May 18, 2019 -- Psalm 119:97, 103 -- What fills your conversations?

Oh how I love your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

How sweet are your words to my taste,

sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:97, 103 ESV

There is going to be a big season finale of a very popular show. I didn’t know this. Yesterday I was at work and my co-workers talked endlessly about the plot, the likely conclusion and how things would end. It was tedious for the two of us who don’t care (that is two out of six who have never seen the show). From there the conversation ranged to comparing the ending of this drama-fantasy with so many other T.V. series. What fascinated me was the detail of their recall. One would name a show and the others could give details, story-lines, plot twists and so on. Shows were P.V.R.’d (can I make that compound noun a verb to indicate shows have been digitally captured for later viewing—I guess I just did). Devotees would watch, re-watch the parts which were confusing or too action-packed and get excited about the latest TV or pay channel phenom.

Christians love the Law of God (and in fact, the whole Bible) with such intensity. It is our daily sustenance. It is our pleasure to dissect the meaning of a text and to share what we have learned with others who are just as passionate. It is not something we have to drag ourselves to do, it wells up within us and draws us. We have learned the Word and continually plumb its depths for every insight. We chew and meditate on it and find even in the recall of it there is sweetness and satisfaction too hard for non-believers to understand.

Even as a TV aficionado will endlessly rehearse programs and not find it tedious; even so and more the follower of Jesus Christ delights in the Word of God and the way in which it yields the fruit of knowing God better. By talking about the Word we dedicate ourselves more fully to Jesus in thanks for all He has done. The Spirit of God Who inspired the original writers of the Bible, still makes the Bible living, sweet and fresh for those who read it.

Tomorrow is Sunday. Plan on coming to church. Join a friend you know is dedicated to seeking God. See what the joy is all about. T.V. shows and sitcoms, movie series and so on these all end and in hindsight can be embarrassing—just like those old college pictures you hide from your children. But the Word of the LORD grows richer and sweeter. The Bible reveals God Who is infinite. Therefore the insights and the riches stretch before us now and promise an eternity of blessing and wonder, awe and pleasure.

Blessed Jesus at Your Word Your people gather to hear You and delight in understanding more about You. You show us the perfect love of our Father in heaven. You reveal His holiness and His justice balanced by His love and His faithfulness. God of measureless perfections, as some of our friends and neighbours are prompted to attend church, cause us, by Your Spirit to receive them with joy. Help us to speak with clarity about the hope that is ours in Christ. We pray that our friends and family will become enthralled by Your law and that You will become the topic of conversation and the delight of life to us all, the sweet taste prophesied and promised here in the psalms. Amen.

May 17, 2019 -- Ephesians 6:1-3 -- Know your charity!

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.

“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise), “that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”

Ephesians 6:1-3 ESV

Perhaps you have been listening to the news and hearing references to Oxfam? This organization is advocating for a federally funded day care program in Canada. It is calling on all political parties to get behind this initiative. Hmm. What is Oxfam all about? For a long time I believed it was an organization that fed people. Ah, but that apparently is the small portion of its work. You have to really look around their website to find evidence that this is a priority. Prominent on the website is this tagline: “Endling global poverty begins with women’s rights”. When you read “What we do” you find it is an organization with a radical agenda for women and girls’ rights that has no reference to the family. One of the last statements is “Gender in Emergencies”. Worse, this agenda has no reference to Christian faith or even “Christian values” and the emphasis on families such would bring. Empowerment of women and girls with no reference to family—husbands and brothers—contributes to the radical destruction of the family and violates God’s purposes.

God’s great gift to families is marriage: one man and one woman married and giving themselves exclusively to one another and raising the children God gives them. The feminist agenda of Oxfam adds its voice to our country’s skewed political agenda and the perverseness of post-secondary institutions which are promoting raging, man-bashing feminism. Oxfam is revealing itself as another lobby group masquerading as a charity, which is mounting a direct attack against the fabric of society and its most basic unity: father, mother and children. Prominent in Oxfam’s agenda is reproductive rights. That is a euphemism for exporting the genocidal policy of abortion around the globe. It is not a defense of women, but inducing women to be murderers. It is not a defense of children, it is a violation of the great gift of life.

Believers in Jesus know the various “charities” that are littering our Canadian landscape and what their agenda is. Know that any money you give you give to a charity like Oxfam is in direct violation of your vows to serve Christ as the Bridegroom of His Church. The Church is called to support families. The Church is called to care for the widow and the orphan, not in opposition to families, but recognizing the widow and the orphan represent a broken family.

Oxfam’s lobbying in our political process (despicable as their agenda is) is something they are free to do in our democratic society. But I am challenging us as Canadians, as Christians to speak to our MP’s and tell them our agenda. We defy the cruel agenda of Oxfam, which is not just about Day Care, that is just the camel’s nose butting into the tent bringing with it the whole gamut of murdering the unborn and ignoring the God-given role of men, women and children as family.

People of God, hold up the splendour of God’s design for life.

People of God, lobby your MP and speak for the purposes of protecting life and family. Here is a link so you can find and email, phone or snail-mail your MP. https://www.ourcommons.ca/Parliamentarians/en/constituencies/FindMP

Pray. From start to finish pray. Pray that the knowledge of the glory of God will cover our land as the waters cover the sea. Pray that your heart will be inclined to serve the most vulnerable in society with the Good News of the Gospel as you feed the hungry and care for the widow and orphan as well as promoting the blessing of family.

King Jesus Your just rule and reign will outlast the current policies of charities and various governments around the world. Give us the holy conviction and joyful assurance You are bringing history to its rightful conclusion. As we read Scripture we know one day all evil and rebellion against God the Father will be stamped out and at that day even death itself will be captive led to terrorize no more. Empower us Jesus, by Your Word and Spirit to be vigorous in prayer for Your Kingdom to come. Move us to speak up as soldiers of Your cross who march under Your banner. Protect vulnerable women from the tyranny of voices calling for the culling of our future generations by abortion. Move us as Christians and church members to care for those children and youth who are in foster care. Let our lives be poured out for the sake of Your glory. Amen.

May 15, 2019 -- Proverbs 9:9-12 -- Climate Crisis or Faith Crisis?

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
    and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, you are wise for yourself;
    if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Proverbs 9:9-12 English Standard Version (ESV)

4 “I tell you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that have nothing more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has authority to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 Why, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not; you are of more value than many sparrows.

Luke 5:4-7 ESV Words spoken by Jesus, our Savior

Once again there were headlines offered by the Canadian State-controlled Media which blared: “Fall election could be last chance to shift direction” Green Party Leader says. In this interview Elizabeth May boldly declared: “History will judge ‘reckless, even criminal’ politicians ignoring climate change crisis.” (This is on CBC’s webpage for May 14th, 2019). Adding her voice to the clamour of climate fear mongering and pompously proclaiming “at least the Prime Minister understands the climate science” while implying the Conservatives do not and by so doing Ms. May demonstrates a profound lack of confidence in God and a false confidence in science. I tremble with sadness at her boldness in scoffing against God and His providential ways.

Issues with science.

Long before human activity could be blamed for such things, our planet (supposedly) experienced ice ages and subsequence global warming which ended each these. How is this current ‘climate crisis’ any different than what has already been proposed as “fact” according to those who claim scientific proofs for such past events.

Second, one must ask: ‘what are the underlying assumptions of these models’? Remember the seventies when the rage was climate cooling? The best “science” then determined were headed for an ice age. You might argue: “Ah, but we have so much more information now”. Indeed. And in a decade or two we will likely have more, new, different knowledge that completely changes the present forecasts.

Third, the naturalistic assumptions of the majority of these ‘scientists’. Scientists who ‘scoff at God’ acknowledge neither the sustaining power nor the providence of God. He has, He will, He does uphold and sustain His creation. He cares for all His creatures. The heavens declare His glory. Sometimes His glory is seen in His terrible judgment as with Noah’s flood. Other times His glory is revealed in the splendour of the persistence of life. Each year, even after a terribly wet spring, there is a harvest. Each year even after predictions of drought there is a harvest.

What is truly at stake here? The biggest issue is this: the fear of the LORD. Jesus taught His followers that what we are to fear is the Father in heaven. Our lives are to be oriented towards Him. It is our sin which has separated us. We become afraid to open our doors or read our newspapers because of fears generated by people who refuse to acknowledge the Living God.

Yesterday I heard a sermon where the preacher proclaimed: “Yes, all roads do lead to God. but only one road—faith in Jesus Christ—leads to eternal life. All roads lead to judgment before the throne of the Divine Majesty, Ruler of the Cosmos and Rightful Judge of all Flesh—but only one road leads to Jesus and the protection of His sacrifice. Jesus HImself taught us: the Father loves us. The Father Who knows where two sparrows fall and die—seemingly worthless as these common birds are—this Father loves those who love His Son. And those who reject the Son ought to fear the Father’s wrath and judgment for they are rejecting the One Who is the apple of the Father’s eye.

True wisdom is this: believing that God rules the heavens and the earth. True wisdom is this: believing in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. Those who believe in Jesus then bring their lives wholly into submission to Him. Consequently, believers in Jesus are concerned for how others are treated. Believers in Jesus passionately care for this creation, all the flora and fauna, because we know all things made by God declare His glory.

Father in heaven, Who knows when a little sparrow falls, thank You for Your great love for people. Thank You for the splendours of creation and the beauty of life and the terrible vastness of the far stretches of the universe—all things which are under Your guardianship and care. Thank You, most of all for Jesus Christ, in Whom we see Creation’s greatest purpose and highest goal. Thank You, Jesus, our Savior and Wisdom, for the abundant life You bring us. Thank You that in Your Name we are protected against all the wiles of the devil and the false threatenings of scoffers. Thank You, Spirit of Comfort, for the way in which You make the Bible plain and the Truth of the Bible—Jesus—precious. We pray for our political leaders that their hearts and minds will be brought into submission to You. We long for the work of meteorologists and climate scientists to be carried out in complete awareness of Your majesty and the direction of Your Word. Direct us, as believers in the Name of Jesus, to use the current times of crisis and fear to declare the glory of God and the sure promises of His Word. Amen.

May 13, 2019 -- John 10:9 -- Jesus the Door to Abundant Life

I am the door. If anyone enters by me,

he will be saved and will go in and go out and find pasture.

John 10:9 ESV

Jesus is the Door and those who believe in Him enter into eternal life. This is the passage I had the privilege of preaching on Sunday. Jesus is the Door protecting His sheep from strangers and robbers. Jesus is the Door for His sheep, which means we have eternal life in His Name. Those who believe in Jesus express their faith by obedience to Him and His commandments. Such who believe and obey find this eternal life begins now and stretches through eternity. Jesus promised believers will have life and have it abundantly [John 10:10]. Where believers delight in Him and grow in their knowledge of the Infinite God they find life to be rich here on earth and eternity will be splendour beyond comprehension..

Yesterday one of the questions raised in our congregational Sunday School Class was this: “What does it mean for the believer to go in and go out?” Intriguing. It certainly does not mean that believers walk in and out of the security of their salvation. That would make no sense and violates the very sense of security and protection Jesus had just declared Himself to be for His people, the sheep of His pasture. Pastor Stephen Richard suggested one answer and the more I think on it the more I believe that it does catch the meaning of these words; Hebrews 4:18 “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Jesus Christ, Who is our salvation, is the the One through Whom we have access to the Father in heaven. We are invited to go to Jesus’ throne room with our prayers and petitions. Jesus brings our joys and sorrows, our requests and praise to His Father on our behalf. From that place of prayer and blessing we go out into the world and carry out the work He gives us. We go having our lives shaped by His Word and Spirit-filled obedience to His commandments. Believers go into Jesus’ presence in prayer and go out and serve assured of His blessing and His protection.

Gracious Saviour, Jesus the Door of salvation and Door to blessing, how great is the salvation You bring to Your people. Today, as we consider the words of scripture and the tremendous promise and blessing contained therein, give us holy boldness to go into Your presence with our prayers, requests and praises. Direct our living by Your Word and Spirit so that all our life in every part will be fellowship with You and so bring honour and pleasure to our Father in heaven. Amen.

May 11, 2019 -- Psalm 119:73 & 79 -- Who's Your Daddy?

Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

Let those who fear you turn to me,

that they may know your testimonies.

Psalm 119:73 & 79 ESV

In order to determine the value of an item you need a know a few things: its maker, its provenance and its purpose. No doubt many of you have watched “Antique Roadshow” or “American Pickers” or “Storage Wars”. In each of these shows items are presented to the audience which may or may not have great monetary value assigned to it.

Who made it? If an item is a knock-off of an original painting or sculpture, then, of course, it is far less valuable. The Bible declares over and over again God has fashioned us. We are of inestimable value because we are made by God and carry His image. As the psalmist wrote: You have made and fashioned me. It is important because we are designed for God’s purposes.

In August 2017 there was a news cycle carried by a lot of sources how Iceland had nearly eliminated Down’s Syndrome. It turns out there is an on-going genocide against people in utero who have the markers for this condition. With recklessness and in defiance of God’s maker’s stamp people in their great hubris are killing off people whom they deem to have no purpose. God was not consulted but insulted and Iceland (and other nations, no doubt) are murdering their defenceless citizens to their great shame and for this they will be judged by God.

The provenance of a piece. Who owns it, that is what provenance means. For example, you may have a sword from the American Civil War, and the current owner of this sword claimed it belonged to General Robert E. Lee. The question is: how can you prove it belonged to him and can you show ownership along the years since that time so that its authenticity can be verified? If it did indeed belong to the General and not some anonymous footsoldier, the value of the sword increases dramatically. As Christians we know we are both made by God and claimed by Him and therefore we are precious in His sight. Here the psalmist invites others to turn to him so that they may hear his testimonies.

The Christian knows he belongs to God. God made us. Christ died in our place so that our sins have been punished upon His body at the cross and we are directed by the Spirit of God to live as His beloved children. This is our testimony, our joy and song in praise to God.

The world clamours and barks out its vomitous lies that we are pond scum evolved and therefore our lives can be determined to be disposable at the whim of whatever government is in power. Our government disposes of babies and the infirm by killing them. In fact the government is promoting and exporting abortion in third world countries. It is a profound insult against God Who not only made us, He owns us. Our lives are His. We belong to Him and from conception to natural death our lives bring honour and praise to His Name.

The purpose of a piece. One person can look at a violin and see something old and nearly worthless. Another, a musician, can pick it up and make it weep against the pull of the bow, or declare the exuberance of each note with staccato bounces of the bow calling forth amazing sounds from each string. Suddenly the purpose of the piece, as it is played and held in the musician’s hands, is realized. It is easy to see someone as worthless, until we know the purpose of each life. Scripture tells us that every single person, from conception to natural death, is valuable because we are in the hands of the Master Musician who draws from each life the concert sounds adding such notes to the full symphony drawn by Him from the life of all who live. Our lives give praise and worship and honour to God. The bed-ridden person may be a pray warrior sustaining the saints of God by her fervent prayers. We do not see or know the purpose of a particular person’s life. This is known to God.

God the Life of all the Living Who is like You? Blessed be Your Name! Forgive us for the low regard we often have for life. Even those among us who are “pro-life” and “anti-euthanasia” often regard people as criminals or we judge others harshly without reference to Your Maker’s mark on them. Lord Jesus Christ, honour and blessing, glory and renown be to You for You have delivered us from death and hell and cause us to be called the beloved sons and daughters of God! Spirit of the Living God, blessed are You. By Your presence the Word comes alive to our thoughts and to each of us the purpose of our life is revealed. May we in every part of our life give testimony to Your awesome grace. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

May 10, 2019 -- II Corinthians 2:14-16 -- Perfume or Putrefaction?

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere.  For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

II Corinthians 2:14-16 ESV

As I sit here this morning I can smell that summer smell of cut grass. Across the street a man is mowing a large swath of lawn and the smell of it fills the room I am in even though the doors and the windows are shut. Not that long ago I learned that the smell is actually the signal that the grass is in distress. It is called: green leaf volatiles (GLV). These GLV are reported to be beneficial in a number of ways. These GLV release a compound that promotes healing of the green plants. And there are antiseptic properties to them which prevent disease. All that is taking place while we inhale the sweet fragrance of the mown grass.

Christ is our King and He is leading us as His army in the victory parade through this life to our eternal home. Along the route of this parade we are fragrance of life to other Christians. To non-Christians we are like the stench of death. Those who hate God will, by extension, hate us.

Paul asks the triumphal process of believers: “Who is sufficient for such things?” It is a rhetorical question. We are sufficient to such things because of our Leader, Jesus Who is the Captain of our Salvation. And the soldiers in Christ’s army experiencing the hate of the world spread the knowledge of Jesus to all around us. As we live among other Christians and among those who hate Christ our lives are aromatic.

When Christians are mocked for their beliefs, or imprisoned, or denied access to government services we are in our distress brought to our knees in prayer. The psalmist says our prayers rise as incense to God. When medical professionals who are followers of Jesus are required by the Canadian Government to participate in abortions or euthanasia we as the community of believers are unjustly being punished for our confidence in Jesus Christ. Yet Christians will submit to God alone for He is our highest authority, the Commander and Chief of our lives. And in our distress we cry out to Him and fragrance of our faith disseminates widely. The hymns and songs and psalms we sing are expressions that Christ is our Healer and He will keep us from getting infected by the culture of death that pervades our world. In response to the fragrance of persecuted Christians the LORD sends His Comforter, the Spirit of God Who brings to us the healing of Jesus Christ.

Our great confidence is in Jesus Christ. We know that the grass of the fields are here today and cut down tomorrow, but the Word of the LORD stands forever. We know that our lives, however long or brief, are lived as a sacrifice giving off a pleasing aroma to God. In all of this, we are sufficient to these things because God’s love is poured out on us; we are sufficient to such things because Jesus has rescued us from the clutches of death and the stench of the devil’s ruination. We are sufficient to such things because the Spirit of God will not let us stumble and fall back into the miry pit of the malodorous old ways of our old nature. The Spirit sustains us and keeps our feet in step with Christ so that any tears we cry are tears of expectant joy mingled in with the fragrance of the life that is ours now and unfolds into eternity. Whereas now we see the Captain of our Salvation at the Head of this Procession leading His people in victory, in eternity we will celebrate in His glorious presence.

Jesus, Leader in Life and Victor over death and hell, dispatch Your Holy Spirit to us as Your Ambassador and Your Comforter so that we will be sustained in confident faith during the days of trial and renewed in our joy-filled faith in days of peace. As we march, soldiers of Your cross, let the pungent smell of Your blood covering our sins rise as incense pleasing to our Father in heaven. Amen.

May 8, 2019 -- Genesis 1:2 -- The Holy Spirit "Brooding"

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Genesis 1:2 ESV

What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Yesterday I was listening to a teaching by Sinclair Ferguson on that very topic. Unexpectedly he started with this passage from Genesis. Before the work of creation started there was chaos and darkness and emptiness. And what is the Spirit of God doing? He is hovering. He is present. He is active.

Then Ferguson made the comparison. Before a man encounters Jesus as the One Who saves this man from his sin and the LORD acts as the Who has the right to direct his life, the Spirit is already present. The Spirit hovers. It is the picture of the Spirit’s protection. It is the picture of the Spirit preparing his heart for the creative work of God and his head for the beautiful works of wisdom, knowledge and understanding. Before Christ enters someone’s life, the person is dead in his sin and wrong-doing. Life is chaotic, without purpose. Everything changes when the work of the Spirit brings the grace of Jesus to bear on that life. Over all of this the Spirit hovers, preparing the person for the Light of Christ. The Spirit hovers, guarding this life from lasting destruction. The Spirit hovers, bringing about the times and circumstances that are needful so that Christ’s work will take hold and bring a new creation.

One translation for this verse is: the Spirit of God was brooding over the face of the waters. I always thought “what a weird thing—the Spirit of God showing menacing thoughts or being moody.” The original Hebrew word however refers to a bird that broods its eggs, sitting there protecting the life that will emerge from the eggs, protecting the young from the elements and predators. What a picture that is as well. The Spirit of God hovering, brooding over us until we come to faith. And for those who know Jesus Christ to realize the Spirit of God protects believers from harm, and raises us up in the way of Christ.

In Proverbs we read these words spoken by wisdom personified:

I love those who love me,

and those who seek me diligently find me.

Riches and honor are with me,

enduring wealth and righteousness.

My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold

and my yield than choice silver.

Proverbs 8:17-19 ESV

The Spirit of God hovers over us, directing us in the path of wisdom. It is hard work to search out wisdom. It takes effort to learn more of God, of His creation and His work in us and in His Church and in bringing all of history to its rightful conclusion. Know that the brooding Spirit is over you, near you, prompting your heart, nudging you, until the time of your fledging is done and wisdom unfolds into your life and you learn to fly.

Ah God of Mercy and tenderest love, thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the great and benevolent care You expend on us. Thank You Spirit of God that Your work always brings order out of the chaos of our lives and anchors us in Christ our King. God of Power direct us in the way of wisdom and make us diligent in the pursuit of wisdom’s ways. Amen.

May 7, 2019 -- Psalm 119:148 -- "Sleepless in Moncton"

My eyes are awake through the night watches,
That I may meditate on Your word.

Psalm 119:148 NKJV

To be honest, it is rare that I am awake at night. My wife can wearily testify I can saw logs (loudly) no matter it seems, what is going on. So it was odd for me to wake up last night, a couple of times, in the depths of the night. I know the reason. Carolyn and I are in Moncton, house-hunting. Today we are going back to one of the homes we saw. There are many things about it we like. So, obviously, my mind was on this, anticipating, sorting out, considering details and well, basically awakened because of excitement. This morning’s devotions this led me on a different path for thought. Here is what I remembered: We, Christians, followers of Jesus Christ, have a home in glory that will outshine the sun! There will be no need of sun or moon because of the glory of the LORD will be our light in that place.

It struck me how easy it is for us to anticipate earthly treasures and pleasures. A vacation. A new place to live. A big birthday celebration. The birth of a child. A major anniversary. Yet this is the promise of Jesus is: And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also (John 14: 3 NKJV). What joy and glory! What splendour and blessing are in store for us!! We ought to have many nights of sleepless anticipation. Our days filled with the glad expectation of being with our King and Saviour. Our idle times of thought be overrun with the knowledge that one day sin will be no more, our hearts and hands will be purified and Jesus will be for us all in all.

Forgive me, Jesus, King of Glory, for the silly and small things that occupy my mind. Forgive me for neglecting the vast wonders of eternity to come. Forgive me for wasting such times of sleeplessness instead of anticipating these watches of the night as times of meditating on You. Spirit of God build my scriptural vocabulary. Spirit of God use the days and the nights to expand my soul’s capacity for wonder and joy so that when the Day comes when Jesus returns my heart will be a vessel prepared to hold the wondrous, glorious joy of knowing God my Father ever more fully into and through-out all eternity. Blessed be Your Name Triune God of Splendour and Majesty! Hallelujah! Amen.

May 3, 2019 -- Hebrews 7:22-25 -- Jesus, Your High Priest

This makes Jesus the guarantor of a better covenant.

The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office,  but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever.  Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.

Hebrews 7:22-25 ESV

Why is he called “Christ,” meaning “anointed”?

Because he has been ordained by God the Father

and has been anointed with the Holy Spirit to be…

our only high priest

who has set us free by the one sacrifice of his body,

and who continually pleads our cause with the Father;

Heidelberg Catechism LORD’S DAY 12 part of Question and Answer 31

All around us we see it. People who get into arguments. The closer we are the more we can hurt one another by our words, tone and actions. One commentator famously noted that when Jesus called His twelve disciples He said “Follow Me” (John 1:43). They’d spend three years together following Jesus closely. Jesus was betrayed by Judas Iscariot. Jesus died as the one sacrifice for our sins. Jesus rose from the dead and at His first appearance to His disciples He spoke to them. Now these men had experienced so much together and lived in close quarters, argued about who was the greatest (and perhaps who they thought would be the least) and to these real, jostling and jockeying for position men He said: “Peace. If you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven if you withhold forgiveness it is withheld” (John 20:21 & 22).

Jesus is our High Priest Who prays on our behalf to the Father. Our sins are ever before the Father. If we offend and wound the people we love, or those we work with and we know the offenses committed against us and the wounds inflicted on us by others, how much more does God the Holy One hate our sins. We need a High Priest; we need Jesus’ prayers so that we can be restored to true community.

Jesus is our High Priest Who stood in our place and bore the wrath of God against our sin. Whenever we have people hold up our past sins before us, we can say: “Christ has covered this.” Whenever the devil whispers “How can you be so sure you are forgiven? You’re petty and wicked!” We can respond “Yes, Christ has paid it all and the more than you even know or could realize!” Indeed Christ our High Priest has taken away all our sin and shame and taken the full measure of punishment against every sin.

Jesus is our High Priest Who speaks peace over us, His people. Our bruised egos and hurt hearts need Him so much. We are always tempted to place ourselves on the throne, to act like the whatever is committed against us is really big and really worth getting angry over. And conversely we believe people should just “get over” whatever [to our thoughts and egos] minor offenses we have committed. Jesus our High Priest walked the way of humble servanthood and showed us the path of life. In Him our egos are shown the door and our life’s true aim and purpose is restored: Christ must increase and we decrease. For the sake of His Name and His glory we will be reconciled. It is His prayer that we do so. It is our work as Christians to do so. This is why Christ was incarnate—so that we would be reconciled first and foremost with God and then as evidence of this reconciliation with God we should be reconciled with one another.

Jesus is our High Priest—He never wearies of praying for us. Why? He is God. He is good. His prayers bring honour to and please the Father. It was the Father’s pleasure to seek and save ruined sinners. Jesus did so. Jesus went out and found us while we were indolent in our sins, full throttle in rebellion and ignorant of the greatness of God’s salvation plan. When ruined sinners become blood-bought saints, it brings pleasure to the Father that His plans and purposes are accomplished in Christ.

Here, true story. I was off-kilter and wild in college. I say this to my shame. Those who knew me then knew of my actions or at least knew me by my terrible reputation. Jesus never gave up praying for me. He never wearied in sending His Spirit to reclaim me. When the grace of God tackled me and changed me forever I became obedient to Christ and served God my Father eventually becoming an ordained minister. When I’d meet people who knew me in my college days they’d ask: “So, what are you up to those days?” When I said, “I’m a minister” often the reaction was shock. (Some had to pick their jaws up off the floor !) The credit does not go to me. The credit is all Christ’s. He is the High Priest Who never wearied. He is the intercessor Who kept bringing my name to the Father. He is the One Who worked salvation into my life so that the change I experienced and others can see has happened within me is only by the mercy, love and kindness of God as mediated through Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, our High Priest, thank You for Your unfailing love and persistent prayers. Thank You for Your great sacrifice. Thank You that You rose to new life so that all who believe in You walk in newness of life. Father in heaven, Who is like You?! You are patient. You are good. You are the source of every good. Spirit of the Living God, thank You for guarding believers in the way of salvation. Thank You for making the Word of God rich and powerfully relevant each day. As the Psalmist declared: “Enlarge our hearts so that we may run in Your commandments”. Amen.

May 2, 2019 -- Proverbs 6:16-19 -- Life and Death

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.

Proverbs 6 English Standard Version

Recently it was reported that China has sentenced a second Canadian to death. This man is reported by their media to be a drug dealer of some kind or other. It is very difficult to determine the truth of the matter. Our Minister of Foreign Affairs Chrystia Freeland commented publicly about this. She did not confirm or deny the guilt of this man, but commenting on the death penalty states: “We think this is a cruel and inhumane punishment which should not be used in any country.” (You can see the actual footage of this statement on CTV or CBC news). Respectfully, I believe that the Hon. Ms. Freeland is not being truthful.

The government of which the Hon. Ms. Freeland is a committed and necessarily vocal member is fully committed to murder. This is clearly seen in the Federal Government’s commitment to exporting abortion. Recall March 8, 2017 as reported by the Globe and Mail, the Federal Government committed “$650 million on reproductive rights including fighting anti-abortion laws” in other countries. This government is fully committed to exporting death and is not able to see the hypocrisy of its stance. The Federal Government is fully committed to its policy on euthanasia. The word “euthanasia” is merely a fancy term for killing the old and vulnerable and calling it “dying with dignity”. This too exposes the lie that the Federal Government considers a policy of death inhumane.

Christians firmly believe that we all people are created in the image of God. We are image-bearers of God from conception to natural death we are holy unto God. Life is a precious gift. The wanton destruction of life is an abomination to the LORD. Our Federal Government is violating the commands of God, in fact, this is clearly demonstrated as we examine Proverbs 6:

our government is haughty claiming the power of life and death without reference to the Living God or the instructions of His Word and Spirit;

our government is lying about considering death cruel and inhumane, Canada is a net exporter of death;

our government is putting hundreds of millions of dollars towards promoting death in Canada and exporting this culture of death around the world to poorer countries;

our government is devises these plans and is working feverishly to remove barriers to abortion and “mercy killing”;

our government is hastening towards evil by making it more and more difficult for those in the medical profession who oppose abortion and the killing of vulnerable people to take a principled stance and not participate;

our government is breathing out lies as it has such contradictory stances on life and death;

our government is sowing discord in vulnerable nations, by fighting their anti-abortion laws, in doing so our Government is exporting a false doctrine. This same Federal Government itself would be appalled and furious if it learned Russia or China spent hundreds of millions of dollars to promote one of their policies, say a “one child” policy. Yet our government is prepared to sow discord.

Pray to God for your own heart. Fervently pray for His holiness to be your life’s chief aim and desire.

Pray to God for Christians in our government who are working tirelessly as believers in a wicked land.

Pray for those who are working in every level of our government that the Word of God may take hold of and change those who are serving so that the favour of God may rest on our land. Our own national anthem is currently mocking, rather than reverent, as we are so far from praying to God to keep our land glorious and free, or, as the fourth stanza has it, declaring God to be the “Ruler Supreme Who hearest humble prayer.”

Pray to God for mothers and sisters, daughters and distraught women who are facing pressure to have an abortion. There are so many options for life. And pray for husbands and fathers, and boyfriends who learn that their wife or girlfriend is opting for abortion and not giving him any say or input.

As citizens of the eternal kingdom of God, hold your MP’s and MPP’s accountable in their duties. Write. Email. Protest. And when the time comes, vote for the glory of God and the honour of His Name.

Finally, fellow believers, do not be disrespectful. God is in charge. He does, sometimes as a means of punishing His people, give them the governments they deserve so that our lot must be cast entirely on Him and our hope once again fully and squarely placed on Him. Jesus Christ is our rightful King. Under Him and accountable to Him are all earth’s princes and despots, prime ministers and premiers. Therefore, believers, trust in God and live for Him with integrity as the fragrance of Christ in this world.

God of Truth, stir within us Your Spirit of Truth so that we will be faithful followers of Jesus. Thank You for the fullness of life You have given us in Christ our King. Thank You that You have rescued us from the kingdom of death and darkness and placed us in the kingdom of life and light, the kingdom of Your Son in Whom we have the forgiveness of our sins and a whole new way of thinking and living. Ruler Supreme, direct our leaders and policy makers according to Your holy purposes. Restore in us, O God, the sure and majestic vision of Your Mighty reign and the realization that Jesus will soon return with all His holy angels to judge the living and dead. Blessed are You Lord of lords. Amen.

May 1, 2019 -- Hebrews 11:30-31 -- Captured by Faith

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days.

By faith the prostitute Rahab did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

Hebrews 11:30-31 ESV

One of the great privileges of being a driver at Enterprise is that I can listen to sermons as I deliver cars from one city to another. While listening through Hebrews, as Rev. Brian Borgman preaches it verse by verse, I was so moved by the sermon included below. What struck me is the extravagance of God’s great salvation. We expect Joshua, and by extension the people who believe in God, to be saved by faith. What a glorious picture, for seven days the Israelites marched around Jericho—they were an army commanded to be silent as they marched and the noise leading them was the priests blew the rams’ horns. (From my studies I understand the sounding of the rams’ horns, a.k.a. “shofar”, on the Day of Shofar signals the presence of the LORD.) Not until the seventh day did the army shout as the priests blew the rams’ horns and the walls fell down. The victory is the LORD’s. The LORD is Present. He is great and glorious. He brings victory.

Then the writer of Hebrews goes on and mentions Rahab’s faith. A prostitute. A foreigner in the land being given to the people of God. Yet she believed in the victory God was giving to His people and in faith acted. What a sharp contrast. We expect Joshua and the Israelites to be saved. However, Rahab is quite unexpected. That is the glory of our God! He does the unexpected.

No matter how great you think your sins are. No matter what tangles and wretchedness is yours, the salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ is wider, stronger, greater, and able to break the chains of hell threatening to choke us. Do not look to yourself or your sins. Look to Jesus Christ. Let the Word of God stirring in your heart by the Spirit of God lift Your heart and your faith to Him Who alone can rescue you. Confess your sins as you put your trust in Jesus. Follow Jesus. Read the Word and turn away from your sin.

Ah, God of Victory and Salvation, Who is like You? Strong and mighty, gracious and patient—blessed be Your Name. Thank You for the victory of faith that rests on the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Spirit Who makes the Truth of Scripture so powerfully relevant to us today. Let the Truth of Your Word seep deep into our souls so that those who are afraid to trust You learn to lean on You and find in You the glorious, wondrous joy of Your healing forgiveness. Let us who do trust in You already, grow in our faith, grow in joy, and grow in holy boldness as we serve You. Praise be Your Name! Let Your glory and Your renown be over all the earth. Amen.

I recommend that you take 45 minutes or so and listen to the sermon included below. You will be blessed. As I mentioned, it is from Brian Borgman and it is from this very passage.

http://mp3.sa-media.com/filearea/623102242444/623102242444.mp3

April 29, 2019 -- Proverbs 29:27 -- What disgusts you?

An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous,

but one whose way is straight is an abomination to the wicked.

Proverbs 29:27 ESV

Jesus said:

“If the world hates you, know that it hated me before it hated you.

If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own;

but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world,

therefore the world hates you.”

John 15:18-19 ESV

One on-line dictionary describes an abomination as “a thing that causes disgust or hatred”. That is how the world regards Jesus—His teaching causes disgust and hatred. As long as people consider Jesus to be just a wise prophet or wonderful teacher who was cruelly treated and martyred there is no offense. However, Jesus Himself will not allow this. Jesus taught He is the Way to God, the only way to the Father in heaven. He taught those who follow Him must hate the world. No wonder Jesus’ teaching is an abomination to the people of the world who love their sins more.

The people in church are described in the bible as the “Bride of Christ”. They were stained and ruined by their sins. Jesus has, by the sacrifice of Himself, taken on Himself the punishment of God against our sins. Then Jesus, by His Word and Spirit, guides those who believe in Him and cleanses us. Those who follow Jesus are people who know their sins and know their need for the Saviour Who teaches a completely different way of life. The people of the world, locked in their sins, will not listen to nor obey Jesus. The people of the Way realize their sins and the greatness of the salvation Jesus brings. In gratitude to Jesus people of the Way learn to hate their sin more and more and desire to obey Jesus. People of the Way, living for Jesus do not earn a place in heaven, instead obedience to Jesus and the Bible is a response of thanks to God for rescuing us from the ruin of our sins. Obedience follows Jesus’ saving work. Faith takes hold of Jesus and believes and then faith awakened to the perfections of Jesus longs to obey Him and bless Him.

King Jesus, while this world and its pleasures are rotting and dying away, You are the Life-Giver, the fragrance of eternal life bringing blessing to the Father. Thank You God of mercy for taking us, ruined sinners, and bringing us fullness of life in Jesus Christ. Thank You God our Father and Christ the Son for generously giving us the Spirit Who helps us understand the Bible and gives us the faith and courage we need to live for Jesus no matter how the people of the world around us respond or revile us. Spirit supply our needs so completely that our thoughts and words, our actions and decisions show to the people around us the greatness of the Name of Jesus! Amen.

April 27, 2019 -- Proverbs 27:9 -- Define a true friend

Oil and perfume make the heart glad,

and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

Proverbs 27:9 ESV

You’ve experienced it, right? There is a knot in your stomach. You examine your own motives and thoughts. You feel your palms sweat. Your nerves get jangly. Why? Sometime earlier you realized you need to speak with a friend and tell him a few hard truths.

Recently I heard a preacher proclaim: “You don’t read the Word of God so much as it reads you”. Great quotation—take a minute, reread it and let it soak in! The Word of God shows us our faults. The Word of God gives guidance. The Word of God is still warm with the breath of the Spirit of God Who carried men along as they wrote it. And the Word of God held out by a true friend is the wisest counsel you can ever give to another person.

If the Spirit of God is impressing on your heart the actions or conduct of a friend that is not matching up with his profession of Jesus Christ, then the sweetest thing you can do is go and tell him of his wrong-doing. A mechanic who knows your car has serious engine trouble and does not tell you, because he wants to spare you the expense is sending you headlong into danger. Exponentially greater is the cause of Christ and the splendour of His Name. To allow a friend to drift away on the tides of wrongdoing and sin is worse than a mechanic letting you drive an unsafe vehicle.

The test of a true relationship, of a deeply loving and dearly held desire for this person’s good is that you speak to them so that they can see and acknowledge their sin or wayward conduct, and so lay aside every weight and every entanglement of sin which would impair their walk with God. Only a true friend of the highest calibre will risk a friendship in order to bring news that might first wound and then heal. Earlier in this chapter of Proverbs we are instructed: “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.” (That is Proverbs 27:5). How often can you be accused of hidden love that in fact is so well hidden as to be obscured and perhaps more thought-fantasy than reality grounded in God’s grace?

Scripture shows us, again and again, how flawed we are. Those considered the greatest saints—King David, the Apostle Paul, Abraham and Sarah—are men and women who are deeply sinful and urgently need the truth of God’s word to penetrate deep into their being so that they are transformed by the sacrifice of Christ to be obedient and faithful servants of the Most High. Do we think we are any less in need of such transformation? No! a thousand times no! Each of us needs our sins exposed and dear friends who are sweeter than perfume to make these known to us and then to lead us to Christ’s healing grace and the oil of gladness.

Spirit of God, thank You for the Truth of the Word. Spirit of God thank You that You press against our consciences and disquiet our souls so that we can the truest of friends and the most faithful of soldiers in the spiritual battle that rages against us. Thank You, King Jesus, for the great sacrifice of Yourself and the transformation You bring so that all traces of the old nature are being hunted down and extracted from us. Continue Your work, Lord Jesus. Be the Captain of our Salvation and inspire in us deeper and truer loyalty by Your Word and Spirit. Father in heaven, help us, by Your Spirit, to live in such true and deep community that we willing speak the hard truths to one another as well as sharing the best encouragements. Glory be to Your Name, God of Majesty and Holiness. Amen.

April 25, 2019 -- Psalm 127:3-5 -- The Blessing of Children

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
    the fruit of the womb a reward.
 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
    are the children of one's youth.
 Blessed is the man
    who fills his quiver with them!
He shall not be put to shame
    when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5 ESV

Yesterday I learned that some climate change activists have vowed not to have children. Their purpose is to make others aware of climate change; to reduce their carbon footprint and in so doing help save the planet. My heart hurts for them in so many ways.

Climate change activists are being faithful to their religion. According to many climate change activists there is no god, no order or plan. The universe is pitiless with time and chance ruling evolution. Since people were created to worship something greater than themselves, such activists are making the planet their focal point of service and sacrifice. It is, in fact, their cause and their god.

In sharp contrast Christians knows God is the Creator. All people were made in the image of God. We were made without sin and Adam, our representative rebelled against God in the Garden of Eden and sinned. Since all people are descended from Adam and Eve, all people bear the corruption of sin. Yet, God in His great mercy has provided salvation through Jesus Christ. All who believe in Him know that their sins are forgiven. All who believe in Jesus are guided by the Holy Spirit and the written Word, the Bible. The Bible teaches us that winter and summer, planting and harvest will continue until Jesus returns. People are not to serve the planet and fear climate change, people are to worship God and sacrifice themselves in service to Him in thanks for the great salvation that is ours.

The consequence of Adam and Eve’s rebellion against God is this: death entered creation. They were to be cut off from life, from God and from hope. Yet again we read of the great kindness and mercy of God. He promised that the Deliverer, Jesus Christ, would one day be born. From certain death and destruction the Living God of Glory brings life. Children are the sign of God’s blessing. Children are the sign of God’s hope. For people to intentionally choose not to have children is to spit in the face of God’s great loving kindness.

Hear me clearly: I believe people have a duty and responsibility to be caretakers of creation. We should not be polluters who are wasteful with the resources God has given us here on earth. I believe those who are single can and do serve the Living God when they are celibate and not promiscuous and so live in obedience to God’s commands. I believe those couples who long for children and are unable to have biological children are loved of God and need our love also. And I believe to intentionally not have children is to embrace death and the curse of God on our sin. Scripture clearly teaches that children are a heritage from the Lord. Children are a sign of His covenant of love with people and point to the great and glorious day when there will be a new heaven and a new earth.

Faithful followers of Jesus, be prophetic voices of hope in this world of climate fears. Our God reigns. He have given charge to Jesus Christ Who rules from the throne of heaven. Those who believe in Jesus are saved from our fears and live in love and hope. The world is experiencing trials and troubles (remember there was a world-wide flood and it was followed by an ice age) as it ever has and will until Jesus returns in glory. Believers have this sure hope: God will direct history to its rightful conclusion in Christ and the Spirit of God is the deposit guaranteeing our salvation. In obedience to God’s command, have children and raise them, not to be afraid the sky is falling, but to fear the LORD in reverent love, obedient awe and right worship.

Thank You, LORD for the glorious hope that is ours in Jesus—we have been brought from death to life. Thank You King Jesus that we live in the sure and confident hope that history will rise to its rightful conclusion when You return in glory to judge all nations. Spirit of the Living God, guide us by the Truth of the Bible so that we will raise our children to know and serve Jesus. Banish false fears from us. Cause us to be bold, faithful, prophetic witnesses to our trembling peers in this world. Blessed be Your Name, Jesus, and for the honour of Your Name we pray. Amen.

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.