31 July 2019

Buried in the Bowl

"The lazy man buries his hand in the bowl; it wearies him to bring it back to his mouth."
Proverbs 26:15

When I think of this passage a story comes to mind.  Years ago a co-worker told me about a small dog (Chihuahua mix) he owned that had a voracious appetite.  Having bought a new bag of dog food, on a whim he decided to see how much the dog would actually eat.  He cut the top off the bag and laid it down for the hungry and frantic pup's special "all you can eat" meal.  After leaving for awhile, he returned to see how the dog was doing.  The dog was completely exhausted and full, laying on his side with his head in the bag, seemingly unable to move but humorously drew an occasional morsel into his mouth with his tongue.

The lazy man in Solomon's parable is like a fellow who has a bowl of food in front of him--in his own hand even--but it seems too much work to move his hand from the bowl to his mouth.  The irony is someone had gathered or purchased ingredients, prepared the food beforehand, and yet the sluggard determines feeding himself is just too difficult.  The survival of his body depends upon being adequately fed, yet the labour involved is unreasonable.  The work is already mostly done for him, but he cannot see the benefit of working even when he directly benefits from it.

Believe it or not, there is such a thing as a lazy, slothful person.  Working and eating are privileges from God to be celebrated in moderation.  It is possible we can overwork to be rich and overeat and be full; we can shun both of these things to coddle the lazy flesh with idleness.  There are many things we can be busy with that are not productive, useful, or beneficial to ourselves or others.  Paul called out believers in the church over this in 2 Thessalonians 3:7-13:  "For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread free of charge, but worked with labour and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, 9 not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. 10 For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: if anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. 13 But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good."

Paul set an example of a good worker, one who contributed with labour day and night.  He worked for his food instead of expecting others to provide it for free.  He laid down the principle if a person would not work, they should not eat.  Understand many of these people who would not work were very busy with prying into the lives of others, gossips, and tale-bearers.  The correct order was to work for their food, but these busybodies went from house to house trading bits of gossip for food.  These days we don't need to leave the lounge to engage in gossip, spreading rumours or slander online.  Paul exhorted and commanded such in Christ's name to find honest work and eat food they worked for.

There is a spiritual parallel to consider as well.  Think of the richness of God's Word which provides sustenance for our souls!  We hold the very words of God in our hand, yet we too can bury our hand in the bowl.  We have Bibles but do not bother reading them, or we read the words and are not intentional to practice it.  This spiritual laziness is more concerning to me than the lazy man whose hand rests idle in the bowl of chips or popcorn (revolting as that would be!).  Christians are called to walk in an orderly and honest manner, not to grow wearing in doing good in obedience to the LORD.  Having tasted and seen how good God is our conduct, words, and work ethic is to reflect the faithfulness of God's goodness to us; our possessions should be handled with generosity with the good of others in mind.  We aren't to talk a good game but to demonstrate it as Paul did, working in quietness and eating his own bread.

God has provided wondrous things for us in His Word, and it shameful when we are too lazy to bother to read or take them to heart.  He has already done all the work to give us all that pertains to life and godliness, so let's not bury our hands in the bowl. :)

30 July 2019

Ground to Powder

Last night before bed I read the passage in Revelation when the sixth seal is opened, one of many judgments which are coming upon the earth.  God's wrath with be released upon people who have rejected Jesus Christ as it is written in Revelation 6:15-17:  "And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, 16 and said to the mountains and rocks, "Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?"

When I think of lambs, I picture a soft woolly creature feeding on grass or bouncing around a green meadow--not anything capable of wrath and destruction.  Jesus Christ is the Lamb without blemish referred to here, for He is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah.  The first time Jesus walked the earth (as was supposed) the son of Joseph and Mary He came as a gentle and meek Saviour, and when He returns He shall return as a conquering KING OF KINGS.  He is the same Saviour and LORD on both occasions without contradiction.  When we were children the same dad who protected and brought comfort to us with his strength struck fear into our hearts when angered at our lies or disobedience:  the same is true with Jesus.  He came as the Lamb of God, but having been rejected and scorned the manner of His return will be with wrath.

It is a harrowing situation when men plead for the rocks to fall on them to hide them from the face of God and His great wrath.  Yet there is no hiding from the God who sees all, the One who predicted this very thing.  Jesus made an allusion to the "stone rejected by the builders" which God had chosen and made the chief cornerstone.  The builders in the metaphor were the Jewish religious leaders, and Jesus was the stone they rejected.  Jesus said in Matthew 21:44, "And whoever falls on this stone will be broken; but on whomever it falls, it will grind him to powder."  Those who lament the judgment of God and seek refuge in caves, pits, or under rocks that fall upon them have no hope, for their only hope would be to fall on the stone in repentance, faith, and brokenness rather than having the Stone fall on them.  It is ironic to ask for what can only grind to dust.

Psalm 34:18 says, "The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit."  It is true none can stand before a holy God, for His wrath is poured out on the unrighteous.  Since Jesus Christ is our only hope we are called to run to Him, to joyfully accept His invitation to draw near in faith.  If we reject our only salvation, caves and rocks will provide no protection whatsoever from the wrath which is surely coming.  He is fierce and terrible, and the wise tremble before Him in reverent fear.  His power to save is matched only by His wrath against the ungodly, and our righteousness comes only by grace through faith in Him.  Jesus Christ is a sure foundation, our Rock of Salvation, the stone rejected by builders which God has made the Chief Cornerstone.  In Him is forgiveness and salvation today, but those who reject Him will face the full measure of God's wrath someday.  Better to be broken in contrition than ground to powder!

29 July 2019

Jesus Says Amen!

It struck me the other day how remarkable it was of the thief crucified with Jesus to say to Him, "LORD, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  In doing so he demonstrated great faith which perceived more than what he could naturally see.  Over the head of Jesus was a sign inscribed by the hand of Pontius Pilate with the accusation brought against Him:  "JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS." (Matthew 27:37; John 19:19)

Never had a king been so ill-treated by His own people, being accused as an evildoer by envious men with His subjects shouting to the Roman ruler as one man, "Crucify Him!"  He hung battered from blows and brutal scourging, covered in gore, barely recognisable as a man.  The thief who lived his life in violation of God's law and initially reviled Jesus had his eyes suddenly opened to the reality Jesus was indeed the Christ, the Son of God and Son of David who would have an everlasting kingdom.

In desperation the dying man cried out to the One who willingly laid down His life on Calvary never having sinned, "LORD, remember me when you come into your kingdom."  He looked beyond the nails which held the dying Man on the cross with eyes of faith which knew Jesus was going to live beyond the cross.  He knew Jesus had a kingdom and He would somehow live to sit on the throne.  The criminal knew Jesus would be able to remember him in the future and begged him to do so.  Luke 23:43 says, "And Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."  Instead of trotting out the man's faults, which were many and deserving of death, Jesus responded to the man's humble request in faith with the promise of eternal life.

In the original language the word translated "assuredly" here is "amen," a word which means the same in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English.  It is a common practice to conclude our prayers to God with "amen" in agreement with God to hear, but how wonderful it is for God to graciously respond with "Amen!" to our requests!  Those who come to Jesus Christ with faith in Him He rejoices to receive.  Do we have faith as this condemned criminal to pray what seems on face value to be impossible yet believing God is able and will keep His word?  Jesus has promised to give eternal life to all who repent of sin and trust in Him.  The words He spoke in Matthew 11:28-30 can be fulfilled today in your life by our risen LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ if we will meet His conditions:  "Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

27 July 2019

Power With God

God is truly all powerful.  The creation of the universe, global catastrophes, and miraculous might are just the edges of His ways.  It is remarkable to me how God has all authority and power, yet men can move Him through humble requests.  Many times God stated His intention to do something, and when those who feared Him spoke with God He relented.  God remained righteous and good, yet mountains were moved and inevitable judgment delayed by a simple request.

This morning I thought back to the time after Jacob left Laban's house as a wealthy man with many children.  He heard Esau was coming to meet him with hundreds of men and he was concerned for the safety of his family and himself.  That night the biblical account says he wrestled with a man until the breaking of day.  This man and how they began to engage in the tussle is not explained in scripture.  But reading on shows this "man" was much more than an ordinary man, for he simply touched Jacob and his hip was dislocated with an injury which caused him to limp for the remainder of his life.

Jacob refused to release his hold on the Man who Jacob came to realise was God in the flesh, an encounter with the pre-incarnate Christ.  He would not let go until he received a blessing from the Man he wrestled with.  Genesis 32:28-30 reads, "And He said, "Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed." 29 Then Jacob asked, saying, "Tell me Your name, I pray." And He said, "Why is it that you ask about My name?" And He blessed him there. 30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: "For I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved."  The Man changed Jacob's name to Israel and blessed him, and in a moment he went from "heel catcher" to "governed by God."

What is not mentioned in this passage is the manner of Jacob during the marathon wrestle through the night.  We might think it was sheer grit, determination, or skill at wrestling which caused Jacob to prevail in a struggle with God.  Hosea 12:3-5 says of Israel, "He took his brother by the heel in the womb, and in his strength he struggled with God.4 Yes, he struggled with the Angel and prevailed; He wept, and sought favour from Him. He found Him in Bethel, and there He spoke to us--5 that is, the LORD God of hosts. The LORD is His memorable name."  Jacob struggled with God and prevailed not by physical might but his power with God was in weeping and making his request known to God in desperation.  His faith was rewarded with God graciously bowing to his request.  The God who moves mountains and can put a hip out of joint with a gentle touch can bless, transform a person from within, and alter an eternal destiny.

Those who have power with God do not do so by the power or might of the flesh but by the Holy Spirit who works in the lives of men.  Tears are not a magic formula to having our requests granted, yet they can indicate a broken heart God delights to heal.  Like a father who loves his children and supplies them with good things, God is pleased to hear and answer us.  God has given to each a measure of faith and those who humble themselves before God in prayer believing have access and help in God's throne room of grace in time of need.

24 July 2019

Iniquity By Default

"You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men."
Hosea 10:13

I forget things or misspeak, but God does not.  He knows all things, having created the world and all the processes therein.  Reading this verse holds forth an important principle by what God through the prophet did not mention.  A farmer typically ploughs furrows, sows seed, and reaps the harvest.  This passage references ploughing and reaping but does not mention sowing at all!  The fact is unless we plant good seed we cannot expect good things to grow.

We see evidence of this all the time:  we turn over the soil to plant flowers or a vegetable garden and all manner of weeds and grass sprout up.  These weeds ought to be pulled because all these do is propagate after their own kind and rob the good plants of nutrition, sunlight, and space.  God used the illustration of ploughing and reaping in the lives of people many times in the Bible.  Paul wrote in Galatians 6:7-8, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."  We reap what we sow, but we also reap what we have not sown--good and bad.

The preceding verse says in Hosea 10:12, "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you."  To reap mercy the children of Israel needed to sow for themselves righteousness.  Because they had forsaken God and trusted themselves they had no righteousness which only comes from God.  They did not have the resources within them to do righteously, therefore they reaped iniquity when they sowed nothing.  Hosea 10:4 also conveyed the results of their sinful speaking:  "They have spoken words, swearing falsely in making a covenant. Thus judgment springs up like hemlock in the furrows of the field."  Hemlock was a poisonous, noxious weed which sprang up in furrows.  They had not sowed righteousness so severe judgment from God would be the result.

Hosea 10:13 also teaches what we reap we also eat.  Because they ploughed wickedness they would reap iniquity and eat the fruit of lies.  This all came about because they had forsaken God in whom is all righteousness and wisdom.  They placed their faith in themselves rather than trusting the obeying God.  The did not follow the example of Abraham who believed God and his faith was accounted for righteousness (Romans 4:3, Galatians 3:6James 2:23).  Without God man cannot sow righteousness and thus will always reap iniquity by default.  Like noxious weeds that spring up in the furrows, so judgment grows for those who depart from God and His ways.

If we want to be partakers of God's mercy and eternal life, we must be made righteous by grace through faith in God.  In our natural state we can only plough wickedness and reap iniquity.  Praise be to God who desires to be found by those who seek Him with their whole heart.  Jesus is coming and our righteousness springs from Him.

23 July 2019

Perilous Wealth

It is tragic when people do not have basic necessities for survival like clean water, wholesome food, or adequate shelter.  Billions of dollars of financial aid and countless volunteer efforts go towards helping those in need near and far.  As real the risk is for those who lack, there is also a risk for those who have.  It is ironic those who have great abundance also run the greatest risk of forgetting who they need most:  God.  In the Law of Moses God provided warnings for the wealthy.  Having our needs met by God can cause us to be filled with pride and forget God who provides life and all we possess.

Through Moses God warned His people in Deuteronomy 8:10-14, 17-18:  "When you have eaten and are full, then you shall bless the LORD your God for the good land which He has given you. 11"Beware that you do not forget the LORD your God by not keeping His commandments, His judgments, and His statutes which I command you today, 12 lest--when you have eaten and are full, and have built beautiful houses and dwell in them; 13 and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and your gold are multiplied, and all that you have is multiplied; 14 when your heart is lifted up, and you forget the LORD your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage... 17 then you say in your heart, 'My power and the might of my hand have gained me this wealth.' 18 And you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day."

Jesus said it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a sewing needle than for a rich man to enter heaven for good reason.  Poverty and wealth both have their pitfalls, but wealth can blind even God's people to their fundamental need to rely upon Him for all things.  Poverty may lead people in their desperation to theft and degrading employment, but wealth works to lift up man with pride.  Pride leads to self-reliance and self-confidence rather than faith in God who gives man power to acquire wealth.  Conceit leads to self-deception and to forget about God in daily activities.  Wealth makes man a god unto himself, a self-exalted deity to do what he pleases.  Lack prompts a man to seek God to supply his needs, but being full makes this need for God less obvious.

Australia is largely a population of "haves" rather than "have nots."  This warning to the wealthy is one we ought to take to heart because our natural resources, homes, food, technology, education, and employment have been supplied by the grace of God.  He has blessed us so abundantly with peace and prosperity we believe we are entitled to it.  Though we are an admittedly secular society God is the gracious source of the peace and all good things we enjoy.  Because we generally do not acknowledge God as our Creator and King we are tricked into believing He has no place amongst us.  It is God's grace which will one day deprive us of what we view as basic human needs and rights so our eyes in desperation will look to Him again in faith.

Praise the LORD, for what is impossible with men is possible with God!  God makes it possible for a wealthy person to fear and trust God even when riches increase.  We need not set our hearts or affections on what will not endure but continue to seek the LORD.  Our wealth need not be a liability but an asset for God to administer through us for His glory and the good of others.  Proverbs 11:25 contains a valuable principle:  "The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself."  God is generous to us, and the humble soul will not forget it.

22 July 2019

God Knows How to Deliver

When it comes to temptation to sin, we can feel very alone.  In the moment we can feel powerless to find the way of escape God has provided for us.  But this pitiful self-focus is a chief source of our chronic problems, that we imagine ourselves to be the central figure in the struggle and forget about the power of God.  We think it falls to us to do the impossible rather than seeking the LORD.  Failure can lead to our resignation to sin instead of fleeing as we ought.

Last night I was struck by what Peter wrote in 2 Peter 2:7-9.  Those who sinned without repentance God destroyed "...and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-- 9 then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment..."  If we will be delivered out of sin and temptation, it is Jesus Christ who must help us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Jesus Christ is a deliverer of all who cry out to Him in faith.

Lot lived among people who did not fear God and brasenly sinned against Him, and how their conduct vexed Lot!  Yet even when he was divinely warned Sodom and the surrounding cities would shortly be utterly overthrown and destroyed, Lot tarried.  He was unable to make the decisive first move to leave his home, stuff, and extended family.  When the pressure was on Lot suffered analysis paralysis.  Left to his procrastinating ways he would have been destroyed in the fierce judgment that was coming, but the angel graciously took him by the hand and led him out.  Lot walked out on his own two legs yet he needed the help of a divine messenger to lead him to depart the dangerous place where he lingered.

Has temptation to sin ever caused you to linger?  Our minds work tirelessly to weigh options:  is it right or wrong?  Why is it wrong?  What does it matter?  Who would know?  And because sin in us is stirred up by the desires of the flesh, our minds linger over the decision.  As children of God we must acknowledge God knows how to deliver His people out of temptations.  Since we are incapable of delivering ourselves this is most comforting and encouraging.  Before Jesus left the earth He promised to send the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Helper.  In temptation and tribulation He helps us because He leads us to follow Jesus.  We are powerless, but the LORD knows how to deliver.

21 July 2019

The Divine Escape Plan

Temptation is more than enticement but actually puts us to the test:  it is an examination to see if we will choose God's way or not.  The Bible explains God cannot be blamed for temptation to sin, as it is written in James 1:13-14:  "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed."  The fact temptation to sin appeals to us at all is because we are the crooked and corruptible ones.  God is righteous and always leads us to do righteously.  It is we who err.

The grace of God is revealed in providing a way for those who trust in Christ to avoid sin and do what is right.  See what 1 Corinthians 10:13 has to say on the subject:  "No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."  In our flesh no good thing dwells, but when we are born again and filled with the Spirit there is life in us to resist the devil and walk in obedience to Christ.  With every temptation allowed by God He also makes "the way of escape."  Commercial buildings are required to have illuminated "Exit" signs to make the way out clear in case of emergency.  If we find ourselves in the middle of a temptation which presses upon us, our call is to look to the Light of the World who shines in the darkness.  God makes exit from temptation possible.

The reality is we live in a body of flesh which is still very prone to sin and desires it over pleasing God.  That is why Paul exhorted believers in Romans 13:13-14, "Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfil its lusts."  In every case when there is sin to put off, there is Jesus Christ to put on through faith in obedience.  The flesh says concerning forsaking sin, "But what about me?"  but Jesus says "Deny yourself, take up your cross daily, and follow Me."  Sin is not to be given any space to operate freely in our lives, just like all the gaps in a house must be stopped to keep out rats and mice.  As believers sin only has power over us when we willingly submit to it, and when we are in active submission to God we will not choose sin. 

20 July 2019

Return to Jesus!

I read a discourse to working men called "The Great Strike" by W.R. Bradlaugh who spoke of a young woman who had been a prodigal.  After making a decision to follow Jesus Christ as LORD she returned home at midnight and was surprised to find the door unlocked.  She found her mother praying for her.  After an embrace she expressed her surprise the door was unfastened.  "That has never been fastened since you went away," the mother said.  "I knew you would return, and it should never be said my child came home and could not get in."  Bradlaugh used this to preface the following heartfelt message for doubters, infidels, and those who have departed from Christ:
That is just how our Heavenly Father acts.  He neither slumbereth nor sleepeth.  He is ever ready to receive the wanderer.  Friend, sin has separated you from a father's love and a father's care.  But though you have wandered from God, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has gone after you, and tonight He is here seeking to save and inviting you to come.  Pardon has been purchased.  Salvation is free.  The blood of Christ has been the price paid.  The ransom price has been accepted.  And now let me bid you in the Saviour's name return to the Father.  Is there a poor degraded drunkard here, a lost and fallen sister, a scoffer, a Sabbath-breaker?  If so, I say, arise, and go to your Father while the door is open.  Go at once.  Go direct from the fields of sin and the swine-troughs of Satan to your Father's home.  Go just as you are.  No father ever welcomed back a returning prodigal as God welcomes the returning sinner.  Desponding one, degraded one, God sends a special message to you; He invites, He entreats, He beseeches you to return.  Return, and experience His compassion now.  Return, and receive His forgiveness now.  Return, and prove the greatness of His love.  Return, and taste the sweetness of being reconciled to God.  Return, and heaven and earth shall rejoice over thee.  Soon the Bridegroom will come, and the door will then be shut, never again to be opened.  Saints will be shut in, sinners will be shut out.  Enter the door, for death approaches, and you may at any moment be cut down.  Enter the open door now, for if you perish you will only have yourself to blame.  Enter now, for tomorrow may be too late, and when the door is shut opportunity, mercy, and hope will have fled forever, and your doom will be sealed.  There are angels lingering here to carry back the news.  What is it to be?  Are they on swift wings to bear the glad news that a sinner has repented, which shall cause the angelic throng to strike their harps and make the heavens ring with songs of joy over the lost one's return?  Or are they on heavy wings to mount upward, stand before the most High, and, veiling their faces with their snowy pinions, declare that you, sinner, have been invited to the feast, and would not come?  --that you were told of the love of God, but you despised it?  --that you were pointed to the Saviour, but in your unbelief you trampled on His blood, saying in your heart you would stifle conviction, resist the Holy Spirit, and become your own destroyer?  Which is it to be?  (Moody, Dwight Lyman. Men of the Bible. Bible Institute Colportage Assn., 1898. pages 149-150)

19 July 2019

The Manifestation of Christ's Life

"We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed-- 10 always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body."
2 Corinthians 4:8-10

This was a description of the Christian life by the apostle Paul, one who suffered according to the will of God.  But where suffering abounded, consolation from God was greater still.  It was God who enabled Paul to endure and He is faithful to help us as well.

Paul was pressed on every side, perplexed, persecuted, and struck down.  Blows were landed physically and spiritually upon him yet he was not crushed, did not despair, was not forsaken or destroyed.  It could be said he was upheld and sustained, encouraged by hope in God, experienced God's presence, and was delivered.  The victory obtained through Christ's death and resurrection were manifested in Paul and other Christians in the face of fierce opposition and uncertainty.

The crazy thing is Paul and the believers in the early church did not go into survival mode due to satanic assault and persecution but thrived due to the life of Jesus Christ in them.  The Holy Spirit provided help and comfort they needed to persevere and overcome insurmountable foes in the physical and spiritual realms.  The fruitfulness borne in the lives of God's people was the equivalent of grape vines being fruitful in the midst of a fire or olive trees bearing fruit in a torrential flood.  This power and wisdom for ministry in Jesus has been transferred to His faithful disciples to this day.

The life of Jesus is manifested in our bodies when we are hard pressed on every side but not crushed, perplexed but not in despair, persecuted but not forsaken, and struck down but not destroyed.  We may hope following Jesus means we will not be hard pressed, confused, attacked, or depressed, yet this is hardly the case.  God allows all these things and more so we might know Him through the fellowship of His suffering and so His life might be manifested to us and through us.

18 July 2019

Made Holy and Acceptable

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
Romans 12:1

Over the past few days I enjoyed a getaway with a delightful group of men in Newcastle.  During that time we studied through portions of the Bible and this was one of the first passages we read.  As we discussed this verse, I was struck with the implications of what it means to be an acceptable sacrifice to God.

Those of us who love and desire to please God have an interest in what we can do to make efforts to demonstrate this.  Whilst this verse is a directive to do, it is largely overshadowed by what God has already done.  Understanding this fills us with gratitude, thanks, and humility at the grace and mercy of God that enables us to be in any way acceptable before Him as a living sacrifice or servant.  We are brethren of Christ and children of God by the mercies of God, and no amount of our good deeds can earn this privileged standing.

Under the Law of Moses, animal sacrifices for sin made unto God were to be without blemish.  It was important the animals brought for sacrifice were not sick or blind, without wounds, deformities and birth defects.  Because of our sin (before and after being born again through faith in Jesus) not one of us is acceptable to God due to our efforts or merit.  Yet by the grace of God each one of us has been selected out of all the people of the world to be a living sacrifice God is pleased to accept.  Jesus has called and chosen us, and we are called to reverently present ourselves before Him.

I spent a good deal of my life trying to be holy and acceptable to God, foolishly imagining this to be something I could do myself.  Because of the work Jesus has done we are presentable, holy, and acceptable.  I am called to give my body of death and Jesus provides new life; I offer Him my sin, worries, and fleshly desires in repentance and He supplies forgiveness and cleansing.  Because Jesus works in us both to will and do God's good pleasure this verse is not really about what I do at all but what He has done in choosing and electing me to His family by grace.

Isn't giving ourselves to God the reasonable response since our life is in Him?  What mercy, love, and grace God has shown us!  We can never repay Him, and it would be foolish to try.  All we can do is praise and worship God for who He is and all He has done in transforming us and obediently walk in the good, perfect, and acceptable will of God.

12 July 2019

No Longer Dumb

I was privileged over the last week to speak to kids about Jesus Christ, some of whom admittedly had never heard anything about Him.  It was fun to focus on the life of Christ and His amazing deeds which revealed He was indeed the Son of God sent as a Saviour.  While camp is a great opportunity to be intentional about speaking of Jesus, it is good for us to approach every day with the same focus.

D.L. Moody wrote about the great zeal of the blind man healed by Jesus.  He could have remained silent because of the opposition and pressure of the Jewish religious leaders, but his boldness and courage rivalled that of Peter and John before the Sanhedrin after being filled with the Holy Spirit.  Moody points out the fault of silence among those who have had their eyes opened by Christ, a fault I have been guilty of myself:
It is a very sad thing that so many of God's children are dumb; yet it is true.  Parents would think it is a great calamity to have their children born dumb; they would mourn over it, and weep; and well they might; but did you ever think of the many dumb children God has? The churches are full of them; they never speak for Christ.  They can talk about politics, art, and science; they can speak well enough and fast enough about the fashions of the day; but they have no voice for the son of God.
Dear friend, if He is your Savior, confess Him.  Every follower of Jesus should bear testimony for Him.  How many opportunities each one has in society and in business to speak a word for Jesus Christ!  How many opportunities occur daily wherein every Christian might be "instant in season and out of season" in pleading for Jesus!  In so doing we receive blessing for ourselves, and also become a means of blessing to others. (Moody, Dwight Lyman. Men of the Bible. Bible Institute Colportage Assn., 1898. pages 101-102)
It was a notable miracle done by Peter in the name of Jesus Christ when he healed the lame man by the Beautiful Gate, but just as miraculous (though easily overlooked) is the transformation the Holy Spirit did in the life of Peter and John.  After the death of Jesus the disciples cowered behind locked doors for fear of the Jews, but after being filled with the Holy Spirit Peter and John spoke boldly before the very men responsible for killing Jesus.  The boldness to speak of Jesus was not lost on the Pharisees in Acts 4:13:  "Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marvelled. And they realised that they had been with Jesus."

May believers have the testimony of the man once blind who was enabled by Jesus to see, that we were once afraid but have been made bold to testify of our Saviour Jesus Christ.  By His grace we are no longer dumb, having been given the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

09 July 2019

Don't Stop at the Sign

At Camp Kedron this week we are discussing the amazing things Jesus taught and His mighty deeds.  The miracles Jesus did weren’t an end in themselves but were signs which pointed people to Him being the Messiah:  the Way, the Truth, and the Life, the promised Saviour.  John 20:30-31 is a foundational verse for the talks:  “And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

It would be a silly thing to stop in wonder at a sign but not continue to the intended destination.  The purpose of signs is to give direction, to point to something more important than itself.  Can you imagine going to Disneyland and stopping at the sign out front in the carpark?  It would do little good to follow directions to a house and stop at the street sign or at the letterbox with the number on it and imagine there was no need to go further.  The idea is to follow the directions to the correct street, continue past the letterbox, and go beyond the door into the home.  Spending all day at the sign outside Disneyland would save money, but any who did so would fall far short of experiencing the “Happiest Place on Earth.”

A lot of people see Jesus as a brilliant teacher or even a curious miracle worker but have gone no further and missed the point.  As believers it is good to acknowledge the miraculous signs Jesus did but not hijack them to support the emphasis of healing, deliverance, or social justice ends.  Jesus healed all who came to Him because He has power and authority over all diseases and spirits.  If any had proved too difficult for Him, then we would rightly question His ability to forgive sins, heal body and mind, or save.  He did not heal to suggest people of faith should never experience sickness, suffer, or to seek medical help is a faithless denial of Him.  These healings were signs pointing to His identity as the Son of God, the Saviour sent by the Father to seek and save the lost.  Stopping at the sign—making the sign the end in itself—is to fall short of the primary purpose they were graciously provided.

God desires people would know Him, come to the knowledge of the truth, and be saved from hell and experience the abundant life He provides.  He demonstrated great compassion, love, and power through more signs and miracles than could be written to the end lost sinners would have life in His name.  It is likely those healed from their diseases at some point suffered another severe malady down the track, and those physically raised from the dead eventually went the way of the earth.  But those who were born again, forgiven of their sins, and trusted in Jesus Christ were saved for eternity!  Don’t stop at the sign:  keep going to fulfill their purpose in knowing Christ as LORD and Saviour.

08 July 2019

Destructive Peace

This morning I was struck by a verse in Daniel concerning the future anti-christ who will deceive many by a means which seems counter-intuitive.  And this is the grave deception, that peace and widespread prosperity is a Trojan horse of destruction.  Daniel 8:25 says, “And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.”  This passage reminded me the peace offered by the world leads to destruction, and it is nothing like the peace Jesus gives.

When the children of Dan sought to expand their lands by conquering territory, they took note of the people of Laish.  Their manner of living was quiet and secure, for peace caused them to be complacent, soft target.  They did not have any fortifications or defences because they sensed no scheme or attack.  Judges 18:27 said the men of Dan consequently “…went to Laish, to a people quiet and secure; and they struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.”  This is a good example of how peace and absence of obvious threats works to the ruin of nations and people.

Jesus spoke of a rich man whose fields produced bountifully—more than he could store in his barns.  He thought to himself, “I know what I will do!  I will tear down my barns, build bigger ones, and be set for life.  I can take my ease and retire in luxury.”  Luke 12:20-21 tells us the response of God from the man who believed he had security in his wealth:  “But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul will be required of you; then whose will those things be which you have provided?' 21 So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God."  A peaceful, prosperous season led to confidence in earthly riches and was more of a curse than a blessing.

In John 14:27 Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”  In addition to promising to send the Holy Spirit to comfort and help, He acknowledged His followers would be hated and persecuted.  God’s people would be put out of synagogues and even killed for their faithfulness to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.  They weren’t to be unsettled or dismayed by this certain conflict, for the Prince of Peace (and princes) Jesus has given us peace free from trouble and fear.  It is peace tried in the furnace of affliction and trial which refines us and our faith as gold.  Enduring peace is the fruit of the Holy Spirit who lives in us because we abide in Jesus Christ who is our life.

The peace the world gives leads to destruction, but the peace Jesus gives destroys all fear and provides rest for the weary in all seasons of life.

07 July 2019

Sacrifices of Our Lips

O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; 2 take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips.”
Hosea 14:1-2

I have been reading through the book of Hosea in preparation to teach it.  It is full of hard sayings because it was spoken to people hard of heart.  Because they refused to repent of their sin, severe judgment was coming from God.  God is longsuffering and patient, but the sin of Israel demanded a response of the righteous Judge of all the earth.

Israel was completely lost without hope because they forsook the LORD and went after idols.  They looked for aid from other nations who could not heal or help them.  At the same time there was hope for bent and backsliding Israel—if they would return to God and repent.  The prophet urged the people to return to the LORD their God and ask for His forgiveness.  They had sinned, but there was forgiveness and acceptance by God’s grace.

The King James Version contains an allusion to repentance from idolatry in verse 2:  “Take with you words, and turn to the LORD: say unto him, Take away all iniquity, and receive us graciously: so will we render the calves of our lips.”  King Jeroboam caused Israel to sin when he set up calves in Bethel and Dan.  Hosea 13:2 describes the practice in Israel when offering sacrifices to “kiss the calves.”  Instead of using their lips to kiss idols, they were urged to offer sacrifices of their lips in confessing and acknowledging their sin and to ask for forgiveness in repentance.

Confession of sin and repentance before our holy God is always in season for sinners.  Praising God when we are in unrepentant sin is abominable before God, yet confession and repentance from a contrite heart is sweet music to His ears.  We know God is gracious, but let us ask Him to receive us graciously.  Let us never approach God with a sense of entitlement because of our service or sacrifice:  should God receive us it is all of grace.  Praise God He receives and rejoices in the sacrifices of our lips.

04 July 2019

The Most High Rules

God is willing to go to great lengths to reveal wisdom to us personally.  We are naturally senseless concerning God's wisdom, and we think all we need is for Him to say the word and it will make sense and be agreeable to us.  The fact we assume this to be true shows how blind we can be.  How many times have we been told the truth and pushed back against it because we could?  When there was nothing at stake but our pride we have resisted plain facts because we hate being wrong.

The life of King Nebuchadnezzar provides a useful example of how God is gracious and willing to go to great pains to instruct us.  Ironically Nebuchadnezzar was deprived of his sanity for 7 years, becoming in his mind as senseless as a wild beast, incapable of speech or understanding.  God warned the king of Babylon concerning his future in a troubling dream, and God also provided Daniel to interpret it for him.  God's purposes in removing the king from his throne for 7 years was also explained:  so the king would learn God rules over all and gives authority to whom He will.  It seemed Daniel saw the fulfilment of the dream as inevitable, but exhorted Nebuchadnezzar to put off his sins, walk righteously, and be merciful to the poor so a period of tranquillity would be prolonged.

A year after this divine revelation, the warning God gave was far from Nebuchadnezzar's mind as he proudly looked upon wealth and splendour of his kingdom.  Daniel 4:30-32 states, "The king spoke, saying, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honour of my majesty?" 31 While the word was still in the king's mouth, a voice fell from heaven: "King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is spoken: the kingdom has departed from you! 32 And they shall drive you from men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. They shall make you eat grass like oxen; and seven times shall pass over you, until you know that the Most High rules in the kingdom of men, and gives it to whomever He chooses."  Nebuchadnezzar had been judged by words from his own mouth, and God spoke words of judgment.  For 7 years the proud king would be humbled without human dignity, yet this long season of ignorance would lead to understanding which would save his soul.

When God graciously restored King Nebuchadnezzar to the throne after 7 years, no longer do we read of him boasting in himself but praising and glorifying God.  Looking at the good results of God's patient (and to us unorthodox) plans, what fault can be found in the wonders God does?  We hope for change to occur quickly and painlessly as possible, but that is the self-confident part of us which resists all change.  Because God loves us He corrects us, and though a refining season be long and distasteful God is a Redeemer and His purposes will be accomplished.  We think we can positively change in a moment or in days, but considering examples from scripture we can affirm years and decades are often employed to this end.  This proves how patient and longsuffering God is with us.  Instead of wiping us from the earth in His displeasure, He slowly and surely sanctifies.

02 July 2019

Swift to Listen

"He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him."
Proverbs 18:13

"Think before you speak," my dad used to say.  "You have two ears but only one mouth so you should listen twice as much as you speak."  There is great practical wisdom in these sayings.  Solomon warned his son of the folly of answering a matter before he hears it.  When people came before King Solomon for judgment, he needed to listen to both sides and also consult God's Word before a decision could be made.  We are satisfied to have knowledge and to share it, but if we answer without first listening it is folly and shame to us.

Jesus provides a great example for us in His first public interaction with the scribes and Pharisees.  After Joseph and Mary left Jerusalem assuming He was with them, Jesus at 12 years of age remained in the Temple and conversed with the greatest elders and scholars in the land.  Luke 2:46-47 reads, "Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. 47 And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers."  Jesus is a unique case because He not only was the author of the Law but also knew perfectly the hearts and thoughts of men.  Though armed with such knowledge Jesus listened first and then asked questions.  I can be guilty of thinking I know where people are coming from before I bother to ask.

In the ancient tradition Jesus assumed the position of a teacher because He sat down.  He was surrounded by doctors, lawyers, and scribes who were astonished at His understanding and answers.  Instead of lecturing or trotting out arguments before those who gathered, Jesus listened.  How instructive Christ's wisdom in listening first is for us!  Questions and statements posed were met with questions from Jesus which revealed a depth of understanding which amazed those who stood around.  When we are asked a question, let us be mindful to ask questions before we rush to an answer.  We can answer a question correctly but miss the point of why the question was asked in the first place, aiming for heads and not hearts.

Better than providing our answer to a question, let us ask ourselves:  how and what has God spoken on the matter?  Are there biblical examples to consider?  The fool does not consider God in his thoughts, and for children of God to ignore what He has spoken is frankly shameful.  James 1:19-20 puts it like this:  "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God."  Too often we mix up the order entirely and are quick to wrath, thus rush to speak, and do not listen at all.  Praise the LORD He leads us in wisdom and provides additional opportunities to obey Him in the future.  

01 July 2019

God Who Heals Us

Yesterday I was given the opportunity to deliver the message at Jericho Road Christian Fellowship.  The text the LORD placed on my heart was Exodus 15 which begins with the song of Moses celebrating God's power and deliverance from the  pursuing Egyptian army.  Three days after God brought the people through the Red Sea, however, they complained because they did not find fresh water.  One might imagine a series of obvious miracles and the physical presence of God before the eyes would endow people with unshakable faith and resolve, but this passage shows otherwise.  Bitter water brought out the bitterness in people towards Moses and ultimately God.

God graciously healed the waters of Marah, a picture of what He delighted to do within them.  They had been oppressed in Egypt for 400 years as slaves, and there was a lot of bitterness, resentment, and hurts.  God made a covenant with the people and said, "I am the God who heals you."  When people think about miraculous healing it is likely physical healing like Jesus or His disciples performed.  But that is not the only kind of healing God does:  He can heal us body, mind, and soul.  He delivers us from the poison of lust and greed, of bitterness and unbelief.  A withered hand is not much use for picking up objects, yet a hard heart or seared conscience has far worse long-term spiritual implications.

I am convinced God does not heal us for our convenience but out of His goodness and grace.  The mighty works Jesus and disciples did were similar to what God did in miraculously delivering the Hebrews out of Egypt:  to confirm the truth of the Gospel and covenant God makes with those who trust in Him.  Consider what Jesus said and did after the death of Lazarus.  After Jesus came to the grave of Lazarus, John 11:39-45 reads, "Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days."  Jesus said to her, "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?" 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42 And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me." 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." 45 Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him."  It seems Lazarus was not resurrected for Lazarus' own sake, but so people could see the glory of God, believe on Jesus, and be saved.

I am blessed God has provided Exodus 15, but we do not need this passage to know beyond a doubt God's people can be bitter (sharp, angry, hurt or resentful) because the capacity and tendency is in all of us.  We have thought of the glory God would receive from miraculously healing a person physically, but isn't He also glorified when we ask to be healed from our bitterness?  Being bitter is not a personality trait but is a sin to be repented of because God has placed within believers the Living Water of the Holy Spirit who brings new life, refreshment, and comfort.  Just like the bitterness of the water was exposed when people tasted and refused to drink it, bitterness in us is distasteful to others and especially the God who knows our hearts.

Praise the LORD He is the one who offers to heal us of bitterness, filling our hearts instead with gratefulness and thanksgiving to God.  Through us He dispenses the fragrance and flavour of grace to the world that He might be glorified.