Thoughts for Today
Faith Bible Church
June 2024
Dear friends,
There’s no doubt that summer is upon us and, as we are aware, Island summers are usually short-lived! Praying that you and your families will enjoy lots of fresh air, warm sunshine, and abundant life in and throughour Lord and Saviour!
Many years ago, Liane and I visited a church one Sunday morning in Augusta, Maine. In the pastor’s study was a wall plaque with the following words that captured our hearts and minds. We quickly got out paper and pen and copied these words. We later learned that an African man who lived many years ago, was urged to renounce his faith in Jesus. Rather than giving in, he wrote the “Fellowship of the Unashamed.” I cannot verify the origin of this poem but can say with confidence that these words epitomize the desire of all genuine believers. Would you join with me in making it our determination, obviously only with God’s enablement, to live out
these words?
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power.
The die has been cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a dis-
ciple of His. I won’t look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
My past is redeemed. My present makes sense. My future is secure. I’m finished with low liv-
ing, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tamed vi-
sions, worldly talking, cheap giving, and dwarfed goals.
I no longer need preeminence, prosperity, position, promotions, applause, or popularity. I
don’t have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded, or rewarded. I now live by
faith, lean on His presence, walk by patience, am uplifted by prayer and labour by power.
My pace is set. My gait is fast. My goal is heaven. My road is narrow. My way rough. My com-
panions few. My guide is reliable, and my mission is clear.
I cannot be bought, compromised, detoured, lured away, turned back, deluded, or delayed. I
will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of the adversary, negotiate at
the table of the enemy, pander at the pool of popularity or meander in the maze of mediocrity.
I won’t give up, shut up, let up, until I’ve stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid up, preached
up for the cause of Christ. I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go till He comes, give ’til I drop,
preach till all know, and work till He stops me. And when He comes for His own, He’ll have no
problem recognizing me. My banner will be clear.
Sending you all our love and prayers, please remember us in your prayers as well!
May 2024
Dear friends,
Greetings to everyone in the Faith Bible Church family, as well as extended family members! I am slow in getting my letter to you this month. Liane and I just returned from a lovely week in the United States and benefitted from a wonderful time away to rest and reenergize. Nevertheless, this month is passing quickly, Mother’s Day is upon us, and spring is in the air!
As most of you are aware, we were greatly encouraged by the wonderful week of meetings recently, known as Days of Elijah. Robin Mark wrote the lyrics to this song in 1994, not surprisingly a time when the world was facing a series of crises. Brother Robin was keenly aware of God’s sovereign presence and that despite challenging current events (sound familiar?), that followers of Jesus needed to be courageous and faithful in an increasingly wicked world! Robin Mark used various biblical accounts for these beautiful lyrics.
For example, the prophet Elijah faced false prophets of Baal and at times, felt so alone in such a sin-sick culture. Nevertheless, God reminded Elijah to speak courageously for Him. Because we also must be holy people, Robin included the phrase the "days of your servant Moses", meaning that righteousness is vital in our attitudes and conduct! "Days of great trial, of famine, darkness and sword" reflects the current situation of wars in Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, and numerous lesser-known conflicts.
Although I love every lyric in the song, my favorite phrase is the days of Ezekiel “dry bones becoming as flesh”. This represents the revival of God’s people, something that is vital to the Church in every generation! There are also "the days of your servant David, rebuilding a temple of praise". Once again, our prayer is that God will teach us how to worship Him in spirit and in truth- authentic worship! And finally, there are the "days of the harvest" in fields that are ripe for picking. As white in the world is taken from the King James version of the Bible that translates into ripe for harvesting. To summarize then, this song includes six themes:
justice, righteousness, integrity, unity, worship, revival
For the next six months, would you join with me in writing these six themes on a piece of paper, posting them where you will see them often and rejoicing with me in anticipation of God’s training and disciplining in such ways that the entire neighbourhood and surrounding communities will take notice of these realities in your life and mine!
Sending you all our love and prayers, please remember us in your prayers as well!
April 2024
Dear friends,
This month is flying by very quickly! Liane and I have just finished participating in a week-long series of revival meetings in Hillsborough, New Brunswick. The special speaker was John McGregor and what wonderful messages he brought forth nightly from the Word. There was great unity among many churches that came together to seek renewal in the Lord’s work. There were five baptisms during the Friday night gathering, our final night with these dear people!
Now, we have the privilege of having John and Roberta with us at FBC. Many of us have been praying fervently for a wonderful awareness of the Holy Spirit in the meetings. It never ceases to amaze me how God works through each of us and brings so many blessings along the way. Personal examples of this are the many willing men and women who will be participating in the nightly services. As well as our own regular worship leaders, singers, speakers and musicians, we have the AWANA children, the Stiff Family, Dave Dubois, Elizabeth Waugh, Paul Pridham and Judy Parsons offering their talents in the Days of Elijah meetings! It is also encouraging that our own Richard Meenink will be leading us in the first Sunday night service. This past Wednesday, Liane and I had a beautiful time of fellowship with Richard’s parents, John and Dixie Meenink this past Wednesday. John was the pastor at FBC for many years and what an experience it was for both Liane and me when John prayed for our ministry, asking the Lord to bless the church family in the coming days and years! We also loved singing with Richard’s mother and were inspired by her love for the Lord and His music! On Friday, the two Johns: Meenick and McGregor met together and had a grand time discussing many common blessings and challenges that they experienced throughout their years in pastoral ministry.
In closing, I have borrowed and paraphrased the following prayer from the New Horizon Church in Champagne, Illinois. Please meditate upon this prayer in the coming days as we believe the Lord to give us a New Vision for a New Day: Triune God, we seek and call upon You for revival. We ask you to bring about a supernatural work in Your church, community, and province. We ask that You make people hungry for God once again, beginning with us. Draw us, beckon us, and speak to us. Call us by name and convince us of Your love. Bring down spiritual powers that distract, tempt, numb, confuse and deceive. Open our hearts and minds to Your Truth, Your Word, and Your Way. Convict us of our sin and our need for the Saviour. Eclipse every other longing, desire, and pursuit. Bring back the wanderers, the wayward and the rebellious. Reach those who’ve never heard. Enlighten those who don’t understand. Save the lost. Heal the broken. Rescue those far away. Please use our church and our lives as catalysts for renewal, restoration, and revival. We’ve heard of Your great works; please do them again in our day. And all for the glory, honour, and praise of Jesus Christ, our crucified, resurrected and returning Lord and King, Amen.
Sending you all our love and prayers, please remember us in your prayers as well!
March 2024
It seems that winter is quickly slipping by! Perhaps it’s just my age showing, however, since the days and weeks and years appear to pass by ever more quickly! The brevity of life is something that I think about often now that I am in my 64th year. The expression: “only one life, t’will soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last!” is ever more appropriate with each passing day. And so I ask you to consider whether you are using your remaining time on earth as wisely as possible- all for Jesus and His honour and glory?
This month, at Faith Bible Church, we are looking for revival and renewal as we prepare to celebrate the greatest event in history: the resurrection of our Lord Jesus. On Good Friday (29), we will gather with fellow believers at Grace Baptist Church for a morning gathering. What a time of worship and fellowship this will be! On Easter Sunday morning (31), we will share breakfast together here, followed a by a grand time of celebrating our resurrected Lord in corporate worship!
Beginning April 14- 21, we will be hosting seven days of special meetings called DAYS OF ELIJAH! Our guest speakers are John and Roberta McGregor, both of whom grew up in Northern Ireland and immigrated to Canada many years ago. There will be morning and evening services on both Sundays and each evening through the week (15-19) there will be special gatherings, each with a specific emphasis: Monday- our province and nation; Tuesday- our children; Wednesday- our seniors; Thursday- our marriages and families; Friday- our youth
The Church often benefits from a fresh voice to come and speak about revival, evangelism and prayer, someone to bring refreshment to hearts and fresh commitment to the Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. John has had many years of experience in ministry as a church planter, pastor, and evangelist. He was active in the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Executive Director of Canadian Revival Fellowship for many years. The McGregor’s family consists of four adult children, their spouses and eight grandchildren, all of whom are supportive of them as they minister far and near!
Please join with me in fervent prayer that God would use you and me, our church family, as instruments of powerful Holy Spirit revival to Prince Edward Island. The psalmist said it well: “Will you not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (85: 6). The old hymn, composed by William Mackay and John Husband also expresses the desire of our hearts:
We praise Thee, O God for the Son of Thy love/ for Jesus Who died and is now gone above/We praise Thee, O God for Thy Spirit of light/ who hath shown us our Saviour and scattered our night/ Hallelujah! Thine the glory, Hallelujah! Amen/ Hallelujah! Thine the glory, revive us again!
Sending you all our love and prayers, please remember us in your prayers as well!
February 2024
Dear friends,
Because Valentine’s Day occurs on the 14th of this month, February is often called the month of LOVE. The beginning of Lent (known as
Ash Wednesday), also occurs in February and coincidentally this year both Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day are the same day. The
majority of evangelical Christians pay little attention to the beginning of Lent, even though we might benefit from spending considerable
time thinking about the incredible debt our Saviour paid for our sins, willingly going to Calvary to redeem all those who truly believe in
Jesus and offer Him first place in every aspect of their lives. This month, I am proposing to our church family that we consider the
following acronym for LOVE:
Loving
One
Victorious
Experience
Wisely, you should ask what is this one experience that we speak of? Why it is the resurrection of Jesus. There are many “ones” in the
Word of God (examples include: one baptism, one Body, one Church, one crucifixion, one faith, one Father, one God, one Lord, one
Redeemer, one resurrection, one salvation, one Son, one Spirit). Loving one victorious experience, however, means that we live and
move and have power in the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour. As we enjoy this month and especially Valentine’s Day, remember to
love and live in that one victorious experience: the resurrection. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus
from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Holy Spirit who
dwells in you. (Romans 8: 11). HALLELUJAH- let’s begin our preparations to celebrate EASTER perhaps like never previously!!!
Sending you all our love and prayers, please remember us in your prayers as well!
January 2024
Dear friends,
My first letter to all of you, a precious church family! What a privilege to serve as your pastor at this challenging time in history and what an important time for the Church to shine brightly in an increasingly dark world. My hope is to send forth a letter to you monthly, updating you on my progress in getting to know all of you (this is going to take some time). It is also most important that the elders and I convey what we believe the Lord’s direction is concerning FBC, both in the short term (i.e. 3-6 months) and in for the coming years.
The focus of this letter is three exceptionally beautiful words: faith, bible and church, each of which we’ll consider:
Firstly, faith, a deep trust in God and a certainty that He will accomplish His purposes- even when we cannot always see how He will lead His people through difficult circumstances. God told Abraham to go to the place that God would direct him to go. And Abraham was willing to obey, although He neither knew where he was to go and what would transpire after he arrived. “Without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him (Hebrews 11: 6). Make no mistake, we will not always have to walk by faith- the day will come when our faith journey ends and we will walk by sight, keeping our eyes forever focused on the Light of God.
Secondly, bible, the Word of God given to humanity through His humble servants as they were led by the power of the Holy Spirit. How encouraging that those who established this congregation included this word as part of their identification. Sadly, many churches, even those claiming to evangelical, are straying from the scriptures. We must pray that our church family continues to daily feed on the Bible, believe what it teaches and live by its precepts. We must never follow the popular teachings of the day, relying instead and clinging to the precious Word of God (Hebrews 4: 12).
Finally, there are few words in existence that are more precious than the word, church, signifying the bride of Jesus and, oh, how He loves His bride! (Ephesians 5: 25-26). Several years ago, Stuart Townend wrote lyrics that express this truth clearly: “I have seen a mystery, the hopes of prayer and prophecy, and rising from all peoples see, she comes/ rescued, ransomed, lifted up, crowned with mercy, clothed in hope, the object of all heaven's love, she comes.” Who is she, you may ask? “It is the church, the hope of all the world, and here I fix my heart and hand, I cannot turn away! It is the church, the passion of God's Son, the goal of history! Come, you’ll see we've nearly reached the day. And she will be all glorious, fitting for Him whose bride she is… in that day.” As Stuart Hamlin wrote, until then our hearts will go on singing; until then with joy we'll carry on; until the day our eyes behold the city; until the day God calls us home. Sending you all our love and prayers, please remember us in your prayers as well.
Call or email any time: pastorgarth7@gmail.com
30 December
One of my favourite songs is “Between Twelve and thirty-Three”, written by Rusty Golden, Jerry Salley and Jim McBride. The lyrics are based on Luke 2: 3-7, 39-40 and John 19: 16-30. Amazing to realize that although we know quite a few details about Jesus’ birth and we can read about His interaction with the rabbis in the synagogue when He was twelve years of age, we know absolutely nothing about our Lord until age thirty. At that time, he began to minster to countless numbers of people and changed untold numbers of lives!! Between ages 12 and thirty, however, we know nothing- those years remain a total mystery, just the way God wanted it to be! Read these lyrics and be blessed! You can hear this song on YouTube: Between Twelve and Thirty-three.
You can read about His virgin birth
That Holy night when He came down to earth
And the Bible says that He grew up in the town of Nazareth
The only childhood story about Him was in the temple in Jerusalem
A boy became a man of destiny, between twelve and thirty-three
Eighteen years are a mystery, His last three years He made history
Became the Saviour He was sent to be between twelve and thirty-three
There’s nothing written ‘bout his formative years
For a while it’s like He just disappeared
All the Bible says is he grew wise and found favour in God’s eyes
When He got older and the time had come
He started proving to the world Who He was
Each step He took lead straight to Calvary between twelve and thirty-three
Eighteen years are a mystery, His last three years He changed everything
Became the Saviour He was sent to be between twelve and thirty-three
28 December
My family and I moved to Pleasant Valley, Nova Scotia in August 2002, settling into a lovely parsonage in this small, quaint community 20 km outside Yarmouth. We surely enjoyed our three years of ministry there. One of the many blessings was our introduction to this beautiful poem, written by one of the former members, Judson Allen, a godly man who had passed away years before we settled in Pleasant Valley. Jud's wife, Ruth, went to be with the Lord while we were in ministry there and their daughter, Betty, asked that a medley be comprised to accompany her father’s lyrics so that it might be sung at her mother’s funeral. Well, two days before the funeral, a lady from our congregation put together a simple but lovely melody and she and my wife sang it at Ruth’s funeral. You may listen to the song if you YouTube All Things New Ministries- Diamonds in the Snow- 2022. What a lovely song, one that expresses so well the creativity and awesomeness of our God!
God makes everything you know
And He makes everything just so
The sky above and the earth below
He made those diamonds in the snow
God makes all things by His hands
He made the sea and all the lands
And He makes everything just so
He made those diamonds in the snow
He made the stars that shine at night
And the moon glow with its lesser light
And God makes everything you know
He made those diamonds in the snow
God sent His Son to Calvary
That’s where He died for you and me
And God makes everything just so
He made those diamonds in the snow
26 December
Joy to the World, the Lord is Come
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King!
Let every heart prepare Him room
and heaven and nature sing
and heaven and nature sing
and heaven, and heaven and nature sing
Joy to the earth, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ
while fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
repeat the sounding joy
repeat the sounding joy
repeat, repeat the sounding joy
No more let sins and sorrows grow
nor thorns infest the ground
He comes to make His blessings flow
far as the curse is found
far as the curse is found
far as, far as the curse is found
He rules the world with truth and grace
and makes the nations prove
the glories of His righteousness
and wonders of His love
and wonders of His love
and wonders, wonders of His love
-Isaac Watts
25 December
First Christmas
I’m dreaming of that first Christmas
In old Judea long ago
There were no bells ringing, but angels singing
Earth and heaven all aglow
I’m dreaming of that first Christmas
When heaven’s King came down to earth
When the angels proclaimed His birth
Then your soul and mine took on true worth
I’m dreaming of the boy, Jesus
Growing to manhood here below
By His truth and healing
His power revealing
Making peace and joy to flow
He gave His life on dark Calvary
Poured out His blood for Adam’s race
See the Saviour taking your place
O what love, compassion and grace
I’m praying that this same Jesus
He who has changed my night to day
May take all your sadness and bring you gladness
Washing all your sin away
Then yours will be a bright Christmas
Where e'er you travel here below
Your whole life will glisten and glow
With a light that’s brighter than snow
May your days be merry and bright
And may all your Christmases be white!
- Garth MacKay
24 December
Christmas Changes Everything
O holy night, oh starry sky, we were dead until tonight
Christmas changes everything
Long lay the world inside our sin, He has come here to forgive
Christmas changes everything
Hallelujah, love has found us
Hope in a manger, our Savior is setting us free
This is rescue, Christ has come to make us new
Oh Christmas changes everything
Now God has met us where we are
A thrill of hope for hopeless hearts, His perfect love will shatter every fear
We are coming back to life again and it's all because of Bethlehem
Rejoice, oh rejoice
Hallelujah, love has found us
Hope in a manger, our Savior is setting us free
This is rescue, Christ has come to make us new
Oh Christmas changes everything
Jeff Pardo & Josh Wilson
22 December
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
"C" is for the Christ Child, born upon this day
"H" is for herald angels in the night
"R" means our Redeemer
"I" means Israel
"S" is for the star that shone so bright
"T" is for the three wise men
They who travelled far
"M" is for the manger where He lay
"A" is for all He stands for
"S" means shepherds came
And that's why there's a Christmas Day
"T" is for the three wise men
They who travelled far
"M" is for the manger where He lay
"A" is for all He stands for
"S" means shepherds came
And that's why there's a Christmas Day
-Eddy Arnold &Jenny Lou Carson
20 December
Liane and I love singing the following song, “Christmas Offering”, composed by Paul Baloche. There is nothing more important in this life (and in the life-hereafter) than the worship of Jesus. As you read these lyrics, you might recommit yourself to the passionate worship of Jesus, both with your spoken voice, your singing voice, you thoughts, attitudes and actions: “Jesus, may You receive the honour that You're due, oh Lord we bring an offering to You”.
Over the skies of Bethlehem appeared a star
While angels sang to lowly shepherds
Three wise men seeking truth travelled from afar
Hoping to find the child from Heaven
Falling on their knees, they bowed before the humble Prince of Peace
I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus, may You receive the honour that You're due
Oh Lord I bring an offering to You
The sun cannot compare to the glory of Your love
There is no shadow in Your presence
No mortal man would dare to stand before Your throne
Before the Holy One of Heaven
It's only by Your blood it's only through Your mercy Lord I come
I bring an offering of worship to my King
No one on earth deserves the praises that I sing
Jesus may You receive the honour that You're due
Oh Lord I bring an offering to You
“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you;
I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
You have delivered me from all my troubles
And my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes
Psalm 54: 6-7
18 December
The following Christmas carol, “Once in Royal David’s City” was composed by an Irish woman named Cecil Frances Humphreys Alexander. Although this carol has not been commonly used in my experiences, I have always loved both the melody and the words. It with “Once in royal David’s city,” which sets the scene in Bethlehem, the birthplace of the great King David. This fact shows the important relationship between Jesus’ birth and the long-awaited Messiah promised by God to His chosen people. The lyrics describe Jesus’ birth in a manger stable (actually a trough used to feed animals). This highlights the humble circumstances in which Jesus entered our world.
The carol also focuses on the incredible importance of His birth, including the angels’ proclamation, Mary, “mother mild” and “Jesus Christ her little child,” emphasizing Mary’s role as the chosen vessel for the birth of the Saviour. We are also reminded to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas: in the midst of all the hustle and bustle of this season, the emphasis must remain on our precious Jesus!
Once in Royal David’s City stood a lowly cattle shed
Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for His bed:
Mary was that mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child
He came down to earth from heaven who is God and Lord of all
And His shelter was a stable and His cradle was a stall
With the poor and meek and lowly, lived on earth our Saviour holy
And through all His wondrous childhood He would honour and obey
Love and watch the lowly mother in whose gentle arms He lay
Christian children all should be mild, obedient, good as He
For He is our child-hood's pattern, day by day like us He grew
He was little, weak, and helpless, tears and smiles like us He knew
And He feeleth for our sadness and He shareth in our gladness
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.” So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.
Luke 2: 8-19
16 December
The beautiful Christmas carol, “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” describes a peaceful scene on Christmas Eve: shepherds watching their flocks and angels descending from heaven and sharing great news that real peace will be granted to anyone and everyone who truly believes and trusts in Jesus Christ.
This carol paints a wonderful picture of hope, love, and goodwill. During these days or such terrible unrest in the Middle East and in Ukraine, Yemen, Sudan and countless other places, we all yearn for a peaceful world “in solemn stillness” and where the horrible turmoil of war ceases. What a wonderful reminder that Christmas can become a time to put aside our differences and come together in unity, spreading love and peace but only through the unity that comes from knowing the peace of Christ!
Interestingly, the carol also highlights the presence of angels, something that many current believers overlook. These lyrics tell how the angels’ songs echoed across the skies and summoned the shepherds to go to Bethlehem and witness for themselves this wonderful, miraculous phenomenon!
“I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they were saying:
“Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth
and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!”
Revelation 5: 11-12
It came upon the midnight clear that glorious song of old
from angels bending near the earth to touch their harps of gold
"Peace on the earth, good will to men from heaven's all-gracious King"
The world in solemn stillness lay to hear the angels sing
Still through the cloven skies they come with peaceful wings unfurled
And still their heavenly music floats o'er all the weary world
Above its sad and lowly plains, they bend on hovering wing
And ever o'er its Babel sounds the blessed angels sing
And ye, beneath life's crushing load whose forms are bending low
Who toil along the climbing way with painful steps and slow
Look now! for glad and golden hours come swiftly on the wing
O rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on by prophet seen of old
When with the ever-circling years shall come the time foretold
When peace shall over all the earth its ancient splendours fling
And the whole world send back the song which now the angels sing
14 December
The popular Christmas song, “Mary’s Boy Child”, is a timeless Christmas classic that has captured the hearts of countless numbers of people all around the world. This upbeat calypso song tells the story of the birth of Jesus, focusing on the hope that His arrival brought to the world. The song begins with Jesus’ mother, Mary, giving birth in a humble stable. The significance of this miracle is that this tiny baby is the “King of all kings” who would offer new birth to all those who place their lives in His control. This amazing song goes on to depict how angels rejoiced at Jesus’ birth of Jesus and spread the news of His arrival to lowly shepherds, the lowest members of society at that time! The shepherds, amazed by the angels’ news, followed the star and found Baby Jesus lying in a manger. They, in turn, went and told this great news to any and all who would believe. We are commanded to do the same, going into our world and spreading the good news! Our Saviour-Messiah has come!
“Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them
to obey everything I have commanded you!”
Matthew 28: 19-20
Long time ago in Bethlehem so the Holy Bible say
Mary's boy child, Jesus Christ was born on Christmas day
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new King born today
And man will live forevermore because of Christmas day
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen to what they say
That man will live forever more because of Christmas day
While shepherds watch their flock by night, them see a bright new shining star
Them hear a choir sing, the music seemed to come from afar
Now Joseph and his wife Mary come to Bethlehem that night
Them find no place to borne she child, not a single room was in sight
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new King born today
And man will live forever more because of Christmas day
By and by they find a little nook in a stable all forlorn
And in a manger cold and dark Mary's little boy was born
Hark, now hear the angels sing, a new King born today
And man will live forever more because of Christmas day
Trumpets sound and angels sing, listen what they say
That man will live forever more because of Christmas day
12 December
This beautiful hymn, written by the Anglican clergy Charles Wesley, eventually became a popular Christmas carol, although that was never his plan. It has been sung with gusto at countless Christmas staff parties, comprised of many individuals who are significantly inebriated by alcohol indulgence. Read the lyrics, “[Jesus] born to raise the sons of earth [and] born to give them second birth”. Amazing to consider, isn’t it?
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King
Peace on earth, and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem!”
Hark! the herald angels sing:
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Christ, by highest Heaven adored; Christ the everlasting Lord
Late in time, behold Him come, offspring of a virgin’s womb
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail the incarnate Deity
Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel
Hark! the herald angels sing:
“Glory to the newborn King!”
Hail the heavenly Prince of Peace! Hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by, born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth
Hark! the herald angels sing:
“Glory to the newborn King!”
“Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again”
John 3: 3
10 December
Oh, how Liane and I love to sing the Michael Card song, “The Final Word”:
You and me we use so very many clumsy words
The noise of what we often say is not worth being heard
When the Father's wisdom wanted to communicate His love
He spoke it in one final perfect Word
He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son
His final word was Jesus- He needed no other one
Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine
And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine
And so the Father's fondest thought took on flesh and bone
He spoke the living luminous Word, at once His will was done
And so the transformation that in man had been unheard
Took place in God the Father as He spoke that final Word
And so the Light became alive and manna became Man
Eternity stepped into time so we could understand.......
He spoke the Incarnation and then so was born the Son
His final word was Jesus- He needed no other one
Spoke flesh and blood so He could bleed and make a way Divine
And so was born the baby who would die to make it mine
“The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.
We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son,
who came from the Father, full of grace and truth”
John 1: 14
8 December
Without a doubt, the best-loved of all Christmas carols is Silent Night. It was written on Christmas Eve, 1816 by a young Austrian priest. A mouse had chewed the organ straps and all he had for music that evening was a guitar. The chords are so simple: C, F and G. And yet, this simple song had enraptured hearts by the millions for more than two centuries. It reminds us just how God uses the simple to confound the wise and the weak things of the world to overcome those who think they are so strong!
Silent night, holy night
All is calm, all is bright ‘round yon virgin, mother and child
Holy Infant so tender and mild, sleep in heavenly peace
Silent night, holy night
Shepherds quake at the sight, glories stream from heaven afar
Heavenly hosts sing Alleluia, Christ the Saviour is born
Silent night, holy night
Son of God, love's pure light, radiant beams from Thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace, Jesus Lord, at Thy birth
“Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.’ When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.’”
Luke 2: 13-15
6 December
On Christmas Day in 1863, the American poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow listened to the bells from a nearby church, overwhelmed by loss. You see, his first wife had died while suffering from a miscarriage; his second wife had burned to death in a fire, and he had also been badly burned trying to save her. At times, his grief was so great that he feared that he would be sent to an asylum. His son had also been wounded in the Civil War and was temporarily paralyzed. As he listened to the church bells, Longfellow wrote a poem that reflected his grief: “In despair, I bowed my head. There is no peace on earth, I said”. Longfellow was depressed and discouraged.
You may have also experienced similar feelings; I know I have. Perhaps this is why I love this song so much. It says that peace on earth and goodwill to others is a scarce commodity. And yet, in the final verse, Longfellow says; “then pealed the bells more loud and deep- God is not dead, nor doth He sleep!” Hallelujah- ponder on this truth today and let the Lord strengthen you beyond what you can even imagine!
I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play
And mild and sweet the words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
I thought how, as the day had come,
The belfries of all Christendom
Had rolled along the unbroken song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Till ringing, singing on its way,
The world revolved from night to day,
A voice, a chime, a chant sublime
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
Then from each black, accursed mouth
The cannon thundered in the South,
And with the sound the carols drowned
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
It was as if an earthquake rent
The hearth-stones of a continent,
And made forlorn the households born
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
And in despair I bowed my head;
"There is no peace on earth," I said;
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men."
“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
He will surely take me to himself.”
Psalm 49: 13-15
4 December
After “Away in a Manger” and “Silent Night”, the most cherished Christmas carol has to be “O Holy Night”. The lyrics were composed by Adolphe Adam in the 1840’s in France. Not only was it discouraged by the Roman Catholic Church in France at that time, but was prohibited from being sung in any churches. Official publications on Catholic music began to fret about the popularity of this beautiful hymn, calling its lyricist “a socialist drunk”. Thankfully, over time, the church realized their view was foolish and eventually the music travelled all around the world. As you read these lyrics today, ponder the powerful truths contained in each stanza. What a day that will be when all human beings will fall on their knees and worship the King of kings and Lord of Lords!! Hallelujah!
O holy night, the stars are brightly shiningI
It is the night of our dear Saviour's birth
Long lay the world in sin and error pining
'Til He appears and the soul felt its worth
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
Led by the light of Faith serenely beaming
With glowing hearts by His cradle we stand
So led by light of a star sweetly gleaming
Here come the Wise Men from Orient land
The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger
In all our trials born to be our friend
He knows our need, to our weakness is no stranger
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend
Truly He taught us to love one another
His law is love and His Gospel is Peace
Chains shall He break for the slave is still our brother
And in His name all oppression shall cease
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we
Let all within us Praise His Holy name
Christ is the Lord; O praise His name forever!
His power and glory evermore proclaim
His power and glory evermore proclaim
Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices
O night divine, O night when Christ was born
O night, O Holy night, O night divine!
"At the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father"
Philippians 2: 10-12
2 December
We awoke this morning to a beautiful sight- our world, covered with beautiful pure-white snow! I remember my girl friend (who later became my wife), writing to me more than 40 years ago about the beauty of white snow, comparing it to the way that the powerful salvation offered in Jesus’ death and resurrection covers all of our sins, making us as white as snow. The lyrics to what would become a best-loved Christmas carol, “In the Bleak Mid-Winter”, was written many years ago by the English poet Christina Rossetti. I love these beautiful words, especially the challenging question in the last stanza, “what shall I give him, poor as I am? The response expresses my desire today and no doubt yours also. As you read these words, consider recommitting yourself into Jesus’ care and control over your life and may God extravagantly bless you today!
In the bleak midwinter, frost wind made moan
Earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone
Snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow
In the bleak midwinter, long ago
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain
Heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed
The Lord God almighty, Jesus Christ
Angels and archangels may have gathered there
Cherubim and seraphim thronged the air
But His Mother only, in Her maiden bliss
Worshipped the Beloved with a kiss
What can I give Him, poor as I am?
If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
If I were a wise man, I would do my part;
Yet what I can I give Him: give my heart
“The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.
Romans 10: 8-10
30 November
I believe that the song "Praise the Lord, He Never Changes” was composed by Ron Harris and Stormie Omartian in the 1970’s. These lyrics have been meaningful to me for many years and now, as it seems, they become all the more poignant as time continues to flow onward, life gets more complicated, technologically advanced, socially dysfunctional and spiritually lacking. Meditate on these words today, asking the Lord to remind and reassure you of His eternal nature, His omnipotence and His limitless love:
Life is moving faster than it ever has before
What tomorrow brings us isn't certain anymore
So many roads from which to choose
Don't know which way to run
'Cause every road leads nowhere except for one
Praise the Lord, He never changes, I come to Him, He's always there
He comforts me on every level, takes the burden that I bear
Praise the Lord, He never changes, He's never any other way
And He'll be the same tomorrow as He was and is today
Friends and faces come and go like ashes in the wind
Attitudes arise, I just don't fully understand
Things that you can count on grow fewer every day
But when that number gets to one, that One will show the way
Praise the Lord, He never changes, I come to Him, He's always there
He comforts me on every level, takes the burden that I bear
Praise the Lord, He never changes, He's never any other way
And He'll be the same tomorrow as He was and is today
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”
Hebrews 13: 8
28 November
Many years ago, I returned home from church one Sunday morning to find my mother passionately relating the lyrics of a gospel song that she just heard on Jimmy Swaggart’s telecast. The song was “We Shall See Jesus”. Oh my, how my mother received such inspiration from the reality that one day, we shall see Him, in all of His glory and we shall forever be with the Lord.
Once on a hillside, people were gathered
Hoping to see Him, as thousands were fed
He touched the blind eyes, healed broken spirits
He moved with compassion, while He raised up the dead
Once on a hillside, people were gathered
Watching as Jesus was crucified
No one showed mercy, to the one who had healed them
Yet, Jesus loved them, as He suffered and died
Once on a hillside, people were gathered
For Jesus had risen and soon would ascend
Then, as He blessed them, He rose to the heavens
And gave them His promise to come back again
We shall see Jesus, just as they saw Him
There is no greater promise than this
When He returns in power and glory
We shall see Jesus, we shall see Jesus, just as He is!
-Dianne Wilkinson
“Look, He is coming with the clouds,” and “every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him”; and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of Him.” So shall it be! Amen. “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1: 7-8
26 November
The following hymn, “Zion’s Hill” was composed by James Crutchfield, born in January 1840 in Kentucky. The lyrics are based on Jeremiah 31: 6 - “For there shall be a day when sentinels will call in the hill country of Ephraim: ‘Come, let us go up to Zion, to the Lord our God’”. I remember singing this when I was a child at our church in Elmsdale, Prince Edward Island. Although I didn’t fully understand the words, I instinctively knew that it was beautiful. It was was one of our Aunt Vi’s favourites- we sang it at her funeral and I was told that it was also sung at her father’s (Liane’s grandfather) funeral. The phrase, “some day beyond the reach of mortal ‘ken’”is a Scottish term that means range of vision, understanding, or knowledge. There is much about heaven and the life here-after that we do not know but we can be certain that our eternal life will be superior to our present existence in every way imaginable.
There waits for me a glad tomorrow
Where gates of pearl swing open wide
And when I've passed this vale of sorrow
I'll dwell upon the other side
Some day I'll hear the angels singing
Beyond the shadows of the tomb
And all the bells of heaven ringing
While saints are singing, "Home, sweet home"
Some day my labours will be ended
And all my wanderings will be o'er
And all earth's broken ties be mended
And I shall sigh and weep no more
Some day the dark clouds will be rifted
And all the night of gloom be past
And all life's burdens will be lifted
The day of rest shall dawn at last
Some day beyond the reach of mortal ken
Some day God only knows just where and when
The wheels of mortal life shall all stand still
And I shall go to dwell on Zion's hill
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him” (I Corinthians 2:9).
24 November
You may have heard of Fanny Crosby, an amazing nineteenth-century hymn writer. This dear soul lost her eye sight at six weeks of age due to an eye infection and a medical mis-diagnosis. Her father died when she was only six months old, and she was raised by her mother and grandmother. Despite these early tragedies, Crosby went on to become one of the most prolific of all hymn writers. Altogether, she wrote between 5,500 and 9,000 hymns, the exact count being obscured by the numerous pseudonyms that she employed. If the truth were told, some hymn books would consist largely of Crosby’s compositions.
The best known of her hymns include “Safe in the Arms of Jesus”, “Rescue the Perishing”, “Blessed Assurance”, “Savior, More Than Life to Me,” “Pass Me Not, O Gentle Savior” and “My Saviour First of all”. This last mentioned piece was cherished by both my mother and mother-in-law. I also relate to it beautiful message that, although many aspects of heaven will be beyond our belief and description, the greatest feature of heaven will be to see Jesus, to worship Him passionately and have eternity to get to know Him intimately! Wow!
When my lifework is ended and I cross the swelling tide
When the bright and glorious morning I shall see
I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side
And His smile will be the first to welcome me
Oh, the soul-thrilling rapture when I view His blessed face
And the luster of His kindly beaming eye
How my full heart will praise Him for the mercy, love and grace
That prepare for me a mansion in the sky
Oh, the dear ones in glory, how they beckon me to come
And our parting at the river I recall
To the sweet vales of Eden they will sing my welcome home
But I long to meet my Savior first of all
Through the gates to the city in a robe of spotless white
He will lead me where no tears will ever fall
In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight
But I long to meet my Savior first of all
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
And redeemed by His side I shall stand
I shall know Him, I shall know Him
By the print of the nails in His hand
22 November
The following hymn, written by Frederick Lehman, was my grandmother’s favorite. It certainly wasn’t the melody that seized her heart and spirit- she was tone deaf! No, it was the lyrics that spoke so powerfully to her and captured in part, the essence of God’s love for her and all of humanity. My grandmother. Ruth Cornish Adams, was one of the most quiet members of my extended family and yet, in her own peaceful manner, she demonstrated the love of God through her untiring commitment to her family, to her church and most especially to her Saviour. As you read these words, consider the analogy that Lehman used in his attempt to depict the limitlessness of God’s love for you!
“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him" (I John 3: 1)
The love of God is greater far than tongue or pen can ever tell
It goes beyond the highest star and reaches to the lowest hell
The guilty pair, bowed down with care, God gave His Son to win
His erring child He reconciled and pardoned from his sin
Could we with ink the ocean fill
And were the skies of parchment made
Were every stalk on earth a quill
And every man a scribe by trade
To write the love of God above
Would drain the ocean dry
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
Though stretched from sky to sky
Oh, love of God, how rich and pure
How measureless and strong
It shall forevermore endure the saints’ and angels’ song
20 November
Our Lord’s return is on my mind today. Perhaps a large part for this focus is that both my mother and father are now with our awesome God: Father, Son, Spirit! Furthermore, when I stop and consider how many of my family left this world, with great confidence that they personally knew the Lord and they soon would enter His presence: Aunt Vi, Uncle Ernie, Gram, Liane’s parents: Erma & Freeland, my special friend, Harold MacDonald and many many others.............
The following song, composed by Tery Wilkins and Phil Cross, expresses in part, how wonderful heaven must be. If we ever got a look at what’s waiting for us up there, we would not want to linger another minute!
“But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard,
neither have entered into the heart of man,
the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him”
(I Corinthians 2:9)
God had a plan for His children down here to serve Him
Live everyday help people get saved and go to Heaven
But He can't reveal, He must conceal the land of no more fear
If we ever gotta look at what's waiting up there
We wouldn't wanna stay down here
If we could open up the door
Look at the floor of the streets that are paved with gold
Pass through the walls, look down the halls
See the half that's never been told
We never could imagine all the splendour of the mansions
Or the river that is crystal clear
If we ever gotta look at what's waiting up there
We wouldn't want to stay down here
No we wouldn't want to stay down here
Heavens so grand languages can't describe it
John tried to say but he couldn't convey or define it
The end of war will die no more the heart will never know fear
If we ever gotta look at what's waiting up there
We wouldn't want to stay down here
18 November
I remember my teenage years, growing up in the church in the 1970’s. How we sang with such passion songs such as “The King is Coming”, “Jesus is Coming Soon”, “I’ll See You in the Rapture”, “This Could Be the Dawning of That Day), as well as the following one, “Redemption Draweth Nigh”, written by Gordon Jensen. Oh, how I wish a similar passion would return to the Body of Christ in our part of the world. It seems that we are so self-sufficient that we don’t even long for the return of our Lord. Perhaps, you would take a minute, read these words and ask that our Lord would give you an incredible expectancy, realizing that Jesus could return just any day now!!!
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24: 44).
Years of time have come and gone since I first heard it told
How Jesus would come again some day
If back then it seemed so real, then I can't help but feel
How much closer His coming is today
Wars and strife on every hand and violence fills our land
Still some people doubt He'll come again
But the Word of God is true, He'll redeem His chosen few
Don't lose hope soon Christ Jesus will descend
Signs of the times are everywhere
And there's a brand new feeling in the air
Keep your eyes upon the eastern sky
Lift up your head, redemption draweth nigh
16 November
My father went to be with the Lord this past Thanksgiving Day, October 9, 2023. “The Ninety and Nine”, an old hymn composed by Elizabeth Clephane, was undoubtedly his favourite gospel song. I love it also!
Just to think that Jesus always seeks out the one whom no one else cares about; He always loves the unlovely; He always seeks to restore the fallen; He freely offers grace to those undeserving. The reason I am so confident of this is that Jesus offers all of these wonderful things to me!
There were ninety and nine that safely lay in the shelter of the fold
But one was out on the hills away far off from the gates of gold
Away on the mountains wild and bare, away from the tender Shepherd's care
Lord, Thou hast here Thy ninety and nine, are they not enough for Thee
But the Shepherd made answer this of Mine has wandered away from Me
And although the road be rough and steep- I go to the desert to find My sheep
But none of the ransomed ever knew how deep were the waters crossed
Nor how dark was the night that the Lord passed through
Ere He found His sheep that was lost
Out in the desert He heard its cry, sick and helpless and ready to die
Lord, whence are those blood-drops all the way that mark out the mountain's track
They were shed for one who had gone astray ere the Shepherd could bring him back
Lord whence are Thy hands so rent and torn, they're pierced tonight by many a thorn
But all through the mountains thunder riven and up from the rocky steep
There arose a glad cry to the gate of heaven, “Rejoice I have found My sheep!”
And the angels echoed around the throne, “Rejoice for the Lord brings back His own!”
14 November
Christianity is the only religion (belief system) that says that humanity can never reach God or godhood. We can try as hard as we want but we can never save ourselves. Christianity is also the only religion that teaches that God came to us! He came in the form of a baby: Father God sent His only Son into the world and that son came in human flesh! WOW!
I Love the following song, written a number of years ago by Phil Cross. The phrase: “redemption’s blood now has veins to flow in” amazes me far more than I can ever express. That baby came to live among us and He came for one express purpose: to die... and thankfully, destroy the power of death, hell and the grave.
Read the following lyrics slowly, allowing its truth to transform you today!
In search of a Child they travelled so far, led by a star to a place of joy
Now the wise men tell a beautiful story, describing the glory of a baby Boy
Hope has hands, freedom has feet, truth will stand, the Word will speak
The holy and lowly will finally embrace for love has a heartbeat............
And grace has a face
Compassion has a tear joy has laughter and here ever-after peace has a smile
Redemption's blood has veins to flow in, a temple to glow in, Light is a Child
Hope has hands, freedom has feet, truth will stand, the Word will speak
The holy and lowly will finally embrace for love has a heartbeat............
And grace has a face
12 November
Probably my most favourite song that Liane sings is the following one, written by Suzanne Gaither-Jennings, Tanya Sykes and Michael G Sykes. The song asks many questions that we as Christians often ask ourselves. It is so important that we do not waste our lives- we are admonished in the scriptures to "redeem the time" (Ephesians 5: 16). In other words, we are instructed to make real good use of the time that the Lord gives us... before the sun goes down.
Did I live with love and grace and dry the tears on some small face?
Did I drink the sunlight in and look on loosing as a win?
Did I take the highest road? Did I repay the debt I owed?
Search me, search me now, I pray and wash my every sin away
Did I keep my word today and mean the things you heard me say?
Did I make sincere amends with those I wronged, my kin and friends?
Did I seek to be more real and verbalize the pains I feel?
Did I think on what is good and help my brother when I could?
As I reflect, I must confess that I might not have past some test
And I fell short in everything for my poor flesh is limiting
And I regret my whole life through I did not spend much time with you
But if there's time and one more breath and one more hour of daylight left
Before the purple sunset skies, before the carpe diem dies
Before I close my eyes to sleep and pray, “Dear Lord, my soul to keep”
Before I reach the end of day, I've got to know I've walked Your way
Before the darkness shades the ground, before the sun goes down
10 November
The words of Joel & Candy Hemphill and Lari Goss express a truth that overwhelms me whenever I process the following reality: I have no righteousness of my own and yet, when I meet my Creator at the judgment seat, I will be presented as righteous, not by anything that I have ever accomplished but because I have placed my total and complete trust is the one who knows me best and loves me most. Hallelujah!!
When the harvest has been gathered and all my work is done
When the last mile's been travelled and I've sung my final song
If I'm called to give an answer at heaven's judgment seat
Then let the blood of Calvary speak for me
There may be some friends who'll witness and speak a word so kind
But their voice would seem so feeble at such an awesome time
But there's a voice that calls for mercy, ringing thru eternity
Just let the blood of Calvary speak for me
May He write me down as righteous where no righteousness has been
Shielding me from wrath and judgment as it covers all my sin
There's no work that I've accomplished, nor my goodness would I plead
Just let the blood of Calvary speak for me
8 November
It is truly impossible for us to comprehend the extent that we are loved by our Creator. The Holy Bible tells us that He knows everything about us- indeed Jesus has created us, given us singular DNA, a unique personality, physical traits and intelligence. And then, to realize that Jesus willingly gave His life to atone for my sins- all because of His incredible love for me- amazing love, how can it be, that God Himself should die for me.
Yes, I have understood parts of this reality for many years but I remember one day in particular when I came to an understanding that it wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to the cross that day. Rather, it was His love for you and me that gave Him the self-control necessary to hang on a cross and remain there until He died. He could have called ten thousand angels to carry Him off the cross and yet, He died willingly for you and me. There is no other word to describe such love but....... AMAZING!
Marijohn Wilkin expressed this truth so very well:
If you have seen Me, you've seen the Father said the Son
So He completed the earthly task He had begun
He let this old world have its way or one dark and tragic day
To bring us love perfect love His kind of love
I can almost feel the heavens shuddering still
Standing helpless watching Jesus climb that hill
Asking help from not one man, perfect love makes no demands
He walked in love perfect love His kind of love
“It is finished,” those were the last words heard spoken
From the body of a Man whose heart was broken
God condemned by man the judge
Accepting judgment without one grudge
To bring us love perfect love His kind of love
It wasn't nails that held Jesus to the cross
It was His love for us that made Him pay the cost
And how the angels must have cried
Watching helpless as He died
To bring us love perfect love His kind of love
6 November 2023
Have you ever felt like a failure? Perhaps, you said something that you later regretted or behaved in a way that was unkind and sinful. I know that I certainly have issues from my past that I would prefer to forget. Perhaps, we all do! I love the lyrics of the following song, composed by Gene Reasoner in 1986. The words speaks powerfully to me of the incredible love of God. Just to think that my Creator (and yours) is the one who knows us best, yet loves us most!
Furthermore, God is determined to make me more like Him, to resemble Him more closely each day that I live.
Empty and broken, I came back to Him
A vessel unworthy, so scarred with sin
But He did not despair, He started over again
And I bless the day He didn't throw the clay away
He is the Potter and I am the clay
Molded in His image, He wants me to stay
When I stumble and fall and my vessel breaks
He just picks up the pieces, He doesn't throw the clay away
Over and over He molds me and makes me
Into His likeness, He fashions the clay
A Vessel of honour- I am today
All because Jesus didn't throw the clay away
Take heart, my friend; if you feel like you have made a mess of one situation or other, don’t fret any longer. Just ask Jesus to shape you into what He has designed you to be and watch Him work in your life!
“Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 1: 6
4 November 2023
No doubt, you have heard the expression "Elvis has left the building," a phrase that was frequently used by concert announcers at the conclusion of Elvis Presley concerts many years ago. They wanted to convince passionate audiences, many of whom were hesitant to leave the building, hoping against hope, that Elvis was still present and would offer an encore song. This phrase has been going through my mind lately but certainly not in the aforementioned context.......
Rather, my concern is that in many congregations Jesus may have left the building. Impossible, you say? Well, actually it is quite possible that God the Father will leave us to our own resources should we no longer yearn to submit to the Lordship of God the Son, Christ Jesus. Would you consider looking within yourself and sincerely asking:
- is it possible that my congregation is overly directed by a “program” of worship?
- is it possible that my congregation’s worship is frequently stifled or even frozen by overly scripted plans for worship?
- is it possible that my congregation’s worship is led by those who are both hungry for control and desirous to maintain influence?
- is it possible that I might be unwilling to abandon myself into the worship of the Triune God?
The answer to these questions is yes, all of these may be possible. Furthermore, they are likely to become deathly realities should we lose sight of the humble Saviour who for your sake and mine, was willing to become poor, relinquish His legitimate claim to power and control in order that He submit His own will into His Father’s divine plan.
On the positive side, however, as we become increasingly hungry and thirsty for HIS righteousness, and when we are far less concerned about outward appearances than we are with our inner spiritual condition, our individual and corporate worship becomes like a sweet smelling fragrance become the throne of God. Hallelujah!
As with King David of old, may we pray with passion, from the very depths of who we really are:
“Search us, O God, and know our hearts: try us and know our thoughts: see if there be any wicked ways
within us, and lead us in the way everlasting.”
Psalm 139: 23-24