June 10, 2024 -- Proverbs 4:23 -- Guarding your heart

Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.
Proverbs 4:23 ESV

Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
Proverbs 4:23 NIV

In the original language the sense is to put your heart in prison and guard it. When Jesus Christ takes over your life, you are a new creation, the old is passed away and the new is come. Romans 12:1 teaches the believer to not be conformed to the world but be transformed by the renewing of one’s mind. Hebrews 2:1 tells the believer not to drift. Why? Our hearts are prone to sin; at the very core the heart will be attracted to wrong-doing. That is the foulness of original sin. Left unattended the heart will lead even a strong believer back to perversity and sin. So, it makes sense that the book of Proverbs will teach the believer to pay close attention to the condition of his heart. What is it the heart is secretly desiring? What sin do you toy with, though you know it is wrong? The heart must be guarded as if it is in prison and strengthened by the Holy Spirit you are guarding it, watching it to see if there is any sin tainting it. That little bit of sin in the heart will flow out from the core of who you are and overflow into every area of life.

Most of us watch our bank accounts more closely than we do the condition of our hearts. Most of us are closely following the status and updates of our peers while we neglect the condition of our own heart. It is easy to be angry with someone and let the wellspring of your heart be polluted with hate rather than removing the pollution and guarding the heart.

Conversely, a heart that is dedicated to Jesus Christ knows the joy of purity. Have you ever been at a cottage, or at a friend’s house and tasted the water and realized it is “off”? It is not at all like the clean, clear water you’re used to drinking? You get repulsed by it. Though your host is used to it and drinks it all the time. A heart that is clean, dedicated to Jesus is used to the delight of pure, clean waters. Any pollutant, any slight variation ought to be noticed immediately and addressed. Or you'll get used to water that is off.

Believers need to be accountable. When a Christ-follower shares his life with another believer, the other will notice any pollutant, any change in the purity of his life—often more quickly than his friend will. So, believers are called to help one another maintain purity, to be holy for Jesus and kept wholly for Him. Everything we say, everything we do, everything we allow ourselves flows from the heart. Is your heart dead to the things of God and flowing putrefaction? Or is your heart alive to Jesus Christ and therefore worthy of being guarded with more diligence than your investments and bank accounts—because the pristine condition of your heart is of greater value than any earthly treasure. Your heart must be guarded with greater vigilance than a prison guard watching a prisoner who is a well-known escape artist. When your heart is pure, devoted to Jesus, your words, your actions, your thoughts and your goals will all flow out of such a heart with the purity of heaven. Others will see and be drawn to the quality of the life that the Spirit of God has given you. Your own spirit within you is instructed to guard the wellspring of pure life given in Jesus and do so unto the glory of the Father in heaven, from Whom all believers long to hear this affirmation, “Well done, good and faithful servant”.

Father in heaven teach me to highly prize the new life that is mine in Christ. Spirit of God, wise counselor, Who never sleeps, never misses a thing, work so thoroughly in me and through me that my heart and its motives and intentions will be revealed to me. Then purify me. Filter out all in me that fouls the waters of life. Spirit of the Living God, lead me away from sin and teach me to hate all that would pollute the well of salvation which is Jesus’ gift of righteousness. Spirit of God, as often as it is required, recapture my heart for Jesus, cause my eyes to see the wondrous beauty of Jesus so that all my desires are changed and my longings are all centred on Him and this to the glory of the Father, Who is the fountain of life. Amen.

https://youtu.be/N1DMIrqQVXI?si=jVm-extxSuEEC-uP “O Lord, You’re Beautiful”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 9, 2024 -- Revelation 1:5b-9 -- Living and working together in Gospel partnership

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen.

8 “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.”

9 I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are in Jesus, was on the island called Patmos on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

Revelation 1:5b-9 ESV

What glory belongs to those who are in Christ Jesus. Jesus, the King of Righteousness, has freed us from our sins. More than that, He has stirred up in us a holy desire for His return. When He returns all who believe in Him, Who rejoice in Him, Who have been freed from their sins will be with Him. The judgment will confirm the blessedness of those who are in Christ and confirm the wickedness of unbelievers. Unbelievers will scream and wail at the judgment because the horror of their sin and their blasphemies against God will be so obvious in the light of His terrible and awesome presence. They will know how sinful sin truly is.

Look at how John, who received the revelation of Jesus, describes himself. Though he is an elder statesman, the last living disciple who walked with Jesus, he describes himself as a brother to all the believers. Believers who are going to be identified by their flaws and sins, their strengths and the ways in which they are backsliding—he is writing, empowered by the Spirit, so that believers will know the path to repentance. He is also a partner with them. The original language, the word partner is one who experiences fellowship together with those to whom he is writing. He is emphasizing all believers are at an equal position, a level playing field, before Jesus Christ. Now look at the three descriptors he uses.

John is a brother and co-partaker in the tribulation. What is the tribulation? First, these are the sufferings which Jesus Himself had to undergo. When He walked the earth, He endured all things and remained faithful to God the Father, never once sinning. The tribulation are the tests Christians endure which refine them for faithfulness to God. These tribulations can be external. The world and the Devil pushing hard against them seeking to push Christians off-course by compromise. Or these can come from within, tribulation whereby the old, sinful nature, rears its ugly head and reminds one of the past and seeks to draw the believer away from holiness into the trap of past wickedness.

How can believers endure? We are partners in the Kingdom! Jesus is King—now. The eyes of faith see Him as such. The believer is ruled by the Spirit of God. The tribulations can be endured because the very same Spirit Who was in Jesus while He walked the earth, is the Spirit Who is in all who believe. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of power. He is given so that believers have all they need, all that pertains to life and godliness.

There is now also a partnership in patient endurance. The word means perseverance. This word is used about twenty-one times in the New Testament, one-third of the times it is used in Revelation. How does the believer endure patiently?

Yesterday a dear friend stopped by. I haven’t seen him in years. When we met, the years just fell away. We talked openly about our faith, honestly about our struggles and encouraged each other in our faith. We prayed together and led each other to the throne of grace, where Jesus is seated, so that we could find grace and mercy to help us in our time of need.

Dear family in Christ, today is Sunday. Get to a Bible-believing church. Listen to the Word preached. It is a means of grace. If you go to church, or can’t go to church you can no doubt speak with other believers, and express the hope you have in Christ. Talk about your need for Jesus and his Spirit so that together you will be sharpened and prepared for patient endurance as we await His glorious return.

Father in heaven, thank You for the great gifts of salvation You have showered on all who believe. Thank you for Jesus in Whom we have eternal life and through Whom our new-life joy is strengthened. Father in heaven thank You for the rich and powerful presence of Your Holy Spirit Who directs us in so that fellow believers are family in Christ, partners in the Gospel who face tribulation by the power of Jesus’ kingdom and together stir up in one another patient endurance.

https://youtu.be/kW-CzmdD1nM?si=2m36O1OjWnhy1xci “Find Us Faithful” Steve Green

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June 4, 2024 -- John 13:1 -- God's love, demonstrated in Jesus, is unstoppable

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.
John 13:1 ESV

Jesus loved them to the end. To the end of what? Perhaps it is important to know that word end can mean to the finish point, like the end of a race. But it can also mean aim or purpose. Consider these words:

Those whom God loves, He loves to the end and not to their end and death
but to His end and His end is that He might love them more.
John Donne 1572-1631

The point is, God demonstrated His love in Jesus Christ and His aim was to give to Jesus an inheritance, a people for His Own possession. Those who are loved by the Father will experience the salvation of Jesus Christ, it will be accomplished in their lives. The Holy Spirit living in them will bring the purposes of God to bear in their lives and they will marvel, rejoice, and give thanks for the persistent love of God. It is more unstoppable than a tsunami. His love is more powerful than a supernova. He will purify His people from their sins, give them the righteousness of Jesus Christ, and arouse in believers a response of humble, joyful, love for Him and His people.

Father in heaven, You have given us Jesus, the Savior, the Teacher. As we have been purified in His love, excite in us a growing desire to love the people You have put into our lives. By Your Spirit’s presence in us direct us to love with the divine power of love with which You have and do love us. Amen.

https://youtu.be/y0ac4sT-4-o?si=GmzPfFyiTHQbxAOu When We See Your Face

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

June 2, 2024 -- I Peter 1:22 -- Purified for Obedience to the Truth

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,
I Peter 1:22 ESV

There is a common comedic gag where a man will with a straight face announce he’s a member of a gym. Then after a suitable pause, he will add, with a wry smile, “I know it, because $22. a month keeps being debited from my account. I’m not even sure where the gym is anymore”. I wonder how many people who call themselves Christian are members of a church somewhere, but they are not sure where the church is anymore. If you ask them, they will tell you they belong to this church or to the one their grandmother attends, but they really can’t tell you anything more than that.

In contrast, the one whose soul has been captured by Jesus Christ is one who has met the Truth. Jesus is Truth (John 14:6). He has rescued your soul from blind slavery to sin and death. The evidence that a man or a woman has a purified soul is seen in the desire to attend church. One who is purified displays his sincere love for God demonstrated by his care for the people around him. Purity of love for God is displayed in a pure , selfless love for a brother or sister.

Why is church attendance so vital?

The believer can examine his life and see where he is failing in his obedience. When a golfer desires to improve his swing, his long and short game, he goes to the fairways and to the greens, and practices. A Christian longs to know where he can offer better service to God and more pure service to others, so he goes to church.

Church attendance allows the believer to join with other believers and declare the splendors of God. Imagine you have right in front of you the most beautiful rainbow. It  is close. It is brilliant, it is clearly defined. You want to tell someone. Sharing the experience of it completes the joy of it. So it is with our precious faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit, in the presence of other Christians, stirs us up to declare our joy, our hope, our love for Jesus and this completes the experience. Praising God the Father is something we long to share. In sharing with others this longing to praise, we are expressing the deepest joy of our hearts, sharing in community, affirming those who share our joys and will walk with us in our sorrows.

The act of obedience, of going to church, is often difficult. We are tired. We are lazy. We are not in the mood. The morning will be sunny, but the afternoon rainy and we want to do this or that. so it is tempting to skip church. However, it is the obedience to Jesus, Who is the Truth, and such obedience above all else, which demonstrates a soul has been purified by Jesus. When you push past all the excuses, you will discover all over again that Jesus is the strength of your soul and the longing of your heart. Your absence discourages other believers who miss you. Your presence is an incentive to love one another earnest from a heart purified in Jesus.

Ah, Father in heaven, You call us a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for Your own possession. By the Spirit Who lives in us, help us to proclaim the excellencies of Christ as we live in His marvelous light and walk in the purification He has won for us at Calvary. Spirit of God strengthen us to walk in obedience to the Truth, fighting the flesh’s laziness and the mind’s distractions and the heart’s coldness. Spirit, Who brings us to Jesus, rekindle in us a fire of zealous joy that leads us from one act of obedience to the next because of the imperishable seed of hope that has been planted in us. Amen.

The first two sentences are based on I Peter 2:9

https://youtu.be/N1DMIrqQVXI?si=f1I4lNVfofGPQ2Mn “O Lord, You’re Beautiful”

May 31, 2024 -- Psalm 104:1 -- Why are we commanded to praise God?

Bless the LORD, O my soul!
O LORD my God, You are very great!
Psalm 104:1 ESV

Why do we praise God? Why is it the Psalmists are calling out for the people to bring to the LORD our God all honour and glory and to tell others how wondrous He is? Secretly some Christians may wonder, “Is God an egomaniac?” If I demanded you to praise me, you’d drop me off at he looney bin. It is unseemly. Recently I was pointed in a very helpful direction, to a quotation that makes it so clear why we are commanded to praise God.

“I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed. It is frustrating to have discovered a new author and not to be able to tell anyone how good he is; to come suddenly, at the turn of the road, upon some mountain valley of unexpected grandeur and then to have to keep silent because the people with you care for it no more than for a tin can in the ditch; to hear a good joke and find no one to share it with. . . .”
C. S. Lewis

When the believer encounters the splendor of our God the only way to complete his joy is to express praise to God. When the believer realizes the depths of Jesus’ saving work and the totality of one’s new life in Christ, it is delight to tell others and then in wonder and thanksgiving to compete the utter enjoyment one has in Christ by telling Him. Singing to Him. Reciting Scripture back to Him. When the believer knows the work of the Holy Spirit, Who leads him to Christ, and by the accomplished work of Jesus Christ makes the believer know, in the very innermost place of his life, I—me—I am loved by God Who created the whole universe, then the fountains of exuberance cannot be contained, but flow out of him in praise to God and in telling others. Praise completes the enjoyment. God is the highest good in one’s life. God the Triune is life and health and peace. No wonder we want to share Him with whoever will listen.

May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoices in His works. I will sing to the LORD as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. May my meditation be pleasing to Him, for I rejoice in the LORD. Amen.

Prayer is based on Psalm 104:31,33-34 ESV

https://youtu.be/vz-FkqobgXY?si=dnjNeXblpjEpDJXd “Tell Out My Soul”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 30, 2024 -- Psalm 91:1 -- Hiding the Word of God in your heart

Celui qui demeure sous l’abri du Très-Haut
repose à l'ombre du Tout-Puissant.
Psaumes 91 NEG 1979

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
Psalm 91:1 ESV

Dear friends in Jesus—how many of you are memorizing Scripture? I remember the first time I was required to memorize more than a single verse. I was going to be a camp counselor among men and women with mental and physical handicaps, I was told to memorize Philippians 2. I thought it was impossible. One of the counselors there, to my shame, a woman who hadn’t finished high school (and here I was preparing for college, feeling mentally superior) simply and without hesitation recited it. Funny. That was more than forty years ago. It stays with me. The power of the word recited from memory.

John Piper noted that our purpose on earth, as Christians, our purpose is clearly stated in I Peter. “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession that you may proclaim the praises of Him Who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” I Peter 2:9 ESV. There it is. Your life’s purpose statement. More than a rich retirement, more than plenty of friends, more than a happy life—over every single goal of your life, this over-arching purpose stands—you have been rescued from death, sin and hell, so that you can proclaim God’s praises.

Why mention that? Well, how are you doing with that? One way to proclaim God’s praises is to memorize Scripture. My friend Mike and I each challenged the other to memorize a chapter of the Bible. Since his first language is French and he said memorization in English is hard, I offered to memorize it in French while he learns it in English. Yes, Psalm 91 is our target. (We’re not doing great, by the way! But today is my shout-out to my buddy to work at it with renewed zeal and vigor!)

When one memorizes, one begins to know the text. One begins to love the text. One sees verbal linkages to other parts of Scripture. When looking at Psalm 91, one realizes God is Most High—there is nothing above Him, none greater than He Is. He is in a class and category all on His Own. The merest falling of His shadow on your life is protection and help and grace way beyond whatever you can comprehend. The Psalm will spell that out as you continue to see it and learn it. When one memorizes the Bible, one has prayer language with which to speak to God. One has wisdom from God on High, to know Him better.

Take up the challenge today. Find a chapter of the bible that is meaningful to you and memorize it. I guarantee you, it will be even more beautiful and precious to you. The constant repetition that is required when you memorize makes the Word sweeter to you and so deeply memorable that you will have access to it in your times of greatest need.

Spirit of the Living God, the Psalmist declared “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You”. Today we confess we find it hard to read the Bible, to make time to examine it, let alone to hide it in our hearts by memory. Forgive us our laziness. Help us to take up our life’s mission of declaring the Father’s praises and doing so unto the glory and honour of Jesus Christ, through Whom we have access to God our Father. Spirit of God, of Whom Jesus said, He would take Jesus’ words and bring them back to mind for us, kick start in us a desire to memorize Scripture and a iron-clad will to carry through with it. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/fFn6o-tv8hc?si=3Ie2_ftkFR2cQpEb

Scripture Singer John 1:1-5

You can use songs to memorize Scripture

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May 29, 2024 -- James 1:22 -- More than just hearing

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
James 1:22 ESV

Anyone who knows me knows I am pretty useless in regards to putting things together. A memorable misadventure would be a case in point. My wife and I bought a TV stand which had a place for a storing movies and the player. The box it came in touted the fact it would take minutes to assemble. Ahem.

Well, I know I am very poor at assembling things, fixing things and so on. No matter. I didn’t start by reading all the instructions. Oh, that would have made too much sense! Instead I took a quick glance at the picture and scanned through it, very quickly. Then, after about an hour of intense frustration, I looked at the instruction manual—it had instructions in Asian, German, French and English. The English instructions might have well as been in that Asian language because I was too frustrated to read and put into action what I’d read. I perked a pot of coffee, Started free. I read through the instruction manual. Then I got to assembling it.

First one had to count all the pieces. One had to distinguish between various kinds of screws and inserts. At the start that seemed like really dumb advice. But, as I separated these items, I realized where I was going wrong. I was using the wrong sized screws at various pre-drilled holes and this was making the whole unstable. It was not until I read the instructions and put them into practice that the TV stand finally came together.

Dear fellow Christian, how often isn’t that the case with us as believers? We charge ahead, having scanned the Word or rushing ahead after half-heartedly listening to a sermon, thinking we know what is right only to find we have not even been using the right discernment for a situation clearly laid out by the Bible. We weren't prepared to truly hear. Instead we'll hurry along on our own without truly hearing the Word and putting it into practice.

God our Father has great love and mercy for His children. He has made the way to Himself open through the accomplished work of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself teaches us how to yield ourselves to our Father in heaven so that our lives are put together exactly as our Father wills for us. He Who rescued us in Christ, knows our stubbornness and our inclination to go any which way but the right way. He provided the way of restoration. The Spirit of God will take the Word and make it living for all who ask Him. Perhaps things are more difficult in our lives right now, harder than they should be, because we are hearing the Word, not really listening, but doing our own thing?

Father in heaven, Your Word teaches us “if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God Who gives generously to all”. We confess our need for Your wisdom and the need to have our heart cracked wide open by Your Spirit so that we will hear of the new life that is ours in Christ and then obey His instruction. Thank You, Gracious Father, that “every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down to us from the Father of Lights”. Amen.

The quotations in the prayer are from James 1:5, 17

https://youtu.be/aH1Wn4fTiBs?si=-VqsdfX-1M118MmG “Speak O Lord” Getty Music

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 27, 2024 -- Psalm 33:20 -- The LORD is our Help and our Shield

Our soul waits for the LORD
He is our help and our shield.
Psalm 33:20 ESV

Interesting that the text says “our soul”. Earlier in the Psalm it is noted that the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him. So, the people who believe in Him, Who trust in Him alone for their salvation are under His watchful eye. It is those people who collectively wait on on the LORD. To wait on Him is to ask His advice and not move forward until He answers. The LORD our God answers His people through the Bible. It is His clearest answer. He speaks through the preaching of the Word. He speaks through the advice of Christian brothers and sisters. He speaks by His Spirit. He speaks when believers have confessed their sins, hating them and seeking the forgiveness of the LORD. One cannot on one hand love sin and on the other be asking the LORD for His blessing.

The LORD is the help of His people. When His people need to be lifted up from the pit of despair, from the wounds inflicted by sin, He is their help and salvation. What the Psalmist longed for is given in Jesus Christ—He is our help and our strength. In Him is forgiveness full and free.

The LORD is the shield of His people The shield is held close when there is fierce combat near at hand. When there is hand-to-hand fighting on the battle field it is the LORD Who is the shield of His people. He is your full protection against the lies of the enemy. He is your salvation so that to live is Christ and to die is gain. His Spirit lives in you, disarming the lies of the Devil, making Scripture come alive to you, shielding you even from your own sinful and wayward leading thoughts. Now wonder the Psalmist is rejoicing in the LORD His God.

Father in heaven, blessed and honoured be Your Name, now and always. At the start of this day, we have no idea what help we’ll need or what battles we’ll face. Thank You for the sure and tested promise that You are the help of Your people and our shield. Through-out the day may Your Spirit lead us to think on You, renew our trust in You, and this based on the accomplished work of Jesus Christ, Your beloved Son, the Captain of our Salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/q6ErPbspVBI?si=Sldg4vYGXpN2A4J2 I Serve a Savior - Josh Turner

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 26, 2024 -- Psalm 32:1-2 -- Blessing God with a heart that knows it is forgiven

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1-2

This Psalm is a “maskil” which means it is a teaching, set to music, so that one will memorize it and internalize the deep truth it contains. When I used to go to visit nursing homes and teach a bible lesson, many folks in the audience did not seem to understand much of what I was saying. When it came time to sing, before and after the Bible lesson, I could see many participants suddenly light up, and from memory sing choruses of the old familiar hymns. God in His grace had given these men and women the joy of remembering His beauty and glorious salvation.

Transgressions are those sins which we intentionally commit. Like the “No Trespassing” sign on a property, clearly marked, which we disregard and go ahead and trespass anyways. If you are anything like me, you shake you head at how often you climb over that fence and trespass anyways. The reason the Psalmist is singing springs from that exact situation. He knows he is still a sinner. He knows the grace of God shown him in Christ (to Whom all the Old Testament pointed) is greater than all his sin. The offerings offered at the Tent of Meeting, and later in Israel’s history at the Temple, repeatedly offered, pointed to the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus.

Notice that these sacrifices happened again and again. God knew the need for people to have visually represented so they'd finally deeply understand He is prepared to forgive His people to the full extent of their trespasses and to the widest margin of their guilt. It is wholly covered. When a believer truly understands that, he is happy. When a sinner knows her sins are no longer counted against her, she can’t help but bless the God of Glory Who is so rich in mercy.

The reason a forgiven believer has no deceit in his spirit flows from the fact that he knows as soon as he is confronted with his sin, he can confess it and he is forgiven. There is no deceitful practice of negotiating with God, or trying to hold onto sin and onto Him. No. One who messes up, fesses up and finds forgiveness full and free. What results is a believer who wants more and more of God and less and less association with the former sinful practices.

Faithful Father, with the psalmist we cry, “Love the LORD, all you His saints! The LORD preserves the faithful”. By the presence of Your Spirit, assist us to proclaim Your praise, O God, and strengthen us to walk in the newness of life which has been granted to us in Jesus Christ. As we gather with believers this Sunday, may we all together encourage the weary, comfort the sinners who confess their brokenness and rejoice with the ones who are experiencing victory in Jesus. Again, with the psalmist we pray to you, looking for Your help so that we can “be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD!” Amen.

quotations are from Psalm 31:23-24 ESV

https://youtu.be/tDb67u3BoBE?si=NepM4DsFPswT7Byy “O Day of Rest and Gladness”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 25, 2024 -- Psalm 27:7-9a -- Preach to your will and mind -- throw back from May 25,23

Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud;
   be gracious to me and answer me!
You have said, “Seek my face.”
My heart says to You,
   “Your face, LORD, do I seek.”
   Hide not Your face from me.
Psalm 27:7-9a ESV

How many impulses do you have each day? Impulsively picking up a chocolate bar at the last second and putting it on the check-out conveyor. You didn’t mean to do it, but you didn’t check the impulse either. Or, say something mean? Your mouth opened and what you said just “popped out”. So much of what happens in your life and in mine is a result of a lack of self-discipline. Impulses that were not stopped or checked before they resulted in regrettable actions.

The LORD has said to the Psalmist (and by way of this psalm to us all) “seek My face”. It is a command. There are enemies all around. There are insecurities and fears that threaten to overwhelm him. In an earlier verse he has chosen to sing and make melody to the LORD (verse 6) so that his soul is reminded of the glories of the LORD which are greater than all his troubles. There are so many distractions. So many legit troubles. So many pressures. How does the psalm-writer respond? He decides to preach to his own soul and act. Cutting through everything else his heart says to the LORD, to You, “Your face do I seek”. What keeps him from impulses? What keeps him from sins that would seem to just spring up on him out of nowhere? It is the fact he is cultivating the awareness of the LORD’s presence.

The LORD our God has given us access to Himself through Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. When our soul tells our minds and will and desires to seek Jesus above all else, then we have a mighty army lined up against our impulses. We will be prepared to seek the face of Jesus Christ before everything goes awry. We will seek Him based on our past experiences of His graciousness. We will seek Him when we have failed again. All the while we have this deep and beautiful assurance: He prays to the Father on our behalf.

Our Father in heaven may Your Name be hallowed and forever blessed through-out the earth! You have given us, as New Testament believers, greater revelation than King David had. You have shown Your vigilance and faithfulness in seeking Your people by sending Jesus, the Deliverer. Now, Spirit of the Living God, teach our souls to cling to Jesus so that with the psalmist we continually choose to instruct our heart to cry out to our minds, to our will and to our desires “Your face, LORD Jesus Christ, do I seek”. Amen.

https://youtu.be/BA-Wi4fdcVE?si=mF30pbVg6WbX4hCs “Abide” Aaron Williams

May 24, 2024 -- Psalm 145:18 -- Is God near? Is He near to me?

The LORD is near to all who can on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
Psalm 145:18 ESV

A few days ago I was leading a Bible Study in a federal prison. One of the men asked how we can be near to God when He is so far away in heaven? I paused for a moment before answering. During that brief interlude, another man piped up. This is what he said,
We can’t touch God.
But with our prayers we touch Him.
Our minds can touch Him.
Our words can touch Him.
—Art

It was so moving. Please understand this is a man who had long struggled in his relationship with God. His past, his anger issues, his frustrations at life in prison all contribute to a very rocky walk with God. However, the men in that chapel were quite for a moment. We all heard a beautiful declaration of faith.

Does God seem distant to you today? Read the Bible. He assures you He is near. His Spirit lives in you. His has placed you among Christians where you can share your precious faith and be encouraged. He has given you to other Christians who might need to hear your confident assertion that God is near. In response, you can pray and touch the goodness of the God Who loved you so much that He did not leave you in your sin and shame, but has given you new life and forgiveness in Christ. The Father in heaven together with His Son have poured out the Spirit Who lives in you so that your words touch the God the Glory.

Father in heaven, high and exalted in splendor, thank You for the marvelous promise that You are near. Thank You that Jesus has opened the way so that this conversation is even possible. Thank You for the Spirit Who hears our every thought, word and sigh. Amen.

https://youtu.be/qr8QoQKmXfk?si=Va-6YYNaJWu5SbWN “Let the Words of My Heart”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 22, 2024 -- III John 4 -- Christians walking in the truth with Jesus

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.
III John 4 ESV

The apostle John writes to encourage believers. His three letters are likely from the 80’s A.D., perhaps as late as the early 90’s. These are written more than four decades after Jesus had ascended to heaven. The context of today’s text is a short letter written to believers who are struggling with those who appear to be Christians but are not. Those are people in church who are fighting against the cause of Christ. This letter is written to a faithful elder who obviously has his hands full as he leads this people.

Already in the first four verses John uses the word "truth" four times. Truth is a hallmark of maturity. It makes sense that Christians who are walking in the truth give joy to this congregation's mentor John.

Before a Christian can walk, he is an infant in the faith. Bottle-fed spiritual truths, encouraged, closely watched. There is a long period of careful nurture necessary before a young Christian is old enough to walk in the truth and defend the truth.

Christian believers who are helping new Christians please realize how much time must be invested, patience, training in righteousness and aid given when the little one, learning to walk falls down.

Sure, there are people who, touched by the Spirit of God, grow incredibly fast and seem to understand the Word of Truth very quickly. Thanks be to God for such brothers and sisters. However, the pattern is infants in the faith to toddlers, to children who are walking. Think how much time a parent spends teaching a little one everything necessary to go from cradle to youth.

Mature Christian, to whom do you need to show more patience as your disciple learns to walk? Recommit yourself to the long term investment of prayer, teaching, love and time.

Young Christian, do not be discouraged by how hard it is to walk with God. Fast fact. Some babies become toddlers, learning to walk as early as 9 months, others are taking their baby steps at 20 months. Yet, in all that time there is mental growth, emotional growth, physical growth, spiritual growth. Trust that God is working in you. Consistently seek out a spiritual mentor who will lead you in our precious faith.

Faither in heaven, thank You for the new life You give Your people in Jesus Christ. Spirit of the Living God, help us to walk in Jesus Christ, each of us appropriately growing in maturity in the circumstances of life in which You have placed us. Amen.

https://youtu.be/BLDEt9KP2O0?si=6ky9m4VZv9YUosg_ “Abide”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 21, 2024 -- Hebrews 6:6-7 -- The Better Covenant Given Us in Jesus

 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry that is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion to look for a second.

Hebrews 8:6-7 ESV

So what is new about the Covenant Jesus brings in? Understand the first covenant, the covenant of works, required people to keep every aspect of the Law. It is impossible. When Jesus, the sinless one, walked this earth as our representative, He was perfect, without sin. Therefore He is the Covenant-Keeper Who can die in our place as the one, true acceptable sacrifice. Why is Jesus’ covenant more excellent?

Believers in Jesus are given the Holy Spirit, so that our heart’s affection for Jesus leads to better obedience.

Believers in Jesus are a new people. We are joined together by the Holy Spirit as one people. So from every part of the globe, across denominational lines, there is a unity that is ours and it is found in our love for and obedience to Jesus.

Believers in Jesus Christ have Him as their ultimate, true High Priest. He lives to pray for us (Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:25).

The clear implication is that we who are in Christ Jesus, continue to sin. We are learning to hate our sin more and more. We struggle against it. We turn to Jesus, confessing our sin, repenting of it, and in Him we are given the Holy Spirit so that sin is vanquished. That is a life-long process. Thanks be to God, He is all-powerful, He is all-wise and He is good. What He starts in us He will complete.

Grant to us, O heavenly Father, Your peace that passes understanding, that we, amid the storms and troubles of this our life, may rest in You, knowing that all things are in You, under Your care, governed by Your will, guarded by Your love; so that with a quiet heart we may face the storms of life, the clouds and thick darkness; ever rejoicing to know that the darkness and the light are both alike to You; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Divine Service Book for The Armed Forces, 1950, page 30

https://youtu.be/KqrqPGt11bA?si=C-l2nd2alDoceWGo Casting Crowns “Glorious Day”

May 19, 2024 -- Proverbs 19:27 -- Anchored so you do not shipwreck your faith

Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
Proverbs 19:27 ESV

Why bother going to church this Sunday? The Proverbs give a clear answer. When you stop listening to the word of God, hearing sermons and the heeding the advice of fellow believers, you will stray. Some of you who know me well enough to know that I wear a small gold anchor pendant on a golden anchor chain. For me, this is a clear reminder from Hebrews 2—do not drift! And Hebrews 6 Jesus is the anchor of our souls.

A fisherman in a boat puts down his anchor at a prime fishing spot. If he does not do so, the current, the waves and the wind will soon have him drift far from that spot. So it is with us and the word of God. It is the anchor for our souls. If we do not stay anchored to Jesus in the power of His Spirit, we will drift. Paul warns “By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith” (I Timothy 1:19).

Are you finding it harder and harder to avoid sin? You are drifting from the word of knowledge.

Are you finding it difficult to stay focused on the Word? It is because you have not exercised your brain in the word of life.

Are you finding Christian friends boring and the worldly ones more exciting? You have rammed the rocky shore that will make shipwreck of your faith.

Today, if you hear His voice in these words, do not harden your hearts, return to the Word, join with God’s people in worship.

Thank You God our Father, for the One Mediator between You and men, the man Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all. Thank You for Spirit-led preachers and teachers, evangelists and missionaries who proclaim this good news, allowing people to anchor their hope firmly in Jesus Christ. Faithful Father, let those of us who are regular in our walk with You, welcome back to church, those who’ve drifted or hit rocky shoals, so that together we will rejoice in Jesus. To You, Triune God, belong all glory, praise and renown, now and forever more. Amen.

https://youtu.be/cjetZn5lrBc?si=vqzTm3Biy-IW7Hzr Tenth Avenue North “I Have this Hope”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 18, 2024 -- Titus 3:1-4 -- Living and loving as Jesus Commanded

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

Wait, is this the same text as yesterday? No. But it is a close parallel. In verse 8 believers are commanded to be careful to do good works. In that instance, the context showed the purpose good works was to demonstrate the fact the one doing them has already been saved. Thus, the good works bring glory to God. Good works demonstrate the unity among believers, which is evidence of God’s gracious presence among them.

Why repeat this command again? Do you remember the greatest commandment? Jesus commanded: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment and the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself” Matthew 22:37-38. Likely it was with this in mind, Paul was instructing Titus and the believers in his care to learn to devote themselves to good works so that the second part of Jesus’ commandment, love your neighbour, is fulfilled.

It is easy for believers to judge other believers and be hesitant to help out. Or even to deny help. But within the family of faith, it should be said of believers see how they love one another. This is learned. Those whom God the Father saves through our Lord Jesus Christ are people who were sinners. Manipulators. Swindlers. Sexually promiscuous. Thieves. Murderers. Rich. Poor. Healthy. Sick. Addicts. And so on. But thanks be to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that is what we were—yes, past tense action with the on-going result that we are now the family of God.

When we express our love for God, the love He has demonstrated to us fills us all over again and from the overflow of His love we in turn help the people around us. The Spirit of God softens our hearts so that we learn to ask for help. The same Spirit prepares believers to help each other out and share love. Ultimately we do not remember each other by our former sins, but we see each other through the lens of God’s redeeming love. Together, the helper and the ones blessed, are drawn closer to Jesus and closer to one another.

Is this idealistic? Absolutely! Is this hard to do? You bet it is! Not one of use deserves God’s grace. There is no person who can  stand up and say "I claim God’s mercy based on my own merits " (or goodness or natural-born impulses). We are, all of us, wretched sinners amazed by the grace shown to us from the Father and shown to us by those who having been saved in Jesus Christ are now excited to share His love. It is hard work. It is the only work worth doing.

Father in heaven thank You for Your electing love so clearly demonstrated to us in Jesus Christ. Blessed Father and Son thank You for the godliness You are working within us through the Holy Spirit Who is continually conforming every part of our life into every way that accords with godliness. Forgive us for the times we rejoiced in Your love and yet we were hoarding it ,refusing to share it with those around us even though they were in urgent need. Counselor Spirit motivate us to live as true children of the Father, bound together in a common faith which is continually supplied by the grace and peace which rest on us from the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. Amen.
(This prayer is based on Titus 1:1-4)

https://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I?si=j424NAuleV93a7OE “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone) Chris Tomlin

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 17, 2024 -- Titus 3:4-11 -- Be Careful to devote yourself to good deeds

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. 9 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10 As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, 11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.
Titus 3:4-11 ESV

Did you catch it? The Christian who has been saved from the useless and empty way of life (read here the sinful way of life) through the loving kindness God the Father demonstrated in Jesus Christ, he is washed by the Holy Spirit. I love how Trinitarian this passage is—the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, their work in our salvation is clearly demonstrated.

What to do now? As people who are saved, not in order to earn salvation, but in a beautiful demonstration of the salvation that is already ours, look for things to do all things which honour God. Christians look for ways to please Him. Look for ways to demonstrate to others the love which you yourself have received in such abundant measure. When one is devoted to good works, then one isn’t offering his eyes and hands to former, sinful service.

Paul wrote to Titus to be careful to do good works. This is to ensure the works are not carried out for one’s own glory. So, you are not seeking the praise of men, but you are working these good deeds so that God is praised. Think of another way in which believers are to be careful to do good works. Sometimes in your haste to do good unto others, you have not considered if you are harming others instead of helping. Here is an example: governments that give healthy men and women hand-outs, instead of requiring them to work. It is possible that efforts to help someone actually cripples them and keeps them in a state of requiring more hand-outs.

Paul is writing his son in the faith. He is giving instructions on the way in which believers are to encourage one another. The result is clear. Those who are self-serving, who are not focused on good as it is explained in the Bible, will bring quarrels and divisions into a body of believers. It is important to realize that sometimes the Word of God acts like a two-edged sword. It will cut at your motives, it will hurt because you were clinging to some sin that needed to be rooted out like a bad tooth. By way of contrast, those who are acting like a bull in a China shop, well, their deeds are clear and the results of their actions speak for themselves.

As Christians empowered by the Holy Spirit carefully devote themselves to good works, the people around them will see the accomplished work of Jesus which has freed them to serve in this way, and they will join you in giving honour and praise to God the Father. Such a result only prompts and spurs the Christian onwards to ever greater good works.

Father in heaven thank You for Your steadfast love. Beautiful Savior, thank You for the new life that You have given us, one that is guarded by the powerful presence of the Spirit in us. Triune God, open our eyes to the good You would have us do and then direct us so that we will be careful to devote ourselves to it so that the habits of our old sins will no longer be the ruts we run in, but joyful obedience will characterize our new, deeper commitment to You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/y3gWwGDGgVA?si=9UKtJNIp42p8dDcj “Take My Life and Let them Be”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 16, 2024 -- Proverbs 16:3 -- Roll Away that Spiritual Lethargy

Commit your work to the LORD,
    and your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3 ESV

There are a thousand little decisions that need to be made each day. At the check-out counter, do I buy that chocolate bar? At the side of the social media account there is a sexy ad, do I click on it? Do I set my alarm for 6AM so I can spend time reading the Bible and praying, or do I set my alarm for 6:30, so I get up, shower and have my coffee and get to work early so that the big project can be completed?

Now, look again at today’s text. Read it once or twice. The word commit is odd. In Hebrew it means to roll, like to roll a heavy stone which covers the mouth of well. It makes sense. My own inertia will keep me from doing the good I know I need to do. When I roll away the stone of laziness, of indecision, of old, bad habits—I will instead commit myself to doing what God the LORD demands of me. So, having decided in advance, at the start of the day, that I will serve Him, all my decisions are in line with my commitment. I do not click on a sexy ad because I’ve already done the hard work of deciding I am going to live for Jesus. I do not impulse buy because I have already decided to serve the LORD. The offer of something that will pull me back into addiction will be waved off because earlier I decided in my heart to serve God with my mind, my heart and my body.

Notice the One to Whom all this service is offered. The LORD. When His Name is spelled out in all capital letters it is His Name of salvation. The LORD, the Name by which His people know they have been delivered from sin by the accomplished work of Jesus. God the Father has rolled away our reproach—He has committed Himself to us and our salvation. Our commitment to God the Father is made in view of Jesus’ work at the cross whereby our sins have been punished and the strength for us to live this way is granted to believers by the Holy Spirit Who lives in us.

Father in heaven thank You that You have by the work of Jesus rolled away the reproach of our sins and removed from us the weight of Your just anger. Father in heaven, we bless You and thank You for Your steadfast love and faithfulness. Spirit of the Living God make our minds and hearts strong so that we will both commit ourselves to responding to the Father’s love and strong enough to carry out this resolve in every decision of the day. Oh, blessed God, let our ways please You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/fqOqcTafPv8?si=BwkNFShTY5fhsZPN Selah “I Got Saved”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 14, 2023 -- II Timothy 1:6-7 -- Drain from your mind the cesspools of sin then fan into flame the gift of God

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
II Timothy 1:7 ESV

Paul was writing to Timothy, his true son in the faith, reminding him of the faith that had taken hold of him through the faithful teaching of his mother and grandmother. Who influenced your faith? Who taught you the way of God? Memory is so important, so that you are not distracted from the pathway of God but setting aside and even putting to death whatever might keep you from following Jesus.

One of my favorite quotes is: “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” This is a quotation from G. K. Chesterton. It describes why self-control is so rare. Christianity is hard. It requires a man to completely master his mind and his actions. The self-control that Paul was speaking of when he was writing Timothy is that strong, fierce, ruthless work of avoiding any sin, any wayward thought or any temptation that would douse the fire of devotion to God.

Look at the resources God the Father has given you in Christ. You have the power of the Holy Spirit living in you. When you name Jesus Christ as Lord, you are claiming the power of His Holy Spirit. You have all you need for fullest life in Him. You have love. The one who truly loves himself will not be doing things that will kill him. The pathway of Jesus Christ is the most loving thing one can do for God and for loving self and for loving neighbour.

The one who is walking in the love of Jesus Christ walks knowing He is loved. The Father in heaven has given the greatest treasure of heaven—His Son Jesus. The love of Jesus is such that He stood up in God’s courtroom and said, “Father, I’ll be punished for his sins, for her sins, for their sins.” The love of the Spirit is so great that one filled with the Spirit will have his conscience awakened to hate sin, knowing that sin is a baited hook used by the Devil to lure you from all that wholesome, helpful and healing. Once hooked, you’ll know the hatred of the Devil, self-loathing, and anger against those who joined forces with evil to lure you in.

Fan into flame the gift of God. Spend time with Christians whose walk with God you admire. Spend time reading the Bible. Listen to the Bible through apps so that you will hear the beauty of what God will speak to you. Confess your sin and admit to God how much you need His Spirit to drain from your mind and heart the cesspools of filthy words, thoughts, and deeds. Pray that the Spirit will pile on your spirit kindling so that your passion for God will burn brightly, consuming any sinful temptation.

Thank You, O God my Father, for the blessing of a clear conscience and a soul made right with You by the accomplished work of Jesus. Thank You, mighty God, for those in Christ who lead us to the joy of the Lord and inspire us to fight sin, battle addictions, hate old patterns. Thank You Faithful Father, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, by Whom fearfulness is torn out of us and is replaced with spiritual power, heaven-sent love and that blessed, new-life -in-Jesus affirming fruit of the Spirit—self-control. Amen.

https://youtu.be/fqOqcTafPv8?si=6fQj3WV70duig_QI “I Got Saved” Selah

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 13, 2024 -- Proverbs 13:20 -- Walking not as a fool but as one who is wise

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,
    but the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20 ESV

To understand this proverb one must know the difference between the wise and the fool. According to the Bible, “the fool says in his heart there is no god” (Psalm 14:1). The fool is one who has all kinds of worldly ideas, thoughts on god, or imaginings of what god must be like, but has not grounded such ideas in Scripture. The fool has made ultimate one aspect of life to the detriment of the rest of life. For example, there are so many foolish climate activists who are defacing art in an attempt to highlight the climate crisis. Their commitment to one cause has unbalanced them.

As you readers will know, much of my work is with prisoners and those recently released, many of whom are addicts seeking to break free from the chains of addiction. Groups like Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous will make sobriety the greatest priority. As soon as this happens, one loses his way with the One True God. A commitment to a cause unbalances one’s sense of Who God Is. You can be sober but still rushing along the highway to hell.

The wise know this “for the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity” (Proverbs 2:6-7). Those who are wise are men and women who submit themselves to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life, no one comes to the Father except through Him. Those who, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, read the Bible are informed how to live in view of the Truth of God. He is ultimate. God the Father is the ultimate good in one’s life. He may be approached only through Jesus Christ, this is the exclusive claim of Christianity that causes others to howl.

Be fair at this point. In a community forum, the Jewish man, an agnostic, and a believer in Islam, will state there are points of contact. They may even cooperate on projects like community foodbanks for those in poverty or immigration policies that unite families; but do not be fooled, they do not regard these causes as ultimate. There will be strenuous denials among them that all roads lead to God. The point is, people will absolutize that which is convenient or close to their heart.

The one who walks in the wisdom of the One, True God, serves Him alone. All other areas of life—sobriety, fitness, family, climate, finances, and so on—are brought fully into submission to Him. When one area of life begins to assert itself as more important, or equally important, such equivocations lead a person away from whole-hearted service to the Triune God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. In Him alone is all our joy; “a desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul” (Proverbs 13:19). Jesus is all our heart’s desire. Ah, in Him is found such sweetness and this world cannot comprehend any of this. I guess that is the point—Jesus is such sweetness the world cannot comprehend Him, unless the Spirit awakens the soul and shows a man both his mind and his desires are best filled in Christ alone.

Our Father in heaven thank You for the life and healing and grace You have showered on us in Jesus Christ. Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, that You, for the joy set before You, endured the cross, scorning its shame. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God, for the new life in Christ which You breathe into us. Thank You, Spirit of God, for the teaching of Scripture which is a fountain of life which exposes to us all the concealed, worldly snares of death. Faithful Father, thank You for the godly friends and wise brothers and sisters in the Lord whom You have given to us. Help us, by Your Spirit, to be godly counselors to all those who You put into our life. Amen.

https://youtu.be/72mzKbEAP5g?si=Ub_2NZ0BW4paXvgN Wonderful, Merciful Savior

May 11, 2024 -- Reprint of a favorite devotion from May 11, 2023

Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great man with his master and in high favor, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper. 2 Now the Syrians on one of their raids had carried off a little girl from the land of Israel, and she worked in the service of Naaman's wife. 3 She said to her mistress, “Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy.” 4 So Naaman went in and told his lord, “Thus and so spoke the girl from the land of Israel.” 5 And the king of Syria said, “Go now, and I will send a letter to the king of Israel.”
II Kings 5:1-5a ESV

The little girl is nameless in the story. Yet her faithfulness to the Living God, despite great suffering, is amazing. Naaman is a foreigner. Not of the people of God, but it is the LORD Who gives him victory over the King of Israel. Why?

The raids against Israel were exactly what the LORD, the Promise-Making and Promise-Keeping God had pledged would happen when His people rebelled against Him. The purpose of such hardships would be to draw His people back to Himself.

The faithlessness of Israel is being used by the LORD to bring a man, Naaman, to Himself.

The man Naaman presents himself to the King of Israel. That is amazing already. Naaman would be well-known as their oppressor. Yet the prophet, Elisha, will heal at the command of the LORD heal this man and show Israel the LORD is still present among His people. It is a call to repentance.

All these things happen because a young girl, nameless to us, known and loved by the Father, is faithful in a situation that is too hard to imagine. She has been stolen. Were her parents killed in the raid? She is pressed into servitude. Yet she wishes her master well and speaks how the prophet could cure him. We know Elisha to be the prophet of the Living God, in contrast to the gods of Syria which were not gods at all and their prophets all false. She points to healing which ultimately would lead the healing of his soul. Perhaps her mistress and this family would be saved through her bold witness.

Dear family in Christ, have you used every hard circumstance in your life to testify to the LORD? Perhaps the very hardships you are going through are given so that unbelievers will see your patient endurance and through this come to know the LORD. The nameless girl of the story pointed to the prophet. Then it was Elisha, now our prophet is Jesus Christ. He makes known to us, in all our hardships, the pathway to peace. The Prophet Jesus declares the Father. The Prophet Jesus, by His sacrifice has been punished in our place so that the way is open to full and true healing in the presence of the Loving Father.

You may think of yourself as nameless, unimportant, forgotten. Be assured of this today the LORD our God is using every circumstance of your life to build you up in our precious faith. He knows you by name. He is bringing you the fullness of His glorious salvation to you. He is using every circumstance of your life for His holy purposes.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name.
Thank You for Your great, vast, and extravagant love poured out to us in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the grace with which the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus graces believers. Thank You, Faithful Father, Beautiful Savior Jesus, for the gift of the Holy Spirit, in Whom we have everything we need in every circumstance so that we can live for Jesus.
Forgive us for the times we have wallowed in our circumstances rather than relied on the grace of Jesus and the strength of the Spirit. Let our lives shine out for Jesus, no matter where You take us, so that Your great Name will be made known far and wide. In all of this, and all the tangles and chaos of this world, we join our prayers with those of believers through the ages, asking of You: come quickly Lord Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/U8zWzw_Cc2o “Take Shelter” Keith & Kristyn Getty