April 1, 2023 -- Psalm 7:1-5 -- The Psalm Series: can you truly say your hands are clean, innocent?

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

A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the Lord concerning the words of Cush, a Benjaminite.

O LORD my God, in you do I take refuge;
    save me from all my pursuers and deliver me,
2 lest like a lion they tear my soul apart,
    rending it in pieces, with none to deliver.

3 O LORD my God, if I have done this,
    if there is wrong in my hands,
4 if I have repaid my friend with evil
    or plundered my enemy without cause,
5 let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it,
    and let him trample my life to the ground
    and lay my glory in the dust. Selah
Psalm 7:1-5 ESV

Here’s the kicker in these opening verses of Psalm 7, David has done wrong. He slept with the wife of one of his closest friends, his mighty general Uriah. He committed this wickedness while Uriah was off fighting one of David’s wars. Yes, he had done wrong. But Psalm 51, and the passages of II Samuel 11 through 12:25 show the sin, the exposing of the sin by the prophet’s words, and importantly show David's confession and humbling. The LORD had taken away David’s sin. However, the LORD did tell David there would be lasting consequences to his sinful act. David brought great trouble on his own household. Those troubles meant he’d always be compelled to turn to the LORD in humility and fear and expectation that the LORD would help.

As one who learned the power of forgiveness, David learned to keep short accounts with the LORD His God. When he sinned, he confessed. God knew He had chosen him not because he was perfect, or exceptional in any way but this one: David was a man after God’s own heart. When David’s sin was revealed, he confessed it. He owned his wrongs and asked God for help and healing. And David’s sins were many. And God’s mercy is more. Always more.

When David’s son Absalom rose up in rebellion against David and tried to take his throne, David fled from Jerusalem. A Benjaminite, Shimei, cursed David resoundingly. The former king, Saul, was from the tribe of Benjamin. David prevented his soldiers from taking revenge on Shimei musing out loud that his own son was trying to kill him, why should not this man curse him, if this is what God has appointed him to do so?

So this Psalm exposes David’s profession of innocence. David knew all his wrong-doing. In this instance he knew his hands were clean and if it were not so, Absalom would gain the victory and David’s life would be thrown down. David’s righteousness and cleanness of hand and heart came from his devotion to the LORD. There is no other refuge. There is no other soul-cleansing, spirit-reviving healing than the forgiveness of the Father given through the sacrifice of Jesus! No wonder it is in the LORD, and Jesus His Son, in Whom our souls take refuge. Blessed be the LORD our God, now and forevermore.

Our Father in heaven hallowed and blessed be Your Name--now and forevermore. Oh LORD my God, if there is wrong in my hands, if there is sin in my heart, lodged there unconfessed, I confess it now. Thank You for the true freedom given in Christ alone. Lead me in the way everlasting. Through the power of Your Spirit I'm thanking You, God, You make all things right. I'm singing Your fame, the glory and blessedness of the Heaven-High God, Who is always praise-worthy. Amen.

https://youtu.be/W5EUvOnQr4Y

His Mercy Is More — Matt Papa

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 31, 2023 -- Psalm 6 -- The Psalm Series: Cries and Tears and Victory

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

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments; according to The Sheminith. 

A Psalm of David.

O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
    nor discipline me in your wrath.
2 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am languishing;
    heal me, O LORD, for my bones are troubled.
3 My soul also is greatly troubled.
    But you, O LORD—how long?

4 Turn, O LORD, deliver my life;
    save me for the sake of your steadfast love.
5 For in death there is no remembrance of you;
    in Sheol who will give you praise?

6 I am weary with my moaning;
    every night I flood my bed with tears;
    I drench my couch with my weeping.
7 My eye wastes away because of grief;
    it grows weak because of all my foes.

8 Depart from me, all you workers of evil,
    for the Lord has heard the sound of my weeping.
9 The LORD has heard my plea;
    the LORD accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and greatly troubled;
    they shall turn back and be put to shame in a moment.
Psalm 6 ESV

Why did King David, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, write this Psalm? If you are following along in this Psalm series you’ll likely have noticed how many laments, or psalms of tears and crying out to God, are already among these introductory psalms. Is it sickness that makes him cry out? Some commentators on the psalms believe it is and look at the verses 2 and 6. Maybe it is his enemies, as in verse 8.

The LORD our God, in His providential mercy, has provided words for people whose hearts are overwhelmed. It might be the discipline of the LORD, appropriately poured out because of the sins of the one praying or singing this Psalm (see verse 1). It might be weariness for the onslaught of enemies (physical people who taunt, or demonic attacks, or the torment of familiar temptations). Know this, beloved people of the Father, when one belongs to God the Triune, the new nature that takes hold of you will fight against the old nature with its pattern of sins and formerly habitual temptations. Christ has come to bring life and bring such life to the full (John 10:10). The Spirit of God is given to live within the believer, so that the LORD hears and accepts our pleas and prayers (verse 9).

Dear fellow believers, do not give up. No matter the troubles and trials you face today, know that Christians and fellow believers have battled the same through-out the generations. In Jesus Christ there is victory. Cry out to Jesus, at His throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). Know that your battle for purity and holiness honours God the Father, is fought in the strength of the Spirit and Christ, the Captain of Salvation will lead you into victory. Keep up the good fight of faith.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. You are worthy of praise and adoration as the Father of steadfast love Who hears the prayers and pleas of His people. Thank You for the Spirit Who has been given as the guarantee of Your salvific work in the life of believers. Thank You Jesus for the freedom believers have to approach the throne of grace and pour out our sorrows and griefs in the full assurance that Yours is the throne of Victory for all who believe. Oh, Precious Savior, let the words of this Psalm today dig deep into our hearts so that we will believe Your Spirit inspired King David to write them, the people through-out the ages to sing them, with the full assurance You hear, You help and You heal so that the people loved by the Father will experience Your glorious deliverance now and fully through-out the wondrous bliss of eternity. Amen.

https://youtu.be/D3xlq2L0hcs
Guy Penrod "Victory in Jesus"

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 29, 2023 -- Psalm 5:1-6 -- The Psalm Series: Morning Praise

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

Give ear to my words, O LORD;
    consider my groaning.
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry,
    my King and my God,
    for to you do I pray.
3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice;
    in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
    evil may not dwell with you.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
    you hate all evildoers.
6 You destroy those who speak lies;
    the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Psalm 5:1-6 ESV

In ancient times, the priests offered a morning sacrifice and an evening sacrifice—the blood of a lamb at each time of sacrifice and 2 liters of fine flour. Now that the blood of Jesus Christ has been offered, no other blood is necessary. Hebrews teaches Christians now bring the sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15-16). It is so fitting to the reading.

It is tempting to start the day grumpily. It is tempting to see what is wrong and going against you and then  react with frustration or anger, rather than yielding your whole life to Him Who is the shield of His people (verse 12). The man who is blessed of God begins his day, and ends it, looking to the LORD His God. He expresses his faith. He sings his hope. He studies the word of God knowing that the LORD God is his strength and song.

The fear of the LORD is rooted in the fact that God will destroy the liar and the blood-thirsty. It is a holy warning that the believer preaches to his own heart. It is vital that Christians banish all wickedness from their lives for one must never on the one hand bless God and on the other act deceitfully. In the morning, offer up to the LORD, the sacrifice of praise by that action you are committing the day and every circumstance in it unto the glory of the LORD in the confidence of His goodness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed and honoured be Your Name, now and forevermore. With the saints of ages past and the great company of believers today, I lift up my voice this morning and praise You. You are the God of our salvation. You are the shield and very great reward of Your people—this is so extravagantly and perfectly displayed in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Spirit Whom You have placed in Your people so that we are led in righteousness. Let the words of our mouths and the actions of our hands be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, our God. Amen.
https://youtu.be/TFPyyNNcYP0
Shane and Shane "All Creatures of our God and King"

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 27, 2023 -- Psalm 4:1-5 -- The Psalm Series: a Biblical answer to revenge

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

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
    You have given me relief when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!

2 O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame?
    How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? Selah
3 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself;
    the LORD hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, and do not sin;
    ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah
5 Offer right sacrifices,
    and put your trust in the LORD.

Psalm 4:1-5 ESV

Psalm 1 has that calming assurance “the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” (Psalm 1:6 ESV). For the rest of the Book of Psalms, there will be many stanzas of lament, men crying out to the Living God struggling against circumstances which seem to negate this promise. Interestingly, it is the hard circumstances of our lives, the pains and frustrations that drive us to prayer and show to us the depths of the Father’s knowledge of our ways and His attentiveness to our needs. It is proven to us once again “Every good and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change” (James 1:17 ESV). Thus, even our heaviest burdens are designed to bring to us the righteousness of Christ whereby the goodness of our Father will be most exquisitely known. The Spirit of God will keep you at the spout where the grace of God pours out and the Kingdom of God is brought to fruition there.

Fight the temptation to ponder or speak to your heart possibilities of revenge. Our wounds and pains may lead us to stoke an anger that gets hotter all the time. It is fueled by thoughts of how to pay back sevenfold the harms done. The Psalmist reminds himself, and all who recite this, to fight that temptation and instead offer right gifts:

• looking to the God of our righteousness (not calling to the basest desires of flesh) verse 1a.

• remembering His past mercies and help verse 1b

• praying to God, where such communion with Him reminds us flesh and blood are not the enemy, but the Devil and his demonic hordes are stirring warfare among those who are stamped with the image of God verse 1c.

Dear Christian family, the example of Jesus Christ is one that must transform our ways of living. Even as He was crucified He did not curse those who nailed Him to the cross, or who’d called for His death. He called to His Father in heaven, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34 ESV). As long as a man or woman draws breath there is the possibility he will repent and find forgiveness full and free in the powerful Name of Jesus.

Selah. Think about that. Ponder it in your heart. Ask the Spirit of God to help you live as a new creation in Jesus Christ.

Our Father in heaven, God of our righteousness, You are the One Who brings relief to His people. We confess how often we have considered ways to hurt or undermine the very people who have made our life hard or miserable rather than calling out to You as the One Who brings relief. Forgive our stubbornness. Thank You for the repetitiveness of the Psalms, and the Scriptures, which highlight our sins and thereby put into glorious contrast the excellencies of Your ways. Teach us again to look to You for our righteousness and healing. When the struggle is particularly long bring to mind all Your past loving-kindnesses, help and avenues of rescue, so that the spiritual fruit of patience has a chance to mature within us. Teach us the discipline of unceasing prayer so that those who seem to be our enemies now may be won to Jesus Christ and by the dynamic presence of Your Spirit join us as soldiers for the cross of Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/j-k32dEKrsk Nathan Pacheco “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 25, 2023 -- Psalm 3:7-8 -- The Psalm Series: Salvation belongs to the LORD

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

Arise, O LORD!
   Save me, O my God!
For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;
   You break the teeth of the wicked.
Salvation belongs to the LORD;
   Your blessing be on your people! Selah
Psalm 3:7-8 ESV

When an enemy hurts you or a friend betrays, isn’t it tempting to want revenge? It is easy to start thinking about all the ways in which you can throw that person down and humiliate him. You might find yourself nursing cruel thoughts of their downfall and laughing at any trouble that hits them. Look closely at the text today. David is calling on God to exact judgment. David is asking his God to rescue him and to measure out the exact and appropriate amount of justice against his enemies.

This is a common theme in the Bible. The LORD declares over His covenant people:

“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense,
   for the time when their foot shall slip;
for the day of their calamity is at hand,
   and their doom comes swiftly.
Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV

and this passage:

Rejoice with Him, O heavens;
   bow down to Him, all gods,
for He avenges the blood of His children
   and takes vengeance on His adversaries.
He repays those who hate Him
   and cleanses His people’s land.
Deuteronomy 32:43 ESV

So what is a proper response to the betrayal by friends and the wounds of enemies? Pray for those who persecute you (Mathew 5:44). Hell is a terror The culture all around us has numbed us to the reality of the horrors of eternal punishment. A former enemy who becomes a brother in Christ by your urgent prayers is won for the glory of God. His salvation will have many people singing for joy! Furthermore, your Father in heaven sustained your life, kept you from death, and led you to Himself while you hated Him. How much more ought you, in view of His mercy, to extend His never-ending kindness to all those around you. His perfect love drives out fear (I John 4:18).

Suffering for the sake of righteousness is what believers are called to endure. Believers are not greater than Jesus. If Jesus, your Master suffered, then as His followers you must expect to suffer (John 15:20). Yet such suffering purifies the follower of Jesus. Such suffering confirms you belong to Him. Such suffering can convince the wicked of the salvation that belongs to God and to Him alone.

Our Father in heaven, salvation belongs to You! You are forever honoured and hallowed, blessed and beautiful. Thank You for the rich grace You have given in Jesus Christ, through Whom Your anger has turned away and by Whom You continue to call lost and wandering sheep to Yourself. Spirit of God, cause Your people to live up to the new life that is given in Jesus Christ, so that in humility Your people will turn the other cheek when the enemy strikes, Your people kneel in prayer, and seek the salvation of every enemy. This is beyond unaided human capacity. Spirit of the Living God, fill Your people will the new life is that promised in Jesus Christ, cause the fruit of this new life to be abundant and evident, this as the ever-growing reward of Christ's work and to the everlasting glory of the Father. Amen.

https://youtu.be/8l8_rmvo6kg "I know that my redeemer lives" Getty and ft Laura Story

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 24, 2023 -- Psalm 3:1-6 -- The Psalm Series: The LORD a Shield around us

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

O Lord, how many are my foes!
    Many are rising against me;
2 many are saying of my soul,
    “There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

3 But you, O Lord, are a shield about me,
    my glory, and the lifter of my head.
4 I cried aloud to the Lord,
    and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

5 I lay down and slept;
    I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
6 I will not be afraid of many thousands of people
    who have set themselves against me all around.

Psalm 3:1-6 ESV

Think about it. How many things mess with your sleep?! Worry can make you toss and turn and wake constantly. When you know you have people who are out to get you it can make your stomach sour and your head ache driving sleep from you. Look at what David is experiencing. The taunts of people who masqueraded as friends which proved to be so cruel. That threatens to shatter his sleep. It is all the more personal a betrayal and insult as well, since it is Absalom, his own son, who rose up against David and sent him packing from Jerusalem.

Look at the confidence King David had, even while on the run. The LORD is his shield. Think of Ephesians 6 where the shield of faith can extinguish all the fiery darts and arrows of the enemy. God Himself is the glory, that is, the victory for David. No matter what happened to him, throne restored or not, David knew his present and future were secure in the LORD.

The word “Selah” means repeat. Pause. Reflect. Let the words you have read soak in and know the LORD and His goodness as it is recalled by one who experienced it.

The LORD of heaven and earth gave to David the sweet refreshment of sleep. It was the sign of His blessing on David, even if his circumstances had not changed at all, the LORD is in control. The LORD’s purposes would be accomplished. What are you going through right now? What trials and problems? Perhaps, like David, the messes you’re waist-deep in right now are mostly of your own making. Or maybe not. Perhaps you have acted in innocence and enemies rose up anyways, opposing you because they hate Jesus. Know this: God has not abandoned you. In the storm and in all suffering, He is here.

O LORD, You are a shield all around me!
You are my glory, my victory, my hope and song!
You are the lifter of my head, so that I am not bent over in discouragement, but can see You and know You are near.
As you have answered in the past, O LORD, answer now, for the sake of Jesus, Your anointed One, our Champion. By Your Spirit, lead us in the way we should go, until Your mercy, and grace, and peace lead us into victory over all the circumstances of our lives and You, O God Most Beautiful, fill all our vision. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ohLfJDKSv0U
Casting Crowns—Praise You in this Storm (Acoustic Version)

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 23, 2023 -- Psalm 2:1-3 -- The Psalm Series: Rebellion and Submission

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

Why do the nations rage
    and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves,
    and the rulers take counsel together,
    against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying,
3 “Let us burst their bonds apart
    and cast away their cords from us.”
Psalm 2:1-3 ESV

This is an important question: why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? It is the pattern of history. Nations rise up seeking to rebel against the LORD, He Who makes covenant and keeps His oaths. He Who claims all the peoples of the earth. Successively as they rise up and forget Him, they are crushed and forgotten. Even God's own people, Israel, needed to be warned by the words of this Psalm. God’s own people rebelled against Him over and over again. Just two graphic examples:

• The LORD rescued His people out of Egypt. They made a golden calf and worshiped it (see Exodus 32).

• The LORD fed His people manna in the wilderness and gave them water and protected them from their enemies. Many of the men prostituted themselves with women from Moab and rebelled against the commands of the LORD their Protector and God (Numbers 25).

Dear fellow Christian, do not look down your nose at the people of Israel, for it is easy to be more rebellious and lustful and defiant than they ever were. It is worse because you know the Anointed of God, Jesus Christ, His suffering and redeeming work which brings you into the presence of the Holy God. Yet knowing the amazing grace of God how often do you not instead chase after your pleasures: sports instead of church. Gluttony instead of fasting. Gossip instead of prayers. Ignoring the cries of the poor while pursuing travel and cottages. Allowing disputes and arguments to carry on growing ever hotter and more bitter rather than humbling yourself before the throne of Jesus Christ and at the first opportunity making peace through Jesus Christ Who reconciles you to God and to one another?

Repent.


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

https://youtu.be/4Ccwoj9VKL4
Chris Tomlin -- Lord, I Need You

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 21, 2023 -- Psalm 1:3-6 -- Psalm Series: The Righteous and the Wicked and God's blessing

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

He is like a tree
    planted by streams of water
that yields its fruit in its season,
    and its leaf does not wither.
In all that he does, he prospers.
4 The wicked are not so,
    but are like chaff that the wind drives away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment,
    nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous;
6 for the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
    but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1:3-6 ESV

What is a Christian like? He is the man who drinks living water. Jesus promised in John 4 that His salvation is like living water that wells up in the believer unto eternal life. Jesus is the soul’s refreshment. Jesus is life’s fruitfulness. The prosperity of the believer is not an earthly prosperity, though God in His good pleasure may give that to some, it is security of belonging to God through Christ by the power of the Spirit.

Inevitably people ask if their neighbour who is kind, who is always shoveling the driveway of the widow and doing this for free and fixing things for others out of the kindness of his heart, isn’t he going to receive some consideration from the Lord? Won’t God be pleased with such things?

The wicked are those whose heart’s orientation is away from Christ. The greatest good any man or woman or child can perform is believing in Jesus Christ and through the power of His Spirit serving the Father Who sent Jesus. Anything less than this is wickedness. So a man who seems, by all appearances, to be one who does good deeds and is kind outwardly, does so drawing breath using the lungs God gave him. He is helping others using the skills God placed on him. He is spending time and money which God put at his disposal—and yet he spits in the face of God denying all these and countless other blessings.

The way of the righteous is known to God. This is the intimate knowledge of a husband who knows his wife. This is the intimate knowledge of the Creator Who hems His people in, before and behind and even their thoughts are familiar to Him. He knows us best and worst and for us He has given Jesus Christ, the reason why the Father has chosen to bless us, and to guard us in the way of blessing by His Spirit’s presence. This Psalm should prompt us to greater and bolder acts of evangelism because in it we see how we are filled and surrounded by the goodness of God.

Father of all blessedness and joy, great is Your Name and glorious Your salvation given in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the Living Water which wells up in us to eternal life, that soul-refreshment given by the grace of Jesus through Whom we are named children of the Most High God. Father in heaven deepen our understanding of Who You Are, give us whole-hearted, humble joy in knowing that You, Who inhabits the all the heavens, You also live in the heart of the humble. Fueled with such glorious understanding, move us to speak Your glory and praise to all whom we meet. Amen.

https://youtu.be/4iEgs0WKR-c Anthem Lights — Hymn Mash-up Part 1

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March 20, 2023 -- Psalm 1:1-2 -- Psalm series: starting in the way of blessing

People loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power:

Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

Blessed is the man
    who walks not in the counsel of the wicked,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
    nor sits in the seat of scoffers;
2 but his delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 1:1-2 ESV

Dearly loved people of God notice that the very first word in the Psalms is “blessed”. It carries the meaning of blessed and happy. One of the tribes of Israel was called “Asher” and his name means “happy” and “go in a straight line”. Don't miss the significance of this. The Psalms are the prayer-book of the Bible. The LORD of Heaven and Earth, Who has redeemed His people, teaches them to pray. The language of the Psalms is beautiful, instructional, spoken as man’s blessing to God in response to God’s first act of blessing to His people: their salvation. New Testament Christians know the salvation of Jesus Christ and are inspired to read and pray this book.

The man, the woman, the child who walks in a straight line with God, going toward Him in all things finds that he is surrounded by the blessing of God. Companions from the sinful past, the wicked, the scoffers and the sinners are the torturous path back into ruin. What keeps a Christian on the straight path of blessing, no matter the circumstances, it is knowing God, reading His word, speaking His Word to oneself through-out the day. That is memorizing the word. That is writing the word in emails to friends. That is comforting others with the rich word of God. All these things are used by God to guard His people in the grace of Jesus Christ. The Father and the Son pour out the Spirit so that the believer is guarded in the way of happiness and blessedness, that is, the way of the LORD.

This Psalm sets the tone for the whole book of prayers, that is, the Book of Psalms. A believer will face challenges, pain, persecution, enemies, but the way of blessedness is always found in the straight path to the LORD. He is the Author of your salvation. He is the Perfector of all who believe. He is the strong tower for all who are in need.

Father of all blessedness and joy, great and holy is Your Name. Mighty is the wonderful salvation You have given in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament He was anticipated in every sacrifice, He was foretold as the Lion of Judah. In the New He is the Warrior-King, the Captain of Salvation for all who believe. Triune God, may Your Spirit guard Your people in the straight path of blessedness and holy joy. Let the light of such holy living compel many to see the way in which we live and be drawn to seek You out and find in You true blessedness. This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tQUTvMtUhw4

The Doxology -- Anthem Lights featuring Selah

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March 18, 2023 -- Acts 28:30-31 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Jesus' promise fulfilled and being fulfilled

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

He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

Acts 28:30-31 ESV

Remember the start of Acts? Just before Jesus’ ascension into heaven He told His disciples “But 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). Paul has preached in Jerusalem and made extensive missionary journeys into various regions, and now is at the centre of the Roman Empire, in Rome itself, preaching the Gospel. The promise of Jesus is fulfilled and the work of the Spirit in believers today continually fulfills the promise of Jesus. The Gospel is going out into all the world. What a fitting end to Luke’s writing of Acts.

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, keep reading the Word. By it you know Jesus and the power of His salvation. As you read the Word and are steeped in it, you will be able to speak to anyone you meet, applying the appropriate passages of Scripture which answer the deepest need of your hearer. It is God alone Who can satisfy the hungry soul. It is the Living God Himself Whose Son Jesus Christ gives you the highest reason for living and also gives the greatest meaning to life.

2. Q. What rule hath God given to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy him?

A. The Word of God, which is contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, is the only rule to direct us how we may glorify and enjoy Him.

(The Shorter Catechism, Question and Answer 2).

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the tremendous beauty and power of Your Word. Thank You that by it we can both glorify You and enjoy You forever. Forgive us for the times when our service to You has seemed to be drudgery and sand between the teeth rather than imbibing the blessed Living Water of Jesus. Father in heaven, direct Your Spirit so that by His power we too will be bold witnesses about Jesus and so bring honour and praise and blessing to Your Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/TFPyyNNcYP0

All Creatures (Sing the Harmony) Shane and Shane

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 14, 2023 -- Acts 27:1-3 -- The Acts of the Apostles: submission in troubled times that bears witness to God

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

And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2 And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3 The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for.
Acts 27:1-3 ESV

What stands out is the favour of God on the life of Paul. The Father in heaven sent Jesus to rescue Paul on the road to Damascus. The murderer of Christians is now falsely accused of murder and he experiences the same hard and terrible treatment he’d handed out to followers of the Way.

Humanly speaking the circumstances are bad. Paul was in prison for two plus years, cleared by various governors. Even King Agrippa declared “he is doing nothing to deserve death or imprisonment” (Acts 26:31). Jewish leaders still had smoldering resentments against Paul. Those who had the authority to act on his behalf and intervene for justice did not. Now consider this from a divine perspective. Paul has friends who attend to his needs. The Father raised up a kindly centurion who treated Paul well. Paul has the opportunity to witness to everyone in prison, on the ship and along the way on his travels. He has traveling companions who are Christians who share his hardships out of devotion to Christ and dedication to His servant Paul.

Later in this chapter one can read of Paul’s intimacy with God and this juxtaposed with his prayers for the sailors, guards and other prisoners. Because of God’s favour on Paul and Paul’s compassion for them and his willingness to speak up, none of them are lost at sea when the violent storm he foretold shipwrecks them. At every step Paul displays the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. His attitude toward those who represent his oppressors and tormentors remains honourable. It will be interesting to see how many guards from the Augustan Cohort, and how many fellow prisoners on that ship will be with us in heaven because of our Father’s steadfast love and Paul’s witness.

How about you? Where in your life are your hard circumstances and your simultaneous submission to God so evident that non-Christians see your devotion to the Lord of Glory and because of it are seeking to understand the reasons why.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the men and women who over the years have so faithfully showed Your steadfast love and kindness to us. Thank You for the blessing of Christian community, brothers and sisters in Christ who stand by us. Thank You for the grace of Jesus Christ which reaches into every area of our lives and touches every brokenness with Your reconciling love. Thank You, Father in heaven for Your Spirit Who makes the word living to us and by Whose power in us we can live out our devotion to You. May our Spirit-fueled dedication to You, no matter the earthly circumstances of our lives, bear testimony to Your goodness such that many will come to know Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/0DpSIIiWkEM "Every promise of Your word" Keith and Kristyn Getty

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 13, 2023 -- Acts 26:24-29 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Boldly witnessing about Jesus

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

 And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.” 25 But Paul said, “I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. 26 For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.” 28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?” 29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”
Acts 26:24-29 ESV

It is important to remember Paul has been falsely accused. He has been in prison now for more than two years on trumped up charges that have not been proved. He could be bitter. He could be angry. He could be railing against his opponents who have kept him in such a condition. What is he doing? He is in court and he testifying to Jesus Christ and the power of His resurrection. He is making the most of every opportunity for the days are evil (Ephesians 5:16). He is doing exactly what he always urges other Christians to do.

Nor is Paul using trickery or the tools of his age to make himself acceptable to his audience. So often the techniques for evangelism promote using the music of the world, or the stage lighting and culturally normative words or attire in order to draw people in. Paul does not use such means. He is chained. He is direct. He is speaking up for Jesus making the most of every chance he gets aware that it is the Spirit of God Who will cause the seed of the Gospel to germinate at the appropriate moment.

Fellow believer, speak of the glory of God wherever you are. Know that the unbeliever who hears you will howl, push back, and question you at every step. Of course he will. He is a non-Christian in the grip of satanic forces. There are no neutral people. One is either alive in Christ or one is fighting His kingdom tooth and nail. Wherever and whenever one speaks he is fighting the darkness and doing so to the glory of God. Our lives belong to Jesus and we are appointed as His servants and witnesses.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the faithful saints You raised up in our lives who testified to us of the grace of Jesus Christ. Thank You for the preserving work of Your Holy Spirit Who guided our steps and directed us ever deeper into Your love O Father, source of every blessing. Mighty God, help us to be bold ambassadors and faithful witnesses in all circumstances and in every place where Your mercy and providence leads us. Amen.

https://youtu.be/xV-fNmt6ZAo
Lovingkindness -- Matt Redman

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 11, 2023 -- Acts 24:22-23 -- The Acts of the Apostles: the encouraging witness of history

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

But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge of the Way, put them off, saying, “When Lysias the tribune comes down, I will decide your case.” 23 Then he gave orders to the centurion that he should be kept in custody but have some liberty, and that none of his friends should be prevented from attending to his needs.

Acts 24:22-23 ESV

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, by this time Paul had been in prison for twelve days. The charges against him were trumped up and unproven. Eventually he’d be there for two years. He’d speak his case before Jewish leaders, guards, the new governor and even King Agippa and his wife Bernice. With a key leader of the church in prison, it might seem as if the whole missionary enterprise is near extinction and in deep trouble. Until you read the Old Testament.

A wonderful summary Psalm, like 105, captures the story of Israel. The small family, starting with childless Abraham and Sarah, were promised to be a great nation. It looked like a promise that could never be fulfilled. Yet they had Isaac. Who had Jacob. Who became the father of the Twelve tribes of Israel. Whenever it seemed all hope was lost, the LORD guarded and preserved His people “when they were few in number, of little account” (Psalm 105:12).

Believers who know the story of the Old Testament do not despair for the survival of the Church. In each generation the LORD our God, by His powerful Spirit, preserved His people. No matter their circumstances, in plenty or in famine, in freedom or in a state of crushing persecution, the Spirit of God proves to be the deposit of God in the life of believers so that Jesus Christ is proclaimed in every generation, through-out history, today, and into all future days until Jesus Christ returns in glory.

Is your region of the Church struggling, seemingly pitiable because it is few in number and seemingly of little account? Remember the Old Testament, passages like Psalm 105:12-13. What seems weak and pitiable in the eyes of the world is yet greater than all the hosts of hell and torments of demons. For the Lord our God is with her. Therefore, in faith, praise the Lord, the Giver of Every good gift. Ask the Spirit for deeper insight into the Word. Trust God will use all circumstances so that He will receive the credit and the glory and His people will rely on Him with ever greater assurance that it is His great salvation, and not their own strength, which saves them and saves all who call on His Name.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name, in all parts of the universe, now and forever more. The sweep of history shows Your steadfast, unfailing love. The story of Your tender care to the rebellious nation Israel teaches the New Testament believer that Your covenant love cannot fail. You have anchored Your fame to the victory of Jesus Christ and He is seated in power at Your right hand. Glorious God, the Spirit testifies to Your unstoppable power so that the eyes of faith see not the troubles and anguish, nor the persecutions and failures of Your people, but the eyes of faith stare with wonder and a loving gaze to their Father Whose embracing arms encircle His people now and forevermore. From this place of safety and blessing, Mighty God, may Your people bless You and proclaim You until the full number of the saints are gathered in and Jesus returns. Tomorrow is Sunday, Father in heaven, by Your Spirit, stir Your people so that believers gather blessing Jesus Christ, the radiance of Your glory and the fullest proof of Your unstoppable purposes in salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/_DSjnimYlKw

Psalm 150 LIVE — Keith and Kristyn Getty, Matt Boswell and Matt Papa

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 10, 2023 -- Acts 23:12-15 -- The Acts of the Apostles: God's purposes exposed in the honourable and the devious

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

When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. 13 There were more than forty who made this conspiracy. 14 They went to the chief priests and elders and said, “We have strictly bound ourselves by an oath to taste no food till we have killed Paul. 15 Now therefore you, along with the council, give notice to the tribune to bring him down to you, as though you were going to determine his case more exactly. And we are ready to kill him before he comes near.”

Acts 23:12-15 ESV

Do not envy a man of violence

and do not choose any of his ways,

32 for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,

but the upright are in his confidence.

33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,

but to the humble he gives favor.

35 The wise will inherit honor,

but fools get disgrace.

Proverbs 3:31-35 ESV

The Jews involved in Paul’s imprisonment were scornful toward him and therefore toward God. It is the LORD the Spirit Who moved Paul to preach the grace of Jesus Christ, long prophesied in the Old Testament, the same Jesus Who reveals the depths of the Father’s love. The Jewish leadership, steeped in the Old Testament, should have recognized the Day of Jesus’ appearing. Instead they were violent men and devious, intent on keeping their power. By such actions they showed themselves to be under the curse of God.

The fact that God is in charge of all things is seen through these passages today. It is the LORD’s plan that Paul testify to the highest echelons of power in Rome. The evil plans of those Jewish men are sins for which they will fully be held accountable, but are also the instrument used to bring Paul before the courts and ultimately to Rome. While the humble faithfulness of Paul will be acknowledged before God in such a way that all the sufferings of Paul will be esteemed in heaven as totally purposeful, meaningful and precious in the sight of the LORD our God; simultaneously the wicked intentions of the devious are subject to great condemnation.

Christians are citizens here of earthly kingdoms, but our primary and most important citizenship, even now while we live here on earth, is in heaven. From our Faithful Father we await the reward that is yet to come. While we live in two kingdoms, how are we to distinguish true prophets and faithful Christians from false prophets and teachers?

First and foremost, know the Word of God. From it and through it all falsehoods are exposed.

Examine the fruit on the life of those who believe they are acting for God; their violence, their deviousness and disgraceful conduct will show who they really serve

Jesus prophesied that the wheat and the weeds will grow up side by each, even among believers. It can be hard to distinguish one from the other. Therefore, the follower of Jesus Christ must always know the Word, live for Jesus, bear fruit that is in keeping with repentance and guard his heart will.

Our Father in heaven forever blessed and honoured be Your Name. Who is like You?! You bring the upright into Your confidence, showing Your glorious purposes through the radiance of Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Savior. You bless the dwelling of the righteous, giving to Your sons and daughters the inestimable treasure of Your Spirit. Triune God, may our lives reflect Your splendor and glory, inspiring the faithful to greater obedience, inspiring those You have called to Yourself to be filled with holy curiosity at our living, and inspiring the devious to reconsider their abominable ways before the hour of Judgment renders their cursed state fixed and they are cast to the fires of hell. Increase our hunger and thirst for Your righteousness. In Jesus’ Name we pray. Amen.

https://youtu.be/RFIr8-gH55E

Because He Lives (Official Music Video) -- Celtic Worship

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 9, 2023 -- Acts 22:22-29 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Eager Anticipation

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

Up to this word they listened to him. Then they raised their voices and said, “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” 23 And as they were shouting and throwing off their cloaks and flinging dust into the air, 24 the tribune ordered him to be brought into the barracks, saying that he should be examined by flogging, to find out why they were shouting against him like this. 25 But when they had stretched him out for the whips, Paul said to the centurion who was standing by, “Is it lawful for you to flog a man who is a Roman citizen and uncondemned?” 26 When the centurion heard this, he went to the tribune and said to him, “What are you about to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.” 27 So the tribune came and said to him, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?” And he said, “Yes.” 28 The tribune answered, “I bought this citizenship for a large sum.” Paul said, “But I am a citizen by birth.” 29 So those who were about to examine him withdrew from him immediately, and the tribune also was afraid, for he realized that Paul was a Roman citizen and that he had bound him.
Acts 22:22-29 ESV

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
Hebrews 9:27-28 ESV

Why did Paul endure so much hardship and suffering? He was a Christian, why didn’t he just go about his ordinary business and live life comfortably until either Jesus returned or he died, at home, full of years and without all those scars and all that suffering? Important question.

The second reading, from Hebrews 9, illuminates the answer. Paul was eagerly awaiting the Savior. Such waiting is not waiting around. It is telling others Whom he is waiting for. It is learning about Jesus, more and more through reading the Bible, through spending time with other believers. It is waiting on Jesus’ return by telling others Who Jesus is, so that Paul’s own anticipation is increased every time he teaches someone else. Whenever a new believer joins the gathering of believers, anticipation increases for all.

How long does it take someone to learn how to install mini-split? There are tutorial websites that show you how someone can install one over two days. Great. What if you want to learn it as a trade? You need the schooling. You need apprenticeship. You need experience. The more you study about it and have hands on practice, the more accomplished you will become. A professional installer can have the mini split up and running in a few hours. That is the difference between an amateur and a professional. And the professional keeps honing his skills, learning to read a job site and so anticipate an easy install from one that will require more time and technical skills.

So too with the man or woman whose life is dedicated to Jesus. It is not a part-time tutorial. It is the life’s work of a Christian to know Jesus, to learn more about Him, to hone one’s understanding of who He is. It is our life’s work to eagerly anticipate His return. In so do, others will inevitably hear of Him, know Him through our eagerness for His return. There will be suffering. No doubt the home owner, who can’t install the mini-split himself, will have all kinds of ‘helpful advice’ for the professional.

‘Helpful advice’ being the useless blathering of an untrained and unskilled man who himself can’t do the work, knew enough to stop trying and so hire a professional, but despite the mess he’s made, still does not have a true estimate of his helpless condition. So too the Christian will meet people who oppose, who offer advice, who are standing in the messes they have made, so that their advice is obviously blathering. What a different when someone learns to eagerly anticipate the Savior’s return. Go ahead. Teach and train others in righteousness as you yourself through that process ever more eagerly await Jesus’ return.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name! Great and glorious is Your salvation. Thank You for Jesus, the Savior Whose return we eagerly anticipate. Spirit of God, so direct us that Jesus fills our thoughts, takes over as the only true hope of our souls and becomes our living. Amen.

https://youtu.be/U8zWzw_Cc2o
Keith & Kristyn Getty and Skye Peterson "Take Shelter"

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 8, 2023 -- I Peter 5:6 - 14 -- Living out loud under the Father's Mighty Hand

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

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, 7 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen

12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother as I regard him, I have written briefly to you, exhorting and declaring that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it. 13 She who is at Babylon, who is likewise chosen, sends you greetings, and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with the kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

I Peter 5:6-14 ESV

You write letters?! Like ‘snail mail’ letters! Is that what you mean?! That is the shocked reply I get when people ask me what I do for my work. A part of my work is writing notes and letters of encouragement to those who are incarcerated. I smile. People write tons of texts and emails and messenger and app notes to one another each day. This is not considered "letter-writing" in our day and age. As if somehow such communication doesn't matter.

What is the content of such communication? Is it seasoned with the grace of God? Do you have a sense that every email and text, all TikTok and every Tweet is an opportunity to encourage others to stand firm in the grace of God? More darkly, perhaps your last blast of communication gives evidence you are drifting from the truth of the Gospel and you are in fact pursuing a path unworthy of a Christian.

I challenge you today, decide right now that you will intentionally use every communication to declare the grace of God. Recognize that you are a Christian whose citizenship is in heaven, but whose life is now lived in the Babylon of the world. The stench and stain of the world so easily infects everything Christians do. Recognize that the Devil, that roaring lion, wants to take a bite out of your witness so that your public face might be Christ-like, but your social media is definitely not. Resist the Devil. standing firm in your faith. Live now, in every aspect of your life knowing Jesus Christ has the dominion, the power and the glory. The Spirit is strengthening you to live in a way that is counter-cultural. The reputation of our Father in heaven is affected by what you choose to do, or choose not to do. The peace of Christ is here. Walk in it.

Our Father in heaven, in every part of the day and night, hallowed be Your Name. Let Your praise and our declaration of Your goodness touch every word we speak, write, type, text, and think. Thank You for the peace and reconciliation You have given us in Christ, our King. By the indwelling presence of Your Spirit, direct all we say and do, and help us to put a stop to all the wrong things we might engage in so that these are left undone. Let our lives be filled with the fragrance of Your goodness and peace. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Y2SGjX3iHK4
Tim Hughes -- The Beauty of Your Peace

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 7, 2023 -- Acts 21:27-36 -- The Acts of the Apostles: free or imprisoned we belong to Jesus

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

When the seven days were almost completed, the Jews from Asia, seeing him in the temple, stirred up the whole crowd and laid hands on him, 28 crying out, “Men of Israel, help! This is the man who is teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the law and this place. Moreover, he even brought Greeks into the temple and has defiled this holy place.” 29 For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city, and they supposed that Paul had brought him into the temple. 30 Then all the city was stirred up, and the people ran together. They seized Paul and dragged him out of the temple, and at once the gates were shut. 31 And as they were seeking to kill him, word came to the tribune of the cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion. 32 He at once took soldiers and centurions and ran down to them. And when they saw the tribune and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul. 33 Then the tribune came up and arrested him and ordered him to be bound with two chains. He inquired who he was and what he had done. 34 Some in the crowd were shouting one thing, some another. And as he could not learn the facts because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks. 35 And when he came to the steps, he was actually carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd, 36 for the mob of the people followed, crying out, “Away with him!”
Acts 21:27-36 ESV

But this is so unjust! The crowds were enraged against Paul and beating him up and doing these things based on false information. Here is the first piece of misinformation, that Paul was teaching everyone everywhere against the people, that is the Jewish people, and against the Law and the temple. Those are huge accusations. The next piece of misinformation is that Paul brought Trophimus the Ephesian into the inner court of the Temple. A non-Jewish person would not be allowed past the wall which divided the Jewish court from the outer court, where non-Jewish people, those who’d been drawn to the God of Israel could stand and worship.

What is recorded here in Acts is turning point in Paul’s life, the moment when he passes from being a free man to one imprisoned. Ultimately he will be in a Roman prison. Yet, even in prison he will be free because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Even though he has been falsely accused and is incarceration is on baseless and unproven accusations, Paul had confidence in the Lord his God (see Acts 20:22-23).

How easily believers stumble into the wrong-headed conclusion that God is angry with them because this or that is happening in their lives. Troubles and sickness, hard financial times and false accusations which stick against you—none of these things surprise God. He is aware. The question is, are you prepared to walk through the valley of the shadow of death? A passage like this reminds the believer to be confident He is leading you, confident He can use even these darkest of times to bring out blessing and unforeseen beauty.

Our Father in heaven, blessed and beautiful is Your Name. Forgive us for only wanting certain mercies and blessings and forgetting we are wholly and completely Yours. In the joys and in the sorrows, the hard-pressed places and spacious places we are wholly Yours. Teach us confident obedience no matter where Your providence and the circumstances of our lives lead us. You are God, our Father. You are the source of every good. Amen.

https://youtu.be/yxCb6l3jkis

I Am Not My Own - - Getty and Skye Peterson

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 6, 2023 -- Acts 21:17-20a -- The Acts of the Apostles: The Power of Testimony

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

When we had come to Jerusalem, the brothers received us gladly. 18 On the following day Paul went in with us to James, and all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he related one by one the things that God had done among the Gentiles through his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified God.
Acts 21:17-20a

This is a clear case of cherry-picking on my part. I am dealing with the easiest part of the text and, for now, setting aside the much more difficult parts. Paul, who labored to bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to non-Jewish people, now had returned to Jerusalem. He was giving a joyful report to those who lived among the Jews, ministered to Jewish Christians, and had to keep peace between Jewish Christians and non-Jewish Christians. The simple focus today is the power of the testimony.

The testimony of lives changed, hearts given to Jesus, and whole cities, like Ephesus, impacted because of the Gospel was electrifying. The brothers who heard it glorified God. That is what a proper testimony does. It does not focus on the teller, nor the story, but the focus and the honour all belong to the Living God.

It is God Who chose people from before the foundation of the world. It is God Who sent His Son to go after lost sheep. It is Jesus Whose blood made the way to reconciliation with the Father possible. It is the Spirit Who prompted hearts to hear Paul and his companions. It is the Spirit Who strengthens believers to face hardships. In the struggles and blessings, in the paths through the valley of the shadow of death and the sun-drenched mountain peaks of success, those sent by the Spirit to gather in the believers have the privilege of knowing their timing, their presence and their work was ordained by God so that the Church would be built up.

This is the power of testimonies rightly given. God receives the glory and the praise. The people who hear it are inspired to greater acts of service and obedience to Jesus and these all bound up in the sure hope that the Spirit will continue to work until the day of Jesus’ return.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name! Thank You for the new life You have given in Jesus Christ. Thank You for faithful teachers and preachers, elders and parents, and all whom You used to bring in Your people to the great congregation of those under the Great Shepherd's care. Blessed God, continue to build Your Church. By Your Spirit inspire people today to renew their efforts, no matter the hardship or cost, so that the grace of Jesus Christ will capture many people and Your pursuing love will overtake them. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tQUTvMtUhw4
Doxolgy -- Anthem Lights featuring Selah

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 4, 2023 -- Acts 20:1-4 -- The Acts of the Apostles: Mentored and Mentoring

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

After the uproar ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them, he said farewell and departed for Macedonia. 2 When he had gone through those regions and had given them much encouragement, he came to Greece. 3 There he spent three months, and when a plot was made against him by the Jews as he was about to set sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia. 4 Sopater the Berean, son of Pyrrhus, accompanied him; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy; and the Asians, Tychicus and Trophimus.
Acts 20:1-4 ESV

The Apostle Paul did a huge amount of traveling. He went from place to place bearing witness to the powerful Name of Jesus. When you look at the names on this list, names which are repeated in Paul’s letters to various churches, you learn something interesting. Paul was discipling the men who’d themselves become leaders to the next generation of the followers of Jesus Christ. They lived with Paul. They saw what he was like in public and what he was like in private. They saw him when he was persecuted, in prison, beaten and as he encouraged the other believers through-out all his joys and afflictions. They knew his character and his utter devotion to Jesus.

These men who were discipled would, in turn, know how to make disciples. These men would know how to go back to their home communities and preach the word, bear witness to Jesus among those who do not yet know Him, and they’d be led by the Spirit to mentor the next generation of leaders. They'd learned to endure persecution and to make the most of times when the persecution slackened and this to the glory of God and the building up of His church.

Who are you mentoring in the faith? By the Spirit’s direction, into whose life are you investing time and teaching so that these grow up in the faith? You do not have to be an evangelist or a traveling missionary to accomplish this. Wherever you are, ask the Spirit: who should I be teaching? A parent can disciple an adult child to gain more and more godly skills in parenting. A boss can be an example of Jesus to his employees and have one or two particularly who are keen to grow in the knowledge of Jesus. Friendships that are most meaningful are the ones where the faith of one friend continually blesses, challenges, and helps another person in his walk with God.

A Christian believer’s life should be one of mentoring and being mentored. It is like a compass.

• There should be one friend to the North, a Christian who is more experienced in an area of life than you are. Ask that person to pour into your life. If you are a senior, have you met someone who is living well and preparing to die well and you admire their confident preparation for eternity? Are you a learning a trade, find someone whose walk with God you admire who is in that trade as well so that you will be influenced for holiness.

• Then, like a compass, there are the East and West points. Look for two peers with whom you can share your walk with God. Being open, vulnerable. Confessing sins. Encouraging towards holiness. People with whom you pray at least once a week.

• Finally, by prayer and attention to the Spirit’s leading, look for a person who is younger in the faith, someone you can mentor. Teaching another person is a great encouragement and strengthening for your own faith. It is through such mentoring the Christian community raises up leaders. It is through mentoring that errors are corrected and wrong-teaching is addressed.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the example of Jesus, Who taught His disciples in community. Thank You for the powerful work of Your Spirit in the lives of believers through-out every generation whereby in Your gift of true community, believers grow up together into Christ, the Head of the Church. Direct us, Spirit of God, to be attentive to Your promptings so that we can both disciple and be discipled in all truth with genuine humility. Thank You, faithful God, for all those who so faithfully mentored us and gave of their time and talents and teaching so that we could grow in our precious faith. Amen.

https://youtu.be/lbKxsTimrbg
Teach me, O Lord, Thy Way of Truth -- URC Synod 2012

Copyright © 2023 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 3, 2023 -- Acts 19:21-28 -- The Acts of the Apostles: elements of God-centred revival

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

23 About that time there arose no little disturbance concerning the Way. 24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth. 26 And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all of Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a great many people, saying that gods made with hands are not gods. 27 And there is danger not only that this trade of ours may come into disrepute but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis may be counted as nothing, and that she may even be deposed from her magnificence, she whom all Asia and the world worship.”

28 When they heard this they were enraged and were crying out, “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Acts 19:21-28 ESV

Two days ago we examined the fact that Paul preached up to five hours, every day, in the Hall of Tyrannus. He kept this up for two years. The passage before us shows the impact of his teaching. Secular craftsmen who made gods and images of the temple for the tourist trade and for the people of Ephesus were seeing the impact of Paul’s preaching. People converted from paganism, yielding their lives to Jesus, stopped buying into anything that smacked of false worship.

Isn’t that the real definition of a revival? People who get converted and radically saved stop doing things the society around them does and begin living out their faith in Jesus Christ in every aspect of life. Let's compare this true Bible revival at Ephesus with the so-called revival at Ashbury. 

First, there is Biblical teaching. That is the core of the Revival at Ephesus. Based on the reporting what happened at Ashbury neglected preaching and Bible teaching.

Second, the people who attend are transformed in such a way that ungodly activities and purchases are so reduced secular people see the change. The people who attended Ashbury, laughed, shook, and so on, but did not leave the building transformed and transforming their city.

Third, false gods and false worship are set aside in favour of the worship of the One True God. Right now there are attempts being made to seed the Ashbury revival to various other university campuses, but the focus remains inward, not focused on the Living God Who transforms people by His love and gifts them with the grace of Jesus through the power of the Spirit.

Finally, the secular folks at Ephesus raged and rioted. The Gospel threatened them. The Ashbury revival and its subsequent expressions, are celebrated and widely reported because there is no real threat to society at large. When the LORD is worshiped by His people, set apart as holy, the foundations of society are rocked.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, writing to the church of the Thessalonians, noted there will be the coming of lawlessness in order to reveal those who do not love the truth (II Thessalonians 2:11-12). Christians must test the spirits to see if they come from God (I John 4:1-3).

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. All who are captivated by Your love are transformed by the grace of Jesus Christ and motivated by the Spirit to be whole-heartedly willing and ready, now from on, to live for You. By our study of the Scripture and devotion to pure preaching of the Word help us to discern what is right and true and noble and praiseworthy. Cause us to be salt and light in our rotting, sin-darkened world. Thank You, Faithful God, for rescuing us so that in the powerful Name of Jesus, we can go out as witnesses to Your glory. Fulfil Your promise, LORD, let Your glory cover all the earth. Amen.

https://youtu.be/VvqLuxjikoU
God Is in His Temple—Martijn de Groot

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