with the LGBT+ community. While this truly is wicked, it is no more wicked than other coins that the Canadian Mint has struck. Consider the $5.00 silver zodiac coins being minted each month of this year. Astrology is an abomination—Christians know that the stars do not control us, determine anything about our lives. The heavens were made by God. The stars and the cosmos declare His glory. It is a perverse and God-defying world-view that celebrates astrology.

Let me be clear: I think all such coins are wrong. The new loonie is a new low in political pandering and evil intent. Since this particular coin is intended for public circulation it is a sign of just how corrupt our government can be as it celebrates and promotes rebellion against God. What a sad day for Canadians.

As Christians, we are not surprised. We live in a a society that has long ago shed its Christian heritage and values. Therefore we do not not expect non-Christians to act like Christians. However, Christians ought to act in a way that accords with our Christian faith. Jesus our King has died for sinners of all types and stripes. The sins of the LGBT+ community are not worse than other sins that our society celebrates.

How should we, as Christians respond?

Pray for our government leaders. Pray for those who promote a wicked agenda that they may have a change of heart and know Jesus as Lord and King. Pray with thanks for all those who are Christians and striving to honour God in their political service.

Pray for those who are caught up in the LGBT+ life-style and are trapped by their sins. May God, Who can redeem us from all our sins, bring such transformation that many who hate their own sins may be set free in Jesus to bring glory to God.

Pray that when you receive such a coin you can use it as an opportunity to witness to the glory of God. Remember how Jesus held up a coin on which was written the blasphemous statement, ‘Caesar is Lord’?! He used it as an opportunity to witness (Matthew 22:15-22).

If your conscience requires you to refuse such coins, you can ask for four quarters instead, or ask for a different loonie. Do so with kindness, not hatefully. As you are asking for the coin to be exchanged for other coins, do so allowing the love of Christ to shine from your heart and face. You do not want to bring dishonour to Jesus our King by acting in a way that is wicked and an abomination to the banker, vendor, or one giving you change. They have no idea of the thoughts of your heart and the reasons for your objections. With firm gentleness and respect, inform the person why you have objections.

Father in heaven, thank You that all men and women are created in Your image. Thank You that You have struck in us something that is drawn to You and longs for You. Jesus, blessed be Your Name for the glorious work of redemption which we celebrate every Easter and every Sunday through-out the year. Spirit of the Living God guide us as we navigate the treacherous shoals of life living as we do in a culture that hates God and is openly rebellious against Him. Triune God, help us to be powerful in our witness to the people around us and steadfast in our faithfulness to You. Amen.

April 19, 2019 -- Proverbs 19:9 -- Relics, Lies and True Religion

A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and he who breathes out lies will perish.

Proverbs 19:9 ESV

Let me vent, briefly. Thanks. If you don’t want to hear it/read it, then pause, reflect on the text again and tune out.

I don’t care that Notre Dame was on fire. In the French Revolution the statue of Jesus was removed and a statue of reason was put there instead. Hardly a place of worship and the honour of God. Notre Dame also is supposed to be the reliquary for “the crown of thorns” placed on Jesus’ head. Hmm. Whatever.

The practice of the Roman Catholic Church has been to house “relics” (these are bones, hair, teeth etc of saints, or objects considered to be precious related to the Christian faith) in monasteries and churches as objects for veneration. All kinds of churches claimed to have pieces of “the true cross of Christ”. Erasmus stated something like: “There must have been enough of the pieces of the true cross to rebuild Noah’s Ark.” One of my history professors was even more graphic. His statement was: “There are enough vials of the breast milk of Mary to float a Noah-sized Ark constructed from all the slivers of the True Cross of Christ.”

All of this trickery and flummery is despicable. Worse than that, these relics are lies. They are a gross distraction from the Gospel. The Good News of Jesus Christ is this: at the cross God punished our sins upon the Person of Jesus. He voluntarily stood in our place and withstood the full blast of God’s just and holy anger against sin. When Jesus said, “It is finished” what He stated is that the punishment for our sins has been fully meted out. Those who believe in Jesus Christ receive His righteousness.

The Roman Catholic Church is breathing out lies about what is important or not. Such supposed relics are meaningless. What is important is knowing Jesus Christ and following Him. The French people and their horror at the damage to Notre Dame, I suspect, is really rooted in the fact they are truly aghast at the loss of revenue from tourist dollars. Recall the French Republic is not very Christian nor does it celebrate its Christian past. The dollar (or the Euro) is really what is being worship. No wonder their president wants Notre Dame rebuilt—it is a cash cow for them. And in that respect, the Roman Catholic Church is also fleecing the people for money by showing such fake relics. These relics are not important.

The Word of God is important. The Word of God is trustworthy and true. The Word of God is attested to by the Holy Spirit. Creation itself also bears witness to God as the Creator of the universe. And the Word of God helps the believer interprete creation and understand all that has been made has been made from nothing at the Word of God.

Pray for the people of France that there will be a revival in the faith.

Pray for the Roman Catholic Church that they will not mislead people with these false relics but will speak what is true.

King Jesus, Your blood poured out is the True Testimony to what is good and right. May fellow believers in France speak against the lies of relics and testify to the Truth of Jesus Christ. Forgive us, King Jesus, for whatever lies we repeat or initiate. Help us to walk in the Truth as You are Truth. Amen.

April 18, 2019 -- Proverbs 18:24 -- Jesus the Faithful Friend

A man of many companions may come to ruin,

but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 English Standard Version

One of the joys of being a minister is how often my family and I move. When we move to a new area and lead a new church there are many people to meet and wonderful things to experience. One of the challenges of being a minister is how often my family and I move. We leave behind friends that we have made who had become quite dear to us. And it is impossible to maintain so many friendships. Inevitably many friendship remain dear to memory.

Sometimes, wistfully, I have commented to friends who have lived in the same area all their lives, what a treasure it must be to have friends for a whole life-time. People who know you from youth to adulthood, who know you best and worst and stay close.

Perhaps this is why the text this morning is so precious to me, Jesus is that Friend Who sticks closer than a brother. No matter where I live, Jesus is there. No matter what I have done or will do, He has shed His blood and covered my sins. Jesus is the Friend Who leads me to the Father. The Father receives me as His son because of the accomplished work of Jesus. The Father and the Son pour out the Holy Spirit so that the Word becomes rich and beautiful to me and the Spirit leads me in all Truth.

That is the blessed story of Easter. Jesus the Perfect One, accepted as our substitute, is punished in the place of sinners. All who believe in Him have their sins punished on the Person of Jesus at the cross. Those who believe in Him receive from Jesus His righteousness. All who believe in Jesus rise with Him to newness of life. What a Friend we have in Jesus!

1. What a friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit,
Oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!

2. Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful,
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
Take it to the Lord in prayer.

3. Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.

4. Blessed Savior, Thou hast promised
Thou wilt all our burdens bear;
May we ever, Lord, be bringing
All to Thee in earnest prayer.
Soon in glory bright, unclouded,
There will be no need for prayer—
Rapture, praise, and endless worship
Will be our sweet portion there.

Words by Joseph M. Scriven

You might find this version inspirational today

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18Zx74T70bs

April 17, 2019 -- Genesis 8:20-22 -- Stable Christians in a Chicken Little World

Then Noah built an altar to the Lord and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar.  And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.  While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

Genesis 8:20-22 ESV

Perhaps you have been following the news and know that the Ontario Government is taking the Federal Government to court in order to get an opinion on the new carbon tax. At issue is whether or not the Federal Government has the power or authority to impose this regulation or tax on Provincial Governments. However, the bigger issue for many is: climate change.

Remember the story of chicken little: “The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”? We live in a time where the news is constantly claiming: “Climate change”. I heard one newscaster ask: “Is the Notre Dame fire a consequence of climate change?”

How desperately our world needs the assurances of Genesis 8. The flood wiped out all of life except Noah and his wife, and their three sons and daughters in law. Animals and birds were preserved on the ark. And when the waters had receded, God, the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth made this tremendous promise: “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”

People of God we live with tremendous assurance. God will guard and keep our planet. Does this mean we shouldn’t worry about pollution? Absolutely not! We are to be stewards of this creation and care for the creation and the animals, plants and forests and plains, lakes and oceans.

Noah and his descendants would have had to cling to the promises of God as the global climate cooled after the Flood and those conditions then led to an Ice Age. (Please read the linked article below.) Again there would have been a massive die-off as many species of animals preserved on the ark, would have perished unable to adapt to the cold.

Today, it is the height of man’s hubris (excessive pride or self-confidence) to believe that we can control the climate. It is the King of Heaven and Earth Who rules over and appoints the seasons and governs the climate. Our place is to serve Him. As was stated earlier, of course we should be caretakers and wise such that we restrict our polluting activities.

The point for Christians is this: we are sure of God’s care. We know He spared humanity in the time of the Flood through Noah. He spared humanity through the Ice Age. He is bringing all history to its rightful conclusion when Jesus returns. Until Jesus returns we have every opportunity to turn to Him, trust Him and worship Him. Christians know our life’s purpose is to serve God and enjoy Him forever. There is no greater purpose and no greater assurance than to live for Him.

Increase our faith, Spirit of God, so that we will trust the Word and look to God for His governance and protection. Thank You, Father for the assurance that summer and winter, seed time and harvest will continue until Jesus returns. Lord Jesus, thank You, for the new life that is ours in Your Name. Increase our faith, Spirit of God, so that we will live for Jesus faithfully in every part of our life. Give us holy boldness as Christians to proclaim Your Truth to a world chasing after vanities. Amen.

https://creation.com/the-ice-age

April 15, 2019 -- III John 4 -- Not 'your truth' but the Truth

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

III John 4 ESV

The third letter of John is just 15 verses long. Don’t be fooled by how short it is, the message is disproportionately big. This letter was written by Jesus’ disciple John—who was known as the beloved disciple. And John was using the word “truth” as shorthand for the Name of Jesus (remember, Jesus said “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6)

John by this time is likely quite elderly. He writes to this man Gaius and the church Gaius is at and calls the members “my children”. And then we come to our text—a big statement, bold and thought-provoking. John has no greater joy than to know his children are walking in the Truth, walking in relationship with Jesus Christ.

What is your greatest hope for your children: enough money to be better off than you; a good education that will take them places; an excellent marriage; shrewd business sense; that they be happy; that they get along with their siblings; (add in your own expectations). John trumps them all: that my children walk in the Truth. That is his greatest hope and greatest joy.

To walk in the Truth, which means to walk with Jesus, is security in this life—in riches or poverty, sickness or health, amidst acclaim or scorn, no matter one’s circumstances—to walk in the Truth is the greatest privilege ever. And such peace lasts throughout this life-time to eternity. For those who acknowledge Jesus Christ in this world will themselves be acknowledged by Jesus in the next as His faithful friends.

How will our children walk in the Truth? First and foremost, we need to be convinced of the fact that these days we live in are evil days and that the world and its ways are not compatible with knowing Jesus Christ as the Truth. And live with the great assurance and confident hope that Jesus won the victory over Satan at the cross and by His resurrection from the dead. Then:

We need to introduce them to the Bible—daily readings.

We need to pray with our children and teach them to pray.

We need to help them see Jesus in all of life.

We need to counter all the nonsense the world is teaching our children. This world hates God and is in open rebellion against Jesus. We need to show our children in each step how much the world hates Jesus and His exclusive claim as the Only Way to the Father—but just because He is hated, does not mean He is wrong.

We need to constantly show the tawdry things of the world for the vanities they are. The devil will constantly promise all kinds of good he cannot deliver—he is the Father of Lies. Therefore as parents and believers we must expose his lies and show the consequences of following after his death-trap ways.

In all this, brothers and sisters in Jesus, know that our efforts are not what makes the difference. We live in the great assurance of God’s majestic love. He will make our efforts to be fruitful. Jesus Christ knows those who are His Own and He will draw them to Himself.

Holy Jesus, our victory in a world of strife and battles, blessed be Your Name.

We plead with You for our children and grandchildren that they will not be snared and entangled in the sinful things of this world. Give us the vision and persistence we need to guide our children in the Truth.

Thank You Jesus that You have already won the victory over sin and death and hell. Thank You Jesus that by Your blood believers are sons and daughters of the Most High God. Thank You Jesus, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit Who opens the Bible to us; guides us in all Truth; gives us discernment to distinguish good from evil; and is the deposit guaranteeing our eternal inheritance.

As You have promised in Your Word, so give us peace, God of Glory, that we may be islands of calm testifying to Your grace in a storm-tossed, wicked world. Let the peace of Christ so rule our hearts that others will be drawn to us and ask us about Him Who is Truth. Amen.

April 14, 2019 -- Isaiah 33:5-6 -- What is your gold standard?

The Lord is exalted, for he dwells on high;
    he will fill Zion with his justice and righteousness.
 He will be the sure foundation for your times,
    a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge;
    the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Isaiah 33:5-6 NIV

What would you say is the “foundation of our times”? What does the government base its decisions on? Public school curricula, what is its foundation? From what foundation do media and science operate? You may wonder—how do such different disciplines and spheres of life relate to this question of foundations. The foundation is the worldview, the basic understanding of what ultimately motivates a person, a society, a government to make decisions, to act or react or plan.

If we examine Canada today, we will notice that the prevailing worldview is that mankind (oops, Trudeau will object to this) okay then “peoplekind” is the measure of all things—which belief traces back to Protagoras. His philosophy was that it is there is no god or unchanging moral law as the basis of society but people are the ultimate source for values.

If man (people) are the measure of all things: This is why babies are disposable in our society. Old people or the infirm can be jettisoned and the mysterious term “euthanasia” used to cloak it as if there were some good in this. Sexual morals are constantly changing with every new poll. And whoever is in power begins to dictate according to his or her whims. There are less freedoms as people are to conform to the worldview and honour the wavering, ever-changing foundations which the leadership (whatever political stripe or party) demands.

In sharp contrast the Word of God shows us the expansive worldview which reveals the Living God as the standard of right and wrong, of justice and right-living. Where the LORD is acknowledged as the foundation from which all decisions and actions are undertaken people do not wake up each day wondering what new turpitude will be held up as the gold standard for the day. God is the King Who reigns forever and ever. His standard and His laws are the only stable basis for a just society. He is blessed and worshiped for He alone is from eternity and to eternity and perfect in His thoughts, perfect in His ways, perfect in His justice, perfect in HIs dealings with people.

Today I invite you to something radical—wake up and defy the culture by going to church. Learn Who God really is. Understand the greatness of the life that can be yours in Jesus Christ. Church will seem strange for those who are fully immersed in the world and its systems. And it is foreign because the people who attend church have lifted their eyes and our souls to Him Who alone is the foundation of our times. Those who gather for worship delight in God and understand the times for train-wreck that they are and know God is fully in charge. He blesses His people with the sure knowledge of past promises, His current Lordship, and His final and sure victory which is “yes” and “amen” in Jesus Christ.

The government of the day and the philosophies of society which are enforced by an increasingly tyrannical government do not cause Christians to fear them. Christians honour God. Christians “fear the LORD”. This term “fear of the LORD” means we love the Living God and serve Him alone. We fear bringing dishonour to His Name by our actions or words. We fear the LORD with reverent worship. We fear the LORD as He is holy. We fear the LORD with thanks and blessing because Jesus and His sacrifice at Calvary covers our sins and makes us fit to be sons and daughters of the Most High God.

God of Majesty and Justice You formed the heavens and the earth and made wisdom to be its foundation. Jesus, You are the Sovereign—over rulers and princes, tyrants and prime ministers—forever blessed and trustworthy. Spirit of the Living God, You reveal the meaninglessness of our times and bankrupt values of the world systems even as by the Bible You point to the fullness of life that is ours in Jesus Christ. God thank You for being our sure foundation. Thank You that we have nothing to fear from this world because You are in charge and You will reign until history finds itself ended at the return of Jesus Christ and His Day of Judgment. Help us as Christians to be salt and light in this world of rottenness and darkness. Bless Your preachers and missionaries, evangelists and teachers who are preaching Good News to congregations wherever Your people gather. Be glorified Great God of heaven and Lord of earth and her people—Amen.

April 13, 2019 -- James 4:13-17 -- What Tomorrow Brings

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.  Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.”  As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.  So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.

James 4:13-17 ESV

The reality of these words was driven home to me this week. Let me explain. On Tuesday my dad turned 87. I had plans to visit go to work Monday and on Tuesday visit him and celebrate with family members. Monday I was feeling unwell. I could have gone to work, but took the day off. I slept much of the day. Thankfully Tuesday I was fine. The reasoning behind staying home from work: so that I would not bring any sickness to my dad’s party. Friday I was going to travel to Ottawa and visit with some good friends. Wednesday night our daughter-in-law’s father had heart issues and went to the hospital. Thursday evening it was arranged I babysit my granddaughters all day Friday while my son and daughter-in-law sorted things out with her dad. Carolyn and I were planning some things for June—my new job offer which is being worked out with Redemption Prison Ministry could not answer some of our questions until April 23rd, when the Board meets to determine start dates. So my plans for my current job, my future job and where I’ll live are now all in the hands of this Board. It is an odd holding pattern for us now as we wait for others to answer our questions before we can answer the questions of family and friends.

In one week what was so graphically communicated is: our lives are not our own. A virus about 120 nanometers in size can stop the plans of a day or week. Things happening in the lives of others affect our plans. Our future home and where it will be located are in the hands of others. All of this could be so disorienting and frightening or, as James puts it, “we ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will do this or that’.” Here is the great assurance of this week: the Lord, the God of our salvation, rules all the events of our lives. What happens in any and all circumstances are not outside of God’s control or His loving, purposeful, direction for our lives.

Believers can be patient in affliction, because we know God is in charge. Believers can rejoice in any circumstance, knowing Jesus Christ is our Savior and in life or should death touch us, we belong to God because of Jesus. The Spirit of God brings to us the reality of our smallness, our helplessness, and how loved we are by God so that we are inspired to serve God all the more with hope and confidence.

James concludes this brief paragraph urging believers to carry out, do, the right thing because failing to do so is sin. Our lives, however long or short, belong to God. Our lives, in joy or sorrow, sickness or health, riches or poverty truly belong to God and we do not know how long we have on this earth—such a thought is not gloomy for the Christian, but filled with hope. We will see Jesus face to face! When we breathe our final breath our new life in Christ will finally, fully be realized.

Therefore, as long as we can serve Him with our body, our mind, our strength, and heart here on earth we do so because He is preparing for us the weight of glory that is partially ours now and in eternity will be fully revealed. And woven into every piece of this glory is the awareness that Jesus Christ has lifted us from death to life; Jesus Christ has by His blood purged sin from us and given us His Spirit as the deposit guaranteeing our salvation. Therefore we act, in every day and each moment with our eyes fixed on Jesus, our lives truly are a mist that could quickly vanish and reveal eternity. Therefore we confess our sins and our weaknesses, our vacillating and confusion to Him knowing He will hold us fast and work out His salvation in every area of our lives.

How blessed is Your Name, the Name You have revealed to Your people: LORD—Who Was, Who Is, Who Will Be! Every single moment of our lives is before You and Your faithful love for Your children in Christ unfolds according to Your plan, for our good, and unto Your praise. Teach Your people the joy of worship; by Your Spirit help us to number our days aright that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Instruct us by Your Spirit and Word that at Your right hand are eternal pleasures forever more so that living for You is our goal and our life’s aim. For those among us feeling battered by providence and wounded by circumstances, remind us that the testing of our faith produces steadfastness. Thank You Jesus, for reminding us that nothing can snatch us out of our Father’s hand. Let that truth soak into the very marrow of our being. Amen.

April 10, 2019 -- Ephesians 4:17-18 -- Nothing from nothing is nothing

Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to the hardness of heart.

Ephesians 4:17-18 ESV

In writing to the Ephesians, Paul is celebrating that glorious fact in Christ we are made completely new. Believers in Jesus have new life. Believers in Jesus speak the truth in love and grow up into Christ Who is the Head. This means our view of the world changes. Because we are in Christ, our understanding of life, the world, origins, human interactions, things visible and invisible—all of this is changed.

Personally, I experience the world’s hardness of heart and alienation from God in nature and science programs. While I love such programs, I hear the endless repetition: millions of years ago. Or, in science, explanations of the “Big Bang” which never explain where the material came from in order for there to be a “Big Bang”.

A preacher I listened to recently gave this brilliant illustration. (I cannot remember his name or who it was as I would love to give him credit!) Here is my version of it. “Let me tell you the story about my house. A million years ago there was nothing. Just empty space. Then suddenly there was an explosion. Trees grew. Copper formed underground. Metals formed in the molten fires of volcanoes. Over time my house formed itself. It had rooms. Carpeting. Lights and a roof. A furnace to heat it in winter. All without the use of human hands or any divine interference. The brilliance of my house is that I have voice commands for music, for food delivery, for lights to be turned on or off, and the property can be armed with an alarm when I am away.” Do you see how ludicrous this is? Yet a house is nowhere near as complex as a single cell organism.

All of us know that “nothing comes from nothing”. Only those who have hardened their hearts against God and the knowledge that He created the heavens and the earth will cling to the idea that nothing came together, nothing caused a chain reaction, nothing exploded and suddenly there was a cosmos. Only those who are alienated from God will accept that life came from nothing. If it is inconceivable that a simple house (which cannot feed itself, cannot move itself, cannot reproduce itself) would form itself from nothing, how then could one ever believe that a single cell organism (which feeds itself, propels itself, has mechanisms for expelling waste, can reproduce) would ever form itself?! It is hardness of heart in the extreme that would exclude the Creator from receiving the honour and glory due His Name for creating the beauty of the cosmos and life and all that is in it.

Believers in Jesus Christ—we must examine every philosophical strand, every teaching by science, by government, by media and recognize we can not walk as the Gentiles do in the futility of their minds. We are called to see the glory of our God in creation, in the way in which He sustains the heavens and the earth, and in the purpose of creation—that one day all flesh will give an account to God for all their actions. Our lives give credit to the Living God for the splendour of the heavens and the earth. Our breath gives credit to the One Who called creation into being. Our thoughts and mouths bring praises to Jesus Christ Who delivered us from sin-darkened ways of thinking as we praise Him for new life, new understanding and wisdom that comes from Him alone. Blessed be the Spirit of God Who instructs us in the ways of God through the Word of God.

Can hundreds of scientists be wrong? Would our government really mislead us? Can religious leaders, many of whom are convince of evolution, or even theistic evolution, be wrong? Think of the life of Jesus. He walked this earth. Perfect in obedience to God. Honourable in all He said and did. He was despised by the rulers and the religious leaders. He was hated by the lawyers and the Scribes—keepers of knowledge. The One Who walked the earth with all wisdom, all understanding, all knowledge, all the fear of the LORD He was put to death. Why? Because those who hate God are darkened in their understanding and alienated from God. Such is the great ignorance in them. This same ignorance and sin-darkened thinking rules our day as well.

Brothers and sisters in Christ, we are not bound in such ignorance or darkness. We have new life in Christ, Who is the Light of the World. Therefore we do not walk as the rebellious do. We do not give into the pressure to believe as they do. We rejoice in the knowledge that all things were made by God, are sustained by God and God’s purposes will be revealed—even those who now refuse Him will one day see Him in His splendor. Blessed be the Lord our God.

Great are You LORD!

Thank You for the beauty of creation and the succession of seasons, all of which declare Your glory.

Thank You, Spirit of God, for the Bible which reveals the mercy and compassion of God shown most clearly in Jesus Christ.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your constant prayers on behalf of believers so that we will not be lost or drift away. Thank You, Jesus, for Your Mighty throne of power against which no power, no government, no philosophy or worldview can triumph. You are the King. You are the glorious One.

Triune God, honour and praises, dominion and power be to Your Name now and forever. Amen.

April 9, 2019 -- Matthew 7:21-23 -- How is your heart?

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

Matthew 7:21-23 English Standard Version

Yesterday I was listening to a sermon by Sinclair Ferguson. He was preaching on these verses and the next passage about the Wise and Foolish Builder. He gave a striking illustration on these verses. He’d watched a program about a preacher who was very well-known and called “charismatic”. This preacher could cause people to babble, to fall over and bark like a dog. When the show was over he was going to watch the news but the newshour had passed and instead he saw a show about a hypnotist who could make people do strange things: babble, fall over and make animal noises. Suddenly this charismatic preacher and his activity was exposed as a hussle.

What is the point? Simply this: added to the confession of the Name of Jesus Christ one must also have an obedient heart. If the great things we do are done for our own reputation and ego, we are far from God. It is easy to go through the motions of being a Christian, even suffer and put up with hardships and still be far from God and cold towards Him. Against those who are openly rebellious and against those who seem to be followers of Jesus but are secretly rebellious in their hearts on the Day of Judgment Jesus will assert the right of God, which is to condemn such persons to hell.

Some of you may object at this point. Why would God save some people and throw others into hell? Shouldn’t He love everyone? Two things to ponder on that note. First, as long as we draw breath, we can respond to the Gospel. As long as we live, the Bible and the Spirit of God are testifying to us of the power of Jesus Christ to rescue us from hell. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to listen and give your heart and your commitment to following Jesus alone.

Second, when a man loves a woman and is married to her he loves her alone. He is being faithful to the bride of his youth. Those who have integrity commend him for his faithfulness and do not encourage him to break his vows. This man does not chase after other women, he does not look lustfully at other women, but he gives his heart and his mind, he eyes and his attention to his bride. He is commended for such devotion. Jesus calls His people His Bride. He gives Himself utterly in service to her and in making her pure. It is honourable that He saves His Bride and that His love is given to her alone. When the Day of Judgment arrives in its terrible glory, those who are the Bride of Christ will be given eternal life and joy in the Presence of Jesus.

Christ Jesus, Great King and Faithful Saviour, thank You for Your steadfast love towards Your people. Thank You for those whom You have given in our lives who call us to consider You and love You so that we are inspired to turn from our sins and yield our restless hearts to You alone. Thank You for Your Spirit Who holds us close to You and instructs us in the way of Truth. Oh Mighty King pour out Your Spirit on us so that we grow in love towards and obedience to You. Amen.

April 7, 2019 -- Galatians 2:20 -- Living for Jesus

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 ESV

It is a strange practice of some to wear a piece of jewelry that is a cross with a depiction of Jesus still on it. Crucifixion was a barbaric and intentionally cruel way of putting someone to death. It cannot be glamorized or romanticized. Jesus’ death by crucifixion was God’s just and full punishment of our sin upon the perfect Person of Jesus. He is the only One who lived a blameless life so that He could stand in our place and take the punishment for sin which we deserve.

Those who believe in Jesus Christ honor Him by putting to death whatever sin lingers in them. Intentionally. Persistently. Prayerfully. We put to death any lingering sin. The longer we are followers of Christ the more we hate sin. The longer we follow Christ the better we understand how wily sin is. The longer we follow Christ the greater is our understanding of His patient love as the Captain of our Salvation, teaching us the way of life and the strategies of battle. The longer we follow Jesus, the more precious to us is His Word. And the glory of Jesus is found in this: that we do not strive harder, try more or succeed in our own efforts, Jesus in His wisdom and love gives us His Holy Spirit Who strengthens us for battle, transforms our hearts so that we love the things of God more and more and know our enemy as well as better understanding how to disciple and discipline fellow soldiers of the cross.

Sundays are particularly precious to us. As believers we gather together and share our faith. We encourage one another and are encouraged the preaching of the Word. We notice those who are absent and pray for them. Intentionally desire to follow up with them so that they know they are missed, loved and part of something great: being soldiers in the Lord’s army. Death is defeated and new life is taking hold of us. And for those of us who recognize our failures and sins, we confess them. We exercise them out. We give thanks to God for His steadfast love that works so that we are being made holy, and ever more suited for His purposes.

Jesus, I admit my heart is cold. It can all seem so distant, so remote all that the Bible says You have done for me. Today in worship warm my heart. Today resuscitate this new life that You are giving me so that I will live, work, act and fight as Your faithful soldier. Amen.

April 6, 2019 -- Revelation 1:4-6 -- Reminders of Good News

John to the seven churches that are in Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings on earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 1:4-6 English Standard Version

One of the great joys of sharing our faith is the response of those around us. Recently I saw a movie with a young friend. It was an action and adventure movie. An alien died in a sequence of particularly intense action. On the way home my 12-year-old friend asked me: “When we die, do we have 5 minutes to remember all the good things that happened to us?”

Gently, and directly I told him, “No, I don’t believe it works that way at all.” And as I spoke I realized I had his full attention, “When we die we will face judgment for our sins.“

My young friend interrupted asking: “What if we have sinned so much we can’t be saved?”

It was a great joy to share the Good News: “At the cross, Jesus was punished for all our sins. Every. single. one. And His perfect life is credited to us. All we need to do is believe and follow Him.”

This young one let out a long breath and said: “That is really awesome.”

At that moment once again I realized how precious it is to share our faith. We see the glory of the salvation that is ours and we see from a fresh perspective.

Go ahead. Witness boldly. Remember it is God Himself Who has prepared the way by His Holy Spirit. Even if someone rejects the Good News, for now, you don’t know if the Spirit is working on a long game with the purpose of bringing that person to salvation. Retelling the story of salvation does indeed, refresh our own souls in the Good News of Jesus Christ!

King Jesus, Who is like You!?! Thank You for the greatness of the salvation that is available to all who believe in You. Thank You for the riches of the Word which spells out the great and wonderful promises of God. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who teaches us and leads us in all truth. Forgive us for the times we wanted to tell someone about Jesus and hesitated or were afraid. Forgive us for our prayerlessness. Renew in us the joy of our salvation. Reopen the lines of communication between us and Your glorious Self. You have promised, Jesus, that heaven is open to all who believe, so with this in mind, bring us to our knees in prayer. Let this joyful knowledge of Jesus fill our thoughts and spill out into many conversations. Thank You for the times we can join with other believers in worship. Bless Your preachers and teachers, evangelists and missionaries who bring Good News. Amen.

April 3, 2019 -- Acts 4:33-35 -- Christianity is not socialism

And with great power the apostles were giving their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.

Acts 4:33-35 English Standard Version

What is the difference between socialism and Christianity? A passage like this makes it seem that Christians are basically socialists. It is critically important that we, as Christians, are able to think and understand what we believe.

Socialists believe man is basically good.

Socialists believe in Utopia and that it is achievable by human effort.

Socialists believe that working together people can reverse our alienation from our nature and achieve a creative, pacifist, altruistic society.

Socialists believe that the right person in power can mobilize people and so work for good.

Christians, in sharp contrast, know socialism is a false religion.

Christians believe man is morally evil. Genesis 6:5 teaches us that the thoughts of each person and their every intention is evil—continually evil.

Christians realize how empty the concept of “Utopia” is. (BTW Utopia literally means: no where!) It is the High King of Heaven Who opens or bars the new heavens and the new earth.

Christians believe human efforts to reverse societal ills are meaningless. Margaret Thatcher famously quipped: “Socialism is a good idea, until you run out of other people’s money.” Only Jesus Christ can, by the power of His Word and Spirit, transform men and women so that our hands and hearts are no longer destructive in all we do.

Christians believe Jesus Christ is the only Man Who ever lived Who is perfect. He was perfectly obedient to His Father in heaven. He is the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world. Those who are obedient to Jesus Christ find in Him the Captain of their Salvation and the Source of every good thought and action. So that for Christians we boast not in ourselves, but in Jesus Christ and all He works in and through us.

Human rulers will always fail. No matter the political stripe—liberal or conservative, block or green, federal or municipal—all people are inclined to evil and even those with the best intentions will falter and fail. Jesus taught us the pathway of truth and beautiful community when He taught us to pray: “forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us”.

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
 Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
 Give us this day our daily bread,
 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

April 1, 2019 -- I Corinthians 6:9-11 -- Don't be fooled!

9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

I Corinthians 6:9-11 ESV

When I was a child we loved to pull pranks and shout “April fools”. Mostly these were pretty innocent hoaxes and our poor exasperated teachers had much to put up with; our long-suffering parents would sigh and muster up a chuckle rather than muttering under their breath. All of us knew it was a game that would soon end. I remember clearly one teacher who declared, “All April Fool’s pranks and jokes, tricks and antics must be done by noon or they don’t count!” Wise teacher to get the April fools jokes all out of our system by lunch time.

What is very sad is that mature people, adults, are deceived—not just on April 1st, but completely deceived in their understanding of Who God Is. The Apostle Paul is urgently warning believers not to be fooled, not to make God into their own image. God will not tolerate sin of any kind. He is holy. He is too pure to look on wickedness. Those who are willfully ignorant in their actions and behavior and act as if God will put up with it are more than deceived, they are running headlong towards hell.

Why is God’s treatment of sinners so harsh? Because He has given all sinners, every single one of us, the opportunity to be cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Our sins are forgiven by Jesus’ accomplished work on the cross. To go back to old shameful ways is to drag down the reputation and honour of Jesus Christ. And the Father has declared: “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him”. When we want the blessings of God without yielding the obedience God rightfully demands of us we are toying with the utter perfect and holiness of God. He will not tolerate this and cannot allow this else He would be complicit with our sin.

The Spirit of God applies the work of Jesus Christ and makes us utterly new. The Spirit of our God reveals to each one of us the very places where we are fooling ourselves and are self-deceived. Today, listen. Today confess the sins you have allowed to linger. Today stop being a fool or fooling yourself. Remember you were plunged into the healing stream of God’s great forgiveness and love. Now, walk according to the will of God our Father and live as His holy people.

Get a prayer partner to help you.

Devour the Word. Read it. Listen to it.

Find someone who will hold you accountable so that you don’t fall into old sinful patterns.

Confess your sin to God and ask for His Spirit to raise you from old habits to new ways of holiness.

Stop being self-deceived.

God, Your wisdom and Your ways are not in-step with what the world calls wisdom. In fact, worldly people rush on as fools and lives as those who are self-deceived. You have given us wisdom in Jesus Christ. You have sealed Your wisdom to our minds and hearts through the Bible and the Holy Spirit. Let the fear of the LORD direct our living. The world will continuously shout at us what it considers true today, and parade the latest fad which though naked will be hyped as truth. Gracious God let the things of earth fade away so that our ears will hear the Spirit and above all din and cacophony of the world discern from the Word all that is True and Right and Holy. Let our Spirit-empowered living be a great witness to You, Faithful Father, and also bring glory to Jesus. Amen.

March 31, 2019 -- Acts 9:31 -- The right place for fear

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace

and was being built up.

And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit

it multiplied.

Acts 9:31 English Standard Version

The “fear of the Lord”. That is an expression mentioned so often in the Old Testament. It is like the echo of belltower clock sounding the hour across a village. Already way back in Genesis 20:11 the expression is used. Through-out Deuteronomy and the Psalms the phrase resounds. Sounds loudly in the prophets. For those who think it is only an Old Testament term, know that it is found liberally sprinkled in the New Testament as well (Matthew 10:28; Luke 5:26; 7:16, 8:37; 12:5 etc). And in Revelation the Spirit of God is the Seven-fold Spirit (this is drawn from Isaiah 11:2-3a where the Spirit is revealed to be: the Spirit of the LORD, of wisdom, of understanding, of counsel, of might, of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD). Notice that the power of the Spirit revealed among believers is that He manifests the “fear of the LORD”.

What does it mean that believers “fear the LORD”?

Those who “fear the LORD”

~worship Him with reverence

~submit to the Bible and its authority above all other authority

~desire to know God better

~receive the counsel of the LORD

~know Jesus Christ as Jesus promised believers would receive His Spirit

~sin becomes more and more abhorrent to us and we turn from it and repent of it

~find the things of God to be a delight (this is from Isaiah 11:3)

If you do not find the things of God and His presence to be your delight, ask yourself this: am I really a follower of Jesus? Perhaps I should heed the warning of Revelation 2 “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first” (Rev. 2:4). What a devastating condemnation.

Notice from our passage in Acts that the fear of the LORD leads to the comfort of the Spirit. The Old Testament background which instructs believers in “the fear of the LORD” also teaches us the seven-fold revelation of the power of the Spirit among believers (Isaiah 11:2-3a) which brings the result that believers delight in God.

Living God of Power and Glory, blessed be Your Name!

Lord Jesus Christ, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit Who leads us in the fear of the LORD and the delight of knowing God.

This day, bless Your preachers and evangelists, Your chaplains and ministers of the Word so that the fear of the LORD will go out among Your people and worship will be transformed into the soul-refreshing wells of salvation and joy in Your Presence. Help Your people to walk in the fear of the LORD so that we will be salt and light in this world, but even more critically, so that we will bless Your Name and be kept in the path of righteousness for Jesus Name’s sake. Amen.

March 30, 2019 -- Proverbs 30:10-14 -- Scrutinized by the Light of Christ

Do not malign a servant to his master,
Lest he curse you, and you be found guilty.

11 There is a generation that curses its father,
And does not bless its mother.
12 There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes,
Yet is not washed from its filthiness.
13 There is a generation—oh, how lofty are their eyes!
And their eyelids are lifted up.
14 There is a generation whose teeth are like swords,
And whose fangs are like knives,
To devour the poor from off the earth,
And the needy from among men.

Proverbs 30:10-14 New King James Version

These verses seem rather enigmatic. It takes a bit of digging to understand what God, the Ruler over all the kings of the earth, is saying to His people.

Verse 10 helps the reader to understand what follows. A tale-bearer or a wicked snitch will not get the justice he is seeking. The LORD knows how to judge among His people and determine what is true and who is guilty. This truth governs the next four verses so that the Word can winnow the heart, removing what is chaff and useless and leaving behind the good.

Verse 11 reiterates the fifth commandment—honour your father and mother. In fact those who do not honour their father and who curse their mothers will be held guilty. This extends also to honouring those whom God has placed in authority over us. What a difficulty that can be. How our hearts need to be governed by the Spirit and the Word.

Verse 12 Translators often struggle to use the vulgar words which the original language uses. Here is an example. The immoral believe they are clean when in fact they are not washed of their own excrement (the translation we have uses instead the word “filthiness”). Indeed that is quite graphic. Immorality such as is celebrated in our generation is as if people are going out in public covered in their own feces.

Verse 13 touches on pride. It is great wickedness that blinds the boastful. We are familiar with such texts as: Pride goes before destruction. Why is this true? Our text gives wonderful imagery of why it is so: because people have lifted up their eyes so high they are not aware of the true condition of their steps nor their surroundings. They cannot get a read of what is really going on and therefore will trip and fall.

Verse 14 plainly shows the contempt of the rich for the poor. The entitlement of those who are rich without mercy means their teeth are swords dispossessing the needy. Even more forceful, their eye-teeth are fangs which are sharp cutting tools to relieve the impoverished of every last morsel. Consider a simple example: our current prime minister took a vacation worth over a hundred thousand dollars. The ethics commissioner charged him with several ethics violations. To my knowledge he has never repaid this money. Consider on the other hand how a Canadian citizen who had been on employment insurance may, when he has a new job, be reassessed by CRA and be found to have a $75 overpayment. This person will be hounded and charged interest until this small debt is repaid in full. The fangs of the rich are knives of injustice. The one who owed $75 is just as much in debt and rightfully ought to pay back this overpayment as should also the government official who was found to be in the wrong, repay his debt. However the weight of injustice is seen in the fact that the scales are unevenly weighted against the needy.

Now, the temptation of this passage would be to say: “Phew, good thing I am not like those people.” Instead, what the passage calls for is for each one of us to examine our hearts. Remember slides? They are dark little squares and the picture is almost impossible to make out until you hold it up to a bright light. This is a perfect illustration of the work of the Holy Spirit and the Bible. The Holy Spirit applies the light of Jesus Christ to the darkest corners of our life. In God’s light we see light and the picture develops of what we really are like. At that moment we can humbly confess our sins and find in Christ forgiveness full and free, or we can be confirmed in our evil-doing, choosing instead to continue as if nothing is wrong.

There is coming a day of full and final judgement. Jesus Christ will return with all His saints and holy angels and will judge every single person according to what he has done and the good he has left undone. Verses 5 and 6 are a sharp warning:

Every word of God proves true;

he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Do not add to his words,

lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Tomorrow is Sunday. Plan on going to church. Submit to the light of Christ and find in him the healing refuge for your weary soul and sin-sickened heart. Not only will you avert the judgment of God’s wrath against your sin, you will find now that God is True, He is the Shield to all who take refuge in Him. He is our salvation and the joy of this life and the life to come!

God of wisdom and holiness, You are true and every man, every woman, every child is a liar.

Christ in Whose light we see light, we confess there are sins we are aware of in our life and so many more that lurk in the dark corners of our heart and mind beyond our own awareness. Who can stand in Your perfect presence? Forgive us the sins we know about. Help us to perceive and turn from the sins we don’t even know about.

Spirit of Truth and holiness, renew our hearts and minds so that we will long to be more and more like Jesus. Heal us from our propensity to wander away from God.

God, Faithful in all You do, bring us to church tomorrow. Those of us who know You, may we welcome those who do not usually attend church and who may therefore feel uncomfortable and out of their depth. By our welcome in Jesus’ Name may those who need you and those who know you walk together in renewed obedience to Jesus. Together may our hearts praise You and our words of confession be deep and true. Direct us in all holy living which is the greatest adventure and the highest blessing possible. Glory and honour, dominion and power belong to You Father, Son and Holy Spirit, now and forevermore. Amen.

March 29, 2019 -- Isaiah 46:8 - 11 -- Sure God is real? Yes!

“Remember this and stand firm,
    recall it to mind, you transgressors,
9     remember the former things of old;
for I am God, and there is no other;
    I am God, and there is none like me,
10 declaring the end from the beginning
    and from ancient times things not yet done,
saying, ‘My counsel shall stand,
    and I will accomplish all my purpose,’
11 calling a bird of prey from the east,
    the man of my counsel from a far country.
I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass;
    I have purposed, and I will do it.

Isaiah 46:8-11 ESV

How can God be real? The first objection is often made because people who appear to be good suffer. Remember that no one is good, not one. Every person sins in words, in thoughts, in action and in leaving good works undone. The second question related to “how can God be real?” is this: there is too much evil in the world. You can see it in the tyranny of rulers. You can see the evil in bloodshed and wars. (BTW there is great irony in this, many who ask it are evolutionists. Those who believe in evolution claim they do not actually believe in good nor evil, only in brute survival of the fittest. Pitiless time and chance govern all things. Yet all flesh, all men and women, are created in the image of God, the most godly right across the spectrum to the worst sinner, all of us bear the stamp of God on us so that good and evil tug against our conscience!)

This passage from Isaiah is so comforting. From the beginning God promised what would take place. Psalm 2 reminds us that rulers, for all their apparent power, will one day be thrown down. The prophets, like Jonah and Nahum, show how God is in charge of nations, even nations that refuse to acknowledge Him. The example is Nineveh. That warring, bloodthirsty, vicious nation had the LORD’s own prophet sent to them. They repented and believed. And they were spared. A few generations later Nahum predicted the fall of Nineveh and its defeat was catastrophic. The LORD told the end from the beginning.

The greatest promise of Scripture is that Jesus Christ would come: the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. No matter the violence, the upheavals, the destruction of the nations of Israel (the Northern Kingdom) and Judah (the two tribes torn away from Israel and remaining a kingdom under David’s grandson that continued for a number of generations separate from Israel) the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth kept His promise. Jesus came to this earth and by His blood we are cleansed from our sins.

When Jesus returns, all nations, all empires, all kings and paupers, all will be judged. All wrongs will be brought to justice. The Christian sees beyond the chaos of our days and the uneven dealings of corrupt rulers and knows it is King Jesus Who reigns. The Spirit of God guards and keeps believers so that we see the reign of Jesus as it is promised in Scripture. The Spirit of God allows believers to endure the suffering and hardships of our days with the clear and confident hope (not “I hope this or that will happen” but hope that is anchored in Christ Who is seated at the Father’s right hand—hope that is guaranteed) that they will see Jesus face to face. This world is not our final home or resting place. Our life and our future is bound up with Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!

O God our Father, great is Your glorious wisdom. Mighty is Your power. Gracious are You, in showing us the end from the beginning, enough so that our faith can be truly anchored in Jesus Christ. Thank You, King Jesus, for Your steadfast love shown towards ruined sinners. Thank You, Jesus our Saviour for taking away God’s wrath against our sin by bearing the punishment for our sin on Your own body and mind and soul. Thank You, Spirit of God, for the riches of Scripture. Thank You, Spirit of God for opening the promises of the Word to believers so that we can see this world and our circumstances with the eyes of faith and know the victory is guaranteed in Jesus’ Name. Give us, as believers, boldness to proclaim the Truth to our lost family members and friends. Help us declare Your goodness as long as we live. Amen.

March 28, 2019 -- John 14:6 -- Sure about heaven?

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

John 14:6 ESV

This is a passage that is so familiar to many people. It is often read at funerals as a passage of assurance and comfort. I wonder something though. When this passage is read do those who hear it understand what Jesus is saying?

Let me ask a different question: How does one ‘get to heaven’? In response to this question many answers are offered:

~I have been good, so I hope the good I do outweighs the evil I do (it doesn’t)

~Whatever I’ve done isn’t as bad as what others do, like serial killers or politicians (you are just as guilty)

~I just expect in the next life there will be peace and fun times (this is a groundless hope without Jesus)

The words of Jesus are actually pretty shocking. The way to ‘get to heaven’ is through Jesus Christ alone. God has set the standard for entry into His holy presence and that standard is to have one’s sins fully cleansed. Any stain of sin, a lie, an impure thought, an episode of unwarranted or unrestrained anger, failure to honour God as His Name is due honour—any one of those sins just listed is enough to bar heaven’s gate against you.

Who then can enter heaven? In fact it is Jesus alone Who earned the right to enter heaven. He was without sin. He not only did everything commanded by God in the Law., more than this even, whenever an opportunity to do good was presented to Him, Jesus acted on it. As such, He was the sinless One. God the Father put on Jesus the sins of us all. At the cross Jesus took on Himself the punishment of God against sin. Those who believe in Jesus and follow Him have their sins washed away and by His holiness have the right to enter heaven. Those who believe in Jesus have His goodness, His righteousness credited to their account.

There is no other way to heaven. There is no other religion or god who can give access to the One True God. There is no other Saviour, but Jesus. And the Bible shows us this clearly. The Spirit of Truth, a.k.a. the Holy Spirit, shows us this in the written word—the Bible. The Spirit confirms all that Jesus says is true.

Jesus, Who is like You? A man might die for his child. A soldier might give his life in service to his country. But who gives himself to death for his enemies? Who offers kindness and forgiveness in the place of insult and scourging like You do, Lord Jesus. Therefore You are honoured and praised and Your precious Name is above every Name on earth and in heaven. Blessed as You. We believe, help us overcome any lingering doubts, so that our faith and our confidence rest on You alone. Amen.

March 26, 2019 -- Psalm 50:14-15 -- Defeating a "Prayer Buster"

Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,

and perform your vows to the Most High,

and call upon me in the day of trouble;

I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.

Psalm 50:14-15 English Standard Version

Recently I wrote about “prayer busters”—things that hinder our praying. This morning’s text touches on one such “prayer buster”: a lack of gratitude. It is easy to call on God in desperate times. It is almost an unconscious habit to throw up a stream of “help me! God please help” when the crisis looms but what happens when the crisis is passed? Do you then turn to God and offer to Him the sacrifice of praise? When the Most High God has answered your prayer, do you stop what you are doing, take the time to glorify God and acknowledge the Living God of Power Himself answered you in His mercy?!

Why does this matter?

When we offer praise and glory to God in response to answered prayer, we recognize it is not our strength our giftedness that won the day, it is the LORD Himself Who showed us kindness.

When we thank God for His answers the work of Jesus Christ is revealed in our hearts. Remember that God hears us because of the accomplished work of Jesus. Our sins, which would keep us far from this Holy God, our sins have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ and by Jesus’ work we are called beloved sons and daughters of God.

When we thank God for His answers prayer is recognized as a conversation. There are two parties in prayer: one is the God Who listens and answers and the other is the person who speaks to God.

When we thank God for His deliverance our witness to the Great King of Heaven is enhanced. It becomes part of our testimony, as with the writer of this psalm, to tell others how God remembers His people. This psalm writer lived in a generation that ignored the Most High and acted as if He does not answer or care for His people or discipline and rebuke His people. The psalm-writer has seen the goodness of God and speaks of His greatness.

Blessed be Your Name O God of salvation! Thank You for answered prayer. Thank You for life. Thank You for this new day. Thank You for Your love that surrounds us so faithfully and such love most extravagantly shown to us in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Scriptures which declare Your goodness. Thank You for the Holy Spirit Who teaches us Scriptures’ sacred truth and leads us in the way of life. Thank You for the gift of prayer, this conversation between the Most High God and believers. Increase our desire to speak with You and joy in hearing You in the pages of Scripture and answers to prayer until that great and glorious day when we shall see You face to face. Amen.

March 25, 2019 -- Proverbs 14:14 -- Halting Backsliding

The backslider in heart will be filled with the fruit of his ways,
    and a good man will be filled with the fruit of his ways.

Proverbs 14:14 ESV

Yesterday I heard a powerful sermon delivered by Rev. S. Richardson, of Faith Presbyterian Church, Tillsonburg. In Rev. Richardson’s sermon he quoted from Richard Owen Roberts. This morning I was digging around and found a sermon by Richard Owen Roberts. The sermon was on Backsliding. I am going to quote from Roberts’ sermon. It is worth reading the whole sermon and you can find it here: http://articles.ochristian.com/article542.shtml

The first question some of you may have is this: what is a ‘backslider’? I’ll let Roberts answer. “There you have it - a backslider is a person who once emptied of his own ways and filled with the ways of God, but who gradually allows his own ways to creep back in until he is all but empty of God and full of himself again.”

What are some signs that you are backsliding? The following quotations, points 1 - 5, are just a few of the main points and are taken directly from Owen’s article. It is that powerful!

1. Prayer ceases to be a vital part of a professing Christian’s life. It is grievous to realize that many churches have no public prayer meeting of any kind. More upsetting is the fact that many individual Christians have no regular stated seasons of private prayer during which they commune alone with God. How can a person be both Christian and prayerless?

2. The quest for biblical truth ceases and one grows content with the knowledge of eternal things already acquired. Almost all backsliders demonstrate a sense of satisfaction with the truth already in their possession.

3. Earnest thoughts about eternal things cease to be regular and gripping. In the early days of a person's new walk with Christ, the mind continually turns toward spiritual matters. When backsliding commences, the mind turns less and less toward heaven, God, eternity and holiness. In the earliest stages of the decline, spiritual thoughts may come frequently, but they are less gripping. As a person becomes more and more filled with his own ways, there will simply be less room for thoughts of eternity.

4. The services of the church lose their delights.

5. Pointed spiritual discussions are a source of embarrassment. The person on fire for Jesus Christ delights in every opportunity to talk about Him. No place seems inappropriate for vital spiritual conversation. When backsliding begins, the church seems like the best place to discuss religious matters.

What will stem the tide of this backsliding? What will bring the soul delight?

Be encouraged, child of God, if these words are convicting you. It means the Spirit of God is awakening you to the true condition of your heart and soul!

Pray. Ask the Spirit of God to re-awaken in you joy that can only come from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3). Confess you backsliding. Admit to God specifically what areas of your life are crowding God out. Pray that you will know Jesus Christ. He is Desired One of all Nations. He is the Friend that sticks closer than a brother.

Spend time in the Word of God. Ask the Spirit of God to make the Word of God alive to you once again. When Jesus explained the Scriptures to the two men on the Road to Emmaus they said to one another “did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us…while he opened to us the Scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)

Meet with Christians whose walk you admire! Hebrews 10:25 reminds us to meet together with other Christians so that we can encourage one another, and all the more as we see the Day of Jesus’ return quickly approaching. Oh how our hearts beat faster within our souls at the thought of this!

Sing! The Psalms continually call the people of God to sing the Truth. Music has a way of getting into the very core of who we are and either bringing curses or blessings.

Give thanks to God. Count your blessings. Look and see all that God has done, is doing and in His Word has promised to do. Your heart will swell with wonder and awe and you will bless the Lord.

Today’s prayer is a song “Revive Us Oh Lord”

We've turned from Your ways
Lord Your fruit we've ceased to bear
We lack the power we once knew in our prayers
That gentle voice from heaven
We cease to hear and know
The fact that He has risen no longer stirs our soul

Revive us oh Lord
Revive us oh Lord
And cleanse us from our impurities
And make us holy
Hear our cry
And revive us oh Lord

Though we've been unfaithful
We have never been disowned
The spirit that raised Christ from the dead
Compels us to His throne!

Revive us oh Lord
Revive us oh Lord
And cleanse us from our impurities
And make us holy
Hear our cry
And revive us,

Revive us oh Lord
Revive us oh Lord
And cleanse us from our impurities
And make us holy
Hear our cry
And revive us 'oh Lord!

Revive us oh Lord
Revive us oh Lord
And cleanse us from our impurities '

Songwriters: LICCIARDELLO CARMAN D / CAMP STEVEN JOHN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o_qgpeHJ9a8