Marching Forth!

The band U2 had a popular song in my high school days which repeated, " But I still haven't found what I'm looking for ."  After climbing mountains, scaling walls, speaking the tongues of angels, and holding the hand of the devil, the desire for satisfaction remained insatiable.  There was still something Bono was looking for but not able to find.  Perhaps he didn't know exactly what he was looking for!  God made a promise to His people who sought Him in  Deuteronomy 4:29 after they turned to the LORD wherever they had been scattered:  " But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul ."  Again God promised in  Jeremiah 29:12-13 , " Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart ." A lot of times the things we are seeking are not God and likely ...

" Trust in the LORD with all your heart, a nd lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, a nd He shall direct your paths ." Proverbs 3:5-6 The tendency for me to trust self is something God has been bringing to my attention lately.  Trusting our own judgments and feelings is as natural to man as breathing - something our bodies do without even having to think about it.  Before the moment of decision we must determine to trust God and have our ways submitted to His will.  God has promised to direct the paths of those who trust Him, but if we do not admit and deal with our sinful habit to lean on our own understanding we will choose wrong.  A.W. Tozer gives good insight in his book The Crucified Life: Sometimes a trial comes along, and we run to the Bible, pull out a quote and say, "According to this Scripture right here, we got it."  We have certain confidence in ourselves.  We think we know exactly what is going on....

" The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a  broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise ." Psalm 51:17 If you were described as having "fallen to pieces" or that you experienced a "complete breakdown," would it paint you in a positive or negative light?  We hate to be seen without makeup and are embarrassed to be seen as weak.  When our emotional or physical capacity overflows and we collapse in a heap, it does not present the independent, tough, and resilient persona this world values.  If a team leader was "breaking down" regularly under the pressure of business we would suggest that person should take a break.  This passage written by David in response to his sin reveals a very different picture, how a broken spirit and contrite heart are acceptable in God's sight and not to be ashamed of. Think of the many sacrifices which people in scripture delighted to offer God.  They brought Him gold, silver,...

It is easy for us to mix up "wants" and "needs" and prove ourselves presumptuous.  There are things we take for granted on the level of basic human rights like good health and a consistent job.  We say things like, "She really needs healing" or "He needs a better job."  But are those pressing issues needs from God's perspective?  Isn't He able to do exceedingly above what we ask or think?  When we are ill we desperately desire health, yet the LORD is able to leverage something awful like illness to accomplish divine purposes beyond our comprehension.  Who is man to assert what God ought to do, the One who does awesome things without number? In my own life (and prayer life too) I have observed a tendency to substitute what I see as beneficial changes in circumstances instead of a closer walk with Jesus and increased faith.  Pains, troubles, and uncertainties are often the impetus for us to seek God with greater fervency, and I suggest...

" As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness ." Psalm 17:15 David saw with eyes of faith the reality of a future no man could imagine unless God revealed it to him.  This reminds me of what Job declared in  Job 19:25-27 :  " For I know that my Redeemer lives, a nd He shall stand at last on the earth; 26  And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, t hat in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, a nd my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me !"  David and Job both knew the death of the body was not the end.  Their flesh would be destroyed and see corruption, but they would ultimately be raised immortal and incorruptible.  Such is the enduring future for all those deemed righteous through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Job spoke of seeing God, but what caught my attention is David knew he would be raised in God's likeness....

Elijah was a prophet of God who experienced distressing and discouraging times.  After great victory by God's grace against the prophets of Ba'al on Carmel, all gladness was quickly soured by threats from wicked queen Jezebel.  Many preachers and Christians have been incredulous concerning Elijah's response, almost accusing him of forgetting what God had done or minimising the impact of a death threat.  Elijah was certainly a man of God and had the Spirit of God upon him, but he was a man like the rest of us.  At a point the demands and pressures of life can become unbearable.  I have experienced lonely moments like this, when trials immediately deflate us of joy - and my life wasn't even on the line.  A heart at rest in the victory of God can be easily battered and beaten at the whim of disappointing news, and our enemies are not merciful. The prophet, upon hearing the threats of Jezebel, isolated himself from his servant and went on alone.  He des...

" Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying: "Hosanna! 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD !' 10  Blessed is the kingdom of our father David t hat comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest !" Mark 11:9-10 The scene described in Mark 11  took place when Jesus rode in triumph into Jerusalem on a donkey.  People laid down their clothes and palm branches before Him as before royalty, and even the children shouted, " Hosanna !"  Not being a Hebrew speaker, I needed to look up the word for the definition.  The Strong's Concordance explains the meaning like this:  " oh save!; an exclamation of adoration ."  Jesus was worthy of such adoration and praise, for He is the Saviour God promised who would save people from their sins. The Jews which cried out the words of Psalm 118:25-26  were an occupied and oppressed people by Roman rule.  How they longed for the promised Messiah to...

Last night at youth my wife Laura shared an observation from a book:  in museums and art galleries there are often glancers and gazers.  Some are so intent on seeing everything they breeze through the exhibits, perhaps only briefly pausing for something which catches their interest.  The visit to the museum is a task to be completed, and with the aim of seeing everything possible only a cursory glance will do.  For gazers, however, spending quality time with a work of art cannot be rushed. They are content to contemplatively view a painting from various angles for hours.  They can be seen sitting or standing staring at the canvas, even writing down notes.  The glancers think of such people, "What are they looking at?  What of interest can they see in that ?  Am I missing something?" If I must choose a side which fits my natural bent, I tend toward the glancing side.  I am largely a destination oriented person.  Scenery is nice, but it...

It is amazing what a change in perspective will do.  I can adequately paint a wall with the right equipment, but I have never learned how to paint artistically.  Artists are able to see what others cannot and have the ability to bring an empty canvas to life with colour and detail.  It impresses me how people mix oil paint and use brushes to create pictures with a photographic and textured quality.  Bob Ross on KPBS often said anyone could paint, and I suppose he is right depending on how you define "painting."  I can apply paint to a canvas like a child, but I haven't painted anything recognisable yet.  I have seen paintings done by apes and elephants far superior to my efforts. Perhaps I am easy to impress, but I always enjoy presentations when an artist basically attacks the canvas with quick swipes, splatters, and flourishes.  After a minute, when I still have no idea what is being painted, suddenly the artist with a quick flip of the canvas br...

I remember the event very clearly:  a former co-worker (who had never once been to my house before) showing up at my door unannounced at 8pm, and it was the first time I had ever seen this man in a suit.  I was happy to see my friend, but my heart sunk when he awkwardly explained how he wanted to sell me something.  I can't explain the depth of disappointment, a feeling I can only describe as betrayal.  Friendship had been exchanged for the meagre gain of financial profit, and sadly the situation has been repeated many times - and every time it hurt.  Worse than being friend-zoned is when you are reduced to clientele.  It is true clients can later become friends, but to cross the line from friend to client jeopardises the quality of the relationship. My intent is not to blast people who are trying to earn an honest living or feel social media is a ideal platform for free advertising.  But the willingness to leverage friendship for the opportunity of...

When questioned concerning what was the great commandment of the Law, the reply of Jesus to the lawyer is seen in in  Matthew 22:37-39 "' You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'  38   This is the first and great commandment.  39  And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.'"   Jesus would later give a new commandment to His disciples, that they should love one another as He had loved them ( John 13:34 ).  The love of Jesus was demonstrated and culminated on Calvary's cross where He laid down His life for sinners. In church today we read the passage in Acts 17 when Paul addressed the council, philosophers, and religious people in Athens.  He said in Acts 17:30 God "... now commands all men everywhere to repent... ".  Repentance is a change of mind which results in a change of practices.  It is agreement with God concerning what is wrong, c...

One of the most prominent red herrings offered by sceptics concerning God goes like this:  "If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow bad things to happen?"  What this question suggests is because "bad" things happen God is not good, is not all-powerful, or He does not exist at all.  Better than trying to answer this ill-founded question, logic can be employed to illustrate the folly of it.  If the person asking is convinced God is an imaginary construct and the Bible filled with fairy tales, there is no value to entertain hypothetical questions.  God's love compels us to engage, not so we can win an argument but ultimately so Jesus can save a soul. Considering the aim of the question according to the claims of God in His Word, respond to a genuine seeker with questions along these lines:  should we doubt the reality of light because darkness exists?  Is it right to blame an upstanding judge because criminals commit crimes?  Is the law...

During a morning walk it was obvious it had rained last night.  The footpaths and streets remained wet, and droplets of water suspended on grass gleamed under a grey sky.  Through the mist I could see two parrots (galahs I think) sitting besides each other on power lines.  I stopped walking to have a better look as they gently preened each other.  It made me think about how strange it is love, affection, and care for others should appear in a world some say relies upon "survival of the fittest."  Life is more than surviving:  love is part of life on earth because God is love and made it so.  In a world saturated with self-love, the sight of two birds loving on each other warmed my heart. When I saw the birds I thought of my beautiful wife, a precious gift God has given me.  God intended people who are married remain so for life, and it is indeed a blessing to have someone by your side during all seasons of life.  Those bonded birds spoke...

God has important lessons to teach us every day.  These lessons can be presented to us in various ways:  from what we observe or read about, through personal experience, and from the past mistakes of others.  Moses was a servant and friend of God, but his disobedience to God in one instance prevented him entry into the Promised Land.  We are grateful for the second chances God gives as our Redeemer (for we cannot redeem ourselves), but the event detailed in Numbers 20 shows there are times when the consequences of sin can be permanent.  Praise the LORD He still loved and utilised Moses as leader amongst His people despite his error.  At the same time, however, God provided a lesson for Moses and for all who observe it to take to heart. I have my own "Moses moment" of sorts, and the situation couldn't have been more different.  I had been given no command from God, no particular directive that day as I stepped upon the mound to pitch in the baseball...

Last night at the Calvary Chapel Sydney prayer meeting we sang the Twila Paris song "He is Exalted."  I have always enjoyed the melody and the lyrics resonate in my heart: He is exalted The King is exalted on high I will praise Him He is exalted, forever exalted And I will praise His name He is the Lord Forever His truth shall reign Heaven and earth Rejoice in His holy name He is exalted The King is exalted on high During the time of prayer it was fitting a thread running through many of the spoken prayers was that Jesus be lifted up.  It is fitting God's people should exalt, magnify, and seek to make famous our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ.  Whilst it is good for us to intentionally do this, we do not need to put undue emphasis on our role to the point it becomes an effort of the flesh.  When with our eyes we do not see people doing what we think should be done, the flesh rises up with a protest (perhaps because we too have been ...

As a person in charge of building maintenance at a church, Proverbs 14:4 is a verse I take to heart.  It reads, " Where no oxen are, the trough is clean; b ut much increase comes by the strength of an ox ."  If you were a farmer, would you rather have a clean trough or the assistance of a strong animal in work?  A dirty trough may be a good trade.  In a church building it is good to strive to keep toilets clean, surfaces wiped, carpet vacuumed, and chairs aligned, but it is frankly impossible when many people are involved.  I would rather have damaged paint and stains on the carpet - because there are people enjoying serving and in fellowship with one another - than to have an clean facility free from the wear and tear of life. Today a friend told me about a sister-in-law she had who kept her kitchen in an immaculate condition, and she was able to do so easily because she never cooked!  I like the thought of never having to clean a BBQ, oven, and espe...

Much is made of Esther's uninvited approach of King Ahasuerus and for good reason.  Under the law of the Medes and Persians which could not be changed, all who approached the king without an invitation were sentenced to death - unless the king held out the golden sceptre towards the one who approached as a signal of his favour.  Queen Esther had not been called before the king for 30 days, yet after three days of prayer and fasting she drew near to the king to plead for her people.  She found favour in the sight of the king and her life was preserved because the king delighted in her. Did you know Esther did not only approach the king once but did so a second time?  After Haman's treachery was exposed, Esther again appeared before the king uninvited.   Esther 8:3-6 states, " Now Esther spoke again to the king, fell down at his feet, and implored him with tears to counteract the evil of Haman the Agagite, and the scheme which he had devised against the...