Marching Forth!

A cliche is defined in the Oxford Dictionary as, " A phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought ." I agree with this assessment, even when it comes to commonly used cliches in Christian circles.  Since truth can endure careful inspection, it is wise for us to carefully evaluate Christian cliches rather than smugly repeating them.  I do not judge anyone for using cliches, and as I continue to follow Jesus I have found cliches to be far less useful than the plain word of God.  When a statement is recognised as cliche, it is a wise practice to filter it through scripture.  Often there is a more biblically accurate description than commonly parroted ones. One cliche I considered this week is, " God is not looking for ability but availability ."  On the surface this seems true enough, but look deeper and substance is clearly lacking - it is a cliche, after all!  The use of alliteration makes it more convincing like a famous o...

Yesterday I read an amazing and enlightening article in The Sword and the Trowel  written by C.H. Spurgeon on Rizpah, Saul's concubine.  The brave deeds of this noble woman impressed King David and are an inspiration to this day.  Masterfully written and powerfully applicable, I highly recommend you to seek out an online copy to read the entire article.  I have read much Spurgeon over the years, and this is the "prince of preachers" at his very best.  This call to vigilance in our walk with Christ and unconquerable love for Him is widely applicable. He expounds upon a Bible passage found in  2 Samuel 21:10 :  " Now Rizpah the daughter of Aiah took sackcloth and spread it for herself on the rock, from the beginning of harvest until the late rains poured on them from heaven. And she did not allow the birds of the air to rest on them by day nor the beasts of the field by night ."  For five months this vigilant woman grimly guarded the corpses ...

Of all the days commemorated in Australia, ANZAC Day must be included among the most sacred.  Across the nation, millions rise before the light of day to attend dawn services to remember the landing of Australian and New Zealand diggers on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April, 1915.  Many of these troops would die or be wounded in the following conflict.  The enduring phrase which sums up ANZAC Day is, "Lest We Forget."  It would be a grave tragedy for the bravery, courage, and loss of life to be forgotten.  As I stood yesterday with thousands of fellow countrymen at the Riverstone cenotaph, the ANZACs who served and gave their lives were remembered with honour and respect.  A minister fittingly quoted the words of Jesus in  John 15:13 , " Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends ."  He made the point that if the sacrifice of the diggers means anything to us, Jesus laying down His life on Calvary ought to be ...

This morning I read the unique passage when God spoke directly to Aaron the high priest rather than through Moses in Leviticus 10 .  God forbade the priest Aaron and his descendants from drinking wine or strong drink during their times of service to the LORD in the tabernacle.  This command was given right after Aaron's sons Nadab and Abihu were struck dead for offering "strange" or profane fire before the LORD.  It is not known for certain, but the context suggests an overindulgence of drinking might have led to their lapse in judgment. There is undoubtedly a connection between alcohol, risky behaviour, serious injury, and even death.  That is why drink driving is a crime in Australia and drivers are often subjected to random breath tests.  When it comes to drinking, some laud health benefits whilst others see drinking as a grave vice.  The fact is, the drinking of alcohol is common among Christians and non-believers alike, and God have given people the...

Last night after dinner as a family we read Zechariah chapter 7 , when delegates inquired of the LORD concerning their traditional fast during the fifth and seventh months.  This prolonged period of mourning and fasting had not been commanded by God but was a self-imposed observance.   Zechariah 7:4-6 revealed God's answer to the prophet:  " Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying, 5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me?  6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?"   God's answer provided amazing insight:  if we do not eat and drink unto the LORD, can we really say we fast for Him? The concepts of sacrifice, self-denial, and abstaining from activities in which people find pleasure are common components of religious observances across the world.  It is like...

I was looking through pictures I took in Cambodia a few years ago and an object lesson jumped out at me.  It is very common to see small pagodas and idols everywhere.  These demonic habitations look like ornate mailboxes on the street or shrines in shops and hotels.  Once you notice them, you will see them everywhere - like one in a shop on the left in the Russian Markets of Phnom Penh.  The picture on the right is a shrine sitting in the foyer of our hotel, a more "low maintenance" presentation with plastic flowers. It is common for shopkeepers to light incense, candles, and place a plate of food before the shrine.  From what I am told this is so they will have good fortune, luck, protection, and prosperity.  Going on appearances the people of Cambodia are generally religious, even boasting the temple of Angkor Wat on their national flag.  Buddhism is practised by about 95% of the population, and the trappings of it can be found everywhere - fr...

" Then the strong steeds went out, eager to go, that they might walk to and fro throughout the earth. And He said, "Go, walk to and fro throughout the earth." So they walked to and fro throughout the earth ." Zechariah 6:7 This verse is part of a vision Zechariah was shown concerning the future, and the steeds represented the four spirits of heaven sent forth to judge.  I cite this passage not to expound upon it in the context of Zechariah, but to consider the importance of eagerness to do God's will.  God created horses from the beginning strong and powerful to run.  The spirits were personified as strong steeds that " went out, eager to go ," for the purpose of doing exactly what God would command them.  They wanted to walk to and fro throughout the whole earth, God told them to walk to and fro throughout the whole earth, and then they did! In serving God it is wonderful to discover things God has called us to do.  Though feelings are not ...

One of the privileges and blessings of immigrating to Australia is not only is it a "beautiful part of the world," but we have the opportunity to share it with visitors.  Currently we are hosting a friend from the States and it has been fun to break away from the typical routine and visit some lovely places as a family.  Our travels have taken us to the backyard, beach, and Blue Mountains where we have seen the creation of God beautifully presented.  It is said a picture is worth a thousand words, yet a million words cannot adequately convey experiencing what God has made firsthand.  Enjoy!  Bronte Beach  Bondi Beach  Jamison Valley Wentworth Falls  Walking the National Pass Empress Falls

" But Jesus answered them, saying, "The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. 24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain ." John 12:23-24 Yesterday we celebrated Good Friday, a day which commemorates the death of Jesus Christ on Calvary.  His crucifixion was the hour for which He had been sent by the Father, the hour when He would be glorified.  Death of the body was the path to eternal glory, but it has struck me afresh how the death of Jesus was His hour of glory.  It is true Jesus was raised in glory ( 1 Cor. 15:43 ) yet in this passage He pointed to His death as His hour of glory. Receiving glory from dying well is not an uncommon concept, like how a soldier is recognised for sacrificing himself for the sake of his fellow comrade.  Such stories are legendary.  No good warrior wants to die, but the one who willingly places hims...

Years ago when a youth camp concluded, I asked one of our girls if she enjoyed it.  She said somewhat wistfully, “It was fine…there wasn’t a breakthrough or anything.”  I was struck by her desire for camp to provide a “breakthrough” experience.  It seemed she had expectations which had not been met and she would need to wait for the next camp.  I thought, what is it God needs to break through to reach her heart?  Is there anything which stands in the way of my fellowship with God?  God is able to break through in an instant, but willingness and vulnerability are often needed to align our posture with God’s Word which pierces like a sword.  We should not expect breakthroughs when we will not consent. God says when we return and seek the LORD with all our hearts we will find Him ( Deut. 4:29 ).  There must be a deep sense of personal lack as the rich young ruler which causes us to seek Christ, but also the persistence and faith of the woman of Ca...

There is a thirst in every human heart to be loved.  No love in this life is able to fully satisfy.  Much of what we love cannot love us back.  If a man loves money, his money cannot love him in return.  The song you love to sing does not love you.  Careers end, fame diminishes, health fails, and the laughter stops, and all that remains is silenced by the grave.  My marriage vows included the phrase “Till death do us part,” an acknowledgement that even true love on earth has an end.   My love has limits of scope, intensity, and duration.  I am convinced there is nothing and no one in this world (without the love of God) who loves me with an enduring love – or even actively loves me at all. God has revealed Himself as the only true source of everlasting love.  Love is one of the defining characteristics for God, for 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God...

God has special blessings for those who obey Him.  God extends great blessings to all and obedience is a factor in our ability to recognise and receive them.  After God gave Moses commands concerning fabricating the articles of the tabernacle, all the people whose hearts God moved contributed the necessary materials.  Skilled workers were called by God to oversee the work, and when it was completed Moses blessed them.   Exodus 39:42-43 reads, " According to all that the LORD had commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43  Then Moses looked over all the work, and indeed they had done it; as the LORD had commanded, just so they had done it. And Moses blessed them ."  When we faithfully do God's work according to his commands, we are most blessed. In airports, hotels, schools, churches and business - basically wherever people go - there eventually will be an accumulation of "lost property" which remains unclaimed.  For what...

It is good when God sheds new light on a familiar passage of scripture.  Out of His bountiful supply of wisdom there are treasures old and new.  One of the most important aspects of rightly dividing scripture is a careful observation of a text.  It is easy to fall back immediately on our prior understanding of a verse, rush to commentary in a study Bible, or limit the interpretation and application to what is familiar.  Brothers and sisters, let us allow the Bible to speak!  As interesting as conjecture might be to us, the supernatural richness of scripture is supreme without our flavouring. Sometimes conjecture by preachers or expositors can overwhelm plain meaning of the text.  A classic example is found in the scene where the woman caught in the act of adultery is brought to Jesus in the Temple.  It was not the woman but Jesus who the Pharisees desired to put on trial.   John 8:3-6 reads, " Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a wo...

All people have experiences which tempt us to be cynical towards others.  This word has been described as, " believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity ."  People poisoned with cynicism are often jaded and bitter due to painful experiences associated with people they once trusted.  They have been hurt by people in the past, and therefore all people are under suspicion.  If we believe people are naturally good, their inability to achieve this standard will lead to disillusionment and the distrust of all.  Those who hold a biblical worldview, however, understand men are naturally self-serving and self-focused.  Even with this fundamental belief in place, the temptation to be cynical will arise. Because church ministry involves people, this temptation is very real for all who serve in ministry.  It hurts when people are not entirely honest with you.  It hurts when you have been sincer...