May 4, 2022 -- Mark 2:15-17 -- Confronted by the Great Physician

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

And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. 16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” 17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Mark 2:15-17 ESV

Jesus was eating at Levi’s house—a man who was a hated agent for the Romans. He betrayed his fellow Jews by collecting Roman taxes for them, and overcharging his own people in order to line his own pockets. The words of the religious leaders (Pharisees and their scribes) are so willfully self-ignorant it is painful. They demand of Jesus' disciples--so sowing in them seeds of doubting the goodness of God, just like the serpent did in the Garden of Eden--"Why does He eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Who are the sinners? If the religious leaders had just read the Old Testament faithfully they would hear what Paul summarized in Romans 3:22-23 “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

The tax collectors and others sinners were drawn to Jesus because they were made aware of their sin, which like a cancer was killing them. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day had all the signs of a cancerous-sin condition, but refused to acknowledge it or get the help of the Great Physician, Jesus Christ. It is much worse for the religious leaders because they understood the Old Testament, they know the judgment of God against the wicked, but they still refused the prophets’ warnings and teachers from the Old Testament who exposed the sins of all the people.

Very bluntly, this is why prison ministry is so appealing to me. I meet with men who know they are sinners. They have been convicted by the courts, and by their own conscience. They know the sins of the men around them. When you speak Good News to them, they are thirsty. Amazed at the Living Water Jesus brings. This is why church ministry is often so difficult for me. Like the religious leaders of Jesus’ day, many in the pews believe themselves far superior to “those sinners out there” and therefore, they are in a cancerous-sin-state, unaware of their great need for healing—the very healing Jesus brings to all who know their need of Him.

There is no sin so great that the cross has not disarmed it. The punishment against sin was taken by the Great Physician Jesus Christ. To know who know they are debtors to Jesus, being made aware of one’s own sinfulness is not anger-provoking, it draws from the lips of believers a volley of thanksgiving and praise. Who is like our God—rich in mercy and having unfathomable depths of steadfast love for ruined sinners. Blessed be His Name.

Now, now is the day of repentance. Now is the day to acknowledge how great are your sins. If you're already a pew-sitter, or a tax-collector sinner, know and believer how much greater, infinitely greater, is the Great Physician Who heals you and brings you to the Father. You are those who were gross sinners, but now you can be presented as those made clean by His shed blood. How great is Jesus our Healer, Who plants within us the Holy Spirit so that the cancer of sin will never again reclaim us. The Spirit is the guarantee of this great salvation given to us by the gracious Father through the redeeming work of Jesus!

Lord Jesus, Great High Priest,
You have opened a new and living way
by which a fallen creature can approach you with acceptance.
Help me to contemplate the dignity of your 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 you,
the divine Treasury in whom all fullness dwells.
To you I repair for grace upon grace,
until every void made by sin be replenished
and I am filled with all your 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.
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" from Valley of Vision, page 214

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May 3, 2022 -- Philippians 2:12-16 -- Throwing down respectable sins

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

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, 15 that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, 16 holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. 
Philippians 2:12-16 ESV

Not that long ago I heard a marvelous, piercing-the-conscience teaching on “respectable sins”. The day was long and there were a few podcasts I listened to and I cannot recall exactly who the speaker was. All I know is the topic struck a chord with me. Of course we all affirm “big sins” like murder or stealing are unacceptable. We know the 10 Commandments quite well and realize the things we are not supposed to do. But there are insidious, brain-worm sins that wheedle their way into the fabric of the day and are not as well-known, nor immediately cut out of our lives.

How many of us are grumblers? Under the breath we protest against what it is we know we should be doing but are finding reasons or justifications not to do so. Or the grumbling is murmuring of discontent as we are internally arguing against the boss who gave us a proper directive but our pride was wounded. Grumbling against a leader is in fact, complaining against the Living God Who has saved you and Who is by His Spirit giving you the will and the ability to work. Grumbling is a direct refusal of the Spirit’s directive work in your life.

Disputing is a tough one as well, a respectable sin that is boring holes in the fabric of your life so that your witness is discredited. How often a Christian will dispute before the full command is given. Isn’t it true that disputing happens almost on automatic pilot, because a heart is puffed up with its own self-importance and is not humble enough to yield to the Living God?

Rather than grumbling, the believer is called to pray to the Living God, asking for the vulnerability to see his error and know his weakness and despite such to have the courage and strength to fight against his flesh and inertia. Rather than grumble the believer who has “prayed himself up” addresses perceived wrongs and is prepared to admit his own wayward thinking should that be pointed out to him.

Instead of disputing, the brother or sister in Christ is confident of his standing before God and is therefore able to hold his tongue until he sees the purpose of a directive. Sometimes an order will seem arbitrary to the one receiving it until a broader plan unfolds and in the working out of the thing reveals its reasonableness. In an age of social media where all the platforms encourage disputing and senseless argumentation, it is hard for Christians to regain a sense of proportion and restrain himself from automatic disputing.

What is the antidote to grumbling and disputing? It is a heart filled with thankfulness, awed by the gracious work of God that continues to bless the Christian. When one is holding fast to the Word of God, the fickleness of man is constantly being exposed, but one who is dedicated to the Living God finds life that is full and joyous. Even hardships are transformed—as Mary Poppins sang, a ‘spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down’. The sugar is the delightfulness of the nearness of God, the medicine is the work we are called to do, striving against the contrariness and rebellion of the world, devil and even our own flesh. The Psalmist proclaimed, “You make know the path of life; in Your Presence is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Ps. 16:11 ESV).

O LORD, the Salvation of ruined sinners, rescuing them in Jesus Christ--You are the glory of Your people. You are the highest desire of the soul and the best aspiration of the mind; You are worthy of all blessing and service. Forgive us for the softheaded acquiescence with the world that leads us to places where we murmur and grumble against You. Spirit of the Living God, revive us so that our lives, gripped by the Father Who pours out a steady stream of grace in Jesus, are lived in whole-hearted obedience and enthusiastic humility. Help us, Spirit of God, to fight against our own flesh and inertia. Aid us, Spirit of God to stand against the influence of worldliness. Triune God, our Rescue Story, guard us from the schemes and wiles of the devil and all his demonic agents. Preserve us, O God, for in You we take refuge; You are the LORD, our LORD; apart from You we have no good thing! Amen.
 

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May 2, 2022 -- Exodus 12:38 -- In the Exodus a Mixed Multitude

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

A mixed multitude also went up with them, and very much livestock, both flocks and herds.
Exodus 12:38 ESV

Think of it, when Moses and Aaron led the people of the LORD out of the land of Egypt, 600,000 men left, added to that number is their women and children. Now, add to that number this teaching from Exodus 12:38. Besides the 600,000 Israelite men there was added to them a mixed multitude. This is important. You can see from the very beginning of the Bible that it is the intention of the LORD to have His people be a light to the nations so that many people will join with the people of God.

It was the power of the LORD which wore Pharaoh down in such a way that Pharaoh was not strong enough to be angry with the LORD and kill all the people of the LORD, nor was he so powerless that his leaders deposed him. The power of the LORD was so great that some Egyptians and some foreigners who together formed a multitude, a great number of people, who had lived among the Egyptians, this great company of people left family, wealth and land and joined themselves to the people of the Living God.

Beloved, that should impact us powerfully as well. Our lives as men and women devoted to Jesus Christ should shine out from our lives in such a way that others will join us in following Him. We have, like the Israelites left Egypt, the land of slavery to sin. We have, like the Israelites, been shielded by the blood of the Lamb—they by a lamb a year old, and we by the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. The Egyptians were plundered by the Israelites, the followers of Jesus have all things needed for life. Our Father in heaven supplies our daily bread, all that is needed for spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional health. May the people God has placed in our lives see the Mighty Grace and Goodness of God poured out in Jesus Christ and see the outworking of the Spirit in such a way that they too will join us to follow Jesus.

Mighty God, just and true, great is Your work of salvation in and among us. May the Light of Your glory shine out from us in such a brilliant way that Christ is exalted. Spirit of the Living God, use our words of witness and words of confession in such a way that many will be drawn to Jesus Christ and forsaking all, honour Him. Amen.

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April 30, 2022 -- Psalm 90:14; 42:8 -- Open yourself up to the never-ending steadfast love of the LORD

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

Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love,
   that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 ESV

By day the the LORD commands His steadfast love,
   and at night His song is with me,
   a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8 ESV

What do you do when your feet hit the floor in the morning? Maybe after your coffee is brewed, or your tea is steeped, do you with steaming cup in hand, scroll through social media to see if anyone liked your posts? Do you tweet an opinion about something with the hope that you’ll get a heart response? Dear, fellow lonely creature, look to God at the start of and the end of the day.

The psalm-writer calls out to the LORD at the start of the day, perhaps before anyone else is awake, and his heart is yearning, hungry, restless. He calls out to the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth trusting in His steadfast love. That expression, steadfast love, is translated as mercy in some other versions. The original language Hebrew word is Hesed. It is the covenant love of God the Father, whereby He has chosen people to be His Own. Such people are sinners, saved by the blood of Jesus. Such people are prone to wander and yet, have been captured by His grace and never-ending patience.

In the morning and at night the steadfast love of the LORD surrounds you, fellow believer. There is no place on earth or in the furthest depths one can go where the LORD is not already present. There is no moment of the day that is free from sacredness. What a concept that is. It is especially potent knowing the LORD commands His love even at night. In the second text the context of the whole Psalm is the writer's battle against depression and discouragement. His soul is thirsting for the Living God and tears have been his food, day and night. What stops the flow of tears? It is preaching to his soul the steadfast, covenant, love and mercy and patience of the God of glory. He is commanding his soul to open up and receive the steadfast love of God that has never, not even for a nanosecond, halted.

If you have poured out your heart on tweets and posts and no one has noticed, commented, or liked, remember this, the LORD has not stopped looking at you. Psalm 33, “behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him” (verse 18). Behold means, see and take notice, place this in the safe-keeping of your heart—the LORD has His eye on you, He will not leave you nor abandon you. Such a steady stream of love lifts you from the pit of depression. Such amazing love directs your steps in holiness. Such steadfast love surrounds you so that you are a living witness to His goodness in every part of your life and in every moment of your life. Such steadfast love prompts you to valiant acts of obedience in honour of His Name, whether or not anyone else on earth notices. The LORD has directed His steadfast love toward you. Rejoice and sing! Serve your King!

Our soul waits for the LORD;
   He is our Help and our Shield.
For our heart is glad in Him,
   because we trust in His holy Name.
Let Your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
   even as we hope in You.
Psalm 33:20-22 ESV

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April 29, 2022 -- Matthew 20:20-28 -- untitled

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

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:20-28 ESV

Talk about a proud, pushy mom—she’d give soccer moms and pageant moms are run for their money. The mother of these grown men, the sons of Zebedee, is pushing her sons forward completely oblivious to what Jesus is doing and blind to the implications of what she is asking. She is kneeling before Him, the Suffering Servant, and asking that her boys have a guaranteed short-cut to thrones, exalted thrones, for all eternity.

The meek and truthful response Jesus offers is evidence He is the Messiah, Master of His emotions, tongue and Lord every situation. He exposes the folly of this woman, the prideful complicity of the men to their mother’s request (note that Jesus asked them, James and John if they thought they could suffer like He suffers and would suffer). Jesus leaves the question hanging in the air. Readers of the Gospel according to Matthew know how this turns out.

All the disciples will abandon Jesus—it is not just Peter who betrays Jesus, each one at the Garden of Gethsemane proves their need for a Savior. After the resurrection, these sons of Zebedee do not have confidence Jesus is risen from the dead. They prove they are not able to drink the cup that Jesus drinks. In fact, no follower of Jesus past, present or future can endure all Jesus did to bring many sons and daughters to glory!

Dear people of the Father, you are made sons and daughters by the blood of Jesus, the Suffering-Servant, now King of Glory. How often we want short cuts. We would serve Jesus, but we want it to be easier, quicker, and have more guarantees which the efforts of others, but not on our own efforts and exhausting exertions.

To the sons of Zebedee, and to you and me, Jesus replied to all people's yearnings for a quick and easy path to glory, cutting off any hope for a Christian life of ease—the path of service given unto Jesus Christ is one of serving, giving, and pouring out one’s life in obedience to the Living God. Jesus knew He was giving up His life and serving even to the point of death. He knew He was pouring out His life, in full obedience to the Father, and doing so among those who did not understand. He served though His followers have an inflated view of self and a great disrespect for the others, even others for whom Jesus died.

It is the path of Jesus’ suffering which wins for believers the crown of glory. It is the work of the Spirit to humble the hearts of believers before Jesus. The Word of God exposes the folly and the pride of Christians and pulls from our lips the confessions of our vanity and false pride. Delight in this, fellow-Christian, the Savior, meek and mild in responding to soccer moms and boastful sons is patient in bringing you to completion in His full salvation. This Jesus is also fierce in His protection of your life. At the cross He disarmed the hosts of hell. His Father is the wall of fire surrounding His people. The Spirit is the deposit guaranteeing your eternal salvation. Triune God will bring you safe to His presence. In view of this, go, and serve Your King!

Who is a god like You?! Your steadfast love, O God of Heaven's armies, is beyond description! King Jesus, Mighty Savior, Suffering Servant, Desired One of all Nations, blessed be Your Name now and forever more. Equip us Spirit of God, to abase ourselves, emptying ourselves of all pride so that the flood of grace which flows from the throne of Jesus Christ may cleanse us and renew in us joy-filled, obedient service. Amen.

https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ

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April 28, 2022 -- Psalm 147:1-5 -- Praising the Omnipotent One Who cares for you and me

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

Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant,[a] and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:1-6 ESV

[a] or it could read: “for he is beautiful”

There is a lingering memory in our family of the years when our children were growing up. We had three children and at any given time we might have one, or two, or up to three foster children in the house at the same time. When Carolyn was exasperated with one, she’d call out for him (or her). However, because she was flustered she might call out one name, though everyone knew she actually intended to summon someone else (!); then call out another name and finally get to the name of child she actually wanted. She hadn’t exactly forgotten the name of her child, she was just thrown off balance by her agitation. What is funny is Carolyn’s mom did exactly the same thing, running through the names of her children until she reached the right one whom she wanted to scold or command. Look at verse 4, the LORD determines the number of stars and He give to all their names. He doesn’t forget. Every nanosecond they are sustained by His might and it costs Him nothing to keep the hurtling solar systems in perfect check. He simultaneously knows every single one of the stars. Awesome!

The mighty power of the LORD God—evidenced by the starry hosts and His complete knowledge of and sustaining of each one--means that it is a simple matter for Him to care for His people. It is easy to feel neglected, like a speck of sand on an endless seashore and wonder: “God, do you truly care for me?

He Who is powerful in every way (therefore powerful enough to help you) is also He Who is loving and willing to help you. The fact you are asking this question means He is paying attention to your wounds. He heals the brokenhearted. He has answered your every wound in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Father’s wrath against your sin has been averted. Now Jesus, as the LORD of the Church, gathers His revivified people by His Spirit and brings them to the place where they are protected by the fiery walls of God’s grace and glory (Zechariah 2:5).

Reflecting on the beauty of our God, the splendour of His might and evidences of His grace changes our attitude, our awareness, our heart. In view of Who He Is, the soul captivated by His beauty, can not do anything but break out into praise. The heart determines the course of your life—this God is Great and Abundant in Power and He has revealed Himself to this poor man. Therefore, it is the purpose of this once-entombed-in-the-poverty-of-sin man to give his life to singing to the LORD with thanksgiving and continuously hoping in His steadfast love.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
   make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
   he prepares the rain for the earth;
   he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
   and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
   in those who hope in his steadfast love. 
Today's prayer is: Psalm 147:7-11 ESV

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April 27, 2022 -- Zechariah 2:1-5 -- God's gift of hope revived

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

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2 Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him 4 and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. 5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”
Zechariah 2:1-5 ESV

It has been said a man can live 40 days without eating, three days neither eating nor drinking anything, but cannot survive a single day without hope. Zechariah is prophesying to a community of exiles who'd recently been returned to the Promised Land. This people were supposed to rebuild the temple and inhabit Jerusalem. Instead of doing this, they languished. Broken and dispirited. The hope had fled from them. They were sinners, descended from sinners, far from the realization of the nearness of the grace of God. So, the LORD spoke, to revive His people, to grace His people with a vision of hope.

A city without walls was unprotected. It would be vulnerable to the attacks of surrounding nations. Surely the people just returned from exile would be too exhausted to contemplate any disaster or face any threat. The LORD showed them His gracious presence. Jerusalem would be without walls, so that it would be open enough to accommodate any and all the people who would choose to return there. It is an inviting picture, a sign of welcome to those who return from foreign wandering.

And the LORD will be a wall of fire all around Jerusalem. What a show of strength and protection that is. Imagine it, a city ringed by divine fire! No one would dare attack that for any enemy would not be facing dispirited, helpless people, but would be facing the very strength and unlimited power of the Living God Who pledged Himself to protect His people. 

This people will be orphaned no more. They are given a land, given protection, and given a Father. The glory of the LORD will be in their midst. Those who are Christians, read this passage as interpreters who see with the clarity of the New Testament. We know glory of the LORD visited His people in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the glory of God, come to earth, to rescue the exiles, find the lost and break the chains of those enslaved to sin and bound over to the wrath of God.

The long-ago prophesied fire did fall, it fell at Pentecost, when the Spirit of God made the dwelling place of God to be limitless—an ever-expanding city to encompass the ever-expanding people of God. The people of God have a name—sons and daughters of the Most High God who have been made such by the blood of Jesus Christ. The family of God are walled in by His holy fire, so that their lives, their work, and even their death all these happen under the ever-vigilant care of the One Who is able raise up the dead to newness of life.

People of God, live in hope! See the power of God at work right now—that power which is a wall of fire around you, bringing you safely through the sufferings of this world, as your life and words bear witness to Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God continuously gives you the assurance that the glory of the LORD is near you right now and will be everlastingly visible and known to you in eternity!

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 
Blessing and prayer: Romans 15:13 ESV

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April 25, 2022 -- Leviticus 19:1-2 -- Holy messengers

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

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:1-2 ESV

[Jesus said] “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV

Why is the holiness of God’s people so important? Here is a wonderful illustration (I heard it two times yesterday, in two different sermon podcasts, from two different ministers!). Imagine you are having brain surgery. You are anaesthetized, but wide-awake so that the surgeon can make sure you are responding well; also being alert will help the surgeon know the fix he is effecting won’t cause more damage to nerves, or major organs and so on. Midway through the surgery, the doctor drops the scalpel. You see him wipe it on his gown, which you plainly observe is soaked in your blood. The scalpel remains dirty and there is a long hair on it. He then takes it and wipes the scalpel under his armpit and there is no more visible blood on it. The hair which had just previously been tenaciously clinging to it is gone. Would you be frightened? Terrified if the doctor continued to use this scalpel on you? You bet. So unclean. Such an invitation for gross infection.

The people of God are sent as heralds, in the Name of the Great Physician. We apply the Word. Holy people speaking the Word of the Holy One show the sin-damage the heart and the head unsanctified people carry. As witnesses, we declare what God has decreed, the danger of remaining sin-stained when such a state will invoke the wrath of the Physician, the Very God Who has given the cure in Christ.

A sin-carrying herald, like dirty scalpel, cannot work on a heart or head that needs to be clean. Such a sin-infected herald would spread the infection of sin even further. Be clean, people of God. Cleansed by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, kept clean and holy by the Spirit Who works in you. As those so cleansed, like the sterilized scalpel, can declare the healing work of Jesus Christ to any and all who are now condemned by the wrath of God against sin. The Father in heaven has given the cure, Jesus Christ.

Almighty God, before Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord — Amen.
Prayer, Gregorian Sacramentary, A.D. 590

https://youtu.be/I_402FDIG_Y

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April 23, 2022 -- Matthew 12:9-14 -- Is there a treasure of evil or good in your heart?

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

He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
Matthew 12:9-14 ESV

Two things should be immediately obvious from this brief text. 1. The Pharisees are not interested in Jesus’ answer. They’d already decided against Him and were seeking to trap Him and accuse Him. 2. The Pharisees were blind to their own deep-seated wickedness. They’d pretended to care about the LORD’s law concerning the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) in order to trap Jesus. Notice how the vile blackness of their hearts was revealed in the fact they were prepared to plan how to kill Jesus, and that on the Sabbath, the very day which they’d so duplicitously presented to Jesus as the day they would keep holy.

Jesus noted, just a few verses later, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil” (Mathew 12:34b-35).

What is gushing out of your mouth—in public and in private? What are you mulling over in your heart and mind? Is your heart abounding in good and striving to be more like Jesus or are you, like the Pharisees, hoarding evil treasures and dispensing evil? Now is the day of salvation. Now is the day—if you hear Jesus’ voice, to turn away from you sin and so confess God is just in condemning sinners and vast in His loving-kindness whereby He punished Jesus in the place of sinners and gives to them the righteousness of Christ. Right now, your reaction and your thoughts either condemn you as belonging to demons, or as those made good in Jesus Christ.

Father in heaven, we
behold the Servant You have chosen,
   Your Beloved, with Whom Your soul is well-pleased.
You have put Your Spirit on Him,
   and He proclaims justice to the Gentiles.
He did not quarrel or cry aloud,
   nor did anyone hear His voice in the streets;
a bruised reed He did not, nor does He, break,
   and a smoldering wick He will not quench,
until He brings justice to victory;
   and in His Name the Gentiles will hope.
Prayer based Isaiah 42:1-4

https://youtu.be/mH3I_6hvLyc

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 21, 2022 -- Matthew 9:26-38 -- Pray to the Lord of the Harvest

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

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38 ESV

Currently, all around my city, Moncton, NB., there are signs in store windows, restaurants and gas stations “Apply within”. All kinds of jobs are available. I heard that one of the fast-food restaurants is even offering a $200.00 signing bonus. There is a lot of work available and there is a huge work-force sitting at home. Many people who are not prepared to go out and get a job.

When Jesus entered a town He healed the sick; He cast out demons; He taught as one who has authority; He had compassion on those who were harassed. Those who are followers of Jesus Christ cannot be all those things to all the people in need. The one who follows Jesus Christ is given talents, spiritual gifts, so that according to the gifting he has been given by the Holy Spirit, he’ll have a Christian inclination and ability to meet a need.

Some Christians want equitable distribution of food and appropriate housing and as they advocate for this are regularly mentoring those in need; it is a harvest field. Some Christians love to educate others, it is a harvest field. Some Christians are great at meeting their neighbours by getting involved in community events; it is a harvest field. Some Christians are wonderful at helping those who are in physical distress or mental distress; it is their harvest field. Some Christians are fitness buffs; it is their harvest field to share this passion and use it to reach others.

The command to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest” is in fact a command aimed at you, Christian, to see where you fit in God’s plan to preach the Gospel. By your words, putting to use your skills and actions you will reach the lost. The harvest field will be gathered. There are help wanted signs all around you. Your particular gift mix is needed right now. Pray. Get up and answer that help wanted sign to the glory of the Lord of the Harvest.

Lord of the Harvest, thank You for Your great compassion for Your people. Thank You that we ourselves have experienced Your great grace and healing love. Lord of the Harvest, send out labourers into the harvest field so that the Father's love will be deeply felt and embraced by many. Lord of the Harvest, continually fill us by by Your Spirit so that endlessly supplied with all grace, mercy, and peace which is anchored in Jesus' accomplished work, Your labourers will be prepared for the hardships and victories; the suffering and the blessing of shepherding. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Ngoit0sRTWY

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 20, 2022 -- Matthew 7:28-29 -- Jesus' astonishing authority

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

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29 ESV

When was the last time the Word of God left you astonished? Yesterday I was teaching in a jail and three men attended the Bible study. One was a Christian. The two others came out because they are curious about the faith. The Bible course material took the men through the basics of the faith—God created the heavens and the earth, all people are descended from Adam and Eve, the sin of Adam affects all people because we are all one race, Jesus is the new Adam. The heavens declare the glory of God and the Bible makes it plain all people know God exists and He is divine, and the Scriptures show Jesus, the full revelation of the Father. Those who confess their sins receive forgiveness.

One man declared—"I knew it!" His eyes lit up and I could hardly keep him from talking through-out the rest of the study--he wanted to hear it all and at the same time he wanted to affirm it all. "We are all one family." He blurted out. "I am black and Asian, I am part white and part Aboriginal—because we all belong to God as one people."

At a moment like that surely you can see it is the Word of God which points to Jesus Christ; He has all authority. His teaching is accompanied by the dynamic Spirit. It is the most exciting thing to teach in the Name of Jesus and see men respond with wonder and thirsty joy.

The man at the Bible Study asked for a Bible. Sometimes I wonder—do we as Christians really understand the power of the Gospel? Do you know the Word is dynamite? Thanks be to God Who by His Spirit continues to make the teaching of Jesus astonishing and life-changing.

Father in heaven—thank You that You reveal Yourself in creation and that You reveal Yourself most perfectly in Jesus Christ—the Living Word. Spirit of God thank You for bringing to us the Light of Jesus and the power of His astonishing life and work. Bless these men who are attending this Bible study; and bless all who are incarcerated and interested in Your Word—may the breath-taking news of Jesus put to death the old nature and things of sin and by Your Spirit breathe new life into lungs, hearts, and minds which have been prepared for the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/nzy7jFNUc3w
 

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 19, 2022 -- Matthew 5:14-16 -- The Light of Christ

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

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Have you ever seen a picture where the dark side of the earth is in view and piercing the darkness is every point of light—cities and airports, street-lights and highways—all of them shine brightly into the gloom? It is awesome to see how powerful light is effectively piercing all the darkness. Light cannot be denied.

When someone is wrapped in darkness, your light of faith is the most welcome sight, a bright hope.

When pleasures of sin have been exposed, shown to be nothing more than a banquet in the grave, and the one in its stranglehold sees the light of Christ shining from you, a believer, that light offers an alternative which cannot be denied. The Spirit of God draws sinners to the light of Christ.

When a fellow brother or sister in Christ is discouraged and broken down the grace of seeing the bright light of Christ which shines out from your good works will reignite in the heart the brightness of faith.

When you tip your candle towards another, unlit candle, you light that other candle and doing so doesn’t diminish the strength of your light, it merely increases the reach of available light. That is an illustration of the glory of God. He sent the Light of Jesus Christ into this world. All who believe in Jesus are set ablaze by the Spirit. The Spirit keeps the fire burning and believers carry this light everywhere and so, in the power of Jesus’ Name, dispel the darkness.

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
    Your faithfulness to the clouds.
 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    Your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast You save, O LORD.

For with You is the fountain of life;
    in Your Light do we see light.

 Oh, continue Your steadfast love to those who know You,
    and Your righteousness to the upright of heart!
How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!
Psalm 36:5-6; 9, 7a

https://youtu.be/FcD9uhRC3Ew

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 18, 2022 -- Psalm 119:32 -- Enlarge my heart

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

I will run in the way of Your commandments
   when You enlarge my heart.
Psalm 119:32 ESV

Awake, O harp and lyre!
   I will awaken the dawn!
I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples;
   I will sing praises to You among the nations.
   For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
   Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 108:2-4 ESV

Resurrection Sunday—the joy-filled psalms, spiritual songs and hymns of praise reverberate on our lips and our rebound in our soul. It is the mind captivated by the splendor of God and His redeeming work that swells with praise and worship. It is a swirling kaleidoscope of heart-felt emotions and exultation which are offered to the Father for the gift of King Jesus and His glorious resurrection. It is what Psalm 108 seems to capture. Yet, I am aware how praises and blessings offered up to the Living God fall short.

It takes the work of the Spirit to enlarge my heart so that praises swelling within my heart do not fall silent shortly after the church service does.

It takes the work of the Spirit to enlarge my heart so that the bliss of celebrating God’s goodness can be sustained. I am most aware of my finite humanity on days of celebration and blessing because wonder cannot be sustained.

Oh, doesn’t it make you long for eternity? Then God the Father will be fully present and unveiled to His people; the work of Jesus will be fully applied so that even death itself will be thrown down and be no more. The Spirit of God will do His enlarging work so that our capacity for remaining in such joy-filled bliss and sustaining worship will not tear us apart or end.

One day this prayer from Psalm 119 will be fully answered, the people of God will have their hearts enlarged. Joy will not be temporary. The people of God in the presence of God will be rejoicing and there will be sustained praise, honour and blessing that stretches down the corridors of eternity, ever increasing to the glory of the King of Glory Who alone dwells in unapproachable light!

God, from the beginning, You were the word. You sent Your only Son to save us all and He even allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified to obey You. Bless me with the gift of understanding and of unshaken faith in You. By Your Spirit's power working in me, let me know the meaning of Your words in the Bible and to live accordingly. Open the door of my heart, and fill me with Your light and understanding. Amen.

https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 16, 2022 -- Jeremiah 3:12b -- Between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday: Reflections

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

“Return, faithless Israel,
declares the LORD.
I will not look on you in anger,
for I am merciful,
declares the LORD;
I will not be angry forever.”
Jeremiah 3:12b ESV

At a recent church meeting there was a big box of books available, for free, for anyone who wanted to take one. The book’s title is: “Inexpressible Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness”. It is written by Michael Card, a musician and theologian I admire. I am thoroughly enjoying the book and reveling in the richness of the meaning of the Hebrew word Hesed—which in English can be translated: mercy, merciful (as in our passage today); lovingkindness; divine kindness; graciousness; covenant friendship—in fact it is a word that Card argues is unique to Hebrew thought and therefore very difficult to translate into other languages.

It is the Saturday, that odd what-are-we-supposed-to-do day between Good Friday and the exuberant celebration of Sunday, Jesus’ resurrection? It is a strange time in many ways—what do you call it? How is it celebrated? You can find all kinds of rules about fasting and what services to hold or not to hold. Today Jeremiah’s words echo with great clarity for me—it is obvious that the people of the LORD are faithless—but He is faithful, merciful, loving, kind, ardent in His zeal for His lost people, compassionate.

The disciples were scattered, unable to process all the promises of the Old Testament—and Jesus is in the tomb, fighting for their victory. He died in their place, He the faithful One sent by the Father for the rescue of faithless, slow-to-believe people. This people will be captured by His Hesed.

Crowder sings, “I’m the one who held the nail…I’m the one who denied You with my lips'“. That seems a fitting line for Holy Saturday—a meditation on the great explosion of my sins and uncontainable contamination of my mind—my great faithlessness today, more than ever is met by the Hesed—the matchless loving-kindness and mercy of God abounding for me in Jesus Christ. I think today is a day for awe and Spirit-led reflection, prayer which will swell to Resurrection thanksgiving.

O LORD, I fling myself
   with all my weakness and misery
   into Thy ever-open arms.
I know that I am ignorant and much mistaken about myself.
Thou, Who seest in very truth, look mercifully on me.
Lay Thy healing hand upon my wounds.
Pour the life-giving balm of Thy love into my heart.
Do for me what I have not the courage to do for myself.
    Save me in spite of myself.
May I be Thine, wholly Thine, and, at all costs, Thine;
   in humiliation, in poverty, in suffering, in self-abnegation, Thine;
   Thine in the way Thou knowest to be most fitting,
      in order that Thou mightest be now and ever mine.
Thou art my Strength and my Redeemer.
I am Thy poor little creature, dependent on Thy merciful charity alone—Amen.
Père Besson (1816 - 1861) Prayers Ancient and Modern. Ed. Mary Wilder Tileston. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1928. page 226.

https://youtu.be/u_ZWEO36jok

Shalom--your fellow wounded healer...

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 14, 2022 -- Daniel 2:26-28; 46-47 -- God is the Revealer of Mysteries

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

The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Daniel 2:26-28; 46-47 ESV

The king of Babylon took Daniel and his three friends captive—along with the great and leading families of Judah. In exile Daniel was taught the laws and wisdom of Babylon; all the while he and his three companions remained faithful to the Living God. Look at the Name Daniel ascribes to the LORD of Glory and the Name King Nebuchadnezzar echoes: God is a revealer of mysteries. What a mighty title that is.

Not just the interpretation of dreams, which in itself seems very cool, but deep things, secrets and riddles. For example, the mystery of how all things will be made right at the end of history, when Jesus returns with all His holy ones. This is a mystery deeply explored and prayerfully contemplated by the wise.

The mystery of evil and the triumph of goodness. While I was a police chaplain I’d often ask an officer, “What’s the worst thing you’ve witnessed, the worst evil you encountered on the job?” Inevitably the officer would have several examples, each more horrible than the last. My next question inevitably proved to be a stumper: “How do you unsee evil?”

When evil scenes and the insidious, persistent evil of others affects your appetite and your sleep, is there a way of unload evil from your heart and mind? When you find murderous thoughts and unbridled anger rising up against the perpetrator of injustices against children and you realize how much evil resides in your own heart—there is a mystery that needs unlocking. God is the Revealer of Mysteries.

In Jesus Christ, God the Father has given His fullest revelation. Evil is punished at the cross. Those who are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ have had their sins punished and are set free to live in the power of the Spirit. Those who refuse the blood of Jesus Christ, will be buffeted by evils and the swirling foul vapors of wrong-doing and there will be no peace and no escape.

A whodunit may last an hour (37.5 minutes after factoring in time for the endless commercials). It is always intriguing to follow the twists and turns thrown at the viewer, holding on until the criminal is revealed. If you are willing to wait an hour or two plus hours for a movie, or the length of a series, surely you are willing to delve into the mysteries of God?!

He Who reveals mysteries offers you a life-time of exploration, intrigue, discovery and wonder. Look at the Word and understand what is happening in the world. Get on your knees and ask the Spirit of God to show you how to be a counselor to the unwise of this world so that the powerful revelations of the Living God will bear witness to Jesus Christ. Look at the example of Daniel, so you will know how to live as a stranger and an exile for God, no matter where He places you, that God’s glory will be revealed.

Truly You are the God Who moves in mysterious ways. Thank You, praise You and Blessed are You, for the grand revelation of Jesus Christ. Spirit of the Living God, put steel into our spines so that we will dig in with faith and uncover the mysteries of Your glory and Your grace, the unfathomable depths of Your love and patience. Triune God, establish us as Christians, to be the conscience of our society and advisors to the lost doing so with such authority that the might of God cannot be ignored or dismissed. God of mercy, God of grace, gives us eyes to see Your smiling face within the mystery. Amen.

https://youtu.be/yjPR09kdCgc  the music begins at 1:26

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 12, 2022 -- Revelation 18:1-3 -- Understand the reason for the shouts of Hallelujah

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

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
    She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk
    the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
    and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
Revelation 18:1-3 ESV

It is hard to believe there is a war raging in Eastern Europe. The news reports are like clips from a new disaster movie, rather than scenes of horror that are being lived every moment. In North America people are getting up for work and going about their lives with very little reference to what is taking place. In fact, the words of Revelation are quite jarring. Revelation speaks to the war that is taking place all around, the war of Babylon, which in every nation and every generation, represents hatred for the Living God and His salvation in Christ and His way of righteousness in which the saints walk by the power of the Spirit.

Do not wonder at the fact that the United Nations are powerless to help the Ukraine. Every nations that sends representatives to the UN have themselves drunk the wine of the passion of Babylon’s sexual immoralities, as much as has Russia, and the Ukraine. There is not a pure nation on the earth. That is the point. It is why this Revelation is for every generation, a call and invitation:

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

“Come out of her, my people,
    lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
    and God has remembered her iniquities.

Christians who walk according to the Spirit, have the eyes of discernment which see the wickedness and the corruption that infects every part of every nation. We ourselves had once participated in the debauchery of the world, and now, filled not with the wine of drunkenness and endless sexual prowling and greedy only for gain, Christians have been conquered by the Lamb. Christians have seen the lasting Kingdom—the Kingdom of our LORD and of His Christ—for He shall reign for ever and ever. It is out of this world of endless uncleanness and luxurious living that is opulent now but veils the true riches of God from view—if is from this morass of wickedness the LORD is summoning His people.

Read the Bible—it is the only way you will see whether or not what is written is true.

Ask the Spirit of God to apply the accomplished work of Jesus’ passion to your heart, mind, soul and life so that you will walk in a way that is completely at odds with this world.

Seek Christian friends. Together recognize what Revelation is saying, a new, human-led, world order will inevitably become a new world tyranny and a new wicked incarnation of Babylon. As family in Christ, live as foreigners and strangers, for you are citizens of the heavenly Kingdom. Offer help to those around you with the clear view His is the glory and from Him comes eternal help.

Pray. For Christians in Russia and Christians in the Ukraine. Pray for the 80+ million who are in refugee camps around the world. Pray for the wisdom to walk in Christ no matter where it is He has placed you, so that empowered by His Spirit the Kingdom of Jesus will shine out from your words and your works unto the glory of the Father in heaven.

Sing. Recognize the Hallelujah Chorus is sung by saints now--for God's victory is sure. Christians sing in defiance of the wreckage people make of power here on earth. We are Christians are rejoicing in the fact that Jesus is now, seated at the Father's right hand and of His Kingdom and of His reign there shall be no end. He has thrown down Babylon. He has conquered the beast. He is bringing in the final number of believers and the trumpet will soon sound and the new heavens and the new earth will appear! 

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2     for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
you who fear him,
    small and great.”
Revelation 19:1c-2; 3b; 5b ESV

https://youtu.be/usfiAsWR4qU

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 10, 2022 -- I Thessalonians 5:16-18 -- The Commands of God are preceded by the Grace of God

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

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

This short text today highlights the importance of reading books of Scripture from start to finish. It is the odd, commonly used practice, among Christians, to just open to any page of the Bible and randomly read verses. Look at today's readings, these imperatives—these commands to do something—separated from their context in I Thessalonians are unattainable commands. One flounders to find reasons for obedience and stumbles looking for words to speak to God, if the  imperatives are not joined to the whole letter.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are writing. These three men are a community of believers writing to a community of believers. In true community you have people who bless and help one another. The strong aiding the weak, the weak offering their vulnerability and so learning of the will of Jesus and the power of the Spirit.

In this letter there is a glorious explanation of the of faith, and the work of Spirit-fueled hope which is anchored in our Lord Jesus Christ. A few other points in this letter to give context to the imperatives of today's text. From the depths and the richness of the Good News given us in Christ Jesus—our sins are thrown down; our Savior has raised up ministers and leaders for His Church Who shepherd the flock in the strength of the Spirit. Jesus Himself is coming soon. In the light of all these blessings, it makes sense then for believers to rejoice always.

Rejoice even when things are difficult. The difficulties in your life are the birth pangs of Jesus’ return; the old is being swept away as the contractions heralding the new heavens and the new earth bear down.

Prayer is not mechanical, but it is the appeal to the High King of Heaven, the One Who has all authority and power to help those in every distress. Those who are in Christ will live with Him—He is the light of life and His people need His light and His strength—as believers pray for this they are reminded our weakness and our helplessness are a fact. His willingness to empower His people and guide them by His Spirit means all the glory and all the credit go to Him.

Giving thanks flows from all that has happened. Look at your life. Can you see where you walked in the valley of the shadow of death and thought no good could possibly come from this and after you prayed, perhaps days later, you looked back and began to understand the help which God the Father gave you? It is in looking back that you see His answers. Thankful hearts remember past failures and the greater grace of Jesus. Thankful hearts anticipate the fact that Jesus’ authority, power, and nearness, means all things truly are working out according to His purposes. Thanksgiving is a sign of the Christian’s growing maturity.

Thank You, Father in heaven for the rich streams of grace and peace which flow from Your throne room because of the intercession of Jesus, the Mediator between You and all believers. On this Sunday, gather Your people by the power of Your Spirit, so that hearts will be opened and ready to receive the Word preached. Remind Your people of the love which surrounds them because of Jesus' accomplished work at the cross. Triune God, lift our eyes from the chaos of this world, which is awash in the brokenness of sin. Help us to see the new heavens and the new earth which are coming near so that believers fed in such confident, anticipatory hope, bless You and praise You and serve You as You command of us to do. Amen.

https://youtu.be/UoHrBNTfzIs

Copyright © 2022 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 7, 2022 -- Deuteronomy 6:4-6 -- Jesus in Every Conversation

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

The benefits of intermittent fasting. Ukraine war. Russian war crimes. Rising interest rates. Inflation. Canadiens trading Toffoli and gaining Hammond and the impact on the season. The slap heard around the world. The leadership race in the PC party. Carbon tax. Spend any amount of time in a coffee shop and no doubt you’ll hear all these topics and more. Will you hear anyone speak of Jesus? It is easy to introduce Him as part of all your daily speech.

The benefits of fasting—interestingly those who are concerned about physical health and who are disciplined in this area will become more disciplined in other areas. How is your walk with God?

Russian war crimes. This is why the day of Jesus’ return is so significant—all wrongs will be addressed and every crime will be justly dealt with. All unknown sins will be exposed and judged with the full and perfect judgment of God.

The carbon tax. Do you honestly believe humans can outperform the goodness and providential care of God? Has He not sustained the world since its creation? Yes, we must be concerned for the environment, but our greatest confidence is in His creation-care keeping.

Why speak of Jesus in any and every conversation?

~Because He is our prize, our very great reward. He is the radiance of the Father’s glory. He is our hope. Our lives have no purpose without Jesus Christ and Him as our centre-point.

~Because our children and grandchildren are listening. The growing generation in needs to observe our total dedication to the living God. The next generation needs to see and hear our witness and believe so that this precious faith becomes their own.

~Because Jesus is the hope of this world. If we do not speak of Him, among ourselves and to this world, we are proving that we do not love God and do not love the people He has placed in our lives.

So, begin today. Start your day with time alone with the Living God—in reading the Bible, in prayer, in song before Him. As you meet with, video chat with people, or text, speak of Him Who is Your highest joy and your life’s reward. What seems odd and artificial at first, soon will be the pattern of your speech--words which will weave the Word, the glory of Christ, and the Splendor of the Triune God, into the fabric of every conversation.

LORD JESUS,
I am blind, be thou my light,
ignorant, be thou my wisdom,
self-willed, be thou my mind.
Open my ear to grasp quickly thy Spirit’s voice,
and delightfully run after his beckoning hand;
Melt my conscience that no hardness remain,
make it alive to evil’s slightest touch;
When Satan approaches may I flee to thy wounds,
and there cease to tremble at all alarms.
Be my good shepherd to lead me into
the green pastures of thy Word,
and cause me to lie down beside the rivers of its comforts.
Fill me with peace, that no disquieting worldly gales
may ruffle the calm surface of my soul.
Thy cross was upraised to be my refuge,
Thy blood streamed forth to wash me clean,
Thy death occurred to give me a surety,
Thy name is my property to save me,
By thee all heaven is poured into my heart,
but it is too narrow to comprehend thy love.
I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel,
but thy cross has brought me near,
has softened my heart,
has made me thy Father’s child,
has admitted me to thy family,
has made me joint-heir with thyself.
O that I may love thee as thou lovest me,
that I may walk worthy of thee, my Lord,
that I may reflect the image of heaven’s first-born.
May I always see thy beauty with the clear eye of faith,
and feel the power of thy Spirit in my heart,
for unless he move mightily in me
no inward fire will be kindled.
"NEED OF JESUS" THE VALLEY OF VISION: PURITAN PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, rpr 2020, page 186

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April 5, 2022 -- Exodus 11:1-3 -- Let him who has ears hear

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

The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
Exodus 11:1-3 ESV

Moses was commanded to speak into the ears of the people—our translation renders it: speak now in the hearing of the people. The ears are designed by our Creator so that people may receive divine revelation. There is much that is going on in this brief passage. The people of Israel are about to be driven out of Egypt. Pharaoh, against his better judgment, against his will and despite his declarations to the contrary, will now be forced by the mighty hand of God to send the people out of Egypt. Pharaoh's ears have been closed to the LORD. The people of Israel, who hear the the Word of the LORD and obey, know there will be one last plague. Those who believe are emboldened, in faith, to plunder the Egyptians and receive gold and silver, and jewelry from their Egyptian masters. It is the only time in history a slave people plundered their masters without even lifting a finger in their own defense.

The name of my ministry, which hosts the devotions I write, is “sh’ma”. It is the word “hear”. It comes from Deuteronomy 6:4. It is the first verse of the “Shema”. That refers to Deuteronomy 6:4-5, verses devout Jewish people recite every morning. They are reminded to “Shema” that is, to both hear and obey the Word of the LORD. It is obedience in faith. It is obedience in view of God’s great salvific act. For the Jewish people, the Exodus was the great salvation. Christians know the Exodus is the salvation which is a living parable of the salvation given in Jesus Christ. The LORD Himself acted, bringing people who were helpless slaves to sin out to the freedom which is secured by the blood of Christ. The Father sets His people in the Kingdom of His Son, the place where those freed by grace are able to honour and glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Today if you hear His voice—obey the King of kings and Lord of lords. Today is your heart is stirred by this noble theme—then turn from idols and sin, deny your sinful impulses and old associations of sin, and follow Jesus Christ. It is riches beyond compare to know Him.

God of Salvation, blessed are You. Great is the Salvation given in Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the many times we know Your speak in Your Word, but we let the words fall on our deaf ears. Forgive us the times we have not truly heard and obeyed. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God, for the spoken Word of God and ears to hear. Thank You Spirit for stirring in the hearts of believers a reawakening faith. Mighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may the Word we hear and the obedience prompted in us by the Spirit be a declaration to all around us of the Powerful Presence of the God of Glory Who is at work in our world. Amen.

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April 2, 2022 -- I John 5:21 -- Keep yourselves from idols

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

Little children, keep yourselves from idols.
I John 5:21 ESV

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I John 4:2 ESV

The first verse of the pair offered today is the final verse of John’s letter. It seems an odd way to end a letter. John is likely an aged apostle at this time. He is old enough to call the other Christians “little children”, but there may be another reason for this. Like a little child can be fascinated with an empty box, ignoring the treasured gift within it, so Christians can be sidetracked into idolatry, ignoring the treasure of Jesus Christ.

Earlier in the letter John pointed to the need for believers to have trustworthy leaders and teachers. This takes discernment. Think of all the deceptive teachers that have abounded in the last couple of years. The late Ravi Zacharias, was once a sought-after speaker; it turned out was a womanizer. The clues were in the fact he lied about his credentials and his talks were basically the same. If you listened to two or three of them, you already knew his anecdotes and stories and main points. Several Hillsong leaders have resigned amid scandal. This should not be surprising as already more than a year ago it was revealed the worship leaders were involved in a damnable practice called grave soaking. The demonic practice of laying on the graves of well-known spiritual leaders and trying to soak up the residual presence of the anointing that was on those long-dead leaders. Despicable.

The ultimate test is this—does the Christian and the Christian’s pastor or leaders have fellowship with the Father and the Son. There is an authentic, humble joy that flows from such relationship. The dead are not consulted. Instead, the Living Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the Father’s right hand, Who ushers the believer into the glorious presence of the Father, this is the glory of the believer. The Spirit already living in the believer, will reveal sinful inclinations by the light of the Word of God, showing idols that are taking shape in the secret places of the believer. Horrified by such lingering sin, the believer will confess it and long for more of Jesus, the heart’s great desire, Master and Friend. Read the Word. There are no short-cuts to deep faith in and true relationship with God. As John wrote, those who come to know the Living God keep His commandments. Such obedience is a lifelong, focused pursuit, punctuated by times of worship and joy, even as one walks through valleys of suffering and hardship. The Triune God is Himself worthy, glorious, hunger-satisfying, thirst-slating, the greatest adventure of one's life here below and then beyond in eternity.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. The world all around is choked with idols and false gods. Even hobbies which parade themselves as innocent pastimes can be barbed with hooks from the devil which would threaten to pull believers from the glory of knowing You. We confess how readily we want to be deceived; we admit we are often tired and therefore would impose on Your forgiving nature, while charging, eyes-wide, headlong into sin. We see it. We confess it. You, Father and Son, have poured out into our lives the Spirit of power so that we are without excuse for our willful disobedience. Cleanse us. Renew in us a clean heart and restore to us the joy of Your salvation. Let us, in true community, walking with brothers and sisters in Christ, fight the sin that so easily clings to us and as soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ, be renewed in zeal, prepared to fight inward and outward battles for the righteousness and holiness which are ours in Jesus Christ. Amen.

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