February 17, 2021 -- Psalm 3:5-6 -- Christ puts fretful fears to death

I lay down and slept;

I woke again for the LORD sustained me.

I will not be afraid of thousands of people

who have set themselves against me all around.

Psalm 3:5-6 English Standard Version

When your mind is filled with anxious thoughts of enemies, of your wrong-doing and the nagging notion God is far from you, can you sleep? No. Most people cannot sleep when there is so much turbulence churning in their hearts and minds. The psalmist set his fears and fretful thoughts before the LORD in prayer. And he slept.

What a profound lesson for the world today. How many Covid variants are there out and about now? Will the vaccine work? Will I be employed tomorrow? Will the cancer diagnosis sweep me away into death? What if poverty overtakes me like a bandit? What if I am never reconciled with the person who hates me? What if the judge is cruel and I am sentenced for a much longer prison term than has been suggested by the defense and prosecutor’s joint pre-sentencing submission? What if my sins find me out?

Real world questions and distressing thoughts can only be brought to submission before the LORD Who is your shield, He is your glory and He is the One Who can lift your head from despair and bring your life to victory no matter your circumstances. Jesus, while on a boat with His disciples, in the middle of a wicked storm which threatened to swamp them, slept peacefully. Why? Because the LORD answers His people from His holy hill. No matter what is in store for you, the LORD knows your past, your present and He holds your future.

Confess your sins. Christ has taken away God’s wrath against them. Trust God in the roller coaster ride of fears and diagnoses and times you feel helpless. Your life, and your death, these are in the hand of Your Father in heaven Who will bring you safe to Himself. Live submitted to Jesus Christ and by the power of His Spirit do what you know to be right. And beloved of the LORD sleep in peace. Blessed be His Name.

LORD our God, You Who answers His people from His living space of power—hear the pleas and cries of Your people. Hear now all those who have kissed the Son and submitted to His Kingly Rule. Spirit of the Living God, drive us into the arms of the Father, where Christ has made open our place of refuge. Amen.

https://youtu.be/oVurrAuobKU

February 16, 2021 -- Psalm 3:1-4 -- Defeating the Internal Monologue

O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

3 But you, O LORD are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

Psalm 3:1-4 English Standard Version

What you are reading is the interior monologue in the psalmist’s brain. It is the constant voice in your own head talking at you. For the psalmist he is letting the foes, his enemies—whatever they are, whether physical, mental, spiritual or emotional—he is letting them gain the upper hand. In fact, his troublers don’t even have to lift a finger against the writer of this psalm because the psalmist’s own brain is defeating him for them. Verse 2 ends with a mocking statement that made the author pause. Notice the musical term “Selah”.

Scholars are divided as to what “Selah” means. It makes the most sense to interpret Selah as pause, re-read what was stated before and reflect. This action stirs the psalmist to remember he is praying to the LORD and the LORD is not mocked and the LORD is not silent!

Look at the strong names used: LORD—this is the Name God revealed to Moses Exodus 3:14. He is the personal God Who keeps covenant. He is the God Who is outside of time and is Mighty. The LORD is a shield. He stands over His people, when you feel weak, defeated and worn and shields you from all the attacks of the enemy. He is the glory of His people.

The LORD saves His people and crowns them with love and compassion. He is the Lifter of our Heads—we are not bowed down in weakness and sin, but the LORD has raised us up and called us beloved daughters and sons! This is the work of Jesus Christ—He has defeated the devil. Jesus has taken your place at the cross and received the punishment your sins deserved. Jesus had given you His righteousness! No wonder New Testament readers of Psalm 3 shout for joy!

God of Infinite Power blessed are You. O God Hope of the helpless and strength of the defeated, hear the cries of Your people this day. The world is awash with confusion and trembles at things which are foolishness and laughs at the Splendor of Your Name—and as Your beloved children we confess this is all so chaotic and messes with our thinking. Spirit of God direct our thoughts as You did for the Psalmist who then experienced and prophesied: our Shield, our Glory and the Lifter of our Head—all this we ask in the Name of Jesus our Warrior-King! Amen.

Delight in this children’s song which reminds us so powerfully of the truth which this psalm is communicating to your head and heart.

https://youtu.be/LXYr0IswMQg

February 15, 2021 -- Psalm 2:7-12 -- Cast all mocking aside

I will tell of the decree:
The Lord said to me, “You are my Son;
    today I have begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,
    and the ends of the earth your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron
    and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;
    be warned, O rulers of the earth.
11 Serve the Lord with fear,
    and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son,
    lest he be angry, and you perish in the way,
    for his wrath is quickly kindled.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Psalm 2:7-12 English Standard Version

What a perverse sense of right and wrong our world has right now. Today is “Family Day” in Canada. Stores are shut up tight. However, Sundays are truly the day for families. It is the day designated by the Father and Christ His Son for worship. Single or married, young or old, all are invited to be joined with the Family of God and glorify the Son. Yet, on Sundays stores are wide open so that people can bring their gifts to the altars of consumerism. Why does this matter? Psalm 2 is calling on kings and legislators, prime ministers and premiers, and all ‘ordinary Christians’ to be wise, not in the eyes of society, but to be wise in the eyes of the LORD.

There are two ways to “kiss the Son”—Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus with a kiss. It was the height of mocking and cursing. Yet, many Christians betray Jesus in the same way. They follow Jesus in public, but watch porn in private. They praise Jesus in church and curse out their sister in their hearts. Kissing the Son, paying merely lip service to Jesus, is not acceptable.

The believer is warned by these words! To kiss the Son in truth is to bring your life into conformity with His rule in public and private. It is to take refuge in Jesus while the storms of life rage and temptations assault you incessantly and you know, with trembling in your heart, unless the Spirit of God moves in and through you, sin will master you. To kiss the Son is to confess you sin and call out to Him, save me—fill me with Your Spirit so that my life public and private, free time and working time all flow together bringing honour and glory to the Father.

Your majesty is dreadful and great, LORD God of Heaven and Earth. Hear Your people as we confess the hollowness of our worship and the times we “do devotions” in order to check this off our list and then go and do the things our wayward hearts clamor for us to do thereby merely kissing the Son in mocking. Spirit of God apply the Word to us as the restraining grace of Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, by the Spirit and His lightning illumination of the Word may our lives thunder in praise to God the Great and Glorious Judge. Bring many into real and deep fellowship with You, Father-Son-Holy Spirit One God blessed now and forevermore. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ieOL4X3nk2c

February 14, 2021 -- Psalm 2:1-6 -- What Faith Sees

Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the Lord and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;
    the Lord holds them in derision.
5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,
    and terrify them in his fury, saying,
6 “As for me, I have set my King
    on Zion, my holy hill.”

Psalm 2:1-6 English Standard Version

What a radically different picture of the Mighty Warrior of Heaven is given here which so directly challenges the wimpy love, love, love view of God that is prevalent today. What is happening to the wicked, who seem so powerful in the eyes of the world and so powerful in their own minds? The LORD’s prophet by way of this Psalm is declaring their ruin is already sure.

The LORD knows the end right from the beginning—no petty prime minister, nor taunting president, nor bullying despot has any chance against the LORD of Glory and Power. While the people squirm under the heels of health ministers and petty officials—who take away God-given rights and even trample the charters of their own administrations—may now see only from an earthly perspective, the LORD here gives a glimpse from the throne room of heaven. The LORD of heaven laughs in derision. He mocks the puny ones whom He has set up in authority who are trying to defy Him. The LORD has given and the LORD will take away.

The LORD has set up the King—as New Testament Christians we know this King to be Jesus. He is seated at the Right Hand of the Father bringing all things—all rulers, powers and authorities, yes even one day death itself—into submission to the Father in heaven. The time is short—the righteous are called to serve the True King of heaven. The righteous comprehend the battle of the ages, where tiny creatures and Lilliputian kings and despots, government ministers are trying to over-rule the True King of Heaven. So the righteous, undaunted, carry on serving the One Enthroned.

The LORD has given this Psalm as a warning—so it is a merciful psalm as well. When the LORD speaks of His terrible power it is always an opportunity for the wicked to repent of their planning which is self-directed rather than carried out in submission to His Holy Name. Therefore the righteous must pray. Therefore knowing God’s warning hangs over the heads of the wicked, the righteous, those whose way the LORD watches over, must urgently and fervently pray for the leaders who are increasing the wrath of God being heaped on their heads. May the LORD bring these leaders to holy repentance so that nations who once took counsel against the LORD, now newly submitted to Him will laugh in the sunshine of His favour. Where kings and prime ministers, presidents and despots have repented they will lead their people in revival blessings. Oh God the Blessed and Abounding in Covenant Faithfulness, increase our faith so that we pray with such vision!

Blessed Father in heaven, You have appointed Christ the Resurrected One, as True King over all in this cosmos. Thank You for the eyes of faith which perceive this Truth by the Spirit’s revelation. Thank You Father in heaven for the beauty of Your Word which teaches us to see what the world seeks to obfuscate. LORD Jesus Christ, send Your Spirit to open the eyes of blind rulers and wicked leaders who make decisions without reference to Your Mighty Reign. Cause the blinders of self-importance and worldly agendas to fall from their eyes so that Your True Power and Reign fill their thoughts and vision. May there be a holy revival which sweeps through our land. Let Christ be recognized as the One enthroned as King so that leaders and those who are led alike shout and sing causing His praises to fill the land from sea to sea to sea. Amen.

https://youtu.be/GzlponYvF30

February 12, 2021 -- Psalm 1:4-5 -- How are the wicked and the righteous really any different?

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,

nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous;

for the LORD knows the way of the righteous,

but the way of the wicked will perish.

Psalm 1:5-6 English Standard Version

You might be saying under your breath: “Did I miss something? This morning’s passage is so black and white.” On reaching the final line maybe become indignant and whisper “I know a lot of good people, moral people, who are kind to others, shoveling their elderly neighbour’s snow-drifted-to-the-height-of the-door-of-the-car driveways without expecting pay. Is the LORD stating that good people who don’t know Him are rushing headlong into the gaping maw of hell?”

Typical of human nature, isn’t it? Looking for a loop-hole is so common. Psalm 1:1-3 described the wicked perfectly. (Read it again, I don’t mind waiting. Yeah, seriously, re-read it!) The wicked are the mockers, the sinners, and those whose advice seems good, but any suggestion and all advice is offered without reference to the Living God and His ways. The wicked are not only actively evil they are also passively rebellious against the Sovereign Ruler of All. Rather than looking to the Law of God for their delight and their source of counsel, they drink from broken cisterns—basically they seek their refreshment anywhere, everywhere other than in Him Who is the Source of every good gift and all wise counsel. The passage today begins with a “therefore”—all that has gone there before is the grounds for the summation found in the reading today.

Therefore the wicked, for their active evil and passive rebellion against the Living God Who made them, gives them breath and sustains them, the wicked will fail in the Day of Judgment. All sense of hubris, any inkling of “when I see God I will tell Him what I think” fades into pitiable silence. The wicked are by their actions and their choices rushing towards hell. It is shocking and grievous. It is the reason believers are compelled to stand and tell others about the glory of God the Judge. Hell which awaits the wicked and the mocker and the sinner is agony beyond description

The righteous are directed by the LORD their God. He refreshes their souls. The righteous see how close their thoughts are to those of the wicked and confess these thoughts. The righteous know it is the Spirit of God Who restrains their sinful impulses. The righteous delight in the Law of the LORD because they know that they are saved by the intervention of the Father in heaven Who has given the Son for the complete forgiveness of all their sins. The righteous have no reason for boasting nor any grounds for feeling superior—the righteous realize this—it is grace, from start to finish, from top to bottom and through-out the fabric of their lives, it is the grace of God injected into them by the Spirit of God which makes them righteous.

Therefore the righteous are confirmed in their walking away from the counsel of the wicked; this is the reason why the righteous do not stand around with sinners—they know the familiar pull of temptation which would lead them back into sin and wickedness. The righteous are not “holier-than-thou”, they are self-aware enough to realize walking, stopping and finally sitting down with sinners is the entranceway leading them right back to the all-too-near old patterns of sin and hateful disrespect of the Glorious God Who has lifted them from this pathway and set their feet on the path of life. When the righteous see the deeds of the wicked, they are drawn to the Word of God, given as the preventative cure of terminal temptations of sin. Blessed be the LORD our God Who richly blesses His children with life and hope and strength for new paths.

O God, the Holy Spirit, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son~have mercy on me.

Increase my faith in the clear knowledge of atonement achieved,

expiation completed, satisfaction made, guilt done away,

my debt paid, my sins forgiven, my person redeemed, my soul saved,

hell vanquished, heaven opened, eternity made mine.

O Holy Spirit, deepen in me these saving lessons.

Write them upon my heart, that my walk be sin-loathing, sin-fleeing,

Christ-loving;

And suffer no devil’s device to beguile or deceive me.

^We give thanks to You, LORD of Lords,

for Your steadfast love endures forever.

the prayer begins with a quotation of: The Spirit’s Work from The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions and the final two lines are adapted from Psalm 136:3.

https://youtu.be/OYJK6wjhUuM

February 11, 2021 -- Psalm 1:1-4 -- A warning and an invitation

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

Psalm 1:1-4 English Standard Version

How much time do you spend planning the next movie channel series you are going to watch? You have seen adverts for it and you have been thinking about binge watching. You really don’t have a block of time like that, in fact, other things are unattended, sleep is pushed too deep into the night in order to imbibe in the obsession. Perhaps it is not even planned, the series just sort of falls into your lap and you are hooked.

The Psalmist is describing the Word of God in this way. It is something he cannot get enough of. It consumes his thinking. When he is not actively reading the Word of God, he is thinking about it. It replenishes his enthusiasm for the task at hand, knowing once this is done, he will be able to drink deeply of the Word of God. Jesus described Himself as Living Water (John 4). His Word and His refreshing presence well up within the believer such that all else fades from prominence and urgency.

Perhaps you do not experience the presence of the LORD in this way? Perhaps you find the Word dry and boring? That is the experience of chaff—the outer husk of wheat that is beaten off the wheat and when the wheat and chaff are tossed up into the air, the wind carries away the near weightless chaff into oblivion and the weighted wheat falls into a pile at the feet of the Master Who is threshing His wheat.

This Psalm is both a warning and an invitation. Examine your life. If you are not finding delight in the Word of God—something is seriously wrong with your life. The chaff, those who love mockers, sinners and scoffers will find one day that they are driven away from the Word and their fall and destruction are sure. Now is the day of salvation. Now is the time to return to your first love. Ask the Spirit of God to change you from the inside-out so that the Word takes its rightful place in your heart and mind. Cut out the nonsense you are filling your mind with now so that having removed the detritus of your mind, there is room for delight in the Word and more importantly, there is room for the adoration of the Person Jesus.

The invitation. Read the Word. Study it until your mind’s eye and your faith see Jesus in dreadful Majesty. Spend time with it until you get to know the main characters, the plot lines, the story arcs and it moves from being unfamiliar to something that fills your heart with joy and blessedness. Pray for the Spirit of God to renew your delight in the Word so that when your assigned time for reading it is done, you find you are still lingering, squeezing out some more time so that you can drink in all the delights of it. You find yourself thinking about Jesus and His glories and this overshadows your day and fills your nights. The promise pictured in this Psalm is that those who live in this way will find their lives yielding fruitfulness and abundance—even when the rest of the world is in drought and in a famine for hearing the Word of the LORD—your heart, soul, and mind are being constantly replenished.

  O God the Holy Spirit,

Thou who dost proceed from the Father and the Son,

have mercy on me.

When thou didst first hover over chaos,

order came to birth ,beauty robed the world, fruitfulness sprang forth.

Move, I pray thee, upon my disordered heart;

Take away the infirmities of unruly desires and hateful lusts;

Lift the mists and darkness of unbelief;

Brighten my soul with the pure light of truth;

Make it fragrant as the garden of paradise, rich with every goodly fruit,

beautiful with heavenly grace, radiant with rays of divine light.

Fulfil in me the glory of thy divine  offices;

Be my comforter, light, guide, sanctifier;

Take of the things of Christ and show them to my soul;

Through thee may I daily learn more of his love, grace, compassion,

faithfulness, beauty…

The Valley of Vision “The Spirit’s Word”

https://youtu.be/8C3WQ1G1Uso

February 10, 2021 -- Psalm 1:1-2 -- Walking in Blessedness

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2 English Standard Version

The Psalms are the prayer-book of the Bible. Each psalm is packed with Spirit-fueled insight so that the believer can grow in his prayerful-walk with the Living God. Today is the launch of a new series, a study-devotional of the Book of Psalms.

Psalm 1 stands as the introduction to the whole and what the Spirit teaches the believer is important to help you understand the rest of the book. There is one way of faithfulness, drenching one’s life in truth, which is obedience to law of the LORD. Obedience to the Living God is the evidence, the fruit, of a life dedicated to the Father in heaven—Who is the source of every good gift. Every other path, every other life-style that touts itself as truth without delight in the Law of God is, in fact, a lie forged in hell to chain people in the way of disobedience and death which ultimately leads to eternity in hell.

Jesus lived out such delightful obedience to the Father in heaven. In fact, He is the only, perfectly and fully obedient One Who ever lived. In His obedience believers are credited with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. In His Person He took on our sins and our sins were fully punished so that all who believe in Jesus have had their sins removed and His obedience to the Father is credited to us! The Spirit of the Living God fills believers with the ever-increasing desire for obedience to the way of God. These laws give expression to and practical form to thankful living.

Walking in the way of Jesus Christ is living in Spirit-directed compliance to the Word of God, a pathway filled with challenges. Like the Master Jesus, believers face scoffers and mockers, bad worldly counsel and persecution. Even so, the believer has experienced the fact that any other pathway, all other religions and all other advice which is merely from the world, is the road which leads to death. Therefore the blessed man, the blessed woman, the blessed child fix their eyes on Jesus. Such blessed persons walk in submission to the authority of the God of all Power Who is the Source of Every Blessing. In so walking they count all things as loss and dung except this: ever more fully and deeply knowing Jesus Christ and by the Spirit’s power walking in His way all for the glory of the Father in heaven.

Who is like You, O God our Father? There is none like You in neither in the outer reaches of the cosmos, nor on the earth, nor under the earth! You are merciful in the salvation You have shown and radiantly continue to show us in Jesus Christ. You are the Way-Maker, through Jesus Christ, bringing lost and ruined sinners to the place where salvation is richly poured out. Who is like You, Faithful Father, giving believers the Spirit of God, the same Spirit Who raised Jesus from the dead, so that believers can walk in obedience to the Word of God and find delight in submission to You, no matter the slings and the arrows of the rebellious people, rulers and peers of our times. Strengthen our conformity to Your will and Your way so that beauty of Jesus Christ shines out from us, re-convincing us daily of our devotion to Him and convicting the people around us, of His splendour and Terrible Sovereignty. Amen.

https://youtu.be/zOpt_bulJxY

February 8, 2021 -- John 21:24 -- Jesus is proved true

This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.

John 21:24 English Standard Version

Odd snippet of text to have as the focus of this day, isn’t it? The disciple John overhead the exchanges between Simon Peter and Jesus. How Jesus restored Simon Peter and gave him the honourable task “feed my lambs, feed my sheep”. Then Jesus foretold of Simon Peter’s martyrdom—indeed, as he’d previously vowed to be faithful to Jesus no-matter-what, and failed—now Jesus told Peter he would be martyred. As the reader follows in Acts, Simon Peter he would be empowered by the Spirit of God and prayed for by Jesus so he could stand with Jesus in the days of his witnessing, testing and martyrdom.

The disciple Jesus loved, John, heard all these things and now bears witness to them. It was by the design of the Spirit that John should hear these things and preserve them. John’s witness shows to believers how Jesus takes sinful men and women and restores them. Jesus, by His Spirit, empowers those who repeatedly fail and by His redeeming sacrifice and His intercessory work (that is, Jesus’ faithful prayers for His people at the Father’s right hand) Jesus preserves those who in their own strength can never follow Him.

John’s testimony is true—because it is Spirit led. John’s testimony is true, the Bible bears it witness to it, Peter becomes a faithful witness to Jesus Christ despite persecution and imprisonment. He still stumbles, at times significantly. He still has to grow in his faith and re-learn some of the basics, but he becomes an early leader in the New Testament Church—faithful to Jesus Christ. John’s testimony is true, just as Jesus worked in Peter’s life, Jesus takes you and He works His salvation into every part of your life so that your boast is ever, always, and only Jesus Christ. He is your glory; He is the lifter of head so that His salvation is proved to be a work of your Father’s electing love. Jesus is true, He is your salvation and this is so because His Spirit will not let you go nor stumble beyond the grip of Jesus’ saving grace. This is John’s true testimony. Hallelujah, what a Savior!

Today’s prayer is the soaring Psalm 113:

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord,
    praise the name of the Lord!

2 Blessed be the name of the Lord
    from this time forth and forevermore!
3 From the rising of the sun to its setting,
    the name of the Lord is to be praised!

4 The Lord is high above all nations,
    and his glory above the heavens!
5 Who is like the Lord our God,
    who is seated on high,
6 who looks far down
    on the heavens and the earth?
7 He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap,
8 to make them sit with princes,
    with the princes of his people.
9 He gives the barren woman a home,
    making her the joyous mother of children.
Praise the Lord

Psalm 113 Biblegateway

https://youtu.be/3GH0aLQwhRY

February 5, 2021 -- John 21:21 -- Fully Engaged

When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”

John 21:21 English Standard Version

Peter is the disciple I can most relate to in my own life. His mouth is often going before his brain has had a chance to fully engage. Once again this is the case. Peter has just had Jesus restore him—three times Jesus asked Peter—’Do you love Me?” Jesus asked these questions, one time for each of Peter’s previous denials. Then Jesus gave Peter a task, the work evidencing his restoration—”feed my lambs” and twice commanding “feed my sheep.”

And Peter, without even taking time to process what Jesus had spoken to him, saw John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, and asked Jesus “what about him?” Peter no doubt knew Jesus had business with John the beloved disciple as well.

This is why “twitter” is always exploding with this scandal or that gossip—people want to know everyone else’s business. It is easy to think “Me and God, we’ve got this…now, what about that person or look at the antics of her life!” Your life and your own heart and the purpose for which you have been restored laid are out before you—engage in the task Jesus has given you.

Give thanks to God the Father for the great salvation given to you in Christ Jesus the Savior-King! This is your life’s greatest purpose—offering thanks and praise, honour and worship poured out to God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Ask the Spirit of God to renew you in holy zeal so that you will live up to the purpose and task for which the Father has restored you in Christ.

Do what you know is right! Even in Covid times. Even when you are locked down. Write a letter of encouragement. Call a friend who you know needs encouragement. Spend time, focused time with each of your children at home and show them the joyful way of salvation. Study a portion of Scripture you’d always meant to learn. Memorize.

Pray. The government at all levels needs wisdom, needs Christians to rise up and give wise counsel and advice. The world is a mess—Christians are being persecuted in record numbers, and this is neglected by the news media. There are unreached people groups who need the Gospel—pray.

Blessed Father, thank You for the salvation You have so richly given in Jesus Christ! Forgive us, oh, forgive us for all the times we look around and ask “what about him” or “what about her” instead of confessing our own sins. Spirit of the Living God, as You apply the glorious forgiveness of Jesus cause us to rejoice in the extravagant gift of forgiveness and new life which is continually given us in Christ! Mighty God, You have ennobled us in Christ Jesus so that we are sons and daughters of the King Most High, therefore, Spirit of God, strengthen us to live up to our high calling. Amen.

https://youtu.be/j5slD2aSKKY

February 4, 2021 -- John 21:16 -- Restoration

He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

John 21:16 English Standard Version

Jesus, speaking to Simon Peter who denied Him three times, now asks Simon Peter a second time: “do you love me?” Jesus’ questions go to the very depths of Simon Peter’s denials and require an answer from a heart and mind in process of being sanctified, that is, being made holy. As Simon Peter answers Jesus he is being restored. Whenever the devil would later on seek to plant a seed of doubt—can Jesus really love you? Did He really restore you? Simon Peter will recall these questions and remember Jesus’ persistence in asking and Jesus’ purpose for restoration.

Notice also Jesus’ response to Simon Peter’s affirmative answer: “tend my sheep”. Jesus did not say to Peter, that’s it, you are going to have to wait four months and prove yourself penitent. No, Jesus restored Simon Peter and gave him an important task to do. The task confirms the veracity of Jesus’ forgiveness. The work of tending Jesus’ sheep, (these sheep are the people who soon would be without the presence of Jesus their Shepherd because He would be ascending to heaven) would confirm Simon Peter’s forgiveness and teach others the way of forgiving love and restoration in Jesus’ Name. Tending the sheep would give shape and help Simon Peter express his thanks and praise to God.

I wonder how many forgiven people languish in the uncertain place of being told they are forgiven, but not having any meaningful or useful task to do. It makes the forgiveness seem incomplete and the awkwardness between the one forgiving and the one being forgiveness unnecessarily extended. Most beautifully Jesus, our Saviour and Reconciler, teaches us the way of forgiveness—believers are called to tend other believers, to help in their restoration, or their growth in faith, or their work in living as Christians. In so doing the rich blessings of Jesus Christ are worked into and through-out the whole Christian community and the world notices and says “see how those Christians love one another!”

O Holy Spirit,

As the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water,

Heaven full of glory, so may my heart be full of thee.

Vain are all divine purposes of love and the redemption wrought by Jesus

except thou work within, regenerating by thy power, giving me eyes to see Jesus,

showing me the realities of the unseen world.

Give me thyself without measure,

as an unimpaired fountain as inexhaustible riches.

I bewail my coldness, poverty,

emptiness, imperfect vision, languid service, prayerless prayers, praiseless praises.

Suffer me not to grieve or resist thee.

Come as power, to expel every rebel lust, to reign supreme and keep me thine;

Come as teacher, leading me into all truth, filling me with all understanding;

Come as love, that I may adore the Father, and love him as my all;

Come as joy,

to dwell in me, move in me, animate me;

Come as light, illuminating the Scripture, moulding me in its laws;

Come as sanctifier, body, soul and spirit wholly thine;

Come as helper, with strength to bless and keep, directing my every step;

Come as beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos.

Magnify to me thy glory by being magnified in me,

and make me redolent of thy fragrance.

“Spiritus Sanctus” The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions

https://youtu.be/tQUTvMtUhw4

February 3, 2021 -- John 21:15 -- Jesus' difficult question to you

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Fed my lambs.”

John 21:15 English Standard Version

With the arid smell of the charcoal fire still in his nostrils, his belly filled with the breakfast Jesus had provided, Peter was asked: “Do you love me more than these?” The question needs to be asked—more than these what? It seems a bit ambiguous. Does it refer to the fishing nets and the joy of working? It might. R.C. Sproul suggested it was a much sharper question: “Do you love Me more than these other men here love Me?”

According to Luke 7:42-43, those who have had greater debts forgiven, love with greater depths. Jesus has shown Simon Peter great compassion—not ostracizing him, not heaping scorn on his head—Jesus provided a great catch of fish. Jesus provided His Own company. Jesus provided breakfast. All this to Simon Peter, the man who denied Jesus three times. The man who disassociated himself from Jesus. Jesus did not distance Himself nor deny him.

Do you feel as if your sins are too great to be forgiven? Do you feel as if God the Father is more likely to scold you than to rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3:17)? Let this passage sink into your mind and soul. In love Jesus approached Simon Peter and began the process of restoring him. So too Jesus has approached You by His Word and Spirit. You can love Him “more than these”—whoever or whatever used to be dear, such people and things have faded into obscurity in view of Jesus—Who has purchased your soul with His blood. Rejoice. He has set your soul free!

Today’s prayer of praise is drawn from Zephaniah, already referred to in the devotional. The prayer includes these terms Daughter of Zion and Daughter of Jerusalem which are references to the much loved people of God. Jesus is the Holy Bridegroom—He will return to claim His Bride (the daughters of Jerusalem and Zion) and bring her to the new heavens and new earth, clothed in holiness and joy. As forgiven people, washed by the blood of Jesus Christ, we are part of this joy-filled, rejoicing and exulting redeemed people!

Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion;
shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart,
O daughter of Jerusalem!
15 The Lord has taken away the judgments against you;
he has cleared away your enemies.
The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst;
you shall never again fear evil.
16 On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem:
“Fear not, O Zion;
let not your hands grow weak.
17 The Lord your God is in your midst,
a mighty one who will save;
he will rejoice over you with gladness;
he will quiet you by his love;
he will exult over you with loud singing.

Zephaniah 3:14-17 ESV from Biblegateway

https://youtu.be/fAJyGZlbeTg

February 2, 2021 -- John 21:9 -- Profoundly Forgiven

When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire in place, with fish laid out on it, and bread.

John 21:9 English Standard Version

Why does the author of the Gospel of John specifically mention that Jesus cooked breakfast for His disciples over a charcoal fire? Where else is a charcoal fire mentioned? It is only mentioned one other place, John 18:18. When Peter was outside in the courtyard of the High Priest, and Jesus was inside being falsely accused by the High Priest, the servants and officers made a charcoal fire to warm themselves. At this place Peter denied Jesus. Peter had said he’d lay down his life for Jesus—that was just hours before!

The smell of a charcoal fire is distinct! Peter would, no doubt, immediately recognize it and the recent association with Jesus’s betrayal and mock trial and his own denials of Jesus. Why would Jesus do this? Why would Jesus remind Peter of this?

How often have you asked, “Can I really be forgiven?” You think of your worst failures and at the remembrance of it the enemy nudges your conscience and sickens your stomach so you begin to doubt the extravagant grace of God shown you in Christ. Peter was, by means of this charcoal fire, reminded of his great failure and profound betrayal of His King. And Jesus, gently, begins the process of restoration.

Dearly loved follower of Jesus, if you feel as if your nose is being rubbed into your failure, ask yourself: “is it possible the Spirit of God has brought me to this place so that I can learn the depths of the forgiveness of Jesus Christ?” The answer is yes. Yes, our deepest betrayals and worst offenses against God have been propitiated. It is a technical word: propitiated—that is, God’s appropriate anger against our sin has been fully poured out against Jesus on the cross. At that cross, Jesus became sin for us, so that we might in Christ become the righteousness of God.

How then shall we live? As deeply and truly as you have been forgiven, be reconciled with others. Offer forgiveness fully. Live thanking God for the work of Jesus Christ. In the power of the Holy Spirit as you read the Bible, do not let the enemy cow you into thinking you can not be forgiven. Praise God the Father that He has not left you languishing in the horror of your sins but has rescued you in Christ and protects you by His Spirit Who lives in you. When in memory you smell the arid burning of past failures now forgiven, let that be the prompting you need to bring honour and praise to God Who is rich in mercy.

Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and all that is within me,
bless his holy name!
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits,
3 who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 who satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

20 Bless the Lord, O you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his word,
obeying the voice of his word!
21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts,
his ministers, who do his will!
22 Bless the Lord, all his works,
in all places of his dominion.
Bless the Lord, O my soul!

Biblegateway Psalm 103:1-5;20-22 ESV

https://youtu.be/PhdTwZKlobA

February 1, 2021 -- John 21:4-5 -- Work and Blessing

Just as day was breaking, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, do you have any fish?” They answered him, “No”.

John 21:4 English Standard Version

Why were the disciples fishing? Jesus had told them to go to Galilee and He would meet them there. They were fishermen. They’d need to feed their families, so it was not unreasonable that they’d be fishing.

Why didn’t they catch anything? At John 21:1 it is recorded that at the Sea of Tiberias Jesus revealed Himself. There is something purposeful going on here, the revelation Jesus desires to show them, is unfolding even in the fact that these capable fishermen are coming up empty-handed.

Why did Jesus ask them what He knew already? Jesus was not mocking the men. He was going to make a point and thereby give a fuller revelation of Himself to His followers.

What do we learn?

Work is honourable. If a man capable of work but refuses to work he should not eat.

It is Jesus Who gives blessing to our work. He is near. He calls out to us—do you see fruitfulness and blessing on your labour? If not here are some questions worth thinking about:

~Are you asking for Jesus’ blessing? Remember the Lord’s prayer, “give us this day our daily bread”. When it seems we are spinning our wheels, it may well be that have become proud, forgetting it is God our Faithful Father Who gives work, gives ability, gives success and gives us favour.

~Are you looking to Jesus for Him to bring the blessing and the increase? If not, perhaps it is time to confess your failings.

~Are you thanking Him for every good gift or are you taking for granted the rich blessings you receive? Perhaps a season of drought in your finances or work or fruitfulness of your work will bring you back to your knees and increase your thankfulness for all you have received and are receiving from God the Glorious Father.

Prayer is from the psalms:

It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to Your Name, O Most High;

to declare Your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night,

to the music of the lute and the harp, to the melody of the lyre.

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your work; at the works of Your hands I sing for joy!

Psalm 92:1-4 English Standard Version

https://youtu.be/sR6Kajdtt3M

January 28, 2021 -- John 20:29 -- Faith that is blessed

Jesus said, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

John 20:29 English Standard Version

It is worth pausing and re-reading that passage several times. Do you understand, you who are reading this right now, you are covered by this glorious blessing? Thomas refused to believe, in fact he said, “I will never believe” (unless I place my finger in His nail scars and put my hand into His wounded side). Doubting Thomas broke into the confession “My Lord and my God!” when Jesus approached him and invited Thomas to touch those very scars.

We have not seen Jesus with our eyes, nor have we touched those glorious scars. Yet Jesus calls us blessed. We are blessed by Jesus our High Priest. We are blessed because the Spirit of God moved us to hear and respond to the Good News of Jesus as it was presented by faithful parents (as in my case) or faithful Christians in church or at work. We are blessed because the Spirit of God seals to our minds and hearts the work of Jesus. In fact, by this blessing Jesus teaches us our faith is not inferior to that of those first disciples. We are not second-class citizens in heaven.

This should inspire you to tell others of Jesus. This blessing assures us that as we go and speak the Good News of Jesus Christ, others will hear and believe because of our testimony. Others will also be covered by this glorious blessing—”Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed”. This blessing leads us to praise the Triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit! It is true we are most richly blessed by the extravagant love and mercy of our God!

The Love of Jesus

O Father of Jesus,

Help me to approach thee with deepest reverence, not with presumption, not with servile fear, but with holy boldness. Thou art beyond the grasp of my understanding, but not beyond that of my love. Thou knowest that I love thee supremely, for thou art supremely adorable, good, perfect.

My heart melts at the love of Jesus, my brother, bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, married to me, dead for me, risen for me; He is mine and I am his, given to me as well as for me; I am never so much mine as when I am his, or so much lost to myself until lost in him; then I find my true manhood.

But my love is frost and cold, ice and snow; Let his love warm me, lighten my burden, be my heaven; May it be more revealed to me in all its influences that my love to him may be more fervent and glowing; Let the mighty tide of his everlasting love cover the rocks of my sin and care; Then let my spirit float above those things which had else wrecked my life. Make me fruitful by living to that love, my character becoming more beautiful every day. If traces of Christ’s love-artistry be upon me, may he work on with his divine brush until the complete image be obtained and I be made a perfect copy of him, my Master.

O Lord Jesus, come to me,

O Divine Spirit, rest upon me,

O Holy Father, look on me in mercy

for the sake of the well-beloved.

Prayer is from the book: The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions

https://youtu.be/hwc2d1Xt8gM

January 27, 2021 -- John 20:24-26 -- Defying Cancel Culture

Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.” Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them.

John 20:24-26 English Standard Version

What is striking about this passage is how it stands against today’s ‘cancel culture’. This cancel culture summarized as: ‘if you don’t agree with me, I will cancel you from my life’. Thomas did not believe Jesus had risen from the dead. Even though the other disciples were in the upper room one week before and they had seen the risen Savior. Thomas was steadfast, curmudgeonly in his rebellious unbelief. HE wasn’t there. He didn’t see. He would not believe. How did the other disciples respond?

Well, the other disciples kept inviting Thomas to their times of worship. The other disciples obviously kept speaking to Thomas about Jesus and His resurrection. The following Sunday Doubting Thomas was with the assembled disciples back in the upper room. What patient love the other disciples must have shown to Thomas. How compelling their invitations to stay within the fellowship, and we draw that conclusion because Thomas was there with the other disciples. Then Jesus reappeared.

During these Covid-19 crisis times, who needs your persistent love? Who needs to see your dedication to the Risen Savior and hear your kind and persistent invitations to join in for worship? Do not take on the hateful cancel culture tone of the world around you. In view of the peace only Jesus can bring, be persistent and faithful in your invitations to the people in your life that they may encounter the living, Risen Savior Jesus.

Spirit of God, thank You for Your work in the hearts and lives of those who, under Your direction led us to Jesus Christ. Thank You for their faithfulness and persistence. Spirit of God move us to holy boldness to reach out to friends, co-workers, and neighbours with the Good News of salvation which is found in Christ alone. Father in heaven, thank You that from the time before the world was even formed, You chose men and women, children and infants to be Your beloved people, drawn to Yourself in Jesus Christ. With the assurance You, Spirit of God, are sending us to bring to full measure the family of heaven, let us go out with this Good News. Forgive us for work undone. Forgive us for fields unwon. In view of the greatness of the salvation lavished on us in Christ Jesus, guarded in us by the rich deposit of the Spirit, direct us Father to the family members yet to be drawn in. Blessed are You, Triune God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/FBTluxqFu_A

January 26, 2021 -- John 20:19b-20 -- Jesus' glorious scars

“Peace be with you.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.

John 20:19b-20 English Standard Version

Recently I heard a preacher note that Jesus, Who had fed thousands with just a few fish and loaves of bread, Who commanded the wind and raging seas so they’d obey Him and became calm, and Who’d raised the dead—surely this Jesus could have risen from the dead with no scars on His hands or feet or His side. Revelation 5 emphasizes this Jesus as the “Lamb Who was slain”. It is a point worth pondering.

Jesus’ scars proved He is the Christ, the One anointed by the Father to serve as the sacrifice Who takes away the sin of the world.

Jesus’ scars show the cost of our redemption—by His scars it is proved we have peace with God.

Jesus’ scars continually declare His humanity—there at the Father’s right hand in heaven is Jesus, fully God and fully Man. The guarantee that we who are in Christ shall see Him face to face.

Jesus’ scars teach us our own suffering and wounds are purposeful. Whatever hardships or God-ordained misfortunes we must go through, we are assured that these are used by God our Father to teach us to look to Jesus, we are confirmed in our precious faith and it is opportunity for the Spirit of God to direct us deeper and more fully into communion with Jesus.

I love you, O LORD, my Strength.

The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer,

my God, my Rock in whom I take Refuge,

my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold.

I call upon the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3 English Standard Version

https://youtu.be/p1Rn-9j2NQw

January 23, 2021 -- John 20:19 & various -- An Alien Righteousness

“And you, son of man, say to your people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him when he transgresses, and as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall by it when he turns from his wickedness, and the righteous shall not be able to live by his righteousness when he sins. Though I say to the righteous that he shall surely live, yet if he trusts in his righteousness and does injustice, none of his righteous deeds shall be remembered, but in his injustice that he has done he shall die.

Ezekiel 33:10-13 English Standard Version

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.

John 13:31 English Standard Version

Jesus came and stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.”

John 20:19 English Standard Version

Without the Old Testament believers cannot understand the significance of Jesus and His saving work. Ezekiel was called “son of man” because he was anointed by the LORD as the prophet sent to warn the people. The righteous will transgress. There is none who is righteousness in and of himself, not one! God is our righteousness.

The Gospel of John names Jesus or records Jesus naming Himself “The Son of Man” a total of 13 times. No one is righteous. All are warned of their sins—like Ezekiel the Watchman of Israel—Jesus warned the people of Israel not to trust their own goodness, their own efforts or in themselves. The sword of judgment will come and strike down all.

The Son of Man, Jesus, is glorified, because warns of the wrath of God which breaks against the prideful wicked. But greater glory is credited to Jesus because He also takes the place of the sinner, being the punished one Who bears this punishment for the sins of His people. Therefore Jesus is righteous. And He is the righteousness of all who believe in Him.

Jesus alone can speak peace to His disciples. On that first Resurrection Sunday, Jesus declared the peace of heaven on those sinful disciples—disbelievers, betrayers, those who’d abandoned Jesus at the Garden. He spoke to the wicked and became their Peace and their righteousness. Be warned, O sinner, be warned that you cannot save yourself. You need an alien righteousness—you need Jesus to take away your wickedness and given to you a righteousness that can withstand the scrutiny of God the Glorious.

This is also why church is essential in these turbulent times. So many people today are terrified of the virus. So many people are shut up in their home feeling confused and feeling as if they are being berated by health officials for not being compliant when that accusation non-compliance is indiscriminately shouted out against all citizens. Who can offer any consolation? Who can warn the wicked? Who can offer prayers to the Most High Who is Great with Mercy? It is among the people of God that such consolations can be found. Without the righteousness and peace of God given in Jesus Christ millions are marching to an eternity of hell and torment. Speak out, followers of Jesus Christ, and declare His righteousness and His peace to this Covid-weary world.

The prayer today is a psalm. Think of the one who prays it as one covered in the righteousness of Jesus:

O Lord, who shall sojourn in your tent?
    Who shall dwell on your holy hill?

2 He who walks blamelessly and does what is right
    and speaks truth in his heart;
3 who does not slander with his tongue
    and does no evil to his neighbor,
    nor takes up a reproach against his friend;
4 in whose eyes a vile person is despised,
    but who honors those who fear the Lord;
who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 who does not put out his money at interest
    and does not take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things shall never be moved.

Psalm 15 English Standard Version

https://youtu.be/cY6k2QhdCn0

January 21, 2021 -- John 20:17 -- Power from Christ to the powerless

Jesus said to her, “Do not cling to me, for I have not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God’.”

John 20:17 English Standard Version

Why not cling to Jesus? Jesus gives the answer. He will be ascending to His Father. Jesus promised His disciples, when He goes to ‘Him Who sent Me’ then He will be enthroned in power and He will send the Helper, the Holy Spirit (John 16:5,7). The Spirit of God lives in the heart of believers. The Spirit of God teaches believers the way of Truth. The Spirit of God strengthens believers so that sin becomes hateful to them and righteousness the sweet kiss of peace.

Fellow believers, we have received Good News piled onto Good News. Our sins are wholly disarmed because of the cross of Jesus Christ. The devil cannot whisper accusations against us any longer for Jesus took the punishment for our sins and He is risen to new life. In Christ, Who is seated at the Father’s right hand, we have new life, new hope, and victory in His Name and this because of the Helper, the Holy Spirit. Confess your sins. Admit your rebellions against God. Find in Christ the gift of freedom, guaranteed by the Spirit Who lives in you—and this, all this—to the glory of the Father.

Jesus, Middle Man between the Father and us, blessed are You! Our Hope and Heart’s delight thank You for the richness of our salvation. Father in heaven, thank You for electing love which has been poured out in Jesus and is guaranteed by the Spirit—the Helper of the downtrodden, the Comfort of the exhausted and the Wisdom of those who are considered fools in the eyes of the world.

https://youtu.be/jcp6w4zaW7U

January 20, 2021 -- John 20:15 -- Whom are you seeking?

Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

John 20:15 English Standard Version

Mary had seen angels who asked her why she was lamenting, crying, wailing. She had not comprehended His resurrection. Now, Jesus stood right in front of her and for her grief and wailing she could not recognize Him right there. It was her grief and bewilderment that blocked her view of Jesus. He has instructed His followers that the Messiah must suffer and rise. She had all the evidence she needed right in front of her and could not see Him for grief.

Believer what is blocking your view of Jesus? He is present in the beautiful pages of Scripture. He is present by His Spirit’s witness to your Spirit. He is near as a sigh or prayer. Are you allowing Covid and media fears which whip up further crippling fears to block your view of Jesus? Are you focused on financial uncertainties wondering what is next so that the splendor of Jesus is kept from you? Addictions. Cancer. Loneliness Anger. Resentment. Greed. Idolatry. These and so many other things can block your view of Jesus.

Perhaps your view of Jesus is clouded by your expectations. Mary saw a gardener, instead of her Savior. She wasn’t expecting Jesus. She wasn’t expecting Jesus to appear like that before her. Perhaps you have a view of God that is wrong. Perhaps you expect Him to alleviate your pain, when in fact, this pain is exactly what is needed so that sin is extracted and holiness can fill in. What false views of the LORD Almighty are you holding that need to be readjusted? Circumstances, the Word and the stirring of the Spirit will make such things known to you.

All things are passing away. Earth is wearing out like a garment. The only thing that will last is love for Jesus and the people He puts in Your life. You might note, this is basically the same message of two days ago. Indeed it is. The Gospel of John repeats this message—it is repeated because it is sinful nature to cast your gaze downwards, rather than up, to Jesus, Who stands right before you, speaking your name. Look to Jesus.

My Father,

thou hast given me a present, Jesus thy Son,

as Mediator between thyself and my soul,

as middle-man who in a pit

holds both him below and and him above,

for only he can span the chasm breached by sin,

and satisfy divine justice.

May I always lay hold upon this Mediator,

as a realized object of faith,

and alone worthy by his love to bridge the gulf.

Let me know that he is dear to me by his Word;

I am one with him by the Word on his part,

and by faith on mine.

So shall Christ the Word, and his Word,

be my strength and comfort.

From The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions “Christ the Word”

https://youtu.be/6zTYTnyvk7k

January 17, 2021 -- John 20:11-12 -- Lift Up Your Eyes

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet.

John 20:11-12 English Standard Version

Though the tomb was empty and Jesus had risen just as He said He would, Mary wept. It is wailing and lamenting. Her thoughts are consumed with grief. She is not thinking clearly because her judgment is clouded with the weight of sadness. What kindness the Father in heaven showed to Mary. He used the angels to preach good news to her. These messengers were blessed preparation against the moment when she would meet Jesus there in the Garden. It is not too much of a stretch to ponder what it would have been light for her to meet Jesus—as she would just a few moments later—without having had this preparation. Lamentation might have obscured her vision even more. As it was, it took a few sentences of conversation with Jesus before her teary bleary eyes and sorrow-overflowing heart actually recognized Jesus.

Beloved of the Lord, I wonder, are His apparent absences evidences of the times you are too focused on your circumstances? You are angry—so angry you can’t see the nearness of God. You are upset, so sad your minds can’t comprehend that there is nowhere you can go that is away from the presence of the LORD Who fills all things with His fullness and blessing? You are worried—to the point that all else is obscured and God seems far off.

The tomb is empty. Angel attendants are near, doing the bidding of the High King of Heaven. Most importantly, Jesus is nearer than you realize. If you would just turn from your circumstances and fears, lift your head from your anger or worry, you would see Him there. The pages of Scripture are filled with His presence. Your own heart is the dwelling place of His Spirit Who speaks to your disquieted heart, whispering “Abba” Father. Look. Listen. Lean in.

God of Boundless kindness and love, help us to lift our eyes to Jesus. Thank You for the powerful presence of Your Spirit. Use this Sunday to direct us deeper and further into the love of Christ, by the power of the Spirit and all this to the glory and honour of Your great Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/eg4emf9xc2c