Marching Forth!

" And He [Jesus] went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. 14 Then He appointed twelve, that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach, 15 and to have power to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons ..."   Mark 3:13-15 I love Jesus.  I love everything about Him:  the way He spoke, the things He said, what He did, and how He interacted with others.  Everything about Jesus Christ is unfathomably significant, and as we walk with Jesus in faith day by day our eyes are increasingly opened to His goodness, love, majesty, and power. The God who said "Let there be light!" and there was light, the Creator of all the universe, put on human flesh in the person of Jesus.  As a man He called people to follow Him, even though He could have done everything by Himself.  In doing this Jesus not only provided us an example, but revealed how deeply personal He wants our relationship to be ...

Motive often determines outcome.  Even in something like exercise, our motives for why we spend time and effort to intentionally exercise shapes our results - for good or bad.  I have been cycling a bit of late to rehabilitate my surgically repaired right knee.  As an added bonus it has improved my cardiovascular fitness, as well as being a fun challenge to tackle new routes.  The other day I offered the mum of one of my son's friends a slice of carrot cake I had baked.  She had just walked in after a long ride.  "Oh no, but thank you," she said.  "You see, I'm riding my bike to be fit and so I really shouldn't eat any cake today."  I quickly retorted, "Well, I cycle so I can eat cake!" Do you see the difference?  Because Sally (not her real name) rides her bike to be fit, she viewed eating cake as inconsistent with that activity.  Her concern was indulging her taste buds would "undo" all the benefits she laboured to gain.  In th...

While driving last night I had a fun and enlightening conversation with God.  In a relationship with God we have the freedom to have some very unorthodox thoughts.  My thoughts were something like this:  "God, if you were confined within time and I was the only person in the entire world, would you be bored?  Would you go for hours without hearing from me?  Would your life consist of a fair amount of thumb twiddling because I was off doing my own thing?" Thought immediately flooded into my mind that went something like this.  "You have it all wrong.  Even if you were the only person in the world, my thoughts would be continuously focused on you even if you didn't regard me at all."  Then a scripture came to mind.  The truth of Psalm 139:17-18 hit home:  " How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still wi...

Have you ever listened to your own prayers to God?  It is important our prayers reflect faith in God's revealed truth in His Word.  Sometimes our prayers do not demonstrate we trust the Bible.  We can beg God to "be with us" when He has promised never to leave or forsake us!  We can also pray for God to do things we are primarily responsible to do.  Through God's Spirit we are enabled respond supernaturally to God's grace and love as His adopted children, even as a flower turns toward the sun. I was singing along with a familiar worship song which went, " Oh Spirit come make us humble ."  It occurred to me it is true that only God can truly humble a man.  This is demonstrated in the scriptures when God humbled His people ( Deut. 8:3; 16 ).  As I sang the words in church, it dawned on me this request for humbling by the Spirit is not a term of phrase found in scripture.  There are many times, however, where men are told to humble themselves...

One of the recurring themes throughout the book of Judges and has been observed among people in the world ever since is, " every man did what was right in his own eyes ."  The Proverbs say most men will proclaim their own goodness, but there is not a good man among them ( Prov. 20:6 ).  The way of a man seems right to him, but the inevitable end is death ( Prov. 14:12 ).  Only God is good, and His righteous standard proclaimed in scripture is absolute. A reality of this corrupted world is all things degrade.  Our bodies break down, grow old and decay.  Biblical morality, principles once firmly established in the fabric of society, over time are easily cast aside.  As generations overtake generations, even the meaning of words can be dumbed-down into sloppy generalisations.  Take justice, for instance.  The 1828 Webster's Dictionary defines justice like this:  " 1) the virtue which consists in giving to everyone what is his due; practical ...

There is a push in many churches today to be more "relevant."  In an attempt to be relevant by allowing culture to dictate belief or emphasis above the Word of God, the church becomes more irrelevant than ever.  A church is only as relevant as it is righteous.  A church pandering to humanism and traditions of men has nothing of eternal value to offer anyone.  The church does not suddenly become relevant because the pastor is a hipster, the media department produces eye-popping videos, services are well-attended, or hosts weekly outreaches in pubs along with Scotch-tasting.  The church is not relevant because of what it does, but because of what it is:  the living Body of Jesus Christ comprised of individuals united in One Spirit. Some who profess Christ as Saviour seem concerned that if the church does not mirror the culture, it cannot effectively reach people for Christ.  Jesus went into the world, but He did not become like the world.  It is t...

Recently there has been a small spike in Australian news concerning former NSW premiere Barry O'Farrell.  He resigned last year when it was discovered he received a $3,000 bottle of wine and did not claim it as a gift from a donor.  A news report claims Mr. O'Farrell has denied fresh allegations he also received an expensive fountain pen whilst in office from a construction company that later won a large contract.  Whether or not Barry is innocent or guilty of wrongdoing in this case, receiving bribes or gifts is nothing new.  Those with money are drawn to people in influential government positions, knowing it doesn't take much luxury to "grease the skids" for their benefit.  A $1,000 pen is nothing compared to a 1 billion dollar contract! Perhaps there are some people who become a public servant for the perks or retirement package, but I would suspect a vast majority of those who aspire to such a role do so to make a positive difference in government, commun...

In our discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney, one of the materials we use is the Self-Confrontation Manual developed by John C. Broger.  One of the major points of emphasis is how Christians must choose between man's way and God's way in our daily lives.  In Lesson 2 page 4, a profound statement is made concerning how walking with Christ should affect our perspective.  The top of page 33 states concerning a Holy Spirit-filled believer:  " You are now enabled to see that God uses trials and problems as opportunities for spiritual growth ."  Only God can grant man such spiritual insight.  We see problems as obstacles and hindrances, yet every one provides an opportunity for us to grow. What the world  may see as a "setback" is actually the means God employs to cause us to progress in faith and maturity.  Our failures and faults can be redeemed for our good and growth.  Only God can use our mistakes and troubles of this life to accompl...

The book of Nehemiah has many great spiritual parallels for the Christian.  Jerusalem was the place God had chosen to place His name, and the enemies of God's people were mobilised when they perceived progress was being made in the restoration of the city.  I believe the same rings true of the enemy of our souls when we come to Christ in faith - not only at conversion, but when we take steps to progress in sanctification.  Job's uprightness had not gone unnoticed by Satan who schemed for his destruction.  Jesus revealed Satan desired to "sift Peter as wheat," knowing God had a plan to use him to advance God's kingdom.  Leonard Ravenhill said that Paul was "known in hell" based upon the words of the demon when the sons of Sceva tried to drive him out:  "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?"  We are in a spiritual battle, and we are called to be vigilant and courageous, knowing Jesus Christ has granted us the ultimate victory. It i...

Have you ever done wrong and felt sorry about it?  When it comes to setting things right, feeling sorry is often the first step in repentance.  The pricking of our conscience should lead to a changed mind which admits we have done wrong.  Merely admitting guilt still stops short of repentance, a necessary step to be forgiven by God.  Repentance begins with a changed mind and a renewed heart according to God's Word, resulting in intentional lifestyle changes which agree with God. There is a practical example seen in the book of Ezra.  Ezra the priest was astonished when he heard a report from the princes that many of the Jews who returned to Jerusalem from captivity in the Babylon had transgressed God's command in marrying foreign wives.  The rulers, ones who were called to lead righteously in obeying the Word, were primarily to blame.  Ezra 10:1 says, " Now while Ezra was praying, and while he was confessing, weeping, and bowing down before the hous...

Some view God as an overbearing ruler, seeking at every turn to deprive people of fun and enjoyment.  This view of God is like an ignorant child who turns up his nose at unfamiliar food.  It is ironic a picky eater who refuses good food at the table may poison himself later that day by drinking household chemicals found under the kitchen sink!  Idolatry is more dangerous and deadly than poison.  Even as a child who must trust their parents to obey their encouragement to "try" the food placed before them, so all people are called to trust God.  God does not deprive people of anything.  You can drink the poison supplied by this world if you like.  God has warned us, and if we are intent on self-destruction God will not force us to adopt His ways.  But if we desire what is good, we must choose to trust God and do what pleases Him.  Thankfully the atoning blood of Christ atones for our sins as the only antidote to save our souls. Throughout God...

A personal testimony is a powerful tool which can bring much glory to God.  Whilst it is true making our past lifestyle or sins the focus is an improper emphasis, it would be wrong to ignore them.  After his sin with Bathsheba and Uriah the Hittite, David wrote in Psalm 51:3 , " For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is always before me ."  David's acknowledgement of his sin produced a humility in him before God and men.  Our story ought to always point to God's deliverance, grace, and faithfulness despite our faults. There is a flavour people can give to their testimony of God saving them which suggests they had a license to sin in their "BC" days - before Christ.  The implication is they were far worse sinners in those days than now.  There's no way they could ever sin like that again!  This is not necessarily true.  To think we will never sin after Christ to the degree we sinned before is inconsistent in the life of David and likely ...

I read an interesting article written by Thomas Madden reprinted in "Christianity Today" in 2005 concerning the Crusades.  One of his main points is how the Crusades were a response to the stop the spread of Islam in the world about one thousand years ago.  I have not studied the history of the Crusades to know how accurate the article is, or what bias has affected the conclusions.  But the last sentence caught my attention.  Quoting professor Madden, " Whether we admire the Crusaders or not, it is a fact that the world we know today would not exist without their efforts. The ancient faith of Christianity, with its respect for women and antipathy toward slavery, not only survived but flourished. Without the Crusades, it might well have followed Zoroastrianism, another of Islam's rivals, into extinction ." Perhaps I am a sleepy reader, but the last sentence shocked me awake in disbelief.  What?  Is this guy serious?  Could he really say or belie...

" He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. 5 As you do not know what is the way of the wind, or how the bones grow in the womb of her who is with child, so you do not know the works of God who makes everything. 6 In the morning sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your hand; for you do not know which will prosper, either this or that, or whether both alike will be good ." Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 It is natural for man to trust his limited senses rather than walking in faith.  The flesh contrives countless reasons why it is not a convenient or opportune time to trust God now.  We are always seeking better conditions where obvious fruitfulness of our efforts is instantly apparent.  Solomon held forth the picture of the man filled with excuses.  There are seasons to plant and harvest, yet the man described in verse 4 is focused on the weather.  In the season for sowing he says, "Ah!  Too windy t...

Every Christian has a personal story of redemption and deliverance.  Not only have we been saved from death and eternal damnation by God's grace, but God has saved us from troubles and addictions after we were born again.  These are stories which should not be kept to ourselves, but shared freely with others.  Our story should be one which points to God's faithfulness despite our faithlessness.  Transparency and vulnerability are sorely lacking in the lives of many because they are afraid they might be judged or condemned by others. Recognition of past failure lays a foundation for humility and graciousness within us.  We should not to be proud of our wickedness or how we were more "lost" than most because of our debauchery.  Who we used to be and what we used to do is the minor key:  the grace, love, and salvation of God is to be the major emphasis.  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:9-10 , " For I am the least of the apostles, who am not worthy t...