In the beginning was the Word

... and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God (John 1:1,2). Someone has said the gospel of John is so simple a child can understand it, and so deep you could drown an elephant it it. The prologue (vv1-18) is akin to the overture in an opera, many of the major themes of the gospel are encapsulated in it. Here we see the deity (the Word was God), and the pre-existance of Christ (with Him in the beginning). He is with Father God (verse 2) but separate from Him (made Him known), but in intimate relationship with Him (in His bosom verse 18). Also in verse 18, He “exegesato” Him. That is He exegetes Him, explains Him, interprets Him, declares Him. Jesus could say to Philip “If you have seen Me, You have seen the Father” (14:9). The theology of John is thoroughly Trinitarian, and we meet the third person of the Trinity at His baptism (verse 32). We also learn more about the Holy Spirit from John's gospel than from the other three put together (Chapters 14 through 16).

“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend (overcome or extinguish) it” (verses 3,4). So Jesus who is the Word (verse 14) which spoke into the darkness, and all things (nothing without Him) including light, came into existence through His spoken Word (Genesis 1:3). And darkness does not extinguish light, rather light extinguishes darkness. There is no contest, and in the same way there is no contest between spiritual light and spiritual darkness. And the powers of darkness have power only to the extent that we allow them to have it. And this is why we need to know that we who believe who are born again through His blood have the right and the authority to be children of the living God (verse 12). And if children then heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17). In particular we have been given authority over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:19).

“He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, but the world did not know Him. 11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God (verses 10- 13). He was in the World, in fact the Jesus who is the Word, became flesh (verse 14), He became one of us. He is full of Grace and truth, and out of this fullness He freely gives us grace upon grace (verse 16). Many did not and do not receive Him. The whole thing about free will was and is risky. But the privileges and the glory and the future and the suffering of those who do receive Him, are not to be compared with with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

Lord Jesus, I am reminded again this morning that salvation is free, but it will cost us everything that we are and have. But on the other hand the eternal cost of not receiving You is unthinkable. Help me Lord to choose You and Your will and Your Kingdom each and every day. And thank You Lord that when we see it, it is so very, very clear. The Christian life is not easy Lord until we totally surrender. But then in the words of Roland Baler “I can't believe I am truly free to choose to do Your perfect and lovely good pleasure. In Your lovely Name I pray!

There is a way that seems right to a man

...... But its end is the way of death (Proverbs 14:12). I remember seeing a Moody science video years ago, illustrating this verse. It was a true story of a plane that had overshot its destination because the pilot had not believed his instruments. Unbeknown to him there was a massive tail wind that carried them to their destination much earlier than anticipated. His “reality” was that they still had a long way to go, but they ended up dying in the desert. There is a popular belief out there that we can create our own reality. If you google “create your own reality” you get over a billion hits!” I wrote a politically incorrect blog in 2017 entitled “The “reality” I live in feels real, even if it's a lie!” (25 August). I was trying to get inside the mindset of mothers who willingly send their children out as suicide bombers.

They say that if you don't believe the truth, you will believe anything, and I believer that. In fact it seems to me that the Lord has given the Evil one permission to deceive those who do not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. The same passage talks about those who have pleasure in unrighteousness, and that as with Pharaoh after he had hardened his own heart several times, God hardened Pharaohs heart. In the passage I am talking about God Himself then sends strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12). It seems worth pointing our that while there is pleasure in sin, it is only for a season (Hebrews 11:25), and as in this morning's Proverb the end thereof is death.

I was listing to a podcast from Rolland Baker, who was talking about some of the trends in the Church, some of our imbalances, things in Scripture we fail to hold in tension. He cites the Love of God and the Justice of God. We seem so intent in speaking of His love that we have failed to speak about the coming judgement. There is no fence guys, no middle ground. If we are not for Him, we are against Him (Matthew 12:30). We have emphasized the Grace of God to the point where we have become presumptuous. “God will forgive me, that's His job.” In doing this we either dismiss or minimize those passages which tell us for example, that if we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no sacrifice for sins, but only a fearful looking for of judgement (Hebrews 10:26, 27).

Father, the very last thing I want to do here is to lay a guilt trip on those who are struggling to overcome addictions. And so I want to thank You for Your promise that if we continue in Your Word we will know the Truth and the Truth will progressively set us free (John 8:31, 32). But Lord I pray for all of us who have imbalance in receiving Your truth, for truth out of balance is no truth at all. So bring us back into reality, that we may have the assurance of eternal life (John 5:24) without presumption. Keep us close to the flame Lord, it is the only safe place. In Jesus Name Amen

Then the sun was darkened, and the veil

..... of the temple was torn in two (Luke 23:45). It is not clear if the veil was torn before, at the same time, or after Jesus' words “It is finished” (John 19:30) from the cross. But the symbolism is clear. The veil in the tabernacle separated the holy of holies from the holy place, and only the high priest “went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins ..... indicating this, that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest” (Hebrews 6:7, 8). But now we have a “new and living way” into the Holy place by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19, 20). The Holy place was where the presence of God dwelt (Hebrews 6:19). So then the new and living way allows us into the very presence of God. And we do not need to come trembling into His presence as the high priest did. No, we can now come there boldly (freely and fearlessly – Thayer), to obtain mercy and and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 10:19; 4:16).

It is interesting to speculate why the sun being darkened is tied to the veil being torn. Mark tells us that it was torn from the top down (Mark 15:58) indicating that it was the Lord's doing. Some have suggested that it was an eclipse, but I am told that Passover (the time of the crucifixion) is determined to be at the time of the full moon. The time the moon is on the opposite side of the earth to the sun. The darkness, the earthquake and all the other signs, are surely meant to point to it being God who is orchestrating these events. It was likely these things that caused the centurion to fear and to declare “Truly this was the Son of God” (Matthew 27:54).

Now while the finished work of Christ on the cross certainly includes the reconciliation between God and man (Romans 5:10), it includes more. Paul tells us in Ephesians that through the cross He abolished the wall of separation between Jew and Gentile (2:14, 16). But even more, it was God's primary intention that at the right time “He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth” (1:10). And in light of this, we are commanded “with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, to endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (4:2,3). Note that it is “all things,” and that the unity if all true believers has already been purchased by the blood of Jesus. And it strikes me in this season where we are being told by the prophetic word to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and repent (2 Chronicles 7:14), that we need to pay particular attention to this command to preserve unity.

Father, who would dare to diminish the finished work of Christ on the cross by failing to preserve the unity in the bond of peace? Well we would, I have. Lord I repent on behalf of the Church and myself for anything that we (I) have done to do the very opposite. Forgive us Lord and cleanse us. Help us to see that for true believers what unifies us, is far, far greater than what we have allowed to divide us. Let Your Kingdom come in Your Church Lord, in Jesus Name Amen. 

 

Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them ...

.... for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). These words of Jesus are strangely absent from some of the earliest manuscripts, though to my mind the partial repetition by Stephen at the point of his martyrdom (Acts 7:60), cements their authenticity. Stephen's words “do not charge them with this sin” also help me to know who “them” are, and what Jesus was asking the Father to forgive. In particular it was those who were involved in "this sin,"  His crucifixion. We are told Satan had entered into Judas (Luke 22:3), so it's not much of a stretch to believe that he had entered into the religious rulers and those that followed them. In any case Satan had certainly taken them captive to do his bidding (2 Timothy 2:26). But that they did not know what they were doing is clear, for “none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Corinthians 2:8).

Ignorance of what we do does not automatically excuse either us, or them. If Jesus had not asked the Father to forgive them for this sin, no doubt unless they repented, they would not be forgiven of it. Imagine the depth of hell to which they would be consigned if they were to be held accountable for crucifying the Lord of Glory. We too would be held accountable by the way, because it was because of our need that He died for us! But again no doubt, there would be many, many other things of which they, and we, were and are guilty. And we must all stand before the Father one day to give an account (2 Corinthians 5:10). But there is good news for those of us who, through repentance, have come to know Him. In particular, we have Jesus as our eternal High priest, and in this role He is able to save us completely, because he always lives to intercede for us (Hebrews 7:24, 25).

But Jesus is also our example to follow (Luke 9:23), and in terms of how He forgives, the bar is high. At the time of His greatest pain, and at His weakest, Jesus is still at His best. Many times we have difficulty forgiving because we don't want them to get away with it. But do you and I really I want people to be in hell for what they have done to us? Would that be a good thing to know in heaven? Jesus teaching is clear, if we do not forgive neither will He forgive us (Matthew 6:14). If we forgive them, and God forgives them for what they have done to us, there will still be plenty of other things for which they will be held accountable. Not saying any of this is easy, but if we are to be followers of Jesus, we must follow Him in this too. If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all (Luke 6:46)!

Lord Jesus, being asked to forgive acts of violence and abuse can feel like more abuse at times. But we need to forgive for out own sake. Bitterness and resentment are poison for us and for those we love, and there can be none of that in heaven. Since You will not force us, we do indeed need to let go. Help us to receive Your grace in this area Lord (Hebrews 12:15). We want to be like You Lord, in Your precious Name Amen

Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it

.... Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice ..... for He is coming to judge the .... world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth (Psalm 96:12, 13). The first part is, of course poetry, and unless the New earth is more like C. S. Lewis's Narnia than we have even imagined, not to be taken literally. Paul describes the current state of creation as being in the bondage of corruption that it groans in birth pangs, as do we “who have the firstfruits of the Spirit” (Romans 8:21-23). So it struck me this morning, that we should look at things like the caronavirus, and earthquakes, tsunamis etc., as well as our own suffering, as birth pangs. And what is being birthed is the kingdom, for He is coming.

And when we, like Jesus did, push through the pain to joy, then we can perhaps start to understand how God is working all things together for good for those of us who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Hebrews 12:2; Romans 8:28). It may sound a little strange to our ear to read the rejoicing is because “He is coming to judge the .... world with righteousness, And the peoples with His truth.” In our fallen state it is altogether appropriate that we should fear judgement, rather than enter into rejoicing because it's coming. But for the one who has heard Jesus' Word, and has believed in the One who sent Him, this one has everlasting life, and shall not come into (the final) judgment, but has passed from death into life (John 5:24). There is of course a judgment for the believer, but it is not the justification aspect of salvation, of our freedom from the penalty of sin. We must all however go through the refining fire of the believer's judgement, but as the Scripture says “he himself will be saved, yet as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:11-15). But should we not fear that?

Well, there is now no condemnation to those who walk according to the Spirit, for the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1, 2 NKJV). And when we walk in the light as He is in the light the blood of Jesus Christ keeps on cleansing us from all sin, and as we put to death the deeds and the passions of the flesh (1 John 1:7; Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24). I feel about this, the same way I felt about cancer when I was diagnosed with it. I was willing to do whatever was necessary to get it completely out of my body. I mean if you were diagnosed with cancer, how much of it would you want them to leave there? It's a rhetorical question, none of course. And these days I feel the same way about sin. And just as I could rejoice when I was declared to be in remission, so I will rejoice when I am finally removed from the very presence of sin. And the believer's judgement is about precisely that, about finally getting rid of every last vestige of sin. And then I, together with all creation, will rejoice!

Father, in some ways I can't wait, though with Paul for me to live is Christ and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). And I rejoice in faith and in hope this morning, and I praise and bless You Lord, in Jesus Name Amen

Unless the LORD had helped me

.... my soul would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. When I said, "My foot is slipping," your unfailing love, LORD, supported me. In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul (Psalm 90:17-19). It is the testimony of many I know, and of myself, that we would not have made it without the Lord. And I mean that quite literally. Both my father, and one of my sisters died of broken hearts, and both at age. Of course that was not on their death certificates. But when your world had fallen apart, you have little will to fight the diseases that ravage your body. You hear of those who fight cancer who struggle with it for years before they succumb. You also hear of those who give up after being diagnosed with it, and die shortly afterwards. This is the sort of thing I am talking about.

Though I had been a Christian for over two decades, my relationship with the Lord was not as strong as it might have been, but it was there, and I knew to go to Him when I was in trouble. In my mid fifties however, everything other than Him, that had up to that point given me meaning and significance, was gone. My foot was indeed slipping, and I was in grave danger of falling into the generational pattern of premature deaths. Slowly, gradually, thought many slips and struggles, my relationship with Him grew. I have often said that you don't know that God is all you need, until God is all you have. During those times I would turn time, and time again for support, to the unfailing steadfast love and mercy of the LORD (the meaning of the Hebrew in verse 18).

And I need steadfast love and mercy and support, as I struggled with some of my pre Christian addiction that had returned, together with a new one (obsessive thinking), that I had piked up along the way. Obsessive thinking, you know when thoughts go round and round and round in your mind. The phrase “multitude of anxieties” fits the bill. The Lord had given me a song years earlier “I will greatly rejoice in the Lord” (Isaiah 61:10). It has seemed impossible at the time, and even more so in that season. But with the Lord all things are possible, and His comforts, compassions, solace and consolations (again the meaning of the Hebrew) gradually brought me through. And I can truly say, without a shadow of doubt, that “Unless the LORD had helped me, my soul would soon have settled in the silence of the grave.”

Father, there are many who say things like “How can something (the Bible) that is thousands of years old, be relevant for today?” It's a statement rather than a question, but it could not be more wrong! And Lord the saying is true Lord, that there are no atheist in fox holes (the bomb creators that soldiers hide in when the bombs are falling thick and fast). And Lord I did discover in and through the trials, temptations and struggles of those days, that You are indeed all I need. And I want to thank You again this morning for saving my soul and my life. And I give You all the glory and the praise in Jesus Name Amen.

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat

.... But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers (Luke 22:31, 32). Many of us can identify with Simon Peter (John 1:42), I can, impulsive, overconfident, trusting in his own abilities. Satan had already “sifted” Judas, meaning that he had entered into him to betray Jesus (John 13:2). And now he waned to do the same with the rest of the twelve, and with Peter in particular. Peter replies that he's willing to die for Jesus, but Jesus tells him he would deny Him three times before the cock crows (verses 33, 34). And it struck me again, that it's one thing to be willing to die a physical martyr's death, but quite another to take up our cross daily, dying daily to self, and then to daily follow Him.

I am talking about the difference between a momentary radical obedience and a life long radical obedience and submission to His will. You have to wonder if it was the thought of a glorious revolution that was stirring Peter's imagination when he declared his dying allegiance to the Lord. And if so, it must have seemed so futile that Jesus would so humbly submit to the shame of a criminal's death. I mean Peter surly knew well, that the authorities meant to put Him to death. In any case Peter had utterly failed, and when he realized what he had done, he wept bitterly (Luke 22:62). Many of us are willing to serve Jesus as long as we can do it out way, but true discipleship is about serving Him His way, no matter what the cost. Satan desires to sift us that he might destroy us, but Jesus allows this so that He might refine us often through our failures. And “in many things we all fail,” many things, all of us (James 3:2).

Our failures do not take Jesus by surprise, He knows our frame, He knows we are but dust (Psalm 103:14). He also prays for us, so that when we have failed our faith will not fail (verse 32, Hebrews 7:25). Indeed the Lord wants to use these failures as an aid to bring us to the death of the self life (Romans 8:13). And when stop fighting Him and cooperate with Him we will, I believe, be able to declare with Paul that we receive these sentences of death...... in order that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead (2 Corinthians 1:9). It is, I also believe, not in spite of these things that we are straighten, but precisely because of them. And then when we too return we will also have the wherewithal to strengthen the brethren (and the sistren :) ).

Father, there are times we feel a bit like Job concerning the fiery trials which are to test us. But as with Job Lord, it is the trials that move us from hearing about You with the ear, to the intimacy of a deep and satisfying personal fellowship with You (Job 42:5). It is a journey Lord, and I want to thank You again this morning that You who has begun a good work in us will keep right on doing it until the day we see You face to face. Help us Lord in our walk to hasten the day in Jesus Name Amen 

So teach us to number our days

...... that we may get a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). They say time goes faster when you get older, I will have to verify this when I get there :) . Verse 10 tells us “The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away.” Another scripture puts it this way “What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (James 4:14). Verse 11 of the Psalm reads “Who considers the power of your anger? Your wrath matches the fear You are due.” The sense of the first part of the title then is that we need to ask God to number our days because no one considers, and because of His wrath and because “God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

The excuses that are too easy to use for not living for the Lord as we go through life in youth, too young, in middle age too busy, in old age too old or too tired. And to number our days is to consider life's brevity and what we are doing with our lives. And when we consider, think about, meditate on the fact that that we must give an account to a just and righteous God, wisdom will surely follow. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10). Stephen Covey suggests we think about what will be said about us at our funeral. Perhaps more important is what God will say about us at that time. What I want to hear is “Well done good and faithful servant enter into the joy of your Lord (Matthew 25:23).

The Psalm continues with “Relent O LORD! How long will it be? Have compassion 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” (verses 13-15). And I am reminded that Jesus came that we might have life in all its fullness. But also when we do not live for Him, inevitably the thief will wreak havoc and destruction, and loss in our lives (John 10:10). So which is wiser, to live for me (which in any case is to have been taken captive to do the Evil one's will - 2 Timothy 2:26), or to live for Him and so to be able, with His help and enduring presence, to rise above the toil and trouble? It's should not be rocket science!

Father, teach us indeed to number our days so that we may have, not just wisdom, but a heart of wisdom. Lord You are full of Grace and Mercy, but You are also for justice and truth. Help us to hold these truths in balance Lord. And Father “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” (verses 16, 17). And we will give You the Glory in Jesus Name Amen

Choose this day whom you will serve

.... But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15). This admonition from Joshua, just before his death, concluded his sermon. He had reminded Israel of all that the Lord had done, starting with how he had lead Abraham out of the idolatry of his father's house. He had reminded them of God's faithfulness in hearing them when they cried out to Him, how He had parted the waters of the Red sea and drown the horsemen of the Egyptians, how He had subdued their enemies on every side etc., etc. And now with this admonition, in light of all that the Lord had done, he calls them to put away idols, and choose whom thy will serve.

The response of the children of Israel, in light of all that the Lord had done was “Far be it from us that we should forsake the LORD to serve other gods” (verse 16ff). But their history, both before and after this confession, is not encouraging. Many of us have similar histories, as the tendency to flee to God when we are in trouble, and then forsake Him when things start to go well, attests. In fact the whole church is likely crying out at this time for deliverance from this virus, no doubt making similar promises of faithfulness if He will but deliver us. I was reminded yesterday of a previous blog post “Mercy and truth have met together” (April 16), and yes there is mercy, but He will not always strive with men (Genesis 6:3). There is an end to His patience, and the truth is that His judgement is delayed because of His desire that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9). But what is also true is that “broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there are who find it” (Matthew 7:13). And if this crisis does not do it, what will?

There is an aspect of Joshua's declaration “As for me and my house” that sounds strange to the Western ear. I mean can we really choose, for example, for a rebellious son and include him in “my house?” It is true that the Lord is interested in household salvations. The Philippian Jailer's whole house was baptized (Acts 16:34). And Paul speaks of the believing spouse sanctifying the unbeliever and the children being holy (1 Corinthians 7:14). In any case, this verse from Joshua is one of the Scriptures many of us use when we are praying in faith for our loved ones who are not yet believers.

Father, Paul's admonition comes to mind that because of the tender mercies of our God that we present our bodies as living scarifies holy and acceptable to You as our reasonable service (Romans 12:1 NKJV). In light of all that You have done for us Lord, especially in sending Your Son to be our atoning sacrifice for our sins (1 John 2:2), our living sacrifice is indeed only reasonable. Thank You Lord for Your patience with us (with me) in all our vacillations. I choose to serve You this morning Lord, give me Grace to do it, to stick to it,  and to do it with all my heart soul and strength in Jesus Name Amen

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne

...... steadfast love and faithfulness go before you (Psalm 89:14). They say that we become like what we worship, so for example if our trust is in money, we become cold and unfeeling. When we put our trust in our intellect we become arrogant, if we live for pleasure we become selfish and hollow. I remember a time, before I was saved, when I was a prisoner of my passions, and was talking to an older man who had integrity. And he was telling me of how he had said no to sexual temptation, and I suddenly was very attracted to righteousness. When I was young and innocent, I felt I had a lot of love, and I had heard the Lord calling me to love others. In the brashness of youth I had told Him I did not need Him for that. And now, coming up against the integrity of this man my “love” was exposed for what it was, selfish and demanding lust. It was so far from what I now understand as God's steadfast love as for it to be unrecognizable.

So much for righteousness and love, what about justice and faithfulness. Proverbs 20:6 states and then asks “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?” The ever increasing divorce rates furnishes an answer. And as for justice, our justice system has largely become punitive, rather than restorative, and the whole system becoming more and more warped as it submits to political agendas. What I am saying, is that the foundations of both individuals in society, and of society itself are crumbling. And into the midst of all of this, in a season when everything is being shaken, what is needed is for us to return to the One for whom righteousness and justice are the foundation of His throne, and before whom goes steadfast love and faithfulness. And it needs to start with me, with individuals and with the Church.

The Scriptures admonish God's people not to be conformed to the World, or not to let the World squeeze us into its mold, as one version put it (Romans 12:2). And in the necessary process of humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face and repenting (2 Chronicles 7:14) we need to re-examine our foundations. We need to see that in many ways the Church is indistinguishable from the World, except that it has a strong tendency to be judgemental. We need to return to righteousness, but we also need to return to steadfast love (and mercy as some translations have it), and we need to return to faithfulness both in our relationships with each other, and in our commitment to God.

Father, we have sinned and fallen short of Your glory. We have not demonstrated that we are salt and light. We have hidden our light and been intimidated by the World. Forgive us Lord and cleanse us, and equip us to move forward. We want to be like You Lord, and we worship You this morning. Transform us Lord from one degree of glory to another as we behold You. And we will give You all the glory and the praise in Jesus Name Amen 

 

Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s

.... and to God the things that are God’s” (Luke 20:25). Jesus was immensely popular with the crowds (until Good Friday), and the scribes and the chief priests were trying to trap Him, asking Him “Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar?” The idea is that He would be in trouble either way. “But he perceived their craftiness, and said to them, “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s” (verses 23, 24). The title is His answer, and it confounded them. As with many of the things Jesus said, it was left to the apostles to expound what lies behind this, and there are two passages that are particularly relevant and need to be taken together.

The first is Romans 13:1-3 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good.” It is noteworthy that this was written to the Church in Rome, where the hated Caesar was the ultimate authority. But all this raises the question of does one always have to obey? After all at the Nuremberg trials Nazi after Nazi's defence was in essence that he was simply obeying orders from an authority instituted by God (they may not have evoked God's name, but you know what I am saying).

The second Scripture is “But Peter and John answered them, 'Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge'” (Acts 4:19). This was their answer to the religious authorities who had charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus (verse 18). I mean if the Romans passage is true, and it is, then this authority was also instituted by God. In fact Scripture even says of the hight priest Chaiaphas, that he prophesied (John 11:51). And Peter and John's response gives us the answer to the above question, we must obey unless what is being required disobeys God. In particular the Nazi murderers cannot use obedience as an excuse. But how far does that go? Can I simply ignore laws I don't agree with? I think not. When everyone does what is right in his own eyes chaos ensues (Judges 17:6).

Father, I don't suppose that this answer is anymore popular that was Jesus answer when the crowd actually figured out what He was saying. But Lord Your rules and regulations are there by and large to protect us. But this does leave room for civil disobedience when it is warranted. Help us to know when it is Lord, and when it is please give us courage, and help us to be willing to pay the price. Help us to know when to speak and when to be silent. Principles are not enough Lord, we need the guidance that comes with our relationship with You, so we can truly know what to do. Help us to be diligent to pray for our leaders Lord, and we pray these things in Jesus Name Amen

Hope deferred makes the heart sick

..... but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life. Whoever despises the Word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded (Proverbs 13:12, 13). The two proverbs from this morning's readings go together well. Both are relevant to a world that wants what it wants, and wants it now, and that wants to do what it wants do, without regard to the consequences. In addition both proverbs encourage us to take the long view,  both in terms of the here and now and eternity. With regard to the first proverb, delayed answers to a promise that one has set one's heart on is difficult for both the mature and the immature. Bob Storge speaks of delayed answers that they test us like a fire. I know well what he is talking about as I have been waiting for the fulfillment of a promise for over two decades. David's heart was sick, because the people had spoken of stoning him in their distress at finding their city burned, and their loved ones carried off. But David encouraged himself in the Lord and hope revived (1 Samuel 30:1-8).

Trust in, and obedience to, the Word is important in both proverbs. When our heart is sick because of the delay we, like David, need to strengthen ourselves in the Lord and in His Word. When I am discouraged, as I was this morning, I go to the promises He has underlined for me. And my mind went to Psalm 126:6 “He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” And even as I write and meditate on these things, I am feeding on His faithfulness. And hope revives as I read in verses 1 and 2  “When the LORD restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream. Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy.” This is surly what it means that it is a tree of life!

In light of this, the two proverbs together speak fo me of the provision and the protection that is the lot of the one who follows hard after God's own heart. I have often used Galatians 6:7 in terms of the negative, but reaping and sowing is both positive and negative (see verse 8). And the agricultural picture stresses the long term in both aspects. In particular we can seem to get away with it for a while, in terms of reaping what we sow from our disobedience. I know this too, and I can thank God for this law or sowing and reaping in both the positive and the negative. In terms of the negative, it was reaping the consequences of my sinful choices that brought me to Him in the first place. And it is the increasing fullness of life, and the assurance that He is working all things together for my good, that keeps me trusting, keeps me hoping, keeps me believing that in the here and now I will in His time come rejoicing, and in eternity enjoy pleasures at His right hand forevermore.

Father, I want to thank You this morning, that You not only know what I need as I come to You day by day, but You are also able to pull it out from the day's readings. You are amazing Lord and I love You and I praise and bless You in Jesus Name Amen

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost

This verse from Luke 19:10 concludes the story of Zacchaeus, a hated tax collector. Zacchaeus was a short man, the crowds were big, and he had run on ahead and climbed a sycamore tree in order to be able to see Jesus. Jesus invited Himself to Zacchaeus's house to dine, the crowd had disapproved (“they” and “all” verse 7), because Jesus had been willing to be a guest of, and hence associate with, a sinner. But Zacchaeus stood! Jesus approval and acceptance of Zacchaeus was more important to him (Zacchaeus) than the acceptance of the crowd. In any case the acceptance of the crowd is fickle, as the the unfolding story very clearly shows (vv. 37,38; 23:21). We too must learn to value the Lord's opinion concerning ourselves above that of others. But it is not always easy!

And as I came this morning asking Him for something that applies first and foremost to myself, the Lord gave me two things. The first has to with my own experiences of rejection. And I was a little surprised to find that there are still feelings of hurt there. I mean I thought I had dealt with it all, and to a great extent I have. Certainly the Lord came to seek and to save that which is lost, but He also came to heal the broken hearted (Luke 4:18;Isaiah 61:1). It's a process however, and like grief, each new hurt has an echo of all previous hurts. These things are crossroads, they can either draw us closer to the God of all comfort, or we can allow the enemy to drive us from Him. And when we choose the former it gives us empathy to those who are similarly hurt, it it equips us the share with them the comfort we have received (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). This is Kingdom work!

The second thing has to do with the need to be on our (my) guard, that we are not rejecting especially those, the Lord is drawing to Himself. There is far too much “us and them” both in the church, and outside of it. And we need to examine our hearts with respect to our attitudes to others who rub us up the wrong way, or who believe differently from ourselves, or with whose lifestyle we disagree with. The accusations of hate and fear on the marginalized, and on those we consider sinners, is not without validity, and we need to repent. We do however need to walk in both love and truth, and we need to get this in balance. In particular, we need to know when to speak and when to be silent. Jesus did't need to speak to Zacchaeus of his sin. As shown by his practical repentance (verse 8), there was no need. But Jesus was not backwards in speaking the truth when He felt it necessary (verse 27).

Father, thank You that there is coming a day when there will be no more rejection, no more pain (Revelation 24:1). In the meantime Lord help us to press into Your comfort and to share it with others. Help us Lord to cooperate with You in seeking to save the lost. Teach us to walk in both love and truth, to be sensitive to the early nudgings of Your Spirit to know when to speak and when to be silent. Use us in this way for Your Kingdom Lord in Jesus Name Amen

In the day of my trouble I call upon You,

..... for You answer me. There is none like You among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like Yours (Psalm. 86:7, 8).

Father, this day is the day of our trouble, and we Your church are calling on You with an intensity that, as far as I am aware, has not previously occurred in lifetime. I am sure Lord that there was much prayer during World War II. But I was too young to remember it and in any case there were nations then that were not really touched, and this pandemic is truly world wide. And we are calling on You Lord because You are a God who answers prayer. You are also a God who does nothing without revealing Your plans to Your servants the Prophets (Amos 3:7). And You have been speaking Lord that if we repent You will re-unite the Koreas, and that this plague like invasion will test us through Passover. Well Lord Passover has come and gone, and now we petition You, that You please do not remember against us our former iniquities; and that You let your compassion come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low (Psalm 79:8).

And what we are asking this morning Lord, is that You would rend the heavens and come down, that the mountain of our troubles might quake at Your presence (Isaiah 64:1), and that You might show us Your glory. You are God oh Lord and there is no other (Isaiah 45:5), there is no god who can do, and does, works and deeds like Yours. I have seen glimpses of what You can do Lord, healings in my own body and in those of others. I have seen and been part of deliverances, but Lord we have yet to do the greater works You promised we would do (John 14:12). We repent of our unbelief Lord, and we ask and declare as did that father may years ago “We believe, help our unbelief” (Mark 9:24).

Truly Lord there is none like You among the gods, for indeed they are not gods, they are idols. And Lord we cast them all down, the idols of our apathy in prayer, of our independence, of our arrogance, of our ministries, of our putting our trust in anything and everything but You. You are our last Hope Lord, but what a Hope! And You should have been our first hope all along. So we come to You again this morning Lord, humbling ourselves, praying, seeking Your face, turning from our wicked ways and claiming Your promise that when we do this, You will hear from heaven, You will forgive our sin, and You will heal this land we call earth (2 Chronicles 7:14). We do not know what to do Lord, our eyes are on You (2 Chronicles 20:12), and we ask You indeed to come quickly Lord Jesus, for we ask in You Holy and Precious and lovely Name Amen

Mercy and truth have met together

...... Righteousness and peace have kissed (Psalm 85:10). The various translations of this verse show, in particular, the richness of the Hebrew word “chesed” translated here as mercy. Other meanings of chesed include lovingkindness and steadfast love. The word translated “met together” is used of those who should be friends, but whom circumstances have torn asunder. Certainly in our humanity we do not always see these attributes as friends. We are frequently out of balance in our virtues emphasizing truth at the expense of love for example, or love at the expense of truth. But actually truth without love is not truth, at least not Biblical truth, and love without truth is not love. Suppose you know that down the road, round a sharp bend on an icy road the bridge is washed out. Should you warn your friends who are happily driving down that way? Should you conclude that, well they are happy, and we should do nothing that would spoil their mood? I mean they might even be angry if you tell them!

The most famous of all Bible verses is followed by a very stern warning. “God so loved the world that He gave His only son that whosoever believes in His should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:16-18). Well to answer the above question, we are told to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). We have not always done this well, and in this season when we are being called back to repentance (2 Chronicles 7:14 again), we need to get this right. We are to be imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1), and God has these things in perfect balance, in Him steadfast love mercy and truth have met together.

And God never commands anything that He Himself has not already done, in spades. I mean perhaps for a good man one might bring oneself to die, but “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7, 8). It is in the cross of Christ that this morning's verse is truly demonstrated. He who was without sin, He who is the very essence of righteousness, this one became our peace. And He has broken down every wall of division (Ephesians 2:14). And how did He do it? Well “Christ suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). In fact in Jesus righteousness and peace have indeed kissed.

Lord Jesus, I want to thank You this morning for the beauty of Your character, Your mercy and Grace and justice and righteousness are held together in unity and balance within Your persona. Thank You that having been made righteous by Your blood we have peace with God, thank You that in baptism I died with You and that Your raised me up together with You. Help me now Lord to set my mind on the things above where Your are, so that I may live and reign with You. Thank You Lord that You have made this possible even for little old me, and all those reading this blog, in Your precious Name Amen

Blessed is the man whose strength is in You

..... Whose heart is set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a spring; the rain also covers it with pools. they go from strength to strength; each one appears before God in Zion (Psalm 84:5-7). The Psalmist's destiny was Zion, our is heaven. And the Psalmist's pilgrimage (journey) is from an unspecified, but distant place. The valley of Baca may or may not, be a geographical place. The sense of the Hebrew however, is that is it a dry and thirsty valley, but it is also a valley of weeping, a place of pain and difficulty. Baca is apparently a balsam tree that “bleeds” resin, hence weeping. The application is clear, it is that on our pilgrimage we must necessarily pass through difficult times, dry times, and times of weeping. And of course we are blessed when we make the Lord our strength.

It is “we” who “make” the valley of Beca a place of springs, but it is alos about cooperation with Him, about receiving His grace. After all we are God's co-workers (1 Cor 3:9). It is easy to get this wrong either thinking it is all up to us, or that it's all up to God and so we just sit back and watch. It is complicated, because there are times He tells us to do just that. In this particular case, the Psalmist is stressing that we have a significant part to play. I am thinking about two people I know both of whom had strokes, that left them quite limited. Both went to physiotherapy (or physio – terrorism as one friend calls it). One of them expected the physio therapists to do it all for him and made very little improvement. The other surprised the doctors by her progress. She is a fighter, the first one not. All this to say that our response to our pilgrimage when it gets tough, is a crossroads. We can either make it a spring, a place where we tap into the living water of the Holy Spirit, or we die of thirst!

To say this another way, it is our response to the difficulties of life that make the difference between it being a place of strengthening, or a place of defeat. If we are just wanting to get rid of the pain, of the difficulties, we will not grow, and we will not heal from the hurts of our journey. If we truly believe that God is working all things our for our good (Romans 8:28), then the faith response is to press into Him, and to ask Him “What is it Lord that You want to teach me through this trail?” But let's make no mistake about it, God always leads us in triumphant procession in Christ (2 Corinthians 2:14). This does not mean that we do not grieve loss, nor that we will not struggle to let go of what we might need to let go of. What it does mean, is that when we cooperate with God we can be sure that He who began a good work in us will keep right on doing it until the day we get to meet Him (Philippians 1:6). And when we do this we become watering holes (pools of water) for other thirsty pilgrims.

Father we are weak but You are strong. But also when we are weak and we cooperate, it give You the opportunity to make Your strength perfect in our weakness. Your grace is sufficient Lord (2 Corinthians 12:9), help us to determine always to embrace it in Jesus Name Amen

So you also, when you have done everything

.... you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty' (Luke 17:10). As I come to the daily readings day by day, I ask the Lord to show me what He would have me think about and meditate and blog on. When He pointed out this teaching, I told Him “I don't want to do it.” But I have told Him many times that I will not say “no” to Him. And so it is! It strikes me that for each of us, there are likely things about Christianity that we like, and things we don't. This for me is a don't like, but shall we, as some kind of consumer of truth, shop for the truth we like, and discard the truth we don't? If we do, it will no doubt come back to bite us! Paul could say that he had not neglected to proclaim the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), and I too must not either for myself, or on this blog.

Jesus in this teaching references the current practice, that a servant, having worked the field all day, would still be expected to prepare the master's supper before he got his own. In this day and age we would likely sympathize with the servant if he was want to be resentful at such expectation. But Jesus asks “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him?” He answers “I think not!” If we get caught up in looking at this in terms of fair business practices, we will miss the point. It is more about what we expect from God for out doing what what we should. Do we expect God to applaud and reward us for not murdering anyone, or for not committing adultery? In other words do we think that our good behaviour places some sort of obligation on God? How often have I heard that people expect God to weigh their good and bad works. But the unpalatable truth is, that all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Calvin's commentary on this teaching is worth quoting “It is an argument drawn from the less to the greater; for if a mortal man is permitted to hold such power over another man, as to enjoin upon him uninterrupted services by night and by day, and yet contract no sort of mutual obligation, as if he were that man’s debtor, how much more shall God have a right to demand the services of our whole life?” We are so used to hearing of the love of God and of the Grace of God, and I thank God for these things, but within the whole council of God we must not neglect His severity (Romans 11:22). And in these days when we are being called back to humility (2 Chronicles 7:14), is it incumbent upon us to face the reality that He is God and we are not. The Psalms put is this way “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture” (Psalm 00:3). It is we who are in His debt, not He in ours.

Father, when we pick and choose what we want to believe, we are essentially trying to make You in our image. We likely have all done it from time to time. Help us Lord to embrace the whole council of God and, especially at this time, teach us to walk in true humility. Thank You for the Grace that we so easily over emphasize so as to take it for granted. We repent this morning Lord, I do, in Jesus Name Amen

Use worldly wealth to make friends for yourselves

.... in order that when you expire, they may receive you into an everlasting home (Luke 16:9). Bill Prankard tells of a dream he had. Bill was called to go to the unreached people groups at the very top of the world in northern Russia. These trips were very expensive and difficult as there were no roads and they had to go on all terrain vehicles. In his dream he is in heaven and the people the Lord used him to reach are running towards him with great joy. And they run right past him to the people who had supported Bill both financially and prayerfully. The point of course is to imagine the joy of meeting someone is in heaven because you were obedient in either going or praying or giving.

The title phrase from the lips of Jesus follow immediately upon the heals of the parable of the unjust steward, and the saying that the sons of this world are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light (verse 8). It is important to note that the master did not commended the steward for his dishonesty, but for his being shrewd. The dictionary defines shrewd as having or showing a clever awareness or resourcefulness, especially in practical matters. So what Jesus is saying, is that often those in the world exhibit more skill, use more energy, are more creative, are more bold in pursuit of their own goals that Christians are in promoting the kingdom. And this seems to be true more generally than with finances, I am thinking about such things as the pursuit of power, or influence, or fame as well as fortune. Jesus however is zeroing in here on the financial aspect of stewardship (but see also 1 Peter 4:10).

Instead of “worldly wealth” in the title verse other translations have “unrighteous mammon.” It is however the love of money that is the root of all evil not money itself. The same verse (1 Timothy 6:10) goes on to say “for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Our culture does not help with its constant seductive advertising, and its over emphasis on materialism. I have even heard “The one who has the most toys when he dies, wins.” We must not be conformed to the world, and as the Apostles advocated in the early church we need to remember the poor (Galatians 2:10). But also we must not be naive, there is much that disguises itself as charity that is riddled with corruption. We are to be generous, but we should also be as wise as serpents and as harmless as doves – in other words shrewd in our giving (Matthew 10:16). There is also such a thing as toxic charity, in famine, for example, well meaning charities have flooded the marked with food, and it put the local farmers out of business. We do indeed need to be shrewd.

Father, we do need to be generous with our money, our time and our resources. You have promised that if we seek first your Kingdom and Your righteousness all that we truly need will be supplied. And help us Lord within the seduction of our culture, to see the difference between our needs and our wants. And help us to indeed be generous and shrewd to use the unrighteous mammon for Your the glory in Jesus Name Amen

The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon (Luke 24:34)!

In traditional Easter Sunday preaching the various proofs of the resurrection are set forth. Of course various theories have been set forth to try and explain it away, but none of them hold water. The disciples had seen and experienced the risen Lord, Thomas had put his fingers into the wounds in Jesus' hands and side (John 20:27), and Jesus had eaten a piece of fish in their presence (Luke 24:42). And I imagine there were fishbones lying round after He left, assuring them that He really had been there. There are two pieces of evidence that for me leave me in no doubt. The first is the change in the disciples. On Friday they had all runaway, and Peter had even denied that he knew Him (Matthew 26:72). Yet these same disciples, just a few days later, turned the world upside down with their preaching (Acts 17:6). And with the possible exception of John, they all died for their faith. You do not die for a lie. The second piece of evidence is the presence of the risen Lord in my life, and the growing resurrection power that He is fashioning in me (Philippians 3:10).

In a last minute invitation I tuned into a sunrise service on Zoom this morning. And we had communion. There was a gentle but powerful sense of His presence as we came together online from our separate homes. Truly, as they say, there is no distance in the Spirit! In normal times we might have been out on Signal Hill here in St John's for the sunrise, to be followed by a pancake breakfast. But the communion meal the Lord fed us with this morning was more satisfying than any pancake breakfast! It struck me that for the first time, at least in my life, the two most distinctive aspects of Christianity came together, namely the resurrection and in remembrance in the communion the cross.

All other religions are essentially man reaching up to God to please Him. In the cross we see God reaching down to man to do for him, what he cannot do for himself. The cross is God's incredible and costly initiate to bring sinful man back to Himself. “While we were yet sinners Christ died for the ungodly” (Romans 5:6, 8). And the resurrection is the proof that all Jesus said and did is the truth. I mentioned above the growing resurrection power that He wants to fashion in us, and it struck me again that there can be no resurrection without a death, in this case, the death of the self life (Galatians 5:24). Paul could say he counted everything he formally valued as garbage, in that he might know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings. These two things go together, or they don't “go” at all!

Lord Jesus, the essence of the gospel has been described as You saying “My life for yours. In calling us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1), You are calling us to give our lives for others, not in codependence, but nevertheless in the costly part of discipleship that calls to take up our cross and follow You. No wonder we need the blood to keep on cleaning us (1 John1:7). And I want to thank You Lord this morning for the blood in Your precious Name Amen

And whoever does not bear his cross

... and come after Me cannot be My disciple (Luke 14:27). Many of us will have been reminded yesterday in (online) services, of the absolute brutality of death by crucifixion. Many of the agonies are described in the prophetic Psalm 22, written many years before the advent of codification. A sample “All My bones are out of joint; My heart is like wax; It has melted within Me (palpitations of the heart); My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and My tongue clings to My jaws (raging thirst); They pierced My hands and My feet; They divide My garments among them, And for My clothing they cast lots (verses 14-18; Matthew 27:35). Those hearing the above words from Jesus would be very familiar with all of this, and His words must have been startling.

This call to discipleship (for that is what it is), is a far cry from those who invite people to come to Jesus to get rich, or because life will go better if they do. The twin parables that follow this morning's verse emphasize two aspects of the need to count the cost. Tyndale commentary comments that in the first (building a tower) Jesus encourages the would be disciple to sit down and consider if he can afford to follow Him.” In the second (a king coming to make war) He is saying, “Sit down and reckon whether you can afford to refuse My demands.” In an obvious use of hyperbole (an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally) Jesus says “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple” (verse 26). What He is saying, is that in obeying the command to love God with all our heart, mind, soul and strength, this love needs to be so much greater than even the love of our own life, that in comparison it looks like hate.

One good thing that can come out of this caronavirus (Romans 8:28), is for us to see that there is also a cost from coming out from under the protection of radical obedience. In particular it reminds us that we are in a war to the death with the enemy of our souls, and that in this war between the Kingdom of light and the Kingdom of darkness there is no neutral ground (Luke 11:23). In particular, one way or the other, we choose. The default choice to do nothing, which many take, is nevertheless a choice. And we need to ask ourselves two questions “Can we afford to enter the narrow way (Matthew 7:13,14), and can we afford not to?” As I said above, this morning's verse is an invitation, it is an invitation to die, an invitation to put to death our selfish deeds and desires, and as soldiers involved in this war between kingdoms, it is the invitation to act like the soldier we are called to be.

Lord Jesus at this Easter time, I am reminded that You never call us to something that You Yourself have not gone through in spades. And in light of this Lord, is it so inappropriate that our response should be anything less than to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to You (Romans 12:1). We need Your Grace Lord, I do, and I am asking for it again this morning in Your precious Name Amen

Let your mercy come speedily to meet us

We are looking, from this morning's readings, at “Do not remember against us our former iniquities; let your mercy come speedily to meet us, for we are brought very low. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of Your name; deliver us, and atone for our sins, for your name’s sake! Why should the nations say, 'Where is their God?'” (Psalm 79:8 – 10a). This passage is very much in line with the ongoing exposition of 2 Chronicles 7:14 where we the Church, are humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face and repenting of our former iniquities. But it is also appropriate for today, it being Good Friday, and Good Friday being good, because we remember that this is the day that Jesus wrought our reconciliation with God, our atonement. But it is also appropriate, because on that day, the disciples were brought very low. That, and in this season we too, have been humbled and brought low.

There is a famous sermon that's preached over and over round this time. It is “It's Friday, but Sunday is acoming.” The Friday is of course the very day when things looked absolutely hopeless, and whatever could have gone wrong, had gone wrong. In the words of the disciples “We had hoped ...” (Luke 24:21). With twenty twenty hindsight however, we can look back and know that though everything looked bleak on that Friday, resurrection Sunday was just round the corner. And though many unbelievers are without hope at this time, we who believe must not be that way, since we have a sure hope (Hebrews 6:19). In the West where the material is thought to be all there is, the question “Where is your God?” is rhetorical and sarcastic. And with the Psalmist our petition asks God why they should say such things. And also with the Psalmist, we remind the Lord that with all this humbling, praying, seeking His face and repenting going on, His reputation (“for the glory of Your name”) is at stake.

Note that the petition in our passage, includes deliverance as well as atonement, and that it is the God of our salvation who is being petitioned. Salvation of course, is much more than a fire escape from hell. Healing, for example, is in the atonement, for “by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). The passage also points to the fact that the calamity had come upon Israel because of sin. And likewise because we have turned our back on God, we have taken ourselves out from under His protection. In doing this, we have given the enemy the legal right to engage in his agenda to kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10a). But again like the Psalmist as we engage in identification repentance,we can claim the promise that when we do these things that He will hear from heaven, forgive our sins, and heal our land.

Father, it is Friday, but Sunday is acoming. I am remembering the prophecy this morning Lord that given last August by Chuck Pierce, that a plague like invasion was coming that would test us through Passover. Passover is upon us Lord, and we petition You this morning to let Your mercy come quickly to meet us, we ask it for Your Name sake, and we ask it in Jesus Name Amen

The eternal God is your refuge

..... And underneath are the everlasting arms; He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and .... Israel shall dwell in safety (Deuteronomy 33:27, 28). Note, not just God, but the eternal God. And it reminds us that we need to take an eternal perspective on whatever we are going through. Paul could say that compared to the glory that it to be revealed, even his many trials were light and momentary (2 Corinthians 11:28; 4:17). In the meantime God is our dwelling place, our habitation. He is our safe place, and He wants our encounter with Him to be a habitation, not a visitation. Underneath are the everlasting arms, He is our safely net, and not only is He safe but in love and affection, He is ready to catch us when we fall. And when we make Him our refuge, He will drive out the enemy and we shall dwell in safety.

I woke this morning after a dream. I was bringing the budgie bird I used to own (I called him Bird, he was free to fly in the house) on a long journey home. I was holding him in my hand, because He was used to flying free in the house, but it was not safe to fly outside. He struggled and struggled at first, and he bit me, so I had to hold him tighter so he could not do that. After a while he stopped struggling and I was able to hold him relatively loosely and he relax and I spoke tenderly to him, “soon be home Bird.” Jacob in the midst of his most intense struggles told the Lord “I will not let you go until you bless me” (Genesis ), but actually, once we have made the commitment it is He who will not let us go. Paul could say that he was persuaded that He was able to keep that which he had committed unto him against day. However like Bird in my hand, when we struggle for whatever reason, He needs to hold us tighter. And when we relax, we can enjoy the view and see things we have never seen before.

And like I spoke words of comfort to Bird in my dream, the Lord is wanting to speak words of comfort and encouragement to us. But we will not be able to hear as long as we are fighting what He has allowed. But I believe He is also telling me, and you though this, that there is soon coming a time when it will be safe to fly again. And what that there are things on this present journey that we will not see at any other time. So that if we will relax and trust Him to take us through it, we will be able to truly fly in the Spirit. Paul talks about the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, We can't really have the one without the other, and there can be no resurrection without a death. And fear in particular needs to die at this time!

Father thank You that when we stop fighting the people, circumstance and restrictions that You allow we, like Bird in the dream can catch a glimpse of Heaven in the here and now. Thank You that You give us safe places to fly in the here and now, and that heaven we will have freedom that cannot be compared even to what is available here. Please give us Paul's perspective on our suffering in Jesus Name Amen

Therefore you also be ready

.... for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect (Luke 12:40). The “Son of man” is a messianic title that Jesus applied to Himself, and His “coming” refers to the second coming of which He spoke elsewhere (see also Acts 1:11). The Old Testament contains two pictures of the then coming Messiah. The first is of the suffering servant (Isaiah 53; Acts 8:26-35), the second that of the conquering Messiah (Isaiah 42:4; Zechariah 14:1-2). Jesus made it clear that when He comes the second time He will come to judge. In fact we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ “that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10). For those who are truly saved, this judgement is not about salvation (justification), but rather about what we have built on the foundation of that justification. We will either gain or loose rewards as the fire tests what sort are our works (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).

The Scripture tells believers, that He will wipe away all tears (Revelation 21:4), and no doubt some of those tears will be tears of joy since there will be no more suffering, or death no more grief. But I sometimes wonder if some of the grief He will take away at that time will be the realization of how little we have done for Him. The above “therefore you also be ready” follows the admonition to know this “that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into” (verse 39). It is for this reason that we too should also be ready. In the wider context of this admonition is about our living life in the joyful expectation of His imminent return. We are to be lovers of His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).

In the context of Paul telling us that we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, he also says that “He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:15). And if we do this, we can actually welcome the judgement seat of Christ because it is there that we will be receiving rewards (1 Corinthians 3:14). And on the prayer call this morning, I was repenting that I have not always redeemed the time, that I have often lived for myself. And I am welcoming this time of testing, this time of shaking and refining. And in obedience to 2 Chronicles 7:14, I am seeking to lay aside the sin and the weight that so easily ensnares ensnares me, and to run with perseverance the race He has set before me (Hebrews 12:1).

Lord Jesus, You tell us “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching” (Luke 12:37). We need Your help Lord to live in the expectation of Your imminent return, I do! Father I repent on behalf of myself and of Your church for being asleep. When this crisis is over Lord , we do not want to go back to the same old, same old. Please continue to refine me Lord so that I will not be afraid to be close to the flame of Your consuming fire, in Jesus Name Amen

But seek the kingdom of God

.... and all these things shall be added to you (Luke 12:31). Jesus had just been saying that we should not seek the things that unbelievers seek. The Father is well aware of our needs (verse 30). Our priorities must not be the same as those of the World. Seeking Him and His Kingdom, is one of the four things to which God is calling His Church at this time (humbling ourselves, praying, seeking His face and repenting). This verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 is being quoted over and over in the various streams and movements that God has been raising up for such at time as this. Having the same priorities as the World, is one of the many things of which we need to repent in order that we may reciever the promise that God will heal our land. And an end to the caronavirus is just one of the many things of which our land needs to be healed.

When this pandemic is over, we cannot go back to church as usual, we must not. Jesus' warning comes to mind “Repent, lest a worse thing happens to you” (Luke 13:3). At the terrorist attack at 9/11, the churches were full, but it did not last, it was not true repentance. In this we follow ancient Israel who when disaster came, would cry out to the Lord for deliverance. The Lord in His mercy would deliver them, but in the safety that followed they would soon forget, and go back to their old sinful ways. Again I do not think God sent the terrorists, but when we rebel and forget the Lord, we take ourselves out from under both God's protection, and His provision (all these things added). It is only as we seek His Kingdom as our first priority, that the Kingdom of God comes on earth as it is in heaven.

The next verse in the Luke reference (verse 32) reads  “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32). “Little flock” is a term of endearment, rather than of size. But in saying it He is of course referring to us as sheep, and in context, sheep who follow the Good Shepherd and seek the Kingdom. And in terms of seeking more than a deliverance from this pandemic, my brother and I were praying this morning (yes online) into a vision of our Mile One Stadium being filled with God's people praying, and of the prophecy that a bomb of God's Glory fall on St. John's. We were also praying that this include the whole province. We prayed for God to raise up the fivefold ministry, and to equip pastors and teachers to go out from, and come into the city from all across the province. In other words no community however small, would feel left out!

Father, we come boldly before Your throne this morning, to obtain mercy and Grace to help in this time of need (Hebrews 4:16). Thank You Lord You that You are able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or imagine according to the power that works in us (Ephesians 3:20). Thank You for Your partnership in the Gospel as we pray and follow, and seek Your Kingdom. Thank You Lord for Your promise that all thee things will be added unto us. Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth ss it is in Heaven in Jesus Name Amen

The secret things belong to the LORD our God

.... but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29). The founding fathers of Western Civilization could make statement like “We hold these truths to be self evident.” And more often than not, the truths they were speaking about were Biblical truths. In fact the West has largely based its laws on what was revealed to ancient Israel. And when you are living in those truths they do indeed seem to be self evident. But they were not self evident to the nations that surrounded Israel. It was not self evident to them, for example, that you should not sacrifice your children in the fire. They thought of this as “the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul.” Since this was so very seductive, the Lord made it very clear (revelation) that this was not what He required. What He requires of us is “to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:7, 8).

The things which are revealed also belong to those who love the Lord today. But things that belong to us can be lost, if we don't guard them. And truth is suppressed by unrighteousness. In fact when we do not receive the love the truth (revelation), God will actually eventually send strong delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:10, 11). When we refuse God over and over, He is entirely just to do this, as he did with Pharaoh. We read Pharaoh hardened his heart, Pharaoh hardened his heart etc., then God hardened Pharaoh's heart. He then used Pharaoh to demonstrate His glory through his stubbornness. If this makes you uncomfortable, know that I have been there and to some extent I still am. Paul talks about the goodness and the severity of God. But even in His severity He is good. Paul asks “What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction” (Romans 9:22).

God is a God of justice and a God of mercy (Isaiah 30:13; Psalm 59:10). He shows His wrath in order that we might seek His mercy. We will spend eternity with Him or with the one (the Devil) who I believe in his wrath sent this plague upon us. Part of the problem is that we don't understand His holiness, and we have this amazing tendency to minimize our sins and inequities. What we do need to understand is that He would be just in kicking us all out of paradise. But as the scripture says “He is not desirous that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). And He went to incredible lengths in order that He could be just, and the justifier of those who believe (Romans 3:26).

Father, Your word tells us that the secret of the Lord is with those that fear Him, and that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 25:14; Proverbs 9:10). Lord please bring back the fear of the Lord to Your church, and teach us to seek you in the secret place to that when we are still we may know more of the secret things so that we may delight in You in whom there are pleasures forevermore (Psalm 16:11) in Jesus Name Amen

The lamp of the body is the eye (Luke 11:34)

Regarding the lamp, Proverbs 20:27 tells us “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of his heart.” Verse 34 of Luke continues with “Therefore, when your eye is clear, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Various Greek lexicons say of “clear,” that it means “simple, single (nothing complicated or confused); sound, healthy; generous; sincere, morally whole, faithful.” The Amplified Bible adds “[spiritually perceptive, focused on God].” Of “being full of light it adds “[benefiting from God’s precepts],” of evil it adds “[spiritually blind],” and of “full of darkness” it adds “[devoid of God’s word].” It is also noteworthy that the word for evil is “poneros,” which is often translated “sexually immoral.”

Note that there is no middle ground here. Luke 11:36 talks about “having no part dark.” I like the illustration that if you add a thimbleful of fine old scotch to a barrel of sewage it stays sewage. But if you add a thimbleful of sewage to a barrel of fine old scotch, it becomes sewage.” And if there was ever a time when the people of God should come out of compromise, it is now! The Bible talks about those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light, and light for darkness (Isaiah 5:20). Such people are wise in their own eyes (verse 21), but they are in darkness. Some say the coronavirus is God's judgement (which I dispute). Other say it is Satan's rage because the time is near for the second coming of our Lord. I am more and more certain that this is the case, but in any case it is certainly the time for those of us who say we love Him to humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and repent (2 Chronicles 7:14 again). In this way we will shine as lights in the darkness (Philippians 2:15).

Since “generous” is part of the meaning of the meaning of “clear” in 11:34, the following verse stood out to me when I searched “light and darkness” together. “If you extend your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness, and your darkness shall be as the noonday (Isaiah 58:10). In other words our repentance while it certainly needs to include personal holiness, it needs to extend to practical expressions of help to this wicked and hurting world. Generosity will be especially important in the likely coming financial difficulties. But also those of us who have been in the faith for sometime will need to be fathers and mothers to those in the coming prophesied revival. And since the apple does not fall far from the tree (Exodus 20:5) we need to be a shining example of love, purity, generosity and grace!

Father, at this time when You are calling Your people both individually and corporately into repentance, please give us grace to let these trials and difficulties refine us. Lord I want to come forth like gold (Job 23:10), and I want to be Your ambassador. We need Your love and grace and peace, I do Lord. And we are asking for a double portion of these things so that we can be all that You call us to be at this time. And we ask these things for Your Kingdom and Your glory in Jesus Name Amen 

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given

... seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Luke 11:9). The Lord loves to connect spiritual things with spiritual things in our hearts and minds (1 Corinthians 2:13). And as I continue to prepare for tomorrow's meeting with the theme “Authority, Identity and Humility,” I could see all three components in the context of this morning's reading from Luke 11:5-13. The “So” of the title verse connects it to the parable immediately before it. The parable is about persistence “because of his persistence he will rise and give him what he needs” (verse 8). The authority that we are given (10:19) has, like any gift, to be received, to be appropriated. In order to do this, we first and foremost need to know who we are in Christ (identity). We are beloved and cherished sons and daughters of the Father, who if we ask for bread, will not give us a stone (verse 11).

Among the complex meanings of the word translated authority (i.e. 10:19) are “the power of influence, and of right.” And in this passage, He is giving us the right and confidence to know what is our inheritance. And our inheritance includes answers to the exceeding great and precious promises of the Word. We do need to keep in mind that “no” is an answer. In fact there are three basic answers yes, no, wait. And it is in the waiting that we need persistence. The waiting helps us to know if we really want it, in which case we will be persistent. But also in the waiting our faith either grows or diminishes, and we choose. Delayed answers are an opportunity to draw near to God.

In terms of humility, in an age of independence from God, and one that clamours loudly for our rights, there is a desperate need to come back into true relationship with the Father. Let's face it in this age where we are encouraged to feel entitled, there is a huge tendency to get our wants and our needs confused. He has promised, when we are in right relationship with Him, to supply all of our needs according to His riches in Glory (Philippians 4:19), not all our wants. In the context of this morning reading, the Lord is talking about asking for bread, for fish and for the Holy Spirit. And if we are not grieve or quench the Holy spirit we need to walk in humility and obedience and in holiness. Having said that, it is clear the carnivorous is not of the Lord, and that we are in desperate need of deliverance!

Our beautiful and lovely heavenly Father, You who knows how to give good gifts to men, we come to You this morning humbling ourselves, praying, seeking Your face and repenting of our waywardness. We declare Your Kingdom come and Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Lord there are no viruses in heaven, and together with the rest of Your church we come in repentance and unity, and declare with the authority You have given us, an end to this pestilence. We declare that it will not come near our dwellings, and it will not by any means harm us. You promised Lord! This is our inheritance, this is our authority, and we thank You in advance for the positive answer (Mark 11:24) in Jesus Name Amen