Marching Forth!

It all started like a regular day at church:  there was prayer, fellowship, and giving.  Things changed after a large financial gift was presented to the church leadership.  Instead of commendation, blessing, and acknowledgement, there was rebuke.  It was divinely revealed the man had only given a portion of what he claimed, and suddenly he fell down dead.  This was a day at church no one would ever forget, and three hours later it became even more crazy when the wife of the man also fell down dead in the congregation for lying to God.  This is a true story, and you can read about the demise of Ananias and Sapphira in the book of Acts chapter 5. The Bible says great fear came upon all those who heard these things, and the wise today still take notice.  After teaching this portion of scripture at church this weekend, I put myself in the place of a congregant in the church in Jerusalem.  How would I felt to see these sudden deaths for lying to ...

God is not like a person who conveys, "Do as I say but not as I do."  He is not like a parent who needs to apologise after doing or saying something they forbid of their children.  He is utterly consistent in His righteousness and purity.  His holiness reaches infinitely beyond our ability to ascertain, and He says truly of Himself:  "I am the LORD; I change not." Romans 1:31 sums up the condition of a sinner worthy of death with five words which are the antithesis of the of character of God:  " undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful ."  Having established His throne on righteousness, God is the source and sustainer of all life.  God is discerning, knowing all things.  He is absolutely trustworthy for He cannot tell a lie.  God is loving, demonstrating this reality by sending Jesus Christ to save sinners.  He is forgiving, a quality not found in men who nurse grudges and remember wrongs done against them. ...

" And Elisha prayed, and said, " LORD , I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha ." 2 Kings 6:17 It seemed like a hopeless situation:  the Syrian army surrounded the city of Dothan to bring Elisha to the king.  When the servant of Elisha saw they were surrounded by this great force he was overwhelmed.  He said, "Alas my master!  How shall we do?"  "Alas" is a word used to express pity, grief, or concern.  The servant of Elisha realised he and the inhabitants of the city were out of their depth given the tenuous situation, and given the circumstances it is likely most people would have panicked. The perspective of Elisha was quite different than his servant.  Elisha didn't ask what they should do because he knew something his servant did not:  they were not alone or forsaken.  God was with ...

Have you ever received a call you declined to take because it was a "private" number?  In the old days people would "screen" their calls by listening to the caller speak on their answering machine in real time:  if they wanted to take the call, they could.  But if it was a caller they would rather not talk to at the moment (or ever!), the machine ran interference. This morning I read a passage which showed similar to how we screen calls, God in a sense screens prayers.  Those who do not fear or regard Him do not have the access and immediate response He gladly gives to those who trust and obey Him.  The situation is described in 2 Kings 3 when the king of Moab rebelled against Jehoram king of Israel.  Jehoram enlisted the aid of king Jehoshaphat and the king of Edom.  Of the three only Jehoshaphat feared the LORD.  When Jehoram blamed God for dooming their mission, Jehoshaphat suggested they inquire of the LORD and Elisha the prophet was summon...

Placing our faith in God ought to change our perspective.  If we believe God created all things seen and unseen, if everything has been made by Him which has been made, then He has authority and control over it all.  Things which appear impossible to us are possible with God, and insurmountable obstacles for us are no hindrance at all to our great God.  Every man and woman of God can be assured of God's protection, help, and power in every situation of life. I was reminded today of when king Ahaziah sent a captain and his 50 to arrest Elijah and bring him before the king.  The backstory is the injured king had sent messengers to enquire of Baalzebub (god of Ekron) if he would recover.  God took exception to this and sent a message by Elijah to condemn the king's act and inform him he would not recover but die.  The king was not pleased with God or Elijah speaking to him in this manner.   2 Kings 1:9-10 says, " Then the king sent to him a capta...

An enemy can be defined as one who is opposed to and hostile against another.  When King Saul realised the people cheered David, he was envious of the praise and saw him as a threat.  He became David's enemy and sought opportunity to kill him.  Murder lurked in the heart of the king who was lifted up with pride.  This unchecked pride led to other sins, such as consulting a medium for guidance when he had been tasked by God to rid the nation of such abominations.  Samuel's chilling response to Saul's inquiry include those found in  1 Samuel 28:16 :  " Why then do you ask me, seeing the LORD has departed from you and has become your enemy ?" Because Saul opposed the righteous judgments of God and sought to murder the one chosen and anointed by God to replace him, God also became Saul's enemy.  Most who have basic Bible knowledge realise the devil, Satan, is an adversary and enemy with whom Christians must contend.  What we may...

" However, many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand ." Acts 4:4 A farmer who desires a harvest must first sow seed, and if we will see people converted to Jesus Christ we must preach the Word of God.  In the Parable of the Sower Jesus told, the seed represented the scripture sown into the hearts of listeners.  Some hearts were compared to a dusty footpath whilst others were prepared hearts where the Word of God produced much fruit.  After Peter healed a man in the name of Jesus Christ, he preached the Word to the people.  Many of them believed and became part of the Body of Christ, the church. There is a quote commonly attributed to St. Francis of Assisi (though there is no factual evidence I know to support this claim) which is, " Preach the Gospel by all means. If necessary, use words .”  Though this quote is not authentic, it is a quote commonly quoted because many people like it.  I...

" I will dwell among the children of Israel and will be their God. 46 And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, who brought them up out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them. I am the LORD their God ." Exodus 29:45-46 The children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, and God promised Moses His people would be set free.  He tasked Moses to deliver a message to Pharaoh, to let His people go to serve Him and offer sacrifices a three-day journey into the wilderness.  It seems as long as they served Pharaoh baking bricks and building his cities they could not properly serve God.  Serving God is an exclusive task for Jesus said, " No man can serve two masters." God would bring His people out with a mighty hand and show His wondrous power to the world through great plagues.  Though Egypt was destroyed, God preserved His people in their land.  He spared His people the afflictions visited upon the unbelieving oppressors.  God's intent wa...

There is a longing in every person for significance, to make a lasting impression in the world.  No matter how much effort we put towards this end, however, will ensure success.  Absalom wanted to be remembered so he built a tomb which stands to this day, but it is an testament of his failure because he never was buried in it.  After he was killed for his villainy he was dumped in an unmarked grave.  Recently a surgeon was caught burning his initials into the liver of his patients - seriously.  Far more common is when people etch their names or press their palms into wet concrete, but even well-formed slabs aren't permanent.  Monuments, plaques, and tombs carry memories precious to some which fade over time.  It is as the Bible says:  our lives are as a breath, like vapour which vanishes without a trace. As I walked around the oval during cricket training yesterday, I noticed a bare patch of silty dirt surrounded by turf.  This dirt had m...

" If you ever take your neighbour's garment as a pledge, you shall return it to him before the sun goes down. 27 For that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What will he sleep in? And it will be that when he cries to Me, I will hear, for I am gracious ." Exodus 22:26-27 God cares about people, even the poor who lack basic necessities.  As a kid when I went to the neighbourhood recreation centre to give them an identification card or my wallet as collateral to play Foosball, table tennis, or pool.  Once I returned the supplies to the attendant my property was returned to me.  A similar method was used in ancient times, where people would give a loan of money and hold their cloak as collateral.  God placed a stipulation that if a garment was taken as a pledge to secure payment on a loan, by law it was to be returned " before the sun goes down ."  This would afford him warmth on a cold night. The last part of the verse grabbed me:...

A "green room" is defined as " a room in a theatre or studio in which performers can relax when they are not performing ."  It is a place to hang out and rest with comforts and amenities provided.  Before the show there is a palpable sense of excitement complete with some nerves.  For musicians and actors it is the final moment before displaying the culmination of hard work to do the thing they have worked towards their entire lives.  I have met with people to pray before a church service in a "green room" of sorts, and there was no dread in the air but expectancy God would work and whatever God does is amazing. For Christians, death beds are similar to a green room.  Instead of sitting on plush or comfortable furniture, those preparing to depart this world lie upon stark hospital beds.  These rooms are not located adjacent a world-famous auditorium but in living rooms, trailers, hospice and aged-care facilities.  There is no murmuring of the adorin...

It was customary for me in primary school to hand out "Valentine's Day" cards with messages that read "Be Mine" or to give out boxes of chalky Sweethearts candies with each classmate's name written on them.  It was a simple tradition which did not lead to romantic interest (as far as I know).  It was the one time an easy opportunity was given to share feelings about someone, though cards or candy were brought for all.  In my youth the exchange of Valentines was polite and innocent, without any promises of commitment. God's love and grace is not fickle like the hearts of people who have a crush on someone one week and then affections can shift dramatically.  God offers His favour and blessing to anyone who will have Him.  In a way God asks every person, "Will you be mine?"  All who consent to this relationship can count on the enduring love and the complete commitment of God forever.  When I handed our Valentine's Day cards I did so only ...

I was born and raised in the United States, the " land of the free and the home of the brave ."  Freedom has been one of the great hallmarks celebrated by many in American culture:  freedom of speech, freedom to bear arms, freedom to assemble, freedom of religion, and more lately freedom for gays to marry.  A potential landmark case is being heard in the U.S. Supreme Court which seemingly pits religious freedom against discrimination.  A baker who declined to make a cake for a same-sex wedding in Colorado ran afoul of State law and appealed his case to the Supreme Court. I remember as a kid reading signs on the doors and windows of restaurants which said, "No shirt, no shoes, no service!"  It makes sense if an entrepreneur decides to own and run a restaurant which serves the public, it is their rightful place - ultimately for the good or bad of the business - to place restrictions on the conditions of service.  A CNN article says the baker also refused ...

The lives of people we observe are like books which instruct the wise.  They provide examples of what to do and what not to do.  In this case even a "bad" example can be a useful one.  The failures of others and the painful consequences are warnings to all who will take heed.  Because God loves us, He issues specific warnings so we will know right from wrong and the certain awful results of sin.  Every man must decide for himself if he will submit to God's Word in obedience or not. God provided a warning to King Solomon after the temple was built in Jerusalem.  God answered Solomon's prayer to make the Temple His house of sacrifice, a holy place sanctified by God's presence.  Though God graciously granted this request, God also issued a warning Solomon and all would do well to heed.  With the knowledge God has made born-again Christians the temple of the Holy Spirit, consider the implications of this warning in  2 Chronicles 7:19-20 :...

When I was a kid I had a wooden box in which I stashed my "treasures."  The objects placed in the box had no resale value but for some reason I liked to collect them.  In the box were keys I had found, stickers with my name on them, ticket stubs to baseball games I attended, and random raffle tickets.  Looking back there were a lot of strange things I collected:  bones, baseball cards, rocks, and action figures.  Some things I collected had a small amount of monetary value, but the majority of it could be classified "junk."  Where it has gone I do not know, but I know where it belongs:  in the bin! In the same way a parent raises their eyebrows at the worthless sort of stuff kids love to collect, I wonder how God loves me.  I receive His love gladly but at the same time know I do not deserve it.  That God would love sinners and make them His greatest treasures is beyond my comprehension.  He does not merely lift us out of the gutter o...

" Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honour him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, a nd show him My salvation ." Psalm 91:14-16 God makes amazing promises to those who set their love upon Him.  This is to be an exclusive and special love, even as a husband loves his wife or a parent loves their child.  My love of God is a response to His unfailing love which He graciously has extended to me.   Those who set their love upon God, having trusted Him for salvation, find all other genuine loves flow from this supreme one. These promises God offers are conditional upon our obedience to Him.   1 John 5:1-3 says, " Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By th...

" Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 18  Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralysed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him ." Luke 5:17-18 This scene provides a dynamic contrast between those who place their faith in Jesus Christ and those who will not.  Fame of Jesus due to His teaching and miraculous power spread throughout Israel.  The passage says Pharisees and teachers of the law assembled who hailed from all Israel - even from Jerusalem.  These masters of the Law of Moses viewed Jesus as a troublemaker, a young upstart, an untrained layman, a prophet at best but most likely a wicked deceiver of the people who needed to be silenced.  I do not believe these men thought Jesus could teach them anything, and likely He couldn't....

As a young kid I was introduced to hard work.  "Work before play" was a well-known saying for us, and many summer mornings we signed up for chores we were responsible to do that day.  It could be washing the dogs, mowing and raking the lawn, spraying for fleas, cleaning windows and screens, doing the washing (laundry), cleaning bathrooms, washing the van, and the list went on.  I remember being about 10 years old when I proudly put in my first solid eight-hour work day, nailing the floor of our upstairs room addition.  That was a fun kind of work - much better than pulling weeds or gardening. One thing as a kid that was not work was the tradition of going to my grandparent's home in Ramona on Christmas Eve to enjoy time with family and a wonderful meal.  A stocking with my name on it hung on the mantelpiece, and piled around the Christmas tree were many gifts.  A few of those also had my name on them.  Receiving and opening one of those gifts wasn't...

" The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted,  t he Rock of my salvation !" 2 Samuel 22:47 Only the living God who created all things can save.  The One in whom is life was able to create life from nothing, and He alone can save our souls for eternity.  God can do everything because He is alive.  He is infinitely greater than man, but in living men we see a shadow of God's greatness.  The God who created the eyes of men to see sees all; the One who made ears to hear also hears all.  This God who formed man's mind to consider and think possesses infinite wisdom and knows all.  He created the mouth of man to speak intelligible words can speak clearly to all people.  Whatever a man can do God does infinitely greater. No spirit, man, thing made by man, or beast can be likened unto God or rightly compared with Him.  He alone is God and is exalted forever without end.  How can an idol of wood, stone, silver, or gold co...

" Come now, and let us reason together," s ays the LORD , "though your sins are like scarlet,  t hey shall be as white as snow;  t hough they are red like crimson,  t hey shall be as wool ." Isaiah 1:18 There is a great example in the Bible of people reasoning together during the siege of Abel.  After David was restored to the throne in Jerusalem, a rebel named Sheba the son of Bichri blew a trumpet and gathered men after himself.  Joab received word that Sheba had taken shelter in Abel of Bethmaachah, and therefore he built a siege mound and battered the wall to bring it down.   2 Samuel 20:16-19 records, " Then a wise woman cried out from the city, "Hear, Hear! Please say to Joab, 'Come nearby, that I may speak with you.' "  17 When he had come near to her, the woman said, "Are you Joab?" He answered, "I am." Then she said to him, "Hear the words of your maidservant." And he answered, "I am l...

" Now Abraham was old, well advanced in age; and the LORD had blessed Abraham in all things. " Genesis 24:1 When I read this verse last night, a slow smile spread across my face.  Think of it!  The LORD had blessed Abraham in all things:  he had been blessed in his travels, in his marriage, with his children, in necessities, in growing older, and even concerning his temporal and eternal future.  There was no part of his life which had not been blessed by God.  This means he was blessed by God even before he knew God or believed Him!  How great is our God to bless in such a manner.  But having said this, often our ability to receive and walk fully in the blessings God provides is conditional.   Do you want to be blessed by God?  Blessed is the man who delights in God's Law and shuns evil ( Psalm 1 ).  The one who has clean hands a pure heart by grace through faith in God is blessed ( Psalm 24:3-6 ).  Jesus listed m...

Yesterday the results of the Australian same-sex marriage survey were revealed.  The LGBTI community and their supporters celebrated a strong majority result.  Though the laws have not yet been changed to reflect this result, the government and members of parliament are working to pass legislation changing the Australian constitution to approve gay marriage.  In the context of our secular society this result does not at all come as a surprise to me.  I am without fear; I am not worried for in Christ I stand firm.  I am resigned to acknowledge the opinion of the majority of Australians, but that does not deem it righteous. And this is the place where the victory for same-sex marriage rings hollow:  even when the government legalises and acknowledges gay couples as married, the perversion of God's institution of marriage will never be acceptable in the eyes of God and many who hold a biblical worldview.  My heart breaks to consider the smiles and cele...

As we follow Jesus Christ and mature in faith and knowledge of His Word, He broadens our understanding.  Studying the scriptures led by the Holy Spirit enables us to connect ideas which provide greater insight into God's truth.  When I was a child after I knew how to count I enjoyed dot-to-dot puzzles.  What began as a mess of dots and numbers became a recognisable object which could be coloured in with crayon.  In a similar way, the more we heed the scriptures the better we comprehend what the Bible says, what it means, and how to rightly apply it in our lives. Looking back, I believe my views of scripture used to be more rigid than they are now.  My views were rigid because my understanding was limited.  Truth and the Christian walk is narrow, and we cannot deviate from obedience to God and His Word.  We do not need to compromise truth to hold a broader view than we once did.  I have held views in the past which were not wrong in themselves, ...

It is a strange thing when a Christian goes from trusting God for salvation and begins to look to his own strength or abilities in daily decisions.  David provides a compelling example of this in 1 Samuel 17 .  God's assessment of David was he was a man after God's own heart, but even he was prone to lean on his own understanding.  His life provides a compelling illustration of what is common to all men - even godly ones.  Just because we have trusted God in the past doesn't mean we are trusting Him today. When David was a young man he was sent by his dad on an errand to the front lines of battle where a few of his brothers were.  He was shocked when Goliath the champion of Gath stood before the army of Israel and defied and cursed them by his gods.  David wasn't awed by the imposing size or the verbal threats of the giant, but was incredulous Goliath was permitted to reproach the armies of the living God whilst the men of Israel hid in fear.  News ...

In a sermon I recently heard, the difference between "commitment" and "surrender" was a point of emphasis.  In warfare conditions of surrender are negotiated, but not so in a life which is surrendered to Jesus Christ as LORD.  Since our lives have been purchased with the shed blood of Christ, we are not our own.  As Jesus laid down His will before the Father, we are to voluntarily lay our lives down before our Saviour.  The comment by the preacher was if all we do is "commit" our lives to Christ, we seek to dictate our own terms or will even withdraw our commitment when it pleases us. In light of this thought, the Oxford definition of "commitment" is interesting.  It means, " The state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.; a pledge or undertaking; an engagement or obligation that restricts freedom of action ."  Men are fickle and often do not keep their commitments.  We make promises we do not or cannot keep, and...