September 9, 2021 -- II Corinthians 6:16b-71 - - Taking hold of the promises of God

For we are the temple of the living God; as God said,

“I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them,
    and I will be their God,
    and they shall be my people.
17 Therefore go out from their midst,
    and be separate from them, says the Lord,
and touch no unclean thing;
    then I will welcome you,
18 and I will be a father to you,
    and you shall be sons and daughters to me,
says the LORD Almighty.”

Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

II Corinthians 6:16-7:1 ESV

Pause after what you’ve just read. Now ask yourself, what are the promises we have in Christ? As you think of that question re-read the passage again and name the promises of God which are yours in Christ. Go ahead. List these promises off, out loud.

The Spirit of the LORD will take these promises and by them show you what lingering sin is interfering with your walk with God. It is the work of Spirit the Counselor to show you whatever uncleanness is still within you. Confess these sins. Admit your need for the cleansing work of Jesus. Such cleansing honours God. By it you are declaring to your mind and your heart you are submitting yourself wholly to the truth of God’s word. By confession you are honouring the work of Jesus. By renewing your commitment to live in the Presence of Him Who is Holy, you are rightly understanding the “fear of God”.

Spirit of the Living God, thank You for the beauty of the Word and by it, revealing to us the tremendous promises the Father gives to us in Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, cleanse our hearts and minds of all sin. Let radiance of Christ, Who is the “Yes” and “Amen” of every promise of our Father, convict us in the areas of our lives where such renewal in holiness is greatly needed. Blessed are You, Triune God—You are God, our God living among us. Glorious are You, LORD God Almighty, gathering all Your children in, close to Yourself. Empower us, Spirit of God, so that our lives and actions bring with them the fragrance of Christ into every place and every situation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/JwuDSw-9cUQ

September 8, 2021 -- I Corinthians 16:58 -- Everything is changed. Completely

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.
I Corinthians 16:58 ESV

All that went there before our verse today describes the great victory which is Jesus Christ’s. Because He died and rose again, all who believe in Him are given the Spirit. The Father in heaven, along with Jesus at His right hand, pour out the Spirit of God on all who believe—the same Spirit Who worked in the man Jesus without measure.

This is why we can be steadfast and immoveable. It is the Spirit living in us, always pointing out to us the victory of Jesus, it is His power which keeps us living for Jesus without swerving to the right or to the left. It is the victory of Jesus Christ which helps us to focus our living in such a way that even mundane tasks, like laundry or vacuuming, weeding the gravel driveway, are changed. Of course, we are emboldened for witness, to friends and neighbours, because Jesus lives in us. Our every activity is filled with the knowledge we belong to Jesus and darkness’ hold is broken. No matter where we are, what we are doing, we are aware it is filled with holiness, because we are filled with the Spirit of Holiness and our lives and thoughts, our hearts and our hands, proclaim the glory of Jesus until He returns.

Great are You, Father in heaven, extravagant in Your loving-mercy, by which You have brought us such a rich salvation in the victory of Jesus Christ. King Jesus, seated at our Father’s right hand, by Your Spirit, help us be abounding in Your will and work. Let our ordinary work be for us a platform which declares Your majesty so obviously that co-workers, family and friends notice—Your glory has taken hold of us. Amen.

https://youtu.be/InsifiZxVXU

September 7, 2021 -- Ezekiel 37:1-14 -- Dry Bones LIVE

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of the LOrD and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O LORD God, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD. 5 Thus says the LORD God to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am the Lord.”

7 So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says the LORD God: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live.” 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army.

11 Then he said to me, “Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says the LORD God: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the land of Israel. 13 And you shall know that I am the LORD, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O my people. 14 And I will put my Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am the LORD; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares the LORD.”
Ezekiel 37:1-14 English Standard Version

Where in your life do you feel as if every sign of life has been squeezed out of you? Where do you feel like, dead, sun-bleached, dry bones?

Is there a habitual sin that is knocking the daylight out of you—again. Again. A.G.A.I.N.?

Do you feel like God has left the room, the building, the city, the municipality, the province, the country?

Have you cried out in the darkness until you were hoarse and all that happened was blacker night, inky darkness settled around you, darkness that could be felt?

Elijah is commanded to speak to dry, dead, bones. He is the foreshadowing of Jesus Christ. In Christ, every single sin, brokenness, anguish that separated us from God and in fact, all the wickedness we ourselves have committed thereby earning for us the just-deserved wrath of God—all of these have been defeated at the cross and buried at the tomb of Jesus. Jesus rose in triumph and He is the first-fruits of the grave—He is the sign of the great orchard of people, the fruit of His victory which signals the harvest of God. We shall rise again, because of Jesus Christ. Sins are thrown down. Hope is restored. Not because of anything I have done. Hope is restored and it is all Jesus. He prophesied and our dead, dry, bones, came rattling together! He has put us together. He holds us together. He is our life.

Today's prayer is from Psalm 80. This prayer is for us. As the people who believe in Jesus, we are grafted into Him, True Israel. We take on the names of His people. Joseph who seemed to be forgotten by God. Ephraim and Manasseh--powerful tribes and mighty in battle and Benjamin--smallest of the tribes. All of them, as all of us, are completely indebted to the LORD God, without Whom, all of us together would just be a valley full of dry bones. 

 Listen, Shepherd, Israel’s Shepherd—
    get all your Joseph sheep together.
Throw beams of light
    from your dazzling throne
So Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh
    can see where they’re going.
Get out of bed—you’ve slept long enough!
    Come on the run before it’s too late.

3     God, come back!
    Smile your blessing smile:
    That will be our salvation.

4-6 God, God-of-the-Angel-Armies,
    how long will you smolder like a sleeping volcano
    while your people call for fire and brimstone?
You put us on a diet of tears,
    bucket after bucket of salty tears to drink.
You make us look ridiculous to our friends;
    our enemies poke fun day after day.

7     God-of-the-Angel-Armies, come back!
    Smile your blessing smile:
    That will be our salvation.

Psalm 80:1-7 The Message

https://youtu.be/wQIaEairJ-Q

September 6, 2021 - - Genesis 23:19-20 -- Tender love and faith

After this, Abraham buried Sarah his wife in the cave of the field of Machpelah east of Mamre (that is, Hebron) in the land of Canaan. 20 The field and the cave that is in it were made over to Abraham as property for a burying place by the Hittites.

Genesis 23:19-20 ESV

Why is the name of the place, the field of Machpelah east of Mamre, included in this narrative of Sarah’s burial? Recently I have made a commitment to listen my way through the bible—I use biblegateway.com which has a free audio tab for the bible. It is interesting to hear what is emphasized when someone else reads the Bible aloud.

Mamre was the place where Abraham lived as a sojourner, a foreigner, among the Hittites. He did not own the land. Yet he was willing to pay an exorbitant price for the land as a burial site for his wife. I wonder why? As I listened to the bible being read aloud, I heard Mamre as the place where Abraham and Sarah lived (Genesis 14). It was the place where Abraham met the King of Salem and gave to him a tenth portion of his spoils of war (Genesis 14:20). It was where Abraham was blessed by the King of Salem, Melchizedek (Genesis 14:19-20).. It was the place were Isaac’s birth was foretold by the God, and Abraham fell to the ground laughing (Genesis 17:17). It was the place where the LORD appeared to Abraham and confirmed the promised birth of Isaac, and the place where Sarah laughed (Genesis 18:12). It was the place where Abraham learned of God’s decision to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and Abraham interceded urgently with the LORD, for it was the place where his nephew, Lot, lived (Genesis 18:22-33).

Mamre was the place of meeting with the LORD. When Sarah died, I believe Abraham’s decision to buy land there and bury Sarah in that place was a decision to bury her near the place where all these meetings took place with the LORD of Heaven and Earth. The reason for this? At her death, Sarah had her final, glorious meeting with the LORD of Heaven and Earth. This is the promise of the New Testament. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ is effective so that all who believe (in the Old Testament in the promises of God, in the New Testament in Christ, the fulfilment of the promises of God) will be saved. Mamre was the beautiful choice for a burial site in faith before God and as a final act of tender devotion to his much loved wife.

God Most High, blessed be Your Name. In Your great love You have opened the way to Yourself through the body of Jesus Christ. Blessed are You, Spirit of God, Who takes the Word and reveals to us Jesus. Thank You Spirit of God, that You take the beautiful truths of the Word and are sealed up in us so that we know and are assured at our death we shall see Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/KLTu1xv2-Us

September 5, 2021 -- John 4:23-26 -- I will call on the LORD

Dearly loved children of the Father, by the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.” The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”
John 4:23-26 English Standard Version

Today is Sunday. Today we have the privilege of going to our local church and worshiping the Father in spirit and in truth. We do not have to travel to Jerusalem, to go to the one place which was designated in the Old Testament as the place of God’s dwelling. Because Jesus Christ has come, He has opened the way to the Father and believers can gather and know the presence of God.

What blessing God has given us. We are invited to gather with the people of God in local house churches and church buildings, open air services and wherever we can gather and praise the Father Who has given us Jesus Christ—through Whom we have access to the Father. Thanks be to the Father and the Son for the gift of the Holy Spirit—Who makes the Bible clear to us. The Spirit Who lives in us and prompts us to holiness.

Get to church today. Invite a friend. Stir yourself up, so that you get past your lethargy and overcome all the lame excuses you can generate. Decide now you will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. Now is the day of salvation. Now the way is open.
 

I love You, O LORD, my Strength.

The LORD is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer, my God in Whom I take refuge, my Shield and the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold. I call on the LORD, Who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies.

Psalm 18:1-3 ESV

https://youtu.be/zoCUUCyv5gE

Copyright © 2021 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

September 4, 2021 -- Genesis 8:20-22 -- Extravagant Giving

Then Noah built an altar to the LORD and took some of every clean animal and some of every clean bird and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 And when the LORD smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man's heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done. 22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.”
Genesis 8:20-22 English Standard Version

Think of it, Noah and his family had just stepped off the ark after all the people of the earth and all the animals of the earth had been blotted out. Only seven pairs of clean animals, and one pair of unclean animals, were spared and kept alive along with Noah and Mrs. Noah, Ham, Shem and Japheth and the spouse of each of the sons. Now Noah builds an altar and sacrifices some of every clean animal. It almost seems extravagant, doesn’t it? We think of genetic diversity which is destroyed. We think of how few are left to repopulate the earth.

There are a number of things Noah believed. He believed, the earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof. Noah knew his righteousness is not his own, it is faith in God and ultimately in Jesus Christ. Noah understood blood needed to be spilled in order to atone for sin. The fragrance of the offering is a reference the New Testament picks up. We, as believers, are the fragrance of Christ. His blood was spilled so that all who lived in the Old Testament times and believed in Him would be saved. All who lived in the New Testament times and believed in Him, would be saved. All who believe in Jesus Christ, believing that His blood makes propitiation, takes away God’s wrath against our sin and makes us right with God, are saved in Christ. This is the fragrance which rises up.

Precious as those clean animals were which were offered at the time of Noah, so much greater, infinitely more extravagant, is the sacrifice of Jesus’ life and blood given that all who believe on Him might be saved and called beloved daughters and sons of God. Tomorrow is Sunday. We are called to go to church and celebrate the greatest gift of love ever given—the Father’s gift of Christ, the willing sacrifice of Jesus, giving Himself up for the world, the willing work of the Holy Spirit to fill the Man Jesus and dwell in Him without measure and the work of the Spirit Who lives in us, binding believers to Jesus.

We praise You, O God. Our short lives are a mist and quickly passing shadow, yet as long as You give us breath in our lungs we offer to You, Triune God, praise and thanksgiving for the great gift of Your love. We anticipate the wonders and splendours of eternity, where Your beauty and brilliance, the awesome majesty of Your terrible power will be ever better known and increasingly precious to us. In our lives, Your Church and in Your world, LORD of Wondrous Love and Justice, be glorified.

https://youtu.be/nXHmt85mbcQ

September 3, 2021 -- Luke 10:1-3 -- Filled and Fueled for Holy Service

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.

Luke 10:1-3 English Standard Version

Dearly loved friends, it is exciting to know Jesus sends us ahead. We bear His Spirit. We carry the truth of the Gospel. The disciples who go, prepared to speak of Jesus, will always find opportunities to speak. The fields are filled with those prepared by God to be gathered in. Jesus sends us two-by-two so that we will keep our feet pointed in the direction of the harvest. When two are sent by Jesus, they hold each other accountable to speak and talk and declare Jesus’ glory.

Perhaps we do not speak much of Jesus because we fail to recognize His Spirit’s powerful presence in us. Perhaps we do not witness because we are overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of the harvest and we don’t know where to begin. Perhaps we do not speak because we have so long lingered near sinful pursuits that we've started creeping slowly further and further away from the presence of Jesus and the white-hot glory of His presence. If this is the case we have nothing to say to others.

Today, by the Spirit’s power, get plugged into the Word and thereby go deeper in your walk with Jesus. Pray for a fellow disciple who will walk with you, one to walk with you who is appointed by Jesus so that you will prepare the way for His return. Pray that you, renewed in your walk with Jesus, will have the Spirit re-kindling your excitement for the Good News, so that with zeal and integrity you will go with others and speak Jesus’ great Name.

Mighty Jesus, You have the words of life, to Whom else should we go? Rescue me from myself, my waywardness, my inclinations to wander back to old patterns of sin and thereby avoiding what I know is right. Spirit of God, may the word of life be for me refreshment and instruction such that I am irresistibly drawn back to Jesus and made aware of all the spiritual blessings which are mine from the Father through Jesus. The Bible teaches that all things are mine in Christ and I am Christ and Christ is God’s—so that my new life is sealed up in the power of God Himself! What hope You give, what vibrancy and strength You give, Father of every good gift. Teach me, O LORD, the way of Your statutes, the way of glory and blamelessness in Christ, and filled with the Spirit I will keep it to the end. Amen.

https://youtu.be/SW8EA7DEQ2M

September 2, 2021 -- Luke 10:1-3 -- Strong Accountability for the Faith

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Luke 10:1-3 ESV

Notice how the reading begins: “after this”. Just prior to our reading today, several people had approached Jesus. Jesus commanded one to follow Him, but the person was focused on family matters. Notice, these were significant family matters, like the burial of a father. Jesus had told him, “leave the dead to bury the dead and follow Me and proclaim the Kingdom of God” (9:60). There were three incidents and three times those who heard Jesus made excuses. After these things, these incidents, while this was fresh on the minds of the readers, we are told Jesus sent men out two by two.

How easy it is to make excuses. How easy it is to say, “tomorrow I’ll do this or that”. How easy it is to falter in devotion to Jesus and look to things (even important things) like family, and then falter in devotion to the task at hand. A disciple sent alone into the mission field to prepare the way for Jesus could be dissuaded from obedient faithfulness, two brothers committed to the LORD and to His work, will convince one another to remain faithful and continue in obedient in proclaiming the kingdom of God.

Who is your partner in Gospel proclaiming work? Who motivates you to stick to the task at hand and not collapse under the weight of family pressures, or work pressures, or former habitual sins? Who has the permission in your life to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus Christ so that in all things you follow Him?

Lord Jesus, Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, thank You for the witness of Scripture and the teaching which directs our living today. By the power of Your Spirit within the context of godly community may our lives be found faithful in service to our Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/eERKnxzNzwg

September 1, 2021 -- Luke 10:1-3 -- Sent by Jesus Two-by-Two

Deeply loved children of the Father, by the Spirit's power: sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him, two by two, into every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go your way; behold, I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves.
Luke 10:1-3 ESV

Why is Jesus sending out disciples two-by-two into towns and villages that have not yet received Him? Well, Jesus is preparing the way for His coming to them. Jesus is preparing the harvest so that it can be gathered in whenever He visits that town.

Why does Jesus not send disciples one at a time to these villages, but sends them out two-by-two? Ecclesiastes notes: “And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken” Ecclesiastes 4:12. Two men will be as strong as a rope of three strands because two men call one another in prayer. By prayer two men braid into their lives and their work the very presence of God. That is strength indeed. Two men encourage each other so that they are more than twice as strong as one man alone. Two men can answer questions that they face, one prays and another answers.

Why are so many local churches weak? They are ignoring the principle of discipleship. Men who stand with one or two other men are emboldened to pray, to speak to others of Jesus, to answer questions, to be held accountable for their actions or lack of action. The harvest is plentiful. Jesus does not send out lone-rangers who seek to get credit for their own actions. He sends out ambassadors, who carry His credentials, who when complimented will say, “We are merely servants of the High King of Heaven, to Him goes all the credit and honour and praise.”

True Religion
Lord God Almighty,
 I ask not to be enrolled amongst the earthly great and rich,
but to be numbered with the spiritually blessed.
Make it my present, supreme, persevering concern to obtain those blessings which are
spiritual in their nature, eternal in their continuance, satisfying in their possession.
Preserve me from a false estimate of the whole or a part of my character;
May I pay regard to my principles as well as my conduct,
my motives as well as my actions.
Help me never to mistake the excitement of my passions for the renewing of the Holy Spirit,
never to judge my religion by occasional impressions and impulses,
but by my constant and prevailing disposition.
May my heart be right with thee, and my life as becometh the gospel.
May I maintain a supreme regard to another and better world,
and feel and confess myself a stranger and a pilgrim here.
Afford me all the direction, defence, support, and
consolation my journey hence requires,
and grant me a mind stayed upon thee.
Give me large abundance of the supply of the Spirit of Jesus,
that I may be prepared for every duty,
love thee in all my mercies,
submit to thee in every trial,
trust thee when walking in darkness,
have peace in thee amidst life’s changes.
Lord, I believe, *help thou my unbelief and uncertainties.
"True Religion" The Valley of Vision Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust. page 118
*This carries the sense: help me, Lord, overcome my unbelief and uncertainties.

https://youtu.be/hVGE2R2wq5w
 

Copyright © 2021 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

August 31, 2021 -- II Corinthians 1:1-2 -- Who has the right to mentor you?

Children loved by the Father, in the power of the Spirit: sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother,
   To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II Corinthians 1:1-2 ESV

Who has the right to comment into your life? If a perfect stranger says to you “Your hair, ugh!”. Will that ruin your day? Or would you be able to say to yourself, that person is a stranger, with a right to her opinion, but that opinion will not bring me down? What if it is your husband who says, “My dear, I think the hair stylist missed on that cut”? Would you be able to process this, saying to yourself, "I know my husband loves me enough to comment and is prepared to take a risk of expressing his opinion for my good. Would you listen to him, accepting his correction as spoken by one who loves you?

Consider the fact that the apostle Paul was always mentoring others. His high calling is to comment into the lives of others. Here he is writing to the people of the church at Corinth and by God’s appointment he has the right to comment into their lives, to correct, encourage, teach and cast vision. As he does so, he is mentoring Timothy in the calling of pastoral leadership. Timothy, as he is mentored in leadership in the household of God, is learning how to speak the truth in love, to endure reproach and push-back from the very people one is serving and in spite of negative feedback or withstanding flattery to remain faithful to God and faithful to one’s calling.

Who has the right to mentor you? Who has the right to comment on your faith in Jesus Christ as by the Spirit’s power you seek to be faithful to our God and Father? Do you live under the tyranny of many opinions, or has God, by the grace given you one or two strong leaders, faithful to God, who have the right to encourage you in your spiritual life? Who are you mentoring? Are you consistent? Are you seeking their good? Are you praying for this person so that he will experience spiritual growth into maturity?

Thank You, Faithful God, for those whom You have appointed to be spiritual mentors in our lives. Thank You, Spirit of Truth, for their leadership in taking the Word and showing us its vital importance, relevance, and through it ever-revealing to us the beauty of Christ our Redeemer-King. Father in heaven, in obedience to Jesus’ great commission, may we take to heart and put into practice the high calling of being mentors to others in our precious faith. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ubRlJj8xkds

Copyright © 2021 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

August 30, 2021 --Deuteronomy 6:4-9 -- Commanded Obedience

People loved by the Father, in the power of the Spirit: sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

Dear family in Christ, verses 4 and 5 of our reading today are the “Shema” (or Sh’ma). It is where I get the name for my ministry “Sh’ma Christian Ministries”. This ministry hosts my regular devotions, is a platform for some of my sermons, and raises money for a cause you can read about. The word “sh’ma” means — “hear” or “listen” and carries the sense of hear and obey, put it into practice.

To love God with all we have and all we are and love our neighbour as we love ourselves, this is the summary of the law which we are called to obey each and every day. Based on verse 8, devout Jewish men will bind a leather strap to their hand and arm to remind them not to sin, but instead to obey God, using their hand for good. Recently I noticed a younger man, who I have the privilege of mentoring, had a strange tattoo on the back of his hand. I asked him about it. He smiled wryly and noted it is the hazard symbol. You know, like you’d see on a warning label. He put it on the back of his dominant hand to remind him not to go back to drugs. He had decided his hand needs to be observed doing what is right and good. What an extreme illustration of this principle, to make sure his hand is not doing something outside of or contrary to the Law of God.

I encourage you this day, consider what obvious signs or symbols can you put around you, so that you will be reminded to obey the law of God. The purpose of this encouragement is not to earn God’s favour, but to remind you, He has already rescued you in Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God will take the Word planted in your heart to guard you in holiness. You and I are commanded then to act in accordance with the knowledge we have, the knowledge to act for good and not evil. Let your life be pleasing to God.

Lord our God, You are forever faithful to Your promises! Thank You, Father, for receiving us as Your children because of the accomplished work of Christ, our Savior. By Your Spirit’s presence in us, give us wisdom and the necessary will and motivation to hear and obey all You call us to do. Help us, O God, to see Your Fatherly goodness, which surrounds us all, and enable us to respond to such goodness in faith to Jesus Christ, Who is our Chief Teacher, Eternal King, and only High Priest. Give us strength to fight sin and endure trials. When Christ returns, let us all celebrate with all the people of God, Your greatness and goodness forever and ever in the joy of the new creation. Amen.

(Prayer is adapted from the Christian Reformed Church post baptism prayer)

https://youtu.be/9speOjVQ3ZA

Copyright © 2021 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

August 28, 2021 -- Psalm 119:9-16 -- Directed by the Word

How can a young man keep his way pure?
   By guarding it according to your word.
With my whole heart I seek you;
   let me not wander from your commandments!
I have stored up your word in my heart,
   that I might not sin against you.
Blessed are you, O LORD;
   teach me your statutes!
With my lips I declare
   all the rules of your mouth.
In the way of your testimonies I delight
   as much as in all riches.
I will meditate on your precepts
   and fix my eyes on your ways.
I will delight in your statutes;
   I will not forget your word.
Psalm 119:9-16 ESV

This is the second octet (verse verse stanza) of Psalm 119. It asks, and answers, the question: how can a young man (any person really, but a young man is setting the course for his whole life) keep his way pure. The young struggle with sexual sins because their bodies are changing from youth to adulthood and hormones are surging. The young struggle with many life choices. I have read that our brains are not fully formed until we are about 26 years old, meaning decision-making is more challenging for the young and habits inculcated in one’s youth will form hardened habits—either for good or patterns of sinfulness that will require a life-time to fight. Notice how the "I will" statements of the last two verses. These are a vow, making a commitment to the King of Glory.

The Psalmist notes the word of God is the gold standard of our lives. By it we guard our lives, by the the word we determine whether or not to pursue an action.

Memorization of the word is another key component to a life kept pure for Jesus Christ. When a situation arises that tests our faithfulness to God, the Spirit takes the sword, the Word of God, and divides truth from lies, holiness from hellishness.

Look over those verses again. What are two or more ways in which the psalm writer has answered his own question—how can a young man keep his way pure? Write these out. Let the word of God be used by the Spirit to direct your living in holy obedience to Jesus Christ.

You are blessed, O LORD of heaven and earth. All Your ways are right and all Your instruction pure and lovely. Spirit of the Living God, as I continue to study the Bible, may the wonderous knowledge of Who Jesus Is and the matchless gift of His sacrificial love be made ever more clear to my heart and mind. Spirit of God, by Your presence in me, and your work in me, help me to love Jesus more truly and guard my life for His glory to the praise and honour of the Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/S7AYnyPRgOg

August 25, 2021 -- Hosea 10:12-13 -- Break up your hard heart

12 Sow for yourselves righteousness;
    reap steadfast love;
    break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the Lord,
    that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

13 You have plowed iniquity;
    you have reaped injustice;
    you have eaten the fruit of lies.

Hosea 10:12-13 ESV

There is a warning and an invitation in these two short verses. The warning in found in verse 13. This is how the people have lived—they have been working hard at iniquity (that is immoral and grossly unfair behavior). The people acted as if they were not under God’s scrutiny and have been gathering up injustice—plundering the poor, taking advantage of the simple, profiting off the marginalized. Such wicked behaviour has not gone unnoticed—the LORD sees everything, what is done publicly and what is done in secret, what is unacknowledged shame and what is cruel and maliciousness enacted against others, His children. All that happens under heaven will not go unpunished.

The invitation is verse 12. Sow, or plant, seeds of righteousness. Do the good you know the LORD is calling you to do. In response to the Word and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, let your life reflect the splendour of Jesus Christ. The crusty places of your hardened heart, the places where you have closed yourself off to good and holy ways, plow that, so that your heart is receptive to the things of God. Seek the LORD. With the same effort that used to be employed in sinful pursuits, go after God and the things you know are excellent, good, holy, pure, and true. Notice what God’s response will be—He will rain righteousness on you. You will receive the soul-refreshment required to continue such activities.

King of Glory, Father of All-Mercy, forgive me for the times I have been working so hard at sinful activities and sowing seeds of wickedness. It is madness to go after such things. I confess this. Spirit of the Living God, reveal to me the radiance of Jesus and give me an urgent desire to follow Him, no matter what. Spirit of God, add to this desire the energy to work at holiness with my mind and body so that in all things, Jesus Christ is praised, to the glory of the Father. Thank You, glorious God, for the twin promises of Your presence and the refreshing rain of righteousness which You will pour out. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ELi8hN0PYBU

August 24, 2021 -- Romans 6:20-23 -- To Whom or What are you a slave?

20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. 21 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6:20-23 ESV

It is easy to be a sinner. That is a comment I heard recently. This comment was rattling around in the back of my mind as I read this passage as part of my morning devotions. I appreciate how Paul, inspired by the Spirit of God, makes this comparison between two types of slavery.

All of us are slaves. Some of us are slaves to sin—where there can be no consideration for the righteousness of God or His holiness. Those bound up by sin will have the fruit, or the result, of this slavery which is death. Conversely, those who are slaves to God will have the fruit, or the result, which is greater obedience to God (which is what sanctification is) and the final fruit which is eternal life.

What is the difference between these two types of slavery? Slaves to sin live their lives in reference to hell and under bondage to their Master, the Devil. Sin becomes ever greater, more encompassing, more daring and more deadly because sin conceives in a person more sin and raises up in a person greater sins and lusts. The LORD of Heaven and Earth confirms their destruction and at the final judgment will give them the reward of their wickedness and rebellion against Him.

Those who are slaves of God have become such by the gift of God given in Jesus Christ. What Christ has done is broken the claim of Satan over sinners. Satan used to be able to say: “That person is a slave to sin and in rebellion against You, O God”. Now, because of His sacrifice at the cross, Jesus our Priest replies, “That one is Mine. The wrath of God is ended because his sins have been atoned for.” Slaves of God are not free from sin in this life, they have become adept at recognizing sin at earlier and earlier stages. It is the work of the Spirit in them, helping them root sin out at more tender stages so that their lives are constantly being weeded from sins. The Spirit of God applies the blessing of the Word and the awakening of the conscience in order to bring ever greater sanctification in the lives of believers.

All people are slaves. The question is, whose slave are you?

O Heavenly Father,
Teach me to see
   that if Christ has pacified thee and
       satisfied divine justice
  he can also deliver me from my sins;
that Christ does not desire me, now justified,
  to live in self-confidence in my own strength,
  but gives me the law of the Spirit of life
  to enable me to obey thee;
that the Spirit and his power are mine
  by resting on Christ’s death;
that the Spirit of life within answers to
   the law without;
that if I sin not I should thank thee for it;
that if I sin I should be humbled daily under it;
that I should mourn for sin more than other men do,
  for when I see I shall die because of sin,
  that makes me mourn;
when I see how sin strikes at thee,
  that makes me mourn;
when I see that sin caused Christ’s death,
  that makes me mourn;
that sanctification is the evidence of reconciliation,
  proving that faith has truly apprehended Christ;
Thou hast taught me
   that faith is nothing else than receiving thy kindness;
   that it is an adherence to Christ, a resting on him,
   love clinging to him as a branch to the tree,
   to seek life and vigour from him.

I thank thee for showing me the vast difference
  between knowing things by reason,
  and knowing them by the spirit of faith.
"Belonging to Jesus." The Valley of Vision. ed: Arthur Bennett. Carlisle: Banner of Truth Trust 2020, page 102

https://youtu.be/jMvnEazZdQ8

August 23, 2021 -- Daniel 10:16-19 -- Are you greatly loved? (Hint--yes you are!)

And behold, one in the likeness of the children of man touched my lips. Then I opened my mouth and spoke. I said to him who stood before me, “O my lord, by reason of the vision pains have come upon me, and I retain no strength. 17 How can my lord's servant talk with my lord? For now no strength remains in me, and no breath is left in me.”

18 Again one having the appearance of a man touched me and strengthened me. 19 And he said, “O man greatly loved, fear not, peace be with you; be strong and of good courage.” And as he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Let my lord speak, for you have strengthened me.”

Daniel 10:16-19 ESV

Daniel had received a terrifying vision. He ate bread and water for three weeks, did not wash, while he urgently prayed to understand what the LORD had previously showed him. When the LORD’s angel appeared, Daniel’s three companions ran away. They were terrified. They could not perceive what Daniel saw. Understand this, spiritual things are weighty matters. The awe-inspiring majesty of the LORD of Hosts Who is Holy is so great even His messengers give us a glimpse of heaven. No wonder Daniel fell to the ground, he fainted away (Daniel 10:9). A hand touched him, raised him to his knees and said to him “O Daniel, man greatly loved”. Again in our passage this morning Daniel is called: “O man, greatly loved”. Intense, isn’t it?

Daniel is much loved by God his Father, yet a vision drains him of all energy. Why?

The weight of the holiness of God is something we humans barely comprehend. The angels cry, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the LORD God Almighty” declaring this night and day. And it is not something we can contemplate for even an hour. It is too wonderful for us.

The truth of God’s revelation removes from us all distractions and all pollution of the world. The revelation of the LORD is costly physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Notice how gentle He Who Lives in Splendour and Unapproachable Light is in delegating an angel to address Daniel. The angel visitor twice repeats Daniel is greatly loved, GREATLY LOVED. It is tempting, in our humanity, to think, if I were greatly loved, I wouldn’t be thrown to the ground in awe. If it is true that nothing can compare to adoring God and He reigns forever in glory that fills the heavens and the earth, no wonder Daniel is driven to the ground. Yet, what blessedness it is to hear God’s messenger declare: “You are greatly loved”. What blessedness it is to be in the presence of God’s fellow servants worshiping God Who is worthy of all praise and honour. Though it might cost me all my strength, where would I rather be found than in His presence?

Mighty God, the long ago written words of David are so appropriate for Daniel and for us—”Who am I, LORD God…that You have brought me so far?” [II Samuel 7:18] Thank You for the grace, the loving-kindness and the extravagant mercy You have shown us in Jesus Christ. Father in heaven, thank You for the Spirit, living in us, Who declares we are greatly loved by You, our Father. Teach us, O God, to forsake the distractions of the world and to long for more and more of Your presence, wisdom and love. Amen.

https://youtu.be/yOzf0VrDNGU

August 20, 2021 -- Luke 10:38-42 -- Hear the Tenderness of the Savior

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42 English Standard Version

Martha had the gift of hospitality. She could make Jesus feel welcome in the family home. She also had a gift of serving, making sure needs were supplied. She became distracted—pulled in too many directions—trying to do too much rather than doing just what was needful for the circumstance. Notice how Jesus chides her. This was brought to my attention yesterday by a member of the audience while I was teaching on this passage. Jesus said Martha’s name twice. Imagine Him, with tenderness and a smile, with just the right amount of force saying her name twice. It is evidence of compassion. Martha, it seems, was exasperated. Her body language and tone may well have been forceful when she confronted Jesus. Jesus, with greatest mercy, replies and instructs.

Much-loved fellow Christian—consider how deeply Jesus loves you. He has laid down His life for you. He has put up with your sins, your anger, your habitual wrong-doing and corrects you with just the right amount of love and justice, so that you will walk in the path of righteousness. Imagine, this morning, His Shepherd’s voice calling your name, twice, with love and gentleness so that you may be drawn from wrong paths and joyfully run toward Him Who loves you.

Mighty King, Jesus, thank You for the tenderness You showed to Martha. Thank You for the great love You have for Your wandering, restless, bickering sheep. Shepherd of my soul, help me to hear Your voice this morning and respond with love to Your correction and so to walk, once again, in the way of holiness which You opened to me by Your precious blood. Amen.

https://youtu.be/BKHg7apuZso

August 19, 2021 -- Proverbs 9:7-10 -- Hmm, I stand corrected

Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Proverbs 9:7- 10 English Standard Version

If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face;
confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins.
So don’t waste your time on a scoffer;
all you’ll get for your pains is abuse.
But if you correct those who care about life,
that’s different—they’ll love you for it!
Save your breath for the wise—they’ll be wiser for it;
tell good people what you know—they’ll profit from it.
Skilled living gets its start in the Fear-of-God,
insight into life from knowing a Holy God.
Proverbs 9:7-10 The Message

It is easy to apply these verses to other people. Of course, I think my opinion is right (usually, often, okay a lot of the time—though probably far less often than I’d like to admit). However, it is critical for us to note, when we speak with someone, showing them their faults or inquiring about their actions—the real possibility is that you will get a rebuke in return. And likely that rebuke or correction or criticism is warranted. How will you handle this?

Jesus Christ alone is the Perfect One. He is the One Who lived a Holy Life, walking in the Fear of the LORD in such a way that the glory of God was always evident in His life. When we receive instruction, rebuke, or criticism, ask yourself, what is true in this—no matter how it is delivered to you—examine your words, thoughts and actions in humility before Christ your King.

As Canada is racing through the campaignings of an election that was snapped into action just a few days ago, no doubt, there will be much opportunity for criticism, rebuke, correction and teaching. I wonder, how will we, as Christians, honorably contribute to these discussions? We have the sure confidence Christ is the Ruler above all, here and now, and into eternity.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable in Your sight,
O LORD, my Rock and Redeemer.” Amen
Psalm 19:14 ESV

https://youtu.be/hiW3Fi2PJrY

August 8, 2021 -- Isaiah 60:1-4 -- Light and Life in Christ

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
    and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
    and thick darkness the peoples;
but the LORD will arise upon you,
    and his glory will be seen upon you.
3 And nations shall come to your light,
    and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see;
    they all gather together, they come to you;
your sons shall come from afar,
    and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.

Isaiah 60:1-4 ESV

What a stirring picture is given to us here in the Old Testament. The Old Testament clearly shows (here and in many other places) that the LORD on High calls His sons and daughters from many tribes and nations and places. The Gospel call resounds across the globe.

It is too easy to get caught up in the crisis of the hour. A few years ago it was all “climate change”. Now it is all Covid variants. Soon it may be, in the next 100 to 10,000 years the planet may be destroyed by an asteroid. Or the Mid Atlantic Current might be slowing down and people need to be prevent that…as if. All of these things, all of them, are shouting against the wind. What matters is what is depicted in Isaiah—the glory that radiantly arises, shining over the sons and daughters of the Father in heaven—the rich mercies of Jesus. When the perspective of our heart is aligned with the purposes of our High King of Heaven, then the agenda He has for this earth will be fulfilled in and among us.

Today is Sunday. If you are allowed to worship in person with a congregation, do it. The focus of our life and mind is lifted from the cares of this world and the tyranny of agendas which are earth-bound and not those which originate in heaven. Pray for those people in your life who do not yet know Jesus Christ. Pray earnestly that the people of God will bless Him and grow in love and justice, witnessing to the world around us—the Light of LORD rises above us.

The conclusion of Isaiah 60 is the prayer for today. It is the soul’s yearning for the fulfilment of the LORD’s promises, there will be a new heaven and a new earth; Revelation picks this up as well.

The sun shall be no more
your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon
give you light;
but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
20 Your sun shall no more go down,
nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.
21 Your people shall all be righteous;
they shall possess the land forever,
the branch of my planting, the work of my hands,
that I might be glorified.
22 The least one shall become a clan,
and the smallest one a mighty nation;
I am the LORD;
in its time I will hasten it.
Isaiah 60:19-22 ESV

https://youtu.be/on7VPe_SG7s

August 7, 2021 -- Jeremiah 39:15-18 -- Known to God our Father

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah while he was shut up in the court of the guard: 16 “Go, and say to Ebed-melech the Ethiopian, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel: Behold, I will fulfill my words against this city for harm and not for good, and they shall be accomplished before you on that day. 17 But I will deliver you on that day, declares the LORD, and you shall not be given into the hand of the men of whom you are afraid. 18 For I will surely save you, and you shall not fall by the sword, but you shall have your life as a prize of war, because you have put your trust in me, declares the LORD.’”
Jeremiah 39:15-18 ESV

Ebed-Melech—his name means: servant of the king--was a eunuch in the household of King Zedekiah. The king acted wickedly against the Living God and against His servant, the prophet, Jeremiah. In reaction to all of this, Ebed-Melech interceded for the life of Jeremiah, rescuing him from the bottom of a muddy, deep well, where the son of King Zedekiah had disrespectfully thrown him. For a servant to speak in this way to the king was a great risk. Jerusalem was about to be overthrown and her King and his family put to death or sent to exile. Jerusalem would be in upheaval, the spoils of war, a prize for the Babylonians. In all that chaos, the LORD would spare Ebed-melech giving him his life as prize of war for the glory of God.

While reading these verses in my devotions this morning, I couldn’t help but stop and give praise to God, in humble wonder, for all His glory, greatness, kindness and mercy. The prairies of Canada are staggering from drought. Fires are racing through BC. The media is already hyping the possibilities of Delta variant problems regarding Covid. Businesses are opening up and finding it hard to recruit workers and the economy is tanking. It would be easy to be distressed. The take-away from our verses today is this: The LORD knows each of us by name. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. And not one of us will fall outside of His great love and grace. While the people of the world are running headlong into destruction, the people who are faithful to Him continue to act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God. 

Because of the cross of Jesus Christ our lives are kept safe. Sins have been punished upon the person of Jesus Christ. In our newfound freedom, we act and live and serve our Great King, God the Most Blessed of Heaven, without reference to all the machinations of the world. He gives us our lives as a prize of war, because we have put our trust in Him. In view of His great love, what can we say to all of this, but to sing or pray back to Him, the great praise of Psalm 100?!

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!
 Serve the Lord with gladness!
Come into his presence with singing!

Know that the Lord, he is God!
    It is he who made us, and we are his;
    we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
    and his courts with praise!
    Give thanks to him; bless his name!

For the Lord is good;
    his steadfast love endures forever,
    and his faithfulness to all generations.

https://youtu.be/3rT8Re1EIQc

August 1, 2021 -- Colossians 4:2-4 -- Please! Pray for your pastor!

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

Colossians 4:2-4 ESV

Dearly loved people of God—pray for your preacher. If you desire to gain much from the preaching of the word, pray for the preacher, that the Spirit of God will give words to speak and the preaching is delivered with clarity. If you would have the service filled with conversions and saints who are built up in our precious faith, pray for the glory of Christ to rise among you and that Christ will receive the trophies of His grace—that is, people forsaking the world and turning to Him.

For the Word of God with its glorious truth of the reconciliation that is ours in Christ, for this to roll across our land believers must be in prayer. Pray that God will open doors for the Word and pray for the Spirit to soften hearts, making them ready to receive all that God has in store.

When you are in prayer, you will find yourself drinking in the richness of the Word. It will not depend on the power of (or lack of skills of) the preacher—the treasures of the Word will be opened to you because the Spirit attends the preaching of the Word.

Faithful God, our Father, thank You for preachers and evangelists, missionaries and chaplains. As the Word is proclaimed, so that the glory of Your Son is made known, we ask You, send Your Spirit so that the Word has an open door—open to people and prisoners, open to military and peace officers, open to various wards and institutions. May Your appointed servants proclaim the Word with boldness and joy. Thank You, Triune God, for those who preached the Word to us, so that the Good News of Jesus, took hold of our hearts and led us to everlasting salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/jrwRS1h-rmY