May 14, 2025

Draining cesspools of the mind: revised and reprinted from May 14, 2024

May 14, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

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. A good, godly memory of God’s faithfulness in your life keeps you from being distracted. You will be focused, staying on the pathway of God. Wary of and setting aside 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 fullness of godly life by His presence in you. 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. Sing hymns and songs and psalms in praise to God. 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 dry 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/-44GH3NhdIA?si=nvhWAVeDPlFdrnex I Asked the Lord that I Might Grow

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025 -- Philippians 4:8-9 -- Defeating Debilitating Brain Worms

May 13, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8-9 ESV

If you remember, two women in the church in Philippi had been very public in their disagreement, Euodia and Syntyche (4:2). That would be a source of gossip and conflict in the wider church as well. There’d be people who just keep thinking about it, talking about it and anxious about it. The constant focus on it magnifies the discord.

What is endlessly rattling around in your brain? Is it your financial woes? Perhaps it is a question about retirement. Maybe you are at odds with your children? The Bible is so true to life. That should not be surprising, it is written by the Author of Life, the Holy Spirit. Instead of focusing on your troubles and your woes set your mind of whatever is true. Jesus Himself is the Truth. Look at the list of virtues Paul spelled out for his readers. Any one of those virtues should, by itself, be enough to re-orient your thinking so that you are firmly anchored on Jesus Christ. The list taken all-together should bring your soul to rapturous praise of God.

Then Paul moves on. Find a man or a woman whose walk with God you admire. Practice the godly way of life you see in him. Remembering, of course, that even the best and brightest Christian you know is flawed and like you, in need of the grace of God. As you spend time focused on God meditating on His virtues and imitating Christians who are honourable in their walk with God you will find your problems shrink into proper perspective.

God Who is faithful and just uses all your circumstances to shape you according to His purposes. A bar of iron must be heated up so that it can be bent according to the will of the craftsman. For God, the Master Craftsman, to shape you according to His purposes, you must be softened up by circumstances so that you will be malleable according to His will. Knowing this, believing this, will bring you great peace as by the power of the Holy Spirit you trust in God’s good purposes for you which are always “yes” and “amen” in Jesus Christ.

Lord Jesus Christ,
Fill me with thy Spirit that I may be occupied with his presence.
I am blind – send him to make me see;
dark – let him say, ‘Let there be light’!
May he give me faith to behold my name engraved in thy hand,
my soul and body redeemed by thy blood,
my sinfulness covered by the life of pure obedience.
Replenish me by his revealing grace,
that I may realise my indissoluble union with thee;
that I may know thou hast espoused me to thyself for ever,
in righteousness, love, mercy, faithfulness;
that I am one with thee, as a branch with its stock,
as a building with its foundation.
May his comforts cheer me in my sorrows,
his strength sustain me in my trials,
his blessings revive me in my weariness,
his presence render me a fruitful tree of holiness,
his might establish me in peace and joy,
his incitements make me ceaseless in prayer,
his animation kindle in me undying devotion.
Send him as the searcher of my heart,
to show me more of my corruptions and helplessness
that I may flee to thee, cling to thee, rest on thee,
as the beginning and end of my salvation.
May I never vex him by my indifference and waywardness,
grieve him by my cold welcome, resist him by my hard rebellion.
Answer my prayers, O Lord, for thy great name’s sake.
“The Spirit of Jesus” from The Valley of Vision

https://youtu.be/z-yJ3xMVUDI?si=HekaCKpoSOPx0E8G Whate’er My God Ordains Is Right

May 11, 2025

May 11, 2025 -- Philippians 3:16 -- Hold True

May 11, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Only let us hold true to what we have attained.
Philippians 3:16 ESV

In the original language to hold true means to walk in rows. That sounds weird until you realize it is military imagery. Soldiers walk together in rows. They guard one another. They hold one another accountable as each one is alert, scanning for any signs of the enemy. The enemy can be lurking nearby, ready to attack guerilla warfare style, so soldiers, together, keep their eyes open. They rely on one another, guarding each other from surprise attacks. Their greater confidence is always in the Captain of Salvation, Jesus, Who has made Paul, and all of us, His own. God has appointed us for life. God has given to us our Warrior-King, Jesus, the Captain of Salvation. This Captain will not lose even one of those entrusted to His care by the Father (John 6:39).

Soldiers fight a common enemy. They have been trained hard to know the tactics of the enemy. Think of how the devil works. He misquotes scripture so that most of what he says is true, but there is a twist in it which makes the soldier question the goodness of God. Or makes the soldier question if maybe God is withholding something good and pleasurable from him. Soldiers who stand together can defend one another, pointing out the Devil’s wicked schemes. One soldier who may be enticed by a lie will be quickly awakened from the spell of the Devil by another soldier who is not tempted in the same way.

Soldiers hold the ground they have already won in battle. They stand row upon row, in rank, following the orders of the captain of salvation and do not yield what has already been taken. This is the point that Paul made earlier he presses on. He sees the goal, which is the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, and he refuses to back down. He is in prison for his faith. He would not compromise his faith. To the eyes of the world it might seem like a defeat, a warrior in the enemy’s prison. But Paul is standing firm in the faith and look what is happening: “what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ” (Philippians 1:13). What a glorious testimony. What assurance. He is spending time under arrest and by the grace of God fellow soldiers are with him: Timothy and Epaphroditus. Under those circumstances Paul will not let himself be defeated, nor will he lose hope, even under these dire circumstances. The enemy can not break him.

The fruit of righteousness, named in Philippians 1:11, is modeled here as well. As Paul stands true for Jesus, he is not compromising. He will not let himself get twisted by his circumstances. Epaphroditus nearly died for the work of the gospel (2:30). Timothy must soon depart in order to give the Philippians an update. But the three soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ did not despair. They did not give up on our precious faith. The fruit of righteousness matured within them as they faced tremendous hardship in the strength of Jesus Christ. Again, it is critical that you see the verses 12-16 together. Jesus has made Paul His own. Because these men belong to Jesus, He, the Captain of Salvation, knows them, guards them, using their gifts and skills for His holy purposes. The Captain of Salvation, having rescued them from the clutches of the enemy will not let them fall away. He, the Father, Who began a good work in these men (1:6) by the accomplished work of Jesus, will guard these men, giving them the help of the Holy Spirit. The fruit of righteousness enables believers to remain confident in God’s good purposes, even in the hardest and darkest days of battle. The fierce dedication of the Warrior-King inspires the men to dedicated allegiance to Him and a willingness to die for Him. The Warrior-King will guard His people in life, in battle, and through the final battle of death and bring them triumphant, into the presence of God, our glorious and great Father.

O LORD GOD, of infinite mercy, we beseech thee to look in compassion upon Christ’s church now involved in war. Pardon our offenses, our pride and arrogance, our self-sufficiency and forgetfulness of thee. Give wisdom to our counsellors, skill to our officers, courage and endurance to our sailors, soldiers, and airmen, and all who guard our shores. Look in mercy on those immediately exposed to peril, to conflict, sickness, and death. Be with the dying; give to them true repentance and unfeigned trust in thee; and in the day of judgment, good Lord, deliver them. Finally, we beseech thee to remove in they good providence all causes and occasions of war; to dispose our hearts and the hearts of our enemies to moderation; and of they great goodness to restore peace among the nations; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

“A PRAYER IN TIME OF WAR” Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces, page 31, 1950. Where this prayer has Christ’s church, the original wording was “our nation”

https://youtu.be/_jjCdKey4zg?si=hu312fLxzt93VQfA Reformation Song

May 09, 2025

May 9, 2025 -- Galatians 1:3-5 -- Rescue from the present evil age

May 09, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Galatians 1:3-5 ESV

Breathlessly the news was announced “There is a new pope!” And newscasters were tumbling over themselves to note he was an American Cardinal. It is grievous, but important, to note a few things.

First, he is not the catholic pope—catholic is a technical word that describes all those people who belong to the church of Jesus, people from the beginning of time to Jesus’s return. So, he is the Roman Catholic Pope. The leader of a denomination which is headquartered out of the Vatican, in Rome.
Second, he has titles which are blasphemous. One of his titles is the Vicar of Jesus Christ. That is so profoundly blasphemous because it claims this man is the minister to Jesus. This is in direction violation of the Word of God which teaches the Holy Spirit alone is the vicar of Jesus Christ.
Third, the Roman Catholic Church teaches heretical doctrines. An example is the belief there are men and women who are so good in their obedience to God their works exceed what God requires. This is called supererogation. Roman Catholic Church dogma teaches that the Pope holds those extra credits and can apply them to people who need extra grace. Which points to another heretical teaching. Roman Catholics believe that after death, punishment is still required in purgatory. No such teaching exists in the Bible. Added to this, Roman Catholics believe indulgences (that is, the extra credits earned by saints) are applied to persons at the discretion of the Pope which shorten a person’s time in purgatory. It is beyond nonsense. This teaching denies the fully accomplished work of Jesus as our Savior, Who delivers us from the present evil age.
Fourth, the disputed title of Mary as the co-mediatrix of grace and blessing has not been explicitly renounced. There are prominent Roman Catholics who attribute to Mary some of the mediatorial, that is, prayer-work, of Jesus. She, like you and me, needs the saving work of Jesus Christ. In no sense whatsoever can she share in any of Jesus’ work. It is beyond description vile to attribute to Mary what belongs to Jesus alone. In Scripture, Mary is appropriately honoured. Roman Catholic believers place Mary on a pedestal and so give to her glory which belongs to God alone.

Why mention such things? Jesus has come to rescue us from the present evil age. The present evil age includes media, and social influencers who were all excited about a pope who leads millions away from the truth of Jesus Christ.

This present evil age includes individual Christians who need to repent of their sins. Church leaders of every denomination, and Christians in the pews, must continually reform their minds in the light of the Bible and renew obedience to Jesus Christ as He truly is. That means believers constantly resist forming a caricature of Jesus or of his teachings. It is easier to serve a Jesus Who is not so holy, or perfect. The Spirit leads believers to know Him and worship Him as He is.

This present evil age includes the corruption that infects people at all levels of governments, and bureaucrats in every place. Christians are not to be dismissive of political leaders and governments. No! In obedience to the word, go to God in prayer for their leaders and members of government. Those appointed to rule are given such positions at God’s command. Some leaders are appointed to punish wicked nations for their sinfulness, some leaders to bless those who are faithful—all men and women in leadership are imperfect and urgently in need of our prayers.

The point is believers from every church group and denomination and in every place are by their words, life, and worship to bring glory to God forever. Our lives are not our own. Christians are named followers of Jesus Christ. As such, we do not pick and choose what to believe, our orthodox belief must lead to orthopraxy (actions which flow from correct belief).

Mighty God of wisdom and glory, keep us from distorting the gospel or deserting Jesus in favor of a different gospel. By the powerful work of Your Spirit within us, lead us to know Jesus as He is revealed in the Bible. Spirit of the Living God, conform our thoughts and direct our actions to be fully in line with the teachings of Jesus. Jesus, Who is the radiance of the Father’s glory and the Father’s final prophet, priest, and king leading us into all wholeness and holiness. Amen.

https://youtu.be/8wfhhFHMgxY?si=t9iXJMwX5AphIP8y Jesus is Mine

May 07, 2025

May 7, 2025 -- Psalm 133 -- Tourist or Citizen?

May 07, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore.
Psalm 133 ESV

To dwell in unity means to live together, sit together, spend time together. It is a wonderful expression; I am not sure it captures what is going on in our churches today. Listen to the musings of Elyse Fitzpatrick on this very topic:
A number of years ago, my husband and I had the wonderful opportunity to
vacation in Europe. In about three and a half weeks we visited thirteen
different nations. When we’d enter a country, we’d get our passports stamped,
exchange currencies, learn a few key phrases, and then off we’d go to visit
the natives. We’d wander through outdoor markets, peruse museums, sample
the cuisine. We’d exchange a few niceties with the locals, sit on the steps of
cathedrals, watch the life of the town go by, take a picture or two, and
purchase a little something to remind us of our time there, and then we were
off. We had a wonderful vacation. Our hearts weren’t changed in any
significant ways by our little visits, but then they weren’t meant to be. We
were tourists. It seems to me that what I’ve just described is very close to many
people’s understanding of the congregational life of the local church. On any
given Sunday, or better yet, Saturday night, many tourists can be found in
church. They pop in for forty-five minutes or an hour, sing a chorus or two,
exchange niceties with the locals: “Hi! How are you?” “Fine! How are you?
Fine! Nice fellowshipping with you!” They sample some of the local cuisine,
they might purchase a book or CD to remind them of their visit, and then they
race to their cars to get to their favorite restaurant before the rush or home
before the game. For many people, church is simply a place to go once a week.
It is about being a tourist, and our land is filled with tourist-friendly churches.
Pop in, pop out, do your religious thing, catch ya later!
E. Fitzpatrick as quoted in B. Bigney “Gospel Treason:
Betraying the Gospel with Hidden Idols” page 189

Strikes a chord, doesn’t it? For us to be transformed by the Gospel we must be prepared to listen to Bible-based preaching. Meet with brothers and sisters through-out the week for prayer, for encouragement, for debriefing on how we are walking out the talk of our faith. We can’t be tourists. We must be citizens of the new kingdom that is ours in Christ.

Father in heaven I confess how often I am a church tourist, rather than a citizen in the Kingdom of Your Son. I admit how often I deflect well-meaning questions of fellow Christians, so that I can skim the surface of my faith. Spirit of the Living God, direct me more deeply into intentional community, where Jesus is adored, honoured in the lives of His people. Bring me into the fellowship of those who long to know Jesus and humbly serve Him. Among such help us to remove hindrances to such deep relationship with Him. Expose our idols and all false concepts of Christianity, so they can be expelled from our lives. Blessed Jesus, cause me to be one who invites brothers and sisters to dwell in sweet and pleasant unity. Amen.

https://youtu.be/kOQ9FM5gtjU?si=21NL4hL73arVx-Lu Psalm 133 Song

May 06, 2025

May 6, 2025 -- Philippians 4:5b-7 -- What true peace is based upon

May 06, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5b-7 ESV

Well, memorization is, um, a fail at this point. I mark it down on my schedule, every day, but don’t actually do it. No excuses. It is hard work to fight my flesh and push against the inertia of it. Why confess it? Because I haven’t forgotten it. I need to rouse my conscience and get at it again. I want to put the word of God into my heart that I might not sin against God (as Psalm 119:11).

If you are keeping track, this is the third time we’re looking at this passage. First, we noted the Lord, Jesus, is at hand. He is returning soon to bring His just judgment on all the earth, and He is near to us in proximity. Next, we looked at the need we have for urgent, daily prayer. Now, having recalled the context, we’ll look at verse 7.

It is easy to cherry-pick the Bible (by the way, I’d use the expression to peach-pick, because I like those way, totally more, than cherries, ahem, back to the point). Cherry-picking is to choose a verse here and another verse there, as if the Bible were a huge smorgasbord of tastes and flavours. The fact is, the Bible hangs together. The peace of God that we long for is not something separate from the nearness of Jesus Christ. If the presence of Jesus is not sweet to you, then the peace of Christ cannot be dear to you. Peace is not some free-floating experience to be enjoyed away from God. Peace is anchored in the awareness of the glorious nearness of God.

His peace, that is calm in the face of life’s storm, wholeness within oneself not dependent on the approval of others but granted by the knowledge of God’s love given to you, His peace is granted to you by the presence of the Holy Spirit within you. His peace is granted to you as you pray, urgently pleading with God, to know Him, to walk in step with Him. Peace is granted when the things of this world are counted as rubbish for the sake of knowing Jesus and the power of His resurrection. Remember Paul is writing to encourage the Philippians while he himself is in prison! He is filled with peace, though he dislikes his circumstances, he has the great assurance God is working in and through his incarceration to bring blessing to others.

Faithful Father, I confess I don’t know the peace I could because I am not urgently pleading to know You as I should. Spirit of God, help me to lay aside every weight and burden of sin, to toss off anything that would hinder my fuller, deeper knowledge of Jesus Christ. Knowing Him I can face the sorrows and joys, the plenty and lean times, the ease and persecution times fully aware that I am precious to You, God, in Whom is all my treasure. Amen.

https://youtu.be/oxpPIa-BskY?si=R08CyeVU6RXz3iw4 All I Once Held Dear

May 05, 2025

May 5, 2025 -- John 9:35-41 -- Spiritual blindness and spiritual sight

May 05, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”
Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”
Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.
John 9:35-41 ESV

Jesus healed a born who’d been born blind. The religious leaders of the day questioned the man and threw him out of the temple. The formerly blind man did not know who had healed him. When Jesus revealed Himself to him, as you read, the now seeing man worshiped Jesus. The miracle highlighted something important: the difference between spiritual sight and spiritual blindness.

Read on and see what J. Beeke writes about spiritual sight and blindness:
Have you ever felt so spiritually blind that you could not see the danger
you were in? Did you cry to God for spiritual sight? Are you still
spiritually blind today? How can you know for sure?
God offers us great realities in his Word. He offers us the realities of
Himself, sin, heaven, hell, and eternity. By nature, we are blind to those.
We are blind to the threats of God against the heinousness of sin. We are
blind when the curses of the broken law do not terrify us, when the
promises of the gospel do not touch us, and when we see no beauty in
Christ to long for him. We are blind when we see no glory in the gospel,
no value in salvation, and no beauty in holiness.
In spirit of all our material goods, we are spiritually poor when we are
spiritually blind. Too often, however, we don’t realize that.
Joel R. Beeke, “Contagious Christian Living” page 36

O Fountain of all good,
Destroy in me every lofty thought,
Break pride to pieces and scatter it to the winds,
Annihilate each clinging shred of self-righteousness,
Implant in me true lowliness of spirit,
Abase me to self-loathing and self-abhorrence,
Open in me a fount of penitential tears,
Break me, then bind me up;
Thus will my heart be a prepared dwelling for my God;
Then can the Father take up his abode in me,
Then can the blessed Jesus come with healing in his touch,
Then can the Holy Spirit descend in sanctifying grace;
O Holy Trinity, three Persons and one God,
inhabit me, a temple consecrated to thy glory.
When thou art present, evil cannot abide;
In thy fellowship is fullness of joy,
Beneath thy smile is peace of conscience,
By thy side no fears disturb, no apprehensions banish rest of mind,
With thee my heart shall bloom with fragrance;
Make me meet, through repentance, for thine indwelling.
Nothing exceeds thy power,
Nothing is too great for thee to do,
Nothing too good for thee to give.
Infinite is thy might, boundless thy love, limitless thy grace,
glorious thy saving name.
Let angels sing for sinners repenting, prodigals restored,
backsliders reclaimed, Satan’s captives released,
blind eyes opened, broken hearts bound up,
the despondent cheered, the self-righteous stripped,
the formalist driven from a refuge of lies,
the ignorant enlightened,
and saints built up in their holy faith.
I ask great things of a great God.
Valley of Vision: “The Great God”

https://youtu.be/clqdCXxqYvI?si=ZaG0mK7GEGSEawch Be Thou My Vision

May 04, 2025

May 4, 2025 -- Philippians 5b-7 -- Knowing the nearness of the Lord

May 04, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5b-7 ESV

Because the Lord is near—physically and Jesus’s return is nearing in time—we do not need to be anxious about anything. Our lives are anchored in Jesus Christ. When something comes up in our lives and we find ourselves struggling in some way or another, we go to Jesus in prayer. There is in fact a double emphasis here, as believers are commanded to pray and then to pray with urgency asking from God the supply necessary help to face whatever hardship, challenge or persecutions are enveloping them.

Believers will suffer for the sake of knowing Jesus and His righteousness. In the previous chapter Paul noted that by any means possible he would attain the resurrection from the dead. He would have to put off his old nature. He would have to deny the lusts of his flesh. He would have to fight the temptations the world presents to him. He will have to remain steadfast and true, even when fellow believers lose their enthusiasm and refuse to engage wholeheartedly in the walk with Jesus. All of that is in addition to the fact that the world hates Jesus and refuses to walk with Him with integrity and truth. Living as a believer who has attained the resurrection from the dead requires holy vigilance over your life.

Dear friends, we need fellow believers. The predominant picture that Jesus paints of our new life in Him is that of family. When believers are united to Jesus by the Holy Spirit, we become brothers and sisters. Our biological ties are far less significant than the unity which is ours through the presence of the Holy Spirit. When we encounter brutal and bitter hardship because of our union with Jesus, that supplication becomes something which draws believers together. The hardship brings the fellowship of urgent, pleading prayer to God. Rising from those times of prayer, believers know a deeper unity. Rising from those times of prayer believers have a greater, Spirit-fueled confidence in the on-going work of Jesus.

Get to a Bible-believing, preaching, and engaging gathering of believers. Fight the inclination to stay home. Fight the urge to remain isolated or alone. The Lord is at hand—as you rejoice in this knowledge share such joy with others. The Lord is at hand—if you are wrestling to experience this, get to church and supplicate with fellow believers for the awareness of His nearness.

Father in heaven, thank You that by the work of Jesus Christ we are Your beloved sons and daughters. Thank You for the unity which is preserved in us by the Holy Spirit. Teach us to pray. Deepen our prayer life so that the urgency matches the need, and the leisure prayers stretch out to delight in Your goodness and find true times of refreshing in Your presence. Amen.

https://youtu.be/9zGbdg1YCYY?si=H8fcFi_oTyPnYGJi Afflicted Saint to Christ Draw Near

May 02, 2025

May 2, 2025 -- Philippians 4:5b-7 -- In what sense is the Lord near?

May 02, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:5b-7 ESV

That first sentence can also read, the Lord is near, physically. His Spirit lives in you. As was promised in John 14, where Jesus told His disciples when He ascended to heaven He’d give His followers the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the Helper. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth. The Holy Spirit teaches believers all things. The Holy Spirit, Who lived in Jesus’s humanity without measure, is the same Holy Spirit living in you. Always directing you to Jesus.

Then there is also the sense the Lord is near, that is, He is about to return to judge the living and the dead. Believers live with the glorious awareness that Jesus Christ is ready to return. He will judge the nations. He will execute His Father’s justice with such precision that every wrong will be set right. He is close, the trumpet will soon sound, and the Lord will descend. At that moment all battle weary soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ will know the war against the sins of our own flesh, the battle against the enemy, and fighting the wicked cravings of the world and its rebellion against God will be terminated. Jesus will even put an end to death itself, the final enemy. Then all the wicked will be cast into hell. Their endless torments there will be fitting, suited to their venomous hatred of God in this life. Believers, those who rejoice in the Lord’s nearness, will be brought to the new heavens and the new earth to live in the glorious presence of radiant Savior.

It is the nearness of the Lord, in both senses, which keeps us from anxiety. We are not fearful about mending fences with those who are fellow Christians, but are prepared, in so much as it depends on us, to live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:18). We are not worried; will Jesus love me? Our citizenship is already in heaven, and we await the Savior from there (Phil. 3:20). Whoever is in government, no matter how close or far from our values that government is, our confidence is not in human institutions, we know Jesus is the ruler (Psalm 2). Whatever might lead us to fearfulness is plunged beneath the assurance that Jesus is at hand.

Speak to Him. Share with Him all your fears. Preach to your soul your complete confidence in Him. Read the word so that your faith in Him grows commensurate with your Bible-fed knowledge of Him. Dear fellow believer, in this world you will have trouble, or persecution, in John 16:33 Jesus told His followers as much. The verses set before you today are not to be pulled out when you can’t find a parking space at near the entrance of the mall, or your online ordered product isn’t delivered on the exact day we demanded it; no! When your life is squeezed because you are holding onto Jesus with all your strength and the world despises your for it, know He is near. All wrongs, all sin, and all wickedness will be perfectly, eternally, answered by Christ the King. Now, go and serve Jesus.

Father in heaven I confess how unwillingly I suffer for the Name of Jesus. I hesitate to confess my sins. I dodge the compunction of the Holy Spirit, far more prepared to see the sins of others and thus obscuring my own reckless, faithless behavior. I am unwilling to own my part in conflicts with others, disobedient to the command in so much as it depends on me to be living at peace with all men. I avoid suffering for Jesus at work, or school, or in the public forums, not speaking up and confessing His Name. Father, forgive me. Lead me in the paths of righteousness and as You have promised, strengthen me by Your Holy Spirit so that in all my words, my deeds, and my associations I shine brightly for Christ my King. Spirit of Truth, remind me that the Lord is at hand and in such deep assurance help me to be renewed in my obedient walk with Jesus as I live, declaring His Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tveOMT65mO8?si=d3HWYFofMlljQZkW Close to Thee

April 30, 2025

April 30, 2025 -- Philippians 4:5 -- Reasonableness--what is that?

April 30, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.
Philippians 4:5 ESV

Odd word reasonableness. In I Timothy 3:3 it is translated as gentle. That is helpful. It can be translated as equitable, or fairness. What is the point? Life is filled with controversy, with differing opinions, and conflict. Even dear friends can get engaged in hard battles. Sometimes when reconciled, the friends will look back and examine what happened, somewhat embarrassed, shake their heads and say, “Is that little thing the matter that divided us?” In our life together with others, how often we seek to bully our way forward. It is easier than kind words. It is faster than patiently working with others. But that is not the way of those who rejoice in Jesus Christ.

Gentleness is having power to act, even overwhelm an opponent, but to restrain oneself so that exactly the right force and energy are used to suit each situation and bring reconciliation or expose the matter which might properly divide people. Consider the reasonableness of Omnipotent God. He could crush you just with His gaze. Instead, He applies precisely the right circumstances, hardships, discipline and suffering so that His child will be broken of his addiction to sin and made vulnerable enough to receive His grace. Yet, God’s reasonableness also exposes recalcitrant sinners, who buck against Him and refuse to yield. There are people who will fight the revealed grace and mercy of God all the way to hell.

In fact, one’s reasonableness would, for the original readers, likely draw them back to Philippians 2, where believers are urged to humbly count one another as more significant than themselves. It is the attitude of Jesus Christ. He by His reasonableness, won unruly disciples to Himself. However, there are people in Scripture who encountered Jesus’s reasonableness, but refused Him and turned away (the Rich Young Ruler is one example, Matthew 19:16-30). By His patient gentleness, Jesus answered crowds trying to trick Him and get Him to betray the faith. In every instance, Jesus astonished people by His powerful preaching and His ability to address hard truth, doing so not to overwhelm or bully them.

O Saviour of sinners,
You name is excellent, Your glory high,
Your compassions unfailing, Your condescension wonderful, Your mercy tender.
I bless You for the discoveries, invitations, promises of the gospel
for in them is pardon for rebels, liberty for captives,
health for the sick, salvation for the lost.
I come to You in Your beloved name of Jesus;
re-impress Your image upon my soul;
Raise me above the smiles and frowns of the world,
regarding it as a light thing to be judged by men;
May Your ^approbation be my only aim,
Your Word my one rule.
Make me to abhor that which grieves Your Holy Spirit,
to suspect consolations of a worldly nature,
to shun a careless way of life, to reprove evil,
to instruct with meekness those who oppose me,
to be gentle and patient towards all men,
to be not only a professor but an example of the gospel,
displaying in every relation, office, and condition its excellency,
loveliness and advantages.
How little have I illustrated my principles and improved my privileges!
How seldom I served my generation!
How often have I injured and not recommended my Redeemer!
How few are those blessed through me!
In many things I have offended, in all come short of Your glory;
Pardon my iniquity, for it is great. Amen
“Living for Jesus” Valley of Vision

^approbation is approval or praise

https://youtu.be/Ty8tw7ydxB4?si=erMzwJuHQmB5KaRg My Hope is Built on Nothing Less

April 29, 2025

April 29, 2025 -- I John 5:21 -- Keep yourselves from idols

April 29, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

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

When my family lived in South Carolina, my brother-in-law helped me to install
an inground sprinkler system in my front yard. I’d go out on the front porch and
turn a little knob, and all around the yard, black plastic sprinkler heads would pop
up. I never ran back into the house and said, “Kids, get out of bed! This is so cool!
I turned the knob, and all these black plastic heads just popped up out of nowhere!”
No—they had always been there. They were recessed in the ground, and it just
took enough pressure, water pressure in this case, to run through the lines and
pop them up.
The same is true with your heart. Your idols are recessed in your heart; you’re just
not aware of it. Then pressure comes, pops them up, and they do their thing, and
you say, “Man, this is ugly. How did this happen? Where did this come from?
Whoa!”
But these idols were there the whole time. And so God in his mercy brings
pressure into our lives so that the idols can be exposed and we can repent and
really get free. So what are some of the pressures that God allows into our lives
to expose the idols of our hearts?
Brad Bigney, Gospel Treason: betraying the gospel with hidden idols, page 152

Dear family in God, perhaps today, after the election, a set of idols have been exposed. The pressure of the last few weeks of election talk has raised the formerly recessed idols in your heart. So, like those little sprinkler heads, now the idols just pop up. Some of you now have had exposed in your heart the idol of confidence in human institutions rather than the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Others of you may have now seen that the idol which grips you heart is their pride in thinking you know what is best for a riding, or a province or a country. Inevitably, the idol of pride and needing to be right will be rearing its ugly presence as some gloat over the results and others grieve.

Be confident in this, God is in charge. The reign of Jesus the King is undiminished. The Spirit gives you the eyes of faith to see this and live with confidence. In view of the radiant majesty of God, give to Him the glory and praise. Confess your idols. Confess your misguided idolatry. Serve your King, the magnificent Jesus seated in splendour at the right hand of the Father and live as a citizen of heaven.

Father in heaven, the political pressures of the last few weeks have exposed fractures and fissures among Your people. Hopes and aspirations grounded in politics, or in men and women, rather than solely in Jesus have been exposed. Lead us in the way everlasting so that we, as Your Kingdom citizens live with the unshakeable confidence that Jesus is our everlasting King. Grant us the eyes of faith, brightened by the Spirit, so that believers can discern how to continue to walk with Jesus demonstrating great integrity exercised with compassion. Amen.

https://youtu.be/TxC16duiHvQ?si=lF0xBfLT8n0SOw8a O Lord, My Rock and My Redeemer

April 28, 2025

April 28, 2025 -- Philippians 4:4 -- Back to the theme: rejoice!

April 28, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Rejoice in the Lord always, again I will say, rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 ESV

The word rejoice is used eight times in this brief letter to the Philippians. There are cognates which increase that count as well. Paul is writing from prison, suffering, and yet he is calling on those he writes to “rejoice!”. It is a command.

Euodia and Syntyche (4:2) are not in agreement in the Lord—they are to rejoice—such rejoicing will bring them back to unity in whole-hearted service to God.

Your citizenship is in heaven (3:20) therefore, rejoice! Whatever ills and troubles await youhere on earth, know your short lifespan here will be so gloriously outweighed by the eternity of splendour in the presence of your Lord and King.

You have died to sin, died to the things of this world, died to whatever the world considers excellent or good and we count these all as loss so that you may know the resurrection power of Jesus (3:11). The resurrection power of Jesus reveals to you the vanity of the things of this world. The resurrection power of Jesus confirms this world is dying, but there is fullness of life in Christ that continually grows, expands and increases. It is wonder upon amazement to follow Jesus. By His Spirit believers have the power needed to defeat sin and live for Jesus. Rejoice!

Rich or poor, employed or unemployed, healthy or sick, young or old, hard-pressed in circumstances or enjoying mountain-top delights rejoice because God Who began a good work in you will bring it to completion (1:6).

Your ability to rejoice is not based on anything except this rock-solid foundation: you belong to Jesus.

Grant, Almighty God, that as we were from our beginning lost, when you were pleased to extend to us your hand, and to restore us to salvation for the sake of your Son; and that as we continue even daily to run headlong to our own ruin, - O grant that we may not, by sinning so often, so provoke at length your displeasure as to cause you to take away from us the mercy which you had previously exercised towards us, and through which you have adopted us: but by your Spirit destroy the wickedness of our heart, and restore us to a sound mind, that we may ever cling to you with a true and sincere heart, that being fortified by your defence, we may continue safe even amidst all kinds of danger, until at length you gather us into that blessed rest, which has been prepared for us in heaven by our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
From John Calvin’s prayers in his commentary on Hosea.

https://youtu.be/KcFKZlxX2Gw?si=vKlp5JRRGMn1gyk0 Loving My Jesus

April 27, 2025

April 27, 2025 -- Jeremiah 17:9 -- Guide and Guard your heart

April 27, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

The heart is deceitful above all things,
and desperately sick;
who can understand it?
Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

People in our world consider their heart to be pure. Our world urges people, if you have a difficult decision, do a heart check. That is never the advice of the Bible. A popular preacher used to quip, “If I go to a church and a minister says, ‘I just want to share what is on my heart.’ I want to get up and leave. Because I know what’s in a man’s heart. It is deceitful.” How do we escape the constant stream of bad insight and terrible impulses of the deceitful heart? Brad Bigney offers two Biblical imperatives: guide your heart; guard your heart.

Proverbs 23:19 teaches “guide your heart in the way”. The word of God often speaks to believers, telling them to walk in the way of the LORD. Jesus tells His disciples, “Follow Me.” If it seems hard, contrary to what is comfortable, then it is likely the right way to go.

Proverbs 4:23 teaches “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (NIV). To guard your heart is to be suspicious of all worldly influences. Guarding your heart means preaching to it from the Word so that it is instructed in righteousness, holiness and the knowledge of God (all things that the untutored, deceitful heart, hates).

The point is, you are not helpless, powerless, cowing under the mastery of your heart. You are Spirit-powered, Word-driven, children of the Living God. Jesus Christ has taken hold of you and shepherds you. Do not shrug your shoulders as if you’re helpless and defenseless and must buckle under every influence of your wayward heart. Be confident that Jesus, Who commands you, “Follow Me” will also give you the desire and the ability to do so.

Get to church, attend where you know the Word is preached.
Pray—asking the Spirit to help you guide your heart and guard it.
Meet with fellow Christians for encouragement and accountability.
Confess your sins. What is kept secret will fester and grow.
Seek on-going spiritual direction, Seek a mentor so that you do not lose your zeal or wander too far off course without clear direction back to the way of Christ.

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have promised to answer the requests that we bring you in the name of your beloved Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and we are also instructed by his teaching and that of his Apostles to gather in his name with the promise that he will be in our midst and be our Intercessor before you, that we might receive all things for which we agree on earth.
Finally, be pleased from now on to sustain us by your power, that we might not stumble in the weakness of our flesh. And as we are so feeble in ourselves that we cannot stand firm for a minute, and as we are also continually surrounded and assailed by so many enemies, and as the devil, the World, sin, and our own flesh do not cease to make war against us, be pleased to strengthen us by your Holy Spirit and to equip us with your graces that we may continually resist all temptations, and persevere in this spiritual battle until we attain full victory, that at last we may triumph finally in your kingdom with our Captain and Protector, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen."
from website: Historic Prayer—John Calvin
https://youtu.be/FAK2SaKQ1NQ?si=scf19QvfYTV1DAKV A Christian’s Daily Prayer

April 26, 2025

April 26, 2025 -- Philippians 4:2-3 -- Agree in the Lord

April 26, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

I entreat Euodia and I entreat Syntyche to agree in the Lord. 3 Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Philippians 4:2-3 ESV

When you work on memorizing, then there will word-echoes that happen in your brain. Because you’re training your brain to memorize, words you’ve learned in other books of the bible, or phrases that are repeated from earlier passages in the same book or letter, will cause you to pause and say, I’ve heard that before. It is expected. The Bible was written for people who lived in an oral culture. Books, so readily available now, were rare in those days. But passages read out loud and reread had internal verbal cues which made them easier to put into memory.

The two women, Euodia and Syntyche, are being asked to come alongside of Paul. Not so much to focus on their areas of disagreement with one another, but to display their loyalty to Paul and by that loyalty show ultimate loyalty to Christ, the One Whom Paul serves. What is he asking these ladies?

Literally the Greek reads “to be of one mind”. If you have been memorizing, then your brain will sound off: that expression occurs in two other places in this letter. Paul! First where Paul commands the believers in Philippi to let their lives be worthy of the gospel of Christ, and to stand firm in one spirit, with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel (1:27). Then again, as it is repeated you hear the emphasis, “complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Have this mind among yourselves which is yours in Christ Jesus” (2:3-5). In all our dealings with others, in all our disagreements and conflicts, the issue is not to win the other person over to your view. The goal is that both of you be reconciled to Christ in all things. To have one mind is to be humble before Jesus and prepared to be humble enough to approach one another in sincere love for Christ so that conflicts can end.

Here’s how conflicts end, unity which is ours in Christ through His sacrifice on the cross and confirmed by His resurrection, is given to believers through the gift of the Holy Spirit, Who lives in every believer. Spirit-fueled unity in Christ is the gift of the Spirit and having been given requires the believer to implement this unity and work it out into every area of life lived among fellow believers.

Paul commends the women, he notes they have laboured side by side with him in the gospel. He is also asking another person to assist, “I ask you also, true companion, help these women”. Some have speculated that true companion could be a proper name, so it would read “loyal Syzygus”. Or that person, so well-known as a leader in the church, has the friendly nickname loyal friend who pulls the plow with Paul. The translation from the Greek into English leaves out this play on words. The women were pulling in different directions, but this man is pulling in the same direction as Paul, and perhaps he can assist the women to head back in the same direction.

Note the kindness of the tone through-out these two verses. I used to think Paul was calling out these women and shaming them. But the more I rehearse this passage, repeating it to put it into memory, the more I hear the kindness of Paul. He notes both these women have their names written in the book of life. Wow. That is awesome. Both have laboured side by side with Paul in gospel work. What a commendation. Paul is urging someone who is respected in the Philippian church, a known fellow-worker with Paul, thus with Paul a fellow servant of Christ, who is of one mind with him, now to help these women. The goal is not to win or lose an argument but help the women to agree in the Lord. Each will correct their attitude, their love, their affection and sympathy so that it is in line with Christ. They are to be of one mind, having one love, that is, a love which is zealous for Jesus.

My God—my Father and Preserver—who of your goodness has watched over me during the past night, and brought me to this day, grant also that I may spend it wholly in the worship and service of your most holy deity.
Let me not think, or say, or do a single thing which tends not to your service and submission to your will, that thus all my actions may aim at your glory and the salvation of my brethren, while they are taught by my example to serve you.
And as you are giving light to this world for the purposes of external life by the rays of the sun, so enlighten my mind by the effulgence of your Spirit, that he may guide me in the way of your righteousness.
To whatever purpose I apply my mind, may the end which I ever propose to myself be your honor and service.
John Calvin, opening paragraphs of “Prayer before the Day” as translated by Henry Beveridge

https://youtu.be/L2QvFKKCzzs?si=pgGpgLYtTTn6yADJ Guide Me O Thou Great Jehovah

April 25, 2025

April 25, 2025 -- Romans 3:21-26 -- Grace. (revised and reprinted from 1 year ago)

April 25, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26 ESV

You might already be very familiar with verse 23, but look closely at verse 24, sinners are justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. There is a double emphasis here. Grace is unmerited favor. It is not earned. So, the word grace itself already communicates the fact it is God’s loving, patient disposition toward His people. So grace, by definition, is a gift. However, Paul can't help himself. He underlines it. He calls the justification of sinners God's grace as a gift. It is His divine choice to be show His people good will, instead of the punishment and wrath they so richly deserve. Grace is the profound kindness of God which draws believers back from their sins and by His Spirit working brings them back to Himself. Grace is God’s blessing poured out into every of the life of each one of His people.

When you know the kindness of God and even so have chosen to rebel, and the Spirit makes you aware of your sinfulness, so that you turn from it and run back to God. That is grace.
When you review all your sins, know all your weaknesses, and realize there isn’t anything in you that could ever commend you to God, yet the Word of God teaches you He has set His love on you. That is grace.
When you strive to do good, and your work and words fall short, but the Spirit teaches you that God is not frowning in heaven, but by the blood of Jesus Christ you are wearing the good works of Jesus as your mantle, that is grace.
Grace is the blessing of God, given constantly, steadily, unstintingly, on your life.
Grace is communicated to you by the Spirit’s powerful presence in your life, through the preaching of the Gospel, and the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Grace is communicated to you where there is Christian discipline unto repentance exercised in your local Christian church.

The response to such great grace is a life of praise and thanksgiving to God. Renewed, and ever renewing, desire to respond to grace with acts of loving obedience to God and this by the power of the Holy Spirit. The response to such great grace is a life that shines for Jesus and attracts unbelievers, who see in you great purpose, strength and the favour of God.

Our Father in heaven may Your Name be honoured and adored forever—on earth as in heaven above. Thank You for the free gift of Your amazing grace given to Your people through Jesus Christ. Father in heaven let Your Spirit hold us by the spout where Your grace continually pours out and the kingdom of Christ is all about us. Amen.

https://youtu.be/odKxftGhVRE?si=Fd_B2PbAUgtGRdkl The King in All His Beauty

April 24, 2025

Ap[ril 24, 2025 -- Psalm 119:103 -- Training our Desires

April 24, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
Psalm 119:103 ESV

It is 11:30am local time and I am tasting my very first sip of coffee for today. Those of you who know me know that is very odd indeed. My usual routine is coffee, first thing, along with my morning devotions. Today is a travel day. Between travel arrangements and deadlines and packing well, the first coffee had to wait. Let me tell you, it was so sweet to take that first sip.
There are many things in life that can be described as sweeter than honey. A perfect sunset after a perfect day. Hearing your child say, “I’m okay” (and that after hearing loud clashes and bang in the other room). The end of a busy day when you are home and unexpectedly in the background your favorite music begins to play. It is quiet in the house, and you can just sink back into your chair and delight in it. Or, you have been on a wilderness trek. After many hours you find you are still a long way from being back at your car, and you’re without food or water. A kind stranger seeing your distress, hands you a sealed water bottle. There is that satisfying crack of the seal and you quench your thirst.

The point the Psalmist is making is that God’s word is sweeter than honey. Better than that first sip of morning coffee. More refreshing than water on a parched tongue. You might be skeptical at this description, thinking it must be hyperbole. Consider the fact that this devotee of God

has been keeping his way pure by the Word of God since his youth (v. 9).
hides the Word of God in his heart so that he will not sin against God (v. 11).
ran to the word when he felt his soul melting away for sorrow (v. 28).
cried out to God according to the Word when others taunted him (v. 41-42).
declares the Word when his heart is full of joy (v. 64).

What is the point I’m trying to make? What do you run to when you need to be soothed? Is it video games? Is it spending money? Is it booze? It is comfort in the arms of your latest fling? Is it living as a workaholic? Do you understand that the word is not sweet to you precisely because you have not trained yourself up in it?!

The word of God is a treasury, a storehouse of blessing to complement your days and adorn your nights. The word of God, wielded by the Holy Spirit, will draw you close to Jesus when your soul is parched. Recalling the word will bring you to tears of joy when all else seems arrayed against you. It is a matter of practice, discipline and persistence.

Gamers didn’t begin spending many hours a day gaming. They began through trial and error with persistence until games that once seemed unbeatable, slowly, through exhausting persistence, became winnable. Then the gamer moves on to the next mountain. But the word lays unattended at their elbow. Basically, I’m telling you you’ve either been diligently training your tastes towards the word of God or doing hard work to avoid the word, keeping it from filling your mind and heart with the true comforts your soul craves.

The problem is, if you have been engaged in a program of Bible-lite reading (you know what I mean, that is a little lite reading here, a verse of two there), you’re starving, Therefore, when life hits you full on in the face, your faith will be weak, cramped and unprepared. It will be hard to find passages that comfort. It is will hard to call out to God when you have only a nodding acquaintance with Him. The word can not be sweet to you because you have not trained your desires toward Him.

Even the most diligent student of the word needs to constantly preach the word to his soul. He repeats that the word is wonderful to him (v. 129). He has basked in the shining presence of God through his dedication to the word (v. 135). Even so, at the end of his praises and devotion, he confesses “I have strayed like a lost sheep; seek your servant, for I do not forget y our commandments” (final verse 176). Ultimately it is Jesus Christ is the fulfilment of the word. Jesus Christ is the word incarnate—God in the flesh. The study of the word leads the believer into delightful relationship with Jesus. For our part it is a hard-won relationship. Like good friends who require you to truly invest yourself in the relationship for it to grow, so we, lost sheep, constantly needing our Savior’s rescue, must turn to Him. Seek Him. Make time for Him. Long for Him. Train our desires for Him. Know Him as sweeter than honey.

Lord Jesus, let me know myself and know You, and desire nothing save only You.
Let me hate myself and love You.
Let me do everything for the sake of You.
Let me humble myself and exalt You.
Let me think of nothing except You.
Let me die to myself and live in You.
Let me accept whatever happens as from You.
Let me banish self and follow You, and ever desire to follow You.
Let me fly from myself and take refuge in You,
That I may deserve to be defended by You.
Let me fear for myself.
Let me fear You, and let me be among those who are chosen by You.
Let me distrust myself and put my trust in You.
Let me be willing to obey for the sake of You.
Let me cling to nothing save only to You,
And let me be poor because of You.
Look upon me, that I may love You.
Call me that I may see You, and for ever enjoy You. Amen.
Prayer of St. Augustine, “Prayer for Self-Knowledge”

https://youtu.be/8wfhhFHMgxY?si=S68Zcn3sbLa39UtJ Jesus is Mine

April 23, 2025

April 23, 2025 -- Philippians 4:1 -- Follow the trail

April 23, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and my crown, stand firm thus in the Lord, my beloved.
Philippians 4:1 ESV

For the last eight verses Paul has been urging the believers at Philippi to focus on the goal, the upward prize of knowing Jesus Christ. He gives a final summary to keep going in this direction as in the next sentence the letter will take a different direction. It is his clear warning to avoid idolatry, any substitute Christianity.

You might feel a bit smug and secure here. I am a Christian and faithful. Are you really? Consider these words:
Some of us attend the church on the corner, professing to worship the
living God above all. Others, who rarely darken the church doors, would
say worship isn’t a part of their lives because they aren’t “religious,”
but everybody has an altar. And every altar has a throne. So how do you
know where and what you worship? It’s easy. You simply follow the trail
of your time, your affection, your energy, your money, and your allegiance.
At the end of that trail you’ll find a throne; and whatever, or whomever,
is on that throne is what’s of highest value to you. On that throne is what
you worship. Sure, not too many of us walk about saying, “I worship my
stuff. I worship my job. I worship pleasure. I worship her. I worship my
body. I worship me.” But the trail never lies. We may say we value this
thing or that thing more than any other, but the volume of our actions
speaks louder than our words. In the end, our worship is more about what
we do than what we say.
Louie Giglio, as quoted by Brad Bigney, in
“Gospel Treason: betraying the gospel with hidden idols” page 117.

Spend a few minutes today and follow the trail. Ask yourself, what can easily displace my schedule, my plans, my finances. What is it that upsets my thoughts, my attitudes, my mood? When you’ve encountered your idol, whatever it is, are you prepared to tear it down so that you will stand firm in the Lord?

O Father,
Thou hast made man for the glory of thyself,
and when not an instrument of that glory, he is a thing of nought;
No sin is greater than the sin of unbelief,
for if union with Christ is the greatest good,
unbelief is the greatest sin, as being cross to thy command;
I see that whatever my sin is, yet no sin is like disunion from Christ by unbelief.
Lord, keep me from committing the greatest sin in departing from him,
for I can never in this life perfectly obey and cleave to Christ.
When thou takest away my outward blessings,
it is for sin, in not acknowledging that all that I have is of thee,
in not serving thee through what I have, in making myself secure and hardened.
Lawful blessings are the secret idols, and do most hurt;
the greatest injury is in the having, the greatest good in the taking away.
In love divest me of blessings that I may glorify thee the more;
remove the fuel of my sin,
and may I prize the gain of a little holiness as overbalancing all my losses.
The more I love thee with a truly gracious love the more I desire to love thee,
and the more miserable I am at my want of love;
The more I hunger and thirst after thee, the more I faint and fail in finding thee,
The more my heart is broken for sin, the more I pray it may be far more broken.
My great evil is that I do not remember the sins of my youth,
nay, the sins of one day I forget the next.
Keep me from all things that turn to unbelief
or lack of felt union with Christ.
“Union with Christ” from Valley of Vision

https://youtu.be/Uibmo9aQAlQ?si=cJlXls9yLJEwuICW Whiter than snow

April 21, 2025

April 21, 2025 -- Philippians 3:20-21 -- Jesus Will Return

April 21, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV

These are soaringly hopeful words. Our battle against our own fleshly lusts, against the devil, and against the deadening influences of the world will come to an end. We know that Jesus Christ has won the victory at the cross, it was confirmed by His resurrection from the dead, and now He is seated in power at the right hand of God.

When you are facing temptation, remember that you are guarded by the Holy Spirit, kept for Jesus against the day when your lowly, sin-prone body, will be set free from all sin. We are given such a glorious picture of what is ahead that we are thereby encouraged to keep going. Battle-scarred though you might be in your fight against sin, remain steady. Fight the good fight of our glorious faith.

Paul gives the pathway of victory here in these two short verses. Jesus has all authority. That is true already now. His followers, filled with the same Spirit that filled Jesus, are given divine power to defeat sin. Jesus has all authority. He is subjecting all things to Himself—even death will one day be subjected to Him and it will end. There will be no more death. Those who are hell-bound ought to tremble at the thought of this! They will remain alive in the torments of hell for ever. Those who are captivated by Jesus must be so encouraged by that thought—life everlasting in the presence of the Redeemer-King. There will be no end to our glorious delight in knowing Jesus, Who is infinitely wondrous, holy, beautiful, kind.

Spend time reading your bible and reflecting on Who Jesus is. Read the word and know that He will not leave you. “I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). How encouraging those words are. Spend time praying on that. Thanking God the Father, that He has seen fit to bring you to Christ, and by the Holy Spirit He is ensuring every good purpose He has for you will be accomplished.

When I was a child various relatives from the Netherlands would visit. This was a source of great excitement. They were wonderful, loving (and usually had presents for us kids). We’d count the days until the family would visit. That childish excitement is now magnified and multiplied many times over. Now we await the Captain of our Salvation. Who will soon appear. He is our joy. He is our song. He is our victory. He is our salvation. As eagerly as a child, awaiting the visit of a much-loved family members, so eagerly and even more so, do we await Jesus’s return. All our days and all our actions and all our thoughts are filled with the consuming desire, return quickly Lord Jesus!

O Son of God and Son of Man,
You were incarnate, did suffer, rise, ascend for my sake;
Your departure was not a token of Separation but a pledge of return;
Your Word, promises, sacraments, show Your death until You come again.
That day is no horror to me, for Your death has redeemed me,
Your Spirit fills me, Your love animates me, You Word governs me.
I have trusted You and You have not betrayed my trust;
waited for You, and not waited in vain.
You will come to raise my body from the dust, and re-unite it to my soul,
by a wonderful work of infinite power and love,
greater than that which bounds the oceans’ waters, ebbs and flows the tides,
keeps the stars in their courses,
and gives life to all creatures.
This corruptible shall put on incorruption,
this mortal, immortality,
this natural body, a spiritual body,
this dishonoured body, a glorious body,
this weak body, a body of power.
I triumph now in Your promises as I shall do in their performance,
for the head cannot live if the members are dead;
Beyond the grave is resurrection, judgment, acquittal, dominion.
Every event and circumstance of my life will be dealt with –the sins of my youth,
my secret sins, the sins of abusing You, of disobeying You Word,
the sins of neglecting ministers’ admonitions,
the sins of violating my conscience –all will be judged;
And after judgment, peace and rest, life and service,
employment and enjoyment, for Your elect.
O God, keep me in this faith, and ever looking for Christ’s return.
“THE SECOND COMING” The Valley of Vision.

https://youtu.be/w98-VuKi-4Q?si=Ra9wICUwMw3L4JoH Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending

April 18, 2025

April 18, 2025 -- Luke 23:44-46 -- Darkness now Light

April 18, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

It was now about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour, 45 while the sun's light failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn in two. 46 Then Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” And having said this he breathed his last. Luke 23:44-46 ESV

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, one striking illustration used in the Bible is that of light and darkness. The descent into sin, Adam and Eve’s fall into sin at the Garden of Eden, means that they and all their descendants walk in darkness. Paul states it clearly: “at one time you were darkness” (Ephesians 5:8). There is only one time in my life when I experienced true, inky darkness that can be felt, and that was when I went to the Potash Mine. That was many years ago, when my family and I lived in Saskatoon. While the string of bulbs was illuminated, there were lots of shades and it felt eerie, I must confess I was unprepared for the depths of the darkness that you experience when you are deep in the earth, and there is no light whatsoever. We were sons and daughters of disobedience. We were darkness. If you do not understand this, then the work of Jesus is incomprehensible for us this Good Friday.

Darkness covered the whole land where Jesus was crucified. It was the darkness of the Egyptian plague. It was the darkness of sin. It was darkness that was clear evidence of how soiled and foul the human heart, mind and soul are. It was a darkness that lasted from noon until 3pm. The brightest part of the day, when the sun is at full height and shadows are almost gone, darkness prevailed. Do you understand it was the darkness of Jesus, Who knew no sin, becoming sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God.

The contrast in you, from the old life to the new is as dramatic as being in a dark mine shaft with no source of light, to standing in the brilliance of the noon-day sun. There is no half and half. In Christ we are standing in light that increasing from the dawning of it to the full splendor of noon day. That is the distinction between justification, when God declares you not guilty because of the work of Christ, and sanctification, the need for the on-going cleansing from patterns of sin. The true believer can not cloak himself in utter darkness. Sin will have already, because of the radiance of Jesus, become hateful darkness. Surely Christians can backslide, but even then, it is with the awareness one is going toward darkness, though one is light. A non-Christian finds this confusing and difficult to comprehend. I can understand the world, God, and myself. I don’t need an interpreter. Having become so accustomed to the darkness, such a man moves like an eyeless newt living in cave darkness, where other senses have become heightened to compensate for the blindness. When Christ the true light appears, all that is false will be obvious. Forever.

Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Jesus Christ, be honest. Even as those who are justified, who have been declared innocent in Christ, it is still tempting to create idols. It is tempting to cut God down to a more manageable size. We are afraid of the suffering and the chiseling work of the Spirit which is absolutely necessary to break down our idols and destroy our old concepts of what we think God is like. What we think He will or will not tolerate. However, we often are afraid to go to the Word itself and let it shine, penetrating to our every soul, so that whatever is unclean, whatever is unworthy, whatever is impure will be revealed, cut out, and cast away from us. Good Friday worship services invite the believer to bask in the light of Christ, to have the puny idols of our lives exposed. We do not desire a form of Jesus, or a kind-of-Christ—we long for Him pure and rising with healing in His wings. The Lord to Whom all the nations will come and through Whom all live in the light of life.

Why is this so difficult? It is my great privilege to officiate at weddings. It is incredibly common for a groom, who sees his bride for the first time to stare briefly and then turn away. We are so fragile, so used to humdrum and ordinary, that when we glimpse the extraordinary, we are amazed and can’t contain our joy. Jesus is our bridegroom. He is illumination beyond whatever we have ever experienced before. Our small glimpses and beholding Him squintingly are all we can manage in this life. Worship reorients our senses. Gathering in the presence of His great life-and-light giving splendour make us almost panicky at how much we need to change and be transformed. The glory of God revealed at Good Friday, is that the work is well underway. God Who has appointed men and women for life in Christ, will prepare each one for every stage of growth in holiness. It begins, like it began for the centurion at the cross, with the simple confession, “Surely this man was innocent”. For us, surely Jesus Christ is the light of life. Amen.

O Lord God, Who inhabitest eternity,
The heavens declare thy glory, The earth thy riches, The universe is thy temple;
Thy presence fills immensity, Yet thou hast of thy pleasure created life,
and communicated happiness;
Thou hast made me what I am, and given me what I have;
In thee I live and move and have my being;
Thy providence has set the bounds of my habitation, and wisely administers all my affairs.
I thank thee for thy riches to me in Jesus, for the unclouded revelation of him in thy Word,
where I behold his Person, character, grace, glory, humiliation,
sufferings, death, and resurrection;
Give me to feel a need of his continual saviourhood, and cry with Job, ‘I am vile’,
with Peter, ‘I perish’, with the publican, ‘Be merciful to me, a sinner’.
Subdue in me the love of sin,
Let me know the need of renovation as well as of forgiveness,
in order to serve and enjoy thee for ever. I come to thee in the all-prevailing name of Jesus,
with nothing of my own to plead, no works, no worthiness, no promises.
I am often straying, often knowingly opposing thy authority, often abusing thy goodness;
Much of my guilt arises from my religious privileges, my low estimation of them,
my failure to use them to my advantage,
But I am not careless of thy favour or regardless of thy glory;
Impress me deeply with a sense of thine omnipresence, that thou art about my path,
my ways, my lying down, my end. Amen.
Valley of Vision: “GOD THE SOURCE OF ALL GOOD”

https://youtu.be/tWeXVnRm6R8?si=FGHaxT9recj-w3Tn Light of the World

April 16, 2025

April 16, 2025 -- Philippians 3:18-20 -- Who or what do you worship?

April 16, 2025/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ
Philippians 3:18-20 ESV

What is it you worship? Paul is pressing the Philippians to consider this critical question. He is writing to a congregation that has faithfully supported him financially. Sent to him Epaphroditus as a support, their messenger and minister to Paul’s needs. Yet, in great love and like the true shepherd of their souls he is, Paul is asking a most important question, willing to endure it if they are offended by this question: what are you worshiping?

Notice the evidence of false worship. Walking as enemies of the cross of Christ. Now, he is writing church attenders. They might be shocked and prepared to give “proof” of their dedication. However, Paul won’t let them, or us, off so easily. Are they undermining the work of the gospel through the neglect of the means of grace (preaching of the word, sacraments, and Christian discipline)? Are they ignoring the word of God in their daily life or failing to pray? These are some of the signs that one is walking as an enemy of the cross. When he notes their god is their belly, he is saying such people pursue their own pleasures before they pursue Jesus. The pleasures of feasting. The pleasures of sports. The pleasures of fame. The pleasure of applause by others. They indulge their sexual fantasies. In one or more of those ways, they are pleasure-seekers, looking after their wants to the detriment of their walk with God and walk with fellow Christians who would hold them to account.

To pursue earthly things is a very damning statement. Jesus demanded that His true followers seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). It is not possible to make worldly possessions, homes, cars, a big bank account, and such things your priority while simultaneously pursuing Jesus. What Jesus demanded He also modeled. He was homeless, wandering preacher. He had no bank account. He had no stable of horses and chariots, though He was King. What was His priority? It was to serve His Father in heaven in all things. In fact, Jesus said it was His food to do the will of His Father in heaven (John 4:34).

Paul reminds the Philippians their citizenship is in heaven. Their first and most important priority is serving Jesus Christ. In Him we are named sons and daughters of God. In Him we have the grace we need to face the joys and sorrows of this earthly life. In Him we have been equipped by the Holy Spirit so that our priorities are ordered aright. In Him we have a longing for heaven, where we will spend eternity in the Presence of Jesus, Him Whom our souls love. If that is not appealing to you now, then it is quite possible you have a wrong set of standards. You are pursuing earthly things first while trying to hang on to Jesus. I warn you; you are being pulled in two directions, and you will be torn apart.

We await the Savior. Who has rescued us from our earthly lusts and the sins which continually drag us down to hell. We await the Lord, in Whose service we find the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and righteousness. All of these are evidence we are abiding in Jesus. We await the Christ, He who was anointed to serve perfectly so that He, as the Lamb of God, took away the sin of the world. In Christ we make a permanent break with our past. We are once-for-all justified in Him. Now, growing in holiness, growing in dedication happens in these ways. In Christ we receive the Holy Spirit, so that we confess our sins, our daily sins, our hourly sins, our persistent sins. By the Spirit such sins become more odious to us. By the Spirit we turn away from such sins and walk more fully in the citizenship that is ours in Christ. By the Spirit our souls find comfort in the Word and our heart’s desire is to walk with Jesus. If you are not experiencing this, I urge you to speak with a Christian friend whose walk with God you admire and get right with God. If you are walking in this way, I urge you, be prepared for people in your life who the Spirit leads to you, people who claim to be Christians but need to have their false worship exposed.

God the Father, Lord of all Truth and Righteousness, by Your Spirit help us to see the places in our lives where we are lying to ourselves about our dedication to Jesus. Break the strongholds of sin that still linger in us. Renew in us a holy desire to worship Jesus, with all we have and all we are. Spirit of God, give us the holy courage we need so that we will follow through, even when peers and co-workers, friends or even fellow church members scorn our obedience. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Rf8vNFEdmTM?si=tP7tpzlmEXtNaa9D When Christ our Life Appears

Richard T. Vander Vaart

Richard T. Vander Vaart

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Richard T. Vander Vaart

Draining cesspools of the mind: revised and reprinted from May 14, 2024

May 13, 2025 -- Philippians 4:8-9 -- Defeating Debilitating Brain Worms

May 11, 2025 -- Philippians 3:16 -- Hold True

May 9, 2025 -- Galatians 1:3-5 -- Rescue from the present evil age

May 7, 2025 -- Psalm 133 -- Tourist or Citizen?

May 6, 2025 -- Philippians 4:5b-7 -- What true peace is based upon

May 5, 2025 -- John 9:35-41 -- Spiritual blindness and spiritual sight

May 4, 2025 -- Philippians 5b-7 -- Knowing the nearness of the Lord

May 2, 2025 -- Philippians 4:5b-7 -- In what sense is the Lord near?

April 30, 2025 -- Philippians 4:5 -- Reasonableness--what is that?

April 29, 2025 -- I John 5:21 -- Keep yourselves from idols

April 28, 2025 -- Philippians 4:4 -- Back to the theme: rejoice!

April 27, 2025 -- Jeremiah 17:9 -- Guide and Guard your heart

April 26, 2025 -- Philippians 4:2-3 -- Agree in the Lord

April 25, 2025 -- Romans 3:21-26 -- Grace. (revised and reprinted from 1 year ago)

Ap[ril 24, 2025 -- Psalm 119:103 -- Training our Desires

April 23, 2025 -- Philippians 4:1 -- Follow the trail

April 21, 2025 -- Philippians 3:20-21 -- Jesus Will Return

April 18, 2025 -- Luke 23:44-46 -- Darkness now Light

April 16, 2025 -- Philippians 3:18-20 -- Who or what do you worship?

Richard T. Vander Vaart

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