Little Beds and Blankets

This morning at Calvary Chapel Sydney we spoke of the danger of apathy and complacency in God's people.  Having the benefit of God's presence, provision, and forgiveness, we can come to a place where our hearts are hard and cease to walk in humility and repentance.  God sent the prophet Isaiah to warn God's people of coming judgment for their sins - though they were God's chosen people established in Jerusalem, had been given His Law, and His presence dwelt in their midst.  They refused to confess their sin and repent so God would chasten them without mercy so a faithful remnant would serve Him forever.

In the passage we studied, there was an apt description of the person who remains in their sin without repentance.  It was compared to day after day of bad news.  On top of that, rest and comfort diligently sought would be evasive.  The prophet said in Isaiah 28:20, "For the bed is too short to stretch out on, and the covering so narrow that one cannot wrap himself in it."  There are few things more exhausting than trying to sleep in an uncomfortable bed when you are freezing.  We can be so tired but find it impossible to drift off into restful slumber!  In this parable, both the bed and covering are inadequate for the potential sleeper.  The truth was God's people had embraced idols which were worthless and were incapable of saving anyone.  Yet God's people were loathe to give them up.  Like a person tossing and turning on a small bed with an inadequate covering, rest and comfort for their souls was only a fantasy.

We can be a lot like the man in the story.  We stubbornly cling to what isn't working.  The other night my wife and I toughed it out through a chilly night with only a sheet and a thin blanket.  I kept waking up and wrapped myself tighter with the blanket, but I was still cold.  Instead of having the sense to rise from bed and grab the doona from the closet, I tried changing my position and kept waking up.  Needless to say, I did not have a very good night's sleep.  I told Laura the next day, "I think it's time to break out the doona.  I was pretty cold last night."  We have done so and I haven't awakened cold again!  We must be brought to the place where we realise our idols and our worldly affections are inadequate.  They look satisfactory, but even when we gain our desire they never satisfy.  Only those who recognise their idols are miserable comforters and repent will receive the peace, joy, and comfort Jesus Christ brings.

Better Than War?

After church Sunday I had a great conversation I have continued to reflect upon.  I don't know about you, but often in the moment a question is posed my mind can remain "prodigiously empty" like Emmet in the Lego Movie.  For me, my best responses ebb at the beginning and begin to flow freely days later.  In talking of the current state of the world ravaged by conflict and war, it was mused:  "There must be a better way than war.  Why can't we figure something out to avoid the killing of young people and scarring them for life?"  I agree completely with the view.  War is plainly horrific, and I realise my ignorance on the subject - never having personally lived in a war zone, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, or lost a close friend or family member in combat.  Despite my lack of personal experience, God has provided wisdom and understanding about war, even how God is able to redeem warfare for His redemptive purposes.

I have been considering the words of King Solomon in relation to war often reserved for funerals in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8:  "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven: ^{2 a} time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck what is planted; ³ a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; ⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; ⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; ⁶ a time to gain, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; ⁷ a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; ⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."  What this passage shows is there is ordained by God a purpose and time for war and peace.  Every human being is born in sin and therefore at war with God, naturally resistant and hostile to His wisdom.  It is only those who surrender to God in faith and repentance who will experience His perfect peace.

Jesus Christ has proclaimed peace to all people through the Gospel, His death on the cross and resurrection, even as God commanded His people to do for people in cities God provided.  Deuteronomy 20:10-12 says, "When you go near a city to fight against it, then proclaim an offer of peace to it. ¹¹ And it shall be that if they accept your offer of peace, and open to you, then all the people who are found in it shall be placed under tribute to you, and serve you. ¹² Now if the city will not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it."  Conquest was never the purpose of war for God's people but to claim and take possession of all the land within the borders God had given them as an inheritance.  Global domination was never the point.  The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, and God gave the children of Israel clearly delineated borders when He brought them into the Land of Promise.  God used His people as His instruments to judge the sinful nations who possessed the land after giving them space to repent and to respond to the offer of peace.  If they refused to submit to the offer of peace, God caused their cities to fall.

The Bible demonstrates how God uses war to remove wicked rulers, to defend the innocent, to confirm the truth of His Word, to show His might and glory, to discipline His people, and to cause them to seek Him again in truth.  Suffering and persecution purifies the church.  The book of the Revelation in many places speaks of Satan making war against Christians and will prevail against them for a season.  Revelation 17:14 tells us how Jesus will overcome and those who follow Him will partake in the victory:  "These will make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, for He is Lord of lords and King of kings; and those who are with Him are called, chosen, and faithful."  When murderous tyrants are overthrown in battle the oppressed and those who delight in righteousness rejoice, and Satan is a thief, liar, and murderer from the beginning.  God is not bloodthirsty and does not even delight in the death of the wicked:  He calls all men everywhere to repent.  The horrors of war and death are but a small precursor to the eternal terror which awaits all those who refuse His offer of peace and forgiveness through the Gospel.  It is only through the lens of scripture and the ultimate victory of Jesus Christ the suffering of this world makes sense at all.

Daniel praised God for His might and wisdom in Daniel 2:20-22, "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, for wisdom and might are His. ²¹ And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding. ²² He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him."  There is hope, peace, and healing in Jesus Christ.  No matter how the battle rages or the wickedness of men seems to spread, God remains in control and is a refuge for all who trust in Him.  The only way to peace in this world torn by sin and war is through Jesus.  Jesus won't force anyone to surrender to His rule, and those who refuse will only experience war and conflict - whether or not they ever step foot on a field of battle.  Jesus is our peace (Eph. 2:14)!  

Speaking of Jesus...

As a Christian, I am highly supportive of Christian musicians who include Jesus Christ in their art.  Artists like Lecrae and the metal band "For Today" are a couple of my recent discoveries of musicians who do not shy away from using the name of Jesus in their songs.  I find this very refreshing.  Many Christian artists are content with using vague allusions to Christ in their music rather than coming right out and saying His name.  When I hear a musician, actor, athlete, or person in the public sphere mention the name of Jesus, I rejoice.  I am sure God also rejoices in the boldness of His loyal followers.

Professing Christian musicians in the public eye often face harsh criticism from people in the church.  They can be criticised for their music style, dress, piercings, tattoos, the other bands they tour with, their lyrics, record label, for becoming "secular" or "sell-outs."  It is almost safer to shed a "Christian" label to not have to deal with the judgment of other professing believers who presumes to know how a person should handle stardom.  Realise it is very easy for us to sit in a throne of judgment over other Christians, smugly asserting if we were a famous musician or actor we would use the platform in a far more constructive and evangelical manner.  We wouldn't merely make shadowy allusions of Jesus in our songs, no:  we would come right out as sold-out followers of Jesus Christ!

While we are up on our high-horse in judgment of others who are at least known by the world to be professing Christians, perhaps we would be better served to issue a judgment of ourselves right now.  How often does the name "Jesus" roll off your tongue in casual conversation?  When was the last time you spoke even one complete sentence specifically about Jesus to someone you didn't know?  If praises and glory to God do not flow from us in random conversations during everyday interactions, do we really think we would speak freely of Christ on a stage in front of millions?  He who is faithful in little is faithful over much.  Instead of criticising supposed missed opportunities by others, why not redeem the opportunities God gives you every day?  God has given you personal, direct contact with more people than you realise.  Jesus didn't draw people with music or reach people with an amplified voice from a stage.  He didn't turn the world upside down by interviews over the radio, TV, and online, or with printed lyrics in a CD jewel case, but spoke of the Kingdom of God and lived righteously wherever He went, speaking to all who would listen.

Most Christians think they would better handle the big platform for the glory of God.  I say it is better for us to seize the opportunities God lays before us daily to speak freely to one person the name of Jesus and faithfully live in the way which fully pleases Him.  God may never give you the platform you crave or feel you deserve.  You may never have the opportunity to speak to hundreds, thousands, or millions, but it is the man, woman, and child who faithfully follows Jesus in truth when no one is watching who will actually have anything of value to say on the platform for the glory of God.  Whether or not someone redeems their opportunities, what is that to you?  You follow Jesus and speak of Him often!

Desire and Denial

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Matthew 16:24-25

Jesus has extended an invitation for anyone to follow Him.  The conditions are simple enough:  desire to be with Jesus, deny self, take up his cross, and follow Jesus obediently.  It is an tragic position when a man desires to follow Jesus but is unwilling to give up his own life.  Jesus talked about many people who would call to Him "Lord!" on the day of judgment, citing their great works for His sake, but Jesus will deny any knowledge of them.  They called Him LORD with their lips, but they never met His conditions of self-denial and faith demonstrated by obedience.  Unwilling to carry their own cross, some wander from Calvary and substitute good works which cannot save.  If I am unwilling to deny and die to self, than I am not Christ's.  Of this I am certain.

Our existence on earth is really a struggle between the life of Christ and the ways which lead to death.  It is not like Jesus holds one of my hands and Satan the other, both pulling and entreating me to go their way.  One major trouble with this picture is I am not neutral in my allegiance, but naturally selfish and sinful.  Another problem with the view is it is not consistent with the character of Jesus.  He does not play tug of war with souls.  The reality is my sin nature and Satan have held me with countless bounds in prison awaiting death for my crimes and Jesus came to me in my ruined, powerless state.  When I admitted my guilt in repentance, Jesus broke every bond which held me fast.  He caused me to be born again and the door of my maximum security prison cell swung open.  If I desire life, then I must desire Jesus and abide in the Way, Truth, and Life.

Let me ask you:  what was your motive for coming to Christ at the beginning?  What is your motive for seeking Him now?  When I was at Camp Kedron, I took part in an object lesson where all the campers were given four playing cards.  The object of the game was to obtain a "perfect score," four cards which added up to 40.  Each face-card and the "10" was worth 10 points.  The rules of the game are every person was required to walk around the room, find someone with cards, place your finger on a card held in someone else's hand (like "Old Maid") and draw at the same time.  You need not play the game long before you realise it is impossible to have the perfect score.  A player may hold a card worth 10 points for a while, but it is only a matter of time before it is swapped with a low card.  Even if by chance you did obtain the perfect score, you would need to continue swapping with other players until game end.  One different aspect of this game is all who did not have a perfect hand by the end of the game would be subjected to a punishment - which in our case was a cream pie to the face.

My role in the game was to walk around and make offers to the players.  Instead of trading cards, my role was to say, "Give me your cards, follow me, and I will take your punishment."  The various responses of people was interesting.  Some were so intent on playing the game they looked blankly at me and walked away.  Others were happy to unload their cards.  The most common response I had was people handing me their cards and in a carefree manner walked away!  I said to them, "Hey, you can't just walk away:  you need to follow me."  "Oh!" they would say, and sometimes they would actually follow me.  Some would head off to hang out with their mates.  The game continued until my "followers" were confronted for not having cards, and at that time I held no less than 70 cards with only one face-card among them.  I revealed my hand which had been hidden during the game:  four Kings, a perfect score.  Even though I held a perfect hand, I needed to take the punishment for holding those horrible cards for others.  Hopefully the pie to the face I received made the impression intended:  Jesus took our punishment on the cross for our sins, and we must follow Him.

I believe many people today are like those kids who were happy to unload their damning cards which demanded a punishment but had no desire to follow me at all.  No one wants to be condemned, and the concept of someone taking our punishment for nothing has appeal.  If we have only come to Christ to unload our guilt so we could go our own way, we have not followed Christ.  According to Christ's conditions such are not born again or saved!  We must want Christ and the life found only through faith in Him - not just forgiveness of a debt we could not pay.  People in financial difficulty choose to declare bankruptcy - not because they are sorry about their spending habits or have taken intentional steps to repay all debt - but to cut their loss of possessions, to avoid creditors, jail time, or foreclosure!  There were likely many in the bunch which heard the words of Jesus that day who fit in this category in a spiritual sense, and no doubt there remains many to this day.

We are all guilty sinners before a holy God, and He alone has the ability to cleanse and redeem us.  He will do this only when we meet His conditions to repent and place our faith in Him.  If we want to go where Jesus is going and be where He is for eternity, then we must follow Him.  This means committing our past, present, and future entirely into His hands.  We must lay aside all our selfish aspirations, dreams, and plans, burning them on the altar as a freewill offering.  We are called to obedience and to submit to God so the life of Christ can be lived through ours.  Jesus has become our life, much more than a belief system or moral compass.  As a purchased possession by the blood of Jesus, we can joyfully submit to His guidance and find contentment in every situation.  There are times we am not content, but when we repent and fix our eyes upon Christ again joy and peace is restored.  Are you following Jesus today?  Our desire of Christ is evidenced through denial of self.  If you want to dwell with Him for eternity, today is the day to begin in earnest.

The Satisfying Answer

At camp last week I had the privilege of some lovely conversations with leaders and campers.  One camper in particular had a question to which there seemed no satisfactory answer.  Often this can be the case, where we have a desire to know something definite when God in His wisdom has seen fit to conceal it.  There are many legitimate questions we can ask without a single answer provided satisfying our curiosity.  We want to know how, who, what, when, where, and why, and even if all these were laid out for us it doesn't mean we would agree or be pleased with the answers.

I love how Jesus answered questions people asked Him - or how He didn't answer them.  Read through the Gospels and take note of how Jesus dealt with questions.  Sometimes He answered them plainly with an explanation.  Other times He spoke in parables, even linking different parables which on the surface didn't seem to fit together!  Jesus also answered questions with questions.  And my favorite is when Jesus disregarded the question altogether and talked about another subject entirely.  This shows me I can be asking the wrong questions because I am focused on the wrong thing.  If we are satisfied with Christ and trust Him, then we can be pleased when He knowingly changes the subject to reveal important things our curiosity isn't keen enough to consider.  Is that possible, that God wants to reveal something far more fulfilling than the answer to my question?  Are you fine with that, even when at the time the answer to your question seems so important and critical for your rest?

Job was a man who asked a lot of questions, and rightly so.  He was a man who enjoyed fellowship with God through worship and sacrifice.  He trusted God even when his life seemed to go to hell after Satan attacked him (with permission under God's watchful eye) and robbed him of his goods, children, and health.  Some of Job's friends came to "comfort" him but spent the majority of their time attacking, judging, and suggesting his sin had contributed to his pitiful condition.  In his pain Job asked questions of men and God, and there seemed no answers for why such terrors had befallen him.  God finally weighed in on the conversation in Job 38:1-3:  "Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: ² "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? ³ Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me."  God did not answer Job's questions, telling him why He had allowed him to be born or see such days.  Instead, God launched into a extensive series of questions and Job was unable to answer a single one.  God provided Himself as the answer and Job finally understood.  In trusting God He would find satisfaction - not in answers to petty or hypothetical questions.  Job put his hand on his mouth and was silent before God, repented, obeyed His command, and God restored Job.

God gave us minds to think and question, but there is no question or dilemma man can have which is greater than God.  Sometimes there are no answers to our specific question from God, the Bible, or our friends, but we are called to trust the God who has become wisdom for us.  He is not just enough but our everything, our life, our all.

Two Are Better Than One

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labour. ¹⁰ For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up."

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

During last week at Camp Kedron, I had the rare task (for me, anyway!) to prepare for, light, and maintain a campfire during two evening activities.  I don't have a fireplace at home and can't remember the last time I actually went camping so it was a fun challenge.  The success of dinner one night and sharing testimonies about how Jesus has saved and is working in our lives depended in part to my preparation and timely stoking of the fire.  The first night a fellow leader, campers, and I was able to gather enough sticks for kindling and wood for the fire.  During the men's night, all the male campers brought a can of food and we mixed it all together and cooked the "bivouac" (affectionately called by some "the biv") in a large pot suspended by wire from a long pole heated to boiling over an open flame.

The next day I was faced with a dilemma.  We had plenty of wood from gum trees gathered the previous day for the fire, but it was in large, uncut boughs.  All the large pieces of wood needed to be cut down to a manageable size, but finding a saw in the shed up to the task proved to be a challenge.  Had the wood been wet it would have been much easier, but some of the fallen branches were extremely dense and hard.  I was able to find a couple of pruning saws, but as I suspected the blades were far too flimsy.  Then I found an old rusty handsaw, but it too was useless to cut the wood.  It cut through bark easy enough, but the teeth were dull and the rust made pulling the saw through the wood impossible.

When I first poked my head into the tool shed, I saw a large two-man saw.  Because I was the only one working on preparing firewood for the evening, I didn't see it as a viable option.  But time was beginning to run short.  So I pulled the antique-looking saw from the tool shed and asked a fellow worker to help me.  It took us a few minutes to figure out the best way to position the limbs for cutting, but progress was being made.  About halfway into the process the saw bound right when I was pushing and injured a spot on my palm.  I could see the blood pooling under the surface, so I used my other hand to push and pull.  After about half an hour of coordinated pushing and pulling in unison the work was nicely done, and I am glad to say we had wood left over at the end of the night.

It occurred to me how we can approach our labours for the LORD in ministry in a similar way to how initially I went about cutting firewood.  We feel with the LORD alone we are sufficient to accomplish the work He has called us to do.  But the fact is, to do some work we not only need the right tool but other people united with us as well.  I could have tried using the big saw by myself, and perhaps the work would have been done in time.  Yet the saw was designed for two to handle big jobs, and with my partner the work was easily done.  As I looked at my injured hand after the work was done, it occurred to me that many pastors and leaders can be hurt in ministry.  A flawed response of mine would be to point to my injury and say, "Next time, I'm not going to ask for help.  I will do it myself."  If I could have used the two-man saw myself, who is to say my hand would not have been more damaged by the end?  I would rather sustain an injury and have the work finished than injure myself trying to do it myself and never complete the work.  In my case, I was only able to do the work with help and though I sustained an injury in the process, I could smile with a job well done.  Two are better than one.  When I dropped the saw because of the pain, my friend held the saw and asked if I was alright.  I wouldn't have been able to receive such care, support, and encouragement if I was alone.

If we want to work in unity with God, then we must be willing to take risks in labouring with others.  I am not suggesting we be cavalier, foolish, or irresponsible, but there are those among us who tend to take on more than we should because we feel comfortable with an illusion of control.  We want our firewood cut just so, and God help us if someone does things differently or questions what we are doing.  In our walk with Jesus there will be pains, difficulties, and injuries along the way, but it is important we do not allow these to deceive us to think it wise to push others away.  We must trust God has called us, and that He has provided the tools and people necessary to accomplish the work before us.  My eyes fell upon that saw at the very beginning, but I ignored it because it looked old and required two people.  It very well may be there are people serving alongside you who are perfect assistants for the work God has called you to do, but because they seem busy or some other hollow reason you have looked elsewhere.  I was looking for a power tool with a sharp blade, but the antique saw is what was needed on that day.  We all want perennial All-Stars on our team, yet it is the unified team of hard workers nobody has heard of but plays best together who wins the big game.

If I needed help to cut a few dry limbs from a tree, don't you suppose we servants of Christ also need help from others to accomplish great works for God?

The Scuff Mark Lesson

I have just returned home from a wonderful week as speaker at Camp Kedron, a Christian holiday camp.  God truly moved among leaders and campers alike, and over the next few posts I hope to share some observations and things the LORD revealed to me.  It all started with a scuff mark on the ceiling.

Lately my right shoulder has been a bit sore from landing on it awkwardly playing baseball a few weeks back.  As I lay down on the floor to stretch and adjust the shoulder back into the correct position, I noticed a small black mark on the ceiling.  Fixing my eyes upon it, a series of questions flooded through my brain, and to them I had no answer.

"Do you know who made that scuff mark?"  Nope.

"Do you know when that scuff mark occurred?"  No.

"Do you know what object made the mark?"  No again.

"Do you know how it happened?"  No!

Then came the kicker:  "If you don't know anything about a simple black mark on the ceiling, what makes you think you know anything about the problems others have in their hearts and lives?"  Laying on my back in my room, I had been wisely instructed by the LORD.  God knew all about the history of a scuff mark, and He also knows everything about people He created and loves.  He knows the painful history, the strong temptations, blind spots, sins, and issues people are facing.  And the best part about all this is He knows how to deal with them in love, grace, and truth.  While we might be preoccupied with quickly removing scuff marks or covering them up, He knows how He can redeem those mistakes and trials for His glory - even teaching from a scuff mark on  a ceiling.

That's the God I serve.  He is awesome, wise, and blows my mind continually.  I praise and worship the God of Israel, my heavenly Father, the One who knows me and loves me.  He speaks freely to all who have eyes to see and ears to hear by His grace.  He doesn't just point out our faults but freely forgives and redeem them for our good and His glory.

Freedom to be Honest

I saw an interview on cnn.com with Josh McDowell concerning the upcoming "Set Free Summit" and it made an impression on me.  I was not able to find the original video, but basically Josh McDowell was talking about the problems of pornography within modern culture and especially taking aim at the issue in the church.  He is a skilled writer, speaker, and apologist, but what impacted me in that short video was the freedom he had in speaking about his own painful childhood experience of suffering sexual abuse for years.  He candidly mentioned his abuser's full name, and the interviewer seemed surprised he was so candid.  But Josh went on to explain he had spoken to the man as an adult, forgave him for his cruelty, and that his abuser had passed away years ago.  The interview continued as normal, but it struck me how Josh McDowell's candor was quite abnormal - and a good thing.  Josh credits God with healing his heart and mind, and he shares his story not to shame his abuser, to dredge up pity for himself, but to encourage others to discover the healing and freedom only Jesus Christ can bring.

Many people tragically face abuse in their past quite alone, and the power their abuser once held over them weighs upon them heavily as they attempt to hide their past abuse, confusion, and current pain.  The pain people experience in this life as a result of sin is legion, and trying to cover up or deny the past causes pain to be multiplied.  Such concealment creates a perfect environment for a root of bitterness to grow.  Whether we have been innocent victims of wickedness or have been the cause of pain for others, Christ's blood washes us from guilt and shame.  Apostle Paul, when defending himself before King Agrippa, did not hide his misguided and violent past.  He said candidly in Acts 26:9-11, "Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities."  Paul's past involved persecuting Christians, but he did not sweep it under the rug.  On the biggest stage of his life he was open and honest concerning his past faults, all to the end he might testify publicly of his transformation for the glory of Jesus Christ.

What Josh McDowell did in publicly speaking of past abuse he suffered showed the powerful feelings of shame, fear, and pain no longer had an unhealthy grip on him.  He had not forgotten, but he had forgiven.  No longer was he ensnared in the bondage of guilt or bitterness, but in trusting God and forgiving others he discovered freedom.  A relationship with God had redeemed his life and forever altered his perspective.  I in no way wish to minimise the pain of abuse or to suggest coming to Christ will make life easier or take all your problems away.  The point is all sin, whether inflicted by others upon us or through us, gains power and strength when we try to conceal it.  It is only after we admit we are hurting we will consent to see a doctor, and only after we admit our addictions and failures will we seek help outside ourselves.  Simply broadcasting our painful past or present hell does nothing to free us from guilt or heal our hearts, but Jesus can do all if we will humble ourselves before Him.  When we have been delivered from guilt and sin there is no need to pretend we are perfect.  It is Jesus who transforms us by His grace, and those freed from the burden of guilt are free to be perfectly honest.  When we experience this in our lives or in others, it is most refreshing.

The Path and Destination

Early this morning I drove my parents to the airport to catch their flight back to San Diego.  As we slowly crept along, my mum commented on the GPS affixed to my windscreen.  A couple of times I had ignored the directives of the GPS and went a different way because I have learned various paths to avoid lights.  My mum wisely pointed out it was a good illustration of how we can go the way we think is best and ignore God's guidance.  It was a good point.  I turned on the GPS, plugged my destination into it, but could easily deviate from the path plotted for me - assuming it would recalculate to bring me to my intended destination.  The fact is, sometimes we don't know exactly where God is leading us, when, or how He will bring us to His destination.  We need to seek Him, and there is little point of asking for guidance if we have no intention to obey Him.

Jesus told a parable to illustrate the danger of covetousness, and there is great wisdom which can gleaned straight from the text which proves God's way is different from man's way.  Luke 12:16-17 reads, "Then He spoke a parable to them, saying: "The ground of a certain rich man yielded plentifully. ¹⁷ And he thought within himself, saying, 'What shall I do, since I have no room to store my crops?'"  Many followers of Jesus are like this rich man.  God has provided for us bountifully, and instead of seeking Him how we should use all He has given our thoughts never leave our own heads.  Notice how the rich man "thought within himself."  The man in the parable is like a man who has a car, a GPS, but has no idea where he is supposed to go.  He was a man without a destination but the means to go wherever he wanted.  So he did what we all do:  he did what he thought best.

Luke 12:18-19 explains his thought process:  "So he said, 'I will do this: I will pull down my barns and build greater, and there I will store all my crops and my goods. ¹⁹ And I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; take your ease; eat, drink, and be merry.'"  Because the rich man did not seek God, he spoke to himself words he was glad to hear.  He did not hear from God until it was too late.  He was content with the prospect of wealth and ease on earth for his soul but did not realise he was spiritually poor before His Maker and Judge.  The rebuke from heaven came as a trumpet blast in Luke 12:20-21:  "But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' ²¹ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."  The man who imagined his bills would be paid for years to come was now confronted with massive debt before God.  Such is the price of unbelief, covetousness, and selfishness.

A man known for wisdom can also be a great fool.  A fool is someone who does not regard God or trust Him as he ought.  Christians have all the wisdom of the kingdom of God through Christ Himself to guide us available, but we can choose to go our own way.  Psalm 10:4 says, "The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts."  If we desire to hear the wisdom and walk in the guidance of God, we must seek Him and ask with the intent to obey.  Take care that your thoughts go beyond your own brain so our prayer life is not reduced to an internal exercise which falls woefully short of heaven.  God knows where He is guiding us and knows the best way for us to go - even if it seems like it is the long way.  The long way is often the best way.  Jesus is the beginning, the Way, Truth, Life, and the end.

Fruitful in Drought

"He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper."

Psalm 1:3

Happy is the man who puts off evil and finds delight in God's Law, meditating in it day and night. David proclaimed such a man will be established by God by rivers of living water, will be fruitful in season, and his life will be marked by vibrant growth.  God is one who plants, feeds, prunes, and tends us with more care than any gardener or groundskeeper.  God desires we would be fruitful, but we are not merely a means to God's end.  We may buy a peach tree because we dream of homemade peach cobbler, but God cares about the tree more than fruit alone.  He has many angelic servants created for that express purpose they fulfill perfectly, but His glory is best revealed through these weak human instruments:  it is like we were thorn-bearing plants with poisonous berries who now have been transformed by God's grace to produce succulent, delicious fruit that enlightens the eyes.

Many Christians experience trying times as they walk with Jesus, and one of the most tricky seasons is when you are not feeling fruitful or useful in a church fellowship.  You might feel nothing like the established, fruitful, and happy tree spoken about in Psalm 1.  One thing all believers can count on is God is in control and knows exactly what difficulties and trials we experience.  It is lovely those spiritual streams of living water do not depend on our physical location or geography, nor on a ministry or particular person - as useful as these things can be.  Our supply of light and life comes through Jesus Himself as we look to Him in faith, regardless of the circumstances of our lives.  We can worship by the Holy Spirit in a dungeon or on a mountaintop, and God is able to make us spiritually prosper in hard times.  The God who causes the rain to fall also brings drought, and it is in the times of drought genuine roots of faith spread and deepen to seek moisture.  A drought does not need to make us bitter but stronger in our resolve to walk in righteousness and grace.  The man who abides in Christ in dry times can produce fruit sweetened by God's love, mercy, and compassion.

Psalm 92:12-15 says, "The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree, he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. ¹³ Those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
¹⁴ They shall still bear fruit in old age; they shall be fresh and flourishing, ¹⁵ to declare that the LORD is upright; He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."  The delight in God's law is not a theoretical exercise but evidenced by obedience.  There is unrighteousness and hypocrisy in even good men so called, yet with God there is no unrighteousness.  God is able to use us and make us fruitful when we remain faithful to Him in obedience.  If worship has become stale, if praise has dried up, if our vision has become dim, fix your eyes afresh on our glorious Saviour Jesus Christ and believe His Word!  Only then will you be truly prosperous in whatever you do.

Stirring Up Ants

Not everything we do is completely thought through, is it?  Sometimes we do something just to see what will happen or "just because."  When I was a kid visiting my cousin's house in Ramona, large red ants were common.  At my house we only had small black ants, so the red ants were a novelty.  I remember pouring some silty dust on top of their nests and watching them scramble through the surface at a frantic pace.  More and more ants were agitated and mobilised to attack this phantom threat.  Pretty soon I would have to move back from the nest as thousands of ants emerged, jaws and antennae wagging.  I can't explain exactly why summoning those ants to the surface was fun, but it was an amusing pastime.  Perhaps there was a sense of toying with danger, imagining what those insects might be thinking, or maybe just "Let's see what happens when I try to fill the holes of this nest."

During our discipleship course we were speaking about how the mind of a Christian is a battleground which we must be prepared to fight.  Because we are in a spiritual battle, God has provided spiritual armour through the Holy Spirit who indwells us.  We must guard our heart with the breastplate of righteousness and our minds with the helmet of salvation.  The shield of faith is able to stop and extinguish those fiery darts he throws at us.  Our minds are always active like those nests of ants, and most of the activity is taking place underground.  While we were talking during the discipleship course, the picture came into my mind of Satan thinking to himself, "I wonder what happens if I do this?" and fires an immoral thought, a care or worry into our minds - like a child dropping dust on a nest of ants.  When he is able to influence our thoughts, our actions follow suit.  He plants the seed of a wicked thought, and when combined with desire in us it brings forth sin.  I think he enjoys seeing us scramble around in fear and worry as he watches at a safe distance, amused by our confusion.  This can become such a common event we assume this is how life is and don't recognise the spiritual attack.

Happy is the man whose God is the LORD, who discerns Satan's tactics and refuses to be distracted from labouring for the LORD when he drops a bit of sand down the hole.  Through faith in Christ we are enabled to take our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ.  Our minds can often become a frenzied jumble of thoughts like ants because Satan is pestering us.  Instead of being preoccupied with Satan and his attacks, we are to keep our eyes fixed upon Jesus as we continue to follow Him faithfully in obedience.  Lambs familiar with the voice of the Good Shepherd will not be tricked to follow strangers.  No matter how much dust Satan kicks in our direction, we can be strong in the LORD and the power of His might.  We can stand in our armour and pray without ceasing, fixing our minds of Christ rather than the distractions, worries, and cares of this life.

Agree to Plea

"When you go with your adversary to the magistrate, make every effort along the way to settle with him, lest he drag you to the judge, the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you shall not depart from there till you have paid the very last mite."

Luke 12:58-59

It cannot be emphasised enough the importance of studying the Bible in context.  Reading through a passage in its entirety aids greatly in understanding the meaning behind this statement of Jesus.  Themes woven through this chapter are God's coming judgement, the need of men to prepare and watchful, and to recognise the signs of the times.  With this in mind, the point Jesus made has profound application for everyone.

Jesus painted a picture with which we can all identify.  If a man received a subpoena to be judged in a court of law, his innocence or guilt would impact his feelings about going.  If  he is sure of his innocence or is going merely as a witness he could go to court without much trepidation.  But had he received counsel his case was a lost cause and he would be deemed liable and likely fined and imprisoned for years, he would desperately seek to settle out of court.  He would do his best to avoid steep penalties by accepting a plea bargain.  Jesus encouraged all to make every effort along the way to settle before facing judgment in court because the judge would be bound by the law to impose the most harsh, strict measures as a punishment.  There would be no leniency or reduction of punishment at that point.  The only chance a guilty man has to avoid further prosecution is to settle out of court.

All men stand condemned and guilty of breaking God's law.  All are deserving of death, and God has given every sinner an opportunity through the Gospel to "settle out of court," so to speak.  The previous passage Jesus talked about how men noticed weather patterns and planned their days accordingly, yet it was entirely hypocritical for them to ignore the eternal implications of their guilt before God.  If we see wisdom in arranging a schedule or planning a holiday, how much more important is it to consider and prepare when our eternal future is at stake?  Jesus came to this world as a sacrifice for sin so our fine could be paid and our permanent record of sin expunged.  Won't you make every effort along the way to settle accounts with God and men so we might be deemed righteous before the Judge of all the earth?  There is no bargaining with God, but we can plead.  If we take the plea of the Gospel God will plead our case against all our accusers.

All who repent and trust in Christ can echo the words of David in Psalm 35:1-3:  "Plead my cause, O LORD, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. ² Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. ³ Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

Our Eternal Hope

Our family has enjoyed hosting my parents who are visiting from the United States.  It had been a couple years since we have been able to visit in person, and it is a privilege and blessing for which we are most grateful.  We've had great conversations and have had fun praying, working, and driving around town.  Just being together is a treasure money cannot buy.

My dad made a great observation over a pair of wire strippers.  The tool was marketed to do it all:  crimp, cut, and strip wire insulation.  Problem was, the claims of the packaging did not match the ability of the tool itself.  In my hand I held a waste of twenty dollars.  "The thing is useless, absolutely hopeless," I said in disgust as I placed the tool back into the plastic to return it.  My dad said something to the effect of, "Isn't it great that God chooses to use us even though we can't accomplish anything good?"  A fair question.  Yep, that is great indeed!

Paul said that in his flesh dwelt no good thing, and it rings true for all today.  I don't know about you, but when I buy tools I am not lured by the cheaper cost of no-name, generic tools.  I am looking for quality construction, durability, and reliability.  I am also not interested in buying tools or appliances with soiled or ripped packaging, and am especially wary if the item for sale has been used and sloppily resealed and sold as new.  As I placed those hopeless wire strippers on the receipt, I had to admit the truth:  in my flesh I am just as useless and hopeless - without the benefit of neat and clean packaging.  Yet in God's hand sinners forgiven by God's grace are His chosen tools to build His kingdom.  The blood of Jesus purchased our redemption, and when we fail God doesn't demand a refund.  He holds us close and will never let go.

A quality tool designed for the job at hand is important, and because of the vast range of quality between brands and styles we might actually boast in a tool.  But boasting in people or accomplishments is as empty as the false advertising on those wire strippers.  Isn't it wonderful that we are utterly hopeless, yet we have eternal hope through Jesus?  When it comes to life as a Christian the only one in whom we can rightly boast in is Jesus Christ our Saviour.  He is the One worthy of praise.  Psalm 34:1-3 says, "I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. ² My soul shall make its boast in the LORD; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. ³ Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together."

Jesus Bound

Heaven is more than a hell-avoidance plan:  it is the privilege of praising, serving, and abiding in the presence of the living God forever.  If your idea of heaven does not involve God at the centre and is more centred around you, something is tragically wrong with that picture.  People talk about being "heaven bound," but only those whose hearts are bound to Christ in faith and obedience will actually go there.

If the only reason why you desire to go to heaven when your body goes the way of the earth is to avoid hell, it is likely you are not particularly interested in spending quality time with Jesus today.  And this begs the question:  if it does not please you to invest minutes, hours, days, and years to cultivate a healthy relationship with Jesus, what makes you think you would want to spend forever with Him?  Choosing heaven over hell never saved a person.  That is not the point.  The point is, do you want a life purchased and redeemed by the shed blood of Jesus or not?

When our eyes are opened to see the goodness of God and we humble ourselves before Him in repentance and worship, fellowship with Christ by the Holy Spirit becomes a privilege, not a chore.  This divine relationship is to impact all our other relationships, thoughts, words, deeds, and choices.  A biblical, godly perspective provided by the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out.  Too many people are content with the adaptation of behaviour rather than spiritual transformation from within through a life submitted to God.  Their lives become segmented, with time set apart for church, praying, Bible reading - along with hobbies, work, play, television, social media, and internet - but their relationship with Christ is not a chain which connects everything together as one life lived for God's glory.

How about taking intentional steps to do more than include God in various activities of your life when it is convenient, but dedicate all aspects of your life for Him to control?  To tweak a quote from Paris Reidhead, "Why not love and serve God every step of the way whether we go to hell or not because He is worthy?"  And He is worthy.  The path of discipleship is not passive but active in seeking, communicating, and obeying God.  We abide in God's love when we keep the commandments of Jesus Christ, and He is at the moment preparing a place for us where He desires we abide with Him forever.  If we plan to spend eternity with God, shouldn't we start abiding in Him now?  Obedience is costly, but disobedience and selfishness always comes at an infinitely greater price.