Marching Forth!

I was young when I watched "Star Wars" for the first time, and my favourite character was the villain Darth Vader.  Dressed in black with his distinct helmet, flowing cape, mechanical breathing, and red light saber, he captured my imagination.  His powers and persona were far greater than any clean-cut uniformed imperial officer or the expendable Stormtroopers.  As the saga of films continued, each installment revealed additional powers and abilities never seen before.  Darth Vader's supernatural abilities in "Empire Strikes Back" were tempered by his seemingly incompetent Admirals whom he dispatched with force-chokes.  He famously said as Admiral Ozzel breathed his last, "Y ou have failed me for the last time ."  Definitely not the kind of monster anyone wants as their superior! What prompted me to consider Vader's warnings of his men "failing" him was a verse I read this morning in the book of Joshua .  This verse shows the grace and...

When praying about revival this morning, an Old Testament passage popped into my mind.  It concerned the Egyptian servant David and his men found near death in a field whilst pursuing the band who plundered and burned Ziklag.  The men mourned the loss of their wives and children taken captive by the Amalekite raiders.  After David inquired of God, He bid them to pursue and overtake their enemy and they would recover all. As David and his 400 men pursued the troop, we read in  1 Samuel 30:11-12 , " Then they found an Egyptian in the field, and brought him to David; and they gave him bread and he ate, and they let him drink water. 12 And they gave him a piece of a cake of figs and two clusters of raisins. So when he had eaten, his strength came back to him; for he had eaten no bread nor drunk water for three days and three nights ."  The KJV describes the effect of eating and drinking in this way:  ".. .and when he had eaten, his spirit came again to h...

" Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom ." James 3:11-13 God's wisdom is in utter contrast to the wisdom of the world.  We are naturally devoid of God's wisdom, and having been born again through faith in Christ we can walk in God's wisdom.  The truth is our attitudes and choices do not always line up with the wisdom revealed in Jesus Christ.  Just like a fig tree bears figs and a fresh spring provides fresh water, the wisdom of God is marked by meekness.  There ought to be agreement between our words and deeds according to God's standard of righteousness. A fellow believer pointed out this connection to me this morning, that good conduct reveals our works are " done ...

" Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity." 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honour and some for dishonour. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honour, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work ." 2 Timothy 2:19-21 It's safe to say since immigrating to Australia I drink a lot more tea and coffee than I did previously.  It may be my imagination, but it seems the amount of mugs we store in the cupboard has proportionately grown as well!  Laura and I enjoy and have grown accustomed to welcome visitors into our home with the familiar question:  "Tea or coffee?"  Not everyone drinks tea or coffee of course, but it is a hospitable and often appreciated offer. When...

One of the biggest challenges we face in following Jesus is shifting our focus off self and to God.  We are naturally the central figure in every situation because we view life from our own eyes.  If we are having a "good" day we are happy; if our expectations have been dashed we feel down.  This propensity to colour reality according to our own feelings or circumstances is done without a thought.  As we follow Christ we don't often recognise it, but life is pretty much all about me.  Let me explain what I mean. If I find myself in a trial, I might imagine God "must be trying to teach me something."  Therefore it falls to me to learn the lesson quickly so the painful ordeal can be brought to an end, and this assumes I am capable of teaching myself by concerted effort.  This personal struggle often results in frustration and disillusionment because we think ourselves capable of doing God's work ourselves and we find ourselves in the dark.  Our m...

A conversation today reminded me of an eye-opening experience I had as a youth.  In our Jr. High Sunday School class, we were encouraged to read our Bibles every day and bring them to church on Sundays.  Those who did so would be rewarded by a night out to Souplantation - a real treat.  I already aimed to read the Bible every day and so going out for a special meal was a free bonus I wouldn't pass up.  All you can eat for a 13-year-old?  It was a dream come true! I remember there was one regular student who brought her Bible to class as often as me and (due to the general state of carelessness concerning spiritual things among my peers) I was impressed with this display of faithfulness.  Then one day her parents gave me a ride.  Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in the back of the car:  there was her Bible lying on the seat, ready and waiting for church on Sunday!  I honestly think my eyes widened and my mouth fell open a littl...

" You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer must be first to partake of the crops ."  2 Timothy 2:3-6 Last night at Calvary Chapel Sydney our group (Tribe) talked about Paul's exhortation to Timothy.  He used three different examples to instruct and encourage Timothy at the same time. Soldiers on the front lines suffer many privations and cannot enjoy the presence of family or the comforts of home.  A soldier engages in warfare will not be looking for investment properties, buying stocks, or seeking to marry a wife.  He must remain vigilant, for his life and those he fights alongside are always at risk.  A soldier is trained to follow orders, and it is in his best...

" Out of the depths I have cried to You, O LORD ; 2 Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive  t o the voice of my supplications. 3 If You, LORD , should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, t hat You may be feared. 5  I wait for the LORD , my soul waits, a nd in His word I do hope ." Psalm 130:1-5 Often we must be taken to our lowest point before we will look up and cry out to God in earnest.  It may be we have prayed to God many times, but there is desperation and consciousness of our personal need in the depths.  We do not like to see anyone down or low, nor do we delight in being cast down ourselves, but being low may not be low enough.  We should not labour moved by pity to hinder anyone from reaching rock bottom by trying to fix their circumstances, for in the depths is the exact place where God works to deliver and change people for good. Jonah is a man who cried to God out of the depths. ...

" You shall not see your brother's ox or his sheep going astray, and hide yourself from them; you shall certainly bring them back to your brother. 2 And if your brother is not near you, or if you do not know him, then you shall bring it to your own house, and it shall remain with you until your brother seeks it; then you shall restore it to him. 3 You shall do the same with his donkey, and so shall you do with his garment; with any lost thing of your brother's, which he has lost and you have found, you shall do likewise; you must not hide yourself. 4 You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again ." Deuteronomy 22:1-4 When I was a kid, playing "Hide and Seek" in the backyard was good fun.  It was simple enough to understand and play.  The one who was "it" would stand at home base, and in our case was a pole or a pepper tree.  ...

Nothing is impossible for God.  As the Almighty God over all He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what we ask or think.  Whilst a lack of faith in God can limit Him ( Psalm 78:41; Matthew 13:58 ), God is gracious to do miraculous things we never asked for or expected.  When God says something, we know He will follow through.  How blessed we are to be those who believe and say like Mary, "Let it be to me according to your word." In the Gospel of Luke there are two times the scripture affirms through God all things are possible, and nothing is impossible for Him.  The context of these statements is most compelling.  The first is when Mary was met by Gabriel and was informed she would conceive and bear a son who would be called Jesus, the Son of the Highest, who would have an eternal kingdom.  She said, "How can this be, since I have never been with a man?"  Conception was not even conceivable because she was a virgin.   Luke 1:35...

Shortly before Jesus was arrested and crucified, He and his disciples gathered in Bethany for a meal.  During the meal, Mark 14 explains how a woman anointed Him with very expensive perfumed oil with an estimated value of a year's wages.  Good perfume is always expensive, but usually not that expensive.   Because perfume is valuable the use of it is for special occasions so it will last awhile.  When this woman simply poured out the entire contents of the perfume on Jesus in a moment, it is not surprising they viewed this as a gross waste.  They began to criticise the woman and murmured about how much it was worth.  Instead of wasting it, why not sell it and help the poor? Jesus didn't see it their way.  Mark 14:6-9 reads, " But Jesus said, "Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. 7 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 8 She has don...

When we are judgmental of others, we can know we are guilty of the exact attributes we find offensive.   Romans 2:1 says, " Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things ."  There is perhaps no better example of this in scripture than Eliab, David's oldest brother. After David's three oldest brothers went to fight for King Saul, his father Jesse loaded David with food and commanded him to deliver it to the front lines.  Jesse told David to run to the camp where his brothers were and to see how they fared.  David was obedient to do so.  He was shocked when his discussion with his brothers was interrupted by Goliath of Gath who spoke boastfully against God.  He was dismayed when all the men of Israel (his brothers included!) fled from Goliath and refused to challenge him in battle.  Men of Israel quickly filled David in on how King S...

" Who is a God like You, p ardoning iniquity  a nd passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever,  b ecause He delights in mercy. 19 He will again have compassion on us, a nd will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins  i nto the depths of the sea ." Micah 7:18-19 Have you ever considered how blessed we are the Almighty God is a forgiving One?  We have long memories when it concerns people who have wronged or wounded us.  It seems only death is able to part people from old grudges.  Long after the offender has gone to the grave, hatred and bitterness towards the person can remain.  God could rightly retain His anger forever, for He is eternal and righteous and we are crooked sinners.  But thanks be to God, for He fully pardons those who humble themselves before Him and repent.  To be pardoned is more than being forgiven, for the connection between the offender and ...

I enjoy movies which prompt meaningful thought.  I found "Silence" directed by Marin Scorsese to be such a film, a story of young Jesuit priests seeking their mentor and the persecution of Christians in Japan in the 17th century (spoilers follow).  The slow pace of the film allows time for contemplation as the events of the film unfold.  Although the Jesuit faith has major doctrinal beliefs which differ from my own, I was impressed by the conviction and commitments made by the Portuguese missionaries as they ventured into a land largely hostile to foreign religion.  The Japanese Inquisitor compared Christianity to " the persistent love of an ugly and barren woman ."  Christianity could not flourish in the swamp of Japan, it was said. In the film, a Japanese Inquisitor tortured Jesuit padres and found it only emboldened their followers.  It was discovered the way to influence padres to cease their proselytising was to make them watch the suffering of...

I am not a prophet, but I can identify with what Amos the prophet said concerning his call by God to ministry.  It was never in his plans, and being a pastor was not in my plans either.  As an "untrained" man, this was one way Amos knew it was not selfish ambition or reliance upon his education which caused him to answer God's call.  He wasn't just following in his father's footsteps, having inherited the family business.  He was an ordinary guy who was content with a simple life, and God chose to place him in role which never entered into his mind.  I can relate to this in many ways. God commanded Amos to say many things, and they were not easy on the ears.  He spoke of the punishment God would bring for the sins of the people.  Amaziah the priest didn't like what Amos was saying, and he didn't like where he was saying it.  He sent word to the king, accusing Amos of treason.  Amaziah told Amos to leave, hinting he had no right or authorit...

The Bible says God chastens those whom He loves ( Hebrews 12:6 ).  At times in the history of Israel God empowered nations as His implement to move His people to repentance.  The Syrians were a people God utilised for this purpose.  What often happened is those who defeated Israel oppressed them, and were lifted up with pride against the God who had given them victory.  When they saw the Israelites were powerless to defend themselves, they were cruel.  Their brutality was observed by God, and He would later punish them for it. Amos 1:3 reads, " Thus says the LORD : "For three transgressions of Damascus, and for four, I will not turn away its punishment,  b ecause they have threshed Gilead with implements of iron ."  Threshing is the act of separating the husk from the kernel, removing the worthless chaff to expose the edible grain.  Depending on the kind of grain to be threshed, different tools and methods were used.  The aim of thr...

The Bible says in 1 John 5:19 the whole world is under the sway of the wicked one, the devil who is the "father of lies."  These lies can pass unnoticed, couched in deceptive language.  What used to be properly called "adultery" is now an "affair," a "baby" in utero is called a "fetus," and in short matter of time terms can subtly change from things like "gay marriage" to being dubbed "marriage equality."  To those whose eyes and ears God has opened by His grace, these shifting terms are as subtle as a charging elephant.  Just this morning I heard on ABC radio an interview with a woman representing an agency which supposedly provides government approved "safe abortions" in Australia.  I assume this claim of "safe" abortions concerns only the mother (and this has been highly contested), but what a lie any abortion is safe for the child who is aborted! Depending in what state or territory a pe...

Whilst there are people who will go to the doctor for minor ailments, it often takes serious illness or obvious trauma injuries for most people to go.  Speaking for myself, I am not quick to seek a medical opinion for my routine pains.  Going to the doctor means setting aside time, spending money, and with our private health care provider appointments beget appointments.  But when the pain is bad enough, like when I tore the ACL in my right knee, even I will make an appointment myself and see the doctor. This dynamic is similar to how many of God's people relate to Him.  If we will be honest, it is in times of pain and trouble seeking God goes up exponentially in priority.  I was reminded of this when I read  Hosea 5:15  when God said concerning His people, " I will return again to My place t ill they acknowledge their offense. Then they will seek My face;  i n their affliction they will earnestly seek Me ."  For their sins God chastene...

Jesus did many miracles during His pilgrimage on earth.  He also kept the Law without fail, a truly monumental and impossible task for an ordinary man.  He urged His disciples to believe He was the way, the truth, and the life.  He said in  John 14:11-12 , " Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me, or else believe Me for the sake of the works themselves. 12 "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father ."  One thing which marked the life of Jesus is He always did what pleased the Father.  While shunning man's traditions, He remained blameless and righteous. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul confronted them for their return back to Law after being born again through faith in Jesus.  In chapter 3 Paul proved that righteousness is by faith apart from the Law.  The grave error of the Galatians was thinking once they...