Marching Forth!

" Sing praise to the LORD , you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. 5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning ." Psalm 30:4-5 God is worthy of all praise and thanksgiving.  How marvelous is God's grace to make redeemed sinners His singers, servants, and saints!  The remembrance of His holy name ought to prompt celebration and awe in His power, wisdom, and goodness.  Words fail to adequately describe His immutable goodness and righteousness.  The living creatures around God's throne do not rest day or night as they repeat continually, " Holy, holy, holy, LORD God almighty, who was, and is, and is to come !" ( Revelation 4:8 )  God is the sovereign LORD of all, and one day all will acknowledge this. In my Bible the description of the psalm says, " A song at the dedication of the house of David ."  David praised the LORD ...

It is easy to feel discouraged when we step out in faith and the result is unexpected.  God appeared to Moses and directed him to go to Egypt because God heard the cries of His oppressed people and would deliver them.  After Moses and Aaron confronted Pharaoh he made life harder for the Hebrew slaves.  He accused them of being idle, refused to provide straw for bricks, and kept their quota the same.  When the Hebrews were unable to meet the daily demands they were beaten.  This was not what Moses was expecting, though God told him beforehand Pharaoh would not let his people go. The rulers of the people came to Moses with their complaints for the trouble he caused them.  "The LORD judge between you and us," they said.  It is evident they already formed their judgments of the involvement of Moses in their affairs and it was not a positive assessment.  Instead of arguing with them, Moses questioned what God was doing in  Exodus 5:22-2 3:...

When Jesus walked and taught as He passed through Israel, He always drew a crowd.  People pressed near to hear His wisdom and see the miraculous deeds which caused His fame to spread like the light of the sun when it rises over hills dotted with flocks of sheep.  Jesus went to the lost sheep of Israel to seek and save the lost, to people who had entered into a covenant with God.  Through the Law of Moses and the prophets the God of Israel was revealed and known. What I find fascinating is how people familiar with the scriptures didn't recognise Jesus though they could have.  This was all part of God's divine plan, that unbelief in Jesus would cause blindness in the Jews and salvation through the Gospel would come to both Jew and Gentile.  Just last night I read concerning how the glory of God would break forth with salvation in  Isaiah 35:5-6 :  " Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. 6 Then the ...

How important it is to maintain a God-centred perspective, to humbly seek God in good and in hard times.  It is easy to allow news reports, bad feelings, or our own thoughts to shape our mindset and outlook instead of being grounded in God's word and our unchanging God who was, is, and is to come.  Since God is the source of all wisdom, He is always able to guide and direct us.  The one who has an established relationship with God by faith in Him is like a tree planted by rivers of water that is fruitful and evergreen.  Those who mock and scorn God and the scriptures David in Psalm 1 compared to chaff the wind drives away and is no more. There is a huge difference between a fruitful tree and chaff blown by the wind.  Chaff is at the mercy of even a gentle breeze which sweeps it away and it is lost forever, while a tree with roots deep in the earth is solid, secure, and so predictably in place it makes a good landmark.  Trees like the giant sequoia, ol...

I find the life and character of Joseph son of Israel in scripture inspiring.  What I find more amazing than God's divine favour to promote him from imprisoned slave to second in command of all Egypt is the heart of love and forgiveness he showed towards his brothers who hated him and caused him great suffering.  The faith in God Joseph demonstrated when addressing his painful past was a gift from God he received with relish.  When he had the power to punish and persecute his brothers for their transgressions and remain bitter, his contrite heart remained humble before God and men. After Israel died, the brothers of Joseph suspected he was like them after they had been wronged:  murderous, vengeful, bitter, and held grudges.  They made up a story about what their father supposedly said to them concerning Joseph, that he ought to forgive them for their sins against him.  They played on his raw emotions, and with a desire to turn away any thought of veng...

" And when Jacob had made an end of commanding his sons, he gathered up his feet into the bed, and yielded up the ghost, and was gathered unto his people ." Genesis 49:33 This verse, and others like it, show the life of a human being does not end when our bodies die on earth.  Jacob blessed and commanded his sons concerning his burial, gathered his feet into the bed, and breathed his last.  He body was entirely still as his heart stopped beating.  Yet there was something that happened at that sorrowful moment which cheers the soul that fears God:  Jacob was gathered unto his people.  His body would be left in a grave purchased by Abraham yet his soul--the spiritual and eternal being that was fundamentally Jacob--was gathered with the people of God in eternal rest. Out of curiosity I found in addition to Jacob the phrase "gathered to his people" is connected with the passing of Abraham, Isaac, Aaron, and Moses.  Though the Bible describes the d...

It is amazing how Jesus makes those who follow Him "more than conquerors" by grace through faith.  I don't know about you, but at times I would be pleased to settle with being a conqueror.  Everyone would love to walk in victory, overcome all obstacles, and have success in our endeavors.  The victory Christ provides, however, does not mean we always "win," experience the triumph David did in slaying Goliath of Gath, or involve public recognition.  This spiritual victory is primarily internal:  the choice to deny self, refuse to sin, and humble ourselves.  It is David refusing to slay King Saul when he had opportunity and encouragement to do so--and also refused to even speak against God's anointed.  It was not by might or power but by the Spirit of God David overcame and was more than a conqueror. The apostle made this connection with overcoming the world and faith in  1 John 5:1-5 :  " Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of ...

" In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah: "We have a strong city; God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks. 2 Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. 3 You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for in YAH , the LORD , is everlasting strength ." Isaiah 26:1-4 Verse 4 has been rattling around in my mind this morning.  We should trust in God forever because in the LORD is everlasting strength.  I was never the strongest of my peers, and as I have grown older my strength has lessened.  God's strength, however, remains complete and beyond reckoning forever.  God's great love, His power, and sovereignty offers perfect peace to all who trust in Him. Students of the Bible will notice this chapter begins with, "In that day..." meaning the thought continues from the previous portion of scripture.  It s...

I enjoy reading the Psalms, songs bursting with praise to the LORD.  Four times in Psalm 107 (verse 8, 15, 21, 31) the psalmist exclaims, " Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men !"  Packed within these songs of worship and thanksgiving are references to Jesus Christ and things He would fulfill.  The Saviour of the world told His disciples after His resurrection in  Luke 24:44 , " Then He said to them, " These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me ." Last night after reading  Psalm 107:23-30 the miraculous deeds of Jesus on the Sea of Galilee came to mind: " Those who go down to the sea in ships, who do business on great waters, 24  They see the works of the LORD , and His wonders in the deep. 25  For He commands and rais...

It is one thing to strap on a parachute and walk to a plane, but it is entirely different experience to jump out of the plane with the expectation of survival because of that parachute.  There is a time when the safety demonstrations are over, the consent forms have been signed, the equipment inspected and fitted, and it is "go time."  I do not believe a skydiver would jump out of the plane who is not convinced the odds of survival are high, but it requires a degree of faith in your training and equipment to do so. It can take a life or death decision for people out of desperation to trust God.  Similar to couch potatoes avoiding physical exercise, the tendency of people is the desire to avoid needing to trust God.  We seek out easy and quick options to overcome obstacles or anything that offers a guarantee of success.  We are ever seeking to reduce risk, limit liability, and make life carefree.  But everyone living faces the necessity of dying, and eve...

Man was created in the image of God but let us never assume He is like us.  Being all-knowing and all-powerful and without sin God is shockingly different to us in every regard.  Psalm 50:21 shows man can presumptuously think erroneously about God because He says, " These things you have done, and I kept silent; you thought that I was altogether like you; but I will rebuke you, and set them in order before your eyes ."  The God who gave us freedom to choose always employs His will to do righteously.  Our thoughts and emotions can be so hardwired into our flesh we don't consider that God cares how we feel but doesn't feel like we do. As I mulled over this concept, I came to the conclusion God does not experience what we call "disappointment."  We are disappointed when our expectations are unmet, yet this cannot be the case for a Being who knows all things before they occur, the One who speaks and it is exactly as He said.  A couple weeks back I d...

Jesus spoke against the Pharisees who did good works to be seen and recognised by men.  They were fond of titles, admiration, to be respected, and to have their expert opinion sought.  Jesus countered this by explaining the conduct He expected of His servants in  Matthew 23:5-12 :  " But all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries  broad and enlarge the borders of their garments. 6 They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, 7 greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, 'Rabbi, Rabbi.' 8 But you, do not be called 'Rabbi'; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. 9 Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. 10   And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. 11   But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12   And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humb...

Jacob loved his son Joseph and had a special colourful coat made for him.  The favour his father showed him made Joseph the envy of his 10 older brothers.  It didn't help his relationship with them when he shared dreams where they bowed down before him.  When he obediently went at the request of his father for a status report from his brothers who were shepherds  Genesis 37:18-20 reads, " Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. 19  Then they said to one another, "Look, this dreamer is coming! 20  Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, 'Some wild beast has devoured him.' We shall see what will become of his dreams !"  From a great distance Joseph's colourful coat caused his brothers to recognise him and they plotted how they might destroy him.  The obvious favour of his father made Joseph a target. Reading this passage reminds me of sim...

Based on my experience we seem to be living in the not-so-golden age of conspiracy theories, but the Bible says this is nothing new.  It may be the distrust in government and media are at all time highs yet skeptics, doubters, and those touting hidden agendas have been around since the beginning.  Satan very well might be the first one who promoted a conspiracy when he said to Eve, "Has God really said you cannot eat from the tree in the midst of the garden?"  Lies mixed with truth proved a deadly combination. It feels like wherever I look there is more evidence of a conspiracy mindset taking hold.  On my news feed I read about anti-vaxers, 5G and COVID combo, and anti-maskers; Christian bookstores sell paperbacks about government schemes and inter-dimensional portals; billboards go up warning about the day the world will end.  Countless documentaries are churned out annually that follow the same pattern:  what you have been led to believe is wrong, hi...

I recently watched a few videos our ministry team put together with a youth group years ago.  One of the films has a song by Sanctus Real which repeats the chorus:  " I'm not alright, I'm broken inside, broken inside.  And all I go through leads me to you, leads me to you ."  These may seem rather depressing lyrics but actually the message is uplifting and true.  We are all broken inside and out in a broken world, yet for a child of God the trials and difficulties of life lead us to seek the LORD who is our refuge and help. It isn't until we are convinced there is something wrong we will investigate to fix the issue.  A decrease of power in an engine that blows smoke, poor performance of an appliance, or symptoms of illness prompt us to take action.  We live in a world permeated with themes of self-empowerment that are a complete lie, and swallowing them leads to disillusionment and despair.  Only the ones who realise they are indeed broken bey...

Today an electrician and apprentice did some wiring for me.  I had met the duo previously months ago when they installed a few LED signs.  "I think we've met before," the apprentice said.  "I recognise your voice."  I have been told on several occasions I have a "distinct" voice, and I'm not sure what makes it so.  Apparently it is a primary distinguishing characteristic that is more memorable than a buzz-cut and questionable taste in apparel. Interestingly Jesus compared Himself to a Good Shepherd whose sheep know His voice.  From a great distance sheep will respond to the call of their shepherd, and it is a great analogy of how those who know Jesus as LORD will sense His leading.  It may not be with audible voice we hear with our ears but a thought that comes to us which was not our own:  it does not align with our fleshly desires, nor is it a conclusion we arrived at by consideration.  It can be very brief but profound, is well-directed...

With the current study of the Gospel of Luke at Calvary Chapel Sydney, I have been reminded of the importance to refrain from "spiritualising" scripture and especially parables.  This happens when we move away from the plain meaning of the text to create an allegory.  Spiritualising makes scriptural interpretation bow to arbitrary keys inserted to supposedly unlock hidden truth.  Try to use the incorrect key on a security door on a house and you will be denied entry, but using the incorrect key to allegedly unlock a parable has led to misinterpretation and wrong application.  I am not suggesting there is only one correct interpretation or application of a particular passage:  my intent is to warn against the error of spiritualising parables, a practise that is more common than one may think. We are blessed many parables include an explanation from Jesus Himself.  The Parable of the Sower is one of the most famous as it is referenced in the Gospel accou...

" He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God ?" Micah 6:8 The context of the Micah passage is the controversy God had with His chosen people.  He had birthed the nation of Israel out of slavery in Egypt with miraculous deliverance, revealed Himself to them, provided His Law, and brought them into the land of promise.  Not a word failed of His good promise to them, yet they failed to keep His covenant.  They sinned more than the nations He displaced out of Canaan and He judged them with the curses written in the Law of Moses. Micah, a God-fearing prophet, wondered what needed to be done for the nation to be restored, to show contrition for sin, and to take steps to revival.  The prophet asked God rhetorically in  Micah 6:6-7 :  " With what shall I come before the LORD , and bow myself before the High God? Shall I come before Him with bur...

We humans have a thing about convenience.  If we can find machines and devices to makes life easier, we are all for it.  There was a time when people needed to stand up and turn on the television manually and adjust an antenna for the best reception.  Then came cable TV and remote controls.  We can push a button and recline our seat with minimal effort while experiencing surround sound.  VHS (video home system) tapes gave way to DVDs that do not need to be rewound with superior audio and clarity.  Our penchant for convenience spills over into work and jobs we need to do.  We often have the luxury of waiting for a convenient time because our lives do not depend on it. This same tendency to make plans based upon what is convenient was observed by king Solomon.  He recognised a desire for convenience and minimal risk actually hindered necessary work from being done.  He wrote in  Ecclesiastes 11:4-6 :  " He who observes the wind wil...

How important context is in helping us understand what is being said.  Have you ever come into a conversation "at the wrong time" and what was being discussed by others was bizarre, strange, and required an immediate explanation to keep from walking away?  Having the reason for a topic explained to us clarifies misunderstandings and brings us up to speed with why what was said is appropriate and reasonable.  This situation can be amusing in a friendly conversation, but it can have serious consequences if we approach passages of scripture in similar fashion.  Jumping from book from book, chapter to chapter, and verse to verse means statements used to prop up an interpretation have meaning beyond face value. A very useful book titled Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy B. Zuck is a terrific resource to help readers of scripture to accurately interpret it.  I am convinced the best meals are cooked from scratch using fresh ingredients, and reliance upon Bible co...