April 30, 2022 -- Psalm 90:14; 42:8 -- Open yourself up to the never-ending steadfast love of the LORD

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

Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love,
   that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Psalm 90:14 ESV

By day the the LORD commands His steadfast love,
   and at night His song is with me,
   a prayer to the God of my life.
Psalm 42:8 ESV

What do you do when your feet hit the floor in the morning? Maybe after your coffee is brewed, or your tea is steeped, do you with steaming cup in hand, scroll through social media to see if anyone liked your posts? Do you tweet an opinion about something with the hope that you’ll get a heart response? Dear, fellow lonely creature, look to God at the start of and the end of the day.

The psalm-writer calls out to the LORD at the start of the day, perhaps before anyone else is awake, and his heart is yearning, hungry, restless. He calls out to the LORD, the Maker of Heaven and Earth trusting in His steadfast love. That expression, steadfast love, is translated as mercy in some other versions. The original language Hebrew word is Hesed. It is the covenant love of God the Father, whereby He has chosen people to be His Own. Such people are sinners, saved by the blood of Jesus. Such people are prone to wander and yet, have been captured by His grace and never-ending patience.

In the morning and at night the steadfast love of the LORD surrounds you, fellow believer. There is no place on earth or in the furthest depths one can go where the LORD is not already present. There is no moment of the day that is free from sacredness. What a concept that is. It is especially potent knowing the LORD commands His love even at night. In the second text the context of the whole Psalm is the writer's battle against depression and discouragement. His soul is thirsting for the Living God and tears have been his food, day and night. What stops the flow of tears? It is preaching to his soul the steadfast, covenant, love and mercy and patience of the God of glory. He is commanding his soul to open up and receive the steadfast love of God that has never, not even for a nanosecond, halted.

If you have poured out your heart on tweets and posts and no one has noticed, commented, or liked, remember this, the LORD has not stopped looking at you. Psalm 33, “behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear Him” (verse 18). Behold means, see and take notice, place this in the safe-keeping of your heart—the LORD has His eye on you, He will not leave you nor abandon you. Such a steady stream of love lifts you from the pit of depression. Such amazing love directs your steps in holiness. Such steadfast love surrounds you so that you are a living witness to His goodness in every part of your life and in every moment of your life. Such steadfast love prompts you to valiant acts of obedience in honour of His Name, whether or not anyone else on earth notices. The LORD has directed His steadfast love toward you. Rejoice and sing! Serve your King!

Our soul waits for the LORD;
   He is our Help and our Shield.
For our heart is glad in Him,
   because we trust in His holy Name.
Let Your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,
   even as we hope in You.
Psalm 33:20-22 ESV

https://youtu.be/FMBRLq0-y9Q

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April 29, 2022 -- Matthew 20:20-28 -- untitled

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

Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something. 21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.” 22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.” 23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:20-28 ESV

Talk about a proud, pushy mom—she’d give soccer moms and pageant moms are run for their money. The mother of these grown men, the sons of Zebedee, is pushing her sons forward completely oblivious to what Jesus is doing and blind to the implications of what she is asking. She is kneeling before Him, the Suffering Servant, and asking that her boys have a guaranteed short-cut to thrones, exalted thrones, for all eternity.

The meek and truthful response Jesus offers is evidence He is the Messiah, Master of His emotions, tongue and Lord every situation. He exposes the folly of this woman, the prideful complicity of the men to their mother’s request (note that Jesus asked them, James and John if they thought they could suffer like He suffers and would suffer). Jesus leaves the question hanging in the air. Readers of the Gospel according to Matthew know how this turns out.

All the disciples will abandon Jesus—it is not just Peter who betrays Jesus, each one at the Garden of Gethsemane proves their need for a Savior. After the resurrection, these sons of Zebedee do not have confidence Jesus is risen from the dead. They prove they are not able to drink the cup that Jesus drinks. In fact, no follower of Jesus past, present or future can endure all Jesus did to bring many sons and daughters to glory!

Dear people of the Father, you are made sons and daughters by the blood of Jesus, the Suffering-Servant, now King of Glory. How often we want short cuts. We would serve Jesus, but we want it to be easier, quicker, and have more guarantees which the efforts of others, but not on our own efforts and exhausting exertions.

To the sons of Zebedee, and to you and me, Jesus replied to all people's yearnings for a quick and easy path to glory, cutting off any hope for a Christian life of ease—the path of service given unto Jesus Christ is one of serving, giving, and pouring out one’s life in obedience to the Living God. Jesus knew He was giving up His life and serving even to the point of death. He knew He was pouring out His life, in full obedience to the Father, and doing so among those who did not understand. He served though His followers have an inflated view of self and a great disrespect for the others, even others for whom Jesus died.

It is the path of Jesus’ suffering which wins for believers the crown of glory. It is the work of the Spirit to humble the hearts of believers before Jesus. The Word of God exposes the folly and the pride of Christians and pulls from our lips the confessions of our vanity and false pride. Delight in this, fellow-Christian, the Savior, meek and mild in responding to soccer moms and boastful sons is patient in bringing you to completion in His full salvation. This Jesus is also fierce in His protection of your life. At the cross He disarmed the hosts of hell. His Father is the wall of fire surrounding His people. The Spirit is the deposit guaranteeing your eternal salvation. Triune God will bring you safe to His presence. In view of this, go, and serve Your King!

Who is a god like You?! Your steadfast love, O God of Heaven's armies, is beyond description! King Jesus, Mighty Savior, Suffering Servant, Desired One of all Nations, blessed be Your Name now and forever more. Equip us Spirit of God, to abase ourselves, emptying ourselves of all pride so that the flood of grace which flows from the throne of Jesus Christ may cleanse us and renew in us joy-filled, obedient service. Amen.

https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ

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

April 28, 2022 -- Psalm 147:1-5 -- Praising the Omnipotent One Who cares for you and me

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

Praise the LORD!
For it is good to sing praises to our God;
for it is pleasant,[a] and a song of praise is fitting.
2 The LORD builds up Jerusalem;
he gathers the outcasts of Israel.
3 He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds.
4 He determines the number of the stars;
he gives to all of them their names.
5 Great is our Lord, and abundant in power;
his understanding is beyond measure.
Psalm 147:1-6 ESV

[a] or it could read: “for he is beautiful”

There is a lingering memory in our family of the years when our children were growing up. We had three children and at any given time we might have one, or two, or up to three foster children in the house at the same time. When Carolyn was exasperated with one, she’d call out for him (or her). However, because she was flustered she might call out one name, though everyone knew she actually intended to summon someone else (!); then call out another name and finally get to the name of child she actually wanted. She hadn’t exactly forgotten the name of her child, she was just thrown off balance by her agitation. What is funny is Carolyn’s mom did exactly the same thing, running through the names of her children until she reached the right one whom she wanted to scold or command. Look at verse 4, the LORD determines the number of stars and He give to all their names. He doesn’t forget. Every nanosecond they are sustained by His might and it costs Him nothing to keep the hurtling solar systems in perfect check. He simultaneously knows every single one of the stars. Awesome!

The mighty power of the LORD God—evidenced by the starry hosts and His complete knowledge of and sustaining of each one--means that it is a simple matter for Him to care for His people. It is easy to feel neglected, like a speck of sand on an endless seashore and wonder: “God, do you truly care for me?

He Who is powerful in every way (therefore powerful enough to help you) is also He Who is loving and willing to help you. The fact you are asking this question means He is paying attention to your wounds. He heals the brokenhearted. He has answered your every wound in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Father’s wrath against your sin has been averted. Now Jesus, as the LORD of the Church, gathers His revivified people by His Spirit and brings them to the place where they are protected by the fiery walls of God’s grace and glory (Zechariah 2:5).

Reflecting on the beauty of our God, the splendour of His might and evidences of His grace changes our attitude, our awareness, our heart. In view of Who He Is, the soul captivated by His beauty, can not do anything but break out into praise. The heart determines the course of your life—this God is Great and Abundant in Power and He has revealed Himself to this poor man. Therefore, it is the purpose of this once-entombed-in-the-poverty-of-sin man to give his life to singing to the LORD with thanksgiving and continuously hoping in His steadfast love.

Sing to the LORD with thanksgiving;
   make melody to our God on the lyre!
He covers the heavens with clouds;
   he prepares the rain for the earth;
   he makes grass grow on the hills.
He gives to the beasts their food,
   and to the young ravens that cry.
His delight is not in the strength of the horse,
   nor his pleasure in the legs of a man,
but the LORD takes pleasure in those who fear him,
   in those who hope in his steadfast love. 
Today's prayer is: Psalm 147:7-11 ESV

https://youtu.be/0nnkkra4FwY

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

April 27, 2022 -- Zechariah 2:1-5 -- God's gift of hope revived

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

And I lifted my eyes and saw, and behold, a man with a measuring line in his hand! 2 Then I said, “Where are you going?” And he said to me, “To measure Jerusalem, to see what is its width and what is its length.” 3 And behold, the angel who talked with me came forward, and another angel came forward to meet him 4 and said to him, “Run, say to that young man, ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as villages without walls, because of the multitude of people and livestock in it. 5 And I will be to her a wall of fire all around, declares the LORD, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”
Zechariah 2:1-5 ESV

It has been said a man can live 40 days without eating, three days neither eating nor drinking anything, but cannot survive a single day without hope. Zechariah is prophesying to a community of exiles who'd recently been returned to the Promised Land. This people were supposed to rebuild the temple and inhabit Jerusalem. Instead of doing this, they languished. Broken and dispirited. The hope had fled from them. They were sinners, descended from sinners, far from the realization of the nearness of the grace of God. So, the LORD spoke, to revive His people, to grace His people with a vision of hope.

A city without walls was unprotected. It would be vulnerable to the attacks of surrounding nations. Surely the people just returned from exile would be too exhausted to contemplate any disaster or face any threat. The LORD showed them His gracious presence. Jerusalem would be without walls, so that it would be open enough to accommodate any and all the people who would choose to return there. It is an inviting picture, a sign of welcome to those who return from foreign wandering.

And the LORD will be a wall of fire all around Jerusalem. What a show of strength and protection that is. Imagine it, a city ringed by divine fire! No one would dare attack that for any enemy would not be facing dispirited, helpless people, but would be facing the very strength and unlimited power of the Living God Who pledged Himself to protect His people. 

This people will be orphaned no more. They are given a land, given protection, and given a Father. The glory of the LORD will be in their midst. Those who are Christians, read this passage as interpreters who see with the clarity of the New Testament. We know glory of the LORD visited His people in the person of Jesus Christ. He is the glory of God, come to earth, to rescue the exiles, find the lost and break the chains of those enslaved to sin and bound over to the wrath of God.

The long-ago prophesied fire did fall, it fell at Pentecost, when the Spirit of God made the dwelling place of God to be limitless—an ever-expanding city to encompass the ever-expanding people of God. The people of God have a name—sons and daughters of the Most High God who have been made such by the blood of Jesus Christ. The family of God are walled in by His holy fire, so that their lives, their work, and even their death all these happen under the ever-vigilant care of the One Who is able raise up the dead to newness of life.

People of God, live in hope! See the power of God at work right now—that power which is a wall of fire around you, bringing you safely through the sufferings of this world, as your life and words bear witness to Jesus Christ. The Spirit of God continuously gives you the assurance that the glory of the LORD is near you right now and will be everlastingly visible and known to you in eternity!

May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. 
Blessing and prayer: Romans 15:13 ESV

https://youtu.be/Jcl6WSNVcHM

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

April 25, 2022 -- Leviticus 19:1-2 -- Holy messengers

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

And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.” Leviticus 19:1-2 ESV

[Jesus said] “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8 ESV

Why is the holiness of God’s people so important? Here is a wonderful illustration (I heard it two times yesterday, in two different sermon podcasts, from two different ministers!). Imagine you are having brain surgery. You are anaesthetized, but wide-awake so that the surgeon can make sure you are responding well; also being alert will help the surgeon know the fix he is effecting won’t cause more damage to nerves, or major organs and so on. Midway through the surgery, the doctor drops the scalpel. You see him wipe it on his gown, which you plainly observe is soaked in your blood. The scalpel remains dirty and there is a long hair on it. He then takes it and wipes the scalpel under his armpit and there is no more visible blood on it. The hair which had just previously been tenaciously clinging to it is gone. Would you be frightened? Terrified if the doctor continued to use this scalpel on you? You bet. So unclean. Such an invitation for gross infection.

The people of God are sent as heralds, in the Name of the Great Physician. We apply the Word. Holy people speaking the Word of the Holy One show the sin-damage the heart and the head unsanctified people carry. As witnesses, we declare what God has decreed, the danger of remaining sin-stained when such a state will invoke the wrath of the Physician, the Very God Who has given the cure in Christ.

A sin-carrying herald, like dirty scalpel, cannot work on a heart or head that needs to be clean. Such a sin-infected herald would spread the infection of sin even further. Be clean, people of God. Cleansed by the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, kept clean and holy by the Spirit Who works in you. As those so cleansed, like the sterilized scalpel, can declare the healing work of Jesus Christ to any and all who are now condemned by the wrath of God against sin. The Father in heaven has given the cure, Jesus Christ.

Almighty God, before Whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from Whom no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of Your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love You, and worthily magnify Your Holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord — Amen.
Prayer, Gregorian Sacramentary, A.D. 590

https://youtu.be/I_402FDIG_Y

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April 23, 2022 -- Matthew 12:9-14 -- Is there a treasure of evil or good in your heart?

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

He went on from there and entered their synagogue. 10 And a man was there with a withered hand. And they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”—so that they might accuse him. 11 He said to them, “Which one of you who has a sheep, if it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will not take hold of it and lift it out? 12 Of how much more value is a man than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.” 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.
Matthew 12:9-14 ESV

Two things should be immediately obvious from this brief text. 1. The Pharisees are not interested in Jesus’ answer. They’d already decided against Him and were seeking to trap Him and accuse Him. 2. The Pharisees were blind to their own deep-seated wickedness. They’d pretended to care about the LORD’s law concerning the Sabbath (Exodus 20:8-11) in order to trap Jesus. Notice how the vile blackness of their hearts was revealed in the fact they were prepared to plan how to kill Jesus, and that on the Sabbath, the very day which they’d so duplicitously presented to Jesus as the day they would keep holy.

Jesus noted, just a few verses later, “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil” (Mathew 12:34b-35).

What is gushing out of your mouth—in public and in private? What are you mulling over in your heart and mind? Is your heart abounding in good and striving to be more like Jesus or are you, like the Pharisees, hoarding evil treasures and dispensing evil? Now is the day of salvation. Now is the day—if you hear Jesus’ voice, to turn away from you sin and so confess God is just in condemning sinners and vast in His loving-kindness whereby He punished Jesus in the place of sinners and gives to them the righteousness of Christ. Right now, your reaction and your thoughts either condemn you as belonging to demons, or as those made good in Jesus Christ.

Father in heaven, we
behold the Servant You have chosen,
   Your Beloved, with Whom Your soul is well-pleased.
You have put Your Spirit on Him,
   and He proclaims justice to the Gentiles.
He did not quarrel or cry aloud,
   nor did anyone hear His voice in the streets;
a bruised reed He did not, nor does He, break,
   and a smoldering wick He will not quench,
until He brings justice to victory;
   and in His Name the Gentiles will hope.
Prayer based Isaiah 42:1-4

https://youtu.be/mH3I_6hvLyc

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

April 21, 2022 -- Matthew 9:26-38 -- Pray to the Lord of the Harvest

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

When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:36-38 ESV

Currently, all around my city, Moncton, NB., there are signs in store windows, restaurants and gas stations “Apply within”. All kinds of jobs are available. I heard that one of the fast-food restaurants is even offering a $200.00 signing bonus. There is a lot of work available and there is a huge work-force sitting at home. Many people who are not prepared to go out and get a job.

When Jesus entered a town He healed the sick; He cast out demons; He taught as one who has authority; He had compassion on those who were harassed. Those who are followers of Jesus Christ cannot be all those things to all the people in need. The one who follows Jesus Christ is given talents, spiritual gifts, so that according to the gifting he has been given by the Holy Spirit, he’ll have a Christian inclination and ability to meet a need.

Some Christians want equitable distribution of food and appropriate housing and as they advocate for this are regularly mentoring those in need; it is a harvest field. Some Christians love to educate others, it is a harvest field. Some Christians are great at meeting their neighbours by getting involved in community events; it is a harvest field. Some Christians are wonderful at helping those who are in physical distress or mental distress; it is their harvest field. Some Christians are fitness buffs; it is their harvest field to share this passion and use it to reach others.

The command to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest” is in fact a command aimed at you, Christian, to see where you fit in God’s plan to preach the Gospel. By your words, putting to use your skills and actions you will reach the lost. The harvest field will be gathered. There are help wanted signs all around you. Your particular gift mix is needed right now. Pray. Get up and answer that help wanted sign to the glory of the Lord of the Harvest.

Lord of the Harvest, thank You for Your great compassion for Your people. Thank You that we ourselves have experienced Your great grace and healing love. Lord of the Harvest, send out labourers into the harvest field so that the Father's love will be deeply felt and embraced by many. Lord of the Harvest, continually fill us by by Your Spirit so that endlessly supplied with all grace, mercy, and peace which is anchored in Jesus' accomplished work, Your labourers will be prepared for the hardships and victories; the suffering and the blessing of shepherding. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Ngoit0sRTWY

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

April 20, 2022 -- Matthew 7:28-29 -- Jesus' astonishing authority

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

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.
Matthew 7:28-29 ESV

When was the last time the Word of God left you astonished? Yesterday I was teaching in a jail and three men attended the Bible study. One was a Christian. The two others came out because they are curious about the faith. The Bible course material took the men through the basics of the faith—God created the heavens and the earth, all people are descended from Adam and Eve, the sin of Adam affects all people because we are all one race, Jesus is the new Adam. The heavens declare the glory of God and the Bible makes it plain all people know God exists and He is divine, and the Scriptures show Jesus, the full revelation of the Father. Those who confess their sins receive forgiveness.

One man declared—"I knew it!" His eyes lit up and I could hardly keep him from talking through-out the rest of the study--he wanted to hear it all and at the same time he wanted to affirm it all. "We are all one family." He blurted out. "I am black and Asian, I am part white and part Aboriginal—because we all belong to God as one people."

At a moment like that surely you can see it is the Word of God which points to Jesus Christ; He has all authority. His teaching is accompanied by the dynamic Spirit. It is the most exciting thing to teach in the Name of Jesus and see men respond with wonder and thirsty joy.

The man at the Bible Study asked for a Bible. Sometimes I wonder—do we as Christians really understand the power of the Gospel? Do you know the Word is dynamite? Thanks be to God Who by His Spirit continues to make the teaching of Jesus astonishing and life-changing.

Father in heaven—thank You that You reveal Yourself in creation and that You reveal Yourself most perfectly in Jesus Christ—the Living Word. Spirit of God thank You for bringing to us the Light of Jesus and the power of His astonishing life and work. Bless these men who are attending this Bible study; and bless all who are incarcerated and interested in Your Word—may the breath-taking news of Jesus put to death the old nature and things of sin and by Your Spirit breathe new life into lungs, hearts, and minds which have been prepared for the glory of our Father in heaven. Amen.

https://youtu.be/nzy7jFNUc3w
 

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April 19, 2022 -- Matthew 5:14-16 -- The Light of Christ

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

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 ESV

Have you ever seen a picture where the dark side of the earth is in view and piercing the darkness is every point of light—cities and airports, street-lights and highways—all of them shine brightly into the gloom? It is awesome to see how powerful light is effectively piercing all the darkness. Light cannot be denied.

When someone is wrapped in darkness, your light of faith is the most welcome sight, a bright hope.

When pleasures of sin have been exposed, shown to be nothing more than a banquet in the grave, and the one in its stranglehold sees the light of Christ shining from you, a believer, that light offers an alternative which cannot be denied. The Spirit of God draws sinners to the light of Christ.

When a fellow brother or sister in Christ is discouraged and broken down the grace of seeing the bright light of Christ which shines out from your good works will reignite in the heart the brightness of faith.

When you tip your candle towards another, unlit candle, you light that other candle and doing so doesn’t diminish the strength of your light, it merely increases the reach of available light. That is an illustration of the glory of God. He sent the Light of Jesus Christ into this world. All who believe in Jesus are set ablaze by the Spirit. The Spirit keeps the fire burning and believers carry this light everywhere and so, in the power of Jesus’ Name, dispel the darkness.

Your steadfast love, O LORD, extends to the heavens,
    Your faithfulness to the clouds.
 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God;
    Your judgments are like the great deep;
    man and beast You save, O LORD.

For with You is the fountain of life;
    in Your Light do we see light.

 Oh, continue Your steadfast love to those who know You,
    and Your righteousness to the upright of heart!
How precious is Your steadfast love, O God!
Psalm 36:5-6; 9, 7a

https://youtu.be/FcD9uhRC3Ew

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April 18, 2022 -- Psalm 119:32 -- Enlarge my heart

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

I will run in the way of Your commandments
   when You enlarge my heart.
Psalm 119:32 ESV

Awake, O harp and lyre!
   I will awaken the dawn!
I will give thanks to You, O LORD, among the peoples;
   I will sing praises to You among the nations.
   For Your steadfast love is great above the heavens;
   Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
Psalm 108:2-4 ESV

Resurrection Sunday—the joy-filled psalms, spiritual songs and hymns of praise reverberate on our lips and our rebound in our soul. It is the mind captivated by the splendor of God and His redeeming work that swells with praise and worship. It is a swirling kaleidoscope of heart-felt emotions and exultation which are offered to the Father for the gift of King Jesus and His glorious resurrection. It is what Psalm 108 seems to capture. Yet, I am aware how praises and blessings offered up to the Living God fall short.

It takes the work of the Spirit to enlarge my heart so that praises swelling within my heart do not fall silent shortly after the church service does.

It takes the work of the Spirit to enlarge my heart so that the bliss of celebrating God’s goodness can be sustained. I am most aware of my finite humanity on days of celebration and blessing because wonder cannot be sustained.

Oh, doesn’t it make you long for eternity? Then God the Father will be fully present and unveiled to His people; the work of Jesus will be fully applied so that even death itself will be thrown down and be no more. The Spirit of God will do His enlarging work so that our capacity for remaining in such joy-filled bliss and sustaining worship will not tear us apart or end.

One day this prayer from Psalm 119 will be fully answered, the people of God will have their hearts enlarged. Joy will not be temporary. The people of God in the presence of God will be rejoicing and there will be sustained praise, honour and blessing that stretches down the corridors of eternity, ever increasing to the glory of the King of Glory Who alone dwells in unapproachable light!

God, from the beginning, You were the word. You sent Your only Son to save us all and He even allowed Himself to be tortured and crucified to obey You. Bless me with the gift of understanding and of unshaken faith in You. By Your Spirit's power working in me, let me know the meaning of Your words in the Bible and to live accordingly. Open the door of my heart, and fill me with Your light and understanding. Amen.

https://youtu.be/936BapRFHaQ

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

April 16, 2022 -- Jeremiah 3:12b -- Between Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday: Reflections

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

“Return, faithless Israel,
declares the LORD.
I will not look on you in anger,
for I am merciful,
declares the LORD;
I will not be angry forever.”
Jeremiah 3:12b ESV

At a recent church meeting there was a big box of books available, for free, for anyone who wanted to take one. The book’s title is: “Inexpressible Hesed and the Mystery of God’s Lovingkindness”. It is written by Michael Card, a musician and theologian I admire. I am thoroughly enjoying the book and reveling in the richness of the meaning of the Hebrew word Hesed—which in English can be translated: mercy, merciful (as in our passage today); lovingkindness; divine kindness; graciousness; covenant friendship—in fact it is a word that Card argues is unique to Hebrew thought and therefore very difficult to translate into other languages.

It is the Saturday, that odd what-are-we-supposed-to-do day between Good Friday and the exuberant celebration of Sunday, Jesus’ resurrection? It is a strange time in many ways—what do you call it? How is it celebrated? You can find all kinds of rules about fasting and what services to hold or not to hold. Today Jeremiah’s words echo with great clarity for me—it is obvious that the people of the LORD are faithless—but He is faithful, merciful, loving, kind, ardent in His zeal for His lost people, compassionate.

The disciples were scattered, unable to process all the promises of the Old Testament—and Jesus is in the tomb, fighting for their victory. He died in their place, He the faithful One sent by the Father for the rescue of faithless, slow-to-believe people. This people will be captured by His Hesed.

Crowder sings, “I’m the one who held the nail…I’m the one who denied You with my lips'“. That seems a fitting line for Holy Saturday—a meditation on the great explosion of my sins and uncontainable contamination of my mind—my great faithlessness today, more than ever is met by the Hesed—the matchless loving-kindness and mercy of God abounding for me in Jesus Christ. I think today is a day for awe and Spirit-led reflection, prayer which will swell to Resurrection thanksgiving.

O LORD, I fling myself
   with all my weakness and misery
   into Thy ever-open arms.
I know that I am ignorant and much mistaken about myself.
Thou, Who seest in very truth, look mercifully on me.
Lay Thy healing hand upon my wounds.
Pour the life-giving balm of Thy love into my heart.
Do for me what I have not the courage to do for myself.
    Save me in spite of myself.
May I be Thine, wholly Thine, and, at all costs, Thine;
   in humiliation, in poverty, in suffering, in self-abnegation, Thine;
   Thine in the way Thou knowest to be most fitting,
      in order that Thou mightest be now and ever mine.
Thou art my Strength and my Redeemer.
I am Thy poor little creature, dependent on Thy merciful charity alone—Amen.
Père Besson (1816 - 1861) Prayers Ancient and Modern. Ed. Mary Wilder Tileston. New York: Grosset & Dunlap, 1928. page 226.

https://youtu.be/u_ZWEO36jok

Shalom--your fellow wounded healer...

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

April 14, 2022 -- Daniel 2:26-28; 46-47 -- God is the Revealer of Mysteries

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

The king declared to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream that I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered the king and said, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or astrologers can show to the king the mystery that the king has asked, 28 but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and he has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days.

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face and paid homage to Daniel, and commanded that an offering and incense be offered up to him. 47 The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”
Daniel 2:26-28; 46-47 ESV

The king of Babylon took Daniel and his three friends captive—along with the great and leading families of Judah. In exile Daniel was taught the laws and wisdom of Babylon; all the while he and his three companions remained faithful to the Living God. Look at the Name Daniel ascribes to the LORD of Glory and the Name King Nebuchadnezzar echoes: God is a revealer of mysteries. What a mighty title that is.

Not just the interpretation of dreams, which in itself seems very cool, but deep things, secrets and riddles. For example, the mystery of how all things will be made right at the end of history, when Jesus returns with all His holy ones. This is a mystery deeply explored and prayerfully contemplated by the wise.

The mystery of evil and the triumph of goodness. While I was a police chaplain I’d often ask an officer, “What’s the worst thing you’ve witnessed, the worst evil you encountered on the job?” Inevitably the officer would have several examples, each more horrible than the last. My next question inevitably proved to be a stumper: “How do you unsee evil?”

When evil scenes and the insidious, persistent evil of others affects your appetite and your sleep, is there a way of unload evil from your heart and mind? When you find murderous thoughts and unbridled anger rising up against the perpetrator of injustices against children and you realize how much evil resides in your own heart—there is a mystery that needs unlocking. God is the Revealer of Mysteries.

In Jesus Christ, God the Father has given His fullest revelation. Evil is punished at the cross. Those who are covered by the blood of Jesus Christ have had their sins punished and are set free to live in the power of the Spirit. Those who refuse the blood of Jesus Christ, will be buffeted by evils and the swirling foul vapors of wrong-doing and there will be no peace and no escape.

A whodunit may last an hour (37.5 minutes after factoring in time for the endless commercials). It is always intriguing to follow the twists and turns thrown at the viewer, holding on until the criminal is revealed. If you are willing to wait an hour or two plus hours for a movie, or the length of a series, surely you are willing to delve into the mysteries of God?!

He Who reveals mysteries offers you a life-time of exploration, intrigue, discovery and wonder. Look at the Word and understand what is happening in the world. Get on your knees and ask the Spirit of God to show you how to be a counselor to the unwise of this world so that the powerful revelations of the Living God will bear witness to Jesus Christ. Look at the example of Daniel, so you will know how to live as a stranger and an exile for God, no matter where He places you, that God’s glory will be revealed.

Truly You are the God Who moves in mysterious ways. Thank You, praise You and Blessed are You, for the grand revelation of Jesus Christ. Spirit of the Living God, put steel into our spines so that we will dig in with faith and uncover the mysteries of Your glory and Your grace, the unfathomable depths of Your love and patience. Triune God, establish us as Christians, to be the conscience of our society and advisors to the lost doing so with such authority that the might of God cannot be ignored or dismissed. God of mercy, God of grace, gives us eyes to see Your smiling face within the mystery. Amen.

https://youtu.be/yjPR09kdCgc  the music begins at 1:26

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

April 12, 2022 -- Revelation 18:1-3 -- Understand the reason for the shouts of Hallelujah

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

After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was made bright with his glory. 2 And he called out with a mighty voice,

“Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great!
    She has become a dwelling place for demons,
a haunt for every unclean spirit,
    a haunt for every unclean bird,
    a haunt for every unclean and detestable beast.
3 For all nations have drunk
    the wine of the passion of her sexual immorality,
and the kings of the earth have committed immorality with her,
    and the merchants of the earth have grown rich from the power of her luxurious living.”
Revelation 18:1-3 ESV

It is hard to believe there is a war raging in Eastern Europe. The news reports are like clips from a new disaster movie, rather than scenes of horror that are being lived every moment. In North America people are getting up for work and going about their lives with very little reference to what is taking place. In fact, the words of Revelation are quite jarring. Revelation speaks to the war that is taking place all around, the war of Babylon, which in every nation and every generation, represents hatred for the Living God and His salvation in Christ and His way of righteousness in which the saints walk by the power of the Spirit.

Do not wonder at the fact that the United Nations are powerless to help the Ukraine. Every nations that sends representatives to the UN have themselves drunk the wine of the passion of Babylon’s sexual immoralities, as much as has Russia, and the Ukraine. There is not a pure nation on the earth. That is the point. It is why this Revelation is for every generation, a call and invitation:

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

“Come out of her, my people,
    lest you take part in her sins,
lest you share in her plagues;
5 for her sins are heaped high as heaven,
    and God has remembered her iniquities.

Christians who walk according to the Spirit, have the eyes of discernment which see the wickedness and the corruption that infects every part of every nation. We ourselves had once participated in the debauchery of the world, and now, filled not with the wine of drunkenness and endless sexual prowling and greedy only for gain, Christians have been conquered by the Lamb. Christians have seen the lasting Kingdom—the Kingdom of our LORD and of His Christ—for He shall reign for ever and ever. It is out of this world of endless uncleanness and luxurious living that is opulent now but veils the true riches of God from view—if is from this morass of wickedness the LORD is summoning His people.

Read the Bible—it is the only way you will see whether or not what is written is true.

Ask the Spirit of God to apply the accomplished work of Jesus’ passion to your heart, mind, soul and life so that you will walk in a way that is completely at odds with this world.

Seek Christian friends. Together recognize what Revelation is saying, a new, human-led, world order will inevitably become a new world tyranny and a new wicked incarnation of Babylon. As family in Christ, live as foreigners and strangers, for you are citizens of the heavenly Kingdom. Offer help to those around you with the clear view His is the glory and from Him comes eternal help.

Pray. For Christians in Russia and Christians in the Ukraine. Pray for the 80+ million who are in refugee camps around the world. Pray for the wisdom to walk in Christ no matter where it is He has placed you, so that empowered by His Spirit the Kingdom of Jesus will shine out from your words and your works unto the glory of the Father in heaven.

Sing. Recognize the Hallelujah Chorus is sung by saints now--for God's victory is sure. Christians sing in defiance of the wreckage people make of power here on earth. We are Christians are rejoicing in the fact that Jesus is now, seated at the Father's right hand and of His Kingdom and of His reign there shall be no end. He has thrown down Babylon. He has conquered the beast. He is bringing in the final number of believers and the trumpet will soon sound and the new heavens and the new earth will appear! 

“Hallelujah!
Salvation and glory and power belong to our God,
2     for his judgments are true and just;
for he has judged the great prostitute
    who corrupted the earth with her immorality,
and has avenged on her the blood of his servants.”
“Hallelujah!
The smoke from her goes up forever and ever.”
“Praise our God,
    all you his servants,
you who fear him,
    small and great.”
Revelation 19:1c-2; 3b; 5b ESV

https://youtu.be/usfiAsWR4qU

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

April 10, 2022 -- I Thessalonians 5:16-18 -- The Commands of God are preceded by the Grace of God

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

Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
I Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV

This short text today highlights the importance of reading books of Scripture from start to finish. It is the odd, commonly used practice, among Christians, to just open to any page of the Bible and randomly read verses. Look at today's readings, these imperatives—these commands to do something—separated from their context in I Thessalonians are unattainable commands. One flounders to find reasons for obedience and stumbles looking for words to speak to God, if the  imperatives are not joined to the whole letter.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy are writing. These three men are a community of believers writing to a community of believers. In true community you have people who bless and help one another. The strong aiding the weak, the weak offering their vulnerability and so learning of the will of Jesus and the power of the Spirit.

In this letter there is a glorious explanation of the of faith, and the work of Spirit-fueled hope which is anchored in our Lord Jesus Christ. A few other points in this letter to give context to the imperatives of today's text. From the depths and the richness of the Good News given us in Christ Jesus—our sins are thrown down; our Savior has raised up ministers and leaders for His Church Who shepherd the flock in the strength of the Spirit. Jesus Himself is coming soon. In the light of all these blessings, it makes sense then for believers to rejoice always.

Rejoice even when things are difficult. The difficulties in your life are the birth pangs of Jesus’ return; the old is being swept away as the contractions heralding the new heavens and the new earth bear down.

Prayer is not mechanical, but it is the appeal to the High King of Heaven, the One Who has all authority and power to help those in every distress. Those who are in Christ will live with Him—He is the light of life and His people need His light and His strength—as believers pray for this they are reminded our weakness and our helplessness are a fact. His willingness to empower His people and guide them by His Spirit means all the glory and all the credit go to Him.

Giving thanks flows from all that has happened. Look at your life. Can you see where you walked in the valley of the shadow of death and thought no good could possibly come from this and after you prayed, perhaps days later, you looked back and began to understand the help which God the Father gave you? It is in looking back that you see His answers. Thankful hearts remember past failures and the greater grace of Jesus. Thankful hearts anticipate the fact that Jesus’ authority, power, and nearness, means all things truly are working out according to His purposes. Thanksgiving is a sign of the Christian’s growing maturity.

Thank You, Father in heaven for the rich streams of grace and peace which flow from Your throne room because of the intercession of Jesus, the Mediator between You and all believers. On this Sunday, gather Your people by the power of Your Spirit, so that hearts will be opened and ready to receive the Word preached. Remind Your people of the love which surrounds them because of Jesus' accomplished work at the cross. Triune God, lift our eyes from the chaos of this world, which is awash in the brokenness of sin. Help us to see the new heavens and the new earth which are coming near so that believers fed in such confident, anticipatory hope, bless You and praise You and serve You as You command of us to do. Amen.

https://youtu.be/UoHrBNTfzIs

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

April 7, 2022 -- Deuteronomy 6:4-6 -- Jesus in Every Conversation

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

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. 6 And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. 8 You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 ESV

The benefits of intermittent fasting. Ukraine war. Russian war crimes. Rising interest rates. Inflation. Canadiens trading Toffoli and gaining Hammond and the impact on the season. The slap heard around the world. The leadership race in the PC party. Carbon tax. Spend any amount of time in a coffee shop and no doubt you’ll hear all these topics and more. Will you hear anyone speak of Jesus? It is easy to introduce Him as part of all your daily speech.

The benefits of fasting—interestingly those who are concerned about physical health and who are disciplined in this area will become more disciplined in other areas. How is your walk with God?

Russian war crimes. This is why the day of Jesus’ return is so significant—all wrongs will be addressed and every crime will be justly dealt with. All unknown sins will be exposed and judged with the full and perfect judgment of God.

The carbon tax. Do you honestly believe humans can outperform the goodness and providential care of God? Has He not sustained the world since its creation? Yes, we must be concerned for the environment, but our greatest confidence is in His creation-care keeping.

Why speak of Jesus in any and every conversation?

~Because He is our prize, our very great reward. He is the radiance of the Father’s glory. He is our hope. Our lives have no purpose without Jesus Christ and Him as our centre-point.

~Because our children and grandchildren are listening. The growing generation in needs to observe our total dedication to the living God. The next generation needs to see and hear our witness and believe so that this precious faith becomes their own.

~Because Jesus is the hope of this world. If we do not speak of Him, among ourselves and to this world, we are proving that we do not love God and do not love the people He has placed in our lives.

So, begin today. Start your day with time alone with the Living God—in reading the Bible, in prayer, in song before Him. As you meet with, video chat with people, or text, speak of Him Who is Your highest joy and your life’s reward. What seems odd and artificial at first, soon will be the pattern of your speech--words which will weave the Word, the glory of Christ, and the Splendor of the Triune God, into the fabric of every conversation.

LORD JESUS,
I am blind, be thou my light,
ignorant, be thou my wisdom,
self-willed, be thou my mind.
Open my ear to grasp quickly thy Spirit’s voice,
and delightfully run after his beckoning hand;
Melt my conscience that no hardness remain,
make it alive to evil’s slightest touch;
When Satan approaches may I flee to thy wounds,
and there cease to tremble at all alarms.
Be my good shepherd to lead me into
the green pastures of thy Word,
and cause me to lie down beside the rivers of its comforts.
Fill me with peace, that no disquieting worldly gales
may ruffle the calm surface of my soul.
Thy cross was upraised to be my refuge,
Thy blood streamed forth to wash me clean,
Thy death occurred to give me a surety,
Thy name is my property to save me,
By thee all heaven is poured into my heart,
but it is too narrow to comprehend thy love.
I was a stranger, an outcast, a slave, a rebel,
but thy cross has brought me near,
has softened my heart,
has made me thy Father’s child,
has admitted me to thy family,
has made me joint-heir with thyself.
O that I may love thee as thou lovest me,
that I may walk worthy of thee, my Lord,
that I may reflect the image of heaven’s first-born.
May I always see thy beauty with the clear eye of faith,
and feel the power of thy Spirit in my heart,
for unless he move mightily in me
no inward fire will be kindled.
"NEED OF JESUS" THE VALLEY OF VISION: PURITAN PRAYERS AND DEVOTIONS. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, rpr 2020, page 186

https://youtu.be/iFw42tZVDKI

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

April 5, 2022 -- Exodus 11:1-3 -- Let him who has ears hear

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

The Lord said to Moses, “Yet one plague more I will bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt. Afterward he will let you go from here. When he lets you go, he will drive you away completely. 2 Speak now in the hearing of the people, that they ask, every man of his neighbor and every woman of her neighbor, for silver and gold jewelry.” 3 And the Lord gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh's servants and in the sight of the people.
Exodus 11:1-3 ESV

Moses was commanded to speak into the ears of the people—our translation renders it: speak now in the hearing of the people. The ears are designed by our Creator so that people may receive divine revelation. There is much that is going on in this brief passage. The people of Israel are about to be driven out of Egypt. Pharaoh, against his better judgment, against his will and despite his declarations to the contrary, will now be forced by the mighty hand of God to send the people out of Egypt. Pharaoh's ears have been closed to the LORD. The people of Israel, who hear the the Word of the LORD and obey, know there will be one last plague. Those who believe are emboldened, in faith, to plunder the Egyptians and receive gold and silver, and jewelry from their Egyptian masters. It is the only time in history a slave people plundered their masters without even lifting a finger in their own defense.

The name of my ministry, which hosts the devotions I write, is “sh’ma”. It is the word “hear”. It comes from Deuteronomy 6:4. It is the first verse of the “Shema”. That refers to Deuteronomy 6:4-5, verses devout Jewish people recite every morning. They are reminded to “Shema” that is, to both hear and obey the Word of the LORD. It is obedience in faith. It is obedience in view of God’s great salvific act. For the Jewish people, the Exodus was the great salvation. Christians know the Exodus is the salvation which is a living parable of the salvation given in Jesus Christ. The LORD Himself acted, bringing people who were helpless slaves to sin out to the freedom which is secured by the blood of Christ. The Father sets His people in the Kingdom of His Son, the place where those freed by grace are able to honour and glorify the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Today if you hear His voice—obey the King of kings and Lord of lords. Today is your heart is stirred by this noble theme—then turn from idols and sin, deny your sinful impulses and old associations of sin, and follow Jesus Christ. It is riches beyond compare to know Him.

God of Salvation, blessed are You. Great is the Salvation given in Jesus Christ. Forgive us for the many times we know Your speak in Your Word, but we let the words fall on our deaf ears. Forgive us the times we have not truly heard and obeyed. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God, for the spoken Word of God and ears to hear. Thank You Spirit for stirring in the hearts of believers a reawakening faith. Mighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, may the Word we hear and the obedience prompted in us by the Spirit be a declaration to all around us of the Powerful Presence of the God of Glory Who is at work in our world. Amen.

https://youtu.be/5ClPWsk8Cy4

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

April 2, 2022 -- I John 5:21 -- Keep yourselves from idols

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

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

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
I John 4:2 ESV

The first verse of the pair offered today is the final verse of John’s letter. It seems an odd way to end a letter. John is likely an aged apostle at this time. He is old enough to call the other Christians “little children”, but there may be another reason for this. Like a little child can be fascinated with an empty box, ignoring the treasured gift within it, so Christians can be sidetracked into idolatry, ignoring the treasure of Jesus Christ.

Earlier in the letter John pointed to the need for believers to have trustworthy leaders and teachers. This takes discernment. Think of all the deceptive teachers that have abounded in the last couple of years. The late Ravi Zacharias, was once a sought-after speaker; it turned out was a womanizer. The clues were in the fact he lied about his credentials and his talks were basically the same. If you listened to two or three of them, you already knew his anecdotes and stories and main points. Several Hillsong leaders have resigned amid scandal. This should not be surprising as already more than a year ago it was revealed the worship leaders were involved in a damnable practice called grave soaking. The demonic practice of laying on the graves of well-known spiritual leaders and trying to soak up the residual presence of the anointing that was on those long-dead leaders. Despicable.

The ultimate test is this—does the Christian and the Christian’s pastor or leaders have fellowship with the Father and the Son. There is an authentic, humble joy that flows from such relationship. The dead are not consulted. Instead, the Living Lord Jesus Christ, seated at the Father’s right hand, Who ushers the believer into the glorious presence of the Father, this is the glory of the believer. The Spirit already living in the believer, will reveal sinful inclinations by the light of the Word of God, showing idols that are taking shape in the secret places of the believer. Horrified by such lingering sin, the believer will confess it and long for more of Jesus, the heart’s great desire, Master and Friend. Read the Word. There are no short-cuts to deep faith in and true relationship with God. As John wrote, those who come to know the Living God keep His commandments. Such obedience is a lifelong, focused pursuit, punctuated by times of worship and joy, even as one walks through valleys of suffering and hardship. The Triune God is Himself worthy, glorious, hunger-satisfying, thirst-slating, the greatest adventure of one's life here below and then beyond in eternity.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. The world all around is choked with idols and false gods. Even hobbies which parade themselves as innocent pastimes can be barbed with hooks from the devil which would threaten to pull believers from the glory of knowing You. We confess how readily we want to be deceived; we admit we are often tired and therefore would impose on Your forgiving nature, while charging, eyes-wide, headlong into sin. We see it. We confess it. You, Father and Son, have poured out into our lives the Spirit of power so that we are without excuse for our willful disobedience. Cleanse us. Renew in us a clean heart and restore to us the joy of Your salvation. Let us, in true community, walking with brothers and sisters in Christ, fight the sin that so easily clings to us and as soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ, be renewed in zeal, prepared to fight inward and outward battles for the righteousness and holiness which are ours in Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/k8eVEF1LuQs

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

March 31, 2022 -- II Peter 3:10-13 -- Waiting for Jesus' Return

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

 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed.

11 Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, 12 waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! 13 But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.
II Peter 3:10-13 ESV

The end of all things is near. Christians are not surprised this is true. From the days Jesus walked this earth until now, both the warning and joyful expectation of Jesus’ return has filled the senses of all true believers. His return will be unexpected. Christians are not to grow weary in the waiting nor revert to godlessness as if His return were still far away and there'll be no reckoning. Instead, in view of Jesus’ return, with hearts filled with thanksgiving to the Father for the gift of Jesus Christ and His reconciling work, believers choose holiness and godliness. The mercy of God motivates such holy living.

The righteousness of Jesus Christ, imputed to believers, sealed in them by the Spirit, draws from the believer godliness that speeds the day of Jesus return. That is an odd statement—how can lives of Christian holiness and godliness speed Jesus’ return? Remember how Jacob asked for Rachel’s hand in marriage and Laban, her father, demanded he work seven years tending his flocks as the price for this marriage? You read this and might think 'seven years is an impossibly long time'. However, to Jacob “they seemed to him but a few days because of the love he had for her” (Genesis 29:20). The Day of Jesus’ return is hastened, speeding up for believers, because their eyes are full of love for Him, their hearts anticipate His goodness, as their souls long to be freed from every sinful impulse.

O GOD,
I bless thee for the happy moment
   when I first saw thy law fulfilled in Christ,
wrath appeased, death destroyed, sin forgiven,
   my soul saved.
Ever since, thou hast been faithful to me:
   daily have I proved the power of Jesus’ blood,
   daily have I known the strength of the Spirit,
   my teacher, director, sanctifier.
I want no other rock to build upon than that I have,
   desire no other hope than that of gospel truth,
   need no other look than that which gazes
     on the cross.
Forgive me if I have tried to add anything
   to the one foundation,
if I have unconsciously relied upon my knowledge,
experience, deeds, and not seen them
    as filthy rags,
   if I have attempted to complete what is perfect\  
   in Christ;
May my cry be always, Only Jesus! only Jesus!
In him is freedom from condemnation,
   fullness in his righteousness,
   eternal vitality in his given life,
   indissoluble union in fellowship with him;
In him I have all that I can hold;
   enlarge me to take in more.
If I backslide,
   let me like Peter weep bitterly and return to him;
If I am tempted, and have no wit,
   give me strength enough to trust in him;
If I am weak,
   may I faint upon his bosom of eternal love;
If in extremity,
   let me feel that he can deliver me;
If driven to the verge of hope and to the pit of despair,
   grant me grace to fall into his arms.
O God, hear me, do for me more
   than I ask, think, or dream.
"THE LIFE LOOK" The Valley of Vision. Ed. Arthur Bennett. Carlisle, PA. THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, rpr 2020, page 96.

https://youtu.be/Jbe7OruLk8I

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

March 30, 2022 -- Matthew 7:21-23 -- To be known by Jesus

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

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23 ESV

Do you feel the intensity of these words and the warning? At the end, the day of judgment, there will be people who cry out to Jesus and point out the great works they did in His Name. They cast out demons, but Jesus will call them workers of lawlessness. They prophesy. But Jesus will reject them. Notice that Jesus does not dispute these mighty acts nor deny that they did powerful deeds. Who then can be saved?!

Look at verse 21. Some people cry “Lord, Lord” as if invoking Jesus’ Name would be enough. Jesus judges them justly saying, “I never knew you”. The contrast is made with those who are not boastful of the things they did in Jesus' Name, nor are they claiming a false intimacy, but their lives are conformed to the will of God—so that their lives are a living sacrifice, offering the fruit of lips that praise the Father.

This makes me think of the words of the prophet Isaiah, who spoke this word of the LORD; “But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at My word.” Isaiah 66:2b. The question I often ask people “did you do your devotions this morning” is actually inappropriate. Considering today’s text and warning, the better, and more important question is this: “Did you spend time with the LORD and tremble at His word?” The trembling can be mixtures of joy and humility; awe and wonder; all wrapped up in ever-growing, wide-eyed thankfulness for all His goodness which leads one to look to the Father, as a the One Who is the source of all good and the heart’s greatest desire, and the mind’s intense focus to satisfy its thirst for true knowledge of Him.

Father in heaven, thank You for the beauty of Jesus. Your Son commands Your people, "Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on Him, Jesus, God has set His seal." Help us, Spirit of God, the Seal of Jesus, to believe in Him Who sent You, the Father. In believing, with eyes full of child-like adoration and hearts full of praise, may then our hands and feet be moved at the impulse of the Father's love to act in humble accord with all He commands. Amen.

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

March 28 2022 -- Philippians 4:10-13 -- True Peace and Contentment

I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:10-13 ESV

Perhaps you heard the sad report of another celebrity who, this past weekend, committed suicide? One might be forgiven for thinking fame and money would enough to keep someone from such self-harm. What great, gnawing emptiness must haunt a man (or woman) who has achieved the dream and still finds life intolerable. Those who claim to be believers also die by their own hand. The restlessness of the soul can only be satisfied by a relationship with Him Who made us for relationship with Himself. God, Immortal, Invisible, All-wise He is the highest joy and greatest good.

Paul wrote to believers, showing them true contentment. Rich or poor, hated or loved, free or in prison, the soul’s contentment is derived from knowing Jesus Christ. If everyone pretends to love you, and you know it is false, you can find pleasure in knowing He truly is your soul’s delight. If everyone hates you, He is the Faithful Friend Who already knows your worst and is not surprised, but was sent by the Father to rescue lost souls and hell-bound sinners from the curse of God.

If reading this opens up a longing in your soul, but one you are not sure how to satisfy, I urge you to look in your circle of friends and family and find a Christian whose walk with God you admire and ask for his help. You will find contentment, deep peace, which Paul wrote of and modern day believers continue to radiate. This world and its pleasures will wear out like and be discarded like last year’s fashions, but life’s crowning joy and lasting pleasure is to know the Eternal God as Father and His Son as Savior and Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Resurrected Savior, Blessed Jesus, Who declared: “My peace I give to you, my peace I leave you. I do not give as the world gives” (John 14:27); thank You for rescuing Your people. Mighty God Who alone lives in unapproachable Light—great are You and worthy of all praise and honour, glory and blessing. In You, LORD God, life has true purpose and lasting meaning. Spirit of Truth, guide us as believers ever deeper into the gladness of relationship with the Living God. LORD of All, direct us so that we are always ready, at any and every moment, in any place, to share the hope which is ours in Jesus Christ. May the upheavals of this life strengthen the ties of faith which bind us to You. Amen.

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