October 29, 2023 -- Romans 15:13 -- The planting of Hope

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

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

Hope, what a powerful motivator it is. Hope gives steel to the spine and courage to the heart to face the onslaught of the challenges life will inevitably bring. Yesterday with the help of a good friend I engaged in an activity of hope.

My friend, who is also called Richard, helped me plant 70 crocus corms and 29 tulip bulbs. These corms and bulbs will not sprout until the Spring of 2024. After the snows have just disappeared the crocuses will bloom first. There will be bright purple, white and yellow blooms pushing up through the lawn and snow. Then, in late May and late June the tulips will bloom in successive waves.

Winter is coming. There is a call for early snows on Monday and terrible weather on Wednesday. I am already smiling because I know when the hold of winter is broken, even before the last traces of snow are gone, crocuses will be peaking up through the last lingering snows. My hope is based on the life which our Creator has put into crocuses and tulips. They will accomplish their creative purpose and bloom. Despite the snows.

Today is Sunday. The Creator Who gives the signs of crocuses and tulips has given to all the universe the greatest sign of His sure hope: Jesus Christ! Get to church. Sing the hymns and psalms of faith. Hear the word preached. Reconnect with the God of Hope Who will by His Spirit give steel to your spine and courage to your heart to face whatever challenges and threats are ahead of you. He has reconciled you to Himself through Jesus Christ. The storms will come. Hard times will buffet you. The God of Hope will, like crocuses and tulips which will bloom in the Spring, surely bring you in Christ the blooms of joy and peace.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the gift of Sunday. Thank You for the blessing of hearing Your promises which are “yes” and “Amen” in Jesus Christ. Thank You for the powerful presence of Your Spirit. Restore to the hopeless an enduring hope. Give to the hopeful in Christ abiding joy and peace. By Your Spirit help us all to worship You in Spirit and in truth. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Q6jD7N1HvbI?si=ERkPZ48plojzx1r6 Josh Baldwin “Evidence”

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

October 27, 2023 -- Luke 2:19 -- Treasuring Up Jesus in our Mind and Heart

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

 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:19 ESV

What are “all these things” Mary pondered? Think about all that young woman had experienced in the last nine months or so. She was visited by an angel. She consented to being the mother of the Lord Jesus, though she was a virgin, engaged though not yet married to Joseph. When she was pregnant by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit she visited her cousin Elizabeth, who in her old age was now pregnant, carrying John the Baptist. This child leapt in Elizabeth’s womb when Mary (and Jesus in utero) arrived. Elizabeth recognized Mary as “the mother of my Lord” Luke 1:43.

Righteous Joseph, having been told of this miraculous pregnancy could have had her publicly brought to trial for being pregnant (and not by him) before marriage, which carried the punishment of being stoned to death. Having heard from the angel of the Lord in a dream, he believed God and took Mary home as his wife. Mary in the last days of her pregnancy, after the travel from the region of Galilee to Bethlehem, gave birth to Jesus. Angels announced His arrival to shepherds, who immediately left the fields and went to see Jesus.

That is a quick summary of “all these things”. That same phrase will be repeated at the end of the chapter—after Jesus having grown in strength, filled with wisdom and the favour of God, joined the men in the temple and gave a beautiful account of His wisdom and trust in God. This was after the Feast of the Passover, when Joseph and Mary had already left Jerusalem and had to hurry back when they realized Jesus was not with them, or with their extended family and friends. Jesus explained He had to be in the temple, His Father’s house, and He returned with them to the region of Galilee, submissive to them. Again Mary treasured up these things.

To treasure such things is to ponder them. Think about them. If you have a precious treasure, say an inherited coin, that is valuable, that is from a dear uncle, you might regularly bring it out of its special place and look at it, remembering your uncle and marveling at the worth of the coin, and be delighted by his generosity. Mary brought out her memories of Jesus and the events of her life, and marveled. She considered the worth and wisdom of all she’d experienced and pondered this before God. She was seeking to understand all this treasure and was humbled that the Father had deigned to bless her in such an extravagant way. Why had God favored her? Why were people immediately drawn to Jesus? No doubt there were many questions of faith that she was prompted to examine, and consider, and bring to God in prayer.

The Word of God points believers to Jesus. Like Mary, we treasure Him up in our hearts. We collect what we know of Him, we gather up the promises and Truth declared about Him in the Bible, and meditate on all these things. We seek to know Him! We want to understand Him more. We with faith, peer into the depths of the mysteries of Who Jesus is and we long to know Him more. Such examination of Jesus, and such intense pondering over a life-time, prepares the heart of the believer for an eternity of revelation, wonder and joy in the presence of Him Who is our Redeemer, Friend and King. It is this same Jesus Who ushers us into the unapproachable brilliance of the Father’s presence where for all eternity we live as His beloved sons and daughters.

Our Father in heaven hallowed, blessed, praised, and honoured be Your Name. May saints above and saints below pour out their hearts in prayer and praise to You. Spirit of the Living God, as we read the Book of Scripture, help us to treasure it up, ponder it, and by its great and wondrous mysteries, seek to know Jesus Christ, His suffering, resurrection and glory. Triune God, Who are we, that You should bless us with such wisdom and joy and marvels? As we treasure Your Word up in our hearts, help us to meditate on it and slake our thirst and still our hunger with the great banquet feast which is in Your Word so that the things of this world: the sands of temptation that pass for bread and the slyly evil libations wickedness which are disguised as pleasures will be revealed as the hideous offerings of the enemy that they are. Teach us to know You more, and through knowledge to love You more and through such knowledge and love to obey You, and so be led to continually ponder Your wisdom and revelation, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

https://youtu.be/wcrS8rFWMXQ?si=PZSCV4Cts6M7almF “O Sacred Head Now Wounded”

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

October 25, 2023 -- Psalm 45:10 -- Psalm Series: Holy Wedding Day

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

Hear, O daughter, and consider, and incline your ear;
forget your people and your father’s house
and the king will desire your beauty.
Psalm 45:10 ESV

Imagine a bride in all her finery. Yes, stop and think about this for a minute. Let me help. She has an exquisite dress. Her hair is wonderfully coifed. She is a few minutes away from walking down the aisle to join her bridegroom. Whoa! Wait a minute.  She is talking about her old lovers. Her bridesmaids are whispering to her, “You could do better”. And they are poisoning her thoughts with notions “Remember your past boyfriend? Now he was dreamy!” It is reprehensible. It makes a mockery of the whole wedding.

That is the point being made here in Psalm 45. As believers in Jesus Christ, we have a King Who has redeemed us. He has made us pure. He has placed in us splendid relationship with Himself, the LORD of all the earth, the Ruler of all Kingdoms. He claims us. We are His bride. We purposefully put away from ourselves any talk of other lovers, other flings, other people who had enchanted us. Our hearts are now His, belonging ever more fully to King Jesus.

Why do believers have personal times of Bible reading and prayer? This is to move our hearts to continually look to Jesus, as a Bride coming down the aisle, looks longingly and lovingly at her Bridegroom. Jesus is our soul’s delight. He is our heart’s desire. He outshines all our past. He is reconciling us to our Father, even as we sometimes waver, sometimes struggles, and often sin. He sends His Spirit, the “best man” and “wonderful maid-of-honor” all rolled into one. The Spirit teaches us the magnificence of our King. The Spirit prompts us to consider all His excellencies. Such private devotional times tune our hearts to ever deeper devotion to the One Who has has claimed us as His Own. We anticipate with breathless wonder and joy the Great Marriage Feast of heaven.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence * and take not your holy Spirit from me. Give me the joy of your saving help again * and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. Amen

Today’s prayer is from “BCPonline” for families and individuals.

https://youtu.be/QdKj1-piYSg?si=UgHmCskGoFXGsREQ “My Jesus I Love Thee”

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

October 18, 2023 -- Psalm 45:1-6 -- The Psalm Series: Preparing for the holy wedding day

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

My heart overflows with a pleasing theme;
    I address my verses to the king;
    my tongue is like the pen of a ready scribe.
2 You are the most handsome of the sons of men;
    grace is poured upon your lips;
    therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword on your thigh, O mighty one,
    in your splendor and majesty!
4 In your majesty ride out victoriously
    for the cause of truth and meekness and righteousness;
    let your right hand teach you awesome deeds!
5 Your arrows are sharp
    in the heart of the king's enemies;
    the peoples fall under you.
6 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever.
    The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of uprightness;
7     you have loved righteousness and hated wickedness.
Psalm 45:1-6 ESV

What a contrast to Psalm 44, which was a lament—a heart-crying out to God. Today there is a wedding poem. It is reminiscent of the Song of Solomon. When you think about it for a minute it’s placement here makes sense,. Life is hard. There are obstacles and troubles. But the ultimate answer to the prayer of the previous psalm “Rise up, come to our help! Redeem us for the sake of Your steadfast love! (Psalm 44:26) is found in today’s text. The people of God, the Church, the Bride of Jesus Christ, anticipates her wedding day.

What helps the believer face hardships and persecution and the hatred of the world arrayed against Jesus and His followers? It is the knowledge that Jesus Himself is preparing the marriage feast of the Lamb in the new heavens and the new earth. He is strong, tearing down all opposition and His work includes one day defeating even death itself. For us to live is Christ and to die is gain. Like a bride and a groom who are preparing for their wedding day, so the believer in Christ and the Bridegroom Jesus, are preparing for this day of wonder and blessedness and joy!

Jesus has taken us, His people, from the slave-market of sin. Jesus has sent His Spirit to purify us, to assure us of His tender love and His unwavering commitment. He is declaring His strength and ability to overcome all obstacles so that the wedding feast will happen. And we, His bride, anticipate this. We pray for this. We hate sin and refuse to yield to temptations because of this glorious day which is approaching. When we fall into sin and give in to temptation, we are reminded that Jesus has already redeemed us for His Own. He knew, and knows, the worst and ugliest things about us and He is making us holy unto Himself.

In the Book of Esther, before the woman Esther could meet with King Ahasuerus, she had to go through a year of beautifying. Six months beautifying with the oil of myrrh and then six months with spices and ointments (Esther 2:12). If an earthly king could require such intense beautifying treatments, how much more should Jesus, the Most Excellent of Men, the Holy One, expect His people, His Bride, to be made pure. He is beautifying you with truth, meekness and righteousness.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How gracious and tender a Father You are to send Jesus, the Son of Your love, to fetch us as His bride. Thank You for the beautifying work of the Holy Spirit. Forgive us for the times we are stubbornly reluctant to receive such tender, cleansing work. How silly and small-minded we are, readying ourselves, showering, dressing nicely for things like a court appearance or a job interview but thinking we can slouch slovenly towards You with little or no preparation. Renew in us a wondrous sense of Your holiness and terrible beauty so that we will fully submit to the regime of beautifying You have prepared for us so that we can with awestruck joy and great anticipation prepare for our holy wedding day. This we pray in Jesus’ great Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/vEPAKmwHhdg?si=R2HN4dKhWGcz7w5M Shane and Shane “Psalm 84”

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

October 17, 2023 -- Psalm 44:17-26 -- The Psalm Series: Lamentation as Prayer

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

17 All this has come upon us,
    though we have not forgotten you,
    and we have not been false to your covenant.
18 Our heart has not turned back,
    nor have our steps departed from your way;
19 yet you have broken us in the place of jackals
    and covered us with the shadow of death.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God
    or spread out our hands to a foreign god,
21 would not God discover this?
    For he knows the secrets of the heart.
22 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long;
    we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

23 Awake! Why are you sleeping, O Lord?
    Rouse yourself! Do not reject us forever!
24 Why do you hide your face?
    Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?
25 For our soul is bowed down to the dust;
    our belly clings to the ground.
26 Rise up; come to our help!
    Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love!

Psalm 44:17-26 ESV

This is a lament. In his grief and bewilderment, the believer lays his heart bare before the LORD his God. In earlier verses he speaks of his own faithfulness and contrasts this with the faithlessness of his enemies and pursuers, but now there is a much bleaker turn. It seems as if God Himself is against the psalmist. It seems the Lord his God has forgotten him, broken him, and covered him with the shadow of death.

It is good to know that the Bible helps us to give expression to the hardest spiritual emotions and the deepest struggles of our soul. There are many psalms of lamentation (crying out in hurt and pain) in the Bible. This matches with out human experience: wars, sickness, betrayal, standing at the grave of a loved one, misunderstandings, the consequences of our own sins, poverty, injustice, the break-up of family and so many other things break like pounding waves across the beaches of our lives. We are overwhelmed.

It is good to know this is a prayer. He prays it on the basis of God’s steadfast love. That is, the covenant love of God, by which the Father in heaven has chosen, from before the foundation of the world, to redeem His people in Jesus the Beloved. The prayer-warrior is expressing his pain and his grief, his sorrow and fears to God Who has chosen to help His people. He believers it, even when he can’t see it. He holds tightly to God, when all the storms around him rage. This is the way of many saints. Job’s wife, after they’d lost their children and all their possessions, called out for Job to curse God and die. Job held fast to his faith in God. You can cite example after example in the Bible—Jeremiah the weeping prophet, Paul beaten for Jesus and imprisoned, Peter who suffered greatly.

Why do we suffer?

• The world is blind to the level of its own sinfulness and pushes hard against anyone who professes faith in the Living God.

• Believers are unaware how much of their own life is tainted with lingering sin and wickedness of heart. This must be purged from us.

• The righteousness that believers have is imputed, given from the storehouse of Jesus’ right standing before God, and credited to believers. As long as believers live here on earth they are sinners, shielded by the goodness of Jesus.

• Suffering teaches the believer to lament his sin and long for more of God and more confident hope in knowing Him which isn’t based on life’s circumstances but is based on the steadfast love of God

• Suffering teaches the believer to long for eternity in the New Heavens and New Earth where sin and pain and death shall be no more and God will be all in all.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the salvation You have poured out on believers in Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your steadfast love which took on flesh and suffered, Jesus our Redeemer. Spirit of God, help us in our lamentation and sorrows to turn to Jesus and trust in all the Father’s promises assuring us of our salvation. Purify us by this suffering so that Jesus will fill our vision, our longings and thereby build up our ever-growing anticipation of the glories of heaven in His presence. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Optrm7lF16s?si=hxwOpAvHl3xhVzTy “Be Thou My Vision”

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

October 16, 2023 -- Proverbs 16:20 -- Give thought to the Word

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

Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
    and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
Proverbs 16:20 ESV

This short proverb has a translation issue. “Word” in the original language can mean saying, or word, or matter, or thing. Here is a different translation: “He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he” (Prov. 16:20 KJV).

Remember the context of all these proverbs. The whole book of Proverbs makes a contrast between the way of wisdom and the way of folly. Wisdom is found in those who read the Bible, put it into practice and when faced with a difficult situation will go to the Giver of the Word to find an answer. Fools go forward in their own strength, weight a matter by their own experience and consider themselves the standard of what is right. Sadly, fools are constantly tripped up in their folly.

In joy or in sorrow, in poverty or in plenty, in the company of friends or alone, the one who trusts in the LORD sees in every moment of life, in every circumstance, the opportunity to serve the LORD and affirm his ever deepening trust in the Living God. Every instance of renewed true is affirmed in the life of the believer as Jesus Christ is his the Faithful High Priest. He is the One Who has laid down His life as a ransom for the believer. He is the One Who lives to intercede on behalf of the believer before the Father in heaven. The Father and the Son together give the Holy Spirit to all who believe so that the Word is rich, the most helpful guide in the life of the believer.

When life is difficult, the most important work of a believer is to run to Jesus. And if you do not have the energy to run to Him, cry out to Him for help. He never needs sleep. He never gets tired of hearing your cries for help. In fact, the very need you bring to Jesus shows your utter dependence on Him—which in turn gives glory to the Father for sending Jesus. Your cries for help show you have given thought to a matter by the Word, this gives glory to Jesus for He is affirmed as the Good Shepherd of your soul. When you cry out to Jesus in all your joys and trials, the Spirit of God takes from what belongs to Jesus and applies His blessing as a healing bandage for your soul. Again God receives the honour and glory whenever you cry out. It is as the writer, inspired by the Spirit of God, teaches whoever gives thought to the Word will discover good. The Word reveals the Goodness of God.

Our Faithful Father in heaven honoured and blessed be Your Name, now and forevermore. Thank You that You have stored up good in Jesus Christ for all Who meditate on Your Word, Who listen to it and search deep into it for wisdom. Spirit of the Living God, ^make the Bible live to me, show me Yourself in Your Word; show me myself and show me my Savior, and make the book live to me. Amen.

^from the Hymn “Make the Book Live to Me”

https://youtu.be/l4id-FSMwJs?si=2Zmf1r94iqiyjm98 “Amazing Love/Word of God Speak”

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

October 13, 2023 -- Matthew 22:29 -- Know the Scriptures and know the power of God

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

But Jesus answered them, “You are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God.”
Matthew 22:29 ESV

The context of these words is this: scholars of Jesus’ day were testing Him with all kinds of subtleties concerning the Law. The amazing fact is that Jesus, the fulfilment of the Law, was standing right there in front of them. The sad thing is Jesus, Who is the power of God in flesh had been revealed to them and they chose to debate Him rather than worship Him. Here's how this hits home for me today.

Why do Christians neglect church? Because they do not believe the Scriptures, instead, like the scholars of Jesus' day, they trust in their own abilities and insights to discern what is going on in the world.

Why do Christians neglect Bible reading? Because they do not believe in the power of God. There are groups and people who long to be Spirit-filled so they can cast out demons and speak prophetically—but they are not hungry and yearning to know Jesus the power of His salvation.. The work of the Spirit is not to make men powerful, it is to make men humble, contrite, and people who tremble at the Word of God. That is true power.

How is the power of God subduing all the sinful lusts and thoughts of your heart? How is the power of God drawing you to love Jesus more and to study the Bible? “The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried.” ― G.K. Chesterton, What's Wrong with the World.

Our Father in heaven hallowed and blessed be Your Name, now and forevermore. We confess how easily we neglect the study of the Bible and pass over opportunities to go to Church. We think we have all the answers, but often are left in piles of messes that we have no idea how to clear away. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God for Your powerful work in the lives of believers, tearing out the walls of sin and shame that we have built up, and opening us up to the beauty of the Word, where we meet Jesus. Forgive us, Father in heaven, for the stubborn resistance we put up against going to worship, choosing instead dung and sticks for our amusement. By the presence of Your Spirit renew in us a deep desire for worship and a longing to gather with our family in Christ so that we will know Your Word and the life-giving power of God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/C-T7VyCMbQQ?si=9D4MUoQdDHn7Qx62 “Take My Life and Let It Be”

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

October 11, 2023 -- Proverbs 11:5-8 & Revelation 17:15-18 -- Why Evil Tears at Itself

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

The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
    but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.
6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.
7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
    and the expectation of wealth perishes too.
8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
    and the wicked walks into it instead.
Proverbs 11:5-8 ESV

And the angel said to me, “The waters that you saw, where the prostitute is seated, are peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. 16 And the ten horns that you saw, they and the beast will hate the prostitute. They will make her desolate and naked, and devour her flesh and burn her up with fire, 17 for God has put it into their hearts to carry out his purpose by being of one mind and handing over their royal power to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled. 18 And the woman that you saw is the great city that has dominion over the kings of the earth.”
Revelation 17:15-18 ESV

It is the frustration of ministry. You see someone, work with someone, help them to see right from wrong and then. Then he chooses the wrong. You help him up, and he chooses the wrong. He leaves for a while, comes back to you, realizing your offer of help is real, and then he chooses the wrong. The same wrong which has already so often been destructive to him, his children, his ex (or ex’s) and his support system.

The Revelation passage prophetically speaks to this. The woman, the great prostitute, who represents wickedness and lusts and folly is calling people away from God. She is the anti-bride. She is the user of people who is used by unholy people. By way of sharp contrast believers are the Bride of Christ. The Bride of Christ is by Jesus purified from evil and being made holy. The Bride of Christ are the people captivated by the love of Christ and living in relationship with Him. The people of the city which rages and makes war against God’s Jerusalem are named Babylon. The prostitute, Babylon, by her wily ways seduces people into sin and brought them into service to the beast—the great evil. You’d think the beast and the prostitute would continue to work together. Surprisingly, today’s Revelation reading reveals that the beast (who has increased in power by taking the people that Babylon has seduced) humiliates the prostitute Babylon (makes her naked), devours her flesh (kills her) and burns her with fire. Why would evil turn on evil?

The LORD our God restrains the power of evil by making it grow in on itself and its tendrils coil around itself so that these chokes evil itself. In its lust for power and desire for more, evil will tear at itself and at other evil. Now to Proverbs. This also explains why the wicked fall into their own wickedness. The LORD keeps them from multiplying their wickedness even further into their own life and family network. The treacherous will be walled in by their lusts and destroy their lives with such destruction and humiliation that the people around them will back away so as not to be pulled into the whirlpool of ugliness which is drowning them.

Pray for the Spirit to reveal areas in your own life where you are toying with wickedness, lust and treachery. Repent from it and turn to Jesus! Pray for those in your life who are captured by the evil of their lives. Pray for the LORD to break the cycle of sin and treachery and lust. A life guard at a beach knows that a drowning man has such a fear of death and is in a grip of powerful panic so that he is stronger than many men. So a life guard needs training and help to keep the drowning man from pulling his rescuer down as well. Pray for those who minister to the people who are drowning in their sins. Pray for the wisdom to know when to offer help and when to wait on the Spirit’s direction that a person is finally ready to receive help from God through your presence and care. Jesus is the Captain of Salvation leading the charge against the enemy. He will direct His Spirit to teach you when to act and help; and where the enemy is still too strong in the life of an unbeliever. Understand this, the treachery of the treacherous, the wickedness of the wicked are being used by the LORD of Glory to expose their sins so that they will one day be so spent and exhausted by sin that they will turn to the LORD in holy fear, or they will be so hardened in sin that they destruction in hell will be revealed as a warning to all the righteous.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the Kingdom power You bring into our lives through the in-dwelling Holy Spirit. Thank You for the glory of Jesus Christ and His reconciling work by which the stronghold of evil has been broken in the life of every believer. Triune God let us not be led into evil—either through the world’s pressures, or our own lusts or through the trickery and cunning of the Devil. Instead, let us rise up and praise You, choosing the way of righteousness, following in the footsteps of Jesus our King. Give to us holy boldness to know which brother or sister is truly ready to be snatched from the fires of wickedness and which people are not interested in help, but only in pulling others down with them into perdition. Thank You Jesus, that You have bound the Strongman and are now plundering his house and rescuing many sons and daughters and bringing them to glory. Raise up laborers for Your harvest field, Jesus, Savior. Amen.

https://youtu.be/MZmS81yLjMg?si=uYd-5E6HJhp99ZKU “Church of God Arise” Getty Music

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

October 10, 2023 -- Proverbs 10:23 -- True Pleasure

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

Doing wrong is like a joke to a fool,
    but wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.
Proverbs 10:23 ESV

How can you tell if the Gospel has truly taken hold of someone’s life? One of the tests is spelled out for us in this proverb: observe his life. Jesus Himself declared “You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). In that context Jesus was talking about wicked men, evil doers. You can meet those who seem to say all the right things, who on a surface level acquaintance give all appearance of goodness, but over time you can see that the fruits of their life is doing wrong. The pathway of wickedness, when pointed out to the fool—that is, to the man who does not fear God—is just a joke. He sees his actions as meaningless, harmless and no big deal. The King James translation states it: doing wrong is a sport to the fool. It is a competition in corruption.

By way of contrast there is the life and actions of a man of understanding. The words of God and the ways of God are a pleasure. A few men, recent Christian converts, have noticed there are Christians who delight to speak of the things of God, ask questions about the Bible, and share their latest Bible readings. By way of contrast they note some men claim to be Christians but they seem to speak more of sports, weather, and the latest news and they do not talk about God. It is an astute observation. The godly delight to think about God the Father, to ask the opinions of others and want to grow in this precious faith.

John Piper often talks about Christian hedonism. Hedonism is the pursuit of pleasure and self-seeking. However, Christian hedonism is finding all one's pleasure in God alone. It makes sense. We were created for relationship with God. Sin has perverted this in us. Those whose hearts and lives have been taken over by the Spirit of God delight to speak of the things of God and to lift Christ high in all their thoughts and conversations. This is Christian hedonism—this is the pleasure of a man of understanding.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. At Your right hand are eternal pleasures forever more, so the Psalmist declared it^. Your people experience such pleasures now in the beauty of Your Word, in conversation with other Christians and even in the quiet reflections of the heart, thinking about God and His goodness. Ah, God of Glory, Source of Every Good, increase our pleasure in You, in knowing You and in walking in the way of Jesus. Amen.

Psalm 16:11

https://youtu.be/Y1CiGdsAWyg?si=0Pk9ERrROD2l2EPe “Amide the Thronging Worshipers”

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

October 7, 2023 -- Proverbs 1-15 -- You are always preparing: either against or for evil

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

My son, keep my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you;
2 keep my commandments and live;
    keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;
3 bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and call insight your intimate friend,
5 to keep you from the forbidden woman,
    from the adulteress with her smooth words.

6 For at the window of my house
    I have looked out through my lattice,
7 and I have seen among the simple,
    I have perceived among the youths,
    a young man lacking sense,
8 passing along the street near her corner,
    taking the road to her house
9 in the twilight, in the evening,
    at the time of night and darkness.

10 And behold, the woman meets him,
    dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.
11 She is loud and wayward;
    her feet do not stay at home;
12 now in the street, now in the market,
    and at every corner she lies in wait.
13 She seizes him and kisses him,
    and with bold face she says to him,
14 “I had to offer sacrifices,
    and today I have paid my vows;
15 so now I have come out to meet you,
    to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.

Proverbs 7:1-15 ESV

A few of the Bible teachings I’ve been listening to recently noted that it seems so few Christians weep over their sins or lament the struggles of the flesh. Only those who know the temptations of the flesh and the misalignment of the heart which so easily leads believers to cross purposes with what is laid out as the clear path of the LORD weep and cry out to God for help.

First our passage shows the instruction of wisdom. The man who does not treasure up the commandments of the LORD will have no anchor to keep him tethered to the strength of Jesus when wave after wave of temptation batters him. The Wisdom and Insight of the LORD are to be intimate friends who keep his soul satiated in fellowship with God. The commandments of God, heard, treasured up and written on the heart guard the student of God's wisdom as surely as a man guards his eye from any potential poking, or sand or branch.

Now see the persistence of sin. Sin and temptation are pictured as a sexy woman who wants to seduce a man. She is seductively dressed and knows how weak-kneed he will become. Sin is bold. For some the seductress approaches as pornography. For others she approaches as a cornucopia of Thanksgiving treats and desserts and leads the unguarded to gluttony. Maybe the wily woman is gambling. Or alcoholism. Whatever is your particular weak-point against temptation, notice how persistent temptation is. Later in this same chapter wisdom says “all at once he follows he” (verse 22). In fact, it has been 11 verses of constant temptation. This chapter gives insight into the preparations of evil, the unpreparedness and unwillingness of the tempted one to resist temptation. It is worth noting that Wisdom instructs as a father or mother, but the foolish lack of a faith community to draw the man back from the brink of self-destructive sin.

Beloved, tomorrow is Sunday. Get to church. Find a church with two worship services, morning and evening. Take every opportunity to get fed with the Word. Long to have His commandments written on your heart. Rejoice in the fact that you have the opportunity to get close to the LORD and to delight in His commandments. Know that God is not trying to destroy your fun; His teaching keeps you from the way of snares and the grave and death. Embrace true Christians community, where brothers and sisters in Christ will be brave enough to call you out when you are straying, they won’t just watch and let you get entangled and drown in sin. Rouse yourself and help a fellow Christian whose way is at cross purposes with God’s. Help this friend keep his commitment to our King.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.
Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the Kingdom, the power and the glory,
now and forever. Amen.

https://youtu.be/zzM9P_Gqw-s?si=YoJPsmgtxvD2OVIX “Holy, Holy, Holy!”

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

October 6, 2023 -- Psalm 43:3-5 -- The Psalm Series 43: Led by the Light and the Truth

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

Send out your light and your truth;
    let them lead me;
let them bring me to your holy hill
    and to your dwelling!
4 Then I will go to the altar of God,
    to God my exceeding joy,
and I will praise you with the lyre,
    O God, my God.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.
Psalm 43:3-5 ESV

It is thought that Psalm 42 and Psalm 43 used to be one longer Psalm. Some early manuscripts of the Bible have them joined together. The refrain, which you can read at verse 5, is found in Psalm 42:5 and is repeated in verse 11. Psalm 42 opens with the sense of longing for the LORD God; but in Psalm 43 it switches and is more of a court setting. The writer is asking God to defend him in a world steeped in ungodliness.

The verses before us today open with the striking image of “send out Your light and Your Truth; let them lead me”. When I read this I think of the forty years the Israelites wandered in the wilderness, they were led by a column of cloud by day and a fiery pillar by night (see Numbers 9:15-17). It was the Light of God’s presence that led them. As Christians today we have the Light of Christ (John 8:12). His Spirit is called the Spirit of Truth. The Spirit of Truth leads us by the Light of Jesus Christ to the holy hill. In the Old Testament that was a reference to Jerusalem, for us today it is the reference to the New Jerusalem—the City where God lives and believers who are in Christ will experience no more day, no more night, for God Himself will be all the light that is ever needed.

It is easy to look at the Old Testament and say, “Those crazy Israelites, how could they grumble and complain while the fire of God’s presence burned in the centre of their camp?!” Yet we have greater light, Jesus Christ. The full testimony of His good work and salvation is clearly written on Scripture’s every page. We have the better testimony. Let's be honest, even as we are sunning ourselves in this greater light we complain, mope and grumble.

So, it is fitting that Psalm 43 ends with the writer preaching to his own mind and soul and circumstances. He commands himself "Stop looking at what is dragging you down. Look to Him Who is your Light and Who is Truth". By faith today, I urge you to command your mind to put your full confidence in Jesus Christ and let your steps walk in the strength the Holy Spirit gives you. Let the Word burn within you, convicting, encouraging, teaching, mentoring until finally you see the Triune God at the Holy Hill, the New Jerusalem.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your great and glorious Name. How incredibly patient You are through-out the generations and centuries. The pages of Scripture show Your kindness and persistent faithfulness that is beyond all human comprehension. With the Psalmist we are praying that walking the Light of Jesus will be our life’s goal knowing the Truth of the Spirit will be our Guide so that our words and actions, our thoughts and our attitudes will be fully centred on You, our God and Vindication. Amen.

https://youtu.be/GdfQuGlFE2o?si=_yR6C6qK9YWcctYX "Jerusalem the Golden" Koine 

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

October 5, 2023 -- Colossians 4:2-6 -- Jesus' Prayer and Our Prayers

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

2 Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— 4 that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Colossians 4:2-6 ESV

As a pastor, I am ashamed to confess this, it is easy to get caught up counting nickels and noses. That is, figuring how much was given in offering and how many people were present at a particular worship service or meeting. When the attendance is good and the people are giving of their input, time, talents and tithes, then the meeting is judged good. Forgive me, God of all mercy and love.

Last night our Wednesday chapel was a much smaller-than-usual group. It'd be tempting to look at the numbers and think it won't be as good as a full house might be. Yet there was laughter around our supper table. Two of the men present spoke of the urgency of staying committed to Jesus Christ and daily choosing fellowship with His people. At the time of singing, one of the men was so excited that we now have Blue Psalters—that is a music book which has all the psalms set to music. He was excited that we are singing the Bible. Another man gave his testimony of the goodness of God. I realized this night was something different. The fellowship was sweet. The line between heaven and the people of God seemed fine and the Spirit was so present. It was a joy.

This morning I opened an email from a friend, someone who is family in Christ at Trinity, Woodstock, NB. He informed me that, as usual, the prayer group gathered and prayed for the Wednesday night chapel. No wonder the meeting had such a noticeable uplift. One man newer to the group was expressing his commitment to being in attendance and saw how vital this is. Two men shared how others they know have significantly stumbled in their faith walk—and it was not gossip, it was genuine warning to stay on course with Christ and a call to pray for these men. I truly believe that because others were praying, a difficult night, became a night of sweet fellowship with God, with one another and a time of beautiful teaching. Those who though, they are far away, steadfastly prayed did exactly what is promised and pictured in Colossians; they by the power of the Spirit opened a door for the word. Thanks be to God!

Keep praying dear family in Christ. Pray as the Spirit prompts you. The Spirit knows needs and circumstances that are beyond your knowing, but our Father has promised to work through the prayers of His people, on the basis of Jesus’ accomplished work. So pray, with full confidence, knowing what the Spirit prompts will result in Kingdom blessing. And rejoice, knowing that same Spirit raises up prayer warriors for you—and the Greatest Intercessor is King Jesus Himself is praying. He ever lives to pray for His people. When we pray—we are walking in the steps of our great High Priest.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Triune God thank You for the gift of prayer. First and always, thank You for the intercession of Jesus our King! What a treasure it is to know the Captain of our Salvation is constantly shielding us in His prayers. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God, for the prayers of the saints, those whom You have stirred up to pray, thereby following Jesus Christ, doing the work of our Father as ambassadors, in the strength You provide. Increase our zeal in prayer, showing us it is not our prayers that are effective, but You, dear Spirit. You are the power of God in Christ for all who believe. It is You Who directs us in prayer and You bring our stuttering and stumbling words to Jesus. You, Spirit of God take our babbling and translate it into words that are fit for King Jesus, making our requests known. What a precious truth it is, Holy Spirit, that You know us intimately, deeply because You live in us and You know Jesus perfectly because You live in Him without measure. Blessed be Your Name, Triune God, now and forevermore. Amen.

https://youtu.be/6zTYTnyvk7k?si=fYNyarZ5-9bDCRX2 “No More Night” Fountainview Academy

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

October 4, 2023 -- Psalm 107:1-3 -- Preparing and giving thanks

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

Oh give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
    for his steadfast love endures forever!
2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so,
    whom he has redeemed from trouble
3 and gathered in from the lands,
    from the east and from the west,
    from the north and from the south.
Psalm 107:1-3 ESV

In a few days Canadians will celebrate Thanksgiving. It was first celebrated in 1879, the Protestant clergy asking this from the government. This took place in the region that is now called Ontario. The date it was observed moved around a bit from October to November until it was set on the second Monday of October. As Canadian society becomes increasingly secularized, this celebration stands out as a beacon of faith for Christians. It is fitting that Christians lead Canadian society in giving thanks to God. Our passage teaches us why we are to be a people who give thanks.

• This psalm, and many other passages in the Scriptures, command Christians to give thanks.

• Thanksgiving is the right response of those who see the goodness of our God and Father. He is the source of all good.

• Giving thanks to God is the only response Christians can offer back to God Who has lavished on us His steadfast love.

• Troubles and inflation, persecution and oppression, sickness and famine, all these will come but the LORD has redeemed us from our troubles. All these light and momentary afflictions pale in view of His great glory in store for us in eternity. In fact, the struggles of this life often prove to be the very things that prompt believers to return to the Living God.

How will you celebrate Thanksgiving this year? Will your neighbours know you love the LORD by the manner in which you observe Thanksgiving? Will you plan on leading your family in giving thanks to the LORD of glory?

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. What a rich and beautiful land You have given us to live in where we can express our gratitude. Forgive us for our grumbling, complaining about our circumstances rather than basking in Your steadfast love and responding to You with songs of praise and prayers of Thanksgiving. By Your Spirit and the Word, lead us to reflect on Jesus Christ, and the riches we have in Him. Stir us up by Your Spirit to be a people who give thanks to You every day all year through. As believers give whole-hearted praise and thanksgiving to You, may our family, co-workers and neighbours see this and be drawn to You. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Ef1as5GTl5k?si=8yTIwjWjwwQeFYJS “Praise and Thanksgiving”

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

Oct 2, 2023 -- Matthew 9:35-27 -- Pray to the Lord of the Harvest

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

And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-37 ESV

No doubt in Jesus’ day there were false religions all around Him. Jesus was not politically correct. He was not concerned about offending the feelings of the those who worshiped demons, idols, nature or themselves. In fact, those who worship false gods and false practices are harassed and helpless. The Devil hates those whom he rules. Every single man, woman and each child is made in the image of God. The Devil hates the LORD of Heaven and Earth and cannot attack Him, so the Devil oppresses people, who are made in God's image, and harasses them and drives them deep into addictions, brokenness and afflictions.

The Good News of Jesus is the release He brings from the tyranny of the Devil. Jesus, by His blood, sets people free from the just anger of God against their sins, because Jesus Himself bore that punishment. He is the Good Shepherd Who does not harass His people, but gently leads them. Jesus breaks the strongholds of the enemy and brings them into the tender care of the Father in heaven.

Perhaps Christians who do not pray earnestly to the Lord of the Harvest likely neglect to do so because they themselves are still toying with sin and struggling with basic obedience. Perhaps Christians do not pray constantly to the Lord of the Harvest because their own faith is so cold they can’t imagine Jesus as the Healer, the Chain-breaker, and the Giver of life.

If you have not been praying, fervently and regularly for those who are unsaved, ask yourself why that is. Confess your anemic faith. Pray for the Spirit’s powerful presence to stir up in you the great awareness of Jesus as your Good Shepherd Who has broken the Devil’s hold on you, turned aside God’s wrath, and is leading you into greater holiness. Pray for the Spirit's corrective work in you so that you will realize our God in heaven is the Good Father. Then, renewed in His salvation, get to the work of praying for those who are not yet saved.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us for our lackluster faith and our callous attitude towards those who are in the Devil’s death grip. Father in heaven, thank You for Jesus, the Lord of the Harvest! Thank You that He left the splendours of heaven and in loving obedience to You rescued ruined and lost sinners who were subject to Your wrath Thank You, Father and King Jesus, for the blessed work of Your Spirit within us. Spirit of the Living God, give us renewed joy in Jesus that leads to ever greater obedience and a longing for the salvation of those who do not yet know You. For yours is the Kingdom, and the Power and the Glory forever. Amen.

https://youtu.be/H8QN8bTR1k0?si=ItzRC6nf8przyDof “Father, Let Your Kingdom Come”

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

September 30, 2023 -- Psalm 42:8-11 -- The Psalm Series: Songs in the night

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

By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,
    and at night his song is with me,
    a prayer to the God of my life.
9 I say to God, my rock:
    “Why have you forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning
    because of the oppression of the enemy?”
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones,
    my adversaries taunt me,
while they say to me all the day long,
    “Where is your God?”
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,
    and why are you in turmoil within me?
Hope in God; for I shall again praise him,
    my salvation and my God.
Psalm 42:8-11 ESV

Through-out this brief Psalm the writer has been lamenting listing the hardships his soul endures as he longs for the Living God. It’d be easy to miss verse 8 and the significance of it. Even though so many troubles and suffering has been stacked up against the psalmist he confesses this glorious truth: “by day the LORD commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me”. At the command of the LORD our days are filled with the steadfast love of the LORD. Do you see His goodness? Here are some of the evidences of His commanded steadfast love:

• the fact you are alive

• the fact you are speaking to Him and He is commanding His love to you

• the fact you are able to remember His goodness when you struggle

• the fact you are anticipating renewed times of worship

• the fact that He is your salvation

• go ahead. Add to this list, your own experiences, the evidences that the LORD has commanded His steadfast love towards you.

At night His song is with you—that is how verse 8 continues. Think of these beautiful words:
     The LORD your God is in your midst,
     a mighty one who will save;
     he will rejoice over you with gladness;
     he will quiet you by His love;
     he will exult over you with loud singing.
     Zephaniah 3:17 ESV
After these beautiful words there is the promise that the LORD will gather His people once again for worship and He will restore their fortunes. The point is this, whether you can hear Him or not, the LORD our God sings lullaby’s over His people at night. The loud war cries of verse 14 have ended in His victory and now He tends to His battle weary people, approaching them with songs in the night, because the terrors of war have ended. The LORD has got you in the grip of His grace and you can sleep in peace because He will quiet you with His love.

The Psalm ends with the same refrain of verse 5. The Psalmist is using his voice to command his emotions, he is preaching to his soul the salvation of God. Read verse 11 again. He is taking the words of the Bible, the gift of the Spirit of God, to speak God’s encouragement to his situation. In I Samuel 30:6 you read “But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God”. He was in the middle of a near mutiny by his soldiers, enemies had raided his camp and carried off their all the wives and children of the men with David and David’s own two wives were taken captive. Their supplies and their possessions were gone But David strengthened himself in the LORD. I wonder, did he use words like those we read in Psalm 42?

You have promised, O LORD, to command Your steadfast love towards us by day and night Your song will be with us. Help us to hear this music of heaven. King Jesus, Captain of Salvation, by the powerful presence of Your Spirit in us, help us preach to our soul the powerful truth of Scripture found here in this Psalm. Help us to declare it over and over until we are comforted and renewed in our confident hope of Your past victories and Your final, quickly approaching victory, when sin and death will be no more. Amen.

https://youtu.be/4iPIi7sunEU?si=CZ1g7dp3h5ufFhGq “No More Night” David Phelps

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

September 29, 2023 -- Psalm 42:1-2 -- The Psalm Series: Flowing streams of Living Water

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

As the deer pants for flowing streams,
so pants my soul for you, O God.
My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When shall I come and appear before God?
Psalm 42:1-2 ESV

Some of you may be familiar with the couple-decades-ago popular Christian song “As the Deer”. It is a cheery song that starts with the opening words of Psalm 42. Perhaps you sense there might be a disconnect between a light-hearted tune paired with the urgent tone of these verses? I sure do.

The writer of this Psalm has chased after other things and realized they can never satisfy him. Nothing else can quench his thirst. Or, he may have been pursued by his temptations like a deer is chased by hunter. He is exhausted. He is realizing that nothing else can satisfy except God, the Living and Holy One. He alone is great refuge for those who are haunted by past temptations. He Who made us knows exactly what we need for life and godliness and satiation.

In the New Testament Jesus describes Himself as Living Water. He met a woman who’d had many men. Jesus pointed out she is living with a man not her husband (John 4:18). She’d been thirsty and hoping that sexual satisfaction might fill the void in her life. Jesus revealed Himself to her as the Savior of the World. In this context Jesus shows He is greater than our need for sexual satisfaction, greater than our need for food (John 4:34). She believed Him. She told the townsfolk about Jesus and many followed her back to Jesus.

There is a great thirst among the people of this world. Even Christians can get side-tracked and try to satisfy their longings with anything and anyone other than Jesus. Our passage today reminds us that our soul is truly thirsting for Jesus. He is living water. If this seems hopeful and attractive to you, it is His Spirit calling you back to Jesus. Listen. Get advice from a Christian whose walk you respect.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the probing nature of Your Word which illuminates the condition of our heart so that Your Spirit can reveal our deepest and truest need, Jesus. Forgive us for the times and ways in which we try to satisfy our longings with other things: sex, alcohol, anger, shopping, pride, or whatever other idols our hearts manufacture. Thank You for Your Spirit Who pursues us and will not let us get away from You, but by our very longings and thirsts brings us back to Jesus. As our thirsts are quenched in Him, help us then to invite others to Jesus, the flowing stream of living water. Amen.

https://youtu.be/sXgCi5mhRYM?si=VFmuPDLoI7vlETEN “Whiter than Snow”

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

September 28, 2023 -- Hebrews 4:8-11 -- Sunday rest and the Promise of Eternal Rest

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

For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on. 9 So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, 10 for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. 11 Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience.
Hebrews 4:8-11 ESV

"So, so busy", that is the reply some people might offer when you ask how they are doing. It is almost like a badge of honour. It is a sign that all the technologies of our world have not made our lives easier, but have instead increased our pressures, increased our workload, increased our sense we’ll never be done. There is a ghoulish, but accurate statement highlighting this, which goes “graveyards are full of people who thought they were indispensable”.

The Bible gives a beautiful, ultimate picture of rest.

In the Old Testament Joshua completed the work of Moses. Moses, under God’s mighty hand, led the people of Israel out of Egypt, out of slavery and brought them to Mount Sinai, the place of the covenant. Joshua was the leader after Moses who completed the work of bringing God’s people into the Promised Land. The land of rest. The land of milk and honey. But the people’s rest from slavery and entrance into the Promised Land pointed to an even greater rest to come.

The New Joshua is Jesus. He will bring believers into the New Heavens and the New Earth. This rest means:

• no more fighting temptation to sin

• no more encroachment of old age

• no more broken relationships and the drama that goes with it

• no more separation from God and wondering if He moved or if we did.

Every Sunday is a day of rest. A day of drawing close to God. A day of contemplating the goodness of God in forgiving us in Christ. Rest that allows us to reflect that our work will not save us, but Christ our King has saved us by His blood and His Spirit is leading us to the Eternal Land of Promise and rest. No wonder Sunday is a celebration and a joy for the people of God. Sunday stirs in us the anticipation of the treasure house of blessings in store for believers when we finally have our eternal rest.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. What blessings You have packed into the lives of Christians; among these abounding blessings is the gift of rest. Forgive us for the many times we have neglected the Sunday rest and kept up a busy schedule that has tyrannized us. Forgive us for refusing Your blessing in fulfilling the Sunday’s purpose of leading us to unburden ourselves before Jesus, in Whom we find true rest from You. Thank You, Triune God, for the gift of Your Holy Spirit, in Whom all the treasures of heaven are guarded in us and for us. Teach us to live according to the blessings Your commandments have for us so that we will by them know the Giver-of the-Commandments, He Who Is our soul’s delight. Amen.

https://youtu.be/_JNJXnZzc9g?si=U0OzwNf0-b5xxBvM “Don’t Forget the Sabbath”

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

September 25, 2023 -- Psalm 41:13 -- The Psalm Series: Now Blessed be the LORD our God!

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

Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel,
    from everlasting to everlasting!
Amen and Amen.
Psalm 41:13 ESV

The very first book of the Psalms, there are five books in total, ends with the Psalm-writer crying out “Blessed be the LORD”. Likely this is not a common part of your daily speech. Blessing the LORD is more common than you think in the Scriptures. Moses’ father-in-law speaks blessing to the LORD in conversation with his son-in-law Moses (Exodus 18:10). When Abraham’s servant finds a suitable wife he blesses the LORD (Genesis 24:27). In fact, today’s devotion could be filled with Scripture references, all the people and an explanation of their circumstances when they spoke out blessing God.

What does it mean to bless the LORD God? It is to recognize His goodness in your life and speak it back to Him. To bless the LORD is to tell Him His greatness is beyond all comparison. Sometimes a Christian will declare this in holy awe, for example, the moment a father holds his newborn baby. Sometimes a Christian will declare the blessedness of God in joy even as it is served with a side of grief, at the graveside of a beloved family member. Through the tears it must be acknowledged our lives and even our death is in His hands. Blessed be the LORD Who gives and takes away. Sometimes a Christian blesses the LORD in worship, gathered with fellow believers knowing the LORD is very great and worthy of such blessing. 

How can we, mere mortals, tiny specks of dust as we are, bless the LORD our God? Our Father in heaven has chosen us in love from before the foundation of the world. Our Father in heaven has sent His Spirit to strengthen us, so that we will know how wide and high and long and deep is His love for us in Christ. When we understand these showers of blessings, our love is reflected back to Him and we declare Him blessed. Simply, and this is nearly beyond comprehension, the LORD our God has created us for relationship with Himself. He delights to bless us, His people, and we delight to be in HIs presence, it is what we are made for and where we find our life’s highest, purest purpose. The Song of Solomon is the book of the Bible that teaches us most clearly how our Savior delights in His people and rejoices to be blessed by His Church. At the very end of Scripture King Jesus calls out to His Church, His Bride: “Behold, I am returning soon”. The Bride of Christ, the Church calls out to Him, blessing Him in her anticipation—return quickly! It blesses Him that we delight in Him.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Who is a God like You? You have crowned Your people with glory and honour. By Your Spirit You have planted in our hearts a yearning for knowing You better, a longing to be in fellowship with You. If that longing is thwarted in any way our minds and hearts are idol-factories. We will make pitiful substitutes and begin running after these worthless things. Forgive us. In view of our glorious Bridegroom Jesus and His redeeming work, cleanse us from the inside out so that all our longings are fixed in Jesus and our words and our lives, our thoughts and our actions bless You, Triune God. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ZOtF0RP_c00?si=DaOGnseSetIDqI2U “Now Blessed Be the Lord our God”

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

September 23, 2023 -- II Corinthians 5:6-11 -- The Proper Fear of the Lord

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

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. 8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
11 Therefore, knowing the fear of the Lord, we persuade others. But what we are is known to God, and I hope it is known also to your conscience.
II Corinthians 5:6-11 ESV

The fear of the Lord is such a difficult topic for so many Christians. Verse 11 teaches us that knowing the fear of the prompts us to teach others to fear Him. Currently I am listening through a teaching series given by the Dr. Michael Reeves and his topic is “The Fear of the LORD”. He is making a beautiful distinction between being afraid and the fear of the Lord.

Reeves notes that the fear of God is the proper object of all our fears. The fear of God reins in anxiety. Society having lost the fear of God our culture has become more and more neurotic. Without a Father’s proper care for us, other concerns from safety of the planet, to safety and even facing death become for us cruel and pitiless idols that fill us with anxieties. And this is a real blow to atheism. Liberating people from the fear of God was touted by the atheists to liberate people from fear. But this has all back-fired. “The Fear of the Lord” from the Ligonier teaching podcasts. What a beautiful and succinct summary.

“The fear of God is the soul of godliness”
Professor John Murray.

“The fear of the Lord means the whole worship of God,
all the obedience which we owe unto Him.”
Puritan John Owen

We live in fear of disobeying the LORD our God and in the confident fear of the LORD that He has all things in His hands. Our past and future, our life and our death, our struggles and times of ease, the sustaining of the planet, all things in fact, are in His hands. He is the Source of all Good. What a relief it is to place our fear in Him so that all other fears are relegated to insignificance knowing His powerful work in saving His people through Christ.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the blessing of life and strength, for the confident hope of salvation that is properly placed in Christ, Your beloved Son Who is our Savior. Thank You for the confident fear we have which guards us against disobedience to You and as we are strengthened by Your Spirit helps believers to face a hostile world. Amen.

https://youtu.be/jcp6w4zaW7U?si=aJkZpQtPRzIMG4TJ “When Peace Like a River” Anthem Lights

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

September 21, 2023 -- Hebrews 3:1-3 -- Jesus is better -- surpassing Moses in faithfulness

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

Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses was also faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
Hebrews 3:1-3 ESV

Other translations put the command this way: “fix your eyes on Jesus”. Paul was writing to people who were formerly Jews and now Christians. Some of the member of this audience were slipping back into Jewish practices, rather than staying fixed on Jesus. In Hebrews 1 Jesus is proved to be better than angels—as some of the audience had become fixated on angels and their spirituality was bound up in all things angelic instead of focused on Jesus, Who created angels and before Whom angels bow.

In Hebrews 2 there is a sharp warning not to drift from the faith. Unless Christians are actively engaged in attending worship, hearing sermons, learning more about Jesus, genuinely being fixed on Him, Christians will drift away into other things and their faith will grow cold.

Now Paul is addressing his readers on another point of contention—the sharp focus on Moses, as if might be of greater consequence than Jesus. Some of the Jewish readership was returning to Moses. While Moses is called “faithful” (verse 2) Jesus eclipses Moses because Jesus is the Apostle and High Priest. Jesus is sent by God to lead men to the Father and Jesus is the One Who represents humanity to Father. He is the Great Apostle, the only One Who can go from heaven to earth and then represent earth to heaven. Second, He is the High Priest. Jesus was the Lamb of God Who by His blood once for all takes away the sin of the world. And Jesus is the intercessor for sinners Who opens the way for believers to come to the Father.

All of Moses’ ministry pointed to one greater than himself, to Jesus. This is the point Jesus makes in John 5:46-47. If you believed in Moses, then you would believe in Jesus because Moses wrote about Jesus.

What is distracting you from keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus? Is it seeking some kind of prophetic message or word? Stay focused on Jesus and read the Bible. Is it hoping that there will be a new temple in Jerusalem? Jesus now lives in believers by His Holy Spirit—we are the temple of God. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How great and glorious is the salvation You have given us in Jesus Christ! By Your Spirit and the Spirit’s illuminating work through the pages of the Scriptures, help us to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ZiEqKpN90W4?si=O0leDrCVyKuvXg6S Casting Crowns ‘Tis so Sweet to True in Jesus

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