September 19, 2023 -- Philippians 3:20-21 -- "I believe in the communion of the saints"

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

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
Philippians 3:20-21 ESV

The focus of my teaching at two of the institutions I teach at weekly is the Apostles’ Creed. We are examining it line by line and I am showing the Bible-basis for this creed. Today the focus is on “the communion of the saints”. It is a lengthy teaching. The text before you today describes one aspect of belonging to this new community. In Jesus Christ we have a new citizenship. Consider the implications of this.

Like temporary residents in a foreign land, we long for the country of our citizenship, the place where Jesus is. Like foreigners in a strange land we long for news about our home country and we gobble it up (the Bible). Whenever we meet other citizens we rejoice to see them and love to talk about the splendors of true home. Though we live as foreigners and exiles here on earth, we love to talk about our Royal Family—the Father Who loves us, the Son Who has redeemed us and the Spirit Who keeps us in close fellowship so that our homesickness does not overwhelm us.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. What a beautiful hope You have placed in the heart of every believer. We live with the expectation that one day soon we will join You in the land of our inheritance, the beautiful place where there is no need for sun or moon, for You, O Living God, will be all our light. Spirit of the Living God, help us to be ambassadors for King Jesus, declaring the splendors and our longing expectations which are tied up in our citizenship in heaven. Spirit of God, we need Your help to live here, as foreigners and strangers, so that we are not overwhelmed with the practices of this strange land. Increase in us all the expectation of Your return and the anticipation of the glories that accompany this so that our hearts and lives, our hands and actions will show our love for You by our obedience. Amen.

https://youtu.be/C-T7VyCMbQQ?si=C2EyKmX73mxxUgis “Take My Life and Let It Be”

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

September 18, 2023 --Psalm 40:5, 13-14 -- The Psalm Series: Thanksgiving and Lament

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

You have multiplied, O LORD my God,
   Your wondrous deeds and Your thoughts toward us;
   none can compare with you!
I will proclaim and tell of them,
   yet they are more than can be told.

Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me!
   O LORD, make haste to help me!
Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
   who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
   who delight in my hurt!
Psalm 40:5, 13-15 ESV

It is almost jarring to read these verses together. Psalm 40 shows the complexity of the human heart which is vulnerable to God and open in prayer. The first ten verses are thanksgiving, but the last seven verses are lamentation. So the lead paragraph is taken from the thanksgiving section, while the last is three verses of lamentation. It is almost jarring when you read it flowing suddenly from one emotional state to another. Yet this shows us the lovingkindness of our Father in heaven Who, by His Spirit, taught His people to pray such prayers. The Psalms are the prayer-book of the Scriptures. The Psalms, written by ordinary men, were composed so that the whole range of human experiences and emotions and circumstances could be lifted up to God in prayer.

The last few days have been rough for me. I have been battling depression…and it seems to be winning. A Psalm like this is evidence to me (and others who suffering from anxiousness, or depression, or other mental health struggles) that the LORD our God does not reject His suffering ones.

Perhaps anxiety and depression are not part of your vocabulary or experience. Thanks be to God for that! Then let the words of this psalm be for you a prayer on behalf of those in your life who you know are struggling. Furthermore, let the opening thanksgiving of this Psalm be for you true worship and praise.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the lamentations of Scripture and invitation You give that all who suffer can find refuge in Jesus, for He suffered in every way we do and yet was without sin. Spirit of the Living God let those who rejoice today rejoice with great thanksgiving and let those who are suffering be comforted in the knowledge their suffering and tears are recorded in Your book of life. Amen.

https://youtu.be/SR7aLsMTE3U?si=F7clqOpbnUl8vzX8 Psalm 40 The Psalm Project

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

September 16, 2023 -- Job 38:22-28 -- Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His Name

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

“Have you entered the storehouses of the snow,
    or have you seen the storehouses of the hail,
23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
    for the day of battle and war?
24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed,
    or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?

25 “Who has cleft a channel for the torrents of rain
    and a way for the thunderbolt,
26 to bring rain on a land where no man is,
    on the desert in which there is no man,
27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land,
    and to make the ground sprout with grass?

28 “Has the rain a father,
    or who has begotten the drops of dew?

Job 38:22-28 ESV

Well, Tropical Storm Lee is now lashing our windows with heavy rain and gusts of wind are whipping small branches of trees and swaying limbs of bigger trees. It is an awesome display. When the LORD God approached Job, He questioned Job. Have you seen where the wind is scattered? Of course not! It is the LORD Who is in charge of the winds. He is LORD of the storms and the snows and hail and thunderbolts and flood are just the smallest display His infinite power.

All of these questions the LORD asks are designed to show man how small he really is. Today highlights the smallness of mankind. Officially Hurricane Lee is now a Tropical Storm. Consider the effects of the storm and the puniness of people. For all his boasting and imagined power, planes are grounded, ferries stop their crossing and local governments issued warnings for people to stay indoors.

It is a perfect day to read Job. A wonderful day to be reminded the LORD our God is in charge. Wind and waves do the bidding of our LORD. When Jesus came to the earth, the stormy winds and tempestuous waves recognized Him and were stilled at His command. This is the glorious One Whom we serve. Place all your confidence in Him. 

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. With the Psalmist of old we cry:
^Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His Name
worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.
The voice of the LORD is over the waters;
the God of glory thunders,
the LORD, over many waters.
The voice of the LORD is powerful;
the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.
The LORD sits enthroned over the flood;
the LORD sits enthroned as King forever.
May the LORD give strength to His people!
May the LORD bless His people with peace! Amen.
(^Psalm 29:2-4, 10-11 ESV)

https://youtu.be/PbsbBq-q2D8?si=upg853lBRzLENoV- Psalm 29 (The Voice of the Lord)

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

September 15, 2023 -- Psalm 39:11 -- The Psalm Series: The Holy Spirit as iconoclast in your life

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

When you discipline a man
    with rebukes for sin,
you consume like a moth what is dear to him;
    surely all mankind is a mere breath! Selah
Psalm 39:11 ESV

What mercy is packaged in God’s discipline and His rebukes against our sins. How easily our sins become such a strong distraction that we are unable to break the trance-like hold they have on us. The LORD God consumes whatever dearest idol would take a man from considering the LORD his Keeper as his greatest good.

What is it that is being attacked in your life right now? Now ask the Spirit if that which is being attacked must be thrown down because it was threatening to eclipse the place that belongs to God alone. It is your health? Or money? Dangerous friendships? Possessions? Addictions? A collection you're gathering?

Our lives are short. God in His great grace has given the Holy Spirit to believers so that no-thing, no circumstance, and no person can take the place of Jesus. The Holy Spirit is the iconoclast in our lives, smashing false idols and all the statues we’ve erected which would place Jesus second or third or fourth in our lives. Jesus is the Captain of Salvation. He is your life’s greatest good.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the unswerving persistence of Your Holy Spirit Who relentlessly smashes all idols so that our lives, hearts, and minds are purified for the glory of Jesus alone. Amen.

https://youtu.be/sXgCi5mhRYM?si=q91yPOHJK42NrEvB “Whiter than Snow”

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

September 14, 2023 -- Psalm 39:1-5 -- The Psalm Series: Considering how fleeting our lives are

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

I said, “I will guard my ways,
    that I may not sin with my tongue;
I will guard my mouth with a muzzle,
    so long as the wicked are in my presence.”
2 I was mute and silent;
    I held my peace to no avail,
and my distress grew worse.
3     My heart became hot within me.
As I mused, the fire burned;
    then I spoke with my tongue:

4 “O LORD, make me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting I am!
5 Behold, you have made my days a few handbreadths,
    and my lifetime is as nothing before you.
Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah
Psalm 39:1-5 ESV

What you're reading is an intense and very personal opening to this psalm. David had vowed to guard his mouth whenever the wicked were in his presence. This teaches us that David, though a powerful king and a man after God’s own heart, had people in his life who were wicked. It is too easy to think of David as a man who would not have to face the same kinds of struggles we do.

Why does he muzzle his mouth? Does he realize his thoughts are sinful? Does he not want to answer a fool according to that fool’s folly? Does he compare his circumstances to that of the wicked and feel as if he is not getting what he thinks he deserves while wicked men seem to prosper? There is no answer to those questions. Any one of those suggestions could fit the circumstances described. The pressure is building up in him. You can feel it in the reading. David’s distress increased. His heart burned hotter and hotter. What brought relief?

He prayed: “Make me know my end and what is the measure of my days, let me know how fleeting I am!” Knowing the end of our days brings relief. The righteous and the wicked will be judged at the end of time. The length of our days on this planet are few when compared to eternity in the presence of the Living God. Think of it, King David lived around 3000 years ago. So as of today David’s brief life of around 80 years on earth has already been eclipsed by about 37 times in eternity. And eternity has no limit of joy and blessedness in the presence of God our Savior. Even the wicked who seem so strong at the time King David faced them have a life that is as short, so if you tried to measure the span of the life of the wicked it would as small as the distance from your thumb to your pinky, while after death the length of eternity stretches out into the fading, unseeable future as a length of thousands of light years.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. When confronted with the wicked, who seem to surround us on every side, by Your Spirit and Your Word help us to understand the victory of Jesus Christ at the cross. He disarmed the devil and took away from us the wrath of God which had been stacked up against us. Jesus’ work on the cross makes the sinfulness of the wicked even more vile and punishable because of their refusal to bend their knees in humble awe and need of the Wondrous Savior. God of unimaginable splendor, we fall to our knees in humble faith and awe before You. Triune God of glory, help us to know our days, how fleeting our lives truly are and in view of the quickly approaching judgment of Jesus, when He returns with all His holy ones, give to us a greater sense of urgency to pray for those who persecute us. O God, Who hears the prayers of the humble, enable us by Your Spirit us to express our love for Jesus as we walk in ever greater assurance of this blessed salvation He has given showing such assurance by keeping His commandments. Amen.

https://youtu.be/yxCb6l3jkis?si=09RbO-fWYhJfJ2j5 “I am not my own”

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

September 13, 2023 -- Hebrews 2:5-11 -- Jesus' Glory and the Glory of those Who Believe in Him

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

5 For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. 6 It has been testified somewhere, “What is man, that you are mindful of him,
    or the son of man, that you care for him?
7 You made him for a little while lower than the angels;
    you have crowned him with glory and honor,
8     putting everything in subjection under his feet.”
Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him. 9 But we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone.
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.
Hebrews 2:5-11 ESV

What is your opinion of humanity? Infinitely valuable? Evolved pond-scum. The Dr. Rev. Michael Kruger, in his series on Hebrews offers two quotations which emphasize the very different view of the world versus the Christian’s view. Kruger's teaching has shaped today’s devotional.

“The human race is just a chemical scum on a moderate-sized planet, orbiting around a very average star in the outer suburb of one among a hundred billion galaxies. We are so insignificant that I can't believe the whole universe exists for our benefit. That would be like saying that you would disappear if I closed my eyes.” ― Stephen Hawking

“There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations - these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub and exploit - immortal horrors or everlasting splendors. This does not mean that we are to be perpetually solemn. We must play. But our merriment must be of that kind (and it is, in fact, the merriest kind) which exists between people who have, from the outset, taken each other seriously - no flippancy, no superiority, no presumption.” ― C.S. Lewis

The world is so inconsistent in its view of humanity. Are people merely dust in a vast, nearly limitless universe? Then there are woke view of humanity that the feelings of a person are so important that any harm, real or perceived, is punishable. Strange.

C.S. Lewis captures the sense of the reading from Hebrews. Man is made for glory. People are not mere mortals, but those who have been designed by God for “immortal horrors” (hell) or “everlasting splendors” (life God with in the new heavens and new earth).

We do not yet see man as such for the effects of sin have clouded our eyes and dulled our senses. However, the eyes of faith see Jesus, and Him glorified, so that empowered by the Spirit and taught by the Word, believers know the weight of glory that is in store in Christ.

Such a high view of humanity leads the believer to bring honour and praise to God.

Such a high view of humanity causes the believer to be urgent in evangelism.

Such a high view of humanity brings the believer to his knees in prayer for those who do not believe in Jesus, asking God the Father for their salvation and that by His Spirit He will raise up missionaries and preachers and teachers to go out in Jesus' Name.

Such a high view of humanity enables the believer to patiently endure adversity and suffering, knowing that God the Father has a weight of glory in store for those who abide in Christ.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. It is almost too much to think about, that You have created Adam and Eve with such crowning glory. Indeed, Your people today have such glory, though it is veiled to the sight of the world, it is revealed in Scripture and perfectly revealed in Jesus Christ. How great and blessed are You, God of Heaven's Armies and how vast is Your mercy to us, who so often aimlessly run in circles and do not seize upon the riches You have for us in Christ. Spirit of the Living God, lead us to meditate on the wondrous truth of Scripture. Help us to see the weight of glory given and in store for Christians and send us out to our neighbours, family, and this world as representatives and ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tvSAZaHae2I?si=KVqcfRR9Av-t71qN “Lord, our Lord, Thy Glorious Name”

If you are able to read the words of this hymn, perhaps as you sing along, you’ll see it follows Psalm 8, which was quoted in Hebrews 2.

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

September 11, 2023 -- Psalm 38:1-5 -- The Psalm Series: Lamentation and Healing Confession

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

A PSALM OF DAVID FOR THE MEMORIAL OFFERING.
O LORD, rebuke me not in your anger,
nor discipline me in your wrath!
For your arrows have sunk into me,
and your hand has come down on me.
There is no soundness in my flesh
because of your indignation;
there is no health in my bones
because of my sin.
For my iniquities have gone over my head;
like a heavy burden, they are are too heavy for me.
My wounds stink and fester because of my foolishness.
Psalm 38:1-5 ESV

There is a Dutch proverb that goes Zachte heelmeesters maken stinkende wonden. For those who are not Dutch speakers, an approximate translation is mild physicians lead to putrid wounds. How does that relate to our psalm-reading this morning? Great question.

David is experiencing physical, mental, spiritual and emotional anguish because of the discipline of God. Until this psalm of confession, he had not chosen to go to the Healer for his cleansing. The point is this, the more we try to deal with our sins apart from repenting of them, turning from them and turning to Jesus, the more our sins will fester and weigh us down. This is in fact the mercy of God which is designed to drive us to His healing arms. The worldly advice for such sin-inflected suffering is: just forget it. Or, “God loves you no matter what”. Another killer is: "Time heals all wounds". Those are lies which lead to sin’s infection burrowing ever deeper into one’s life and causing more widespread putrefaction.

This is a psalm for the memorial offering. That sacrifice pointed to the ultimate sacrifice. This psalm is the lamentation of confession to God acknowledging He is not a mild physician, but the Only One Who addresses the root cause of suffering and has the ability to heal at the deepest level of our pain and need. The memorial offering is a sacrifice which points to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Our wounds are healed at the cost of Jesus’ humiliation, suffering and death. At the cross His righteousness is given to all those who confess their sins and their need of Him so that their evils are punished on the person of Jesus. He will never forsake those who cry out to Him for true, deep healing.

Our Father in heaven blessed and honoured, praised and magnified be Your Name now and forevermore. You alone are the Physician Who in Jesus Christ offers healing and cleansing beyond anything this world can offer. Spirit of God, help us to be vulnerable enough to open our hearts and confess our deepest, festering wounds, so that the fullness of Jesus’ healing and redeeming work can be effected in us and in our lives. Faithful God, by the Spirit’s power help us, as the community of Jesus Christ, to lead others to Jesus Christ in Whom all the Father’s healing work is found. Amen.

https://youtu.be/mH3I_6hvLyc?si=iaqriEbtGYwroFj9 “Remember Not, O God”

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

September 10, 2023 -- Psalm 16:11 -- The only place you'll find lasting, deep, ever-growing joy.

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

You make known to me the path of life;
   in your presence there is fullness of joy;
   at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV

Perhaps the words of Psalm 16 quoted for us here today seem a bit over the top? Who would have such delight in the LORD? Who can really have such fullness of joy? G. K. Chesterton noted “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.”

Test the LORD on His promises of fullness of joy and finding pleasures by living at His right hand. Get up. Get to church. Spend time in the glorious presence of our God and King. Ask the Holy Spirit, Who from eternity has delighted in Jesus the Son and in the Father, to give you delight in the path of life which is walking with Jesus. This is not asking for obedience for the sake of getting God to like you. No! Ask the Spirit to give you such a deep relationship with the Living Jesus that you will be overwhelmed with the knowledge of the Father's deep and abiding love given to you in Jesus and obedience will then be the only response of your heart and mind, and it will be offered with joy and thankfulness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. With the Psalmist we declare: “Your are my Lord, I have no good thing apart from You!” Mighty Father send Your Spirit so that Jesus will be our soul’s delight and walking in His ways will be easy because it is the path to ever deeper relationship with Him. Let the truth of Your word be fulfilled in our lives like a tide coming in so more of Your righteousness and gladness spill into our lives because we know Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/pTTlSx6zXio?si=8L17WKAztjC998rR “Knowing You, Jesus”

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

September 8, 2023 -- Proverbs 6:16-19 -- The Evil God our Father hates. Part III

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

16 There are six things that the LORD hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

There are two common errors that Christians make with regards to the laws and commands of God. The first is to think we are now, in the New Testament era, past having to keep all the laws of God and now there is freedom in Christ. A simple test proves this wrong. If someone is telling others lies about you and the good opinion your boss used to have about you is now changed, you’ll say, that is unfair. It is wrong. Ah, so, laws should exist. The LORD our God is the same yesterday, today and forever, His laws endure. The second temptation is legalism. Everyone’s actions and attitudes are weighed on your own scale, so that you become the judge of the behavior of others and the standard. Besides this there are all kinds of other rules you believe should be added on. Think of these two as the ditch on either side of the road of righteousness. The Christian steers a path in between these ditches, knowing that the road to a living, vibrant relationship with our Father in heaven depends not on legalism, nor ignoring His laws, but in living for Jesus and keeping His commandments as the way of expressing our love.

That is why feet that run to evil are an abomination to the LORD our God. It is evidence of heart that is twisted against His will and His ways. Oh, it is easy to run to evil. Like the siren song calling sailors to crash against the seashore so evil sings and tries to lull people into sin. Remember, Proverbs are the way of wisdom for those who desire to please God the Father. This is for Christians, given as a warning.

False witnesses who breath out lies. As easily as one breathes in and breathes out, so easily does a false witness lie. Dear fellow believer, consider how many false teachings and wrong-headed notions still linger in us. The instruction of the world is a constant fire-hose catechism of untruths which infects media, and social networks and the school system. Unless our lives are constantly realigned with the teaching of Scripture we can be breathing out lies without even knowing it.

If the believer is unaware of the lies he is breathing out, because his thoughts are not God’s thoughts and his ways are not God’s ways, then what he says to others will sow discord. Often sincere Christians will be teaching the ways of the world and promoting such things within the body of Christ and this will be discord and trouble because it is against the very Word of God. Other times trouble-makers and self-promoters will sow discord, causing people to be divided because they want their own way. It can happen as well that believers, sincere in their walk with God and devout in their knowledge of Him, teach other Christians and their fellow believers are upset because the teaching contradicts their comfortable, but wrong notions. Think of how often the prophets of Israel irked and irritated the people of God who had become comfortable with their sinful ways.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. The commands You give and the instructions found in Your Word are not the ends in and of themselves, but these are given so that Your people will know You and walk in Your loving ways. Spirit of God help us to live in the light of Your teaching so that sin will be recognized as sinful and the desire for good and godly ways will be what draws us closer to Jesus. Thank You Jesus, for the depths and breadth of Your healing, saving work. Triune God, continually motivate us to holiness and ever greater love for You in all our words, actions and thoughts. Amen.

https://youtu.be/IzXnINe12_E?si=7E-eO1FPFAJiFjPP “Teach Me, O Lord, Your Way of Truth”

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

September 7, 2023 -- Proverbs 6:16-19 -- What God the Judge Hates. Part II

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

16 There are six things that the LORD hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

What does the word abomination mean? It is something vile, something corrupt, something that is disgusting. It is one of the strongest words in Scripture to describe our LORD’s profound animosity towards sin and these specific sins, which are repeated through-out Scripture. Consider New Testament lists, warning passages like Ephesians 4:17-32 and Romans 3:9-18. Those who practice such things are placing themselves in great spiritual danger.

Today we consider the third and fourth vile practices which are named as an abomination to the LORD. The third evil which is an abomination to the LORD: hands that shed innocent blood. Most among us are relieved, we have not actually killed anyone. However, Jesus upped the ante when He said, “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire” (Matthew 5:21-22 ESV). Wow, that is an incredibly high standard God the Judge commands of His people. When we read what this means we immediately realize we have much to confess.

The fourth is a heart that devises evil. There is something about revenge movies that appeals to the sinful nature which still lingers in us. An example is the movie which depicts a group of bank robbers betrayed and robbed by one of their own. These bandits plot to get their revenge. And even gentle Christians are catechized to hate, to plot wickedness and to get even. Cheering even, when wickedness prevails, because the subtle movie-director's art has toyed with the viewer's heart so that sympathy is created for evil-doers. So much of our worldly movies and media celebrate plotting evil against others. How easily Christians are infected by this and then, sometimes unwittingly, other times knowingly, begin to practice such evils against one another.

A warning passage like this makes it clear why the Bible is so direct in pointing out sins. Christians directed by the Holy Spirit begin to see their lives in the mirror of Scripture. Christians gain a holy fear against lingering sins, wickedness which discounts the glorious work of Christ and would place them liable to the hell of fires. Oh, pray to God that the people of the LORD would stop playing church and instead, imbibing the truth of the Word would confess sins and hate them, throwing them far away and ardently seek the Rock, Jesus Christ, in Whom is all our righteousness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How great is Your Holiness. Lofty and majestic beyond all telling. There is none like You in splendour, in perfection, in requiring an absolute standard of righteousness. Spirit of God continually lift Christ high in our thoughts and in our meditations. Let the written word lead us to the Living Word, Jesus, so that in Him we will see the blackness of sin and run quickly and urgently toward Him in Whom is all life and godliness. Spirit of the Living God, blessed be Your Name for Scripture teaches us that in Your divine power we have been granted all things that pertain to life and godliness. Increase our knowledge of Jesus. Increase our knowledge of the Father, Who from before the foundation of the world has chosen us in love through Christ the Beloved One. Viewing Him, Christ, the radiance of the Father’s glory, help us to put aside all shedding of blood and all plots of evil. Instead, cause us to be a people who repay blessings for curses received and plotting ever greater kindnesses for the sake of Christ against those who are planning evil against us. In so doing Father in heaven, receive the praise of Your people, in so doing, Christ heap burning coals on the heads of those who oppose You, in so doing Spirit give us strength and humility and an ever deeper devotion to Jesus, the Warrior-Captain of our Salvation. Amen.

https://youtu.be/rsb6quBWxlw?si=B95BDdl69IyKFMy4 “Lead On, O King Eternal”

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

September 6, 2023 -- Proverbs 6:16-19 -- What the LORD Hates

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

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,
    seven that are an abomination to him:
17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
    and hands that shed innocent blood,
18 a heart that devises wicked plans,
    feet that make haste to run to evil,
19 a false witness who breathes out lies,
    and one who sows discord among brothers.
Proverbs 6:16-19 ESV

Dear family in Christ it is my usual practice to read one chapter of Proverbs a day—on the sixth day of the month to read chapter six, on the seventh to read chapter seven and so on. So, the quotation above is part of my scheduled reading. It is written to believers. It is a warning for the faithful community. It is a measuring stick by which Christians can examine their hearts and their actions.

• Haughty eyes reflect a prideful heart. They look down on those who are deemed less than. Read these words:

  Thus says the LORD:
  “Heaven is my throne,
      and the earth is my footstool;
  what is the house that you would build for me,
      and what is the place of my rest?
  2 All these things my hand has made,
      and so all these things came to be,
  declares the LORD.
  But this is the one to whom I will look:
      he who is humble and contrite in spirit
      and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:1-2

  In view of the greatness and the majesty of the LORD, what right do you have to be prideful? All you have is from the LORD Who is enthroned on high.

• Lying tongues. How easy it is to lie. Perhaps to spare someone’s feelings. Maybe to ease oneself out of a difficult situation, a little lie can seem like an easy short-cut out of a lot of explanation. Read this warning

  Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

Notice the theme here, in view of the greatness of God, His awesome holiness and splendor, it is critical that believers guard their lips and keep watch over their thoughts. Such words of warning should drive us to our knees in penitence, asking the LORD’s mercy offered in Jesus Christ and asking for His Spirit’s strength so that we will have the strength we need to walk with integrity and true holiness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. You are resplendent with majestic glory. Who shall not adore You and bow before You? How great is Your steadfast kindness in warning believers to guard their lips, keep watch over their actions and the live their lives constantly aware of Your fiery holiness. O Spirit divine, let the fear of the LORD govern our thoughts and direct our lives so that the world around us sees believers who are unafraid of the world’s pressures and unmoved by her temptation but are instead wholly devoted to pleasing the LORD. Amen.

https://youtu.be/zUAQdd2ELuE?si=CPFTcAK7O9-8Tas- Phillips, Craig and Dean “Let My Words be Few”

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

September 5, 2023 -- John 16:12-14 -- The Work of the Holy Spirit

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

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hearts he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
John 16:12-14 ESV

One of the questions that must be asked is this: What is the work of the Holy Spirit? Scripture reveals the Holy Spirit is fully God, He is worthy of worship and praise. That much we know, but what does Scripture teach us about the work of the Spirit?

1. He is given to me personally (I Corinthians 6:19)

2. The Holy Spirit makes me share in Christ all His blessings (Galatians 3:14).

3. The Holy Spirit comforts me (John 15:26).

4. The Holy Spirit remains with me forever. Bringing to bear in the life of the Christian all the benefits of Christ. (John 16:12-14).

5. The Holy Spirit gives gifts to the people of God for the building up of the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:4-11).

6. The Holy Spirit brings peace to the community in Christ (Ephesians 2:14-18).

7. The Holy Spirit makes Christ known to believers so that the Word is powerful, and He affirms the truth of Jesus and all His claims.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the work of Your Holy Spirit Who leads us in all truth, bringing us ever deeper into relationship with Jesus Christ and with fellow believers. To You, Triune God ~ Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ~ be all glory and honour and praise now and forevermore. Amen.

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September 2, 2023 -- Psalm 37:18-20 -- The Psalm Series: Jesus the Only Way to the Father

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

18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
    and their heritage will remain forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times;
    in the days of famine they have abundance.
20 But the wicked will perish;
    the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures;
    they vanish—like smoke they vanish away.
Psalm 37:18-20 ESV

R.C. Sproul (1939 - 2017) was a well-known theologian, philosopher, and Bible teacher. Yesterday I was listening to one of his podcasts. He was teaching on the way of the LORD. One of his students piped up and said she couldn’t believe in a God would only have one way to Himself. She exclaimed: "It isn’t right."

Sproul explained how he answered. This woman admitted she thought there were many ways to the divine. Then Sproul asked if Jesus might be one of those ways to God?! She was honest enough to admit, okay, that much could be true. Then Sproul continued, what if Jesus claimed (as He does) that He is exclusive, the only way to the Living God? This is not what R. C. Sproul claims. This is not just one man’s opinion, but He Whom you admitted could be a way to God the Father declared He alone is the way.

Sproul added, how exceptional it is that He Who created all things, Who is majestic and holy, should provide a way to Himself at all. This shows the incredible kindness of the Living God. His tenderness and His patience towards those who are wicked. The wicked and rebellious remain so until His Spirit breaks their stubborn resistance and leads them to Himself in righteousness.

There is one way to God the Glorious One. In the Old Testament the sacrifices and offerings and the words of the prophets and priests all pointed to the coming of Jesus. New Testament Christians understand what Old Testament believers would have longed to see and fully understand: Jesus is the full, final, sacrifice that makes believers blameless. All others perish.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How excellent are Your ways and how beautiful is Your mercy by which You have opened up a way to Yourself. Thank You for Your divine protection, given to believers, in the work of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for Jesus, in Whom we are blameless and through Whose sacrifice we have a heritage forever with You. Mighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, strengthen us, Your people, to face the evil times in which we live prevailing against the temptations of the evil doers who hate You. Glorious God, may it be our increasing delight to serve You, praise You, and do good in the land until the desires our heart are met with eternity in Your incandescent presence. Amen.

https://youtu.be/CjB0mkj0XaM?si=fqbCWYjUmMErQUP4 Hymn of Heaven

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

September 1, 2023 -- Psalm 37:3-4, 8-9 -- The Psalm Series: Trust in the LORD and the Desires of the Heart

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

Trust in the LORD, and do good;
    dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
4 Delight yourself in the LORD,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
    Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
9 For the evildoers shall be cut off,
    but those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land.
Psalm 37:3-4, 8-9 ESV

The first two verses likely would fit nicely on wall-hanging or as a post on social media. It is wonderful to think, “Wow, the LORD will give me the desires of my heart”! That is something most of us would be delighted to have. The trouble is we haven’t examined our heart. Our desires do not spring from a heart which trusts in Him alone.

The second pair of verses are far less likely to make a wall-hanging in our homes. But these are words are urgently needed. In order to have the desires of our hearts granted to us, we must examine our hearts and make sure we have, by the light of the Spirit Who holds up Scripture as our example and standard, carefully made a search to root out every sin. These verses are written for Christians to contemplate and Christians must get rid of all such evils from their hearts and minds and forsake associations with others who might be so inclined to sin.

Psalm 37 is a wisdom psalm. It is instruction for believers so that we will walk in the way of Jesus Christ—denying ourselves and taking up our cross and following Jesus. Such self denial is a constant battle. Each of us has particular weaknesses and areas where we are vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy or places where we’d easily stray back into sin. Direct your heart this day to trust in the LORD. Command your mind to wall itself against sinful urges and wicked temptations so that your heart will truly delight in the LORD and rejoice in all He gives you.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the witness of Your Holy Spirit Who shows us the lingering evil and the familiar sins we are inclined to drift towards. With King David, and the faithful of Israel and those grafted into the New Israel in Jesus Christ we confess our waywardness and our sins. We confess how easy it is to scrutinize others and weight their actions and how lightly and carelessly we examine our own hearts. In view of the radiance of Jesus Christ we pray, Father, help us to recommit our way to You in obedience to Jesus Christ our Savior and the Captain of Salvation and this in the strength of Your Spirit. Amen.

https://youtu.be/EhSOnw8a_AI?si=E1NBvIzNBnoqMikC Wonderful Grace of Jesus

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

August 30, 2023 -- Hebrews 1:1-4 -- Hebrews: Jesus is Better

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

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, 2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. 3 He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
Hebrews 1:1-4 ESV

In preparation for a teaching series I’ll be leading on Wednesday evenings, I have been listening to podcasts by Michael Kruger, the President of Reformed Theological Seminary, Charlotte. He is teaching through Hebrews. I have deeply appreciated how he offers a concise, memorable theme for Hebrews: “Jesus is Better”. In these four opening verses Jesus is better than the prophets of old who pointed to God, because Jesus Himself is God and Man. Jesus is better than the kings of old, for He not only rules all things, but He created all things. Jesus is better, He is the High Priest who can sit down. All other priests always had to stand and perform their endless tasks and duties. Jesus offered the once for all sacrifice for our sins and He turned aside the wrath of God against our sins, so He alone can sit at the Father’s right hand having completed this aspect of His redemptive work.

Consider this, He, Who made the heavens and the earth stooped to our weakness and took on flesh. The most glorious, High King of Heaven, suffered, bled and died for the sinners who were His enemies and were in rebellion against Him. He perfectly, patiently, and persistently pleads our cause to the Father. Jesus is worthy of worship because He is God. He is worthy of awe because our Great and Glorious King redeemed us while we were still at war with Him in our minds and hearts and lives. Think about this. Recognize He is better than all the things of this world which tug on your heart. Oh, bless His Name now and forever.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the rich and glorious salvation You have given in Jesus Christ. King Jesus, how great and radiant You are. Divine Prophet, Priest and King teach us to adore You, and enable us to follow You in the strength of Your Holy Spirit. Amen.

https://youtu.be/FzOZLTwaef0?si=qIb_YLTJIN9GjATW “Now Blessed Be the Lord our God”

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

August 29, 2023 -- Psalm 36:10-12 -- The Psalm Series: Prayer and warning

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

Oh, continue your steadfast love to those who know you,
and your righteousness to the upright of heart!
Let not the foot of arrogance come upon me,
nor the hand of the wicked drive me away.
There the evildoers lie fallen;
they are thrust down, unable to rise.
Psalm 36:10-12 ESV

Psalm 36 has three parts and today’s reading is from the final movement of the psalm. It is a prayer that the steadfast love, the covenant love, the never-ending faithful love of the LORD would be extended ever more fully into the life of the believer. Such love flooding the life and the soul of the believer would work to displace evil. Such love would draw the believer closer to the Living God and enable him resist temptation because sins and wickedness would be shown to be hideous and the pathway to destruction.

Notice how much of this final section of the psalm focuses on the need for believers to pray for God’s protection over their lives. Sin and wickedness and pride are pervasive. It is easy to get caught up in such things and be swept away by them. The believer rehearses the judgment of God—they are thrust down—as a warning to himself to stay the course and remain true to the LORD Whose steadfast love is directing the course of his life. This whole psalm, like so many of them, is meant to be sung by the congregation as a prayer for God's protection

Unbelievers plant themselves in the middle of churches. Wicked people hide in plain sight in churches and among the people of the Living God. Jesus taught as much in the New Testament. The history of Israel proves this in the Old. The people of the LORD must constantly confess their sins, turn away from them, and seek shelter in the arms of the Living God.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. With You is the fountain of life; in Your light do we see light. By the light of the Spirit and Word we understand our profound and constant need for Jesus' life-giving work which brings us to the steadfast love of our Father in heaven. Mighty God, continue Your steadfast love to those who know You. Amen.
(the prayer is based on verses 9 and 10 of Psalm 36)

https://youtu.be/DxQx2xZPC5M?si=-9TAeYG2G2GHhPwG “Take Shelter” Gettys and Skye Peterson

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

August 28, 2023 -- Psalm 36:1-6 -- The Psalm Series: What are you listening for?

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

Transgression speaks to the wicked
deep in his heart;
there is no fear of God before his eyes.
For he flatters himself in his own eyes
that his iniquity cannot be found out and hated.
The words of his mouth are trouble and deceit;
he has ceased to act wisely and do good.
He plots trouble while on his bed;
he sets himself in a way that is not good;
he does not reject evil.

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

Psalm 36:1-6 ESV

Notice there are two categories of hearers. The first are those who are listening for and meditating on wickedness and self-flattery. The second are those who listen for goodness of God and meditate on His steadfast love always thinking about His character.

The wicked are self-absorbed. They are bent on evil and not even aware of the course of destruction they have taken on. Why is this Psalm written and sung in the congregation of God’s people? It is a warning. Wickedness and trouble and self-deceit are closer than the believers realizes. It is not until one looks to the precious steadfast love of God that he has light enough to discern his own dark thoughts.

The LORD’s love is evident in creation. The clouds and the mountains, the great deeps of the oceans and the variety of creatures on the face of the earth constantly reveal the LORD Who is near, Who is loving, Who is Good, Who is the source of all that is excellent and pure. The believer listens for this, discerning it from the cacophony of life and the clashing noisiness of evil-doers all around. The believer realizes how easily led-astray his own heart would be unless the LORD’s steadfast love, which is stronger, greater, and more persistent than evil, takes hold of him. This steadfast love is known to New Testament Christians. He is Jesus.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Great is Your love, revealed to Your people through Jesus Christ, the Beloved One. By the powerful working of Your Spirit help us, Your children to hear the voice of Your great compassion in the beauty of nature, in the terrible splendor of storms and as we watch history unfolding. By Your Spirit living in us, teach us to discern Your goodness amid the day’s persistent flow of evil masquerading as inviting, tempting, worldly good enough. As Your people meditate on Your faithfulness, righteousness, judgments and providential works, let our hearts sing to You, blessing You and praising You. Through such meditation as we more clearly distinguish and reject evil for the vile poison it is let us instead deeply drink in Your love at every opportunity. Amen.

https://youtu.be/tXQpDDcrN-w?si=bxgljDwksWCmJ-Xd Home Free “How Great Thou Art”

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

August 22, 2023 -- Psalm 35:22-28 -- The Psalm Series: Understanding the imprectory, or cursing, of this psalm cursing,

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

You have seen, O LORD; be not silent!
    O Lord, be not far from me!
23 Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication,
    for my cause, my God and my Lord!
24 Vindicate me, O LORD, my God,
    according to your righteousness,
    and let them not rejoice over me!
25 Let them not say in their hearts,
    “Aha, our heart's desire!”
Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26 Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether
    who rejoice at my calamity!
Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor
    who magnify themselves against me!

27 Let those who delight in my righteousness
    shout for joy and be glad
    and say evermore,
“Great is the LORD,
    who delights in the welfare of his servant!”
28 Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness
    and of your praise all the day long.

Psalm 35:22-28 ESV

Imprecatory, or cursing, is the thrust of the third section of Psalm 35. David wrote this under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and it is his greatest descendant, Jesus, Who ultimately speaks these words. That the LORD Who is Holy will throw down every enemy and all who oppose the suffering servant of the Living God.

There are two kingdoms in this world: the devil’s and the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ. The devil seems to have so much power and authority right now. Christians know Jesus rose from the dead, He ascended to heaven, and is seated at the Father’s right hand. Jesus has been fully vindicated and all who trust in the devil, follow the devil, and lead others in the pathways of destruction and sin will themselves be utterly destroyed. This is the vindication of Jesus, and the vindication of all who follow Him.

The psalm ends with praise before the Holy One. Even though the circumstances of the one who speaks it likely haven’t noticeably changed, the fact is: Jesus has overcome the world. His victory is sure. Whatever light and momentary suffering we are enduring now pales in comparison to the glory that is in store and the greater glory of ever living in presence of the LORD Who delights in the welfare of His servant. Whatever suffering you are enduring now, hold on! God has not forgotten you. Your tongue shall tell of His righteousness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. You, O LORD our God, are mighty to save and to rescue from all the troubles we get ourselves into. You are glorious and have already rescued us from Your own anger against our sin and taken us from the domain of death and brought us into the Kingdom of Light, the Kingdom of the Son You love. Guard us by Your Holy Spirit so that Your Name and Your Word are lifted high in praise and honour. May the people around us see the way in which we cope with the troubles and pains and griefs of life and from seeing our response in Christ turn from sin and join us in praising God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/svWaaVbOQps Shane and Shane “Come Thou Fount (Above All Else)

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

August 21, 2023 -- I John 4:7-12 -- Loved based on the knowledge of God

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

 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 10 In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
I John 4:7-12

Anyone who loves knows God. Knowing God is a tremendously intimate word. It is not knowing God as like you know the couple that lives across the street. You wave. At Christmas you might exchange a card. No. One Who knows God is also intimately known by God—faults and flaws, joys, but also sins and selfishness.

i.                    One is born of God. Jesus declared “truly, truly I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3. When an unbeliever, confronted with the electing love of God, yields himself to the pursuing love of God he dies to his old nature and he is born again in love. All old patterns and sins are exposed as wicked, ugly.

ii.                 This new birth means we know God as Father. To be born of God, means that by Jesus Christ we are made sons of God, not by a husband’s decision or human will, but by the grace of God. We are known by God and we realize through Jesus we have a Father in heaven—and this knowledge is sealed to us by the Holy Spirit.

iii.               We reveal that we know God when the love of God is made manifest among us. That is, His love clearly, obviously, is our source of love, our endless supply of love. As God manifested His love to us in Jesus, while we were yet sinners Christ dies for us, so too, God’s love is manifest in us. We love one another. We forgive one another in view of the extravagant love of God given to all who believe, all who have been born again.

iv.                Love and the knowledge of God is revealed in the New Testament. The Bible doesn’t pull any punches. Believers are shown to be flawed, loving, and fighting—in every instance completely dependent on the love of God and His Spirit Who is the deposit guaranteeing our salvation. Just look at the Book of Acts. Believers share their goods in common, share the word, and pray together. In the same book, Paul and Barnabas fight. Paul is estranged from John-Mark, and then reconciled. Believers have a contentious synod, in Acts 15, but find resolution. Peter stops believers from entering the homes of Gentiles—even though he’d visited the Gentile Cornelius. You see, only in the knowledge of God can believing communities be reconciled. To know God is to face the conflicts, the wounds and know through it all God is gracious.

v.                  The world is contaminated, polluted, and threatening to pull against the unity and love which should define Christian community. Jesus noted that the enemy has scattered weeds among the wheat. Even a pure church will face challenges and battle to be place where love is demonstrated through forgiveness and healing. It is costly. Such love comes at the cost of Jesus’ very life. Someone can never “get away with sin” it has been punished at the cost of Jesus’ blood. Anyone who repents is covered by the blood of Jesus Christ and must, like the prodigal son, be received into community.

Almighty God, as we cross the threshold of this day
we commit ourselves, soul, body, affairs, friends, to Your care.
Watch over, keep, guide, direct, sanctify, bless us.
Incline our hearts to Your ways.
Mould us wholly into the image of Jesus, as a potter forms clay.
May our lips be a well-tuned harp to sound Your praise.
Let those around us see us living by Your Spirit,
trampling the world underfoot,
unconformed to lying vanities,
transformed by a renewed mind,
clad in the entire armour of God,
shining as a never-dimmed light,
showing holiness in all our doings.
This we pray in Jesus' Name. Amen.
From: "Morning Dedication" from Valley of Vision
 

https://youtu.be/WNz_s7uV_uo Keith Green “Rushing Wind”

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

August 18, 2023 -- Psalm 35:12-13, 17-18 -- The Psalm Series: Not a victim but a victor in Jesus

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

They repay me evil for good;
   my soul is bereft.
But I, when they were sick—
   I wore sackcloth;
   I afflicted myself with fasting;
I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

How long, O Lord, will you look on?
   Rescue me from their destruction,
   my precious life from the lions!
I will thank you in the great congregation;
   in the mighty throng I will praise you.
Psalm 35:12-13; 17-18 ESV

Today’s verses are quoted from the second division of David’s lament, the cry of his soul, verses 11-18. The first is 1-10 a call for help; the third division is 19-28 the call for justice. David expresses the anguish of his heart as his good intentions and actions are spurned and rejected by those around him. In fact the expression that seems to govern this part of David’s heart cry is the phrase “they repay me evil for good”. A brief examination of David’s life proves this to be false. One example is enough. He took Bathsheba from his friend Uriah. This same Uriah was one of his mighty generals. David had Uriah killed to cover up his sin. So, no, David is not perfect in doing good. In fact, this Psalm foreshadows Jesus—He alone can perfectly and honesty say: “they repay me evil for good”. As David through the sacrifices of the Old Testament believed on Jesus and as we today as New Testament believers believe in Jesus, we know we are not victims. Jesus stood in our place. He paid the debt we owed to the wrath of God.

This second section lists the wrongs of the enemies: they are like lions. They rejoice against believers. They are relentless in wrong-doing. Yet believers are not victims. Ultimately it is Jesus Who lived perfectly while all evil-doers did their best to crush Him. He was blameless in the pathway of God, at every step honouring our Father and resisting the Devil. Therefore He is the reason David, and all believers, praise God, thanking Him in the great congregation! Believers are never victims because Jesus holds our victory in His hands. Our Father and our Savior Jesus have sent the Spirit to ensure His victory is applied to every part of our lives.

What the Devil intends for evil, the LORD is using for good. Believers are living all the same kinds of heart aches and sorrows and struggles of other people in the world, yet Christians live them as people whose hope is anchored in Jesus Christ. We will thank God in the great assembly because in Christ we have overcome the world. These light and momentary afflictions are achieving for us a weight of glory beyond our current comprehension.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. With David, and Psalm-singers through-out the centuries we declare, “my soul will rejoice in the LORD, exulting in His salvation”. King Jesus, thank You for the victory You have won—turning away our Father’s anger against our sin. Thank You Triune God for the gift of the Holy Spirit by Whose presence in our lives we have everything we need for life and godliness. When we suffer, let our lives shine especially brightly for Jesus at those moments so that the people around us will see it is through Jesus we overcome the world. Amen.

https://youtu.be/CQm4gfoAtwk "Yield Not to Temptation" Phillip Carter

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