As I considered what reading my “newspapers” this week, revealed what men were doing, vs reading my Bible to see what men ought to do, these two profoundly different, yet related, quotes came to mind:
The first one. “You can’t handle the truth “. From the movie ‘ A Few Good Men’. And no! You are not going to find it on Netflix, or Amazon Prime or Hulu. Way before their time. The second one. “ Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free”. John 8:32 – The Holy Bible.
So what did I read, hear or listen to, that triggered these thoughts. First the George Wright affair! The member of Parliament in Jamaica, who it is alleged was caught on an a very incriminating video, hading out a very savage beating to a woman. A matter that, on the one hand, has sparked howls of condemnation from women in particular, and their advocacy groups, and all well thinking Jamaicans. While, on the other hand, some were urging caution, as the link between the video and the legislator, had not not been established, ‘beyond a shadow of doubt’. This coming at a time when the society has been rocked by several cases of intimate partner violence resulting in severe injury and death. So what is the truth?
Should the truth, as some see it, including popular talk show host Emily Shields, citing ‘reasonable’ if not ‘inescapable’, conclusions from the facts, so far, available, in the public domain, trigger his resignation and or expulsion from his party and the parliament. Or does such a ‘truth’ represent, a premature ‘judgment’, at best, and only an attempt to score political points, at worse? A difference of opinion which triggered a heated debate, in the Upper House yesterday. And what really is truth could very well either, shame or even, condemn young and upcoming female politicians as playing political games with a serious national issue while purporting to show empathy with suffering women in the society; or cause, on the other hand, shame to heaped on the heads of more experienced ones who may be judged as being anxious to use any opportunity, without having all the facts available, to secure an advantage for a party struggling to be ‘relevant’ in these times.
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20210424/senate-clash-over-beating-video
Second, an even more serious issue. Is the vaccine being used by the government of Jamaica, and governments all over the world, both safe and effective? Did the much loved and much acclaimed journalist, Michael Sharpe die because he got the vaccine? I can’t believe I am even repeating this nonsense, but unfortunately, it’s a question which is the ‘inescapable’ and uncomfortable for some, truth for far too many Jamaicans. To the extent where, as we have all heard, the nurse who administered the shot – might be news for those outside Jamaica – and other nurse too, have had threats issued against them.
One of the many challenges that we face as a modern society driven by ever improving technology, is, to misquote a popular song in the 1970, the reality that, in this age, “ everybody is a star”. Not just ‘every nigger’! ( Can I still use that word?).
Every man and woman who has access to the internet and can do their ‘own research’, is now an ‘expert witness’. We see it playing out in medicine, where patients now google symptoms and look for solutions. Before they consult with their doctor! And even when they do decide to consult, if the diagnosis is not in keeping with what Doctor Google – who did not go to med school and who had to consult with doctors – told them, we have a hard time convincing them to take the meds. Mostly the younger ones, but even the older ones – not taking any cholesterol tabs – have become infected by the ‘virus’. And the real ‘truth ‘ about the vaccine has many layers. Why am I to take the vaccine if it does not prevent me from ‘getting the virus”? Why should I, ‘a child of God’ – no virus can trouble my body – take the vaccine. Plus I have many ‘underlying illnesses, that taking the vaccine may, will, aggravate! And the ‘affecting my DNA’, non truth!
God he knows, that we need the “ truth “ to be told about this vaccine. Truth that will set this nation free from the devastating – over 750 deaths and rising – effects, including the worse economic fall out in modern history, leaving many jobless and out of funds, in its wake. And countless struggling to breathe and to deal with other long term effects of having been exposed to the virus.
So as we go to what the Bible teaches what men ought to do, right away, comes the age old question. Or questions! Did Jesus really rise from the dead? Who saw him? What’s the evidence? Is the Bible the Word of God, or the word of Man ( with the implication …and therefore you can’t trust it). Doesn’t the Bible need to change to reflect a more ‘modern reality’? Shouldn’t our understanding evolve as society evolve?
And so the Lord led me to write to my church this week and to post revelations, as they came to me, on Facebook.
FIRST EMAIL
Woke up with the Benedictus in my heart. And recall being led to read the Psalm last week:
“It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, proclaiming your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.”
Psalms 92:1-3 NIV
Therefore, we as redeemed children of God, should always have a song in our hearts. And make music to the Most High. To His praise and glory!
All of us can recall with ease, thanks be to God for parents and Sunday School teachers and others, Psalm 23 appointed for this Sunday. But in addition we should try and place in our hearts the Benedictus – the song of Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist. The one who was called, and so too are we, to “ go before the face of our Lord to prepare his ways”. A wonderful song about the history of salvation, the joy of salvation, “ and we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies: might serve him without fear:…….”.; and the our calling as Christians, lest we forget: “ to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death”.
PSALM 23
“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.”
Psalm 23:1-6 KJV
THE BENEDICTUS – MORNING PRAYER
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel: for he hath visited and redeemed his people;
And hath raised up a mighty salvation for us: in the house of his servant David;
As he speaks by the mouthy of his holy Prophets: which have been since the world began;
That we should be saved from our enemies: and from all the hands that hate us;
To perform the mercy promised to out forefathers: and to remember his holy Covenant;
To perform the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham: that he would give us;
That we being delivered out of the hands of our enemies: might serve him without fear;
In holiness and righteousness before him: all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shall be called the Prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people: for the remission of their sins.
Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the day-spring from on high has visited us;
To give light to then that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace.
Gory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be: world without end. Amen.
Peace,
In obedience.
LWJ
Blessed God as we sing with joy in our hearts to you the Most High, we pray you to renew the church with your Spirit; we pray that as you renew the church the church may renew the nation(s) where songs giving glory to gods – of pleasure and of power and greed and lust and violence – who cannot save not hear, are the root cause of so much evil in our land today. Mercy!
SECOND EMAIL
The Collect
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
I was just being obedient, reading the Collect, the collective prayer, for the worldwide Anglican Church for Sunday when this happened. I was led to the video above by “ follow wherever he leads”. A song which I had not encountered for years, came into my heart and soul, and led to a most amazing video about following Jesus. Because we love Him!
Then I read the reading from the Acts of The Apostles, a Word which high led the reason why we follow Jesus:
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:5-12
The rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
`the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
it has become the cornerstone.’
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved.”
THIRD EMAIL
Some of my friends on Facebook are not Christians. And so sometimes I am led to share what I am taught by the Holy Spirit on that platform. This week the following thoughts, in sequence, were posted.; and then this morning as I woke up, came the conclusion:
“Yet there are some of you who do not believe.” For Jesus had known from the beginning who would betray him. He went on to say, “ this is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him”. John 6:64-65. #devotions1
Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you, but if I go I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment. John 16:7-8 #devotions2
The two passages of Scripture go together. And so we pray that the Holy Spirit will convict those who we argue with, and who refuse to see the Light, as only God can enable people, by the Power of the Holy Spirit, to come to believe in Jesus. #devotions3
“ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.”
1 Corinthians 6:18-20 NIV #4
#devotions 5 on the way to work with the radio off, means that, we have to prepare our bodies to be the temple of the Holy Spirit, who God in his wisdom ordained to live in the church – the body of Christ. And convict people of Sin!
This morning:
So The Holy Spirit does not work on His own in the world to convict people of Sin, but in and through the body of Christ – the church. That is why Jesus said I will send you another Counselor. The Paraclete! And why some theologians refer to Jesus as the first Counselor. If you think about it, as the Spirit revealed this morning, that’s exactly why Jesus did not go around on his own, but called unto himself, in the first instance, 12 disciples; one of whom betrayed him. This, because our Lord was preparing them to be his ‘hands and feet’, and in whom He would, ultimately reside, as Holy Spirit, when he ascended back to his Father; and now our Father – who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name.
The story, the revelation, goes back even further. As, God, beginning with Abraham, chose to reveal himself, progressively, to a sin-sick Adam-ized world, in and through the Chosen People, the Jews. But they failed to become holy, as he was holy -the intention of God. Therefore in the fullness of time, God sent his Son. And in the fullness of time, God in Christ, sent the Holy Spirit. So that in Him who resides in us, who surrender our lives to Christ, completely, for God is a ‘ jealous God’ and will brook no competition in our hearts, our bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit. And whoever we meet, and wherever we go, He is there working though us – and you child shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways – like John the Baptist – “To give knowledge of salvation unto his people: for the remission of their sins.
Through the tender mercy of our God: whereby the day-spring from on high has visited us;
To give light to then that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” – The Benedictus.
All of this foretold in the Old Testament:
“At the end of seven days the word of the Lord came to me: “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me.
When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.
“Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.””
Ezekiel 3:16-21 NIV
Conclusions: There since we have been “ bought with a price”, we need to honor God with out body. And mind and heart and soul! As the Church in this age, in this dispensation, in this always, since Adam, ‘corrupt generation’, is called to be the Watchman for the nation(s). And the better news, than in the OT, the Good News, is that we have the Power to do so, as the Holy Spirit, the Promise of God Himself in Christ Jesus, and God cannot lie, lives in us, and will enable to carry out the work that he came to do:
“But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because people do not believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, where you can see me no longer; and about judgment, because the prince of this world now stands condemned. “I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will receive from me what he will make known to you.””
John 16:7-15 NIV
The question therefore arises, in fact several questions: have we received the Holy Spirit; have we so ordered our lives, have we so denied self, that the Holy Spirit is comfortable living in us; is the world through us, being “proved wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment ( or are we guilty of crafting a more palatable gospel, a more liberal interpretation of what the Holy Spirit revealed to the Apostles and through them to us); are we receiving now in this age “ more than we can bear now”, and being “ guided into all truth”? And therefore worthy of being called “ The Watchman” for a nation mired in Sin! Or will we be judged as ‘salt which has lost its taste’? And “salvation will come from another’. Judgment!
Peace, and in obedience.
LWJ
Lord renew thy church beginning with those who have denied self, have become “ crucified in Christ and no longer live”, and in whom your promised Holy Spirit lives; Lord renew the church with your Spirit so that the church may renew the nation(s) where institutional racism is alive and well, and where “ black people die there every day at the hands of the Police”. Not every day literally Lord, as that quote is from Etana’s wrong address, but Lord you know what I mean. Too often! And where the Gleaner headlines this morning heralds the awfulness of Sin:
https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/lead-stories/20210422/i-am-living-slave
And the manifestation of a serious national issue. Intimate partner violence, going on and on, long after intimacy has died and has been buried! Or captured on video dear Lord, and debated in the parliament. O Jesus have mercy!
danielgodsurelywilldeliver 