Sorry School House Rock!

When I was a kid, there was a popular educational program called "School House Rock" which used the slogan, "Knowledge is Power!"  School House Rock helped me to memorise the Preamble in my year 8 History class taught by Mr. Kennedy.  I even had a retro School House Rock t-shirt when I was in high school!  But as educational and useful as the program was, after assessing the slogan biblically I must confess the slogan "Knowledge is Power!" is untrue.  Whilst knowledge is beneficial when used wisely, it has no power in itself to accomplish anything.  Education alone does not have the power to cure any ills.  Being able to recite the Preamble in no way supplies power to live in the way the forefathers of the United States intended.

Knowledge is a useful means, but not an end.  God lamented His people perished for a lack of knowledge.  He had the power to save and deliver them, but they continued to ignore His Law and live as was right in their own eyes.  Yet God's people also exposed the pitfalls of knowledge which led to pride and self-righteousness.  The Jews made the knowledge of God's Law and putting it into practice according to tradition the end instead of realising the Law was given so people might have fellowship with God.  Paul wrote in the second part of 1 Corinthians 8:1, "We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies."  We have all been given the knowledge of good and evil, but knowledge of good does not supply us the power to always do good.  Knowledge could never make a man be good.

This fact is plainly demonstrated in many aspects of life.  I may be able to read and understand a recipe which tells me the ingredients in measure, the heat of the oven, and the proper order to  mix the batter.  But this knowledge does not mean I will choose to follow it, nor does it mean my best efforts will result in a good outcome!  I may know the rules of baseball, but that does not mean I am physically able to play it.  I might know what shot to play in cricket when a bouncer comes at my head, but that doesn't mean I can execute the shot.  I may know how to read and write and do advanced maths, but it does not mean I will be admitted into my preferred university or obtain the job I desire.  Sorry School House Rock, but knowledge is not power.  Knowledge is incapable to supply the power necessary to accomplish anything or see it properly applied to my life.

The power of knowledge in itself is a mirage, but there is true power in Jesus Christ demonstrated by His resurrection from the dead.  The knowledge that a man has three weeks to live will not prolong his life or change the doctor's diagnosis.  But there is power in the Gospel to save souls and transform hearts and minds.  Knowledge of the Gospel is the path to the power of God received by faith in Jesus.  As it is written in 2 Timothy 1:6-10, "Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. ⁷ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. ⁸ Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, ⁹ who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, ¹⁰ but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,"  Paul reminded Timothy of what he had received through the Gospel:  a spiritual gift and vitality, a spirit of power, love, and of a sound mind.  Jesus has abolished death for all who repent and trust in Him, and has brought life and immortality to light by the Gospel - critical knowledge indeed!

It is God who saves, not knowledge.  Knowledge is very important and involved in salvation, don't get me wrong:  but knowledge in itself has no power to do, save, or redeem.  It is Christ who justifies, not our knowledge of Christ or understanding of the doctrine of justification.  Knowledge of God according to the Bible leads to unending and infinite power through Jesus Christ.

Accept All Things

One of the audio messages which has been a blessing to me lately was one spoken by the late pastor Steve Mays called "Being Content."  He broke down the last chapter of Philippians 4 into three major points:  I accept all things, I can do all things, and I have all things.  Paul had learned in whatever state he was to be content in Christ, and it seems through many trials Steve Mays could say the same.  Often God uses trying circumstances to teach us these invaluable lessons.

The point "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" was the one most often stressed by my teachers during my young life with Christ.  Yet with added clarity looking back, because I could not say "I accept all things" or "I have all things" meant I actually could not do all things!  It is a seldom discussed concept that there are things God allows in our lives we must learn to accept.  In some things we overcome not by their removal from our lives but by our continued perseverance despite them.  Paul was brought to that point of acceptance when God saw fit to allow a messenger from Satan into his life.  God didn't remind Paul that he could "do all things" and therefore labour to remove this perceived hindrance from his life.  What Paul called a thorn God used as a goad to humility and increased usefulness.

Whether concerning personal life or ministry, we are often not content because our identity is not founded solely on Christ.  We think we cannot do all things because we do not have all things.  You see, if we had all things, we could do all things, and then our situation would be acceptable!  What Paul had learned was in Christ he already had all things, therefore he could do all things, and was content in every situation - even when it concerned a messenger of Satan which buffeted him.  There is much speculation and debate about what the thorn was, but Paul already made it plain:  a messenger of Satan.  The details don't really matter, for the lesson is applicable to all seasons and trials of this life.  Acceptance of what God has allowed is not a passive "letting go" or "giving up" but is a intentional act of reliance upon God as we expectantly wait on Him.

It is a glorious day when we joyfully praise God for the trial, not thanking God in spite of it.  A person who accepts all things from the loving hand of God realises through faith the supernatural ability and abundance we have through Jesus Christ.  In Christ we have all things and we are without limitation.  Paul's prayers had been answered, and this poses a question for us:  will we accept all things and be content?

God and Oysters

I am amazed and grateful how God is able to redeem flawed people for His glory.  In the fable of Rumpelstiltskin, that conniving imp was able to spin straw into gold but God does infinitely greater still.  Even the most fantastic fantasies cannot measure up to the wisdom and power of God in saving lost sinners and making them children of God.  God's grace and power is revealed in our weakness, even our failings He redeems for practical good and eternal glory.

After preaching yesterday, God spoke to me as I sung songs of worship to Him.  I had concluded the message, but God had more to say to me.  In a lovely way He laid out some additional points I hadn't even considered during study - really good ones.  When Jesus fed the 5,000 to the full there were still leftovers, and it was true concerning the message preached yesterday.  I trust even as God was able to speak to my heart, He spoke to others as well despite my shortcomings.  Over lunch we discussed the sermon as a family and when called out on a point needed to admit I made an error in interpretation.  It was over a minor point, but even making small mistakes hits hard when you aim to do your best.  Praise the LORD, for even with word-fumbling, mis-reading, or poor interpretation, God is able to speak unhindered.  I love that!

It reminds me of an "Our Daily Bread" devotion I read years ago called "The Oyster Man" by Cindy Hess Kasper.  Here is a large portion of the 9 April 2008 entry by Kasper:

In the days of John Wesley, lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services. One man used Luke 19:21 as his text: “Lord, I feared Thee, because Thou art an austere man” (KJV). Not knowing the word austere, he thought the text spoke of “an oyster man.”  He explained how a diver must grope in dark, freezing water to retrieve oysters. In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. After he obtains an oyster, he rises to the surface, clutching it “in his torn and bleeding hands.” The preacher added, “Christ descended from the glory of heaven into . . . sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven. His torn and bleeding hands are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest.” Afterward, 12 men received Christ. Later that night someone came to Wesley to complain about unschooled preachers who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said, “Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight.”

Praise the LORD how He can use anyone to be a useful part of His Body, the church.  The best efforts of our flesh fall short, but God is a Redeemer.  Jesus can take a meagre lunch for a boy and in His hands turn it into a feast for thousands!  There is more where that came from!

Choose God's Adventure

In my primary school years I enjoyed the "Choose Your Own Adventure" books.  With plenty of pictures set in exotic locations, reading those books was almost like a game because the reader's decisions affected the outcome of the story.  At the bottom of the pages you could choose an action which directed you to a numbered page to continue to story.  One choice would bring you closer to treasure and the other ended in death as frogmen cut your oxygen supply.  The one thing I didn't like about the books is sometimes no matter what choices you made, the outcome was always a disaster.  I can't count how many times I retraced my steps and changed my decisions along the way, but it seemed there were no happy or victorious endings possible.  If this was the case, it was onto the next book to seek the ever-elusive satisfactory ending.  Besides, the school library had heaps of them.

The life of faith in following Jesus is always and adventure, and has the best ending:  eternal life in God's presence in heaven.  Yet at the same time every day God gives everyone the freedom to make choices which affect our life on earth now and all eternity.  Because God is "in control" we might assume people are no more than pawns or robots which do His divine bidding.  The Bible reveals this is not the case.  God has made His will known through scripture, but He allows people to make choices which are completely opposed to His will.  He permits things to happen we would certainly prevent if we were in charge!  There is a meekness, grace, and patience demonstrated in God's character which is entirely foreign to human beings.  Though He is God over all, He created men with the capacity to freely choose - to live as a god of sorts - not as animals governed by instinct.  When we willingly choose to lay down our will to submit to His own in faith, it demonstrates we actually love and trust God.  Because God allowed man to have a will of his own and freedom to choose, it is very significant in God's eyes when we choose to obey Him.

If God is not threatened by giving men the freedom for real choice, we should respect the freedoms of others to choose as well.  Totalitarian governments and regimes rule by force and fear, but God rules with infinitely greater power through love, grace, acceptance, and righteousness.  To choose to follow Jesus and walk in love allows men to embark on the greatest adventure in the universe, for it is the first step in truly knowing and understanding the almighty God who created and first loved us.  True adventure and satisfaction isn't found by traveling to exotic locations or having all the world has to offer, but in knowing God.  It is written in Jeremiah 9:23-24:  "Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."

Like there were plenty of "Choose Your Own Adventure" books at my primary school, the world holds forth numerous offerings to attract us.  Consider your own experience for a second:  no matter the promise or how high our expectations, regardless how profound an experience, we are always left hungry and wanting more, bigger, better.  Even before the ride at the amusement park was over we were wanting to ride it again.  During an amazing holiday we thought about how the next one could be better.  Genuine satisfaction and contentment is found through faith in Jesus Christ.  Life as a child of God is amazing.  When He leads you on an adventure, it will be the thrill of your life that never ends.  To know God and to know He loves me!  It doesn't get any better than that.

Finish Your Race

I ran cross country for three years during high school, and there was only one race I began I didn't finish.  It was my first competitive race in year 9, an invitational (basically a tune-up race) which looped around Lindo Lake in Lakeside, California.  About a mile in I rolled my ankle pretty good, and I wasn't interested to hobble the rest of the course.  What was the point?  Admittedly at that time I was quite out of contention for what I imagined to be a respectable finish, so I sheepishly limped back to my team's area.  It never set well with me that I quit.  In reality I could have pushed on, but the shame of quitting on that day seemed less than finishing last.  Because it was me, I can say plainly it was selfish pride - not a bum ankle - which truly kept me from finishing that day.

Whenever I see the courageous finishes of many of the Olympic athletes in Rio, I admire the drive and tenacity to finish no matter what.  Finishing - not placement - is of fundamental importance.  If a runner or swimmer does not finish, it would be impossible to place.  Seeing athletes limp in pain on torn ligaments, determined to complete the race no matter the cost, reminds me of my own failure and makes me resolved to never again repeat it.  Our bodies have physical limits, and it is brave and courageous to endure difficulty to reach the end regardless if we are proud of our time or not.  Pride can keep a man going or be the very reason why he quits.

Just this week I heard a message by Joe Focht from Calvary Chapel Philly and he referenced a marathoner named John Stephen Akhwari of Tansania.  He ran the marathon in the 1968 Olympics hosted by Mexico and he was the last to finish - though there were 17 who were physically unable because of the heat.  During the race Akhwari fell and badly injured his knee but he kept on going.  Asked why he bothered to finish the race when he was so far behind the leaders, in so many words he said his country hadn't sent him across the world to start a race, but to finish it.  This was not mere sentiment for the man, but demonstrated by someone who walked and jogged miles terribly damaged to fulfill them.  Even when the medical staff encouraged him to bow out, he was out to finish.  And he did.

For people of Christian faith, we realise God has stretched before each of us the remainder of our lives on earth like a marathon course before a runner.  We are all called by God to run our own race and persevere in faith and love in tough times, even when taking a single step is excruciating.  Unlike a competitive runner who is disqualified when assisted by a spectator, we are helped and ministered to by the Holy Spirit and Jesus who lifts us up and strengthens us to diligently persevere.  Hebrews 12:1-3 says, "Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ² looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls."  Perhaps you have noticed that in this race of life many bystanders are not urging us to continue or cheering us on.  They scorn and mock those who follow Jesus, hurling insults.  The enemy of our soul whispers to us, "Go ahead and quit.  You're not making progress anyway.  What's the point of finishing when you're not as good as others?"  There are times our own bodies beg us to quit, seemingly desperate to give up because it is all too hard.

Who will you listen to, believer?  Are you determined to finish the race with joy God has set before you?  You can!  Though very few of us could be termed "world-class" competitors, we can all know the feeling of crossing the finish line a winner by the grace of the God and the power of the Holy Spirit.  We don't need to cast furtive glances over our shoulder to see if anyone will catch us, but with our eyes on Jesus we can push hard to the finish line with a strong kick.  Don't ever quit loving God and others, Christian.  Keep running your race for God's glory and see it through to the end.  Let's run in God's winning way.  It will be hard, and it will hurt.  But God will help and heal us.  He has promised to provide strength so we can run without being weary and walk without fainting.  Would to God all His people could say along with Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."  Praise God we can experience the same victory too by His grace.

Bringing the Hidden to Light

This afternoon I read the words of Jesus Christ in Mark 4:21-23:  "Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand? ²² For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light. ²³ If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear."  Jesus had just explained to His disciples the meaning of the Parable of the Sower, how the seed is the good Word of God sown into the hearts of men of various conditions.  Though a farmer couldn't explain exactly how a seed germinates and grows into a living, fruitful plant, time would clearly reveal of what sort a seed was.

Lamps are lit for the purpose of shining light, and the farmer sows seed ultimately for the purpose of bearing fruit.  The farmer cannot see what is happening under the soil, and it would be disastrous for him to dig it up.  Time would reveal the type of soil the seed was sown in by the growth and fruitfulness of the plant.  When the Bible is sown into the hearts of people, the life of a person reveals their true character.  Sometimes in this life the truth isn't clear to everyone.  But a day unknown to us is coming when our bodies will die and our entire lives will be exposed before the holy God in heaven who will render to every man according to his works.  What has been kept secret - good or bad - will be brought into the light.

These words hit me afresh as I consider the passing of my friend Tim Martinsen.  We spent a year in school as apprentices together, and he worked as my apprentice for years following.  I can honestly say we were friends.  We quickly hit it off and enjoyed plenty of laughs, deep conversations, and experienced both fun and trying times together.  He was a funny guy and I have many fond memories of him.  It was a treasure to speak to Tim about things of God and celebrated his baptism in Mission Bay.  After I switched companies and began working in the shipyard in 2005, Tim and I saw far less of one another.  Leaving the trade altogether and then moving to Australia meant I saw him even less.  I was able to see Tim during a 2011 visit to the United States and I thank God for that opportunity.  It was a fantastic opportunity to catch up and rekindle our friendship at his home and meet his fiancee.  It proved to be the last time I would see him in this life.

When people we love pass away it goads us to consider the lasting implications of eternity.  King Solomon wrote of God in Ecclesiastes 3:11, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end."  There is an uncanny sense in the human heart there is more to life than our time on earth.  We wonder about what happens after we die, and the Bible reveals it is appointed for men once to die and then will face judgment by God (Hebrews 9:27).  All secrets will be revealed in that day.  My dear friend has entered eternity with two outcomes:  he will face the justice of God as an unbeliever to be judged according to God's Law or be judged as a child of God to determine if he will gain reward or suffer loss.  I am convinced Tim believed this to be true and his desire would be, in light of his passing, for all his friends and loved ones who remain to consider the implications of this as they live out their days on earth.  Our souls will spend eternity in heaven or hell.  It does man no good to gain the whole world and lose his own soul.  Only Jesus Christ can provide eternal life for souls.

How important it is to be born again through repentance and faith in Jesus!  The reality of this decision will be evident in the life of a person, and God is a righteous judge.  I know God loves Tim more than anyone on earth and has freely offered to forgive him of every sin and spend eternity with him in heavenly glory.  How awesome is that?  It is a terrible prospect to die alone, but God will never leave or forsake followers of Jesus.  He will hold our hand all through this life and into eternity.  Jude 1:24-25 says of our glorious Saviour, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ to God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. amen."  To think our corruptible bodies will put on incorruption and our mortal bodies will one day be clothed in immortality!  Instead of pain and sickness our bodies will be perfected and we will ever be in the presence of the LORD with exceeding joy.  This has been my desire for Tim and for you too!

Rest in peace brother.  I thank God for you, for the smiles, laughs, and friendship.  You are missed.

Receiving a Kingdom

"Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. ¹⁰ For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

It is a fair question of every child of God to consider:  is it my aim to be well pleasing unto God?  Am I intentional in my choices to make choices which please God?  If we want to be accepted of God, we ought to live acceptably before Him.  And by "acceptable" I do not mean a minimal scraping by, but living in the way God completely approves.

The apostle John wrote in 2 John 1:8-9, "Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. ⁹ Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son."  Salvation and admission into heaven does not depend on mental assent to doctrine, but by being born again through faith in Jesus.  Genuine belief in God and His Word results in godly, biblical behaviour.  John was concerned people who claimed loyalty to Christ were self-deceived.  Jesus was not accepted of the Father because of His knowledge or doctrinal mastery, but because He always did what pleased the Father.  His righteous deeds were evidence of His righteous character.  As Christians ours is a faith that works, and if we do not labour in obedience to God we are not in the faith.  After each failure we are called to repent, cease sinning, and do what is right in God's eyes.

It is deeply concerning to me there are Christians who are content with merely going to heaven and seem to have no concept their lives will be evaluated by the living God.  We are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, and those who are born again ought to have a fervent desire compelled by God's love to please God with their choices and efforts.  To be judged by God - even as a believer rightly understood - is a terrifying prospect.  It carries with it eternal consequences.  That is why Paul followed up with 2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences."  The Judgment Seat of Christ does not determine if a person goes to heaven or hell, but I tell you the truth:  many people who imagine they will be brought before the Bema Seat of Christ will be facing the Great White Throne of judgment - where all who are brought before it are judged according to the Law and will be justly sentenced to hell for eternity.  If you are cavalier about being judged by God, there is a real possibility you don't know God.  This should be a very confronting prospect.

Since believers at the judgment seat of Christ will receive from God according to what each has done whether good or bad, which side would you prefer to be on?  From our perspective on earth our admittance into heaven is all gain, but the Bible tells us it is possible to suffer loss at the judgment seat of Christ.  I don't know about you, but I don't want to arrive at heaven and suffer loss.  Under the Law of Moses any spoil which could endure fire would be purified by fire (Numbers 31:23), and all our works at the judgment seat of Christ will be tried by fire.  Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 3:15, "If anyone's work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire."  Our lives have the awesome potential to provide great spoil for the kingdom of God and Christ's glory, and to suffer loss before God on an eternal stage is a shameful prospect.

For this reason, brothers and sisters, let us make it our aim to be well pleasing to God.  Jesus was not exalted above all names in heaven and on earth because of His knowledge, but because He humbled Himself.  He went to the cross in obedience to the Father.  Unless we are willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Jesus in the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, we can't expect to have great reward in heaven.  The reality is, unless we are following Christ in obedience we may never make it there.  May our consciences be pure before a holy God as we choose to use our talents faithfully for His glory.  Jesus is coming suddenly and His reward is with Him.  Let us do our best to do our part to receive a full reward by God's grace.  As the writer of Hebrews says in Hebrews 12:28-29, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire."

Come When Called

Growing up we had several different dogs as pets.  All of them were trained to some degree, but none of them could be reliably trusted to run free off the leash.  We didn’t know better in those days, and we never managed to train them to come when called – despite dog obedience training.  When people came over to visit we had a “dog run” to contain them, to keep them from jumping on visitors.  If the gate to the back yard ever swung open, we had to act fast because ours were the sort of dogs who imagined it was a fun game to remain just out of reach and lead us on a slow chase down the block.  It was unimaginable we could take them to Dog Beach or to a park and let them off the lead.  It simply wasn’t worth the grief.

I was reminded of my childhood pets when a friend told me about how Australian Blue Heelers are sometimes trained.  A common method is to take an older, well-trained dog and connect their collar to a younger, untrained dog.  The trained dog will respond instantly to the commands of his master and literally drag the other dog along.  After a while the younger dog will begin to connect the commands of the master with the action performed by the trained dog.  Simply by obedience to his master the older dog effectively trains the other.

The life of the trained sheep or cattle dog running around a green pasture and the dog cooped up in the dusty dog run are quite different.  Perhaps my dogs imagined they had a bit of freedom when their escaped our yard, only to be caught and corralled moments later.  It is the dog who can be trusted to immediately come when called by his master that can be trusted to go everywhere with him: to the beach, the park, to be sent out into a large field to gather up the flock or herd.  Under the watchful eye of his master, what freedom the reliable and trained dog has!  Before God, I want to resemble the obedient dog which can be trusted to do his master’s work.  I want to be faithful to be about my Father’s business, quick to respond to discipline with humility and repentance, like the dog a master would choose to link with an untrained dog because he is trustworthy.

Which sort of dog do you resemble:  the one which needs to be kept on a short lead or in the dog run or one the master can direct to do his will in a pasture without fences?  Be grateful when God sees fit to train you, even when it feels like you are being dragged all over the place, losing your footing, and when you are weary from running.  Even as a good shepherd knows how to train his sheep dog, God knows how to train and develop His faithful servants.  Learn how to run side-by-side with faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and I don’t mean pastors only.  There are countless faithful servants of the Most High who are not called to pastoral or teaching ministry.  Someday the lead will come off and you will need to choose if you will obey God’s commands or strike off on your own, doing your own thing.  It is in obedience to God we experience our greatest freedom and joy.

Jesus chose His disciples, going to their place of work whether they were mending their nets or sitting at their desk.  It didn't matter if they were alone in their boats or if the hired servants were there.  Without explanation or apology Jesus simply said to them, “Follow Me.”  Jesus Christ comes to you right now wherever you are and says the same thing.  Will you come when called?  There will always be a high cost of following Christ, for it is the voluntary surrender of your entire life to God’s control and guidance.  To refuse Christ’s call, however, is far more costly.  There are a lot of Christians who resembled bored, lazy dogs in dusty kennels when they could be running free doing what they were bred to do.  I can tell you our greatest aspirations and dreams are little more than a dusty dog run compared to the green, sun-swept pastures where God will establish you.  There will be rainy days, cold mornings, and windy nights which at times never seem to end, but we can always have the comfort of sleeping by our Master’s side and the excitement about the next thing He calls you to do with Him.

Confirm Your Love

Have you ever been hurt or offended when you became aware of sins of other people?  Though all sin is primarily and ultimately against God alone, we can be swept up in a flood of emotions:  anger, grief, confusion, disappointment, and even betrayal.  God taught me an invaluable lesson when I found out a person I trusted intentionally deceived me.  I was so angry when I discovered the lies!  My initial response was to withdraw and give the "silent treatment."  But as I knelt in prayer beside my bed, my anger and indignation was immediately quenched by the LORD's stern voice:  "Was this sin against you?  Is it right for you to be angry?"  God showed me my anger was due to my own pride and I was immediately convicted.  Once I repented for my sin, I was able to extend God's grace in love to the person who was sorry for what they had done.  Fellowship was then restored.  The person had sinned against God, and God used my sinful response to reveal pride within me He wanted to cut off.  Despite our faults, it ended up being a win-win.

Offense is common to all men, yet it is particularly destructive in the church.  The way people respond to secret sin discovered or sin freely confessed by each individual matters.  Sin divides and cuts people off from fellowship with God and other Christians, but when we are unloving and proud the way we deal with repentant sinners can isolate too.  The church in Corinth made the mistake of allowing a man who was in an incestuous relationship continue in fellowship without rebuke or discipline.  It seems after Paul exhorted them to correct this matter in 1 Corinthians, they were severe in their handling of this individual.  They cut him off even after he repented.  This is often the case:  to make up for our neglect or leniency the pendulum swings back too far with harshness.  But Paul was not content for the man to be made an example of as a warning to frighten potential future offenders.  He encouraged Christians to exhibit the love and grace of God to the sorrowing sinner.  He wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:6-8, "This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, ⁷ so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. ⁸ Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him."  A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and in faith and obedience to Jesus - not our faith in people's improved performance - we ought to forgive, comfort, and confirm our love to broken sinners.

So what does this mean, to reaffirm or confirm your love to someone who has repented for their sin?  Jesus Himself provides a lovely example after Peter denied Him.  Jesus predicted all His disciples would abandon Him and Peter would deny Him, but Peter was adamant he of all the disciples would be faithful unto death.  The very night Jesus was betrayed and brought before Caiaphas the High Priest, Peter indeed denied Jesus three times.  When the rooster crowed, Peter remembered what Jesus had said and he wept bitterly with remorse.  After Jesus rose from the dead, on several occasions He appeared to His disciples.  But even before Jesus did so an angelic messenger mentioned Peter specifically by name at the empty tomb in Mark 16:7, "But go, tell His disciples--and Peter--that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you."  Jesus confirmed His love for Peter by sending Him a personal message.  He had not forgotten him and He wasn't even angry with him despite his fear and failure.  Through this simple message Jesus said clearly, "I love you and have not forgotten about you.  You are still part of my future plans."

Peter denied Jesus three times, and the Gospel of John provides an account when Jesus appeared to His disciples - and Peter - for the third time.  The disciples were fishing and Jesus called out to them from the shore to cast their nets on the right side and they would catch some fish.  As their nets were filled with large fish, Peter recognised Jesus as His LORD and jumped out of the boat to greet Him.  John 21:15-17 reads, "So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Feed My lambs." ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." ¹⁷ He said to him the third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep."  Jesus initiated contact and confirmed His love for Peter by giving him an important job to do.  Jesus committed the feeding of His sheep and the tending of His lambs to a man who had recently denied Him.  Jesus knew Peter was grieved and repented for his sin, for He knows the hearts and minds of all men.  He lovingly restored Peter to fellowship by intentionally reaching out to him and entrusted His ministry to him.

What a good and challenging example this is to me!  When I have been wronged and offended, my flesh demands people prove themselves worthy before they can be considered as a viable part of ministry.  But Jesus didn't make Peter earn anything.  There was no waiting period between Peter's repentance and Jesus forgiving, comforting, seeking, calling, and commissioning him to do His work.  Jesus confirmed His love for Peter graciously, and this is what we are called to do as well by the power of the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit will convict and lead them even as He has led us.  We are called to trust God and walk in obedience to His leading and His Word, regardless of the legalistic standards of this world.  God is able to maintain the purity of His church without us adopting proud tactics of the flesh.  Hebrews 12:28-29 reminds us, "Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. ²⁹ For our God is a consuming fire."  We are to put away from ourselves those professing believers who refuse church discipline and remain in sin without repentance, yet for those who repent we ought to practically confirm our love to them, reach out to them, speak comfort, and freely give them opportunity to serve.  Isn't it wonderful to be loved by God who freely grants us new beginnings?

Listen to Your Father

"Now go, write it before them on a tablet, and note it on a scroll, that it may be for time to come, forever and ever: ⁹ that this is a rebellious people, lying children, children who will not hear the law of the LORD; ¹⁰ who say to the seers, "Do not see," and to the prophets, "Do not prophesy to us right things; speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits. ¹¹ Get out of the way, turn aside from the path, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us."

Isaiah 30:8-11

The nature of man since Adam has not changed.  Rebellion and wickedness comes standard in all the hearts of men.  God has given human beings a conscience, the ability to reason, and the freedom of choice.  Despite his great capacity for knowledge, when it comes to the truth man often does not have the stomach for it.  The almighty, living God has issued an invitation for all to enjoy a glorious life of fellowship with Him, but most would rather make a god after their own image they can conveniently manage than relinquish control of their lives to God alone.

In the book Transformational Discipleship I am reading for our discipleship course at Calvary Chapel Sydney, the authors make a good point our relationship with God is intended to be a full-surrender, not a treaty.  Should God exist, most men would be content to make a treaty with Him if they also could maintain their individual sovereignty.  But this arrangement is not a possible option.  We either live for God or ourselves.  The children of Israel provide a good example of the tension which exists in the lives of all born-again Christians.  As God's adopted children through the Gospel, our hearts can still be lured away from the simplicity of faith and obedience to God.  Like the people of Israel and Judah of old, we can shun true messages of scripture because they reveal our faults.

In the passage above, God wrote an eternal memo about the children of Israel.  He discerned their rebellion, lies, and refusal to heed His law.  They were not interested in hearing the truth which came from God because it was the promise of judgment for their refusal to repent.  They wanted to hear "smooth things," deceit their flesh deemed easy to swallow and digest.  The Holy One of Israel spoke the truth, but it was too narrow a view for God's wayward children.  This passage reveals words of prophecy from God will seem a bit rough for our taste - especially when we are in sin.  God's message may be things very difficult to say and make a person very unpopular, as Isaiah and Jeremiah learned firsthand.  God's faithful witnesses must value the approval of God over the approval ratings of the recipients of the message.  Woe to the man who prophecies deceit, who leaves the way, turns aside from the path of righteousness, and chooses to mute the Holy God of Israel.

As Joshua chose which God he and his house would serve, all Christians must choose if we will boldly speak God's truth with hearts compelled by love.  We who have tasted and seen the LORD is God and have received the truth of the Bible should not smooth out the words God intended to be rough on sinners.  A messenger should not edit his king's message in an attempt to make it palatable.  It is a satanic deception to think changing the message will aid its effectiveness.  Diluting the medicine renders it useless to promote healing, and God has freely provided the cure for all our ailments by His grace.  Since we are the children of the true God and follow Jesus who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, let us speak the truth and refuse to trade it for anything.  Proverbs 23:22-24 exhorts us, "Listen to your father who begot you, and do not despise your mother when she is old. ²³ Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding. ²⁴ The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice, and he who begets a wise child will delight in him."

We Have Overcome!

My family and I have been keeping tabs on the Olympic competition in Rio.  It is a rare opportunity to see the best athletes in the world competing for Olympic gold and global acclaim.  One thing spectators can count on is surprise victories and stunning defeats.  There are always compelling stories about athletes who will never grace the platform but have sacrificed much in pursuit of mastery and excellence.  Behind every athlete is a long story of training, overcoming injuries and long odds to earn the chance to compete.  Some fail to make the semi-finals, and others win multiple medals.  While the medal counts for certain countries stack up, there still remains countries that have never won a single medal.

Until the Olympics in Rio, one of those countries without an Olympic medal was the island nation of Fiji.  They had been widely tipped to have a superb team heading into the Games, and they lived up to the hype in claiming a gold medal with a decisive victory in the final.  The moment I savoured most was when after the game the team circled up and sung a hymn.  At first I couldn't understand the words.  But as they harmonised the words suddenly came in English:  "We have overcome!  We have overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of the LORD!  We have overcome!"  It was an emotionally moving moment for me, and I've been singing the song to myself through the day.

I didn't win a gold medal, but I felt like I could rightly sing that song of praise to God with them.  No one can take a gold medal or any accolades from earth when their life ends, but that is a song those men who trust in Christ as Saviour and I will be singing to God for eternity.  Jesus is the One who has overcome the power of sin, death, Satan, and hell through His death and resurrection.  All who repent and trust in Him enter into His victorious life granted for eternity.  In Jesus Christ we have a prize greater than medals, crowns, kingdoms, or all the fame and wealth on this planet combined.  The twenty-four elders are described as singing to Jesus Christ in Revelation 5:9-10, "And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, ¹⁰ And have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth."  People from island nations and every corner of the world will one day lift their voices in praise to God, harmonising together as one for the glory of our Messiah and King, the One who has overcome.

The rugby pitch can be a violent place, but for a few moments yesterday it was a genuine slice of heaven.  I don't know anyone on the Fiji rugby team, but I imagine there were Christians among them.  If that is the case, then Jesus was out on that pitch.  Jesus explained in Matthew 18:20, "For where two or three are gathered together in My name, I am there in the midst of them."  As their words rose up to heaven, I celebrated with them our shared victory we have through Jesus.  How sweet He is!

When the "Need" isn't the Need

During my time working at a church in Southern California, “walk ins” were common.  People from the community or who were passing through came into the church with various requests.  There were so many it came to a point where it seemed pointless to try to discern the truth of the story or the sincerity of those who made the request.  In every case I simply sought guidance from the LORD in prayer, trusting He would show me the appropriate course of action.  Some people became familiar faces and others I only saw once.  I always found it mildly humorous yet sad when people returned every couple of years with the same story, forgetting they had spun the same tale before.  From my experiences I soon learned the “need” presented by the people was not always their greatest need.

I remember meeting with one man who requested the church pay to repair his van's broken transmission.  Listening to the man plead his case, it seemed his whole life would be suddenly and miraculously on track if he was to have his transmission fixed.  But after speaking with him for a while, it became evident that it was hardly the case.  The man was living in his vehicle, unable and/or unwilling to commit to work, and had burned bridges to his family.  His life was in shambles, but he was unwilling to change his habits or lifestyle.  Years of self-destructive decisions led to a broken transmission.  From his view all he wanted was his transmission repaired, and when this was accomplished all would be well.  Every other aspect of his life was off-limits for discussion.

Without God, people are unable to perceive their deepest needs.  So many people approach this life on earth as if it is all there is or will ever be.  They expend much effort to prepare for retirement and make an estate plan, yet do not consider investing in their eternal future.  The man I spoke with at length could not see his need beyond a repaired transmission, and was like most people who do not perceive their spiritual needs at all.  Even his temporal view was shortsighted.  Say his transmission was repaired:  what would he do when his head gasket blew?  It is a wise man who looks beyond the temporal and considers his spiritual condition and eternal destiny.

How do we determine what we need anyway?  Generally our needs are determined by what we deem necessary for life.  We rightly say we “need” food, water, shelter, and sleep because without these things we would physically die.  In a spiritual sense we are born dead in sins, devoid of life and unable to save ourselves.  The Gospel reveals we need God because He is the only One who gives life, and eternal life at that.  It is in God all our needs are supplied by His grace.  The God who feeds the sparrows will provide our necessary food, clothes, and entrance into the Kingdom of God.  More necessary than money or repaired transmissions is our need to repent and trust in Jesus Christ, for He alone can forgive our sins, make us righteous, and give us eternal life.  Meeting only perceived physical needs or promoting social justice while neglecting spiritual needs of people is eternally disastrous.  God often employs physical needs to open the eyes of people to perceive their deepest need:  a loving relationship with the Living God.

God has revealed through the Bible man’s most basic need is a spiritual one only satisfied through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  We may say we need to be happy, but from God’s perspective we need to be made righteous.  Joy and contentment flood into the soul who fears the LORD.  Jesus says in Matthew 6:30-34, “Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹ Therefore do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³² For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. ³³ But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”  Physical needs point to our greatest need of new life through Christ.  Often the perceived “need” isn’t the need at all, and may we seek God’s wisdom to discern how to meet the true needs of people physically and spiritually

Why Revival?

I have been reading through J. Edwin Orr's All Your Need:  10,000 Miles of Miracle Through Australia and New Zealand, a chronicle of Orr's travels as he was used by God to spark revival.  Everywhere he went he challenged Christians with what is hindering revival in their own lives.  Typically his words were met with silence, but finally someone would openly confess their sin and others would follow like a torrent.  People were broken for their sins as they prayed for one another, secret sins were confessed and forsaken, and broken friendships were restored.  There is a price to be paid for revival, and it is one only paid through humility and personal obedience to Jesus Christ.

The modern-day conception of "revival" is a commonly misunderstood topic, possibly because there is not a great amount of biblical doctrine on the matter.  When Christians see the sinfulness of the world and pine for revival, they are longing for the wrong thing.  Lost sinners need salvation through the Gospel, and Christians need revival.  It is true the effect of revivals are not restrained to Christians alone, but revival is something which can only happen among Christians because sinners are dead in trespasses and have never been spiritually alive.  Revival is needed among the sleepy, stagnant, apathetic, careless, and hypocritical Christians.  Notice I did not say "professing Christians."  Let us be honest and admit there have been seasons, and you or I might even be in such a season right now, where sin in our lives has put distance between us and God.  It has been a long while since we have been on speaking terms with God.  We might speak with Him, but we cannot say honestly He has been speaking with us.  And if He has been speaking, we either haven't been hearing Him or we have not be interested to do what He has said.  He has justly been silent, and we have kept going about our lives as if all is well.

I have never met a Christian who was not interested to some degree to see a revival in their days.  In fact, there are people who often say passionately, "What we need is revival!"  Christians want revival like fans of sports teams want their side to win the grand final.  It is a strange truth that the needs we perceive in others exactly reflect our own.  Desire to see a revival doesn't mean we are desperate to be revived ourselves.  I have never, ever heard someone say, "What I need is revival!"  It is easy to see others are stagnant in their walk or filled with worldly ambitions or desires, but I often cannot perceive my own need for the same.  If you are one of those who preaches the need for revival, it's important to examine your own heart and motives:  do you need revival?  Why revival?  What sort of benefits do you hope to receive from it?  Do you want revival because you desire to see others change, to see signs and wonders, to reduce the crime in your city, to improve attendance in your church, or for anything else than a closer walk with Jesus?  Everyone loves a good show, and those who have their hearts fixed on revival run the risk of longing for something less than God's glory.  And if you are not interested in revival, remember that it is the desperate need of those who fear God.  Like repentance, revival is not a one-time occurrence.  It is written in by lovers of God in Psalm 85:6, "Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?"

If you want revival in your life today for God's sake, by God's grace you can have it.  God's promises in His Word are true.  If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).  James 5:16-17 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. ¹⁷ Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months."  Since God heard and answered Elijah's prayer concerning the weather, won't He hear and answer the prayer of His precious children though our faith be small?  The truth is, as much as we like the sound of living our lives for God, there is often a part of us that holds back.  We want revival, but at the same time we really don't.  We Christians can hesitate to pray for revival just like an unbeliever hesitates to follow Jesus.  We know it will cost us something - no, everything - and we aren't willing to pay the price.  Like the animals in the fable of the "Little Red Hen" who were unwilling to help plant the grain, harvest the grain, grind the grain into flour, or bake the bread but were very glad to eat the bread, so we can be with revival.  We want the benefits of having it all done for us by God instead of denying ourselves, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus.

Consider this quote by Richard Baxter concerning the cost of reformation, which is the outflow of true spiritual revival:  "Reformation is to many of us, as the Messiah was the Jews.  Before he came, they looked and longed for him, and boasted of him, and rejoiced in hope of him; but when he came they could not abide him, but hated him, and would not believe that he was indeed the person, and therefore persecuted and put him to death, to the curse and confusion of the main body of their nation."  Even as Jesus must be your LORD to be your Messiah, revival must be fervently desired in you first.  It is hypocrisy to put upon other people something you will not have yourself.  Are there hindrances to revival in your own life?  Are you so cold you do not care?  How good it is to have our cold hearts warmed again by the love of Jesus Christ and for us to lay hold of the certain hope of newness of life through faith in Him!  Put aside all the fantasies of what good will come from revival in a city or nation and lay hold of the reality of fellowship with God for yourself today.  Our walk with Jesus does not depend on anyone else but ourselves, for as David wrote in Psalm 138:7:  "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, You will revive me; You will stretch out Your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and Your right hand will save me."

The Testimony of Obedience

It's a crazy reality that people who believe in God can assume they know better than God.  This is not anything a sane person would claim from an objective basis, but let's face it:  we don't always live our beliefs.  We may say we trust God, but the fact we worry or give place to fear in our lives says otherwise.  We can protest all we want in this matter, but our strongest refutations resemble Peter spewing oaths around the fire he didn't know Jesus.  All we have to do is take an honest look at ourselves and make eye contact with the loving yet piercing eyes of Jesus to know we have fallen short of flawless faith.  We have presumed much and trusted little.  We have chosen to do what was right in our own eyes rather than simply obeying Him.

There is an interesting interaction Jesus had at the end of Mark 1 which always baffled me as a young Christian.  In context Jesus had called His disciples, healed people of diseases, and cast out demons.  Because the demons "knew Him" He did not permit them to speak as they were expelled.  He had a plan to reveal Himself in due time without the testimony of unclean spirits.  The people were amazed at His doctrine and authority He had over evil spirits, for they obeyed the commands of Jesus without fail.  When Jesus said, "Be silent and come out of him" the demons did (Mark 1:25-27).  This was unheard of, and the fame of Jesus began to spread throughout the region.

The chapter ends when Jesus was approached by a leper, someone who was deemed unclean and ostracised in society.  The fact he risked approaching Jesus demonstrates his belief Jesus had the power to heal him.  Mark 1:40-45 reads, "Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." ⁴¹ Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, "I am willing; be cleansed." ⁴² As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed. ⁴³ And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once, ⁴⁴ and said to him, "See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them." ⁴⁵ However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction."

The thing which always confused me was, "Why didn't Jesus want the man to spread the word about what Jesus had done?  It seems like a good thing to tell others about Jesus."  The irony in reading this passage in context is the demons obeyed Jesus and were silent, but the man who came to Jesus for healing was disobedient to His strict commands.  Jesus gave several direct commands to the healed man:  say nothing to anyone, present yourself before the priest, and offer for your cleansing the things Moses commanded in the Law.  Reading from this text alone it seems the man did not obey a thing Jesus said.  Verse 45 begins with "however" suggesting his actions were a contrast from what Jesus commanded.  The healed man proclaimed freely the miracle Jesus performed and took intentional steps to spread the news.  There is no mention if he ever went to the priest or provided the sacrifice as a testimony to them commanded in Leviticus 13 & 14.  It seems he was more interested in telling his story and his notoriety than obeying the commands of Jesus.  The man could have claimed to have faith in Jesus and certainly had a miraculous experience with Him, but his choices showed he did not love Jesus.  The man desired to testify with his mouth what he thought best, but the testimony of obedience commanded by Christ was lacking.

The demons recognised the authority of Jesus and obeyed Him because they had to, but this man blessed with healing by the compassionate touch of Christ chose to disregard His commands.  Jesus healed the man even though He knew the man's heart.  Jesus commanded the man to offer a sacrifice, but it seems the man shrugged it off.  The prophet Samuel said, "To obey is better than sacrifice," and sometimes Jesus commanded His followers to make sacrifices - shockingly even in obedience to the Law.  Jesus said in John 14:15, "If you love Me, keep My commandments."  When we walk in obedience to Jesus we abide in His love, even as Jesus always kept His Father's commandments.  Jesus has given us a new covenant, that we love one another.  Against such there is no law.  Love speaks and will also remain silent according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Love does not promote self or imagine I know better than Jesus.  We are under no such command of silence as the ex-leper was, but we are called to love God and others as Jesus loves us.  Let's trust God's Word, and whatever Jesus says to us let us do it without excuses.  Obedience to Jesus will always come at a cost, but the cost of disobedience is far higher - even when we think our way makes more sense.

The Stealth Test

When trials or struggles happen in the life of a Christian, we recall to mind how God uses our circumstances to test us.  We see this in the Old Testament when the children of Israel did not completely drive out their enemies from the land.  Because they were not faithful to obey God in this matter, God chose to allow enemies to remain.  He said in Judges 2:21-22, "I also will no longer drive out before them any of the nations which Joshua left when he died, ²² so that through them I may test Israel, whether they will keep the ways of the LORD, to walk in them as their fathers kept them, or not."  God uses opposition, pain, and enemies to put us to the test, to see if we will trust and obey God or not.

Tests are not limited to hard times, however.  Other portions of the Bible make it clear tests from God can occur when all seems to be going smoothly.  One such example is seen in the life of King Hezekiah of Judah.  God had wrought His wonders in the land by destroying the Assyrian arm, healed him from a deadly disease, and extended his life 15 years.  Emissaries came with letters from the king of Babylon and a present for King Hezekiah.  They came to inquire about the wonder done in the land, for no one had withstood the Assyrian onslaught.  Hezekiah was quick to spread threatening letters before the LORD in fervent prayer, but when he received a friendly letter from the King of Babylon no divine guidance was sought.  King Hezekiah was pleased with the audience of ambassadors and proceeded to show them all the treasures of his kingdom without concern.

The men sent to congratulate King Hezekiah with a gift were a test from God, even as bloodthirsty enemies who sought to destroy Israel in Joshua's day.  Hezekiah passed the humility test when he was helpless, but when faced with the stealth test of fame and recognition he failed.  2 Chronicles 32:31 contrasted Hezekiah's dealings with the ambassadors of Babylon with all notable good accomplished during his reign:  "However, regarding the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, whom they sent to him to inquire about the wonder that was done in the land, God withdrew from him, in order to test him, that He might know all that was in his heart."  Both in times of hardship and plenty God tests the hearts of men, and pride renders us senseless to recognise these tests.  It is only through a posture of humility and reliance upon God in faith where we find grace to walk in the way which pleases God.

What test are you more apt to pass:  a test comprised of hardship or flattery, one of warfare or ease?  Only through faith in Jesus Christ can we endure and stand strong in the LORD and the power of His might.  

When You’re Not “The Man”

There’s something inside every person which wants to be noticed, even recognised by others as exceptional.  I remember laughing to myself during a scene in Tom Cruise’s “Minority Report” where a man paid to have a virtual experience with people shouting the affirmation, “You’re the man!” despite his denials of false humility.  Dropping coin for compliments is not manly to be sure, yet he was willing to pay a price to be called “the man” even for a few fleeting moments.  Deep inside I’m sure the man knew he wasn’t “the man,” nor would he ever be.  His conscience could never agree fully with assessment, as much as he coveted the title.

No matter what a man’s accomplishments or successes, he will always be simply a man.  All men are born and die, leaving only a fading memory which is forgotten and lost over time.  It is common for people to assume we can find lasting satisfaction and significance through our efforts or career advancement.  But no matter how high we climb or soar, we are never able to measure up to the desperate longing of our souls for fulfillment.  Pride comes before a fall, and any aspirations in thinking we are something leads to the grave with everyone else.

There is only one person who can be aptly termed “the Man”:  the God-man Jesus Christ.  After He was born of a virgin, lived a life free from sin, did many signs and miracles, and preached the Kingdom of God, He was betrayed by a follower and crucified as He predicted.  Before He was led to the cross He was scourged by the Romans and presented by Pilate before the mad crowd.  John 19:5 says, “Then Jesus came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. And Pilate said to them, "Behold the Man!"  There He was, not the man any person aspires to be.  He was a mess of blood and the object of scorn and ridicule, despised and rejected by His own.  Jesus did not protest or say a word, because what Pilate said was true.  He was the Man sent to seek and to save the lost, the true Messiah, the One who would three days later rise from the dead, ascend to heaven, and will someday return to rule in righteousness.  Jesus is indeed “the Man” and wise men will view Him as such.  He humbled Himself more than any other man and so God has exalted Him above all.

No man ought to think more highly of himself than he ought, and in recognising Jesus Christ as “the Man” we can be transformed by the Holy Spirit into the men and women God created us to be.  It is only by faith in Jesus Christ we discover the purpose and significance we thirst for.  Seeking fulfillment in this life through earthly pursuits is the equivalent of a dog vainly spinning in circles trying to bite his own tail, a donkey carrying a heavy burden that never is able to sink his teeth into the carrot being dangled before him.  Praise God Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  There is no lasting satisfaction apart from Him.  Everything else is vanity and grasping for the wind.

All For God

"Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

What does it mean to do something for the glory of God?  Jesus said if any man desire to come after Him, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Him.  Self-denial compelled by love for God's sake, even in a decision so trivial as what we choose to eat and drink, brings honour to our worthy Saviour.  Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can be intentional in doing anything in obedience to the LORD in denial of our own desires or for the benefit of others.  We know when to do or not do something is our natural inclination, and when we choose God's way in any matter He is free to work in and through us.

Isn't it amazing we can bring glory to our God in the simplest of choices?  Whatever we do can be an offering of praise and love unto the LORD.  Even the satisfaction of temporal necessities can be divinely converted into eternal gain and glory for God.  No longer are we to be governed by the opinions of men, a desire to please others or measure up to an arbitrary standard, or pressured by guilt to conform:  we who have been transformed by the indwelling Spirit are quickened to will and do God's good pleasure.  The children of Israel fasted for months at a time, but God revealed it was for them and not for God because when they chose to eat and drink it was not unto Him (Zech. 7:5-6).

Paul continued in 1 Corinthians 10:32-33, "Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, ³³ just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."  Paul lived for the glory of God, and his labours for God were governed by God's love and grace.  He did not seek His own profit but the profit of many.  In the smallest decisions of our lives, even in the matter of what we choose to eat or drink, do we seek to give God glory?  How amazing is that?  What opportunities God has provided us in this life to honour and glorify Him!  If we eat and drink unto ourselves, which is a very small thing in the scope of eternity, how can we say we live for God's glory in the "big" things?  Those who are faithful over a little will also be faithful over much (Luke 19:17).

Fruit Unto God

The scenery of life changes, but the core issues remain the same:  will I live for myself or for God?  Who am I going to rely upon?  Whose approval do I value and seek?  What is my motivation for serving God and others?  The answer we give with our mouths is not always reflected in our hearts and minds.  I thank God for the Bible which illuminates our hearts and the Holy Spirit who convicts of sin and guides into all truth.

As we serve God, there is a very real possibility we might do so for selfish reasons.  Our motive may not be selfish at the beginning, but we can fall into a works-based trap that we ought to see a measurable return on our investment.  We consider our sacrifices and efforts as great and feel we have not been adequately recognised by God or men.  When our focus drifts to what is not we discover selfish expectations tucked away in the recesses of our hearts.  I remember vividly as a young teen when a man helping with the youth group at church angrily stormed out of a Sunday night meeting because he wasn't "seeing any fruit" from his efforts.  I never saw him again and would not know his face if I saw him today.  But his anger and frustration has always stuck with me.

I believe there is no shortage of servants of the Most High God who tangle with anger and frustration, people who struggle to cope with their dashed expectations.  They are embarrassed by the lack of "fruit" from their efforts.  People come and go from church.  Youth leave the ministry people have poured their heart and soul into for another group with more kids their age, better facilities, or more fun activities.  And maybe, just maybe, they leave because they are sick of the preaching!  Like Jacob we can say, "All these things are against me!" or finally realise we ought to serve God for God's sake, not so we can bask in the fruit of our labour as if we have done anything.  When we understand the church is the Body of Christ and He is faithful to build His church we are freed from the burden of our failed expectations.  Our wildest dreams are pathetic and feeble compared to the plans God has for every one of His beloved children.

It is good for us to recognise disappointment and frustration in our hearts immediately and realign our eyes and purpose with Jesus Christ.  Remember the joy of God calling you to serve Him in the church?  For those who serve in a foreign field, remember how you wondered how God would bring such desires to fruition?  You wondered how God would establish you in a foreign land and now in the field new questions crop up:  how can we reach the community?  What am I supposed to be doing?  Why does it feel I am spinning my wheels and being bogged down in the mire of administration?  Where are other faithful labourers?  All these questions and concerns are answered by the presence of the Almighty God.  We labour because He labours; we serve because He serves; we sacrifice because He gave all.  Anger or frustration concerning the lack of fruit in the lives of people we are serving likely reveals we ourselves have ceased to abide in the Vine Jesus Christ and have begun to look to our own works for validation instead of God's love and grace.

People are constant in our labours as Christians, but it is Christ who must remain central.  When ministry becomes about people or ourselves we begin to serve a master other than Jesus, and this master cannot deliver on a single promise or meet one of our needs.  Let us heed the words of Paul when he wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:16-19, "Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit."  We quench the Spirit of God when we cease to rejoice, pray, or thank God in everything.  This will cut us off from fellowship with God and hamstring our ability to run the race with endurance God has set before each one of us.  When we labour and run our race for God's sake He will see we reach the end and finish strong by His grace.  It is through abiding in Christ's love we will bring fruit unto God.  We ought to rejoice that God causes fruit to spring from our barren hearts and repent when we are frustrated or bitter there isn't more.  The fruit is for God, after all!