A miserable Christian is a work of the devil

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

In John 10:9-10, Jesus says "I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full."  So what does that mean to us as followers of Christ?  Well, first and foremost that we are saved.  Saved from what?  Well, I suspect mostly from ourselves.  Saved from a self-centred, miserable life here on earth and in eternity.  But what about that last part about having life and having it to the fullest?  Raymond Chapman in his book Following the Gospel Through the Year says this: 

"If life abundant is the will of Christ for his people, to refuse the opportunities for happiness is to spurn some of God's bounty.  A serious concern for right living is one thing, but a miserable Christian is a work of the devil."  

But God does not ask us to be miserable.  Quite the contrary he wants us to be filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).  Even in the 23rd Psalm we are presented with an image of the shepherd leading us to green pastures and still waters, of being the guest of honour at a banquet, and having a cup that overflows with blessings.

So how about it - do you know any miserable Christians?  (Some Christians tend to be what my wife calls a "black hole of joy", sucking all the joy out of an entire room.  OK, she is usually referring to me when she says that.)  Are YOU a miserable Christian?  I suspect we all are sometimes. Jesus was not a miserable person when He was here on earth.  Indeed He seemed to enjoy life to the point that His enemies accused Him of being a drunkard and a glutton (Luke 7:34)!  We sometimes hesitate to enjoy the amazing blessings that we are given because we feel guilty doing so, and that guilt is straight from the enemy.  Live in and enjoy your God-given blessings today.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Loving Shepherd of the sheep, lead me through this world so that I shall neither turn aside into false paths nor miss the delights that have been prepared for me to enjoy.

Grant to me the grace that shows the life of faith is a life of joy, so that I may help others to find the life abundant that is your gift and your will.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

The recognition of men

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

It is very difficult for me to do good deeds and not want to receive credit for it.  I long to hear someone say "Wow! You did THAT!  You are incredible! You are SOOOO generous!"  You know what I mean?

But Jesus is quite explicit about this.  He says "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." (Matthew 6:1).  He goes on to mention three particular "acts of righteousness":

• Giving

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:2)

• Praying

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:5)

• Fasting

"When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full." (Matthew 6:15)

(As an aside, notice that Jesus says "when you give" and "when you pray" but he also says "when you fast" - he doesn't say "if you fast").

Personally, I crave the "recognition of men".  But the real recognition we must seek is to be honoured by God.  What we should be longing to hear is "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:23).

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Father, there is great temptation to seek the commendation of those around us so that we might be esteemed in the sight of others.  

But there is no honor or reward in this life that compares with the commendation of being tested and approved in Christ.  

Father, You know the very intent of our heart by that which we think and speak and by every action we carry out. 

May we honor You in all that we do in the daily battleground of forming attitudes and making choices.  Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Pray for each other...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 James reminds us :

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16)

In Ephesians 6:18, Paul admonishes us:

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

This morning is a prayer I offer up for each of you, and ask you to do the same for each other.  This is just one way that we can help carry the burdens of one another.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Father, I ask you to bless my friends reading this right now.

Lord, show them a new revelation of Your love and power.

Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment.

Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy.

Where there is self doubting, release a renewed confidence in Your ability to work through them.

Where there is tiredness, or exhaustion, I ask You to give them understanding, patience, and strength as they learn submission to Your leading.

Where there is spiritual stagnation, I ask You to renew them by revealing Your nearness, and by drawing them into greater intimacy with You. 

Where there is fear, reveal Your love, and release to them Your courage. 

Where there is a sin blocking them, reveal it, and break its hold over my friend's life.

Bless their finances, give them greater vision, and raise up leaders, and friends to support, and encourage them. 

Give each of them discernment to recognize the demonic forces around them, and reveal to them the power they have in You to defeat it.

I ask You to do these things in Jesus' name.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Lord, you’ve known me a long time ...

Good Monday morning, my friends.

Whoever wrote the prayer below must have known me well.  I smiled all the way my first reading of it.  "Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasions I may be mistaken."  OK - but only on rare occasions!

But as I read it a second time, I saw much truth from my life in it.  Perhaps you will too.  For me, I would indeed "settle for growing humility".

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today.

Bruce

Now Lord, you've known me a long time. You know me better than I know myself. You know that each day I am growing older and someday may even be very old, so meanwhile please keep me from the habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion.

Release me from trying to straighten out everyone's affairs. Make me thoughtful, but not moody, helpful but not overbearing. I've a certain amount of knowledge to share; still it would be very nice to have a few friends who, at the end, recognized and forgave the knowledge I lacked.

Keep my tongue free from the recital of endless details. Seal my lips on my aches and pains: they increase daily and the need to speak of them becomes almost a compulsion. I ask for grace enough to listen to the retelling of others' afflictions, and to be helped to endure them with patience.

I would like to have improved memory, but I'll settle for growing humility and an ability to capitulate when my memory clashes with the memory of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that on some occasions I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably kind; I've never aspired to be a saint; saints must be rather difficult to live with. Yet on the other hand, an embittered old person is a constant burden.

Please give me the ability to see good in unlikely places and talents in unexpected people. And give me the grace to tell them so, dear Lord. 

Amen

– Anonymous

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

A taste of heaven

Good Friday morning, my friends.

Have you ever been to an event where thousands of people are singing the same song of praise?  Or better yet, and old hymn like "Amazing Grace"?  I have been to a number of Promise Keepers events here in Ottawa and in Toronto.  To stand and listen to 5000+ men belting out "The Old Rugged Cross" with all their hearts is an amazing thing.  It makes me try to imagine what life will be like in heaven.  We get a tantalizing taste of this in Revelation 5:11-14:

Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. In a loud voice they sang: 

   "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, 

   to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength 

   and honor and glory and praise!"

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: 

   "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb 

   be praise and honor and glory and power, 

         for ever and ever!" The four living creatures said, "Amen," and the elders fell down and worshiped.

Wow.  Kinda makes you wanna be there, no?

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Lord God you are my only God

Diligently I seek you

My mind longs for you

My mind thirsts for you as if I am in a desert without water.

Lord with you I am safe as I have seen your power and your glory in Jesus Christ.

Because your love is better than life

I will sing your praises

I will praise you as long as I live

And your name I will lift up with my hands

My mind is satisfied with your rich wisdom

And with singing lips I will praise you all my life

Lord I will rejoice and praise your name as you are God.

Through Jesus Christ alone is salvation.

Praise be to the Lord my God.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca

Difficult times, spiritual growth

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

I had a couple of conversations yesterday with a family member who is going through a very difficult time right now - financially, relationally and emotionally. (She is on this list, and I ask you to offer a prayer that God will bring peace and joy to her and that His will be done in her life.)  As we talked, I recalled the times in my life that were the most difficult, the most heart breaking.  And I told her that as I look back now, many of my greatest blessings came to me BECAUSE of those times, not IN SPITE of them.  (I met my incredible, lovely wife because of one of these circumstances.)  When we are hurting and suffering, it means God is working in our lives.  It is just really difficult to see at the time.  If this is you right now, please take heart - it truly is "darkest before the dawn".  It is so difficult to lay those burdens at His feet and trust Him, but that is exactly what He wants us to do.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Father, when the tough times come, you are doing something to test me and refine me. 

Its easy to want out of those tough time quickly, but I pray to You now and say, "Don't take the tough times away until your purpose for that hard circumstance has been accomplished in my life." 

I don't ever want to shy away from what you are doing in me and through me.

Help me to see the lesson you are teaching me.

Help me to be content in all circumstances, even these.

In Jesus' holy name, I pray.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

We pray peace over their household

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

In the past few months I have heard story after story of marriages struggling and breaking down.  I know this goes on all the time, but there just seems to be so much of it happening right now.  If this is going on in your marriage, or a family member or friend is going through this, please offer up this prayer for you or them.  

If you are interested in strengthening your marriage, regardless of its current condition, I recommend you seek out a local group offering either The Alpha Marriage Course or Laughing Your Way to a Better Marriage.  If you want more information on either of these, please contact me. There is an interesting article on marriage here titled The Myth of a Soul Mate.

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today.

Bruce

Father we ask that you would knit their hearts closely together and allow nothing else to come between them. 

Lord we ask that they both take personal inventory, repent and seek forgiveness for any wrong doing. We pray that they extend love and patience to one another and that the lines of communication, sensitivity as well as understanding are once again opened. 

We ask that you will allow all the pain, hurt and disappointment to begin to subside. 

Lord we ask that forgiveness is welcomed by each of them. 

Lord we ask that you would allow your joy to flow once again from heart to heart between them. 

Father we ask that you direct them as they seek you first in building trust, transparency and both physical and emotional intimacy. 

Father we pray peace over their household. 

Lord we Thank You for being who You are and we realize that all the power, honor and glory belongs to You now and forever,  and for this we give You the PRAISE. 

In the wonderful name of JESUS.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Breaking the cycle

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

Yesterday's message on grace seems to have struck a chord with a few people.  The goal of the enemy is to keep us at a distance from our God.  As long as he can keep us in that cycle of "good intentions - failure - guilt", he is happy because he knows that we will separate ourselves from God because of that guilt.  I know that well because I have lived in that cycle for years.  Breaking out of that cycle requires us to rest in God's grace and mercy, accepting His forgiveness.  Repent of the sin, but do not flog yourself because of it.  God HAS forgiven you and does not hold you guilty - His Son has already paid the price.  If God does not find us guilty, who are we to hold this guilt?  By releasing the guilt we break the cycle and start to live the life He has created for us - one of peace and forgiveness, seeking His will.

Live that life today.

Amazing grace and eternal peace be yours,

Bruce

Heavenly Father,

We thank you for all your love and grace for us. 

We ask forgiveness for our shortcoming's and ask your Holy Spirit to help us recognize them without berating our selves. 

Help us fix what we can and to seek your wisdom constantly . 

Lord we lift those up that ask for prayer and those we meet who need it. 

Help us remember when we need to pray . 

Lord, thank you for the blessings you give, in Jesus name we pray, Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

He loves me. He loves me not.

Good Monday morning, my friends.

Do you ever feel like you are in a vicious cycle of "good intentions - failure - guilt, good intentions - failure - guilt ..."?  Sometimes we are "successful" for days or even weeks at a time before succumbing once again to whatever it is that Satan uses to trap us.  And in the guilt phase, we tend to think that God is so disappointed in us, that we cannot go to Him, that we have failed Him once again.  In his sermon yesterday our pastor likened this to plucking petals from a daisy, trying to determine how God feels about us: "He loves me.  He loves me not.  He loves me.  He loves me not."  The pastor also read a quote from some one (whose name escapes me) who said that we will never have a day so bad that we are beyond the reach of grace, nor a day so good that we are beyond the need for grace.  Yes, we will still fail sometimes - for as Romans 3:23 reminds us - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."  But in 2 Corinthians 12:9 God tells us: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."  I decided not so long ago to throw away the daisy and stick with the "He loves me" answer.  My prayer is that you can too.

Father in heaven, thank you for your absolutely incredible gift of grace.

Your forgiveness for my rebelliousness is overwhelming.

I ask for your strength to stand up under temptation whenever I encounter it. 

Help me to live in the security of that grace, knowing and accepting your everlasting love.

I ask this in your Son's holy name.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Finding "God's will" in my life

Good Friday morning, my friends.

I don't know about you, but trying to figure out what "God's will" is for my life is a very foggy process most of the time.  There have been those few times in my life where I have definitely felt His saying "Bruce, this is what I want you to do."  But, like I said, those times are few.  Most of the time I feel like I am left to figure it out on my own.  My guess is that this is what free-will is all about.  When confronted with a choice between A and B, and God does not seem to guide me either way (provided I have sought His direction), my feeling is that He just wants me to choose one, ask His blessing on the decision, and He will do so.

This prayer expresses my personal desire to live a life that pleases God.  May it be your prayer today too.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Jesus, help me to determine in my heart that Your words, "Follow Me" will far surpass the importance of any other mission I am called to in my life time.  

I pray that my goals, achievements, and ambitions never conflict with the major calling You have placed on my life.  

Lord, may all that I pursue establish for me a firm foundation where my faith will grow and where I bring glory to Your name, both in life and in death.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

The pitfalls of Facebook

Hello, my friends.

A few years ago I signed up for Facebook, and about three weeks later I closed my account.  Actually, it took about 3 weeks of nagging before they would actually delete my account - they do not like to do that.  There were a couple of reasons I wanted out - one was for privacy concerns, but the other less-tangible reason was that I just felt this was not a place I wanted to be.

Today I received the following article.  It is addressed to men, to fathers, but I think it applies to all of us.  Don't get me wrong, I am NOT saying that Facebook is "evil" or anything like that - I just want you to be aware of the dangers it (and other so-called social networking sites) may pose in your life.  

Feel free to let me know if you agree or disagree - I can take it!

Have a great day,

Bruce

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: The Familyman <familyman@bnin.net>
Date: 8 April 2010 11:25
Subject: Familyman Weekly - Riding Facebook Canyon
To: macpherson@celtic.ca

Hey Dad,

I got a letter last week from a fellow dad. He shared how he made a Facebook mistake. It seems an old flame contacted him after the death of his father. He responded innocently a couple of times and then his wife stumbled upon ‘her’ Facebook message and was devastated.

His initial letter confirmed what I have been feeling for a while now. Ever since being introduced to Facebook, I've had a growing concern about the dangers lurking in the Facebook waters. From the moment I was persuaded to become a member, I saw the dangers of reconnecting with old friends from a simpler, happier time. I noticed pictures of innocent, Facebook teens that I knew posting alluring photos of themselves. I think they meant it in fun...but I thought then as I do now...they're wading into dangerous waters.

Then I started hearing reports of teens that ran off with older teens and husbands and wives who left their spouses and families for people whom they met or re-connected with on Facebook.

The dad who wrote me may not have realized it at the time, but he was headed towards the rocks. Praise God that his wife interrupted the ‘innocent’ emails.

How many more innocent stories of shipwrecked marriages and families do we need to hear before we say, “Maybe all this fun stuff isn't worth the price of admission?” Here's the clincher. I'm not just talking about our children and wives on Facebook; I'm talking about YOU, Dad. I would just about bet if you ‘do Facebook’ that you've had a contact with someone that you felt a bit awkward about, yet also felt a little rush like rafting down the canyon. That awkwardness was God warning you that you were wading into deep, dangerous waters.

I know that there are some reading this who by next year will have done something that will alter their lives forever in this ‘fun' place to meet people. I don’t want that to be you, Dad.

So if you need to pull your raft out of Facebook Canyon, DO IT! If you need to gather your wife and children and say, "Things are going to change”, Do IT! Dad, if you value your marriage and family, then you may need to take the raft by the horns and DO IT!!!!!

After all…

You 'da dad,

Clear, spiritual water in rusty vessels

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

If you were in a church on Easter Sunday, did you happen to look around and notice how many people were there who don't usually go to church?  The following is an article I received last week.  As I read it, I concurred with every sentence.  I could have written every word of it.  I want to share it with you so that perhaps you can share it with a friend (or friends) who wonder why you go to church, considering all the failings of the Church.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Daily Generous Husband Tips <paulb@themarriagebed.com>
Date: 4 April 2010 04:30
Subject: He many not be who you think He is. - Daily Generous Husband Tips
To: macpherson@celtic.ca

He many not be who you think He is. - Daily Generous Husband Tips

---

He many not be who you think He is. Posted: 04 Apr 2010 01:01 AM PDT Last week I spent some time praying with a group of folks from a church near us. Among their prayers was that on Easter Sunday they would be able to reach some of those who show up at church only on Easter and/or Christmas.  This is more or less (probably more less than more) my attempt at the same thing. I am an unabashed follower of Jesus Christ. I tend to shy away from the term "Christian" because so many who wear that label have added a lot of things not of God to societies understanding of what Christianity is. Frankly, if I were outside looking in, and what I saw was what most "outside" see, I would not  be interested in the God that is so often portrayed. The Bible tells us God is love, but that seems to get lost in all the anger, rules, hatred, legalism, and separatism that so many of His followers think is necessary. Yes, there is right and wrong, but following of those is supposed to be a result of our love for God - a love that can only flow from a relationship. Rules don't make anyone better, and not doing certain things does not make us good. Those who know the "rules" better than they know Jesus have missed the point, and the blessing. To me, being a follower of Jesus is far more than just having "eternal fire insurance". Yes, I do believe those who don't choose Him will regret it for eternity, but I'd be doing exactly what I am doing, both publicly and privately even if someone could convince me that "all are saved".*Following Him benefits me so much more than just in the "sweet by and by" - I am blessed, strengthened and enlightened daily. What's more, I can say without any doubt, that the fantastic bride I have,  the incredible marriage I enjoy, and the wonderful life I live are all a result of having Him in my life. Without Him my marriage would be a mess because both of us would be to broken and too selfish to have a good marriage. If you don't know Him, please believe me that you should. If you avoid Him because of the behaviour of His followers, please accept my apologies, and please don't judge Him by those who claim to follow Him but are not getting it right. If you follow Him at a distance, please get closer, you will be glad you did. Want to know Him better? Want to know what it means to know and follow Him? Pick up a Bible (I would suggest New International Version or New King James Version) and start reading. My suggestion would be to start with the Gospel of John and keep reading. Let His Spirit speak to you as you read. Okay, end of sermon. *I've had several folks try to convince me of that everyone will go to heaven. I've studied all the arguments, and I can't find a way that it can be true if what the Bible says is true.

Francis Collins, the author of an amazing book called "The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief" spoke these words in a debate with atheist Richard Dawkins: "the pure truth of faith, which you can think of as this clear spiritual water, is poured into rusty vessels called human beings, and so sometimes the benevolent principles of faith can get distorted as positions are hardened".  (Collins is a pioneering medical geneticist who headed the Human Genome Project that mapped the entire human genome).  We, as Christians, can be the worst enemy of our faith.  People need to see past us to the "clear spiritual water".

Amazing grace and peace that surpasses all understanding be yours today,

Bruce

Heavenly Father,thank you for saving me and for saving anyone who seeks you out. 

Lord we want a heart for the lost. 

We want to see what you see in others. 

We want to be wise examples of your love. 

Lord create in us clean hearts so we can live accordingly and have our lives speak for you so others come to you. 

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Equal opportunity prayer

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

I don't know about you, but I find that I do not always give "equal opportunity" to the three Persons of the Trinity.  My prayers are typically directed to either the Father or the Son - the Holy Spirit tends to be "neglected".  I think it is because I have a hard time visualizing the Holy Spirit.  So today I try to restore the balance!  I love the simplicity and power of this prayer.  

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Breathe in me, O Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy

Act in me, O Holy Spirit, that my work too may be holy

Draw my heart, O Holy Spirit, that I love but what is holy

Strengthen me, O Holy Spirit, to defend all that is holy

Guide me then, O Holy Spirit, that I always may be holy. Amen

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

Thank You for Your immeasurable love

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

I trust and pray that your Easter weekend was joyous and faith building.  May the risen Christ shine in your life everyday like He does on Resurrection Sunday!

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,

we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks

for all your goodness and loving-kindness

to us and to all whom you have made.

We bless you for our creation, preservation,

and all the blessings of this life;

but above all for your immeasurable love

in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;

for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.

And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,

that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,

not only with our lips, but in our lives,

by giving up our selves to your service,

and by walking before you

in holiness and righteousness all our days;

through Jesus Christ our Lord,

to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,

be honor and glory throughout all ages. 

Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

In Your name.

Good Friday morning, my friends,

I will wrap up my week on the Sermon on the Mount with some observations on a passage that can be difficult to fathom.  In Matthew 7:21-23 Jesus says:

"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' "

These are people who are prophets and miracle workers!  People who cast out demons!  Well, not exactly.  They prophesy 'in your name'.  They drive out demons 'in your name'.  They perform many miracles 'in your name'.  All that tells us is how powerful the name of Jesus is.  It does not tell us anything about the person calling on that name.  In John 14:13 Jesus says "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father."  As always, Jesus is after our heart here.  He wants us to do the will of His Father.  Does that mean works rather than faith?  Not at all - but they are always connected.  Those whose faith is in Jesus are not subject to the Law, but instead have the law written on their hearts.  They want to do the will of the Father to please the Father.  It is because of their love for God that they seek His will in their lives.

Have a blessed and happy Easter weekend.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you,

Bruce

Speak, O Lord, for Your servant is listening. I say, Your servant, because at last I am such. I am Your servant and I want to be; I want to walk in Your way all the days and nights of my life.

Fill me with a spirit to understand what Your holy plans are for me. And reduce my desires to the single desire to understand Your sublime truths.

Speak, in order to console my anxious soul. Speak, in order to lead it to repentance. Speak, so that Your glory, thus more exalted, will grow eternally. Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.

The speck in your friend's eye.

Good Holy Thursday to you, my friends.

I was reading through the Sermon on the Mount once again this morning and today I was taken by Jesus humorous words near the opening of Chapter 7:

"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:3-5)

I love the imagery here.  But I am afraid many of us has used this scripture as an excuse NOT to point out the speck (or even the plank) in our friend's eye.  It does NOT say that you cannot do this, it just says to remove the plank from your own eye FIRST, and then you can help your friend.  

I was listening this week to the story of a Pastor who was counselling a young woman, got emotionally involved, and ended up having an affair with her.  It destroyed his marriage and his ministry.  When he spoke to his friends afterwards they all said "Boy, we saw that coming!" and yet NONE of them went to him and confronted him about it.  How about it - is there someone in your life who needs loving confrontation today?  Yes, it is hard to do, and if you try to do it on your own strength you may never do it, so ask for God's help and guidance.

Amazing grace and eternal peace to you today,

Bruce

Jesus, we are so blessed to have Your words to live by.  Through Your teachings You have shown us the heart of the Father.

Lord, we ask you to help us to live in true community - helping to carry each other's burdens and watching out for one another.

Where we see a brother or sister who may be veering off the narrow path give us the courage to approach them in love, committed to helping them in their journey and relying on them for the same.

And when one of these brothers or sisters come to us, Lord, to confront us for our words or deeds, may we receive them with grace and humility, appreciating the love behind their action.

We lift this up in Your holy name, Lord Jesus.  Amen.

Bruce MacPherson macpherson@celtic.ca / Blog: The Celtic Christian / Home: 613.489.4174 Cell: 613.720.0821 You are receiving this email because you have requested it or I felt you would be interested in this material. If you would like to be removed from this email list, please do not hesitate to contact me at the above email address. Likewise, if you know of someone else who you believe would appreciate receiving these messages, please let me know.