June 16, 2019 -- I Corinthians 3:11 -- Christ the Foundation

For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

I Corinthians 3:11 English Standard Version

On what, or who, do you base your life? At the core of your all you are—heart and mind—what is it that motivates you to act? The apostle Paul notes that for Christians the foundation from which all actions spring is Jesus Christ. Why?

Jesus is the wisdom from God. (I Corinthians 2:2-5) Yesterday, while visiting in prison, I met an older woman who is also a prison pastor. She noted how many men in prison struggle with guilt over what they’ve done and how many lack a strong father-figure in their life. I responded with warmth, “Thanks be to God we can point them to the cross of Jesus where we lay our burdens down and find His freedom and at that place we are called beloved sons and daughters of God.” She shook her head and said, “No, I use my counseling skills to help them feel better about themselves.” (Let the horror that sink in for a moment.) Here is a person claiming to be a Christian, claiming to build on the foundation of Jesus Christ, who does not share the hope we have in Christ but builds using her counseling skills. All human wisdom is folly. The only wisdom we can possibly have is wisdom from God. My mind and heart screamed: “Stay home. Do not lead these men to a false comfort so that they are comfortable rushing headlong to hell!”

God made us. He made us to relate to Him. He opened the way to such a relationship through Jesus Christ. Any other foundation, any other counseling, any other philosophy may make someone feel better in the short term. After leaving that prison I was debriefing with my mentor, Rudy, who sarcastically stated—giving voice to the very think I was thinking, “Well, isn’t that nice? They’ll feel better as they go all the way to hell?!”

Going to church is uncomfortably precisely because our life’s foundation is exposed. To our shame we see the things we try to substitute in place of the worthy, glorious, strong foundation which is Jesus Christ. As the hymn writer so beautifully put it: “On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand.”

Get to a bible-believing church today. Read your bible. Find the Rock. The solid foundation on Whom you can build your life, your hope and your eternal future. Put your hands over your ears when you hear useless human philosophy and idle pandering to the world’s heresies.

Blessed God, thank You for Jesus Christ, Who is Your gift of wisdom to us. Thank You, Spirit of God, that in reading the Bible we learn of Jesus and know Him alone to be the firm foundation of our life. For those of us who already believe, strengthen our faith and encourage our walk with God. For those who of us read this and do not yet know Jesus as such a solid foundation, may these words drive them to seek You, Lord Jesus. Amen.

June 13, 2019 -- John 8:31-36 -- What addictions bind you? Who can free you?

So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”  They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?”

 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.  The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever.  So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

John 8:31-36

What is addiction? Edward Welsch defines it this way:

Addiction is bondage to the rule of a substance, activity, or state of mind, which then becomes the center of life, defending itself from the truth so that even bad consequences don’t bring repentance, and leading to further estrangement from God.

E. Welch: “ADDICTIONS A Banquet in the Grave”

Hmm. Given that definition we might well ask ourselves: what substances, activities or states of mind bring us into the slavery of addiction?

Alcohol. Drugs. Video gaming. Sports. Pornography. Sugar. Working out. Sexual immorality. Nicotine. Food. Risk. Stealing. Work. (No doubt you can add something—in fact, whatever it is that you were relieved to see isn’t on this list is likely one you need to add to the list!)

Likely you have heard someone say to you—”Well, this addiction is a disease. Go easy on me. I can’t help it.” Welch offered a very helpful insight. If someone is struggling against cancer, this person, though wasting away physically, can still praise God. The cancer patient can grow in faith and grow in an ever deepening understanding of the goodness of God. The person living with cancer can please God while grappling with the disease. Now, consider your addiction—while you are engaged in this addiction are you praising God? As you are in the grip of your addiction are you growing in your faith and growing in an ever deepening understanding of the goodness of God? While you are engaged in your addictive behaviour can you, are you, pleasing God? (I can hear the groans from here as you read this and realize how your addiction pulls you away from God, and you recognize it is becoming an idol requiring more and more of your thought and attention and worship.)

The Good News is this: Jesus is the Truth. He sets us from from our slavery to sin. Sin is our human condition. Paul, the great evangelist, theologian and author of so many books in the New Testament wrote: “I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate…Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” Romans 7:15, 24-25 ESV

There is only one power, One Bondage-Breaker—He is Jesus, the Truth Who sets us free. Will we still face temptations to sin? Yes. What happens when we break with our sin, confess it and turn to Jesus? We are given power to walk as His beloved children. We begin to hate our sin and it is exposed as a tawdry, cheap and worthless idol. And the things of God fill our hearts and vision with joy that cannot be taken from us.

Jesus, I long to be perfectly whole—so that the tormenting addictions will be torn from me. Jesus You are Truth and You alone can set Your people free. Make our sins more and more hateful to us and the thought of You greater joy and Your Word sweeter than all other pleasures. Right now I must admit there are moments I might pray this with great intensity and honesty, and there will be other moments I pray this because I know it is right to pray but my desires and longings are pulling me astray. Recapture me. Take hold of my heart and my affections so that I cannot wander away from You. With Paul I cling to the promise and sure hope: “He Who began a good work in me will see it to completion in Christ Jesus.” Thank You, Jesus! Amen.

Philippians 1:6 is the passage: He who began a good work in me…

June 11, 2019 -- Acts 7:54-60 -- The Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him.  But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.  And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”  But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him.  Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul.  And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.”  And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 7:54-60 ESV

Stephen is the first martyr for the cause of Jesus Christ. Notice how he withstood the false accusations and the hate of his detractors. More than this, as he was facing death and the rocks and stones pummeled his body, he cried out to God to receive his spirit and that the Lord of glory would forgive his tormentors. How did he endure all of this?

Notice that Stephen is described as a man filled with the Holy Spirit. God the Father and God the Son pour out the Spirit on believers. The Spirit of God is fully God and living in each believer empowering the believer to receive the benefits of Jesus: the forgiveness of sins, new resurrection life in common with Jesus. The Spirit changes the believer from the inside out so that as believers grow and mature the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control—become evident in ever greater measure. The Spirit gives the believer words to speak when hostile people are arrayed against him.

So strengthened by the Spirit of God Stephen sees the vision of Jesus—the Son of God and the Person Whom Stephen loves and for Whom Stephen is willing to die. Jesus is at the Father’s right hand in heaven. What a vision of splendor it must have been! Jesus is ruling in power and using all our circumstances, all victories and all sorrows, all joys and all events for His holy purposes so that His people, His Church, will be gathered in. The people who stoned Stephen to death are responsible for their wrongdoing and the Son of God is Sovereign in His purposes aware of every grief, every insult, and all suffering His people endure for the glory of His Name.

Stephen saw the glory of God. At the start of his sermon, Acts 7:2, Stephen spoke of the God of glory. The understanding and knowledge of God that is so powerful and pure, so great and majestic that all the things of the world lose their charm and allure compared to Him. The glory of God is the knowledge of God as a magnet to the soul which inexorably draws joyous worship from believers while simultaneously orienting all their hopes, all their aspirations, all their thoughts to the Sovereign and Omnipotent God.

Here in Scripture we have revealed to us: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit all active in the salvation of Stephen and preserving his soul unto glory. God is One. And God is triune--three in one. It is the mystery of Scripture that believers meditate on. There is so much I do not understand, but I believe. How is that possible?

Think about the fact that an atom is tiny—yet it is made up of three parts. Protons and neutrons make up the centre of the atom and the electrons fly around the centre (or nucleus) of the atom. Do I understand it? Not in the least. I can describe it. I can marvel at it. I can ask questions: what makes up a neutron, or an electron? What holds the atom together?

There is so much I can describe and so much I do not comprehend in so many fields: astrophysics, astronomy, sociology, philosophy, geology, biology… And I realize the universe is made by God, the infinitely great, infinitely good, infinitely creative and infinitely glorious. Tiny as I am before His almighty presence, how could I comprehend all He has made or done or is doing? It is the joy of life and glory of any person to explore and seek out and discover all the while responding with worship directed to God—Father, Son and Spirit, Who is Lord over all.

God our Father thank You for Your great love demonstrated to us so exquisitely in Jesus Christ. Thank You that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, removing the stain of sin and giving us access to You, so that we are called beloved sons and daughters of the Most High King. Spirit of the Living God, thank You for taking up residence in the heart of believers, helping us to read the Bible with wonder and hope, joy and awe and to read creation, complex as it is, with the same understanding it is another book of Your glory O God! Deepen our faith. Help us to withstand the onslaught of the world aware that You, Triune God, will preserve us for Your purposes unto the day of salvation. Amen.

June 10, 2019 -- John 19:12-16 -- Jesus the King

From then on Pilate sought to release him, but the Jews cried out, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar's friend. Everyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar.”  So when Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called The Stone Pavement, and in Aramaic Gabbatha.  Now it was the day of Preparation of the Passover. It was about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold your King!”  They cried out, “Away with him, away with him, crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?” The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar.”  So he delivered him over to them to be crucified.

John 19:12-16 ESV

Jesus is the King. Pilate spoke it half in admiration and half in mockery. The Jews rebelled and cried out damning words: “We have no king but Caesar.” By those words the mob was declaring allegiance with the earthly powers rather than submitting to the King of Splendour Who was laying down His life so that He would take upon Himself God’s punishment against their (and our) sin. It is painfully ironic: Jesus is prepared to act in love towards the very people who hated Him and revolted against Him.

We can be sure Jesus was the King then and is our King now:

Even while Pilate was preparing to judge Jesus, Jesus could have commanded legions of angels to conquer Pilate and the whole Roman empire.

Even while Pilate was mocking Jesus, Jesus asserted the fact that He had authority over Pilate and over the proceedings leading to His crucifixion. Why did Jesus go through with it? Jesus willingly laid down His life as the Servant-King pictured in Isaiah, Who dies so that the punishment against sin would not fall on His people, but fall squarely on Himself. After three days, He rises and after 40 days He ascended into heaven where He reigns.

Jesus ascended into heaven and is seated at the Right Hand of God. He is in the place of power ruling as King bringing all God’s people safely to salvation and conquering all enemies.

Jesus is King and one day every eye will see Him and every tongue will confess Him Lord to the glory of the Father. At Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’ resurrection, from the throne room of heaven, the Father and the Son gave the gift of the Holy Spirit to believers so that they would, despite themselves, be guarded and protected in the safety of Jesus’ kingdom.

Before King Jesus the Bride—all those who believe in Jesus as one people are called the Church and the Bride of the KIng—bows in worship and adoration.

By the authority and power of King Jesus the Church is governed.

In submission to and love for the King each believer seeks to conquer any passion or sinful action which would rebel against our King.

The promise of Isaiah 33:17 is this: our eyes will see the King in His beauty and we will see the full extent of His kingdom. What a day of glory that will be!

High King of Heaven, Jesus great and glorious, blessed are You! Worthy of adoration and praise. Rule in our hearts and by the presence of Your Spirit break down any opposition and resistance to Your reign still obstinately lingering in our hearts or minds. Spirit of Truth, make us to be fit and suitable, spotless as the Bride of the King. We long for the day when our eyes will see You, Jesus, the King in His beauty and we will fully understand the purposeful love of the Father and His steadfast, covenant faithfulness throughout history to bring in the full measure of people into the glorious kingdom of Light. Stubborn, rebellious and wicked though we were and are, Jesus You will not be thwarted in Your saving purpose. You will deliver us cleansed and perfected before the Majesty of Heaven, Your Father. Then we will begin to grasp in new and greater measure such amazing, dazzling, long-suffering love that has lifted us from being sinners dead in our tresspasses to those who are now made alive and ruled in love by the King in His beauty. Amen.

June 9, 2019 -- John 6:14 -- Jesus The Prophet

When the people saw the sign that he had done, they said, 

“This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

John 6:14 ESV

According to Deuteronomy 18 when God the Father raises up a prophet from among the people of God, this man must: accurately prophesy and if his words do not come true he is not be feared nor obeyed. However, if the man speaks truly he is to be honoured as the prophet of God. Such prophets in the Old Testament pointed to Him Who would be The Prophet—the final Truth-bearer to be believed and the One Who leads us to the Father in heaven.

In the Gospel of John one of the titles for Jesus is “The Prophet”. In chapter 1 John the Baptist denied he was “The Prophet” instead he was proclaiming “The Prophet” is near at hand. In our brief text today a crowd of five thousand men (so one would guess it was an even greater number of people when you consider the women and children who were there also) was fed by Jesus. He took the five barley loaves and two fish which a boy gave to Him and miraculously Jesus used this to feed the whole multitude. By the signs of feedings crowds, speaking truthfully, prophesying perfectly Jesus proved He is The Prophet.

Jesus is The Prophet because the signs He performed pointed to the work of God.

Jesus is The Prophet because He faithfully told the people how the Old Testament prepared the world for His coming in power.

Jesus is The Prophet because He is the last, perfect Word the Father has given to the world. No other prophet is needed.

Jesus is The Prophet because He is fully human, as required by Deuteronomy, raised up from among the people, and the works He performed are right and true. Jesus is the Prophet Who He teaches the people the one way to salvation by which their sins will be forgiven. Jesus is that way.

The Mohammedans of the world claim they have the prophet but their teaching is blasphemous. The Prophet is Jesus Christ and there is no other Name under heaven by which men can be saved (Acts 4:12).

Jesus, Our True Prophet, thank You for opening the way to God. Thank You for Your Word which is truth. Thank you, Jesus, for the Spirit, poured out at Pentecost, by Whom we understand and are empowered to believe the veracity of Your claim. Spirit of the Living God, on this Lord’s Day, let the words of The Prophet, have great effect to the glory of the Father. Amen.

June 7, 2019 - - Luke 19:10 - - Jesus The Son of Man

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.

Luke 19:10 ESV

What a simple statement our text is this morning—it is hard to believe all the weight of truth this single sentence carries. First there is the Name of Jesus: the Son of Man. It is the title Jesus used for Himself. In fact, he used it so often it was almost as if he said “Son of Man” rather than “I”. It is a designation that comes from the Old Testament, Daniel 7—especially these verses: 13-14. There a son of man is given power and dominion over the evil forces gathered in the world—by calling Himself the Son of Man, Jesus is making it clear these prophecies spoke about Him. So there is in this title an emphasis on the deity of Jesus. He is fully God and fully human.

Also, by this Title the Son of Man is reclaiming humanity. Before Adam and Eve fell into sin in the Garden of Eden, they walked with God. They loved God. They obeyed God the Father. They were made for joy: to know and worship and delight in the Living God. Sin robs all humanity of this joy and destroys the ability to do such things. Jesus, by His immaculate conception, is without the stain of original sin and therefore He reveals what it is to be truly, fully human—that is: to know God and worship Him and fully delight in God the Father. Christianity is not some dead, boring drudgery. It is the adventure of a lifetime knowing Him Who is limitless in love, in creativeness, beauty and splendor.

How many people realize they are lost? The very idea is ludicrous to the average person on the street. We have no spiritual GPS to tell us the actual state of our soul, our thoughts and our actions. Once in a while we’ll be aware something we did crossed a line, but we are not sure why we feel that way or what that line actually is.

The reason Jesus, as the Son of Man, is so offensive to many people is that His orientation is always aimed directly to the Father, Jesus willing, loving service is so inexpressibly miles-away-different than anything sinful people can either imagine or experience. The light of Jesus’ presence makes people aware of their sinful condition.

Jesus is the Son of Man and in this capacity He restores people so that they realize they are dead in sin and lost to all that is good.

Jesus is the Son of Man and in this capacity He goes after people who do not even realize their need of Him. He reaches them by friends; by preachers, by evangelists, by whatever means is necessary so that they do not remain lost and dead, but know someone loves them and is coming to rescue them from the clutches of hell.

Jesus is the Son of Man and in this capacity He has borne the punishment of God against sin—your sin and my sin. The reason people go to hell is they blaspheme the work of Jesus, they refuse to go find shelter in His saving work and therefore will have to bear the punishment of God against their sin.

Jesus is the Son of Man and in this capacity He gives us a spiritual GPS—namely, the Holy Spirit, Who by the Word is always orientating us to Jesus—we begin to hate our former sinful ways and love the things of God. I know it is for this reason Jesus is so radical. It is hard for us to imagine that sin becomes hateful and the joy of serving God delightful, joyous, like a river of life running through the core of our new life.

Jesus, Son of Man—throw down the rule of and dispossess the power of sin in my life. Wake me to new life that is ever growing in the knowledge of God, expanding in the worship of the Father, deepening in the delight of serving the LORD of the Universe. I pray, urgently and with great love, for my friends and family members who are not walking in the joy of worshiping and serving You, Jesus. The promise of today’s text is that You have come to seek and save them. Accomplish this important work in their lives so that together we will honour and praise You all to the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.

June 5, 2019 -- Mark 11:21 -- Jesus: Rabbi and Teacher

And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.”

Mark 11:21 ESV

And Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection. And they asked him a question, saying, “Teacher…”

Mark 12:18-19a

In the Gospel of Mark Jesus is called “Teacher” twelve times and “Rabbi” three times. Rabbi means “my teacher” or “my master”. The second brief quotation from Mark the religious leaders are actually using the title “Teacher” in a mocking way. They are seeking to somehow discredit Jesus. At issue in both texts is the authority of Jesus—His right to instruct and the obligation of His people to hear and obey His instruction. Parents and preachers, it is critical that you tell those in your care of the importance of this title for Jesus. He is not just some professor in an ocean of learning. He is not just a voice telling about theology with no relevance for other parts of our life. Jesus is The Teacher, He is Rabbi, My Master Teacher. What He teaches is relevant in every area of our lives as He is Master over all.

Whatever it is that grabs your interest, that is what you want the most information about. If you love bodybuilding you’ll consult the Canadian Physical Alliance (CPA) as the official governing group. Of course, you can find many videos on all kinds of websites and all kinds of gurus proclaiming why they are more worthy teachers and instructors. In the clamour of all these competing claims, how do you choose which is the right one to follow? You look at their credentials. You look at their results. You see the athletes they produce and know whether or not this group is worthy.

Is Jesus worthy to be The Teacher—Our Rabbi? His credentials: He came from the Father full of grace and truth. What He prophesied has come to pass: He would suffer, be put to death [and this voluntarily on His part], He is the sacrifice that takes away the sin of the world, He would rise from the dead. Who can predict such a thing and be taken seriously as The Teacher unless what He prophesied did actually take place. The resurrection of Jesus is very well-proven in history. Based on His already-fulfilled prophecies, believers can be assured His promise that He will return to judge the living and the dead will be fulfilled as well.

If you are a bodybuilder, it is interesting to learn about food, what to eat and what not to eat, exercise and sleep, training programs and what regimes are detrimental to the body. There is a particular sphere where the CPA, or whatever other group you choose, is instructive and helpful. However, the CPA—or any other group—can not teach you, with any authority and credibility about God, life and death, and what happens to those who have not believed.

Jesus, as The Teacher, My Rabbi, has the authority to instruct us in every area of our lives. His instruction is accompanied by the Spirit Who gives us discernment to show us what is worthy and what is counterfeit. We are told that the devil “disguises himself as an angel of light” (II Corinthians 11:13). It can be very difficult for ordinary people to distinguish between what is honourable and what comes from God Who is Truth versus what is counterfeit brought by the Father of Lies who is masquerading as an angel of light.

Jesus has the right to be The Teacher because we are made in His image.

Jesus has the right to be Our Rabbi because the Bible bears witness: He is full of grace and Truth.

Jesus claims us, ruined sinners, and offers abundant life free from the strangling lies of Satan.

In a world filled with discordant, rebellious voices Jesus is the Teacher and Our Rabbi Who alone brings us to the Father of mercy where we find rest for our souls.

There is no neutral ground. “Science” or public schools, politics and mathematics, every area of learning, from science to sociology, economics to art, drama and geology, all the world teaches comes with the rebelliousness of hearts and minds raging against the Truth. Believers in Jesus Christ find in Him our authoritative Teacher and our Master Who is worthy of all our heart, soul, mind and strength. Believers in Jesus need to sift the messages and learning of the world through the sieve of Jesus’ authoritative teaching. He alone has the right to instruct us. He alone has the right to lead us to the Father.

Jesus, Rabbi, lead us in the way everlasting. By the Word and gift of Your Spirit within us, let Your holy discernment keep us from stumbling in the ways of this rebellious world so that our feet will walk in Your pathway of Truth. Prepare us to endure mocking and hardship so that we will guard and obey all that is worthy and excellent—knowing what You taught so long ago: no student is greater than his Master—since You endured suffering, we as Your students will also suffer for what is right and true. By such suffering and perseverance, purify us and cause us to be made holy to the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.

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.