October 14, 2021 -- Deuteronomy 30:15-20 -- Choose this day!

“See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the LORD your God that I command you today, by loving the LORD your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the LORD your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 ESV

It is a common command “choose life”, that is, vow to obey the commandments of the LORD. By making that vow, and repeating it, daily preaching it to your heart and mind, you are preparing for the moment of temptation. You’ve already chosen for God, decided to live walking the path of loveliness and blessing, so temptations fall powerless to the ground because of your strong decision to follow Jesus.

Disobedience against the LORD our God brings the sentence of death (verse 18) and hell. Even the heavens and the earth will witness against the one who chooses to act wickedly (verse 19). Conversely, heaven and earth will testify in favour of the one who chooses to act in step with the commands of God.

Jesus Himself presents this stark choice to us. “And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Right after these words, Jesus approaches various people, with the command “Follow Me” and they hesitate, offering many excuses and turn away from Jesus (Luke 9:57ff).

When I worked for a car rental company, I wore a shirt that had the name of the company emblazoned on it, the company leadership constantly reminded us, when you wear the shirt, you are representing the company. Therefore, be polite. Keep the policies of the company. Thinking about that, I often think as Christians we need to wear shirts emblazoned with this proclamation, “I, Richard (or insert your own name here), am a follower of Jesus Christ”. Wherever we go, people read that and they will evaluate all our words and actions as either reflecting discredit or honour to His Name. Knowing what is publicly displayed on our shirts would also be a strong reminder to act justly, to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God (Micah 6:8).

It takes the strong and powerful presence of the Spirit of God to direct our living and our hearts in true, joy-filled obedience. That is the promise of God also of our Father in heaven, how He blesses us in Christ. “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness (II Peter 1:3). When we stumble and when we fail, we are called to confess our sins. We do so in the full knowledge God our Father has forgiven us in Christ and He continues to lead us in the way of salvation through His Spirit until we see Him face to face. Therefore, choose this day to serve the LORD.

God in heaven, Father of all blessing and source of every good thing, great is Your Name. With the prophets and saints through the ages, help us to declare “as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD”. Jesus, in view of Your great salvation, let our lives be a fragrant offering of self-denial. Spirit of God, teach us to be quick, when we mess us, to fess up. Guide us, Spirit of Truth, in the way everlasting. Amen.

https://youtu.be/vGT9zFO_Rw4

October 13, 2021 -- Hebrews 12:1-2a -- The Marathon Christian

People loved by the Father, by the Spirit's power:

Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus…
Hebrews 12:1-2a ESV

When you run the Christian marathon, what you do matters. Think of a marathon runner, all the important training required can be hampered by a small detail left unattended. Here is an example of something that must not be ignored, how to tie your shoelaces. If you are going strong and suddenly your laces work themselves loose, you will trip, or much of your momentum will be lost as you stop, bend down and re-tie your laces.

Yesterday a dear friend gave a wonderful summarizing quotation, which fits so nicely with this passage. The extended metaphor here is of the Christian life as warfare. Which is very fitting as well, found in many places in scripture. A marathon is a battle of the heart and mind, as courage must rise:

Good and evil both increase at compound interest. That is why the little decisions you and I make every day are of such infinite importance. The smallest good act today is the capture of a strategic point from which, a few months later, you may be able to go on to victories you never dreamed of. An apparently trivial indulgence in lust or anger today is the loss of a ridge or railway line or bridgehead from which the enemy may launch an attack otherwise impossible. C. S. Lewis.

Dear family in Jesus Christ—pick up your bible and read—do not neglect to do so today. Spend time in prayer, with Jesus Who is the Author and Perfecter of all true believing. Keep yourselves from sin, being fastidious even to the point of remaining chaste from what might be considered by others “small sins”, or things that in themselves might not be considered sin, but are indulgences you yourself know would turn you ever so slightly from effectiveness in the marathon faith journey.

LORD GOD ALMIGHTY,
Thy understanding is unsearchable and infinite,
   Thy arm cannot be stayed,
Thy agency extends through limitless space,
All works hang on thy care,
With thee time is a present now.
Holy is thy wisdom, power, mercy, ways, works.
How can I stand before thee
with my numberless and aggravated offences?
I have often loved darkness,
   observed lying vanities,
   forsaken thy given mercies,
   trampled underfoot thy beloved Son,
   mocked thy providences,
   flattered thee with my lips,
   broken thy covenant.
   It is of thy compassion that I am not consumed.
Lead me to repentance, and save me from despair;
Let me come to thee renouncing, condemning,
   loathing myself,
but hoping in the grace that flows
   even to the chief of sinners.
At the cross may I contemplate the evil of sin,
   and abhor it,
look on him whom I pierced,
   as one slain for me, and by me.
May I never despise his death by fearing
   its efficacy for my salvation.
And whatever cross I am required to bear,
   let me see him carrying a heavier.
Teach me in health to think of sickness,
   in the brightest hours to be ready for darkness;
in life prepare me for death.
Thus may my soul rest in thee, O immortal
   and transcendent one,
revealed as thou art in the Person and work
of thy Son,
   the Friend of sinners.
"God and Myself" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions, ed A. Bennett. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust. 2020, page 70.

https://youtu.be/05jKxv8ApuI
 

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

October 9, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-26 -- The Beauty of His Peace

24 The Lord bless you and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you
     and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord lift up his countenance upon you
     and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

Shalom. It is the final blessing in a benediction loaded with blessings. Shalom is one of those beautiful, complicated Hebrew words that is packed with meaning. Shalom is life and peace. Shalom is security in the presence of our LORD. Shalom is the absence of hostility between God and His people. Shalom is God’s gift whereby a joy-filled community of believers of various opinions and strident convictions are all drawn together in Jesus Christ, Who is the Prince of Peace.

We were separated from God our Father because of His great and just anger against our sin. Notice the great assurance of God’s blessing, how is it applied to us who are in Christ:
"But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility 15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace, 16 and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 17 And he came and preached peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father." Ephesians 2:13-18 ESV
In that lengthy quotation, you can see how the peace given us in Christ is explained to believers. An extravagant blessing indeed. Shalom.

  THOU INCOMPREHENSIBLE
   BUT PRAYER-HEARING GOD,
Known, but beyond knowledge,
revealed, but unrevealed,
my wants and welfare draw me to thee,
for thou hast never said, ‘Seek ye me in vain’.
To thee I come in my difficulties, necessities,
distresses;
possess me with thyself,
with a spirit of grace and supplication,
with a prayerful attitude of mind,
with access into warmth of fellowship,
so that in the ordinary concerns of life
my thoughts and desires may rise to thee,
and in habitual devotion I may find a resource
that will soothe my sorrows, sanctify my successes,
and qualify me in all ways for dealings with my fellow men.
I bless thee that thou hast made me capable
of knowing thee, the author of all being,
of resembling thee, the perfection of all excellency,
of enjoying thee, the source of all happiness.
O God, attend me in every part of my arduous
and trying pilgrimage;
I need the same counsel, defence, comfort
I found at my beginning.
Let my religion be more obvious to my conscience,
more perceptible to those around.
While Jesus is representing me in heaven,
may I reflect him on earth,
While he pleads my cause,
may I show forth his praise.
Continue the gentleness of thy goodness
towards me,
And whether I wake or sleep,
let thy presence go with me,
thy blessing attend me.
Thou hast led me on and I have found thy promises true,
I have been sorrowful, but thou hast been my help,
fearful, but thou hast delivered me,
despairing, but thou hast lifted me up.
Thy vows are ever upon me,
And I praise thee, O God!
"God Enjoyed" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust. page 18

https://youtu.be/Y2SGjX3iHK4

October 8, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-26 -- Understanding His Blessing Promised to Me

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face to shine upon you
   and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up His countenance upon you
   and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

What a strange expression ‘lift up His countenance upon you’ is to our ears. Countenance refers to His face, and more specifically the expression of His face. Here we have a parallel of intensification—the LORD make His face shine upon you and the intensification is the LORD lift up His countenance upon you. By this two-fold reference to the LORD’s face, first His shining face is second His face which now lights up in protective, saving love as He sees you.

Early this morning I had to run an errand. The sky was still dark and streetlamps pierced the darkness, casting contorted shades and weird eddies of light and dark. As I was driving passing the edgy places where light and dark meet, I could catch glimpses of people who had slept on the cement frontage of businesses. Places dark enough for sleep but bright enough to avoid being the object of indignations which are perpetuated in inky blackness. Why mention such things? The LORD sees. God is telling us, He lifts up His face to see us—light or dark make no difference to Him. His eyes search out the whole earth. Where others might ignore, passing by as if this one or that person is not worthy of attention, the LORD sees each one of His children.

He lifts up His face intentionally looking at His people with the intention of blessing.

The LORD lifts up His face acknowledging His people, even when we, for shame or guilt might try to hide ourselves, aware of our sinfulness.

The LORD lifts up His countenance upon us, aware it is His salvation alone which can bring us safely through. This particular phrase of the blessing brings to mind an incident that happened a while ago. A man in addiction recovery was drowning in wave after wave of panic attacks. He’d be hallucinating all kinds of dreadfulness, his eyes flowed with fountains of tears—as if the pressurized anguish of his mind and body gushed through the spigots of his tear ducts. To calm him the counselor, with a deep, strong, steady and firm voice demanded “Look at me. Look at my face. See, I am smiling. I am real. I am here. You are not alone. The furies your hallucinations are causing this adrenal madness, but that is not as strong as the help being offered you now.” Infinitely greater, more peaceful and perfect is our LORD. It is the LORD, Who is Mighty to save, Who by the merest breath of His mouth can destroy demonic hosts, His face is lifted up towards you in Fatherly love. He invites you to look to Him and let all other raging forces and things fall powerless to the ground. Dear believer in Jesus, know the face of your Father in heaven is turned toward you, smiling reassuringly that His Spirit is working out His salvation in you.

Father in heaven, there are so many sirens and bells and whistles and taunts pulling my attention in so many downward directions. I confess I am Covid-weary. Whatever the newest lockdowns are called, I am so done and so angry. Spirit of God, move in me so that my eyes will meet the countenance of my Father in heaven. Spirit of God, reassure me that the Father's smile rests on me and therefore life means basking in the sunshine of His love. As the Father's penetrating gaze rests on me I know all the blessings which are mine in Christ are being brought to fruition in me. As by faith I see Your lifted countenance, may my life and lips sound out Your praise. Amen.

https://youtu.be/GL5VjnO7mB4

October 7, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-26 -- Lifted by Grace

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

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face to shine upon you
   and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up His countenance upon you
   and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

Moses asked the LORD “Please, show me Your glory”. Knowing this was too much, far too overwhelming for a mere mortal, the LORD replied “I will make all my goodness pass before you and will proclaim before you my Name ‘The LORD.’ And I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy” (Exodus 33:18-19 ESV). It is a powerful revelation of the Name and the character of the Living God.

God, the Merciful, has determined to show unfailing graciousness toward His chosen people. Think of it. A drowning man is a terrible danger to any who tries to rescue him. In his panic and fear he is many times stronger than usual and in his blind hysteria he will drag down anyone who tries to help him. So it is with sinful people. We are drowning in our misery and sin. We flail against any would-be rescuer, insensible because of fear and therefore unable to understand the mercy and kindness being offered. Unless the LORD were Strong to Deliver and The Only Mighty Savior we would be without rescue, left to drown in the seas of sin and misery and oceans of moral turpitude.

This work of gracious salvation is beautifully captured by the words of Jesus in John 10 “My Father, Who has given them [the sheep who are those called to believe] to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” (John 10:29-30). This is the graciousness of God, partially revealed to Moses is more fully exposed and revealed to those of us who are in Christ Jesus. Eternity will be even more excellent and beautiful and wondrous as we understand with ever-growing light all that the Triune God did in order to bring about the salvation of His people. Blessed be our God and King forever and ever. Amen.

Who is like You, Triune God~persistent in faithfulness and strong to save and gracious to bring this salvation to completion? There is no one and nothing in the vast stretches of the cosmos which could be compared to you. As the poet has said if the skies were scrolls and the oceans ink, still there’d would not be enough space to declare Your mercy, Your grace and goodness!
Great and amazing are Your deeds,
   O LORD God the Almighty!
Who will fear, O Lord,
   and glorify Your Name?
For You alone are holy.
   All nations will come and worship You,
for your righteous acts have been revealed.
Amen.
(The prayer ends with Revelation 15:3-4 ESV)

https://youtu.be/qtvQNzPHn-w

October 6, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-26 -- Our Father's Shining Face

Beloved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face to shine upon you
   and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up His countenance upon you
   and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

The expression ‘the LORD make His face shine upon you” might, at first glance, be difficult to understand. Perhaps if you consider the opposite of this the meaning of the LORD’s shining face will be more evident. Where the people of God sin, spurning His statutes, He declared: ‘I will set my face against you’ Leviticus 26:17. Or, where the leadership of the people of God sin violently, He declared:
   Then they will cry to the Lord,
   but he will not answer them;
   he will hide his face from them at that time,
   because they have made their deeds evil.
   Micah 3:4 ESV.

The shining face of the LORD our God indicates His great blessing and love. Hebrews 1 describes Jesus as “the radiance of the Father’s glory”. In Jesus Christ the Father’s blessing and mercy, the love for and delight in His people is most clearly seen.

Let’s acknowledge the elephant in the room. We’re sinners. We know the right we should do and that thing we should leave off of doing undone. Incredibly, those evil and wicked things we pursue with vigor. We know we don’t deserve the radiant love of our Father in heaven. That is the point. We don’t deserve it. We are sinners. We are completely incapable of saving ourselves. We are completely incapable of contributing to our salvation in any way. Jesus has done it all. When we confess our sinfulness and admit our deep need for Jesus’ saving work, at that moment the Father’s justice and extravagant mercy in sending Jesus are highlighted. His Spirit speaks to our weary, battered hearts. Because of Jesus great work, the Spirit declares: “You are forgiven in Jesus Christ, You are loved. You have been given all you need for this new life in Christ—ask, repeatedly ask, and you will receive resurrection power to live in the glory of this new life.”

INCOMPREHENSIBLE, GREAT AND GLORIOUS GOD
I  adore thee and abase myself.
I approach thee mindful that I am less than nothing,
a creature worse than nothing.
My thoughts are not screened from thy gaze.
My secret sins blaze in the light of thy countenance.
Enable me to remember that blood which cleanseth all sin,
to believe in that grace which subdues all iniquities,
to resign myself to that agency which can
deliver me from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the sons of God.
Thou hast begun a good work in me
and canst alone continue and complete it.
Give me an increasing conviction of my tendency to err,
and of my exposure to sin.
Help me to feel more of the purifying, softening influence of religion,
its compassion, love, pity, courtesy,
and employ me as thy instrument in blessing others.
Give me to distinguish
between the mere form of godliness and its power,
between life and a name to live,
between guile and truth,
between hypocrisy and a religion that will bear thy eye.
If I am not right, set me right, keep me right;
And may I at last come to  thy house in peace.
"New Beginning" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. ed Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth, 2020. page 174

https://youtu.be/Gqrli3Lkf58

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

October 4, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-26 -- Kept by the Triune LORD

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

The LORD bless you and keep you;
the LORD make His face to shine upon you
   and be gracious to you;
the LORD lift up His countenance upon you
   and give you peace.
Numbers 6:24-26 ESV

This blessing is called the Aaronic blessing. The three-fold reference to the Name of the LORD is trinitarian. It is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit Who bless the people. Each of the six verbs, two verbs per line, is filled to overflowing with layer upon layer of rich meaning and purpose.

The LORD keep you. The verb to keep is drum-beat of Psalm 121. There the LORD watches over (another meaning of to keep) His people, guards (another shade of meaning of to keep) them day and night, and the psalm ends with the assurance it is the LORD Who keeps His people at their going out and their coming in.

Once the people of Israel had been set free from their bondage in Egypt by the Mighty Hand of the LORD, the LORD promised: “I send an angel before you to guard you on the way” (Exodus 23:20). The verb rendered guard in English, is that same verb to keep.

In the New Testament, it is the work of the Holy Spirit to guard and keep the people of God in Christ. The Holy Spirit is the deposit, the Spirit is the seal guaranteeing our eternal inheritance (Ephesians 1). As the hymn writer stated it, “How vast the benefits divine which we in Christ possess”.

I will extol you, my God and King,
    and bless your name forever and ever.
2 Every day I will bless you
    and praise your name forever and ever.
3 Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised,
    and his greatness is unsearchable.

4 One generation shall commend your works to another,
    and shall declare your mighty acts.
5 On the glorious splendor of your majesty,
    and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.
Psalm 145:1-5 ESV

https://youtu.be/BJSXSw-M8mQ

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

October 3, 2021 -- Numbers 6:24-27 -- Walking in showers of blessings

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

24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27 ESV

Today is Sunday. Get to church live-link church or Zoom into a service. Savor the blessings of the LORD. The blessing of the LORD consists in the fact that He has chosen people for Himself in love (Ephesians 1:3-4). The Word of God makes known to us the mystery of His will (Ephesians 1:8). The blessing of the LORD, consists in the fact that once we were not a people, but now we are the people of God, given the beautiful gift of belonging. This is the glorious promise of blessing given to Abraham and those who are grafted into the family of Abraham through his seed, our Lord Jesus Christ.

The blessing of the LORD consists in the fact that by His Spirit He will guard you in this great and wonderful salvation until Jesus returns. We are prone to wander. We are likely to throw off all these rich blessings because we are so infantile. Like the faithful Father He Is, God gives to us His Spirit so that sin is restrained, so that our lusts desires and taste for sin change to the point that former sins become repugnant to us.

Dearest family in Jesus Christ, this is the briefest glimpse of the blessings which the LORD, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, pour out on us, His people. Delight in Him. Worship Him. Give thanks with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Teach others of the blessedness that comes to all who are in Christ.

Oh, the depths of he riches and wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable are His judgments ad how inscrutable His ways!
For who has known the mind of the Lord,
   or who has been His counselor?
Or who has given a gift to Him
   that he might be repaid?
For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. 
To Him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11:33-36 ESV

https://youtu.be/UiJiDphZvbs

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

Oct. 1, 2021 -- Numbers 6:22-27 -- Truly Blessed

22 The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them,
24 The LORD bless you and keep you;
25 the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
26 the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.
27 “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.”
Numbers 6:22-27 ESV

The words of the text today contain the Aaronic Blessing (specifically the v. 24-26). In our Reformed-Presbyterian tradition, worship services end with a Scriptural blessing. By His great grace God our Father has allowed me to be a minister for 28 years, and counting (October 26 is the anniversary of my ordination). One of my congregants has noted “This must be a favourite of yours, you speak the Aaronic Blessing a lot”. He was quite right. It is one of my favs. There are many reasons for this.

Notice the threefold repetition of the Name, LORD. It is a reference to the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Consider also that the LORD instructed His priests to put His Name on His people, the assurance it is not the man who is blessing the people who are gathered, it is the LORD Himself Who brings His blessing to them. Do you get the sense the LORD longs to bless His people? You should. That is what is being communicated. Are you listening? Are you receiving the great blessings He has in store for you?

Savour this today. Here’s the explanation for such meditative delight: The LORD of heaven and earth has put His Name on you! He has declared His great love for you, through the work of Jesus Christ. He is guarding you in the love of Jesus Christ by the work of the Holy Spirit.

With the prophet Micah, we declare, Who is the God like You? You delight to show mercy! You have cast all our sins into the depths of the sea and show us Your faithfulness. With the Psalmist we cry out “Blessed be the LORD, my rock, He is my steadfast love and my fortress.” With the Samaritans convinced by the testimony of the woman at the well, we call to You “we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this Jesus is the Savior of the World.” Triune God, may our words and actions, our thoughts and the things we choose not to engage in, all bring praise and honour, blessing and glory to You. Amen.

Micah 7:18 & 19, Psalm 144:1,2; John 4:42

https://youtu.be/NjOGX5zT8KU

September 30, 2021 -- Leviticus 9:7-9 -- Understanding the Horn of Salvation

Then Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar and offer your sin offering and your burnt offering and make atonement for yourself and for the people, and bring the offering of the people and make atonement for them, as the Lord has commanded.”
8 So Aaron drew near to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 And the sons of Aaron presented the blood to him, and he dipped his finger in the blood and put it on the horns of the altar and poured out the blood at the base of the altar.
Leviticus 9:7-9 ESV

The horns of the altar are the projections at the four corners of the altar. When someone, afraid for his life, takes hold of the horns of the altar, he is granted sanctuary until a decision could be made about his case. Think of I Kings 1:50-53 where Adonijah, the brother of King Solomon rose up in rebellion against Solomon to name himself king. When caught out he took hold of the horns of the altar. Solomon then considered his case and dealt mercifully with him.

This directly links us to the Person and work of Jesus Christ. In Zechariah’s prophecy the prophet Zechariah rejoices that the LORD God of Israel “has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David” (Luke 1:68-69). See the beautiful link between the Old Testament and the New.

As Christians we know the blood of Jesus Christ, given when He voluntarily laid down His life at the cross, gives us sanctuary with God. The blood of Jesus Christ makes propitiation for us—the rightful anger of God against our sin has been spent on the Person of Jesus and we are declared righteous through the obedience of Jesus Christ. God the Father has dealt mercifully with us! Jesus is for us, the horn of salvation, our sanctuary and our song.

When the Holy Spirit makes you aware of your sin, turn away from sinning. Confess it. Pray to the Father on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work. Ask the Spirit to strengthen you for holy obedience, which is fueled by the joy of knowing Jesus, in Whom you are guarded in the love of God by the Spirit’s power.

With believers through-out the ages we praise You, O God, declaring:
I love You, O LORD, my strength.
You, LORD, are our Rock and our Fortress and our Deliverer,
   Our God in Whom we take refuge.
   The Shield of our Faith and the Horn of our Salvation,
   Our Stronghold forever. 
The LORD lives, and blessed be the Rock of our Salvation.
Amen.

(Prayer based on Psalm 18:1-2, 46)

https://youtu.be/VGAaRtkovZQ

September 28, 2021 -- Titus 3:14 -- Devoted to Good Works

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

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works,
so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.
Titus 3:14 ESV

Free time. That seems to be the great idol of our age. If I only had free time, then I’d do this or that. Ironically, with the pandemic, many people have been shut up in their homes, and been given a huge blocks of free time. Rather than accomplish all those great dreams and plans—many folks binge-watched TV shows and voraciously consumed movies seeking more and more ideas. The sin of our hearts was plainly exposed. 

The words of Paul to his true son in the faith (Titus 1:4) are particularly appropriate to this generation. In view of the great salvation that is ours in Jesus Christ, we are commanded to devote ourselves to good works. Consider these opportunities for fruitful work.

In view of the great increase in domestic violence which has surged through our land as people, not used to so much time together, are thrust together for extended times, the need for foster care parents has surged. Be a foster parent. 

Be a big brother or a big sister. Volunteer because the need is urgent.

Look into safe families Canada—Safe Families for Children is a family preservation movement motivated by radical hospitality, disruptive generosity, and intentional compassion to keep children safe and families together facing crisis. We bring church and community together. (This is from Home - Safe Families for Children (safe-families.org).

Become systematic in prayer. Go through the various levels of government, praying for leaders and advisors and committees. The need is urgent.

Use your hobby as a platform for fundraising so that you can sell what you make in order to give generously to the urgent needs around us.

Write your missionaries notes and letters of encouragement. Learn how to pray specifically for their fields of service.

Ask the Spirit of God—what is it I can do, what practical ways can I use my gifts so that others will know the love of God which has been given us in Christ Jesus? (This is a disruptive prayer--you will find your priorities change and your time dedicated to holy pursuits!)

Father of the fatherless and Hope of the hopeless, let us as those redeemed in Jesus Christ rise up and bless You as we by the Spirit’s power give our lives in sacred service. Forgive us, Triune God, for our laziness, self-indulgence and pursuit of worldly pleasures rather than engaging in the most blessed and joyous pursuit of all: serving Christ our King here and now. Thank You, Spirit of all Wisdom and Truth for the rich example of brothers and sisters You have put in our lives whose faithful service inspires us to greater acts of love and obedience. Amen.

https://youtu.be/hhycL4h64_s

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

September 27, 2021 -- Philippians 3:20 -- The Soul's Homesickness Soothed

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
Philippians 3:20 ESV

Recently a senior couple joined our church. Both of them understand Dutch, but it is the man who speaks Dutch. I cannot tell you how that makes my heart jump with enthusiasm. I had a vague, unexpressed homesickness. Growing up as I did in S-W Ontario, I was always surrounded by people who speak Dutch. It was part of the air I breathed. Moving to Moncton has been a blessing for Carolyn and myself, let us make that clear. However, two plus years without hearing Dutch didn’t seem to matter to us much until I spoke with someone who both speaks and understands Dutch. I had this deep sense of ‘my people’.

It is that kind of joy we have when we know our citizenship is in heaven. Remember how many of us wept with joy at the first post-Covid lockdown worship service we attended? It was so good to be with the people of God. When another Christian speaks with me about King Jesus—the soul’s homesickness is soothed as together we eagerly await the return of Jesus Christ, the King Who is coming to His own.

King of kings and LORD of Lords, the Bible teaches us, You are coming soon. You, Holy Spirt, living within us and the Bride of Jesus, all His people, cry out “LORD Jesus come for Your Bride!” Father, the invitation You have given in the Bible is this: “Let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price”. Triune God, may many hear this invitation and by our lives and ardent witness may homesick souls by grace become fellow citizens of heaven and who join us in our eager expectation of Jesus’ return. Glory be to Your Name, O God, forever and ever! Amen!

https://youtu.be/4s0Zb189Sco

September 25, 2021 -- I Timothy 5:1-2 -- Re-learning Purity

Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity.

I Timothy 5:1-2 ESV

Dear people of God, in the last two weeks, several people have mentioned their struggled with pornography. Others have recently expressed their challenges in staying honourable while dating. The whole issue of “how far is too far” was part of the conversations. As Paul writes to Timothy, offering pastoral advice, today’s passage really stood out for me as significant.

Consider how a man or a woman who claims relationship with the Living God is instructed to behave. Women are to treat men as brothers. Men are to act honourably toward women as sisters. The interactions we have in all relationships must take place as we are aware together we are the Body of Jesus Christ. Purity and respect first of all for Christ, Whose people we are, and then purity and respect towards one another. Constantly choosing to see others in this light tames our lusts and shames our baser instincts.

People are not objects for our gratification. People are men and women made in the image of God and therefore stamped with the glory of the LORD of Glory. How we treat one another is a direct reflection of how we honour Christ.

Father in heaven, thank You for the great gift of Jesus Christ through Whom we are cleansed and in Whom we are called sons and daughters of the Most High God. Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of the Spirit, living in us, Who guides us into ever greater holiness. We confess our sinfulness, and admit to You the generous allowances we make for our baser nature, rather than acknowledging we have been made holy in Christ the Lamb Who takes away the sin of the world. Spirit of Wisdom, renew in us a desire for obedience and also provide the strength we need to carry this out in the joy that is ours through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

https://youtu.be/eSDNwuAcrpE

September 22, 2021 -- Hebrews 10:24-25 -- Shine!

Beloved of the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

And let us consider how to stir one another up to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV

Does it make a difference whether or not you go to church? So what if I’m not there for a Sunday or two. These are sentiments I often hear expressed, and these thoughts lead to the action of non-attendance. The bible is clear. We are commanded to worship. We are commanded to meet together and in so doing we stir one another up to love and good works in the mighty Name of Jesus. Yesterday I read this story. It really brought home to me the point home of the passage.

“Several centuries ago…a wealthy nobleman wondered what legacy he should leave his townspeople…he decided to build them a church…everything had been thought of and included. It was a masterpiece. But then someone said, ‘Wait a minute! Where are the lamps? It is really quite dark in here. How will the church be lighted?’

“The nobleman pointed to some brackets on the walls and then he gave each family a lamp, which they were to bring with them each time they came to worship. ‘Each time you are here,’ the nobleman said, ‘the place where you are seated will be lighted. Each time you are not here, that place will be dark. This is to remind you that whenever you fail to come to church, some part of God’s house will be dark’.”^

Just think of it, your presence in your church’s worship service brings honour to Jesus Christ our King. Your presence in worship services blesses others in this glorious faith. Your presence in worship services encourages others to remain faithful in keeping the light of Christ shining.

Lord, You are my Light and my Salvation~whom shall I fear? You, LORD, are the Stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? One thing I’m asking of You, LORD, this is what my heart and imagination long for, to think about You, by faith gazing on Your beauty, as by Your Word and Spirit I learn more and more of Your excellencies. Amen

Today’s prayer is based on Psalm 27:1 & 4

https://youtu.be/LOuw3rLY7Zg

“How will the church be lighted”. from the magazine Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy. Vol: 33 No.1, Summer 2021.

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

September 21, 2021 -- I Thessalonians 2:19-20 -- Set a Worthy Goal

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

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? 20 For you are our glory and joy.
I Thessalonians 2:19-20 ESV

What is your goal? What do you spend your life pursuing? Can you hold it up to Jesus on the day of His return? If not, cast it aside. Our life’s goal is to know Jesus Christ. ~Albert Martin

Lord Jesus, Great High Priest,
Thou hast opened a new and living way
by which a fallen creature can approach thee with acceptance.
Help me to contemplate the dignity of thy Person,
the perfectness of your sacrifice, 
the effectiveness of your intercession.
O what blessedness accompanies devotion,
when under all the trials that weary me,
the cares that corrode me, the fears
that disturb me,
the infirmities that oppress me,
I can come to you in my need and feel peace beyond understanding!
The grace that restores is necessary to preserve,
lead, guard, supply, help me.
And here your saints encourage my hope;
they were once poor and are now rich,
bound and are now free,
tried and now are victorious.
Every new duty calls for more grace than I now possess,
but not more than is found in thee,
the divine Treasury in whom all fullness dwells.
To thee I repair for grace upon grace,
until every void made by sin be replenished
and I am filled with all thy fullness.
May my desires be enlarged and my hopes be emboldened,
that I may honor you by my entire dependency and the greatness of my expectation.
Do thou be with me, and prepare me for all
the smiles of prosperity, the frowns of adversity,
the losses of substance, the death of friends,
the days of darkness, the changes of life,
and the last great change of all.
May I find your grace
sufficient for all my needs.

"Grace Active". They Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed A. Bennett. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2020. page 215

https://youtu.be/XKOoeTbjSeI

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

September 19, 2021 -- I Thessalonians 2:19-20 -- Trophies of Grace

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

For what is our hope or joy or crown of boasting before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy.
I Thessalonians 2:19-20 ESV

Ask yourself this question: “Who shared with me the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation?” If you think of a person, or people, perhaps you receive a warm feeling of thankfulness at the mention of their names. Such people were persistent in their faith in Jesus Christ and persistent in their love for you. Paul is speaking from the point of view of being the one who brought the message of salvation to the Thessalonian Christians. Notice the staccato beats of joy sounding one after another.

The Thessalonians are a sign of Paul’s hope. If you tell others about Jesus, you do so from the overflow of your heart. Sharing the Gospel is a sign that the love of the Father has taken hold of your heart. The message of Who Jesus is in your life is a message of joy! Look at what I once was and see what I am now. It is pure joy. As we share this joy, we realize we are midwives at the new birth of Christians, those birthed by the Spirit into new life in Christ, what joy is ours.

The Thessalonian Christians are for Paul a crown of boasting before our Lord. In Greek culture the marathon runners received a laurel wreath, a crown as the sign of their victorious run. One sure sign that Christians are victorious in this marathon of faith is the men and women who believe in Jesus Christ because of our testimony about Jesus. Yet that boast takes place before the Lord, in a sense we are kneeling in our boast and joy, bringing credit to Jesus uplifting our hands as we honour the Father. This because the Father had in love, sent the Spirit Who directed others to teach us first of Jesus and His love so that we in turn could be equipped to teach others.

Mighty God, clothed in glory and splendour, blessed and great are You in all Your ways. Thank You for those who instructed us in the Good News of Jesus, Your Beloved Son, our Savior. Blessed God, thank You for the glory and joy of sharing our knowledge of and life in Jesus with others. Through our witness, bring many sons and daughters from the ruins of sinfulness into the well-ordered new life and glory that is ours in Christ. Such sinners, now redeemed, are trophies of grace in Jesus Christ. Let our lives be lined with such trophies as we kneel before Jesus, the Captain of Salvation May the knowledge of Your greatness cover the earth as the waters cover the sea. Amen.

https://youtu.be/vHwF5a9MSe4

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

September 16, 2021 -- Ephesians 1:1-2 -- Kept Faithful in Christ

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
   To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:1-2 ESV

Listening to this opening greeting can be discouraging. Let me explain. It might be tempting to say, those saints in Ephesus they may have been faithful to Christ Jesus, but I look at my own life and know I am not faithful. There are so many sins that creep in. There are so many faults which erupt from deep within and spill over into my words, my actions and my writings that it is evident I am a sinner. Can the grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ truly referred to really be for me?

Notice that Paul—himself formerly a great sinner, a murderer of Christians— has been called by the will of God, and sent out as an ambassador for Jesus’ reconciling work. In Romans 7 Paul makes it clear sin still threatens to overpower him. How it is even possible Christians can be called saints? It is not because of work we have done. In these two verse Jesus’ name is written three times. He is our reconciliation. He is our peace. He is the One by Whose blood our sins have been washed away and in Whom we have right standing with God. This is grace.

How is it that the Ephesians then and Christians through-out all ages are called faithful? It is the work of the Holy Spirit. We are sealed by the Spirit of God (Ephesians 1:13)—we cannot even contain the grace and peace from God which has been given us in Christ Jesus unless the Holy Spirit nanosecond by nanosecond held us in this great blessed state. It is by the Spirit we have access to this One Father through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:18).

We live in a world of great upheaval. Canada is changing before our eyes. Our hope is not found in this election or the next. Our great hope is fixed on this great truth, God our Father has sent the anointed One, Jesus, and by the Holy Spirit those who believe in Him are kept, guarded in the grace and peace of God no matter what happens in this life or this world.

God our Father how varied, beautiful and vast are the blessings You have poured out on us through Jesus Christ, Your Son our Savior and King. Words fail as we think how such blessings would just run over us and through us and past us, except that You have given Your Spirit so that we should be sustained by Him in Your never-ending faithfulness. Truly, You are beautiful, My God and King! Amen.

https://youtu.be/tqEa1Uo9UZc

September 15, 2021 -- Galatians 6:18 -- Precious Unity

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers. Amen.

Galatians 6:18 ESV

Have you ever flipped through the letters of the New Testament to see how each of them end? There is a strong farewell—in the purest sense of that old word. When a New Testament writer finishes a letter, there is a blessing which is spoken. As here in Galatians. It was a strongly worded letter with some harsh and true criticism of the antics of the Galatians. It ends with a blessing.

Think about how you end your conversations. See ya later. Maybe you end your texts ttyl. Maybe you end a phone call by mumbling “I gotta go now”. As Christians I wonder if we might not learn from the way New Testament letters end. Perhaps we can integrate this concept into our conversations and texts and messages. Consider ending with a blessing from God.

Many of you know I use the word “shalom” to end emails and conversations. It is the word which means: “The peace of God” and the sense is “the peace of God be with you”. Ending our conversations and letters, texts and messages with something like: “the grace of God be with you” or “God bless you” or “Shalom” indicates you are a Christian. It lets your listener know you wish them the very best which is ours in Christ.

So many of our conversations are harsh. So many of our posts are defiant—myself included, I’ve been very guilty of this as well. But our call is to represent Christ in our words and deeds. How are you doing in this regard? Shalom.

Faithful Father in heaven, by Your Spirit You prompted the writer of the psalm to declare “^Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!” Father in heaven, You have given us such unbreakable unity through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Help us, Your children, to serve You and honour You in the way in which we communicate with those around us. Forgive us the times we have stirred up anger and dissension. Enable us by Your Spirit to walk in the newness of life and the depth of community that is ours through Jesus Christ. Amen.

^Psalm 133:1 ESV

https://youtu.be/_jg1Rm0Ig5o

September 13, 2021 -- II Corinthians 1:3-4 -- Comforting others as we have been comforted

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
II Corinthians 1:3-4 ESV

Question for you. Do you tell people about the secret sins and deepest struggles of your heart? Let me qualify this, perhaps not broadcasting such things to the whole world, but certainly in the context of Christian fellowship, where a brother or sister is struggling with a sin and you have gained victory, do you share this?

It has been my general experience that members in the churches I have attended will avoid such open discussions. Sin, other people’s sin, is a big topic of discussion. But the open admission of one’s own failure and struggles are often buried deep. Even where such conversation would be a great mercy and help to others. It seems church-raised Christian have calcified in this area. 

In contrast, working with Christians in the prison context, or in the context of drug and alcohol recovery centres are far more open with their struggles and sins. The words of today’s text ring true. When we have been comforted from the greatest affliction we can suffer—which is the fight against our sinful nature and old patterns of behaviour which threaten like a rip tide, to pull us back into oceans of sin and desperation—what a blessing it is in humility to share that victory with others who need such hope and encouragement.

What mercy is found in true community where a brother who has overcome sin can reach out to another who is struggling to find the Father’s mercy which has been given us in Jesus Christ and sealed in us by the Holy Spirit. Tell others around you who seem to be drowning in the miry pit of hopelessness of the help that Christ, by His Spirit has given you so that the God of All Comfort may by your testimony comfort others in their affliction and suffering.

O Lover of the loveless,
It is thy will that I should love thee
with heart, soul, mind, strength,
and my neighbour as myself.
But I am not sufficient for these things.
There is by nature no pure love in my soul;
Every affection in me is turned from thee;
I am bound, as slave to lust,
I cannot love thee, lovely as thou art,
until thou dost set me free.
By grace I am thy freeman and would serve thee,
for I believe thou art my God in Jesus,
and that through him I am redeemed,
and my sins are forgiven.
With this freedom I would always obey thee,
but I cannot walk in liberty,
any more than I could first attain it, of myself.
May thy Spirit draw me nearer
to thee and thy ways.
Thou art the end of all means,
for if they lead me not to thee,
I go away empty.
Order all my ways by thy holy Word
and make thy commandments the joy of my heart,
that by them I may have happy converse with thee.
May I grow in thy love and manifest it to mankind.
Spirit of love, make me like the loving Jesus;
give me his benevolent temper,
his beneficent actions,
that I may shine before men to thy glory.
The more thou doest in love in me and by me,
humble me the more;
keep me meek, lowly,
and always ready to give thee honour.
"Christian Love". The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. A. Bennett. Carlisle, PA: The Banner of Truth Trust, 2020, page 250.

https://youtu.be/jvYSoGP7pwM

September 11, 2021 -- Romans 7:18-19 -- Driven to Prayer

For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Romans 7:18-19 ESV

Yesterday I listened to a brief sermon excerpt of a Paul Washer sermon “God is creating weakness in your life”. The point of the sermon was to teach that our very point of weakness is the place where God is teaching us to turn to Him, rely on Him, so that we urgently and persistently pray to Him. All of our lives are utterly and wholly dependent on Him—but it is the place of weakness where we are most keenly driven to prayer. Such sustained prayer in turn teaches us urgent, God-focused prayer in every other area of our lives as well.

The Apostle Paul knew his sinfulness. In fact, at the end of this passage in Romans he is finally driven to declare, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?" Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25). The fact that our sins are hateful to us and grievous to us is the very sign the Spirit of God is working in us and through us, driving us into the arms of our Saviour Who has rescued us from the wrath of God which is set against all sin.

Are you despairing over your sin? That is an appropriate response...but it should not end there. Go to prayer—persistent, urgent, Spirit-fueled prayer which takes the promises of God that are “Yes” and “Amen” in Jesus Christ and plead for the strength to fight such sin and gain the victory in Jesus. Jesus our King declared to us “take heart, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). This is good news indeed. Tomorrow is Sunday. Prepare to gather with the people of God and bless the Lord for His rich salvation, sealed in us by the Spirit of God.

The Broken Heart

O LORD,,
No day of my life has passed that has not
proved me guilty in thy sight.
Prayers have been uttered
from a prayerless heart.
Praise has been often praiseless sound;
My best services are filthy rags.
Blessed Jesus, let me find a covert in thy appeasing wounds.
Though my sins rise to heaven, thy merits soar above them;
Though unrighteousness weighs me down to hell,
thy righteousness exalts me to the throne.
All things in me call for my rejection,
All things in thee plead for my acceptance.
I appeal from the throne of perfect justice
to thy throne of boundless grace.
Grant me to hear thy voice assuring me:
that by thy stripes I am healed,
that thou wast bruised for my iniquities,
that thou hast been made sin for me,
that I might be righteous in thee,
that my grievous sins, my manifold sins,
are all forgiven,
buried in the ocean of thy concealing blood.
I am guilty, but pardoned,
lost, but saved,
wandering, but found,
sinning,but cleansed.
Give me perpetual broken-heartedness,
Keep me always clinging to thy cross,
Flood me every moment with descending grace,
Open to me the springs of divine knowledge,
sparkling like crystal, flowing clear and unsullied
through my wilderness of life.
"The Broken Heart" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayer and Devotion. Ed: A. Bennett. Carlisle: The Banner of Truth Trust, page 150

https://youtu.be/Tmp6oLceDZA