THE BLESSING OF CANADA

 

     We just celebrated Canada Day.  It is such a blessing to live in this country.  We are considered the best place to live in the world and St. Albert is one of the best places to live in Canada.  As you read this article for a moment bow your head and say, “thank you, Lord for allowing me to live here and now.”  We live in an amazing time and place.  Think about all the things that we have right now.  One hundred years ago, families were living without radio, T.V. fridges, stoves, microwaves and central heating.  For many they did not electric power, indoor plumbing or internet.  The transportation of that time for many was horse and wagon.  Many lived on rural farms and towns.  Things have certainly changed.

     In my lifetime I have seen many changes.  My first computer was a 286 and I bought it back in 1991.  I thought it was state of the art in that time.  Today we have internet, 5G, phones and so much more.  We can chat with relatives around the world via skype and messenger yet we seem less connected .  We have instant news and food yet we are getting less and less healthy.  We have all the medical advances that make us live longer and yet seem to be getting more bugs than ever.

     Canada has a population of around 37 million.  That is less than the state of California.  We complain about the long winters and the short summers.  Yet the truth is that we are so blessed.  There are billions who would take our place in a moment.  I was reflecting on the goodness of God.  I was born in Southern Alberta close to the mountains.  I grew up admiring the beautiful scenery.  I have lived the majority of my life in Alberta but have had the privilege to be a resident of BC and the NWT.  I have lived in some of the most beautiful spots in Canada.  All because of the goodness of God.

     Canada is a wonderful place. St. Albert is a beautiful city and like Johnny Appleseed said, “God has been good to us.”    People come from all over the world to live here.  Recently I had the privilege of knowing a man who came from Iraq.  He has been here for eight years.  They left just after the US invaded their country.  It took them seven years to get here.  They lived in Syria in refugee camps and life was hard.  Every day we talk he says how grateful he is that he lives in Canada.  Just recently he became a Canadian citizen and voted in his first provincial election.  He was so excited to be able to do that.  He wondered how Canadians who have this freedom could not vote.  His is just one of the many stories I had heard recently.  My own granddaughter just came from the Philippines.  She is amazed everyday about living in Canada.  Her life is so much better.  She has a mom and dad who lived here and are doing everything they can to give her a wonderful life. 

     So today as you reflect on your life here in Canada remember there are a hundred people who would gladly take your place to live here.  When you complain about the weather remember there are many around the world who live outdoors.  When you think about the high cost of living here.  There are people who earn less a day than you spend on a cup of coffee.  When you eat you next meal remember there are people who sometimes only have a meal every couple of days.  When you kiss your children or grandchildren good night at bed time remember are children who have no bed or even parents to love them.  We are so blessed.  I thank the Lord every day for living in Canada and the religious freedom we have.  Every Sunday I get to preach in a church without fear.  I can share my thoughts in this manner and not have to worry about government control or censure.  So today wave your little Canada Flag and thank the Lord that you live here.

 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 26, 2026

 

THE CALLING OF MATTHEW

 

The Calling of Matthew

9 As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

 

1.      Jesus had just healed a paralyzed man and the people will filled with awe and praised God for such authority had been given to man.  Then Jesus did something no one expected.  He sees a well-known tax collector sitting in his tax collecting booth.  Everyone knows who Matthew is and what he does for a living.  Then just like today many people are defined by what they do not who they are. 

2.      Matthew was part of group who were hated because Tax collectors were regarded as sinners. They were Jews who worked for the Romans, so this made them traitors. People resented paying taxes to the foreigners who ruled over them.  We need to remember God does not see us as we are but what we shall be. 

3.      Jesus walks up to Matthew and gives him a simple command, “Follow me,” That is the same command He gives us.  It is a summons to lose your life and find new life and ultimate joy in him.  It means that Jesus wants a loyal commitment not partial surrender.  Jesus expects us to follow Him.  Do His will, live His lifestyle, follow His commands and be His representatives.  Jesus expects a changed heart and life. 

4.      He went all way to the cross for us and He expects nothing less in return.  Follow Me!” is a call to obedience. It is no mere invitation, but an imperative command.

5.      Matthew got up and followed Him.  That is what is amazing.  Without hesitation and not fully knowing what it meant Matthew did. 

6.      I asked myself this question why Matthew would get up immediate and do this? Scholars tell us The disciples believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the person who would rule Israel and the rest of the world.  I think Matthew was tired of his life, vocation, religion, the prejudice, and the hatred and this was a chance to start fresh and new. 

7.      This was also a divine appointment that Matthew was not going to miss.  God obviously been working on Matthew and when Jesus came along his heart was already prepared.  Then it was just an act of the will.  He had heard about Jesus and decided this was his new master, mentor, and role model. 

 

10 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

 

1.      Jesus goes to dinner with his disciples.  Matthew is so pleased with what is happening he throws a massive dinner.  Many tax collectors and sinners came to the dinner and ate with Jesus.  Now this is natural because that is who up to this point Matthew hung out with.  These are the only people Matthew knew. 

2.      This just shows that Jesus saw the heart, not the social standing, culture, family background or possessions.  He saw the heart. 

3.      Eating with someone established a covenant relationship of friendship, which normally also signified approval. In one ancient story, two warriors stopped fighting each other when they discovered that their fathers had shared a meal! The issue of eating with sinners was sensitive in Judaism since some believed that eating with such company conveyed an acceptance of that person’s sin. Jesus preferred pursuing relationships that might lead sinners to God rather than “quarantining” Himself from such people

4.      This of course brought a criticism from the Pharisees and so they asked the question to His disciples.  Notice they never asked Jesus.  Satanic religious and worldly criticism never confronts directly.  Lies can never stand in the face of truth.  This is a form of gossip, slander, and defaming.  You see to the religious spirit acceptance is not a desired option.  The Pharisees saw this as afront and blasphemy.  In their eyes Jesus was lowering his standards.

5.      They saw Jesus as a teacher and rabbi.  An elevated position and to eat with sinners were beneath Him in their sight.

 

12 On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

 

1.      Jesus then confronts them with three truths and explains His view of people.  It is not the healthy who need a doctor but the sick.  Sin corrupts, rob, kills, and destroy a person. Jesus viewed all people as someone who need spiritual help, health, and healing.  Jesus is the great physician who heals the who person.  When you respond to God’s love, you get healed and then help heal others.

2.      The Pharisees were known for the sacrifice, piety and law keeping but they lacked mercy, love, and grace.  Jesus’ address this so did Samuel with Saul.  No amount of sacrifice will win you God’s favor or salvation only His mercy.  As God shows mercy so we must as well.  I love how Mike Warnke put it.  If a person is good enough for Jesus, then they are good enough for us. 

3.      Jesus did not come for the righteous but sinners.  Jesus did come for those in a covenant relationship already.  He came for those who Paul says have come short of the glory of God.  Jesus knew there were those in His world who would not accept His message, kingdom, and love.  That is why He said many are called but few make themselves chosen. 

 

Conclusion

 

1.       What can we learn today?  When Jesus calls us to follow him it means to lose your life and find new life and ultimate joy in him.  It means that Jesus wants a loyal commitment not partial surrender.  Jesus expects us to follow Him.  Do His will, live His lifestyle, follow His commands and be His representatives.  Jesus expects a changed heart and life. 

2.      Jesus saw Matthew not as he was but who he was going to become.  Matthew wrote a gospel, became a Hebrew scholar, storyteller, and missionary to Ethiopia where he was martyred. 

3.      Keep the right perspective about people.  See them as trophies of grace and heirs of salvation.  In our service to God remember mercy is a greater virtue than sacrifice.  Matthew was killed on the orders of the king of Ethiopia while celebrating Mass at the altar. The king wanted his own niece, and had been rebuked by Matthew, for the girl was a nun, and therefore the bride of Christ.

THE GREAT ANNOUNCEMENT

 

A woman takes her 16-year-old daughter to the doctor. The doctor says, "Okay, Mrs. Jones, what's the problem?"  The mother says, "It's my daughter, Debbie. She keeps getting these cravings, she's putting on weight, and is sick most mornings." The doctor gives Debbie a good examination, then turns to the mother and says, "Well, I don't know how to tell you this, but your Debbie is pregnant - about 4 months, would be my guess." The mother says, "Pregnant?! She can't be, she has never ever been left alone with a man! Have you, Debbie?"   Debbie says, "No mother! I've never even kissed a man!"  The doctor walked over to the window and just stares out it. About five minutes pass and finally the mother says,  "Is there something wrong out there doctor?" The doctor replies, "No, not really, it's just that the last time anything like this happened, a star appeared in the east and three wise men came over the hill. You can be sure I'm noy going to miss it this time!"

The Birth of Jesus Foretold

26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”  29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”  34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[b] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.”  38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

 

Lessons we can learn from this passage about two people involved.

Mary:

-  She was a virgin pledged in marriage to a descendent of David who name was Joseph.  We learn in Matthew that she herself was also a ancestor of David. 

- She was highly favored and the Lord was with her.  God was looking for the perfect vessel and Mary was that. 

- She was afraid and troubled over this visit.  Now this of course is a typical reaction because angelic visits are not common especially Gabriel. 

- God's favor was upon her and she would give birth to a son and she was to name him Jesus.  The name Jesus is a modern English word for Yeshua or the one is rescues or delivers. 

Now lets us talk about Jesus for just a moment about the five things  this passage says about Him

1.  He will be great.  There is no other person like Jesus.  He changed everything.  I love this poem by Dr. James Allen it explains beautifully Jesus' life

He was born in an obscure village

The child of a peasant woman

He grew up in another obscure village

Where he worked in a carpenter shop

Until he was thirty

He never wrote a book

He never held an office

He never went to college

He never visited a big city

He never travelled more than two hundred miles

From the place where he was born

He did none of the things

Usually associated with greatness

He had no credentials but himself

He was only thirty three

His friends ran away

One of them denied him

He was turned over to his enemies

And went through the mockery of a trial

He was nailed to a cross between two thieves

While dying, his executioners gambled for his clothing

The only property he had on earth

When he was dead

He was laid in a borrowed grave

Through the pity of a friend

Nineteen centuries have come and gone

And today Jesus is the central figure of the human race

And the leader of mankind's progress

All the armies that have ever marched

All the navies that have ever sailed

All the parliaments that have ever sat

All the kings that ever reigned put together

Have not affected the life of mankind on earth

As powerfully as that one solitary life 

2.  The Son of the Most High God.  God is called the Most High God throughout the Bible. The Hebrew word ‘Elyon is translated as Most High, and ’El ‘elyon and ’Elohim ‘elyon are Most High God. Son of the Most High God is a natural alternative name of Jesus (Yeshua‘), the Son of God.  Basically Gabriel is saying that Jesus is God.  God with a face.  The perfect union of man and God.  The perfect balance of the divine and natural.  100% man and 100% God.  His deity is known right from the beginning.

3.  The Lord will give Him the throne of David.  "The LORD has sworn to David, A truth from which He will not turn back; 'Of the fruit of your body I will set upon your throne." (Psalm 132:11)

God's promise to David was about to be fulfilled.  This is the fullness of time.  Mankind is about to receive their deliverer and the Jews their Messiah.  Jesus will rule forever.  He rules in our hearts now but one day will rule the whole earth.   That day is coming church and one day we will reign and rule with Him

4.  He will reign over the descendents of Jacob forever.  Jesus will reign over Israel.  That means both now in the future Jews will acknowledge Him as Messiah and Lord. 

5. His Kingdom will never end.  Right now his kingdom is in our hearts characterized by righteousness, peace and joy but one day.  It will be an earthly and eternal kingdom with holiness, righteousness, truth, love, peace, grace and joy.  The choas of this present age will be replaced by pure, love, joy and grace. I am looking forward to that day.

She then says how can this be I am a virgin.  So why is the virgin birth so important.  Here are five reasons

1. Jesus Had A Heavenly Origin.  The most important reason to hold the belief in the Virgin Birth concerns Jesus' identity as God the Son, the Second Person of the Trinity. In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God (John 1:1).  Thus the Virgin Birth is crucial to Jesus being the Son of God.

2. Jesus Had A Sinless Nature.  A second reason why the Virgin Birth is important concerns the sinless character of Christ. If Jesus had a human father, then He would have inherited a sinful nature as the rest of us have. The Bible says.  Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, . . . thus death spread to all, because all sinned (Romans 5:12).  Who [Jesus] committed no sin, nor was guile found in his mouth (1 Peter 2:22).  And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins, and in him there is no sin (1 John 3:5).  If Jesus were the son of Joseph, then His sinless character would only be a myth.

3. Jesus Was The Perfect Sacrifice .  A third reason why the Virgin Birth is crucial to the Christian faith concerns our salvation. Without the sinlessness of Christ there would be no salvation. Christ came, according to the Apostle Paul, to save those who were under the law.  But when the fulness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons (Galatians 4:4,5).   He came into the world by supernatural means and lived a sinless life, He could be that sacrifice for our sins without spot and without blemish. The Bible makes this clear:  For he made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him (2 Corinthians 5:21).

4. It Shows The Uniqueness Of Christ

What the virgin birth does is show the uniqueness of Jesus Christ. No one else has ever come into the world the same way as Jesus. The unique and miraculous nature of Jesus carried on through His entire life. His birth was a miracle, His public ministry consisted of miracles, Jesus miraculously lived a sinless life, He miraculously came back from the dead, and left this world in a miraculous way. From His entrance into this world until His departure, the life of Jesus Christ was a miracle.

5. The Bible Says So.  The fifth reason to believe in the Virgin Birth is because the Bible says so. If Jesus were not actually born of a virgin then the Bible is wrong. If it is wrong concerning the Virgin Birth, then it is possible that it may be in error about other matters.The doctrine of the Virgin Birth and the credibility of Christianity go hand-in-hand.

I love this thought.  It’s clear Jesus’ birth was the result of the Holy Spirit working within Mary’s body. The immaterial (the Spirit) and the material (Mary’s womb) were both involved. Mary of course could not impregnate herself, and was simply a vessel. Only God could perform the miracle of the Incarnation. We should also note that the virgin birth displays the tri-unity of God. The Spirit gives conception to Mary, carrying out the Father’s plan of the virgin birth of the Son.  he virgin birth circumvented the transmission of the sin nature and allowed the eternal God to become a perfect man. He never sinned, which qualified Him to be a righteous substitutionary sacrifice for sinners.

Jesus is also known as the Holy One and the Son of God here. 

Mary again asks how is going to happen?  I love this next statement.  For with God nothing is impossible.  Hey church with God nothing is impossible.  Whatever you face or need nothing is impossible.  Say it to the person next to you. 

He then gives her confirmation that Elizabeth her cousin is pregnant for six months.  Then I love this last statement, "I am the Lord's servant.  Her life would be changed forever and so would all mankind's.  The ridicule, shame, misunderstanding etc.  She said, I am the Lord's servant.  That must be our cry as well.  whatever you want Lord, here I am.  As we get ready for communion let us remember Mary's word and make it our cry.  Use me Lord. 

THE GREAT BANQUET

 

24 The steward took the men into Joseph’s house, gave them water to wash their feet and provided fodder for their donkeys. 25 They prepared their gifts for Joseph’s arrival at noon, because they had heard that they were to eat there.  26 When Joseph came home, they presented to him the gifts they had brought into the house, and they bowed down before him to the ground. 27 He asked them how they were, and then he said, “How is your aged father you told me about? Is he still living?”28 They replied, “Your servant our father is still alive and well.” And they bowed down, prostrating themselves.

 

Lesson One:  We first again take a look into ancient culture.  The steward took them to Joseph’s house.  This house would be a palace.  They were essentially rectangular structures consisting of high walls topped with towers. The tops of the towers were often decorated with a rich cornice or panels.  The hall had gigantic columns.  Rooms to accommodate the needs of the court were located to one side of the hall and it would have a beautiful view of the river on one side and on the other side lakes and gardens .  He then provided them with water for their feet and fodder for their donkeys.  Cleanliness was essential in Egyptian society.  So their prepared their gifts after they have cleaned themselves up and prepared their gifts.  Remember they were meeting the Prime Minister.  They probably had a speech ready for Him.  They had all the best of the land of Canaan in their sacks.  This was sent to honor and express affection.     The ancient Egyptians were among the first civilizations to practice the tradition of gift giving.  Gifts given to royalty at the time included jewelry, flower grains, crops and even money sometimes gifted as dowry.  Jacob knew this and that is why he did it.  Egypt also this time was the major power in the middle east. 

     Joseph arrives at noon.  Promptness was important to ancient Egyptians.  Joseph had many responsibilities.  So his time was very valuable.  Another title he had was Vizier.  The boys then presented their gifts to Joseph and then bowed down before him to the grounds.  Thus again fulfilling Joseph’s  dream some 2 decades before.  They did this to show respect to the man who had their lives in their hands.  Remember they do not know what is going on.  They have done all he has asked.  They were terrified, stressed and confused. 

     Joseph asked them how they were and then asked them about their aged father.  He was probing to find out about their father.  They replied, he is alive and well.  Then they bowed down and prostrated themselves before him and second time.  I examine the reason and found this.  .  Now as guests enter the room they prostrate themselves in front of him. If they don’t do it, the empire could lose its divine order.  It was acknowledge of his superior position, role, responsibility and power.  It was expected and if they did not it was a sign of disrespect and carried the death penalty.

     The Steward as part of his preparation would have instructed them on protocol to address and interact with the Prime Minister.  The Egyptians had a strict code of doing things especially for someone in the position of Vizier.  It is same for example if you were to visit the queen. 

 

As he looked about and saw his brother Benjamin, his own mother’s son, he asked, “Is this your youngest brother, the one you told me about?” And he said, “God be gracious to you, my son.” 30 Deeply moved at the sight of his brother, Joseph hurried out and looked for a place to weep. He went into his private room and wept there.  31 After he had washed his face, he came out and, controlling himself, said, “Serve the food.”

 

Lesson Two:  So Joseph looks about and then sees his brother Benjamin.  They had stood up again.  He then asks them if this is your youngest brother.  Most likely Reuben is speaking on behalf of the group because this was the role of the oldest brother.  He then says to Benjamin, God be gracious to your my son.”  There is that divine hint.  That statement would have put them at ease.  In this pagan society here was a man who understood them.  This was a man who knew about their culture and belief system.  This man was identifying with them. 

     Then as Joseph saw his brother Benjamin he was deeply moved.  That is when he lost it.  This is the second time he had to leave them to find a place to weep.  It was breaking his heart to play this role but it was essential.  This time he went to his private room.  It would been like a study or the place where he did his important documents.  Joseph didn’t just casually leave he hurried out.  Now this must have confused, frightened and astonished all.  What was happening and why did he leave?  This must have been an awkward moment.  Joseph had to be far enough away for them not to hear.  All the emotion, the feeling of abandonment, the love, the separation, the relief all came pouring out at that moment.  Remember he had not seen his brother in 2 decades.  He was not sure how his brothers had treated Benjamin.  Here he was in front of him.  No wonder Joseph wept.  Years of anxiety, stress and not seeing his brother all came out. 

     It must have seemed like an eternity.  He then is able to get all the emotion out.  He then washes his face.  He had to make sure they did not know he had been weeping.  We all know what a person looks like after an emotional outburst and crying session.  So he would have stayed there until all the physical effects were gone.  He then goes out controlling himself and orders to have the serve food. 

 

 32 They served him by himself, the brothers by themselves, and the Egyptians who ate with him by themselves, because Egyptians could not eat with Hebrews, for that is detestable to Egyptians. 33 The men had been seated before him in the order of their ages, from the firstborn to the youngest; and they looked at each other in astonishment. 34 When portions were served to them from Joseph’s table, Benjamin’s portion was five times as much as anyone else’s. So they feasted and drank freely with him.

 

Lesson Three:  I love this narrative.  You can see yourself there.  First, they serve Joseph because he is the highest ranking official there.  Then they serve the brothers.  Lastly, the Egyptians who eat with them.  So get this.  There are three sets of tables.  One for Joseph, one for the brothers and one for the Egyptians.  Now we can see here that the Egyptians would not eat with the brothers because it was detestable.  This is such a great picture of the ancient world.  For the Egyptians the brothers were uncivilized, barbarians and aliens. The foreigner was a symbol of chaos.  This must have been humiliating to the Egyptians.  No one except Joseph knew what was going on. 

     The brothers were seated in order of their ages before Joseph.  The oldest to the youngest.  I love this.  There they are sitting there completely astonished.  How did he know?    Another hint but they didn’t get it.  They wouldn’t they thought Joseph dead. 

     Now we get one more picture of what was going on.  They served the brothers from Joseph’s table.  The Egyptians would not give their food to the brothers.  They were detestable, unclean, chaos to order.

The food was served from Joseph’s table.  This is a wonderful picture of redemption.  Egypt as a sign of the world will have nothing to do with you.  You are an alien, foreigner, chaos and detestable.  Joseph as a picture of redemption will give you all you need.  In this case Joseph is a picture of the Lord.  He is our provider and source.  Also one day you and I will come to a great banquet at the end of all things.  Our master will serve us. 

     Now Benjamin gets five times more than anyone else.  Joseph is identifying with his brother.  Now the reason why Joseph did this was to test if his brothers were still capable of jealousy.  Remember the reason they sold into slavery was because of jealousy.  Also remember  the last time Joseph's brothers ate a meal in his presence, the ten of them threw him down an empty well, intending to leave him to starve to death, and then sat down and ate a meal together as Joseph begged for mercy.

     So they feasted and drank freely with Him.  Now as a final thought.  In some translations it states they drank from Joseph’s cup.  Now can you imagine the horror and astonishment on the faces of the Egyptians as they saw the Prime Minister having wine poured into his cup and then seeing him have the servants pour it into the cups of these men from another country.   To them it would be a submission of order to chaos.  It was a sign of humiliation and submission.  Joseph however, is a sign of redemption where we who are undeserving are receiving at the hands of our great redeemer cleansing, forgiveness, restoration and healing.  That is what Joseph is doing.   This is also a picture of another banquet.  The upper room.  It says they drank freely with him.  They had been restored, healed, accepted and forgiven.

We are the brothers.  We have done great acts of sin against our master but he has forgiven, accepted and restored us. 

QUOTES FOR APRIL 24, 2026

 

GREATNESS OF GOD

 

Many believe that Ezra wrote this acrostic psalm. That means that the first sentence begins with the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.  It has 22 sayings.  In The second sentence begins with the second letter, and so on.  The acrostic with "I will say 'thanks' to the *LORD with all my *heart".  In the 22 lines of this psalm the Hebrew Alphabet is show.  This Psalm is very much like Psalm 119

 

Praise the Lord.  I will extol the Lord with all my heart.   in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

 

1.      The Lord is to be praise.  Praise is thanking the Lord for what He has done.  It is announcing His words.  Thanking Him for His blessings.  The declaration also has the idea of encouraging others to do the same – I will praise the LORD, and you should also.  If we want other people to praise God, we must praise God first. If we want them to love God, we must love him too. If we want others to serve God, we must serve him. We must set an example.

2.      Ezra writes that I will extol the Lord with all my heart.  God cannot be acceptably praised with a divided heart, neither should we attempt so to dishonor him; for our whole heart is little enough for his glory, and there can be no reason why it should not all be lifted up in his praise.”  Where our heart so is our treasure.  We are to love God with every fiber of our been that heals us and enables us to love others.

3.      Ezra met with the council of the upright.  He met with Zerubbabel, Joshua and Nehemiah.  Godly leadership is essential to personal, political and societal morality.  The standard is the word of God.  In Ezra’s day morality and politics were a fact of life.  This can also be applied today to church leadership.

4.      In the assembly.  Ezra would be an example in personal, religious and general life as a man who life is center on God and His word. 

 

Great are the works of the Lord; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

 

1.      Creation is the silent outer witness of God in the broader world as conscience is the inner silent witness of God.  Every work of God is unique.  There are no two works of God the same.  The greatest witness of God’s work looks back you every day in the mirror.  The work of God is continuing. 

2.      The works of God is meditated, reflected, pondered and thought about by all who delight in them.  Nothing is as peaceful as creation.  It is also mind boggling.  Did you know that there are more than 700 species of no seeing them?  Small insects you cannot see.  According to scientists there are 8.7 million types of life on this planet. 

 

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

 

1.      Glorious means honorable, dignified, powerful, distinguished, splendid, beautiful or radiant.  Majestic means greatness of appearance; dignity; grandeur; dignity of aspect or manner; the quality or state of God which inspires awe or reverence of the child of God in propriety to God and his works.  Ezra says God’s deeds are thus.

2.      God’s righteousness is His love, goodness, mercy, justice and redemption.  God is our creator and redeemer.  This work is forever.  All who call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  God is good all the time.  He is love all the time.