June 4, 2019 -- Mark 1:21-26 -- Jesus the Holy One of God

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.  And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.  And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,  “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”  But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”  And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.

Mark 1:21-26 ESV

Have you ever felt “unclean”? Yesterday I had the privilege of watching our youngest granddaughter. She had been sick. At one point in the day she had a terrible case of the runs. It leaked through her diaper, through her clothes and was on the floor and the wagon she was playing on. Cleaning up required many wipes and cloths and you can bet I was constantly washing my hands as our little one’s dad and me cleaned her up. Our oldest granddaughter wanted to comfort me and come near and hug me. I am like sharply saying, “Stay away!” I was aware how infectious I could be and how unclean I was which is why I was so curt in my response.

Sin makes us unclean before God. Awareness of our wrong-doing makes us ashamed to approach the Holy One of Heaven. We feel we can’t go to church. We think we must isolate ourselves. When the prophet Isaiah had a vision of the Holy One seated in splendor he cried out: “Woe is me! I am disintegrating [undone].” That is the powerful presence and glory of the LORD’s holiness.

Notice the contrast of our passage! A man with an unclean—an evil—spirit approaches Jesus. This man is aware of his need. The demons within him cry out in fear of Jesus, the Holy One of God—but the man runs to Jesus. This is huge. Jesus is fully God. He is fully able to cast out demons as in our passage today. He is fully able to heal the sick (Mark 5:25ff). This is the theme constantly repeated in the Bible!

In the case of those who are sick and those who are demon possessed, such persons would run from the Father—seated high and in terrible majesty. In fact, the thought of even approaching Him is beyond imagining. Jesus is the Holy One—fully Human, and fully God—sent from God, is the great and glorious sign of God’s persistent live. As humans we are able to approach another man—a human. This is why the Father sent the Son—so that a man would seek and save us, lost humans. Jesus is “the Holy One of God” and He is our Savior. He is approachable. He takes from us our uncleanness and gives to us the cleansing forgiveness and healing our body, mind and soul need.

If you know you are sinful—don’t stay away from church! It is the place of meeting Jesus, it is the place of healing. In a Christian church we lead each other to the wells of salvation, to Jesus the Holy One of God and find our sins are washed away.

The Scriptures show us Jesus—the Holy One of God—approachable by the sick, by the ashamed, by those mastered by sins too great for them to fight and they find in Jesus the One Who heals, Who welcomes, Who sets free and covers them all with His forgiving grace. No wonder we have the glorious invitation “Today, if you hear His voice do not harden your hearts”(Psalm 95:7)—do not find excuses to stay away and think your sins are unique in all of human history and too great for Holy One of God! Come to Jesus and find in Him forgiveness and cleansing.

Ah Jesus, as the hymn writer stated so long ago: What amazing love! Bold I approach Your throne and claim the crown through Christ my own! Forgive me. Heal me. As hope and wonder flood my soul, by Your Spirit enable me to dedicate my thoughts and hands, my heart and my actions to Your service all to the glory of the Father in heaven. Amen.

The above prayer is based on the Hymn “And Can It Be?” here is a wonderful version of it:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tu2uA6U4Fxg&list=RDnHCMdIOg1gs&index=2

June 1, 2019 -- Hebrews 12:3-4, 12-14 -- The Christian Marathoner

Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

Hebrews 12:3-4; 12-14 ESV

In the 1968 Summer Olympics, held in Mexico City, runner John Stephen Akhwari, of Tanzania, came in last in the marathon. In fact he entered the stadium, where the final 400 yards would be run on the oval track, one hour later than the first place runner. It was obvious that Akhwari was spent. You can find a video of this on the internet. When you watch it you’ll see his faintness. His legs wobble. His arms hardly have the strength to pump and propel him forward. The stands are almost empty. He seems to gain a slight second wind that gives him just enough endurance to cross the finish line. It isn’t pretty. There are no fist pumps and jumping chest bumps.

He could have stopped. In fact, it has been reported he was told to stop by those who saw his weakened condition. After the race he was asked, pointedly questioned by one of the reporters: “Why didn’t you just quit?”

Akhwari: “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race.

My country sent me 5,000 miles to finish the race.”

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ—we are not just to start the race of faith—we are called in Jesus Christ to finish the race. We will be spent. It will cost us every ounce of energy, all our stamina and will-power. We will be stripped of everything we think is important. Yet we are to look to Jesus—the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. We are to consider how Jesus suffered such hostility and rejection and yet He endured. Know that this same Jesus, Who endured and by His perseverance took away the punishment for our sins and took away the sting of death, consider Him and press on. He is our goal. He is our peace in the chaos of the Christian marathon.

Our Christian faith is not an easy victory lap around a track where a stadium full of encouraging fans cheer wildly and stomp their feet. Our Christian faith is anchored in Jesus Christ. It is lonely. Often those who see us shake their heads and think: “Just quit already.” When we stumble across the finish line it will be Jesus Who receives the credit and honour. Our legs will cramp. Our breath will be ragged. It will be Jesus, the Captain of our Salvation and the Hero of our Faith Whom we then will seek out so that we can see His face.

The odd expressions in verse 13 need a quick explanation. It can read: “make straight paths for your feet” or “keep your feet on the straight paths”. It is easy for a weakened, fainting runner to go off course. And if you go off course, you can imagine twisting your ankle as you traverse the uneven terrain. What keeps you on track and running? Consider Jesus. Look to Jesus. At your lowest moments, when weakness or your own sinful temptations would cause you to go off track or stop running altogether—look to Jesus. He alone is the strength of your life and hope of your heart Who alone can give you the second wind you need.

Jesus, Hero of our Faith, the race is hard and takes more strength and endurance than any of us have. We need the breath of Your Spirit, to revive our drooping hands and steady these knees so they stop knocking, so that we can continue in the marathon of our Christian faith. Thank You for the fellow runners You have put into our lives who encourage us, and will not leave us behind. In the bursts of energy and in the times of weakened plodding, in our thoughts, in our lives, be glorified. Amen.

May 30, 2019 -- Matthew 9:10-13 -- Jesus our Physician

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples.  And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”  But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:10-13 ESV

What an important description of Jesus: Physician. There are times we know we are sick and in need of help. However, there are many times we have no idea of the infections or diseases working their destructive power in us until our symptoms are full-blown and our prognosis is grim. That is the picture of the Pharisees-the religious leaders of Jesus’ day. They thought they were fine—but Jesus, the Physician diagnosed the sin-sickened condition of their hearts, minds and souls. They were unaware of the contagion they carried, the virus of sin working its destructive power from the inside out. Yet in their ignorance they were looking down their noses on the people who knew they were riddled with sin and longing for healing.

What is worse: knowing you are sick and in need of healing or thinking you are fine while in fact you are sick? Jesus, by His words to the Pharisees, shows us it is the latter. It is far worse to think you are fine while in fact you are carrying the soul-destroying sickness of sin.

Thankfully Jesus is our Physician. By His sacrifice on the cross, He took the punishment for our sins. Those who believe on Jesus have their sins forgiveness. This is the cure for our mortal sin-illness. Those who are healed by the Great Physician, Jesus, in turn show love and kindness to others. We are transformed from the inside out.

Can Jesus the Physician heal our physical diseases? Yes. That, however, is not our greatest need. Our greatest need is to have the very deepest part of our mind, our heart and our soul cleansed from the curse of sin. Those who are healed in the deepest inmost part are heirs to life in Jesus Christ. Our Great Physician rescues us from the sickness of sin that leads to hell. He heals us so that whatever physical, mental, emotional or social ills we struggle against can be used for our sanctification—the process of making us holy. While the spiritual, cancerous infection of sin, is healed so that we new life begins in us now and unfolds fully in eternal life.

Consider Revelation 22. There those healed by Jesus enter eternal life. There in His Paradise we see the tree of life—the leaves of this tree are for the healing of the nations. What a beautiful picture that is. I don’t know what burdens you bear today, or what crisis looms, but know this: Jesus is the Great Physician. He can work salvation into the every cell of your being so that your eyes see His glory and your heart rejoices in His mercy and your soul will endure whatever this life throws at you because it has the vision of that eternal shore where Christ is worshiped and sin and sickness will be no more.

Turn to Jesus and ask Him: “Great Physician heal me.” And Jesus will take away the curse of your sins and lead you in life that is full and awesome. Be aware it is hard work to follow Jesus—you will be striving against the patterns of the world. Jesus was mocked and abused. So His followers also will experience rejection and trials. The promise of our Physician is the healing He brings will lead us through this life to eternity in His healing presence.

Jesus, Physician, heal me. To the places within me I don’t even know are rotten with the sickness of sin, please bring the medicine of Your saving grace. And as I experience Your healing help me to be kind and patient with those who don’t even know the extent of their sickness. By the vitality You bring, may my life bring such honour to Your Name that siblings, neighbours, co-workers and friends will ask, wanting to know the name of the Physician Who brought such a change. Thank You for the power of Your healing. Amen.

May 29, 2019 -- Hebrews 12:1-2 -- Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our Faith

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

Jesus the founder and perfecter of our faith—this can also read: Jesus the Author and Perfecter of our faith. What a glorious description of Jesus. Jesus takes the initiative. He works with the Father and the Spirit to awaken us to the greatness of the salvation that is ours already and is being given to us in ever greater measure until we join Jesus in eternity. Jesus, Who Himself suffered, is the One Who perfects our faith while we suffer and endure. The Bible is our instruction manual for living so that our lives are conformed to the pattern of His.

Kids who receive “the Switch” are excited. According to the website WhatIs “In a network, a switch is a device that channels incoming data from any of multiple input ports to the specific output port that will take it toward its intended destination.” No doubt a kid who receives this will read up on the instructions or will have been tutored in its use by friends who already have one. The instruction manual is not offensive. The rules of its use are not railed against. Help is welcomed so that the gamer will be proficient.

Many times greater and with more importance we understand Jesus to be the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. He made us. He knows the ways in which we give optimum performance. He knows the boundaries of our life. Therefore:

~we want to know more about Him. We read the Bible

~following in His footsteps is our joy—He is the hero of our faith—we want to be like Him

~finding mentors who know Him well and walk with Him are the friends we want to have and learn from

~confessing our sins becomes urgent—we know our sins all too well and realize this keep us from running with endurance the race set before us—because Jesus is the perfecter of our faith we admit our sins expecting Him to change us from the inside out so sin loses its grip on us

~a kid will give up many activities in order to get proficient using the switch, not in itself a sin, but perhaps a weight that interferes with knowing Jesus better; a sinner will give up money, time, friends, family, work and ultimately his life to sin unless it is conquered by Christ; so we who know Jesus give ever greater amounts of time, more of our thought-life, and dedicate our energy to Jesus Christ—the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

Jesus, Author and Perfecter of our Faith—forgive us for the things we tool around with that waste our precious time with You. Forgive us for toying with sins and neglecting the vast radiance of the salvation You are bringing into our lives. We freely admit, it can be hard for us to understand how or even why You would be patient with us when we focus so much time and attention on ourselves and our sins. Thank You for the assurance of the passage today: You are the Author and Perfecter of our Faith. Thank You for the assurance You bring, that we are reading this today because You have not abandoned us or given up on us as hopeless. Thank You for the sure promise, the salvation You started in us You will perfect so that people will say: glory to God, that a Savior they have! It is true, Jesus, what a blessed, strong and great Savior You are! Amen.

May 27, 2019 -- Luke 5:4-5 -- Jesus our Master

And when he [Jesus] had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”  And Simon answered, “Master, we toiled all night and took nothing! But at your word I will let down the nets.”

Luke 5:4-5 English Standard Version

And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.  And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. As he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen to him!” And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone.

Luke 9:29-36 ESV

Jesus title in these passages is: Master. He is the One with power over the elements of nature, the animals of the earth, the birds of the air and the fish of the sea.

Jesus is the Master over life and death, people past, present and future.

Jesus is the Master with authority over whether or not a person goes to heaven or to hell.

Jesus is our Master. What a strange title for many of us. It conjures up images of slavery. In fact, that is an accurate thought. Jesus’ own followers called themselves His slaves. In Romans Paul refers to himself as a slave of Christ (Romans 1:1); Peter also calls himself a slave of Jesus Christ (II Peter 1:1) as does Jesus’ brother Jude (Jude 1). Why do these holy men call Jesus their Master and refer to themselves as His slaves?

Whatever compels us to act is our master. Whatever it is we serve that is what owns us. A man addicted to pornography is mastered by this sin. A women who watches soap operas is emotionally mastered by these false dramas and story lines. People can be slaves to: booze, money, fame, approval of their peers, anger, family, sports, fitness and so on. As people are mastered by sin, their thoughts and foods, goals and words are all oriented towards serving whatever masters them.

Originally Adam and Eve were made to be helpers to one another and in this relationship to being the friends of God, walking with Him, knowing Him, serving Him freely in the Garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve sinned our human nature was cursed by this act of rebellion so that we no longer master things, but we ourselves are mastered by things, we are unwitting slaves. Without God’s intervention, we will be slaves to sin and slaves to the death inducing passions of this world. Our hearts are never pure. Our actions are never innocent. Our words are never without barb or ulterior motive. We are slaves bound to the tyrant master: sin.

The glory of Jesus Christ is revealed in this: He sets us free from our sin and gives us His Spirit so that sin loses its power over it, its lustre and appeal. Jesus becomes for us the True Master and is restored as the rightful ruler of our soul. This is a difficult concept for many because our world has no good illustrations of kind masters. Our world lack political leaders who are wholly submitted to God. But Jesus’ own life on earth showed the life of One committed to the Father in obedience and blessed with the glory of knowing the Father as the source of joy, the only place where one’s soul is fully satisfied. Therefore the bible is for us the handbook of life, the way to knowing freedom from sin by being mastered by Jesus.

Romans 6 teaches us that we are to stop letting sin reign in our mortal bodies. We are not to be willing slaves to wrongdoing. Instead we are to present our hands and heart, mind and strength to Jesus so that we will be instruments of righteousness.

Jesus, be the Master of my soul. Rule me by Your Word and Spirit so that sin will not have a foothold. In fact so govern my life that sin is repugnant to me. I yield to You the parts of my body to be instruments of righteousness so that my whole life will sound praise to You. Forgive me for my failures. Thank You, Jesus that You are praying for me in heaven so that Your salvation will bring me to joy of the perfect completion of Your salvific work in me. The day is just beginning, I am praying this in the comfort of my home before too many challenges assail me. You are the Captain of my salvation, Master of my life, where and when I need You in this day, in whatever challenges come, bring Your Lordship to my mind so that I will keep the vows I make to You. Amen.

May 25, 2019 -- Isaiah 33:22 -- LORD, Judge, Lawgiver, King, Savior

For the LORD is our judge;

the LORD is our lawgiver;

the LORD is our king;

He will save us.

Isaiah 33:22 ESV

The Names of God are piled high in this short passage. First of all notice that it is the Covenant Name of God, the LORD, which precedes the further descriptions in Isaiah. James echoes much of this verse:

There is only one lawgiver and judge,

he who is able to save and to destroy.

But who are you to judge your neighbor?

James 4:12 ESV

Notably James does not echo the description of “king” however, the context of James shows the right of the King of heaven and earth to make His Law and His judgment known to all nations. What is evident here, in both our passages, is that the Sovereign of Heaven and Earth does not rule by polls or the opinions of men. The LORD rules with justice and His Law was suitable in the beginning of time and at the time of Jesus and His Law is suitable, and it governs the nations today. This same Law will be the standard by which nations and people will one day be judged. No matter how various governments seek to enact laws which are contrary to the Law of our True King—the reign of Jesus is for the believer real and authoritative, fully active now. Jesus’ reign and Law this is our sure guide in every situation.

Why is it that Christians gather Sunday after Sunday? Why do Christians join together for prayer meetings? Why do we delight in our morning and evening bible reading and prayer? It is our joy to worship our Savior! The world seems so chaotic, governments rise and fall, politicians of this kind and that stripe come and go—even the various ones we’d hoped would make a real change. So it is easy to fall into despair. Christians see beyond the politics and the veneer of this world and know that Jesus is our Saviour, He is our Ruler, He is bringing history to its rightful conclusion. Glory and majesty are His alone and the brilliance of the Father radiates outward through the splendour of the Son.

In Isaiah we read the three-fold repetition of LORD. In view of James echoing that passage, here is how I understand this repetition in Isaiah:

God the LORD enforces His law and will judge through the One He sent to save us.

The Son the LORD bore the punishment for our law-breaking and sin and He is our Saviour and rightful Judge of the nations.

The Spirit the LORD guards us by the Word and His in-dwelling in us so that we cannot be shaken from our confidence in the Father and the Son and so this same Spirit empowers us to walk in obedience to the Law no matter the rebelliousness of the world around us.

We worship You, O King, Triune God, glorious in power. Unless You strengthen us, O LORD the Spirit, our courage for obedience would wane and we would focus on the tumult of the world and the vagaries of human tyranny. Therefore, O LORD the Spirit, lift our eyes in faith to our Father in heaven and to the Son, our Saviour where we see the Lawgiver and Judge and know, yes thereby truly, know our hope is sure and rightly placed anchored in the throne room of our God. Amen.

May 24, 2019 -- Haggai 2:6-9 -- Jesus the Desire of All Nations

6 “For thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,’ says the Lord of hosts. 8 ‘The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,’ says the Lord of hosts. 9 ‘The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,’ says the Lord of hosts. ‘And in this place I will give peace,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Haggai 2:6-9 New King James Version

Jesus’ Name here is: “The Desire of All Nations.” I have purposely chosen the New King James Version, as other versions read: “the wealth” or the “treasure” of all nations. In the original language, Hebrew, the first two definitions of that word “chemdah” is “Desire” or “Delight”. It is one Name for Jesus I have loved since my youth. It is a glorious name. H. Bultema wrote of this Name:

Subjectively no nation desires our Lord, but objectively and

unconsciously He is the desideratum^ of all nations, which just

now are in the most horrible mess, because of their desire of

land, gold, might, honor, safety, and the vain ambition to be

first and foremost; everything except Him.

[^desideratum: that which is essential or needed]

Christians recognize this Name for Jesus and see the great facets of meaning it holds. Like a diamond beyond weighing, measure or price Jesus shines as the Desire of All Nations because in Him:

~We have a High Priest in heaven who hears us and gives grace and mercy [Hebrews 4:15-16]

~He is the source of eternal salvation to all who obey Him [Hebrews 5:9]

~He is not milk, but solid food for training the soul in discerning good from evil [Hebrews 5:14]

~He is the anchor of hope for our souls [Hebrews 19-20]

~He will appear a second time and save those who eagerly wait for Him [Hebrews 9:28]

~In Christ we find pleasure in carrying out the will of God [Hebrews 10:1-10]

~By Jesus’ cleansing blood we have confidence to go into the presence of God [Hebrews 10:19-21]

~Because of Christ’s work God disciplines us as sons [Hebrews 12:5-9]

~The discipline of our Father yields in us the peaceful fruit of righteousness [Hebrews 12:11]

This is just a quick and small sampling of why Jesus is the Desire of All Nations.

It is true, Jesus, the more I learn of You through Scripture reading, the more I understand You to be “the Desire of All Nations” and the greatest Desire of my heart! Increase my faith in You; by the strength of Your Spirit strengthen my feeble hands and wavering attitude so that I will serve You with ever greater zeal. In my life, in my home, and beyond this—in the Church and in Your World may the desire for and praise of Jesus bring honour and glory and service in reverent fear to You, God our Father. Amen.

May 23, 2019 -- Romans 8:14-17 -- The Holy Spirit? Who is that?

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

Romans 8:14-17 ESV

Who is the Holy Spirit? Bible-believing Christians know the One, True God as: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Christians are not polytheists, that is, people who believe in many gods. Rather, the Bible reveals God is One (Deut. 6:4) and as our passage shows us today we have the Father in heaven because of the sacrifice of the Son Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God is called: “the Spirit of Adoption as sons”.

There is a reason the title of the Spirit emphasizes adoption as sons. In the times when this letter was written to the Christians in Rome, daughters did not inherit, sons inherited. The recipients of the letter would have understood this. The point of this passage is that all of us who follow Jesus Christ, obeying His commands, have the testimony of the Holy Spirit speaking to our innermost being, crying “Abba, Father”.

John Calvin calls this ‘the foremost title’ or the ‘first title’ of the Holy Spirit. By this he means it is the most important title of the Holy Spirit. Think how often our own conscience speaks against us. Think how often we recognize we fail in keeping God’s commandments. How often don’t we struggle with a sense of unworthiness and God has placed His Holy Spirit in us to remind each of us: I am God’s beloved child!

Sinclair Ferguson on his reflection on this title for the Holy Spirit notes the key difference between believers and non-believers. In a time of crisis both the non-believer and the believer might cry out to God. The non-believer would say something like: “God, if you are there…” while the believer cries out: “God, my Father, help…” This is the glorious work of the Spirit of adoption as sons.

Spirit of God living in my heart, thank You for Your witness reminding me always and in every crisis wherever and whenever I need to hear it, I am God’s beloved child because of the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Increase my faith. Let the joy of my salvation, anchored securely in heaven where Jesus is seated, fill my words and thoughts this day. Amen.

May 22, 2019 -- I Peter 1:16b-19 -- Jesus the Lamb without Blemish or Spot

“You shall be holy, for I am holy.”  And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,  knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,  but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.

I Peter 1:16b-19 English Standard Version

Who is Jesus? Peter calls Jesus the “Lamb without Blemish or Spot”. Peter was the follower of Jesus who betrayed Jesus. Peter was the one who had declared before Jesus something to the effect “Even if everyone else falls away, I am ready to defend You and go to prison and or death.” This same Peter could not even muster the courage to tell a servant girl “Yes, I am a follower of Jesus”. Peter was fully aware of the depths of his betrayal of Jesus.

This same Peter was restored by the love of Jesus. This same Peter declares Jesus to be the Lamb without Blemish or Spot. By this Peter assures the reader, Jesus:

by His blood has washed away all our sins;

by His perfection is the righteousness given to us which is demanded by God the Father;

by His words and teaching is NOT some good prophet who happened to be killed by a mob that misunderstood Him—Jesus fully in submission to God and fully in control, gave Himself in our place as the substitute for our sins;

by His grace restores ruined and lost sinners so that we are reconciled to God—not of our doing, not because of any work on our part, but wholly by the unmerited grace of God shown us in Christ and sealed in us by the Holy Spirit;

by His Sovereign rule is the Lamb Who takes away sin, conquered death, and fear therefore now leads His flock in the path of holiness.

If Jesus were merely human, He would not be this Lamb! If Jesus were merely a misguided prophet martyred in weakness, He would be a liar and NOT the Lamb without Blemish or Spot because His perfection would not extend to His words. If Jesus were not all these things and more, then God’s promises of the Old Testament are still unfulfilled and we are without hope of salvation. Jesus did in fact claim to be God. Jesus did in fact fulfil all God’s promises. He did die and rise, this being the sign beyond all signs proving His divinity and showing God’s approval of His submission and voluntary sacrifice. Be assured that in Jesus’ Name, your sins are forgiven.

Jesus, Lamb without Blemish or Spot, blessed are You and great in all Your work, word and ways. Forgive us our sins. By Your Spirit, strengthen us to believe in You more and more and to walk in the path of holiness to the honour and praise of God our Father. Amen.

May 21, 2019 -- Psalm 3:1-3 -- The Precious Names of God

O LORD, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

many are saying of my soul,

there is no salvation for him in God. Selah.

But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,

my glory and the lifter of my head.

Psalm 3:1-3 ESV

Selah is a notation which means: pause. Reflect. Repeat.

The Bible is filled with references to God that are vivid in their imagery. We learn through such names and descriptions important information. These names fill out our of knowledge of the Holy One. Furthermore the Holy Spirit Who inspired men to write the Bible gives us such names so that we will be led into greater intimacy with the Creator of the Universe.

As one who wrestles with depression today’s name for God is particularly fitting. The psalm-writer declares the LORD to be: My Glory and the Lifter of My Head. The context in which the psalmist writes the psalm is fighting all around him (David—the author—was betrayed by his son Absalom who wanted to usurp the throne and Absalom had taken some of David’s own loyal men and turned them). The context and words of the text imply David is fighting a sense of worthlessness in his own soul. This is what I can most identify with: there are times that like fog worthlessness and depression descend on me so thickly I don’t want to get out of bed or do anything. Yet in the disorienting haze and mist of this spiritual warfare the Spirit of God inspired David to know the Name of God: “My Glory and the Lifter of My Head.” When depression is pea-soup thick the fog-horn of God’s goodness sounds: He, the LORD, is My Glory and the Lifter of My Head.

It is the glory of God to save ruined sinners, bringing them from death to life by the power of Jesus’ sacrifice.

It is the glory of God to breathe life into those who are dead in their sins and trespasses.

The LORD lifts us up, so that our eyes do not see the enemies around us, lifts us up so that our minds and thoughts do not focus on our circumstances, instead the LORD lifts us up so that by faith we see Him seated High in Splendour, victorious over all even death itself.

The LORD lifts us up, so that we understand we are known to God. He is our Father. He has claimed us through Christ the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. He is our Father, sealed to our hearts as such by the Spirit of God, Who reminds us God has us in the palm of His Hand and no power in heaven or on earth or in the depths of hell can ever snatch us from that place of safety.

Truly, O God, You are My Glory and the Lifter of My Head! Blessed be Your Name. For those this day who wrestle against discouragement and worthlessness, may the glory of Your Name sound relentlessly until the fog of depression lifts and the Light of Christ pierces the gloom. Amen.

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.