2014: A New Beginning

Today marks the beginning of a new year, a year of vast potential, purpose, and promise.  In His wisdom God designed the earth to orbit the sun and orchestrated the division of seasons, months, weeks, and days.  If all we counted were days without hours, time would hold little promise for the future.  There would be no possibility for a year to hold the potential of being "the year where everything changed for good."  A new year opens countless possibilities, and reminds those whose eyes have been opened to the new life we have granted us through faith in Christ.  Every day is a new day to seek God and worship Him, as we grow in His love and wisdom.  Our God is not one of second chances but new beginnings!  Every new day and every new year is one to take hold of as a gift from God and relish the opportunities and even challenges He places before us.

It is now 2014, two-thousand and fourteen years since the birth of Jesus Christ, the One who makes all things new.  Revelation 21:5-6 says, "Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful." ⁶ And He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirsts."  The way God makes new is not like a "refurbished" electronic device, but is a continual process as we follow after Him in faith.  We are continually being renewed as we put off the old man - our old ways of thinking, doing, and coping - and choose to be renewed in the Spirit of our mind through the Word of God, and put on the new man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.  We are not doomed to repeat past failures, nor are we required to bear the burden or guilt of them.  The future spreads before us bright and beautiful as we consider the new life God has offered us through the Gospel.

Sometimes we can feel like change in ourselves or our circumstances is impossible.  We have tried hard before and failed:  why should this time be any different?  Ask that question to barren Hannah, Namaan the leper, or the disciples of Jesus who toiled all night without catching a single fish.  Let us never forget that what is impossible with men is possible with God.  Which is harder:  to change external circumstances or to change the heart and mind of a stubborn, willful human being?  I speak of all men and do not exclude myself.  2 Corinthians 5:17-21 says this:  "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."  Here we see our position and calling before God as believers, unbelievable as it might be.  Consider this, believer!  If you are in Christ, old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  We have been reconciled to God and have been ordained to reconcile others to Him as well, for He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.  It is His work, yet we are called to be ambassadors for Christ as long as He tarries.  This is both a sober task and a joyful duty.

The Israelites were not able to enter the Promised Land because of unbelief, and many Christians encamp in desolate places where the water is stagnant and the food stale for the same reason.  Day after day they trudge on, and God's promises and dynamic power are forgotten.  They do not feel new, thus they do not believe God can make all things new.  Because they have limited God by their shortsightedness, focusing on their past struggles or perceived odds stacked against them, God cannot do for them what they have tried again and again to do themselves.  You may scoff to yourself:  "A man limiting God?  Rubbish!"  Consider Psalm 78:40-42:  "How often they provoked Him in the wilderness, and grieved Him in the desert! ⁴¹ Yes, again and again they tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. ⁴² They did not remember His power: the day when He redeemed them from the enemy."  Unbelief provokes and grieves God.  Jesus had the power to heal, yet He could not heal many in His home town because of unbelief.  Unbelief stayed His hand and blunted His miraculous power.  Unbelief causes us to forget God's power He has revealed to us, having redeemed us from sin and death.  If God has saved us from hell and transformed our hearts through spiritual regeneration by the indwelling Spirit, is anything too hard for Him?

For some people this new year will be simply another day ticking over to the next.  For others, however, it is a new year where God will have freedom through faith in His people to make all things new.  I find this most encouraging and exciting for my own walk, as well as far-reaching implications for lost people of this world who desperately need a Saviour!  May 2014 mark the beginning of a new walk with Christ that is richer, fuller, and blessed beyond reason as we faithfully follow Jesus Christ and shine bright for Him!

Hope Does Not Disappoint!

"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."

Romans 5:1-6

During a drive last night, part of this passage continued to rattle through my mind:  "Now hope does not disappoint."  Everyone alive at some time has been disappointed, and for good reason.  In every heart there are dreams and expectations that this ever shifting world has unceremoniously shattered.  In the KJV the word "hope does not disappoint" is translated "hope maketh not ashamed."  Paul told the Roman believers that the hope God provides would not leave them ashamed or confounded even in the midst of tribulation.  In the fierceness of the storm there will be calm for those who take shelter in their Saviour.  We commonly say we "hope" when we wish for something, but the hope provided by God is an absolute surety.  Christians can have the expectation that God will always work things for good for those who love God and are the called according to His purposes.

The hope God provides through faith in Christ and his unshakable promises in His Word is infinitely greater and better than any hope offered by this world.  The hope of this world is in reality utter and complete hopelessness.  This world will always disappoint.  One thing may make us temporarily happy, but only one little thing need happen to throw us angrily into despair.  Case in point - yesterday I went to a friend's house to watch the last game of the San Diego Charger's football season, a game with playoff implications.  For those of my fellow loyal Charger fans, we know how it feels to be disappointed again and again.  I hoped my team with win against the Kansas City Chiefs, but nothing for the Chargers can be easy!  I refused to even allow myself to hope for the victory as time ticked away.  Amazingly, the Chargers finished with a victory and squeaked into the playoffs.  The happiness of the victory had hardly sunk in when I reached home and found I had left my laptop power supply cable at my mate's house!  How frustrated I was!  Even when my "hope" of an improbable playoff berth had been realised, my own forgetfulness was enough to extinguish my happiness and replace it with irritation!

This situation brought me back to the words of Romans 5.  Those of us who have been born again by grace through faith in Christ have a sure hope that does not disappoint.  No matter what disappointments I face on this earth, my name is written in the Lamb's Book of Life.  I am God's child even if tribulations and troubles come.  I do not need to wait for heaven to receive the proof, for God has sent the Holy Spirit as a heavenly downpayment.  He has poured out His love in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given.  When I feel alone or forgotten, I know I have a High Priest in the heavens who stands at the right hand of the Father living to make intercession for me.  He allows even our forgetfulness to accomplish His glorious good.  The peace that God gives does not ebb and flow like the happiness we experience on this planet, but is a constant certainty for those who live to walk by faith and not by sight.

Football teams will disappoint, and we manage to disappoint ourselves at times!  But thanks be to God who has given us peace, access into His presence, and hope that does not disappoint.  When we were without strength and enemies of God, Jesus demonstrated love for us through His willing sacrifice on the cross.  Never, ever let anything in your life rob you of the joy and peace God has given!

Loving Fathers Displease

How important it is to have a biblical worldview!  God is revealed in scripture as the only true source of wisdom.  If we only see as men see, we are spiritually senseless and without wisdom from above.  Libraries contain a wealth of knowledge, and reading is required for understanding and application.  Without a vantage point provided by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we walk though life like an illiterate man wandering through a library.  He may be familiar with the appearance of books, flip through the pages of large tomes, and admire the pictures, but the captions and text remain unknown to him.

We live in a world that largely claims (by whose or what standard I cannot tell) man is inherently good.  Besides, who is permitted to say what is right and wrong anymore with authority?  The Bible has a very different view of things.  It tells us that there is none good, no not one.  When measured against God's righteous standard there is nothing good in us at all!  Jeremiah 17:9 describes the condition of man in clear terms:  "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?"  Man is not born righteous and learns evil through outside influence, but wickedness is his natural path.  Circumstances outside a person draw out sin which already resides within.  Proverbs 22:15 says, "Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child; the rod of correction will drive it far from him."

David was a great king and a man after God's own heart.  The expression of his love to his children, however, did not reveal itself through discipline.  Of David's grown son Adonijah it is written in 1 Kings 1:5-6:  "Then Adonijah the son of Haggith exalted himself, saying, "I will be king"; and he prepared for himself chariots and horsemen, and fifty men to run before him. ⁶ (And his father had not rebuked him at any time by saying, "Why have you done so?" He was also very good-looking. His mother had borne him after Absalom.)"  As Adonijah passed through infancy, childhood, and even as an adult, he lacked correction from his father.  It seemed Adonijah was a bit spoiled (perhaps that is too gentle), for the scriptures tell us David at no time rebuked or disciplined him for bad behaviour.  As an adult his pride was on full display, even demanding his father's throne for himself!  The KJV says "his father had not displeased him at any time..."  The original word translated "displeased" is most often translated "grieved."  Because man is born crooked, he cannot walk uprightly.  We cannot even draw a straight line a meter long with chalk unaided, much less live righteously before God all our days!

Some have a view of God that if He is indeed loving, He will acquiesce to our every desire.  This is not a biblical view.  God is altogether righteous and loving, but He is not like a man who gives into the whims of His children to speed them towards their own destruction.  David loved Adonijah, but the love he displayed towards him according to a biblical worldview was more like hate!  Solomon wrote in Proverbs 13:24:  "He who spares his rod hates his son, but he who loves him disciplines him promptly."  If your child is perfect in thought, word, and deed, discipline would be unnecessary.  But if the Bible is true in saying foolishness is bound up in the hearts of children, then discipline is not optional:  it is a requirement to be carried out promptly when necessary!  Discipline is displeasing to those who receive it, but in the end it yields peaceful, delightful fruit.  God loves man too much not to question us.  He at times will rebuke us:  "Why have you done so?"  Those who love Him will receive such love by taking to heart His rebukes.

I do not give my allegiance or loyalty to God because He always does what I want or has not displeased me at any time.  I have given my allegiance and chosen to trust God because He loves me and has proven Himself trustworthy.  Not one word of His promises have failed.  Jesus has demonstrated His love for me and all people by dying on the cross for my sins.  I am the crooked one, and He has opened my eyes to see the straight and narrow way of salvation through the Gospel.  I am grateful for God's love extended to sinners like me!

Symptoms or the Cause

It is easy to focus on the symptoms and neglect diagnosing and dealing with the source.  For years I have dealt with a shoulder injury by avoiding actions that cause additional pain.  I take care not to lie directly on my shoulder at night, and ensure I stretch properly and warm up before physical activity.  To this point I have not taken the time to seek a professional opinion or pay for scans.  Instead of having the cause fix, history says I prefer to treat my symptoms through strengthening exercises, avoiding painful activities, applying ice and pain relieving rubs, and using anti-inflammatory medications.  Eventually, I keep telling myself, I will have the shoulder examined and scanned.  But in the meantime, I will keep treating my symptoms rather than seeking out the cure.

I do not believe I am alone in this.  Governments, businesses, churches, families, and individuals sometimes see a symptom as a problem rather than ferreting out the cause and dealing with it openly.  Even the medical and scientific communities can focus on the wrong thing.  Billions have been spent on searching for cures of diseases that kill millions every year.  Cancer, for one, is a viscous disease that causes millions to die every year.  People hate cancer.  But cancer, strangely enough, is merely a symptom of a deeper, greater illness in the heart of every man.  Death itself, seemingly the final blow from our perspective on earth, is a symptom of a far worse evil:  that of sin.  Sickness, pain, sorrow, crying, and death are all products of sin.  When Adam rebelled from God, sin and thus death passed to all men.  The fact that people fall ill and die of cancers, disease, or even old age are indicators of man's true spiritual condition in the world.

Sin has a devastating effect upon body and soul.  God says the soul that sins shall surely die.  We mourn disease, suffering, and death in this world, but have we yet mourned over our sin?  Sin is the one who conceives such horrors.  The bodies of believers and non-believers on this planet will perish because we have all been born steeped in sin.  Death for Christians is turning the title page to the first chapter of eternal life in a glorified state.  For the unbeliever it is the penultimate blow, infinitely overshadowed by the second death where all who die in their sins will face the wrath of God for eternity in hell.  To cast a look at sin is to stare into the snarling face of death, truly horrific beyond description.  It is a horror Jesus Christ came to earth to save sinners from and usher us into eternal life through His sacrifice.

I think most people would claim cancer is a far greater evil than sin, but cancer is only a symptom.  Let us take our symptoms to the word of God and see if the effects of sin have clung to us as well.  Consider the list we see in Revelation 21:4-5:  "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." ⁵ Then He who sat on the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."  During your life have you every cried, experienced sorrow, or physical or emotional pain?  If you have experienced any of these symptoms, you have most certainly come in contact with sin.  The only cure is found in Christ through the Gospel.  When we repent and trust in Jesus as Saviour, He cleanses our souls from sin and gives us eternal life through Him.  We are all guilty of breaking His Laws, but Jesus has paid our debt.  He took our sins upon Himself, having become sin for us upon the cross.  Have you received this unspeakable gift?

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?"  This is the question Jesus asks all men.  Our answer will determine where we will spend eternity.  John 14:6 also says, "Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."  It is only after we recognise the severity of our disease we will seek after the cure, regardless of the cost.  Won't a man give anything to save his own life?  And what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?  Romans 6:23 says, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  A choice of life and death has been placed before you.  Are you ready to stop treating the symptoms and deal with the cause?

Freedom in Confinement

No one likes the idea of confinement.  No one thinks, "I'd really like to see more restrictions placed upon my life."  But there is one Person who willingly accepted personal restrictions beyond anything we could ever imagine:  the Infinite, Almighty God took the form of a human being in the person of Jesus Christ.  Jesus was in a human sense free to do anything He wanted, yet He voluntarily chose to take upon Himself the form of a servant and was obedient to His Heavenly Father in everything.

Jesus is the Creator of all, for without Him nothing was made that is made (John 1:1-2).  He existed from eternity past and had previously no date of birth.  But all that changed about 2,000 years ago when He was conceived in the virgin Mary through the Holy Spirit (Is. 7:14) and was born in the city of Bethlehem (Matt. 2:5-6).  For the first time, God entered the confines of time.  God was also confined within a human body as Immanuel, God with us.  God become a human being, crying and wailing as a helpless infant after being born, wrapped in cloth, and laid in a manger (Luke 2:16).  Jesus was brought into a family where He put into practice the Law of God, and honoured His father and mother.  Though He was without sin and in Him dwelt the fullness of the Godhead (Col. 2:9), He learned obedience by the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8).

Jesus went about doing good (Acts 10:38).  He healed the sick, delivered those oppressed by unclean spirits, cleansed lepers, and raised the dead to life.  Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for sinners.  Jesus allowed Himself to be arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane and was falsely accused of blasphemy.  He was led as a sheep to the slaughter and did not resist evil, for He walked in obedience to the will of the Father.  Think of it:  God allowed sinful men to bind him, scourge, and strip Him.  God allowed His body to be nailed to a cross and took upon Himself our sins (1 Cor. 15:3).  After the death of His body, God allowed Himself to be wrapped in graveclothes and confined in a tomb.  Glory to God in the highest, for He broke free from the bonds of death and rose glorified!

If we will repent and be born again through faith in Christ, we too can have freedom whilst being confined in these bodies.  His victory over sin and death has become our own.  Our regenerated souls long for God, drawn by His love, mercy, and grace.  It is a paradox that in confinement we can discover true freedom and salvation from within.  May we follow the example of Christ, seeking to serve and save others through the Gospel.  Thank God for His wondrous gift and the victory we have through His atoning blood! (Acts 20:28)

In Time of Need

I was riding back from lunch with a couple of mates when the car started making an odd noise.  The sound began a running commentary among all in the vehicle about the source of the sound.  As it persisted and grew worse, a passing driver honked and quickly ended the discussion.  We pulled over and found we had a flat rear tyre.  It turned out that my fellow passenger knew personally a tyre shop owner close by and directed the driver to the entrance.  True to his claims of good service, the process of the inspection and replacement was handled immediately.  This was a case of knowing where to go because you know someone you trust.

The situation had me thinking.  My mate who directed us to the tyre shop performed a role similar to that a Christian who leads others to Christ in time of need.  Had we been without his aid, it would have taken us a long while to locate the jack, remove the spare, and possibly find the spare too was flat!  Because my mate knew the tyre shop owner and the exact location of the shop, we were able to have prompt, quality service and be back safely on the road.  As a Christian, one who had taken refuge in Jesus Christ as LORD and Saviour, I know He is able to help in time of need.  He is able to redeem lives destroyed by sin, marriages broken through infidelity, break addictions, give beauty for our ashes, and freely give us eternal life.

It takes recognition of our need before we will do anything about it.  We would have kept on driving with that weird noise until we were riding the rim had someone outside the vehicle not alerted us to the trouble!  It is one thing to know you have a problem, but it is another thing altogether to know what to do about it or where to go!  Having responded to Christ's offer of salvation through the Gospel, Christians are called to lead others to experience the new life, joy, and rest He provides.  In one sense, churches are intended to be hospitals where sick people are nursed back to spiritual health.  Church is like a smash repair shop, not a showroom.  We are all damaged through sin, battered through our foolish choices, and victims of living in a perverse world.  It is Christ who not only restores us to His intended calling and purpose to glorify Him, but transforms us from within.

Hebrews 4:16 reads, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Because God put on human flesh in the person of Jesus Christ, He knows exactly what it means to be human in this world polluted by sin.  He understands what it feels like to be misunderstood, rejected, hurt by family members who didn't believe in Him, arrested, falsely accused, tortured, and even killed by envious men.  Praise God Jesus did not remain in the grave, but rose alive three days later as He said.  He has ascended to heaven and intercedes for us even now.  He invites us into His throne room of grace to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Do you see your need for mercy and grace?  Do you come boldly and humbly to Christ in time of need or do you look elsewhere?  Just like we inspect our tyres to ensure they are filled with air before we drive on them, we ought to inspect our attitudes and feelings to see if they are upright according to God's standards.  When we catch a glimpse of God in His glory, we see how far we are from walking in righteousness.  Our great lack becomes increasingly evident as we mature in faith.  Let us respond to Christ's loving invitation to find mercy and grace to help in time of need.  Let us lead others to Him, because we trust Him!

LORD, Open My Eyes!

One character I find most interesting in scripture is that of Balaam the prophet.  When King Balak sent prestigious nobles a second time to entreat him to return with them, they promised honour and advancement should he curse Israel.  God told him to go with them if the men came in the morning and called him.  In the morning, the text says Balaam rose, saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab.  It does not say that Balaam waited to be called, but presumed he was free to go anyway.  Numbers 22:22 reads, "Then God's anger was aroused because he went, and the Angel of the LORD took His stand in the way as an adversary against him. And he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him."  When opposition to God makes Him our adversary, that is a bad thing indeed!

As the Angel of the LORD stood in the way with a sword drawn, Balaam was completely clueless to the mortal danger he was in.  The donkey, however, was able to see the imposing angelic warrior.  Upon seeing the Angel, she quickly turned aside into a field.  Balaam was irritated by this unusual occurrence and struck the donkey.  Then the Angel of the LORD stood in a narrow place and when the donkey moved to avoid him she crushed Balaam's foot against the wall.  The searing pain only irritated him more, and he struck her again.  Finally, the Angel of the LORD stood in a place so narrow the donkey could not veer to the side and turn around.  She simply dropped to the ground, prompting Balaam to strike her with his staff.

Numbers 22:28-33 reads, "Then the LORD opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?" ²⁹ And Balaam said to the donkey, "Because you have abused me. I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would kill you!" ³⁰ So the donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your donkey on which you have ridden, ever since I became yours, to this day? Was I ever disposed to do this to you?" And he said, "No." ³¹ Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the Angel of the LORD standing in the way with His drawn sword in His hand; and he bowed his head and fell flat on his face. ³² And the Angel of the LORD said to him, "Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to stand against you, because your way is perverse before Me. ³³ The donkey saw Me and turned aside from Me these three times. If she had not turned aside from Me, surely I would also have killed you by now, and let her live."

More than a donkey enabled to speak by God, I am struck by the irony of the scene.  The donkey saved Balaam three times from the sword of the Angel of the LORD.  When confronted by the donkey after hitting her three times, Balaam raged he wished he had a sword in his hand so he could kill her!  She was three times his saviour, but Balaam's blindness saw her as wayward, careless, and lazy.  Then the LORD opened his eyes and he saw the peril that he unknowingly faced.  He looked into the austere face of grace.  No donkey could possibly outwit or outmaneuver the Angel of the LORD.  God allowed Balaam to be spared, even though he deserved to die for his sin and the donkey deserved to live.

How important it is for God to open our eyes so we can see how He has worked in our lives to preserve and protect us!  The irritations, annoyances, and side-tracks He allows work to advance and accomplish His glorious purposes.  May our eyes be open to see the glory of God so we might fear Him, falling down before Him in worship and reverence, submitted fully to Him.  In a moment man can be cut off from the land of the living, or even destroyed eternally for our rebellion.  Even as God spared Balaam for a purpose, may we be those who bless and refuse to curse.  When God opens our eyes, for the first time we see clearly.  Praise God that He opens the mouths of brute beasts to speak wisdom, causes our eyes to see Him in glory, and chastens us to walk uprightly so we might fulfill His perfect will.

Guest Post by Amy Lambert: Generous Faith

The following was originally posted on the blog called "The Mustard Seed" by Amy Lambert.  Years ago we attended the same church fellowship.  Amy is currently living and serving the LORD in New Zealand. 

The thing about learning to hear the voice of God is that He will often ask you to do some extreme things, things that we wouldn't normally do because they require more faith and trusting in Him alone. Now, before I tell this story, I want you to know that I have been praying for a while about how much detail to share. However, God challenged me to be transparent because people in the western world need to see examples of faith in the areas of materialism and finances. So, please know that my aim is to glorify God, not myself, and hopefully inspire others to surrender all to Jesus and trust in His provision alone. He is worth everything!

On a Wednesday night, my sister Anna (her actual name will be kept anonymous) came to me and handed me an envelope containing all of her money. She told me that God had asked her to give it away 2 weeks prior, but she had been holding on to it because she was afraid that she wouldn't have what she needed. She said that God told her to give it to me and that night with tears in her eyes, she handed me the envelope and chose to be obedient no matter what the cost. I thanked her, comforted her and took the money, wanting to support her obedience to the Lord. I then prayed and asked God what He wanted me to do with it because I actually didn't need it, I have more money than most of my younger missionary sisters and brothers here because I worked for 4 years saving up. I felt like the Lord told me to hold onto it for 3 days and then double the amount and return it to her.

The following day during worship night our leaders wrote on a whiteboard how much students and staff still owed for outreach funds and we were to ask God if He wanted us to support each other financially. Anna's name was on the board needing $3,000NZD. During worship I asked God what He wanted me to give and I felt like He was telling me to pay the full amount for her. While I prayed for confirmation (silently with my eyes closed) suddenly Anna came over and held me in a big hug. She had no idea that I was praying about what to give her and at this point she didn't even know that I would be giving her the money back that she gave to me. I started weeping in her arms because I knew this was God thanking me through her for my obedience to Him. So, I silently agreed to pay for her full outreach costs. The funny thing is that in my mind $3000 seemed like so much money when I thought about what else I could do with it, but once I agreed to give it away, it felt like mere pennies (this is God's grace in sacrificial circumstances).

About 20 minutes later, still in worship, I asked God if that was all He wanted me to give, I didn't want to hold anything back from Him because everything I have He gave to me in the first place. You see, I confess that I had been relying on finances as my security for the sake of what I called "being responsible." The more money I had saved in the bank, the more secure my future seemed. But, God revealed to me that it had become an idol in my life because I was placing my confidence in something other than the almighty God. I have learned repeatedly on this DTS that my Heavenly Father wants to provide for me and when I am fully trusting in Him, not leaning on my own resources, He ends up getting all the glory when the provision comes. Freely I have received, so freely I should give. I would rather be rich in faith than have financial security. So, I had a thought that I should give Bob (again, his real name will be kept anonymous) $2000. The more I tried to worship and pray, this thought persisted and I finally figured it was the Lord's prompting. Again, my brain tried to reason its way out of giving this huge amount of money but the Spirit persisted with the truth that we can't out give God and He always blesses generosity and He will provide for me in whatever His future plans are for me. There is no better investment for my savings than for my brother and sister to go spread the Gospel on outreach because this will reep eternal rewards! Besides, I told myself, I have a car at home I can sell so I can continue as a missionary next year, if God calls me back. The Lord told me again that it is a good thing to rely on the support of others because it is a blessing for them to join in His work in my life; I am blessed and they get the rewards of giving as well as attributed to the fruit of the ministry through me. So, I agreed to give the additional $2000 to Bob. This was an amazing night because I gave out of my abundance, but other students gave even though they had nothing to give, they just obeyed the voice of the Lord to them without questioning how He would provide (living example of 2 Corinthians 8:1-15). At the end of the night I had so much joy, freedom, and peace through being obedient to the Lord and the $5000 felt like pennies.

The next day it was time to give Anna her envelope of cash back. I wrote her a little note, put in the double portion, and left it on her bed. At lunch she came with tears and hugged me telling me how she felt like Abraham sacrificing Issac and God provided in the last moment for her when he saw that she had been faithful. That evening I was washing dishes and a brother (who had just returned from snowboarders DTS outreach so he didn't know me) said God gave him a word for me. The Lord told him that I worship in extravagance, like Mary in the Bible who poured out her costly perfume on Jesus feet, pouring out my inheritance to Him. He said it might look crazy to other people, but to me I am just expressing my love for the One whom I am so in love with. Now, everything I had given was in secret, so I took his word as direct confirmation from the Lord that He was pleased with my obedience.  Anna and Bob don't know that those donations were from me. Also, the financial support I received from others before I came was enough to cover my outreach costs this year, as well as my flight home. So, thank you to those of you who partnered with me in this way.

This week's lectures are on the topic of the Holy Spirit and one point that our speaker made is that life in a Spirit-filled community is very generous and characterised by giving (Acts 4:34-no needy persons among them). God has definitely confirmed this truth through my experience in the YWAM community this season. So, all glory to God for His awesome economy where the more we give away to others, the greater the blessing we receive. He is the ultimate example of this principal by giving the most costly gift of His Son Jesus in order to save humanity. I hope this testimony challenges you and results in a greater faith/trust in God.

You can read more from Amy Lambert by following this link.

Waging War

During the drive home from church last night I asked Abel, "So what do you think about the new house?"  After pausing a moment he said, "I really like it - except for the roaches."  I have not discovered any evidence of an infestation, but few mornings begin without me finding a roach or two lying belly up somewhere in the house.  Since recently moving in I have laid down a generous amount of barrier spray around doors, windows, and skirting inside and out.  Some people are fine with a bug here or there, but when I see a roach or evidence of mice I go into warfare mode.  I want to unleash the strongest, industrial strength poison on the unsuspecting squatters - keeping in mind the health and safety of my family!  I spare no pains to do damage on any filthy critter populations that try to move in and establish themselves in my house.

Roaches in a house are like sins in the heart.  They can find their way in no matter how vigilant one may be.  They may even be able to evade barrier spray laid down at suspected high traffic areas.  But when one roach comes to our attention, we can either ignore it, run away from it screaming, or wage war.  Bugs will not just "go away" on their own when you are supplying them shelter, food, and supply of water.  The cost for neglecting to eradicate a stray roach or mouse can lead to an infestation which could cause great damage to property and health.  Even when the evidence of bugs and pests is reduced, it is not time to slack off.  When the battle turns in your favour, it is not time to celebrate yet.  With tenacious discipline we must continue to observe the perimeter, check in cupboards, under furniture, and carefully monitor bait stations.  If we will use the right baits, poisons, and make necessary repairs to holes, even an infestation can be brought under control.

After being born again through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, a Christian must wage war upon the sins that creep into his mind and heart.  Self-examination is critical as we observe our thoughts, the use of our time, our actions, and attitudes.  One sin allowed to remain unchecked is too many.  We are called to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ and refuse to allow Satan a foothold in our lives.  We must wage war on sin, for those who have been freed from it should live no longer therein.  Christ has imputed unto us His righteousness.  After being filled with the Holy Spirit we must remain vigilant, for it does no good to sweep clean our hearts but leave the door wide open for anything to enter.  I really like life on earth - except for sin.  When God brings it to our knowledge through the scripture and conviction of the Spirit, let us spare no pains to kill it off.  Show no compassion for sins Christ died to save us from.  Sin brings death, but Christ brings light and life to all who believe.

The True Christmas Miracle

I was touched by an effort of generosity and goodwill by WestJet.  Their video of Christmas giving has gone viral, no doubt prompting various responses.  It made me profoundly happy, seeing the shocked faces of people who were happy to receive their gift requests.  Check out the video below.

While I was genuinely blessed by the depiction, I realise Christmas and even apparent acts of "goodwill" are viewed these days with increasing cynicism.  For everyone like me there may be a skeptic who humbugs the idea, questioning the motives of a company for giving.  It's nothing more than propaganda, some might say.  It's a glorified commercial.  WestJet did not do this out of the goodness of their hearts because they are in the business of making money.  Think of the business this stunt might net them!  They probably could afford those gifts because they overcharge people with fees and bag restrictions, some might scoff.  The points by the skeptics and scoffers may be true.  I have no knowledge of the true motive behind the "WestJet Christmas Miracle" or how the idea came about.  But this video nails one thing square on:  Christmas is a time for giving and receiving.  But it is a gift far greater than electronic gizmos, toys, or apparel.  Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given man may receive.  Let every heart prepare Him room.

Jesus Christ is the greatest gift ever given because He is God made flesh, the Saviour we need.  He is the Creator, Deliverer, Redeemer, and Messiah sent by God to save people from their sins.  We cannot grow out of Him.  He does not need batteries, power cords, or software updates.  Through Him we have access by one Spirit to the Father.  The salvation and everlasting life Jesus Christ provides is beyond price, but He has given Himself to all who believe at His own expense.  He is the gift we always needed but never in our wildest dreams could have expected.  Jesus has been given not as a ploy to make a few bucks or improve customer loyalty.  He was not sent as some Divine manipulation to trick us into allegiance or service.  Jesus Christ was sent and became a sacrifice for sinners because of love, mercy, and grace from God towards man.  When Jesus was born the angels shouted, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men."  God has given peace to men from a heart of love.

Though the WestJet "miracle" was thoughtful, generous, and kind, there is nothing to suggest it was love that motivated their giving.  Santa knew the names of the children (because he had their booking information!) but we do not know that he loved them.  People all over the world give and receive gifts during the Christmas season not motivated by love at all!  We can be motivated by traditions, obligations, greed, and all manner of unwholesome and unholy reasons to give or receive.  The Bible teaches that Jesus demonstrated His motive of love through His death on the cross for our sins.  Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  The cynics may grumble, the skeptics might scoff, but the truth of God's Word endures forever.  For those who receive the Gospel and are born again by grace through faith in Jesus, nothing can separate us from the love of God.  What a miracle, that God would humble Himself to put on human flesh to save sinners!  Jesus is the greatest gift ever given, and one we should receive and celebrate always!

The Heavenly Perspective

It is natural for our gaze to be drawn away from Christ.  In the midst of the storm the wind-tossed waves look threatening and imposing.  All our senses become focused on escape and self-preservation.  Jesus promised His followers in this world we will face tribulation, but exhorts us to be joyful because He has overcome the world.  God allows pain, trials, satanic assault, and trouble to compass Christians on all sides.  We can be joyful even in the midst of difficulty because Christ has already overcome all.  He is in control.  I am His, and He is mine.

When Stephen was brought before the religious leaders falsely accused of blasphemy in Acts 7, his fear of God swallowed up all fear of man.  Moved by the Holy Spirit, the truth he spoke infuriated the chief priests.  Upon hearing his scathing rebuke they were cut to the heart.  There is no doubt in my mind Stephen recognised their murderous intentions.  Instead of focusing on the multitude of angry faces with murder on their breath, he looked to the LORD.  Acts 7:55-56 says, "But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, ⁵⁶ and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" They dragged him outside the city, removed their cloaks, and took up stones to slay him.  Even as the stones and boulders found their mark on his body, he continued to look to God.  In that moment Stephen did not pray to be spared a brutal death or seek divine vengeance upon his enemies, but on his knees pleaded with God to forgive them - even as His LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ had done from the cross.

Sacrificial love, grace, and forgiveness are the fundamental characteristics of every Christian.  To walk accordingly, we must turn our eyes to Jesus Christ in simple faith.  If our eyes are fixed upon the stones which have been thrown at us, if our ears are tuned to the accusations hurled in our direction, if our focus is on the angry faces of our enemies, we will lose the heavenly perspective.  We can walk in the power of the Holy Spirit only when we deny ourselves, walk in obedience to our Saviour, and look unto Jesus alone.  One might expect Stephen to be graced with a heavenly vision after fasting and prayer, yet he was ushered into the very presence of God through the indwelling Spirit in the midst of a fiery trial.  Perhaps you tremble at the prospect of future trials you will face.  If we will tremble before the LORD in adoration and worship, in the midst of the trial God will reveal Himself in greater glory still.

Let us decide to turn our eyes to Jesus and trust in Him.  A true vision of God brings our issues and the fearful unknowns into our lives into proper perspective.  The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom!

Honest Mistake?

Are you serious, I inwardly groaned.  How many times in baking have I put in tablespoons instead of teaspoons?  I suppose that's not as bad as cups for tablespoons, but it pretty much sabotages whatever is being baked.  This morning I was making crepes for the family and only after piling 4 tablespoons of sugar on 2 cups of white flour did I realised my error.  At that moment I faced a decision bakers and chefs from the beginning of time have been forced to answer:  do I try to salvage the dish or just chuck it all and start over?  Many times I have been able to salvage the dish by carefully removing the extra bi-carb or cream of tartar.  But not this time.  I dumped the lot into the bin and started over.

When we make mistakes, that is the right course of action.  If we make a mistake and hope nobody notices, our salvage attempts often produce a poor result.  It is far better to admit our mistakes freely, apologise genuinely, and humbly start over.  This humbling process begins with us confessing our sin before God.  We like to term mistakes like the aforementioned as "honest mistakes," meaning there was no malice in our hearts beforehand.  In actuality it would be better to call such an error a careless mistake.  Had I double checked the amounts and measured carefully, the mistake could have easily been avoided.  Whether or not I had evil intentions when I poured the ingredients didn't change the fact I had loaded the bowl with almost four times more sugar than what the recipe called for!  If my family can notice slight differences in texture and taste from one batch of pancakes or crepes from the last, won't God notice when I try to hide my flaws by my secret salvage attempts?

Repentance is a beautiful gift from God.  It allows sinners like me to have a fresh start.  God put in His law provisions for imperfection.  Through sacrifice, atonement could be made for the sins of people.  God knows we will make mistakes.  Jesus loves sinners, and proved it by dying on the cross for the sins of His enemies.  It was liberating to throw away the contaminated flour and start over.  I didn't have to worry about the taste being off or the ingredients sticking to the pan.  I didn't have to go through the process of spending an hour cooking the crepes only to discover they were inedible.  All the worry, preoccupation, and irritation of making a stupid mistake was over because I started over fresh!  When we have made a mistake, let us be quick to admit it and start over with a new beginning offered us by God's grace.  What joy and peace is ours when we quit trying to salvage our mistakes and begin afresh!

No Love, No Justice

Last night I started thinking about the legal systems of this world.  It seems to me the blindfold has fallen from the eyes of Justice, and her scales are a false balance.  I have not studied law, nor am I a solicitor or judge.  But I have studied the character of God and the divine law He instituted.  When we examine God through scripture, we see Him as the perfect Lawgiver and Judge of all.  He is the ideal.  He is by nature wholly righteous, just, loving, and good.  And this is where the legal systems of the world have lost the plot:  law today has become the means to an end rather than a means to God's end.  Justice according to God's standard is no longer the point.  Legal wranglings are all about knowing the system, interpreting law according to precedent, and at times even using law to legally do what is by nature unlawful.  Courtrooms have become a place of pride-fueled entanglements with the combatants not wielding swords and nets, but carefully crafted arguments to damage reputations and ensnare people in their own words.  Making other people look bad makes others seem better, and paid experts brandish opposite opinions using the same evidence.  Winning is more important than truth because truth is debatable.

There are many factors that have led to the breaking away of the legal system in America from the love of God and biblical truth to the relativistic slough it has become.  John Jay, the first Supreme Court Justice said, "It appears to me that the gospel not only recognizes the whole moral law, and extends and perfects our knowledge of it, but also enjoins on all mankind the observance of it."  Because God is just, without an intimate knowledge of God how can a man truly understand justice?  Then it struck me:  God's justice and love are inseparable.  He is loving and just, just and loving.  His love does not spring from pity and His justice does not grow out of pride.  Apart from the love of God, there can be no justice.  This was an amazing concept indeed!  Is there any place for the love of God in our courtrooms?  Is there room for mercy, grace, and absolute truth?  Without being born again through the Gospel, a man can only be selfish, proud, and unjust.  He cannot love as God loves or judge with righteous judgment.

From this biblical perspective therefore, the courts of the world who deny the existence of God and the truth of His Word are breeding grounds of injustice.  Jesus railed against such in Luke 11:52:  "Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in you hindered."  Are the lawyers or solicitors the problem?  No.  They are not different than any other person who goes through life in an unregenerate state.  The problem Jesus had with the lawyers He rebuked was their hypocrisy.  They made law so convoluted that the common man could not understand it properly.  It was not that the law needed to be so complex, but such a maze had been created that the lawyers hindered people from entering into godly knowledge.  The path of righteousness and justice they were to lead people through became so muddled and confusing they did not even bother to enter it themselves!  Justice could wink at sin if you filled her scales from behind her back.

The trouble is not just in courts, government, schools, or special interest groups:  the trouble resides in every single human heart because of sin.  The Law was a schoolmaster to show us our great sin and lead us by the hand to salvation through Jesus Christ.  He is the Judge of the living and the dead, and God has proved His authority through raising Him from the dead.  In Him love and justice come together in perfect harmony.  Our walk with Christ is not one according to outward conformity, but through inner transformation by the Holy Spirit.  God is righteous and just, and Jesus speaks peace to all who will bow before Him.  Psalm 85:8-13 reads, "I will hear what God the LORD will speak, for He will speak peace to His people and to His saints; but let them not turn back to folly. ⁹ Surely His salvation is near to those who fear Him, that glory may dwell in our land. ¹⁰ Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed. ¹¹ Truth shall spring out of the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven. ¹² Yes, the LORD will give what is good; and our land will yield its increase. ¹³ Righteousness will go before Him, and shall make His footsteps our pathway."

Life Observations of Pastor Bill Wilson

Our recent move has forced me to go through files and paperwork.  Most of what I find is junk, but I did come across notes I took during a session taught by Pastor Bill Wilson of Metro World Child.  He is a dynamic communicator with a heart to reach children with the power of the Gospel all over the world by meeting spiritual and physical needs.  Some might find his style at times a bit gruff or abrasive, but I appreciate his perspective because it comes from a man who loves deeply.  He is a man who has experienced a lot of tough stuff, yet God has brought him through stronger still.  Here are some of thought-provoking proverbs he shared during that fireside chat many years ago:

• Everybody wants to walk on water but they won't get out of the boat.
• Whatever it takes!
• Some preachers love crowds and hate people.
• Don't wait to get knocked off a donkey.
• Your commitment must be stronger than your emotions.
• Happy hinges on what happens.
• If Jesus shows up and wants fruit, you better have it.
• What makes me angry is what God will use to change me.
• Everything in life is designed to make you quit.
• If you don't have it, you don't need it.  Hone and develop what you have.
• Never discuss your problem with someone incapable of solving it.
• You don't decide on what your ministry is supposed to be:  you discover it.
• When everyone thinks the same no one thinks much.
• Everything is just like church.
• Be faithful in the small things.
• If you do what you know, you know what to do.
• If you want something you've never had before, you have to do something you have never done before.

The Importance of Attitude

Our attitude is a God-given looking glass into our hearts.  Attitude is an insightful tool, a gauge discerning Christians can utilise to discover whether we are walking in God's truth or according to the flesh.  We use thermostats to regulate the temperature of conditioned air, a thermometer to discern if meat is cooked through, and moisture gauges to measure the dampness of a room.  Our bodies are designed by God to function at an optimal temperature, and it is not difficult to discern if we are sick if we will submit to taking our temperature.  The instrument spells out the proof, whether we think or feel like we have a fever or not.  Yet when it comes to spiritual health, things are not so clear cut.  Many times in my own life I thought I was spiritually healthy and robust when I was suffering from the equivalent of walking pneumonia.  Examining my attitude and motives according to God's Word was the way that God drove home the reality that I was gravely ill from a spiritually vantage point.  The danger of not immediately seeking God to treat our spiritual sickness is we unwittingly open ourselves up for all manner of error.

A.W. Tozer wrote a most useful book called The Dwelling Place of God.  He introduces the subject in the following manner:  "These are the times that try men's souls. The Spirit has spoken expressly that in the latter times some should depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron. Those days are upon us and we cannot escape them; we must triumph in the midst of them, for such is the will of God concerning us. Strange as it may seem, the danger today is greater for the fervent Christian than for the lukewarm and the self-satisfied. The seeker after God's best things is eager to hear anyone who offers a way by which he can obtain them. He longs for some new experience, some elevated view of truth, some operation of the Spirit that will raise him above the dead level of religious mediocrity he sees all around him, and for this reason he is ready to give a sympathetic ear to the new and the wonderful in religion, particularly if it is presented by someone with an attractive personality and a reputation for superior godliness.  Now our Lord Jesus. that great Shepherd of the sheep, has not left His flock to the mercy of the wolves. He has given us the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit and natural powers of observation, and He expects us to avail ourselves of their help constantly. "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good," said Paul (I Thess. 5:21) . "Beloved, believe not every spirit," wrote John, "but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world" (I John 4:1) . "Beware of false prophets," our Lord warned, "which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves" (Matt. 7:15). Then He added the word by which they may be tested, "Ye shall know them by their fruits."

Tozer suggests a series of useful questions intended to cause us to examine our attitude.  Instead of judging others, we are to make our own attitudes the focus of this examination, for ours is the only attitude we can do anything about.  Does this teaching or experience make Christ more indispensable?  How has this new doctrine or emphasis changed my attitude towards God or others?  Is it drawing me towards God or leading me away?  He writes, "Briefly stated the test is this: This new doctrine, this new religious habit, this new view of truth, this new spiritual experience has it affected my attitude toward and my relation to God, Christ, the Holy Scriptures, self, other Christians, the world and sin. By this sevenfold test we may prove everything religious and know beyond a doubt whether it is of God or not. By the fruit of the tree we know the kind of tree it is. So we have but to ask about any doctrine or experience, What is this doing to me? and we know immediately whether it is from above or from below."

One question that especially hit me as true is one concerning our view of others.  Again, quoting from Tozer's book:  "Our relation to and our attitude toward our fellow Christians is another accurate test of religious experience.  Sometimes an earnest Christian will, after some remarkable spiritual encounter, withdraw himself from his fellow believers and develop a spirit of faultfinding. He may be honestly convinced that his experience is superior, that he is now in an advanced state of grace, and that the hoi polloi in the church where he attends are but a mixed multitude and he alone a true son of Israel."  Man, that really hit home for me.  I remember going through seasons of spiritual growth when it seemed at every turn God revealed himself to me.  But due to my immaturity I suffered from a serious case of "plank-eye" syndrome for some time!  Once I was broken for my sin, I was able to see I had fallen into the trap of projecting my sins upon others.  I had issues submitting wholly to God and His rule, and therefore was unwilling to yield completely to authority He placed in my life.  When we begin to feel like Elijah - who thought he must be the only one still loyal to God - by His grace God will open our eyes to reveal that He has thousands who have never bowed the knee to Ba'al.  God corrects our misconceptions if we will listen to Him.

Attitude is huge.  We can be very right with our facts, but at the same time our attitude can be all wrong.  God is teaching me to examine my attitudes and motives in everything I do.  Am I afraid?  Why am I worrying about this or that?  Have I become envious or unsettled?  Am I hoping for praise from men or am I fully resting in obedience to God?  Am I experiencing the joy of the LORD despite trials of faith?  Am I glad to substitute anything for reliance upon Christ and His Word?  Praise the LORD that He gives us wisdom through the Holy Spirit to know if we are walking according to the Spirit or in the flesh.  God has given every man a conscience that agrees with His Law, and the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.  Attitude is a valuable tool to gauge where I am with my walk with Christ.  When I see the fruit of the Spirit evident as I walk in love according to God's grace, I can know I am heading on the right track!

God Gives!

While driving home after church this morning, I was thinking about how God is faithful to give us what we need.  He provides for all our needs, physical and spiritual.  He also gives us things we don't realise we need.  Sometimes we just need a hug!  How grateful I am for the love and acceptance from our loving Saviour.  Other times God even gives us things we don't want but we do need.  The Good Shepherd may lay His staff across our flanks to grab our attention.  He gives His beloved sleep, yet He also wakes us up when we have become drowsy and listless.

How good God is to give us what we need, just at the right time!  My God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.

Never Forfeit

Upon arriving at the baseball field today after two weeks off due to rain, we were met by a member of the opposite side with bad news:  since the other team only had five players available, they had to forfeit the game.  We were all disappointed.  I suppose we would rather play and lose the game then prepare to play, drive out to the field only to be told there was no game.  A win's a win, but that kind of winning isn't much fun.

I thought about the five people on the other side who could have played the game but couldn't because they didn't have the support from their teammates.  I felt for them.  I'm sure they all wanted to play, even the people who were unavailable.  Who knows?  Had they been able to field a team - even of seven or eight - they could have won!  To forfeit is to give up without trying.  It's a waste because no effort has been exerted to win.

I started thinking about the spiritual implications of forfeiting (I have odd thought patterns, I guess).  Is it possible to be a Christian who forfeits?  Can we run up the white flag of surrender when the enemy assaults us even though we have absolute certainty of victory through Jesus Christ?  It's a poor analogy, but can you imagine having the best professional players to ever play baseball on your side against a mediocre group of weekend warriors who can't even run to first base without taking a smoke break?  It wouldn't be great competition, but it would be a blast to play with legends of the game.  It doesn't matter if your players are the best on paper, have an undefeated record, and you're playing against people who have never even played baseball before:  if you don't show up, you forfeit.  By not coming to the field, the team has given up.  When you forfeit, you can lose without a single pitch being thrown!

When it comes to victory against sin, despair, and fear, Jesus Christ has already claimed the victory.  But when Satan rages against us, when temptation overwhelms our minds and pressure to cave seems impossible to resist, we can choose as Christians to forfeit.  Why should we give up when Jesus has already defeated sin and death?  Should we wave the white flag because the opposition looks intimidating or we have made an error?  Never!  We win when we commit ourselves to be at Christ's disposal.  Hand Him the ball, and watch Him work.  Always surrender to Christ, but never forfeit.  Too much is at stake to give up.  Let's not waste the opportunities Christ provides to walk in victory!  Let's not deny Christ the victory He has won.

Seeking out a Resting Place

My family and I have been very busy lately since moving to a new house - new to us, that is.  We've made some improvements already with better lighting in most rooms, installed new spout on the kitchen sink, and systematically moving the dehumidifier through the rooms.  The handyman has come through and fixed up some things as well, like screen doors, bathroom taps, exhaust fans, and re-attached an air conditioning unit to the wall.  Laura still isn't able to park in the garage yet, but I hope to have that remedied within the next week.

As we are reading through the book of Numbers as a family, it has become clear it doesn't always sit well with God's people to go where He leads.  Perhaps you can relate!  During decades in the wilderness, God taught His people to rely upon Him for everything:  food, water, meat, protection, and direction.  He led them to places like Marah, a place where He made the bitter water sweet and made a covenant with them.  From Marah God led them to Elim, an oasis with water and beautiful palms.  But God didn't allow His people to stay there.  He moved them on!   After the tabernacle was built, the Spirit of the LORD rested upon it.  As long as the presence of God rested upon the tabernacle, the people would remain.  At the moment God's presence moved on, the people were called to pack up and leave according to their tribes in the prescribed manner.  Last night we read in Numbers 10:33, "So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them."

The idea of God seeking out a resting place for His people was an amazing thought.  Did you know that God seeks rest for His people?  In Him rest can be found, no matter where we are.  After the flood, Noah released a dove from the ark.  The first dove returned to him because "she found no rest for the sole of her foot."  After seven days the next dove Noah released returned with an olive branch in her beak, signalling the abatement of the waters from the earth.  He waited seven days and sent out another dove that never returned.  The first time a dove is mentioned in the New Testament was when the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove alighted upon Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.  John the Baptist was led to baptise people to reveal the Messiah to the world.  In the Gospel of John (a different John writing!), he explains this fact.  John 1:29-34 reads, "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' ³¹ I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." ³² And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. ³³ I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."  After Jesus came out of the water God spoke from heaven, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!"  When the Spirit in the form of a dove landed upon Jesus and rested upon Him, it was clear to all who would believe that Jesus is the Christ, God-made-flesh, the divine sacrifice, the promised Messiah, and Redeemer of lost sinners.

Do you know you will never know true rest until you know Christ as LORD and Saviour?  It is through the Holy Spirit resting and coming upon us that we know God and are empowered to serve Him.  The eyes of the LORD go to and fro throughout the whole earth, looking for people who are loyal to Him.  He seeks those who worship Him who worship Him in Spirit and in truth.  Jesus is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Once we are through with wandering, murmuring, and complaining, tired of our best efforts to save ourselves, by God's grace our eyes can be opened to Jesus and we realise salvation is found only in Him.  Jesus invites all in Matthew 11:28-30, "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. ³⁰ For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."  The Spirit of God looks today to rest upon those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and abide in Him.  Have you been washed?

No matter where you find yourself geographically, Jesus is your peace.  Through the Holy Spirit, we can rest in Him!  Follow Jesus wherever He leads.  God's thoughts toward us are good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope.  Jesus is this for us!

Love My Motive

"My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. ²¹ Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. ²² When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you."

Proverbs 6:20-22

 We've been studying through Proverbs on Friday nights at Calvary Chapel Sydney.  It's been a terrific time of in depth exploration and discussion.  The preceding verses have been on my mind and heart of late.  Adherence to the Law was focused on external conformity under the Old Covenant.  People could fulfill the demands of the letter of the Law without inner transformation.  The Pharisees were outwardly holy men, but were filthy within.  They kept the Sabbath according to the Law and the oral traditions, but they nursed envy and murderous intentions in their hearts.  After Christ established the New Covenant of His blood, we are no longer governed by an external set of regulations.  Jesus did not destroy the Law but fulfilled it.  The Holy Spirit regenerates and takes up residence in the heart of every Christian, leading and guiding us into all truth.  He washes us clean of our sins when we repent, takes away our heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh.

Jesus told His followers in John 15:12:  "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."  Instead of walking according to the flesh, we are called to be led by the Spirit.  Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."  The first and greatest command is that we love the LORD God with all our heart, soul, and might.  Everything we do, therefore, is to be motivated by the love of God.  It is love that must be bound upon our heart, speaking of our motives.  The importance of our motive cannot be overstated.  It is the love of Christ that constrains us as we follow His example of obedience to the Father, service, and sacrifice.

Some people have this concept of God's commands tying us down, holding us back, or dragging us along.  Obedience to God's commands is not an "Old Testament" thing, as John states in 1 John 5:1-3:  "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. ² By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. ³ For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome."  Jesus says that if we truly love Him, we will do what He says.  When love is our motive, it is like a lead tied around the neck of a well-trained dog.  When a dog is trained to heel, he is not to pull on the lead or be dragged around by it.  The lead is an extension of his master.  When the lead is fitted to his collar, the dog learns to follow the lead of his master.  He stops walking and the dog sits, looking to the master.  The dog does not resent the lead, for the lead is his freedom.  God's commands are not intended to burden or confine us, but rather free us to enjoy the presence of our Master wherever He leads.  No matter where we find ourselves in life, no matter how unfamiliar the territory, we can look to our Saviour and He will graciously lead us through everything we face.

One thing God has always desired is to be with His people and to commune with them.  Whether we sleep, are awake, or roam, God will direct us in the way that pleases Him.  Is love for God your continuous motive for the things you do?  Is it the love of God that constrains you and leads you in every circumstance?  If we love God, we will keep His commandments.  Those who love one another fulfill the Law!

Eating at the Table of the King

Mephibosheth is a compelling figure in scripture.  He was the son of a prince, crippled from a young age when his nurse dropped him upon hearing the news of the deaths of his grandfather King Saul and his own father, Jonathan.  From the moment of the fall, his life and future was uncertain at best.  When David became king in Judah and later over all Israel, Mephibosheth's life seemed to be in jeopardy.  Whenever a new king reigned apart from the line of the prior king, all the descendants of the previous king were executed to eliminate divided loyalty.  Into adulthood, lame Mephibosheth dwelt in Lodebar on the other side of the Jordan river.  He lived far from the lands given as an inheritance to his fathers, isolated, alone - and still lame in his feet, a haunting reminder of his fall from grace.

But if Mephibosheth feared for his life, it would prove unwarranted.  David had made a covenant with Jonathan, Mephibosheth's father, that they would show favour to each other and to their descendants forever.  While Mephibosheth remained distant and isolated, perhaps fearing for his life, David's thoughts towards the children of Jonathan were only gracious and good.  2 Samuel 9:1 reads, "Now David said, "Is there still anyone who is left of the house of Saul, that I may show him kindness for Jonathan's sake?"  After an inquiry was made, word was brought to David that Jonathan did indeed have a son who was living in Lodebar.  David immediately sent men to bring him.  Upon his arrival Mephibosheth fell prostrate before the king, throwing himself upon his mercy.  Instead of being harsh and austere as he may have feared, David did something unthinkable:  he welcomed Mephibosheth back, restored all his father's lands, commanded the servant Ziba to work the land and give the proceeds to Mephibosheth, and reserved a place for Mephibosheth to eat food at his table continually, to live even as one of his own sons.

The invitation and offer given to Mephibosheth by David was gracious and amazing.  What amazed me further as I read this morning is how humble Mephibosheth received it:  2 Samuel 9:13 says, "So Mephibosheth dwelt in Jerusalem, for he ate continually at the king's table. And he was lame in both his feet."  A proud man would have refused such a gift.  He would have never been content to be a guest at the table of a king when he could be "king of his own castle."  Mephibosheth was not too proud to be seen limping and dragging himself along in public:  he had been given a wonderful gift, and he chose to walk in it - lame he still was.  This whole scene is a shadow of what Jesus Christ has done in offering salvation to all men.  God does not desire the destruction of men, though it is in His power to do so:  He desires that all would repent and receive eternal life through faith in His Son.  We are all damaged and doomed because of the fall of man into sin, and we have been alienated from the relationship God intended man to share with him.  God has called each one of us, despite us being lame, blind, deaf, paralysed, and dead in sins.  He has made an offer that if we will deny ourselves, repent, and place our faith in Christ, we will be restored to fellowship with Him for eternity.  Those who are born again do not live "as sons," but become God's adopted sons and co-heirs with Christ.  Sadly, many people make excuses.  They are too proud to admit their need or humble themselves to bow before the rightful king.  They remain in Lodebar - literally "pastureless" - because they do not see their need for the Good Shepherd.  A lot of people languish in Lodebar when the richness of royalty have been graciously offered to them.

Let us enter into the life of faith and humility God has offered to us by His grace.  Mephibosheth stayed lame in his feet, though he ate continually at the king's table.  When a man is born again, all things are made new.  Whilst we remain in these bodies on earth we must contend with our fleshly lameness, but we can embrace the sanctification process through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit.  We can be transformed through the renewing of our minds.  In Christ we find healing, love, and life.  Those who wait upon the LORD will find their strength renewed, running without weariness.  Praise be to God for His gracious gift!  As it says in Jude 1:24-25:  "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."

The Final Walkthrough

For the past week my family and I have been in the throes of moving.  We are most thankful for the help we have received from church family as we packed, hired a truck, loaded and unloaded our belongings at the new residence.  We were also able to do most of the cleaning of the old house in a single day, thanks to many people pitching in.  Now that the internet is up and running along with changing our phone and electricity providers, and most of the change of address notifications done, things are almost beginning to seem normal.  But not really.  Despite all the work done, there is much more to do!

After a trip to Bunnings today for the necessities - more roach spray and to cut new keys for a new deadbolt I installed - I went by the old house to better clean the oven, range hood, dishwasher, exhaust fans, and shower doors.  When Laura went on the final walkthrough with the agent, he was ridiculously thorough - as I expected.  The list of demands seemed to go on and on, and most of them were reasonable.  Unfortunately for us, we were not so thorough when we moved into the property as he has been upon our leaving.  Though we are leaving the house in much better condition than when we arrived, the improvements we have made are not taken into account.  I know it's his job to ding us wherever he can, force us to pry his sticky fingers from our bond money, and he is good at what he does.  I cannot fault the man for doing his job.  But needless to say, we will be noting every possible thing wrong with our current property so we won't be on the hook when it's time to move on.

As I cleaned today, an interesting parallel came to mind.  When we walked away from the property on Sunday, I was quite confident going into the final walkthrough.  With walls washed, paint touched up, floors mopped, and everything looking shiny and clean I was certain it was good enough.  But not so fast!  The agent started opening appliances and noting things I wrote off as normal wear.  As he went through his checklist he snapped picture after picture to show the owner:  hard water spots, the length of the grass, and inside the gas burners on the cooktop!  The house wasn't new or nearly as clean as when we moved in so I figured some things would be good enough.  But item by item, the list grew.  It reminded me of the scriptures which tell us it appointed for man once to die and then face judgment.  Most people are fairly confident in saying they are basically good enough to get into heaven.  What they do not realise is their words, actions, and motives will be judged against the perfect standard held forth in scripture.  Every filthy deed will be uncovered; every single wicked thought exposed and brought into the light of God's perfection.

Imagine being destitute and being offered a modest home for free.  The landlord agreed to handle all the cost for electricity, water, phone, and rubbish removal.  The landlord even offered to supply money to handle repairs, to buy food, and appliances.  The roof leaked a little, the carpet was a bit worn with an occasional rip, and a couple of the taps dripped.  Despite the imperfections, it sure beat living on the street!  Let's say that you stayed in this home for a whopping 70 years!  Over the course of living in the home for seven decades, you did some improvements on the property.  You added on a room here, more lights in the garage, and had new carpet installed.  The roof still leaked a little, but the bucket worked just fine!  A few cracks had opened in the foundation, but hey - it was free!  After 70 years, you are told by the landlord it is finally time to check out.  His generous offer was finally up.  Nothing could prepare you for the final walkthrough.  The agent did not bring merely a list - he hauled out a massive book with countless things to check off.  He noted everything wrong with the property, even things that were wrong when you first arrived!  The dialogue could go something like this:

"Hmm, that leak been there for awhile?  Quite a bit of water damage - dry rot and mildew.  Didn't you notice it?"

"Yep, roof's been leaking since I moved in.  After a while you just learn to deal with it, right?"  You laugh, hoping to reduce the tension that has been building.  He didn't even smile.

"Unfortunately for you, you are liable for all damage to the property even if it happened before you arrived.  The landlord expects the entire property to be immaculate - not just like new or improved in your estimation, but completely new."

Your eyes opened wide.  "What?  That's ridiculous!  Doesn't the room I built count for anything?"

"Actually, that room is a serious problem.  It's not built to code and will incur additional fines."  As he continued to turn the pages, noted every single mark on the walls, and took pictures of everything, dread knotted like snakes in your gut.

"I thought because of what I did to make the house better it would compensate for faults the house came with," you reasoned.

Tears welled in the eyes of the agent.  "Yes," he said softly.  "Most people do think that.  But it doesn't change the facts that you are on the hook for all the damage.  I have never met a single person able to pay the fees according to the exorbitant exchange rate.  You are in serious trouble."

"What will happen to me?  How was I to know you would charge me for dust in the attic, every single scratch on the wall, every fibre of carpet out of place, cockroaches I never saw, or for smudges on windows I can't even reach?"

"Because you lived here, you are liable for all.  You will be sent to prison to spend eternity in solitary confinement.  If you remember, the same landlord who lent you the property free of charge provided the funding necessary to make all things new.  But instead of investing in eternity you ignored his correspondence and offers and now you find yourself doomed.  He called you every day.  You cannot blame him for refusing to answer and act on his offer."

"It just isn't fair!"

"No, it isn't," the man continued, "and it was never meant to be.  It is all of grace.  You had this house to live in all this time at no cost to you, with everything graciously provided at his expense.  You loved the house instead of the landlord who gave it to you.  In a way it was all a test:  he gave you 70 years to answer his call.  Some people have far less time than that!"

The Bible teaches every person who walks the earth will one day be required to settle accounts with the Almighty Creator, the righteous God who is a just Judge.  He has given us bodies, a world that supports life, and the means to know His righteous requirements through the scriptures.  We are all imperfect, having broken His law.  Seeing that no man had the means to be reconciled to God - to be made new, perfect, and acceptable according to the divine code - God became a man:  Jesus Christ.  Because God put on human flesh, Christ's sacrifice was able to atone for His fellow humans who would repent and trust in Him.  For those who are born again, all has been made new.  We will not face the same consequences of the final walkthrough of those who are forced to check out before they have answered the call of the landlord to repent.  Even though our salvation is secure through Christ, Christians too will face judgment and answer for our stewardship.

Still not convinced?  The words of Christ still ring true.  Matthew 12:38-42 says, "Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You." ³⁹ But He answered and said to them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and indeed a greater than Jonah is here. ⁴² The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here."  Are you confident to appear before God?  Will you be found perfect?  Only those who answer the call to repentance and are born again by grace through faith will be found flawless, for our righteousness has been imputed by Jesus Christ!

As a Man Thinks...

During my time at the Calvary Chapel Bible Institute in Rotorua, New Zealand, a point often discussed was the need for our minds to be changed.  In our sinful, natural condition our minds are completely opposed and actually hostile to God.  The first part of Proverbs 23:7 says, "For as he thinks in his heart, so is he."  Jesus taught that out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.  Consider a man who smashes his finger with a hammer and curses in pain.  Is the hammer to blame for the cursing?  One man will curse in his pain, and another will praise God despite suffering.  Pain was the mechanism to bring to the surface what already festered in the heart of the man.  As a man thinks, so he is.  Thoughts precede action, and even our automatic reactions are good indicators of what hides within.

The sinful nature of a man works to corrupt his mind.  Even those who have been born again and filled with the Holy Spirit must contend with their own flesh and the lure of the world.  James 1:13-15 states, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."  Things seen with our eyes put ideas in our minds.  Like a fish slowly circling suspended bait, in our minds we examine the idea from all angles.  We think about potential consequences.  We weigh carefully the positives and negatives.  "That would be fun...but what if he or she found out?"  Our reasons for denying the lusts of flesh can be far from holy, can't they?  When we recognise our motivation to do good or avoid evil are impure, we must repent of sin.  Biblical repentance starts with a change of mind, leading to a change of heart, and ultimately a changed life.  The process starts in the mind, for as a man thinks so he is.

Because of the filthiness of this world and how sticky our minds can be, once an idea is sown into our minds we will likely move towards acting out on it.  It is not surprising that pedophiles often are discovered to have an abundance of child pornography in their possession.  We should not be shocked when fantasies spill over into real life.  As Christians, we must do battle upon those thoughts before they are given a chance to take root or bear fruit.  2 Corinthians 10:3-7 reads, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. ⁴ 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, ⁶ and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled."  The mind is the seat of knowledge, and there is a battle raging for the mind of every human being.  Through subtle suggestions or overt temptation, Satan battles for control of the mind.  Boxers taught traditionally know the value of working the body.  Those heavy blows landed on the stomach may not produce an immediate knockout, but they begin to add up with a cumulative effect.  Every shot to the gut is like making a deposit in the bank which can be withdrawn in later rounds.  "Kill the body and the head will die."  Body shots slow down an opponent, make it harder to breathe, and open up easy chances for big uppercuts and hooks to the chin - power punches that put a man flat on his back.

Christians are often already defeated in their minds before they choose to participate in overt sin.  Wandering hearts always precede wayward feet.  How important it is to set a guard over our minds and hearts!  Our eyes and ears are without filters so we must diligently bring "every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ."  God has revealed Himself through scripture and the indwelling Holy Spirit so we might know Him and make Him known.  Sanctification begins in the mind, not through externals.  Let us recognise our sin according to scripture, repent, and think upon things that glorify God.  Paul exhorts in Philippians 4:4-8:  "Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! ⁵ Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. ⁶ Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things." As a man thinks, so he is!