Marching Forth!

A subject which has come up several times lately is the claim Moses was prevented by God from entering the Land of Promise because he "misrepresented" God.  Let us allow God Himself to speak on the subject directly before we misrepresent scripture!   The sins of Moses were unbelief, rebellion, and that he did not sanctify God among the people.  The following passages make it clear Moses was disciplined for these reasons, not because he ruined God's typology concerning Christ or according to many other theories I have heard.   Numbers 20:10-12 says, " And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" 11  Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 12  Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in...

Today I went on a walk around the Old City of Jerusalem - literally.  It took me about an hour and 15 minutes from stepping out the door of my hotel to follow the rampart walk path, walk up the Mount of Olives for a few pictures of the Temple Mount, and then complete the circuit around the ancient walls.  When I have the proper cable connection, I will share a couple pictures! One of the themes which has been on my mind of late is the importance of walking in the light.  Paul wrote in  2 Corinthians 4:1-2 , " Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart. 2  But we have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God ."  Christians freely confess their belief that God sees all, yet this knowledge does not mean we naturally walk uprightly.  We tend ...

Last night we met at Christ Church in the Old City, the oldest protestant church in the Middle East.  It was a refreshing time of worship through song and the study of God's Word.  It was wonderful to "come away" into the LORD's presence for a sweet time of fellowship. While expounding on the first dozen verses of Hebrews 11 , the speaker talked of the ark Noah built as a picture of the safe place we have in Jesus.  The rain fell and the waves billowed, yet those who sought refuge in the ark were saved from destruction.  He also mentioned the house of Rehab the harlot in Jericho as a safe place.  It was a city doomed for a great fall, but after she obediently hung a scarlet cord in the window all who took refuge in her home would be saved.  Cities of refuge were also spread throughout Israel, places where those who were guilty of manslaughter could face a fair trial before the priests and the congregation. There is one safe place (albeit quite ironic!)...

Yesterday I walked with a friend through the Arab Market in Jerusalem to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the first time.  Believed by many to be a church built over the place of Christ's crucifixion and where He was entombed, it is a tourist attraction frequented by Catholic pilgrims from all over the world.  A crowd of people filled the courtyard, and it was even more crowded inside. The first thing which struck me as I entered the building was how crowded and dimly lit it was.  Though I had seen pictures of the interior of the church before, they didn't capture how big and sprawling the place was inside.  Ambiance aside, it was the activities of the visitors which surprised me most.  People were kissing stones, prostrating themselves on the ground in prayer, and crawling under the foot of a cross to kiss and touch a picture.  In a word, I felt it was bizarre.  People queued up before stones and relics like people at Disneyland for ...

Jerusalem is filled with people these days because of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.  It is wonderful to see many families with happy children thronging the streets.  My hotel is located just inside the Jaffa gate which is a major thoroughfare for foot traffic.  At the gate you will see armed policemen, monks, tour groups, vendors selling bread and pomegranate juice, orthodox Jews, and pilgrims from all over the world.  There was a group of people whose matching bright-green shirts caught my eye.  On the back of the shirts was printed, "Vision for Israel." As a person who has immigrated to a different country from where I was born, this shirt sent a message I imagine Jew or Gentile living in Israel finds offensive.  Their intentions may be noble, but the only One with a relevant "vision for Israel," Australia, or any other nation is God!  Scripture makes it clear God has a clear vision and plan for people, cities, and nations.  On one level ...

It's often hard times which cause people to evaluate their lives and help to re-align perspective.  Jesus told a parable about two men who both built houses which were exposed to a fierce storm.  One built his house upon the rock, and the other built his home upon the sand.  They chief difference between the two was the foundation they chose to build on.  The aftermath of the storm provided evidence who built wisely:  the house on the sand was completely destroyed, and the house on the rock endured. Jesus told this parable to illustrate the difference between those who hear His words and those who actually put them into practice.  The one who heeded the words of Christ and obeyed them was compared to the man who built his house on the rock, a solid foundation.  Today it dawned on me that it required a storm to reveal which foundation was worthy.  When weather was fair all seemed well, even when the foundation was not trustworthy.  God allo...

It's not every day I am excited about a scientific discovery, but the most recent revelation from NASA has kept me happy for days.  In the 1990's - not the 1890's - it was estimated there were about 200 billion galaxies in the known universe.  Well, according to most recent data, those facts were only 10% correct:  it turns out there is in excess of 10 times more galaxies than previously estimated.  This is mind boggling, right?  If there are estimated to be 2 trillion galaxies now, imagine what a more accurate count might be in twenty years' time! Now I am not saying the original estimate was "wrong," because the estimate was simply that - an estimate.  But when I hear a highly-touted "landmark" study being 90% off from what we now know is a more accurate estimate based on factual evidence, it only increases my faith in God and the Bible.  I would never consider myself among the "best and brightest" and I certainly have no scientific ...

There is hope in Jesus Christ for all who repent.  A person whom you consider the worst of the worst - even the "chief of sinners" - can be forgiven, born again, and be chosen to be a vital part of the Body of Christ.  Paul was one such man.  In 1 Timothy 1:13 he expressed thanks to Jesus for enabling him to be God's minister though he was once a blasphemer, persecutor, and an insolent man.  The man guilty of murdering Christians became a Christian himself, one mighty through faith in Jesus.  God accepted Paul before his wary fellow Christians did, and we really can't blame them.  We too have been suspicious when we should have trusted God. Paul wrote later in the chapter in  1 Timothy 1:18-20 , " This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipw...

What a treasure we hold in our hands when we open our Bibles!  Today a friend sent me an email which included some of my favourite verses,  Hebrews 12:1-3 :  " 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 ."  It was a great reminder for a weary soul tempted to lose heart through discouragement.  Our focus is often on our problems, opposition, or failures rather than laying aside every weight and looking to Jesus. How easily weariness comes to the human soul!  We can be w...

" For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us ." 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 One of the first gold medals picked up by an Australian athlete in the Rio 2016 games was from an unlikely source, considering the strict gun restrictions in Australia.  Catherine Skinner edged her New Zealand opponent for a gold medal in the women's trap, a competition where clay pigeons are released from a spring trap and blasted with a shotgun out of the air.  In a series of victory interviews, I never once heard Catherine speak of the quality of her gun, the brand of shot or pigeon she prefers, or the skill of those who released the pigeons at the correct time.  Catherine needed her gun, shot, and clay pigeons to win, but she received all the accolades - a...

Daniel was a man of prayer.  Not many people have faced death by lions for their praying, but Daniel did!  Under the rule of Darius King of Persia, Daniel was promoted to be the first of three presidents over 120 princes.  The other leaders were not keen to have this foreign man ruling among them, so they tried to "dig up dirt" on Daniel.  But try as they might, they could not find anything of which to accuse him before the king.  There was nothing Daniel said or did to reproach his God or king.  Daniel was a man of such outstanding integrity of character the only way they could find fault with him at all was to create legislation which prohibited prayer to his God. After God delivered Daniel from the teeth of lions and the schemes of murderous men, he continued to pray.   Chapter 9 of the book of Daniel contains one of Daniel's prayers offered to his God, and what a prayer it is!  He explained the divine power connected with a prayer of faith...

" Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence ." 1 Timothy 1:18-2:2 Paul charged Timothy to fight the good fight, " having faith and a good conscience " ( 1 Tim. 1:19 ).  To this end Paul exhorted Timothy to offer requests to God, intercede on behalf of, and give thanks for all men, especially for those who were in authority.  What may surprise you about this exhortation is how positive it is in light of the depraved spiritual and moral condition of those he was to pray for.  One might assume it would be more in line with God's will to pray against Caesar, wicked Herod, and dishonest tax collectors.  But God's will is that we would pray for the good of others - even of wicked and foolish tyrants. Timothy was to pray for kings and those in authority so peop...

Being a Christian goes far beyond biblical morality or a belief system:  it is a spiritual transformation brought about by the living God inhabiting a person who trusts in Him.  Exposure to the Word of God, partnership with other believers in the church, and walking in obedience to God lead to spiritual maturity and growth.  This relationship with God ought to have an impact on every aspect of our lives, how we view the world, and influence our interactions with others.  After being born again through faith in Jesus we continue living in a corruptible and mortal body of flesh, yet we can become more like Jesus in how we think and live.  Our new King, future heavenly country, and growing relationship with God forever alters our perspective for good. As God opens our eyes to the truth of His Word and we grow in faith with obedience, the reality of our identity in Christ begins to slowly take hold in our lives.  Daily interactions, physical pain, conflict, ...

" Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith ." 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2 The Word of God is critical in the salvation and growth of Christians.  The Bible helps us to place our faith in the God Who can actually save us:  faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.  People perish for a lack of knowledge of the WORD who became flesh and dwelt among us.  Jesus warned against false prophets who posed as genuine, and Paul warned against ravenous wolves which would not spare the flock.  The idea is one of infiltration, not of attack from outsiders.  Paul desired prayer so the " word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified ."  There were people outside the church who resisted and flatly denied the truth of scripture.  Lack of faith in professing Christi...

God does not always answer prayers in the way we expect.  He often does exceedingly above what we could ask or think!  Solomon asked God for wisdom, and in addition to wisdom beyond all others God granted Solomon long life, wealth, and peace from his enemies.  Paul prayed God would remove a messenger of Satan from his life, and God answered no:  it was in weakness Paul would realise God's strength exponentially.  God's ways are higher than ours, and His thoughts are greater too. Recently I came across another example when God answered prayer in an unexpected, miraculous way.   Numbers 21 speaks of an instance when God's people were discouraged because of the way God led them.  They spoke angrily against God, Moses, and even against the manna God graciously provided them for their survival.  To chasten them, God sent venomous snakes among them which bit the people and many died.   Numbers 21:7 reads, " Therefore the people came to Moses, ...