July 14, 2022 -- John 4:13-14 -- Drawing water from the wells of salvation

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

Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
John 4:13-14 ESV

Why is it Christians are so haphazard in sharing their faith? Look at the text and see how Jesus describes what happens to the believer who receives the water He gives,. What a description it is! Jesus is a spring of water welling up to eternal life. His life-giving goodness is a fountain that flows through every part of the believer's life. It is the fulfilment of the promises anticipated in Isaiah “the LORD God is my strength and my song and he has become my salvation. With joy you will draw waters from the well of salvation” (Isaiah 12:2b-3 ESV).

Perhaps one of the reasons Christians are not sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ is they are not drawing up the waters of salvation. They are not reading their Bibles regularly. They are not spending time in prayer and seeing how God is so good and so faithful. If one feeds his enthusiasms, the conversations about it will naturally flow. Consider how proud parents show off pictures of their children, talk about their children’s accomplishments and activities and post a procession of pictures on social media. They are constantly drawing on this so that they have much to say and share. Dear fellow believer, could it be that you are not enthusiastic about sharing Jesus in every part of your life because you are not drawing on Him, filling your heart, imagination and soul with His goodness? It is not too late to start. Draw from the well of salvation--with joy, with persistence and find in Him eternal pleasures.

Hear my prayer, O Lord;
    give ear to my pleas for mercy!
    In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness!
2 Enter not into judgment with your servant,
    for no one living is righteous before you.

3 For the enemy has pursued my soul;
    he has crushed my life to the ground;
    he has made me sit in darkness like those long dead.
4 Therefore my spirit faints within me;
    my heart within me is appalled.

5 I remember the days of old;
    I meditate on all that you have done;
    I ponder the work of your hands.
6 I stretch out my hands to you;
    my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Selah

7 Answer me quickly, O Lord!
    My spirit fails!
Hide not your face from me,
    lest I be like those who go down to the pit.
8 Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,
    for in you I trust.
Make me know the way I should go,
    for to you I lift up my soul.

9 Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord!
    I have fled to you for refuge.
10 Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit lead me
    on level ground!

11 For your name's sake, O Lord, preserve my life!
    In your righteousness bring my soul out of trouble!
12 And in your steadfast love you will cut off my enemies,
    and you will destroy all the adversaries of my soul,
    for I am your servant.
Psalm 143 ESV

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July 13, 2022 -- Matthew 28:18-20 -- Equipped and Sent

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

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey all I have commanded you. And surely I am with you even to the end of the age.

Matthew 28:18-20 NIV 1984

Did Jesus qualify this statement by saying, ‘when you have reached a certain
maturity, then you have earned the right to be involved in discipling others’?
We need to remember whom Jesus was talking to. How mature were they?
Judging by their behavior they still had a long way to go. Only weeks before,
they’d all abandoned Jesus and Peter denied Him vehemently.

The verses above contain the clue. We disciple not because we are
especially mature or competent, but because Jesus commands us to make
this our priority. We are able to do so because Jesus gives us all the
resources we need…Over and over Christians who trust God will be amazed
by the words that they hear themselves speak in tough situations. Our wisdom
is limited but God graciously speaks His wisdom through us.
1-2-1 Discipleship. Christine Dillon,
Sevenoaks, Kent, UK: OMF Publishing, 2009 p.42

Dillon’s words are powerful and cut through the many, lame excuses Christians make as to why they are not witnessing or making disciples for Jesus. What you experience right now, where you are in your walk with God, these are of critical importance to someone around you. Be prepared to be used by the Spirit so share your struggles and God’s grace so that others will be drawn to Jesus Christ.

Almighty and everlasting God, the Brightness of faithful souls, fill the world with Thy glory, we pray Thee, and show Thyself, by the radiance of Thy light, to all the nations of the world, through Jesus Christ, our Lord--Amen.
Gregorian Sacramentary, A.D. 590

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July 12, 2022 -- Psalm 51:10-14 -- Healed teachers of transgressors

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

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.

Psalm 51:10-14 ESV

This is a well-loved Psalm. It has been set to music in a wide-range of musical styles—yet it seems to me that so many of the settings of this psalm focus on one part of the psalm. Yes, there is a longing and desire for a clean heart. Yes there is a yearning prayer for a clean heart and joy in the presence of the LORD, but that vow to’ teach transgressors Your ways’—somehow that seems to be underemphasized.

Someone who has been healed and restored by God will naturally be a disciple-maker. This happens in the world. A week ago I stopped in a little country store. Wonderful place with a learning centre, teaching about the life-cycle of bees. You could see an active hive, where one wooden side of the hive was replaced with a plexiglass window. Visitors could see the work of the bees in a living, active hive. The store also had all kinds of honey. Then I noticed there was bee pollen. I asked the clerk about it. With the zeal of an evangelist she explained to me the health benefits of bee pollen. What a strong impression this made on me. And it is a helpful illustration, highlighting the point the passage makes.

When the salvation of God has, by the Holy Spirit’s work in the believer’s life, made the forgiveness and healing of God real the newly restored Christian cannot help but share this. The sharing of such Good News is discipleship. It is more than saying “Jesus healed me”, though that is important, the next step is saying, “And I know that He can heal you too”. Here are the benefits of full-life in Christ.

Ever notice how often you meet people who are going through sins right now, the very sins from which the LORD has delivered and cleansed you. Your testimony is especially relevant to the one struggling because you have first hand experience of the healing power of God.

When you explain His healing work you are living as a disciple-maker. This meeting can be a one-time conversation which the Spirit coordinated. Or it can be something formal, like recovery groups. You may meet one on one with the person many times in order to explain more fully the restoring work of God. The point is this: those who are truly healed express it and call others to come to Jesus, the Restorer and Healer. Those who are healed by Jesus are disciple-makers for Christ who make disciples.

Thank You, O LORD, God of Steadfast Love and Mercy, for the healing You have effected in my life! Thank You for the people who regularly pointed me to the Savior, whose testimony was powerful precisely because they had already experienced the healing in the exact areas where I was longing for healing. O God, creator of the clean heart and renewer of the soul, help me to teach transgressors Your ways. Give me a heart quiet enough to be teachable, discerning enough to see, and bold to seize the opportunities to share. Such appointments which You, by Your Spirit, have prepared for the glory of Christ and the healing of sin-weary people. Truly, You are the God of Salvation; the joy of Your people, the Righteous One. Amen.

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July 11, 2022 -- I Corinthians 10:26-27 -- God, Have Your Own Way!

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

So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body nd keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
I Corinthians 10:26-27 ESV

After the sermon yesterday evening, the minister chose as the hymn of application “Have Thine Own Way, Lord!” Immediately after the service a friend came up to me and noted, "I sang that hymn and my whole being protests. Will I really yield myself that fully to God?"
What an awesome comment. As Christians it is easy to just “go through the motions”.

Paul warned his readers about “just doing churchy things”. He gave two illustrations of how silly that is. You cannot imagine that in the middle of the Olympics one of the marathon runners would just suddenly decide what course he is going to run—you can’t make it up as you go. Either you follow the strict rules of the race, or you are a fool. When two boxers get into the ring, with a huge audience watching, you don’t expect one boxer suddenly turn his back on his opponent and suddenly begin dancing around and making a show of himself. He’ll be knocked out right quick and mocked as a show-off with no brains. The very crowd he was trying to entertain would boo him as a fraud, not a boxer.

Therefore, fellow Christian, keep your body and your mind, your thoughts and your actions under strict control. Merely zigzagging and making a show of the faith is not acceptable. And before you say, well, I’m not a preacher so I don’t have to be worried about being disqualified. Nice try. We are all ambassadors for Jesus. Our lives are a sermon preached to the people around us. Our every action is judged by God and weighed by the people who see us and know us. Get your head and heart into the faith marathon and live for Jesus. May your life cause many around you to see Jesus living in you.

Mighty God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we candidly confess how readily we follow the impulses of our hearts and go our own way. Forgive us. Redirect us, Father in heaven, by the powerful presence of Your Spirit so that our word and actions reflect our whole-hearted commitment to Jesus Christ. Thank You, O Captain of Salvation, that You do not give up on your people. Amen.

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July 9, 2022 -- Psalm 46:10 -- Internet outages and stillness

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

Be still and know that I am God.
I wlll be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
Psalm 46:10 ESV

On Thursday the internet was intermittent and the phone was unreliable. On Friday morning I was able to send one text and a get on FB, briefly….then everything went down. No phone. No texting. No cable. No TV. No internet. Many credit card transactions and interact transactions failed as well. And who carries cash anymore? What a mess.

Earlier in the day I had been leading Bible study in one of the prisons and noted how all our plans are “if the LORD wills”. One small thing can upset everything. As I drove away from that morning Bible Study I had no cell phone reception, no internet connection and I realized again how true it is—all things human and all the strength we think we can count on are completely unreliable.

So, last night, in the wonderful quiet, I wrote letters and at one point, had a time of singing hymns in praise to God. The stillness, forced upon me as it was, became a precious time. I realized how much time I do actually spend listening to things, scrolling through things, checking the news etc. What a reminder—to be still—to turn off all noises and all distractions and cultivate the awareness of the One Who is all-powerful, Who is worthy of praise.

What a reminder the last 24 hours have been, the LORD will be exalted. When Jesus Christ returns all the man-made things will be thrown down and the terrible splendor of the Savior will be fully revealed. The LORD of Hosts will be exalted! Those who have already stilled and quieted their hearts and enthroned Him as King will shout and dance for joy as they fall to their knees in reverent wonder. Everyone who had tried to drown out the evidence of His majestic splendor, will in the presence of His quiet, dreadful majesty fall to their knees in terror and exalt Him!

This recent outage is a perfect conversation starter about the nearness of Jesus and the frailty of man-made systems. I know anything made-made will be undone. Everything God has done will stand and His glory will be revealed. Are you ready?

God, You are our Refuge and Strength;
You are the very present Help of Your people through-out every day, 
Therefore we will not fear in the day of trouble, 
and we will continually bless and praise You in ordinary times.
Though the world around is limping and tottering to its final end
though nations rage at You
we know there will be a day when You utter a word and all things will be swept away.
Jesus will return on the clouds with all His holy ones
and You, Triune God, will be exalted in the earth, 
You will be exalted among the nations!
Teach us the stillness of heart and peace of mind
which increases such holy anticipation and 
emboldens us to speak of Your glories which are, even now,
all around us.
Amen.
 

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July 6, 2022 -- Proverbs 3:5-7 -- Trust in the LORD with all your heart

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

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
Proverbs 3:5-7 ESV

Since I am regularly meeting and mentoring folks who are new to the Christian faith, I often encounter some form of a question that runs along this line: would God really judge my neighbour-lady? She doesn’t go to church (read here, she is not a Christian) but she is so kind and looks after the new immigrants to our community and she has nursed her ailing husband for four years already. The answer: yes, God’s judgement will be measured out against her.

The call placed on every person, near and far, through-out the whole earth is to trust in the LORD with all one’s heart. The only service in life that truly matters is service to the LORD God, the Creator, Sustainer, and King. Anything less than a whole-hearted commitment to Him, as verse 7 bluntly names it, is: evil.

This question of how God can judge good people who do not know Him or serve Him, vexes many people precisely because they are apt to lean on their own understanding. Such people think they understand how the world should function, and impose on it their twisted sense of right and wrong. That is itself a sin, taking some of God’s glory for themselves, as if in this particular area they are gods and it is up to them to decide right from wrong. There is no morally neutral stance, either one relies on his own logic, which is marred and perverted by sin or one relies on the truth of God’s word and examines the world through that lens.

To trust in the LORD is a consuming, life-long activity. To ask the Spirit of God to expose the flaws in your own understanding is part of what it is to be a Christ-follower. When you do so, immediately what follows is the recognition God’s ways are so much higher than the ways of man. Interestingly, it is the LORD’s work to make a man’s life easy or difficult—all with the express purpose of making His glory known and giving every person, every opportunity to turn and recognize Him alone as the Source of all Good.

What a high command has been placed before us at the start of this day: “fear the LORD and turn from evil”. In all things, in every scrutinizing of life, consider what God teaches by the Word. Let the Spirit light up your thoughts so that false or arrogant thinking is exposed and renounced. Be fearful of the insidious, subtle machinations of pride which would infiltrate your thinking and keep you from truly understanding a circumstance or situation—do not rely on your sense of right and wrong, which as past experience has shown you, so often lead you astray. Turn from evil. Confess the places in your life where you have been evil in your words, actions, thoughts, or have been evil by your inaction. Ask the Spirit to reveal the things you don’t want to consider. Know this: it is the delight of God to bring sons and daughters to Himself, reconciling them to Himself on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work.

Mighty God, even as Your word is laid out for us, we are already wandering in our thoughts, looking for loopholes and different interpretations so that we do not have to scale the impossibly high requirements You set out. Forgive our waywardness and all the crookedness of our thoughts. Thank You, Faithful God, that Your divine power has granted believers all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Christ. Thank You, Spirit of God, for the restraining work You exercise in our lives so that believers' lives will conform more fully to the image and likeness of Christ--our Savior, Example, and King. 

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July 4, 2022 -- I Samuel 21:8-9 -- The LORD's Victories Celebrated

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

Then David said to Ahimelech, “Then have you not here a spear or a sword at hand? For I have brought neither my sword nor my weapons with me, because the king's business required haste.” 9 And the priest said, “The sword of Goliath the Philistine, whom you struck down in the Valley of Elah, behold, it is here wrapped in a cloth behind the ephod. If you will take that, take it, for there is none but that here.” And David said, “There is none like that; give it to me.”
I Samuel 21:8-9 ESV

Long before David was King of Israel, he served in the court of King Saul. Saul’s heart was turned against David and there were several times when Saul tried to hunt David down in order to kill him. Our reading today is a brief account, when David and his men visit a priest, in order to get some refreshments as they run from Saul. He left the royal court with such haste he had no sword. He kept his business from the priest so that the priest would not be punished for helping David. (Saul later exacted terrible vengeance against the priest and his whole family for helping David--I Samuel 22:6-23. But that is for another time.)

In the past, when David faced a mighty opponent, the LORD had given David great victory. Every single time. One pertinent example: the giant Goliath taunted King Saul and the Israelite army. They’d forgotten the glorious truth, revealed to all Israel at the Exodus, the LORD is a man of war (Exodus 15:3). Every victory is His. Those who follow Him trust in Him and know they are saved. David, trusting in the LORD, faced the giant in battle, and with merely a sling and a stone, the LORD gave David victory over this heavily armed, and armored man.

Now you understand why David rejoiced to see Goliath’s sword. David was reminded of the great victory the LORD had given him when he faced Goliath. Humanly speaking it was a stacked fight. A huge giant against a teen-ager—no contest, the sword-bearing, armor-wearing, battle-hardened giant should have it hands down, the winner. Spiritually speaking, it was a stacked fight, the LORD of Glory, Who spoke creation into being, can with a word uncreate or tear down. No power, no domination, no enemy can stand against Him. David was reminded, at a critical moment in his life that it is the LORD, He triumphs gloriously., “in the greatness of Your majesty You overthrow Your adversaries” (Exodus 15:7).

All of this points to Jesus’ great victory at the cross. There He disarmed the enemy. There all of Satan’s accusations against Christians lost their power because Christ was punished in the place of His Own. No enemy, no opponent, no matter how powerful, has any traction against a Christian, for the Christian to live is Christ and to die is gain.

What trophies of God’s grace and victory do you see in your life? You might be facing a very hard time right now. Maybe you are rattled in your battle against evil and old sins. What sign of God’s victory do you have near at hand that makes your rejoice? Perhaps you see the certificate of your profession of faith nearby. God drew you to Himself, conquering all doubts, so you boldly declared Him your King. Maybe you see a Cannabis Store, and you are reminded God has given you victory over all your addictions. Maybe today you look at the wedding band on your finger and know, the LORD preserved you, both of you actually, so that you are on solid ground. The LORD will reign forever and ever! Blessed be the Rock of our Salvation.

O LORD,
Bend my hands and cut them off,
for I have often struck thee with a wayward will,
when these fingers should embrace thee by faith.
I am not yet weaned from all created glory,
honour, wisdom, and esteem of others,
for I have a secret motive to eye my name
in all I do.
Let me not only speak the word sin,
but see the thing itself.
Give me to view a discovered sinfulness,
to know that though my sins are crucified they are never wholly mortified.
Hatred, malice, ill-will, vain-glory that hungers for and hunts after
man’s approval and applause,
all are crucified, forgiven, but they rise again in my sinful heart.
O my crucified but never wholly mortified sinfulness!
O my life-long damage and daily shame!
O my indwelling and besetting sins!
O the tormenting slavery of a sinful heart!
Destroy, O God, the dark guest within
whose hidden presence makes my life a hell.
Yet thou hast not left me here without grace;
The cross still stands and meets my needs
in the deepest straits of the soul.
I thank thee that my remembrance of it
is like David’s sight of Goliath’s sword
which preached forth thy deliverance.
The memory of my great sins, my many temptations,
my falls, bring afresh into my mind the remembrance of thy great help,
of thy support from heaven,
of the great grace that saved such a wretch as I am.
There is no treasure so wonderful
as that continuous experience of thy grace toward me
which alone can subdue the risings of sin within:
Give me more of it.
"The Dark Guest" ed: A. Bennett, The Valley of Vision: Puritan Prayers and Devotions. Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 2020, page 126

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July 2, 2022 -- Matthew 22:35-40 -- Wisdom and soul-winning

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

And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 22:35-40 ESV

When you argue a point of Christianity on FB, do you argue as one who loves God and earnestly loves your readers? I fear this has been a failing of my own recently. It is the hallmark of Jesus, that He loved the people He spoke with and always told the truth. C. H. Spurgeon, in his book The Soul Winner gives this challenging illustration:

One fellow asked, “Did he preach a good sermon?”

The person replied, “What he said was very good.”

“But did you benefit from the sermon?”

“No, not in the slightest.”

“Wasn’t it a good sermon?”

Again the person said, “What he said was very good.”

“What do you mean? If what the preacher said was very good, why didn’t you benefit from the sermon?”

The listener explained it this way. “I didn’t benefit, because I didn’t believe in the man who delivered it. He was simply an actor performing a part. I didn’t believe he felt what he preached, and I don’t think he cared whether or not we felt or believed it.”
C. H. Spurgeon, The Soul Winner, page 59

What a heart-piercing illustration. Are we merely winning an argument? Are we merely making a point, so sharp you don’t care who is cut or hurt?

The God of Salvation sent Jesus, True God, True Man, to put flesh on His love and appeal to His people in deeply personal ways. This same God has poured out His Spirit so that believers will, like Jesus, make a flesh and blood, gracious, urgent appeal, leave your life of sin and follow Jesus. Do people hear your testimony and see you are living what you are saying what. Believers are called to live Gospel truth with deep love and compassion for their hearers. You are the only Bible many people will read—are you portraying the love of the Triune God so souls are won for Jesus, in the power of the Spirit, so the glory of the Father?

God of Perfect Justice and Perfect Love, You have declared,
   “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life;
    and he who is wise wins souls”.
Triune God, help us, Your children in Christ, to be both righteous and wise.
   May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
   be pleasing in your sight,
   LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Prayer based on Proverbs 11:30 ESV and Psalm 19:14 NIV.

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July 1, 2022 -- II Timothy 4:1-5 -- Evangelism and Canada Day

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

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
II Timothy 1-5 ESV

Happy Canada Day!

The focus of my week has been to read books that will help me sharpen my skills as a disciple-maker who makes disciple-making disciples for Jesus. One of the books I just read is Greg Laurie's Tell Someone. He notes that when people are fishing they “chum the waters”. I'll let him explain:

Make a spiritual point, and see if they respond.
In fishing terms, it’s calling “chumming”.
That’s when you
throw some bait or other things
into the waters to attract fish.
G. Laurie, “Tell Someone” page 57

You’ll note from our text today Christians are commanded to speak the Good News of Jesus wherever they are. In this celebratory season, spiritually chum the waters. Today offers all kinds of rich opportunities to do so. Here are some conversation starters, that allow you, fellow Christian, to chum the waters for Jesus.

Did you ever consider the fact that our National Anthem is overtly Christian—”God keep our land glorious and free”? Discuss

Did you know that the fourth stanza of the poem which formed the basis of our national anthem is a prayer? Stanley Weir wrote four stanzas for his poem, O Canada. The last stanza reads:

Ruler Supreme Who hearest humble prayer
Hold our dominion within Thy loving care
Help us to find, O God, in Thee
Our lasting rich reward,
As waiting for the Better Day,
We ever stand on guard.
You can see the Christian hope for a new heaven and a new earth and the appeal to the Living God of glory to guard our land and her people in His Sovereign care.

Stanley Weir, the author of the English version of the Canadian National Anthem, was born in Hamilton (November 15, 1856) and later moved to Montreal. He was an acclaimed judge, recognized for his skills in municipal law, and a poet (he died August 20, 1926). Hearing what you just have about the background to this well-loved poem, do you think Canada is more open to such overtly Christian themes, or less open? Is this good or bad? Why?

No doubt there are a few spiritual conversation starters there.

Lord, never let us fall into the trap of thinking
it is ever too late.
That we have done anything so wrong,
that we have said anything so hurtful,
that we have sinned so boldly
as to miss the opportunity to be known and loved by You.
Teach us to not argue with our neighbors,
but to love them the way Jesus loved.
You’ve modeled the way;
now give us strength to imitate You.
In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.
G. Laurie, page 70

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June 29, 2022 -- I John 3:8 -- Conversion

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

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.
I John 3:8 ESV

Many of you are likely aware that this week is, for me, a reading week. I am focused on the theme of “making disciples who make disciples”. It is wonderful, refreshing and very challenging. Right now I am reading Charles H. Spurgeon’s classic “The Soul Winner”. Spurgeon is making a strong case for the fact that one who is in Christ is a new creation—sin is thrown down.

One of Spurgeon’s illustrations is very sharp, and appropriate.
   A Christian professes to renounce his sin. If he doesn’t do so,
   his very name is a deception. A drunken man came up to
   Rowland Hill, one day, and said,
   “I am one of your converts, Mr. Hill.”
   “I suppose you are,” the shrewd and sensible preacher replied,
   “But you are certainly not one of the Lord’s, or you
   would not be drunk.”
   We must practically test all our work this way,”
C. H. Spurgeon, The Soul Winner, page 24

Those who have been Christians for a long time must not become lax in their fierce dedication to the holiness of the Living God. We are commanded to be pure, not giving any part of our life back to the slavery of sin. Those who are new converts show their radical change by the in which old sins become abhorrent. The Bibles does not pull punches on this score. Those who are in Christ, no longer toy with sin. When Christ takes of a man by the Holy Spirit, the man leaves sinful ways and follows Christ the King.

Have mercy on me, O God,
    according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
    blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
    and cleanse me from my sin!

3 For I know my transgressions,
    and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
    and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
    and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
    and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Today's prayer is Psalm 51:1-7 ESV

https://youtu.be/syCSeMudbO4

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

June 28, 2022 -- Philemon 4-6 -- The blessings given to believers who witness

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

I thank my God always when I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear of your love and of the faith that you have toward the Lord Jesus and for all the saints, 6 and I pray that the sharing of your faith may become effective for the full knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ.
Philemon 6

How many times have I read the little letter to Philemon (it is only 25 verses long) and never had verse 6 stand out to me like it does today? Look at it again. As believers share their faith, this act of obedience to Jesus in the power of the Spirit, has the effect of increasing our knowledge of every good thing that is in us for the sake of Christ. If you find your faith is lacking, perhaps one reason is that you are not sharing your faith. As you declare to others the truth of Jesus Christ, He makes Himself more fully known.

1. Those you are witnessing to will have questions. As you answer their questions you may find your own faith enriched, you are putting things together by the gracious presence of the Spirit and on the spot you see things you had not seen before.

2. As you witness, you realize how much you believe and how precious is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

3. As you witness, the Spirit shows you how the Word of God is sharp as a two-edged sword, cutting through lies and excuses and exposing sin. The one who is hearing your witness will have much exposed, and you, as the one witnessing, will be reminded of the holiness of God. This may even result in your examining your own life, finding areas and things which need to be expelled so that in your thoughts and actions God is honored and praised.

4. Witnessing comes as a result of praying—are you praying for your unsaved co-workers, neighbours, salesmen, family members and friends?

5. Sharing your faith is an act of love. Hell is real. The eternal punishment of God against sinners is a dreadful thing to contemplate. Consider these words: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for” (Charles Haddon Spurgeon).

6. Not all whom you speak to will believe. Do not be discouraged. The point is your obedient love to Jesus, not notching your belt with adulation, as if getting people to believe were a conquest. It is not your conquest, it is the victory of Christ, through the power of the Spirit and such who believe bring honor and glory to the Father. Do not be discouraged by a “no”. It takes multiple invitations for a hard-heart to become yielded to Jesus. You may be the first or second person, in a chain of many, prepared by the Father so a wayward sinner will come home to His open arms.

Thank You, Faithful Father, for those You raised up in my life who overcame their fears and witnessed to me, sharing their love of Jesus with such boldness and joy, that I too became His follower. Father, forgive me for the times I have been prayerless, not sharing my faith, not taking hold of the full knowledge of Jesus Christ offered to believers who in obedience to You, witness, sharing their love of Jesus and confident hope in all His promises. Direct me, by Your Spirit in obedience to Your word and in view of the promised blessings in store for those who share their faith, so that I will both fervently pray for and actively witness to those whom You bring to heart and mind. In my life, in Your Church, in this world, Triune God, be glorified, now and always. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ZKQXUgplWoA

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

June 27, 2022 -- Matthew 21:28-32 -- Entering the Kingdom of Jesus

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

“What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ 29 And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. 30 And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. 31 Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.
Matthew 21:28-32 ESV

This is scandalous. The most unlikely people ever—tax collectors and prostitutes—getting into the Kingdom of God. Tax collectors were colluders. They’d take the Roman tax from the Jewish people and they’d also extort more money. They were hated as betrayers of their own people. I am guessing that the sins of prostitutes is obvious enough, and there is no explanation why their inclusion in the Kingdom of God is so shocking.

Notice what Jesus is teaching. In the parable of the two sons, one is defiant, but afterwards is obedient and other pretends to be obedient, but is utterly cold towards his father and does not do what was requested of him. Then look at verse 32, John taught the way of righteousness—that is he baptized with the water of repentance—and those who believed him left their way of sin and obeyed Jesus. Those who appeared to be good on the outside, who had a pretense of obedience, they did not truly make any change in their life at all.

As a man who has the privilege of conducting prison ministry, I have first-hand testimony that there are men who have clearly seen the error of their ways and have repented, deeply and truly. They are the most unlikely candidates for salvation, indeed, they are the first to say so, expressing wonder and gratitude that God the Father should receive them in Christ. The Spirit is working to apply the sanctification of Jesus’ work to every part of their lives.

Faithful church-goer, any friend who claims Jesus, I urge you now to examine you life. Ask yourself: “do I believe in Jesus—and does my life reflect this belief?” When no one is looking, do you, in your heart and in your thought-life enthrone Jesus as Lord? Does such faith and knowledge then compel you to go into the fields, which are ready for harvest, and bring into discipleship more followers of Jesus?

Father in heaven, Source of every good gift, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. Move me, by Your Spirit, to confess Jesus with my lips and to live for Him in every part of my life. Forgive me for work undone and fields unwon. Renew in me, a holy zeal so that my life will be spent in service to You—triune God of Glory. Amen.

https://youtu.be/GFs_C134zQM

June 25, 2022 -- Judges 7:2-4; 8a -- The Foolishness of God is wiser than men

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

The LORD said to Gideon, “The people with you are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hand, lest Israel boast over me, saying, ‘My own hand has saved me.’ 3 Now therefore proclaim in the ears of the people, saying, ‘Whoever is fearful and trembling, let him return home and hurry away from Mount Gilead.’” Then 22,000 of the people returned, and 10,000 remained.

4 And the LORD said to Gideon, “The people are still too many.

And he sent all the rest of Israel every man to his tent, but retained the 300 men. And the camp of Midian was below him in the valley.

Judges 7:2-4; 8b ESV

Who is fighting? It is the LORD Who fights for His people. Gideon, who had earlier described himself as the least in his father’s house and his father’s house as the weakest clan in Manasseh, was summoned by the LORD God to be a leader in Israel. He argued. He deflected. You may hear the New Testament echo, “God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world in order to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the present of God” (I Corinthians 27-29) ESV). You bet, Gideon had no reason to boast in himself. Truly God alone was his deliverer.

Family in Jesus Christ—what is it you are facing that is too big for you, too strong, too fearful, too over-bearing in argument? Know this, the LORD is Your boast, He is Your Song, He is your salvation. At the cross, Jesus disarmed all the hosts of hell, all the power of the devil and all the lies and accusations which were stacked against you. “Jesus Christ became to us wisdom from God, righteousness, sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’.” (I Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV). Now, face the worst with the confidence God already is your victory boast! No go out and face whatever force is arrayed against you. Be confident, "God's got this!"

LORD God, Who has named Himself the Warrior-God, by Your Spirit give to us the eyes of faith and a steely heart of confidence which is anchored securely in the victory of Jesus Christ. Triune God, increase our prayer life and through this, our intimacy with You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/vhiHoqp0neU

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

June 24, 2022 -- Psalm 92:1-4 -- Sing the LORD's praises

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

It is good to give thanks to the LORD,
to sing praises to your name, O Most High;
2 to declare your steadfast love in the morning,
and your faithfulness by night,
3 to the music of the lute and the harp,
to the melody of the lyre.
4 For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work;
at the works of your hands I sing for joy.
Psalm 92:1-4 ESV

There are so many songs from the 80’s and 90’s that spring to mind with the gentlest prompting. The notes and chords, the riffs and slides easily wind up the recall and effortlessly the words spill out. This ability to memorize words and quickly motivate emotions is captured by our brief Psalm reading today. He is preaching to his soul, stirring up his heart so that songs of praise and the celebration of God’s steadfast love will be what is in view for him. There is no greater joy, no deeper gladness than knowing the goodness of our God and King. His work makes us glad. When His splendor fills the vision the course of a man's heart is redirected for good.

At a low point in our married life, Carolyn and I were jobless for a while, and then for a while very under-employed as we sought to re-group. Finances were very tight. We lived in a basement apartment of a house and the house. Rent was very reasonable. It would have been easy to get sour and bitter. The circumstances of our life were very unexpected. We were going through a very rough season. In His great providence, God had arranged it so that we lived in a place where the home-owner and his wife were former missionaries. At the supper table, after the meal, they’d sing songs of the faith. We didn’t really hear any other noises or sounds from their activities upstairs, but regularly, at each evening meal, we could hear them sing a song or two. Their act of devotion to the LORD guarded me from bitterness and reminded me of the love of the LORD which is unceasing. In hindsight, my wife and I know the LORD our God took us from our former way of life, led us through the trials of change to the wide place of His great grace. We are so thankful to Him for our new home, still-new-feeling job and denomination. He has made us glad. We sing for joy at the work of His hands.

Sing to the LORD. Sing His praises until the words take hold of your imagination and ignite lasting praises in your heart. He is great. His is working out His holy and good purposes in your life right now. You may not understand this particular point of the journey, but He will not, has not, left you or forgotten you. Sing praises to His Name.

Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and all that is within me,
   bless His holy Name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
   and forget not all His benefits,
Who forgives all your iniquity,
   Who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from the pit,
   Who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
Who satisfies you with good
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
Bless the LORD, O you His angels,
   You mighty ones who do His word
   obeying the voice of the voice of His word!
Bless the LORD, all His hosts,
   His ministers, who do His will!
Bless the LORD, all His works,
   in all places of His dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Psalm 103:1-5; 20-22 ESV

https://youtu.be/he4xEmsnQZc

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

June 22, 2022 -- Ephesians 1:3 -- Reverberating and ricocheting praise

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

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…
Ephesians 1:3 ESV

The imagery is of reverberating blessings, ricocheting back and forth. The people of the LORD, Who are in Christ, bless the Father, the Source of every blessing in their lives. The Father declares His blessing over His people and these echo through the ages and across all generations as believers rise up in faith to receive Jesus Christ as King and Lord—the Captain of Salvation.

Sinclair Ferguson states it this way, “We speak well of the Lord (Blessed be…God) because in Christ, the Living Word, He has spoken well of (blessed) us” (Let’s Study Ephesians, S. Ferguson, page 7).

The spiritual blessings we receive fill the rest of the letter to the Ephesians. Such blessings include: the fact before the foundation of the world He had already chosen us in love. We have a new spiritual reality—sin has been defeated and it is no longer our master. We are adopted by the Father, kept safe by the Spirit and are the reward of Christ’s work. Life is purposeful for the Christian—it is to bring glory to God as we live holy lives in the power of the Spirit.

All this sounds too much for us to achieve on our own. No doubt! But remember the opening blessing of Ephesians. “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ”. All these spiritual blessings given us in the heavenly realms rest on the accomplished work of Jesus—this is grace. It is Christ’s work. And this gives us great peace. We know He Who started a good work in us will see it to completion! No wonder saints rise up each day, every day, to bless the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and do so in the power of the Spirit. The more we learn, the greater is our joy in praising Him, the strong our desire to praise Him and serve Him all our days.

God of wonders and expansive blessings, forgive us for the feebleness of our praise and the murmurings of mumbled songs. As Your Spirit once again takes hold of our hearts and shows us the extravagance of Your salvation poured out in Jesus Christ, may we bless You and praise You, honour You and thank You over and over again, praising the Name of Jesus in Whom such riches of grace flood our lives. As the praises reverberate in our days and nights, our activities and our rest, may others rise up to take up the Song of Jesus and His salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/EakiLL70s6k

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

June 19, 2022 -- II Peter 3:11-14 -- Renewed focus on holiness

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

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.
14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.
II Peter 3:11-14 ESV

Listening to a sermon by Richard Owen Roberts, I heard an interesting point related to holiness. Roberts is an elderly preacher, highly respected theological librarian and evangelist. He related that he’d always thought the older you get the more holy you would get. In fact, he noticed, youth are often infected with the sin of lust—a greed for more and more. If that sin is not conquered in youth, then at middle age, there is an unrestrained appetite for material wealth. As one ages, there is a great tendency to turn inwards and become very self-centred. There is a demand made by the elderly that other people pay attention to them and there is a lack of graciousness appended to such persistent requests. At every age and every stage of life there are unique challenges which must be conquered by the strength of the Spirit Who is living in the believers.

Note the command found at verse 14—be diligent to be found by Him without spot or blemish. We have been washed by the blood of the Lamb. We are His. What a glory is ours. Now, as those who are redeemed, we are called to holiness and peace. Fight against the sins which linger within you. It is holiness worth having, for the more you desire Jesus, the greater is our joy and peace in having Him in your thoughts, your prayers, your mind and heart. Cultivate this desire diligently. Confess what is sinful. Turn from the indulgent practices, at whatever age you are. Hold tightly to the promise given at the start of this letter “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him Who called us to His own glory and excellence” (II Peter 1:3). His strength is in you, live for Him.

Today is Sunday, delight in gathering with other believers and bring honour and glory to God, the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Share your burdens and your joys in our holy faith. Savour the freedom you have in this land to meet with others who believe. Do not neglect meeting together, but join with others who are waiting for the glory of God to be revealed in the new heavens and new earth.

Faithful Father, Your sustaining grace and marvelous peace are given us through the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Your rich salvation is guarded in us by the powerful presence of Your Spirit. Help us to hate our lingering sins and fight against the laziness of the flesh. As Peter wrote, let our faith be supplemented with virtue and virtue with knowledge and knowledge with self-control and self-control with godliness and godliness with brotherly affection and brotherly affection with love. As Peter wrote, such keep us from being ineffective or unfruitful in knowing Jesus Christ. Spirit of God, take off the blinders from our eyes and the soften our hard-hearts so that our great joy is living fully, pressing into the life given us in Christ our King to the honour and praise of the Father in heaven. Amen. 

https://youtu.be/JwuDSw-9cUQ

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

June 18, 2022 -- Acts 9:32-35 -- An Implication of Christ's Healing

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

Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.” And immediately he rose. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Acts 9:32-35 ESV

Now that is a strange command “make your bed”. It is joyous to read of Aeneas’ healing. That makes sense. Sure, it also makes sense that he rise and get up out of his bed. But why is he commanded to make the bed? Answer: He doesn’t need it anymore. When he was bedridden for those eight years he could not rise from the bed, it was never made up because he was dependent on it. Now that he is healed, he can make the bed, symbolizing his healing and the fact he does not need that bed except at the appropriate time.

I wonder, when Jesus has healed you, how often you left your bed unmade, available ‘just in case’. Let me explain. You have prayed and prayed to be healed of gluttony, but you have chips in the house and your favourite brand of ice cream and that fresh batch of cookies. In the morning you are committed, praying for self-control. In the afternoon you eat a salad for lunch. At night you eat the ice cream with the fresh cookies and pat yourself on the back for not eating the chips…well, not all of them.

How many times have we said we will close the door on our sinful ways and left the bed unmade. Now, let me be clear, I am not saying Aeneas was bedridden because of a particular sin. But once he was healed, it would have been sinful for him to lounge in it. What area of your life are you praying for the healing of Jesus Christ and then not trusting in that healing, prepared to go back to the sin unless He deliberately runs interference for you and blocks your path. Remember this: Greater is He Who is in you, than he that is in the world. Close the door on that past sin, make that bed, and walk in the healing of the Lord. Fight the old temptations and wayward thoughts, trusting the LORD Jesus heals you.

Father in heaven, thank You for the rich healing You have poured on our lives in Jesus Christ--in Him You have set us free from sin in order that our lives may reflect Your glory. Thank You, God of Love and Victory, for the presence of Your Spirit, by Whom we rise from our bedridden state and leave old sinful ways behind us. Triune God, may the words of our mouth and the works of our hands bring You the glory and honour and praise so totally due You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/wH6CrmhTCJM

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

June 17, 2022 -- Ephesians 1:1-2 -- Grace to peace and peace resting on grace

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

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus:
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 1:1-2 ESV

One of the great privileges I have as a pastor serving with Redemption Prison Minister is to lead Bible studies. This week I started a series on Ephesians. I am using the material and study guide in “Let’s Study Ephesians”, written by Sinclair Ferguson. It is a joy to work through this material. The men are very appreciative as well.

One observation that stuck with me is this, that the opening greeting of “grace and peace” is reversed at the closing blessing of the letter.(Ephesians 6:23-24). Ferguson muses, “Is this a hint that, between the bookends of this letter, grace will lead to peace, and peace will always rest in grace? How marvellous!” (page 6).

The clear implication is that God’s grace is primary. He acted in grace, at the foundation of the world choosing His Own in love. He acted in grace, sending Jesus Christ so that believers are covered by the blood which has washed away all their sins. He has acted in grace, sending His Spirit so that this amazing grace cannot be snatched away by the devil.

Therefore believers have peace with God, peace with fellow believers, and peace though the devil assail and the world afflict—these can never prevail. This is the unshakeable peace Christians have. What a glorious gift God the Father has given in us in Jesus Christ and guards in believers by His Spirit.

Thank You, Father in heaven, for the rich beauty of Your Word, which Your Spirit enlivens in believers, leading them to know You through the great revelation of Jesus Christ. Blessed are You, Triune God. Great and glorious is Your salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Y2SGjX3iHK4

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

June 14, 2022 -- Psalm 30:11-12 -- From mourning to dancing

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

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
  you have loosed my sackcloth
  and clothed me with gladness,
that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.
  O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!
Psalm 30:11-12 ESV

Our sorrow or mourning began when God took hold of us in Christ. The Spirit of God stirred us up so that we began to grasp the magnificence of the mercy we have received from the Living God. Despite the greatness of our sins He acted. He took off our sackcloth. He removed our transgressions and sins from us. As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed these from us. We are clothed with gladness because we are set free from the punishment our sins deserved. The punishment has fallen on Jesus.

Some translations substitute the word “glory” for soul—that my soul may sing your praise. The glory of the Christian is the fact that in Christ he is a new creation—the old is gone and the new has come. In Christ the believer is already united with God—the Spirit lives in all who profess Jesus Christ. This is the glory that is given to all who confess the Name of Jesus. The result is a life that sings praises to God—the God of our Salvation, the God Who has lifted us up from death and set His favor on us.

We will not be silent. Those who are lifted up in Christ so do not ask “what is the least I can do?” There is no option of being silent. The grip of grace draws from our lips praise and thanksgiving, testimony and commitment to the LORD of Glory. How can those who have been so blessed ever keep silent? It is not possible. The end of the psalm bears witness to this—O LORD my God, I will give thanks to You forever! Nothing else is fitting for our King! A redeemed soul cannot be stopped from bringing honour and praise.

The prayer this morning is the earlier part of Psalm 30

I will praise you, Lord, for you have saved me from my enemies. You refuse to let them triumph over me.  O Lord my God, I pleaded with you, and you gave me my health again. 3 You brought me back from the brink of the grave, from death itself, and here I am alive!

 Oh, sing to him you saints of his; give thanks to his holy name.  His anger lasts a moment; his favor lasts for life! Weeping may go on all night, but in the morning there is joy.
Psalm 30:1-5 TLB

https://youtu.be/YoBgjVsqC8s

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

June 13, 2022 -- Deuteronomy 20:1-4 -- Jesus the Warrior - Savior

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

“When you go out to war against your enemies, and see horses and chariots and an army larger than your own, you shall not be afraid of them, for the Lord your God is with you, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. 2 And when you draw near to the battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people 3 and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, 4 for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory.’
Deuteronomy 20:1-4

Finally, be strong in the lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
Ephesians 6:10-11 ESV

This morning I was struck by the beautiful coherence of the Word of God. In the Old Testament the people of the LORD were commanded not to fear their enemies, the LORD fights for them. This was proved to be true. Through-out the Old Testament you can read of the victories of our God and how He led His people in triumph. Who is like our God?! In the New Testament we are told once again—the LORD fights for you. As the LORD conquered the enemies of Israel in the Old Testament, so we can be completely assured the LORD will fight against our enemies today.

The victory of Jesus Christ, achieved at the cross, disarms the devil, the world and even our own fears and sinfulness. If you find yourself struggling today, remind your: “the LORD your God is He Who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you the victory”. Read these passages, and others, and preach to your soul and mind of the victory that is yours in Jesus Christ. Call on Him. Remind yourself of the greatness of our God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Praise the Living God for the victories He has already given you and those He will bring you to in this day.

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

https://youtu.be/p4rRCjrAyCs

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