Marching Forth!

God's Word has the miraculous ability to sustain believers in trials.  There is no shortage of unwelcome and troubling news we receive, but a word from God draws our eyes to consider Him.  God knows what we need even before we ask, and He also knows exactly what we need to hear so we can say with the faithful, "I have been greatly helped." Yesterday in the morning I read through John chapter 20 after Jesus rose from the dead.  Twice in the chapter Jesus addressed disciples who were afraid and did not believe, " Peace be unto you ."  What a gracious, compassionate, and merciful thing to say!  They did not earn the right to experience this peace nor were they qualified by their courage.  They had fled from the presence of Jesus during His arrest and Peter denied even knowing Jesus.  Jesus kept the promise made previously in  John 14:27 despite their folly:  " Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give t...

" And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure ." Judges 8:11 People these days go to great lengths to ensure the security of their homes, possessions, and identities.  Layers of identification help online banking and shopping transactions maintain high levels of safety and security.  For this reason it seems ironic Gideon was able to smite the host who encamped east of Nobah and Jogbehah when the scripture says, "... for the host was secure ."  The NKJV sheds light on the situation:  " Then Gideon went up by the road of those who dwell in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah; and he attacked the army while the camp felt secure ." (emphasis mine)  Shaved Samson who said, "I will arise as at other times and free myself" and did not know the Holy Spirit had left him, faith in self--instead of God alone--makes us complacent and vulnerable. ...

There is something universally believed which is a big lie:  there is something on this planet which will provide enduring happiness.  The world and our flesh constantly reinforce the fantasy if our circumstances were different (and better!) we could be satisfied and at rest.  What people forget or are ignorant of is we live on an earth cursed with the consequences of sin.  The only true good news we could receive must come from beyond this world. We are thirsty for good news and look everywhere to find it.  Like a person in pitch darkness trying to see beyond their nose, we strain to hear good news.  But the thing is, even when we do find welcome news it never lasts because nothing on earth does:  new things grow old, innovations become obsolete, every marriage will someday end, and good health always ends in death.  Seriously, think about it.  "All is vanity and grasping for the wind," said King Solomon after doing everything the richest...

I think I can remember the first video game I ever played:  a Mattel "football" game which required a 9-volt battery.  There were no graphics or pictures but a red light which could be directed and controlled by the player.  Since the early days of Apple IIe computers and Atari consoles, gaming has exploded as an industry offering entertainment, online interaction, and competition.  Over the years gaming with my sons has been a hobby I quite enjoy. The online game I play has a chat feed which I keep during rounds.  I have learned one of the great compliments in the gaming arena is when someone actually bothers to type your name in the chat.  Being accused of hacking is one of the better back-handed compliments--that is, when you are playing fair.  If someone mentions one of our names we will say something to one another like, "You're getting some love on the chat" and it makes for amusing and friendly conversation.  When you are one player b...

God's love is demonstrated in most unexpected ways.  When Lazarus was deathly ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent an urgent message to Jesus to alert Him.  Moved by faith, they knew Jesus had the ability to miraculously heal Lazarus and prevent his death.   John 11:4-6 reads, " When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was ."  The writer John explained because Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He did not immediately drop everything and depart.  He waited two days before leaving for Bethany knowing by the time they arrived Lazarus would have been dead four days.  Pause for a moment to allow this to sink in. So often people can imagine what God's love looks like--I know I do.  Since God loves people a...

The way humans engage in conflict with others has changed over the years, though people haven't changed.  The first reference of human conflict with one another in the history of the world was when Cain struck and killed his brother Abel in a field.  We do not know if Cain wielded a weapon, but it is clear he purposely murdered his brother.  The blood of Abel cried out to God in heaven for divine retribution. It used to be warring people met their enemy in hand-to-hand combat, using weapons like swords and knives crafted to inflict injury on others.  There have been strategic advances involving fortresses, reinforced gates, shields and armor.  Horses and chariots were utilised to effectively pursue and overwhelm foot soldiers.  Arrows were designed to inflict injuries from afar, and in more recent times catapults were employed.  Whilst physical combat has continued in the fighting ring for sport or in the street for honour, the rise of the firearm...

I was reminded recently of the refrain of the hit by the British band  Yes that goes, " Owner of a lonely heart, (much better than an) owner of a broken heart ."  The song is certainly catchy, but I don't know I ever bothered to consider if this assertion is true when I sang along.  Beauty and often truth these days is determined by personal perspective, but looking at this through a biblical lens provides insight and clarity to crushed feelings we all experience in this life. God created man needy and for relationship with Him and other people.  Feelings of loneliness can plague people who know and trust God as well as those who enjoy meaningful relationships.  Loneliness can be exacerbated by unhealthy self-focus.  The feelings of being alone (and varying degrees of isolation) can be fleeting or chronic depending on more factors than I can suggest.  The point I feel inclined to consider is no heart created by the living God needs to settle for ...

In the waiting room of a local doctor's office there is a small cabinet filled with books supplied by a local book club.  A sign encourages people to take, exchange, or donate books so others can read and enjoy them.  As I was waiting a classic book I never read caught my eye:  Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson.  I flipped to the beginning of the story and was greeted by a gem of a simile on the first page:  " His friends were those of his own blood, or those whom he had known the longest; his affections, like ivy, were the growth of time, they implied no aptness in the object ." (Stevenson, Robert Louis, and Jenni Calder. The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde: and Other Stories . Penguin Books, 1979, page 29.) Comparing the affections of Mr. Utterson to the growth of ivy provides great insight into the man.  Ivy does not discriminate:  it will climb on a brick wall, a fence, or up the trunk of great trees to soak up as much ...

Consideration of the immediate context is important in Bible study as well as acknowledging what other Bible passages say on the same subject.  It is possible to exaggerate an interpretation or application of scripture when different verses are not weighed against one another.  Undue emphasis on a particular point has ironically led to error and misrepresentation of the facts by students of the Word.  While none of us (and me especially!) claim to understand all things, as we humbly seek the LORD in the study of His Word we remain on guard against falling into this trap. An example of this can be shown in the words of Jesus in  Matthew 21:22 :  " And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive ."  If we were to camp on this verse alone without considering other scriptures it seems Christians have the power in prayer to obtain whatever we want.  If we believe we will receive what we ask for, we will receive--after all, Jesus Him...

In contrasting the works of the flesh to the fruit of the Spirit, there are variations of an illustration I heard in a sermon yesterday I have also heard by others over the years.  It goes something like this:  "You don't walk by an apple tree and hear it straining to pop out apples by effort.  The fruit of the Spirit is something produced by the presence of the Holy Spirit within you."  I can understand why this analogy is provided to explain how we are enabled to be spiritually fruitful because the Holy Spirit indwells and enables us to do so.  But this example can be potentially misleading because it is narrowly focused on a complex, multi-faceted relationship believers share with God.  What it can suggest is, "Trees bear fruit naturally, and Christians produce fruit supernaturally without any effort or a struggle at all.  It will just happen."  And this is plain wrong. In the scripture believers are compared to trees and branches of the Vin...

Over the years I have heard people say something to the effect of, "When I get to heaven I have some questions to ask God"--almost to challenge God to explain Himself.  Isn't it ironic to be bold or even proud over our own ignorance?  Praise the LORD He is pleased to hear our prayers and answer questions we may have right now, but let's not for a moment feel He is under any obligation to respond to our requests.  Are not His ways higher than ours?  As a passage in the book of Joshua reveals, because of our severely limited perspective and understanding we can ask the wrong questions. Joshua had been called by God to be strong and courageous as He obediently led the children of Israel over Jordan and into the promised land.  When Joshua approached the stronghold of Jericho he was met by an unexpected and armed "man" in  Joshua 5:13-15 :  " And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood ...

In the face of trials and turmoil, we are prone to ask why a good God allows such things.  I am struck by the grim reality that if we could help it our aim would be to eliminate all need for God completely.  There is great appeal to us to live in a world without hunger or thirst, a world devoid of natural disasters like earthquakes which cause buildings to collapse or bushfires that consume property and wildlife.  We would gladly embrace a society free of conflict and angry rhetoric, a place where all people are loved and accepted with respect.  The utopia longed for by many has not been realised despite education, awareness, or effort.  Our hearts ache for those who have suffered tragic loss and wonder over the disparity between rich and poor.  When it comes to morality one person may grieve over what others celebrate.  This world is not what anyone wants it to be. One thing I have been considering is how the miraculous deeds done by God in scriptu...

" For surely I will command, and will sift the house of Israel among all nations, as grain is sifted in a sieve; yet not the smallest grain shall fall to the ground ." Amos 9:9 The writer of Hebrews reminded believers in chapter 12 not to despise the chastening of the LORD because this shows He is treating us as beloved children.  The children of Israel who entered into a covenant with God were no exception.  Amos revealed to the northern kingdom of Israel judgment was coming for the sins of the nation, but God would preserve those who repented and sought Him.  Even after being taken captive by Assyria and Babylon God would sift the house of Israel from wherever they were scattered to gather them again:  not the smallest grain would be lost. Sifting isn't a comfortable process.  Grain, chaff, dirt, and other debris were tossed together to separate the grain from all the undesirable material.  C.H. Spurgeon made a great observation concerni...

I am often amazed by the depth of insights in God's Word in passages familiar to me.  It is similar to sitting down to assemble a challenging jigsaw puzzle and find myself unable to find the piece I am looking for.  How many times have I walked away from the puzzle to make a tea or grab a snack and seconds after returning find many pieces which fit!  The internal consistency and accuracy of the Bible provides exceptionally strong evidence of its divine origin. Take the parable Jesus told of the master who gave one mina (worth about 3 month's salary according to the Bible Knowledge Commentary) to ten of his servants and told them, "Do business until I return."   Luke 19:15-16 says, " And so it was that when he returned, having received the kingdom, he then commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading. 16   Then came the first, saying, 'Master, your mina has e...

During a conversation a friend of mine made a wonderful observation of genuine worship by Gideon who trusted God.  The Bible reveals God called Gideon to deliver Israel from the hand of the Midianites who oppressed them.  Though he did not feel worthy or even competent to do what God commanded him, he was obedient as God led him step by step.  God was gracious to speak to Gideon and confirmed his calling, and he was emboldened and empowered to take a leadership role. As the Midianites and Amelekites camped in numbers beyond measure, one night God commanded Gideon to venture into their camp because He had delivered it into Gideon's hand.  God told Gideon if he was afraid to go alone he could bring his servant with him--and he did.  Judges 7:13-15 describes what Gideon and his servant encountered:  " And when Gideon had come, there was a man telling a dream to his companion. He said, "I have had a dream: To my surprise, a loaf of barley bread tumbled i...

Remembrance Day is observed in Australia on 11 November to remember and honour Australians soldiers.  What was once called "Armistice Day" was later called "Remembrance Day" after World War II, and many in Australia pause and observe a minute of silence at 11am to respectfully remember those killed or wounded in warfare.  Though it is not a national holiday from work, it is fitting such sacrifice and bravery be remembered today and for generations to come.  Those who have been granted knowledge also have a responsibility to enlighten their children.  This is a very light burden compared to those who lost family members in war or being a soldier who never lived to have children of their own. This coupling of remembrance and responsibility is seen when the children of Israel were brought into the promised land by Joshua.  God caused the Hebrews to pass through the Jordan on dry ground and directed 12 men to each carry a large stone from the river to make a me...

" Then Amos answered, and said to Amaziah: "I was no prophet, nor was I a son of a prophet, but I was a sheepbreeder and a tender of sycamore fruit. 15  Then the LORD took me as I followed the flock, and the LORD said to me, 'Go, prophesy to My people Israel .'" Amos 7:14-15 Angered by what Amos said, Amaziah the priest of Bethel scorned Amos for being a foreigner and accused him of being a self-appointed profiteer in prophet's clothing.  In response Amos pointed out he had no aspiration or desire to be a prophet but God took him as he followed the flock as a sheepbreeder (and seasonal harvester) and directed him to prophecy to Israel.  Being a prophet did not run in his family, nor had Amos the benefit of schooling or training.  His prophecies which came to pass were the best evidence God had called, ordained and gifted him as a prophet.  The fulfillment of prophecies over time would confirm the calling of Amos. One thing which reson...