November 1, 2022 -- Psalm 1:1-2 -- Focus on Jesus

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

Blessed is the man
who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the LORD,
and on his law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2 ESV

Today's devotion is part of a series. As I lead Christian 12-step groups in prison, I am reminded to do a daily character inspection. Such self-inspection requires the participant to review twenty-four different areas of his walk with God. 

Today’s character trait is “concentration”. Notice that the very first Psalm in the entire Book of Psalms declares the man blest who meditates on the law of the LORD. The word meditate means to plan out for oneself how to implement the Law of the LORD. Thinking about and mentally going over and over what the Scriptures mean, their implications for daily living and how God’s Word directs their interaction with others.

As I do a daily character inspection, the fourth character trait is asking myself whether or not I am directing my thoughts and my will, my imagination and energies towards serving God, my King? The greater temptation is to daydream, thinking about what might be if I won the lottery. What might have happened if that person would just be a bit kinder or my boss were just a bit nobler. Day-dreaming leads to much wasted time and prepares the soil of the heart for resentment and bitterness.

When I am concentrating on the LORD and His will for my life, I am fully engaged in the task before me. Consider these words: “So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (I Corinthians 9:26-27). What an important reminder to concentrate on all the work God our Father gives us and by the Spirit’s presence in us know our words and life preaches Christ and even as we preach Christ to others, we ourselves are reminded of all His blessings and goodness which He has lavished on us!

Our Father in heaven, how beautifully You have orchestrated the salvation of Your lost and wandering sheep! You have rescued us in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. You have sealed our life in Him by Your Spirit's powerful presence in us. And if this were not enough, when we speak of Christ to others, preaching Him our own hearts are warmed with deepened and renewed passion for His goodness. The more we think on Him, the greater is our joy and hope. Forgive us for the times we are daydreaming and wasting the privilege of knowing You and living for You. Renew in us a strong commitment to run the race before us, ever thinking on how to give greater focus to our service cheerfully given to You. This we ask in Jesus' Name. Amen.

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October 31, 2022 -- II Corinthians 9:6-7 -- Generous for Jesus

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

6 Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. 7 You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.
II Corinthians 9:6-7 ESV

One great privilege I have is going into correctional facilities and leading several Christian 12-step groups. Each participant in the group is encouraged to do a daily character inspection chart. There are 24 positive character qualities on the left side of the page and on the right side the corresponding 24 negative character qualities are listed. Each day a man is to examine himself and see how he is doing in each of these 24 areas. As the days progress, it helps you chart how you are doing in many different areas of your life.

As I complete this chart myself, I also focus on reading the accompanying explanation of these traits. Usually, I read one positive character quality and also consider its corresponding negative character quality. Today the focus is on “being a giver”. Notice today’s Scripture. The farmer sows generously. He scatters seed far and wide. He has no idea what will germinate and bring fruitfulness, but he casts these seeds everywhere.

Christians are to give of their time, their talents, and their treasures, offering these to the Lord as they help others. All that we have in this life is on loan to us from God—He is the Owner of it all and we are His stewards, His caretakers. So, be generous with what you have. Knowing that as you bless others with the gifts God has given you, there are many who will take advantage, many who will sneer, many who will betray you—but that is not the end of the story. God will bring fruitfulness. There will be those who receive your gifts and turn around and bless the LORD our God. When you bring in your offerings and gifts to the house of God, missionaries are funded to go, the church can remain open and pay her pastor and so on. What a joy it is to give in the wonderful Name of Jesus!

Are you being stingy with your time? Or your money? Or your treasures? Or your family? Trust God enough to test Him in this. Give and as you do so keep an attitude of joy. Trust that you cannot outgive God Your Father. His rich blessings flow down on you in Jesus Christ. His Spirit will guard you and keep you until the day of Jesus’ return when you will finally, fully realize how various little seeds of kindness you planted in Jesus’ Name blossomed for Jesus’ glory unto the praise and honour of the Father.

Our Father in heaven, thank You for all that You have given!

• New life in Jesus Christ!

• A firm and sure hope knowing that all Your promises are "yes" and "Amen" in His blessed Name.

• The Spirit Who guards believers in the way everlasting.

• Fellow Christians with whom to share times of joy and who help in times of sorrow.

• There are blessings and gifts beyond count.

Forgive Your children for the times we hoard Your blessings and zealously guard treasures which belong to You, but we treat as our own private possession. Remind us of Your great generosity and abundant blessings and in view of all Your love and kindness, renew in us a holy zeal to offer all our life and time and treasures and belongings in holy service to Your great Name. Amen.

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October 30, 2022 -- I John 2:1 -- Going back to the beautiful basics

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

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.
I John 2:1 ESV

Yesterday I listened to a C.H. Spurgeon sermon on this very text. What an encouragement it was. The main points, as I remember them, were:

1. We are sinners. Anyone who thinks he is not a sinner is not aware of his own heart’s condition. Spurgeon gave a beautiful illustration. A room may seem clean, until a ray of sunlight comes in through a window and reveals the millions upon millions dust particles dancing and rising in the light. So it is with our hearts, until we know the light of Jesus Christ, our sins may not be obvious to us.

2. Jesus is the Advocate. He prays for sinners. Unless one knows the depths of his own sinfulness, he won’t know the merciful intercession of Jesus made on his behalf.

3. His Name is Jesus. His very name means he saves from sin.

4. He is the Christ. This is the work God anointed Him to do. There is no other salvation. There is no other person or place or thing to which one can go for salvation.

5. He is righteous and those who saves are not righteous or pure. The very scriptures point out that Jesus came to save sinners. Those who think themselves righteous or pure or good cannot imagine they need a Savior.

These words blessed and refreshed my soul as I heard them. Earlier in the day yesterday I was leading a bible study with two men who are rather new to the faith. As I taught them the basics, I realized all over again what a blessing it is to go over the foundations of the faith. The Father chooses to love those whom He elects in His love. The Son, in obedience to the Father’s love, is prepared to suffer so that sinners may be brought close to their Father in heaven. He was crushed for our iniquities (Isaiah 53:5). The Spirit of God is given so that ordinary men and women, captured by the Father’s love, will not break away from His love; but will be held in His restraining love until Jesus returns and sin and death are fully and finally defeated, and believers will have the perfected capacity to respond to our Father’s love. Hallelujah! What a Savior. Honour and praise, worship and blessing be to our God, now and forever more.

Our Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of Sunday--a sanctuary in time wherein Your people can rest in Your love and be renewed in this precious faith. Blessed Jesus, Who is a Friend like You? You are faithful in Your steadfast love. You are gracious in Your persistent prayers on behalf of sinners who have been appointed for life. Spirit of God thank You for Your work to restrain our sins, to guard us in the love of Christ for the glory of the Father. Triune God, deepen our faith this Sunday. Blessed LORD of Glory, may Your Name be declared far and wide across Canada and across this world so that many will come and worship You, receiving new life in Jesus. Bless Your preachers and evangelists, missionaries and chaplains so that the Word will go out with power this day and accomplish the purpose for which You send it out. Amen.

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October 29, 2022 -- Philippians 4:8 -- Put your thought securely on Jesus

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

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Philippians 4:8 ESV

Fix has two meanings. It can mean to repair—so, the meaning would be the command mend your faulty thoughts, set right your mind so that you are not in the gutter with your thoughts. In this context, the preeminent meaning of fix is to attach securely. Put your every thought securely on Jesus Christ—night and day. This is what will keep you from wickedness and spiritual harm. Link your admiration of what is lovely and beautiful to that which Christ has shown you is excellent and praise-worthy.

This is a command. It will take effort on your part. Too many Christians, I perhaps most of all, are lazy. We pray to God, asking the Spirit to do this work for us, but then we attach our thoughts to ugly things, useless things, empty things and wonder why spiritual progress is so difficult? Or one notices a spiritual decline. Ask yourself, over the last day or two, what consumed your attention? Anything that is not true and honourable and right and pure will in turn consume you. But the excellencies of God, the pure and admirable which flow from Scripture, prayer and a life focused on Jesus, these will direct you in paths of joy-filled, holy living. It is the great adventure.

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 sees 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 might 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)

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October 28, 2022 -- Luke 11:33-36 -- Shine out the Light of Life

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

“No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”
Luke 11:33-36 ESV

Of course, you’d put a lamp or a candle in a prominent place. You want the light. You need the light so that you can go about your work or reading. So, hiding the newly lit candle makes no sense at all! Now, consider the fact that Your Father in heaven has given you the Light of Jesus Christ. The fire in you is the Spirit of God so that you shine brightly with the life of Christ. Do not hide yourself from others. Do not keep your faith to yourself—in the same way that you light a lamp to display its light, so the Father in heaven has brought the light of Christ into your life so that you may give His light to others.

There is a warning attached to this as well. As one who is alight for Christ and is in Christ, what is it you are looking at? What movies? What videos? What things—are they clean or unclean? If you are bright for Christ, then let that light of life hate all that is dark with evil. Evil infects and pollutes. Even a Christian can be tormented and affected when he seeks out evil. So, look to all that is excellent, pure with the glory of Christ and the radiance of the Father’s love. Keep yourself in the Word so that you will always have fresh fuel for the light of life within you. Spend time with Christians whose walk you admire so that you will together shine brightly and be prepared for the times when the LORD will set you as a light in a room-full of sin-darkened people who need the light of Christ.

What happens when someone’s eyes are used to darkness and suddenly someone switches on the light? He pulls back. Shields his eyes against the shock of the light until they can adjust to the purity of it because they’d been dilated in order to peer into the darkness. So too, many who are appointed for life, will at first recoil at the light of Christ which pours out from you. Do not lose heart. Do not hide the light, but declare Jesus, Who is the evidence of the Father’s love, and do so until the Spirit ignites this other person with the Light of Life—Jesus Christ. Be prepared for the fact that many who are confronted with the beauty of Jesus Christ will not accept Him. Even so, shine! It is what you are created to do.

Our Father in heaven, thank You for lighting up my life with the brilliance of Jesus Christ. Thank You for banishing the darkness. Forgive me for the times I still peer at the darkness or longingly and inappropriately remember dark deeds. Spirit of the Living God, focus my thoughts and my attention, my eyes and my heart to the many-times-more blazingly incandescent beauty of Jesus Christ. He is the Light of the World. He is the joy of the believer's heart. Father of all good gifts, Jesus is Your greatest gift of love, He perfectly dispels the darkness and fills the believer with the illuminating warmth of Your great love. Triune God, let my life radiate the light of Christ wherever I am so that those appointed to eternal life will be drawn to Christ and set ablaze for Him by the powerful work of the Holy Spirit.

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October 26, 2022 -- Jeremiah 5:1-3 -- A man of justice and truth

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

Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem,
look and take note!
Search her squares to see
if you can find a man,
one who does justice
and seeks truth,
that I may pardon her.
2 Though they say, “As the LORD lives,”
yet they swear falsely.
3 O LORD, do not your eyes look for truth?
You have struck them down,
but they felt no anguish;
you have consumed them,
but they refused to take correction.
They have made their faces harder than rock;
they have refused to repent.
Jeremiah 5:1-3 ESV

What is amazing is that the LORD raises up a righteous prophet to carry out His will among a people who appear to be completely faithless. There is a man who does justice and seeks truth—it is Jeremiah. Though the streets of the ancient city of Jerusalem were filled with people who hypocritically called on the Name of the LORD, still there was at least one holy man among them.

The LORD afflicted His people so that they would turn to Him and be corrected in their way. They refuse. Later in this same chapter the LORD declared: “I will not make a full end of you” (Jeremiah 5:18). Why? For His Own Name’s sake. He does not make a full end of His people because of His covenant love. He knows His people cannot be good, so He prepares them for the anticipated Savior of the world: Jesus.

When you read this passage, is your heart softened to the things of the LORD? Are you aware of the sins which undermine your statement of faith? The LORD is the LORD of Truth. When a man confesses his sins he is proving the LORD is right and true. He will discipline those He loves so that they will forsake their sins and cling to Him alone.

Take correction.

Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
than he who flatters with his tongue. Proverbs 28:23 ESV

Notice that a righteous man will not only receive rebuke, or correction, he will appreciate the one who delivers it honestly.

Mighty God, thank You for the gift of the righteous prophet, the forerunner of Your righteous Son. Thank You for all those who call us to forsake our sin and return to You. Forgive us for the times we have stiffened our necks and hardened our hearts against Your perfect Word. Rule us by Your Spirit in such a way that the Word will be the wonderful light that leads us to Jesus Christ. Amen.

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October 25, 2022 -- Luke 7:36-44 -- Forgiven Much

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

One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and reclined at table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answering said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he answered, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered, “The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged rightly.” 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this, who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
Luke 7:36-44 ESV

When I was young, I remember there were a lot of sermons given by many preachers which focused on the sinfulness of those who were in the gathered congregation. It used to surprise me a bit. I mean, here we are, the forgiven people of God, why spend so much time talking about and preaching about our sins? This passage answers that question. When I know, when I truly realize the depths of my sinfulness, then I will begin to grasp the greatness of Jesus Christ and the rich forgiveness He has poured out on my life.

As one who is forgiven, there is no greater joy than serving Jesus. In view of His perfect love there is no greater blessing than bringing to Him any gift or sacrifice. Knowing the Father in heaven has sent Jesus, it is fellowship divine to encourage, help and bless any people whom He has placed in my path so that the fragrance of Christ’s love will be given to any and all.

Have you been forgiven much?

Blessed Father in heaven, thank You for the rich forgiveness You have poured out in Jesus Christ. Faithful Father, thank You that You lead and guide Your people by the Holy Spirit, Who was poured out at Pentecost and Who is given to all those whom You have brought close to Yourself. Triune God, move Your people to truly live for You, whole-hearted, completely and in fullness of joy. Amen.

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October 23, 2022 -- Isaiah 55:10-11 -- Placing everything into God's hands

“For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven
and do not return there but water the earth,
making it bring forth and sprout,
giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,
11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth;
it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,
and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:10-11 ESV

There is a quotation from Martin Luther that I came across a couple of days ago. It is: “I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands that I still possess”. Now, look again at the text from Isaiah. The juxtaposing of these really encouraged me.

Look at the blessing of God our King. He provides everything necessary for growth and abundance in our physical life. So too His Word is for us spiritual abundance—which touches and vivifies every other part of our lives. Great is our God! Whatever it is we think we have lost or lost out on has been used to clear the path for our Father’s greater blessing. In Jesus Christ we have the Word, sown into our lives. In Jesus Christ we have Good News which germinates and grows into everlasting life; by the Spirit of God all such blessings in the heavenly realms are sealed to our hearts.

Connect yourself with a faithful Christian Church. Make sure you have faithful brothers and sisters in Christ who are encouraging you to see the goodness of the LORD of Glory in every part of your life. It is also a place where you can invest in the lives of others so that together the whole body of Jesus Christ grows into maturity.

Thank You, Mighty God of every blessing, for the gift of Sunday. What a treasure and joy divine to meet with Your people and worship You, be instructed by Your Spirit and renew the commitment to follow Jesus Christ in all things. Help those who are struggling to find a church home to be connected to the Word and directed by Your Spirit until such a fellowship can be found. For those who are connected to Your people in a church fellowship, keep them from griping and complaining. In the context of Christian fellowship may Your Word accomplish the purpose for which You sent it out. Amen.

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October 21, 2022 -- II Timothy 4:1-5 -- God has spoken and His Word is complete

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

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
II Timothy 4:1-5 ESV

The Word—that is the Bible. All that God the Father has chosen to reveal is fully contained in the Bible. Voddie Baucham once noted: “The Bible is not in a loose-leaf binder, y’all; it is bound in leather. The canon is closed.” That means what the LORD our God has chosen to reveal is fully available since the end of the New Testament era.

What is the significance of this? One huge implication is how one speaks when teaching, counseling, and preaching. It is entirely wrong to declare: “the LORD spoke to me” or “God told me”. If this were actually true, the Bible has to be put into a binder form once again so more pages could be added. But it is not true. The Bible is fully written. All that God intends to communicate at this time has been spoken as prophets were carried along. Sixty-six books, by about 40 authors, compiled over 1,500 years is now recognized as canon, as the standard and the complete teaching.

How does the LORD our God communicate now? The LORD of Glory directs His people by the Word. He gives His Holy Spirit to awaken the conscience. The Spirit helps us discern the voice of Jesus in the Word. The Spirit directs Christians by the Word so that one part here and another part there all work together to inform the believer. Job calls the word of God a deep mine, from which men struggle and work and labor in order to uncover the treasures of wisdom (Job 28). The Faithful One gives people peace in accordance with their submission to the Word even as He disciplines and brings suffering which purifies the Christian for greater holiness. The Spirit shows believers things in the Word. The Spirit speaks to our spirit confirming we are beloved children of the Heavenly Father (Romans 8:15,16).

Father in heaven, blessed be Your Name! Thank You for all You have revealed in Your Word. Thank You for its unity and beauty. Thank You that it is utterly trustworthy. Spirit of the Living God, give us the ability receive all the Father intends to bless us with through the accomplished work of Jesus. Spirit of God, direct Your people to so that their words and work are carried out in complete accord with the will of God. Amen.

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October 19, 2022 -- Ephesians 1:3 -- reprint of a fav from June 22/22

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

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…
Ephesians 1:3 ESV

The imagery is of reverberating blessings, ricocheting back and forth. The people of the LORD, Who are in Christ, bless the Father, the Source of every blessing in their lives. The Father declares His blessing over His people and these echo through the ages and across all generations as believers rise up in faith to receive Jesus Christ as King and Lord—the Captain of Salvation.

Sinclair Ferguson states it this way, “We speak well of the Lord (Blessed be…God) because in Christ, the Living Word, He has spoken well of (blessed) us” (Let’s Study Ephesians, S. Ferguson, page 7).

The spiritual blessings we receive fill the rest of the letter to the Ephesians. Such blessings include: the fact before the foundation of the world He had already chosen us in love. We have a new spiritual reality—sin has been defeated and it is no longer our master. We are adopted by the Father, kept safe by the Spirit and are the reward of Christ’s work. Life is purposeful for the Christian—it is to bring glory to God as we live holy lives in the power of the Spirit.

All this sounds too much for us to achieve on our own. No doubt! But remember the opening blessing of Ephesians. “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. All these spiritual blessings given us in the heavenly realms rest on the accomplished work of Jesus—this is grace. It is Christ’s work. And this gives us great peace. We know He Who started a good work in us will see it to completion! No wonder saints rise up each day, every day, to bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and do so in the power of the Spirit. The more we learn, the greater is our joy in praising Him, the strong our desire to praise Him and serve Him all our days.

God of wonders and expansive blessings, forgive us for the feebleness of our praise and the murmurings of mumbled songs. As Your Spirit once again takes hold of our hearts and shows us the extravagance of Your salvation poured out in Jesus Christ, may we bless You and praise You, honour You and thank You over and over again, praising the Name of Jesus in Whom such riches of grace flood our lives. As the praises reverberate in our days and nights, our activities and our rest, may others rise up to take up the Song of Jesus and His salvation. Amen.

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October 18, 2022 -- Acts 19:9-10 -- Stewards of the Word

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

But when some became stubborn and continued in unbelief, speaking evil of the Way before the congregation, he withdrew from them and took the disciples with him, reasoning daily in the hall of Tyrannus.[c] 10 This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks.
Acts 19:9-10 ESV

You’ll notice a superscript “c” just before verse 10. It alerts the reader that there is a footnote. In the ESV the footnote suggests that Paul was in the hall of Tyrannus from the fifth hour to the tenth hour (that is 11 AM to 4 PM) the time when the sun is the hottest. In regions like Ephesus, where noon-day sun is blisteringly hot, people take a siesta and stay in the shade. Mind you, people resume work again and supper can also be very late, 9 or 10 PM. The point is this, Paul used this “down time” siesta time, to preach the word and explain the Gospel. People came. They were so hungry for the word, they gave up their rest time. And the impact was that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the LORD. People were so enthused, they told their co-workers, family, neighbours and friends.

I am embarrassed to note how often I consider off work time to be “my time”! Time to binge a new series or play an excessive amount of board games. Again, there is nothing wrong with leisurely activities, the question is twofold: 1. Do I realize all my time belongs to the LORD? 2. Do I use all my time wisely, to grow up in Christ so that many around me will know the beautiful Name of Jesus?

Father in heaven, the word of power is resting on my desk, close at hand, and all-too-often closed. Forgive me for chasing after all kinds of things rather than receiving the powerful gift of Your Word. Father, send Your Spirit to stir up in me anticipation, obedience and humility so that I will regularly reach for the word and see ever more clearly the treasure of Jesus Christ. He is Your greatest and most extravagant gift of love and mercy and grace given to all who believe Amen.

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October 17, 2022 -- Mark 6:19-20 -- Do not toy with the Gospel

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

And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly.
Mark 6:19-20 ESV

Herod had a sense that John the Baptist was someone special. He realized he must be some kind of messenger from God Himself. He loved listening to him, yet he put this man to death (Mark 6:27 ESV). He had no idea of the treasure that was right in front of him—the treasure of a man of God who knows the LORD and would have willingly introduced Herod to the LORD of Glory if he would have humbled his heart.

It is a terrible warning passage. How many people, imagining they are doing good, are listening to the Bible preached, enjoying podcasts because they are interesting, but whose hearts are a far from God as Herod’s heart was. People, who like Herod, when presented with a choice, would willingly turn from God and embrace sin and all it wicked consequences.

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts. Turn from your sin. Confess your sins to God the Father and on the basis of Jesus’ perfect righteousness, believe that His substitutionary death on the cross satisfied the wrath of God against your sins. Believe in God the Father and in Jesus, Whom the Father sent. Then, in the power of the Spirit, continually turn from sin and walk in the commands of God.

Father in heaven, do not allow me to toy with the Word of God and entertain the people whom I admire, without getting intimately connected to Jesus and the powerful gift of salvation which You hold out in His great Name. Spirit of God, give me the gift of a remorseful heart that confesses sin and awaits the cleansing flood of healing. Mighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your great covenant love and mercy. Bring many sons and daughters to salvation. Work out Your salvation into every part of my life. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I

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

October 15, 2022 -- Mark 1:14-15, 35-38 -- God's mission strategy

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.”
Mark 1:14-15; 35-38 ESV

Jesus preached the Gospel—that is the Good News of God—and it was enough to stir up the whole of Capernaum. People came out to hear Him preach. They brought their sick and demon possessed. Jesus healed them. He demonstrated the salvation of God—freedom from bondage to sin and slavery to the prince of this age—and then called His people to walk in newness of life. That is to repent—turning from sin and confessing it and intentionally walking toward Jesus. Living for Him. Shedding old patterns of sin and in view of His great mercy and love hating sin more and more.

Look at the strong foundation of Jesus’ work—verse 35—Jesus went out to pray. There in a desolate place He spent time with His Father in heaven. Do not miss this. Jesus was fully submitted to His Father in heaven. He did not fulfill His own agenda, did not do things according to His will, but acted as He was directed by His Father and empowered to carry out the Father’s will by the Spirit (Who was given to Jesus without measure John 3:34).

The disciples were thinking like mission strategists and human planners. Perhaps their wrong-headed thinking ran along the lines of: Jesus, everyone is looking for You, obviously You’re having a great impact here, let’s stay here and meet the people’s needs.

Perhaps you have heard of Martin Lloyd-Jones? He was a medical doctor before he was called into ministry. He was a famous preacher who lived in the UK (1899 - 1981). When people in his congregation were pressuring him to do this or that in order to make the Gospel more palatable and to keep the people interested, his response was simple: “When I was a medical doctor, I didn’t allow the patient to prescribe his own medicine”.

What is powerful in Jesus’ day, remains powerful and true today: “Repent and believe in the Gospel”. Read the Bible. Let the convicting work of the Spirit transform you. Knowing the time is short, tell others about Jesus. The purpose is not to please the crowds, but to please our Father in heaven.

Father in heaven, forgive us the times we want to set the agenda or make our plans and only after they're formed to briefly ask for Your guidance and blessing. The work You give Your people to do is believe in Jesus Whom You sent. From that gracious place of believing, You give every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms, You lead Your people in hope and victory. Father in heaven, fill our hearts with the joy of prayer, the knowledge of Jesus and the blessing of the Spirit Who continually raises us up to new life in Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/dHLikbLXQ8E

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

October 14, 2022 -- Matthew 26:40-41 -- Fighting against all weakness

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

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:40-41 ESV

Jesus’ is about to be handed over the Jewish authorities who are in league with the Roman authorities seeking to put Jesus to death. Just prior to Jesus’ prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus told Peter that he’d deny Jesus three times. For Jesus' prayer time, He'd gone a short distance away from His disciples in order to pray to His Father. While Jesus prayed, His disciples slept. Peter, who said he’d stand against armies if he needed to defend Jesus, could not even fight his own weariness, his own flesh—how would he then fight armies for Jesus?

How often the Christian is like Peter. So bold in declarations but weak in the very area that would give spiritual strength: prayer. The flesh, weakened by original sin, weakened by the patterns of sins being committed and weakened by the neglect of the very good which the LORD calls His people to do, such a person of flesh cannot withstand in the day of trial. The great gift Jesus walked in was communication with His Father in heaven. Jesus went off and prayed—this is recorded about fifteen times in Luke. His greatness in ministry rested on the fact He was intimately connected to His Father in heaven through prayer and the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit, given to Jesus without measure (John 3:34).

Dear friend in Jesus—prayer is the great gift and weapon which the Father has given to every believer. It is intimate communication with the LORD of Glory. The believer prays, offering up his prayer on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work—His perfect life and perfect earthly obedience, so that He could be the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. When the believer prays, Jesus’ scars and His fully submitted, perfect earthly obedience, pleads the cause of every Christian who prays. The Spirit of God is given to every believer. In fact, one cannot truly pray, one cannot confess Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father, unless the Holy Spirit resides in him. The Spirit of Power is given as the strength of the believer. Let your weak, weary flesh be joined to the power of heaven by the inner working of the Holy Spirit. Pray.

LORD OF THE CLOUD AND OF THE FIRE,
I am a stranger, with a stranger's indifference;
   My hands hold a pilgrim's staff,
   My march is Zionward,
   My eyes are toward the coming of the Lord,
   My heart is in thy hands without reserve.
Thou has created it,
   redeemed it,
   renewed it,
   captured it,
   conquered it.
Keep from it every opposing foe,
   crush in it every rebel lust,
   mortify every treacherous passion,
   annihilate every earthborn desire,
All faculties of my being vibrate to thy touch;
I love thee with soul, mind, body, strength,
   might, spirit, affection, will,
   desire, intellect, understanding.
Thou art the very perfection of all perfections;
All intellect is derived from thee;
My scanty rivulets flow from thy unfathomable fountain.
Compared with thee the sun is darkness,
   all beauty deformity,
   all wisdom folly,
   the best goodness faulty.
Thou art worthy of an adoration greater than
   my dull heart can yield;
Invigorate my love that it may rise worthily to thee,
   tightly entwine itself round thee,
   be allured by thee.
Then shall my walk be endless praise.
"JOURNEYING ON" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. page 198

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October 13, 2022 -- Psalm 119:169-176 -- Scaling the heights of faith

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

Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
170 Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
171 My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172 My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173 Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174 I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
175 Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.
Psalm 119:169-176 ESV

This is the end of Psalm 119. It is like Mount Everest, a high climb with many challenges. To climb that Mountain one needs a guide, a lot of equipment and a sponsor who will help foot the bill. Mount Everest has claimed many lives. It weeds out those who are heart and soul dedicated to make the climb from those who merely ambitious.

Psalm 119 began with naming the blessed man—the one whose way is blameless, who walks in the Law of the LORD and who keeps His testimony and seeks Him with their whole heart (Psalm 119:1,2). Obedience to the LORD is not for the faint-hearted. It will require all you have and all you are. False paths are like deep, dangerous, crevices yawning wide to swallow down any unwary climber.

At the very end of this long psalm, still a long way from the summit, the Psalmist is crying out to the LORD for help. It is the LORD alone Who is His guide and sponsor, His protector and, as you read at verse 176, the One Who seeks and rescues His wandering people.

Jesus Christ is the Help sent by the Father. He has rescued lost sheep and paid the cost to protect the people from the wrath of God against sin. The Spirit, poured out by the Father and the Son, is the guarantee this mission will succeed—despite every inclination rising up in the Christian taunting him to quit or to turn back. The Spirit of God will remind the believer of the words of Jesus and the commands of God. The Holy Spirit will bring songs of praises to the lips of believers so that this life-long trek to the summit will end with victory in Jesus.

O LORD,
   The world is artful to entrap,
   approaches in fascinating guise,
   extends many a gilded bait,
   presents many a charming face.
Let my faith scan every painted bauble,
   and escape every bewitching snare
   in a victory that overcomes all things.
In my duties give me firmness, energy, zeal,
   devotion to thy cause,
   courage in thy name,
   love as a working grace,
   and all commensurate with my trust.
Let faith stride forth in giant power,
   and love respond with energy in every act.
I often mourn the absence of my beloved Lord
   whose smile makes earth a paradise,
   whose voice is sweetest music,
   whose presence gives all graces strength.
But by unbelief I often keep him outside my door.
Let faith give entrance that he may abide
   with me for ever.
Thy Word is full of promises,
   flowers of sweet fragrance,
   fruit of refreshing flavour when culled by faith.
May I be made rich in its riches,
   be strong in its power,
   be happy in its joy,
   abide in its sweetness,
   feast on its preciousness,
   draw vigour from its manna.
Lord, increase my faith.
"Faith and the World" Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions.Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020, page 196

https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ

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October 10, 2022 -- Ephesians 2:1-9 -- Victory over three enemies arrayed against us. Victory in Jesus

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

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins 2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— 3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. 4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:1-9 ESV

Dear family in our Lord Jesus Christ. This passage clearly teaches the three enemies which face all Christians. The first is the flesh. People are called sons of disobedience. That is the old, sinful nature without Jesus Christ. Even those who are renewed in Jesus need the constant intervention of His Spirit. Otherwise, people rage against God. Even Christians drift and backslide and sin viciously. It is the first enemy. The second enemy is the Devil—the prince of the power of the air. The fact that Scripture notes he is a prince of power should be a warning to you of his ability to conquer people. The third enemy is the world. The world is not neutral. It is plotting and raging against God (see Psalm 2 if you need a refresher). If you are not struggling against your own flesh, the Devil may land a punch. If it is not the Devil or your own weak flesh pulling you away from all you know is right, then the people of the world and its depraved way of thinking will surely grab hold of you with the intent of squashing your faith and hope in Jesus.

While traveling back home from a preaching assignment about three hours away from home yesterday, it was so good to listen to Voddie Baucham. He preached on this passage. He noted he’s heard so many Christians say they don’t need church. They’re good. They can follow Jesus on their own. His dry, sarcastic response: “Really”. You gonna stand against the Prince of the power of the air? He is mighty in power. You jus a little puny thing. Good luck. Yous arms too short to take that fight. (He is speaking with an exaggerated Texan drawl here to make his point. Hilarious.)

What about your own raging flesh? How many times have you resolved to do something good, only to find yourself throwing yourself back into the very thing you said you’d not do anymore? That can be the new diet. Or exercise. Or resolving to be kinder to people you work with…You can’t do it on your own.

Believers need the body of Jesus Christ. When believers gather or meet, they pray for one another. They hold each other accountable to live as God commands. The LORD of Heaven and Earth does not give suggestions for holy Living—it is His right to command His people live in holiness. Believers remind one another of Jesus’ great assurance that He has overcome—the devil, death, and the world. You can no more stand alone in your faith than you can take on the army of a powerful nation by yourself. You were never meant to be alone in your faith—you are called to life in Christ and to boast in all He has done in you and in the Church.

Father of grace and peace, thank You for the life You give to Your people in Jesus Christ. Thank You for adopting Your people and sealing Your mighty work in the life of Your children through the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit. Forgive Your people. There is such an arrogance that resists Your commands and teaching. There is such pride that imagines one can be a lonely Christian without a strong community of believers surrounding him. As the truth of this passage reminds Your people of the strong forces arrayed against them, give even clearer and deeper insight to the gift of Christ's work applied to believers and sealed to their hearts. Faithful Father, motivate Christians to care for one another as those who are called to One Faith, One Hope and One God and Father of all Who is over all and through all and in all. Blessed be Your Name, Triune God of Glory. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tMnBofZD6Ls

October 9, 2022 -- Psalm 119:112 & Hebrews 3:12-13 -- A heart inclined to the LORD

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

I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
Psalm 119:112 ESV

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today”, that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 3:12-13 ESV

There are two readings today, the first is a vow dedicating oneself to the LORD and the second is a strong warning. You may know Psalm 119 is 176 verses long and it celebrates the Law of God. Through-out the psalm writer declares himself bound to the Law, submitted to the Living God through his obedience to the decrees and statutes of the LORD. In verse 112 he vows he will constantly incline his heart, willingly submitting his heart to do what the commandments of the LORD require. He will continually guard his heart and his attitude so that he will not falter in this obedience.

The passage from Hebrews is part of a longer warning. The writer of Hebrews recognizes how easy it is for the heart of a believer to become hard and a place where evil will take up residence. The stark evidence of how easy it is to harden one's heart is drawn from the Book of Exodus. Therein the people of God, who after experiencing God’s deliverance from Egypt, His mercies in giving mana and water and meat, hardened their hearts against Him. An entire generation died in the wilderness and that generation was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. That is a severe warning indeed.

It is Sunday. Get to a Bible-believing and preaching church. Get connected with other believers and talk about the things of God. Keep your heart tender towards the LORD of Glory. Do not let evil thoughts or desires choke out your love for Jesus Christ. In Him your sins have been conquered and the punishment against them has been poured out. Later in this same chapter of Hebrews it is noted that the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. Reading the Word of God helps you to identify sin and by the power of the Spirit to cut it out.

Faithful Father, You are worthy of all praise and honour. Believers whose lives have been redeemed from the grave incline their hearts to You in grateful devotion. This Sunday, by the power of Your Spirit, renew in Your people a depth of worship and more dedicated obedience. King Jesus, rule the hearts and lives of Your people so that evil cannot gain a foothold. Jesus, Captain of Salvation, give such a vision to Your people that their eyes and imagination are filled with the prospect of Your glory that will lead believers to the Everlasting City where God the Triune lives with His people. Bless Your preachers and evangelists, missionaries and Bible teachers so that the Word will go out with power this day. Amen.

https://youtu.be/VqKgGqvSiW4

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

October 8, 2022 -- Psalm 119:73 -- Why are You valuable? Hint: look at the Maker's mark

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

Your hands have made and fashioned me;
   give me understanding that I may learn Your commandments.
Psalm 119:73 ESV

The Bible makes it clear that the artist who creates has the right over his work. One common image in the Bible is that of a potter. A potter can take one vessel and give it a place of prominence and smash another one that he has made. This is pertinent because God alone is the Master and Sole Creator of Life. The One Who made us is the One Who has the right over every aspect of our lives.

If a believer does not understand that foundational point, he is made by God, then he will fight all the commandments of the LORD His God. Once a believer bows his heart and his head in humility before the LORD his Maker, then the commandments of God are life and joy and blessing and the believer longs to know how the LORD of glory would direct his life.

Whenever you watch shows where people go antiquing, you’ll see someone whisper with awe; “Oh, this is a beautiful example of a piece by the furniture maker.” The appraiser will then give background on the skills and gifts of that particular furniture maker, and all that explanation about the maker highlights the value of piece being considered, because of the reputation of the maker enhances the value of what is being considered. You see the parallel, right? Christians have value precisely because God has fashioned each one. The reputation of the Maker means each person who ever lives contributes to the great and glorious reputation of the LORD their Maker, Who is great and glorious in all His works.

Father in heaven, the psalmist declared: “I have seen a limit to all perfection, but Your commands are boundless”. How true it is. Your commands are boundless in their perfections. They give evidence of Your steadfast love that comforts all who trust in You. Father in heaven, increase Your children’s confidence in Your good purposes by the powerful presence of Your Spirit. May the Spirit’s renovating work in the hearts of believers give a clearer view of Who Jesus Is. The more Jesus fills the vision of believers may Your people more completely and more faithfully serve You, LORD of Righteousness. May those who see Your children living and working in faithfulness to You, see and rejoice and as a result themselves learn to hope in Your Word. Amen

https://youtu.be/KpMCE1G3N7Q

.

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

October 7, 2022 -- Psalm 119:72 -- What is worth more than gold and silver? Find out!

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

The Law of Your mouth is better to me,
   than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Psalm 119:72 ESV

The Law of God teaches me I am a sinner. The Law of God shows me Jesus Christ is my Savior and Captain of Salvation. The Law of God guides me in thankful living. When I wonder, how can I thank Him for all His blessings to me? It is the Law of God that is right there, like lights illuminating the pathway of life in the darkness of this world’s wickedness. Exodus 20:1-17 the 10 Commandments and Jesus’ summary: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbour as yourself. These are the vital truths which direct our feet in riches that are better than gold

The Law of God is better than gold and silver because thieves can steal money. The stock market can crash. Money is deceptive and the love of money is a root of evil. Gold and silver pieces cannot help me in the grave. Only the Law of the LORD’s mouth, the Law which points out sin, directs the believer to the Savior and guides one in thankful living—that Law is the precious gift which carries us through all of life and which is our joy and song in eternity. God is better. God is all my Hope and all my Joy!

O LORD,
No day of my life has passed that has not
   proved 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 cover 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" Puritan Prayers and Devotions

https://youtu.be/dIWMXiT8yrs

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October 6, 2022 -- Ephesians 3:20-21 -- Stretching language to its limit to express Truth

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

Now to Him Who is able to do far more abundantly that all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21 ESV

Here is Sinclair Ferguson’s beautiful reflection on this:

God can do

• All we ask

• All we ask or think of asking

• More than all we can ask or think of asking

• More abundantly than all we can ask or think

• Far more abundantly than all we can ask or think

Our ability to ask, indeed our ability to conceive what we might ask, cannot stretch the limits of what God can actually accomplish. Nor is this merely an abstract or theoretical idea. Rather it is according to the power at work within us.
“Let’s Study Ephesians” S. Ferguson, page 95

Is this the God you know from Scripture and to Whom you pour out your heart in prayer?

O God, the True Light of believers, the Eternal Glory of the just, Whose Light never sets, and Whose brightness knows no bounds; grant us to live in Your glory, and to enter into Your eternity; that, as You have brought us through the night and granted us to see the morning, so You may bid us to come to that blessed and everlasting day, where night is no more, and You dwell in light, glorified by Your saints, and adored by all them that believe; through Jesus Christ our Lord--Amen.
Ambrosian Sacramentary

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