Here One Day, Gone the Next

Everything which seems so solid, secure, and predictable in this earth can suddenly change forever.  Powerful nations which ruled others have been subdued and forgotten.  Well-built houses, and established trees suddenly plunged into a sinkhole or were wiped from the earth in a devastating tornado.  People who are healthy and strong can perish in an instant.  Jesus taught in the Temple, but He also used the massive stones of the Temple to illustrate how the things which seem immovable can be quickly cast down and ruined forever.  Some say the future is uncertain, and in a sense it is.  No one knows precisely how the future will play out.  From a biblical perspective, however, the future of the world is absolutely certain:  it is all going to perish.

Matthew 24:1-2 tells the story:  "Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. ² And Jesus said to them, "Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down."  Some of the stones used in building the Temple weighed hundreds of tons.  When I visited the Western Wall Tunnels just weeks ago, I placed my hands on the Western Stone which is estimated to weigh 570 tons!  The words of Jesus came true years later in 70AD when the Romans sacked Jerusalem and pulled apart the Temple.  Based upon the size of stones used in the Temple, the disciples likely thought it would last for generations!  But as Jesus said, the buildings of the Temple were all thrown down and left as a heap of rubble.

The claims of Jesus piqued the curiosity of His disciples.  Matthew 24:3-8 reads, "Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" ⁴ And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. ⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. ⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of sorrows."  The disciples asked three specific questions which Jesus answered in the remainder of Matthew 24 and chapter 25.  What Jesus addressed in this passage was 1) when these things would be (the destruction of the Temple) and 2) the signs of His coming.  Since the Temple was destroyed in 70AD and Jesus has not yet returned, we are currently living in the days of which He spoke.

When I hear of wars and rumors of wars, I am not surprised.  When I hear of earthquakes in various places, I am not afraid.  This is exactly what Jesus said would happen.  I am saddened to hear of the horrors of war, the loss of life, and the terrible conflicts which consume fighters, families, and little ones.  "All these things must come to pass," Jesus said, "but the end is not yet."  If we have seen the beginning of sorrows with genocides, the Jewish holocaust, tsunamis, earthquakes, forest fires, terrorist attacks, diseases, and hate, what will the end of these things be?  As Jesus said on His way to being crucified, "If they do these thing in the green wood, what will be done in the dry?" (Luke 23:31) Thank the LORD for the comfort and eternal security He offers through faith in Jesus Christ!  Because I am in Him, I am not worried about the end of all things, fearful with uncertainty.  But I ought to be mindful that my end can come in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.  At any second my life can be over and I will be judged before the Living God.

This world has not seen the end of war and tragedy.  With burgeoning conflicts between the nations, it is like the powers of the world are dusting off their swords to go to battle.  The escalation will continue, and the rhetoric will someday end with real fighting.  Politics and policies will be powerless to stop the tide, and nations will fall.  Yet Christians need not be troubled or afraid at the dangerous spectre of these things.  Did not Jesus tell us beforehand?  Jesus spoke to His disciples in John 16:33:  "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

The Snooze Button

Every morning I hear the same thing:  beeping, rustling of covers, the click of the snooze button, and precisely eight minutes later repeat.  It's not just one person who has fallen for the infernal snooze button, but both of my sons.  After this charade in stereo persisted for over half an hour, I walked to the hallway which connected both rooms.  I welcomed those young men into the day with a question:  "What is the purpose of your alarm clock?"  "To wake us up," one of the youths mumbled.  "If it wakes you up, why don't you get up?  Why not set the alarm for half an hour later and enjoy more unbroken sleep?  Do me and yourselves a favour.  Good morning!"  The complimentary and happy dad-dispensary of wisdom was open for business.

Now if you are one of those who love your snooze button almost as much as life itself, please do not take offense.  I have lived with people who had the bizarre obsession to press that button for over an hour every morning, and hearing the blaring tone every eight minutes became an offense to me!  But the LORD showed me a wondrous truth about this "rise and shine procrastinator," this snooze button which is the cause for me to place my alarm out of reach so I must rise out of bed to turn it off because I have a knack of pressing it without waking up fully.  Yes, it once had its hooks in me too.

It occurred to me the Holy Spirit convicts us to cause us to rise from spiritual slumber and bring us to our senses.  Conviction of sin has been the reason many people came to God at the beginning.  When first exposed to Jesus Christ I was one who was convinced of my sin, I was heading for hell, and needed the forgiveness and salvation afforded me by grace through faith in Him.  But after we have trusted in Christ, we are not instantly perfect.  We can be easily deluded and seduced by selfishness, our eyes can cease to focus resolutely on Jesus, and we fall for temptations.  And our languishing lands us in a spiritual drowsiness, a stupor from which we are only woken by the conviction of the Holy Spirit.  Alarm bells can start blaring in our minds even before we knowingly plunge into sin, but we have a way of pressing the snooze button.  Comfortable in our bed of sin, conviction is more of an irritant to be silenced rather than a practical, gracious call to upright living as God intends.

How do you treat the conviction which comes from the Holy Spirit as we read the word, hear a sermon, or as we are left alone with our thoughts?  Is conviction a "bad" feeling we try to cover with activity, self-justification, or numb with alcohol?  Or does conviction rouse us to the point we leap out of bed and go to God for cleansing and restoration so we might again walk in obedience?  A shower cleans the body and makes the groggy mind more alert, but only Jesus is able to wash us and bring us back into sweet fellowship with Him.  When the alarm sounds in your heart and mind, don't press the snooze button and go back to sleep.  Seek the LORD about the reason for the wake-up call and walk in obedience according to His Word.  God doesn't just want to wake you up, but He wants you to rise and shine for His glory.

Commit the Fight to Christ

Reading Tale of Three Kings by Gene Edwards during our discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney has yielded some amazing discussions.  What impresses me greatly about David is how he responded when word came his son Absalom proclaimed himself king in Hebron.  The conspiracy was strong, and King David - the anointed of God - chose to voluntarily flee his fortified position in Jerusalem to prevent bloodshed.  He knew Absalom's ruthless nature, and he would not hesitate to kill even those of the king's house to accomplish his end.

Consider how David did not act like any other king before or since.  What king has ever fled the citadel barefoot and weeping when he had every right to stay, strengthen his defenses, and command his loyal subjects to fight for him?  When the high priest brought the Ark of the Covenant out of the Tabernacle after David, he commanded it be returned to the most holy place.  King Saul was glad to carry the Ark with him so on a whim he could inquire of the LORD, but David would entertain no such convenience.  2 Samuel 15:25-26 reads, "Then the king said to Zadok, "Carry the ark of God back into the city. If I find favor in the eyes of the LORD, He will bring me back and show me both it and His dwelling place. ²⁶ But if He says thus: 'I have no delight in you,' here I am, let Him do to me as seems good to Him."  So humble and contrite was David that he laid no claim or right to the throne.  David allowed God the possibility to remove him from the throne.  God had freely given, and David maintained God had the right (and his blessing!) to take away.

The following days revealed God was not finished with David, but would end the rebellion started by Absalom by granting David's loyal men a great victory.  Yet even when the victory was secured through the death of usurping Absalom, David did not immediately return to the throne.  He waited until the people requested his return, confirming his ordination by God to rule over all Israel.  It is shocking to see such a heart of humility in a king, and is a foreshadowing of the meekness and humility of the King of kings, Jesus Christ.  He was the King of the Jews, yet He laid down His life without resistance.  He offered His cheeks to the smiters, and gave His back to the scourge.  He bore the weight of the mockery and spitting, and Jesus did not recoil when the crown of thorns was pressed rudely into His scalp.  He bore His own cross to Calvary in His humiliation, and He presented His hands and feet to the cruel nails.  He could have insulated Himself from all pain and suffering, calling legions of angels to His aid.  But He did nothing, except commit Himself fully to His heavenly Father who loved Him and called Him to suffer.

As one anointed by the Holy Spirit, do you still fight for your rights?  Or have you learned from the example of men like David and Jesus who committed themselves to He who judges righteously?  Jesus was not passive as He went to the cross, for it was an act of a will submitted to the Father's will.  He actively sought God's favour for those ignorant souls who hated and murdered Him without cause.  Even as David was restored to his former glory, Jesus was exalted above all others as the firstfruits from the dead, raised in eternal glory.  He is both King and High Priest, having ascended to the Father and will someday return to judge the unbelieving world and rule with a rod of iron.  There are many Absaloms around, usurping the authority of the true King, but they will all be overthrown and slaughtered by the sword which comes from the mouth of the Ancient of Days.

God will fight for us, and it is not weakness to meekly commit ourselves into His hand for He delights in us.  He will do to us what seems good to Him, whose ways are grace, mercy, and truth.

A New Nature

God is able to reveal spiritual truth to us even when we aren't looking for it.  Yesterday provided a perfect example.  After being away in Israel, in my front and back yards there was a fair amount of yard work to do.  So instead of changing out of my baseball uniform after my game on Saturday, I cut grass, trimmed shrubs, and cleaned the guttering.  I also tasked my sons to do some mowing, trimming, and raking.  One of the rose bushes provided me an illustration I didn't know I needed!

Before we moved into the house, a previous tenant planted four rose bushes.  One of these bushes yields pink flowers, but a couple of big suckers had sprouted from below the graft, yielding red flowers I did not recognise.  They did not have the beauty or fragrance of roses.  I am not an avid gardener by any means, but I have been told roses are often grafted into a hearty rootstock.  This enables the plant to better survive harsh conditions.  The suckers from the rootstock yielded many flowers, but the portion over the graft only yielded two.  Cutting away the growth from below the graft will no doubt promote the health and flowering of the desired roses.

Jesus said to His followers, "I am the Vine, and you are the branches."  Spiritually speaking, all who repent and trust in Christ are grafted in to Him, and the Holy Spirit takes up residence within us.  Christians are given a new nature which is like Christ's, and for the first time the good fruit of the Holy Spirit is yielded from our lives - like those fragrant pink rose blooms.  But though we have been transformed inside, we still live in a body of flesh.  As long as our bodies remain in our fallen state, we are like a grafted rose bush which has that hearty rootstock always warring against our new nature.  If the rootstock is permitted it will rob all the nutrients from the good plant above.

Paul recognised the tension between the flesh and new nature given by Jesus Christ.  Romans 7:18-25 reads, "For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. ¹⁹ For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. ²⁰ Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. ²¹ I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. ²² For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. ²³ But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. ²⁴ O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ²⁵ I thank God--through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin."

When we recognise the fruit of the old man in our lives - the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life springing up from below the graft, repentance cuts off those suckers which war against the soul.  Jesus has delivered us from this body of death, and even whilst we are alive and remain we can produce fragrant blooms above the graft God finds beautiful.  This fragrance is lovely not only to God, but to those who will receive the Gospel and be saved.  As it is written in 2 Corinthians 2:14-16, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. ¹⁵ For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. ¹⁶ To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life. And who is sufficient for these things?"  Our call is to examine our hearts and lives and cut from us all which grows under the graft through repentance and allow Christ to expertly prune us so we might be more fruitful still.

The Christian life has assurances and absolutes, yet there are aspects of continual, ongoing maintenance as we embrace the process of being sanctified into the image of Christ.  The object is not to be more focused on self and our faults, but to fix our eyes upon Jesus as we seek and obey Him.  In this manner we can easily discern the red from the pink blooms above the graft, and praise God we can bear fruit which is according to His holy nature.

Forget Useless Religion

"If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's religion is useless."

James 1:26

 During my recent visit to Israel, I was surrounded by countless outwardly religious people.  Muslims streamed in droves after praying on the Temple Mount, worshipers sang hymns at holy sites, and orthodox Jews read from their prayer books as they hurried along the street on foot.  "Religious" people are not difficult to spot because of their outward dress or deeds.  One point James 1:26 emphasises is unless religion provides inner transformation, it is a complete waste of time and effort.  "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks," Jesus said in Matthew 12:34.  If your religion is incapable of making you a more godly person, your religion is powerless and ridiculous.

This is what makes Christianity different from all other "religions."  Christianity is a unique belief system based upon God's Word (the Bible) because Jesus promises to make those who trust in Him new creations from within.  It is all about an inner transformation by God's grace, for He puts a new heart and Spirit within us.  Our hearts, which were once hardened by sin's deceitfulness, are made soft and exude the fruit of the Spirit:  love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control.  It is the indwelling Holy Spirit who enables and empowers us to bridle our tongues and to love one another as Jesus loves us.  We begin to deeply care about others, even when they say or do things which are hurtful.  We even love people we have never met.

The following verse bears this out.  James 1:27 says, "Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world."  The Law established provisions for orphans and widows, but it was incapable of making anyone lovingly care about them.  Only the transformation power of the Gospel can place this active love in hearts once marked with selfishness and pride.  Many people do pious or deeds which appear good, but Christ puts within us purity of motive with good deeds.  The world has a way of polluting people but pure, undefiled religion before God keeps a man holy and righteous by God's grace.  To enter the kingdom of heaven, we must be born again through repentance and faith in Christ.  As Paul wrote in Galatians 6:15-16:  "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but a new creation. ¹⁶ And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them, and upon the Israel of God."

Has your religion changed you inside?  Spiritual regeneration and transformation - real change - is only possible through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  Stop believing in useless religion, and stop trying to change yourself.  Be changed through the Gospel, receive the Holy Spirit, and you will be changed.  Then take practical steps to live according to your new born again nature, according to the character we see in Jesus Christ.  2 Corinthians 5:17 reads, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."  If your religion is a proven waste, what have you to lose?

Israel, Rosemary, and Faith

Having just returned from Israel, my mind is a blur.  Some of it is fatigue, other due to travel and changing time zones, and jumbled reflections on my experience in the Holy Land.  Before I departed the plane on Australian soil this morning, I remembered a sprig of rosemary needed to be removed that I had placed in my Bible.  How I received that rosemary is a story all its own.

I have been down to the Western Wall on a couple occasions, but I had never ventured into the underground area heading north where men pray.  This area can be seen clearly from above by anyone who takes the Rabbinical Tunnel tour.  I didn't know if I was permitted in that area, but after I was assured it was alright I went in.  As soon as I entered, an Orthodox Jew (based upon his attire) greeted me and shook my hand - something I did not expect.  I do not know how strict the rules are concerning a Jew touching a Gentile these days, but his warm welcome was appreciated.

He asked me where I was from in a very friendly manner.  Then he began to show me around, pointing out various books in the bookshelves and spoke about the first and second temples which were destroyed.  He spoke of how he was looking expectantly for a third Temple to be built.   "That temple will endure forever," he said.  Then he told me I could write a prayer and place it in the cracks of the Western Wall, as many Jews believe it is a "red phone" or a direct line to an audience by God.

When he produced a pad and a pen, at that moment I began to be a bit suspicious this was going to end with being asked for money - but I went along anyway.  After my prayer was written and the pad and pen returned to their place within his coat, he opened a book which contained shekel bills of various denominations.  There is not supposed to be any "begging" in the controlled Western Wall area, but this man had worked out a way!  I'm not even sure what I donated towards, but it was done unto the LORD.  He suddenly whipped out a handful of rosemary, placed it upon my forehead, prayed a short prayer of blessing for my family, and then placed it in my hand.  His good deed done, he walked off and I never saw him again.

I asked our Israeli guide of the significance of rosemary, but he had never heard of it used in like manner before.  In Israel there is no shortage of sites and traditions which hold sway over people which are without power in themselves.  Rosemary has not miraculous healing properties, nor are prayers more likely answered when they are stuffed between stones.  I am amazed to the great lengths men will go to keep the Law according to the tradition of the sages, yet miss the spirit of the law entirely.  Jesus said men thought through study of the scriptures they would have eternal life, but all the scriptures pointed to Jesus whom they rejected.  The Jews are looking for rebuilding of the temple, but they are not looking for the Messiah who will reign as King and High Priest in the temple He builds.

On the train today I had a pleasant conversation with a woman who echoed sentiment I commonly hear along these lines:  "As long as faith in something helps you, it is a good thing to have.  A lot of people don't have faith in anything anymore."  I would answer:  everyone has faith in someone or something.  It is the focus of your faith that makes all the difference.  Many people today who had already made future plans died unexpectedly.  Jesus said of people of "faith" in John 16:2, "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service."  Paul was a Pharisee who did this.  He persecuted Christians, believing God was pleased with his efforts and sacrifice.  But he was wrong.  People can place their faith in the wrong things because they are deceived.  Some people choose to be suicide bombers, believing it is a sure path to paradise, but wake up in a fiery hell.  It is only the Word of God applied by the Holy Spirit which enables us to discern lies and sort the humanistic chaff of this world from the meat of divine truth.

You can trust in rosemary to heal your body, bless your family, and forgive your sins, but those are mere fantasies without any factual basis.  This misguided faith is a waste.  Everyone trusts something, but only faith placed on Jesus Christ and the Word of God is proven, steadfast, and sure.  Man's interpretations and beliefs may change, yet the Word of God will endure forever.  Many "trustworthy" things like parachutes, airplanes, and trains have failed to carry their passengers safely to their destination, but God's love nor His Word ever fails.  God has not failed before, and He is absolutely trustworthy for the future.  Don't allow man's failures to keep you from trusting Jesus or deceive you to think all faith is as good as the next.  Faith according to correct knowledge is key!   

The Move of the Divine Presence

A sign quoting sages near the Western Wall says, "The Divine Presence never moves from the Western Wall."  For this reason many devout Jews and people come from all over the world to pray in the hope of the third temple to be built on the mount.  In the minds of many to draw near to this holy place is to draw near to God Himself.

God is at the Western Wall, yet He is not limited in any way by geography.  Paul claimed God does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor does His glorious power rest in one earthly location.  However when the third temple IS built - which will one day happen according to scripture - it would not surprise me at all if hopes of God sending fire from heaven to consume the sacrifices remain unfulfilled.  The anti-christ will later come with his false fire, and the eyes of many devout worshipers will be opened to the scriptures and the sure promise of salvation through Jesus for all who repent and trust in Him as Messiah.  There will also be a fourth temple built by none other than Jesus Christ, for it is written of Him as both King and Priest in in Zechariah 6:13, "Yes, He shall build the temple of the LORD. He shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule on His throne; so He shall be a priest on His throne, and the counsel of peace shall be between them both."

Paul wrote to erring Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 6:18-20:  "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? ²⁰ For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's."  Peter said believers are "lively stones" which are laid in order by God upon the foundation of Jesus Christ to comprise the church.  The Holy Spirit - God Himself - dwells within the hearts of all those who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus said He would never leave or forsake His people, and His Word is true.

I am amazed and awed by the great efforts made by men to draw near to a Holy God and to find favour in His sight.  It is God who has come to us, revealed in the Jewish man Jesus who was born in Bethlehem of a virgin, was raised in Nazareth, and went about doing good.  Wise men still seek Him, and Jesus has become for all who receive Him wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption.  Praise the LORD for coming to us and revealing Himself as the Messiah through His life, teachings, willing death, and resurrection in glory.  I am reminded of a song which will remain true for Christians for eternity:  "He is here, He is here.  He is moving among us."  Move us and move among us for your glory LORD God!

Send Jesus Away?

We finished today's tour of the Galilee region by going to the shore of the sea of Galilee opposite Tiberias, to a possible place where Jesus delivered the demon possessed men of Gadara.  He had just miraculously calmed a storm which raged upon Galilee, and He would demonstrate His mastery of demons which raged within the bodies of men.  These men were exceedingly fierce and were so terrifying no one dared pass that way.  These men lived among the tombs and one Gospel account said chains could not restrain the ferocity and violence of the man possessed by many demons.

Matthew 8:29-30 reads, "And suddenly they cried out, saying, "What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?" ³⁰ Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding."  These men lived like beasts, but the spirits who controlled them recognised afar off Jesus Christ and acknowledged His authority.  They turned out to be more initially perceptive than the Jews who lived in the region.  Gadara was so called because it was inhabited by the tribe of Gad and were therefore Jewish people.  Pigs were deemed unclean under the Law of Moses, so this stands out as odd.  What was with the pigs?  Perhaps they were for trading with people who would eat them.

The story continues in Matthew 8:31-34:  "So the demons begged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine." ³² And He said to them, "Go." So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water. ³³ Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region."  The demons requested a hasty exit into unclean animals, and Jesus permitted them.  The crazed animals tore off running and plunged over a cliff into the sea.  Those responsible to tend the pigs ran into the town to tell others what had happened.  The men once demon possessed were in their right mind, but the people of the town did the unthinkable:  they begged Jesus to leave, even as the demons begged to leave.  They cast out Jesus for doing good.

Why would the people of Gadara beg Jesus to leave?  There are many likely answers.  Jesus was a man too powerful for them to control.  He was seen as responsible for the total destruction of a once thriving business.  They did not understand Him.  They did not trust Him.  And I am convinced that at this point they did not know Him or recognise Him as the Messiah, the promised Deliverer the Father would send.  These are similar reasons to why people reject Jesus as Messiah today.  Almost 2,000 years have passed, and men have not changed.  Thankfully, God hasn't changed either!  He is still a loving, powerful, gracious God who seeks and saves the lost, delivering people from bondage, releasing people from the oppression of Satan and sin, and sets the captives free.

Don't treat Jesus like a devil.  He comes to us as LORD and Saviour and those are blessed who humbly receive Him.  John 1:11-13 reads, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."

The Holy Word

Visiting Israel is something the more I do the more I want to do.  I am not particularly fond of the travel time from Australia, but there is nothing in the world like the Holy Land.  Each time has been a unique experience, and thanks to the vast improvement in internet connections I am able to post pictures to Facebook and even blog when time permits.

This morning our group went across the Sea of Galilee on a boat, saw the "Jesus Boat" museum, visited the Mount of Beatitudes, and Capernaum - all before an amazing lunch.  Granted, we did eat a bit late today, but it was a remarkable experience as we reflected on the truths of God's Word.  The life of a Christian is not one living in the past, preoccupied with ancient history, or based on yesterday's choices, but one of every day looking to our risen LORD and Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Jesus has spoken, and for the wise men who still seek Him He has much to say.

One thing which struck me today was something I did not expect:  the signs in the windows of the chapel built over the house of Peter in Capernaum.  On the sign was a photo of a hooded child with an extended finger laid across the lips.  The caption, which looked like it had been written at different times, read "Holy place!  Keep silence please!  No explaining inside. Only for the Holy Mass or prayer."  I can understand it is not conducive to worship when people on a tour are talking loudly over each other.  But it is interesting that a holy place should be a silent place.  There are people who have made vows of silence over the years as a discipline, and self-denial is often viewed as pious or spiritual.

I am grateful God is a holy God and He has chosen to speak.  He did not remain silent but revealed Himself to the world through the scripture, the Law and the prophets, the testimony of nature, Jesus Christ coming to earth to die and rise again, and through the Holy Spirit.  When His disciples asked Jesus questions, Jesus was glad to answer.  His aim was to reveal God's wisdom and love to men, not conceal it.  Jesus said in John 16:12-14, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you."

Israel's history is an amazing tapestry of God revealing Himself powerfully and miraculously to people through the ages to this day.  Praise the LORD for the revelation of divine love and that He cares for all people by His grace!  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and we have beheld His glory, the only begotten of the Father.  God speaks to be known, heard, feared, understood, obeyed, praised, and glorified!

Rest for Troubled Souls

I recently received word that my cousin Mike Anderson passed recently after a long battle with illness.  I am resigned to the fact God has me in Australia, though most of my family lives in the United States.  In times of tragedy I do wish I could support my cousin Mike and those grieving by fondly remembering his memory, going to the memorial service, and spending time with his friends and family.  It is in these trying times our perspective narrows to the things that matter most and draws us near to those we love.  Death has a way of centering us again, showing us how much we take for granted.

The last deathbed of a family member I had the privilege to attend was Mike's mother, Aunt Lynn.  I couldn't be there for Mike in his last days and hours, but I remember leaving work early to spend time with her and the family.  She knew her life was drawing to an end, and she requested that she be sent home to heaven with a happy gathering, singing songs to Jesus as the family had for her mum.  It was an experience I will never forget.

Aunt Lynn was lying on a hospital bed in the living room.  Many family members came to spend time with her, and I kissed her and held her hand.  We had a sweet talk.  I remember someone had thoughtfully put an Elvis DVD on TV, one of her favourites.  A priest came to administer her last rites when she was beginning to drift off into unconsciousness.  As her life slowly ebbed away with laboured breaths, it occurred to me:  there was no life in Elvis, no power in last rites.  The only hope and power Lynn had for eternal life was found through faith in Jesus Christ, the One who could take that tired, failing body and glorify it forever in His presence.

In his final months Mike wrote to me in an email the only reason why he was still around was because of Jesus, and Jesus is the only One who has the power to keep him from tasting death even after his body passed into eternity.  Jesus spoke of a man dead four days in John 11:23-26:  "Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again." ²⁴ Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day." ²⁵ 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?"  Our bodies die because we are sinners, but those who believe in Jesus shall never die.  Bury our bodies six feet deep, but our souls will be clothed with immortality and be given a new body without sickness, pain, or sorrow.  This is the hope Jesus provides for everyone, purchased at the cost of His precious blood.

There's a lot of people today who say they hate themselves.  They live like gods, doing everything they feel like doing but still hate their life.  Well, God doesn't hate you.  He demonstrated His love for you by dying on a cross and proved His power to save you by Jesus rising from the dead.  Some people may think Mike was given a short straw by a harsh God because he faced debilitating pain and suffering for a great deal of his life which was over too soon.  I don't see it that way at all.  If that horrendous pain was the means necessary to open Mike's eyes to see his eternal need and soften his heart to receive the Gospel for eternal salvation, it was a healing balm for his soul and a path to everlasting peace.  Revelation 21:3-5 describes the scene for all who receive Christ as LORD and Saviour:  "And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. ⁴ 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."

We only can "Rest in Peace" in this life and for eternity if during our earthly pilgrimage we decidedly take refuge in the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.  Only in Jesus can a man find eternal rest for His soul (Matthew 11:19).

The Great God

Throughout the testimony of scripture and all history, the God of the Jews has proved His power to be infinitely greater than all others.  God created the heavens and earth and all that is within them, yet men chose to worship as god the works of their own hands.  God gave up people to their own delusions and lusts, yet at times graciously, powerfully, and miraculously revealed Himself so all the world might take note and believe.

After the Hebrews were enslaved in Egypt for centuries, God delivered His people with a mighty hand, through plagues and wonders which showed His superiority over all the idols they worshiped.  Even 40 years later when the nation crossed the Jordan on dry ground and the spies were harboured in the home of Rehab, she proclaimed how they remembered well the miraculous power God did in delivering His people from Egypt.  Another event was when God's people were in two minds, worshiping both God and the Ba'als under the leadership of Ahab and Jezebel.  Elijah suggested they once and for all had a contest to see who was the true God, and God answering with fire from heaven and consuming the sacrifice proved His reality and worthiness of worship.

One of my favourite instances occurs in Daniel 3, when King Nebuchadnezzar built a massive golden image and commanded all the rulers in the realm to attend the grand dedication.  There were musicians present and also a burning furnace - and it wasn't for the comfort of the attendees.  All of the governors and rulers were commanded to bow before the image when the music played or they would be thrown into the furnace.  All but three Jewish men grovelled before the image, and told the king to his face they would not bow down before the image under any circumstance:  the God who they served could deliver them from a fiery furnace, but even if He didn't they would not bow.  Talk about courage!

Infuriated by their candid refusal, Nebuchadnezzar commanded the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual and tasked his mightiest men to bind and throw those stubborn men into the furnace.  What an opportunity to show his power before all the rulers, to put unspeakable terror in the hearts of his servants!  Well, the real God turned the tables on this king of the Babylonian empire.  His mighty men were killed by the violence of the flames, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego fell down into the midst of the fire but started walking around loose!  The flames had cut their bonds and there was a fourth man walking with them who was likened to the Son of God!  On this grand stage, God had proved His power through salvation and deliverance, not torture or death.  After the awestruck king commanded the men to come of the furnace Daniel 3:27 says, "And the satraps, administrators, governors, and the king's counselors gathered together, and they saw these men on whose bodies the fire had no power; the hair of their head was not singed nor were their garments affected, and the smell of fire was not on them."  Nebuchadnezzar had gathered together all the rulers of his kingdom so his image would be worshiped, but provided front-row seats to display the power of God to deliver.  God alone is worthy of worship.

Satan thought he won a great victory when he used Judas Iscariot as a tool to betray, condemn, and crucify Jesus Christ.  Had Satan realised Jesus was going to defeat death and rise from the grave in glory, providing through His sacrifice salvation and forgiveness for all who repent and receive the Gospel, the devil never would have done it!  As it is written in 1 Corinthians 2:6-8, "However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. ⁷ But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, ⁸ which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."  Isn't God amazing?  He does not threaten man with hell to make us bow before Him, but Jesus humbled Himself as a perfect sacrifice to demonstrate God's love by dying in the place of sinners.  Through His resurrection we see the power of God revealed, and assures us the eternal life He promises to whosoever will come to Him by faith He can deliver.

Nebuchadnezzar didn't love those rulers, but God loved him and them.  Many times God graciously proved His power, and finally even the mighty Nebuchadnezzar was brought low.  Daniel 4:34-35 reads, "And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me; and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever: for His dominion is an everlasting dominion, and His kingdom is from generation to generation. ³⁵ All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing; He does according to His will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth. No one can restrain His hand or say to Him, "What have You done?"  God is the greatest without question.  Let us praise and worship Him now and forever, for wisdom, might, life, and love are His!

When Spears Are Thrown

In our discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney last night, we discussed our natural tendencies when "spears" are thrown at us.  These spears often do not take the form of an actual missile hurtling through the air, but are cutting words, harsh censure, or insensitive personal attacks even from people we love or trust.  The conversation arose from our reading of Gene Edwards' Tale of Three Kings, a book which poetically focuses on the life of David:  how he responded to authority God ordained in his life, and also how he lived when he was in a position of authority.

One of the natural ways we respond to spear throwing is to wrench it out of the wall and return it pointy-end first at great speed.  My natural tendency is to pull the spear out of the wall, keep it, polish it up, and put it in a trophy case to garner sympathy from others.  Sometimes my eyes will carefully examine them one by one by myself.  They are my reminders, my "black and whites" as Corrie Ten Boom called them, proof that I have been wronged and this assortment of painful trophies justifies future suspicion and wariness.  These are sins of which I have repented.  The LORD has shown me storing up spears is just as bad as firing them back in anger.  Holding onto wrongs causes a root of bitterness and is a clear refusal to abide in God's love which keeps no record of wrongs.  We cannot forget everything which has hurt us in the past, but we are called and empowered through faith in God and the Holy Spirit to forgive.  This is a definite choice to release others from guilt and refusing to hold a grudge.

When Jesus hung on the cross, unjustly crucified and the sins of the world placed upon Him, He did not shout at His enemies, "When I come into my kingdom, I will remember this.  Oh, just you wait!  Judgment is coming!  You'll be sorry!"  Like a lamb before his shearers is silent, He opened not His mouth to defend Himself or threaten.  He said, "Father, forgive them.  They know not what they do."  Jesus oozed forgiveness, desiring freedom from sin and offence for the people who nailed Him to the cross and hurled insults at Him in unbelief.  Jesus was the KING of Kings, but He was also meek.  The world saw this as being weak and passive, but it was far from the case.  Jesus purposely, powerfully, committed Himself and His tormentors into the hands of His Heavenly Father, trusting Him completely.  He did not boast or threaten, and for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Edwards' writes that one can easily see when someone has been hit by a spear because he turns a "deep shade of bitter." (Edwards, Gene. A Tale of Three Kings: A Study in Brokenness. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House, 1992. 19. Print.)  Bitterness is a subtle, insidious sin which has done more damage in the body of Christ and to individual believers than all the razor-tipped spears in the world.  What is even more troubling is how Christians can be bitter towards God and not even recognise it.  We say we love God, but how bitter and angry we can be at other believers we are called to love!  If we say we love God and hate (love less) our brothers we have seen, how can we say we truly love God whom we have not seen?  Hebrews 12:14-15 exhorts, "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: ¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled..."

Remaining bitter in our hearts, justifying our refusal to forgive others, or remaining angry over pain God has sovereignly allowed in our lives is not the path to peace:  Jesus Christ is our peace.  He offered peace which the world cannot know which passes understanding and endures forever.  Yet He suffered much, being a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.  He understands your pains and all you have suffered.  He is the only one who can heal your heart, restore lasting joy, and provide rest for your soul.  Are you willing to confess your sin of bitterness and commit your past, present, and future into God's care?  Are you willing to clear out your spear cabinet and remove them as far from you as the east is from the west, even as God has chosen to remember your sin no more?  Instead of looking back on your own pain or how you were unjustly treated, turn your eyes to Jesus and how He suffered for your sake and rose in victorious glory.  With all the pain we experience, God provides more abundant consolation still.

But what about the one who threw the spears?  That is the burning question asked by wounded people who doubt the Good Shepherd's ability to manage His own flock.  To those who insist on an answer, what about them?  Don't you know we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and those in authority will receive stricter judgment (James 3:1)?  God is the only One who knows perfectly the imperfect hearts of men, and all will someday be brought to light - including our bitterness towards God and others.  We are called to follow Jesus and His example, loving others as Jesus loves us.  Jesus gave all this command concerning those who delight to use us as target practice in Matthew 5:43-45:  "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' ⁴⁴ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust."  In doing good and praying for those who have persecuted us, we show we are we are the children of the Most High.  He is able to protect and preserve His own.

Encroachment!

Outside of gridiron (American football) the word "encroachment" is seldom used.  It is a common penalty against the defense for moving across the line of scrimmage before the ball is snapped.  And if that made absolutely no sense to you at all, take it from a seasoned armchair quarterback it is a foul regular viewers can easily spot.  While some penalties are judgment calls which could go either way, encroachment is a fairly obvious one.

The house next to ours is vacant and the front yard is neglected.  The yard is completely packed with burr-producing clover called Medicado polymorpha which had begun to subtly encroach upon and choke out the turf in my yard.  Because the green turf and burr medic are both green, I hardly noticed how many clover plants had taken root!  I was thankful the ground was soft enough to pull them out.  As I began to mow, I found additional plants which had escaped my notice and pulled those too.  Sinister things! 

It occurred to me sin has the same insidious, encroaching nature on the heart, mind, and life of Christians living in a world steeped with sin.  It rarely declares its deadly intentions up front or barges in noticeably like a massive linebacker, but it is secret, seductive, and far stronger.  A linebacker can put a fit man in hospital, but sin throws the eternal souls of men into hell.  We cannot rightly blame our upbringing, present circumstances, or the world for the sin which lurks in our flesh.  A little water caused multitudes of those weeds to spout in my yard, and had they remained unchecked they would have spread further.  Even as we cannot neglect our yards without undesirable weeds spreading their seed everywhere, so we must be vigilant to take our thoughts captive to the obedience to Christ, avoid sowing to the flesh, and walk in purity according to God's Word.

Christians have been justified and made righteous through faith in Christ, but we still face spiritual attack from outside and within.  After warning Timothy of the perils of covetousness and the love of money, Paul exhorted him and all who would heed in 1 Timothy 6:11-12, "But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."  It is necessary for us to examine our minds and lives and see if worldly affections or desires have crept in, if there is a root of bitterness in our hearts.  We have eternal life provided through Christ's righteousness, and therefore we ought to live righteously and in a godly manner.

If something has encroached into your life where it ought not be, throw the flag!  Blow the whistle!  Let's take all necessary steps to banish all sinful practices and attitudes from our lives so we might be spiritually healthy and fruitful for God's glory.

Baptism With the Holy Spirit

I remember being initially put off by talk of being "baptised with the Holy Spirit" in my youth.  Frankly, I wasn't interested.  I was fine to repent and trust in Jesus to be born again, pray, and meet with other believers.  But I was not ready to submit to being baptised with the Holy Spirit because I saw it as unnecessary, not understanding that such a baptism is necessary to become the Spirit-fueled Christian God desired and intended me to be.  In retrospect I can see clearly I secretly scoffed at various spiritual gifts because I did not have them, and therefore I did not want them.  Ah, that Christ would graciously open the eyes of a blind believer such as myself is beyond me!

God used the scripture to open my eyes to my need - yes need - to be baptised with the Holy Spirit.  John the Baptist said of Christ in Matthew 3:11, "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."  I was happy to be baptised with water as a child in identification and obedience to Christ, but why the hesitancy to seek the baptism with the Spirit?  I started asking myself:  if Jesus is the one who does the baptising, why should I remain skeptical and aloof?  I discovered the promise of this "coming upon," this filling to overflowing of the Holy Spirit was for me through Peter's address on the day of Pentecost.  Acts 2:38-39 reads, "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."  This is significant because Peter and other disciples had already received the Holy Spirit after Christ's resurrection (John 20:22), so Peter spoke concerning the power of the Spirit coming upon them promised by Jesus in Acts 1:8.

I thought, OK:  Jesus is the one who baptises with the Holy Ghost and fire, and the promise is for me as I am one who was afar off and called to salvation in Jesus.  But how could I know if I had been baptised with the Spirit or not?  Was I to seek a particular experience?  Would there be a feeling?  Thankfully, the scripture again came to my aid.  In his missionary travels, Paul met with believers in Jesus Christ and asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit "since they believed" (Acts 19:2).  They did not even know if there was a Holy Spirit!  Acts 19:4-6 says, "Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied." Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.  These disciples had repented and believed, but had not yet been filled to overflowing with the Spirit.  Paul believed it necessary for Christians to be filled with the Spirit, and as they humbled themselves before God in obedience, the Holy Spirit came upon them and miraculous power followed.  For any interested, more particulars of being filled with the Spirit can be found in a previous post.

It took some convincing, but ultimately I was positive I had never been baptised with the Holy Spirit, it was God's will I be baptised with the Spirit, and I strongly desired to be baptised with the Holy Spirit (a fervent desire I believe God provided), I asked God, and I was.  It is that simple.  Jesus compared the working of the Holy Spirit to the wind:  we can see the effects of the wind in the trees, but we do not know where the wind came from or where it is going.  The same is true of the Spirit.  We can see His impact, but we can't explain how He does His wonders.  Throughout the Old and New Testament we see people filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered for God's glory.  There is no magic formula, and no explanation I can give will satisfy your intellect.  Even as we trusted in God for salvation, we are called to seek and trust God and the truth of His Word for the baptism with the Holy Spirit.  I cannot convince you of your need to be baptised with the Holy Spirit or that God has spiritual gifts for you to operate in.  But are you willing to believe God's Word?  Has your will been entirely laid down?  If God has additional gifts for you to receive and exercise for His glory and the edification of the church, are you intent on receiving them?  Do you thirst for a closer walk with Jesus?  Are you willing to present yourself as a living sacrifice by faith, obey, and ask for this baptism and subsequent fillings of the Holy Spirit?  We are told to earnestly desire spiritual gifts operated in love (1 Cor. 12:31):  do you?  Luke 11:13 says, "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"

A word of caution:  it is important our seeking of the baptism with the Holy Spirit spring from continually seeking Jesus Christ first and foremost.  If you are looking for power for yourself, testing God for proof of the Holy Spirit within you, desiring outward signs of spirituality to impress others, or a cool party trick, your heart is not right before God.  We are not to look to feelings or experiences to validate our faith, but to seek and obey Jesus according to God's Word.  When we do this, feelings and experiences will surely follow!  Read the book of Acts and see for yourself the indispensable power and influence of the Holy Spirit in the life of the early church.  His power and guidance is just as critical now as ever.  Place your entire being at God's disposal, allowing God to fill and empower your life completely for His purposes.  Once you have been baptised with the Holy Spirit, keep being filled with the Holy Spirit as you deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Jesus.  He is the One who supplies us with Living Water!