Psalm 34: A Psalm of Comfort

Psalm 34 is one of my favorite Psalms. It is full of encouragement and comfort. If one were good at memorization, this Psalm is one to remember and call to mind in times of trial or when one needs to be uplifted. God’s word is certainly good at uplifting the Christian.

Verses 1-8 are David praising the Lord: these verses are offered without comment, just to read and dwell upon.

I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears….This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Verses 13 and 14 are very good advice: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

We are to watch our words, think before we speak and measure what we say according to the leading of the word of God. We are not to speak deceitfully or in a cunning and manipulative way. We are to do good and avoid evil, we are to live peaceably as much as is possible.

The next verses are pure comfort to the broken-hearted who calls upon the Lord. V18-19 – The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as are of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.

As in a previous post, the LORD sees the Christian as righteous through the precious blood of Christ which atoned for the sins of the believer.
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vcg

Psalm 12: The Lord and the Flatterer

This morning I have been thinking about Psalm 12. In this Psalm David is asking for God’s help from those that are flatterers. In my own life, a flatterer has caused no small amount of pain which was only overcome by saying once again, ‘Lord, this is in your hands.’. and keeping silent about the matter.

In V1-2 David is calling out to the Lord. “Help, LORD; for the godly man ceaseth; for the faithful fail from among the children of men. They speak vanity every one with his neighbour: with flattering lips and with a double heart do they speak.”

According to Websters 1828 dictionary, flattery is false praise; commendation bestowed for the purpose of gaining favor and influence, or to accomplish some purpose. This to me is rather like a spider drawing her prey into her web. Flattery is certainly different from a compliment which is brief and sincere.

But what does V3 say? “The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things.” Thank the Lord that he will take care of these things.

V5 is God’s promise for those to whom the flatterer has spoken. “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the LORD; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him.” These are comforting words.

Finally David praises the words of the LORD in V6,7 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.” At first glance this seems a different subject from the beginning of the Psalm regarding the flatterer. But it is in the reading of God’s Word that peace comes to the heart and comfort to the soul. I thank the LORD that his word has been preserved and will be preserved for ever.

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vcg

Psalm 31: The LORD Our Rock

The Christian can never have peace by doing that which seems right in their own eyes. The Christian can only have peace by following the leading of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Psalm 31:1,3 speaks to this: “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.”

V18 spoke to my heart in a time of difficult trial when all I could do was stay silent and trust the Lord to carry me through: “Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” Even though I see myself as a sinner saved by grace, the Lord sees me as righteous through the precious blood of Christ which atoned for my sins. The following verses speak to this: Romans 4:5-8 “…to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness even as David also describeth the bessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Those verses bring peace.

V19 speaks of God’s goodness: “Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men”. This fear is a reverential fear of who God is. The Christian is to trust in the Lord before the unsaved, the “sons of men” This is not easy to do, but we have to trust and say “Lord, this is in your hands.”.

David closes Psalm 31 with encouragement. V24 “Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”
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vcg

Psalm 27: The Trusting Heart Has No Fear

Psalm 27 was written by David and V1 is one of the great verses in the bible.  "The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" 

I used to be a very fearful person, especially afraid of the dark but this before I became a Christian.  Those who walk with God shall have no fear because the Lord is with them every step of the way.  Through trials and tribulations, through sickness and in health, through troubles which come because you are a Christian and the world, especially unsaved family members, does not accept you, through all these things, the Lord will carry you through.

V12-13 are very personal to me.  "......false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breath out cruelty.  I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living."


Family members can bring much hurt to the Christian.  They certainly have to me.  But even though these times have been very  painful, the Lord has carried me through as I have given my cares over to him and trusted him by saying 'Lord, this is in your hands."

V14 is full of encouragement for the Christian.  "Wait on the LORD:  be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

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vcg

Psalm 25: Trust in the Lord.

Psalm 25: A Psalm of Trust

Since beginning my reading of the Psalms awhile ago, one thing I have noticed is that quite a few old choruses I used to sing are based on the Psalms in the King James version. Such is Psalm 25. Do you remember this one? Psalm 25:1-2 “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed, let not mine enemies triumph over me.”

Verses 4-5 are a daily prayer for the Christian’s guidance: “Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths. Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day.”

David's salvation is personal.  He acknowledges God as the author of his salvation.   He yearns to know truth, and to follow the path God has chosen for him.

In verses 9 and 10 God promises to guide and teach the meek. According to Websters 1828 dictionary, meek means mild of temper; soft; gentle; not easily provoked or irritated; yielding; given to forbearance under injuries. Oh that we could all be meek.

This is a Psalm written by David, and in V21 he prays that integrity and uprightness preserve him, for he waits on God. Likewise Christians should pray for integrity and uprightness in this world.

Below is a video a youtube with the Maranatha Singers singing Unto Thee O Lord.

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vcg

Disclaimer: This post is copied from my blog at Wordpress called Daily in the Word.

X Marks the Spot

This unusual X was photographed from my back yard this morning.  There was a time when I got quite agitated when I saw these "chemtrails" but that was almost 20 years ago.  I will say that these distinguish themselves from condensation trails in that they do not disperse quickly like condensation trails do.   I used to despair seeing a blue sky turn white but we are having a heat wave where I live and so they do cut down the sun's glare somewhat by the time they spread out.

Garden of Gethsemane: Was Jesus Stressed?

Regarding the Lord Jesus when he was on this earth, something that bothers me is when I hear someone say that he was "stressed" in the Garden of Gethsemane and that caused him to sweat great drops of blood.    Could the Lord Jesus be stressed?  I do not believe so.  But what does the bible say? 

The Lord Jesus sweat great drops of blood as he prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, just before he was betrayed by Judas Iscariot and arrested. Jesus knew that his hour had come and that he would be soon crucified, shedding his precious blood as atonement for sin, and taking upon himself the penalty for sin, being the Saviour of all those who believe on Jesus and trust him as their own Saviour.  Nothing that would happen was a surprise to Jesus, rather it was foreordained.

After a Rain

Here a few photos of part of our perennial garden after a light rain.

First is an ornamental grass which is new this year.  It is a Feather Reed Grass and the plumes are beautiful.  Outlined in a dark Mauve color, they are lovely in the wind but seem to be quite strong.  They should mature nicely through the summer and into fall.

Next is textures in a Hosta.   The swirls of the veins, the blue color, the water droplets, all were lovely.

Last is a white peony that has bloomed the past couple of days.  It is a miracle that there is a bloom at all because earlier this year I dug up the plant without any care because it seemed there was no new growth this year.  After digging it up I noticed that in fact, there were 4 new shoots coming up but they were not ready to emerge through the dirt.  I threw the plant in a corner of the yard and forgot about it for a few hours, but later in the day it seemed like I should try it in a different spot.  Missing most of its roots, the shoots managed to grow but three of them died.  One made it to maturity though, and this is the flower.  It is in a sunnier location than it was before and might do better in future. 

The peony also has water droplets on it although they are hard to see on a white flower.

Thanks for dropping by my blog.

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vcg

Search For a Cat: The Final Closed Door

In my last couple of posts I wrote about how a lost cat came to our home and how I was able to find its owner and return the cat.  This lead to a search for a cat for me but now the door has been closed and locked, at least at the SPCA.

In my recent search at the local SPCA, I was shown a beautiful 8 year old female cat who greatly reminded me of my previous cat named Pokey, who died in her sleep 8 years ago.  It was love at first sight when I  saw this cat whose name is "Miss Kitty".   I went to the front desk and waited while an application was filled in, but they ask for your driver's license number and it was then that the door was mostly closed for me to adopt  her.  I was told that since I had surrendered my Sheltie named Belle in 2011, this was considered a "red flag" and it was very unlikely that I would be allowed to adopt Miss Kitty but that he would check with his manager and that I would  be contacted the following Monday.

On the drive home I thought about how sad it would be for me to be turned down.  I thought I had very little chance of adopting her considering what I had been told, so I made a decision, and that was to cancel my application to adopt  rather than be turned down.   

What bothers me about all this is that I was told that if a person adopts a pet from the SPCA and it doesn't turn out, they can bring it back.   Because of this I don't understand why a person who surrenders a pet (with a very good reason) is "red flagged" because of it. 

I can only hope that whoever does adopt Miss Kitty provides her a loving and safe home.

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vcg

Encouragement From a Little Bird

Sometimes it is the simplest of things that brings a blessing and I am convinced that at times, God sends birds to encourage me.

My last post concerned a lost cat that wandered into our yard.  He was here for a couple of days during which time I became somewhat attached to him, going so far as to give him a name - Buster.  But through a tattoo in his ear I was able, reluctantly, to return him to his owner.  This  brought back memories of my dear departed Pokey, who died in her sleep at four years old, in December of 2011.

I began to search for cats online but since we live on Vancouver Island, i am limited as to the number of shelters in my area.  Every time I would see a cat that interested me, it would be updated with "adoption pending."  Not only that but being a senior lady, I think that the cat would outlive me, not to mention that I am allergic to cat scratches and we have a little dog that is not used to cats.  It seemed that my desire for a cat was not meant to be.

A couple of days ago I was sitting in the back yard thinking of the last "adoption pending" cat while watching the constant activity of the birds coming and going in the yard.  As I sat in my chair, I felt a bird land on my shoulder!  This was a first.  I turned and it left my shoulder to land on the fence a few feet away.  It was a little Pine Siskin, a type I have seen only a couple of times in our yard.

Surely this was not an accident.  In the bible, in the book of 1 Kings chapter 17, the Lord tells Elijah the prophet to hide by the brook called Cherith, and that he has commanded the ravens to feed Elijah by the brook and "the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening..." (verse 6).  God is in control of everything and I believe he sent the little Pine Siskin to encourage me, just as a couple of years ago He sent a hummingbird to hover in front of my face when I was sick and again in our back yard.  I asked the Lord if  I was going to go to heaven and immediately the hummingbird came in front of my face.  Since then I have been feeding the hummingbirds and at times when I am sitting and watching the hummingbird feeder, and praying, a bird will come to the feeder.  In the case of wanting a cat, thus far I do not have one but I have the many birds that come to our yard for food and water.

I don't know what is going to happen.  Perhaps I will yet find a cat, perhaps it is not the Lord's will for me to have a cat, but I know that as long as we live in this home, I will have the company of the birds and for that I am very thankful.

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vcg

Tale of a Lost Cat

I love cats.  In 2008 we adopted a beautiful 1 year old female Torbie (Tortoiseshell/Tabby) from a cat rescue.  She had been abandoned and was very fearful of people.  It took much time and patience but she came to be my sweet and loving companion.  It was very tragic for me when she passed away in her sleep at the age of 4. I found her curled up in the cat sleeping position, dead and rigor mortis had set in.  After that we bought a puppy and there have been no more cats.

Last Saturday morning I was outside watering the front garden when a beautiful orange tabby walked onto the neighbour's driveway and over to me.  He allowed himself to be petted but he was definitely not a cuddly cat.  It was a very hot day and he hung out under a cedar hedge beside our home.  I put out food and water for him which he gobbled down.  Not having any cat food he ate good quality dog food instead. I let him in the back yard where he made himself at home sitting on chairs, even beside me.  I let him in the house but he beat up our little Shih Tzu so out he went.  I wondered  where he came from and had no idea how to find his owner.  I contacted the SPCA and was told to contact the local animal control but I did not want to do that, fearing what his outcome would be.  Saturday night into Sunday morning he walked around howling as male cats do and woke up the neighbours who were not pleased.

After church on Sunday we went to a pet store and purchased some cat food in case he came back.  I told the clerk that it was for a lost cat and she said I should look in his ear for a tattoo to trace the owner.  I wondered if he would ever allow me to get close enough to look in his ear if indeed, he came back.  I put out the new cat food and early Monday morning we heard him howling again and then I looked out to see him eating the food.  I took a few photos of him and went down to pet him and I must say that by now I was getting attached to him, even naming him Buster.

About Talebearing and Gossip

Last March my husband and I faced a challenge which was bad enough to cause me to go through something like the stages a person goes through when a loved one dies.  These stages are shock, denial, sadness, anger and then acceptance.  But this challenge came from people it should not have come from, that being not only fellow Christians, but also neighbours.

The challenge was that a private matter between us was taken by them to the leaders of the little church we attend.  Emails were shared and charges made against us, but of course, the whole story was not told.   My husband and I were told that we had to meet with the leaders of the church due to this "matter of concern".   My husband answered that this was a private matter between us and had nothing to do with the church and that we would not be meeting with anyone, and we made the decision to keep our mouths closed regarding this matter, that we would not be talking to anyone about it and that we would trust the Lord to carry us through.  As the months have passed since then, there have been no problems for us at the church, and in fact, the couple involved have left.

What does the bible say about talebearing and gossip?  How are Christians supposed to respond?  After this happened I read the book of Proverbs and it has much to say on the subject:

Proverbs 13:3 "He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction."

Proverbs 18:8 "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly."

Proverbs 18:10 "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.

Proverbs 10:19 ".....he that restraineth his lips is wise."

Proverbs 11:9 "An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered."

Proverbs 11:12-13 "He that is void of wisdom despiseth his neighbour: but a man of understanding holdeth his peace.  A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful sprit concealeth the matter."

There are many more verses regarding this matter, the wisdom of keeping one's mouth closed.

I am sharing  about this because if you ever find yourself in a similar situation,  follow the words of Proverbs, trust the Lord, keep your mouth closed and wait until it passes.  It will be difficult, but the Lord will carry you through.

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vcg

John 20: 1-31 - The Resurrection of Jesus

My last post was about the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ, when he shed his precious blood to atone for sin, and when he took upon himself the penalty for sin by which all those who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ to be their Saviour are saved.   In this post, Jesus is risen from the tomb and witnessed by Mary Magdalene and his disciples.   Chapter 20 begins with Mary Magdalene coming early to the sepulchre.

V1-10 On the  first day of the week when it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb where Jesus was laid and saw that the stone which had sealed the opening was taken away.  Then she ran and came to Simon Peter and to "the other disciple whom Jesus loved" (this is the apostle John who wrote this gospel, he never refers to himself by name) and said to them "they have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him."  The "we" are the other ladies who went to the tomb with Mary Magdalene.  They supposed that someone had stolen the body of Jesus.  So Peter and John ran together, and John got to the tomb first but did not enter.  From the entrance he saw the linen cloths that Jesus had been wrapped in.   Peter arrived, and being of a bolder nature, entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying, but the napkin that had been wound around the head of Jesus was not lying with the other cloths, but was wrapped together in a place by  itself.  Then John came in and saw, and believed that Jesus was gone.  But as yet they did not know that Jesus must rise from the dead, and they went back home.

John 19: 17-42 - The Crucifixion and Burial of the Lord Jesus Christ

My last post from the gospel of John was of Jesus being condemned by Pilate to crucifixion and he was led away.  Because John 19:17-42 covers many verses,  they will be condensed and focus on the highlights and the sayings of Jesus as he hung on the cross.  Jesus said 7 things while he was on the cross, only two of them are recorded in the gospel of John.  Also, this gospel does not go into any detail of the darkness that fell on the land for three hours during which Jesus shed his precious blood and took upon himself the penalty for sin.  This was the reason that Jesus came into this world, to redeem all those who call upon him by faith to be their Saviour.

V17-22  Jesus went forth to a place  called Golgotha and was crucified there with two others, one on either side and Jesus in the midst.  We read in the gospel of Luke that while at first both of these men railed upon Jesus, one of them recognized that he was receiving the punishment for what  he had done and said to Jesus "Jesus, Lord, remember me when you come into your kingdom" and Jesus said to him, "today you shall be with me in Paradise."  There is no age limit when men can be saved, until your last breath is taken, the Lord will save those who recognize that they are lost, and call upon Jesus to be their Saviour.

Pilate had a sign made and had it hung on the cross, this said "Jesus of Nazareth the King of the Jews.  Pilate did condemn Jesus because of the threats of the Jews, but he found no fault in him. This sign was written in Hebrew, Greek and Latin.  The chief priests were not happy about that and said that Pilate should change the sign to say that Jesus said I Am King of the Jews, but Pilate said that what he had written, he had written.

A Christian Birth Certificate?

Yesterday at church, before the meeting began, someone was handing out "Birth Certificates". 
As it turned out, this certificate stated what a Christian was, and had a few bible verses on it.  Then there was room for a signature and a date.  And therein lies the problem.  Just because a person signs something does definitely not make them a Christian.

For the past few weeks there has been a man attending our church and sometimes he brings his son who is about 20.  They are not Christians but the man is getting to know his bible and has a lot of interest.  He has yet to make a profession of faith.   I had great concern that he would sign this certificate and think that he was saved, as might his son.

This is similar to what happened to one of my granddaughters who attended bible camp.  One day the leader said to them "stand up if you want to say you are saved",  and so she stood up and now she thinks that she is saved.  But salvation is believing that you are a sinner, and that the Lord Jesus went to the cross, shed his precious blood and took upon himself the penalty for your sin.  It is putting your trust in him.  If you do not believe the gospel and trust in Christ, no matter how many "birth certificates" you sign, or how many "decision cards" you sign, you are still lost in your sins.

I asked my husband to speak to the man who has been attending and let him know that signing the certificate meant nothing, and thankfully, they had a good discussion.

Why do people do these things?  I do not know, but I pray that it doesn't happen again.

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved"

Romans 5:6,8-9 "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."

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vcg

Music Festival: More Character, Less Dance

Last night was the final night for me to attend the music festival held annually in our town.  My last two posts have been about the prior nights.  Last night was the Musical Theatre section, solos and groups.  My granddaughter's entry was I Feel Pretty from West Side Story, and she wore a costume that was a perfect replica of the one in the movie, yellow dress with a red apron.

Before her class, there was one entry that stood out in a class of people younger than my granddaughter.  That was a girl from the dance studio my granddaughter attends.  It was called Daryl Is a Boy (Who Lives in my Closet) and it was very funny. 

As my granddaughter's class began, she was the second person to perform.  She danced her heart out and did a beautiful  job, but to my untrained eye, I thought there was more dance than character.  As the class went on, one number in particular brought loud laughter from the audience, that was a number called I Really Really Love You (Stalker Song).   Now I never thought I would ever find a song about a stalker funny as I had one very bad experience in my younger years, but this number was comedic and it was hilarious.

After a very long night,  it was time for the adjudications and awards.  But the adjudicator said something that would let most of the people in my granddaughter's class out of the running for awards.  That was, he was more interested in character than he was in dance, so it was the character performances that he placed first, second and third.  I guess I understand his point but it was a sad moment for those young people who had danced their best.

After the performances were over, I waited downstairs for my granddaughter to come out.  And I presented her with roses, red with a yellow center, the same color as her dress.  And I told her that   she did a great job, and that I was so proud of her.  I gave her a hug and then came home.

There is still Jazz groups tonight, but I will not be attending.  Over the last 3 days I have had little to eat or drink because I have a medical condition and I didn't want it to interrupt my watching the performances.  It will be good to get back to normal eating.

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vcg

Music Festival: A Darker Night

Yesterday I wrote about the joy at the annual music festival where I live.  Last night my husband and I attended again and it was not so joyful, I'm sad to say.  I was not feeling  very well and because my granddaughter's group was in the first class, we had decided that if the adjudications did not follow shortly after that, we were going to leave.  As it turned out, we did leave after her class.  I do not know how they placed, but there seemed to be a theme running through the class that made my husband and I very uncomfortable.

I always check out the music my granddaughter's groups are using if I am unfamiliar with it, and so I knew that their music came from a horror film.  I wondered why her teacher would choose that music.   Before the performance my daughter-in-law asked me if I knew abut the music and I said that yes, I did.  She said that there was a red balloon but then she added "I'll say no more."

The class  began with a group dancing to a very strange piece about sound.  It was sung in mostly a monotone voice, some of the lyrics were questionable.  But after that it grew worse.  The next group's piece was about violence, the group after that I think was about war because the dancers  wore camouflage and one of them was supposedly dead at the end.  The next next one was a piece about inner demons with the dancers half wearing white, half  red.   Then my granddaughter's group all dressed in yellow rain slickers with hoods, one carrying a red  balloon.  In the music, a child began singing and then the music became much more intense.  It was creepy.    The group after that had a song about someones cremation.  And with the class ended, my husband and I were quick to exit the building.  As Christians, we did not think that we should even have attended, and if it were not that I wanted to support my granddaughter, we would not have gone.

Was it coincidence that all these groups chose the same type of music?  Or is this the state of the world now that this music is popular?  That thought is unsettling to me.  And we wondered, does practicing the dance for a long time listening to this music have any effect on the young ladies that are practicing the dance?  I hope not.

Tonight the festival goes on with Musical Theatre. My granddaughter will be doing a solo from West Side Story, called "I Feel Pretty".  Her costume is an exact replica of the one the character wore in the movie.   It is a very happy song, and I am thankful for that.   I hope that the rest of the solos are happier pieces as well. 

Time will tell..

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vcg

The Loudest Applause

Last night something wonderful happened.   Every year a music festival is held in the town where I live.  Yesterday was the beginning of the dance section and I knew my granddaughter would be dancing from Friday night through Monday night.  It is always my habit to go early to secure a good parking spot and I wait in the lobby of the theatre.  There was listed in the program for last night a group called "Community Group".    This group is made up of mentally challenged individuals  that come on-stage with their helpers.  Last year they did "Footloose" costumed as cowboys and brought the house down.  I hoped that this was the same group that would be dancing last night.

As I waited in the lobby, the solo and group dancers began to arrive, some carrying costumes, all beautifully made up.  Then two young men arrived with accompanying adults and they greeted each other heartily.  I knew that they were part of the Community group.

The program began with solo dancers, each well trained and well choreographed, floating across the stage on pointe.  Beautiful to behold.  Then came the group dancers, also well trained and well choreographed with costumes to match the music.  They danced in perfect unison.

Then it was time for the Community Group, and music called "This Is Us" began to play.  The same young man that I saw downstairs was accompanied by another adult.  He had a huge smile on his face, and was dressed as a magician complete with top hat and wand.   He waved his wand and drew a toy rabbit out of his hat, perfectly joyful to be there.  The audience erupted with shouts and loud applause.  Then it became clear that this year, instead of being cowboys, they were acts in a circus.  The magician stayed where he was and three more people came to the stage carrying hula hoops.  One  girl made hers do circles on the floor, while another spun hers on her arm, and they also received applause.  But the man who was with them was having trouble getting his to circle around his arm, but he tried again and the hula hoop went in a perfect circle.  The audience was hugely responsive and by now the  applause went on and on.  Next a young man dressed as a clown rode a hobby horse across the stage and the applause became louder.  Then a pause and two people carried a rope to the stage and laid it down end to end.  This was followed by several adults who followed each other stepping along the rope, and suddenly we could envision them walking across a tightrope suspended high in the air.  They were waving and smiling, so full of joy.  By this time the applause was deafening and for myself, I had a lump in my throat  because for this group, this was not a competition.  They were dancing for the sheer joy it brought them, and I know that we, the audience were filled with joy watching them.  

Tonight the competition will go on,  the dancers will be beautifully costumed, well trained and well choreographed.  They will do their best and there will be awards.  Perhaps some of them will be nervous, and some will be more confident.  But as much as I enjoy watching this competition every year, I confess I have a special spot in my heart for the Community Group and the joy with which they do their dance.   Just because one is challenged, no matter what that challenge may be, you can do it!

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vcg

John 19:1-16 - Man's Cruelty to Jesus and Pilate Seeks to Release Jesus Again

The gospel of John chapter 19 follows the Jews choosing the criminal Barabbas as the person to be released as per the Roman custom of releasing a prisoner at the passover.  This chapter shows man's cruelty to Jesus.

V1-5   "Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged  him.  And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns and put it onto his head, and they put on  him a purple robe.  And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.  Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.  Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe.  And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man."

It makes no sense at all that Pilate had Jesus scourged when he could find no fault in him.  But perhaps this was a compromise to the Jews.  Perhaps if they could see the cruel punishment that had been done to Jesus, they would have pity and let him go.  The scourge was no ordinary whip.  Not to go into any details, but the scourging left Jesus so weak that another man named Simon was compelled to carry his cross, because Jesus was so weakened by the scourging.  The soldiers mocked Jesus by making him a crown of thorns which would have pierced his skin, and they put on him a purple robe, the color of royalty.  In another gospel we are also told that they plucked out his beard.  They said "hail King of the Jews" not realizing that Jesus really is King.   After the soldiers had finished their cruel acts, Pilate brought Jesus forth again saying he found no fault in him.  Pilate did not want any part in putting Jesus to death.  But Jesus was still wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and this incited the Jews even further.

John 18:28-40 - After the High Priest Jesus is Brought to Pilate

The time is very near for the Lord Jesus to go to the cross.  He has been betrayed by Judas, arrested and has appeared before the high priest Caiaphas, to answer his questions.  Now Jesus is taken to Pontius Pilate.

V28-32 "Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.  Pilate then went out unto them, and said What accusation bring ye against this man?  They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor we would not have delivered him up unto thee.  Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law.  The Jews therefore said unto him, it is not lawful for us to put any man to death: that the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die."

Such hypocrisy, the Jews took the Lord Jesus to Pilate because they did not want to be the ones to put him to death, they did not want to "dirty their hands" as it were.  They believed they would be defiled if they entered the judgment hall and so Pilate came out to them.  They wanted to be "clean" so they could keep the Passover and yet they desired that Jesus be put to death.   So Pilate came out to them to ask what the accusation was against Jesus.  But the Jews did not tell Pilate exactly what their charge against Jesus was, they just said that he was a "malefactor".  When Pilate said that Jesus should be judged according to their law, they said that it was not lawful for them to put any man to death.  But we know that certainly that was not true,  as in the book of Acts, Stephen is stoned to death and the apostle Paul was also stoned although he did not die from the stoning.  But all this was unfolding according to God's plan, that the scripture would be fulfilled.  Previously Jesus said that he would be "lifted up" and this is crucifixion. 

John 18:19-27 - Jesus is Questioned and Peter's Denials

In the beginning of John 18, Jesus is betrayed by Judas who leads a group of men to the place where he knew Jesus would be.  Jesus is arrested and taken before the high priest, Caiaphas.  Peter has denied knowing the Lord Jesus one time and is now warming himself by a fire where the officers who arrested Jesus stood.  

V19-24 "The high priest then asked Jesus ....... of his doctrine.  Jesus answered hi, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the Temple whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.  Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said."  But one of the officers struck Jesus with the palm of his hand....."Jesus answered him, if I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?  Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiphas the high priest."

Jesus was questioned by Caiaphus about his doctrine and Jesus' response is that he never taught anything in secret, it was always in public.  The synagogue was a house of worship, while the Temple is the holy place in Jerusalem.   Jesus asked Caiaphas, since his teachings were  always public, why was the high priest questioning him when they could have found out the doctrines of Jesus from anyone who was in attendance when Jesus was teaching.   One of the officers, probably one who had arrested Jesus, did not like the way that Jesus was speaking to the high priest, so he slapped Jesus across the face.   The way Jesus reacted was to ask the man a question, why did he slap him instead of giving evidence of what Jesus taught, whether good or evil.  I think that the officer was, in his mind, exercising power over Jesus not knowing that he was, in fact, striking the Christ.  This is another example of Jesus submitting.   V24 says that Annas had sent Jesus bound to the high priest.  As if cords or ropes could have kept the Lord Jesus bound if that was not his will.

V25-27 "And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself.  They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples?  He denied it and said I am not.  One of the servants of the high priest, being the kinsman (of the man) whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?  Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crowed."

We know that Peter loved the Lord, yet his faith wavered and he was fearful of what would happen to him if he admitted that he was one of Jesus' disciples.  We are told again that  Peter was warming himself while the Lord Jesus was being questioned by Caiaphas.  It seems that he has forgotten his words that he would lay down his life for Jesus.  But fellow believers, what would we do if we were faced with a similar situation as Peter?  We say we would stand for him, but it is only by the grace of God to strengthen any of us that we stand for Jesus at any time.   Even when faced with a question by one who saw Peter in the garden, Peter denied that he was one of Jesus' disciples.  But then, a rooster crowed, fulfilling Jesus words to Peter that he would deny Jesus three times before the rooster crowed. The gospel of Luke tells us that after this "Peter went out and wept bitterly"..

At this point it is good to remember that Jesus had told Peter that Satan desired to sift him as wheat but that Jesus had prayed for him that his faith would not fail and that later he would strengthen his brethren. (Luke 22:31-32)

The next post will be about Jesus brought to Pilate.
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vcg

John 18:1-18 Jesus' Arrest and Peter's First Denial

In John 13 Peter tells Jesus that "I will lay down my life for thy sake" and Jesus tells him "...verily, verily, I say  unto thee, the cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice."  Peter was so sure of his love for Christ, so sure that he would never deny him but in John 18 we have the fulfillment of Jesus words to Peter, and in V15-18 the first of three denials that Peter was one of Jesus' disciples.

John 18 follows the prayer of Jesus: for himself, his disciples and all those who will believe on him through the preaching of the  gospel.  Jesus goes over the brook Cedron with his disciples, and is met by Judas and a band of men.

V1-5 "..Jesus...went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.  And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place:...Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.  Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, 'Whom seek ye?'..  They answered him Jesus of Nazareth.  Jesus saith unto them, I am he.  And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them."

The betrayal of Judas was truly abhorrent for as Luke's gospel tells us, Judas betrayed him with a kiss that would identify Jesus.  The chief priests and Pharisees had sent an armed group of men with Judas, as though they would be able to overpower the Son of God.   Jesus knew all these things would happen, and were happening as the plan of God unfolded towards Jesus going to the cross to redeem his own.  He asked the men who they were seeking, but he already knew.   Even at that point Judas could have repented of his actions, but he stood fast with those who came for Jesus.

John 16:13 and John 17 - The Holy Spirit and Jesus' Prayer Before His Betrayal

In John chapter 16 there is further teaching on the Holy Spirit, the Comforter of all those who believe on Jesus.  One verse in particular stands out:

V12-13 "I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever  he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."

It is a precious truth that the Holy Spirit is the best teacher of believers.  He will teach all truth, he will not speak of himself, but of those things which Christ taught, and which are taught in all the Bible.  He will show us things that God will reveal, but not the things of which we have no need to know.

Chapter 17 is the great prayer of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane just prior to his betrayal and arrest.  Some people think the Lord's prayer begins "our father who art in heaven" but that prayer was taught to the disciples by Jesus, as how they should pray.  John 17 is Jesus true prayer to his Father.  As his disciples lay sleeping, Jesus first prays for himself, then for the disciples that were with him, and finally for all those who will believe on Jesus through all time until he comes again.

V1-5 Jesus lifted up his eyes to heaven and said "Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: as thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.  And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent......and now O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was."

These are huge verses.  Jesus says that the Father has given him power over all flesh, that all who will have eternal life were given Christ by the Father.  And eternal life of believers is found in this: believing in the true God and the Lord Jesus Christ who the Father sent to redeem his own.  Then Jesus prays of the time when he was with the Father before the world was, and asks that he be glorified with the glory he had then.

John 15:18-27 - The World and The Followers of Jesus

In the King James bible, John 15 uses the word "hate" in Jesus speaking to his disciples. Noah Websters 1828 defines the word "hate" as to dislike greatly, to have an aversion to.  According to their definition it is less than "abhor" or "detest".    I can attest that this is certainly true with regard to some family members who are anti-gospel, and even Christians who do not want to stand for the truth but are willing to compromise for the sake of "unity"..   but on to the verses in John 15.

V18-21  (Jesus speaking to his disciples) "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.  If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you........if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you......but all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me."

These are tough words.  No one wants to know that the world of the unsaved will greatly dislike us, or have an aversion to us.  But the bible shows us that the scribes and Pharisees hated the Lord Jesus so much that from the beginning of his ministry they sought ways to kill him.  For Christians now, mostly it is that if we stand for the truth of God's word or the gospel, we are avoided and would spend a lonely life but for the presence of the Holy Spirit who is our comfort and encourager as well as being our teacher.  If we were still in the world,  if we were still lost in our sins,  we would be accepted.  But again Jesus teaches that "I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."  And may I say that many Christians do not want to accept that Christ has chosen them, they would rather believe that they chose Christ of their own "free will" and this alone makes for hard feelings towards any Christian who holds to the truth that the bible teaches, that Christ chose his own.  Christians are not hated for who they are so much as what they believe.  The gospel divides families, the bible divides families.

V22-27 "if I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin but now they have no cloke for their sin...if I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father....But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: and ye also shall bear witness, because ye  have been with me from the beginning."

Those that were on this earth during Jesus ministry of teaching, preaching and healing, are now without excuse when they rejected Christ because they were witnesses of him.  Now they had no covering for their sin, because even though they were witnesses of Jesus' ministry, they  had an aversion to him and rejected him.  Now Jesus tells his disciples that when the Holy Spirit comes, they would bear witness that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the promised Redeemer, and they will spread the gospel and carry forth the teachings of the Lord Jesus.   For Christians today who look back to the cross by faith, and believe on Jesus as their Saviour, we also testify of Jesus, and bear witness of  his teachings, and of the gospel.

The next post will summarize chapter 16 and 17 before moving on to Chapter 18, the betrayal and arrest of Jesus.

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vcg

John 15:1-17 - Jesus is the True Vine

Previously in the gospel of John, Jesus has compared himself to things that were common to the people of his day.  He is the good Shepherd, one who cares for his sheep.   He is the bread of life, those that come to him shall never hunger.  He is the light of the world, those that follow him shall no longer walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. 

Grapevines were very common, and in Chapter 15 Jesus presents himself as the true vine, the Saviour, and those who believe in him are the branches.  His Father in heaven is the husbandman,  over all.

V2 "Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit"

There are those who make false professions, but they bear no fruit, there is nothing about them that gives evidence that they are truly saved.  These are taken away, either by apostasy or even by death. 

On a grape vine, the branches are pruned every year so that they will bear more grapes.  If they were allowed to grow freely, there would be very little fruit.  Thus it is with Christians, we are chastened to bring forth more fruit.  "The trial of your faith worketh patience." Hebrews 12:6 says "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth."  These trials are to bring us closer to the Lord.  To rely on him to carry us through.  With each trial we are strengthened and bear more fruit.

V5, 8 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.......Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples."

Christians can do nothing on their own.  All that we are, all that we will ever be comes from the Lord as we abide in him.  As soon as we try to do something on our own strength, we fail.  And when we bear  fruit, whether it be sharing the gospel, or witnessing to neighbours or those with whom we are given opportunity, the glory is not ours, the glory is Gods.