January 26, 2022

January 26, 2022 -- Isaiah 60:1-2 -- Standing in the Light of Christ

January 26, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Arise, shine, for your light has come,
and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth,
and thick darkness the peoples:
but the LORD will arise upon you,
and His glory will be seen upon you.
Isaiah 60:1-2 ESV

What an appropriate time of the year to read this. First, winter grey whether is so gloomy. But add a little light, even on a night where there’s only a sliver of moon shining on the snow, and it brighten the night. Second, this reading is appropriate because much of the church is celebrating season of Epiphany—celebrating the ever greater, growing Light of Jesus Christ. He is the Light that has come into the world.

It is appropriate to read this passage today, because so much of the world is in darkness. The nearness of God is clear. The glory of Jesus Christ has come to this world. When He ascended into heaven he left His Spirit so that the greatness of our God can be known—but many people still, just stubbornly, stay in darkness. People aware of the Light choose to stay in the darkness, denying the scintillating, dazzling sunshine of our Father’s love and beauty.

Finally, this passage is appropriate because the LORD has risen upon you—in fact, as you believe in Jesus Christ, by the powerful of His Spirit living in you, your words and actions, your life and your decisions not to participate in deeds of darkness reveal the glory of God in a tangible way to the people around you. And this glorious light will shine fuller and brighter until, finally, in the New Heaven and New Earth Jesus Christ and His Light will be all our Light and Joy and Peace.

O God, perfect us in love, that we may conquer all selfishness and hatred of others; fill our hearts with Your joy, and shine into our hearts Your peace which passes all understanding; that the murmurings and disputing to which we are so prone will be overcome. Make us long-suffering and gentle, and Spirit of God work in us so that we will be able to subdue our hastiness and angry tempers, and grant that we may produce the fruit of the Spirit to the praise and glory of the Triune God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer by Henry Alford (1810-1871), updated

https://www.bing.com/videos/search?view=detail&mid=0A5E0FCFC62AC97EACE60A5E0FCFC62AC97EACE6&q=arise shine for your light has come - hymn&shtp=GetUrl&shid=fc9bb351-2470-4b58-a2b9-1cef438c5bab&shtk=QXJpc2UsIFNoaW5lLCBGb3IgWW91ciBMaWdodCBIYXMgQ29tZQ%3D%3D&shdk=d29yZHMgJiBtdXNpYzogSmVyZWQgTWNLZW5uYSAoMjAxMyk%3D&shhk=PKz0sTUbY4Z9atj7ClFTtldV7VW64zk8eiNx6SB7gZ0%3D&form=VDSHOT&shth=OVP.HfZa3zSFtKVnzXt6Pc4TWQEsCo

January 25, 2022

January 25, 2022 -- Acts 18:27-28 -- Great Help for Believers

January 25, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

And when he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, 28 for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Acts 18:27-28 ESV

In this passage “he” refers to Apollos. He was a tremendous encourager, helping those who had been appointed by God for eternal life. He was a man steeped in the Old Testament. In fact, he could, using the Old Testament, show that the Promised Anointed One (for that is what the title ‘Christ’ means) was Jesus. Apollos did this so powerfully because the Spirit of God was with him. He was able to speak from the Old Testament because the Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation, teaches the believer about Jesus Christ—for Jesus is the true revelation, final great prophet, Who declared the Father (Hebrews 1:1-4). And Apollos spoke of Jesus, the One Who will save His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21).

Dear brother and dear sister in the Lord Jesus Christ, encourage others whom our Father has placed in your life so that they can see Jesus in your life. Keep reading the Word, the Old Testament and the New Testament and ask the Spirit of God to show you Jesus—Him promised in the Old Testament and revealed in terrible splendour in the New Testament. Be prepared to face mockers and skeptics, spiritual hoodlums and haters, for the declaration of Jesus’ Name in any place is spiritual warfare. Do not stop speaking, the Lord is coming soon as the Just Judge and those who believe will be brought to the Eternal Kingdom, those who refused Him will be thrown down to Hell. What a devastating punishment, therefore, speak whenever and wherever you have the chance so that those who are going to Hell can only get there by fighting vigorously against you and strenuously pushing against your testimony in their determination to get there. Block their way as much as possible, for the sake of the Great Name of Jesus.

Fellow Christians, encourage one another as well. As soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ we have so many differences in the particulars of the Bible. Someone said long ago, it is as if Christians all speak English, but some with a Scottish accent, some a Southern Drawl, others as those who formerly spoke French now English. We emphasize different aspects of the Bible, our speech has idiosyncrasies reflected in the words we use and the accents we highlight, but all who are in Christ are members of the household of God. Some are battle weary and need a word of blessing and encouragement—speak and bless in the powerful Name of Jesus.

Mighty God, by Your Spirit's presence planted within us as believers, help us to be sensitive to the people You put into our lives. May those who need encouragement be revived by the Biblical words we speak. May those who need to know Jesus Christ, hear of Him by our words and see Him because of our actions. Gracious Father, when we ourselves feel spent and exhausted, may we offer our vulnerability and weakness to You, trusting You will supply all our need--keep us therefore from sin, from seeking comfort in things, or trying to find numbness in our addictions, or past sins. Instead, direct us further into the great expanse of Your mighty comfort and soul-soothing majesty where sins are exposed as worthless and Your glory and grace become for us all-consuming and wondrous. Blessed are You God. Holy are You! Kind beyond our ability to describe--that is Who You are! Amen.

https://youtu.be/e4brmgdJvBc

January 24, 2022

January 24, 2022 -- Acts 17:16 -- Despising the idols of this age

January 24, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.
Acts 17:16 ESV

Paul was provoked in his spirit—what a great expression. When someone provokes you, their teasing might go a few steps too far and you react in anger or act to defend yourself. When a circumstance provokes you, your sense of right and wrong is tested and tormented until you must speak up for what is right and true. Paul’s zeal and love for God the Holy One, was tormented by the godless idols which the Athenians worshiped.

I wonder, how often has your spirit been provoked by the idols of our age? The Canadian government has approved Bill C- 4—the so-called Ban on Conversion Therapy. It is one of the idols of our age—that sex and sexuality should take precedence over everything. It is an internally inconsistent law as well. If a heterosexual man questions his sexuality, then it is great, and actively encouraged, that LGBTQ2 proponents should convert him to perversion. If an LGBTQ2 person questions their orientation and seeks advice or help, then a heterosexual person, by definition of law, cannot help. What gross inconsistency, what idolatry. What a perversion of all that is right and holy.

Abortion is another idol in the land. It is egregious how many babies are slaughtered day after day. Two years of pandemic has meant many necessary surgical procedures have been cancelled, but hospitals still perform abortions as if this were necessary. Ironically—”my body, my choice” with regards to abortion, does apply to the vaccine. The state will now decide what you will choose, or coerce you into this. It is the idolatry of the age. With regards to the various vaccines and boosters there is an implicit blind trust in human wisdom and science which is conducted with no reference to God and His creation.

The idol of human feelings is another idol which ought to provoke Christians. In any healthy society there will be disagreements—political, medical, theological, and so on. Canadians are an incredibly diverse people; and yet we are bound together in one land. However the cultural elites at universities and those of particular movements now speak of feelings as if these were of utmost importance. It is another perverse form of idolatry. Consider this illustration. I feel bad when my doctor tells me I have a sickness. But I must know the bad news in order to know the hopeful news of a treatment. If Canadians are going to find a way forward, it must be in a context where there is respect for each person, every opinion, and the recognition that any true and deep discussion will result in differences of opinion. Core beliefs can not be dictated by a prevailing government, a particular movement or ideology.

Dear fellow followers of Jesus Christ. When your spirit is provoked by these, and the plethora of other, idols which litter our age, do not be discouraged. The LORD our God is seated on His throne. His people live under democracies and tyrannies. His people live under Marxist rule and Communist rule. His people are slaves in some countries and free in other countries. No matter the circumstances nor the government, believers have true freedom in Jesus Christ. Speak truth to the powers of this age, aware that people in power may imprison, may fine, may tax, may take away freedoms, but the only, true freedom is found in Jesus Christ. When one is gripped by His grace, any hardship endured is cause for praise that here on earth one should be counted worthy to suffer for the Name.

Pray that many wounded people, confused by the competing idols of this age will finally, fully, turn to Jesus Christ. Pray that Christians will be refined, by the fiery trials of these times, so that there will be greater purity in service to Jesus Christ. Speak up. Where you are, when you have the chance, with the confidence that the Spirit of God will give you the right words at the right time and give you the grace to be silent when the time is appropriate for silence. Read the word. The confidence a believer possesses is not anchored in a political party or a world government or a particular charismatic leader—but all hope is found in Jesus Christ—The Savior of the World, the King of kings. Praise God. When the believer praises God and worships Him alone, the idols in his own life are revealed, thrown down and despised. When a believer praises God, the Almighty One, true perspective is regained and one looks up to the throne of grace finding all grace and mercy for every moment of need.

We urgently ask You, O Lord, let the power of the Holy Spirit be present with us, that the Spirit may both mercifully cleanse our hearts, and protect us from all adversities; through our Lord Jesus Christ—Amen.

Based on a prayer from the Leonine Sacramentary, A.D. 440;

https://youtu.be/hqk-bEwCuIs

January 23, 2022

January 23, 2022 -- Psalm 28:6-9 -- Wound-binding, spirit-lifting praise

January 23, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

6 Blessed be the LORD!
    For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
    in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
    and with my song I give thanks to him.

8 The LORD is the strength of his people;
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9 Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 28:6-9 ESV

This sounds like a Psalm for the celebration of Sunday! As sinners, redeemed by Jesus’ blood and reconciled to the Father in heaven, it is appropriate to declare it over and over “He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy!” It is true. It is the basis of all hope which is anchored in Jesus Christ.

Sunday after Sunday believers proclaim Jesus, the Shepherd, the strength and the One True shield of His people. He has protected, provided, rescued and supported His people—sometimes it is obvious. You can look back in the past week or month and nod, saying, surely the Covenant-Keeping God was my strength. Other times it is not so obvious, but will be the source of praise and joy in heaven when the blessedness of all that the LORD had done is made obvious to His chosen.

When things are going well—praise Him as your Savior. When things are sliding into ruin and chaos, praise Him as your saving refuge. He is not surprised by the disaster that is overtaking you. He Who spoke creation into order can with a word bring order out of the chaos of your life. He has proved this through history, He will prove this in your life also. Bring all your burdens to Him.

Mighty God, some of Your people kneel before You today, crying out “don’t be deaf to my cry, don’t turn Your back to me”! And for these brothers and sisters we add our voices and ask for Your mercy, Father of all compassion, answer them in tenderness which will soothe their hearts and reveal Your great power in the flood of their circumstances showing the gift of Jesus the Rock of Salvation and Safety when the storm rages.

Others among Your people face persecution and hardship unfamiliar and incomprehensible to the rest of us, and for these we pray do not drag them off with the wicked. Let the voice of their pleas rise to Your throne of grace. As they face such deep hardship, let their profound confidence in You convince jailors and interrogators of Your Splendor. Thank You, Father in heaven, for the power of Your Spirit, Who seals the hearts and lives of the persecuted, even to death, so that martyrs will know the power of Your eternal salvation.

Still others are numb. So tired of all the weariness of these last two years. Spent and exhausted, their weary hands are raised to heaven, begging for help. Spirit of All Comfort, revive the broken-hearted and those emotionally flatten so that the voices of all Your people may be joined together in a swelling anthem of praise!

You, LORD, are the strength of Your people; You, Jesus are the Shepherd of Your people; You, Spirit of the Living God, will guide Your people, even in the darkest night and most tortuous path until the light of Salvation shines through the darkness.

Thank You, God of all Glory, for the blessedness of the Sunday, a day of celebration, praise and renewing hope. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

https://youtu.be/pN4tPkX0MG0

January 22, 2022

January 22, 2022 -- Psalm 18:25-28 -- What is God like?

January 22, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

25 With the merciful you show yourself merciful;
with the blameless man you show yourself blameless;
26 with the purified you show yourself pure;
and with the crooked you make yourself seem tortuous.
27 For you save a humble people,
but the haughty eyes you bring down.
28 For it is you who light my lamp;
the LORD my God lightens my darkness.
Psalm 18:25-28 ESV

What is God like? It is interesting how different people perceive different facets of God’s glory and goodness. A merciful man will know God has the Merciful, full of kind compassion. Someone who was purified, aware of her great sinfulness and how she has now been made clean by the Spirit’s application of the accomplished work of Christ, will know God the Father as Pure.

When you share what God, the Multi-Faceted, Excellent in all His Attributes, is like—you will find a non-believer will utterly disagree with you. A crooked, or sinful person, will find the way of the LORD torturous. A non-Christian will find the way of the LORD is filled with too many rules, He asks too much, He is too incomprehensible. Why is that?

Look at verse 28. Picture a lamp as human understanding. In the time that this was written a lamp would be a candle consisting of wick and oil. Without a flame it can do nothing. Now, look carefully and see who illuminates human understanding. It is the LORD, the God Who stoops to human weakness. Without the Spirit’s work of lighting human understanding (in modern terms, without the electricity of the Spirit, without being plugged into Him) there can be no light, no understanding.

Who receive such a light of understanding? Those who are humble. Being brought to a place of humility can be a painful process. Pride is hard as iron and bricks in the human heart. Often it will take a loss, or a painful experience for pride to be broken and a heart to be humbled enough to receive the lightning of the Spirit. This is why children are often open to the glory and the beauty, the kindness and the love of the Savior--many children are humble, already aware of their dependency on parents and teachers and mentors and siblings. Such humble dependency helps them to understand God Who approaches as the Father Who helps the needy.

When you speak with a non-believer, be prepared for their mocking, their scoffing and their disbelief, but do not give up. Your words are used by the Spirit to send off sparks of light and the Spirit may choose to work on the kindling and paper theories of their lives, burning them up with a holy passion that will illuminate Jesus Christ. Remember your own heart, it's haughtiness and deep darkness, before Jesus blessed you with light and understanding, and then praise the Living God for giving you such joy in knowing Him.

With the Psalmist we shout and bless You~

I love you, O LORD, my strength.
2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
3 I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,
and I am saved from my enemies.

For who is God, but the LORD?
And who is a rock, except our God?—
32 the God who equipped me with strength
and made my way blameless. Psalm 18:1-3;31-32)

God, our Rock and Stronghold, from this place of blessedness and with the light of understanding You have given us, empower us to be bold and faithful witnesses so that the people around us whom You have put into our lives will regularly and persistently hear the Good News of Your great love. Amen.

https://youtu.be/9VZW5bZW2B0

January 21, 2022

January 21, 2022 -- I Thessalonians 5:16-19 -- Why Pray?

January 21, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit.
I Thessalonians 5:16-19 ESV

The question can be asked: “Why pray?” if God already knows all we need. It is a question that has been asked through-out the ages. One answer, written in the mid 1500’s, is part of a document called: “The Heidelberg Catechism”. This was written as an instruction in the faith. Today, question and answer 116 of the Catechism will be quoted, along with its source texts, in case you are interested in reading further.

116.Q. Why is prayer necessary for Christians?

Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us. 1Moreover, God will give his grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask him for these gifts and thank him for them. 2

1.Ps 50:14, 15; 116:12-19; 1 Thess 5:16-18
2.Mt 7:7, 8; Lk 11:9-13.

Heidelberg Catechism, LORD’S DAY 45; Question and Answer 116.

Yesterday, as I was meeting with a brother in Christ, who just very recently became a Christian, he had some questions about prayer. As we were chatting his eyes grew wide, excitedly he shared something he had just realized: ‘We never run out of things to give thanks for”. So true.

The Spirit is given to those who ask. Grace is given to those who ask. It is an act of humility to know your need and to ask God for His help. It is the good pleasure of the Spirit to work in the life of the believer who asks for help. The believer who is aware of his broken condition and great hour by hour, need for the Spirit’s dynamic work will be a man of urgent, unceasing prayer.

Father in heaven, thank You for the gift of prayer.
Father in heaven, thank You that though You know what Your people need, before even You are ever asked. You have promised to answer the prayers of Your people. Faithful God, we turn unfilled to You again, asking that You will fill us up with the joy of Your great salvation, fill us up with the knowledge of Jesus’ mighty work and fill us up with the holy-making work of the Spirit. Forgive us for all the wrongs we have done. Forgive us for the work we have left undone. Spirit of God renew in us, a holy, zealous, striving for the things of Christ so that sins and temptations lose their appeal to us. Spirit of God, thank You for taking up residence in the life of every believer and throwing out the works of evil and making us fit temples for Your residence and preparing us for eternity in the glorious Presence of Him Who Alone lives in unapproachable Light. Amen.

https://youtu.be/I_402FDIG_Y

January 20, 2022

January 20, 2022 -- Luke 13:22-24 -- Who Will Enter Heaven?

January 20, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching and journeying toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.
Luke 13:22-24 ESV

Yesterday’s reading was drawn from Job. The LORD questioned him, calling him a “faultfinder”. It is a theme in Scripture, but it is also a theme in all the world, isn’t it? People are so ready to accuse the God of Glory of all kinds of wrongs or injustices. Here in Luke, those questioning Jesus are not listening to His words and teaching, they are seeking to find fault with the mercy of God—the Gracious and Compassionate One. The implication is: “How can the Lord of heaven and earth be loving if those who are saved are few in number?”

Look at Jesus’ response. He doesn’t engage in that kind of debate. He gets right at the heart of the matter. Doug Milne, in his study guide on Luke writes:
The fact is that many (not the same as an overall majority) will make an
attempt, but fail. ‘Don’t be among the “many”! Jesus gives no reason for
this failure but presumably the same sorts of reasons come into play here
as Jesus gave in the parable of the sower (Luke 8:5-7, 11-14). Salvation
is not for the half-hearted but the single-minded (Philippians 3:13-14).
Milne. Let's Study Luke. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST,
reprinted, 2020, page 222

What a marvelous exhortation. Seek the LORD while He may be found. Pursue Him in your thoughts, speak to Him in your prayers, learn of Him in Bible reading. Put into practice the things you learn so that you will not be a “faultfinder” against the Living God, but found faultless because of Jesus Christ, in Whom there is reconciliation to the Father by Jesus’ blood. Ask the Spirit’s help. God never wearies of hearing His people pray for guidance, forgiveness, help and strength through the Spirit. In fact, this all brings honour and glory to Him, it confirms the fact that all our help and all our hope is fixed on Jesus alone. This honours the Father Who has sent the Son in order to bring many sons and daughters to Himself.

The prayer today is from the Psalms. For many it is a familiar Psalm of confession and dedication to the way of the LORD, our God and King.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
    let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
    and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
    and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
    and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
    and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
    O God of my salvation,
    and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
    and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
    you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Psalm 51:7-17 ESV

https://youtu.be/_hadCj7I8kI

January 19, 2022

January 19, 2022 -- Job 40:1-9 -- Awed to silence by Great Grace and Mercy

January 19, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

And the Lord said to Job:

2 “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Job Promises Silence

3 Then Job answered the Lord and said:

4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
5 I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”

The Lord Challenges Job

6 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

7 “Dress for action like a man;
    I will question you, and you make it known to me.
8 Will you even put me in the wrong?
    Will you condemn me that you may be in the right?
9 Have you an arm like God,
    and can you thunder with a voice like his?

Job 40:1-9 ESV

At the start of the book of Job, the reader is informed that Job is “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” Job 1:1. He loses his children and all his possessions in a sweeping, devastating time of loss. His friends comfort him, seven days sitting in righteous silence with him, mourning. When they speak, their attempts at comfort fall flat. They accuse Job of wrong. Job defends himself. He then steps over the line and accuses God, summoning Him, accusing Him, in these times when his friends falsely accuse him.

In great mercy, God, the Mighty, confronts Job. The LORD names Job’s charge against the Living God—Job is a faultfinder who contends with the Almighty. The majesty and might of God is so Glorious is so much that Job, who for many chapters was full of words, puts his hand over him mouth awestruck and silenced. He realized how insignificant he is before the Splendor, Glory, Presence, Holiness and Omnipotence of the Almighty.

The challenge before Job is simply summarized and then unfolds in two chapters. The Mighty One's two part challenge is revealed in verse 9: “Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like His”? The arm of God works mighty power. Think of that expression—the arm, that is the incomparable strength of the LORD. Just glance at His strength, and immediately one sees all people are insignificant. A recent example. Sunday’s snow storm puts Toronto and Ottawa at a standstill. While people are digging out for days, totally focused on this, the LORD is upholding all the universe, and this is effortless for Him.

At a word, His voice, kings and princes are brought low and while their reign seems long to the people of earth, their life is not even as long as the duration of a breath before the timeless Almighty One. God tames wild beasts and laughs at the thrashings of creatures which threaten the lives all of the teams of hunters foolish enough to approach it. His voice sustains life. So small are the creatures of the earth, that God tests them with His eyelids, Psalm 11:5. In the blink of an eye their lives are done and all their existence is opened as a book before Him. Their greatest accomplishments are not even a grain of sand before the all the grand beaches of His perfections and power. Why does this matter?

The LORD speaks to Job. That is so extraordinary, it is easy to miss! He deigns to stoop down and speak with His irreverent creature. Called the most blameless and upright among men of his generation, still the reader knows Job is a sinner. Here is Gospel Good News: the LORD loves Job. In view of the seemingly insurmountable problem of God’s tremendous holiness and man’s inexcusable sin it is the LORD Who provides the most exquisite answer of all: Jesus Christ. Man, faultfinder and complainer though he is, can be brought to God the Father through the Comforter, the Spirit, Who breaks down man’s faultfinding and defenses in order to lead men to Jesus Christ—the final, perfect, Mediator between God and man.

With repentant Job, now confessing before You, LORD, we declare:

“I know that You can do all things,

and that no purposes of Yours is thwarted.”

Blessed are You, Father of Mercies for lifting up Your people, poor and despised though they are, and bringing them to Yourself in Jesus Christ—the Redeemer Who lives! Blessed are You, Father and Son, for the great gift of the Holy Spirit, Who guards and protects Your people in the great salvation which is beyond the grasp of all mortal man’s strivings, but is the extravagant gift of grace generously given in love. Yours, O LORD, is the arm of power, Yours is the voice that thunders down through every generation: just in the condemnation of the wicked and clothed with glorious mercy as you confer untold grace and mercy on those You have chosen. Great are You LORD and terrible in splendor are Your works. Amen.

https://youtu.be/3rT8Re1EIQc

January 18, 2022

January 18, 2022 -- Acts 10:19-20 -- Spirit saturated witness

January 18, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.”
Acts 10:19-20 ESV

If you have time, read all of Acts 10. It is interesting to see that Cornelius, a Roman soldier and one who feared God—that means he was still in the Jewish way of thinking and had not yet believed on Jesus—was told by an angel his prayers were answered and he was to summon Simon Peter from Joppa. Meanwhile, Peter had a vision as well. He was still perplexed by the vision, when the men, sent by Cornelius arrived at his home and asked him to join them to go to Caesarea, to Cornelius’ home.

It is the work of God to bring one man, elect of God, to the point of inquiry and interest so that he summons Peter. It is the work of God to ensure a willing servant, a Christian, will go and preach good news. Children, deeply loved by God, trust that your Father in heaven is using you to bring sons and daughters to glory. Trust that the Spirit will bring people into your life who need to know the truth of Jesus Christ.

The Gospel is going forward like a tsunami, unstoppable. This flood of good news will sweep away old sins and the devil’s strongholds in the life of the one who was formerly an unbeliever. Those who have been appointed for life in Jesus Christ will be brought to their knees in worship before Him. It is a blessing that God, in His great love, allows you to be bearers of good news. Rejoice. Pray. Ask the Spirit to give you even more discernment to know when to speak, when to be silent, who to speak with and where to go in order that the glory of the Lord will cover this earth, like the waters cover the sea.

LORD JESUS, GREAT HIGH PRIEST,
You have opened a new and living way
by which a fallen creature can approach you with acceptance.
Help me to contemplate
the dignity of your Person,
the perfectness of your sacrifice,
the effectiveness of your intercession.
O what blessedness accompanies devotion,
when under all the trials that weary me,
the cares that corrode me,
the fears that disturb me,
the infirmities that oppress me,
I can come to you in my need
and feel peace beyond understanding!
The grace that restores is necessary to preserve,
lead, guard, supply, help me.
And here your saints encourage my hope;
they were once poor and are now rich,
bound and are now free,
tried and now are victorious.
Every new duty calls for more grace than
I now possess,
but not more than is found in you,
the divine Treasury in whom all fullness dwells.
To you I repair for grace upon grace,
until every void made by sin be replenished
and I am filled with all your fullness.
May my desires be enlarged and my hopes be emboldened,
that I may honor you by my entire dependency
and the greatness of my expectation.
Be with me, and prepare me for all
the smiles of prosperity,
the frowns of adversity,
the losses of substance, the death of friends,
the days of darkness, the changes of life,
and the last great change of all.
May I find your grace sufficient
for all my needs.
"GRACE ACTIVE. The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST. reprint 2020, pate 214

https://youtu.be/jkCF19Si8g4

January 17, 2022

January 17, 2022 -- Acts 8:26-31 -- Who will guide you?

January 17, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. 27 And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 29 And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” 30 So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Acts 8:26-31 ESV

Jesus said that His disciples would be His witnesses in Judea, Samaria and "to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8). Jesus' word is being proved true in this short reading today. This Ethiopian man, representing people who are in the category "to the end of the earth", is reading the bible and not understanding what he is reading. The Spirit of God prompted Philip to speak to the Ethiopian. The Spirit of God had prepared one to speak and answer the question of one who was in need of understanding. The Ethiopian knew he needed someone to guide him in this. Look at the kindness of God and His glorious humour. This Ethiopian was in charge of Queen Candace's treasure. When the Ethiopian, now filled with new life in Jesus Christ, speaks to his queen of Jesus--she will have riches beyond compare! Her treasury will be replaced with the greatest treasure of heaven--the Savior!

Who are you called to guide? Who is the Spirit of the Living God prompting you to pray for, to explain Scripture to, and to spend time with so that in the natural ebb and flow of conversation the Good News of Jesus Christ wells up to eternal life within that person? Who can you write an email to? In these pandemic days of lockdowns and so on, who can you write a letter to, which declares the love of Jesus?

So many evangelism courses seem to force unnatural means of reaching out—going door to door with a script. Can God bless this? Yes He can. Notice, however, how often in Scripture what appears to be a chance encounter is actually a divine appointment. The Spirit of God will bring, is bringing, people into your life who need your experience, your awareness of the goodness of God, so that they too will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

A dear prayer partner of yesteryear used to say to me: think of a compass. A godly man needs a mentor to the North—someone more experienced in the faith or an aspect of the faith so that he in instructed by him. Then, godly men need to mentor one another and be held accountable in the faith East to West—that is, by peers in the faith who share the journey and the struggles. A godly man will also have someone he mentors, a person “to the South”, someone younger in the faith who can grow in the faith. It is fascinating how instructing someone in the faith--answering basic questions about what you believe--reignites in you a joy and a deeper zeal for the things of God as you see the person you are mentoring have "aha" moments.

Who is teaching you? Who is directing your walk with God? Who are your East and West peers in believing? Who is the Spirit of God directing you to teach and train up in believing. Such relationships may be very brief (the Ethiopian’s mentor to the North is Philip). Some relationships will be long lasting, think of a mom teaching her daughter to walk in the way of Jesus Christ. A mom who intentionally mentors her daughter, is teaching one who is “to the South”, hungry to grow and learn. Think of how many people in the world are ready to be mentored. A new employee at work is prepared to learn a new skill--that is mentoring in the worldly sense. A January "New Year's Resolution" to "get fit" might mean having a coach at the gym in order to learn how to do appropriate work-outs. If you think about it, our lives are filled with mentoring moments. So the question set before you today is this: Are you prepared to seek out a mentor to the North in order to be challenged to grow in your faith and to mentor others so that you continue grow in spiritual fitness? Will you hold Christian peers accountable so that together you will grow in faith and faithfulness to God?

Spirit of the Living God, thank You for the mentors You already have brought into our lives. Thank You for Sunday School teachers who reinforced what faithful parents taught. Thank You for praying friends. Thank You for those who took a chance and just began to tell us of Jesus' goodness and love. Help us, Spirit of God, to be humble and receptive to the people to whom You are directing us this day or this week. Spirit of God, keep us deeply and truly connected to Jesus Christ, so that our lives will shine as a lighthouse for those whose lives are floundering on the rocks pounded by waves of troubles. Thank You, Father in heaven, that You do all things well and give to us every opportunity to speak thanks and praise and blessing for all the rich gifts You have have given us in Jesus Christ, through Whose work we are called Your beloved sons and daughters. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Z32HiCoFzlU

January 17, 2022

January 17, 2022 -- Acts 8:26-31 -- Who will guide you?

January 17, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

January 16, 2022

January 16, 2022 -- Job 28:28 -- Constantly recommitting ourselves to the Captain of our Salvation

January 16, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
Job 28:28 ESV

And He, that is the Lord, is making this declaration, through His prophet Job. Suffering Job can still declare the word of the King of Heaven. Here he is declaring the teaching of God while he, a man God had declared righteous, suffers. Through the tears and the pain, he spoke the words of the Lord.

The fear of the Lord, let’s pull that phrase a part in order to examine it. Lord—in this particular instance “Lord” carries the meaning the One Who is in Charge of All. Walking in the fear of the Lord gives to anyone who does this a right understanding of life and connects one to the Source of joy. When Job lost his children and cattle and flocks and herds and possessions, what did he do? He arose, tore his clothing as a sign of lamentation, and he worshiped God (Job 1:20). His greatest possession was not taken from him, that is his knowledge of the Lord.

Wisdom is looking for the glory of God in every event of one’s life. Sometimes wisdom only makes itself known to us when we look back over our lives. In such times of contemplative hindsight we will catch a glimpse of the glory of God, how He guided our steps in wisdom because we chose to follow Him and we did not take the easy path or succumb to the pressures of peers who were advising a different way. Sometimes the path of wisdom shows up for us, even while we are suffering greatly, and we know now is not the time to stop, nor to step to the right or to the left. In circumstances that threaten to overwhelm us we cry out “Whom have I in heaven but You, and on earth there is none other that I desire” (Psalm 73:25). That is wisdom.

Turning away from evil is understanding. The moment you realize a course of action is evil, turn from it. When you are tempted to do something and you ask the simple question: “Then what?” And the answer is something that will lead to embarrassment before the Lord or require the shame of repentance, you know the temptation is evil. It is understanding, because choosing the right path is hard work. Deciding each morning to give to God your hands and your heart, your thoughts and your talents means you will be out of step with the world around you. So be it. You are worthy, Triune God!

Spirit of the Living God, in the Prophecy of Isaiah You are called "The Spirit of the Fear of the LORD". You live in Your people--so in the intimate place of our hearts, teach us the fear the LORD and increase in us true wisdom. Spirit of Counsel, there are so many temptations, too many pressures pushing down on us directing our feet into disastrously dumb pathways--the promise is "^greater is He Who is in us than he who is against us" prove that in our lives. Spirit of the LORD, keep our eyes fixed on Jesus Christ and drawn to Him, as the radiant light Who is inviting us to walk into eternity, guard and keep us until we lay down our lives at last and are received into the bliss of our Father's Presence. Amen.
(^I John 4:4)

https://youtu.be/ga057VTHdP0

January 14, 2022

January 14, 2022 -- Job 16:6-22 -- The Witness in Heaven

January 14, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

“If I speak, my pain is not assuaged,
and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me?
7 Surely now God has worn me out;
he has made desolate all my company.
8 And he has shriveled me up,
which is a witness against me,
and my leanness has risen up against me;
it testifies to my face.
9 He has torn me in his wrath and hated me;
he has gnashed his teeth at me;
my adversary sharpens his eyes against me.
10 Men have gaped at me with their mouth;
they have struck me insolently on the cheek;
they mass themselves together against me.
11 God gives me up to the ungodly
and casts me into the hands of the wicked.
12 I was at ease, and he broke me apart;
he seized me by the neck and dashed me to pieces;
he set me up as his target;
13 his archers surround me.
He slashes open my kidneys and does not spare;
he pours out my gall on the ground.
14 He breaks me with breach upon breach;
he runs upon me like a warrior.
15 I have sewed sackcloth upon my skin
and have laid my strength in the dust.

16 My face is red with weeping,
and on my eyelids is deep darkness,
17 although there is no violence in my hands,
and my prayer is pure.

18 “O earth, cover not my blood,
    and let my cry find no resting place.
19 Even now, behold, my witness is in heaven,
    and he who testifies for me is on high.
20 My friends scorn me;
    my eye pours out tears to God,
21 that he would argue the case of a man with God,
    as a son of man does with his neighbor.
22 For when a few years have come
    I shall go the way from which I shall not return.
Job 16:6-22 ESV

Perhaps one of the most difficult things to read—deep insight into the pain of one who suffers greatly. What a graphic description of his agony. Job lost his beloved ten children. His flocks and herds were ripped from him by marauding bands of raiders. His camels taken as well. His wife mocked his faith in God. And now Job’s body is filled with sores which he scraps and scratches with bits of broken pottery. His friends are now visiting him, telling him why God is punishing him for his sins…though the reader knows, from chapter 1, Job is a righteous man.

What is amazing in all of this? First, that Job pours out his complaint, in faith, to God, the Living God. Second, He looks for a witness in heaven. His anguished prayer anticipates Jesus Christ, our witness in heaven, Who took our place in bearing punishment and wrath. As one who has recently experienced two concussions and has for more than a decade wrestled with depression, this strong faith of Job’s, in spite of his great suffering, is an inspiration.

Friends, New Brunswick is back in lockdown. That means for the next 16 days, no gathering for church, no social visiting with friends, gyms are closed, and restaurants are closed. It is a suffocating time for those who are already struggling financially, mentally, spiritually, emotionally, physically. The words of Job inspire me today—we have a witness in heaven—one Job spoke of prophetically, whom we know as Jesus Christ! He is our Mediator and the Prayer-Warrior bringing the needs of the world to His Father in heaven. Take comfort. Trust in God.

Today’s prayer is a powerful reading from Psalm 73.

Whom have I in heaven but you?
And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27 For behold, those who are far from you shall perish;
    you put an end to everyone who is unfaithful to you.
28 But for me it is good to be near God;
    I have made the Lord God my refuge,
    that I may tell of all your works.
Psalm 73:25-28 ESV

https://youtu.be/5QBnWLRn7Ww

January 13, 2022

January 13, 2022 -- Acts 2:6-8; 37-38 -- The Way of Great Freedom

January 13, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language?
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:6-8; 37-38 ESV

Jesus had promised, in Acts 1:8, that when the Spirit of God descended on them, these disciples would be Jesus’ witnesses in Judea, Samaria and to the ends of the earth. The first reading today shows how this promise of Jesus Christ was immediately, partially fulfilled, and this one event must have confirmed for the disciples the veracity of Jesus’ words. Men were in Jerusalem, from 15 plus different regions and nations, for the Jewish feast and now the disciples, filled with the Spirit spoke in tongues, different languages, so all these foreign folks could understand the Gospel.

Notice also their response to the Gospel—they were cut to the heart. They were, because of Peter’s preaching which was anointed by the Holy Spirit, cut to the heart. That is, they were suddenly aware of their vulnerability before God. God is just, holy and good. Their sins were a stench before them and they knew unless the Lord would save them, they’d be left to the just and proper anger of God fully vented against their sin.

In his book, An Anchor for the Soul, Ray Pritchard gives a wonderful illustration, totally imaginary, to make the point of our tremendous need for God and His saving grace.

A fine looking man, all dressed up, rings the bell, at the entrance to heaven, where St. Peter is manning the entrance desk.

Man: I’d like to enter heaven.

Peter: Excellent. We’d be glad to have you. In order to enter heaven you need 1,000 points.

Man: That shouldn’t be any problem. I’ve given lots to charity. Was the chairman of the YMCA board for 25 years, and was involved in many volunteer projects.

Peter: Excellent. One point.

The man is shocked. He adds: I was married for 45 years to my wife and always faithful. Loved our five children and raise them up well.

Peter: I’m very impressed. We don’t get many people like you. That’s another point.

The man was sweating freely now, he starts shaking. He continued: You don’t understand. I was active in my church and gave every Sunday. I was an elder and a Sunday School teacher.

Peter: Your record is certainly admirable. That’s another point. So you have three points, you only need nine hundred and ninety-seven more.

Trembling, the man falls to his knees. In desperation he cries out, “But for the grace of God nobody could get in here!”

Peter smiles and looking at him says: Congratulations, you’ve just received one thousand points.

(Adapted and taken from: R. Pritchard An Anchor for the Soul. Chicago, IL: Moody Publishers, 2011 reprint, page 71

You get the point, right—sinners cannot earn their way into heaven. It is when a man realizes his great sinfulness and then begins to grasp the infinitely greater mercy and vast kindness, and immeasurable justice of God he kneels before the Almighty yields all to Jesus that such a man can be saved.

No wonder saints are the happiest people on earth. They know they can’t earn their salvation. They have been set free from even trying. Believers in Jesus Christ are forgiven. He, Jesus, is their story, He is their song and they praise Jesus all day long. Telling others about Jesus is not a burden or a fearful thing, the believer has already confronted his worst sins and knows these have been washed away by the reconciliation given from the Father in Jesus’ blood.

King Jesus, my sins are always before me, rising like a curtain of stench and humiliation. The more I would deny them, the greater is their foul odor. With Paul I cry out, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" [Romans 7:24-25a] Blessed are You, Father of all mercies! Blessed are You, Jesus Christ--Redeemer-King. Blessed are You, Spirit of Truth leading us into such a boundless, limitless place of freedom in Jesus Christ and adoption as sons and daughters of the Living God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/UV8bv4QuDtM

January 12, 2022

January 12, 2022 -- Acts 1:4-5 -- Baptized in the Holy Spirit

January 12, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Acts 1:4-5 ESV

Jesus promised His followers would be baptized with, or baptized in, the Holy Spirit. For those first believers it happened ten days after Jesus’ ascension into heaven; it is the day the Church celebrates as Pentecost. What happens when someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit?

No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit (I Corinthians 12:3). If the Spirit is not present in the life of the believer, a believer cannot live for Jesus and demonstrate His LORD-ship in all his living.

When one is baptized in the Spirit, one is completely changed, the old life is gone, new resurrection life takes hold. It is impossible to be a “carnal Christian”, that is a Christian who is saved, but who primarily serves sin so that there is no evidence of Christ’s work in his life (Ephesians 1).

A true Christian who slides back into sin, will be restrained by the Spirit and disciplined by the Father, in order to be brought back into true, faithful Christian living (Hebrews 12:7-11).

When a believer is baptized in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit brings fruitfulness—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-24). The old life and old passions are put to death in the life of the believer, these are so incompatible with this new life and new fruitfulness.

The Scriptures contain examples of believers who are filled with the Spirit immediately. Others are filled with the Spirit in some sort of fuller measure after others pray with them for such filling. The point is, God our Father is free to will and to act in us as He chooses. In all instances the Father will receive the greater glory and believers who, in the power of the Spirit yield their lives to Jesus Christ—that is for obedience and sprinkling with His cleansing blood (I Peter 1:2)--will be baptized in the Holy Spirit.

In sweet communion, Lord, with you I constantly abide;
my hand you hold within your own to keep me near your side.

Your counsel through my earthly way shall guide me and control,
and then to glory afterward you will receive my soul.

To live apart from God is death; 'tis good his face to seek.
My refuge is the living God; his praise I long to speak.

Hymn "In Sweet Communion" Text: Psalm 73:23-28 versification, Psalter, 1912
Stanzas 1,2,5

https://youtu.be/rE086BWdhU4

January 11, 2022

January 11, 2022 -- Matthew 11:25-30 -- Rest, doesn't that sound AWESOME? Rest for your soul

January 11, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:25-30 ESV

Jesus invites you right now to turn to Him. Immediately, no doubt, there are so many objections:

But I am such a great sinner. Won’t He despise me? This is what is hidden from the wise of this world and revealed to you, children in the faith—it is the Father’s gracious will that in Jesus Christ sinners would be forgiven.

But I don’t feel like, all these devotions and stuff, so much work. Hmm. Don't you think it is a lot of work to stay in step with the wickedness of the world? In order to avoid the cancel culture of this world you must obey all its whims and fashions. Then there are matters like body shaming--the constant onslaught of commercials for Noom, and Weight Watchers, and this or that new diet fad. Don't even get started on this world's view of “tolerance” that is no tolerance. No wonder Jesus invites you to turn to Him and find rest.

But I am weak. Yes, you are. That is an honest and necessary confession. Therefore take on Jesus’ yoke. It is a huge piece of wood with harnesses to bind two plowing animals together. In this instance, Jesus is telling you, when you are bound to Him, He will do all the heavy lifting. In fact, He already has. The cross is where all your sins have been atoned for and Jesus’ right-standing with God has been imputed, credited to, you.

But I don’t want to. As my accountability partner will tell you, I don’t want to go to the gym. If it weren’t for the fact that he will ask me: “What time are we going to the gym?” I’d skip out, gladly! It is why the Father has given us Jesus as our elder brother and the Father and the Son have given the Spirit of Truth to live in us. You are placed in community with Jesus Christ and with fellow believers who encourage you in the battle for true faith. A faithful Christian friend will ask you, "what time are you going to meet with Jesus?"

What a glorious picture it is: rest for your souls. Rest from doubt. Rest from inadequacy. Rest from the measuring stick of peers and their opinions. Rest from worry. Turn to Jesus and find in Him, rest.

O LORD,
Thou knowest my great unfitness for service,
my present deadness,
my inability to do anything for thy glory,
my distressing coldness of heart.
I am weak, ignorant, unprofitable,
and loathe and abhor myself.
I am at a loss to know what thou wouldest
have me do,
for I feel amazingly deserted by thee,
and sense thy presence so little;
Thou makest me possess the sins of my youth,
and the dreadful sin of my nature,
so that I feel all sin,
I cannot think or act but every motion is sin.
Return again with showers of converting grace
to a poor gospel-abusing sinner.
Help my soul to breathe after holiness,
after a constant devotedness to thee,
after growth in grace more abundantly every day.
O Lord, I am lost in the pursuit of this blessedness,
And am ready to sink because I fall short
of my desire;
Help me to hold out a little longer,
until the happy hour of deliverance comes,
for I cannot lift my soul to thee
if thou of thy goodness bring me not nigh.
Help me to be diffident, watchful, tender,
lest I offend my blessed Friend in thought and behaviour;
I confide in thee and lean upon thee,
and need thee at all times to assist and lead me.
O that all my distresses and apprehensions
might prove but Christ’s school
to make me fit for greater service
by teaching me the great lesson of humility.
"Need of Grace" The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions, ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNTER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020 reprint, page 180.

https://youtu.be/tZIMDcgrF-Q

January 10, 2022

January 10, 2022 -- Romans 3:21-25 -- Laying down the burden of sin

January 10, 2022/ 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.
Romans 3:21-25 ESV

All have sinned. It is an offensive statement. It is easy for someone to say, “Well, I am not as bad as Paul Bernardo.” Imagine this, an illustration of sin that will put things into perspective. You put Paul Bernardo, a notorious serial killer at the foot of the C.N. Tower, and then you go up to the sky-pod, 445 m (1,465 feet) into the air. You imagine you are that much better than Bernardo. Now imagine the Holy God Who lives in unapproachable, His perspective—from heaven—so far above the earth—the distance between you and Bernardo pales in comparison to the view from the heights of heaven. Practically speaking, from such a distance, there is no difference between the worst criminal and the person who seems to be good.

Now see the mercy, the vast, extravagant kindness of the Living God—He gives the gift of redemption through Jesus Christ. All who call on the Name of the Lord Jesus will be saved for Jesus is the offering, the propitiation for your sins. Jesus laid down His life, taking the punishment for your sin on Himself and thereby opening the way for you to be called a son or daughter of the Living God.

Do you know you are a sinner? If so, great, because only one who realizes he is a sinner can receive divine help. God the Father has put forward His Son. Jesus willingly sacrificed Himself so that the glory of God would be displayed for all to see. If you want to be rid of the condemnation of your sin, and the gnawing sense of guilt for your sin, turn to Jesus in the power of the Spirit. For this great gift is received by faith. Ask a Christian friend whose walk you admire to mentor you, helping you along the way. Pray. Ask the Father to apply the gift of Jesus to your life. Then, in the strength of the Spirit, turn from your sin, confess it, hate it; walk in the way of Jesus. Connect with a Bible-preaching and believing church so that you have a community of believers to help you.

God of all kindness beyond deserving, let the blessing of Jesus Christ and His redeeming work be applied to the heart of the guilty sinner who is now, this hour, seeking the relief only You can bring. Who is like You, Mighty God? No one. Your love, Your justice, Your mercy, Your grace, Your patience are unmatched! Blessed are You, Triune God! Amen.

https://youtu.be/R2cB1e0xaQU

January 09, 2022

January 9, 2022 -- John 17:1-5 -- Is Jesus Worthy? Check it out!

January 09, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, 2 since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. 4 I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. 5 And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.
John 17:1-5 ESV

Breath-taking words! When you read these, there are only two options: believe them; or call Jesus crazy. There is no middle ground. Jesus prayed that He would be glorified—that is, the honour, the splendour, the magnificence of the Father would be seen in Jesus Christ. If Jesus were not fully God, this is a blasphemous prayer; if Jesus is fully God (and He IS!) then believers must fall down and worship Him.

It seems almost like a throw-away line, a quick aside, but it is filled with such explosive truth—since You have given Him authority over all flesh (verse 2)—crazy talk! Isn’t Jesus about to be betrayed, put on trial, crucified? If Jesus were not truly God and truly Man—at this point He should be denied. But the Bible is proved true, over and over—even at his arrest, Jesus merely said “I AM He” (the Jesus of Nazareth whom they were seeking) John 18:7 and all the battle-hardened soldiers fell to the ground. Jesus has all authority—but He chose to humble Himself, become a servant in order that the will of the Father would be carried out and through Jesus’ reconciling work, all men would be drawn to Jesus. He is worthy of all worship.

How does one receive eternal life? Isn’t this the greatest folly of all, what Jesus prays next?? Eternal life consists in knowing God the Father and knowing Jesus—Whom the Father sent (verse 3). If Jesus were a liar, a man masquerading as the Messiah, for this petition He deserved every punishment He received and more. He is not a liar. He is Who He claimed to be. Therefore, He is worthy of all worship and honour and praise. Put your faith in Him and know the Father.

Jesus, Your are worthy of all honour. glory and praise. In Your mighty Name, believers are reconciled to the Father and share in everlasting life. What a beautiful thought, which brings us to our knees in praise to Your great glory. Spirit of the Living God, You Who have taken up residence in the heart of every believer, enable us to soak this in and meditate on Jesus, through Whom we have access to our Father in heaven and because of Whom, we bring all honour and praise to the Triune God. Spirit of God, compel us to go and share this magnificent message far and wide that many others will bring honour, praise, glory and worship to the Father, the Grave-Conquering Savior, and the Spirit by Whom we understand all this and are empowered to act, speak, worship and love. Amen.

https://youtu.be/FkRiYsTN7KY

January 08, 2022

January 8, 2022 -- John 16:1 -- To Keep You from Falling Away from Jesus

January 08, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

I have said all these things to you keep you from falling away.
John 16:1 ESV

That is possible? It is possible to fall away from Jesus? Look at the eleven disciples that heard this teaching. Judas Iscariot had already left the group to betray Jesus. Those who heard Jesus’ teaching and these words ran from Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane. They couldn’t believe His resurrection, until Jesus showed them His nailed scarred hands and feet and wounded side.

Jesus went on to teach that believers, His followers, would be put out of synagogues—they’d be booted out of religious assemblies for their faith in Jesus. They’d be persecuted. Mocked. Hated. When the believer experiences such things Jesus said “I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you”. Persecution. Troubles in faith. All of these can serve to remind us of Jesus’ words—He informed His followers of such things.

A weight lifter will experience pain, repeatedly, in order to experience the goal of lifting the greatest weight in the competition. A family preparing to sell a house will paint, clean extra deeply and thoroughly, do patch work and repairs that normally would go unattended because they are slight, doing so with the goal of selling the house. A Christian will face persecution, suffering, self-denial—with the goal of knowing Jesus better in this life and living in the presence of the Father and the Son and the Spirit in all eternity.

Judas Iscariot was among the disciples and none of the Eleven recognized his duplicity, even at the Last Supper, the disciples had to ask Jesus who is it? In fact, the disciples asked, "Is it I (that will betray You)?" How deceitful is the human heart. How mighty and powerful is the Spirit of God, given by the Father and Jesus, to carry believers through the trials and persecutions and sufferings of this life bringing them to the eternal shores.

Spirit of God, renew in Your people the glorious vision of life everlasting in the Presence. Keep Your people from falling away. Renew in believers a deep-rooted zeal and life-committing faith in Jesus Christ. With hearts and minds filled with such a wonderful hope, empower holy service and determined, courageous endurance in obedience to Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of the Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/5DgpDt4f7vI

January 07, 2022

January 7, 2022 -- John 15:23 -- What or Which "God" do you serve?

January 07, 2022/ Richard T. Vander Vaart

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

Whoever hates me hates my Father also.
John 15:23 ESV

It is impossible to say “I love God” in some general sense; and then decide the Spirit is just some sort of force, but not the third Person of the Trinity. Or to question the full deity and full humanity of Jesus, as if that were an option. Such things are evidence of hating Jesus.

If you take up the name “Christian” you cannot pick and choose from the Bible deciding what to believe and then discard whatever is inconvenient. Jesus explains Who He is, the True Witness to the Father. Later in this same chapter Jesus tells His disciples He and the Father will send the Spirit of Truth who will make this plain (John 15:26).

Fellow Christian, you are a fellow truth bearer. You have the Spirit of God living in you. Every activity of your life either shows you a faithful follower of Jesus or a hypocrite who needs to be on his knees confessing sin and saying, “God, You are right when You say I have done evil in Your sight” (variation Psalm 51:4). But even the one the world calls a ‘hypocrite Christian’ is actually a truth-bearer when he sinks to his knees and confesses his sins. Christians are the people who are aware of their sin and have an even greater awareness of the mercies of Jesus Christ. It is not possible for a real Christian to hate Jesus—He is the One True Hope for all who believe.

Jesus, thank You for the Helper You sent from the Father. Thank You for the Spirit Who bears witness to all the truth You taught. Help weak and wounded sinners find true forgiveness and peace in You. Humble Your people so that true confession brings great comfort to the soul urgently in need of You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/0k1WhFtVp0o

Richard T. Vander Vaart

Richard T. Vander Vaart

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Richard T. Vander Vaart

January 26, 2022 -- Isaiah 60:1-2 -- Standing in the Light of Christ

January 25, 2022 -- Acts 18:27-28 -- Great Help for Believers

January 24, 2022 -- Acts 17:16 -- Despising the idols of this age

January 23, 2022 -- Psalm 28:6-9 -- Wound-binding, spirit-lifting praise

January 22, 2022 -- Psalm 18:25-28 -- What is God like?

January 21, 2022 -- I Thessalonians 5:16-19 -- Why Pray?

January 20, 2022 -- Luke 13:22-24 -- Who Will Enter Heaven?

January 19, 2022 -- Job 40:1-9 -- Awed to silence by Great Grace and Mercy

Job Promises Silence

The Lord Challenges Job

January 18, 2022 -- Acts 10:19-20 -- Spirit saturated witness

January 17, 2022 -- Acts 8:26-31 -- Who will guide you?

January 17, 2022 -- Acts 8:26-31 -- Who will guide you?

January 16, 2022 -- Job 28:28 -- Constantly recommitting ourselves to the Captain of our Salvation

January 14, 2022 -- Job 16:6-22 -- The Witness in Heaven

January 13, 2022 -- Acts 2:6-8; 37-38 -- The Way of Great Freedom

January 12, 2022 -- Acts 1:4-5 -- Baptized in the Holy Spirit

January 11, 2022 -- Matthew 11:25-30 -- Rest, doesn't that sound AWESOME? Rest for your soul

January 10, 2022 -- Romans 3:21-25 -- Laying down the burden of sin

January 9, 2022 -- John 17:1-5 -- Is Jesus Worthy? Check it out!

January 8, 2022 -- John 16:1 -- To Keep You from Falling Away from Jesus

January 7, 2022 -- John 15:23 -- What or Which "God" do you serve?

Richard T. Vander Vaart

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