May 3, 2024 -- Ephesians 5:8-10 -- Glorious Light

for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
Ephesians 5:8-10 ESV

Recently it happened again. A man asked me a sensitive question. If a baby died, whose parents were devout (though not to Jesus), would this little one go to heaven? The man added, that child had not done good or evil. It is a painful question because there are so many emotions tied up with this and so many personal experiences. Look at the first part of today's text. When people are not walking with Jesus they are darkness. Those who belong belong to Jesus are light. So, parents who are the shield or covering of their child—their faithfulness to God or their rebellion against God is profoundly connected to whatever happens to their young children. Until a child reaches the age of majority and himself can walk in light or darkness, that child’s life and his death is bound up with the deeds of his parents.

Why mention this? The text answers a basic question. There is no such thing as good if one is trying to define good without the Lord Jesus. As clearly as we can tell the different between light and dark, so clearly does the Bible teach that a man, a women, a child can not be good without Jesus’ redeeming work and the powerful presence of the Spirit directing him ever deeper into the light of Christ.

So, try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord, Parents, disciple your children to know Jesus. Pray for your young ones. Know the Bible well enough so that you can explain it to your growing children as they reach adulthood. Know the light of God and walk in it. Spring out here in the Maritimes has been cool and cloudy. Whenever sunshine breaks through the gloom of the clouds, well, people respond. After a gloomy morning, the sun started breaking up the afternoon clouds. I had been shopping. As I brought various things to the counter the cashier, whose till was facing the interior of the store and the large windows behind her were bathing her in glorious sunlight shared, isn’t it wonderful? The sunshine! Yes. Light has that effect on us. So too the light of Jesus Christ.

Wherever it is God has placed you, ask God, how can I serve You? A carpenter will have a different answer than a social worker. A nurse and a retiree will have different tasks to do. But whoever you are, whatever your health or lack of it, your riches or poverty, the Lord has a task for you that will shine His light into the areas He has ordained for you to shine. Ask God, what can I do today that will be pleasing to You? Help me to please You.

Glorious LORD Who alone lives in unapproachable light, blessed are You, now and forever more. Thank You for the light of Christ, Your Son, our Savior, Who dispels the darkness of our souls and brings the light of life. Spirit of God, help us to discern what is pleasing to You. Motivate us to walk as children of light so that those around us who are still chained in gloomy darkness, will be drawn to the light of Christ and seek release in His wonderful Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ndZsEDuCVAQ?si=SfCseGsEFmd2dXoI Psalm 27

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

May 2, 2024 -- Proverbs 2:1-5 -- The Best Spiritual Stock Tip Ever

My son, if you receive my words
    and treasure up my commandments with you,
2 making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding;
3 yes, if you call out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
4 if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures,
5 then you will understand the fear of the LORD
    and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1-5 ESV

As I am writing this, gold prices have gone up about 27 dollars an ounce since yesterday. It is trending at $2319.00 per ounce. Silver is at about 26.95 an ounce. Why is the author of Proverbs suggesting people seek God’s insight and understanding like one would seek silver? When you compare the prices of silver and gold—silver seems far more attainable. It is within reach. Sure, it takes diligence and work to get silver; but gold seems too expensive, too out of reach for ordinary people.

Why are times alone with God so precious? They are a treasure, like silver, that can be yours by diligence, increased by constant effort, that is, by time spent alone with Him. Read the Word. Your life depends on it. Your future depends on it. Your hope depends on it.

Yesterday I was listening to a teaching by Paul Washer. He said if a strong man, a well-known fighter, fasted for many days, he’d take him on in a fight. The man would be so weakened by his lack of food he could easily be picked off. Now, think of the Devil. If you have fasted from the word of God, you are as weak as can be and you'd have no defense against the punches and schemes of the Devil.

Take in the Word of God, like a man who is ending a long fast. Read the Bible, like a man who is assessing stock markets and desiring silver, wanting to have it as treasure. Trust that God will build your treasures in Heaven. The great treasures you store there, that can never be taken: seeing Jesus, your Savior, face to face. Knowing your sins, what a glorious thought, your sins, not in part, but the whole are nailed to the cross of Jesus and now you have eternity to rejoice in His presence, praising Him, thanking Him, honouring Him. You have life that stretches on for all eternity. You will have the capacity, granted to you by the Spirit of God, to know God ever more fully and ever more completely truly enjoy Him.

God of Splendor and Glory, Who is like You? There are no treasures, no gods, no good that can be found anywhere in the universe, or in the mines of mountains, or in the depths of ocean that can be compared to You. You are without rival or equal. You alone are God, marvelous in all Your ways. Your radiance is reflected in Jesus Christ—Who is the exact representation of Your glory and goodness and faithfulness. Ah, LORD of Wisdom, send Your Spirit so that our hunger for the Word increases and our ability to take it in is expanded. Spirit of the Living God, help us to treasure up every page of Scripture and hoard it like silver from heaven that can never be stolen, but gains ever more interest every day. Amen.

https://youtu.be/XKOoeTbjSeI?si=1TgMqD0194shq3YX “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 30, 2024 -- I John 4:1a -- Alone with your thoughts: is that great or grievous?

Beloved. do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God…
I John 4:1a ESV

Dear friends in Jesus, yesterday I heard Chaplain Peter give his introduction to chaplaincy. He was speaking to those who are new to prison. He noted that in the next province (I was in Nova Scotia) there is a prison called Dorchester. The second part of its name tells a lot about the reason it was built. It is Dorchester Penitentiary. Very odd. Most people do not know what penance is. Or what a penitentiary is.

Think of where monks went. They went to monasteries. There they lived in cells. They went to contemplate their lives, to discern (to test) what is from God and what is worldliness. The world throws so many distractions at you. Radio. TV. Videos. Cell phones. Work. Play. Entertainment. Sports. The list is nearly endless. Even in a monastery a monk’s thoughts were filled with wicked thoughts and ungodly impulses. Over time they were trained to spend time in their cells thinking about God, reading the Bible and actively governing their thought life.

About 100 years ago, the idea caught on that Corrections Canada should build prisons along the same model. Where men would be placed in cells so they could think about their past, their actions, and learn a new way of living. The problem is, many committed their crimes in order to avoid alone time and avoid their thoughts. Now, the real torture is being alone 20 hours a day with nothing to do or think about and be tormented by thoughts which plague.This struck a chord for the men listening to Chaplain Peter. Many of them were visibly moved when he told them how hard it is to have alone time and have thoughts as one’s only companion. Especially a mind where the patterns of thoughts have never been governed. As a Christian man, I know this is an important message for us all.

The Bible calls men and women to turn from the sinful ways of the world. To test the spirits of this age. Whatever is being presented to you—is it lust, or greed, or violence, or anger, or sensual, or sexual, or anything else which will lead you to other sorts of sin? Then, having tested, or discerned, what is at the heart of the temptation, you can make a wise choice. Run from sin. Turn to God. Repent and believe.

The Word calls on believers to confess Jesus Christ. Any thought, deed, or impulse that would pull one away from the Savior must be thrown to the ground. So that believers can fully, at all hours, live in obedience to Jesus. This takes a life-time of practice. It also explains why many men, after being incarcerated for a while, turn from sin, run from their wicked thoughts and find in Jesus the relief they’d never before had. Suddenly the relevance of chaplaincy is driven home to the hearts and the minds of the men: what do I do with my thoughts, with being alone? There is an answer. What a glorious Savior we serve—He goes to the hurting and the humbled and brings them salvation.

O God, Whose nature and property is ever to have mercy and to forgive; receive our humble petitions; and though we be tied and bound with the chain of our sins, yet let the pitifulness of thy great mercy loose us; for the honour of Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate. Amen.
Divine Service for the Armed Forces, 1950, page 12

https://youtu.be/tP49cL4XJDw?si=tRfdpYm1x9ObMW2H “Remember Not, O God”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 29, 2024 -- Genesis 12:10 & Genesis 13:2 -- Faith and Obedience

Now there was a famine in the land. So Abram went down to Egypt to sojourn there, for the famine was severe in the land. Genesis 12:10

Now Abram was very rich in livestock, in siler, and in gold. Genesis 13:2

Quite a contrast. In the first quotation the LORD of Glory used the famine to test Abram and Sarai’s obedience and faithfulness. They failed. They lied. They did not trust the LORD to protect them, as He had protected them since calling them out of the land of Ur, having them cross the 1600 plus km to Shechem, through harsh wilds where beasts might devour and territories where enemies might strike them. They’d seen the goodness of God, but did not trust Him to protect them in Egypt. Though they were faithless, God was faithful.

In the second quotation, Abram’s riches brought him into conflict with Lot, his nephew. The land where they were staying could not support the flocks and herds of both men. This time, Abram was honourable. It shows that he was growing in his confident trust in the LORD. He was trusting God to provide for him.

The point is simple, dear family in Christ, the heavenly Father uses all the circumstances of our life to reveal how much, or how little, we trust Him. The Spirit of the Living God uses the Word along with these tests for obedience and faith in order to bring us to confess what needs to be confessed, bless God where we see the growth He is bringing, and deepen true community in Christ.  Where one brother sees another struggling—he can encourage his struggling brother to find peace in his walk with Jesus.

Father in heaven thank You that Your eye is always on Your child. Thank You that You are using every circumstance of our life so that we will grow in Christ, ever deeper in obedience, ever more aware of our need to rely on the Spirit for greater steadfastness in faith. Thank You for every example of Scripture where You, O God, are the hero, their rescue-story and Savior. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ghi-48bqqDE?si=IjxKCc2uSQpJLbKI “Rescue Story”

April 28, 2024 -- Proverbs 28:2 -- What happens when leaders act in ways that are lawless

When a land transgresses, it has many rulers,
    but with a man of understanding and knowledge,
    its stability will long continue.
Proverbs 28:2 ESV

Simply put, when the people in any country rebel against God and His ways, they will experience all kinds of instability. Let me give an illustration from what is happening here in New Brunswick. Premier Higgs and his education minister have determined that schools must inform parents when a child, under 16 years of age, wants to change his preferred gender or pronouns, or follow through with even worse advice so freely given. Moncton’s Anglophone East District Education Council has defied the law and voted to allow students to do so anyways. (In fact, leaked documents from the AEDEC show they have determined that parents are among those who do not have the best interests of children at heart!) The Education minister repealed the ruling of the Education Council. Then the Education Council voted their illegal policy back into force. This one example highlights how many rulers the land has. The East District Education Council is leading in rebellion against the government. The agenda of sex politics is influencing policy across the country—in defiance of sense, worse yet, in defiance of God’s order. He Who created all things, does He not have the right to rule?

The effects of the East District Education Council will be that students, seeing their local authority rebelling and acting without reference to proper authority will themselves increase in lawless behavior. That lawless behaviour will happen at home, at school, and disregard for laws of property, or the safety of those around them. Students will be bullies and disrespectful because they see their own teachers and school board acting in that way. Parental authority, long being eroded by the federal government’s policies and now by this Education Council, incites formerly law-abiding men and women to react as well.

The Bible explains why there is such a growing chaotic increase of people who act as if they are in charge—it is the direct result of the leaders of the land who are violating the laws of God. What can bring about a change? When the land, from the households of believers, to the House, begin to abide by the Law of God change will happen. Believers are commanded to pray for leaders and all those in authority “that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (I Timothy 2:2).

How does a Christian respond to the chaos in Canada? He is confident of God’s Sovereign rule. He prays. He lives in accord with the regulations God has laid down in the Bible—knowing that the LORD Who saved him from death, hell, and the power of the Devil, will direct him so that his life will shine as a powerful witness to the world around him. Believers will understand that Christians have, through-out the generations, expected to suffer and they did in fact suffer for our precious faith. This is true today as well. Do not despair. Trust in the divine rule of God, confident that evil will always, ultimately claw against itself, while those who trust in the LORD will renew their strength. Gather with other Christians in church. Keep before your eyes the goodness of God.

Father in heaven thank You for Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself as a ransom for all. Thank You that the powers of this age and the demonic powers of unseen realms are no match for Your plan, Your purposes and the good You will bring into the lives of Your people. Forgive us, Father of Mercy, for our prayerlessness and our misplaced discouragement. By the presence of Your Spirit, renew in us the clear awareness that Christ is the King and He is reigning in power. As Your people gather to worship, O Triune God, redirect us by Your Word and Spirit so that we will live as a vital force for good in this crooked and wicked generation. Prepare us for the suffering that will come to us, which is light and momentary suffering, in view of the great glory and mighty salvation which is ours in Christ. Let our lives reflect Your glory. Amen.

https://youtu.be/2DN3L2FQMLg?si=Qt-Q7-o_mg4FFYRI “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 26, 2024 -- Mark 15:33-34 -- The One, Great Shield

And when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Mark 15:33-34 ESV

He will cover you with his pinions,
    and under his wings you will find refuge;
    his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.
Psalm 91:4 ESV

The picture of Jesus on the cross is so worthy of contemplation. When one’s love for Jesus is not as passionate, not as full as it should be, ponder what Jesus was doing for you at the cross. His arms stretched out, nailed to the cross. Like wings His arms reached out. Pinned there, while the wrath of the Father against your sin and my sin was poured out, unrelentingly emptied on Jesus in fullest measure, His arms stretched out and protected you. In that terrible darkness, Jesus was your shield. The three hours of darkness, when the Father crushed the Son, punishing Him for your sin and mine, Jesus was the shield spoken of in Psalm 91. The full venting of God’s just anger against sin hit Jesus and He shielded us from ever having to experience it. He is the full-body shield, and He is the buckler, the smaller shield worn on the arm so that attacks from any angle or any side can be repelled.

You won’t understand how good the Good News is until you understand how bad you are and how badly you need Good News. It is too easy to be ho-hum in relation to God. Cool in prayer. Slow in doing good. What reignites the fire of faith is the true sense that our sins deserve the punishment of God. If the shield were ever removed, the molten hot justice of God against sin would spew out and your every sin would be punished bodily, mentally, spiritually and for eternity. God is that holy. You are that sinful. Jesus is providing the refuge under His outstretched arms, He wings of protection. Jesus is your everlasting shield.

It is the contemplation of Jesus, reflecting on His work of shielding and covering you, that moves your formerly icy heart to break, warm, and respond. The Spirit Who lives in you, Who directs you to Jesus, will deepen your devotion and broaden your response to Jesus. When your own self-pity, or your awareness of your sinfulness drowns you, look to Jesus. He endured the darkness, the punishment of God, covering You with His wings of love and shielding You until the wrath of God was spent on Him and lighting the other side is the grace, mercy and love of God your Father.

Father in heaven how great is Your grace and mercy towards us, wretched sinners that we are. How marvelous is the shielding love of Jesus covering us completely so that no trace of Your wrath reaches us. Spirit of the Living God, how great and blessed is Your work, carried out deep within the recesses of our souls whereby the work of Jesus is put into effect. Triune God, lead us out, away from our selfish, selfie culture. Bring us to the sheltering refuge of Jesus where we find it our delight to worship Your holy Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/anE5zlOHaic?si=rXqB4xI7UMAYbprg “10,000 Reasons” Selah

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 25, 2024 -- Romans 3:21-26 -- What's So Amazing About Grace?

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22 the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26 It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
Romans 3:21-26 ESV

You might already be very familiar with verse 23, but look closely at verse 24, sinners are justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. There is a double emphasis here. Grace is unmerited favor. It is not earned. So, the word grace itself already communicates the fact it is God’s loving, patient disposition toward His people. So grace by definition is a gift. However, Paul can't help himself. He underlines it. He calls the justification of sinners God's grace as a gift. It is His divine choice to be show His people good will, instead of the punishment and wrath they so richly deserve. Grace is the profound kindness of God which draws believers back from their sins and by His Spirit working brings brings them back to Himself. Grace is God’s blessing poured out into every of the life of each one of His people.

When you know the kindness of God and even so have chosen to rebel, and the Spirit makes you aware of your sinfulness, so that you turn from it and run back to God. That is grace.

When you review all your sins, know all your weaknesses, and realize there isn’t anything in you that could ever commend you to God, yet the Word of God teaches you He has set His love on you. That is grace.

When you strive to do good, and your work and words fall short, but the Spirit teaches you that God is not frowning in heaven, but by the blood of Jesus Christ you are wearing the good works of Jesus as your mantle, that is grace.

Grace is the blessing of God, given constantly, steadily, unstintingly, on your life.

Grace is communicated to you by the Spirit’s powerful presence in your life, through the preaching of the Gospel, and the Lord’s Supper and baptism. Grace is communicated to you where there is Christian discipline unto repentance exercised in your local Christian church.

Our Father in heaven may Your Name be honoured and adored forever—on earth as in heaven above. Thank You for the free gift of Your amazing grace given to Your people through Jesus Christ. Father in heaven let Your Spirit hold us by the spout where Your grace continually pours out and the kingdom of Christ is all about us. Amen.

https://youtu.be/ZoJz2SANTyo?si=or9lzjYx117FgnpI Soweto Gospel Choir — Amazing Grace

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 23, 2024 -- I Timothy 4:7-10 -- What kind of effort does it take to set one's hope on God?

Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
I Timothy 4:7-10 ESV

Last evening several of us from our Bible Study group attended the Harvest House graduation of our friend Michel. He has done so well in his walk with God and in his journey towards sobriety. It was a blessing to celebrate with him and three other graduates. So many others fail on that journey. So many started and fall away. Our passage today teaches us a saying that is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance.

Look at the pair of verbs in verse 10—toil and strive. To toil is to work at something. I laughed when someone used this expression: “he ate that hamburger platter like it was his job”. You can see someone working through a plate of food with purpose, with tempo and with relish. Life in Christ is a constant training in godliness. It is our job. We are to work with purpose, with tempo and with delight. Added to toil is that word strive. To strive is to devote the time, dedication and effort necessary to make something happen. Toiling for the sake of Jesus must be coupled with striving—that is, day in, day out, putting in the effort knowing the goal is a long-term one. When one stumbles, and you will stumble, the man or woman who strives is the one who joins others in regrouping, refocusing and going forward once again so that one achieves the glorious goal of knowing Jesus Christ and living for Him.

The world has all kinds of distractions and side-shows. The silly myths that the passage speaks of. There are all kinds of lies generated by our world (a world which is in rebellion against God). So many subtle lies mixed with just enough truth to mask their maliciousness. By reading the Word, praying, and walking in company with Christians whose walk with God you admire you can show the lies for what they truly are and continue in your purposeful toiling and striving for godliness.

Blessed Father in heaven thank You that You have the perspective of eternity. Thank You that You have declared salvation for Your elect through the reconciling blood of Jesus. Thank You, faithful Father, for the inner working of the Holy Spirit, Who never gets tired, never gets bored, never gets distracted in bringing believers back to their glorious hope which is anchored in Jesus Christ. Triune God, help us to toil and strive with dedication and focus, so that we will be ever more fully trained in the godliness that leads to fuller knowledge of Jesus and greater, joyful obedience to Him. Amen.

https://youtu.be/OkSCTxKNG5Q?si=fZqUTcpxVdQWXHjI “Here is Love”

April 21, 2024 -- I Corinthians 14:12 -- An infant in evil and maturing in Jesus

So with yourselves, since you are eager for manifestations of the Spirit,
strive to excel in building up the church.
I Corinthians 14:12 ESV

Dear family in our Lord Jesus Christ today is Sunday. What a joy it is to gather with the people of God and praise the Living God Who is forever blessed! Tucked into the middle of a passage dealing with the controversies of the gathered people is this important instruction. For the instruction to make sense, one needs to understand the context.

The people in the Corinthian church were focused on speaking in tongues, that is, a heavenly language that is unintelligible except to God and those who have the gift of interpreting it. However, in their immaturity, some of the Christians were so excited by their ability to speak in tongues, they were disrupting worship services because they were not waiting with speaking in tongues until they were sure an interpretation would be forthcoming. The same Spirit Who gifts believers to speak in tongues also informs such persons whether this is for intimate conversation between the believer and God, or for the congregation to hear and that interpretation would follow. Without such direction, the speaker should be silent. Others were focused on prophesy. We think of prophesy as telling about the future. The Bible shows something different. Prophesy is telling the people the word of God, applying it so directly to their lives that sins are exposed, comfort is given, the Bible is made comprehensible. Among the Corinthians those who had certain gifts were becoming proud. That explains why Paul taught them the way of love, I Corinthians 13. It is the way of Jesus, the way of humble service to build up the body.

Now the critical point is this: whatever gift one has it is to be used to build up the body of Christ. Are you a giver? Help those who are in financial need. Are you a prayer warrior? Pray earnestly that God’s gift of unity become for the people their goal as well, so the unity received by the Spirit will be exercised among the people. Are you an administrator. Excellent. Help with organization. Are you a teacher? Great teach the new believers. Teach Sunday School. Teach the mature to keep on studying and growing. Ask yourself these two questions:

1. Are you eager for the manifestations of the Spirit? (Manifestations means the signs within your life and evidenced by the way you act and speak that the Spirit is working in you).

2. Are you building up the body of Jesus Christ so that fellow saints are growing in maturity? If not—then ask yourself if you are really working in the power of the Spirit or for your own ego.

Ah, Father of Love and Mercy, thank You for the extravagant salvation You have revealed in Jesus Christ. Send Your Spirit among Your people so that we will put off childish ways and will mature growing up in Christ, Who is the Head of the Body and King and of the Church. In whatever ways I have been destructive or self-serving, I confess it now. Direct me, and work so powerfully in me that I will be an infant in evil but a mature man in the ways of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/y0ac4sT-4-o?si=AzKA8QoHoY8Hr1_s When We See Your Face

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 20, 2024 -- Genesis 12:6-7 -- The Oak of Moreh, Oak of Teaching

Abram passed through the land to the place at Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time the Canaanites were in the land. 7 Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built there an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to him.
Genesis 12:6-7 ESV

Abram, who most of you know as Abraham because his name was changed by God a little bit later in his life, was taken from Ur of the Chaldeans, where he used to worship idols, and commanded to go to the place where God showed him. God called him. In obedience he traveled without train or plane or car; he traveled over 1600 kilometers from Ur to Shechem. Where did he end up? At the oak of Moreh. So what?! Ah, but Moreh means teacher or teaching. The pagans in the land worshiped at this oak tree. When Abram built this altar he claimed this land for the LORD in effect was saying it is the LORD alone Who is the Teacher.

Our world today worships trees and promotes the welfare of animals above people. We live in a culture that aborts its children and protests the cutting down of trees. People are disposable while trees and animals are considered far more valuable. Whenever the people of the LORD worship Him, their priorities are set right. It is the LORD of heaven and earth Who alone is to be worshiped and praised. The people of God are sent to their workplaces, their coffee-shops, their neighbourhoods so that they will be a people who have been taken from the world, shown how empty its values are, and then filled with the knowledge of the glory of God must teach this world of the glory of God. Like Abram who traveled from Ur to Shechem, our journey from being sinful people to becoming a new creation in Christ is a huge, long journey. However, it is purposeful. We too are called out this world of sin that we may declare the praises of Him Who called us out of darkness into His marvelous light. Shine for Jesus. Wherever He has placed you, let your light shine.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. How rich and wonderful and humbling is Your salvation given in Jesus Christ. How amazing that You take sinners and so transform them that they truly are a new creation, temples for Jesus, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Forgive us Father, for the lingering wickedness we have entertained in our hearts. Forgive us for the times we have toyed with sin rather than pressed onwards, ever deeper, into the new life that is ours in Christ. By Your Spirit's presence in us enable use to brightly shine the light of Christ in our homes, in our workplaces, in our retirement activities so that You glory, triune God, will cover this earth as the waters cover the sea. We pray this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

https://youtu.be/4oGuGzCFEWI?si=xGXelctx0bs2M_B9 “Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 18, 2024 -- Hebrews 11:4-7 -- Three examples from the Hall of Faith

By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should not see death, and he was not found, because God had taken him. Now before he was taken he was commended as having pleased God. 6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
Hebrews 11:4-7 ESV

How do these three Old Testament figures demonstrate faith? I wish I could claim credit for this, but the teaching used for for today's material was originally taught by Dr. Michael Kruger, RTS, Charlotte. (If you want to watch the 40 minute or so podcast, I highly recommend it, follow the link pasted below). Abel demonstrated his faith in God by offering a blood sacrifice. One cannot approach God however he wants to do so or in any way he wants. Abel’s sacrifice pointed to the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and thus demonstrated Abel’s confidence in God’s forbearing love. According to Genesis 5:21-25, Enoch walked with God. There is very little else known about him, except that he didn’t die, God took Enoch to Himself. The expression “walked with God” means that in the ordinary duties of life, in the highs and lows of life, Enoch put God first. Finally, imagine how hard it must have been for Noah, to be at a decades-long project of building a massive ark, far away from the sea, confident that God would one day send the promised rains and floods. He must have faced huge pressure and ridicule. What do these three teach us about faith?

Abel shows that faith begins with one’s confidence and hope anchored securely in Jesus Christ and His blood. Enoch’s faith demonstrates that faith is not just knowing about God, it is knowing God Himself. Faith draws a believer closer to Him in deep, real relationship. Noah’s faith demonstrates for the reader the radical obedience that is the result of faith that is based on Christ and is relational. What God commands might not seem logical or sensible—His command definitely does not have us doing whatever it is we want to do! Faith leads the believer to yield his will to God, walking joyfully in step with the King of Glory.

O LORD, from whom all good things do come: Grant to us thy humble servants, that by thy holy inspiration we may think those things that be good, and by thy merciful guiding may perform the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Divine Service Book for the Armed Forces, 1950, page 12

https://youtu.be/y0ac4sT-4-o?si=vnHWZ32uSe5oxjIW “When We See Your Face”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1Kkwi9Sq4w  Dr. M. Kruger, Hebrews 11

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 16, 2024 -- Joshua 7:20-21 -- Avoiding the teeth of temptation

And Achan answered Joshua, “Truly I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and this is what I did: 21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful cloak from Shinar, and 200 shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing 50 shekels, then I coveted them and took them. And see, they are hidden in the earth inside my tent, with the silver underneath.”
Joshua 7:20-21 ESV

The path of sin is clearly spelled out here. Achan confessed his sins to the leader of the Israelites, to Joshua, and to God. He did this only after he was caught red-handed and by-passed every previous opportunity given him to voluntarily confess his sins (but that is for another time). Look at the three verbs which show his descent into sin. He saw a beautiful coat, silver and gold. Seeing drew his attention and his devotion away from God. Rather than immediately declaring these things belong to the LORD, he then coveted. He decided he wanted them for himself. He is already going moving more quickly away from God and towards his sinful lusts. To covet, or to desire for oneself, is to think this would be good for me. I know what the Bible says; I know in the past such things were destructive, but maybe this time things will be different? They won't. Things will end badly. When the eye sees and the heart begins to crave then the Christian mind, governed by the Spirit of God, must turn away immediately. To entertain these thoughts is to allow yourself to be trapped.

Then he moving from thinking to acting. He took the things he’d begun to crave. Prior to seeing the coat, the silver and the gold, he wasn't thinking he was going to betray God. Once Achan's eyes opened and the temptation started, he did not run from it. He embraced it.

Why do you think advertisers are willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars to place their products in movies, TV shows, video clips and alongside your internet searches? Big corporations  know that once your eye sees them, and you begin to imagine what it might be like to own such a thing, you are half-caught already. How can you resist? How can you fight these temptations?

Psalm 27 invites the believer to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD. He is all perfection. He is the soul’s greatest desire. He is One Who protects His people from devasting desires and crippling lusts that threaten to draw people ever closer to the teeth of hell. It is also why the psalm writer declares “I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless” (Psalm 101:3). Why did the psalm writer decide this in advance? Such worthless things could be the very temptation against which he’d not guarded his heart. They might overtake him if he doesn't take action to avoid them.

Beloved, the warning of Achan helps you to understand the command to read the Scriptures. Your eyes and your mind will be filled with greater things than whatever the world could offer. The Word of God helps you become wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus (II Timothy 3:15).

Let thy merciful ears, O Lord, be open to the prayers of thy humble servants; and that they may obtain their petitions make them to ask such things as shall please thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer in the Dominion of Canada)

https://youtu.be/4tvOqL5KJOQ?si=rbxEwOuN4UZc6Ho5 “Jesus, Thou Joy of Loving Hearts”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 14, 2024 -- Romans 12:14 -- Bless and Do Not Curse

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
Romans 12:14 ESV

What a challenging command from the Bible. Who can keep it? Presently I’m reading “How to Overcome Evil” by Jay Adams. He noted “The sinful cursing response is inborn. My son, before he had an adequate vocabulary invented his own curses. As a youngster he loved trucks. One day, incensed at what a friend had done, he said, ‘You…you dump truck with a wheel off!’ He is not alone. Because of social pressure, more often than not, you may find the curse” (page 38).

Who is adequate to the command? When the inborn response is cursing, who can truly bless? Ah, good question. It is the man whose heart has been conquered by Jesus. It is the woman who has been overcome by the blessing of Jesus. While you were still a sinner, cursing God and reviling His Son, Jesus died for your sins. In Him the old self, the old inborn nature is passing away and the new is taking hold. The fact that you are realizing your sinfulness and your need for the Savior is evidence of the change taking place in you.

Put yourself into the mindset of thinking of God’s blessings which are poured out on you. Decide you will be a person who blesses in Jesus' Name. Then ask the Spirit of God to continue to renew Your mind. In view of who you are in Jesus Christ, decide to change the pattern of your words and your thinking. Get to a Bible-believing, Bible preaching church today. Spend time with Christians whose walk with God you admire. Practice your new-life in Christ—bless those who curse you.

Our Father in heaven hallowed be Your Name. Thank You for the great blessing of Your electing love. Thank You that You have turned aside Your wrath against our cursing and have punished our sin on the Person of Your Son. Thank You for the new life that is taking hold of us. Spirit of the Living God, continue Your transforming work within our hearts and minds so that our lives, our words and our actions reflect the blessing of Jesus Christ. Help us to be mentors, spiritual fathers and mothers in the faith, to those who are seeking Jesus Christ. It is in His mighty Name we pray. Amen.

https://youtu.be/fK6sYVQCqhs?si=BTcyOtjZJGTq_gqd “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” Selah

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 13, 2024 -- II Corinthians 2:14-17 -- Quick. Check your breath.

 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 15 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, 16 to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God's word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ.
II Corinthians 2:14-17 ESV

Recently I had to interact with a man on a project. The chairs at the table were set close to one another so that we could easily hear one another. However, the close proximity meant that I could smell his breath. There was a fresh smell of newly applied toothpaste, but underneath that as he breathed out, I could smell his very bad breath. It is a startling image that relates to this text.

Those who are not believers in and followers of Jesus Christ are those whose lives are in the grips of putrefaction. Sin and evil are like an infection running through all of their lives, slowly destroying health. No matter how much shampoo, antibiotics of any kind, or soap is applied, nothing can not stop the rot which originates in the heart and mind and radiates outward. Nothing that is, except the work of Jesus Christ.

One who belongs to Jesus Christ has had the stench of sin and the infection of death removed from him. The deep cleansing work of the Spirit addresses the hidden plaque and particles of wickedness which inevitably emit an odor of death. Whenever the Spirit works, the aroma of Christ prevails, a freshness of life, a vitality of heart, a joy in speaking about God’s Word. Believers are repellant to many because of their close association with Jesus. It is the life of Jesus, the joy and reward of the believer's soul, Who actually offends the unbelieving listener. To other people believers are compellingly interesting because of the purity radiating off of them through the accomplished work of Jesus.

If you are finding yourself intrigued by the life and vitality of a Christian, ask him about it. If you are blessed to know a Christian, ask to go to church with her. It is a matter of death and life.

Father in heaven, great and holy is Your Name. Marvelous is the life-giving work You have effected in Your people through the work of Jesus, Your beloved Son, our Savior. Spirit of God, thank You for the reviving work You are doing in us; continue to purify us until our lives continually spread the fragrance of Christ our King to all we meet. Triune God, hem us in so completely that our private life as well as our public life radiate the blessedness of Jesus. Amen.

https://youtu.be/OH01enzQXpQ?si=N81K4yEVWgyzfPyR Shane and Shane “Psalm 51”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 8, 2024 -- Joshua 7:1 -- Radically Connected to One Another

But the people of Israel broke faith in regard to the devoted things, for Achan the son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of the devoted things. And the anger of the LORD burned against the people of Israel.
Joshua 7:1 ESV

Did you catch it? The LORD of Glory noted that the people, all the people of Israel, broke faith with Him because of one man’s sin. Achan took a beautiful coat, a bar of gold and one of silver from the plunder of Jericho. He hid it in the ground in his tent. Plunder that was to be dedicated to the LORD and not for the army, the nation, or individuals. How does that make sense that one man's secret sin affects everyone?

Yes, Achan was guilty of sin. The passage is teaching people who are used to thinking of themselves as radically individualistic, people disconnected from others. The Bible teaches that you are connected to others more closely than you ever imagined. You are not alone. Your sins affect the people around you. Whenever you act in opposition to God, you are polluting the people of God, the family of God. To put it simply, you can’t smoke in one corner of the room and expect the other people in the room to be breathing in clean air. Sin pollutes the family of believers as surely as cigarette smoke pollutes the people who breathe it in.

The point is this: believers are to confess their sins as soon as the Spirit of God reveals it. This is what brings purity and restores holiness among the people of God.

Believers are to ask the Spirit of God to reveal their sins to them. This is especially important as believers are inclined to excuse their sins rather than acknowledge them.

It is a stark reminder that sin is more egregious and foul than a man will willingly admit.

Finally, the call for people to confess their sins brings glory to the LORD. The Father has provided the way for men and women to be set free from the curse of sin. They are to turn away from practicing sin and turn to Jesus, confessing their wrong-doing and find forgiveness in Him.

The Spirit of God then helps the believer to walk in newness of life. It is a battle to stay pure and holy. It is the only battle worth engaging.

Mighty LORD of Heaven and Earth great is Your glory and most excellent and pure is Your Holiness. It is difficult as a mere mortal to comprehend how excellent You are and how carefully one is required to follow Your commands and Your ways. By the work of Your Spirit, deep within us, help us to hate our sin, to confess it and turn from it so that we will walk in the fullness of life offered in Jesus Christ. Faithful God, by Your Spirit, enable us to live in such true community that we will call each other out on our sins so that together we will walk in the purity that Your holiness demands. Amen.

https://youtu.be/vBjM47zICos?si=GAALOcVQ9Gbyvdvz “Holy Holy, Holy”

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 5, 2024 -- Romans 9:6-13 -- Bowls suited for mercy and others for destruction

But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel, 7 and not all are children of Abraham because they are his offspring, but “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” 8 This means that it is not the children of the flesh who are the children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring. 9 For this is what the promise said: “About this time next year I will return, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, 11 though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God's purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— 12 she was told, “The older will serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”
Romans 9:6-13 ESV

A woman asked her husband, “Why do you love me?” He replied, “Because you are beautiful/” Can you see the problem? When her beauty fades, will he still love her? A man asked his wife, “Why do you love me?” She answered, “Because you are so smart.” Ah, you are anticipating there might be a problem with this answer as well. Good catch on your part. What happens if he has a concussion, or if his memory fails? What if he has a stroke and this beautiful brain is impaired? Will she still love him?

Ask yourself this: “Why does God love me?” You can think of all kinds of answers, but if any of them are based on what you do, or don’t do, then His love will be like a roller coaster. When you are obedient, or loving, or faithful, or quitting a particular sin, then He will love you. But, consider this, when you struggle in any area, you will lose your confidence and think thatHis love for you will fade. It cannot be like this.

Paul teaches the Romans (and by extension you and me) telling them God sets His love on those whom He has chosen. He declares, “I love you because I love you”. It is based on the Father Himself, His electing love demonstrated through the work of Jesus and this is applied to believers by the Holy Spirit. So on your bad days, He loves you by His Sovereign choice. On your worst days, He loves you by His divine will. On your best days, He loves you. It is the Spirit of God Who keeps you at the spout where the love of God pours out and the Kingdom of Jesus is brought about.

But what about those whom God hates? Why does God hate? In your house you may have two porcelain bowls. One is very ornate, and beautiful, when you serve your finest meal, you serve it in that bowl. The other bowl is the porcelain bowl in your bathroom. When you have finished digesting your meal it is useful. It serves a purpose, but it is not honoured in the same way. Paul’s point is the Maker of the House has the right to determine the purpose for all His people—one person for mercy and honour, another person has purpose and is being prepared for destruction (see Romans 9:19-23—seriously, I’ll wait while you look it up). Troubling isn’t it? Well, I think it is only troubling for those whom God has chosen. They desire then, all the more, to be obedient to God, to respond to His love with ever deeper love and commitment which is based on awe and thankfulness at His mercy directed toward them. Those appointed for wrath and destruction will act in ways that are consistent with their purpose.

Father of justice and wrath, love and mercy, Your ways are higher than our ways, Your thoughts higher than ours. Great are You and worthy of praise. Thank You for the grand and universe-changing demonstration of Your love, given in Christ Jesus, Your Only, Beloved Son, our Savior. Thank You for the gift of the Spirit in Whom is all our hope guarded and kept secure. Triune God, prompt us to declare the love of Jesus far and wide, to close family and co-workers, and to pray about and fund missionary work to the ends of the earth, so that Your people will be gathered in from the nations. Thank You for Your love, which does not rise and fall, get stronger and brown out, but is steady as the succession of day and night. Increase our capacity to receive Your love and then to reflect love back to You and love to this world, doing so until Jesus returns. Amen.

https://youtu.be/oEUskp1e2bg?si=24nMZ2xa1nxJZ6uB “By Faith” Praise The Acapella Company

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

April 4, 2024 -- Psalm 122:2 -- In What Direction are Your Feet Pointing?

Our feet have been standing within your gates, O Jerusalem!
Psalm 122:2 ESV

Rather a strange snippet of Scripture to be examining today, isn't it? It is part of the 15-Psalm subset of the whole 150 Psalms of the Bible. This subset is called the Psalms of Ascent. They were recited, or perhaps sung, as men traveled from all across Israel three times a year, so they could go to Jerusalem and offer sacrifices and tithes and bring worship to the Living God.

There is a sense of joy, of wonder, and thanksgiving that the people who have completed the journey are now standing within the city. That has been their goal—to get to the place where they will meet with God, their LORD and King. It is a great picture of the Christian life. All of life is a journey toward the New Jerusalem. There will be hardships, long travel, frustrations and detours along the way. But our goal is to be with Jesus in the New Jerusalem, which Revelation describes with just enough detail to whet our appetites and fill the soul with hope. It is the place where sin will be no more. It is the place where God Himself is with His people. In the New Jerusalem, there is no need for sun or moon or stars, for the glory of God Himself will be all the light that shines in that place.

These words today are an encouragement. Do not give up. The LORD our God will bring you to His holy city. The Spirit of God will guard you in Christ Jesus so that sin will be defeated ever more fully in your life. It is a process. It is exhausting. It is the complete destruction of your old nature and sinful desires and the bringing to life of the new creation you are in Jesus. One day, sooner than you realize now, you’ll be standing in that New Jerusalem, exclaiming like pilgrims of Israel, our feet have been standing within Your gates, O new Jerusalem, city of our God, where Christ is fully revealed and the Spirit of God continually deepens our ability to comprehend God and delight in Him. Then all tears and frustrations will end. There eternity will unfold in the light of risen Lamb--ah, what glory and wonder.

Faithful Father in heaven, blessed be Your Name, now and forevermore. Thank You for the rich history of Your glorious safe-keeping work which can be read in Scriptures pages. Thank You for Jesus Christ, upon Whom all our hope is anchored securely. Spirit of God, encourage the hearts of Your people this day, keep us from weariness that might cause us to stumble or become lax in our journey. Spirit of God show us the people in our lives who need to be strengthened along the way and revived by the fellowship of Christian friends. In all things, thank You, Triune God, that You will not abandon the work of Your hands, what You have begun in us, bring to full perfection for the sake of Jesus and His glory. Amen.

https://youtu.be/xDZZ0-F5EKk?si=hyXJX2PiibQs4Viv “You are my all in all” Gaither Vocal Band

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 30, 2024 -- Luke 24:15-27 -- It is all true or none of it is true at all.

While they were talking and discussing together, Jesus himself drew near and went with them. 16 But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What is this conversation that you are holding with each other as you walk?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” And they said to him, “Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. 21 But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women of our company amazed us. They were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they did not find his body, they came back saying that they had even seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:15-27 ESV

A few things to notice in the passage today. Jesus had risen from the dead. He was the only one in all Jerusalem, in fact, in all the world, who knew exactly what had happened in those days! Cleopas and his companion were prevented from recognizing Jesus. Unless the Spirit of God reveals Jesus to the hearts and minds of inquirers, they will not know Him or understand the Scriptures. These things are written so that believers will discern the Lord and stay true to Him and His Word.

Second, note that all the Old Testament is about Jesus—Moses and the Prophets, is a shorthand for saying it is all about Jesus, from start to finish. That means the Old Testament is important for our fullest understanding of Who Jesus Is.

In 2022 the Barna Group in the US (a non-partisan Christian polling organization) posted the results of a survey stating that only 37% of pastors have a Biblical Worldview. Yes, that is staggering. It means 63% of pastors are foolish and slow of heart to believe ALL that the prophets have spoken (verse 25). Consider the implications, among other things:

1. Such pastors do not believe all the Bible as true. Do they deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus from the grave? Maybe. Or it might be that they do not believe the first part of Genesis as real history.

2. Such pastors do not know how to defend basic truth, like the historicity of Adam and Eve, the coexistence of humans and dinosaurs, and the worldwide flood described in Genesis 6 - 9.

3. Such pastors then do not know how to defend the faith against abortion, medical assistance in dying, or how to explain marriage as God’s institution, one man and one woman to the exclusion of all others.

4. Such pastors are leading their congregations away from Jesus, into the path of sin, unbelief, death and hell.
    

Why does this matter? Well, from start to finish the Bible is God’s revelation of Himself. Believers do not get to pick and choose what they consider to be true. It is all true or none of it is true at all. The LORD of Heaven and Earth declared: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8-8).

The LORD of Glory is splendid, wondrous beyond description. He has chosen to stoop to your and my weakness and reveal Himself. Do not mistake His pity on our condition as weakness or slackness. What He reveals, He commands His people to believe—from start to finish it is all about Jesus. From start to finish the renown and fame of the Righteous Father is to be held in high esteem, for Jesus reveals His love and greatness. From Moses to the Prophets, it is the Holy Spirit Who opens eyes and softens hearts to receive. Pray to understand what is written and believe not the things of this world, but the things that are out of this world.

Almighty Father in heaven, this weekend we remember and celebrate the wonders of Your love, demonstrated so clearly in Jesus Christ. His death, burial, and resurrection seal to us Your extravagant forgiveness. By Your Holy Spirit puncture our world’s highly inflated self-congratulatory view of itself and teach us to see ALL Scripture is about Jesus. Humble us now so that we may be exalted with Him in Your presence, and this, by the glorious work of the Holy Spirit Who enables the eyes of faith to see and believe. Amen.

https://youtu.be/kQFLOCoYaPI?si=yb2qvqf-w1vj1bOy O Jesus, I Have Promised

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.

March 29, 2024 -- Proverb 29:23 -- Humbled for a Season and then Highly Exalted

One's pride will bring him low,
    but he who is lowly in spirit will obtain honor.
Proverbs 29:23 ESV

You are likely familiar with the expression: “Pride goes before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Its variant is echoed here. The second phrase introduces something new, an opposite. Look at the opposite, and you’ll know something about Jesus. He left the splendours of heaven, crowned with glory and honour, eternally delighted in the Father and Spirit, Who both delighted in Him and One another, and He became a man. He started from the place of glory and plunged Himself so low. He embraced humility. He obeyed every law and regulation set by the Father in heaven. He lived in poverty. He was homeless. He even, at the end of His life, washed His disciples’ feet, a task so lowly that no Jewish servant would be asked to perform it, only foreign slaves could be required to do this task. Yet Jesus took the lowest place in obedient love for His Father and for those He came to save.

At the cross, punished in the place of the very people who rejected Him, Jesus prayed for His Father to forgive them—His persecutors, His betrayers, His enemies, you and me. The world sees this as the moment of His greatest humiliation—yet it is also the start of His glorification. Jesus was being lifted up, literally and figuratively, as the Savior of the World. All who look to Him find salvation.

Steven Lawson, in preaching on Philippians 2, no one ever started from a more lofty position and became lowly. Only Jesus. No one ever took such humility and abasement. Only Jesus. No one has ever been lifted to a higher place. Only Jesus. And, when the end of history collides with Jesus’ return in glory, then every eye will see Him, every knee bend, and every heart confess Him the Lord, to the glory of the Father.

This is what it celebrated on Good Friday. It is Good precisely because the Scripture is fulfilled. It is Good because the Father in heaven is glorified in Jesus. It is Good because the Spirit of God convinces men of their sin and their need for this glorious Savior. It is Good because through it we see Jesus glorified and realize in Him, all who believe share His humiliation and His glory.

For the Clergy and People

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, the Giver of all spiritual gifts: Send down upon thy clergy and all Congregations committed to their charge the healthful spirit of thy grace; and that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing. Grant this, O Lord, for the honour of our Advocate and Mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.

from: DIVINE SERVICE BOOK FOR THE ARMED FORCES, 1950, page 25.

Today’s hymn has a long introduction; you can listen to it and learn about its history, or go right to the 2:32 second mark and just listen.

https://youtu.be/_oHlAoxMXI4?si=WsLdWn5cPY5V1f1u “Ah, Holy Jesus”

March 28, 2024 -- Proverbs 27:20 -- Hey, what are you staring at?

Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
    and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
Proverbs 27:20 ESV

Sheol is a Hebrew word meaning the grave and hell. Abaddon means destruction and ruin. Hell and the grave are never full. There is always room for more. In the same way, the capacity people have to commit evil is never satisfied. Consider how a start with some little innocuous seeming evil, or toying with wrong-doing leads to all kinds of wickedness. It started out so small, a few sparks or a lit candle and next thing you know there is a huge fire. Sin is like that.

Now the comparison—the eyes of man are never satisfied. It means full, or sated, or stuffed—how appropriate. When your eyes are greedy for sin, they keep looking at it. Think about a shopaholic, once the item is seen, lusted over and purchased, before it is even delivered, there is a desire for more. The eye is already roving to the next thing. True also with the lusts of pornography. The eye is never satisfied. The angry man constantly looks at the thing on which is rage is focused. The looks, the more his attention is riveted and the fires of his fury stoked. The drunkard looks longingly at the beer commercial. 

No wonder David, who formerly, famously, lusted after Bathsheba, later wrote these beautiful words:

One thing have I asked of the LORD,
that I will seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD
and to inquire in His temple.
Psalm 27:4 ESV

To stare longingly at the Word of God and training your eyes to look to Jesus, this is all your work. The eyes formerly not satisfied with evil, will now penetratingly stare at the wonders of Jesus and the splendors of the Word. Ask for the Spirit's help, so that you can be staring, looking intently, and gazing with the insatiable appetites of the eyes to know God as fully as He can be known here on earth. That is the highest and best activity. Learning to gaze longingly at Jesus now here on earth suits you for eternity in His magnificent, glorious presence.

Our Father in heaven, thank You for the love with which You loved Your elect. So incomprehensible and true is Your declaration of love that You spared not Your Only Son, but gave Him as the ransom for our souls. Blessed Jesus, we confess our eyes have wandered. We have turned our gaze to worthless things, to empty things, to things that are passing away and are in fact dragging up to destruction and the pit of hell. When we really examine ourselves are too ashamed to look intently at You. The paradox is so full on. Jesus, You left the throne of infinite power and grace to rescue ruined, self-destructive sinners, the very ones who ignoring You are tangled up by the devil’s lies and are thinking if I just purify myself or do better from now on, then I can come to Jesus. Spirit of the Living God, capture our hearts and conquer every rebellious thought so that Jesus and His reconciling blood will be for us, all in all. We confess our roving eyes and wandering hearts. We confess our vision is blurred with desires and rage. Spirit of God, be our vision. Renew us for Christ. Spirit of Wisdom, train our eyes and our wisdom so that we will look to Jesus in every hour of every day. Amen.

https://youtu.be/WTalmqydV2w?si=T_F-PYHxcK06cDs- My Shepherd Will Supply My Need

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