January 6, 2022 -- John 14:21-24 -- God's Love Demonstrated

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

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” 22 Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?” 23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24 Whoever does not love me does not keep my words. And the word that you hear is not mine but the Father's who sent me.
John 14:21-24 ESV

The disciple’s question helps the reader to understand this passage. How is it Jesus manifests Himself to His followers—the word manifest means: makes Himself clearly understood, reveals Who He Is—but does not reveal Himself to the world in the same way?

The promise of Jeremiah looks to the day of Jesus, when God will write His law on the hearts of His followers (Jeremiah 31:31-34). The prophecy explains that the Father in heaven will make Himself known to His people and He will forgive them. Jesus noted His true disciples have His commandments (written on their hearts and in their minds)—the fulfillment of Jeremiah 31. As those who are forgiven they respond in love to God their Father by keeping the commandments of Jesus. There is a clear sense of, in view of all the blessings Jesus has given them, they respond by saying let me serve You with thanksgiving—and the shape of this thanksgiving is obedience to the commandments. This is the role of the commandments for believers, it has become their rule of thankful living.

The world does not have the commandments of God written on their hearts. They do not have the magnificent forgiveness of Jesus Christ covering all of their lives. In that sense God’s glory has not been made manifest to them. Know Christians, the things you do and the things you choose not to do, all are evidences of the love of God which show the people around you God is real, He is good.

Notice the intensification Jesus makes in verse 23. The one who has the commandments and obeys them to that person the Father loves, approaches even closer to that person, and both Jesus and the Father make their home in Him. The more one obeys the closer God the Father comes to him. The Spirit of God, living in the believer, makes the nearness of God the loving Father so much more obvious—when the bible is read, at times of prayer, in worship, in acts of obedience. The activities do not save a man, but the acts of obedience are evidence sin is being thrown out so that there is a greater capacity to receive the love of the Father. This is what will make the people around you marvel and wonder what it is that you’ve got. The love of the Father, given because of the work of Jesus Christ, magnified in us by the Spirit will make others, who have been appointed for eternal life, see you and then long for Him.

GRACIOUS GOD,
My heart praises thee for the wonder
of thy love in Jesus;
He is heaven’s darling, but is for me
   the incarnate, despised, rejected,
   crucified sin-bearer;
In him thy grace has almost out-graced itself,
In him thy love to rebels has reached its height;
O to love thee with a love like this!
My heart is stone, melt it with thy love,
My heart is locked, let thy love be the master key
   to open it;
O Father, I adore thee for thy great love
   in the gift of Jesus,
O Jesus, I bless thee for resigning thy life for me,
O Holy Spirit, I thank thee for revealing to me
   this mystery;
Great God, let thy Son see in me the travail
   of his soul!
Bring me away from my false trusts to rest in him,
   and him only.
Let me not be so callous to his merit
   as not to love him,
so indifferent to his blood
   as not to desire cleansing.
Lord Jesus, Master, Redeemer, Saviour,
   come and take entire possession of me;
   this is thy right by purchase.
In the arms of love enfold and subdue
   my wilful spirit.
Take, sanctify, use my every faculty.
I am not ashamed of my hope,
   nor has my confidence led me into confusion.
I trusted in thee regarding my innumerable sins,
   and thou hast cast them behind thy back.
I trusted in thee when evils encompassed me,
   and thou broughtest me out into a wealthy place.
I trusted in thee in an hour of distress,
   and thou didst not fail me, though faith trembled.
O God of the eternal choice,
O God of the restored possession purchased
   on the tree,
O God of the effectual call,
Father, Son, Holy Spirit,
I adore thy glory, honour, majesty, power,
dominion for ever.
"LOVE SHED ABROAD" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett; Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020 reprint page 252

https://youtu.be/E8d0bMPl2hY

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

January 5, 2022 -- John 13:34-35 -- What Wondrous Love

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

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 ESV

Wait a minute! How is this a new commandment? When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment He replied: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself'“ (Matthew 22:37-39). Ah, as you place these two next to one another you begin to see the difference.

In Matthew, Jesus noted the Old Testament regulation, that believers love their neighbors as (they love) themselves. Now Jesus, having just washed His disciples’ feet, showing them the extent of His love (which in context includes His humble obedience to the Father which leads to the sacrifice of Himself at the cross) Jesus commands His followers love one another as He has loved them.

Believers in Jesus are self-sacrificing. Believers in Jesus are not part of cancel culture—instead they will put up with a lot from others, particularly other believers, recognizing all are debtors to Jesus and His sacrificial love. No one has the high road. All believers equally have been brought from death in their sins and trespasses to life in Jesus’ Name. Notice also that Jesus washed Judas Iscariot's feet, even His own betrayer, Jesus washed his feet, giving Judas every opportunity to receive Jesus' love and repent from wrong.

The consequence of such love is that people in our world will see such love, love which is not evident among them. and say, see how those Christians love one another. These people are true Christ-followers, look how they love! Think of this in today's context where some Christians are pro-vaxx and others anti-vaxx. Do they love one another as Christ has loved them? Think of this in the context of adult-baptism people and paedo-baptism groups. Do they love one another as Christ has loved them? The challenge today is this: ask yourself, where is your Christian love failing right now?

Jesus, Servant-Savior, Christ the King, increase our faith! As you have loved us, from the comprehensiveness of Your love and empowered by Your Spirit’s presence in us, help us to love another as You have loved us. From our Father in heaven, we have received His reconciling love through Your sacrifice Jesus, and by Your Spirit help us to be a community that loves persistently, faithfully, and without keeping score of who did what to us. Jesus, let Your love be our model and goal. As we love in this way, just as You promised, may many people around us come to know we are Your disciples, and then may such folks move from jealousy at such a display of love to being included as a member of Your community of love. Amen.

https://youtu.be/DsVnvN3EVxY

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

January 4, 2022 -- Psalm 37:3-4 -- Uncovering the Heart's Deepest Desire

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

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
   dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
Delight yourself in the LORD,
   and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:3-4 ESV

This is such a plain, simple-sounding teaching. Yet, my heart is always going here or chasing after that thing. My mind is restless and struggles to be content. How can I explain the gap between the words of Scripture and the experience of my life? Perhaps that is your experience as well? Last night I was reading from a book a friend gave me. He is using this book as a wonderful evangelism tool. Listen to what Pritchard writes:

     You were made to know God. Something in you truly wants
     to know the God who created you. That desire may be hidden
     deep within, or you may feel it burning inside you at this moment.
     Perhaps you have tried to cover it up or to satisfy your longings
     with the things of this world. But that doesn’t work. You were made
     with desires that nothing in this world can satisfy. Only God can 
     fill the hole in your heart. Only God can love you
     the way you long to be loved.
Ray Pritchard, An Anchor for the Soul. Chicago, IL; Moody Publishers, 2011 reprint, page 29.

Here is the point. The moment you look for delight in something or someone other than the LORD you will be disappointed. No man, no woman, no thing can stand in the place of God as the greatest goal of your desires. When your desires and delight are all oriented toward the Living God, then you can experience His great love. From that boundless resource of blessing, given in Jesus Christ and sealed in believers by His Spirit, the believer can appropriately love others. Jesus is the well of Living Water that bubbles up within all who trust in Him. The Father in heaven and Jesus your Redeemer poured the Spirit into the heart of believers so that your heart’s desires are satisfied in Christ alone and this is the fuel which fires greater trust in the LORD and gives you the ability to do good in His Name.

King Jesus, I commit my way to You, to the glory of the Father.
I place my trust in You completely, do as You promised in this Psalm,
act and give the blessing of Your Spirit.
Fueled by such heavenly blessing, let the righteousness
   which is mine in Christ 
   shine as the light and
let the justice of Your cause, Mighty God
   radiate the reflected brilliance of Jesus,
   Who is brighter than the noonday sun,
   His radiance blazing out from my words and deeds.
Whenever I begin to feel dark or empty,
   teach me to quiet my mind and my soul before You,
   waiting patiently for You,
   until Your sure promise takes hold of me all over again:
"The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
   He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
   He delivers them from the wicked and saves them
   because they take refuge in Him."
The prayer is based on Psalm 37:5-7a and ends the quotation of verses 39-40 

https://youtu.be/uaTwx0ehbvM

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

January 3, 2022 -- John 11:45-46 -- Shine!

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

45 Many of the Jews therefore, who had come with Mary and had seen what he did, believed in him, 46 but some of them went to the Pharisees and told them what Jesus had done.
John 11:45-46 ESV

What would it take for your neighbour to believe in Jesus? Would it take seeing someone rise from the dead? What would it take for your co-worker to believe in Jesus? Can you think of a miracle that would truly convince him so that he’d believe?

This morning’s passage is pretty sobering. Jesus had just raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus had been in the tomb four days—when He commanded the stone be rolled away so that He could raise Lazarus, one of the sisters of the dead man, not realizing what Jesus was about to do protested, saying the body will stink from decomposition. Jesus commanded. Lazarus rose. Many believed. Many did not believe.

What makes the difference between those who believe and those who do not believe? It is the call of God on their lives. Jesus had earlier declared: “No one can come to me unless the Father Who sent me draws him” (John 6:44). How do you know who has been appointed by the Father for life and who has not? You don’t know. Even so, you are commanded to live for Jesus. What you say will impact others. How you live will make others curious about Jesus. Your life is a bright and shining light for the glory of Jesus, and those people in your life who are aware their lives are storm-tossed and near the rocks of destruction, will see the light of Christ and be drawn to you.

Therefore, share the Good News with anyone who is interested. Be prepared for people to reject you, mock you, or even act against you, trying to undermine whatever good you want to bring to them or your workplace or your neighbourhood. We are living in a post-Christian age. The hunger for the things of God is as great as ever. Using whatever gifts or abilities God our Father has given you, shine for the glory of His great Name.

Jesus, when our children were little I taught them to sing “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine” and the goal was to teach them to spend their lives glowing brightly in thankfulness for all You have done for them. Spirit of God, as an adult, help me to continue to shine, and to do so without any sense of being self-conscious or worried about what others will say. Let the words of my mouth and actions of my life bring You praise and act as a beacon which will draw many to You, Faithful High King of Heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/m8y3IKarEVY

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

January 2, 2022 -- Exodus 5:1-2 -- Who is the LORD that I should serve Him?

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

Afterward Moses and Aaron went and said to Pharaoh, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should obey his voice and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and moreover, I will not let Israel go.”
Exodus 5:1-2 ESV

Perhaps these are familiar words to you? Many people know the story of the Exodus because of movies, past and present, which popularize this narrative. What is easy to miss is the stark reality that is portrayed here. Moses and Aaron, slaves of the LORD, confront Pharaoh, a slave of Satan. As Satan’s slave Pharaoh asks, “Who is the LORD that I should obey his voice?”

All people who live now, who have lived in the past or who will live are slaves in one kingdom or another. Either they are slaves to Jesus Christ (Whose yoke is easy and Whose burden is light Matthew 11:30), or they are slaves to Satan (the Devil is a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy John 10:10). There is no neutral kingdom, no fence or demilitarized zone where people can make a decision whom they will serve.

God, Who in Your loving-kindness both begins and finishes all good things; grant that as we glory in the beginnings of Your grace, so we may rejoice in its completion; through Jesus Christ our Lord—Amen
(Leonine Sacramentary, A.D. 440)

https://youtu.be/QZW4_8_zCBE

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

January 1, 2022 -- John 8:12 -- Worship Jesus, the Light of the World!

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

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 8:12 ESV

Around Christmas many people put up colored lights to light up porches and lawns. Christmas trees are decorated with lights. Candles are lit in anticipation of Christmas. Why? For me the explanation is this: Jesus is the Light of the World. As we enter into this New Year, it is wise for up to consider Jesus as the Light of the World. It is an expression that can bless us this year and through-out all of life!

He is the Light of the World and He is our Salvation! Psalm 27:1

He is the Light of the World Who dispels the darkness of sin and doubt and shame.

He is the Light of the World, the True Light (John 1:9). There are many false prophets, many who claim this about the world or seek to explain but who do so with no reference to the Living God. Such false witnesses are conjurers of darkness. Christ Jesus is the True Light that gives life.

Jesus is the Light of the World Who gives life. In Jesus our sins are forgiven. In Jesus Christ the enemy is thrown down and humiliated because in Christ we are taken from the enemy’s kingdom of darkness and brought into the Kingdom of Light. The Devil is defeated. Jesus gives life, the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit is ours in Christ Jesus.

Jesus the Light of the World, in Whom we have access to our Father (Ephesians 2:18)!

Spirit of the Living God, illuminate our lives in Jesus Christ, so that we will live in True Light that gives life. Spirit of the Truth, by the mighty work of Jesus, dispel the works of darkness that would hold us tightly and breaking this stronghold bring us into ever greater light, life and joy. Spirit of God, in the Name of Jesus, the Light of the World, bring us into an ever deeper relationship of wonder and praise, obedience and worship before our Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/U9JEushrBH0

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

December 31, 2021 -- John 7:37-39 -- New Year's Eve reflections

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

On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39 Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
John 7:37-39 ESV

Resilience. It is the ability to bounce back after particularly stressful times. When a student receives a bad grade, resilience is the capacity to acknowledge it, to sort out why this happened and to adjust to make sure this doesn’t happen again. God, in His great grace, has created us to be creatures that can respond to the circumstances and hardships of our lives. There is, however, a limit to our innate ability to bounce back.

Thirst—it is that restlessness, that parched sense something is wrong and if the thirst is bad enough there is disorientation that comes with it. Only water will satisfy. Only water will give the body the ability to return to a state of wellness.

Our world produces deep and soul-parching thirst within us. Sin touches every part of our lives. Governments facing a pandemic that is highly adaptable make this ruling and that regulation and the people affected by these feel like pinballs hit back and forth. There are job losses. There is fear mongering about Covid and families are divided about vaccinations or lack thereof. The thirst produced in the mind, body, and soul stirs up a restless, unsatisfied longing for something better. For cool, clear, soothing, healing waters.

Jesus gives this Living Water. When the Spirit of God was poured out at Pentecost, and in every subsequent generation, the Spirit is given to all who believe, the very soul, heart, mind and body of such Spirit-blessed persons is revived. Let's look at some of the ways God the Father and Christ our King have blessed us with the Spirit. The Spirit is for believers Living Water, Sovereign One’s holy gift so that we may accomplish His holy purposes.

~The Spirit shows us that in Christ sin has been defeated and even death itself was defeated at the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This gives us divine resilience. We are not helpless, we are held in the grip of God’s grace.

~The Spirit of God flushes out the tawdry and foolish sins which we go to in order to satisfy our longings and thirsts. Drugs and illicit sex, anger and gossip, greed and pride, all the various kinds of sin are exposed in us by the Spirit. The Spirit uses the Word, the counsel of fellow Christians, and the Spirit awakens of our conscience. As sins are revealed to us as hideous aberrations, we begin to hate them and realize these sins have been for us what we tried to satisfy our thirsts. Instead of satisfying us, these sins were like eating hot, dry, sand. The Spirit of God is living water which rushes into us and through us, washing away the grit and filth and dirt.

~The Spirit reminds us, through the dreadful, awe-inspiring beauty of the Word, of pandemics past (Exodus), and the purpose of pandemics and hardships present and future (see Revelation). These display the glory and power of God the Merciful so that all who might turn to Him have opportunity while there is yet time. When Jesus returns in glory with all His holy ones, the day for turning from sins and turning to Jesus is ended. Now is the day of salvation.

~The Spirit gifts men and women so that those who are in Christ know the Father’s love and by the power of the Spirit and from the security of being loved by the Father use their talents and abilities and gifts to alleviate suffering in whatever way they are led to do so.

~The Spirit Who brings such living water into our souls so that there is a never-ending supply of refreshing reminds us that in sickness or in health, in times of plenty or in times of famine, in freedom or in slavery, in riches or in poverty, believers are kept secure, nothing can snatch that gift of salvation from us. The Spirit Who lives in every believer guards that treasure of eternal life.

~The Spirit reminds us of the Word of God. Passages like “whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (I John 4:16,18).

O LORD our God, under the shadow of Your wings let us hope. You will support us, both when we are little and even to the time we grow gray hairs. When our strength is found in You, it is strength indeed; but, when strength is merely our own, it is feebleness. We return to You, O Lord, that the weariness of our souls may rise towards You, leaning on the things which You have created, and from these going on to You, Yourself, the One Who has so wonderfully made things; for with You is refreshment and true strength. Amen.
(Prayer of St. Augustine 354 - 430 A.D. The prayer has been slighted changed to simplify it from an old English translation.)

May you have a Spirit-blessed New Year! 

https://youtu.be/1CdML_8uY18
 

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

December 29, 2021 -- John 6:60-71 -- Jesus the Reflection of the Father's Perfect Love

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

When many of his disciples heard it, they said, “This is a hard saying; who can listen to it?” 61 But Jesus, knowing in himself that his disciples were grumbling about this, said to them, “Do you take offense at this? 62 Then what if you were to see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? 63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. 64 But there are some of you who do not believe.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning who those were who did not believe, and who it was who would betray him.) 65 And he said, “This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.”
66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him. 67 So Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” 68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” 70 Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.” 71 He spoke of Judas the son of Simon Iscariot, for he, one of the twelve, was going to betray him.
John 6:60-70 ESV

Notice the great patience and steadfast love Jesus displays. All along the way there are among His followers false disciples mixed in with the true disciples. Jesus does not pluck out the false ones nor does He throw them aside. He ministers to them faithfully and perfectly. This patient love is a perfect demonstration of the Father’s love. Why does the Father delay in bringing the end times, He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance (II Peter 3:9). Jesus is reflecting the Father's patient love is giving everyone who follows Him every chance to believe.

The disciples themselves did not know who the betrayer would be. When Jesus is with His disciples at the Last Supper He tells them there is a betrayer among them. The disciples are astonished. They do not suspect Judas. When Jesus is arrested at the Garden, all the disciples run away. Our human eyes cannot distinguish true believers from false disciples. At the Garden we would guess that every disciples is ultimately a failure, a false follower. Yet God knows His own. His Spirit gives life to all so that those appointed by the Father for eternal life will be brought to repentance and humble service rendered to Jesus.

Whomever God has placed in your life, by the power of the Spirit to encourage them, pray for them, and repeatedly lead them to Jesus.

Thank You, Jesus, for those Whom You had placed in our lives who were so patient with us. When we wavered and stumbled, when our faith looked more like rejection than submission, still You surrounded us with those faithful Christians who prayed, who listened, who loved and who did not abandon us. Thank You Spirit of the Living God that in You is life and by this power You also guard for Christ those who, to the eyes of flesh, do not seem capable nor worthy of the Savior. God of Glory and Zealous Love, blessed are You and great is Your amazing grace. In view of Who You Are and in response to all You have done and are doing, help us to be enthusiastic witnesses and joyful disciples, who patiently mentor those who are seeking the Savior. Amen.

https://youtu.be/4ibgls-qii8

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

December 28, 2021 -- John 5:18, 25-29 -- Do you know, really know, Who Jesus Is?

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

18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
25 “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live. 26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. 27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man. 28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice 29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
John 5:18, 25-29 ESV

When you are sharing Good News with a person who does not know Jesus Christ, the question often arises, “Who is Jesus?” The Jewish person will wonder, is He really ‘the Messiah’, that is, the anointed one of God promised in the Old Testament? A Jehovah Witness cult member will discount Jesus as the Son of God, co-eternal with God and the Savior-Judge of the World. Those who follow the Koran denigrate Jesus, claiming when he returns he will witness to their prophet. Many church-going Christians do not have a true concept of Who Jesus really is. Alistair Begg stated in a recent podcast that many evangelical Christians delight in Jesus or God as some sort of divine genie. Just rub the belly of God and get what you want.

Who then is Jesus? According to Jesus’ own words, He is fully God. He is LORD over the living and the dead. He has dreadful majesty in that He has the authority to execute judgment. According to the judgment of Jesus some will rise to eternal life, and others will rise to the resurrection of judgment, that is, be sent by Jesus to hell, ‘where "'the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched’ (Mark 9:48). How does knowing this change you? The response of the heart committed to Jesus is a desire to know Him better and understand Him as the revelation of the Father.

Read the Bible so that you will know Jesus—the Savior and Judge of the world. Spend time thinking on such things, so that you will know Him better. Seek out a Christian friend whose walk with God you admire and ask him to help you understand the Bible better so that you can grow in your faith. Ask the Spirit of God Who lives in you, to make Jesus more dear to your heart and more vividly known to your imagination and ever more the Person Whom you worship. The greater your love for the Son, the more your heart will be drawn to the Father Who sent the Son. As your worship and love increase for the Father and the Son, your hearts will be made more open to the work of the Holy Spirit, Who cleanses you and gives you even greater faith, insight, love and hope which is securely anchored on Jesus. All of this spills over from a heart overflowing in devotion to Him so that you will witness to Jesus.

Spirit of God, increase my faith! As I read the Bible, help me to see Who Jesus truly Is. Spirit of the Living God, bring me into contact with other Christians whose faith will stimulate in me a longing for deeper faith and greater knowledge of Jesus Christ so that what I believe truly reflects what You have revealed in the Word. Spirit of God bring me to people who need to know Who Jesus truly is and give me holy boldness to share the Good News of Who He Is. Mighty God, Father, Son, Holy Spirit, in my life, in Your Church, in Your world—be glorified! Amen.

https://youtu.be/tBraI_mU1O4

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

December 27, 2021 -- John 4:39 - 42 -- Witnesses for Jesus the Savior of the World

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

Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
John 4:39-42 ESV

It is fascinating that this little Samaritan community are among the very first to believe in Jesus, the Savior of the World. Samaritans hated Jews; and that hatred was returned in great measure. Even Jesus’ own disciples had to be restrained from calling down fire on a different Samaritan community (Luke 9:54). This shows the tremendous love of the Savior, willingly enduring scoffing from mockers and misunderstanding from His own followers.

What is most interesting is how Jesus began this conversation with a Samaritan woman. It was so easy and logical. It was basically, please give me a drink of water. They were both by the well Jacob had given to his son and she had come to draw water. Jesus had nothing to draw with.

This morning the lady at the counter who was pouring me coffee asked me “Was Santa good to you this year?” Looking back, I realize I missed a perfect and smooth opportunity to segueway from talking about Santa, to speaking of Jesus. In one of those, I wish I had, I could have looking back moments, it would have been very smooth to say, “Nope, got nothing from Santa, but Jesus, gave me precious time with my daughter and son-in-law and grandson.” Just a simple statement to leave the door open for further conversation.

I know, some of you readers will say, “That is awkward”. My reply is, I am a grown man, nearly 60 years old and the woman at the counter was in the same age-range. It is awkward to me to have two adults talking about what Santa did or didn’t bring. But to look to the Savior of the world, that is the of Christmas which keeps getting better and better.

Jesus, Savior of the World, thank You for stepping into time, for taking on human flesh and blood and becoming the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world. Forgive me for the times I miss opportunities to witness to Your glory and faithfulness. Spirit of the Living God, keep me mindful of Jesus' goodness to me and from the rich storehouse of blessings contemplated and rehearsed, may I--wherever You send me--be a faithful witness to Jesus, and this to the glory of the Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/6nJ0PZt05H4

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

December 24, 2021 -- Luke 24:45-48 -- He opened their minds to Joy

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

Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things.
Luke 24:45-48 ESV

Notice that Jesus had to open the mind of the disciples so that they could understand Him, His suffering, His work and His gift of forgiveness. This is spiritually discerned. The gift of Christmas is one of intense celebration for those whose minds are opened so that we see Jesus, once a Child and now the King in Whose name all who believe receive forgiveness of sins. This is given at tremendous cost—suffering love.

What a privilege—we are witnesses to these things. The Spirit of God opens our minds and hearts so that we can see Jesus and the meaning of His life. We peer into long history past with joy and now with expectant hope, vibrating with joy, we look for Jesus’ return. Until He returns, our joy is uncontainable—we must tell others, Jesus has brought joy to the world!

Heavenly Father,
Save me entirely from sin.
I know I am righteous through the righteousness of another,
but I pant and pine for likeness to thyself;
I am thy child and should bear thy image,
Enable me to recognize my death unto sin;
When it tempts me may I be deaf unto its voice.
Deliver me from the invasion as well as
   the dominion of sin.
Grant me to walk as Christ walked,
  to live in the newness of his life,
     the life of love, the life of faith,
     the life of holiness.
I abhor my body of death,
   its indolence, envy, meanness, pride.
Forgive, and kill these vices,
   have mercy on my unbelief,
   on my corrupt and wandering heart.
When thy blessings come I begin to idolize them,
   and set my affection on some beloved object –
     children, friends, wealth, honour;
Cleanse this spiritual adultery and give me chastity;
   close my heart to all but thee.
Sin is my greatest curse;
Let thy victory be apparent to my consciousness,
   and displayed in my life.
Help me to be always devoted, confident, obedient,
     resigned, childlike in my trust of thee,
   to love thee with soul, body, mind, strength,
   to love my fellow-man as I love myself,
   to be saved from unregenerate temper,
     hard thoughts, slanderous words, meanness,
     unkind manners,
to master my tongue and keep the door of my lips.
Fill me with grace daily,
   that my life be a fountain of sweet water.
A CRY FOR DELIVERANCE. VALLEY OF VISION: PURITAN PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS. Ed. A. Bennett; Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020; page 168

https://youtu.be/TS-3iVi80e4

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

December 23, 2021 -- I John 1:9-10 -- Powerful Confession

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

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
I John 1:9-10 ESV

Listening to a sermon by Sinclair Ferguson on this very passage made me chuckle. Let me explain. Early in his ministry, after preaching on this text, he’d spoken with a woman who claimed she had not sinned for the previous couple of years. Ferguson, noting he was then a young preacher and a bit mischievous, questioned her slightly taunting and slightly mocking her. She was angry. She was unkind in her words. Her very language proved she was making God out to be a liar, as if the word is not true. Yet she felt justified in her anger because she was putting a young preacher in his place. We have sinned. We may be adept at hiding it from others, or even in deceiving ourselves, but in the times of quiet, our conscience can convict us.

What a great promise John points out, the blessing given in Jesus Christ: confess your sins and He, your Father, will cleanse you by the blood of Jesus Christ. Do not cut yourself off from this great blessing. As soon as you are aware of your sin, confess it—plunge yourself into the healing streams of God’s mercy.

Man A Nothing

O LORD,
I am a shell full of dust,
   but animated with an invisible rational soul
   and made anew by an unseen power of grace;
Yet I am no rare object of valuable price,
   but one that has nothing and is nothing,
   although chosen of thee from eternity,
   given to Christ, and born again;
I am deeply convinced
   of the evil and misery of a sinful state,
   of the vanity of creatures,
   but also of the sufficiency of Christ.
When thou wouldst guide me I control myself,
When thou wouldst be sovereign I rule myself.
When thou wouldst take care of me I suffice myself.
When I should depend on thy providings I supply myself,
When I should submit to thy providence I follow my will,
When I should study, love, honour, trust thee, I serve myself;
I fault and correct thy laws to suit myself,
Instead of thee I look to a man’s approbation,
   and am by nature an idolater.
Lord, it is my chief design to bring my heart back to thee
Convince me that I cannot be my own God,
   or make myself happy,
   nor my own Christ to restore my joy,
   nor my own Spirit to teach, guide, rule me.
Help me to see that grace does this by providential affliction,
   for when my credit is good thou dost cast me lower,
   when riches are my idol thou dost wing them away,
   when pleasure is my all thou dost turn it into bitterness.
Take away my roving eye, curious ear,   
   greedy appetite, lustful heart;
   show me that none of these things
     can heal a wounded conscience,
     or support a tottering frame,
     or uphold a departing spirit.
then take me to the cross
     and leave me there.
“A Man of Nothing” Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed: A. Bennett; Carlisle: PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020, page 166

https://youtu.be/NNbe9sthLz4

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

December 22, 2021 -- Luke 22:31-32 -- Jesus prays for you!

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

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31-32 ESV

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:23-25 ESV

The devil is always accusing. Always trying to defeat. Always chipping away at our resolve to serve Jesus. He is the accuser, the tempter, and the father of lies, who, when he lies is speaking his native language (John 8:44). Do not be surprised at how wearying it is to fight against your own flesh, the world, and the power of evil all of which are arrayed against you. In fact, notice that Simon Peter had just celebrated the Lord’s Supper with his Savior. What a glorious celebration that must have been. After such a high point, what a tremendous fall into sin! Sound familiar?

Jesus lives to pray, to make intercession for us, His people. As long as we live, we are in need of His constant intervening prayers so that we will fight temptations. Or, having fallen into temptation, His unwearied prayer keep us from wallowing in sin, too ashamed to rise and return to Him, to Jesus for the very cleansing and healing we need. Jesus is our High Priest—He is perfect. He is infinitely powerful. He is aware of the frailty of human flesh. Therefore He is the perfect prayer-warrior-King, speaking on our behalf to the Father.

Notice the incredible kindness of Jesus. He uses us, people familiar with the pull of sin and the strength of temptations, people who have fallen into sin and then been confronted with resurrecting grace such that the strongholds of sin are thrown down, yes, He uses us to testify to His goodness. We speak of what we know, His prayers on our behalf, and the only boast we make, which is to boast in Christ—look where once I was, and see how, by His great mercy I am restored to new life. This is how we strengthen our brothers, in view of the vast mercies of God given us in Jesus and sealed in us by His Spirit.

Blessed are You, Jesus, our Intercessor-Warrior-King! Thank You for Your constant prayers on our behalf. Spirit of the Living God, deepen our devotion to Jesus and increase our awareness of His work that the times of trial and temptation might be foreshortened and we will be swift in turning from sin and finding relief in Jesus. Blessed are You, Jesus, for You have made the way open to our Father, He Who is Dreadful in Holiness. Merciful are You, Father of Love, for the way You have opened to Yourself in Christ and for gift of Your Spirit Who guards us that pathway of life. Amen.

https://youtu.be/gTFG_nvreoI

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

December 21, 2021 -- II Chronicles 2:13-14 -- Am I working in obscurity?

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

“Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi, 14 the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and to do all sorts of engraving and execute any design that may be assigned him, with your craftsmen, the craftsmen of my lord, David your father.
II Chronicles 2:13-14 ESV

Solomon was going to build a temple to the LORD his God. It would be very great. He asked the neighboring king, Hiram of Tyre, to send him a man skilled to do all kinds of work for the adornment of this temple. As with the construction of the tabernacle (used as the meeting place while Israel wandered), so with the building of the temple, someone from the tribe of Dan is set to work. In this case it is Huram-abi, his mother is from Dan and his dad is from Tyre.

For the work of bearing burdens, moving quarried stone and taking rafts of precious wood and carrying these from the harbor up to the temple mount, Solomon assigned 70,000 workers. There were 80,000 quarrymen. What a huge labour force employed for this work. One man is named, Huram-abi, tens upon tens of thousands are skilled laborers or workers in their own right, but these are not named. Without these 150,000 workers cutting stone to precise measurements, and their 3,600 oversees to coordinate their work there’d be nothing for Huram-abi to work with at the site of the temple.

It is very easy to think, I am working in obscurity. What I do, how can that make any difference? Does anyone notice? The LORD our God notices each one. Every laborer in His Kingdom is known by Name. We are His, not by a human will or husband’s decision (John 1:13), but we are His because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ. That glorious covering means we are precious in the sight of our Glorious God. His Spirit works in us and through us to accomplish the work of our Father, to the honour and glory of Jesus Christ. Whatever it is God gives you to do, do it with all your might to His praise.
Stay sober one more day.
Honour your spouse, especially when it is difficult to do so.
Pray for the person who God the Spirit keeps impressing on your heart.
Give generously, quietly, though no one else may know it, the LORD our God sees you.
In fact, there is no such thing as obscurity in the Kingdom of God, for the Spirit of God is at work to seal within you the salvation of Jesus Christ and work in you so that sin is more and more hateful to you and the things of Jesus more and more pleasing.

Who is like You, O LORD of Glory, Father of all mercies? There is none and nothing that is Your equal. You do all things perfectly, wondrously, and all You do results in praise to Your Name and evokes from angels and saints greater shouts of “Hallelujah!” Faithful Father, thank You for the work of Jesus Christ, by Whose blood each Christian is counted as precious in Your sight. Thank You, Sovereign Majesty of Heaven, for the gift of Your Spirit, by Whom each Christian is known to You, empowered for holy service. Triune God, if what I do is to be done before many people, let Your Name be praised because of me. Triune God, if what I am to do is done in obscurity, without the knowledge or acknowledgement of others, let Your Name be praised because of me. Strengthen me, along with Your countless tens of millions upon millions, to be willing workers in Your Kingdom, serving with every bit of strength given us, until we hear the trumpet sound and see Jesus return with all His holy angels with Him. Amen.

https://youtu.be/43rnW8AdtqY

1. How bright appears the Morning Star,
With mercy beaming from afar;
The host of heaven rejoices;
O righteous Branch, O Jesse's Rod!
Thou Son of Man and Son of God!
We, too, will lift our voices:
Jesus, Jesus!
Holy, holy, yet most lowly,
Draw thou near us;
Great Emmanuel, come and hear us.

2. Though circled by the hosts on high,
He deigned to cast a pitying eye
Upon his helpless creature;
The whole creation's Head and Lord,
By highest seraphim adored,
Assumed our very nature;
Jesus, grant us,
Through thy merit, to inherit
Thy salvation;
Hear, O hear our supplication.

3. Rejoice, ye heavens; thou earth, reply;
With praise, ye sinners, fill the sky,
For this his Incarnation.
Incarnate God, put forth thy power,
Ride on, ride on, great Conqueror,
Till all know thy salvation.
Amen, amen!
Alleluia, alleluia!
Praise be given
Evermore, by earth and heaven.

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/christmascarols/h/howbrightlyshinesthemorningstarlyrics.html

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

December 20, 2021 -- Luke 20:1-2 -- Questions about Jesus' authority

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

One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up 2 and said to him, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is that gave you this authority.”
Luke 20:1-2 ESV

Over the past 20 centuries, what has really changed? People today still question the authority of Jesus, people within the church and those outside its walls. Gretta Vosper is a minister in the United Church of Canada, and she is an atheist (reference included as a footnote below). She denies the authority of Jesus and is challenging God for proof.
While it is easy to bash against such people, the question this text poses today is far more personal: "Jesus, tell me, by what authority You do these things, Who gave You this authority?" When we know the good we should do and do not do it, we rail against the authority of Jesus in our own lives. When the Bible sits there on the desk unopened, we are saying I know enough I don't need You, Jesus, or Your authority. When we nurse anger against others in our minds and hearts we are saying to Jesus, I know what you teach, but I am going to follow my own authority on this one.
Someone asked me recently: "Does it really make a difference being a Christian? Can't I just acknowledge what I've done wrong and do better?"
My response: "How has that worked out for you?"
We both, nodding, grimaced. We know how our own willful and stubborn hearts lead us further and further away from God and deeper into self-destruction. The only path of healing is full surrender to the authority of Jesus Christ, in Whom we are reconciled to God by the shedding of Jesus' blood. The Spirit, poured out on us by the Father and the Son, He is the power we need in order to be fully submitted and held near the spout where the healing of God comes out and this same Spirit brings the Kingdom of Jesus to fruition in our lives.

O Lord of grace,
I have been hasty and short in private prayer,
O quicken my conscience to feel this folly,
to bewail this ingratitude;
My first sin of the day leads into others,
and it is just that thou shouldst withdraw thy presence
from one who waited carelessly on thee.
Keep me at all times from robbing thee
and from depriving my soul of thy due worship;
Let me never forget
that I have an eternal duty to love, honour and obey thee,
that thou art infinitely worthy of such;
that if I fail to glorify thee I am guilty of infinite evil that merits infinite punishment,
for sin is the violation of an infinite obligation.
O forgive me if I have dishonoured thee,
Melt my heart, heal my backslidings,
and open an intercourse of love.
When the fire of thy compassion warms
my inward man,
and the outpourings of thy Spirit fill my soul,
then I feelingly wonder at my own depravity,
and deeply abhor myself;
then thy grace is a powerful incentive to repentance,
and an irresistible motive to inward holiness.
May I never forget that thou hast my heart in thy hands.
Apply to it the merits of Christ’s atoning blood
whenever I sin.
Let thy mercies draw me to thyself.
Wean me from
all evil, mortify me to the world,
and make me ready for my departure hence
animated by the humiliations of penitential love.
My soul is often a chariot without wheels,
clogged and hindered in sin’s miry clay;
Mount it on eagle’s wings
and cause it to soar upward to thyself.
"Penitence." The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett, Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH, 2020, page 164.

https://youtu.be/eyZsVxUz7aA

The United Church of Canada Decides to Retain Atheist Pastor Gretta Vosper - The Gospel Coalition | Canada

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

December 18, 2021 -- Luke 18:35-43 -- Even the Blind See Him!

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

As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. 36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he cried out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded him to be brought to him. And when he came near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” He said, “Lord, let me recover my sight.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “Recover your sight; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God.

Luke 18:35-43 ESV

It is funny. Seriously. If you missed the humour, read it again; but this time go to the Gospel of Luke and read more of the chapter. Let me summarize. Just prior to this Jesus explained Who He Is. He noted He’d be whipped, mocked, spit upon, killed, and on the third day rise from the dead. This was “hidden from them”. Basically this means the people listening were blind to the truth He was teaching. Now a blind man, hearing of Jesus’ approach, ‘saw’ Who Jesus really is, the Son of David and the Son of God clothed in power. The blind man called out for Jesus to heal him. Jesus, commending his faith, healed him.

Dear friends, do not be surprised if the people in your life do not understand who Jesus is. Unless they are given the eyes of faith, they will remain in their willful and stubborn blindness. Don’t let that stop you, though. Keep on speaking of Jesus. Obviously someone had taught the blind man about Jesus! Obey Jesus so that your fealty to Him will be observed by others who will wonder why you serve Him. By such obedience mingled with words of testimony, others have been saved in the past, and now some around you will be saved because of such full life witness.

King Jesus, thank You for the people You put into our lives Who have proclaimed Your Good News. Thank You for giving them the Spirit of Power in order to empower their persistence despite our stubbornness. Thank You, Spirit of God, that it is both Your work and Your delight to open the eyes of the blind to the truth of Who Jesus Is. Wonderful Counselor, enable us to be faithful and persistent witnesses to Jesus and this to the glory of the Father Who has reconciled us to Himself in Jesus Christ. In our hearts, in our homes and in our world, Triune God, be glorified! Amen.

https://youtu.be/4mnzvWR73O4

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

December 17, 2021 -- Luke 17:5 -- Increase our faith!

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

The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!'“
Luke 17:5 ESV

Now that is an appropriate response to the teachings of Jesus! He had just instructed them to forgive any brother who had sinned against seven times in the day. He sins. He repents. He asks you to forgive, you must forgive him. Balance that out with the prior teaching if someone comes along and is tempting little ones to sin, that person would be better off—notice that—better off, to have a millstone tied around his neck and be thrown into the sea rather than cause a little one to sin. BTW, a millstone, used to grind wheat, weighs a couple hundred pounds. You’d be instantly dragged to the bottom of the sea. You’d never escape your punishment. Prior to these teachings Jesus noted that the Old Testament, the teachings of Moses and the Prophets are enough to cause someone to repent of their sin and turn to God for salvation. If someone rose from the dead and spoke testifying to God as Lord, that would not be as convincing as the written word!

Increase our faith! That must be our cry also. The simplest acts of obedience required in the Scripture are more than we could ever carry out on our own. That is the point Jesus makes. We are not on our own. When we believe in Him, trusting in Him completely, to change us from the inside out, we are strengthened by His Spirit to conform to the teaching of Jesus. In fact, the words of Jesus become for us, the words of life, precious, sweet and our deepest desire.

Christmas is nearly here. It would be easy to get discouraged and depressed when the day is done. So much hype and expectation, beautiful music and anticipation that the day itself can never fulfil. Consider, dear family in Christ, preparing for January. Plan for worship music that you’ll put on and play regularly. Focus your heart on the return of Jesus Christ—which is ultimately for us today, the truest meaning of Christmas. He Who came a babe in the manger will return, as the Conquering King, the Warrior, Faithful and True, to bring to the Father all who are in His army of salvation.

Jesus, increase our faith, so that we see beyond the celebration of Christmas Day and see You, the King of Glory preparing to return.

Faithful Savior, send Your Spirit to us in ever greater measure so that our hearts are subdued before You, and our willingness to forgive is far quicker and truer.

Jesus, by Your Spirit living in us, increase our faith, so that we hate our sins more and more and repent of them, turning away from them so that we can turn our eyes and our attention more fully on You and the promises of our Father, all of which are “yes” and “amen” because of Your redeeming work.

Jesus, increase our faith, so that our lives will not be filled with idleness but with the joy-filled anticipation of knowing Your return in splendor is closer now than it was even one hour ago. O come, come and return, Immanuel. Amen.

https://youtu.be/iO7ySn-Swwc

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

December 15, 2021 -- I Chronicles 15:28 -- Shouts of joy, unspeakable joy!

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

So all Israel brought up the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD with shouting, to the sound of the horn, trumpets, cymbals, and made loud music on harps and lyres.
I Chronicles 15:28 ESV

Look at the layers of sound involved in this praise-making which is given to the glory of the LORD. Horns are loud. Trumpets louder. Cymbals—these make a noise which we call a clash. The brief text before us notes the players made loud music—they took loud sounding instruments and played them to the full and added to this harps and lyres—coaxing from these as well as much sound as they could produce. Why?

The Ark of the Covenant of the LORD represented the presence of the LORD among His people. Inside the Ark are the Ten Commandments, the sign of God’s covenant commitment to His people. There is a jar of mana in it as well. When Israel disputed about which tribe should have leadership concerning the things of God their LORD, the leaders of each tribe brought an almond branch. These twelve sticks were placed before the Ark and overnight the stick of Aaron, the Priest, grew flowers, and produced ripe almonds. God the Creator confirmed Aaron and the Levites as His servants. All of these are signs of the fact God is Immanuel—The God Who is with His people.

Today we shout and praise God because He is Immanuel—proved so in Jesus Christ and now, in our time, it is the Spirit of God Who seals the work of Christ in us. No wonder the people of the Living God break out into praise through-out every age and every generation. It is joy unspeakable, and full of glory. God is near. He has rescued His people.

Mighty God, Majestic Deliverer, forgive the times my praise is barely lukewarm. Forgive the times I am mumbling words of adoration as I am rifling through my desk for this thing or shuffling through the archives of my brain for that inconsequential item. As David and the people of Israel shouted before the Ark, inspire me by Your Spirit to declare my praise to Jesus Christ—Who is the radiance of Your glory. Give me holy focus that is centred always, truly, and whole-heartedly on Jesus. Spirit of God let the overwhelming joy of knowing Jesus Christ result in overflowing joy which leads to outpourings of praise and loud ascriptions of His glory.

https://youtu.be/rqxMvvptf9I

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

December 14, 2021 -- Luke 14:31-33 -- Battles on every side and ready to make peace.

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

Or what king, going out to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends a delegation and asks for terms of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.
Luke 14:31-33 ESV

What a parable! What a graphic description of our circumstances. We think we have all we need for the battles of life, but the world, the devil and even our own evil desires are rising up against us seeking to take us down! The question is: with whom should this king seek terms of peace? The clue is found in verse 33—when a man confronted by Jesus, sees all the power of Jesus and His ability to conquer all enemies on every side—one's own evil desires, His power to heal sickness, calm raging storms, cast out demons and bear the punishment of God against our sins—it would be foolish to side with the devil rather than run to Jesus.

The devil will demand everything. Any addict will tell you, one hit or one puff is too many, and ten thousand is never enough. The devil uses our own vices and lusts against ourselves so that we are swallowed up into death. He is a tyrant.

Jesus tells us, up front, His condition for peace: complete surrender of all things to Him. We renounce all we have and all we are and put our lives in His hands. Look at the security and peace which follows such surrender:

Jesus taught His disciples: no one and nothing can snatch us out of God’s Hands (John 10:29).

Jesus is not a tyrant, He has done the heavy lifting so that we might be called children of God. He calls out, are you weary, carrying heavy burdens, let Me shoulder this load. Burdens of sin. Burdens of guilt. Burdens of unworthiness. (Matthew 11:28-29).

Jesus is a warrior. Believers are in a battle to end all battles. Our Champion, Jesus is the Rider of the White Horse. Jesus is called: “Faithful” and “True” and He judges all the earth in righteousness and makes war. From His mouth comes a sharp sword that is used to strike down the nations (Revelation 19:11-16). All He needs to do is speak and rank upon rank of enemy soldiers fall before Him.

So, you ready to run to Jesus and make peace with Him?

Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
     for His judgments are true and just;
for He has judged the great prostitute
     who corruption the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.
Praise our God,
   all you his servants,
you who fear him,
   small and great.
Amen.
Revelation 19:1b-2,5 ESV

https://youtu.be/johgSkNj3-A

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

December 13, 2021 -- Attitude Adjustment. Check. -- Psalm 119:65-66

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

You have dealt well with your servant,
   O LORD according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
   for I believe in your commandments.
Psalm 119:65-66 ESV

This morning, before I was about to start my devotions, there were a pile of emails. One jangled my nerves, because a credit card authorized prepayment didn’t go through and I was going to be charged $20. I don’t know if this is the latest scam, or a three-hour-on-hold-waiting-to-speak-with-a-customer-rep kinda call that I don’t want to deal with on a Monday morning. There is a backlog of FB personal messages to answer because I turned my computer off a bit earlier than usual last night in order to have some quiet. The credit card thing set me on a wrong path…but, before doing anything about it, I realized I was not walking in the good judgment which God, by His Spirit, has given me. The decision was made. Stop. Sing to God. Listen to His Word. Pray.

The credit card thing still is sitting there, waiting to be answered, but my attitude has changed. My willingness to sort this out with a much better attitude flows from the deep places of knowing God and His faithfulness. Tapping once again into the fullness of His goodness, I am prepared to speak with customer service reps and snarky people who begin the conversation by assuming I am angry, which I am not—and oddly that seems to be far more off -putting to some people than if I actually were angry!

The point is this, Jesus’ work and word aren’t meant to make my day easier. When I realize how my Father in heaven has dealt with me, such a plunging profundity of kindness beyond my deserving, giving me Jesus and sealing me with HIs Spirit then I know it is required of me to respond from this storehouse of grace. This little light of mine will be shining for Jesus Christ no matter who I speak to and what their attitude or posture is. My response is anchored in the good judgment and knowledge that comes from believing in Jesus and walking in His commandments. So in matters great and small, simple decisions or matters of huge implications—all these will be acted out from the foundation of living for the LORD and acting according to His Word. And putting it out there like this is a great way to be held accountable.

O LORD-God, You are my portion, You are my rich reward,
and I know this because of the gift, the priceless treasure Jesus.
Spirit of God, sent by the Father and the Son, to guard in me
such treasures that on my own I would burst rather than be able to keep them in,
You have dealt well with Your servant,
O LORD, according to Your word.
Keep on teaching me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in Your commandments.
Amen.

(This prayer is based on Psalm 119:57,65-66).

https://youtu.be/CO6OZIY-lYw

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