An Exhortation in Light of the Coronavirus

God has put this on my heart. My concussion is still quite severe and I am not able to cut and paste a bunch of Scriptures, nor am I able to edit or organize my thoughts thoroughly.

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.   (2Chron 7:13-15)

This passage is going around a lot these days, but it is always mentioned in respect to increasing our prayer efforts. I have not heard anyone address the far more important aspects, that of humbling ourselves and repenting! Isaiah 59:1-2 tells us that the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, but our sins have hidden His face from us, our iniquities have made it so He does not hear our prayers (paraphrase from my memory). Prayer without repentance will be to no avail!

In Daniel chapter 9, we have an incredible example of Daniel humbling himself before the Lord. Daniel is one of the few Biblical characters of whom nothing negative is said, yet he humbled himself before the Lord over the sins of his people, and he included himself as being guilty! Let us learn from him about what it means to humble ourselves before the Lord!

Secondly, let's just take Jesus' greatest commandment: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and all your strength.

How are you doing with that? Seriously? They say your priorities can be seen best in two places, your calendar and your pocketbook. How much time do you spend in God's Word compared to watching TV or Netflicks? We have brothers and sisters in persecuted nations who attend congregations that do not even have a single copy of God's Word. What they would give to have a single copy to share among hundreds or thousands! We have numerous copies in our homes and barely open them! We rely on 5 minute devotionals where we let someone else tell us what it says. We have a mindset of a few verses a day will keep the devil away, rather than loving God with all our MIND. I want to challenge us to return to our first love, and love Jesus and His Word with all our heart, soul, mind and strength!

Many of us have more time on our hands during this crisis, we should be arming ourselves with the Word of God, equipping ourselves for perhaps harder times ahead. Regardless of how this current situation pans out, Jesus promised that all who follow Him would have trouble in this world. We are told that all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Is there even enough evidence of being a Christian in our lives that we would ever face persecution? If so, do we have enough of God's Word hidden in our hearts to carry us through? When communism swept over China and Russia, Christians were brutally persecuted. Many were not prepared. Now, Christianity is exploding in China, in spite of horrible persecution. While in North America, where we worship comfort and ease, churches are closing every day!

God has given us a wake-up call. Are we just going to continue to focus on the encouraging passages, or prayers for God to take away our troubles, and ignore the call to repentance, to love God with everything we have and are? Jesus said that anyone who does not deny himself and pick up his cross daily is not worthy of HIm! (Lk 9:23) It is time for us to truly follow The One who denied comfort and died on a brutal Roman cross that we might have life in Him! The gods of North America are comfort, leisure, and SELF. We are all guilty to one degree or another of idolatry -- putting something in our life as more important than God. Jesus didn't die for us to just live a life of comfort, He died that we would die to ourselves and live for Him! I once heard a preacher say, "It is time for a bunch of funerals!"  Let us die to ourselves and live for Jesus!

I have been crucified with Christ, nevertheless, I live, yet not I but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me! (Gal 2:20)

A missionary friend, who used to smuggle Bibles across the Iron Curtain recommended the series on Revelation by David Pawson. I strongly encourage you to listen to it, and any of his other sermons.

https://www.davidpawson.org/resources/series/book-of-revelation-seminar-2002 

I have been doing a read through the Bible plan by audio. When I had a question about something in Leviticus, I looked up a resource and came across another great preacher. He works through the Bible verse by verse.

https://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/davis_bob/  

I have been collecting videos on evidence for the truth of God's Word. I encourage you to strengthen your faith with these great resources. they are in no order.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9MmYcBfHDwrlDl8Iz0uP8GRG3JZXyAo4  

Let us repent and put God back on the throne of our lives, that God will then hear our prayers!

A Perfect Christmas

What does a “Perfect Christmas” mean to you? A beautifully decorated home? The stockings hung on the mantle of the fireplace, each with a name embroidered on it. Christmas lights decorating your house and the trees in your yard. A beautiful wreath on your door and garlands and lights decorating the stairs. Each room adorned with some festive cheer. A string of greeting cards received from friends and family hanging across the living room wall.  The Christmas tree with the ornaments hung “just so.” I saw a meme on Facebook saying something to the effect of “I didn’t know I was OCD until my children hung the ornaments on the tree.” And most importantly, the nativity set proudly displayed for all to see the “reason for the season.”

Is the perfect Christmas one in which you get all your Christmas cards and gifts mailed out in time for them to arrive before Christmas? You manage to get everyone the “perfect gift.” Christmas morning reveals stockings filled to overflowing, the tree is surrounded with presents; every one beautifully wrapped with ribbon and bows.

Perhaps for you the perfect Christmas is more about having the entire family gathered from across the continent (or further) to share time together? You share old memories and create new ones. Maybe it is about the concerts, cantatas, church services, and Christmas parties.

Christmas has been a very difficult time in my home for many years. As a single mom, I had to do it all. All the shopping, all the wrapping, all the cooking, all the driving to whatever event, all the mystery and surprise of Santa. With chronic fatigue threatening to run me over even at less hectic times of year, the busyness of the season has usually left me so exhausted and often sick that I can’t enjoy anything that the season is supposed to bring.

Add to that two boys on the autism spectrum. Caleb has always hated change. Pulling out our special dishes was enough to cause a meltdown. He could not handle the suspense of gifts – either giving or receiving, so the gifts he wanted to give (if he had any – thinking about others is another challenge kids with autism face) were always given before Christmas. If he received something that wasn’t exactly, I mean EXACTLY, what he was expecting, there would be a meltdown (similar to a temper tantrum but due to an inability to cope with life). The boys didn’t like the special meal – it wasn’t “normal” food. Skip the Christmas music, it wasn’t “normal” either. My exhaustion would lead to miscommunications, or just the inability to head off meltdowns. Christmas in my home has historically been filled with anger, disappointment, and meltdowns.

Coming into Christmas 2015, it certainly didn’t have the makings of “a perfect Christmas.” Our small health food business kept us busy at Christmas markets until mid-December. We managed to get some Christmas lights up on the three maple trees in our front yard, then one of them stopped working. A wreath made it on the front door. Forget Christmas cards, and we ordered gifts online a couple of days before Christmas hoping they might be delivered to family members living far away in time for Christmas.

The Sunday before Christmas my brother, Mark, went to get the Christmas decorations from the basement. I heard a thud as the house shook. He hit his head HARD on the heating duct. He spent the next three days in bed with a concussion. Christmas Eve we went to see his doctor and received the good news that there was no internal bleeding. However, he still needed to take it easy.

We never got the decorations up. The tree never left the basement storage. Even the nativity set didn’t make it out of the box. Most of our family lives far away and we decided several years ago that gathering at Christmas resulted in too many travel plans going awry, so no big Christmas gathering. I was still wrapping presents when Caleb and his dad arrived late on Christmas afternoon. They were neither fancy, nor adorned with ribbon and bows – they were simply hidden in paper hurriedly taped shut. Caleb’s present hadn’t even arrived! Christmas dinner didn’t have the usual squash (a favourite of mine), and we didn’t have our traditional Christmas pudding for dessert.

So, what made this a perfect Christmas?

Joy, laughter, gratitude, and a celebration of the abundant life Jesus gives us.

Christmas Eve we enjoyed a service at Christopher’s church, where he sang in the choir. After years of striving to share Christ with my boys, Christopher, at 19, is going to church on his own and getting involved!

Christmas morning Mark was feeling much better. Mark, Christopher and I joined about 40 other people in downtown Ottawa to hand out clothes, toiletries and homemade cookies to those experiencing homelessness. It was incredible!

I had talked to a local second-hand store to get donations, and then purchased a bunch of boots at 50% off. The store provided several boxes of coats, sweaters, scarves, and pants. Other had obtained donations, as well. There were four vehicles full of stuff to give away! I had two pairs of men’s boots, both labeled size 10. Two men approached me, one needing a size 12 and the other needing a size 9. I had them try on the size 10 boots, and THEY FIT!

Christopher initially feeling very overwhelmed, started handing out the homemade cookies we had collected and made. The joy was contagious. There was so much gratitude for the simple things that we all take for granted! God has an incredible heart for the poor, and we draw closer to Him when we also care about the poor.

After visiting three shelters, a bunch of us gathered to share some of the joy with a church member who wanted to participate, but could not because of a physical disability. Then, the three of us went to visit our grandmother (Christopher’s great grandmother), who is 97 years-old. She does not experience any dementia, but is essentially blind, preventing her from participating in the many activities that used to bring her enjoyment.  Many of the residents around her do suffer from dementia, so she is very lonely. It was very special to spend some time with her on Christmas day.

We got home exhausted, but feeling great. Mark pushed through and made an awesome meal – his Christmas gift to us. Caleb and his dad arrived, as I was hurriedly wrapping the gifts. Even the stockings weren’t quite ready when they arrived. Once the presents and stockings were ready I had the boys help bring them downstairs. I wanted Caleb to help out in the kitchen, and the warning bells were going off – too much stress for him. I decided not to push it.

The gift giving was wonderful. The boys had each thought about what to give me. Not that it is about the gifts, but the fact that they actually thought about it and planned for it is a HUGE BLESSING. I am very grateful for the gifts they gave, but even more grateful to see them growing in their ability to think about others! Caleb knew my gift to him would arrive late, and was OK with it. Wayne (the boys’ dad) gave gifts of helping others in the third world.

In our stockings we traditionally have a couple of lottery scratch cards. This year one of them was a bingo with Christmas/winter symbols. Wayne was giving them different identities such as calling the gingerbread man a politician. Christopher was pronouncing them with the weird abbreviations (in order to fit in the small space). The laughter started, and just escalated. Later in the kitchen, Mark and I were laughing so hard we just couldn’t stop. It has been years since either of us laughed so hard.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (Jn 10:10)

There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land. (Deut 15:11)

 Mordecai recorded these events, and he sent letters to all the Jews throughout the provinces of King Xerxes, near and far, to have them celebrate annually the fourteenth and fifteenth days of the month of Adar as the time when the Jews got relief from their enemies, and as the month when their sorrow was turned into joy and their mourning into a day of celebration. He wrote them to observe the days as days of feasting and joy and giving presents of food to one another and gifts to the poor. (Esther 9:20-22 Although this refers to the feast of Purim, what a way to celebrate the coming of our Saviour!)

Father, thank you for sending your Son to give us abundant life! Thank you for blessing us with so much! Thank you that you care about the poor, the homeless, the widow, and the orphan! Thank you for the opportunities you provide for us to draw closer to You through helping the poor! Thank you for the celebration of Christmas: the joy, the time with family, the feasting, the laughter, and the giving of gifts to each other and to those who really need it! Walking with You is truly ABUNDANT LIFE! Thank you for a Perfect Christmas!

It's my 30th Birthday!

Today I celebrate my 30^th birthday. 49 years ago Eleanor Girard delivered a baby girl named Cindy. However, on September 1, 1985 I was born again.

Jesus replied “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.... born of water and the Spirit.” (Jn 3:3,5)

On the occasion at which Peter declared that Jesus was “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said he would give Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 16;13-20) Peter used those keys on the day of Pentecost when he preached the first gospel message. He quoted the prophet Joel and ended that quote with the phrase “and anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” So many people seem to think that Peter's sermon ended there – but it didn't! When he does wrap up the sermon, the people...

“were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. (Acts 2:36-41)

Peter, using the keys to the kingdom which Jesus gave him, tells his audience, and us, how to call on the name of the Lord in order to be saved.

1) Repent: Jesus taught a message of repentance. “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Lk 13:5) Repentance is so much more than just being sorry! Using hyperbole, Jesus taught that we need to take radical steps to get rid of the sin in our lives.

“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—where, ‘Their worm does not die, And the fire is not quenched.’ ” (Mk 9:43-44)

Jesus taught that change is essential to entering the kingdom of heaven (being saved).

Jesus called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said:“Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 18:2-3)

Actually I have heard many messages on the radio and at church services that don't mention repentance whatsoever when telling someone how to become a Christian. This breaks my heart, because according to Jesus, IT IS ESSENTIAL for entrance into the kingdom of heaven!

2) and be baptized: Paul describes the significance of baptism in Rom 6.

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin—because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. (Rom 6:3-8)

I have seen baptism pictured this way:

Jesus died on the cross, was buried in a tomb, and was raised to new life.
In baptism, through faith, we participate in His death, burial and resurrection.

• Death: We repent of our old life and the sin that has enslaved us, “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin. (Rom 6:6)
• Burial: Then, in the waters of baptism we are “buried with him through baptism into death.” (Rom 6:4) The Greek word from which we get the word baptism means “immersion.”
• Resurrection: We come up out of the water a new creation – born again!
  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:The old has gone, the new is here! (2 Co 5:17)
  For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.” (Rom 6:5)

“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him” (Rom 6:8).

In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. (Rom 6:11)

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. (Gal 3:26-27)

3) For the forgiveness of sins:
         Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,
               nor his ear too dull to hear.
         But your iniquities have separated
               you from your God;
         your sins have hidden his face from you,
              so that he will not hear. (Is 59:1-2)
It is our sin that separates us from God. Thus to be reconciled to God and be able to be with Him in heaven, we need to have our sins forgiven. That is what it means to “be saved.” There is absolutely nothing we can do on our own to earn that forgiveness. It is a gift of God. (Eph 2:8) Peter tells us in Acts 2:42 that our baptism is for the forgiveness of sins. That is when the wall of sin between us and God is obliterated – crucified with Christ on the cross. That is when our sin comes into contact with the saving, atoning blood of Christ, “who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood.” (Rev 1:5) Peter further clarifies the importance of baptism as the vehicle through which we receive God's incredible gift of salvation.

In [Noah's ark] only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at God’s right hand—with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him. (1Pet 3:20-22 emphasis mine)

Please note: the water of the flood is the symbol of baptism. Baptism is not a symbol.


Baptism must be in response to faith. Baptizing an infant has no power to save because the baby has no faith of his/her own. Baptizing someone who doesn't believe in Jesus, his crucifixion and resurrection is no more than giving them a bath. We are saved by faith, which is displayed through baptism. Every conversion account in the Bible includes immediate baptism. Nowhere is Scripture does it indicate that baptism is an “outward sign of an inward grace,” rather it is portrayed in passage after passage as the point of new birth.


Paul tells us that baptism is our spiritual circumcision.

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Your whole self ruled by the flesh was put off when you were circumcised by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism,in which you were also raised with him through your faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead. (Col 2:11-12)

Under the Old Covenant, made with Abraham, circumcision was the one and only mark of God's covenant with His people. Under that covenant, a male had to be circumcised to be counted among God's people. Similarly, under the New Covenant, to be counted among God's people we all need to undergo a spiritual circumcision in which the old self is put off. Scripture clearly indicates that spiritual circumcision occurs at the baptism of a believing disciple. By faith, a person enters into covenant with God at baptism, and becomes a member of His family. He is born again.




4) and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit:

Jesus said we need to be “born of water and the Spirit” to enter the kingdom of heaven. (Jn 3:5) In Acts 2:42 (quoted above) the Apostle Peter puts water and Spirit together in his response to those who were cut to the heart by gospel message. Peter tells them (and us) to be baptized, and in the same breath promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit.

I know I have seen God's Spirit at work in those who have not been baptized, however, I have also seen some of these same people encounter a new depth of connection with the Holy Spirit after being baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. I have seen others, unaware that baptism was the point of new birth, declare shortly after that momentous event that they felt “born again,” “washed,” full of the Holy Spirit!

So, 30 years ago today a new child of God was born into His kingdom. I give Him all the praise, glory and honour! May He be forever praised!

The Crazy Cat Lady – and the Crazy God who loves People

I love cats. I mean I really love cats. I think they are beautiful creatures. I enjoy laughing at their silly behaviours. I love stroking their soft fur. I love being serinated by their purring. I love their poise and elegance. I love watching them groom themselves, or even more grooming each other.

One day while cuddling with one of my cats, and thanking God for them. I thought about all the recent adds I had seen for people trying to find homes for kittens. I could easily become a “Crazy Cat Lady” with hundreds of rescued cats – that is if I had the time and money.

I know several people who do not like cats. I can understand why. Cats can be aloof. They don't warm up to strangers quickly. When they are afraid or anxious, they can respond with teeth and claws. But my love for cats enables me to see past the behaviours to the reasons. That just makes me love them more. My precious “Little Girl” is a dainty, loving, gentle, adorable cat with me. However, she will growl or even bite or scratch someone she doesn't know. (The vet has called her psycho kitty from h*ll. She was traumatized in several ways as a tiny kitten, and she retains the distrust that trauma produced. I want to help hurting cats find a loving and safe home.

I realized that my love for cats is similar to God's love for people. (I am, after all, made in God's image.) God loves people. He thinks they are beautiful – the very pinnacle of His majestic creation. He loves spending time with people-- one on one. He loves our singing – He is the One who gave us voices to sing with. He loves to see the great things we do with the skills, talents, and abilities He has given us. He loves seeing us serve one another.

Just like some cats, some people can be pretty nasty. But God sees past the behaviours to the reason. He sees how we have been traumatized by sin – the sin of others against us, and the sin we have committed. He longs to bring us healing. He wants to heal us body, mind and soul, and He is the only One who can do so. He loves us deeply, passionately, intimately, and eternally. He is the Crazy God who loves people.

We try to cover the pain with drugs, food, alcohol, pleasure, sex, or adrenalin rushes. None of these satisfy for long, so we are soon looking for more. We look for healing in pills, or mysticism, or mindfulness, or “spirituality” that leave Him out of the picture. These solutions may provide some healing, but never bring us complete wholeness. God made us. He knows what it is that we need to heal the hurts we have sustained and the illness we have picked up from living in a fallen world.

I have adopted sick and hurting cats. I have been able to improve their quality of life, but I could never fix all their hurts. God, on the other hand, CAN fix ALL of our hurts – physical, emotional, and spiritual. However, so many of us settle for an improved quality of life. We add a little Jesus to our lives. We enjoy fellowship at church. We get away from some of the habits, sins and people that sustain the hurts. But God wants to do more than improve the quality of our lives. He wants to redeem the painful experiences; He wants to wash away the stain of sin; He wants to make us whole.

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. (Jn 10:10)

Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering,
     yet we considered him punished by God,
     stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
     he was crushed for our iniquities;
     the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. (Is 53:4-5)

May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. The One who called you is completely dependable. If he said it, he’ll do it! (1Th 5:23-24 The Message)

Thank you Heavenly Father for adopting us into your family! Thank you that You love us completely when we are doing well and when we are doing terrible. Thank you that through Jesus coming to this earth, You understand our struggles and hurts. I praise You that You don't stop at just understanding or empathizing with us. Jesus died on the cross to bring us healing – soul, spirit and body! Thank you for forgiving our sins! Thank you for healing the hurts of the past! Thank you for cleansing away our sins. Thank you for giving us a hope and a future! I praise you Father for You are good and kind and faithful!

My God Will Meet All Your Needs

“My God will meet all your needs in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Php 4:19).

What an incredible promise!  So why does it often seem like this isn’t the case?

 The Old Testament prophet, Haggai describes what so many Christians experience today.

^“ Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways.  You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.” (Hag 1:5-6)

“You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”  Ouch! That strikes too close to home for many. So where is God’s promise of provision?  Many Christians experiencing this feel that God is failing to live up to His promises.  They can doubt God’s faithfulness and goodness. They become miserable in their faith, or even abandon it altogether. They blame God, instead of exploring the reason for their struggle.

Haggai describes the sin of the people that God hated in Old Testament times.

 Then the word of the Lord came through the prophet Haggai:  “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house [God’s temple] remains a ruin?”

 Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops.  I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.” (Hag 1:2-11)

God was so angry with His people, that He caused their work to produce little fruit. What was the sin? Being busy with their own houses – making them as nice as possible – while neglecting God’s house. That describes our culture! I have heard that if every professing Christian tithed, there would be more than enough to feed all the starving people in the world and missionaries would have all they need to bring the gospel to the whole world!  Why don’t we tithe? Because we are so busy upgrading our houses, our belongings, our stuff. Subscribing to TV service is more important that tithing. Making sure our kids have stylish clothes is more important than God’s command. We spend more on our pets than we give to help the poor. We spend more on having our kids involved in soccer, dance, martial arts, piano lessons, etc. than we give to missions. (We need to make sure that the money we give for missions goes where we expect, but don’t use the mismanagement of some organizations’ funds aas an excuse to not give at all). We spend huge sums of money to go on vacation, to have a nice car, to live in a home that is really more than we need. We are so busy building our little kingdom that there is no money left for God’s kingdom.

GOD HATES THIS and will oppose it!

If this is how you are living, then God will treat you as He treated His people in Haggai’s day. He will allow you to work hard for your money only to see it disappear on all sorts of unexpected expenses.

Let’s go to the promise of God’s provision.  It occurs in Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi. We love the promises, but fail to learn the conditions that go with them.  We don’t live up to the conditions, but then blame God for being unfaithful!

So let’s take a closer look at this promise.

Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid more than once when I was in need. ¹⁷ Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account. I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.  And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.  (Php 4:14-19)

Paul is thanking the Philippian Christians for the many times they have provided for his needs. He indicates they provided gifts more than once while he was in Thessalonica, and then again while he was in prison in Rome (where Paul writes this letter).  He then lets them know that their sacrifice is pleasing to God. These gifts were not out of their abundance, but were a sacrifice of love – love for God and love for Paul.

After this praise for their sacrificial giving, Paul informs these generous Christians, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”

So what do we need to learn from this? The promise really has a condition. God will meet all our needs when we give joyfully and sacrificially to the causes on God’s heart. One of the greatest causes on God’s heart is the spread of the gospel message through people filled with His Spirit, His compassion, and His love. This work is so often hindered by finances!

I have lived on a disability income for many years, and God has provided for me far beyond all I could ask or imagine. Why have I been so blessed? Because I joyfully put God first in my finances. He is faithful and provides my needs. I drive a 13-year-old rusty car – it gets me where I need to go. I live in a fixer-upper home – it keeps me warm and dry. More than half of the furniture in my home has come from the garbage or second-hand from people. I have had several compliments on my “garbage” couch! I don’t have TV service – lessening the pull that worldly culture has on me.  I am certainly not immune to that culture! I have moments where I wish I had some nicer things, but I really have more than I need, AND I am still wealthier than 75% of the people on the planet! God’s involvement in my life is evident every day, and my relationship with Him is truly more satisfying than all the things I don’t have.

However, I still need to grow in this area. I read the passage yesterday in Philippians and it struck home. My youngest son recently moved in with his dad. This has decreased my income, while barely impacting my expenses. I was considering cancelling my support of a foster child in India. After looking at these Scriptures, I know that I need to continue that support. I will see what other expenses I can cut back. My God is FAITHFUL, and will continue to provide for me abundantly, when I put His cause first in my life!

God Almighty! Your Word is powerful and convicting. Help us to learn your Word in its context, so that we don’t blame you for our sin. You are always faithful! Help us to examine our ways to see where we are unfaithful to you! Thank you that you are so forgiving and so patient with us! Thank you that times of refreshing come with repentance! (Acts 3:19) To You be all praise and honour and power and glory. Amen!

The Gospel of Comfort

When I became a Christ-follower almost 30 years ago, I came to Him with a deep understanding of commitment and death to self.

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. (Lk 9:23-26)

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. (Lk 14:33)

I accepted that the life of a disciple of Jesus was one of sacrifice and self-denial. I was prepared to leave North America and become a missionary somewhere. I was willing to give above and beyond a tithe. I was willing to face persecution. However, I also accepted a subtle message that in return I would have a great marriage, obedient children, less struggles with health and finances, and certain other comforts in exchange. This gospel of comfort is far more prevalent in North American Christianity than the message of self-denial. Many North American Christians have never even heard the message of sacrifice and commitment.

We look at obstacles as terrible burdens that we must bear. We fear illness. We get depressed over finances. We bemoan traffic jams. We criticize our spouses, our bosses, and our government. And then we complain that we don't see God at work in our lives.

I have been involved with an organization that is committed to bringing cutting-edge organic farming techniques to villages in Africa (You Feed Them). The results have been amazing! After my friend returned from a trip to Africa to work on the project, she shared that she was overwhelmed by the poverty. As the tears flowed down her cheeks, she asked God why she had so much and they had so little. The response was that although these villagers were poor in material things, they were very rich in faith.

Our brothers and sisters struggling through poverty NEED God just to get through each day. And every time God provides for them, their faith grows. One friend shared a conversation he had with a very sick man in one of the villages. I think my friend was trying to offer this man help to go to the hospital. The man's response came from a faith that few North Americans will ever achieve. He said with incredible peace, “Either God will heal me, or I will go home to be with Him. I don't need a hospital.” This man has seen God do the miraculous. It is only when God is all you have that you realize that he truly is all you need.

The gospel of comfort comes from the enemy. We do not need the comforts of North America to have God's peace and joy! In fact, the more we think we need, or deserve these comforts, the less joy we have. The more comforts we do have, the less we need God, and the less we see of His faithfulness and goodness.

Jesus said “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mk 10:25) Why is that? Because we rely on our wealth instead of on God. We rely on doctors instead of God's miraculous healing. We go to counsellors, instead of to God's Word. We find our “joy” in things and entertainment instead of in people and in God. We get divorced because we start to hate our spouse when they no longer adequately provide the happiness and validation we need, when in truth God is our faithful lover than delights in us and will never forsake us. We think more money will solve all our problems, while we ignore the number of extremely wealthy people who commit suicide.

We need to learn to see our trials not as horrible burdens, but as opportunities for God to show us His faithfulness, His miraculous provision and healing, and for us to grow closer to Him as our Comforter, our Hope, our Shield, our Defender. When life is comfortable, we just don't see God's mighty hand as much. When our needs and wants are met elsewhere, God has no opportunity to prove to us His tender faithfulness.

I have had opportunities in the past several years to experience God in many of these ways. Through the hardship of my broken marriage, special needs children and health issues, I got to know God as my Comforter, as my Lover, and as my Provider in truly miraculous ways. Through recent challenges I got to know Him as my Shield and Defender. Now, I am starting to get to know Him as my Healer! If my life had been comfortable, I would never have grown in my intimacy with my Saviour. This intimacy is worth all the pain I have faced! I am so incredibly grateful to know God in these ways! His praise is constantly on my lips, as I see Him at work in my life! Don't cling to the comforts of wealth, but cling instead to the One who can give you treasures and joy that this world can never take away!

Holy Father, I praise You for You wonderful love! I praise You for Your saving grace. That although we deserve the punishment of the cross for our many sins, You clothe us with the righteousness of Christ! I praise You that the trials in my life have given me the opportunity to know You far more intimately than just as Saviour. I pray that those reading this devotional can see You working in their hardships. I pray that they will seek You instead of the comforts of this world. I pray that those who are in financial need will learn that You are a faithful provider. I pray that those in difficult marriages or who have faced the pain of divorce can know You as their Lover. I pray that those who face illness and physical pain can discover that You are the God who Heals. I pray that those facing emotional difficulties, fear, depression, and/or anxiety can know you as their Comforter. I praise You Father, Holy Spirit, and Jesus! 

God My Defender and Protector

Jehovah is my light and my salvation,     

    Whom do I fear?    

Jehovah is the strength of my life,    

    Of whom am I afraid?

          Psalm 27:1

Definitions from Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary:

“Light”--  illumination or (concretely) luminary (in every sense, including lightning, happiness, etc.):—bright, clear, + day, light (-ning), morning, sun.

“salvation” yeh'-shah, yay'-shah; liberty, deliverance, prosperity:—safety, salvation, saving.

“strength” -- a fortified place; figuratively a defence:—force, fort (-ress), rock, strength (-en), (X most) strong (hold).

Father God, You are my light, my happiness. You give me clarity. You brighten my life with your peace, with your presence, with your promises! You light my path through the darkness, pain and trials of this life. When we get to heaven, we will have no need of sun or moon, as the light of your glory will provide light for us to see! You are my source of happiness and joy. The joy of the Lord is my strength! Happiness based on the circumstances of this life is so fleeting. But when my happiness comes from You – Your love for me, Your promises, Your Presence – nothing can take away that joy!

You are my salvation. I can see where the name Yeshua means God saves, since this word in Hebrew is close to it. Oh Jesus, You are my salvation! You have saved me from my sins! You have saved me from my depression! You have saved me from many of the trials of this world that I would have faced had I not become your disciple. You have liberated me to be myself. I do not have to try to be like someone else in order to be accepted, because you accept me, love me and delight in me just as I am!  You have liberated me to serve you instead of myself!

Lord, you are my strong tower, my refuge where Satan cannot attack me! You defend me. You protect me. I can hide myself in you where my enemies cannot attack me! I have nothing to be afraid of, as you are bigger and stronger than anything that can come against me! I claim you as my fortress, my stronghold. I hide myself in you away from the attacks of Satan and his angels! No sickness will come against me, as I hide within the walls of your protection! I do not need to fear poor health. I do not need to fear persecution. I do not need to fear financial difficulties. I do not need to fear for my safety. Yes, you promise trials will come, but they will not pull me away from you!

Oh Lord, my God, I love You!