December 30, 2023 -- Galatians 5:16-26 -- Distinguishing between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit

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

16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
Galatians 5:16-26 ESV

Yesterday we were challenged by II Corinthians 13:5 to test ourselves to see if we are in Christ. This passage is also helpful in this testing process. One who desires to be led by the Spirit can distinguish the works of the flesh (evil) from the fruit of the Spirit (good). When examining yourself, note a few things, perhaps you do not attend orgies, but what kinds of movies do you watch? Likely you are not allowing yourself fits of anger in public, but the video game you are watching is encouraging you to kill and to cavort with prostitutes. Why encourage the fleshly desires that fight against the Spirit of God?

Those who belong to Jesus, fight the urges of the flesh and the sinful desires—every minute of every day. The activities of the flesh are practiced and exercised—they get stronger and stronger by engaging in them. The Spirit’s work in us produces fruit. Fruit is the natural outflow of a life which is connected to God—Jesus is for us a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:14). The word of God is the soil of our lives, holding us in Jesus (Psalm 1). Where there is good soil and water a fruit tree will produce good fruit (John 15 tells us the Father is the Master Gardener and He will prune us so that we will bear even more fruit).

People, loved by the Father, decide now that in 2024 you will keep in step with the Spirit. Pray to God for His help to do this.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Enable us, by Your Spirit, to sow in righteousness so that by the same Spirit we may reap eternal life. Keep us from becoming weary in doing good. As those who belong to Jesus may we fulfil the command to bear one another’s burdens and do good especially to others who are in the household of faith. As 2024 stands new before us, Father prepare us now by Your Spirit so that we will grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Pr2RG-xR2lA?si=l7FOEX4xjZOA5UJ6 “Prince of Peace”

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

December 29, 2023 -- II Corinthians 13:5 -- Can You Pass This Test?

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

5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
II Corinthians 13:5 ESV

Writing to the people of Corinth, the Apostle Paul was defending his apostleship, his leadership and his right to instruct them in the way of Jesus. He turns the tables and calls on the people of the Corinthian church to examine their faith and test their reliance on Jesus Christ. Why? The answer to this question applies to the Corinthians and to us today.

• Those who are in Christ are family. We are to live in the grace that God has so richly supplied in Jesus Christ and exercise peace (II Corinthians 1:2). This is not easy. It can be the hardest work we ever do, because by our sinful nature we are prideful and consider others in the wrong without carefully examining our own actions, words and thoughts.

• Those who are in Christ, after hard fighting and finding themselves on the path of reconciliation must nurture those tender seedlings of healing. The start of healing can so easily be trampled down and die. Once someone, or all parties, have repented, there must be comfort extended one “or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow” (II Corinthians 2:7) over his past sins or the community's constant repetition of it.

• Those who are in Christ find freedom to live in true community once again “where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom” (II Corinthians 3:17). This is true because every believer has had mountains of his own sins forgiven in Christ. If the people around us knew all the sins we have committed, we'd be just as outcast. Therefore, in the freedom of the Spirit, we know we are forgiven and together we are free to live in true, rich, deep community.

• Those who are in Christ do not trumpet their own goals, causes or agendas. No, we desire the light of Christ to shine from us, individually and communally, so that people will know “for what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord” (II Corinthians 4:5). This is proclaimed from us as people see how we can be reconciled; are ready to hear and humble to be taught.

• Those who are in Christ know this test Paul gave to the Corinthians (and to us) is crazy difficult. Our bodies are like jars of clay that can easily be chipped, or cracked, or broken. We withstand however, not in our own strength, but our lives “show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus so that life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies” (II Corinthians 4:7-10). All the hurts, frustrations, pains and struggles are purposeful. God is rebuilding each of us from the ground up so that we are temples for His glory.

These five bullet points are just the start of self-examination, self-testing to prove the presence of Jesus and His Spirit’s work in us. Knowing 2024 is about to begin, it makes sense for each and every one of us to look at his or her own life and answer the challenge Paul posed: to test yourself, see how Jesus Christ is in you. Where are you missing out on HIs goodness?

If you are doing well, praise God. If you are struggling or not sure, reach out to a Christian friend whose walk with God you admire and make it your resolution in 2024 to meet the test. Namely that you know Jesus Christ and His Spirit’s surpassing power to walk in new life for Jesus.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. As the passage challenges us to examine ourselves we must first, openly confess our stubborn pride. It is easy to see the flaws and faults of others while being completely numb to our own. By Your Spirit’s presence in us break down, brick by brick, the dividing walls of hostility that keep us from truly examining ourselves and from allowing Jesus into every part of our mind, our life, our thoughts and actions. Faithful Father, You are the source of every good gift, we confess how much we need this new life offered through Your Son, and how with one hand we publicly confess our need but on the other hand privately think it applies more urgently to others. It is surely a great miracle of epic proportions that You persist in giving Your people grace so that all vestiges of the old nature and the old, willful self shall one day be completely thrown down. In our lives, in our families, in our church, in our world, Triune God, be glorified. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Dz_YyrFqjcQ?si=WUm4ZURA8wjJc59f “Christians Awake, Salute the Happy Morn”

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

December 28, 2023 -- Psalm 91:1-2 -- My God, in Whom I Trust

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

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2 ESV

Beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, what a testimony this psalm-writer is giving. Verses 1 and 2 are his testimony and then verses 3 - 13 are instruction on God’s protecting power and grace to all who are in need. The psalm-writer has already found the LORD to be his refuge and fortress and he trusts in Him. What a glorious statement.

It is one thing to trust God when everything is going well, but what about the times when your finances are crashing? Or your adult children are rebelling against you? Or your marriage is in the crapper? Or your church family is at odds with you and fighting? Or you are sincere in your faith and it is costing you at work? Or you are finally clean from your addictions and now you are facing the very things that threw you to the wolves of your addiction in the first place? Or you are facing persecution for your devotion to Jesus?

The point being made in the rest of Psalm 91 is not that God will rescue you out of all your troubles and set you in the lap of luxury with no problems or troubles. The point is when life is throwing its worst at you, God is big enough, near enough, loving enough, and more than able to strengthen you by His Spirit so that your life will be firmly anchored on Jesus Christ. No power, no force, nor any circumstances will be able to rip you out of His gracious care. In fact, as you endure with confident trust in Jesus, your life will be a glowing testimony to Who He really Is.

How you endure these difficulties and trials is itself a witness to the protection and refuge of God. Your life, however long or short, has one purpose: to glorify God and delight in Him forever. As you walk in this way, the people around you see that the LORD God Almighty is not merely a talisman for good luck. Instead, He is my God, in Whom is ALL my trust.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the wonderful gift of Jesus Christ, Who is Immanuel—God with us. Spirit of the Living God, thank You that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is given us in Christ. Triune God, give us eyes to see the great salvation work You are effecting in us, using even the hardest circumstances we experience as the anvil and forging hammer to shape us for Your holy purposes. Teach us, O God Most High, to pray as we are learning to trust You ever more fully in all circumstances. This we pray in Jesus’ Name and for the glory of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Amen

https://youtu.be/lGN2rOULyMI?si=0qd3vSMek0QasQ1g "Lord of the Universe" 

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

December 27, 2023 -- Psalm 91:1-2 -- The LORD Almighty is MY God

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

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
    will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
2 I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress,
    my God, in whom I trust.”
Psalm 91:1-2

We are a few days away from the start of a brand new year. We have no idea what is in store for us in 2024. Think back and remember some of the joys and the challenges of previous years. SARS. Fall of Berlin Wall. Gulf War. The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Covid-19. As the New Year is in bud, who knows that its flowering may be? Well, the LORD does.

I have heard this Psalm, as well as Psalm 90, read or preached in so many New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day worship services, that my mind inevitably links them both to this time of the year. Look at the confidence of the Psalmist, who has faced hardships in the past. It is expressed in the four ways he addresses God.

He calls God the Most High—King of Kings and LORD of Lords. The Only One Who knows all things. He Who is LORD of all history.

The Almighty—that is Omnipotent, all powerful. No one, or thing, or circumstance can even stand in His presence, let alone threaten Him. He is Self-Existent and the Sole-Source of Life and Everything good.

The LORD—this Name is our God’s Self-Revelation to Moses at the burning bush in the wilderness. The Covenant-Making, Promise-Keeping God. Even when all His people fail and rebel, the LORD will keep His promises and bring His salvation. Salvation is found in no one else.

My God. What a personal testimony. This moves the LORD of the Universe from some lofty, exalted, far-away theoretical existence and demonstrates the writer’s deep, personal connection with the Most-High, the Almighty, Him Who is the LORD, my God. He has revealed Himself to be so personal in Jesus Christ. It is in Jesus that the radiance of the Father’s glory is revealed. It is in Jesus that our sins are forgiven and we have life.

How has the writer experienced the Almighty in such a personal way? When he was neck-deep in trouble the LORD was (and in confidence he is declaring this God will again be) ‘my refuge’ and ‘my fortress’. When do you need a fortress or a refuge? When there is war. When there is pestilence. When there are enemies on all sides, in all joys or any troubles, the LORD, my God, is able to abundantly provide. What a beautiful message to carry into the New Year.

Teach us to number our days
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Return, O LORD! How long?
Have pity on Your servants!
Satisfy us in the morning with Your steadfast love,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as You have afflicted us,
and for as many years as we have seen evil.
Let Your work be shown to Your servants,
and Your glorious power to their children.
Let the favour of the Lord our God be upon us,
and establish the work of our hands upon us,
yes, establish the work of our hands.
Psalm 90:12-17 ESV

https://youtu.be/znmZswr2J2w?si=aFsL0BIFlTxvUWUr “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

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

December 24, 2023 -- Isaiah 40:1-2 -- What is the Most Important Date of the Church Year?

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

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.
2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem,
    and cry to her
that her warfare is ended,
    that her iniquity is pardoned,
that she has received from the Lord's hand
    double for all her sins.
Isaiah 40:1-2 ESV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too.
II Corinthians 1:3-5 ESV

What is the most important date in the church year? Many people will say it is Christmas. There are so many things associated with Christmas, food, presents, trees, lights, decorations, songs, get togethers and all sorts of traditions. It makes sense. Yet, the celebration of first importance is actually the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. It is what is celebrated on Resurrection, or Easter Sunday. In fact we celebrate His resurrection every Sunday; it is the reason people meet together on Sunday (instead of following the Old Testament pattern of the Sabbath, Saturday). Our whole calendar changed because of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

Why mention this? Many Christians are so caught up in the secular celebrations of Christmas. There is a vague sense of disappointment if their local church doesn’t do this or that. The Bible gives the birth of Jesus its appropriate place in the Father’s plans of salvation. Look at Isaiah. After 39 chapters of judgment and making the people aware of the greatness of their sin and the fullness of the wrath of God that is to come (note that there are 39 books in the Old Testament) Isaiah begins the next section with comfort (which is like the start of the New Testament which has 27 books. Whereas Jesus was concealed in the Old Testament, in the New Testament He is wondrously revealed). As Isaiah proclaimed it, when Christ the King comes His people's warfare is ended. Christ will bring the LORD’s gift, a double portion for all her sins.

This is echoed in II Corinthians 1, that the Father is the God of all comforts. He has provided salvation for His people in Jesus Christ. Our affliction was our separation from God. Our affliction was the fact that our sins provoke the Father of Mercies and incite His just condemnation on our sins. However, the Father has provided, from before the foundation of the world, a Savior. Jesus Christ, His Name means: He is anointed by God to save people from their sins and the wrath of God.

That is why Isaiah says a double portion. Jesus’ work is not barely sufficient to free us from our sins. It is more than enough. It is a full portion, overflowing so that the people of God can be comforted and assured that all their sins have been fully covered and they are made right with God. Christmas is celebrated with a view to the fact that this Child is born so that people who believe in Him will have comfort beyond description. Even in the days of godlessness and suffering, the hope of the Christian is not centred on governments, human intelligence or AI (Artificial Intelligence). Our hope is firmly fixed on Jesus, born a Child, and yet a King. Born to suffer, having His life fixed on the glory of God to be revealed at Calvary, so that three days later, at His resurrection, the comfort of God would reach us all.

Yes, sing the Christmas carols. Delight in the blessed comfort of Christmas. The most appropriate way to celebrate though, is to view this wonderful season in the proper context. Jesus Christ was born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth. That is, new life which is freedom from the Father’s curse on our sin (won for us by Jesus’ shed blood at Calvary), so that in Christ we can receive the Father’s mercy (wonderfully, and extravagantly confirmed in comfort at Jesus’ resurrection).

ALMIGHTY GOD, Who hast given us Thy only-begotten Son to take our nature upon Him, and as at this time to be born of a pure virgin; grant that we being regenerate, and made Thy children by adoption and grace, may daily be renewed by Thy Holy Spirit; through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the same Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.

CHRISTMAS. “Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces” 1950. page 37

https://youtu.be/Xw38pGhPXIk?si=ov3Ww7XMCbFa-pde “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”

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

December 23, 2023 -- Romans 10:11-13 -- Everyone Who Calls on the Name of Jesus Will be Saved

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

11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:11-13 ESV

Recently I have been listening to W. Robert Godfrey’s teaching on Romans. It is entitled “Not Ashamed: Paul’s Letter to the Romans”. Godfrey remembered a time he’d tried to evangelize a fellow student in college. Godfrey said, “God loves you”. Smugly, as he walked away, he said, “Well, then I’m fine”.  Godfrey wryly noted, “That didn’t go the way I expected”.

As Godfrey has been studying Romans, and for decades been maturing in his faith, he realizes now a much better evangelistic tool is: “everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved”. That simple phrase is packed with meaning. It offers the teacher the opportunity to explain what someone must be saved from (the wrath of God against sin and the sinner being held in the clutches of the devil).

Interestingly, at Christmas, the angelic host declared the glory of God to shepherds out in the fields. As the angels proclaimed Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem the shepherds believed. They sought Him out. They worshiped Him. Though a baby, yet the shepherds believed the angels’ words. Having seen Him, and worshiped Him, they told everyone they met. The shepherds returned to the fields glorifying and praising God. Their lives had been changed forever.

Those who believe the message of Jesus—His willingness to leave the splendor of heaven and take on flesh; His humble birth and suffering which proved Him perfect and the appropriate sacrifice. He is the Lamb of God Who takes away sin, so that those who call on Him can be assured God’s wrath against sin has been removed from them and the devil’s stranglehold ended. (Interesting to note: shepherds used to keep sheep, including animals that were used for sacrifices in Jerusalem. Now that Jesus had arrived, the time of animal sacrifices was ending.) Those who call on Jesus will find their lives changed. They, like the Shepherds, will glorify and praise God. As those who called on the Lord, they will be enveloped in God’s never-ending love.

Our Father in heaven blessed be Your Name. How great, persistent and beautiful is the salvation which is given to all who call on the Name of Jesus. Thank You, Faithful Father, for the work of Your Spirit Who breaks down the heart’s stubborn walls of resistance and the mind’s willful ignorance so that the fragrance of Christ becomes for us the aroma of life and the meditative wonder which fills our minds. Triune God, help us, like those shepherds of old, to believe ever more fully and to make Jesus’ glory known to all we meet and to let our words and actions praise You, now and unto the blessedness of eternity. Amen.

https://youtu.be/xd70NsO8zyc?si=FS4ty2cf67vZDzWQ “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming”

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

December 22, 2023 -- Galatians 6:6-10 -- What are you sowing this Christmas season?

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

6 Let the one who is taught the word share all good things with the one who teaches. 7 Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 10 So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6:6-10 ESV

Christmas magic. Christmas star. Christmas time, its Christmas time. Christmas tree. Christmas joy There are so many expressions people all around us use at this time of the year, but so many of these expressions are devoid of any meaning because the people using them are teaching a story of Christmas without any reference to Jesus.

What is it you are celebrating as you buy presents? What are you teaching those who gather around your table, which is groaning under the load of good things, so that those who are eating with you understand why there is a feast? What are you sowing into the lives of those around you as you prepare for Christmas? Are you making a special point of doing good, being reconciled, especially to those who are of the household of faith, that is, being reconciled with fellow believers.

When Paul wrote to the Galatians he was direct. Almost brutal. They’d been “bewitched”. He calls them foolish (Galatians 3:1). They’d received the truth about Jesus Christ. They’d had His teaching proclaimed among them—but they were beginning to abandon all that was true, precious and glorious about the cross of Jesus Christ and they neglected to follow Him in Spirit and in Truth.

Do not drift from the glorious message of Christmas. Plan to sow the Good News of Jesus Christ into the events of your Christmas celebrations. When you buy a present, in the card to the intended recipient share a brief teaching about Jesus, the greatest gift ever given. When you prepare a meal, tell those eating with you it is because Jesus first came you will celebrate the great feast, the marriage supper of the Lamb, in the new heavens and the new earth. This feast is just a shadow of what will be! Invite others to believe in Jesus and prepare for the great celebration with all the saints and believers who have lived in every generation.

Two days ago I was at the Mall Food Court enjoying a meal. The people milling all around me were sour, frowning, jostling to get past one another. There was some merry music all around, but the people were so grumpy looking. What a sharp contrast to the piped music. When you go out to grocery stores, to the gas station, to the Market, be prepared to smile and bring cheer to the people at the till, in the line with you, those all around you. Sow joy, because Jesus Christ has come and He will return in glory!

O GOD, You have revealed Your purpose for mankind in Him Who is King of Righteousness and Prince of Peace; inspire the hearts of all men to follow after justice, and hasten the time when nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they war any more; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

“FOR PEACE” Divine Service Book for The Armed Forces, 1950, page 31.

https://youtu.be/gkCjddxp1g4?si=67WeG-eUeMl0lrfR “Good Christian Rejoice”

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

December 20, 2023 -- Isaiah 9:6-7 -- Uhm hm. Now that's how you say it.

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

For to us a child is born,
    to us a son is given;
and the government shall be upon his shoulder,
    and his name shall be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
    Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
7 Of the increase of his government and of peace
    there will be no end,
on the throne of David and over his kingdom,
    to establish it and to uphold it
with justice and with righteousness
    from this time forth and forevermore.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.
Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV

Yesterday I was listening to a podcast sermon given by Alistair Begg. I had to smile thinking of something Christian author and speaker C. J. Mahaney once said. Mahaney noted that after completing his Sunday sermon, the Saturday night before preaching it, he’d read C.H. Spurgeon’s printed sermon on the exact text. There’d be times he’d say to himself, yup, I missed that. Uhm hm, now that is the way to say it.

Mahaney’s experience with Spurgeon is mine with Begg! Yesterday, after hearing Begg’s sermon on Isaiah 9, I wanted to summarize. It was so good, I was saying to myself, “Uhm hm, now that is the way to say it.

Jesus is the Wonderful Counselor. Wonderful is an overused, tired expression in our language. But look at the Bible, Jesus’ words amazed people (Mark 1:29; 2:12 to cite just two places where this is said of Him). It is as if our language fails. People were gobsmacked.. They'd never heard preaching like that. He is the sole counselor our lives ever need. In Him is Truth. Go to Him in prayer. Ask His help. 

Mighty God. Look at the miracles of Jesus. Healed the lepers. Calmed the raging storm and seas with a word. Raised the dead. Our picture of Jesus often is too comfortable, too small. He is Mighty God. And He is tender.

Everlasting Father. Begg notes this expression throws many people off. As if this confuses the Persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. It is not confusing the members of the Trinity, it is defining the role of Jesus, our spiritual head—Head of the Church. He is our Gentle leader Who with a word could destroy us, but with tenderness, and strength, came as the once-for-all sacrifice for our sins. So that in Him we are reconciled to God, rescued from the tyranny of the devil, and given the one, only, worthy Leader to follow. In a world of vain fandom and heroes who crash and burn, Jesus is the One, True, worthy example, our true father-figure in faith.

Prince of Peace. Our old nature and patterns rage and rebel against the Spirit of Jesus. This same Spirit Who has been given to believers. When Jesus rose from the dead, on that first Easter Sunday, Jesus appeared before His terrified disciple and said, “Peace”. All their sins (and the Bible showed the disciples to be prideful, misunderstanding of Who He Is, betrayers, and those who abandoned Him in His hour of need…to name just a few of their sins) were atoned for by His once for all sacrifice. He is our peace. As much as He calmed raging storms and raised the dead, He has the power to bring peace to our troubled minds and spirit so that we can follow Him in security, in peace.

O LORD, the splendour of eternal light and the sun of justice, give thy blessing on all states and conditions of thy Holy Church. To them that teach grant the gifts of knowledge, discernment, and love, to them that minister in holy things to be humble, tender and pure; to all pastors of thy flock to be zealous, vigilant, and unworldly, having their hearts set upon invisible things. Grant to our heads of families to be wise and gentle, to our young people to be prudent and chaste, to our old people to be cheerful and fervent, to all who are engaged in business to be honest and unselfish. Build us up in faith, hope, charity, and all virtues; through Jesus Christ our Lord—Amen.

“For the Church” Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces: A Treasury of Devotion, 1950. page 23

One comment on the song selection for today. So often it seems effortless, the music that flows from musicians and singers and percussionists. It is effort. It is training. It is work. As is our Christian faith. Effort. Training. Work. And joy in Jesus! Today’s song selection shows some of the work of a young singer.

https://youtu.be/A1ybgnJh1yE?si=Hv6ixbZ12RU03tvm

O Holy Night

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

December 19, 2023 -- I Corinthians 4:1-2 -- Christians: Stewards of the Divine Mysteries

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

This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.
I Corinthians 4:1-2 ESV

My wife and I enjoy a cooking show. It is from Australia and contestants are home cooks competing against other home cooks. You meet some pretty kooky cooks around the table who are sampling and judging each other’s food. In one instance there was a fortune teller at the table. Immediately the others around the table were impressed and asked questions. They acted as if she were a steward of the mysteries of the universe. She was a fraud. One by one her predictions were publicly proved wrong. And yet people treated her with a respect she did not deserve or earn. We are not that kind of steward of God’s mysteries.

As with any time of the year, though most especially at Christmas, we are stewards of the mystery of the Incarnation. Christ came to earth, born a babe, wrapped in swaddling cloths and placed in a manger. Though He’d created the heavens and the earth, He became human so that humanity ruined by sin and wickedness, would be rescued. He was truly God and truly human. He will return in glory and punished all the wicked of the earth and to take His people to the New Heavens and the New Earth.

There are scoffers and nay-sayers. There are efforts made in our world to stamp out the Truth of Christ the King. It was so when Jesus was born. Within two years of His birth King Herod tried to stamp out Jesus’ life by killing all the baby boys born around Bethlehem—just before this happened, Joseph was warned in a dream. So he got up in the night, and he took his little family to Egypt. It is so today. Efforts to stop people from saying “Merry Christmas” or the nonsense reports rewriting history that Christmas is part of a colonial heritage. No. We are stewards of the mystery of God.

Jesus was despised. Today He is despised still. People do not want to acknowledge they are sinful. In fact, even avowed atheists cannot adhere to their own standards and whatever rules they believe should determine right from wrong. Their moral compass is always crazily spinning. Christians, however much we will suffer for it, are stewards of the mysteries of God. We speak to any and all who will listen. As stewards of the mystery of Truth we declare: Christ has come. Christ has died. Christ will come again. Maranatha—return quickly, Lord Jesus!

ALMIGHTY GOD, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armour of light, now in the time of this mortal life, in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last days, when he shall come again in his glorious Majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, now and ever. Amen.
"ADVENT" Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces. 1950

https://youtu.be/cYTsIvbwETY?si=nvgcL44zfawJ9Nga

Hark! The Glad Sound! Savior Comes

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

December 18, 2023 -- I Corinthians 1:1-9 -- Noel: Come and see what God has done--calling sinners to be saints in Christ

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

1 Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes,
2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him in all speech and all knowledge— 6 even as the testimony about Christ was confirmed among you— 7 so that you are not lacking in any gift, as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 8 who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
I Corinthians 1:1-9 ESV

This is a staggering opening. Let me quickly explain. The Corinthian church had members who were divided about who was the best preacher, and if they should even listen to Paul. They welcomed a man who was shacked up with his step-mother (for shock value Paul wrote it “has his father’s wife"). The people of that congregation, what a raucous lot they were, they were going to court and suing one another. The rich got drunk before communion time and didn't leave much for the poor members among them.

Look how Paul addresses them in our passage: "the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus—he is aware that the grace of God is continually being given to them in Christ Jesus. He knows that even a church as wrong-headed as this one obviously is, can be surrounded by the grace of God and has the necessary gifts to be sustained in Christ until the day of the Lord—that is, the Day when Christ returns.

The people were “enriched in Him in all speech and all knowledge”. For this reason Paul is confident he can write to them openly and at times harshly, because he is a addressing people who are sanctified in Christ and called to be saints. This calling touches every part of their lives. This calling to be saints means as often as sins are pointed out, they will learn once again to repent, to go to Jesus for cleansing and His Spirit will renew in them the sanctifying work (that is holy-making) which is theirs in Christ.

The fact that Paul openly addresses the sins of this congregation means that these sins do not go unchallenged or unchecked. As they are still assembling for church, they are being confronted with the purifying work of Jesus. They are prepared to hear hard words, correction, and reproof—more than that, it is obvious they respond to it as well. Here is proof, in Paul’s next letter we read that the man who had been living with his step-mother repents of this relationship has broken it off. Paul urges the congregation to restore him in love (II Corinthians 2:5ff). Here on earth the church will always be broken, struggling with sins and in need of the glory of Jesus Christ’s reconciling blood and work. Now, when your heart is most tender, at this Christmas season, hear the word of the Lord and turn from sin. Welcome repenting sinners back into the fold; and encourage each other in Christ to be enriched in Him in every way.

“My security as a Christian does not reside in the strength of my faith but in the indestructibility of my Savior.” —Sinclair B. Ferguson

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name! Great and sweepingly powerful is the salvation You have brought Your people in Christ Jesus—born a baby, about to return in power, judging the nations as the King of Glory. Blessed are You, Spirit of God, conquering stubborn hearts, breaking the strongholds of sin and bringing this new life in Christ to every believer. Prince of Peace, rule in our hearts. Sustain us, Spirit of God, in the blessedness of Jesus so that by His work we will be guiltless on the Day of His return. Build up Your people throughout our land so that families may once again be the basic building blocks of our society bringing to the nation a strong, godly influence. Amen.

https://youtu.be/Pr2RG-xR2lA?si=J781VHO8Gh_fhOuj Prince of Peace

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

December 15, 2023 -- Matthew 2:7-12 -- Do not be distracted by climate change but stand guard against cultural climate change

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

7 Then Herod summoned the wise men secretly and ascertained from them what time the star had appeared. 8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him, bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.” 9 After listening to the king, they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen when it rose went before them until it came to rest over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. 11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. 12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.
Matthew 2:7-12 ESV

Worship wars. Generally this term is used to describe musical selections and preferences among Christian denominations. It is bigger and more insidious that than. Worship wars, as seen here in Matthew, is a tactic of the Devil to keep Christians from focusing on what really matters.

The wise men desire to worship Jesus. They know Him to be the legitimate King of the Jews and Lord of History. King Herod, the place holder king appointed by the Roman Empire is seeking to hold power. He proclaims to the Magi his desire to find Jesus and worship him. This is nefarious. He desires to kill Jesus. Herod actually worships power.

Believers in Christ, we must see Christmas and the Christmas war as it is portrayed in Matthew as part of the great cultural wars that surround us. Climate change is a distraction. Os Guinness noted that Christians must be more concerned about the cultural climate change. What follows is a lengthy quotation from his discussion with Al Mohler.

     You even take religious freedom, that was ’88, the high watermark
     of religious freedom was probably the Religious Freedom Restor-
     ation Act in ‘93. Only three, as you know, voted against it in the
     entire Congress. And since then 20 years, particularly the 8 years
     under President Obama, I would put it down to three R’s: the
     Reducers, who have reduced religious freedom to freedom of worship;
     the Removers, who particularly in the light of 9/11 saw religion as a
    messy, dangerous thing and now freedom of religion is freedom from
     religion for many of these people; but the really insidious one is the
     third one, the so-called Rebranders, who now paint religious freedom
     as a code word for bigotry and hatred and so on. And that’s a deliberate
     tactic, as you know, the LGBT people. I’m not an American, I’m an
     outsider. But religious freedom is part of the genius of this country.
     Now we as followers of Jesus, we’re the pioneers of this. Go back to
     Tertullian and Lactantius, then since the Reformation, Thomas Howell
     and Roger Williams, your great Baptists and so on. We’re the pioneers.
     And it is the genius of America. And in one generation we’re throwing
     this away.
     “Thinking in Public”
Evangelicalism in One Lifetime: A Conversation with Os Guinness - AlbertMohler.com

What Os Guinness is seeing in the United States of America is certainly true for us here in Canada. There is a cultural climate change taking place that requires a strong response. The Christian response requires clarity. Knowing the culture and preaching with Biblical vigor pointing out what is really going on. Second, raising children who can discern right from wrong. Jesus is the only Truth. Third, understand the family is the strongest and most important building block of society. The government seeks to undermine families in order to exercise greater control over the mind and attitudes of people. The public school system is in the grip of unbelief and promoting the government's twisted agenda. Do not be blind to this. Ultimately the question is: who will you worship? Knowing there will be huge implications, will you still worship Jesus Christ, and Him alone?

Our Father in heaven great and glorious is Your Name and holy are all Your ways. Thank You for the reconciling blood of Jesus Christ. Thank You, Spirit of the Living God for guiding the people of God throughout history, in times of upheaval and government tyranny that is wickedly clothed as compassion designed to help the people. Continue, O King Jesus, to shepherd Your people through the cultural climate change that we experience. With the saints in glory and the angels we declare: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15b) Amen.

https://youtu.be/usfiAsWR4qU?si=rsnWEqmT4dO3Z_1W Hallelujah Chorus (listen for the quotation of Revelations 11:15)

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

December 14, 2023 -- II Corinthians 13:14 -- A Favorite of 2022--Journey to Christmas with love and grace

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

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
II Corinthians 13:14 ESV

While traveling to and from one of the prisons yesterday I had the wonderful opportunity to listen to Ian Hamilton speak about communion with God. He made extensive use of John Owen’s theological work. He quoted many passages from Owen, but this one stood out to me: “Assure yourself, there is nothing more acceptable unto the Father than for us to keep up our hearts unto Him as the eternal fountain of all that rich grace which flows out to sinners in the blood of Jesus.”

The point is this: believers are invited to meditate on God the Triune. Think about this. The Father’s love is an eternal fountain, a sweetness of refreshing love given to the believer. From before the foundations of world the Father chose to love you. Think about that. Do not be discouraged by your own waywardness and sinfulness, know the Father has set His love on You. Proof of His love is proclaimed to all the world at the cross of Jesus.

Jesus is the source of every grace in your life. Exactly as the blessing quoted II Corinthians declares it. Jesus mediates the love of God to the people of God. He does not earn you the Father’s love; no, that is a misconception. You were already loved by the Father, the work of the Son reveals this with such clarity. You are graced by the Father’s love in the work of the Son. The Spirit then gives you all comfort. As you reflect on the Father’s love and the grace given in Jesus Christ you are comforted in God’s goodness. Such meditations make you rise up and worship Him and serve Him with all you have and all you are because this fountain of the Father’s love communicates such sweetness to every part of your life.

Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the rich fountain of Your love which is continually poured out in Your great faithfulness. Jesus, praise and honour belong to You. Thank You for the vast quantities of Your grace which is given to all believers assuring people of the Father's eternal love. Spirit of the Living God, great and blessed are You, beyond all telling or explanation. Thank You for the profound comfort with which You drench believers so that every step of life in Christ is suffused with the fragrance of the gift of Jesus and resplendent with the love of the Father--the fountainhead of such goodness. Amen.

https://youtu.be/VPIIOnMjgz8?si=UOdfze39gUq1NQnl Of the Father's Love Begotten

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December 13, 2023 -- Proverbs 13:13-14 -- When Worlds Collide

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

Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself,
    but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,
    that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:13-14 ESV

Yesterday I was listening to a podcast. Del Tackett was speaking at a Ligonier Conference and the title of his message was captivating: “When Worlds Collide”. That title beautifully captures what is happening in these two verses of Proverbs 13. There are two worlds at war. These two are the Kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ—and that of the defeated Devil. The decisive win was at Calvary, at the cross Jesus disarmed the Devil and made a spectacle of him (Colossians 2:13-15).

The reason so many people get ripped to shreds in this life can be found in the fact that they are blithely unaware of the bullets and bombs and IED’s all around them. The Christian is keenly aware that from the time of Jesus’ birth, when King Herod put to death all the boys in Bethlehem 2 years old and younger, trying to kill Jesus, Jesus faced the powers of the enemy arrayed against Him. But He loved the Word. He quoted the Old Testament at every battle. He knew the works of the Devil would constantly try to disarm Him. Jesus' defense was the Word of God and the knowledge the Father rewards those who in faith keep His commands.

Even when all Jesus' disciples abandoned Him, He knew His reward was with the Father in heaven. Even at the cross, as He was dying, He held to the word of God knowing that His death would result in victory. He would rise to life and be for all who trust in Him the fountain of life. The Devil will constantly offer you knock-off pleasures and hopes which cannot bear any weight, but shatter into splinters when anyone puts their weight onto them.

The cola Dr. Pepper was knocked off. This was in 2020. The name of the knock-off, wait for it, is Pibb Xtra. (Visually it looks like fib to me…). The point is, the knock off can only imitate the original. It can’t truly replicate it or replace it. Infinitely more so, the Devil can try to knock off the works of Jesus, try to imitate what He does and can only pretend to offer something better. It will always be a fib. We are at war. The Devil is an agent provocateur—always seeking to induce people to commit illegal acts, war acts against the Living God. Believers examine the word of God and the immediately can spot original and not be fooled by the nock-offs of the Devil.

Today’s prayer is from the Psalms.

33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
    and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
    and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
    for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
    and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
    and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
    that you may be feared.
39 Turn away the reproach that I dread,
    for your rules are good.
40 Behold, I long for your precepts;
    in your righteousness give me life!
Psalm 119:33-40 ESV

https://youtu.be/ogS5n0QtSm0?si=qfxQvfcGkKv4FcVK Casting Crowns “While You Were Sleeping”

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December 11, 2023 -- Romans 1:28-32 -- The stench of the world and the fragrance of Christ

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

And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.
Romans 1:28-32 ESV

What a list! It is a tsunami of wretchedness. It is so ugly little wonder that many Christians briefly read over it, give thanks they are not all those things, and keep going in their reading of Romans. Not so fast. Consider this scenario. You are a Christian and your friend from church is in line for a promotion. He has put in all the hours necessary. He fits all the qualifications. Then job is awarded to the just-graduated-from-college nephew of the boss. Your friend spills all his uncensored feelings out to you. He is full of envy and his words are heartless. Rather than point out his sin, you give approval to the feelings. You both are complicit in sin. You—though you know God’s righteous decree—are now acting as wickedly as do the sexually immoral and those who do not, by their actions, acknowledge God.

How many denominations know the sin of this age and rather than preach against it, give approval to those who practice such abominations. Worse even, give a place in leadership to those whose wickedness rises like a smoldering stench to the heavens. Before you start raging, consider this. The Bible teaches God hates divorce. The sins of our society are so far gone that this is rarely spoken of or considered. There is a sense that the debasing of humanity is far past that already, there is among Christians hardly any need at all to speak of or repent of divorce. Yet it is evidence that God has given men and women up to their lusts and to debased actions.

Perhaps we, in our churches and Christian circles, are not as effective for the Gospel as we are called to be for these reasons. First, the focus of our preaching and vitriol is all too often outward and there is too little self-examination. It is the work of the Spirit to light the lamp of Christ’s redeeming love such that the cesspools of our heart are exposed and can be drained. To the humble and contrite in heart who tremble at God's word, this will resonate as shockingly true.

Second, the listed sins include being complicit with those who practice evil. Supposedly it is funny, edgy, for children to be disobedient to parents. Media highlights all kinds of humorous posts showing humorous disobedience, but these comedic clips undermine true righteousness. They break down one’s sense of right and wrong.

Third, evil is so prevalent, it is in the shows we watch, the bias of news, in our culture's festivals and activities, part of the court system, built into the greed of the markets and so on. There is so much evil that Christians are hardly aware of it. Until they enter the sanctuary of God and hear the Word and breath in the fragrance of Christ. That is when the ugliness of all that surrounds us is exposed.

We are inclined to sigh things like “Holiness is hard work”. Or, “We are in Christ. Isn’t that enough?” There is a lethargy about our faith—a lukewarmness that is all together too much like that of the Laodiceans. Though Christ the Savior is knocking on the door of every Christian heart, seeking to enter and help the Christian overcome the world, too many Christians are already eschewing His invitation and chewing on the sweet morsels of the world.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. By the powerful work of Your Spirit expose the sinfulness of our hearts and the slothfulness of our minds. Spirit of Truth turn off the world’s pervasive elevator muzak which fills us with soothing sludge. Triune God, giver of life, glory and blessedness in Christ, renew in us a deep desire for all that is holy, true, and honourable. We confess this will take a profound reorientation of our tastes and preferences and habits. Help us to hear the persistent knocking of King Jesus at the door of our hearts and Spirit move us to welcome Him in so that by Your power we will with Christ conquer the sins that overwhelm us. Spirit of God lead us to overcome the world in the strength of Jesus Who conquered and sits down on the Father’s throne. Amen.

https://youtu.be/M7670CXvPX0?si=0ZF-tH_6qNEKjNH1 “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” Casting Crowns

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December 10, 2023 -- Psalm 46:10-11 -- Be still, quiet your fears, and know Him Who Is God

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

Be still, and know that I AM God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!
The LORD of Hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress. Selah
Psalm 46:10-11 ESV

There are financial pressures at Christmas. How will we pay for all the special meals, the clothes, the decorations and presents? There are breathless TV reports on the wars taking place in the world. There are consumer suspicions and endless official probes into price gauging at leading grocery chains and gas companies. The international climate conference in Dubai is focusing turning its focus on how the farming industry is contributing to climate change. Fears. So many fears. Really there is nothing new under the sun.

When Psalm 46 was written there were wars. There were droughts. There were threats. Fears. So many fears. Is God here? Is God with His people when they see all that is taking place. Though prophets persistently spoke the Word of God to the people of God, there were fears. Though priests offered sacrifices pointing to Jesus Christ--yet the people's fears threatened to crush them.

Today is Sunday. Today, fellow believer, we are invited to quiet our hearts. To hush the nagging thoughts of financial pressures and global upheavals. We can invited to set down our pressing concerns about government, climate change, whatever else torments us, and to know this: God is on the Throne. He is in charge. He was in charge. He will always be in charge. All the rumours and reports, the whispers and wonderings, the media and murmurings will one day cease. The radiance of the Father's glory has already been revealed in Jesus Christ. There will be a day when the glory of Jesus Christ will be revealed to all the nations. Today, gather with the people of God for worship. Place your confidence in Him alone.

Notice that the LORD of Hosts is called: “the God of Jacob”. Jacob’s name can be translated he cheats. Why does this matter. When we are still and quiet our souls before the Covenant-Keeping God, that might be the moment we realize we are so unworthy. And fears might rise up and torment us all over again. Be still. Be confident in this. The LORD of Hosts has given Jesus Christ to us—liars and sinners, cheaters and wicked though we are. In Christ we are given the His robes of righteousness. In the quiet of stilling our hearts for worship, the truth of God’s promises penetrate us and remind us of our tremendous standing before God.

Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on us. You know the tossing and turning and torments of our minds. You, Spirit of Comfort, have been poured out on us by the Father and the Son so that from the very core of who we are on outwards, we can know that this rich and glorious salvation is all gift. Salvation is Your gift for Your people. Triune God, help us to still our hearts and quiet our fears and receive all that You intend for us in Christ. Bring us to public worship so that with God’s people we will bear witness to the fact that You, O God, are our refuge and our strength. From these times of public worship, may we then go out to our family and workplaces, to the coffee shops and schools and speak of the great hope that is ours, anchored in Jesus Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2emelR7lGmw?si=R4EzzgQpi829k3vV Psalm 46 Lord of Hosts

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December 9, 2023 -- Philippians 2:3-4 -- Humility the twin virtue of Meekness

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

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV

Self-esteem. That term is not in the Bible. Go ahead. Google it. If you run a search for self-esteem you’ll find articles like: “10 reasons why self-esteem is so important” or “9 types of self-esteem”. It is hooey. It is the fabrication of the world. The 2023 Salvation Army kettle campaign advertisements end with the line that goes something like this “give to feel good”. They’ve tapped into the very worldly motive of self-esteem.

Humility is actually what our world needs. This is a character trait which the Bible tells is to be prized. It is not thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. When a believer’s eyes are fixed on Jesus he knows his inestimable worth. The Savior left the splendors of heaven, took on flesh, suffered, and died to be the one sacrifice Who reconciles man to God.

Humility makes the believer secure in his standing before God. What a glorious place that is. True humility, as it described in Philippians 2, then allows a man to look beyond himself. He is genuinely concerned about others. Specifically, he is concerned about their standing before God. A man filled with self-esteem may feel good about himself, but after he has died, have God throw him into hell. A man filled with godly humility will feel good about God and with proper proportion feel good about himself and in view of God’s love care for others. Such a man, after he dies, will remain in Christ, and spend eternity in the Presence of God.

Humility in Service

Mighty God,
I humble myself for faculties misused,
opportunities neglected, words ill-advised,
I repent of my folly and inconsiderate ways,
my broken resolutions, untrue service, my backsliding steps,
my vain thoughts.
O bury my sins in the ocean of Jesus’ blood,
and let no evil result from my fretful temper,
unseemly behavior, provoking pettiness,
If by unkindness I have wounded or hurt another,
do thou pour in the balm of heavenly consolation;
If I have turned coldly from need, misery, grief,
do not in just anger forsake me:
If I have withheld relief from penury and pain,
do not withhold thy gracious bounty from me.
If I have shunned those who have offended me,
keep open the door of thy heart to my need.
Fill me with an overflowing ocean of compassion,
the reign of love my motive, the law of love my rule.
O thou God of all grace, make me more thankful,
more humble,
Inspire me with a deep sense of my unworthiness arising
from the depravity of my nature, my omitted duties,
my unimproved advantages,
Thy commands violated by me.
With all my calls to gratitude and joy may I remember that I
have reason to sorrow and humiliation;
O give me repentance unto life;
Cement my oneness with my blessed Lord,
that faith may adhere to Him more immovably,
that love may entwine itself around Him more tightly,
that His spirit may pervade every fiber of my being.
Then send me out to make Him known to my fellow men.
(Valley of Vision, "Humility in Service")

https://youtu.be/PxO9h-28mV0?si=X5-ZpppK7PHTgfdj “Can a Little Child Like Me”

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

December 7, 2023 -- Numbers 12:1-9 -- The Christmas virtue: Meekness Part II

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

Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses because of the Cushite woman whom he had married, for he had married a Cushite woman. 2 And they said, “Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has he not spoken through us also?” And the LORD heard it. 3 Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. 4 And suddenly the LORD said to Moses and to Aaron and Miriam, “Come out, you three, to the tent of meeting.” And the three of them came out. 5 And the LORD came down in a pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the tent and called Aaron and Miriam, and they both came forward. 6 And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I the LORD make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 7 Not so with my servant Moses. He is faithful in all my house. 8 With him I speak mouth to mouth, clearly, and not in riddles, and he beholds the form of the LORD. Why then were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” 9 And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them, and he departed.
Numbers 12:1-9 ESV

Yesterday we were introduced to the Christmas word “meek”. In today's passage we read something I always considered funny, strange, and hard to understand. Look at verse 3 “now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth”. What?! If he were truly gentle, humble, and meek, how on earth could he write something like this?

Well, he wrote it under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit living in him gave him the spiritual power of self discipline and self control. So, the careful reader knows something significant is happening here. Then notice how the LORD affirms the meekness of Moses. The LORD Himself, that is, the pre-incarnate Jesus, in human form, speaks with Moses. Yet Moses is not proud. He endures the reviling of the people of God. When the people of God and Aaron the priest fashioned a golden calf, to worship it as a representation of the LORD God, and the anger of the Most High burned against the people, Moses prayed for them. In fact, the LORD offered to Moses ‘Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you” (Exodus 32:10ESV). What does Moses do? He refuses this offer of the LORD. He resists the temptation to become a new Adam, or a new Abraham. He prayerfully pleads for the people of God that they may be rescued from God’s wrath.

In our passage, Aaron and Miriam, his own siblings who have seen the greatness of the Spirit’s work in Moses and Moses’ faithful patience with them particularly and his great patience with all the people, test Moses. Once again Moses intercedes. This time for his siblings. Truly we can see in this that Moses is not seeking his own glory but his delight is the glory of God and of Jesus Christ—with Whom Moses walked.

How is Moses able to do this? How was he so meek? He had tremendous power; he had great standing before the LORD, and yet he did not abuse this power. It is Moses’ faith in Jesus Christ. The sacrifices of the Old Testament pointed to Jesus. Moses believed. The Spirit of God residing in Moses kept him humble. And Moses exercised this humility and he trembled before God. The holy fear of the LORD led Moses to hate temptation and love the LORD and this love for God was shown in his love for the people whom God has placed in his care.

In whatever sphere of influence you have, how are you living out the spiritual virtue of meekness? Filled with the deep reservoir of God's love you no longer are compelled to think of yourself more highly than you ought. Instead the Spirit empowers you to live as one who is so aware of the Father’s boundless love that you in turn can love those whom He has placed in your life.

Our Father in heaven blessed and hallowed be Your Name. How great and boundless is the love You have lavished on us in Jesus Christ! From this vast ocean of paternal love may we, Your people, live in Christ in such a way that the people around us will know Your love and by the Spirit be drawn to know Jesus Christ. Ah, Holy LORD God, let it be that we would be a people who are humble, contrite, and who tremble at Your Word. Amen.

https://youtu.be/gkCjddxp1g4?si=a7TSGM1SXjGLnxTY “Good Christian Men, Rejoice” Wissman Family

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December 6, 2023 -- Psalm 37:10-11 -- Meek -- a Christmas word

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

In just a little while, the wicked will be no more;
    though you look carefully at his place, he will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land
    and delight themselves in abundant peace.
Psalm 37:10-11

Perhaps you hear the echo of Jesus’ teaching in these words? He taught the people saying, “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth” Matthew 5:5. The word “meek” means afflicted, humble, patient toward God. Jesus demonstrated what it is to be meek. He had all power and authority, yet He kept Himself perfectly in control, perfectly submitted to His Father in heaven. Think of the many times Jesus could have defended Himself, calling down rank upon rank of army angels to defeat all His oppressors and mockers. Yet Jesus did not defend Himself, He kept Himself wholly, perfectly, in complete submission to His Father in heaven and did His Father’s bidding, not His own.

It is because of His perfect, full and life-long obedience to His Father, a humble obedience even to death on the cross, that the Father exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the Name that is above every Name. Now, Jesus, once meek and gentle, is preparing to return as the Lord of Glory and to destroy the wicked of the earth.

Fellow believer it may seem that as Christmas celebrations are crushed by so much secular ornamentation that have nothing to do with Jesus, His divinity and His true humility, that we should stand up and shout and make a scene. Yet, what is it that changes the world? It is believers, completely submitted to the Father in heaven. It is in living faithful obedience to the Father, fully convinced of Jesus’ righteousness, and made confident by the Word and Spirit that Jesus’ reconciling blood has been applied to you and me that we will change the world. The culture changes not by demonstrations and marches, but it changes when believers are faithful to the Father in their own hearts and lives, faithful to Christ in home and friendships, and in the strength of the Spirit faithful in their home church.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Let Your Name be honoured and praised in our lives through the power of Your Spirit so that Jesus Christ will, by our meek conduct, be known to all who see us. Direct us by Your Word so that we will exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.

https://youtu.be/PtiCLJvyePw?si=S_2mc7cbo8Eid27n “Once in Royal David’s City”

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

December 5, 2023 -- Acts 15:36-41 -- Forgiveness--one of the most difficult Christian virtues

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

And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are.” 37 Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. 39 And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. 41 And he went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.
Acts 15:36-41 ESV

The Bible is very honest, very direct. The wickedness of the human heart is clearly exposed. When Paul was first drawn to Jesus Christ, and the leaders of the Christians in Jerusalem were afraid of him and wouldn’t welcome him, Barnabas took him and made introductions (Acts 10:26-27). Barnabas was for Paul a strong support, a true friend in the Lord Jesus. Paul and Barnabas were, by the appointment of the Holy Spirit and the agreement of the Christians in Antioch, sent off on a missionary journey (Acts 13:1ff).

Our passage today tells the reader that these dear brothers, companions in the work of Jesus Christ, fought. They could not be reconciled and went their separate ways. It is something that could easily be passed over because it is confusing. Should Bible readers take sides? Should believers figure out who was right and who was wrong? No.

1. The Bible shows the careful reader that even leading men and women in the church are sinful and must fight the sinful impulses of the heart.

2. The Bible shows the careful reader of the great need every single one of us has for Jesus and His reconciling work.

3. The Savior taught His people to pray: “Forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors” Matthew 6:12. These are not mere polite cliche, these are words that require the redeeming work of Jesus Christ, applied to our hearts by the Holy Spirit, so that we will pray them, act on them, and live out forgiveness given and received. It is hard work.

4. It is recorded in II Timothy 4:11 that Paul and John Mark are reconciled. There are indications, in the early church but not in the Bible itself, that Paul and Barnabas were reconciled.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name! The reconciliation that is ours in Jesus Christ comes at the great cost of the cross. The reconciliation which must be applied among believers requires the power of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit’s power proud hearts are humbled and believers brought to such contrition that there can be a desire for true forgiveness and healing. Forgive us, our Father, for the times we have been willing to hold onto our anger and been rehearsing wrongs rather than humbling acknowledging our need of You and the reconciliation that is ours in Christ. Amen.

https://youtu.be/q3tp14wawMc?si=izQbzNPzWgBP7uLp “How Bright Appears the Morning Star”

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

December 4, 2023 -- Proverbs 4:18-19 -- Christmas Light

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

But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
    which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
19 The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
    they do not know over what they stumble.
Proverbs 4:18-19 ESV

Jesus declared “I AM the Light of the World” (John 8:12). By the light of Jesus, in Whom is all our righteousness, we begin to see the condition of our heart. We realize the impulses that would cause us to stumble, to run to sin, to seek self-soothing behaviours all of this things which draw us further from Him, in Whom is all our comfort. Because in Christ there is brightness, there is the ever dawning greater light of wisdom and insight which are set ablaze by His love, we do not stumble over former sins, we see pitfalls and temptations long before they impede our steps.

The wicked stumble over the same sin over and over again. Their eyes are blind to the reasons they stumble. They do not know the blackness of their own hearts. Their darkened reason stumbles and falls on the same temptation over and over again because they cannot see it; plain as it is to others who walk around them. It is hidden from their sight.

Christians do stumble. They sin. They will at times walk by impulse rather than turning to Christ in Whose light we see Light. Then the Spirit of God will awaken the conscience and drive the him back to Jesus, in Whom there is forgiveness. The Christian will then seek to live in the Light of Christ not for the sake of mere obedience, but it is love that welcomes the Christian to the arms of Jesus. It is the steadfast love of our Father in heaven to which the arms of Jesus, our Savior, King and brother, welcome us.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. In the Light of Jesus we see our weakness, our need, and our sins and then in His Light we know Him Who is all our righteousness. Spirit of God move us to be people who quickly acknowledge our sin, confess it, hate it, and turning from it will  choose once again to walk in the Light of Jesus. Ah, Father, don’t You ever get weary of hearing our confessions? It is tiresome to us to think how often we fail and fall. Don't You get tired of hearing our confessions? Thank You for the power of Your Word which reveals Your rich, endlessly reverberating response:

Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God.
He does not faint or grow weary;
His understanding is unsearchable Isaiah 40:28

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity
and passing over transgression
for the remnant of His inheritance?
He does not retain his anger forever,
because He delights in steadfast love.
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities underfoot.
You will cast all our sins
into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:18-19)

https://youtu.be/Gnoa9o2rrO0?si=RpQEIkJAduAX5w3E Joy to the World

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