Ability and Availability

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 one-liner from years back:  "If the glove don't fit, you must acquit!"  A reason for using the ability/availability cliche may be to stress a person's perceived lack of ability is no hindrance to God accomplishing His will through them.  People greatly used by God were often reluctant like Moses and Gideon because they did not see themselves capable to answer God's call.  And it begs the question:  are "available" people those whom God is looking for?  Isaiah 66:2 tells us who God is looking for:  "...But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word."  2 Chronicles 16:9 reveals, "For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him...".  Also Jesus said in John 4:23:  "But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him."  Based on these verses God is not looking for "ability" in people or "availability" but He for God-fearing hearts which are humble, contrite, loyal, and worship Him in spirit and truth.

Based on the cliche, it seems "availability" is a chief qualification of usefulness by God.  After considering this carefully, my concerns of this emphasis are two-fold.  The first problem I see with this is the terminology is passive.  In one sense it is putting the onus on God to "use us" rather than us actively serving Him in practical ways.  There is nothing passive about the Christian walk.  We are called to be filled with the Spirit and intentional in prayer: trusting, obeying, giving, asking, speaking, and doing the will of God.  We are called to seek the LORD whilst He may be found, not just free up our schedules or momentarily set our plans aside when we deem it worthy.  The second problem is bigger still, because it suggests we maintain the right of full ownership and control of our lives when we as Christians have been bought with a price and are no longer our own (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).  Imagine if a soldier said to his commanding officer in preparation for battle, "I'll be available soon, maybe next week."  Being an employee "on-call" sounds a lot closer to reality than "being available."  Saying "Here I am, LORD. Send me!" has a decidedly greater commitment than availability, for it is a voluntary choice to honour and obey God in faith.

We are not able, but God is able.  He has given spiritual gifts and talents according to His will, and we ought to seek to use these for His glory.  As we humbly seek Him, God will provide supernatural abilities and resources to accomplish His plans.  When God looks at your heart, He is looking for particular characteristics which are indications of a life transformed by His love, grace, and mercy through the Gospel.  Those who wait on the LORD will be fruitful by His grace.  We never earn the right to be used or increased fruitfulness, but as we walk with Jesus led by the Holy Spirit He will make us useful.  Praise the LORD He is able and available for us at all times!

Remembering Rizpah

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 her children hanged before the LORD for the atrocities committed against the Gibeonites.  Seizing upon this picture of a mother's love and devotion for her dead children, Spurgeon observes how few of us have ever matched her in devotion to our living Saviour Jesus Christ and how she is a worthy example for us.  Since copies of this article are easily found online, I will only highlight portions of it.  Had there been no copies available, I would have gladly typed it out in its entirety - that's how good it is.

"This woman Rizpah, though a word is used in connection with her which is full of shame, for she was but Saul's "concubine," was yet a woman of noble spirit, for when she found her [two] sons thus put to death, she took sackcloth, making a little tent of it on the brow of the hill, just underneath the seven gallow-trees, and there she watched all through the burning summer, and the fierce autumn heats, till the Lord's mercy sent the rain to cool the sun-burnt earth.  The carrion birds came to feed upon the corpses, but she chased them away with her wild shrieks and cries; and when the jackals and the bears came by night, she, as if she were some fabled destroyer of dragons, and not a poor timid woman, drove them all away.  Neither by night nor by day did she cease from her dreadful task of love until at last, when the scant harvest was sorrowfully housed, the Lord accepted the atonement made, and made the blessed rain to drop from heaven - the rain which had been withheld so long because sin had bound up the bottles of heaven.  Until it was clear that God's wrath was removed, Rizpah stood to her post, protecting as best she could the unburied relics of those who were so dear to her.  It is a ghastly picture..."

Notice this woman in the constancy of her watching.  As, in my solitude, I read of Rizpah's watchfulness, I felt ashamed of myself - so thoroughly ashamed that I thought I heard my Master say to me, "What, could ye not watch with me one hour?"  Here is a woman who watches with the dead, not one hour, nor one day, but weeks and months, while we are so unspiritual and so carnal that a little watching with our Lord soon tires us out!  Even when we draw near to the master's table our thoughts wander.  When our minds should concentrate all their faculties upon the one topic of the Wellbeloved's flowing wounds and purple sweat, his bleeding head, and hands, and feet, our imaginations wickedly ramble abroad, and we cease to keep watch with Jesus; yet here is Rizpah, with undivided heart, faithful to her charge from month to month..."

Emulate Rizpah again, and like her make your watch a loving one.  If any compassionate traveller had saluted her, he might have said, "Woman with the grey hair, have pity on thyself, and go thy way!  Why tarriest thou here alone, on the bleak side of Gibeah's hill?  Why lingerest thou amidst these putrid corpses, which pollute the air?  Go, unhappy woman, where there are friends to shelter thee!  The nightdews will chill thy marrow, and the fierce sun will parch thy soul; have pity on thyself, and leave the dead, lest thou too soon be one of them.  Go home to kinsfolk, who will comfort thee!  There are still some left that love thee.  The fame of thy deed of love, hath won thee hearts that will yield respectful homage to thy griefs.  Go home, thou venerable woman; though like Naomi, thou shouldst say, 'Call me Mara!  for the Almighty hath dealt bitterly with me;' go thy way, and peace be with thee."  Do you not hear her firm reply, "I will not; by the love of God, I will not leave them!  for they are my children, my children - the offspring of my bowels.  Wherefore bid me leave them?  Shall yon vultures tear their flesh, which is my flesh as much as theirs?  Shall the grim wolf devour those who once lay on this bosom?  Wherefore bid me go?  Ye see nothing but ghastliness there, but I see myself in my children yonder.  Would God I had died for them; that I had died for them, and given up this wrinkled form, that their young lives might have been spared to them!  I cannot and I will not leave them.  Till the soft bosom of their mother earth shall give them shelter, their mother's hand shall defend them."  O love, what canst thou not do?  Beloved of the Lord, love is the great force which will keep you close to Jesus.  If you love him with a deep, passionate love, you will abide with him.  If the mere love of nature could keep a woman watching thus, what ought the love of grace to do?  For grace would conquer nature, and gratitude, for countless blessings, should create in us a love more deep and impetuous than the love of women - a love which many waters cannot quench, and which the floods cannot drown..."

"Behold how Rizpah suffered for her dead children's sake, and take heed that thou learn to endure as seeing him who is invisible.  Brethren, if all the world at once should point the finger of scorn at us, if all the devils in hell should hiss at us from their mouths of flame, if God himself for awhile should hide success from us, yet for the wounds of Christ, and for the bloody sweat, and for the precious death of Jesus, we ought still to press on in service and in sacrifice, since Jesus' sacrifice deserves of us all we are, and more than all; deserves our whole being in its most intensely energetic condition; deserves us evermore toiling at the utmost possibility of diligence, or suffering at the highest imaginable degree of resignation.  O come, ye lovers of my Master, come to his cross, and ask him to nail you there, to crucify you with himself.  Ask him that he would make your hearts wholly his.  Ask to be consecrated, spirit, soul, and body, and henceforth to reckon yourselves not your own, but bought with a price.  O Holy Spirit, press these truths upon thy people's hearts, and help them to watch and worship, to watch and suffer, to watch and serve with Jesus, till the rain shall drop from heaven, and thou shalt take them up to dwell with thyself, where they shall see the despised One exalted, the crucified One enthroned, and the buried One for ever living, King of kings, and Lord of lords." (Spurgeon, C. H. C.H. Spurgeon's works as published in his monthly magazine The Sword and the Trowel. Vol. 2. Pasadena, TX: Pilgrim Publications, 1975. Print. pages 69-76)

Lest We Forget

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 remembered with utmost honour, for He died so we could live forever.

It is good to remember the sacrifice of those who freely gave their lives in the service of their duty.  Such courage in the face of death is worthy of hounour every day.  It is good to set aside a day for such a purpose because of our tendency to forget.  Jesus instituted Communion so His followers would remember and proclaim His death until He comes.  Last night I read of the universal forgetfulness of men concerning God, especially during hard times in Isaiah 51:12-13:  "I, even I, am He who comforts you. Who are you that you should be afraid of a man who will die, and of the son of a man who will be made like grass? ¹³ And you forget the LORD your Maker, Who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth; you have feared continually every day because of the fury of the oppressor, when he has prepared to destroy. And where is the fury of the oppressor?"  When we are afraid because of men or an uncertain future it reveals we are forgetting God, what He has done, and what He has promised to do.  He is our Maker, the One who comforts us, and the one who delivers us from our enemies.  He is not forgetful as we are, and this is good to remember.

Drinking and Doing

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 freedom to follow their own convictions.  My intent in this post is not to criticise people who drink or applaud those who abstain.  What this passage prompted in me is to consider the reasons God gave for forbidding wine or strong drink to priests when "on the job," and these reasons are relevant for all today.  Drinking brings with it universal and inevitable risk which children of God are wise to understand.

Leviticus 10:8-11 reads, "Then the LORD spoke to Aaron, saying: ⁹ "Do not drink wine or intoxicating drink, you, nor your sons with you, when you go into the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations, ¹⁰ that you may distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean, ¹¹ and that you may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which the LORD has spoken to them by the hand of Moses."  The drinking of wine would potentially cloud the good judgment of Aaron and his sons, and they needed to be wholly in their right minds to "distinguish between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean."  Wine and strong drink had the power to affect their reasoning and ability to teach others God's statues.  If we are uncomfortable with a surgeon drinking wine whilst performing delicate procedures on patients, it is reasonable those serving God in the tabernacle would abstain from drinking during the performance of their duties so they could be focused on God and their role.

I am also reminded of the words spoken to King Lemuel by his mother in Proverbs 31:4-5:  "It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes intoxicating drink; ⁵  lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted."  Here we see other dangers of drinks which intoxicate: forgetfulness of God's Law, and perversion of justice.  Forgetting is an interesting thing, because we cannot remember all we have forgotten.  We might think our memories clear and sharp, but we likely forget more than we can recall.  Forgetfulness and the twisting of the truth go together, and neither kings nor priests could afford this risk.  We can forget when we drink only water, but the drinking of wine or strong drink certainly "takes the edge off" mental awareness, reflexes, tact, sound judgment, and memory.

Abstaining from drunkenness or completely from alcohol is only part of what God has commanded Christians, for there is much more we are commanded to do in Ephesians 5:15-21:  "See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, ¹⁶ redeeming the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, ²⁰ giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another in the fear of God."  Following Jesus is much more than leaving the old life behind, but entering into new life through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit who guides us into all truth.

Fasting and Feasting

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 paying dues for membership or to gain status as devout.  The typical approach of the flesh is to deny ourselves in one area, and justify indulgence in another.  If asked I am sure the Jews would have asserted they were fasting for the LORD during the fifth and seventh months, but because they lived for themselves during the other ten months - contrary to plain commands of God He had given them - their fasting really wasn't for Him at all.  They fasted to feel like they were doing something for God, making a huge commitment and sacrifice, when they could have been joyfully feasting as they did what God commanded.

God commanded His people to fast and to feast - with the major emphasis on the three major feasts of the year.  Whether we feast or fast, we are to do it as unto the LORD.  Whilst we live we live unto the LORD, and when we die we do so for His glory.  If we eat, we do it in thankfulness to our God; if we fast we do so in faith, knowing God is food and drink for our souls.  Paul wrote in Colossians 3:22-24, "Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. ²³ And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, ²⁴ knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ."  Praise the LORD that whether we fast or feast, we can do so with God's blessing and bountiful reward for obedience.

Junk Drawer Worship

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 - from temples, shrines, talismans hung on the neck, or red bracelets worn on the wrist.

As seriously as many take their religion in Cambodia, not all displays suggest a deep level of commitment and sacrifice.  For instance, take this strange conglomeration an offering box - which looked like a veritable junk drawer.

It appeared the picture of the deity was removed, but the offerings remained:  a couple glasses of wine, a bottle of water, white and pink ball things, random toys, Barbies, pebbles with grass growing in them, a spent perfume bottle, marbles, and other miscellaneous items.  If I was a deity, I would not be impressed with this obvious lack of effort or care.  Should this junk be supplied as an offering it would be a disgrace.

God commanded His people to give of their first fruits, the best of their flocks and herds as sacrifices unto Him.  He deserved their attention, their "prime time" - not their used junk, diseased goats, or sheep which had died of old age that were good for nothing.  It struck me that our worship of God can resemble this junk drawer.  When I saw this I thought, "Is this how my worship looks to God?  Is there evidence of love, effort, or sacrifice, or is my worship worthless junk?'  We can give God five minutes here, sing a song there, read the Bible, but all with an aim to simply get through the thing to do what we really want to do.  Is this not like a junk drawer of worship?  If we truly treasure God, then He will be our priority.  We will love and value Him above ourselves and give Him our best.  It would be a tragedy for people to give more time and effort to honouring demons than God's people their loving Saviour.

People in Cambodia give to appease spirits or earn their favour, but as Christians our service and worship unto God is in response to the love He has already demonstrated to us.  Homemade cards can be a lovely effort which shows creativity and a personal touch, but they can also be the result of a lack of preparation - just throwing something together at the last minute out of duty.  Let us be those whose worship resemble a homemade card with a meaningful poem, a drawing which expresses love which required time and effort with intent to bless God.  The expense of the gift is not what impresses God, but that we would seek Him in humility and faith.  Thank the LORD for His grace, that any effort of ours would be a treasure in His sight. 

Eager to Walk

"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 a good gauge of calling or barometer of success, it is amazing to experience the exhilaration of serving the LORD and sensing in your soul, "I was made by God to do this."  I imagine there is a similar sense of delight in a string of young horses as they gallop together.  This knowledge and enjoyment is not reserved for particular roles in the body of Christ, but in all those who choose to do His will.  All followers of Jesus are called to make disciples and teach people to observe what Jesus has commanded.  When we do this with even one other person there is encouragement and blessing for all.  We as believers are called to prayer, and we are greatly edified and strengthened when we do.

Are you eager to do what God commands?  As purchased possessions of Jesus Christ through the Gospel, we are divinely enabled by the Holy Spirit to do what God created us to do:  to worship Him in Spirit and in truth, to praise, thank, serve and obey Him.  We are enabled to read the Bible with understanding and to be strengthened with all might.  We may never be able to match a horse for speed with our feet, but faith in God causes our souls to soar.  Isaiah 40:28-31 says, "Have you not known? Have you not heard? The everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, neither faints nor is weary. His understanding is unsearchable. ²⁹ He gives power to the weak, and to those who have no might He increases strength. ³⁰ Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall, ³¹ But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint."

Isn't it encouraging that people who cannot walk or run can wait on the LORD in His strength?  Not all of us have been empowered as Elijah was to outrun Ahab's chariot, but we can continue on our course with eagerness and walk without growing faint.  God has made you for this purpose, believer, and in your weakness through God you can discover strength.  May our hearts yearn for God's glory and our souls seek His presence as we patiently and gladly wait on Him.  Walk with Jesus and you will find He is your strength and song.

Sights of Sydney

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

Glory In Death

"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 himself in jeopardy to aid others embodies courage and heroism.  Jesus laid aside all instincts of self-preservation and chose to face an excruciating death in obedience to the Father.  His demonstration of love, compassion, forgiveness, and grace as He was nailed to a cross and ultimately breathed His last reveals the supernatural power of God.  Three days later He would rise from the dead and prove His victory of sin and death, proving He is indeed the Messiah.

Jesus was victorious in death, and Christians follow in Christ's victory when we die to self.  The resurrected life of Jesus Christ is on display when we take up our cross and deny ourselves to follow Him, the One who always did the will of the Father.  The death of Jesus is interpreted as weakness by some, but it took supernatural strength.  Whenever we choose to deny the inclinations of our sinful flesh to walk in the way which fully pleases God, Jesus is glorified.  It proves He was victorious in death, and is evidence He was that grain of wheat which fell to the ground and is still producing a good crop.  It may not be we will be called to martyrdom for the sake of Jesus, but God is glorified when we die to self.  That is our hour of victory and God's glory.

Breaking Through

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 Canaan who pleaded for Jesus to heal her daughter.  I love the faith displayed by the men who were desperate to bring their paralysed friend to Jesus in Capernaum.  As Jesus preached the Word to people packed into a house Mark 2:3-4 says, “Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. [4] And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.”

It was impressed upon me today when reading this passage that we might desire a “breakthrough,” but we are the ones who must persist in breaking through to Jesus.  Faith in Jesus and the power of the Gospel can break through anything which stands in the way.  God desires to be known and Jesus can be found, but it is not His fault if we remain at a distance.  He has come to us and earned the victory on Calvary.  His blood is sufficient to wash us of all sin, the Holy Spirit has been sent to fill our hearts, and we are empowered by God to do all He has commanded us with joy.  At the same time, no effort of the flesh can break through to knowing God by force.  We must submit to God and be willingly broken for our sins, and faith in Christ goads us to break through anything which hinders us from healing and salvation.

God has done glorious things, and our living, loving Saviour continues to do His wonders to this day.  Faith in Christ strengthens us to persist in breaking through all obstacles to discover the wonder of His presence.  You don’t need to wait for next camp or another day to seek the LORD with your whole heart.  Praise God!

To Be Loved

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. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.”  God’s love is the only love which will endure forever, for it is everlasting even as God is (Jer. 31:2).  Once we are born again through faith in Jesus, having been made partakers of His love, we have His infinite capacity to love bestowed upon us.  We did not earn this love through our love of God, for He first loved us (1 John 4:19).  This love springs from His goodness and grace and not of our worthiness.

It struck me today that God is under no obligation to help, forgive, or save anyone.  In a society clamouring for social justice and equality, the Gospel can fall on hearts polluted by a sense of entitlement which asserts if God allows some people into heaven, He should allow all people into heaven because He is loving.  This is a denial of man’s wickedness and God’s grace.  God was not obligated by His love to save sinners, but He graciously chose to.  He could have retained His eternal love and for our crimes justly sent all to hell, even as a righteous judge who loves his son will see justice carried out upon him.  Unrighteous men show partiality to those they love, but God does not.

Jesus was more than innocent, for He was righteous.  Jesus – God made flesh - was willing to lay down His life on Calvary to save sinners.  Jesus did not deserve to die, and not one sinner deserves to be saved.  God first loved us, and with knowledge of His everlasting love and grace we are commanded to love Him back.  Nothing in this world can love us back, and God treasures as His children those who love Him.  Our love is demonstrated through obedience, even as Jesus demonstrated His love through sacrifice.  God’s love transcends life on earth, and only in loving God will we experienced His love forever.

Receiving God's Blessing

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 whatever reason, things were misplaced or forgotten and either reclaimed or disposed of.  I think blessings from God are much the same.  There are many blessings God has deemed the property of people who misplace them and cannot receive the benefits because they have ceased to do things God's way.  The blessing is in one place and the person is in another.  In obedience to God and submission to His will we find the convergence of God's people and blessings both received and enjoyed.  One great blessing from our gracious God is we may not know when we were separated from His blessings or where exactly we strayed off course, but in seeking Him in repentance we find all blessing at once and the restoration of our souls.

David wrote in Psalm 24:3-6:  "Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD? Or who may stand in His holy place? ⁴ He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. ⁵ He shall receive blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. ⁶ This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face. Selah"  Not one of us is worthy to stand in the presence of God and to receive a single blessing from Him.  Our hands are filthy, our hearts steeped in pride, and our mouths pour forth deceit.  How can these dry bones live?  How can this stony heart receive the rain?  Praise the LORD, for He has made a way for us to receive blessing by His grace through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  He opens our blind eyes, strengthens our lame feet, and cleanses our souls of the leprosy of sin.  He raises us up from the dead, having washed us in the blood of Christ.  Those who humble themselves before God He will enable to stand and receive blessing and "righteousness from the God of his salvation."  Walking in obedience equips us to receive blessing from the LORD.

Let the Bible Speak

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 woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?" ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear."  The Pharisees on numerous occasions tried to put Jesus in situations so they might have an opportunity to accuse Him.  No matter how sophisticated or foolproof their designs, Jesus foiled them every time.

The scribes and Pharisees intended to trap Jesus:  either He would side with Moses and in stoning the woman would transgress Roman authority (so they could dob Him in), or He would have to oppose Moses and lose all credibility with the people.  Jesus wisely evaded the trap and simply stooped down and wrote on the ground.  What Jesus wrote has been widely wondered and subjected to great conjecture.  This could be one of the great MacGuffin moments in the Bible, where we are so intrigued by what Jesus could have been writing it distracts us from the point!  What Jesus wrote is of keen interest to the reader, though we are not told what or why Jesus wrote in the first place.  What I do know is the finger which wrote on the ground was the finger which carved the 10 Commandments into stone (Ex. 31:18), so whatever He wrote had a righteous purpose.

The scene continues in John 8:7-9:  "So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first." ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst."  Again, there is no shortage of conjecture concerning what Jesus wrote.  But the text makes it clear the conviction of the accusers was not due to what Jesus wrote, but because of what Jesus said.  It says, "Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one..."  I have also heard suggestions about why the oldest would leave before the youngest.  Again, that does not seem to be a primary point.  We could guess, but in the end it would remain conjecture.  What we do know is eventually all the accusers finally left, and the woman and Jesus remained together in the midst of many witnesses.

Just in case we were thrown off by the MacGuffin moment of Jesus writing on the ground, Jesus directs each of us to key points.  John 8:10-11 reads, "When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" ¹¹ She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."  Those who condemned the woman left, and Jesus did not condemn the woman - though He alone is without sin.  The case was closed because all charges had been dropped.  We are already condemned because of our sin, and Jesus came to deliver us from the penalty and power of sin.  Jesus said to her, "Go and sin no more."  Since the woman had been saved from death, she was not to continue living in darkness but to walk in the light.  God forbid Jesus would save us from sin and we would continue in it!

Wondering, meditating, and even conjecture have their rightful place as we observe and analyse the scriptures.  Let us ensure our own thoughts or the ideas of other men do not crowd out or infringe upon the plain text, for God knows what He has said according to His divine purposes.  Let the Bible speak!

Immune to Cynicism

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 sincere in your concern and care for someone yet time reveals they had a self-serving interest.  It stings when fellowship is cut off because you have not met unrealistic expectations of others:  I have been too young, not enough like a famous and revered preacher, and didn't put enough emphasis on particular teachings.  After investing in the lives of others at great personal expense only to be trampled or cast aside, people can refuse to make provision for genuine friendship due to cynicism.  Psalm 116:10-11 records the words of the Psalmist, "I believed, therefore I spoke, "I am greatly afflicted." ¹¹ I said in my haste, "All men are liars."  In his affliction and pain the Psalmist was hasty in his negative view of others.  We have all been lied to, but that doesn't mean there isn't a man who speaks the truth.

For young pastors out there, I have a few words of advice:  instead of committing your heart to men, ensure your heart remains fully committed to God.  Our lives are steeped with discipling and training up people to follow Jesus Christ.  We see people through the limitless potential provided through transformation through faith in Jesus.  We start fantasising how God might use this person to do great works for the kingdom of God - and how they might slot into ministry.  As Paul advised, resist the urge to lay hands upon a man too quickly, without a clear assessment of character over time.  Though workers may be few, we are best served seeking the LORD in prayer, interceding on their behalf.  I have come to the conclusion my vision is poor and my dreams are pathetic in comparison to what God is able to accomplish.  Immigrating to Australia and being a pastor never entered into my mind, but God has been amazing and faithful continually.

Here is another thing I have learned:  a healthy church is more than just teaching.  Leaders are called to lead, and unless we have personal contact with people we are just talking.  God brings all sorts of people together with different backgrounds, beliefs, and doctrinal emphasis.  We must be willing to humbly work together united by the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His love.  Instead of feeling threatened by differences, we can rejoice in our God who has sovereignly brought us together.  We all have areas in our lives of strengths and weaknesses, our passions and blind spots, with gifts and talents given by the Holy Spirit for us to edify each other in the Church.  As we submit to Christ and one another in love, we can be effective in following Jesus and encouraging others to do likewise.  Iron sharpening iron cannot occur without a degree of friction.  Whether we walk in love or the flesh dictates if we are either being sharpened or blunted.

It's always exciting when visitors come to a small church.  It helps us to be loving and hospitable (not cynical!) when we realise people come to our church for a reason, even as people usually leave a church for a reason.  It may be tempting to try to accommodate requests or demands of new people so they might stay, but you will never be able to sustain this effort.  People have left our church because there weren't enough children the same age as theirs.  Guess what?  They went to another church where there were more children the same age.  I am glad God has placed diverse groups of people who gather in Christ's names so needs can be met.  In a church there may be a million and one reasons people choose to go there, but the more people who are primarily in fellowship because of unity through the Gospel, the better we will minister to the LORD and one another.  So if more people start coming to your church, pastor, don't imagine it has anything to do with you.  Praise the LORD it isn't about me or anyone else other than Jesus Christ.

Jesus never was cynical because He did not commit His heart to men.  I believe Jesus was a great friend, and there was nothing standoffish about Him.  He loved completely without being dependant on others for approval or to feel better about Himself.  He didn't commit to men, for He was already committed to doing the will of the Father.  He lived to please God; He did not seek to please or impress men, for He knew what was in men (John 2:24-25).  He knew many people really only cared to be healed, fed, and be amazed by miracles.  They were into following Jesus around for themselves - not for Jesus.  Nothing about men has changed.  We become cynical when we are looking for reciprocation from men and our expectations are unmet.  Jesus was the servant of all and immune to cynicism because His eyes were fixed on the Father, and He truly loved people without demanding for Himself.  We can only be "taken advantage of" when we feel were are not receiving our just due.  May the LORD purge all His followers of cynicism which easily weighs us down and keeps us from fostering relationships He has graciously provided.