I Belong to You!

I was riding along with a co-worker to a jobsite listening to the radio the other morning.  A couple of songs were played in a row which had surprisingly similar lyrics.  First there was "You Belong With Me" by Taylor Swift, a song about a girl who likes a boy who does not share her feelings of desire.  "Been here all along, so why can't you see?  You belong with me."  Immediately following that song Boyz II Men's "End of the Road" played, a song similar in many ways:  "Although we've come to the end of the road still I can't let go, it's unnatural, you belong to me, I belong to you."  After hearing these songs in succession, my mind drifted to a song I actually used to own on vinyl by the Police, "Every Breath You Take."  This creepy-stalker-song is a twisted view of romance:  "Every step you take, I'll be watching you - every single day and every word you say, every game you play, every night you stay, I'll be watching you.  Oh can't you see you belong to me?"

Love in this world is patently impure, completely opposite than the love which springs from God.  Instead of saying "You belong to me!" true love says "I belong to you:  have all of me."  That's what Jesus did when He allowed Himself to become a sacrifice for the sins of the world.  He did not act like an estranged lover who sought to "get back" at the one who rejected him.  Instead Jesus gave Himself freely, actively showing His love even to those who smote, scourged, and sentenced Him.  Jesus faced death in silence, but His love speaks volumes to this day.  He did not scream as a fierce tyrant who was double-crossed by traitors, though He had every right to do so.  God is our Creator, and as His creation we answer to His justice.  But by His grace if we respond to His love in repentance and faith, the justice poured out upon Christ can be substituted for the justice we deserve for our sin.  And wonder of wonders, Christ's virtue and righteousness is added to our account when we are justified and born again by the Holy Spirit.

What kind of love do we show to others:  the selfish-indignant "You belong to me!" false love of this world or the "I belong to you" kind of love modeled by Jesus Christ?  To give it you must have received of it, and there is only one source:  Jesus!  Against such love there is no law.

From "A Minister's Obstacles"

Here is an untitles poem found on page 109 in Ralph Turnbull's book "A Minister's Obstacles."  It sums up the duty and desire of every Christ-follower very well.

"He held the lamp that Sabbath day
So low that none could miss the way,
And yet so high, to bring to sight
That picture fair of Christ the Light,
That, gazing up, the lamp between
The hand that held it was not seen.


He held the pitcher, stooping low,
To lips of little ones below;
Then raised it to the weary saint,
And bade him drink when sick and faint.
They drank, the pitcher them between,
The hand that held it was not see.


He blew the trumpet soft and clear,
That trembling sinners need not fear;
And then with louder note and bold,
To storm the walls of Satan's hold;
The trumpet coming thus between,
The hand that held it was not seen.


And when our Captain says, 'Well done,
Thou good and faithful servant; come,
Lay down the pitcher and the lamp;
Lay down the trumpet, leave the camp,'
The weary hands will then be seen
Clasped in the pierced ones, naught between."

Light in a Dark World

I recently read a new biography of Dietrich Bonhoeffer called "Bonhoeffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy" by Eric Metaxas (Thomas Nelson, 20 April 2010).  Bonhoeffer was a theologian and pastor who was involved in a plot to assassinate Adolf Hitler during WWII, was imprisoned for years, and was executed shortly before the end of the war.  This is not meant to be a detailed critique of Metaxas's  work or a character study of Bonhoeffer:  the book does a stellar job of the history and theology of Bonhoeffer, and I highly recommend it.  It is objective, passionate, and gives a keen view into a great mind and genuine Christian life that marked Dietrich Bonhoeffer.  I'm looking forward to reading Bonhoefffer's "Cost of Discipleship," seeing as my dad picked up a copy today.

The book drives home the horrors of the holocaust.  Today I worked at UCSD and the jobsite sits directly across from dorms.  When I drove in at 5:55am there was a group of students waiting at the curb for the shuttle to arrive, and when I left at the end of the day there was another batch waiting.  All day long there was a constant stream of students with luggage checking in with an attendant and piling into buses.  I was reminded of how the Jews were herded onto trucks and trains for the purpose of labor and extermination.  While these students likely are excited to be heading home for a vacation from their studies, for the Jews it was only the beginning of horrors.  The atrocities committed by Hitler's regime towards humankind remains stunningly evil.  The mass executions, hanging with thin wire, scientific experimentation, and the destruction of life cannot be viewed as anything other than gruesome tragedy.

As barbaric and terrible as that dark period of history is, much worse is yet to come.  You may doubt this.  Though the heathen men who carried out this "final solution" are dead, the demons who drove them are alive still.  Humans are no less savage today than the Nazis who carried out the demands of their deranged commander.  The potential for unthinkable wickedness still lives on in unregenerate human hearts.  There is no hope for humanity outside of Jesus Christ.  Since his fall Satan has hated all God's people with a furious vengeance, and Revelation 11 spells this out clearly.  In context the woman spoken of in represents the nation of Israel, and the dragon is Satan.  Rev. 12:17 says, "And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."  The devil knows his time is limited, and he intends to use it to the full in carrying out his attacks against Jews and Christians alike.

Let us not be ignorant or dismissive of the spiritual battle which is raging even now for the souls of men.  We see new depths of depravity and sadism in modern film, art, video games, and music.  Roger Ebert recently wrote of a horror film (which I do not recommend checking out):  "I am required to award stars to movies I review. This time, I refuse to do it. The star rating system is unsuited to this film. Is the movie good? Is it bad? Does it matter? It is what it is and occupies a world where the stars don't shine."  The world is becoming an increasingly dark place, and it will become darker still in the years ahead should God tarry.  Yet the converse of this ugliness is the light and clarity Christ brings through born-again Christians will be brighter than ever before.  The darker the night the brighter and distinct the stars are.  Real Christians and their bright testimony in life or death will be undeniable and weigh heavily upon the minds of the most hardened haters.

We have a joyous opportunity to allow our light (who is Christ) to shine throughout the whole earth.  While most people relentlessly pursue what only will destroy them, we have the calling, duty, and ability to share Gospel truth of salvation.  We need not walk in fear, for perfect love casts out all fear.  We are children of the day, and night is coming when no one can work.  We are more than overcomers through Jesus Christ who loves us and gave His life for us.  Praise Him for the days in which we live!  He has chosen us for this day:  let us live to please Him!

God Deserves Glory

I read an interesting verse this morning during my devotions and I thought I would share it and my response.  It goes so well with the quote of the week that I couldn't keep it to myself!  I also can't help thinking it will minister to someone else rather than me, for we all have difficult times and seasons.

Leviticus 14:34 reads, "When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give you as a possession, and I put the leprous plague in a house in the land of your possession..."

Notice who places the plague in the house:  God does!  This is a shocking revelation to people who think the devil is to blame for all the "bad" we experience and God is to thank for all good.  God is able to take something which appears bad and use it for good.  God tested His people in the wilderness with traveling and hardship, to see if they would walk in His ways or not.  God allowed Satan to take Job's wealth and health.  Job said to his wife who tempted him to forsake God, "Should we receive good from God and not evil?"  God at times would allow leprosy in a house to see if people would obey His law. so He would be glorified.  When the disciples of Jesus saw a blind man they said, "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?"  Jesus said neither, but this happened so God might be glorified.  It is the heathen who are convinced "karma" exists, a perversion of the Golden Rule.  When Paul, thought to be a criminal by the natives of Malta was bitten by a viper, they said in their hearts, "He has escaped the sea but justice will not allow him to live."  When he didn't swell up and die, they figured instead he was a god.  Wrong on both accounts!  He was no criminal, and he was a man who served the Living God.  His life was spared for God's glory, even as Paul was imprisoned for the glory of God according to His Word, having said in Acts 27:22:  "And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship."  This theme is woven throughout scripture:  God gives and takes away for His glory and the testing of our hearts.  Trials make us better and increase our faith in God.  A man who walks in faith brings God greater glory.

God Will!

When I look upon how far God has brought me it energizes my faith to believe how far He will take me.  Willpower falls woefully short of the fulfillment of God's will.  It is the empowerment of the Holy Spirit which not only goads us but enables us to do anything.  At the top of a grand peak the climber might shout "I did it!" in exhilaration, yet a Christian after conquering the weakest of temptation or the greatest of struggles humbly says, "You did it, God.  Amazing considering the weak vessels you choose to use!"  When we have done all our duty we are still unprofitable servants, and all profit comes from the gracious hand of God.

If we neglect to consider where we have been, it's likely we'll lose our way wherever we're going.  Many biblical prayers include a history lesson which is not always the most flattering.  Take the prayer of praise in Nehemiah 9:5-37.  There is much confession of sin, rebellion, idolatry, and stubbornness of previous generations.  There was no blame placed on their forefathers, just a honest rehearsal of events both past and present.  Neh. 9:33-35 says, "However You are just in all that has befallen us; for You have dealt faithfully, but we have done wickedly. [34] Neither our kings nor our princes, our priests nor our fathers, have kept Your law, nor heeded Your commandments and Your testimonies, with which You testified against them. [35] For they have not served You in their kingdom, or in the many good things that You gave them, or in the large and rich land which You set before them; nor did they turn from their wicked works."  God brought the children out of Egypt, into the Promised Land, and delivered them from captivity in Babylon as well.  Though they had not been perfect, God had been faithful.

I'm not perfect but I know that what God has promised He is able to perform.  I know He has called me to minister for His glory, will eventually fulfill my calling on earth, and usher me into eternal glory by His grace.  God will do His part:  I must be willing to do mine!  Help me Father to live as if all depended on me with the knowledge that you are the one who does all!  Thank you it is not me, but Christ in me who can accomplish anything.  You are worthy of all trust, honor, and praise.

Answer God's Call!

"And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, [12] for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, [13] till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; [14] that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, [15] but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- [16] from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love."

Ephesians 4:11-16

Every cell of a healthy human being interacts harmoniously with the rest of the body.  These cells do not exist to take up space, but all work for the well-being of the whole.  Jesus Christ is the Head of the body - the church - comprised of people who have repented and trusted in Him as LORD and Savior.  As the function of a red blood cell differs from a brain cell, every single person who belongs to the Body of Christ has a distinct office and calling according to God's perfect will.  God's desire is for the saints to be equipped "for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ...speaking the truth in love."  As we mature and grow in our faith, we should supply strength to the whole body through the Holy Spirit's power "according to the effective working by which every part does its share" causing growth and edification of the church in love.

Going to church does not make you part of Christ's church.  Frankly for many people, church has become something we do or attend rather than someone we are.  Born again Christians are the body of Christ, we are now the temple of the Holy Spirit.  The fact that most church fellowships meet in a particular building suited for ministry has convoluted and confused the point that we are the church.  We all have a function, calling, and duty to supply our labor for God's glory and the edification (building up) of the body of Christ.  When I read the list above I can't help but notice that "church service and activity attender" does not appear in the list of positions in the body of Christ here or in any other passage of scripture.  We are not called to attend church events as much as our calling is to attend to the work of the church!

What is your part in the body of Christ?  What strength are you called to supply?  Many substitute the strength of the flesh for the Holy Spirit's power, and this sort burns out in disillusionment.  Please read through the entire passage below as Peter exhorts believers to edify the church in this fashion:  2 Peter 1:2-12 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. [5] But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, [6] to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, [7] to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; [11] for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. [12] For this reason I will not be negligent to remind you always of these things, though you know and are established in the present truth."

People have this mistaken concept that unless they have a formal title like "pastor" or "deacon" they are without a true calling or purpose.  They seek titles and approval of a church group to justify themselves before men.  Verse 10 says we must be diligent to make our call and election sure:  be convinced of your justification, sanctification, and future glorification, and seek to answer God's call upon your life right now.  God has gifted all believers in dynamically different ways, with various personalities, styles, and skills.  All of these are necessary for a strong, healthy, growing church body.  As Os Guinness states in his book The Call, we must answer corporate call of repentance and salvation through Jesus to be part of the body of Christ first, and then we are to seek out and answer our personal call for His glory.  A man should not be a pastor before he is is believer!  Ironically it is through this arrangement that imminent men of faith in God such as John Wesley were soundly saved.  Making your electing and calling sure is your responsibility.

No matter your history, personality, style, or views, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ God has a place in the body for you to fulfill.  Only you can fill the role He has for you.  As Paul says in 1 Cor. 15:10, "By the grace of God I am what I am..."  You do not have to be or think like someone else to be used by God.  It is God who makes a man.  We will never all agree on every single point.  Christians must never allow heresy and false doctrine to blow through the church in the name of grace, but we must be careful not to allow personal differences or styles to divide us.  A cell in the liver is very different from a light-sensing cell in the eye, but both are important to a fully-functioning body.  They do not have to be the same.  In fact, it is fitting they are not.  Yet though they are not identical, they serve the same overall purpose:  the health and well-being of the body.  We are all part of the body of Christ, each having a different function with the same goal:  the glory of God and the edification of the body.

I ask you:  have you made your calling and election sure?  What is your role in the body of Christ?  Is it to pray as an intercessor?  An evangelist?  How about being a godly mom or dad?  A preacher?  Someone who gives to those in need sacrificially?  One who visits those who are sick or in prison?  A missionary?  After you are convinced of your election, seek and answer God's call upon your life at any cost.  There is no one to blame but yourself if you fall short of walking in God's will.  He has given you the Spirit, and God supplies all our needs.  All reasons you cannot answer the call begin with pride and end in selfishness.  The doors Jesus closes cannot be opened, and the doors He opens cannot be shut.  Paul reminds us in Romans 11:29:  "For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable."  If He has called you as an apostle or prophet, you do not have a choice in that calling:  your choice is if you will embrace the call or not!

The time for excuses is over, and it is time to do our part.  Do not rest until you have laid hold of the purpose for which God has laid hold of you.  Do not be satisfied with willful ignorance because the pursuit of your call will require a step of faith.  God has faith to give if we will walk in it.

Holiness Understood

Few things are misunderstood more than holiness.  It is a quality entirely foreign to this world.  In his fallen state man cannot conceptualize holiness, much less understand it.  A sinner trying to figure out holiness would be like a snail trying to comprehend the speed of a F-22 Raptor.  God does not act holy:  He is holy.  He stands alone in the universe as the only pure, righteous, and flawless being, holy in Himself.  Humans have no context for holiness of character or thoughts.  If we were to do a word association with "holy," perhaps common responses would include:  religious, serious, uptight, a saint or priest.  From a non-christian perspective, trying to think about holiness is like a person trying to fly by waving their arms.

The other night after dinner, we read something which shatters our misconceptions of what holiness is.  Neh. 8:8-12:  "So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading. [9] And Nehemiah, who was the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all the people, "This day is holy to the Lord your God; do not mourn nor weep." For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. [10] Then he said to them, "Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to those for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy to our Lord. Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." [11] So the Levites quieted all the people, saying, "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved." [12] And all the people went their way to eat and drink, to send portions and rejoice greatly, because they understood the words that were declared to them."

Before we consider the attributes of holiness, let us briefly observe the whole passage.  The book of the Law had not been read for many years, and the truth found soft hearts.  The people wept as they were convicted by the Law of God.  Yet because the day was deemed holy to the Lord, Ezra told the people they were not to mourn, sorrow, or weep.  Instead of grief there was great joy in Israel.  They feasted, shared of God's bounty, and rejoiced greatly "because they understood the words that were declared to them."  Thankfully as we read the word of God we have the Holy Spirit to give us understanding.  We see Nehemiah, Ezra, and others fulfill this role as Christ later did in Luke 24:45 with His disciples:  "And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures."  A man cannot comprehend purity unless God reveal it to him.  In this simple passage there is much to aid us in our understanding of holiness.  More than a definition of holiness, we discover a wonderful description which aids our understanding of holiness.

"Holy" is defined in the Bible Knowledge Commentary as "sacred."  The Bible also tells us God is pure, righteous, and perfectly holy.  But what does that look like to our eyes?  Because the day was holy, the following instructions were given in the Nehemiah passage:

• They were forbidden to mourn or weep.  The people were told, "Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."  For some reason we tend to think that holiness must be attended with an unhappy scowl.  Not so!  Consider the little we know about heaven:  there will be no crying, sadness, or sorrow.  Only what is holy can enter heaven.  Joy, rejoicing, profound happiness mark a life of holiness.

• The people were told to "eat the fat and drink the sweet."  The richest foods were to be eaten, and the most delicious drinks not to be denied.  It was time to break out the good stuff!  Almost all celebrations on earth involve food.  Our holidays are almost defined by the meals we have to commemorate them.  It is a foretaste of heaven as we gather with friends and family.  A trait of holiness is divine satisfaction and fellowship.  For believers this sweetness of communion has already begun, though only to increase as we are daily fashioned into the image of Christ and await our eternal glorification.

• Another command was the people were to send portions to those who had none.  This affirms the generous, compassionate, and giving aspects of holiness.  God champions the cause of the widow and orphan and helping those who have no means to repay.  While we know nothing but selfishness, God gives to those who have none.  We have no chance of salvation in ourselves, and Jesus was sent to seek and save the lost.  When the children of Israel were in the wilderness God provided manna from heaven:  for all who are dead in sins Jesus was sent as the Bread of Life.

• In the words of the Jewish leaders:  "Be still, for the day is holy; do not be grieved."  While the world is filled with confusion and noise, noise, NOISE, God speaks in a small, still voice.  The KJV says "Hold your peace..."  What goes with quiet better than peace?  The life of holiness is one filled with peace, peace that passes understanding.  A man can give only what he possesses, and we serve the Prince of Peace who is willing to give His peace unto us.  Jesus is a man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.  But grief is a product of sin.  Jesus willingly experienced this as well for our sakes that we might be permanently freed from it.

Though this was a brief exposition, may God clarify and increase our understanding of holiness so we might rejoice as the Israelites did.  How liberating it is to worship God in spirit and truth as we grow in our knowledge of God.  Did you know that holiness is beautiful?  May we sing with David in Psalm 29:1-2:  "Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. [2] Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness."

Grow in Grace

When I woke up this morning, the LORD said:  "Grow in grace."  Sometimes we think of grace as something to be received or given.  The fact remains it reaches even deeper:  grace is something to be grown in.  This statement placed upon my heart today is found in one scripture: 2 Peter 3:18.  The context is Peter warning believers that many would twist and contort the scriptures and invite their own destruction.  2 Peter 3:17-18 says, "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen." [KJV]  The contrast is clear:  we can be lead away by the error of the wicked or grow in grace.

Grace is undeserved favor, goodness we have no right to be offered or much less receive.  This grace is offered to the repentant freely from God.  The greater grace we extend to others, the greater supply is given to us by God.  When we ration God's grace to only the "deserving," grace is no longer grace.  Too often we tend towards Pharisee favour rather than grace which resembles that of our heavenly Father.  There was no group of people more led away by wickedness according to Christ than the Pharisees, because they justified themselves righteous according to their own works.  By tightly rationing the grace of God with others we constrict His grace toward us.  By tightly clamping our hands on God's grace, we prevent ourselves from receiving additional supply.  Hoarding the gift of grace from others hurts us most of all.  God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Peter says, "...grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  We ought to increase in grace, meaning that the grace of God should be revealed in and through our lives more each day.  As we surrender to the lordship of Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit's power, our knowledge of God and His ways will grow.  Experience is a great teacher.  That is how we grow in our relationship with the Greatest Teacher, Jesus Christ:  we grow in grace when we experience Him personally.  When our eyes are opened to how undeserving we are of God's favor, He grants us grace to give grace to others.  As long as we are sufficient in ourselves we have no need for grace.  Oh, we need grace - but pride keeps our need hidden from our eyes.

Physical growth occurs through life, nourishment, experience, rest, and how the body is programmed at the genetic level.  Spiritually speaking it is much the same:  God brings life to our souls, nourishes us through His Word, and teaches us through experience as we rest in Christ's finished work.  Stress and resistance placed upon muscles, tendons, and ligaments help them to grow stronger.  Trials and tribulations cause our faith to grow as ease never could.  We grow in grace when we choose to trust God and extend His grace to others as He freely gives it to us.  This will challenge us.  We will no doubt at times feel taken advantage of, unprotected, uncomfortable, and vulnerable.  It is in this place of weakness where God will prove His grace is sufficient for us, for His strength is made perfect in weakness.

Ol' John Ploughman

At any given time I seem to be reading a couple books at a time.  I recently raided my dad's bookshelf to re-read a classic, Charles Spurgeon's "John Ploughman's Pictures and More of His Talk."  I do not know the exact date of publication, but it was likely written in the late 1800's.  There is hardly a man who ever lived who had the wit, wisdom, and common sense of this beloved preacher.  I enjoy reading his works because the LORD uses him not only to hold forth the wisdom of God in a masterful way, but in so doing humbles me concerning my weak words.  If you ever find an author who exposes your best attempts as feeble and joyfully goads you to do better, procure and read as many of those books as you can!

Here is a delightful paragraph I read the other night on page 84 of the aforementioned book which contains witty proverbial sayings to go along with pictures:

"The worst sort of clever men are those who know better than the Bible and are so learned that they believe that the world had no Maker, and that men are only monkeys with their tails rubbed off.  Dear, dear me, this is the sort of talk we used to expect from Tom of Bedlam, but now we get it from clever men.  If things go on in this fashion a poor ploughman will not be able to tell which is the lunatic and which is the philosopher.  As for me, the old Book seems to be a deal easier to believe than the new notions, and I mean to keep to it.  Many a drop of good broth is made in an old pot, and many a sweet comfort comes out of the old doctrine.  Many a dog has died since I first opened my eyes, and every one of these dogs has had his day, but in all the days put together they have never hunted out a real fault in the Bible, nor started anything better in its place.  They may be very clever, but they will not find a surer truth than that which God teaches, nor a better salvation than that which Jesus brings, and so finding my life in the gospel I mean to live in it, and so ends this chapter."

Here is another portion from pages 85-86:

"We have all heard of the two men who quarreled over an oyster, and called in a judge to settle the question:  he ate the oyster himself, and gave them a shell each.  This reminds me of the story of the cow which two farmers could not agree about, and so the lawyers stepped in and milked the cow for them, and charged them for their trouble in drinking the milk.  Little is got by law, but much is lost by it.  A suit in law may last longer than any suit a tailor can make you, and you may yourself be worn out before it comes to an end.  It is better for to make matters up and keep out of court, for if you are caught there you are caught in the brambles, and won't get out without damage.  John Ploughman feels a cold sweat at the thought of getting into the hands of lawyers.  He does not mind going to Jericho, but he dreads the gentlemen on the road, for they seldom leave a feather upon any goose which they pick up.

However, if men will fight they must not blame the lawyers; if law were cheaper, quarrelsome people would have more of it, and quite as much would be spent in the long run.  Sometimes, however, we get dragged into court willy nilly, and then one had need be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.  Happy is he who finds an honest lawyer, and does not try to be his own client.  A good lawyer always tries to keep people out of law, but some clients are like moths with the candle, they must and will burn themselves.  He who is so wise that he cannot be taught will have to pay for his pride."

A Lasting Work

As I think back about the four-plus years I spent on staff at Calvary Chapel El Cajon, there were many building projects and repairs I performed.  Our fellowship is in the process of vacating portions of the building because we have sold it to a school.  This school plans to spend the summer doing major renovations and remodeling of the structure.  I think about the hours spend scraping and replacing floors, fixing hardware, patching and painting walls, organizing and sorting paint and supplies which will be completely rubbed out.  Walls I have patched will be torn down; cables I have run will be cut; pipes I have fixed will be removed and re-routed.  It's depressing in a way, to think of all that hard work being undone.

I have come to realize it is not the work itself which matters.  The labor of a custodian whose efforts are erased in the moment he leaves the restroom he has cleaned or masons who built cathedrals which have stood for centuries can stand on equal footing.  One work clearly outshines the other according to man's perception, but whatever is done for the glory of God will stand for eternity and be rewarded by Him, though all memory of it has faded from the earth.  The poetic adage of C.T. Studd still rings true today:  "Only one life, ’twill soon be past, Only what’s done for Christ will last."  Everything done in the flesh for God is as chaff, fit only for the fire.  The testimony of the strength of the flesh may stand for thousands of years, but a small fleeting thing done led by the Spirit for God will last forever.  As Jesus says in Matthew 10:42:  "And whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward."  A cup of water is consumed and eliminated, but God remembers and rewards something even as insignificant as this when done for His glory.

It is time we stopped regarding the work as the thing to be admired:  we must worship and admire the KING of kings with our works.  It is for this purpose we have been created and redeemed.  Titus 2:11-14 states, "For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, [12] teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, [13] looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, [14] who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works."  The man who lays the carpet, the one who vacuums the carpet, and the one who removes the carpet and replaces it with tile all have great reward if done for the glory of God.  It is not for the sake of reward that we serve, but for the sake of our great God who loves us and gave His own life for us.  Whatever we do, may it be for the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Inheritance, Right, and Memorial

Nehemiah is one of my Bible heroes.  Talk about a guy who was completely devoted to God, unshakable in faith, was fearless in obedience and speech, a prayer warrior, kept others accountable to God, and a hard-core straight-shooter.  He was a cupbearer to King Artaxerxes and God moved Nehemiah to lead the Jews in rebuilding the wall surrounding Jerusalem.  If I had to pick a guy I admire most in the O.T., it would likely be Nehemiah.  Thankfully I don't have to pick one!

When Nehemiah began the building the walls of Jerusalem, not everyone was pleased about this development.  Though he had the approval and financial backing of King Artaxerxes and God moved upon many Jews to put their backs to the work, Sanballat and Tobiah among others despised that any would seek the welfare of the Jews.  Throughout the book of Nehemiah we see them scheming and trying every possible way to distract, threaten, or place fear in the hearts of the Jews.  When they laughed scornfully at Nehemiah for his efforts, he says this to them in Neh. 2:20:  "...The God of heaven Himself will prosper us; therefore we His servants will arise and build, but you have no heritage or right or memorial in Jerusalem."

Nehemiah knew his efforts alone would amount to nothing, but God would cause His servants to prosper and prevail though their enemies threatened them.  But the part of the statement which jumped off the page to me is the second half.  If a statement is true, then the exact opposite is also true.  Nehemiah was inferring in his statement to Sanballat and Tobiah that he had a heritage, a right, and a memorial in Jerusalem.  The word "heritage" is translated from "allotment, or inheritance."  Jerusalem was the place where God placed His name, and directed King David and Solomon his son in the building of the temple there.  For this reason the children of Israel had a right to Jerusalem:  a right to build, inhabit, protect, and worship according to God's will and commands.  Every sacrifice offered was a "memorial" before the Lord, and the Jews had a rich history of worship in Jerusalem.

I immediately began to think of the spiritual application for those who rest in the New Covenant of Christ's blood and have been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Followers of Christ are now the Temple of the Holy Spirit and we have a heritage, right, and memorial by the grace of God.  The worship of God no longer confined by geography or a dot on a map:  Christians are blessed to be able to come before God's throne room of grace with Christ as Mediator and Intercessor at any time, from any place.  God is seeking those who will worship Him in Spirit and in truth.

Christians have an eternal inheritance in the heavens which does not wax old or fade away.  Jesus spoke to Paul in Acts 26:17-18:  "I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, [18] to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me."  All have a right to Christ because He has said, "Whosoever will."  God loved all people so much He sent His only Son so whoever believes in Him will not perish but receive eternal life.  Christians receive righteousness imputed through faith.  1 Cor. 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."  The prayers of Christians rise as a memorial before God.  Cornelius had a vision during which an angel of God spoke to him:  Acts 10:4 says, "...Your prayers and your alms have come up for a memorial before God."  It is through Christ and the grace of God we have an inheritance, righteousness, and a memorial before God.

Let us refuse to be cheated of our rights as children of God by scorn, intimidation tactics, or attacks of the enemy!  We do not claim our rights out of selfish ambition, but we stand upon the firm promises of God.  As Christians we must receive what God has given and choose to abide in Christ.  May His boldness, courage, and zeal rest upon us to fulfill our calling for His glory.

Don't miss the point!

A great difficulty within mankind is we so often miss the point.  For instance, I have heard messages preached and seen books written upon the Jewish dietary law outlined in Leviticus and Deuteronomy.  A common point made is God's wisdom of the law deemimg certain animals unclean, such as shellfish, anything in the sea without fins and scales, or mammals with a split hoof which do not chew the cud.  "God protected His people," some would point out, "by eliminating potentially hazardous foods such as pork, crustaceans, buzzards, and bats which are known to carry diseases and parasites."  This statement alone may be true:  however, I disagree with the premise.  I believe that by obedience to God's law His people were blessed and protected, not because of evidence pointing to certain animals being clean and others unclean.  God doesn't need science to validate His miraculous protection, but science certainly needs God!

Cows are clean under the law, yet many people to this day have been sickened through disease from beef.  Chicken is considered Kosher, but I myself have suffered from leftover chicken!  The fact remains that people in countries all over the world have eaten all manner of things living and dead, cooked or uncooked, for thousands of years without ill effect.  What was God's point at the end of laying out rules concerning diet? Leviticus 11:44-47 reads, "For I am the Lord your God. You shall therefore consecrate yourselves, and you shall be holy; for I am holy. Neither shall you defile yourselves with any creeping thing that creeps on the earth. [45] For I am the Lord who brings you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. [46] 'This is the law of the animals and the birds and every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, [47] to distinguish between the unclean and the clean, and between the animal that may be eaten and the animal that may not be eaten."  The main point is God is holy and His people are to be consecrated unto Him.  Nothing God does is arbitrary, but in His wisdom He clearly defined rules what His people were to eat and what they were to avoid eating.  God desires his people to be consecrated to Him alone.  While some people made a god of their belly, God's people were to be consecrated and separate unto Him.  The same is true to this day.

It is God who makes a man holy from the inside.  A man can never be holy by the things he does, for there is nothing holy within him.  Jesus says in Matthew 15:10-11, "...Hear and understand: [11] Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man."  What the heart conceals the mouth reveals, and no amount of outer submission to rules will change a man's heart.  By God's grace only faith in Jesus Christ can do this.  Paul continues this line of thinking in 1 Cor. 10:25-26:  "Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; [26] for "the earth is the Lord's, and all its fullness."  Anything which is sold in the market is fair game, Paul says.  This must have come at a shock to Jews who for their entire lives had carefully monitored the contents of every mouthful.  The MAIN point?  1 Cor. 10:31 sums it up:  "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

One of the maxims hammered home in my English classes throughout school was, "Keep the main thing the main thing."  It seems like Christians are pulled in every direction except the most meaningful, which is a closer walk with Jesus Christ.  It is a voluntary path we walk as believers and one that Satan will do everything in his power to distract, disillusion, and dissuade us from following Christ.  He lusts for glory but he will allow us a taste if it means Christ is robbed of honor.  When we honor and obey God, He will cause us to prosper.  This does not mean we will be rich in worldly wealth, be famous or popular, or even succeed in the eyes of others.  James 2:5 says, "Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?"  Let us decide to be consecrated unto God, fully trusting and pleasing Him.  Just because we think we understand God's plans doesn't mean we do.  His ways are past finding out!

Confession is Key

Have you ever had a revelation of truth from God's Word, a revelation seemingly simple but so profound it could not be anything but the finger of God?  The raw power of God's truth is greater than the most dynamic force found in nature.  The words of scripture are more explosive than a volcano or hurricane.  Rather than bringing death upon His listeners, God's holy Word bursts with life.  I had an epiphany of sorts this morning when I was reading Leviticus 4, a chapter devoted to the "sin offering of ignorance."  If a priest, the whole congregation, a ruler, or a member of the children of Israel sinned in ignorance against God, they were required to bring a prescribed animal before the altar.  They would place their hand on the animal's head and kill it as a sin offering before the priests.  This would be a public ceremony for all to see.

The LORD prompted my thoughts in rapid succession.  The bull, lamb, or goat would be killed before all, just like Jesus the Lamb of God was slain as a sacrifice for sin in public.  He was beaten, scourged, humiliated, mocked, stripped nude, and nailed to a cross for all to see.  There is no need for animal sacrifice anymore under the Old Covenant of the Law because Christ has fulfilled it and ushered in the New Covenant in His blood.  Leviticus 4 deals with sins of ignorance, yet there was public confession and sacrifice.  Jesus became sin for us though He had never sinned.  Today God revealed to me what is missing in many churches today - public confession.  I am not referring to "confession" before a priest as mediator (for there is one Mediator in heaven who is Christ, our High Priest), but the confession of sins before fellow believers.  Is this necessary?  Let God's Word be true and consider it well.

God led me to consider the implications of James 5:16:  "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  Here are some excerpts I wrote this in my journal this morning:  "A lack of public confession results in a lack of prayer, and a lack of prayer causes us to drown in trespasses and ignore repentance.  Confession is the first step toward repentance.  A lack of repentance brings with it a lack of power and abundance of sin.  Our spiritual progress, growth, and fruitfulness will be severely impeded.  If we say we are without sin we call God a liar (1 John 1:10) for He says clearly, "...all have sinned." (Rom. 3:23).  Today we coddle our pride using embarrassment to cloak it, masking our sin with plastic righteousness.  Forgive me, dear LORD, for protecting myself from confession and in so doing barricading myself from your grace and healing touch."

Biblical confession is sorely missed in the church today.  We need people like Ezra, who were not ashamed to weep over the sins of the congregation before all.  Ezra 10:1 reads, "Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the house of God, a very large assembly of men, women, and children gathered to him from Israel; for the people wept very bitterly."  We're so worried today about making people feel ashamed about their sin.  I can hear someone blurt out, "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."  (Usually only the first part of Romans 8:1 is quoted by such folk, by the way!)  Shouldn't we feel ashamed when we do wrong?  The Bible condemns sin consistently and constantly.  As children of God we are no longer condemned because all of our sin past and future has been cleansed with Christ's blood.  Even so, sin must be confessed.

Read James 5:16 again:  "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."  If we shirk confession, then prayer will be lacking.  Faith in Christ and prayer are the keys to this healing and restoration, as we see in the verse prior to this:  James 5:15 reads, "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven."  How the devil would love for us to think confession is an outdated, almost unsanitary notion and thus remain spiritually sick and weighed down by sins.  Why do you think the church is weak and powerless?  One obvious reason is the sin which remains unconfessed within it!  Prayer from just anyone will not do:  effective prayer which avails much is sent from the hearts and lips of the righteous!  We are not righteous in ourselves but Christ's righteousness has been imputed to every believer.  Yet we must walk in righteousness.  We must keep ourselves free from sin.  And if we do not confess our faults to one another, and we do not pray for one another, we will not be healed.  The prayer of a man who stubbornly hides his sin and continues in it will be ineffective and weak.

God gave me this idea.  Allow a portion or yield the entire time of corporate prayer held at church (as the Holy Spirit leads!) to be a time of confession and prayer one for another.  No one must confess, but all will be encouraged to confess because all who are born again are in an intense spiritual battle.  We all fall, we all make mistakes, and sometimes we repeat those mistakes over and over.  Paul rebuked the Corinthians for their disregard for Christ's body during the receiving of the Lord's Supper in remembrance of Christ and for this reason many were sick among them.  God even allowed some to die because of their sin!  Do you see a personal need for healing?  If you do not see your need for prayer you are blinded by the deceitfulness of sin, are somehow ignorant of the necessity and power of prayer, or perhaps not even born again!  Jesus prayed publicly and was made a public spectacle for my sin and your sin.  If we will not be honest and open with each other, how can we say we are open with a God who is a consuming fire?

How secret sin rips at our regenerated souls!  Lot's righteous soul was vexed by the sin which surrounded Him in Sodom:  how much more should we be vexed by sins in our own hearts!  The immorality of the city stopped at his doorstep, but many believers have been bound, gagged, and overcome by sin in the heart.  Jesus came to set the captives free, and we are scared that a Christian convicted by sin might feel uncomfortable!  I ask you:  how uncomfortable was Jesus on the cross?  What kind of shame was He subjected to as He hung naked on the cross of Calvary?  Consider the truth of God's Word.  He wants to shake us out of our complacency, free us from bondage, and heal us of our guilt and shame.  The will of Jesus Christ is for our good.  Sometimes pain must come before healing.  Allow the Christ to lance our wounds with His Word so we might be purged, cleansed, and healed.

Are you willing to confess to one another, pray, and see the healing God brings?  When we are obedient to Christ and to the leading of the Holy Spirit, our lives will be a powerful testimony of the grace, healing, and love of our Savior.  Never barricade yourself from God's grace because of pride.  We serve a God who is gracious, compassionate, full of forgiveness, and slow to anger.  He has punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and has given us great deliverance through Jesus Christ.  Believe and receive!

Australia Update!

People at church come up to me often and say things like, "So when are you going to Australia?  I thought you were already there!"  No, I'm not currently in Australia - but I will be in God's time.  In April Laura and I interviewed for the pastoral vacancy at Calvary Chapel Sydney.  I recently heard from the fellowship and it will likely be a couple of months before the process is complete.  In the meantime we will keep praying for God to prepare our hearts, for unity and steadfastness in Sydney, and spiritual discernment to know God's perfect will.

I read this passage after dinner tonight and it is really wonderful.  Ezra 8:21-23 reads, "Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God, to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions. [22] For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, "The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him." [23] So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer."  This is fitting for me, my family, and the fellowship in Sydney.  How important it is to humble ourselves, pray, and fast that God would reveal the right way for us to go.

Since the very beginning the temptation has always existed to trust in a hand of flesh when we are to trust in God alone.  We trust what our eyes can see and our minds can understand rather then seeking God's will.  We obsess and plan, worry and fret over our circumstances as if God is suddenly powerless to act.  Ezra knew that God's hand is upon those for good who seek Him.  The word "entreated" is "to search out, to strive after, ask, beg, request."  Are we willing to deny ourselves and become humble beggars so God may help us?  If we are sufficient in ourselves our need for God is reduced to convenience.  After Ezra and the people sought the LORD, He answered them.  He will answer us too if we will do the same!

The times and seasons of my life are in God's hands.  I recall to mind what God has said:  "You will preach, and you will be sent."  The gates of hell shall not prevail against God's church, and nothing is able to separate me from the love of God.  Christ is our hope and confidence no matter our circumstance.  He will fulfill His Word!