The babe leaped in my womb for joy

If Christmas is the time that Jesus was born, then it would be about this time of the year that Mary became pregnant. And the daily readings for today include the visit of the angel to Mary and Mary's visit to her cousin Elizabeth who had “conceived a son” in her old age. And when Mary arrived, the babe leaped in Elizabeth's womb for joy (Luke 1:26-44). Notice that is was a son that was conceived, not simply a bunch of cells, and that it was a babe (brephos) that leapt in her womb. The Greek lexicon Thayer says of brephos, that is it both an unborn child as well as a newborn child (Luke 2:12). Thus the Bible makes no distinction between the unborn child and the new born. Notice too, that the brephos is able not only to feel joy, but to feel intense joy and to express this joy by leaping in the womb! In fact modern fetology confirms that the unborn are able to feel and experience a great deal more than we at first suspected.

From the internet “There is a growing body of research showing that babies in the womb feel, taste, learn, and have some level of consciousness.” There is also evidence that the baby can experience stress, rejection, trauma and the like. Also from the internet “Chronic anxiety in the mother can set the stage for a whole array of trauma based results such as prematurity, complications of birth, death, and miscarriage. The opposite is also true.” There are ways to treat these things, and there are Christ centred ministries the Lord has raised up to this. I know of several including theophostic counselling, the healing of (emotional) memories etc. In my own ministry I have encountered these things. And there is indeed healing. As in all recovery ministries what you get out of it, depends largely on how intensely you enter into recovery. I have said it before salvation (justification) is free, getting free will cost you everything you are and have.

I know some of this is very difficult to hear, but I cannot leave this post without at least, at some level,   dealing with the fact that abortion regret is politically incorrect. We are however somewhat schizophrenic about this, because we are allowed to grieve miscarriage, but not abortion. I also want to decry the judgemental and self-righteous attitude towards this that comes out of some of those who name the Name of Christ. Neither I,   nor they, are in any position to do this (see Romans 2:1, 2). Indeed we need to show compassion and give nonjudgmental permission for those who have had an abortion not only grieve, but we also need to minister forgiveness to them on Christ's behalf (see John 20:23). It is the truth, not political correctness, that will set you free (John 8:32).

Father, I want to say it again, I am in no position to judge anyone. Lord I cannot begin to feel or understand the level of crippling guilt that some feel. I do know from my own wicked heart, that I am capable of every kind of heinous sin (Jeremiah 17:9). And I want to thank You again this morning Lord, that when we confess our sins, You are faithful and just not only to forgive us ours sins, but You are also faithful and just to cleans us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). We praise and thank You again this morning for Your amazing grace and mercy in Jesus Name Amen

What time I am afraid, I will trust in You

With all the chaos that surrounds the pandemic and panic over the corona virus, it was perhaps inevitable that this verse from Psalm 56:3 would stand out to me this morning. But of course it remains true that God is actively at work for good in all things, even in this, in the lives of His saints. And behind it all God is using these things for Kingdom purposes, for our growth and the extension of the Kingdom (Romans 8:28, 29). It is therefore important we respond to these things, in the way that He wants us to. In particular, if we are to be the co-labourers with Christ (1 Corinthians 3:9), then we need to get on board, at the very least, with these two aspect of His agenda, namely our personal growth, and the extension of the Kingdom.

There is a saying that you cannot stop the shadow of an eagle crossing your head, but you can certainly stop it making a nest in your hair! In other words, in this case, we may not be able to stop the initial thoughts and accompanying emotions of fear, that begin to rise in our hearts, but we can certainly stop ourselves obsessing on them (2 Corinthians 10:5). In other words (again) what time I am afraid, I can choose to trust in God. Since fear is the opposite of faith, and without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), we must choose faith. And it is a choice. But how? The way I do it, is to pray, to read His Word and to rehearse His promises. In particular God has appointed Salvation as walls and bulwarks (Isaiah 26:1). Inside these walls we children are free to play without fear. God grants us the assurance of heaven, so that we can be free from the fear of death and of what man, or circumstance bring (1 John 5:13; Hebrews 2:15; 13:6). The enemy is defeated when we respond in faith to the worst that he can throw against us. When we respond at such times with joy and faith, the enemy is trampled under our feet (Luke 10:19).

I have often said, that one of the best things we can do for those we love and are trying to reach it to grow in faith, wisdom and glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). And especially at this time, we need to have compassion on those who are being overcome by fear. We have been given His shalom peace (John 14:27). And when we are secure in Him, our peace can absorb others fear and bring them comfort. These times can also be times of opportunity to share the hope that is within us, as people wonder, and sometimes ask, how it is that we can be at peace in the midst of the fear and the panic and the shaking of everything that can be shaken. I could envision saying something along the following lines “I don't know if this will make any sense to you, but I have found that salvation is a bulwark to me and a high tower.” And pray they will ask you to explain (1 Peter 3:15).

Father, thank You again this morning for salvation, that our names are written in the Lambs book of life (John 5:24; Revelation 21:27). Lord give us compassion for those who are living in fear right now, and Lord please open the doors for us to share in Jesus Name Amen

And these signs will follow those who believe

This verse (17) is taken from a disputed part of Mark's Gospel (16:9-20). It is even omitted in some translations. But perhaps what is most important here,  is that what is written in  section, is confirmed in other parts of the Scripture, parts that are undisputed. In particular concerning the signs listed here in verses 17 and 18, we are in essence looking at the authority Jesus gives us “to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you” (Luke 10:19). In addition,   Jesus commanded the eleven,  and us through them,  to Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, and He adds “freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8; 28:20). And of course the book of Acts testifies to the truth of these claims. 

Some dispute that signs and wonders are for today. They teach that these things passed away with the completion of the New Testament. But quite apart from the fact that any supposed Biblical proof of this is spurious, Church history records that miracles were, and are, ongoing. Of course if you believe that these things passed away, you have to condemn all such assurances as either fake, or of the devil. And, well they do! Now I do not deny that there are such things as lying sign and wonders (2 Thessalonians 2:9). What is interesting though, is that while Satan can produce false signs, he cannot produce the fruit, and “it is by their fruit that you shall know them” (Matthew 7:16-20; Galatians 5:22, 23).

Part of the problem is that many lack the experience, in other words they have not seen miracles. And part of this is a crisis of expectation (faith). For if we don't believe we don't ask, and if we don't ask we don't receive. Or if we do ask we ask with wrong motives, and God will not give His glory to another (James 4:2, 3; Isaiah 42:8). In my seeking and searching I went on two short term mission trips to India with Randy Clerk.  And  I saw many,  many miracles there. They are much more open to them there. I mean the poor are rich in faith (James 2:5). Randy invites people to go on such mission trips and over and over the “little old me's” discover that God can use even them, even me,  to heal.

Father, I want to thank You for the fruit of the miraculous in our day. I want to thank You for the miracles You have used me for, and for the miracles You have performed on my body. I was even thanking You this morning for healing my knees and my arthritis. Lord not everybody I pray for gets healed, but most people are grateful that I prayed. I don't pretend to understand this, but I will not let the experience of some not getting healed prevent me from praying. If I don't pray nobody gets healed. When I pray some get healed,  and I thank  and praise You for this Lord,  and I give You the glory in Jesus Name Amen.

Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom

In the previous verse to this quote from Mark 15:38 Jesus had cried out from the cross with a loud voice, and breathed His last. John tells us that His last words were “It is finished.” He had finished the work the Father had sent Him to do. And then, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The veil separated the Holy place in the temple from the Holy of Holies. The writer to the Hebrews tells us that in this latter place , the high priest alone went once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for the people’s sins. He also tells that the presence of the veil was the Holy Spirit indicating that the way into the Holiest of All was not yet made manifest, and that gifts and sacrifice, which cannot make him who performed the service perfect, were it all symbolic of the perfect gift and sacrifice of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 9:7-9). And so the tearing of the veil from the top to bottom is symbolizing for us that it is God who did the tearing, and that there is a now a new and living way into the Holy of Holies made possible by the blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19, 20).

But let us take careful note here of the goodness and the severity of God (Romans 11:22). Indeed the write to the Hebrews is careful to warn us about these things saying “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away,” and “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation” (Hebrews 2:1-3). There is not even a hint here of the validity of the presumption of some who pray the words of the sinners prayer, and then go away unchanged, but still expect to be saved. To exhibit such presumption is a sure way to ensure that we have neglected so great a salvation. We also neglect it be failing to heed the many warnings of Scripture. We do not want to be among those for whom Jesus will say on that day “I never knew you” (Matthew 7:22).

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7; 9:10). Peter tells us that in order to make our election sure, we need to ad to faith in a number of ways (2 Peter 1:10). This is not to earn our salvation, because salvation is a gift that cannot be earned (Ephesians 2:8, 9; Romans 4:4). No, rather it is to not neglect salvation. When we do these things and abound, we can come boldly before the throne of Grace to obtain mercy and Grace to help in time of need (2 Peter 1:8; Hebrews 4:16).

Father, the writer to the Hebrews admonishes us to have grace, by which we may serve You acceptably with reverence and godly fear. He then He ads “For God is a consuming fire.” Indeed “It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Nevertheless we come boldly before Your throne of Grace this morning to obtain mercy and grace to help in these hours of need. Thank You Jesus for all You have done and do, in Your precious Name Amen

Your sons shall ... bear the brunt of your infidelity

The context of this quote from Numbers 14:33 is of the children of Israel giving into fear and refusing to go up to conquer the promised land. The Lord had reminded them that He visits the iniquities of the fathers on the children. This is not as some translations have it that He is punishing the children for the father's sin, for this would contradict Ezekiel 18:20. But what is true, is that the children either suffer or reap the benefit of the legacy we the fathers leave. The people had seen the Lord's glory in what He had done in Egypt and in the wilderness, and by giving into fear had put the Lord to the test ten times (verse 22). Each time they had wanted to go back to Egypt, and this time they had even wanted to select new leaders to take them back (verse 4).

As punishment, except for Joshua and Caleb, not one over twenty who had seen His glory would enter the promised land. Commenting on this in the New Testament, the writer to the Hebrews admonishes us to”Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God” (Hebrews 3:12). Note that God regards unbelief as evil! We are likewise warned in one of the most severe warning in the New Testament, those of us that is who have “tasted of the heavenly gift, ... the good Word of God ... and the powers of the age to come (Hebrews 6:4-6).

I have seen so much of His glory, I have received healings in my own body, I have been used to heal others and have seen many, displays of His healing power.  And yet I continue to find pockets of unbelief in my heart.  And I found myself in tears this morning and crying out to God to have mercy on me,  and on my children,  and my children's children. You know most of us when are children are ill would gladly take their place. How much more should we live for Him knowing that one way or the other we are leaving them a legacy? 

Father, You reminded me this morning that “The LORD is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.” And I pray Lord please pardon the iniquity of us Your people “according to the greatness of Your mercy, just as You have forgiven this people ... even until now” (Numbers 14:18,19; 1 John 1:9). Lord keep us, keep me, close to the flame, and please burn off all unbelief in Your consuming fire. Help me Lord, for I want to leave a positive legacy for my children, and my children's children, and my children's children's children in Jesus Name Amen

When pride comes, then comes shame

.... But with the humble is wisdom (proverbs 11:2). Pride is said to be the excessive belief in one's own abilities, it interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It is said all other sins arise from it. I remember in my pre-Christian days being accused of pride, and being told it was a sin. I was angry and called that person naive. But why was I angry? “Like water off a ducks back is an insult undeserved.” Clearly it was deserved! It was my pride denying I was proud! We must not fail to see the destructive nature of pride, it leads us to think that we know best. I did that, and it lead me down a very destructive path. Pride was the Devil's sin he told himself “I will be like the Most High.” But Jesus told us “whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). To exalt oneself in this sense is to think more highly of oneself than he aught (Romans 12:3). The same verse suggests that we aught to measure ourself in accordance with the faith God has given us.

The word translated shame in this morning's proverb also means personal dishonour or disgrace. Another proverb puts it this way “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). Rick Warren rephrases part of the first step of twelve step programs as “Admitted that I am not God.” In fact trying to play God in our lives is at the very root of our destructive habits. We reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7). And again as we have been saying these things lead to shame and humiliation. As much as we like to think of ourselves as independent of God, we are in fact dependent on Him, even for the very air that we breath. He is the potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8). And He has designed reality in such a way is that life only goes well when we are in right relationship with Him.

Humility is the opposite of pride, but there is also such a thing as false humility. And there is a lot of it in the Church! Pride is the excessive belief in one's own abilities, but timidity and pride are not the same thing. Timidity is thinking less of myself than what is true. Humility does  not deny what's true, it does not think less of myself than what's true. Humility does not deny the gifts that God has given, and it's not thinking less of myself than what God thinks of me. And like the loving Father He is, He thinks you are I are amazing. When somebody complements you, the correct and humble response is “Thank you.” To say “It was not me, it was Jesus,” is to invite the response “It wasn't that good!”

Father, I want to come back to Romans 12:3 where Paul admonishes us “not to think of himself more highly than he ought, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.” In terms of faith I have certainly not arrived Lord, and I am immune to neither pride nor false humility. But I want to thank You this morning Lord that I am not what I once was, and that You who have begun a good work in me will keep right on working on me in Jesus Name Amen

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit

.... A broken and a contrite heart O God, You will not despise (Psalm 51:17). Last day we were talking about the sacrifice of thanksgiving and praise. And these things are sacrifices when we we are doing them in spite of the negative circumstances in which we might find ourselves. This morning it is a different kind of sacrifice, the type that needs to accompany true repentance. I love it that the Bible does not try to sugar coat its heroes. David had messed up big time. He commuted adultery with the wife of one of his warriors,  and then tried to cover it up by having him murdered. The Lord had sent Nathan the Prophet to uncover his deception the the way only the Lord can (2 Samuel 11, 12).  And this Psalm is what David penned about his repentance.

The Old Testament sacrifices were but a shadow of things to come, for “it is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1, 4). And here in this Psalm, in the face of his blood guilt of a man murdered (verse 14), David sees their inadequacy. He prays “You do not desire sacrifice, You do not delight in burnt offerings” (verse 16). And he goes on to pray the verse in the title. Please don't get me wrong here, I am not advocating sin, but what I want to say, is that there is an advantage to having utterly failed. In verse 4 he says “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” And the advantage is that we start to truly see that what he says about us, about our fallen human nature is true. We start to see the little old me is capable of the most heinous of sins, and that given the right (or perhaps the wrong) circumstance, we could do almost anything. So yes, God would be right and just to condemn each and every on of to hell!

There is a “but” here, but God is not willing that any should perish but all come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). And since all sin is ultimately against Him (verse 4 again), He can forgive us of anything, no matter how bad or evil. He does require repentance of course, heart felt repentance. The sacrifice God desires is a contrite heart that is willing to put the self life to death, that is willing with His help, to crucify the deeds and the desires of the sinful nature (Romans 8:13; Galatians 5:24). He is talking about a brokenness that out of love and gratitude for the deliverance from self, produces a zeal for the Kingdom and  lives that are no longer all about me. Indeed, it is because of the tender mercies of our God that Paul admonishes us to be living sacrifices (Romans 12:1).

Father, I want to offer a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving this morning, as well as presenting myself as a living sacrifice. Thank You Lord that my name is written in the Lamb's book of life. Thank You Jesus that You were willing to come and live and die, so that the Father could be just and the justifier of all who believe (Romans 3:26). Break our hearts Lord with what breaks Yours, and give us the Grace to bear it, in Jesus Name Amen