Miss Understanding

S ~ That was the end of the vision. I, Daniel, was terrified by my thoughts and my face was pale with fear, but I kept these things to myself. Daniel 7:28

O ~ Daniel was terrified. Troubled. Confused. This same Daniel who could interpret the dreams of others, was terrified and searched for meaning in his own vision. He had to have it interpreted by a heavenly being.

A ~ And then there is us. We will arrogantly interpret Daniel's vision, and the book of Revelation. We need humility, and perhaps a touch of terror, at the great and terrible day of the Lord. 

God has not given us a spirit of fear, but we dare not take lightly these last days, nor underestimate the enemy. 

P ~ Lord, help me to understand these times, and know what I, and Cornerstone, ought to do. May you reveal Your word to me as I read. Help me, like the Ethiopian, understand the scriptures.

Oh no, what we gonna do, the King likes Daniel more than me and you...

S ~ Daniel 6:16&20

16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”

20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”

O ~ It was King Darius who clearly recognized that Daniel served God faithfully. Those who were jealous of Daniel knew it too. His faithfulness got him into trouble, and His faithfulness got him out of trouble. What an amazing testimony to Darius.

A ~ Daniel had a place to pray and set times to pray. He was a man faithful in prayer, and in giving thanks to God. May I be like Daniel - faithfully serving God, and being so predictable, that others can see my faithfulness - that will lead to a testimony.

P ~ Lord, I don't choose to be faithful in prayer and thanksgiving merely because of a priority based in duty, but rather a choice rooted in love - I love to be with you, and my heart is filled with thanksgiving.

Inhale. Exhale. Repeat.

S ~ But you have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! Daniel 5:23

O ~ Who holds your breath in His hand. Controls destiny - not just is aware of destiny. He does not just set destiny in motion and hopes it will work out - He controls our destiny. He gives us breath and controls the world around us. How great is our God.

A ~ Today I think of Audrey's dad ~ struggling for breath. So many tests  - so hard to breathe. So many complications that are simply getting worse. COPD - weight gain - age - nutrition - exercise. So many factors that contribute to his struggle for breath. And yet, none of them have the final say. God, who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny, has the final say.

P ~ Lord, please pour our Your grace and strength upon Joe. May He know of your nearness, and of your healing touch. Please lift the weight of this disease off his lungs - that he might breath easy.  I pray that for all the days of his destiny that remain, may his life be easy - not a struggle. Easy breathing, easy sleeping, easy. No stress, no conflict, no frustration. Instead, a destiny of joy and comfort and satisfaction knowing that he is loved by You, and by his family. Strengthen Nonno I pray.

Influence

S ~ Praise the name of God forever and ever, for he has all wisdom and power.  He controls the course of world events; he removes kings and sets up other kings.
He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the scholars.
He reveals deep and mysterious things and knows what lies hidden in darkness,
though he is surrounded by light. Daniel 2:20-22

O ~ Daniel acknowledged that God was sovereign, and that he is the source of all wisdom and power. He controls the course of world events. 

A ~ In a time of political turmoil - Trump and Trudeau (TnT - explosive), I am thankful that God can use Nebuchadnezzar, just like Pharaoh. He used Joseph and Daniel, and he used Moses.  I'm thankful for Christians in positions of influence.

P ~ Lord, please continue to fill your children with wisdom and courage, that they may use their influence to see your Kingdom be established, in the midst of our changing kingdoms.

Flourishing Life

S ~ Then he said to me, “This river flows east through the desert into the valley of the Dead Sea. The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure.  There will be swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows. Fish will abound in the Dead Sea, for its waters will become fresh. Life will flourish wherever this water flows. Ezekiel 47:8-9

O ~ A river in the desert - that changes salty to fresh and pure. A river that brings life wherever it goes. A river the flows from the temple of God to the Dead Sea. Waters become fresh, and life flourishes wherever it flows.

A ~ O how I long for the river of the Spirit of God to flow to the dead areas of my life, and the sick areas of my family. O for the Spirit of God to flow to Audrey, Robyn and Emily Dawn ~ changing their sickness for health. 

P ~ Lord, I pray that the river of Your Spirit would flow from Your temple - Your holy presence, streaming to my girls. May their lives flourish with health, simply because Your Spirit has flowed to them. 

The Eastern Gate

S ~ And the Lord said to me, “This gate must remain closed; it will never again be opened. No one will ever open it and pass through, for the Lord, the God of Israel, has entered here. Therefore, it must always remain shut. Ezekiel 44:2

O ~ There will be a day when the Lord opens the gate and enters the city of Jerusalem. The gate is shut, but there will come a day.

A ~ Oh the Eastern Gate - the song that bombed at my mom's funeral, yet the truth still remains. Will it be the old city, or the new one? I'm not sure of any of that - most likely the old, that will then be replaced. But one thing is for sure, I need to be ready to meet you at the Eastern Gate!

P ~ Lord, until that day, I open wide the gates of my heart and life to welcome you in - giving you all the glory and honour.  Lift up the gates and open wide the doors - that the King of Glory may come in!  Fill my life. Every part.

Perhaps Today

S ~ Suddenly, the glory of the God of Israel appeared from the east. The sound of his coming was like the roar of rushing waters, and the whole landscape shone with his glory. Ezekiel 43:2

O ~ Suddenly - during a tour of the temple, taking measurements of the building. Suddenly, all at once, everything changed. The sound of the roar of rushing waters, which may be also described as the sound of a mighty rushing wind...the whole landscape shone. In an instant, everything lit up with God's glory. Suddenly there was with the angel the heavenly host. Suddenly.

A ~ Suddenly could happen to me. Suddenly could happen to my family. Suddenly could happen in our church. Suddenly. And one day - suddenly will happen, and we will all be changed - at that moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  May I live in the expectancy that this could be the day where suddenly Robyn is healed, suddenly Emily is healed, suddenly Audrey is healed. We used to live in the phrase 'Perhaps Today' about the return of the Lord.

P ~ Lord, as I go about my day, my week, my month, ... I'm looking up for Your glory to fill the landscape of my life. Perhaps Today!  Even so, come Lord Jesus.

S ~ And He gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, “God opposes the proud
but gives grace to the humble.” So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:6-7

O ~ It actually says "The Lord mocks the mockers" or "The Lord scorns the scornful" (Proverbs 3:34). Mocking and scorn give a very strong picture of how the Lord resists the proud. Immediately following the revelation that God opposes the proud and enables the humble, we are instructed to resist the devil. The devil will continually attempt to trap us in pride - which is not limited to arrogance or boasting, but rather presses us into self focus.

A ~ Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less - C.S. Lewis.  It's not about me! 

P ~ Lord, please pour our Your generous grace upon me, that I may resist the devil by walking in humility. The very act of humility is resistance.

Joy and Victory

S ~ Songs of joy and victory are sung in the camp of the godly. Psalm 118:15

O ~ The sound of singing is found in the camp of the godly. Singing with joy. Singing with victory. Singing with joy before there is reason* to have joy - signing with victory before the battle is over.

A ~ There is just something about singing that is powerful. C.S. Lewis wrote that God sung the worlds into existence. He's placed a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise unto my God. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord. Make melody in your heart, singing to one another. On and on they go - verses about singing. Our hearts, not just our voices, were created to sing. There was a time when I was singing every day - 'I will bless Thee O Lord... with my hands lifted up...'.  It's time to start singing again.

P ~ Lord, when I think about the camp of the godly, I think about our gatherings on Sunday morning - but I also want to acknowledge that my home can be such a camp. May my home be filled with the songs of joy and victory, that come not from a stereo speaker, but from our hearts and voices - the lives of the godly.

*there is always a reason

Keep It Simple ~ Praise The Lord!

S ~ Praise the Lord, all you nations. Praise him, all you people of the earth.
For his unfailing love for us is powerful; the Lord’s faithfulness endures forever.
Praise the Lord! Psalm 117:1-2

O ~ This is the shortest chapter in the Bible, and yet it contains a marvellous instruction. There is no in the whole world who is excluded from responding in praise to the Lord, for His powerful love never fails and his faithfulness never ever stops.

A ~ Sometimes it is not complicated. Simply put - praise the Lord. Do it now. Do it always. He is always worthy of praise. Let's not complicate it.

P ~ Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord - let the earth hear His voice. Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, let the people rejoice. Oh come to the Father through Jesus the Son, and give Him the glory great things He hath done!

Know and Care

S ~ Know the state of your flocks, and put your heart into caring for your herds, Proverbs 27:23

O ~ Knowing isn't enough - it's only the start. Once you know and discover the state of the flock, you must not just go through the responsibility of caring, but you must put your heart into it. Heart motivation makes a difference.

A ~ I need to intentionally know how our church is doing, and to throw my heart into caring for our people. I need to be a pastor who not only knows, but one who really and truly cares.

P ~ Lord, please help me to be aware of what is going on in the lives of our people, and to throw not only my energy, but my heart into caring for these wonderful people you have given me, and these people you have given me to.

Follow The Leader

S ~ Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith. Hebrews 13:7

O ~ It is essential that leaders finish well, as an example of genuine faith. It's important to focus on the good that has been done through their lives, not on failures or mistakes.  Imitate what is good,

A ~ I need to remember my leaders who have taught me the Word of God, and the good that has come from their lives. I have a lot of people in my life who have done a lot of good.  Sunday school teachers (Shirley Trodden, Mrs Giesbrect...), youth leaders (Marv & Heather, Gordie), ministry leaders (Ed Weiss), Pastors (Dave, Grady & Christina), Bosses, Teachers & Overseers (John and Rita, George, James Thomas, Arnie, Vic, Tim, Barry, Steve, Larry), and mentors (Daniel, Pastor Jack). It's amazing how many have finished well, and how much good has been done through their lives. I have a lot of people to look up to, to follow their example, and to honour. So many have poured into my life, and I'm grateful.

P ~ Lord, thank you for MY leaders, for their teaching, and their manner of life. Thank you for all the good they have done  - may their reward be great. Please help me to be a leader who faithfully teaches Your Word, and leads a life that can be an example to others - as I point people to You.

The Voice of Blood

S ~ You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Hebrews 12:24

O ~ When Cain denied knowledge of Abel's whereabouts, God declared 'the voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.'  Abel's blood cried out for vengeance - justice - penalty had to be paid, but was as of yet, left undone. The blood of Jesus does not cry out because something has been left undone, but rather it proclaims that something is finished. The blood of Jesus declares that justice has been satisfied - the penalty for sin has been paid, the wages of sin is death - and here is the proof of payment - the shed blood of Jesus. The voice of forgiveness is louder than the voice of vengeance - mercy triumphs over judgment. 

A ~ It's best to leave things in God's hands. When Abel died, it was not the end. God was watching. God is still watching. God poured out vengeance, and God poured out forgiveness. God fulfilled both on the cross - His justice was satisfied, as was His mercy and love. 

P ~ Lord, without the shedding of blood there can be no forgiveness. Thank you for shedding your blood to offer us, to offer me, forgiveness. May I be a person who speaks of the blood of forgiveness, not demanding the blood of vengeance.

Friends, not Words

S ~ As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17

O ~ This verse has long been referenced for men to say strong words to other men, undoubtedly because of the blacksmith image of sharpening and hammering. Clashing points bring sharpness, restoring what has been dulled from use or rusted from neglect.

A ~ I haven't look at this verse in context, but as a stand alone verse, it does not explicitly state it is referring to the use of words. A friend sharpens a friend. This may have more to do with friendship and relationship, than in does with speaking strong words. If I want there to be sharpness about my edge...I need to have friends. Without friends, life can be dull and ineffective. A dull axe requires much strength, but wisdom comes from taking the time to sharpen the axe. Wisdom come from a few good friends.

P ~ Lord, thank you for my friends. Thank you for Chris and Brian and Scott, and Jen. And for Derek, and Tom, and Dan. Thank you for Jaysen and Brad and Matt. Thank you for Mark and Shawn and Grady. So many to mention. So many left unmentioned, So many friends. May I be sharper.

Happy Life with a Happy Wife

S ~ A quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping on a rainy day.

Stopping her complaints is like trying to stop the wind

or trying to hold something with greased hands.

Proverbs 27:15-16

O ~ This proverb is not about having a quarrel with a spouse, but rather having a spouse who is quarrelsome and constantly complaining. The problem is not only their words, but the source of their words - a complaining and quarrelling heart.

A ~ I am so happy that even though I have seen this in others, I have not experienced this at home. Audrey is kind and considerate and thoughtful and loving and content. She neither complains nor quarrels. Even though we have moments of annoying one another through our actions or attitudes, which in fact probably has nothing to do with the other person and in reality has to do with that we ourselves are tired or unwell, there is nothing constant about annoying each other. 

The only constant... is that we don't!

P ~ Thank You Lord for my Dree. Never since Eve in Eden have you picked such a perfect match for a fella. He who finds a wife finds a good thing, and I'm forever thankful that I found Audrey. Please let Your powerful hand of healing, blessing and favour rest heavily upon her, and may the deep desires of her heart be fulfilled.

Not The End.....

S ~  Then this message came to me from the Lord:  “Son of man, with one blow I will take away your dearest treasure. Yet you must not show any sorrow at her death. Do not weep; let there be no tears. Groan silently, but let there be no wailing at her grave. Do not uncover your head or take off your sandals. Do not perform the usual rituals of mourning or accept any food brought to you by consoling friends.” So I proclaimed this to the people the next morning, and in the evening my wife died.  Ezekiel 24:15 - 18

O ~ His dearest treasure - his wife, taken away. This has always been one of the hardest things for me at accept. This was not sickness, or an accident, or a murder. God killed his wife and would not allow Ezekiel to mourn. I don't know how Ezekiel didn't quit.

A ~ There are many people who lose their dearest treasure, and many who acknowledge that God played a part in it - either by design or by withholding a miracle. The only answer that I can come to in this is the resolve that this world is not the end. Even though it can feel like the end, it is not. Ezekiel would see his wife again. Eve will see Doug again. Debbie will see Rob again. Dad has already seen mom again. Either 'God is love' or He is not. I still believe that 'God is love', and in times like these, we only see part of the picture, through a 'glass darkly'. Real trust - real faith - real hard.

P ~ Lord, there are no words that can express how overwhelmed I am when I read this - and I think of my dearest treasure - my Dree. No words at all - I simply can't even breathe. Thank You that You have saved us, and our kids, and death has no sting and the grave has no victory, for You have secured the way for us to be together forever, even though we will be separated for 'a little while'. 

Certain Death

S ~ And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus. Hebrews 10:19

O ~ We can boldly enter - how can this be? The earthly priest could only enter once per year to the most holy place. If he entered at any other time, or if he did not follow the prescribed pattern, it was certain death.  However, there was a 'certain death' that made a way for us to boldly enter the most holy place. A certain death that lets us enter with certainty. Thank you Jesus!

A ~ The application? Don't neglect such a great gift. Drawing near to God in the heavenly holy of holies cost Jesus His life - so draw near with frequency. Worship - Communion - Nearness.

P ~ Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed at this verse. It was the first verse I read in the New Testament this morning - and it captivated me. I am so grateful for Your sacrifice - the shedding of Your blood. On this Remembrance Day, I remember You purchased my freedom, and granted me confident access to the Father. With all my heart, thank You.

A Wall of Righteousness

S ~ I looked for someone who might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn’t have to destroy the land, but I found no one. Ezekiel 22:30

O ~ Not only was the Lord looking for someone to stand in the gap (an intercessor), but also for someone to rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. A wall of righteousness guarding the land, like a defensive wall guarding a city. Nehemiahs needed! 

A ~ As we are on the eve of Remembrance Day, I wish I would have read this in the morning prior to church - it would have been a good Scripture to read. May I be one who stands in the gap, and helps to rebuild a wall of righteousness that will guard Canada.

P ~ God, keep our land, glorious and free. Please help me to do my part in standing on guard, and standing in the gap, and rebuilding a wall of righteousness. 'when the enemy comes in like a flood, the Lord will raise up a standard against him'

Still Harbour

S ~ “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress.
He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.
What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbour!
Psalm 107: 28-30

O ~ The sailors said two words... "Lord, help!", and He saved them. The storm was stilled, and the stillness brought them safely into harbour. What a beautiful picture of how the Lord changed their circumstances, and brought them to their destination.

A ~ As I call upon the Lord, with simple desperation, He can save me from distress, and the stress of distress. Peace be still. Be still. What a blessing stillness is. May I learn to be still.

P ~ Lord, help. My mind races and I am kept awake at night. Please still my mind, my heart, my life - that I might find the blessing of stillness, and safely arrive at the harbour of a good night's restful sleep.

Wicked People

S ~ Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live. Ezekiel 18:23

O ~ The Jews didn't have an accurate picture of the heart of God - thinking that He wanted the wicked to perish. He wants wickedness to perish, but the wicked to repent and be saved.

A ~ May I have the heart of God, seeing wicked people different from their wicked acts. May I help people turn from wickedness that they may live, just like God intends.

P ~ Lord, help me to not get 'judgie', and instead be a voice of hope in the midst of a wicked and perverted world. Please use me to help people turn to You, the Lover of their souls.

Sodom Wasn't So Bad

S ~ Sodom’s sins were pride, gluttony, and laziness, while the poor and needy suffered outside her door.  Ezekiel 16:49

O ~ God does not list homosexuality among the sins, the one sin that stands out in the story of Sodom, and the horrible treatment of Lot to his daughters. Pride - Gluttony - Laziness - Neglect of the Poor. 

A ~ Having a look at this list, I can see where I, and the 21 century church, can be guilty of such things. The 'seven deadly sins' are pride, greed. lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. It's hard to imagine that God says Jerusalem's wickedness is greater that Sodom. I need to be aware of my own sinfulness, and walk in a continual attitude of humility and repentance, as I care for the poor.

P ~ Lord, I don't want Sodom to look at me with contempt. Please purify my life with Your refiner's fire - I want to be holy. Help me to live out a a humble heart, a disciplined stomach, and an active body that cares for the needy who are suffering.

Do You See What I See...

S ~ When you meet them and see their behaviour, you will understand that these things are not being done to Israel without cause. Ezekiel 14: 23

O ~ God shows the prophet four disasters that are about to come upon Jerusalem, and all of them are horrible. War, Famine, Wild Animals and Disease. Yet the Lord does nothing without cause, and even Ezekiel will agree with the punishment when he sees the atrocious sins that the people and priests were committing.

A ~ It is a difficult thing to see the big picture. Only from God's vantage point can we truly see, and when we see from His perspective, He is proven righteous and just.

P ~ Lord, Your ways are higher than mine, and Your thoughts are higher than mine. When I am so confused by things, please show me what I need to see, that I might be a help to your plan, not a hinderance.

No Sneaking Out

S ~ Even Zedekiah will leave Jerusalem at night through a hole in the wall, taking only what he can carry with him. He will cover his face, and his eyes will not see the land he is leaving.  Then I will throw my net over him and capture him in my snare. I will bring him to Babylon, the land of the Babylonians, though he will never see it, and he will die there.  Ezekiel 12:12-13

O ~ Here is the proclamation against King Zedekiah. He will try to escape, be caught, and he will not see it. This took place, including his eyes being gouged out. Amazingly specific.

A ~ The Lord knows the future, and can orchestrate the future. He can see it, or He can change it. We can make our plans, but the Lord can see right through them. There is no way to not be caught, if the Lord is intent on catching you.

P ~ Lord, thank You for being so good. I see You are so powerful, and could be so cruel, but You are not - You are so good and kind and You are Love. How safe my future is, because You hold my future in Your hands.

What if we Practiced Care?

S ~ For God is not unjust. He will not forget how hard you have worked for Him and how you have shown your love to Him by caring for other believers, as you still do.  Hebrews 6:10

O ~ God sees. God Remembers. God sees how you have cared, and worked, and are continuing to do so. Loving God is demonstrated (proved) by continually caring for other believers.

A ~ Somehow loving God is more about caring for others, than singing songs in worship. I wonder if we put as much planning into caring for others, as we do for the songs we sing on a Sunday, if our church would look different. Worship practice on Thursday, and again on Sunday, and then the actual service on Sunday. The musicians practicing on their own, the worship leaders preparing the songs,the slides being prepared and presented, the sound system components, the lights, the investment in the instruments, etc.  None of it is bad - I just wonder what the result would be if we invested equally in taking spiritual responsibility for others (discipleship).

P ~ Lord, thank You for noticing and remembering, the care I extend to others. By Your grace, may it make a difference here and now, and for eternity.

Driven To Depart

S ~ “Son of man,” he said, “do you see what they are doing? Do you see the detestable sins the people of Israel are committing to drive me from my Temple? Ezekiel 8:6

O ~ In the vision the Lord showed Ezekiel, He took him to the temple and showed him the sins - starting with idolatry, that the priests had allowed in the temple. Before the people would be driven from the temple, God Himself was being driven from the temple because of their sinful idolatry.

A ~ God showed the prophet the hidden sins - sins that would cause the presence of God to depart. I know that the Lord will not take His Spirit from me (my salvation is secure), but are there areas in my life where His presence has departed? Are there places where I have allowed sin (attitude, action, thought, activity, habit, priority, value, callousness) to remain so that it has driven the life giving touch of His Spirit to depart? 

P ~ Search me, O God and know my heart. Try me, and know my ways. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.  

Lord, please reveal my sin to me, that I might repent, that I might be forgiven, that I might be free, that You might remain. And if there be any place You have left, I invite Your return.

Alive & Powerful

S ~ For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Hebrews 4:12

O ~ The Word of God is alive and powerful. Alive. Powerful. Not to be confused with another book. Not to be confused with something dead or impotent. Alive. Powerful.

A ~ It’s been a long time since I really thought of this verse. I had memorized it as a teen, which means it has been over 30 years that I could recite this - at least the first part. The word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged sword, able to seperate soul and spirit, and put asunder bone and marrow.

Yet how long has it been since I really dwelt on the truth that it is alive...and powerful.

Living. Active. Powerful. Transformational.

P ~ Lord, may my love for Your Word grow, and I see it living in me, and transforming me and the world around me.

At Least They Will Know...a Pastor

S ~ And whether they listen or refuse to listen—for remember, they are rebels—at least they will know they have had a prophet among them. Ezekiel 2:5

A ~ God had let Ezekiel know who his audience would be, and how unresponsive they would be to his message. Even if they denied their need to respond to his message, they would not be able to deny that Ezekiel was the real deal - a prophet of God among them.

O ~ This makes me consider my life and ministry. My hope is that no matter how successful or unsuccessful my ministry is at Cornerstone and beyond, may my heart and authenticity shine through. May people be able to know, at the very least, that they have had a pastor among them.

P ~ God, please shape me into the pastor You want me to be - and let that shine through as I am among Your people.