Marching Forth !

Utopia's Problem

2012-01-29T15:07:00.000-08:00

"For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin."

Ecclesiastes 7:20

History is littered with examples of well-intentioned people who believed they could create utopia, a sort of "heaven on earth." I find the definition of "utopian" in Webster's 1828 edition to be most revealing: "ideal; chimerical, fanciful; not well founded." There is no possible way to usher in utopia through force. Governments and religious groups who have attempted this have only ended in death and disaster. Utopia cannot be obtained through any human means, for all humans are flawed and fail. Even when we obtain the thing our heart desires, we become dissatisfied. King Solomon personally understood this fact: Ecclesiastes 5:10 reads, "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity."

Education is not the answer for our ills. If they were honest, most or all of university graduates will admit they cheated at some point in their lives. Doctors, lawyers, and politicians are convicted of crimes motivated by greed and jealousy, just like the members of a drug cartel. Poverty is not the problem either. Give a man money and it does not solve the poverty of his soul. The old saying rings true for horses and men alike: lead them to water, but you can't make them drink. If we can't agree on eating the same thing for lunch, what would compel a man to believe he can create a civilization built entirely upon unity, peace, and love? Man does not possess these qualities naturally, nor are they cultivated over time through effort. Grouchy old men grow into grouchier older men.

But man himself is not utopia's chief problem. The unconquerable opposition of the utopian dream is that God is excluded in man's plans. Utopia does not take the spiritual realm into account. Man is deceived to believe he can transform the hearts of men from wicked to righteous by external means. Even Christians know well that even when our souls are born again through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, we still must contend with the flesh, Satan, and temptations of the world! God has brought peace to the world through Jesus Christ. When He was born, angels sang out to shepherds and to all who would hear believing: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill towards men."

If anyone could have brought peace on the world, it would have been Jesus. But He spoke in Luke 12:51, "Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division." The world is sold under sin, so peace can never be made on this earth in the current state: there is not a just man on earth who does not sin. To say peace and sin can cohabit would be like suggesting a wild Bengal tiger could live together peacefully with a young goat in a cage for their whole lives. At some point, instinct would simply take over and the tiger would kill. Sin is like that tiger, having ravaged the world and twisted the minds and souls of every man. It is only a matter of time before that tiger does damage on those who would tame it. There can be no peace until the world is cleansed of Satan and his demons. There can be no peace until the world is wholly reconciled to God through repentance and faith. There can be no peace until there has been divine justice. There will be no peace until Jesus Himself returns in power, subdues the nations under His feet, and establishes His eternal rule. Being righteous, holy, and just, Jesus does not act out of the vain, greedy, selfish ambitions that often fuel men.

The longing for utopia is actually a longing for Christ. In Christ we find all the qualities that make us believe utopia is even possible. There is no love, life, truth, peace, or unity apart from Him! Utopia is not well-founded because it makes man's goodness the foundation. Those who hear the words of Christ and do them He likens to a man who builds his house upon the strong foundation of bedrock. He is the One we should build our lives upon, not the fantasies of fools who say in their hearts, "There is no God."

My Oolong Lesson

2012-01-27T14:24:00.000-08:00

When our family lived in the USA in 2005, our family hosted a Chinese student who brought us some hand-picked green tea as a gift. For me, that is what put loose tea on the map. I would wake up early, put the kettle on, and drop about 10 tiny green balls of dried leaves in the bottom of my mug. As I poured in the hot water, the dark green leaves floated to the top and slowly unfurled. It always amazed me how big the leaves would grow, kind of like those tiny plastic dinosaur toys which absorb water and grow large. It wasn't long before I had finished the tea. I was never able to find the same brand or type of loose tea again, much to my disappointment.

This week our family went to a meal at a friend's house and I was offered a cylinder of unwanted tea our hosts had received as a door prize at a company gathering. My eyes lit up as I examined the tea. "It's supposedly good quality, but we won't drink it," I was told. The red tin had a picture of women picking tea and all the writing was in Chinese characters. As I opened the tin, I could see I hit the jackpot! The vacuum-sealed gold foil wrapper appeared bumpy, stretched taut over the balls of dried leaves. It was the same kind of hand-picked oolong tea that I had not been able to find for seven years. Needless to say, every other hot beverage I occasionally drink has been put aside to enjoy cup after cup of the good stuff.

When you find something that is really good, it's hard not to talk about it with others. On Australia day, our family enjoyed a BBQ at the home of some friends. We started talking about tea and coffee and I started raving about this new tea I had found. I quickly offered to give her some tea to try. Now as much as I want everyone to enjoy the tea, there is part of me that recognizes I have a limited amount. There is that sinful, selfish part of me that says, "Hello? What about me?" As I filled a Ziploc bag with the tea, the LORD said softly to my heart: "Freely you have received, freely give." I put some more tea in the bag, nearly filling it. As I sealed it, the flesh said again, "That's a lot of tea to give away. Shouldn't you put some back?" Again I felt the LORD confirm, "Freely you have received, freely give." So I gave away some of the tea and felt great doing it. The funny thing is I instinctively offered some more tea last night to a mate so I will be filling another bag. But I got the message! Freely I have received, freely give.

How awesome it is that God gives us freely all that we need out of His stores of grace! There is nothing we have that God has not freely given us out of His generosity. 2 Peter 1:2-4 reads, "Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, ³ as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, ⁴ by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." What has God given? "All things that pertain to life and godliness," as well as "exceedingly great and precious promises." God does not look at the promises He has given and later decide, "Those promises are a bit too good for these people and certainly too abundant. I will withdraw some of these promises until people show they are worthy." No! God gives us all this and more still!

God has given us the Holy Spirit, His regenerating, empowering, guiding, and teaching personal Presence within us for the express purpose of assuring us of what He has given. 1 Corinthians 2:12 states, "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God." We know that God will never leave us, forsake us, or rescind the grace, love, and acceptance granted us through Christ. John 10:27-28 says, "My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. ²⁸ And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." Sporting events, concerts, airplane flights, and hotels all have limited capacity. But there is room in God's house for all who will repent and trust in Christ. It is not "first come first served:" it is the "last will be first, and the first will be last," and "...him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).

As excited as I can be about long lost tea which is quickly given away and consumed, I ought to be most excited about God and all He has freely given to me. The blessings and promises of God are not to be hoarded or treated as privileged information intended for a few worthy folks: God has provided His love and grace for the most unworthy, weak, blind, lame, imprisoned, selfish, helpless, hopeless, poor, and wretched sinners like me this world has produced. Freely you have received, freely give. What joy comes to those who hear the word of the LORD and do it! God has freely given us all things, so we ought to give ourselves and all we possess back to Him with exceeding joy.

Train up YOUR Children

2012-01-24T14:35:00.000-08:00

"Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

Those God has blessed with children have the important responsibility to train our children to serve, honour, and worship God. We cannot relegate the meaning of training to only include what pertains to this temporal life, like household chores, manners, social behaviour, or instilling a good work ethic. Deuteronomy 6:6-8 explains that teaching children of God through His Word and modeling worship of God is the primary role of parents, contrary to what many believe today: "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes." God delivered His Word so we might know Him in truth. If would not matter if my children later in life embraced successful careers as doctors, soldiers, salesmen, lawyers, scientists, or travel agents: if I have neglected the training and nurture of my children in Jesus Christ, then I have failed in the primary purpose of my calling as a parent.

A grave error among many parents in the church today is the reliance upon pastors, youth pastors, and Sunday School teachers to provide the bulk of their children's training. I talked with someone recently who lamented the lack of a strong youth group at their current church. "I had my son meet with a youth pastor to talk about some things. I mean, he's not going to listen to me." This is sadly not the first time I have run into this persuasion. Don't get me wrong - pastors and teachers can have a huge impact on a child's life. But God designed the family to be the place where kids receive godly instruction and a biblical worldview. The life of a disciple of Christ must be established, modeled, and taught at home. If it is not done there, one hour with a church "professional" will likely only soothe the conscience of parents who feel inadequate to train their kids.

Churches have been traditionally good at teaching facts and information. From a young age, children grow in knowledge. What does the scripture say? The second part of 1 Corinthians 8:1 says, "...Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies." Because of this, many of the kids who are brought up in churches tend towards being legalistic Pharisees without a relationship with Jesus Christ. They become dull to the Gospel through much hearing. The church is intended to reinforce what is already being taught at home. If the love, grace, and doctrines of scripture are not being modeled at home, Christianity becomes compartmentalised in a building where people attend services once or twice a week. This is a prime reason young people "fall away" when they enroll in university or enter the work force. It's likely they didn't actually "fall away" but were never close to God - they simply stopped going through the motions of coming to a building. Because the foundation of a relationship with God was not modeled in real life by people closest to them, kids are convinced Christianity must be a show: it is a pastime for adults who go to church and drag along their kids because they think church is good for them, like eating spinach. When the kids grow up and buy their own groceries, they don't buy spinach unless they realize the health benefits and have grown to enjoy the taste. And when they wake up on a Sunday morning, they roll over and choose to sleep in.

I have been convicted lately that when I was a youth pastor, I spent much more time preparing for study, training, and teaching other people's children than my own. God has gifted me to teach, and therefore it was good for me to pursue and cultivate this gift. But as much time as I spent praying for, studying with, and teaching other kids, I should have set aside at least that much time for my own. After all, I am primarily responsible before God for teaching my wife and two sons. My family should have been my priority to train in the admonition of the LORD. Many pastors fall prey to overwork and the neglect of family, and that is why some "PK's" (preacher's kids) have the reputation of being wayward. Their dad can be so busy teaching and counseling others that he has neglected to train his children as he ought. Praise God that it is not too late! I have resolved to make the training of my family in the pursuit and worship of God a greater priority than ever before.

How about you? As a parent, have you embraced the responsibility of training your children in their spiritual walk with Jesus Christ? Even if your children are grown, it's not too late to model a life set apart for the glory of God. Ephesians 5:14-17 reads, "Therefore He says: "Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light." ¹⁵ See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is." It is God's will that children be trained in the admonition of the LORD by their parents. The LORD will be your strength!

Love God, Love Others

2012-01-22T15:30:00.000-08:00

While watching the Australian Open on television yesterday, several times an ad to promote the new season of "The Biggest Loser" (Australia edition) was shown. A woman spoke of how she needed to love herself and be self-confident before she could be a contributor to a loving relationship. After the woman tipped the scales at over 150 kilos, shame was evident on her face when she saw her weight revealed in large digital numbers for all to see. "Sorry Mum," she said sadly, embarrassed for her mum as much as herself.

I have started working through the Biblical Counseling Foundation's Self-Confrontation manual of late. Part of the role of the manual is to lay the foundation for a biblical world view through scripture. One of the rhetorical questions asked in the preface is, "Don't I have to learn to love myself before I can love others?" The conclusion is terse and shocking for those who would answer in the affirmative: "Questions like these reflect the fact that many people are following false teaching that has been present since the beginning of time but is gaining unprecedented popularity in the church today. It is the "doctrine" of self-exaltation and self-gratification. This preoccupation with self is based on a misunderstanding of one's relationship with God, is unbiblical, and deters spiritual growth."

The problem which the Bible exposes in all people is not our lack of love for ourselves, but our lack of love for God. Ephesians 5:29 says, "For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church." Some of us nourish and cherish our bodies too much. We can all fall into the trap of making a god of our belly, eating and drinking to excess. Whether or not weight is something you struggle with, everyone struggles with something. Maybe we have even moved past the point of struggle, having given up all hope of change, and choose instead to embrace and make part of our identity the very thing which holds us captive. I remember a conversation with a man who had embraced his alcoholism: "Yeah, I like to drink beer! I think of myself as a happy Friar Tuck." This man embraced his love for beer, the very thing which was ruling his life. He was confident in himself because in his mind, being a happy, heavyset, beer-loving man like the fictitious Friar Tuck wasn't a bad thing at all. He earned his belly and esteemed himself very highly - despite his physique and drinking habits.

If a man places confidence in himself, he places his confidence in what will certainly fail. Beauty, fitness, health, physical ability, careers, family, quick wit, strength, and skills will all pass away. Speaking for myself (and I'm sure you can relate!), our bodies and abilities which we could once count on are beginning to deteriorate. There are things I used to be able to do I no longer can do because of the erosion of my skills or certain injury. I don't ride skateboards or play tackle football any more. I no longer jump out of trees, run a 5 minute mile, or drink 2 liters of soft drink a day. Proverbs 31:30 states, "Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised." The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

The world tells us that we need to love ourselves and pursue happiness through gratifying the flesh. The Bible teaches us our greatest need is to love the God who already loves us, no matter how we look or feel. Instead of looking at ourselves as being naturally good, we are wise to take the scriptural view: Romans 7:18 says, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find." When we turn our eyes upon the righteous perfection of God, we see in His light that we are completely bankrupt of all goodness. Then we can begin to appreciate the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus Christ towards us, that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. This does not mean we hate ourselves. Because of the value and love that Christ has graciously bestowed on us, we can place our confidence in God alone. We can say with Paul, "By the grace of God I am what I am."

Being happy does not mean I must turn a blind eye to my many faults. True joy comes from the fact that God knows my faults and still loves me. Christians no longer need to ride the roller coaster of self-esteem which changes on the conditions in our lives or the numbers on the bathroom scale. We can rest upon the rock solid truth of God's love, acceptance, and forgiveness. My confidence is fixed upon the unshakable truth and unalterable character of God. It is from receiving the love of God, not my own fickle love, which empowers me to love others. Jesus says in John 14:27, "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." Jesus has loved us with an everlasting love and accepted us, so we not need fear rejection. Receive God's love today. Only then can we love one another as Christ has loved us.

Jesus: the Good Shepherd

2012-01-21T20:34:00.000-08:00

I've been thinking about the mutually beneficial relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. A shepherd is not motivated about what is best for himself, but what is best for the sheep. It is in his best interest to provide safe pasture, free from noxious weeds and potential predators. The shepherd will seek clean, slow moving water for the sheep to drink. He will apply medicine to infections, rising up early and staying out late. A good shepherd puts the needs of the sheep over his own. He does not labour to manage the flock because it is convenient. If he tends the sheep with care for their safety and health in mind, they will yield valuable wool in good time.

Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and Christians are sheep of His flock. All things the Good Shepherd allows in our lives will work together for our good. The salve may sting when first applied, but it will promote healing. The Shepherd and Overseer of our souls already owns the cattle on a thousand hills, so we don't have to worry about Him fattening us for butchering. He has provided for us all things that pertain to life and godliness. What He asks of us is that we would trust Him completely, whether it means to lie still when He shaves our wool or needs to draw blood for testing. Jesus would have us look into His eyes, knowing that our present suffering is nothing to be compared with our future glory freely given us by Him. Even when following Jesus brings physical death, it only ushers us more promptly into eternal life.

In Pink Floyd's song "Sheep," we see the world's perverse and woeful perspective of the Christian life. A portion of the song goes:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want
He makes me down to die
Through pastures green He leadeth me the silent waters by.
With bright knives He releaseth my soul.
He maketh me to hang on hooks in high places.
He converteth me to lamb cutlets,
For lo, He hath great power, and great hunger.

Though Pink Floyd might be rock-n-roll gods to some, this twisted view of God comes only from the father of lies, the devil. God speaks in Psalm 50:11-15: "I know all the birds of the mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are Mine. ¹² "If I were hungry, I would not tell you; for the world is Mine, and all its fullness. ¹³ Will I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? ¹⁴ Offer to God thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. ¹⁵ Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." God is not a bloodthirsty sadist who requires the slaughter of His people to satiate His lust for power. Jesus died and rose again to defeat death! He is the Lamb who willingly went to the slaughter! All who repent and trust in Christ will never need to sip from the bitter cup of death but experience life eternal. Jesus said in John 11:25-26, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

Hebrews 9:27-28 reads, "And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, ²⁸ so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." For those who have repented and trusted in Christ, He is a Good Shepherd and Saviour. But for those who deny and reject Christ, all are headed as goats to the slaughter. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Broad is the way that leads to destruction, but Jesus is the narrow way that leads to eternal life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one goes to heaven except through Him. Jesus says in John 10:9-11, "I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."

Snail or Stomper?

2012-01-19T23:30:00.000-08:00

Today I mowed the lawn front and back. As I wheeled the bin over to the middle of the front yard, I noticed a snail in the driveway with a freshly cracked shell. Feeling bad for the little guy struggling for life, I moved him off to the side. I must have accidentally damaged the shell as I focused on filling the tank with petrol, priming and starting the mower, and cutting the grass. After the job was done I walked by the area where I placed the snail. Some ants found him and were very excited. I was actually sad.

This kind of thing can happen all the time, and not only with snails. We can hurt other people without intending to be malicious. We can be so focused on the job at hand that we don't notice when we trample on feelings with harsh or careless words. Damage can be done that we never even see. When feelings are hurt, there are often two parties involved. Early in my Christian walk, I was more on the stomping end. Now I do my best to tread softly and slowly. Despite my best efforts, I'm sure I'll accidentally step on a few more snails and unfortunately on some feelings before my time on earth is done.

People are different than snails, in that they have God-given responsibilities if they are either a snail or a stomper in the case of offense. Jesus says in Matthew 18:15, "Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother." Unlike a snail that cannot speak, a person who has been hurt or offended has the responsibility to go to the one who has caused the offense and bring it to his attention. For clumsy footed people such as myself, this verse is very appreciated. It brings things to our attention we could not see before and fosters reconciliation, humility, forgiveness, and unity. It also frees me when I am offended to reveal hurt in which a brother had a role and see Jesus do an amazing restorative work.

Everyone who walks the earth will fulfill both roles of being snail and stomper. No matter how careful we are, sometimes we take a bad step. No matter how tough a shell's exterior might be, deep inside people are all very tender and soft. Jesus is the one who gives us wisdom to approach our interpersonal relationships with humility, love, and grace. He is the one who makes us to dwell in unity!

The Jesus I Never Knew

2012-01-17T15:43:00.000-08:00

It is amazing how God reveals more of Himself to us every day by His grace. This week the Holy Spirit has opened my eyes to the life of Jesus as never before. On Sunday mornings at Calvary Chapel Sydney, we have been studying the Gospel of Mark. For weeks we have been building up to the crucifixion of Jesus. If last week you were to ask me what passages I associate with the grief and suffering of Christ, several portions of scripture come to mind. I would have considered the moment when Jesus wept over Jerusalem, grieved that His chosen people were unwilling to be loved by Him. I would have cited the moment when Jesus laid down His will in Gethsemane, and when He experienced betrayal, torture, and suffered at the hands of merciless, hateful men. I would have thought about Christ being separated from God on the cross by the sins of the world when He cried out in a loud voice, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

This week God has shown me clearly that Jesus, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief, experienced sorrow, heartache, and deep hurt long before His public ministry. Did you know that Jesus had it rough growing up? He was tempted to despair and embrace depression. He was even tempted to commit suicide! Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." Jesus was tempted in every single way that a man can be tempted, yet He did not sin. Sometimes our focus on the deity of Christ can shroud our eyes from His humanity. Jesus had feelings, greater depth breadth of feeling than any other person who has walked the earth.

There is little spoken about the life of Christ in the Bible before His visit with His family to Jerusalem, and nothing more until John the Baptist points Him out at the Lamb of God around the age of 30. There are 30 years that are not described for us in narrative form in the Gospels. But God gave me some insight this week as I was reading into the Christ's childhood and what marked His life before His ministry. Jesus did not begin honouring and glorifying God only after His public ministry began. Long before, even as a child, Jesus consecrated His life wholly unto God. He always did what pleased the Father, even before He was a household name in Israel. From this we know that Jesus obeyed the Law perfectly. How did He learn to obey? Not through the correction of His parents (for He did no wrong), but by the things He suffered. Hebrews 5:7-8 says this of Christ: "...who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear ⁸ though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered." In the days of His flesh, throughout His time on earth, even as a child and young man, Jesus cried many tears to God as He suffered. He did not begin interceding for men only after His ascension to the right hand of the Father. Even as a youth, Jesus interceded for those who hated Him. Did He not say, "Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you?" God heard and answered His prayers.

When Jesus cleansed the temple the first time, the disciples hearkened back to a Psalm which spoke of Christ: John 2:17 says, "Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up." Since this is a clear reference to Jesus, let us read the rest of the sentence in Psalm 69 with this in mind. It gives us amazing, prophetic insight into the life of Jesus with His earthly family. Psalm 69:7-12 says, "Because for Your sake I have borne reproach; shame has covered my face. ⁸ I have become a stranger to my brothers, and an alien to my mother's children; ⁹because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, and the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me. ¹⁰ When I wept and chastened my soul with fasting, that became my reproach. ¹¹ I also made sackcloth my garment; I became a byword to them. ¹² Those who sit in the gate speak against me, and I am the song of the drunkards."

Jesus was no stranger to reproach or shame for God's sake, long before He grew to be a man. The Bible tells us that Jesus had half-brothers born of Mary. Jesus had been conceived by the Holy Spirit. To many people outside His family, Jesus was thought to be an illegitimate Son born out of wedlock. Yet notice that the Bible says that He was "an alien to my mother's children." David is writing these words empowered by the Holy Spirit, and how suggestive this is of Christ's relationship with His mother's children! The piety of Jesus caused them to think, "What is with Jesus? Is He from another planet? What is with His weeping, fasting, and wearing sackcloth? Why does He rise early and stay up late praying? That guy is just not normal! I don't think He's really our brother at all." Jesus was a byword among His own brothers because of His zeal for the Father's glory. This reproach for the Father's sake was borne by Christ even to Calvary. As He collapsed under the cross, people in the gate mocked and ridiculed Him. Even the drunks made up songs to scoff at Him. Jesus knew that people were against Him because they reproached His Father. But He felt the pain just the same.

When Jesus hung upon the cross He said "I thirst," knowing the scripture must be fulfilled (John 19:28-29). This scripture to which this refers is found in Psalm 69. This passage reveals a depth of suffering beyond our experience. Psalm 69:18-21 reads, "Draw near to my soul, and redeem it; deliver me because of my enemies. ¹⁹ You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You. ²⁰ Reproach has broken my heart, and I am full of heaviness; I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; and for comforters, but I found none. ²¹ They also gave me gall for my food, and for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink." Only the Father could have known Christ's reproach, shame, and dishonour. Only the Father could comprehend how the reproaches of those Christ loved broke His heart and weighed Him down. He looked for comfort, for one person to show compassion, but there was none. This is a description of Christ's life that culminated on the cross. The reproach Christ endured did not begin or end there. We do Christ a grave injustice to assume His suffering was reserved to His hours on the cross.

When we magnify the suffering of Christ, His grace to us shines brighter. He was given gall for food and vinegar to drink, but He joyfully gives to us His broken body and shed blood. Whoever repents and partakes of Christ by grace through faith will live forever. Jesus is the One who makes our hearts a living spring of water, a fountain of the Holy Spirit. When we face trials, are reproached, and suffer, may we understand that Jesus knows our suffering and experienced greater still. He is able to bear our burdens, and has entreated us to cast our cares upon Him because He cares for us. Hebrews 12:1-3 reads, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."

When we focus on our pain or struggles, our eyes have drifted from Christ. Look upon the face of Jesus today! Look upon Him stricken upon the cross, struggling for breath. See His sweat as great drops of blood in Gethsemane as He agonized. Look upon Christ weeping over Jerusalem! Look on Christ as He wore sackcloth and fasted as a young man and was greatly reproached. Think of His heart broken by His brothers and countrymen alike, completely misunderstood and hated. "Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls." Jesus has not left us without comfort, but has provided the Holy Spirit to indwell and strengthen us as we live out our days for God's glory. How good is it to have a God who was in all points tempted and remained without sin! Not only that, but He has loved us with an everlasting love.

God knows your struggles, heartache, and pain. Turn your eyes upon Christ in trust. He treasures you above His own life and will never leave or forsake you. You are not alone!

Give Yourself to the Holy Spirit

2012-01-16T19:29:00.000-08:00

I have been blessed and challenged through the reading of They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman. Chapter 18 speaks of the yielded and consecrated life of Walter L.Wilson. Like all people, Dr. Wilson was not always yielded to the Holy Spirit. Edman relates how Dr. Wilson lived a Christian life for many years independent of the Holy Spirit's power. His concern was that any focus on the Holy Spirit would reduce the glory of Jesus Christ. Yet we read in scripture that the Holy Spirit will not glorify Himself but magnify Christ. Jesus says in John 16:12-16: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁶ "A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me, because I go to the Father."

On page 122-123, V. Edman speaks of a sermon God used to confront and change Dr. Wilson through the renewing of his mind. "Then came January 14, 1914, Dr. James M. Gray, at that time a clergyman of the Reformed Episcopal church, and later the beloved and revered president of Moody Bible Institute, was speaking in Kansas City on Romans 12:1. Dr Wilson recalls the impact of that message: 'Leaning over the pulpit, he said, 'Have you noticed that this verse does not tell us to whom we should give our bodies? It is not the Lord Jesus Who asks for it. He has His own body. It is not the Father Who asks for it. He remains upon His throne. Another has come to earth without a body. God could have made a body for Him as he did for Jesus, but He did not do so. God gives you the privilege and the indescribable honour of presenting your bodies to the Holy Spirit, to be His dwelling place on earth. If you have been washed in the Blood of the Lamb then yours is a holy body, washed whiter than snow, and will be accepted by the Spirit when you give it. Will you do so now?''"

This was the prompting Dr. Wilson needed to give himself fully for use by the Holy Spirit. On page 123 his prayer to the Holy Spirit is recorded from his own lips: "My Lord, I have mistreated You all my Christian life. I have treated You like a servant. When I wanted You I called for You; when I was about to engage in some work I beckoned You to come and help me perform my task. I have kept You in the place of a servant. I have sought to use You only as a willing servant to help me in my self-appointed and chosen work. I shall do so no more. Just now I give You this body of mine; from my head to my feet, I give it to You. I give You my hands, my limbs, my eyes and lips, my brain; all that I am within and without, I hand over to You for You to live in it the life that You please. You may send this body to Africa, or lay it on a bed with cancer. You may blind the eyes, or send me with Your message to Tibet. You may take this body to the Eskimos, or send it to a hospital with pneumonia. It is your body from this moment on. Help yourself to it. Thank You, my Lord, I believe You have accepted it, for in Romans twelve and one You said "acceptable unto God." Thank You again, my Lord, for taking me. We now belong to each other."

I believe God is pleased for every person to pray this prayer. It does not matter if you do not yet know Jesus Christ, or have long laboured for Christ without such yielding to the Holy Spirit. Those who come to God in humility He will in no wise cast out. Won't you completely submit to the Holy Spirit today - and the next day, the day after that, and on and on into eternity? This is the only way your life will glorify Jesus Christ to the full.

A Shepherd's Love

2012-01-15T18:43:00.000-08:00

It is not uncommon to see ants scurrying around the door at Calvary Chapel Sydney. As I greeted people arriving to church yesterday, I noticed an ant casualty. In trying to elude the sun, this unfortunate ant had found a spot under someone's shoe. A few minutes later I saw the ant carcass had been picked up by another ant and was carried away. My mind went to the proverb of Solomon recorded in Proverbs 6:6-8: "Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, ⁷which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, ⁸provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest." One of the things ants do is pick up their fallen. When ants die, they release oleic acid during decomposition which alerts other ants to dispose of the deceased.

One tradition in the United States Marines for which they are known is they never leave their own behind. When another soldier is wounded or falls in combat, his brothers in arms with carry him to safety - even at the risk of their own lives. All these thoughts came together in a flash as I considered what our family had read in Ezekiel the night before concerning God's love towards His children. Ezekiel 34:11-12, 15-16 reads, "For thus says the Lord GOD: "Indeed I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out. ¹² As a shepherd seeks out his flock on the day he is among his scattered sheep, so will I seek out My sheep and deliver them from all the places where they were scattered on a cloudy and dark day...¹⁵ I will feed My flock, and I will make them lie down," says the Lord GOD. ¹⁶ I will seek what was lost and bring back what was driven away, bind up the broken and strengthen what was sick; but I will destroy the fat and the strong, and feed them in judgment."

For me this ant illustration was a strong exhortation to examine myself in light of God's description of what pastoral work includes. Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd. He feeds the flock, seeks the lost, brings back those who have been driven away, binds up the broken, and strengthens the sick. By the grace of God I desire Jesus Christ to do these things through me and others in the church. How good it is to have such sweet affection and desire of God fixed upon us! This is the same love that God desires to work in and through us to reach the world. May we submit to such love!

God Uses Pain for Good

2012-01-15T18:06:00.000-08:00

Isn't it amazing how God uses pain and hurt for good in the sanctification process? He is like a master surgeon, willing to cut through skin, flesh, and bone to expose the cancer of selfish wickedness we were unaware of which grew within us. Unlike a surgeon, however, He allows us to remain conscious during the procedure. As we lie flat on our backs He takes a mirror, shows us the cancer, and asks us if we will admit that such filthiness exists. He has the power and expertise to easily remove the sin which remains, but He will not remove the hindrance to spiritual health, power, and communion unless we ask and submit to His loving hands. Sometimes God uses pain to show us how feeble our faith can be.

I have been reading with interest a most useful book called, They Found the Secret by V. Raymond Edman. The pages contain numerous testimonies of God's faithfulness to love, call, and pursue men and women He worked greatly through. On the subject of pain, Frances Ridley Havergal understood well the role God intends when people experience physical suffering. She says on page 66, "...pain is not mystery when looked at in the light of God's holiness, and in the light of Calvary...Pain, as to God's own children, is, truly and really, only blessing in disguise. It is but His chiseling, one of His graving tools, producing the likeness to Jesus for which we long. I never yet came across a suffering (real) Christian who could not thank Him for pain."

In another passage, Edman quotes concerning the life of Andrew Murray. "Then something painful happened to Mr. Murray. Miss Carmichael records that this is how he met it. He was quite for a while with his Lord, then he wrote these words for himself: 'First, He brought me here, it is by His will I am in this strait place: in that fact I will rest. Next He will keep me here in His love, and give me grace to behave as His child. Then, He will make the trial a blessing, teaching me the lessons He intends me to learn, and working in me the grace He means to bestow. Last, in His good time He can bring me out again - how and when He knows. Let me say I am here, (1) By God's appointment, (2) In His keeping, (3) Under His training, (4) For His time.'" (pg. 89)

Over Christmas this past year I was stricken with a fever. Although a minor affliction compared to many, for days I was experienced pain and discomfort. I was surprised how much of my time on the sickbed I spent praying. I did not pray only from deliverance from the sickness, but I found myself praying about different people and situations God brought to mind. I smiled to myself as I thought, "I see now why you allow me to be sick, LORD. It is a way you arrest me to pray." I praised God for my condition (though I rejoiced in the eventual healing too, I assure you!) because it was as if God pulled back the veil slightly to see His hand at work - despite my suffering. Even in those seasons when God's plans are completely obscured from our vision, we can know with all certainty that God is at work in us through trials and pain. Romans 8:28 teaches us, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."

The chapter titled "Fraces Ridley Havergal: The Overflowing Life" closes with her poem, "Like a River Glorious:"

"Like a river, glorious in God's perfect peace,

Over all victorious in its bright increase;

Perfect, yet it floweth fuller every day,

Perfect, yet it groweth deeper all the way.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,

Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;

Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,

Not a blast of hurry touch the spirit there.

Every joy or tial falleth from above,

Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love.

We may trust Him fully all for us to do;

They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true."

(They Found the Secret, pg. 68)

Strength and Power to His People

2012-01-13T16:23:00.000-08:00

"O God, You are more awesome than Your holy places. The God of Israel is He who gives strength and power to His people. Blessed be God!"

Psalm 68:35

The irony of this verse struck me afresh this week. It is unthinkable for a king to freely give of his wealth to his people. In the days when kings ruled over the kingdoms of the earth, they possessed resources that eclipsed the resources of their subjects. They had the power to demand taxes of goods and gold, gathered military might, and dwelt in safe strongholds. Kings had the ability to write laws and enforce justice. But all kings of the earth have one thing in common despite their differences: their reign had a beginning and an end. There were limits to their wealth, power, and glory. A king only had so much food in his storehouses or gold in his treasury. He could not give away his wealth or power freely because he only had so much. If he weakened himself greatly, someone else with eyes on the crown could easily displace him.

God is the Creator and King of all that has been made. All His resources, power, and strength are limitless. He gives strength and power to His people from infinite stores. Instead of being weakened by His gracious, generous giving, God increases His glory, influence, and power upon the world through weak human vessels. God does not withhold goodness from His people because of fear His crown or kingdom is in jeopardy: in giving strength and power to His people He further establishes His rule among the nations. In His generosity and grace we see the awesomeness of God revealed. The more God's people receive, the more God is glorified.

The example of the KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS teaches us to love, extend grace, and give liberally to others as Jesus Christ has given unto us. God faithfully supplies the needs of His people not so they can become rich and live as kings on earth, but so we might glorify our king through loving others as He has loved us. We need not fear because He has promised to supply all our needs. Philippians 4:19 reads, "And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus." Instead of worrying about what we don't have, we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto us by God's grace.

Kings have built enormous castles at great cost to proclaim and protect their great wealth. Elaborate and exquisite places of worship have been constructed for the worship of God. But God is more awesome than any work of man's hands; He is more awesome than the temple built by King Solomon where God placed His name. God is more awesome than the Christians He indwells who are now the temple of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who gives strength and power to His people. Our response? Praise and bless the name of our LORD, Jesus Christ! Glorify His name throughout the earth! Give love, grace, and mercy to all as He gives, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Blood of the Covenant

2012-01-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

In Mark Twain's Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Tom and Huck Finn witnessed Injun Joe kill Dr. Robinson. They decided they would keep the matter secret and made a pact, each signing his name with his own blood. Though the book was written in the late 19th century, the practice of sealing an agreement with your own blood is not a new concept. Last night during family Bible reading, we read of circumcision - not your typical after dinner discussion! The biblical history and significance of circumcision is an interesting study because it points to the new covenant in the blood of Jesus Christ.

God appeared to Abram and told him to leave his father's house and land, and go to a land God would show him. So Abram took all his belongings and embarked on an amazing journey of faith. God made many promises to Abram. He told Abram that he would be the father of many nations and give to his descendants the land of Canaan. Genesis 17:1-11 reads, "When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am Almighty God; walk before Me and be blameless. ² And I will make My covenant between Me and you, and will multiply you exceedingly." ³ Then Abram fell on his face, and God talked with him, saying: ⁴ "As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. ⁵ No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham; for I have made you a father of many nations. ⁶ I will make you exceedingly fruitful; and I will make nations of you, and kings shall come from you. ⁷ And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you in their generations, for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and your descendants after you. ⁸ Also I give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you are a stranger, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their God." ⁹ And God said to Abraham: "As for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. ¹⁰ This is My covenant which you shall keep, between Me and you and your descendants after you: every male child among you shall be circumcised; ¹¹ and you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between Me and you."

In establishing a covenant or agreement with Abram, God required Abram's obedience in the matter of circumcision: the covenant would be sealed with Abram's own blood. God changed Abram's name to Abraham and told him that circumcision would be the sign of the covenant between Him and Abraham. It is one thing to believe the promises of God: it is a greater thing indeed to have the faith to walk in obedience! God told Abraham to remove skin from a sensitive part of the body and from every male in his household. This could not be done without cutting, bleeding, and lingering soreness. Instead of saying, "You want me to do WHAT?" Abraham believed God, trusted Him, and was circumcised that day.

Now fast-forward to eight days after the birth of Jesus. Luke 2:21 says, "And when eight days were completed for the circumcision of the Child, His name was called JESUS, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb." According to the covenant of the Mosaic Law, Jesus was circumcised. But this was not the last time that Christ's blood would be shed. Consider when Jesus and His disciples ate the Passover in the upper room and when He instituted the Lord's Supper. He spoke in Luke 22:19-20 says, "And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me." ²⁰ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you." This was spoken on the night Jesus would be betrayed, arrested, wrongfully condemned, and later crucified. Jesus was not only circumcised, but all His blood was poured out on the cross to usher in the new covenant in His blood. It is by grace we are saved through faith, a gift of God.

Romans 4:8-13 states, "Blessed is the man to whom the LORD shall not impute sin." ⁹ Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. ¹⁰ How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. ¹¹ And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, ¹² and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. ¹³ For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith." Paul explains that Abraham received promises and favour from God while uncircumcised. In that day many Jews who trusted in Christ said that one must be circumcised to obtain salvation and forgiveness of sins. Abraham did not earn God's favour through the circumcision of his flesh, but through the faith which enabled him to obey God and be circumcised. The Law cannot save, only condemn. The Law is a schoolmaster which leads us by the hand to Christ so we might repent and trust Him for salvation.

I am convinced that the greatest display of faith is revealed in Jesus Christ as He willingly laid down His life on Calvary. It is one thing to submit to circumcision: it is a greater thing to submit to crucifixion! Jesus said in Gethsemane to the Father, "Not my will, but your will be done." Many men have stared death in the face. But only Jesus believed He would overcome death and predicted He would rise from the dead in three days. People make wild predictions all the time, but not Jesus. He always spoke the truth and not one word has failed from all His promises. After Jesus Christ ascended into heaven John wrote this of Christ in Revelation 1:12-18: "Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

What an awesome God! He is worthy of all glory, honour, and praise. He is the only one worth following for eternity. Jesus has said in Luke 9:23-24, "Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." I trust Jesus and desire to follow Him until the end. He is the one who has willingly given all His life's blood so I could be redeemed and saved from my sins. He offers you salvation through faith. You do not have to write your name in blood, be circumcised to be saved, nor must you be nailed to a cross. He has already shed blood so your sins can be forgiven and His righteousness imputed to you through faith. But if you trust Him you will joyfully endure anything for His sake, whether He tells you to leave your homeland or go to the land which He will show you. There is nothing better than losing your life for Christ sake, for in doing so you find true everlasting life.

Stomp out Sin!

2012-01-08T18:38:00.000-08:00

Last week I had a strange dream. In the dream I found myself in a house that was infested with mice and rats. Traps littered the ground, all of which had caught multiple rodents in a single snap. It was a bizarre sight, rats lined up side by side in formation. I had been called in to deal with the problem and end the infestation. With determination fueled by disgust of the horrible condition of the home, I set to my task immediately. In fact, the rats had become so bold and numerous that the people who lived in the house were starving: the rodents were eating all the food!

As I emptied the traps, I began to set them out again. The most disturbing moment was when an occupant of the home came and asked me not to set out the traps, at least not right away. Perhaps feeling a bit sorry for the rats and mice the woman said, "I didn't think you would put out the traps again so soon. Shouldn't we give them a week or two?" Perhaps she hoped that the rats wouldn't need to be killed, but they would just leave on their own. I was incredulous: here these poor people are struggling to survive, being eaten out of house and home. We can't afford to wait, I told her. Why should we allow rampant breeding and stealing of food without a fight? Should we allow the rat population to recover? The people in the house were conflicted: they hated the rats, but they didn't want to kill them. They knew drastic action needed to be taken, but didn't want to do anything to change the situation.

I had a shocking surprise when I entered a large room. While I had been trapping rats and mice on one side of the house, the rats had been feasting on pizza! Hundreds of pizza boxes had been placed on a table in a grid pattern, and I looked in horror as the rats gorged themselves until they became literally sick. By the time the inhabitants of the house came into the room, the food was gone. All that was remained was the waste and filth left by the rats. I don't often experience emotions in dreams, but I was very angry. I was more angry with the people than with the rats for allowing the condition to degrade to such a state. The rats had a comfortable living arrangement. They were simply following their animal instincts. But he people had means at their disposal for a long time to change the environment and chose to do nothing. They wailed pitifully when they saw their food was gone. They dried their tears, shrugged their shoulders, and hoped to eat tomorrow.

I can't help but think this is an illustration of a spiritual sort. God has offered people forgiveness and deliverance from sin, freedom from the tyranny of the flesh, and the power to live holy, righteous, God-fearing lives. God has granted Christians the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit to help, empower, and guide us through this life. But because of our flesh, the cares of this world, and the raging enemy of our souls, we can allow things into our hearts, minds, and homes that will damage our relationship with God. We stop following Jesus closely. We slowly give into temptations and coddle addictions. We neglect the reading and studying of God's Word, becoming spiritually anemic, weak, and sickly. We allow the flesh to dictate the conditions of our lives rather than submitting to God and standing strong in the LORD and in the power of His might.

If there is a rat or two in your house, odds are you would immediately act: place poison, bait and set traps, close any holes or gaps where the rats are getting in, or call an exterminator. We must be just as vigilant with spiritual disciplines! When we have a single sinful thought or attitude, we must immediately confess it as sin and take it captive. When we fall into temptation we must confess it before God and other brothers and sisters in Christ so they might hold us accountable. This is nothing new for any Christian who seeks to follow Jesus Christ faithfully. The trick is to stay focused and strong in Christ day after day, week after week, year after year - without giving an inch in our lives to sin. Sin is like a roach or rat infestation. It does not start with 1,000 roaches: it does not start as an infestation at all. It starts with one roach and one little egg. Unchecked over time, with ample resources and minimal resistance, a few roaches will grow in numbers until the professionals must be called if anything is to be done.

Jesus is a Saviour, Deliverer, and Redeemer. He is able to drive out demons with a word: is stomping out any sin too hard for Him? He has paid the price on Calvary for our sins and sicknesses with His own blood. Our part is to confess our need, receive the cleansing of His blood by grace through faith, and walk uprightly, remaining sober and vigilant. We have an enemy named Satan, but Christians have a Saviour named Jesus the Christ! We never need be hungry again, for He will satisfy our souls. If there are rats in your home or heart, declare war and follow Christ's lead. If there is anything in your life which is sapping your spiritual vitality, be rid of that thing: end the conflict once and for all. Psalm 60:12 reads, "Through God we will do valiantly, for it is He who shall tread down our enemies." Willpower doesn't do anything against sin: God is the one who stomps our enemies and enables us to be valiant!

Work of Flesh or Spirit?

2012-01-04T15:30:00.000-08:00

As I rode the train yesterday, I paused as I read the Bible to consider the battle between the Holy Spirit and our flesh. The most common battle we face is resisting or rejecting the desires of the flesh to sin. Though our hearts have been regenerated and filled with the Holy Spirit, our flesh still longs to satisfy itself apart from the will of God according to holiness and righteousness. As difficult as it is to always flee from temptation, there is a battle of a different kind which can be more difficult to recognize. Sometimes we feel led to do or say something for God and we are not sure if it is a work of the flesh or the Spirit. We struggle and choose not to act because we would not want our efforts to be a work of the flesh. Many times, I am realizing, this in itself allows the flesh to claim another victory.

The thought occurred to me as I sat surrounded by silent people on the train. Everyone was reading the paper, using mobile phones, or music with ear buds in. Only a couple of people who clearly knew each other were talking in quiet voices. I thought, perhaps I should stand up on the train and say, "Good morning! I just wanted to let you know that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is the only way to heaven!" I recall a time in Seattle where a man stood up on a bus and told the people that all people are sinners and heading for hell and that all must repent and trust in Jesus Christ to be saved. I was a Christian and I felt the uncomfortable tension. True words were spoken on that bus, but people were clearly irritated by the interruption. The response, of course, should not sway us from the presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That day many social norms were unapologetically broken and personal airspace had been commandeered by a terse Gospel presentation. Was that the right thing to do or not? Was it a work of the flesh or of the Spirit?

I am convinced that if the man on that bus spoke motivated by the love of Jesus for the glory of God, what he did in breaking the unwritten rules of public decorum were the right thing to do. He spoke not to make a name for himself but to bring attention to Jesus Christ. He certainly didn't become more popular on the bus with his fellow travelers! The opposite became true: people scowled and looked at him with disgust - something the flesh really hates. The flesh wants to be accepted and to fit in. Today it seems that in general the church is so conflicted about the flavour of the Gospel presentation that the Gospel is not shared as it ought to be. That is like withholding good meat from starving people because you are unsure if they would prefer a teriyaki marinade or a dry rub. Can you imagine hoarding bread from dying children because of the fear they might complain because the bread is wholemeal and not white? Consequently we choose inaction and justify ourselves with the fact that our motivation to give the bread and Living Water of the Gospel might be of the flesh - which is exactly contrary to the truth. The Spirit of God always wants to glorify Jesus Christ, while our flesh is much more concerned with social customs and fitting in with others.

I wish I could report to you that I did stand up on the train and boldly proclaim the Gospel - but I didn't. Thank God that He gives us opportunities all the time to glorify Him and not make the same mistake again, sitting down and remaining silent when God gives words He desires us speak. It was a great benefit to me to have that discussion with the LORD and once for all clear up that dangerous lie, that the opening of my mouth for the glory of God would be an act of the flesh. 1 Corinthians 12:3 states, "Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." If I open up my mouth to glorify Jesus Christ in public, I do so empowered by the Holy Spirit. Love, mercy, grace, and compassion ought to mark my words and deeds. It is time to stand up and be numbered among those who are not just open about their faith but boldly proclaim it. We will prevail and have overcome already, for He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world!

As a Root out of Dry Ground

2012-01-01T21:41:00.000-08:00

Our family enjoyed a beautiful walk at Wentworth Falls in the Blue Mountains this morning. We started early, beat the traffic, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed the sights and sounds of the National Pass. The waterfalls, lush green ferns and gums, gorgeous panoramic views, majestic rock formations, and squawks of sulfur-crested cockatoos made it an amazing setting I heartily recommend and never grow weary of. Not to say it was an easy walk, though: by the end of the walking track we were all ready for a well-deserved rest and light lunch at the Conservation Hut.

As we walked along the National Pass, I frequently observed gum trees which appeared to be growing out of the rock and sandstone. Gnarled roots heaved across dry stone, seeking after a water source. It reminded me of a scripture which speaks of the Messiah, who is Jesus Christ. Isaiah 53:1-2 reads, "Who has believed our report? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed? ² For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. He has no form or comeliness; and when we see Him, there is no beauty that we should desire Him." As I saw roots growing out of dusty, dry sandstone, my mind hearkened back to the Isaiah passage. Jesus did not attract people because of His physical beauty, bulging muscles, light which emanated from His face, or a magnetic speaking voice. In appearance Jesus appeared like a normal person. The thing which Jesus possessed which set Him apart from all others was life. John 1:4 tells us, "In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."

Dry ground does not promote life. Grass does not grow on the dry footpath of the National Pass. But some trees do! Many of the roots of healthy, green gum trees are exposed along the path. The primary difference between the dust and the root is that the tree is alive. Jesus is distinct from all others because in Him is spiritual life. Jesus did not reserve life only for Himself, but offered the unfailing promise of eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him. The great irony is that Jesus embraced death on the cross so all people who place their faith in Him will be washed in His blood and live forever with Him. John 3:16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World. Spiritually speaking, men are born dead in sins. But Jesus came as a tender shoot, like a root out of dry ground, bringing life to all who believe through His death and resurrection.

Jesus says in John 12:24-26: "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. ²⁵ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor." Though there was nothing desirable in Christ's appearance which set Him apart, it is His love and grace which draws men to follow Him. He is glorious in the beauty of His holiness. While we were yet sinners, Jesus demonstrated His love for us on the cross. God has raised my soul from hell, and has brought life to these dead bones by His grace. He will do the same for you because God's Word teaches us He is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Just like I wish everyone could experience the beauty and splendour of the National Pass, I desire more still that all would experience the love and life found in the person of Jesus Christ. The National Pass will someday pass away, but those who trust in Jesus Christ will rejoice in new life for eternity. You will need to take a plane, train, or car to the National Pass and walk it yourself to experience it, but no camera or video can contain the beauty you behold there. No man can discover the wonder of God alone. But Jesus has come to us! He has walked this earth, performed signs and wonders, died for us, and rose from the dead in victory over death. No article, blog, or sermon can adequately portray the beauty of the One who is likened to a root out of dry ground, Jesus Christ. You will never know what life is until you give your life to Him.

Make a Difference with Jesus

2011-12-30T15:00:00.000-08:00

Our family is enjoying the privilege of hosting my parents who are visiting us from the United States. It has been great to chat at length, share delicious food, and show them around our area. Though we have been able to stay in touch via phone calls, skype, and email over the past year we've been in Australia, there's nothing like spending time in person. Even while I type this, I can hear my folks singing praise songs to the LORD. That's something I haven't heard in a while!

Today I went to wash my hands in the upstairs sink, the same place where my sons brush their teeth morning and night. The sink was clean and sparkling. I thought to myself, no doubt my mom has been here. My boys are not slobs, but they are boys. They still at times need to be told when sinks, toilets, and even their bodies need some attention with soap and scrubbing! After they clean the sink, it is not long before it needs to be cleaned again of the ever-present toothpaste residue. Seeing that sink my mom left cleaner than she found it was a good object lesson of how Christians ought to impact this dirty world through the influence of Christ.

Christians are called by Jesus Christ to go the extra mile, not just doing the bare minimum. If our job is to put away the knives and forks and we notice the container is a bit grubby, we can wipe it clean before we put them away. In a spiritual sense, we should seek to bless others with a joyful countenance and a good attitude. If the conversation begins to drop into the gutter, let us speak wholesome words. When we are treated unfairly or with animosity, we can respond with meekness, humility, and love. If someone feels left out, we can greet them with a smile and engage them in meaningful conversation. Christ is the reason why we serve and we rejoice in following His example of giving and giving some more - even doing menial, thankless tasks like washing feet or removing toothpaste residue.

No matter our situation, through Christ we can perform good deeds to bring glory and honour to God. When my kids forget to clean their toilet I can grit my teeth and mutter in frustration: "Those lazy kids! When will they ever learn?" Or I can use it as a moment to demonstrate the love and patience of God and use it as a teaching opportunity. People think serving the LORD is when you volunteer at church, preach sermons, or hand out tracts. Serving God is doing all things unto Him right where you are, meeting even the smallest needs around you as God leads. There is nothing more fun or satisfying than labouring for the glory of God! God wants to make a difference with His positive influence through you today!

Christ: Giver and Gift

2011-12-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

My first Christmas in Australia was memorable. I can't remember the last time I had a fever on Christmas Eve and Christmas! I am now feeling better after a bout of "gastro," which involved chills, fever, nausea, and overall feeling lousy. At a point I was wondering if I would be able to deliver the Sunday message. But I figured God had given me a message to deliver, and He wouldn't have given me the message without the strength to deliver it. Preaching was very much an act of faith on a different level, and that's how I ought to live every day!

This morning in prayer I was struck by the truth of Psalm 23:6: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." God does not grant goodness and mercy to men because some are more deserving than others. It is all through the riches of His grace. Goodness and mercy were granted me both on a sickbed and in health. Not only do born-again Christians have this promise in life, but also lay hold of the ultimate promise of living forever in the presence of God. Wherever a person goes, the goodness and mercy of God follows them. Christians are simply the ones who receive this goodness and mercy through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. It is Jesus who opens our eyes to see.

Christ is both Giver and Gift. He is life for all who trust in Him. In the days following Christmas, millions of people will return unwanted gifts back to retailers for money or store credit. For many, Jesus is tragically one of the most often returned, unopened gifts. Yet there is no gift more valuable! The story of Christ's birth, death, and resurrection is more than a curious legend we tolerate for one day of the year: it is the miracle of love come down from heaven so all sinners could be saved. God has given the greatest gift in Christ. To think that some people keep their trinkets, games, and digital devices but return unopened the love, redemption, and reconciliation with God afforded man through Jesus!

Let us celebrate the joy of Jesus every day, regardless of the season. Every day is the season of celebrating our Saviour!

Way of pain - Way of Life!

2011-12-23T15:17:00.000-08:00

With our boys enjoying holidays from both school and sport, over the last week we have spent much more time together as a family. One of the things we did was watch The Lord of the Rings and eat popcorn made from a old-fashioned machine Laura picked up at the Salvos. In Tolkien's classic Sauron, the dark lord and maker of the ring, threatened to take shape and cast the world into shadow. Gandalf went to seek counsel from the leader of his order, Saruman. Having been corrupted by Sauron, in the movie Saruman tried to convince Gandalf it would be wise to ally himself with the evil lord Sauron. Gandalf refused. After a brief wizard's duel, Saruman proved more powerful than Gandalf. As he lifted him in the air Saruman shouts, "You have elected the way of pain!" When Gandalf eventually escaped with the aid of a giant eagle, Saruman says almost to himself: "So you have chosen death."

Saruman's sentiment was ironic, seeing that it was he who later died and Gandalf lived. With Christmas right around the corner, I have been thinking about the miracle that God became flesh and dwelt among us as a man on earth. Instead of coming in angelic splendour or on the wings of giant eagles, Jesus was born as a fragile baby, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and placed in a feeding trough because there was no room for Him in the inn. He elected for Himself the way of pain. He chose to endure life as a human being complete with emotions, bodily functions, weakness, fatigue, and need of food, water, and sleep. Jesus was sent to His own and they did not receive Him. He experienced grief, sorrow, and heartache like none on earth can know.

The life of Christ is described by more than simply the experience of pain. He lived a flawless existence according to the Law. Unspoiled by a sin nature, Jesus demonstrated the love the world could not and still does not fathom. He taught people the wisdom of God, fed the hungry, healed the blind and deaf, cleansed the lepers, cast out demons, raised the dead, and called men from all walks of life to follow Him. Jesus did not only choose a life of pain but embraced His own death. It was through His sacrifice on Calvary that all who repent and trust in Him as Saviour find eternal life by grace. It is by His stripes - painful lacerations - that we are healed (1 Pet. 2:24). Jesus died to Himself daily before He was nailed to a Roman cross died in the sight of many witnesses. Three days later He rose from the dead, proving His power over Satan, sin, and death.

Hebrews 4:14-16 reads, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. ¹⁵ For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. ¹⁶ Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." No matter what pain we face in this life on earth, Jesus can empathize with our weakness, temptations, and hurts. We are entreated therefore to boldly come before His throne of grace in prayer that we may "obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." In this time of year which often emphasises what we receive, God grants us grace so we might help. God is our Helper, and we are to help others. How awesome is our God and King, full of mercy and grace!

The life of a Christian is one who chooses the way of pain and death so we might experience abundant life through our Saviour, Jesus Christ. It is a life of sacrifice, but it is not bitter. Jesus invites us in Matthew 11:28-29: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." All people experience pain, but Christians have hope, help, and healing found only in Jesus. These are gifts already given: have you received them? Rejoice in the One who has brought peace, joy, and salvation to men!

Seeking and Saving

2011-12-20T16:17:00.000-08:00

Have you ever misplaced something in your home? You look in all the usual places and scratch your head. "Hmm. Where could I have put it?" So you check the same usual places again with greater care. Not finding the item, you now expand your search to very unlikely places. Finally, sheer desperation causes you to search everywhere, thoroughly examining places you know the item should not or cannot be. It is the value placed upon the item that drives us to drop everything and search until the thing is found.

Yesterday my wife and I had such a moment. Of all things, we were looking for an important receipt. At first Laura was the only one searching. Before too long, I was knee-deep in the file cabinet searching carefully. The search expanded through the office, bedrooms, closets, even the bathroom! Finally, after looking for over thirty minutes, our search was rewarded with success. Note to self: avoid stashing receipts in shoe boxes. That's a lesson I didn't think I needed to learn. What was really funny is I was struck by how few places there were to look, and Laura was troubled by how much stuff we have!

Had it been a receipt from Hungry Jacks or Spotlight, our search would have concluded in mere minutes. We would have shrugged our shoulders, resolved to put the receipts in the proper place next time, and moved on. In this case, finding the lost receipt was critical because of specific information written on it, in addition to proving the cost and retail value of our purchase. It reminded me of a parable Jesus told in Luke 15:8-10: "Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it?⁹ And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!' ¹⁰ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

When the woman in the story misplaced one of her 10 silver coins, she did not wait for the light of morning to aid her. When she first recognized her loss, the woman lit a lamp and searched carefully. She swept the floor again and again. She retraced her steps and checked pockets, looked in vessels, even examined under the furniture! Her persistence paid off and she found the lost coin. She rejoiced to find what was lost, and desired that all would rejoice with her. Jesus summed up His point: just like a woman searches for a lost coin and rejoices when it is found, so God and the angels rejoice over one sinner who repents. The woman is not angry at the coin for rolling under the table. She did not yell or threaten the coin with a time-out. She was relieved and rejoiced because what was precious to her had been safely restored.

Our search for that dumb receipt yesterday has prompted the question: how much value do I put on lost sinners? I am willing to drop what I am doing to look for a receipt I feel is important, but how much effort do I put into seeking and saving the lost through sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Is it possible that Christians could value misplaced items over lost souls of sinners? If we value people lost in sin like Jesus does, we will expend much effort in seeking to have them reconciled to God through repentance and faith in Christ. God used this receipt episode to show me I need to value people more like He values them. When we value others, we will invest time, love, and grace in them.

I thank God that He rejoices over those who are found, and with those who are part of His restorative process of justification and sanctification. Luke 19:1-10 relates a compelling story: "Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. ² Now behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus who was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. ³ And he sought to see who Jesus was, but could not because of the crowd, for he was of short stature. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see Him, for He was going to pass that way. ⁵ And when Jesus came to the place, He looked up and saw him, and said to him, "Zacchaeus, make haste and come down, for today I must stay at your house." ⁶ So he made haste and came down, and received Him joyfully. ⁷ But when they saw it, they all complained, saying, "He has gone to be a guest with a man who is a sinner." ⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." ⁹ And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; ¹⁰ for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." What more can be said? I want to be like Zacchaeus and Jesus, not like all the complainers who despised God's grace. Today is the day of salvation!

Silly Season?

2011-12-19T18:00:00.000-08:00

In Australia the term "silly season" is often used as a reference to the Christmas season, where Christmas is associated with sun-soaked beaches, family barbies (BBQ), seafood, mangoes, and drunken revelry. With kids and adults on holiday the potential for silliness reaches new highs or lows, depending on your perspective! It is silly to go into debt for the whole year to purchase gifts. But I think to gloss Christmas as "silly" goes way too far. The commercialism of Christmas should not stunt our wonder or dull the glory of Christ's coming. There's nothing silly about my Saviour.

Christmas is celebrated in different ways and for widely different reasons across the world. Some may celebrate Christmas merely from family or cultural tradition. It is an opportunity to gather with friends and family over special food and give gifts. Others see it as a huge waste of time. There are some who see it as a Christianization of a pagan holiday. I see Christmas as an opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah sent to seek and save the lost. As far as I can see, Jesus is the reason for the Christmas season and all others. Jesus is the Giver, and He has given Himself as the Gift: providing forgiveness, righteousness, and eternal life for all who repent and trust in Him.

The Bible describes a future event when the world will rejoice over the death of the two witnesses sent by God. After their testimony is complete, Satan will slay them. Their dead bodies will lie in the streets of Jerusalem and everyone will rejoice, refusing to bury them. Revelation 11:10-13 reads, "And those who dwell on the earth will rejoice over them, make merry, and send gifts to one another, because these two prophets tormented those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ Now after the three-and-a-half days the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and great fear fell on those who saw them. ¹² And they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they ascended to heaven in a cloud, and their enemies saw them. ¹³ In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven."

When the people on earth saw God's witnesses were dead, what was their response? They rejoiced, made merry, and sent gifts to each other. After three days, however, God will raise the dead men to life and ascend to heaven. When Jesus came to earth, wise men brought gifts in worship. If even heathen people rejoice over death by giving gifts, it is certainly not silly to rejoice and worship Christ - the Giver of Life to all who will believe - through giving gifts to one another. It is not silly to give! The end result? May our celebration begin and end with giving glory to the God of heaven.

However you celebrate Christmas, may you do it as unto the LORD. Romans 14:5-9 says, "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. ⁶ He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. ⁷ For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. ⁸ For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's. ⁹ For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living." As long as we live, let us live as children of the Most High God! Jesus is not dead, but alive! He came to set the captives free, open the eyes of the blind, and deliver mankind from sin and death. Sound it from the mountains, spread the Good News in the valleys: "Joy to the world, the LORD is come! Let earth receive her King."

Reign this Christmas, LORD Jesus. Reign now and always!

Blessings of God

2011-12-15T14:29:00.000-08:00

When we talk about blessings from God, many times we think in temporal terms. The material things we receive by God's grace are certainly blessings, but they cannot compare with the priceless gifts God has given all who repent and trust in Him. Our homes, cars, food, and jobs are blessings from God. But all of these things will pass away. Psalm 32:1 reveals King David's perspective concerning blessings from God: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered."

What a blessing it is to be free from the condemnation, guilt, shame, and damnation due to our sin! No amount of silver or gold is enough to post bail to escape the eternal destruction that sin demands. But God, who is rich in mercy, has sent Jesus Christ to be the Saviour of the world. We are not forgiven because we are sorry, but because Jesus has satisfied the righteous requirements of God's justice through His shed blood. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."

Not only have Christians received the blessing of forgiveness of sins, but of reconciliation with God. Because of sin, every human being is estranged from God. Our sin makes us active enemies of God. But God revealed His love to us that while we were sinners, Christ died for us. God the Father made Jesus Christ the Son, who knew no sin, to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. All who repent and rely upon Jesus are forgiven and have His righteousness imputed to us. We are made co-heirs with Christ and made ambassadors on His behalf to those still in sin so they might hear and receive the word of reconciliation.

All the temporal "blessings" the world can provide cannot give us the peace, joy, and satisfaction of knowing God. Jesus gives love which swallows all our fears, and we are given exceedingly great and precious promises out of the goodness of His grace. What does it profit a man to gain the entire world and lose his own soul? What a blessing it is to have assurance through God's Word and the testimony of the Holy Spirit that our souls are safe in Jesus Christ. The entire world will pass away, but the Word of the LORD will endure forever. Build on Christ, a foundation which cannot be moved!

Risk Worth Taking

2011-12-12T16:42:00.000-08:00

I recently read John Piper's book Don't Waste Your Life and was challenged. It is easy to go through life being busy but not necessarily with things that count for eternity. As a Christian, I know that I am called to walk by faith. Faith is demonstrated through obedience to God without understanding the particulars of His plan from start to finish. Abraham was called to leave his family and country and go to the land God would show him. Without being able to tell anyone his goal destination on this side of heaven, Abraham trusted God and went. Because God is worthy of trust and capable to act beyond the imaginations of my limited intellect, I am called to take the next step as God directs. It is a conscious act of relying upon the character and ability of God to do what I cannot predict. His ways are higher than my ways, and faith releases God to do His wonders.

Since Christians are called to walk by faith and absolute trust in God, the denying of the flesh to obey God will make my flesh uncomfortable. The flesh is conditioned to walk by sight, not by faith. The path of following Jesus Christ does not always appear to the eyes to be safe or even desirable. But since Christ is both the means and the substance of my life, He is always to be treasured above all. In his book, Piper voiced some excellent observations concerning the aspect of risk in following Christ. He writes: "Why is there such a thing as risk? Because there is such a thing as ignorance. If there were no ignorance there would be no risk. Risk is possible because we don't know how things will turn out. This means that God can take no risks." (Piper, Kindle edition, pg. 100) God can take no risks, and any apparent "risk" from a worldly perspective a Christian takes by faith in God is simply a mirage. The fact that I see risk is proof of my ignorance. I embrace the fact of my ignorance that I might rest in God's wisdom!

You've probably seen the ads on television for investment firms who provide historical data and statistics to aid people in selling and trading stocks. Based upon evidence, people invest money where there is the probability of lowest risk and highest yield. Often the higher the risk, the higher the potential yield or loss. When setting up investments, financial advisers recommend that investors diversify so all the money is not committed to a single fund. The theory is while one fund may lose money another will remain stable, and the conservative funds will slowly build. But Jesus tells us we cannot diversify our faith in this way. We cannot put some of our faith in our business, a little in our savings and properties, and invest our faith in Him when it is time to pay the bills and taxes. No, we must put all our faith in Him alone. The following quote is often attributed to Jim Elliot: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." Jim Elliot risked his life to share the Gospel to unreached people in Ecuador and he was killed in the mission field by Waodani warriors. But it was not a risk to follow Jesus on that path of the cross. In dying a Christian gains what he cannot lose: a glorious entry into eternal life with Christ, where we shall worship, glorify, and serve Him forever.

When we follow Christ in faith, inevitably we will be faced with what appears to be risk. If there is no risk in our Christian experience, then we must seriously consider if we have experienced Christ! God cannot risk because He knows all things. This is not an invitation to be foolhardy or cavalier, assuming God will come to our rescue when we make foolish decisions because of pride. But if God directs you to take a step of faith, there is no risk in obedience. So take that step, believer! God is able to accomplish all that concerns you today!

Your Daddy Matters

2011-12-11T14:10:00.000-08:00

On Saturday my club baseball team played after a three-week hiatus. When I slid into second base ahead of the throw, I bent my right wrist back. I never used to be sore after playing baseball as a young person. The only thing which experienced soreness was my throwing arm after pitching. Now I have all sorts of lingering injuries: knee, calf, hamstring, wrist, AND shoulder. Getting older makes a person long for heaven!

As I grimaced and moved the wrist around, the second baseman said, "Injury?" "Just aggravated an old one," I said. Then she said something I did not expect: "That's because you came from apes." While I was sorting out whether it was intended as a personal insult based upon my appearance or sharing her views of the origin of the human race, the ball was hit and I was off to third. I found the comment disturbing because I do not believe that any human being is a descendant of apes. I believe that Adam was the first human being, formed by a loving God in His own image.

Her comment prompted me to ask the question: how would my life be different if I truly believed my family tree branched off from apes in the distant past. If an ape is my distant relative, than I was not created in the image of God. Human beings then are no different than any other animal. Ethics and morality become empty philosophies with no grounding in absolute truth. As animals are driven by instinct without free will, so my highest purpose in life is to exercise my glands to feed the desires of my flesh. There is no heaven, and certainly no hell. There is no absolute right and wrong. There is o future judgment but no future hope. The only thing I could be certain of is disappointment, misery, and death. Life is pointless, and the sooner it is over the better.

I don't believe in God because it is convenient for me to do so. I believe and trust in Him because I am convinced the Bible is the Word of God. Jesus came to earth, lived a perfect life in fulfillment of scripture, and rose from the dead proving the validity of His claims. God created the order we see in the universe, established all natural laws, and created all plant, animal, and human life according to each kind. The more the scientists investigate into the cell, DNA, and even blood clotting, instead of mastery the mysteries expand. There has been an information explosion in the past 100 years. What the increase of knowledge has done is enlighten us to more things we do not know!

Your family tree makes a difference in how you live. If your great-great-grandpappy was an ape, you are no better than one yourself. God has created man to glorify Him and to make Himself known to all people. Sin has separated man from God. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance and be saved from eternal punishment in hell - the just punishment for a single sin. Jesus gave His life so all might be reconciled to God and experience the forgiveness, peace, and love only God provides. I pray knowing personally the One to whom I speak when I say, "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name!" I know the One who designed apes, human beings, wrists, and knees. God is my Father, and if you were to trace back my family line it would reach all the way back to Adam - not to some beast. Jesus is the One who introduced me to real love, and that's the absolute truth.

Don't Fly from God!

2011-12-04T15:00:00.000-08:00

During the conference at Manly, we bought fish and chips and ate on the Corso. The sea gulls in that region are amazingly well trained. When the birds notice people carrying the white bags, they congregate with squawks in great numbers. If someday you decide to sit on the concrete steps facing the surf, be warned that these birds will come up behind you and hover close over your shoulder until the second you lift the delicious chip to your mouth. Swiftly they will swoop and snatch the chip from the hand. I discovered that sitting at picnic tables with a person facing each other afforded protection from such thievery. I'm sure there's a sermon in there somewhere. True accountability is when we "have each other's backs" by remaining face to face with open communication, looking out for one another motivated by love. But I digress!

While a group of us carefully ate our dinner, I noticed a sea gull whose legs were tangled with a length of black thread. The bird was able to stand on one foot and fly, but was clearly hobbled. The lack of the use of his bound leg would no doubt lead to atrophy or potential infection. Someone suggested we attempt to catch the bird to free it from the cord which bound its legs together. Being a wild bird, however, there was no way this bird could ignore its instincts to flee and trust that our intentions were simply to free it. Whenever we came within six feet, it would fly away. It was sad to see the bird in that condition, and harder still not to be able to do anything about it.

When people are hurt by life experiences, they can respond in a similar manner to the bird. Perhaps they had once in their pain trusted well-meaning people to help them and were only injured more deeply. That bird relied on its wings for safety, but they were powerless to free and heal. As human beings we can build walls to insulate and protect ourselves from future hurt emotionally. But in doing so we can deny loving people and even the healing power of God from restoring our joy, strength, and trust. It is very sad when hurting people withdraw from the saving power of God because they don't trust Him. Afraid that they will only be hurt worse or humiliated for their trouble they flit away, legs still bound with that dark thread.

Much more than we wanted to help that hurting bird, God desires to heal the hurting, hopeless, and helpless. God allowed His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross for the sins of the world who knew no sin, and made Him to be sin for us. God's heart of compassion yearned to free Jesus from the weight of the sin of the world on the cross, but He knew the salvation that would be wrought by grace through faith in Christ's shed blood. John 1:12 reads, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name...". Jesus was willing to be bound to that cross, pierced with nails and thorns, being the perfect Lamb of God without blemish or spot. What comfort we have in knowing Jesus has risen from the dead, the Good Shepherd, who anoints and heals us by His grace. We must choose to submit to His healing touch.

I close with words which were not intended to be limited to memorial services, the words of David in Psalm 23:1-6: "The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. ² He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. ³ He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. ⁴ Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. ⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over. ⁶ Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." Trust God and never fly from His goodness and mercy!

Envision Conference

2011-12-02T23:30:00.000-08:00

This afternoon I returned from a four-day Calvary Chapel "Envision" conference in Manly hosted at St. Matthew's Anglican Church. It was wonderful to meet with pastors and friends from all over the world, hailing from Australia, United States, the UK, South Africa, Scotland, the Philippines, France, and no doubt other places. As we worshiped God through songs of praise, the teaching of His Word, the fellowship of the saints, and serving one another, it was a spectacle of God's grace and love. How good it is to see brethren dwelling together in unity!

As we sang together, it occurred to me how wonderful it would be if we could stay together in Manly, day after day, night after night, praising God and ministering to all the people who wandered in. When we lifted praise to Jesus people stopped, stared, and walked through the doors asking, "What's going on in here?" There is no shortage of people who need Jesus Christ who walk past the open doors of St. Matt's sanctuary every day. But as much as I have a heart to see salvation come to the people in Australia through faith in Christ, I caught myself. It is good to gather together in one accord to seek God with all our hearts. Yet it is God's design that His people would go out into all the world, preaching the Gospel and making disciples of all people! God's power is revealed tangibly through His people in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. If all the Christians at the conference stayed in Manly, God would do great things. But how much greater a work will He do through us when we walk with Christ out of the sanctuary and take Him into our homes, families, workplaces, cities, and nations, with the express purpose to introduce others to Jesus as LORD and Saviour!

The time spent at the conference was sweet, but sweeter days are yet to come. God has a global vision for evangelism, salvation, and discipleship that would blow us away if we were to catch even a small glimpse of it. There are times for joining hands in prayer and voices in song, and there are times to depart riding trains and planes. All these seasons exist for the glory of God, so Jesus Christ may be lifted up and draw all people to Himself. It's not the size of your church that matters. One person walking in step with Christ is more effective in ministry than a thousand who lift their hands in unison and sing a song. Whatever you do, do it with all your might for the glory of God.

God in Your Thoughts?

2011-11-29T15:47:00.000-08:00

If we read the Bible honestly, it will confront and shock us. God uses the truth of scripture to correct our incorrect understanding or assumptions. Today I experienced such a moment as I opened the Word for my morning reading of a few Psalms. David begins Psalm 10 by a vivid description of the attitudes, acts, and even the thoughts of the wicked. There was one verse in particular which God used to correct my understanding of what wickedness looks like. The Holy Spirit brought conviction of sin, shedding light where there was once darkness in my conscience.

In the KJV Psalm 10:4 reads, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." When I think of wickedness, I tend to think of deeds. The works of the flesh are evident and obvious sin. The Bible teaches that sin perverts and pollutes a man from within, and evil deeds are the result. God is righteous, and those who are in Christ through faith receive His righteousness. This verse illustrates the importance of our thoughts. A wicked man does not seek after God. In fact, the fact that God is not in all his thoughts is wickedness. This is a strong statement. We would all agree it would be good if God was in all our thoughts. It would be right for all our thoughts to dwell upon God.

A sampling of other translations show us other facets of the importance of our thoughts in relation to God. Psalm 10:4 in the NKJV states, "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts." The NIV rendering of Psalm 10:4 is as follows: "In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God." The wicked is marked by three variants of the same theme concerning thoughts: God is not in all his thoughts, God is in none of his thoughts, and in all his thoughts there is no room for God. How important then is our necessity to meditate upon God, His flawless attributes and character, His commands, goodness, love, mercy, and grace! There is a reason why God commanded fathers to instruct their children concerning God from when they rose in the morning until the time they lay down again at night. The thoughts of a righteous man could be described in this way: God is in all his thoughts.

Though the translations of the same verse are different, they are all true. Common denominators of the wicked include pride, the fact he does not seek after God, and that God is not in all his thoughts. What a different picture of wickedness this reveals from what we might have thought! I resolve to make room for God in my thoughts, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. By God's grace, may we humble ourselves and seek Him. God desires to be found by us. Praise Him for that!

Does Your Saviour Support You?

2011-11-27T15:34:00.000-08:00

I was a youth when I first saw the comedy starring James Garner called "Support Your Local Sheriff." Garner becomes the sheriff in a rowdy western boom town and employs some unorthodox tactics to maintain order. It wasn't long before he arrested a lawbreaker. He had a major problem though: the new jail still did not yet have bars or doors installed in the cells. The quick-thinking sheriff painted a black line on the ground to delineate the boundary of the cell, and dripped a copious amount of red paint on the outside of the line. The sheriff convinced the ruffian that if he valued his life, he'd stay in that cell without bars or a door - or he'd be like the fictitious previous prisoner who tried to cross the line and was shot for his trouble.

When the family of the ruffian came to break him out, they were surprised to see the effectiveness of the cell without doors and bars. It wasn't too long before the bars and doors arrived and were installed - with the help of the willing prisoner. This is a good object lesson to illustrate a spiritual truth. The Bible says that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. People can be taken captive by the devil to do his will. Both Christians and unbelievers face this risk. The main difference is that when a Christian is taken captive, those bars and doors are not yet installed. He has the power to walk out through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. But people can be tricked to think there is no escape possible for them. A unbeliever is destined for eternal damnation because of sin.

But no matter the fortifications of the prison of sin man or Satan builds, the power of Jesus Christ is able to completely overcome by God's grace. Ephesians 2:13-15 reads, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace..." We don't have the strength, courage, or willpower to overcome sin. But the blood of Jesus is able to do for all what no one is able to do himself. Even if we were to stop sinning, we could not cleanse ourselves of our guilt. We also are incapable of making ourselves righteous. That is what makes the Gospel so wonderful: when we repent and trust in Jesus Christ we receive forgiveness, are made pure, are born again through the Holy Spirit, and are reconciled to God through the righteousness of Christ. That's Good News indeed!

Sleep In Peace

2011-11-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

We have enjoyed uncharacteristically wet weather in Sydney for the past several days. Sydney has been shrouded with thick grey clouds and a steady, light drizzle, a complete shift from the last weeks of warm temperatures and rising humidity. The seasons seem a little confused.

When I opened the Word this morning, I read Psalm 4:8: "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." In the United States, Thanksgiving is being celebrated across the country. How many things do we take for granted God has given us, even something like peaceful sleep! Did you ever thank God for a restful night of sleep? It is God who enables us to sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.

There have been well-documented cases of celebrities whose deaths have been linked to desperate attempts to simply sleep in peace. Marylin Monroe, Heath Ledger, and Michael Jackson are tragic cases numbered among them. I suppose there are an infinite amount of reasons people struggle to sleep. But good sleep, like all other wholesome things we need and enjoy, is a gift from God. Psalm 127:1-2 reads, "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. ² It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep."

Sleep in humans is an interesting study. From articles I've read over the years, even experts can't explain why we need to sleep. The brain can be more active during sleep than when we are awake! But it is no secret that human function is greatly impaired when the body is deprived of sleep. Just like everyone needs sleep, we all need the love of God. God gives us love, grace, and sleep - not to mention everything that pertains to life and godliness. Sometimes we fall asleep unwittingly, but God's love must be consciously received. When we repent and trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are born again and ushered into God's beloved.

You don't need to be a Christian to enjoy a wonderful night's rest, but Christians ought to recognize that even the gift of sleep is received by the grace and goodness of God. He allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. He gives all benefits and blessings that people might recognize His goodness and trust in Him (Rom. 2:4). Thank God for the rest He graciously gives!

My Inheritance Request

2011-11-23T15:00:00.000-08:00

"I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. ⁸ Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. ⁹ You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "

Psalm 2:7-9

The heading in my Bible for Psalm 2 is, "The reign of God's anointed." The term "anointed" is a reference to the Jewish Messiah, who has been revealed as Jesus the Christ. He was not only the Messiah to the Jews, but to all who repent and trust in Him. Previously when I read Psalm 2, I looked at it only in this context. Jesus is the only begotten of the Father (John 3:16) who died for the sins of the world, rose again, and will someday return to set up His rule upon earth. There is a prophetic glimpse of Christ returning in power and glory in Revelation 19:11-16. Revelation 19:15 reads, "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."

God chose the children of Israel out of all the nations to be His inheritance. Deuteronomy 4:20 states, "But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day." How interesting and enlightening that God says through King David to the Messiah, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations (or the "heathen") for Your inheritance." God is not willing that any person or nation should perish, but that all would come to repentance and faith in Him and be saved. God offers Jew or Gentile, slave or free, the opportunity to be numbered among His children by His grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.

For the first time in my life, yesterday I saw that the entreaty of verse 8 is not only relevant to the person of Jesus Christ the Messiah, but to all who have been born again into the family of God. God challenges all Christians to say, "Give me the heathen for my inheritance." As children of God by faith, we have become Christ's inheritance, and He is ours. Our relationship with God through faith has granted us access by the blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and His grace that even the Priests and Levites under the Mosaic Law did not possess. I was once estranged from God because of my sin, but I have been brought near to God through Christ. Ephesians 2:13-18 reads, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."

If Christ dwells in me and I in Him, I have not only a right but an obligation to pray thus: "LORD, you have said in your Word, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the heathen for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession." It is not gold and silver than I desire, or crowns or mansions, nor honour among men or angels. I do not deserve to eat the crumbs from your table, but you have adopted and numbered me among your precious children, even making me a co-heir with Jesus Christ! I ask that you give me the heathen for my inheritance, that many would come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. May you receive the reward of your suffering through my testimony. Grant me saved souls by your grace! May you anoint me to go forth weeping, continually bearing seed for sowing that I may doubtless come again rejoining, bringing my sheaves with me." (Psalm 126:6)

When you see enemies of the Gospel or those tragically heading to eternal destruction, never see them as your enemies: they are your inheritance! Treasure their souls! Allow yourself to consider their condition and weep for their lack. Then supply the good seed of God's Word which will not return void. Sowing to the Spirit brings life everlasting.

God Gives More Grace

2011-11-20T18:11:00.000-08:00

The church will only be the loving, vibrant, fruitful body God designed after we have laid hold of His grace. If we think that the work of God depends on us, our talents, gifts, or aspirations, we will be impotent to step out in faith and obedience. A common trap which ensnares Christians is to look at ourselves, consider what our gifts are, and then only seek to use those gifts. Consequently our actions and lifestyle will only reflect what we perceive in ourselves. This kind of insular thinking has the potential to paralyze us and limit what we are willing to do for God - consciously limiting what we consider to be a reasonable scope of work - and therefore limit His effectiveness to work in and through us. But there is much beyond our perception that God wants to do!

If we agree that all gifts we have been given us by God's grace, let us consider another view. Instead of looking at my gifts, deeming them worthy, and then offering them, how about I look to God? Once my eyes are fixed upon Jesus Christ, I can ask God to open my eyes to see the needs all around me. After He reveals the need, I ask God to grant me grace so God might meet that need through me for His glory. If my focus is on my gifts, I will be forever waiting for the perfect opportunity to trust God to use them, rather than trusting God to give me in that instant the gifts in the moment of need. All I have is from God anyway: can't He do more in my life today than yesterday? Or am I going to chain myself to the past, limit my faith, and deny the fact God can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what I could ever ask or think?

We all know there are grave needs in the world. There is no shortage of needs in our own neighborhoods. But I will never know the needs of people until I get to know the people themselves. What kind of doctor could make a correct prognosis and administer medication without knowing the patient, examining their medical history and symptoms, and communicating with them? If you want to know the needs of your community, it starts with creating relationships one person at a time. Pastors Matthew Barnett and Bill Wilson are perfect examples of men who immersed themselves in the lives of people and God has used them mightily to reach lost souls for Christ. The church, made entirely of Christians, is hamstrung if all Christians only have relationships with Christians. We must seek to interact with all people so the love of Christ might be revealed through tangible means. That's what Jesus did and what He wants us to do.

Not every fellowship will grow to be as numerically large as the Dream Center in Los Angeles or Metro Ministries in New York, but the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit enables each church fellowship to be fruitful, effective, and a place where the miraculous is common. After all, no church will ever be judged by God on account of the square footage of buildings, number of parishioners ministries, or buses, or how talented their musicians or singers are. God is seeking people to love and trust Him. He is looking for people to obey His leading and desires we would use all He has graciously given to bring souls to salvation, make disciples of all nations, and faithfully feed the flock of God. God's eyes do not light up at our volume of service or sacrifice, but He rejoices over two mites thrown into His treasury out of a heart rejoicing in faith. How we give matters most to Him.

Don't wait for someone else to lead. Let us look to Christ and purpose in our hearts to follow Him and trust that He will supply all our needs. He is able to accomplish what concerns us today. Will God deprive us of what we need when we are about Christ's business?

Don't Eat What You Should Chuck

2011-11-17T23:36:00.000-08:00

The other night we had an interesting occurrence at the dinner table. Everyone in our family had nectarines with dinner. It's not an oddity to eat fruit in our house, but what happened next was a first for me. I was assured that the nectarines had been washed just after being purchased. But being the avid fruit and vegetable washer that I am, I still examined it carefully. Where the stem used to be there was a little grey fuzz, nothing scary. I poked a knife into the hole and suddenly a tiny stick poked out a couple centimeters away. I removed the knife and held it up in the light to see better. Funny, I couldn't see the stick. Again, I cut into the nectarine and suddenly the stick appeared again. Wait a second, I thought. Something weird is going on...it was one of those strange moments when the brain is a little slow to process.

Upon further examination, I could see the stick bending ever so slightly. I stabbed right into it. As you may have already guessed, I was disgusted and surprised to see my nectarine was inhabited by a small worm! Before too long I had cut the worm on my plate, proudly displayed for all to see. Then I cut out the small bad spot and washed the nectarine again. And yes, I ate the rest. Apart from that soft, blackened pinhole the fruit was fine. I did notice, however, that the rest of Laura's nectarine remained uneaten. It takes more than a tiny worm to ruin my appetite.

So much of life is like that nectarine. Much of the programming on TV is fit for family viewing: sports, cartoons, nature shows, even some movies and shows. But there is a lot of programming that is pure garbage for the eyes and mind. Even in good shows there can be bad spots. It's a lot easier to cut the bruise out of a nectarine than to trim out a word or a mental image from a show. That's where discernment comes in. Even too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. It's good to have fun but not at the expense of responsibility and morality.

Sometimes for the sake of that one black spot a whole show or movie must go. But there are times when it is alright to skip a scene and keep a movie. What if we were as careful with what we watched on TV or the internet as what we put in our mouths to eat? No one in their right mind would eat that peach which suddenly went very wrong on my bench yesterday. In the matter of a day it was an oozing, green haired, foul piece of fruit so rotten it could not be eaten (word to the wise - don't leave fruit too near your electric kettle). The funny thing is, we can watch stuff that's just as bad spiritually and pollutes our minds - without giving it a single thought.

So the next time you find a worm in your fruit, are you going to eat it? Or will you cut it out? Same thing with what we put before our eyes. Sometimes that thing needs to be thrown in the bin. It's no good for you, and it will make you sick. A worm may not eat much, but a little sin can consume your life! By the time you recognize the symptoms, it may be too late for an easy cure. Take it to the LORD. He will grant the wisdom you need to make the righteous decision.

Tawny Frogmouth!

2011-11-14T23:40:00.000-08:00

One blessing about living in Australia is the benefit of living in close proximity to natural wildlife. When the boys arrived home from school today they shouted in excitement, "We found a tawny frogmouth!" My favorite bird is the tawny frogmouth, followed very closely by the kookaburra. Tawny's have very expressive faces and have an amazing defense behaviour that imitates a tree branch (very convincing!). They also can be quite tame and allow you to pet them as they flash their bright yellow eyes. The boys led Laura and me down the street and showed us a juvenile bird.

When we first approached the bird, he acted like he didn't see us. But when we came nearer, he opened his eyes and showed us his very large, red mouth. He almost looked like a fuzzy bird version of a triceratops when he puffed himself up!

Many people in Australia volunteer to look after injured native wildlife and lost birds like this one. If you find one of these birds and it's making hungry croaking noises, raw mince (ground meat) is a good thing to feed them.

After dinner we saw some people congregating around the bird and a man was holding it. The boys ran over to investigate and discovered the man is a volunteer who looks after lost or injured animals. With the bird resting comfortably in capable hands, the story has a happy ending.

What a treasure life is! Thank God for all the beautiful wonders He has created and allows us to enjoy - sometimes right outside your door!

My Baseball Story

2011-11-13T23:50:00.000-08:00

Because this blog is open to the public, it is possible people may read this blog without knowing me personally. This blog serves several functions: to glorify God, as a vehicle to express truths God impresses upon me, to communicate thoughts, and to bless others. As a pastor I am always looking to relate and apply biblical truth through common things. Though I am called to be a pastor, I also have the privilege to be a Christian, husband, dad, brother, teammate, and gaming enthusiast. I am a regular human being, not some self-proclaimed spiritual master. Sometimes a story is a descriptive way to introduce people to yourself. Well, here goes.

As a kid, I played baseball for about six seasons. My best years playing ball stretched from age 12 to 14. Pretty depressing that my best days were over by 14! I was known around the league for my pitching, relying heavily upon a devastating overhand curve that gave people fits. I hit for a decent average but never with much power. My dad would yell, "Down and hard!" My swing was built for contact, and I never swung for the fence. In the snack bar there was a board that listed all the players who had hit home runs during the season. Some guys hit 10 or more, but I was fortunate to bounce one off the top of the fence. Hitting the fence didn't put your name on the board.

Me and my brother would play home run derby for hours in the back yard. We would choose our three favorite players and see who could hit more homers. A telephone line ran high through the air in the center of the yard. Over the line was a home run but over the fence was an out. My brother would be Andre Dawson and Don Mattingly while I was partial to Fred McGriff and Chet Lemon. The funny thing is, Chet Lemon wasn't really a power hitter and I never saw him play because he was in the American League. But I had a baseball card of him with a picture of his amazing swing. Like most kids, I always fantasized about what it would feel like to hit a home run. In practice I had hit some, but it wasn't the same as in a game. When I was 15 I tried out for JV and was cut. It was in the tryout that I felt something go wrong in my shoulder when throwing from the outfield. My pride and shoulder were hurt, and I was glad to put an end to my baseball career - or so I thought!

I worked construction for a large part of my adult life and shoulder pain was a constant companion. It would hurt worse some days than others, but I did my best to ignore it. Most of the time I was successful. Last year about this time was when the pain was at the worst. I was so weakened by the pain that I could not do a single push up! For years I had done 40 - 50 push ups in a row right before bed. But the pain was so overwhelming that push ups were impossible. I prayed, "God, please heal this shoulder. I know it's your will to heal. Please be merciful to me." A couple months after this our family moved to Australia.

Slowly, very slowly, the shoulder began to feel better. Five months ago I bought a barbell and 70 kilos of weight and started working out with low weight and high reps. The shoulder still hurt, but I was able to do what I had not done for over a year. It wasn't long after I started exercising that a brother from church suggested that we play in a seniors baseball league. I was intrigued at the thought. But what about the shoulder? Would I be able to play with any amount of proficiency? After Laura and I discussed the opportunity, it was settled: the Grisez boys and dad would all play baseball. Of all the sports available in Australia baseball was the sport we had all played most.

Now what were my honest expectations? I needed to remind myself I am 36 years old, not 14! 22 years had elapsed since I put a ball off the top of the fence. I would have to be patient, build arm strength, work out my mechanics at the plate, have fun and do my best. Pitching was out of the question - well, maybe I could pitch if I limited myself to one inning. My goal was to hit a home run. Laura and I were talking one day and I mused out loud, "You know what, Laura? I've got this giant gorilla on my back. To this day I have still never hit a home run over the fence in a real game. I've had in-the-park homers and some messing around with friends, but never in a real game. But I know I've got it in me. I know I have the power - I just have to execute!" She said without hesitation, "Well if you've never done it before when you were young and fit, what makes you think you can do it now?" I feigned insult, of course. "Are you saying that I'm old and fat?" We both laughed hysterically. And then I proceeded to tell everyone what a tactful wife I have! :)

The first game I pitched one inning. The second game I pitched two innings. My shoulder was pretty sore, but surprisingly I was still able to pitch and started to improve. My velocity was nothing special but my accuracy was improving. Fast forward to the seventh game of the season. We were playing the Castle Hill Knights, the team that thumped us hard the first game of the season. I started the game, pitched almost 5 full innings, and earned the win. But that's not the reason why I'm still smiling about it right now: I hit a home run! It was a no-doubter to left field, easily clearing the six-foot fence. I absolutely smashed it on the screws, perfect trajectory, and saw the ball fly into the bush of Fred Catterson Reserve. I haven't felt that much adrenalin in a long time as I circled the bases, probably acting like I had never hit a home run in my life. Oh wait, that's right - I hadn't! It was amazing and I'm still praising God for that moment.

As our family drove home from church the next day I told Laura, "You know, I think I might go back to the field to see if I can find that home run ball." After lunch the boys and I hopped in the car and headed back to the field where dreams became reality to a 36 year-old washed-up ballplayer. I stood at the plate and envisioned where we saw it go into the bush. Did I expect to find the ball? I figured we had little chance but it would be worth it. A bunch of kids had looked for it without success. Zed, Abel, and I walked to the spot and started our search. Within a minute, we found the ball! Since I was pitching I knew the kind of balls we were using and the ball had a fresh grass stain on it. I put the ball in my pocket and then we decided to keep on looking - maybe we could find a few other souvenirs. It turns out we found 9 baseballs in total (quality ranging from good to very poor!) and a golf ball.

It struck me that we came to the ballpark hoping to find a single ball and we found 9! I started the season thinking that I would have to limit myself to one inning maximum (if I pitched at all) and I pitched almost 5 innings in a single game! There was a day when I could not do a single push up, and months later I hit a home run over the fence in a real game. I thought my baseball career was over at 15 because of a shoulder injury and now my career has seen an unfathomable resurgence! Ephesians 3:20-21 reads, "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen." That is the God I serve, the Creator and Sustainer of all things, the One who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think! You know what? My shoulder still hurts - and so does my left hamstring, calf, and ankle, and my right wrist! But glory to God! He's given me the great blessing and privilege to be a teammate and fulfill a silly childhood dream of hitting a home run in a country where I never dreamt I'd live and love as my own.

The application? Give God the glory and never place limits on what He can or will do. He does exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the same power which raised Christ from the dead and has regenerated us by grace. Taste and see! Isn't grace the sweetest thing you've ever tasted?

Pressed Sawdust

2011-11-13T03:14:00.000-08:00

What passes for preaching these days can be easily confused with modern motivational speakers. I watched for a minute or two this morning before heading off to church. What I saw was a highlight reel of well-known preachers camping on the theme of self-empowerment. Every sound bite was uttered to bolster my self-worth. There was never even an attempt to reference scripture. The highlight reel was designed to stir my emotions as various preachers delivered messages with sensational gravity and profound pauses. One of the pastors informed me and many others that the devil is scared out of his wits because of my power. The problem is, there was no theology and little truth in anything I heard. This humanistic distortion has permeated much of the preaching people are exposed to on television. A tiny shred of truth is a whole lie.

The primary danger the modern church faces is one of the most ancient: the departure from preaching God's Word. When the foundation is no longer Jesus Christ and Him crucified; if sin, law, grace, love, future judgment, and the blood of Jesus are strangely absent from sermon after sermon, then it would be better not to preach at all. Though we live in a day when many people daily have an abundance of food on their tables, the words of Amos 8:11 have been fulfilled before our eyes: "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord GOD, "that I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." Turn on the television any Sunday morning and preaching likely will be found. Drive down main roads in many cities and it is not hard to find a church. But will you be treated to the pure meat and milk of the Word - or humanism distilled with Christian jargon and maybe a token paraphrased verse from the Bible?

I appreciate the different styles of preaching even as hungry people enjoy different styles of cooking. But we're all after the same thing no matter the presentation: fresh ingredients, delicious fruit and vegetables, quality cuts of meat, savory, sweet, or spicy sauces, tender pasta, decadent desserts. If you were to substitute sawdust for the meat, people would instantly know something was dreadfully wrong. But spiritually speaking, pressed sawdust with the sauce of positive thinking passes for meat all the time. People don't know the difference because they've never had the real thing. They have never been taught to read and study their Bibles outside of a Sunday morning. Showy emotionalism has become a substitute for spiritual vitality, and church is an opportunity to rev up to get through another week. This kind of church is no better than a drug that pumps you up until you hit the wall. It leaves you empty and craving a fix - a fix that more and more isn't getting the job done.

Back to that preacher's claim: is the devil really scared of me? Not at all. He could pop me in his mouth like chewing gum and blow a bubble. But the devil understands the authority of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, God made flesh. And when Jesus Christ saves a man through His shed blood by grace through faith, the Holy Spirit regenerates and resides inside that man. Jesus therefore gives authority to born again Christians over all the powers of darkness. But the preacher on TV said that I frighten the devil! I wonder where that is written in the Bible. James 4:6-7 reads, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." ⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you." The Bible tells me Satan is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Pet. 5:8-9). There is no being more proud than Satan, though man tries very hard. All are exhorted to submit to God in humility. Only those who are in Christ can resist the devil by God's grace, and then the devil will flee. Satan likes nothing more than fools strutting around full of themselves rather than being filled with the Holy Spirit. Last time I checked, lions aren't afraid of sheep. But they are afraid of the Good Shepherd. When He throws a blow, He doesn't miss.

Never stray from expository Bible preaching. Even more important, never be fooled into thinking that preaching is a substitute for your own study of the Bible. When we open God's Word in faith, seeking His face in humility, that is the primary way God will speak to us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Hosea 10:12 is a fitting exhortation for us all: "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you." God's Word is like good seed. If we will repent and prepare our hearts to seek the LORD, His good Word will take root in our hearts and produce much fruit. Plant all the pressed sawdust you want, but it will never grow. It's hardly fit for the fire. Let's choose to eat quality meat instead!

The Stubborn Domino

2011-11-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have always had a deep interest and appreciation for science. Scientific discovery has led to improvements in nearly every facet of daily life. Technology, medicine, media, agriculture, manufacturing, and recreation have all benefited greatly from scientific study. But science, even in its modern glory, is not able to adequately answer all the questions we pose as curious human beings. Science often proves up to the task of answering "how," but rarely answers "why?" Science is unable to answer definitively the question of how the world came into being. No one today can make that claim scientifically. It is not able to answer the deeper questions either, like "Why did the world come into being?"

When I went to university, I remember a lecture given by my geology professor that went something like this: "Just imagine: billions of years ago, there was an incredible amount of energy and matter. At some point the 'big bang' occurred and the stars and planets were formed. Through evolutionary process over billions of years, chemicals and amino acids developed into the first living cell. Over many more years, through random natural process, cells evolved through natural selection to produce the rich varieties of life forms we see today." I thought the first words of the lecture were the most compelling: "Just imagine." It was evident my professor truly believed what she taught based upon the evidence presented to her. Because she relied upon diagrams, textbooks, and papers written by others, realizing her own research had a potential degree for error, was not alive billions of years ago, nor can perfectly prove scientifically the exact conditions which existed at that time, there is a degree of faith in her depiction. This is true for everyone, me included.

From our modern vantage point, looking back as we follow the evolutionary model presented by the majority of scientists today, the steps to our evolution could be compared to a line of dominoes which diverged from a single row into many rows. Single cells became more complex and adapted different abilities which gave rise to new kinds of plants, animals, and people. Science seeks to describe through evidence how the dominoes fell, how one species produced another. But let us stand all the dominoes up again and go back to the very beginning of the imaginative, elegant tale. Where did the energy, matter, and information come from represented in that first domino? How did the first domino fall? Why would it fall? The Law of the Conservation of Energy tells us that energy is neither created or destroyed but can be converted from one form to another. The Law of the Conservation of Momentum reminds us that unlike the dominoes which only fall in a single predictable direction, mass and energy can go in any direction! If that is the case, it is difficult for me to imagine that a domino able to go in any direction in a three-dimensional environment could possibly hit the next one to continue the process.

But back to that stubborn first domino! Without describing what substances of which it was comprised, without trying to imagine where the mass, energy, and information originated from, without discussing why it appeared at all, let us consider how it first moved. Dominoes stand until they are pushed. If the table on which they are set it kicked or accidentally bumped by a knee, random dominoes out of sequence fall and the process must be restarted. But to follow the evolutionary model, a domino cannot fall until necessary conditions have been met. So how did the first domino fall? No one knows, and no one will ever know exactly - by the scientific method, that is.

The reason why I find the biblical account of creation by God so compelling is not that it tells us how God made things. We don't exactly know the science behind what it takes to speak things into existence! Nor does the Bible specifically say when the galaxies, stars, and planets were created. But the Bible tells us about Who created things, the intelligence behind the order we see in the world. And the Bible even explains why God created all living things and man in His image: Colossians 1:16-17 reads, "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. ¹⁷ And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist." God created all things because it pleased Him to do so. Revelation 4:11 contains the proper response of man for all God has done: "You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created."

I am filled with wonder when I consider the works of God's hands both in heaven and on earth. I am amazed both by astronomy and the complexity of cells. I am struck by the beauty and vibrancy in nature: the plumage of a bird, the symmetry of a flower, the clear blue of the sea, the white puffy clouds morphing in the sky. I don't presume to know how God imagines or works His wonders, but I rejoice in the revelation of God through nature and scripture. Psalm 19:1-3 reads, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." Knowing God makes me want to dig deeper into science so I might marvel more intelligently concerning His wisdom and wonders!

The Problem of Sin Solved

2011-11-07T21:38:00.000-08:00

The Bible starts with the sentence, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." As amazing as that is, I am still amazed that three pages later sin entered into the world through Adam's rebellion, and death through sin. One only needs to turn to page 6 in my Bible before we read this horrible indictment against man: Genesis 6:5, 11-12 reads, "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually...¹¹ The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. ¹² So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth." The corruption of mankind through sin is a self-imposed tragedy.

More than anything, man desires to be in control. He naturally clutches for power, authority, money, privilege, and seniority. Right from the start, Eve was tempted to be like God by eating the fruit God deemed forbidden. Even before her fall, Satan was lifted up with pride saying, "I will be like the Most High" (Is. 14:14). There is one True God and all others are nothing. Only God is truly in control. Give a man authority over a nation, but he remains without power to make the sun shine or rain fall. Even if he could control aspects of weather, he cannot prevent death from seizing him like any other man. All the propaganda, statues, songs, and slogans will not make people trust him. When we look around the world today, we see men out of control. Who is in control? The book of Job chapters 38-40 should make the answer abundantly clear: God!

Man wants to say he is in control. Years ago I had a friend who admitted he was casually using street drugs. "But I'm not hooked," he told me. "I can stop any time I want to." Apparently he didn't want to stop for many years, lost everything, and even spent time in jail. I'm sure that was all part of the plan, right? Wink, wink. He bought into the lying illusion that he was in control when actually the drugs were calling the shots. But drugs are just a symptom of the problem. Countless memorial services have played the Frank Sinatra song, "I Did it My Way." If we could interview each one, their story might mirror the story Jesus told of the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man lived for himself and ended up in torment. Proverbs 16:25 reveals the truth from God's perspective: "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." Why do people die? Because sin entered the world and death came through sin.

For years people have made a living from performing with exotic, powerful animals like elephants, tigers, lions, and bears. But even after a relationship has been formed with an animal, disaster can strike when an animal lashes out. The performer who at one time seemed in control suddenly is revealed as vulnerable when the teeth sink in. Some people have trained powerful animals for years without severe or moderate injury. But this cannot be said concerning sin. Sin is a beast which destroys the bodies and souls of all who toy with it. God graciously has given us the Law so we might discern sin from God's righteous standard. God's Law is like a schoolmaster who leads us by the hand to the truth of the Gospel. Ezekiel 18:4 reads, "Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die." God reveals something that mere science cannot. Man is a living soul housed in a body of flesh. Jesus says in Mark 8:36, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Because the souls of men are eternal, the value of the body is peanuts in comparison.

I am a sinner. I have sinned against God in ignorance, against my conscience, even maliciously; I have committed both sins of commission and omission. But praise be to God that He has provided a Saviour in Jesus Christ! God loves people and desires that none should perish but that all would repent and trust in Him. Jesus speaks of Himself in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." We have assurance of forgiveness if we will repent and trust in Christ, seeking salvation through Him alone. 1 John 1:9 affirms, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." As a sinner, I deserve death. Yet God has offered to all people eternal life through Jesus.

Maybe you recognize the sin which easily besets you, or perhaps you disagree with the premise that even sin exists! It is appointed for all men to die because of their sin, and then be judged before God by His righteous standard. This is a daunting and terrifying scenario. I am thankful that God is in control, and that is no illusion! One of my favorite descriptions of Jesus Christ, the Alpha and the Omega, is found in Revelation 1:12-18: "Then I turned to see the voice that spoke with me. And having turned I saw seven golden lampstands, ¹³ and in the midst of the seven lampstands One like the Son of Man, clothed with a garment down to the feet and girded about the chest with a golden band. ¹⁴ His head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes like a flame of fire; ¹⁵ His feet were like fine brass, as if refined in a furnace, and His voice as the sound of many waters; ¹⁶ He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. ¹⁷ And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, "Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. ¹⁸ I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death."

Every man has a choice to either believe that he or God is ultimately in control. O foolish man who cannot even keep himself alive, can you ascend to heaven through your own strength? Rise from the dead and live again, if you are able! Are you capable of breaking the teeth of Satan who is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour? Can you by your strength cast aside the bonds of depression, despair, fear, and confusion which weigh down your soul? Your manifestos and worldly philosophies will perish with you. How long will you hope for annihilation, reincarnation, or desire to simply cease to exist because your sin gnaws as a parasite upon your soul? Trust in Jesus Christ while you still can. Not one who comes to Him will He cast out. He is the only One who provides the solution for your sin!

Why Go to Church?

2011-11-04T23:00:00.000-07:00

Last night our family enjoyed the special treat of eating out at a local restaurant. Our server was polite and had an American accent, always a good conversation starter! It turns out he came over from the United States to go to Bible college at a local church. In the midst of the discussion he said something I found interesting. He invited us to visit his church and said, "Sunday nights are some of the best services. It is always very creative - if anything creative is going to happen, that's the service for it."

I realize I have led a sheltered life in many respects, having worshiped the LORD for a majority of my life at one Bible-teaching church. Never, in all that time, have I heard "creativity" as a draw card for someone to attend. There is nothing wrong with creativity. But I can't say that I would prefer one service over another because one seemed more "creative." It left me with the question which all Christians must answer: what is the primary reason that I attend a particular church over another? What reason would I give to a seeker to come to my church? Is it the creativity? The incredible music? The Bible teaching? The love of the people who attend the fellowship? Free doughnuts and air conditioning? I actually heard that one before. Years ago I had a conversation with a lady who said she comes to church because her house is so hot and the church has air conditioning. Shouldn't the worship of God be the reason?

Perhaps I'm crazy, but it's clear that people come to church for all sorts of reasons. Maybe they come to church to keep up the appearance of piety - though they would lose face to say so. Some come for the social aspects, and others religiously attend because they believe it is a good influence on their kids. But what reason does the Bible give for going to church to worship God corporately through church fellowship? Hebrews 10:23-25 reads, "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." As long as Jesus Christ tarries before His certain return, we are exhorted not to forsake our assembling together. And what should our fellowship with one another entail? We should hold each other to Christ's standard of righteousness. We must submit to and consider one another above ourselves for the purpose of stirring up love and good works. Previous verses say that we should draw near to God with hearts full of assurance of faith in Him.

God has given every Christian spiritual gifts to edify the Body of Christ, lead non-believers to salvation through faith in Jesus, and the glory of God. Regular church fellowship - drawing near to Jesus through faith and to each other as members of His Body - fosters unity, support, and growth. If you attend a church because of what you hope to receive, there is a better and higher way modeled by Jesus: He came as the servant of all. There is no one more creative than God, for He is the Creator of all things. But creativity in itself is not a viable substitute for the presence of God and Spirit-led preaching from God's Word.

There's no shortage of churches in the world but there is only one universal Body of Christ. Make sure that where you attend Jesus Christ is being glorified and the Word of God is being taught faithfully. But let me say this: if you do not see the true purpose for gathering at your fellowship being lived out, it doesn't necessarily mean you should leave! By the grace of God, you should seek to meet that lack. You be the encourager. You be the servant. Allow Jesus Christ to live His life through you as you look for His return and be about your Heavenly Father's business. Only through the power of the Holy Spirit can the work of the ministry be done. As the words of King David the psalmist say in Psalm 133:1: "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!" When it is Christ who unites us, none can separate us!

A Shameless Addict

2011-11-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Most mornings after breakfast our family reads "Keys for Kids," a daily devotional by CBH Ministries. Today's story was about a girl who was tasked with a class project studying addictions. She discovered that not only there are addictions which enslave and destroy, but also wholesome and beneficial addictions. The dad in the story suggested a verse which I have always found thought provoking. The KJV of 1 Corinthians 16:15-16 reads, "I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,) ¹⁶that ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth." In the NKJV, instead of "addicted" the word "devoted" is used to translate from the original Greek.

In modern culture, the term "addiction" often has a negative connotation. Addiction carries with it an aspect of compulsion and lack of control. Many people refuse to admit their addictions because in doing so they confess that their life is ruled by an outside activity or thing - perhaps admitting weakness. From a biblical perspective, the only good addictions are those which bring honour and glory to God. It would be a very good thing to be addicted to prayer, Bible study, evangelism, giving, and helping others - as long as necessary responsibilities are not made to suffer. It would be a poor excuse for a man to quit work and cease to provide for his family because he wants to pray more. 1 Timothy 5:8 teaches us, "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

A wonderful aspect of ministry unto the LORD is it does not require the abandonment of all earthy duties and responsibilities. When we are addicted to honouring God, we will in fact become more skilled in all areas of our lives because our attitudes and perspective changes for the better. For instance, we are commanded to "in everything give thanks." It is not necessary for me to enter into seclusion or quit my job to do this. I can continually seek to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving in all circumstances. The Bible also commands us to "pray without ceasing." When I rise in the morning as I prepare for work, I can pray. While I am driving to a jobsite, I can pray. Throughout the day, continually I can devote myself to prayer. How good it would be to become addicted to the obedience and glory of God!

Stephanas and his household are a good example of people who were consecrated for the service of God continually. They were addicted to ministering unto God and serving one another in love. It is possible that we could be deceived to think we are serving God when we are actually serving our own interests. But this could not be said of Stephanas. He was numbered among those who ministered to the saints, who helped and laboured alongside the apostle Paul. It is a high honour to serve the LORD. How much more honourable it is to be addicted to glorifying God! Instead of being second nature, I desire that the honour of God would be instinctual, my initial and sole response to all life throws at me. May I be weak to resist such an addiction that God might reveal Himself in strength through me.

Are you addicted? It's what you are addicted to that matters!

Wisdom From Above

2011-11-02T15:06:00.000-07:00

This morning I read Job 28 and was greatly blessed by the practical insight. Job describes how veins of gold, silver, iron, and precious stones are found through mining. Then he makes a spiritual contrast in Job 28:12-15: "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? ¹³ Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. ¹⁴ The deep says, ' It is not in me'; and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' ¹⁵ It cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price." True wisdom is not found by digging in the ground, space exploration, deep-sea diving, nor is it for sale. The wisdom of God is not obtained through any effort of man, but by the grace of God.

Some believe that wisdom is obtained through life experience or by acquiring degrees as prestigious universities. There is a kind of wisdom that is found on earth, but it is a false substitute for what God calls wisdom. James 3:15 describes the wisdom of the world in simple, straightforward terms: "This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic." No doubt this sounds unreasonably harsh to those who define wisdom from a worldly perspective. Yet see how God's wisdom is described in James 3:17: "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." We see this description personified in God Himself. He demonstrates all these qualities in His love, mercy, and grace towards men.

Consider the catch-phrases of modern philosophy and worldly wisdom: "Might makes right," "Survival of the fittest," "Look out for number one," "If it feels good do it," "God is dead," and much more. Dig as deep you can for wisdom in tradition, religion, technology, scientific advancement, and philosophies composed by men and you will come up empty. Drown yourself in music, art, sex, parties, alcohol, drugs, and your search for wisdom will be fruitless. Visit trance mediums, chant, meditate, and religiously follow your horoscope - yet instead of wisdom you will find fear, bondage, and confusion. Fill your library with all the self-help books written and you will still lack. Live to be 120 years old without faith in God and true wisdom will still prove elusive. The wisdom of God will never be within you unless you are first within Him. Concerning wisdom and God Job 28:27-28 states: "Then He saw wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. ²⁸ And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding." This kind of wisdom is not simply a means to aid survival, but the path to life eternal.

Still not convinced? My words cannot convince any who refuse to consider without prejudice that God does exist, and the Bible is His word written so man might know Him. In fact, it is only the power of the Holy Spirit who can reveal this truth to you. Jesus Christ is the personification of wisdom and more still as it is written in 1 Corinthians 1:30-31: "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption-- ³¹ that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." Broad is the path which leads to destruction, and narrow is the path which leads to eternal life. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one can be truly wise or obtain eternal life except through Him.

Walter Martin Quote

2011-10-31T22:35:00.000-07:00

I came across this statement about integrity in a book I'm reading titled The Kingdom of the Occult by Walter Martin, Jill martin Rische, and Kurt Van Gorden. The final chapter is called, "Evangelism: Reaching the hearts of People." It is an excellent conclusion to an informative book. We live in a day where all kinds of things are peddled for profit and gain. A couple things which should never be for sale are the Gospel or a man's integrity. After emphasising the need to speak when the situation presents itself instead of backing down because the Gospel truth might not be received, Dr. Martin writes this:

Do not change your thoughts to meet anyone else's thoughts or you will lose your integrity. What price will you pay for that integrity? You have a right to your own thoughts and the expression of them. Never change what you said under pressure or you will lose you, and that is the only thing you have. Your words are you, unless they are dollar signs. If you are writing for dollar signs, you do not have any place in the defense of the faith." - Walter Martin (The Kingdom of the Occult, pg. 674)

As Christians, integrity is of paramount importance. Our walk must match our talk or we lose all credibility. God has committed to men the task of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the world, and we are called to be faithful. We are called to unabashedly, without reservation or apology, speak the truth in love even as Jesus our Messiah does. Is it politically or culturally correct to claim that there is absolute right and wrong? No. Is it popular to say you are convinced that the only way to forgiveness and eternal salvation is through Jesus Christ who rose from the dead? No! But as God is my witness it is true, and therefore must be said. We must hold fast to our integrity as Job, who when tempted to curse God held true his confession and would not charge God with wrong. It is easier to curse than bless, isn't it? Let us be strong in the LORD and keep our integrity.

The Seduction of Sin

2011-10-30T19:24:00.000-07:00

This morning I was treated to a series of object lessons on the theme of sin. As I spent a couple hours mowing, weeding, and trimming, the LORD continued to impress the danger sin poses to our lives. A characteristic of sin is how seductive it is. With a tantalizing appearance it beckons, but there is always an incredibly high cost: separation from God. For those who refuse to repent and trust in Christ for salvation, this separation will be eternal.

In the corner of our back yard grows a stunted, sad lemon tree. The sparse, bumpy fruit and wrinkled leaves reveal a sick condition. But today the tree flourished with colour! Round, flat insects of vibrant red, orange, green, and yellow clustered on the end of each branch. These were not bugs I was familiar with, coming from San Diego! A quick online search revealed these insects as destructive pests called "stinkbugs." My eyes widened as I read how they leech the sap from the blossoms and tender shoots, destroying new growth. Had I not known this, I would have allowed the bugs to stay. Their colours were beautiful but their effects deadly. So it is with sin: Eve looked upon the forbidden fruit and saw it was beautiful to behold and very appetizing. She ate and shared with Adam, her husband. The world has never been the same.

Our front yard has several plants adorned with the blooms of spring. One plant in particular has gorgeous flowers of a deep red hue. I am not familiar with the variety, but it is a type of plant which spreads as a flowering ground cover. Though it is surrounded by soft soil, for some time the size of the plant has not increased. Upon closer examination, I found that under the blooms the plant was matted with weeds. The foreign clover was robbing the beautiful plant of water and restricting its growth. Again, this is a picture of how sin and the cares of this world can choke out God's influence in our lives. We are constantly faced with things (perhaps not even bad or wrong in themselves) which compete for our thoughts, money, time, effort, and desires. Like the Parable of the Sower Jesus told, the cares of the world can choke out the good seed of God's Word and render it fruitless.

As I cleaned up, my wife gave me a call. She was at the shops picking up some things when she was approached by a man selling a versatile automotive product. After listening to his spiel, she called me for my opinion on whether she should consider such a purchase. "Not interested," I said. I wondered why she had listened to his pitch in the first place. When she came home she told me the whole story. "He was really nice, not pushy," she explained. "And it seemed like quality stuff. But even with 40% more for free it was $80 for two bottles." "What? If you knew it was that expensive why did you even bother calling me?" I asked in surprise. "He didn't tell me that until the end." And isn't that always the way with the temptations of the world? Sin comes in flashy packages and seems to meet our needs. It comes highly recommended. But we never hear about the cost until we've been sucked in. Just like a drug dealer knows it is in his best interest to give free dope so he can hook people, Satan knows how to lure people to their destruction.

To sum up: sin is often attractive, subversive, deadly, and always has a hefty cost. Praise God that He has given us His unchanging Word so we might know truth from error. Thank God that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of the World who has come to break the chains of sin's captives so they might be free indeed. Let us be sober and watchful, knowing that the enemy of our souls is as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. May we endeavour to keep our lives free from sin that we might maintain close communion with our Heavenly Father and glorify Him always!

Let Us Reason

2011-10-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

We live in a day which encourages the exploration and practice of cultural traditions. Native Americans continue the traditions of their ancestors through dance, songs, native dress, and rituals. Indigenous cultures at one time were under the threat of extinction through systematic eradication or amalgamation with other beliefs. Because of the diversity of cultures and traditions, some have sought to embrace the beliefs and practices of their forefathers. People find identity, security, and a source of pride as they revel in their ethnic and cultural background.

While the embracing of cultural traditions can provide many positive aspects, it is not without great danger. A danger exists when people assume that anything which is ancient or traditional is good. From a biblical perspective, this pursuit and propagation of pagan culture is nothing short of disastrous. The same thing can be said of religion. If your faith rests in appeasing the gods through sacrifice or prostration, chants, your earthly heritage, meditation, the practice of family traditions, even in your denial of God's existence, you build on a foundation of sand.

When Jesus came to earth, He confronted people with His claim of being God made flesh. He said in Matthew 28:18, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth," a claim of deity. He walked among the religious Jews and the Romans with their pagan idols and mythology. In revealing Himself as the Messiah, He has proved all other ways to "enlightenment" and "salvation" as fraudulent and useless - no matter how long people had pursued them. People have long sought after power through the occult (with legitimate paranormal manifestations), but it is a cheap substitute for the power of God. After Christ's resurrection and ascension, Paul addressed the intellectuals in Athens with this argument in Acts 17:22-34:

"Then Paul stood in the midst of the Areopagus and said, "Men of Athens, I perceive that in all things you are very religious; ²³ for as I was passing through and considering the objects of your worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Therefore, the One whom you worship without knowing, Him I proclaim to you: ²⁴ God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. ²⁵ Nor is He worshiped with men's hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. ²⁶ And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, ²⁷ so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; ²⁸ for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' ²⁹ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man's devising. ³⁰ Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, ³¹ because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." ³² And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, "We will hear you again on this matter." ³³ So Paul departed from among them. ³⁴ However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them."

God overlooked for many years the ignorance of man, who groped as in the dark to find Him. But now all men are without excuse, for God has revealed Jesus Christ as the Way, the Truth, and the Life through His sinless life, crucifixion, and resurrection. God has also appointed a day in which every man will face judgment based upon the perfect standard of God's righteousness. When people heard Paul's speech 2,000 years ago there were three basic responses: some mocked, many procrastinated, and some believed. For the Greeks who believed, they were compelled to leave the traditional superstitions to follow the One True God, Jesus Christ. This was a heavy cost, but Christ's yoke is easy and His burden light. Instead of having to bear the crushing weight of sin, God gives great joy which buoys the soul.

Are you a mocker, procrastinator, or a believer? God has given us all the evidence we need in the Holy Bible. Truth can bear examination. I charge you in the name of Jesus Christ, use the faculties of reasoning God has given you to make an educated decision about Christ. Isaiah 1:18 reads, "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." God is a God of reason, order, and infinite wisdom and intelligence. If you seek Him you will find Him, if you seek Him with all your heart (Deut. 4:29).

Sick of Your Life?

2011-10-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

The world is packed with substitutes for Jesus Christ, but every one of them is useless. Jesus forgives, frees, and gives life through repentance and faith. All false saviours and gods lead to disillusion, enslavement, and death. Satan works tirelessly to deceive people to think they are fine without God and can save themselves. Or he will convince them that God does not even exist: there is no heaven, no hell, no right or wrong, no purpose or meaning to this life, no absolute truth, no free will.

How many people have poured out their lives in pursuits of obtaining fame, wealth, and the accolades of men only to remain empty and devoid of life! People are caught in addictions, gangs, the occult, and destructive cycles of violence out of fear, depression, and hopelessness. Satan is a master at showing the alluring side of sin. Commercials for beer commonly employ humour and most of them show fit, attractive, young people having fun partying. But what you don't see is the dead people carted off the highways from drink driving, you don't smell the stench of vomit, you don't hear children crying themselves to sleep after being beaten, or feel the regret the next morning for things said or done while drunk. Not everyone who drinks beer is irresponsible. But that doesn't undo the pain, shame, regret, and addiction that many experience.

Partying and recreational drug use isn't the only things glamorized by the world contrary to scripture. Fornication and adultery are seen as made safe by a thin film of rubber. The potential damage to the soul of a human being through sex outside of marriage is greater than any virus to the body. Movies and television portray the lie that hooking up is all about fun, conquest, and feeding desires. What is not seen or discussed is pregnancy, the pressure a woman can feel to have an abortion she doesn't want to have when she falls pregnant, regret, embarrassment, and the fact you give a little bit of yourself away every time you have sex outside of marriage. Porn reduces women and men to objects which exist solely to gratify lust and degrades them to a unfeeling, soulless participant who has zero value. 1 Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body." So people run from relationship to another, have one night stands without number, hoping to satisfy the thirst for significance and love.

People kill themselves every single day. Some do it with a bullet, a drug overdose, hang themselves, or jump off a bridge. For others people enslaved in sin, they kill themselves a little every day as they rebel from God and swallow the lies of Satan that significance and satisfaction can be found pursuing pleasure, fun, fame, and wealth. The wise king Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes 5:10-11: "He who loves silver will not be satisfied with silver; Nor he who loves abundance, with increase. This also is vanity. ¹¹ When goods increase, they increase who eat them; so what profit have the owners except to see them with their eyes?" Whatever you desire the most apart from God, that thing cannot satisfy you. If you love money, no amount of money will satisfy you. If you love sex, you will never get your fill. Many have killed themselves trying. As King Saul fell on his own sword, millions have been impaled by their own lusts. The Bible reveals that our satisfaction and salvation is only found in knowing God and trusting in Jesus Christ. Jeremiah 3:23 says, "Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly, in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel." Jesus says in John 11:25-26: "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?

Of course Satan lies about Christians too. He perpetrates the moronic notion that "Christians never have any fun" and "All Christians are hypocrites." The greatest fun a person can have is to be completely free of all shame, guilt, hate, addictions, and fear. Christians can look Death in the face because of Christ's sacrifice and say, "You are a defeated enemy. Christ, my King, has vanquished you. Eternity for me has already begun." Fun is knowing the truth, and the Truth has set us free indeed. All the darkness, demons, and deceptions are revealed and crushed through the True Light who is Christ. The fact remains that every person, at some level, is a hypocrite. Satan is the greatest hypocrite of all! If you cheat on your girlfriend and are mad when she talks to an ex, you are a hypocrite. A hypocrite is an actor. Every human being is born with this acting gene because of our sin nature. We have all played the hypocrite. It is actually Christ who frees us from being hypocritical. No Christian I have met (myself included) has claimed sinless perfection. I have no right to point the finger at anyone. Christians, more than anyone, should be aware of their sins against God. That is why we have sought salvation in a Saviour!

Are you sick of dying a little more every day on a frantic search for real life? Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God has saved me from myself and the eternal damnation I deserve by His grace. Time is short! Isaiah 55:6-7 says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon ." What do you have to lose? Give God the ashes of your ruined life and He will give you beauty. Give Him your mourning and He will give you the oil of gladness. He will give you gladness in place of the spirit of heaviness. (Is. 61:3) Confess your sin, repent, and trust in Jesus Christ. It is only in Christ man's joy can be full.

If you actually read this far and would like to know more, message me! :) God bless you!

Through Christ's Eyes

2011-10-25T17:50:00.000-07:00

I am amazed at the way God changes people, most of all when that person is me! God has a way of transforming everything about my life: my thoughts, reactions, desires, and pursuits. During my late teens, I experienced what I can only describe as a very dry time spiritually. I had such callouses on my conscience. Or perhaps my conscience had not been made tender by the presence of the Holy Spirit. Things that never used to bother me certainly disgust me now.

Case in point: I used to be a huge James Bond fan. In the mid 90's when the films made a resurgence, I collected nearly all of them. I had over 20 VHS tapes of Bond films starring Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and even George Lazenby! When James Bond seduced a girl, it was something to laugh about. Instead of "Boys will be boys!" it was "James will be James!" The gadgets, cheesy and over-the-top special effects, weird villains, and amusing recurring characters were all part of the fun. The newer movies have little similarity to the hokey style of the older films with their trademark mink gloves, vodka martinis, caviar and quail eggs, sharks, and fast-motion fighting sequences.

The other night I switched the channel on the TV to see Roger Moore in a suit talking to M acting in "The Man with the Golden Gun." It was nostalgic to watch Bond banter back and forth with Moneypenny. I left the room and returned when Bond was interrogating Scaramanga's lady friend. He started talking with her, and suddenly slapped her without warning. Then after breaking her down by force, he was given the information he wanted. Then, of course, James was James. Before the scene was over, I turned it off because the scene turned my stomach. It totally disgusted me to see Bond's treatment of that woman. As I poured a glass of water to head upstairs, it struck me that I had never been disgusted by Bond, though over the years he had given me plenty of reasons to be. I was always able to distance myself from the characters and the people in the films. It was only just a dumb movie, right? Why did something bother me now that had never bothered me before?

I do not stand in judgment of people who enjoy or own Bond movies. I am not even saying I will never watch one again. But what I am saying is that I discovered that I have increased awareness and sensitivity where before was deadness. A dead man cannot feel anything. In stark contrast, a healthy man has nerves which conduct feelings of pain for the protection of the body. I praise God that He is giving me a greater sensitivity to what is right and wrong to put before my eyes. My definition of a "clean" movie used to be limited to the amount of cursing or nudity. But what message does the film send concerning the treatment of women? That never used to be on my list. By God's grace, it is now. That's a change only God can make. The closer we are to Christ in relationship, we will begin to see things more as He sees them.

Do You Love Like God?

2011-10-23T15:42:00.000-07:00

God's love displays itself through sacrifice of self. Men and women greatly used of God are receivers and givers of this love. Moses was a man God called to lead the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land. When they transgressed Moses said in Exodus 32:32, "Yet now, if You will forgive their sin--but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written." If it would ensure the forgiveness of the people, Moses would take all the blame along with separation and damnation. Paul was a man called and sent to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. His heart was so burdened concerning the Jew's rejection of Jesus Christ that he said in Romans 9:3: "For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh..." That is a heart of compassion and love, a love that only springs from Jesus Christ.

It is hard enough for me to imagine physically dying for someone: how much greater a sacrifice to be eternally damned to hell for the sins of others! Paul was so broken for unbelievers and enemies of Christ that he wished to be sent to hell - if that would mean their salvation. He would give not only his body but his soul. This has shown me my great lack. I am convinced that if an opportunity was presented for me to risk my body to save another, even an enemy, God would give me the compassion, courage, and strength to do so. But to give my eternal soul for anything I am hard-pressed. It is not so much a question of ability but willingness. The testimony of other believers is clear: as a Christian, I ought to love with such fervency that I wish I would to be accursed and blotted out of God's book so others might be forgiven and saved. But I confess that I have not yet gladly offered my soul for the lives of others. Help me Jesus!

The Bible teaches that man will be judged according to his own sin. God said to Moses in Exodus 32:33: "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot him out of My book." Deuteronomy 24:16 states, "Fathers shall not be put to death for their children, nor shall the children be put to death for their fathers; a person shall be put to death for his own sin." But there is one unique time in history when grace, love, justice, and mercy collided in the death of a righteous man. Jesus, who is called Christ, became a curse for us sinners. He knew no sin but became sin for us (2 Cor. 5:21). Galatians 3:13-14 explains it well: "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree"), ¹⁴ that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith." Jesus laid His life down on the cross, and then took it up again three days later as the risen and glorified LORD of All.

It would have been futile for Moses or Paul to die to save others because they could not meet the righteous requirements of God's Law in life or death. But God, who is rich in mercy, sent His Son to be the Saviour of the world, to seek and save the lost. All who repent and trust in Christ will be washed pure from sin, and clothed with Christ's righteousness. When I look at the love of Jesus, I see my love is lacking. How costly is true love! Yet God gives it without money or price. It has more power to do good than nuclear bombs have to destroy. May we continually grow in this love.

May the truth of Romans 5:1-10 be impressed continually upon my heart and made evident in my life through the Holy Spirit: "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. ⁶ For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. ⁹ Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. ¹⁰ For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."

Freely Give

2011-10-23T03:55:00.000-07:00

Here is an untitled poem attributed to Archbishop Alexander, as quoted by G. Campbell Morgan in the Westminster Pulpit, Volume 2, pages 175-176:

‘If I have eaten my morsel alone,’
The patriarch spoke in scorn;
What would he think of the Church, were he shown
Heathendom, huge, forlorn,
Godless, Christless, with soul unfed,
While the Church’s ailment is fulness of bread,
Eating her morsel alone?

‘I am debtor alike to the Jew and the Greek,’
The mighty Apostle cried,
Traversing continents, souls to seek,
For love of the Crucified.
Centuries, centuries since have sped,
Millions are famishing, we have bread,

But we eat our morsel alone.

Ever of them who have larger dower,
Shall Heaven require the more.
Ours is influence, knowledge, power,
Ocean from shore to shore;

And East and West in our ears have said,
‘Give us, give us your Living Bread,’
Yet we eat our morsel alone.

‘Freely ye have received, so give,’
He bade, Who has given us all;
How shall the soul in us longer live,
Deaf to their starving call,
For whom the Blood of the Lord was shed,
And His body broken to give them bread,
If we eat our morsel alone?”

What God Wants is You

2011-10-19T17:19:00.000-07:00

I love it when a God changes my whole perspective with words spoken with that small, still voice to my heart. During a time of prayer last night at church, considered my commitment to God. Had I surrendered all to Him, or was I holding back? In my heart I prayed, "LORD, I give you my hobbies, money, and my time. I commit all my possessions and even my desires and dreams to you." Immediately He spoke to my heart: "Forget those things. All I want is you."

God spoke this word of encouragement to me, but I believe it is for all people. Sometimes we think that it is our sacrifices that please God. We think if we give more, serve more, and deny our flesh from food or certain activities God will be satisfied with us. I realized that God wants me to give things to Him - not because He desires them or because I must prove myself - but because those things draw me away from Him. It is me who God treasures. He is a jealous God who wants all my loyalty and affection. It is for the sake of sinful mankind that Jesus came to earth to seek and save the lost.

Do you realize that all God wants is you? He loves you just as you are, not for any benefits, devotion, or gain you may provide. Forget trying to offer God things unless you are first willing to offer yourself without strings attached. It is only then your offering will be acceptable in God's sight. Then you will not be looking to your works, but be walking by faith in Jesus Christ as LORD, Saviour, and Lover of your soul as you surrender to Him. Malachi 3:16-17 reads, "Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD listened and heard them; so a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who meditate on His name. ¹⁷ "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." As a man treasures jewels, so God treasures those who fear Him.

Tefillin without Torah

2011-10-17T17:50:00.000-07:00

When I traveled to Israel in 2005, I noticed small metal boxes permanently affixed to the door jambs. The metal box and parchment is called the "mezuzah." A qualified scribe uses special ink and a writing implement to copy selected verses from the Torah. One of the utilized passages is likely Deuteronomy 6:4-9: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! ⁵ You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ⁶ "And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. ⁷ You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. ⁸ You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. ⁹ You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." This has been a long-standing tradition observed by Jewish people both in Israel and around the world.

During my trip to Israel I spent several days in Jerusalem, in the walled area commonly called the "Old City" as a point of reference. It was common to see male Orthodox Jews wearing tefillin (small leather boxes which also contain parts of the Torah) on their forehead and left arm. Coming from an American background, it was amazing to see people devoted to their religious beliefs and traditions. I greatly respect those who out of love for God and His word make great sacrifices to honour and obey Him. Indeed, no sacrifice is too great when you serve the greatest God! While my Christian theology may be repulsive to some Orthodox Jews because of fundamental differences (I believe Jesus Christ has been revealed as the Messiah and Son of God), I love and highly respect them.

As I looked at the mezuzah in our hostel, I considered the Spirit behind the letter of the Law of Moses. Hidden under the metal cover were scriptures from the Torah, the Word of God. But because of the case it could not be read. Other than meeting the requirement of the Law, what function could the words of truth serve if they remained hidden and unseen? I read that the parchment is to be inspected by a professional scribe twice during a seven year period. The same question could be posed concerning the tefillin: what profit is it to carry the Word of God so no one can see it? When I read the Deuteronomy passage, I am reminded how God has said that He will write His law upon our hearts. I ought to love God with all my heart, soul, and strength, and continually teach my children to do the same at all times. Just like a man would tie a string around his finger to remind and signal him of a task to perform, or how a woman wears a jeweled frontlet between her eyes for beautification, in like manner the Word of God must be valuable and precious to me. God's Word provides instructions and signs to follow. The doorposts and gates of a home or city provide security and strength. As a Christian, my faith is founded on the truth as revealed through the Holy Scriptures.

It is possible that a man may obey all the traditions of men from his youth and still not enjoy a relationship with God. He might rise early and go to bed late because of much praying, purchase tefillin from revered scribes at great cost, and recite the Torah verbatim daily from memory and still not know God or be known by God. Jesus has been revealed as the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world, the Living Bread which has been sent from heaven, and the True Light which has come into the world. Unless a man knows Christ, He cannot know God. Jesus said He is the Resurrection and the Life: the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes unto the Father except through Him. Traditions are good when they cause us to remember and honour God, but they can be empty as tefillin without the Torah when we simply "go through the motions."

Psalm 119:11 says, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You!" As a young person, I thought this verse meant I was supposed to memorize passages from the Bible. But what good is the memorization of scripture unless I heed it? Jesus Christ is the Word become flesh. When the Spirit of God dwells within my heart, His presence will be evidenced by a life lived for the glory of God through His power. The truths of God's Word keep me from sin. All people ought to treasure and continually bring to remembrance the true sayings of God as revealed in the Bible. Christians are called by some, "people of the Book." May we invest our time in the mastery of God's Word so He might have full mastery over us. What good is a Bible unless it is opened? And what is the purpose of reading without understanding? What will knowledge without wisdom profit?

Jesus says in John 16:12-15: "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you." Jesus still has much to teach us. No matter how many works we have performed for God's glory, there are many left undone. May our traditions and practices draw us into closer communion with our LORD and Saviour, and may others be drawn to the beauty of His holiness! May Christ Himself be as a sign on our hands and as frontlets between our eyes!

Train Up a Child

2011-10-16T17:39:00.000-07:00

I think it was pastor Bill Wilson whom I first heard say, "The teacher has not taught until the student has learned." This concept can be applied to the training of children by parents as well. Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This is an inspired statement of truth. Parents can feel content with the fact their child attends church, memorizes scripture and doctrine, has been baptised, or makes a profession of faith. But this does not mean the child is being trained. If we would have our children follow the steps of Christ even as we follow Him, parents have a responsibility to train their children.

Speaking as a parent, our mistake is often made because we misunderstand what it means to "train." Many parents (me included!) tend to "tell" our children rather than to "train" them. When a soldier embarks to "basic training," he is not merely addressed verbally by his superiors in a classroom setting. Basic training is training for the body, mind, and will for a specific purpose: each soldier is trained for his role in combat. He suffers deprivation of sleep, food, is worked to utter exhaustion in extreme environments to enable him to endure the battlefield and be a viable member of his support team. Can you imagine what kind of soldier has never actually run in his boots, cleaned or fired his gun, or faced moments of difficult decisions in the face of enemy fire? No one is born a soldier: they are made through training. The tragic day of moral and spiritual decay in which we live is a testimony that many parents "tell" their children rather than training them. You cannot train your children without a goal in sight. If a man is trained as a soldier so he may effectively fight for his country and comrades, for what purpose are you training your children? To be moral citizens? To succeed in a high-paying career? To be tough? To follow their hearts? As Christians, we are to train our children to become men and women of God as they grow in a relationship with Jesus Christ. All morality, a vigorous work ethic, all godly qualities of character, and goodness spring only from this single Living Source.

Notice that the text does not say, "Train up your children..." but keeps child in the singular tense. This is of great importance. Every child must be trained differently because they have unique temperaments, inclinations, and personalities. What may be effective training for one child may not be adequate for another. Therefore, one difficult job of parents is to intimately know their children and continually initiate communication with them. We must intimately know their character, current stage of life, goals, loves, concerns, fears, and cares. The training of children requires their parents to love and take a personal interest in each one. When we create a false reality where no true freedom nor responsibility exists, we do our children a disservice. We must encourage their obedience and good choices, while administering appropriate discipline, enforcing consequences, and boundaries. Instead of sowing discord through ambiguity or outright hypocrisy, we are to be clear and consistent. This means that we must apologize when we are out of order, even as we tell them to apologize when they do wrong. That is when the telling becomes training.

It is good for me to continually remind myself that my children measure my words against my life with the precision of a surgeon and the tenacity of a wolverine. Even a small child has strong views of what is fair and unjust. My children will not tell me when they see me playing the hypocrite, but their behaviour will often reflect what I do. For instance, let's say I tell my boys they need to wash their hands with soap before they sit down to eat dinner. They will watch me to see if I do the same. If I sit down to the table without washing on a regular basis, they will wonder why they must do something I do not. In their minds, it is an unjust to demand that they wash their hands when the lawgiver of the house will not submit to his own rule. Even something as simple as hand washing slowly can erode the ability of a parent to train their children through hypocrisy. If I place limits upon their screen time or deem what is appropriate or inappropriate based upon content or ratings, I ought to apply limits to myself as well. A parent may maintain outer compliance through threats and intimidation, but rebellion in the heart of the child will grow.

What is the way our children should go? Jesus says in John 14:6: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." Jesus did not simply tell His disciples what they should do, but He was a living model for them to see. He did not say "You must be the servant of all" and wait to be served by others: Jesus washed the feet of the disciples as a pattern for them to follow. Jesus did not admonish His disciples to love one another and act selfishly: He humbled Himself to become flesh and died sacrificially on the cross for the sins of the world. His Words carried great meaning: "Love one another as I have loved you." How did Jesus love us? While we were still sinners, Jesus died for us. Training is not just the exercise of a mind to consider, but a change in the heart to will and do. It is the indwelling Holy Spirit in the lives of believers who empowers us to live as we ought as it is written in Philippians 2:13, "...for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure."

Every parent wants their children to excel in every facet of life on earth as God should tarry. But unless we are training our children according to God's Word and Way, we hinder them from the success they should enjoy if we were faithful to our calling. God has a way of making up for all our deficiencies, but that does not mean we are free from the responsibility to obey Him and pray earnestly for our kids. Praise God that He has given us the perfect example of being a good Father. We can look to Him and He will direct us in the way we should go!

True Worship

2011-10-13T15:35:00.000-07:00

There is always a danger that the Christian life will be compartmentalized into set activities rather than a complete lifestyle. Worship of God does not occur after we pack into the car on a Sunday morning and gather in a building to sing songs of praise or listen to the Word of God preached. The song should be in our hearts from the moment we rise, a song of thanksgiving unto God. Our lives are intended to be an continual spring of worship, a life of obedience lived unto God for His glory. Consider a paragraph from a message delivered by G. Campbell Morgan on the subject of worship (The Westminster Pulpit, Vol. 2, pg. 98):

"I do not worship God by going to China as a missionary if God wants me to stay at home and do the work of a carpenter. I do not worship God by aspiring to some mighty and heroic thing for Him if the capacity He has given me is for doing the quiet thing, and the simple thing, and the hidden thing, and the unknown thing. It would be very foolish for the hummingbird, instead of entering the tulip, to try to beat back the air and combat with the eagle. It worships by staying where God puts it. It would be very wicked for the eagle to cultivate a mock modesty, and say that it preferred to remain among the tulips when it ought to be soaring sunwards."

There is something in the heart of every person that desires greatness. I believe all Christians with any depth of faith waxes warm at the prospect of doing something great for God. To put it in a different way, we want to see God do great things and would be thrilled to be an instrument He uses to further His kingdom. The question is, will I be content to play guitar and sing songs on a city street for His glory if the opportunity presents itself, or will I limit my gift for use in the most prestigious music halls? A life of worship is not one lived in the spotlight, but behind the scenes. If you reserve your service unto God until you have a grand task which suits your ambitions, you waste the talents and life God has given you. Compelled by the love of Christ, it is adoration for God which motivates and moves us to live a life which fully pleases Him.

In the most simple terms, worship is obedience. How many times does it say in scripture, "Praise the LORD?" Many, many times! We are told to pray without ceasing and in everything give thanks. We are told not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, and the joy of the LORD will be our strength. When we are obedient to Jesus and the leading of the Holy Spirit, we worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and has baptized His followers with the Holy Spirit and with fire. How fulfilling it is to worship God! It is so amazing how God has made the eagle and hummingbird so different, but with the same purpose - to bring honor and glory unto their Creator! The eagle is girded with strength and amazing eyesight, while the hummingbird is lightning quick and has dazzling plumage. One eats meat while the other drinks nectar, yet they are both birds with distinct beauty and inspire awe even in casual observers.

God has made people in like fashion. You might be a carpenter, doctor, lawyer, fisherman, salesman, or work in the retail industry. Perhaps you enjoy sports, music, dancing, collecting, traveling, or reading. But you are not to be defined by any of these activities because you are a human being created in the image of the Everlasting God for the purpose of worshiping Him forever. I close with a description of worship found in Colossians 3:12-17: "Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. ¹⁴ But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. ¹⁷ And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Life has Purpose

2011-10-12T15:48:00.000-07:00

After my sons and I arrived at their bus stop yesterday, Zed picked this up off the ground. I tried to convince him that over many years this small piece of metal had been formed by random, natural processes. The letters "BIC" had stamped themselves into what appeared to be red plastic. He looked at me as if I claimed to have swallowed the moon. "But what is it for, Dad?" he asked. "What does it do?" No one in our family smokes, so Zed would have no clue that this little piece of metal and plastic is part of a cigarette lighter.

I appreciated Zed's insight into the lighter piece because without even knowing what it was, he instantly recognized it had been made by an intelligent source for a specific purpose. I did not need to explain this to him: it was as obvious as the sun in the sky. Man invents and manufactures products to perform functions which make life easier to be sold for financial profit. Zed knew this assemblage of metal and plastic did not just happen, but it exists for a purpose. In its current state, it looked worthless. We then turned our attention to the trees, the flowers, and even our fingers. All these living things have been created by God for a purpose too: the glory of God!

What is more remarkable: the little inanimate part of the lighter made by man, or the living, growing tissue of my fingers which nimbly plucked it from the ground? The answer is so elementary I need not answer. But I am deeply shamed and embarrassed that men who have been crafted in the wombs of their mothers can look at the trees, birds, flowers, and even their own bodies and believe they have simply occurred through the random processes in nature without any intelligence behind it. Can intelligence and information come from nothing? There must be a source of wisdom and intelligence, even as the mechanical part of the lighter could be traced back to a manufacturing plant. The raw materials came from somewhere, the design was carefully engineered, and was produced by professionals in massive quantities who invented machines to extrude plastic and form the metal in the proper shape. I don't know a single one of those people who made this little part. But I know the all wise and intelligent Being who has created the heavens, the earth and all that is within them both living and inanimate: God!

The Bible speaks of Jesus Christ as the "Word" who became flesh. John 1:1-3 reads, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ² He was in the beginning with God. ³ All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made." When we see the beauty and splendour of the world and universe, it exists to teach us of God and glorify Him. Psalm 19:1-3 states, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." God is the one who has placed the DNA in each one of your self-replicating cells. He is the one who formed you and breathed into you a living soul. Therefore it is God who has designed you with a purpose to honor and glorify Him too. When we are separated from God because of our sins, we're like that lighter part all alone: it cannot fulfill the function for which it was designed.

Don't buy the lie that everything around you is the result of some cosmic accident or alien encounter. Realize the purpose for which you have been created. As it says in the Westminster catechism, "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." The way to do that is to repent, trust in Jesus Christ, and honor Him with obedience. God has given us the Bible so we might know Him better and grow in our relationship with Him. Never forget that your life has a purpose, the sole purpose to live for God!

Pure Motives?

2011-10-09T01:59:00.000-07:00

"So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do."

Luke 17:10

This morning in church we talked about how Jesus has provided a pattern of being the servant of all. Greatness in the kingdom of God comes through humble service and sacrifice motivated by the love of God. Sometimes we aren't motivated to act by pure motives. On the outside we might look like a servant, but in honesty we are serving ourselves.

After our monthly BBQ at church, I started breaking down the tables to clean up. As I collapsed each leg, I considered how many different motivations I could have in packing up the tables. Perhaps I had seen someone starting to do it and because of my pride - unwilling to be outdone - jumped in. I could have started to work on the tables because I want to race home to watch a game on TV. Maybe I just wanted to make a good impression on someone. Because of the message preached this morning, maybe I wanted to show the pastor I was listening AND putting it into practice. Or maybe as the pastor I want to make a point that I'm going to practice what I preach! With the help of others, the clean tables were stacked neatly in short order. Funny how I'm still thinking about it.

It occurred to me that throughout my life, my motivation in service has not always been pure. How good we can look on the outside and have our hearts in the wrong place! It is so easy to neglect to examine our motives in doing what we do. Indeed, it is a wise practice to examine our hearts - but even better still to ask God to examine them and see what He finds. He is the righteous Judge, and it is what He says that counts. Jesus says that to be great in God's kingdom we must be the servant of all. It is obedience compelled by the love of Jesus Christ which should motivate us: not a desire to be seen, to build a reputation for ourselves, to receive praise or recognition, or out of guilt.

Praise God for the light of His Word and the penetrating insight of the Holy Spirit! How good He is to expose our faults that we might repent so He can rectify them and free us from the rut of sin. Instead of living in the past in shame and regret, we can look to Jesus now and into eternity with joy and steadfast love. Thank you God for purifying my heart, and may all service I perform for you be truly unto you with honesty, always motivated by your love. I am unprofitable, and you have done wondrous things to use me to transform menial tasks into an act of worship.

Jesus Is Life

2011-10-06T23:45:00.000-07:00

As I stopped at a red light today, a banner featuring Bear Grylls adorned a fence outside an Anglican church. It read, "My Christian faith is the backbone of my life." It is wonderful when famous people freely proclaim they follow of Jesus Christ. Being a born-again Christian myself, it made me think. Is my Christian faith the backbone of my life?

The backbone (or spine) is the central part of the skeletal system. Through the center of the spine runs the spinal cord which connects to the brain and together comprise the nervous system. For human beings, the spine and spinal cord are a fundamental necessity of life. The term "backbone" does not only relate to anatomy, but is used to describe someone who is true to their principles. For me, Jesus is my life. Without Him, I would be dead in sins and doomed to eternity separated from God in hell. I agree with Bear Grylls: Jesus has given me life, principles, and the power of the Holy Spirit to walk uprightly. Christianity is not rules, but the personal experience of repenting from sin, trusting in Jesus, and receiving His love, grace, acceptance, and forgiveness.

It is faith in Christ which makes Christians, but my faith is not the central "backbone" of my life: it is Christ. To prevent this misunderstanding if I was printing posters, I would say Christ is the backbone of my life - or even simpler, Jesus Christ is my life. This is not to say that I am perfect, or that I don't make mistakes. Sometimes my faith falters and I forget to focus on Jesus. But the only reason why I am alive in this body and born again with the Holy Spirit is because of Jesus. It is His shed blood which has cleansed me, and by grace His righteousness has been imputed to my account.

Keep following Jesus, Bear Grylls. Thank you for using your voice to promote your LORD and Saviour who has died so all might live through Him!

More than a Clergyman

2011-10-04T22:54:00.000-07:00

I was perusing a quote on brainyquote.com and I wondered if Jesus would be listed. To my surprise I did not find Jesus listed among the "J's." Then it occurred to me that they might have placed Jesus under the "C's" not understanding that "Christ" is not the last name of Jesus: it is His title. Mary was told by the Angel Gabriel to name the the child conceived within her "JESUS" (Luke 1:31). "Christ" is the title of the Messiah promised to the Jews, meaning "anointed one." I suspect the folks at brainyquote.com are ignorant of this fact.

On the same page with Chevy Chase, Dick Cheney, Cher, and Linford Christie I found "Jesus Christ." He is listed along with actors, musicians, entertainers, philosophers, and athletes. And what "type" of "author" is Jesus Christ? He is listed as a "clergyman." I'm thinking that is selling Him short - ridiculously short. How about changing it to "Son of God," "Saviour," "Redeemer," "Lamb of God," "Immanuel - God with us," "Prince of Peace," "Messiah," "I AM," "Bread of Life," "The Good Shepherd," "Anointed One," or "Faithful and True," "KING OF KINGS" or "All of the above?" A clergyman? That's like calling a man a molecule.

How about using Philippians 2:5-11 as an example description: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, ⁷ but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. ⁹ Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, ¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, ¹¹ and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."

I would also be happy to use Revelation 19:11-16: "Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. ¹² His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. ¹³ He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. ¹⁴ And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. ¹⁵ Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. ¹⁶ And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS."

That sounds like no clergyman I know, but like a Clergyman I want to be like! I bow before you, LORD JESUS, Maker of Heaven and Earth. You are God, and there is no other. I will love and worship you forever. Glory to God in the highest!

What Distinguishes You?

2011-10-03T17:20:00.000-07:00

Every person on earth has been created by God to be unique. Twins may have the same genetic code, but their personalities can be worlds apart. It is the soul of man which distinguishes him from all other living things. God has breathed into each human being a living soul.

Though human beings have the same basic anatomy, we can be easily distinguished by appearance. Silver hair is said to give a "distinguished" look. Some people wear fine clothes which distinguish through elegance. Being an American living in Australia, my accent is easily distinguished as foreign. When I met with people on the west coast of Australia who had not yet spoken to me (aside from email), one of the first things said to me in conversation was, "Huh! Another Yank!" I had been distinguished as not Australian, and automatically grouped in with this man's perception of what an American is. From the sound of it, it was a negative impression. Thanks be to God, for He had prepared me years before for such a response.

When I was in third grade, I smashed my front teeth against the sidewalk while riding my skateboard on my knees. My folks took me to the dentist and my teeth were adorned with temporary caps. It was intended to be a temporary fix until permanent veneers could be made. For whatever reason, I never made it back to the dentist for that procedure. It was not until I attended university that the were caps replaced. But for many years I wore those temporary caps which were composed of a porous material and turned rather yellow. In high school it seemed only a matter of time before someone would ask, "Don't you brush your teeth? Why are your teeth yellow?" I was never self-conscious about my teeth. I laughed and smiled just the same. But my teeth were a distinguishing feature that seemed to be quite the conversation starter. I don't think anyone wants to be distinguished by their bad teeth!

Yesterday I spent some time thinking about Jesus and what distinguished Him from other men. We do not read that Jesus was a towering specimen of a man, that He had a beautiful voice, nor was He remarkably handsome. He appeared ordinary in every sense. Jesus was not deathly somber or giddy with happiness. He was not quick to cry or wore an unshakably stoic countenance. What distinguished Christ from other men?

The fact Jesus was born of a virgin distinguishes Him from all other men (Matt. 1:20). Only Adam and Eve were made without the use of both man and woman - Adam made from the dust of the ground, and Eve made from a rib from Adam's side. Another distinguishing characteristic people discovered early in His life was the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus (Luke 2:46-47). Even as a pre-teen Jesus asked questions and gave answers to masters of the law which made all marvel. When Jesus was baptized and transfigured (Luke 3:22, 9:35), the voice of God the Father spoke from heaven saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" Such a ringing endorsement from the heavens certainly distinguishes Christ from other men! Another distinguishing mark upon the life of Christ is His love. He loves all people, and it was the love of Christ which compelled Him to embrace the cross. Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

If Jesus had remained dead, He would have been like all other men before Him. But He is distinguished even in death, for after three days Jesus rose from the dead as the Conqueror of Death! He was seen by over 500 people in His glorified bodily form before He ascended to heaven in the sight of many. 1 Corinthians 15:20-21 states, "But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. ²¹ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead." Of all the distinguishing characteristics of Christ, this may be the most unconventional and unexpected of them all - though Jesus actually predicted it over and over again: "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." John 2:22 confirms the account: "Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said."

Every person alive has the choice of what will distinguish them from others. The important thing is not "what" distinguishes a person, but "Who" distinguishes you! The term "Christian" was once used to distinguish people who actually acted like Jesus Christ. Unfortunately much of the weight and power of the term has dissipated over the years. We can be such poor ambassadors for Christ that only a fool would want to "have what we have." In this we do our Saviour a grave disservice. I say it is time for Christians to be distinguished from the world by the love, power, forgiveness, wisdom, generosity, and sacrifice revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. May it be Christ Himself who distinguishes Christians from all others for the glory of God.

It doesn't matter if you have yellow teeth, a wild shock of hair, or employ your own tailor: let Jesus and His love, grace, and forgiveness be what distinguishes you. May you experience the life Paul describes in Galatians 2:20: "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Bringing or Taken?

2011-10-02T19:32:00.000-07:00

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, ⁵ casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."

2 Corinthians 10:4-5

Much warfare in the life of a Christian takes place in the mind. It is in the mind where the battle is often won or lost. By subtle suggestion or by unceasing assault, Christians can be tempted away from Christ and into all manner of sin. The world offers its dainties, Satan attacks our weaknesses, and a undisciplined mind wavering from the onslaught without looking to Jesus is doomed to failure. All have been in this place. Unbelievers relish the pursuit of their sin until it destroys them. But my focus is primarily on Christians who know they are supposed to have victory in Christ but have fallen short of realising it. Because of continual failure their minds are beaten and their bodies cave into temptation. It is as if they lie on the ground hogtied in sin, and have given up bothering to resist. The freedom Christ has promises seems a vain fantasy better left for others to obtain.

I draw your attention to the phrase Paul uses to describe how Christians are to confront everything contrary to Christ in their minds: "...bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ." Memories or visual suggestion can lead our minds down the path towards bondage. When we embark on an evil train of thought, we give the enemy of our souls a foothold in our minds. Christians can give Satan the opportunity (which he is happy to oblige) to place us into sinful bondage. Jesus is the Good Shepherd, but that does not mean His sheep cannot chose to willfully wander. Wandering sheep are sheep which place themselves at great risk. They can be attacked and killed by predators, or be trapped in sharp brambles, tumble over precipices, and be caught in deadly currents of fast-moving streams.

2 Timothy 2:24-26 reads, "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, ²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, ²⁶ and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." All can be taken by the snare of the devil "having been taken captive by him to do his will." When we are not faithful to bring sinful thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ, we are taken captive into all manner of sin. The first rule of taking captives is you must first be free! If I am in bondage to sin, how can I begin to take thoughts captive? Freedom is found only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. It is only when I repent, flee from temptation, and submit to God trusting in Him that I can be made free. Then I must use my freedom not as an opportunity for the flesh, but to obey God. Even my thoughts I should carefully monitor. Every thought which is not obedient to Christ must be brought into captivity to rot and the key turned over to Jesus.

We can be duped into focusing on our physical sin as the problem. When we stumble by fornicating, telling lies, being drunk, or judging others, we feel guilty when we act out in these areas. Our conscience makes us painfully aware of our transgression. We know we are wrong. Therefore we say, "I will not fornicate, I will not tell lies." We may even take extra steps to reduce our opportunity to repeat the sinful act. But in the end, we will fall again and again. Why? It is because we have not addressed the core issues: the divided allegiance of our hearts, and the corruption and bondage of our minds. When the mind is brought into bondage, the body will eventually follow. And during all the time outward sin is abstained, the pride of our flesh grows. "It's been three months since I fornicated or got drunk!" Then comes the inevitable fall. We start over at zero and realize our confidence was sadly misplaced in ourselves rather than God.

Take courage in Christ! Let me remind you: "For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds..." Carnal weapons are corruptible. Guns rust and jam, and even nuclear warheads have a limited shelf-life. But the weapons Jesus Christ gives to Christians are incorruptible, might for pulling down strongholds of all kinds. A fortress in the mind built of hell's strongest stuff can be pulled down by Christ's nail-pierced hands in an instant. Demons cannot stand against Jesus Christ, and all the lies of Satan are vanquished with the truth of God's Word. It is time for us to come to our senses and appropriate the victory and power God has given us to free our hearts, minds, and bodies from the snare of the devil. Jesus came to set the captives free, and His hand is not shortened that He cannot save. Repent and trust in Him and be free, o man and woman of God! Let us decide in Christ's strength to bring all thoughts into captivity to the obedience of Christ and aid others in doing the same.

Redeeming Qualities

2011-09-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a conversation where you look back with disgust upon yourself? Many times I have looked back and prayed my foolishness would somehow be forgotten! When we trust in Christ and repent, God forgives and remembers our sin no more. But the same cannot be said for most people! I remember one conversation I had with a friend during my high school days I would love to revise. I was a professing follower of Jesus Christ, and I knew in my flesh no good thing dwelt. But during a conversation, she demanded I admit I was a good person. At first I resisted. Then she insisted. "Alright, fine!" I said. Those are words I would love to take back, being in direct violation of scriptural truth. Psalm 14:3 reads, "They have all turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is none who does good, no, not one." Jesus once told a man, "There is none good but God." God is right, I was wrong.

Compliments are always difficult for me to receive. It is not that I despise compliments: no, the difficulty is that my flesh LOVES compliments. The real struggle lies in receiving the compliment in humility but taking no glory in it. All glory is to be directed towards Jesus Christ. We are not to make people feel awkward because of a compliment, or to chastise them for sharing their appreciative heart. We are to receive the person graciously and gently direct their focus to the goodness of God. When I was about 12 we had a guest singer at our church who showed me how not to handle compliments. She was complimented on her beautiful singing and said, "Well, I was off on some of my notes." She might as well have slapped this poor woman who complimented her. To the woman in the pew the singing was lovely. The singer could have said, "Thank you very much. Isn't it a joy to sing to our great God?" Instead she critically pointed out her own flaws in false humility and in so many words said, "You're too stupid to know good singing when you hear it. I can do better than the garbage you just heard." Ouch.

As a Christian, I have come to the conclusion that I am an absolute wretch. Like the song "Amazing Grace" says, "Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I'm found, was blind but now I see." Any redeeming qualities in me exist only because of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ. When I sin it is because of sin in me, and when I do what is right it is because of the Holy Spirit's work within me. I praise God that sometimes, despite all my tendencies towards wickedness, pride, deceit, and judgments, the light of Jesus Christ shines through. It makes me very sad if people think I am a good person. I am not a good person. I want people to recognize that what they perceive as "goodness" is actually Christ living through me. I strive to live a life pleasing unto God. But it is only by God's grace, mercy, and love that I can do so. Even then it is not I who live, but Christ in me.

The next time someone compliments you, I encourage you to give all the glory to Jesus Christ. Take none of His glory for yourself. When we do this it robs God and stunts our witness. A man who swallows compliments and does not give glory to God is like a dog who feasts on sweet chocolate. Chocolate will kill a dog, even as praise and worship will corrupt and destroy a man. Reserve no glory for yourself. Jesus says in Matthew 23:12, "And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." To God be the glory, both now and forever, for wisdom and might are His!

Vanity Fair (in the palm of your hand)

2011-09-26T18:35:00.000-07:00

I spent a portion of Monday on the train to and from the Sydney domestic terminal visiting friends. As I waited on the platform for the stage to arrive, I surveyed the people to my right and left. The closest three people on each side of me had their mobile phones in their hands and white earbuds in. Seemingly without a clue of all around them, these six people were captivated in their own little worlds. As we entered the train, some people picked up books or newspapers, while the young man who shared my seat played Street Fighter II on his mobile, earbuds blasting. Taking my cue from my fellow passenger, I pulled out my Kindle to read Bunyan's classic, Pilgrim's Progress.

As I read, I came across the passage where Christian and Faithful come to Vanity Fair (not just a magazine!), a place of debauchery and worldliness. Bunyan describes in the book: "And, moreover, at this fair there are at all times to be seen juggling, cheats, games, plays, fools, apes, knaves, and rogues, and that of every kind." Technology has made it possible that we do not need to go to Vanity Fair anymore to partake in the vain pleasures therein. We have the potential to hold Vanity Fair in the palm of our hands. This is not to knock modern technology, or even our reliance upon it. But in wisdom we must soberly consider the risks technology presents.

I have a degree of control over how I use my mobile and my Kindle. I can choose to use them as a tool for wholesome communication or for evil. The same mobile that can alert authorities of an emergency can be used to view pornography. Technology provides valuable tools when used in their proper place, but I must be willing to ask myself the question: do modern technological conveniences and the "social networking" of today have control over me? It used to be that a mobile was only used for work or emergencies, but now they are common among young children! Mobiles, too often, are the equivalent of a "dummy" (Nuk, pacifier) for a teenager. Take their phone away or ban them from Facebook and see the tantrums and tears! Like a junkie looking for a fix, it is common for youngsters to sneak phones from siblings, borrow a mobile from a friend at school or use library computers to update their status. They say one telltale sign of being an alcoholic is having at least one drink every day. How hard is it to put down that mobile? How impossible is it for you to turn off the computer? Vanity Fair is still around, and the danger remains very real.

Like King Solomon the preacher said, there is nothing new under the sun. The flesh tends towards every kind of excess to its own destruction. Sin's high-definition graphics and Dolby surround sound are better than ever. Be sober and watchful, for your enemy knows your weakness. Praise God He has provided a Saviour, Jesus Chris,t and the light of the Holy Spirit to shine truth upon our often darkened consciences. If you children are spending their days in Vanity Fair, may your actions say: "Not on my watch!" 1 Corinthians 6:12 reads, "All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any." May we all yield to the Holy Spirit's power for the glory of God!

Separated upon Death

2011-09-24T00:13:00.000-07:00

This morning a group of us from Calvary Chapel Sydney pitched in at the Castle Hill Cemetery "working bee." Three times a year, a group of volunteers give their Saturday morning to pick up rubbish, toss dead flowers and broken vases, and remove any debris from the turf around the tombstones. It was wonderful to share the love of Jesus through a simple act of kindness.

Long mounds of red dirt heaved from the turf over freshly dug graves. As I walked down the rows of headstones amid the cackles of kookaburras, I noticed something I have never seen in a cemetery before. The burial plots were segregated based upon different faiths. There was a Catholic section, an area for Muslims, Jews, Baptists, and Independents. Many more groups were represented in this graveyard surrounded by tall gum trees on the edge of Fred Caterson Reserve.

The thought occurred to me: though these deceased folks are in separated in rows according to denominational persuasion, they all have one thing in common. Every one of those bodies is a vacant husk, which used to contain a living soul. They have all "gone the way of the earth." One lived for two years, another for 27, and many for much longer. That one thing they have in common - death of the body - is a greater similarity than the sum of their unique personalities, talents, and gifts in life. The only reason why their bodies rest underground in a cemetery is because their bodies are dead - a permanent, irreversible state of corruption all people face.

The fact a body is buried in a certain section of the cemetery has no bearing on the eternal destination of each soul. No one is guaranteed passage to heaven because a cross or a scripture adorns their tomb. Everyone must face the grim reality of death, but for those who repent and trust in Jesus understand death is the entrance to eternal glory. John 11:25-26 reads, "Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?" Being Immanuel (God with us), Jesus is the only one who can say this. He proved His worthiness through His own resurrection. John 3:16 also confirms: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." The Bible teaches that if we repent and trust in Christ, we have assurance through the promises of scripture that if we were to die this very moment, we will be in the presence of Jesus Christ.

All those folks in the cemetery were created in the image of God for the purpose of knowing Him and glorifying God forever. On the day of judgment those who during their lives believed in Christ and those who refused Him will be separated, even as a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. That moment will define our eternal destiny: heaven or hell. Are you afraid to die? Are you ready to die? Those who are afraid are not ready, and unless I knew Christ and the promises of God's Word I would not be able to sleep at night! Death looms ever closer, and it is only through Jesus we can overcome death!

I could care less where my physical body laid to rest. But the eternal destination of my soul? That is of utmost importance. Jesus says in Mark 8:36, "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?" Jesus is a Savior who redeems souls from death. All who come to Him in humble faith He will by no means cast out!

Stay in the Yard!

2011-09-22T16:45:00.000-07:00

Life has been a blur of late. Between meetings, sermon/study preparation, and the fact that baseball is in full-swing in addition to daily duties and family stuff, time is certainly short! And then things happen which make the day more interesting, like when Zed's bunny Oreo escaped from our back yard the other day! As soon as I saw the hole under the fence, I knew finding that rabbit would be an act of God. There is a large area of bush in front of our house, and greenery all around our neighborhood. I prayed, "In the name of Jesus Christ, God help me to find that dumb bunny!" You know what? Within five minutes, I did!

After Laura helped me return the bunny to the confines of her cage, I thought about how dumb that bunny was. We provide for all her needs, make sure she has good food and clean water, protection from danger, and a secure place to romp around. Why would she potentially throw away her life by burrowing under the fence? For what? During the day, the bunnies like the freedom of being outside their cage. They like to nibble on grass, hide behind bushes and under the BBQ, and kick up their heels in freedom. But because Oreo dug her way out of the yard, for her protection she must stay in the cage unless she is under direct supervision. As much as we want to let her run around, it simply isn't safe to do so because of her recently discovered burrowing skills.

When we repent and are born again through faith in Jesus Christ, Christians are released from the bondage of sin and death. We have absolute freedom to serve the LORD and honor Him. But sometimes, like Oreo, we can cross the bounds God has provided for our protection. A good owner doesn't let his rabbits run off into the deadly bush if he can help it, even as a good shepherd is careful to monitor the wandering of his sheep. A pasture doesn't always have clearly defined boundaries, and sometimes we wonder how far we can take liberty before we are in sin. Liberty in Christ is good, but it must be handled prayerfully and responsibly. Otherwise God will remove that liberty from us completely and perhaps even permanently because of our natural appetite to pursue it to our own destruction.

A personal example from my own life: I love football, especially the NFL. Since the age of 10, there is no game I love to watch or play more. For many years, my schedule was dictated by the NFL. I would go to the early Sunday service to watch the Charger's games. Not only that, but in my late teens and early 20's my attitude and outlook (perhaps for hours or even a day) was directly affected positively or negatively (but usually negatively with those 4-12 seasons!) by the outcome of a game. More and more of my time and metal energy began to be required. In recent years I played Fantasy Football, joined pools at work, entered free competitions online picking winners and losers, and I watched all the games I could. To put it simply, I burrowed under the fence. I went overboard. Last week I was in the cage, so to speak. God led me to deny myself to watch even a single play. God taught me a valuable lesson. I must honor Him above even the freedoms He graciously grants. If I abuse my freedoms, He is wise and right to take them from me so I might honor Him above all.

I'm blessed and privileged to serve a gracious, loving God who is full of compassion. Instead of condemning me, He seeks to restore. Use your freedoms wisely, and don't abuse them. The conviction of transgression is a far heavier weight for our souls to bear than to deny yourself for the glory of God. This is the mark of a disciple. Matthew 16:24-26 reads, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"

Gracious Privilege

2011-09-18T20:02:00.000-07:00

Last night I saw a portion of a "60 Minutes" segment which detailed the lives of some young girls in the Middle East. They were shown driving, eating at a restaurant, riding horses, and speeding around on motorboats. Over and over they were referred to as a "privileged" class based upon their financial wealth. It is not the first time I have heard the rich referred to as "privileged." In a worldly sense I understand the point being made. Those who are wealthy have worldly benefits. But spiritually speaking, the Bible presents a conflicting perspective. I would contend that with the privilege of wealth comes the probability of spiritual bankruptcy.

There is nothing wrong with financial wealth, providing it is used for the glory of God. Many people, however, are driven by strong desires to be wealthy. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 reads, "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." The desire to be rich has caused many people to fall into temptation, traps, and foolish and harmful lusts which destroy. Even people who have trusted in Christ are not immune to the tendency towards greed. Those who seek after riches instead of God impale themselves with many sorrows. Because of our inherited sin nature, both poor and rich alike tend towards greed, envy, and contentiousness.

Jesus said something in Matthew 19:23-26 which bears careful examination: "Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." ²⁵ When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" ²⁶ But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." A rich man tends to trust in his riches, while that is hardly the issue for the "less privileged." Jesus says it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven. Through hyperbole Jesus was illustrating the fact that men trust their money more than God. But just like poverty does not keep a man out of heaven, nor does the abundance of riches. What is impossible with men is possible with God.

No matter how much money you have in your account, it is certain that it will not follow you into eternity. The mummified corpses of Egyptian Pharaohs were discovered thousands of years later surrounded by riches which could not help them in the afterlife. Salvation and an eternal home in the heavens is priceless, and cannot be purchased with money, platinum, silver, gold, stocks, bonds, or gemstones. The only way into heaven is absolute perfection. The Bible tells us what we already know: all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and the wages of sin is death. All people who walk this earth have one thing in common. Every human body will eventually be corrupted and perish. Because the wages of sin is death, eternity in hell is the wage we have earned for our sins. But Jesus was sent as Messiah to shed His blood as payment for our sins, the perfect Lamb of God. 1 John 4:10 says, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." Proved through His resurrection after three days, Jesus has atoned for the sins of all who will repent and trust in Him - no matter how "unprivileged" you may feel. Jesus states in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

The poor look at the rich as if they have a great privilege, and some rich are convinced they are not privileged at all. When a man believes he is entitled or deserves more than he has, he cannot appreciate his privileges. There are few liabilities more spiritually disastrous to a man or woman than great wealth. But what is not possible for any man is possible with God. To trust in dollars makes no sense. Trust in Jesus Christ and give all your resources into His hands. There is no greater privilege than being a child of God. Malachi 3:17 reads, "They shall be Mine," says the LORD of hosts, "On the day that I make them My jewels. And I will spare them as a man spares his own son who serves him." The best investment of your life is to repent and trust in Jesus Christ. This conscious choice to enter into a relationship with God pays eternal dividends! Salvation is a privilege no man can earn: it is received by God's grace. It is a privilege only those who humble themselves may obtain. There is no privilege greater than spending eternity with Jesus!

Today: A New Beginning!

2011-09-14T18:50:00.000-07:00

The length of time we have formally followed Christ is a source of pride for some. I wonder, dear professing follower of Christ, if you are closer to Him now than you were at the first? Has your love and passion for Him grown? Or has your love become familiar and cold? Are you as excited now to pray as you once were? Do you have an almost ravenous desire to consume the Word of God like at the beginning when you know you knew nothing? Have you become cynical about church and Christianity because of some bruises you've experienced over the years? This line of thought will not apply to all, but it certainly applies to some.

Are you willing to admit that up until now you have really played at Christianity? Are you willing to sacrifice your honorable badge of years following Jesus to say that you have never known Him as you ought? Are you ready to disown all works previous to now as done in the power of your flesh? Are you willing to say that today is the day of your true conversion, when you were filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time through faith and total abandonment to Christ because God loves you, you love Him, and trust Him completely? Consider a quote from G. Campbell Morgan which rings true:

You have been for years on the confines of Emmanuel's land. You are familiar with all the songs, but you cannot sing them and feel the rapture of them. You are familiar with all the phrasing of Christianity, but it has never become the phrasing which beats your heart into infinite music. You need that faith which abandons itself absolutely and wholly, not to an ideal you would like to realize, but to a Person who will realize in you every ideal after which your heart is seeking. In order to receive the Holy Ghost we have to add to our conviction, confidence; to our repentance, faith; to our hope, appropriation, and all these things in relation to Jesus Christ. The living Christ has come. The Spirit has been poured out. Westminster Chapel, London, tonight is as full in every part of the Holy Spirit of God as was the upper room on the day of Pentecost. The mistake you have been making for years is that you have been waiting for Him to come in nights of prayer and lonely vigil, in speculative inquiry; waiting while you have been attending conventions and reading books about the Holy Ghost. The Spirit has come. He is here. Every man, woman, and little child in this house is surrendered by the beneficent Spirit of God, waiting to come in, waiting to teach you the deeper music of life, its vision and glory. "How is it that I do not feel the thrill and do not see the light?" you ask. Because you have never believed in Jesus Christ. Convinced of the perfection of His ideal, put confidence in Him, and rank yourself by His side and under His banner. Repenting of sin, changing your mind about it, trust Him to give you victory in every department of life. Hoping for a better day, appropriate the day that has come. Wishing that you could be delivered, be delivered now by trusting Jesus Christ. Just where you sit, hoping, wishing, wondering, cast yourself upon Jesus Christ and say, "Here I am, now, just as I am." The Spirit of God will bring the living Christ into your own inner experience. That will end your infidelity, your skepticism, your wonder. You will pass into the realm of life, and all the signs following will be granted to you." (The Westminster Chapel, Morgan, Vol. 1, pages 236-237)

It is not until we are wearied and utterly finished with a knock-off brand of Christianity devoid of all power, strength, victory, and new life before we can taste the real thing. Some have never known Christ, some only think they know Christ, and some truly know Him. No matter where you stand, meet and follow Jesus today for the first time!

Supernatural Resource

2011-09-14T17:02:00.000-07:00

The earth is abundant with natural resources. The perfectly tuned atmosphere exists on earth which promotes health of plant, animal, and human life. Fruits and vegetables are grown in abundance on farms, and living animals both in the sea and on land provide food to support life. Beneath the surface of the earth, vast reserves of oil and coal are collected to supply fuel for heating, transportation, and manufacturing. Precious metals and gems are mined throughout the world for both industrial and cosmetic use. The more plentiful the natural resources, the more profitable the enterprise. When rarity of a resource is coupled with high demand, the value of that resource skyrockets.

From a worldly perspective, limited resources means limited success. The ultimate resource for business and people is money. Unfortunately, many churches these days also perceive money to be either the catalyst or great limiter for "ministry." I recently read a quote from an Australian pastor which I paraphrase: "Little money, little chance for ministry. Lots of money, enormous opportunity for ministry." This sentiment could not be further from the actual truth. Are money, manpower, and positive thinking the natural resources of the church?

Let us turn our attention upon Jesus Christ, the Founder and Head of the church of God. He did not attract followers with programs or large amounts of money. He did not have a worship team comprised of young, stylish people who were skilled musicians and singers. Jesus did not build a modern church campus and market Himself on the TV or internet. And think of all the real ministry He was able to do through the power of the Holy Spirit! Think of all the souls saved under His teaching, the people delivered from demonic power, the forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy which has been perpetuated to this day! What is the resource of the church? It is none other than the supernatural resource of God's love. Big buildings, cutting-edge media presentations, dynamic preaching personalities, and thousands of euphoric people singing uplifting songs in unison are absolutely impotent for ministry without the love of Jesus Christ.

This is clearly seen in scripture: the question is, do we believe it is true today? Is the love of Jesus Christ all we need to reach this dying, decadent, world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ? 1 Corinthians 13:1-2 reads, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." I thank God He has abundantly supplied the needs of His people, both spiritually and physically. Let us couple every resource God has provided with the supernatural resource of His love. May our gaze be fixed upon our Saviour Jesus Christ, the model and source of such love!

Does Life Matter?

2011-09-13T16:59:00.000-07:00

The other day I picked up a biography on Heath Ledger, an Australian-born actor who made it big in Hollywood until his untimely demise at the age of 28. My greatest interest in reading the book is learning about the man behind the masks. As I read the book, however, I find that the author doesn't have insights into Mr. Ledger on a deep, personal level. It is more of a chronology of events, a timeline sprinkled with quotes. Heath's own words open a small window to his heart.

Heath had a unique perspective of the world and his place in it, as illustrated by this quote: "I've always been very big on self-exploration and answering my own questions...I look up at the stars and go, 'There's no explanation for us to be here.' When anything is blocking my head or there's worry in my life, I just - whoosh! - go sit on Mars or something and look back here at Earth. All you see is this tiny speck; you don't see the fear, you don't see the pain, you don't see the movie industry, you don't see this interview, you don't see thought...It's just one solid speck. Then nothing really matters, it just doesn't." (Heath Ledger, McShane, John Blake Publishing Ltd., 2008, pg. 67)

As I read that quote, the only word I can think to describe it is "tragic!" It may be artistic from a worldly point of view, but the philosophy found within one's own heart is desperately lacking and often misleading. When I look at the stars, I say just the opposite: "There is a reason we are here." It is impossible to maintain proper perspective in life apart from a relationship with the Creator and Giver of life: Jesus Christ. Jesus experienced first-hand the effects of sin man brought upon himself through rebellion against God. He answered questions, shared the wisdom of God, cast out fear with perfect love, and experienced pain for us. He knew what it was like to be hounded by the paparazzi of His day. What God does matters, and the fact that He loves us makes all the difference.

I can't answer my own questions, but I'm thankful God answers.. I would have really loved to sit down with Heath and have a discussion about the development of his philosophy over the years. I wouldn't speak to him in an attempt to prove him wrong or tell him the right way to live. It would simply be to listen, to hear where he's coming from. He believed there is no explanation behind why human beings walk this earth. Yet for 28 years, Heath walked this earth and distinguished himself from others due to his skill in the art of acting. He was very careful in choosing roles. How can you say your roles or actions matter when in the big picture nothing matters? My heart breaks for the guy. The trip back and forth to Mars seems to have been tiring and unsatisfying. Mars seemed more and more attractive as a permanent home over the camera flashes, money, fame, drugs, voyeurs, and realizing that his life was not his own: he was a product that had an expiration date. The man never came back from his last trip. But Mars isn't where souls stay after their body dies. I only know what the Bible says: Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Him. He created Heath, knows Him, and I hope Heath knew Christ as LORD too. Rest in peace, mate.

Life does matter. We exist to glorify God, even as the stars which shine brightly in the heavens. Psalm 19:1-3 reads, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard." Whether you are are a star which shines in space or a movie star in Hollywood, our existence is intended to shine for the glory of God. Let all we do be to this end. Isaiah 55:6-9 says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. ⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. ⁹ "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." We matter to God, and pleasing Him should matter to us.

God's Lovingkindness

2011-09-12T18:17:00.000-07:00

"Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Last night during our family devotions we read through this passage. What a wonderful reminder it is of the loving, gracious, and holy character of God. How easy it is for our ideas of God to be warped by the opinions of those who do not know Him or through our own prejudice! People's ideas of God range from imaginary to real, a benevolent "Santa Claus" or Genie contrasted with the fire-breathing destroyer and hater of men. To magnify a single aspect of God's character at the expense of ignoring another contorts our perception of God.

In the Jeremiah passage, God entreats the wise not to glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches. Instead, whoever who glories should glory in the fact he understands and knows God. This is a wonderful truth, that God has revealed Himself to man primarily through His Word and the person of Jesus Christ. Man can understand and know His Creator in a personal way, even as a man knows a close friend. The character of God is revealed through His righteous law, perfect justice, and gracious lovingkindness. The automatic spell-checker does not believe that "lovingkindness" is a real word, and most people have no idea of the incredible lovingkindness of God.

For many of those who do believe and affirm there is a "God," He is a strictly impersonal, judgmental, passive, and potentially volatile god. They would nod their heads if I described Him as just and righteous. But does He exercise lovingkindness and actually delight in it? The transliteration of this Hebrew word is "hesed," meaning "kindness, favour, mercy, pity." God is a loving, gracious God. He is loving to punish wickedness, and His lovingkindness is evident through His correction, grace, and mercy towards us. Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

This morning I read two incredible messages by G. Campbell Morgan titled "The Sifting of Peter" and "The Turning Again of Peter" (The Westminster Pulpit, Vol. 1, Chapters 15 & 16). He details how Peter denied Jesus after boasting he would not. Instead of being angry or offended at Peter upon meeting with him again, Jesus was compassionate and filled with love. Peter was deeply ashamed because of his failure and cried bitterly. He was broken over the fact he had denied Christ on the night He was betrayed in public, and for the fact that Jesus knew it. Jesus did not confront Peter as many of us would have if we had been betrayed. Jesus did not say, "I told you so," glare at Peter, or make cynical comments aimed at belittling him in front of others. He asked Peter a simple, direct question: "Do you love me?" The fact that Jesus loved Peter was undeniable. Jesus had chosen, called, and taught Peter, and even saved him from drowning. Jesus had washed Peter's feet, showed His undying love through the cross, and had risen from the dead. At that moment Jesus had just fed Peter and the disciples breakfast. He asked Peter, "Do you love me?"

Jesus asks you today: "Do you love me?" Instead of "keeping us in line" through threats of judgment or the risk of our sin being found out by others, it is Christ's lovingkindness which draws us to repentance. Jeremiah 31:3 shows us clearly the heart of God towards all flesh: "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you." It should not be the threat of God's wrath that keeps us from sin, but the love of Christ. When we struggle between right and wrong Jesus Himself stands with us, places His arm around our shoulders, looks us in the eyes (and we cannot hold that penetrating gaze of compassion, being ashamed of our sin and continual failure), and says with love: "Do you love me?" What a weighty question to which everyone must respond. Our words carry little weight: it is our life that will provide our answer.

Perhaps your dad related to you by fear, an imposing figure of terror or violence. Maybe you have suffered much through men who abused their authority or position. You could be deeply wounded by a pastor or a priest who claimed to be a man of God! But I implore you in the name of Jesus, never allow the sins of men to poison your perceptions of God. Go to scripture and read of this God, the Creator of All Things, the One who delights in exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness. Instead of trying to balance your beliefs through the opinions of others or negative experiences, seek the truth from the Source. Forget all your bias, admit your ignorance, and seek God with your whole heart. You will see that He created and knows you, and He desires to be understood and known by you.

I close with the words of Psalm 103:1-18. Read and believe, if you dare! "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: ³who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, ⁴who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, ⁵who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷ He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. ⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. ⁹ He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹²as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. ¹⁴ For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. ¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. ¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, ¹⁸to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them."

Trust God's Healing Hands

2011-09-11T02:19:00.000-07:00

Yesterday marked the first day of baseball season for the Grisez boys, and it was nostalgic for me to be back on the field as a third base coach. Both boys had two hits and scored a run, so it was a great boost to their confidence. One thing that is different about playing baseball in Australia is the absence of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Little League Pledge. Near the scoreboard of Little League fields all over America, the American flag flies. After stating the Pledge of Allegiance, the players recite: "I trust in God, I love my country, and will respect its laws. I will play fair, and strive to win, but win or lose, I will always do my best." Play ball!

I am happy to say the Pledge is still around, even after all these years - just like God! For me, saying that pledge is still a statement of fact. I do trust in God, I do love my country (currently Australia). I will play fair and do my best to win. When two teams show up to play no matter the sport, either team can win. One team could be better in every statistical category, have the best talent and equipment, and still lose. That is why the game is played and what makes it exciting: you never know exactly how things will play out. That's one of the amazing things about God. He does not operate in the way we would expect. He doesn't often tell us what He's planning to do. But if we trust Him, it will always be for the best.

An illustration to confirm this is still a vivid memory for me. A young man I knew dislocated his knee and experienced incredible pain. After he was given medication, he was taken by ambulance to the hospital. Upon seeing him, the doctor nonchalantly began to examine the leg and - snap! He quickly manipulated the leg back into place, causing excruciating pain for an instant. When the young man asked the doctor why he didn't warn him, the doctor explained that if he had told him what he planned to do, he would have resisted him. He used the tactic of surprise to quickly put the limb back into place safely so the healing could begin.

This is what God so often does with us. We experience pain and wonder, what is God thinking! How could he allow me to have such deep, excruciating, gut-wrenching pain? Trust the Good Shepherd, little lamb. He knows what parts of your life must be manipulated so the healing can begin. He will bring the relief and healing you desire. If the doctor did not adjust the leg, the young man would have remained a cripple. It was love and desire for restoration that motivated the doctor to cause a little pain. The young man now serves in the armed forces and the injury is only a distant memory.

No matter what you're going through, no matter how deep the searing pain, trust God. He never changes, and His thoughts are good towards us, to give us a future and a hope.

A milestone...and still miles to go!

2011-09-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

Blogs are interesting animals. I suppose the motivation for regularly maintaining blogs are endless. For some it might be strictly cathartic, for others it might be the opportunity for self-revelation. Though an avid reader, I spend virtually no time reading blogs. Some are chronological family reports, while others are dedicated to political rant. I have the feeling that some blogs scream, "Look at me!" in a frantic attempt for significance in the vast yet cluttered cyberspace.

I am convinced people write blogs so people will read them. I write because I believe it is what God wants me to do. With the amount of writing I do in study and sermon preparation, it seems unnecessary for me to write more. This blog is a medium which allows me to share the truth He teaches me with others who care to hear it. Today this blog has notched over 10,000 page views from all over the world, and to me that is a significant milestone. Tack on another zero and that will be another milestone. If you are curious, the most views have come from these countries: United States, Australia, Malaysia, South Korea, and the United Kingdom. As great as it is to see people browsing the blog, my prayer (and yes, I pray that God uses this thing) is that through reading people would come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and be encouraged in their faith. One page-view God uses to this end is worth a billion views to me. In the end, I can take no credit because I have only done (and sometimes left undone) what is my joyful duty to do.

Thank you for taking the time to read. Just because someone puts in effort to write does not mean it is worth reading. I am humbled and blessed to have a LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ who gives us gifts which we can give back to Him for His glory. What gifts has God given you? How can you use them to bring honor and glory to His name? Whatever God has gifted you to do, do that thing. Do it well, seek to improve, and keep doing it. In a parable Jesus told, He illustrated the benefits of simple faithfulness. Matthew 25:21 says, "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'" You don't need to wait until heaven to hear well done. You don't need to physically die before you enter into the joy of the LORD. If you are obedient and faithful, you do well to enter into the joy of the LORD today!

Independence through Dependence?

2011-09-07T17:33:00.000-07:00

I am about halfway through reading the memoirs of A.E. Wilder-Smith called Fulfilled Journey. He concisely describes his observations as to the cause of the "disintegration" of the modern education system. A couple of sentences stood out to me: "School is too often no more than a means for the manipulation of opinions and the leveling of society for ideological reasons. It is no longer for training in independent thought and the formation of one's own opinions based on facts and data. In such a school system the development of an independent personality is neither possible nor desired." (Fulfilled Journey, Wilder-Smith, pg. 202) I heartily endorse and agree with this observation as being true to my experience. In my university days it seemed the focus was more on freedom of speech and expression rather than freedom of thought.

I appreciate A.E. Wilder-Smith's perspective because he is a scholar, scientist, an intellectual, and also a Christian. A common misconception in the world today is this breed cannot possibly exist. If someone confesses belief in God and that the Bible is the inspired Word of God in some people's minds is the equivalent of a complete lobotomy. But history shows that the exact opposite is true: some of the most independent and intelligent minds believed in the existence of God and the veracity of scripture. Jesus is the prime example of independent thinking. Have you read the Sermon on the Mount? Jesus Christ, the man who claimed to be God-made-flesh, trumped the Law based upon His own authority, and rightly so. He dashed the teachings of the scribes and Pharisees with supernatural wisdom. He did not come from their schools of theology, but Jesus crushed them over and over until they were afraid even to question Him. When Jesus was crucified, rose from the dead, and ascended into heavenly glory, even then the light of truth did not pierce the darkness of their hearts and minds.

The idea that schools once were "for training in independent thought and the formation of one's own opinions based on facts and data" was almost a startling revelation. When I attended university, it was elementary for me to deduce between what was taught and what was believed. It was not long before philosophy teachers no longer taught philosophy, but proudly displayed their own philosophy as the standard. Biology and geology presented a similar experience: we were never taught how to think scientifically or do the work of a scientist, but to accept as fact only what actual scientists had already discovered. To pass the course, one only needed to regurgitate information. Ironically, every year or so the books were reprinted as new editions with changes and adjustments to accommodate recent scientific discoveries which rendered old facts obsolete. Our knowledge was limited to textbooks written according to the consensus of scientists much smarter than us or even our professors. Are professors allowed to teach independently of material they believe inaccurate based on facts - the same facts which will be rendered obsolete in mere months? Not if they want to keep their jobs.

Should we desire to develop an "independent personality?" The answer will differ based upon your worldview. If you believe that God has created all human beings in His own image individually with unique talents, gifts, and insights, the cultivation of an independent personality should be expected. But if you believe that we exist based on the random activity of chemicals, energy, from data that somehow appeared and assembled itself over time, an independent personality does nothing to aid evolutionary progress. I am convinced that the most independent people are those most dependent on God. They do not need to fear the consequences of being fired for their insolence to oppose the status quo, for these people do not even fear death! Christians are those who historically have joyfully faced the prospects of deprivation, loss of all things, even loss of life, for the excellency of the knowledge of our God and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Paul states in Philippians 3:8-9, "Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith..."

Man manipulates, but God convinces. He does not shout from the heavens, "Believe me or else!" In Isaiah 1:18 He says through the prophet, "Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Jesus came to earth and allowed the best and brightest of the world to take their shots: He overcame every one. God does not force, but He draws us by His lovingkindness. He does not burden us with rules or ideology (though man is only too happy to oblige!) so we might stay in His favour, and will not crush us if we have questions or struggle to understand. John 8:31-36 says, "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. ³² And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ³³ They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will be made free'?" ³⁴ Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. ³⁵ And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. ³⁶ Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." Praise God for allowing us to be free: free to think and speak, free to act, and free to live for His glory. You will never know freedom until you are freed by Christ.

Somebody to Love?

2011-09-06T17:55:00.000-07:00

Love is the ultimate pop-culture icon. The word and associated baggage are tramped around on a global stage, saturating music, movies, and all media. In the English language, "love" is a word so generic that the meaning has been diluted and virtually lost. "Love" has been reduced to the vague description of a feeling or a sexual act, a complete abandonment of the biblical description. Forget God, sing musicians: love is all you need. But what is love without God? What is our basis of love? Is it really nothing more than a casual excitement of glands? How does the world's idea of love differ from God's?

The Yardbirds sang long ago, "For your love I would give the stars above...For your love I would give you all I could." It is hard for us to detach love from sex, something which stunts our concept of love greatly. On one hand the Yardbirds were vying for physical intimacy, while at the same time petitioning for the affection and loyalty. Is it honorable to offer a bribe for love, even as money is offered to a prostitute for services rendered? How different from Christ is this offer! Jesus did not offer things He could not give (though He owns the stars and calls them all by name!). Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Love sacrifices without guarantee. Love is not contractual. Real love is not, "You give me your love, and I will then give you diamond rings and things brought to your door." Love is free and of grace.

Justin Bieber's hit "Somebody to Love" runs in a similar vein. He pleads over and over again, "I just need somebody to love." Playing on the natural desire on doting fans to BE loved, he tantalizingly portrays himself as one who longs to love - but hasn't found someone to lavish his love upon. "I need somebody...I don't need nothing else, I promise girl, I swear, I just need somebody to love." What rings hollow about this love is that it is an impersonal, false counterfeit. Justin is looking for "somebody" - not you and definitely not me! But will anyone do? We are left uncertain. Real love doesn't hold back for approval. God's love is unlimited and infinite, not solely for "someone," but offered freely to all! John 3:16 reads, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." Justin sings about needing somebody to love: I wonder if he needs someone to love him? Do you need someone to love you?

Queen's song sums up the feelings of many people, but misses the forest for the trees. The first verse goes, "Can anybody find me somebody to love? Each morning I get up I die a little, can barely stand on my feet. Take a look in the mirror and cry, Lord what you're doing to me! I have spent all my years in believing you. But I just can't get no relief, Lord! Somebody, somebody! Can anybody find me somebody to love?" (punctuation mine) The longing to love and be loved go hand in hand. While Queen's focus is on the physical aspects of love, there is a clear ignorance of God's love! Jesus is somebody to love who loves us with an everlasting love, and through lovingkindness has drawn us to Himself (Jer. 31:3)! Man does not need more love than God can give. God's love satisfies completely, surpassing the love of men and women. All God has done is lavish His love upon unworthy, sinful, ignorant men like myself. "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

God is not waiting to prove His love to us: Jesus did that on the cross. God is not waiting for us to accept His love before He offers it to us: it has been offered already to all. We cannot earn His favor, nor gain the worthiness to receive it through the bribes of "good works," because God's love is a gift to be received. We can only reciprocate. How does the Bible describe this active, sacrificial love? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says, "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." Love never fails. Unless you know Jesus Christ personally, you cannot comprehend this love. You have never experienced it, and you cannot give it. But you may have it! If you will submit to receiving the love of God through repentance and faith in Christ, your life will then be marked by this transforming love.

Are you looking for somebody to love? More importantly, are you willing to receive God's love through faith in Jesus Christ? It is only through the power of God that we can love how we were designed and intended to. 1 John 3:16 states, "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Instead of giving you stars, flowers, diamonds, God saw fit to shed His own blood for you (Acts 20:28). That's real love, and it's really awesome! Receive His love today!

Give All to God

2011-09-05T18:24:00.000-07:00

When driving yesterday I saw a bumper sticker which read, "Yes, this is my truck. No, I will not help you move." Everyone who has owned a truck or ute knows well the high demand of friends and acquaintances to use it! I once had a friend who was so tired of people asking to borrow his truck to help them move that he bought a fiberglass cover for the bed! The usefulness and practicality of moving greatly reduced, he rarely had to deal with requests. When he wanted to move something, it was no trouble for the top to be removed again! Most people don't buy a truck hoping every weekend someone will borrow and load it with sand, bricks, or furniture. The bumper sticker emphasizes the perspective that my things are for me, not for you.

This is the common philosophy of the world: my things are mine. In the Russian fable of the Little Red Hen, she planted, watered, tended, harvested, threshed, milled, and used the wheat to make flour into bread that only she ate because only she had worked on it. My grain, my bread. But the Christian perspective is to be completely different. We are called to recognize that all things we have - even our own lives - are not our own but a gift from God to be willingly, joyfully, given back to Him. Did the little red hen create the earth, provide the sun, and engineer the water to cause her wheat to grow? Did she give herself life? Did the ability to work originate in herself? Was she instrumental in the creation of the wheat to cause it to bear seed so it might produce more wheat? All along God provided and created the means for bread to be baked to satisfy her hunger. Your life is a gift from God not to be used for yourself, but for the glory of God.

When God gives you a gift or talent, it is not primarily for you. God did not gift me to write and teach so I could become a famous millionaire: He has gifted me so others will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ to the glory of God. We Christians are to make God's name famous! He has given me life and a certain amount of time on this earth not for me, but for Him to work in and through me for His glory. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reads, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's." Our ability to see, hear, speak, think, work, and do is intended by God to be used with Him and others in mind.

Has God granted you spiritual gifts? See that you use them faithfully for the glorification of God and the edification of the Body of Christ, the church. Has God committed time, finances, talents, and abilities to your trust? These were never intended to bolster your self-esteem or give you confidence in yourself, but that you might commit them completely to the use of your Heavenly Father. Instead of using your talents to draw attention to yourself, all talents are to be invested to bring glory to God. If God has given you a truck, be open to helping people move. If God has given you skill in fixing computers, baking, cleaning, writing, singing, running, tutoring, being a good listener or anything else, commit what you have into the hands of Jesus for Him to use. It may cost you a little petrol or a scratch here or there, but using what you have to glorify God is better than hiding it in a garage and only gathering dust! What good will a shiny ute be on the Day of Judgment?

Can you imagine if Jesus had the philosophy of the Little Red Hen? "I planted the seed, I cut the corn, I took it to the mill to be made into flour, and I made the bread, all by myself. I shall now eat the loaf all by myself." The pig, the duck and the cat all stood and watched as the little red hen ate the loaf all by herself. It was delicious and she enjoyed it, right to the very last crumb." Jesus is the Bread of Life. He could have kept Himself all to Himself. He could have denied us because of our sin, faithlessness, and open rebellion against God. Instead, Jesus operated in love and grace. He is not willing that any should perish, and takes no pleasure in those who are starving in soul and heading for eternal destruction because of sin. Jesus did nothing of Himself (John 8:28), but acted and spoke according to the will of the Father. If Jesus should so willingly give His life for us sinners, shouldn't we freely give ourselves for His use?

Commit your life to God today. God has given you all that you have, and has made you all that you are. It may seem as insignificant as five loaves and two fish, but think of how many thousands were fed when that little bit was committed to the hands of Jesus! The results are not your responsibility. He will do the work. Be open and allow God to use all He has given you for His glory.

G. Campbell Morgan Quote

2011-09-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

Reading is something I do every day. I am always in the middle of several books in addition to the Bible. Over the years I have either purchased or acquired books that I have yet to read. There are some books I read every couple years of so, like Charles Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students, Foxes Book of Martyrs, and a 1st edition copy of J. Oswald Sander's book Spiritual Leadership. I also have some large sets which were purchased as an investment because of the incredible price I am still working through. One of these is a 10-volume set titled The Westminster Pulpit which feature the preaching of G. Campbell Morgan. Slowly and surely I intend to read through the thousands of pages still unread in my library.

I read a passage this morning I thought was very beneficial. G. Campbell Morgan was preaching on the conversation of Jesus Christ with two distraught, disillusioned disciples on the road to Emmaus. It is my pleasure to share a portion of this illuminating message with you.

What were the things that He said? Nothing new. I am increasingly impressed with this. He did not bring to them any new message. It was the old, so said as they had never heard it said before. "Beginning at Moses and all the prophets He interpreted to them in the scriptures the things concerning Himself..."

...Then when He took their prophets one by one, how wonderful to hear Him explain, and how marvelous the rapture of their heart as they heard Him tell how all the prophets led up to the Messiah Who died just as they had seen that Man die, of Whom they had been speaking so kindly. As they listened to Him they would find out that he was David's King, "fairer than the children of men"; and in the days of Solomon's well-doing He it was that was "altogether lovely." He was Isaiah's child-king, with a shoulder strong enough to bear the government, and a name Emmanuel gathering within itself all excellencies. He was Jeremiah's "Branch of Righteousness, executing judgment and righteousness in the land"; Ezekiel's "Plant of renoun," giving shade and shedding fragrance; Daniel's stone cut without hands, smiting the image, becoming a mountain, and filling the whole earth; the ideal Israel of Hosea "growing as the lily," "casting out his roots as Lebanon; to Joel "the hope of His people and the strength of the children of Israel"; the usherer in of the great vision of Amos of "the plowman overtaking the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed"; and of Obadiah the "deliverance upon Mount Zion and holiness"; the fulfillment of that of which Jonah was but a sign; the "turning again" of God of which Micah spoke; the One Whom Nahum saw upon the mountains publishing peace; the Anointed of Whom Habakkuk sang as "going forth for salvation"; He Who brought to the people the pure language of Zephaniah's message, the true Zerubbabel of Haggai's word rebuilding forever the house and the city of God; Himself the dawn of the day when "holiness unto the Lord shall be upon the bells of the horses" as Zechariah foretold; He the "refiner's fire," "the fuller's soap," "The Sun of righteousness" of Malachi's vision. All these things passed in rapid survey as He talked. He was taking their own prophets and unlocking them, flinging back the shutters and letting the light stream in. He talked of them, and they were silent; and there broke upon them a new vision of the truth, a new understanding of things which they were perfectly familiar, and in this new vision they found new understanding of all the things which they long had known.

Their burning heart, what was it? The thrill of a new discovery of their Lord and the shame of the past failure to appreciate Him, and the passion of a new endeavor which should set their feet in the pathway which led to ultimate victory. (The Westminster Pulpit, G. Campbell Morgan, Vol. 1, pg. 92-94)

What treasures lay dusty in your library? What truth lies hidden in your Bible yet to be discovered! What an amazing, life-giving resource we have available in God's Word when illuminated through the Holy Spirit! Read on, read on - but not alone: invite Jesus to walk with you as you read. No longer will it be dry dull passages, but words bursting with life and meaning! It is Christ who will sustain our souls! It is Jesus who makes all things new!

Be Like Baruch

2011-09-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

"After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired the other piece, from the turning of the wall unto the door of the house of Eliashib the high priest."

Nehemiah 3:20

As I read the Bible this morning, this verse stood out from all the others. Thirty-one times in chapter 3 of Nehemiah (KJV), children of Israel are named as ones who laboured to "repair" Jerusalem. The wall had been broken down, the gates were burnt with fire, and the city had been desolate for a long time. What grabbed my attention is that Baruch was the only one with a descriptive word included to show how he repaired: "earnestly." The NKJV translates the word "carefully," but it is not as close a translation as the KJV in this instance.

I wondered, what did Baruch do that distinguished him from all the rest? Many repaired the city, but Baruch repaired earnestly. The transliteration of the original Hebrew is "hara," and this is the only time in scripture this particular word is translated as "earnestly." Most of the time it is translated "kindled" (44 times), "wroth" (13 times), "hot" (10 times), and "angry" (9 times). Copying the definition from the Strong's concordance in the Word Search Bible program, it means: "to glow or grow warm; figurative (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy :- be angry, burn, be displeased, × earnestly, fret self, grieve, be (wax) hot, be incensed, kindle, × very, be wroth." In my own words, I would say Baruch was fired up! He literally attacked this building and repairing project with such fervor and violence that it seemed like he was angry. Baruch had an attitude of great intensity and a singular ferocity which made an impression as he worked.

I would love to meet Baruch, the violent builder that he was! He funneled all his aggression to labour for God's glory by rebuilding the city in which God had placed His name. Baruch had a limited role, but the bit committed to him he did with all his might. Without knowing it, Baruch was heeding the exhortation Paul gave in Colossians 3:22-24: "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ." Whatever we do should be done for the glory of God, and we are told to do it heartily. Christians are called to love God and serve him heartily, vehemently, with all our heart, mind, and soul.

Jesus says in Revelation 3:15-16 to the church in Laodicea, "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth." Baruch was not lukewarm, but boiling hot. God would rather us be boiling hot than cold or lukewarm. Jesus also worked earnestly. He knew time was short and He needed to expend His energy fully in glorifying God. Jesus says in John 9:4-5: "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Work was not an option: it was an imperative. Whatever Jesus did, He did it heartily. Jesus did what needed to be done.

Let us be like Baruch, a man wholly on fire to do the job set before Him. May the same divine power and intensity which marked Jesus Christ mark all Christians as we are baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire!

Ministry and Word of Reconciliation

2011-08-31T19:12:00.000-07:00

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ¹⁸ Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, ¹⁹ that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. ²⁰ Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. ²¹ 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 5:17-21

How compelling is the love of Christ! During our mid-week Bible study at church, we spent time discussing them together. The overwhelming theme of scripture is Jesus Christ and how man can only be reconciled to God through faith in Him. The Bible teaches us of our perfect Creator and God, how man has been estranged and alienated from God through our rebellion and sin, and that God has made a way for man to be reconciled to God through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. When we repent and trust in Christ, receiving His love and forgiveness, we are born again through the indwelling power of the the Holy Spirit.

Consider the overwhelming theme of reconciliation in the above passage. God does not need to be reconciled to man, but man has a great need to be reconciled to God. What amazing love and grace we see in God, that the Almighty would desire to have reconciled to Him such sinners as we! In scripture and in the person of Jesus Christ, God made flesh, we see a divine revelation of love so pure, merciful, and good. It is a love which never grows old, a love confirmed again and again through our Risen LORD and Saviour.

As a follower of Jesus Christ, old things have passed away and all things have become new. One thing I have been considering of late is the fact that God has committed two things to all Christians: the ministry of reconciliation and the word of reconciliation. God has commissioned all believers as His ambassadors to all people alienated from God through sin, doubt, unbelief, and rebellion so they too might be reconciled to God. This is the truth: God the Father made Jesus who never sinned to become sin for all, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Amazing, incredible truth!

How do we effectively labour in the ministry of reconciliation? Warren Wiersbe puts it this way: "Ministry takes place when divine resources meet human needs through loving channels to the glory of God." (On Being a Servant of God, pg. 3) The most basic of all human needs is to be reconciled to God. Human bodies have physical needs, and we are to meet physical needs with love to address the deepest spiritual need of forgiveness and salvation most remain ignorant of. The ministry of reconciliation should never be divorced from the word of reconciliation. Jesus is the Word made flesh, and God has given us the Bible, the Word of God. Food will enter the mouth and be eliminated, but the Word of God will endure forever. The words of Jesus are the words of life.

God has committed the word of reconciliation to us: how committed are you to practice and proclaim the Word of God? Scripture does not exist for us to debate and argue, to prove how we are right and others are wrong, for us to grow in spiritual knowledge and pride, to beat people up and tear them down: God has given us the Bible so we and others might be reconciled to Him. That is why Jesus came to earth, faced the cross, and rose from the dead! The word reconcile basically means "to change, restore." God wants to change us and make us new creations through His grace. He desires to restore us to a close personal relationship with Him because He loves us. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

Let us be students of the Word and use the scriptures for their intended purpose, all to the end that sinful man would be reconciled to His loving Creator. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Scatter Good Seed!

2011-08-29T18:48:00.000-07:00

Today I planted some seeds in our small garden in the back yard. I planted some chili peppers and tomatoes in pursuit of some delicious fresh salsa. As I poured the seeds into my palm from the tiny packet, I looked from the tiny seeds to the picture of a huge tomato on the envelope. The pale, dry seeds were extremely tiny, yet the package said to plant them almost a full meter apart! It is phenomenal that one miniscule seed in the proper environment will certainly sprout into a large bush and bear much fruit. Amazing!

Planting the seeds was very simple. I felt no pressure whatsoever, because the growth of the plant and its fruitfulness does not depend on my ability. They will either grow or they won't. If there is not growth I will plant more! I carefully dropped seeds into a slight depression, covered it with soil, and pressed it firmly. In mere minutes I had sown, watered, and now the waiting begins! I was reminded of a passage of scripture, Psalm 126:6: "He who continually goes forth weeping, bearing seed for sowing, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." This is a great verse which illustrates well the heart of evangelism. For the love of God and His everlasting glory, we are to humbly, meekly, and obediently sow seed in the hearts of any who will receive. In the Parable of the Sower, the seed is the Word of God (the Bible) and the condition of the soil represents the hearts of the hearers. Not all seed that is sown will grow, but some will. God's Word is the seed of finest quality and we can trust it will be fruitful according to God's promises.

I think many people put pressure on themselves when it comes to evangelism. Instead of holding fast to the spiritual perspective that sometimes we sow, water, or harvest in complete reliance upon God, we can make an activity to personally measure our faith and holiness. When the Word is rejected we take it personally. When seeds are sown and nothing seems to have changed, we can become disillusioned and lose heart. As I planted those seeds in boxes filled with clean topsoil, all my confidence was in the seed and the Designer who engineered it: God. It should be exactly the same when I share scripture and my faith with others. Instead of placing my confidence in my words, experience, training, or a tract, I ought to place my faith in God's Word, the blood of Jesus, and the power of the Holy Spirit to regenerate and save.

When the use of God's Word is divorced from evangelism, we should not be surprised when our effort is wasted. It is like turning the earth with a spade but never planting anything! Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 3:6-8, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. ⁷ So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. ⁸ Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labour." If we are faithful to share the Word of God as led by the Holy Spirit, God will give the increase. God's Word will always accomplish the purpose for which it is sent, and will never return void. Scatter it liberally! If much fruit can come from a tiny dry seed which satisfies the mouth and stomach temporarily, how much greater is an eternal harvest of souls for the glory of God?

Beware of Thieves!

2011-08-28T23:07:00.000-07:00

I spent a couple hours this morning digging in the backyard. With spring rapidly approaching (and today it felt like it had arrived full-force!), it was time to start preparing the plot for a small vegetable garden. We aim to plant different varieties of chiles, beetroot, tomatoes, and lettuce to start. As I cleared an area overgrown with grass and weeds by the fence, I found myself having to contend with roots from our neighbor's trees. Several of his trees near the fence apparently have found an abundance of water in my yard. Whenever I found one, I dug up as much as I could and cut it off.

I don't know why, but God often teaches me things as I work in the yard. Lately the lessons have a common thread: the proper use of my time. I consider the roots of my neighbors trees as thieves, intruders on my property. They rob the plants I am trying to cultivate of water and nutrients. They choke out my plants and impede my ability to properly turn the soil and irrigate. They destroy the fence and lift up brick pavers. Under the surface, they deftly grow strong and deep. I have declared war on those thieving roots, and I am not sympathetic to a single one.

Imagine your life as a Christian like a fenced yard. Inside your life, within the boundaries of your relationship with God, the Holy Spirit is cultivating spiritual fruit to bring glory to God. Your thoughts and actions are to be wholly governed by God. But there influences outside the walls of your heart: hobbies, cares, and concerns which vie for our attention. It could be a preoccupation about watching a football game, who was eliminated last night on Survivor, browsing on Facebook, or playing Angry Birds. It could be absolutely anything, and likely nothing in itself that is sin. But these roots are a real threat to our relationship with God. Notice I did not say "can be" a threat. Every one of those roots IS a threat to take our mind off of Christ and onto things of this world.

In my backyard, I have no sympathy for those thieving roots. But God is showing me that in my spiritual life I harbour sympathy for particular time thieves. For example, time at the movies, playing games, and watching sport can rob God of time He desires to spend with me and I should spend with Him. But wait just a moment, you might say. Am I saying there is something wrong with hobbies and recreational activities? Not in themselves. The problem is within us because we are always unbalanced. God and the world are not to be weighed on scales with the false balance of cultural Christianity. I doubt anyone would dispute that we give too much thought and time to things we shouldn't. Next to life in Christ, time is one of the great gifts God has given us. Time is easier wasted on the world than invested in godly things.

I am slowly, ever so slowly, coming to grips with how hardcore the lifestyle of a Christian is intended to be. It is evident that what I have seen and experienced of Christianity has been more influenced by western culture than it should be. How much time did Jesus spend extolling the virtues of hobbies and recreational activities? How often did He justify anything done solely for personal gratification? I can't think of a single instance! Jesus always went straight for the heart of the matter, the purpose and motivation behind what we do and why we do it. Two men can play rugby: one can play it motivated by pride, because he wants to crush people and win, while the other plays so he might have an opportunity to glorify Jesus Christ through his example. Same activity, different motivation and outcome.

Christ is supposed to be my all in all, but I sorrow to think He has been reduced to some. That is just not good enough. He deserves better. I encourage you to consider this question: what do you spend a lot of your time thinking about? What commands your attention apart from Christ? That is the thing which has roots creeping under the fence, threatening to sap you of spiritual strength and power. One by one as those roots come to your attention, do battle on them. Everything has its place, but we should not be sympathetic towards anything which robs God of time with us and us with Him. Your spiritual walk will be better and stronger for it.

Use Time Wisely

2011-08-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

I read an interesting article about the lack of team chemistry in sports these days due to modern technology. This claim has been substantiated by many coaches at the professional level. It used to be that when the team rode the bus, traveled on planes, or sat around in the dressing rooms, they would be talking with one another. Camaraderie grew between the players as they ate food, told stories, cracked jokes, made fun of each other, or shared in ridiculous antics. A good team became better because players were not just teammates but friends. There was a large overlap between personal life and the playing field.

Where there used to be conversations, now there is silence between people. Everyone has their headphones on or their ear buds in. A little world is created where the programming, playlist, and activities are all controlled by the user. It is all about me. People play mindless games on their mobiles to fill the time, or surf the net on their tablets. Silence means distance, even when you share a seat. Quoting Adrian Dater, the writer for SI.com: "The rise of smartphones, with all their instant-communication and entertainment options, have created insular worlds into which distracted players too often retreat instead of bonding with teammates." The ironic thing is that people are still bored stiff!

It isn't only team sports which have suffered from this unbridled advance of technology: families all over the world face this all too common disaster. Mobile phones used to be used only in case of emergency. But now they operate as a phone, video camera, personal computer, mp3 player, movie theater, television, and gaming system in one. Parents and kids are easily sucked into an alternate reality that literally drains half of your productive waking hours away. Instead of playing board games, everyone sits on the lounge playing their own game, sending text messages, or chatting with friends who are sitting on a lounge somewhere else. Without restraints, life flows in the direction of least resistance. Technology can be very helpful, but without strict limits and guidelines it is dangerous and destructive.

As a pastor my concern is not only with individuals and families, but the state of people's relationship with God. If sports teams are feeling the pinch, if families are becoming virtual strangers in their own homes, how much is addiction to technology robbing God of the close relationships He desires and deserves! Here is a strange thing to consider: instead of a son confiding in his parents, he shares his struggles with a grown man on another continent he has never seen; instead of a daughter spending time with God in prayer, she plays games for hours; instead of spending time with her husband, a wife night after night chats late with people she doesn't even care about or will ever meet. And why don't we spend time studying the scripture, praying, and having close family time? Because we don't have the time. Yeah right. We all have the same amount of time: we must choose to use our time productively doing things which really matter by investing in family and eternity.

I offer this challenge: place limits on how, when, and how often you and your children spend time utilizing technology for personal gratification. You may find it hard to abide by your own rules! If this is the case, consider that you might have a problem that will not go away on its own. Give up things that draw you away from God. Seek the LORD and allow Him to order your day and the use of your time. As parents, let me remind you that you are completely responsible for the actions of your children. Take the reins and hold them firmly. If you child or teen responds with tears and tantrums, you are doing the right thing! Stand fast and stay strong! As John Wesley says, "Never, on any account, give a child anything that it cries for." Take control of your personal lives and your families, for the devil would like nothing more than for us to twiddle our thumbs all the way to our graves.

In and Upon

2011-08-23T18:36:00.000-07:00

Early this morning I walked into my son's shared room to see Abel lying on his back, shivering in bed. The air was chilly and the room dark. Though Abel had thick blankets available for him to use, one had fallen off the bed and the other was at his feet in a ball. His arms clung tightly to the thin flannel sheet as he slept.

My initial reaction was a cross between amusement, annoyance, and compassion. It struck me funny that Abel clung to the thing which offered him least protection against the cold. But if the bed had been completely made with the blanket tucked it could not have slid onto the floor! The boy was cold and needed warmth. The steps which precipitated the shivering was not as important as the cure: lifting the blankets back onto the bed, smoothing out the blanket pile, and Abel laying underneath them.

In Australia, a thick bedspread is often called a "doona." In the States where I was born, a common term is a "comforter." The LORD impressed upon my heart that Abel's condition is not unlike many in the body of Christ in a spiritual sense. The Holy Spirit is referred to as the "Comforter" who will guide us into all truth. His role is to glorify Jesus Christ, teach us of the things of God, and lead us according to God's will. There are many Christians who are shuddering in the cold because they have not embraced the Person of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit provides gifts to be used for the edification of the Body and the glorification of God. In his sleep, Abel was blind and insensible. He was cold when he could have been warm.

Christ baptized the disciples with the Holy Spirit and fire on the Day of Pentecost, and He baptizes people in like fashion today. Many have kicked the idea of baptism with the Holy Spirit to the side of their Christian experience. Satan has done much to warp perception of this baptism through excess, abuse, and confusion. But the biblical precedent is clear and simple: we receive this baptism through faith in Christ with the asking, even as a child receives a peeled egg from the hand of his father. Eggs are to be ingested, and blankets are to be snuggled under. Praise God for His compassion upon us, that He has not left us in the dark or in the cold! Our heavenly Father has given us the Holy Spirit through Christ's intercession as Jesus says in John 14:16-17: "And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; ¹⁷ Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

Jesus affirms in Luke 11:13: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" Let us not be cold or settle for lukewarm, but fanned into a burning flame through the power of the Holy Spirit. He is like oil ignited: when mixed with the Living Water which flows from our hearts the flame is not extinguished but spreads with great intensity! The Holy Spirit is in all who repent and trust in Christ: may He be upon us as well.

Done Your Duty?

2011-08-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

Definition of "duty" (first of seven) in Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, First Edition, 1828

DUTY, n. [from due, Fr. du.] - That which a person owes to another; that which a person is bound, by any natural, moral or legal obligation, to pay, do or perform. Obedience to princes, magistrates and the laws is the duty of every citizen and subject; obedience, respect and kindness to parents are duties of children; fidelity to friends is a duty; reverence, obedience and prayer to God are indispensable duties; the government and religious instruction of children are duties of parents which they cannot neglect without guilt.

Definition of "duty" (first of seven) in The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition, 1992

DUTY, n. - An act or a course of action that is required of one by position, social custom, law, or religion.

A lot of things transpired during the 164 years between the printing of these definitions. Not all changes have been for the better. The Webster definition hails from a biblical worldview, while the American Heritage definition is left ambiguous and theoretical. No doubt many today would bristle at the suggestion that God does exist, created man, and therefore man owes God.

Time does not change truth. IF God does exist and created all things, man does owe Him. IF the Bible is truly God-breathed, man has a responsibility to heed and obey it. IF God has revealed His perfect Law through scripture, then man's duty is to keep it. IF we have broken a single law of God, the Bible says the wages of sin is death. IF Jesus Christ came to the world, died on the cross for the sins of the world, and rose again to prove His victory over sin and death, we have a duty to give Christ the reward of His suffering through repentance and trust in Him. The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our LORD. If God has given a gift, it is our duty to receive.

John 3:14-16 reads, "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." It is man's duty to trust in Christ and fully live to please Him. We fulfill this duty best when we do it for God's sake, not for our own. We are the benefactors of God's love, forgiveness, compassion, mercy, and grace. Gratitude and love for God compel us to see this duty done!