Marching Forth!

When Rebekah pulled Jacob aside and spoke of her plan for Jacob to steal Isaac's blessing (intended for his older brother Esau) for himself, it appealed to his greedy ambitions.  Though his father was blind, Jacob hesitated because he did not sound or feel like Esau:  he did not want to be found to be a deceiver.  He said, "I shall bring a curse upon myself rather than a blessing."  Rebekah replied, "Let your curse be on me, my son!"  Jacob chose to comply at the urging of his mother, and he brought young goats from the flock to prepare for Isaac.  Rebekah craftily used the skins of the butchered goats to cover up the smooth skins of Jacob.  And the plan seemed to work perfectly:  Isaac ate the food and blessed Jacob who went his way. It only took a short while for Esau and Isaac to find out what had happened.  Jacob had scarcely left when Esau came in with a feast prepared at his father's request.  When he announced his arrival Israel t...

The combination of knowledge and love can result in extending compassion toward others.  The one who is ignorant of the circumstances of a child's outburst in class may be visibly irritated and offended, yet another who realises the child has a medical condition and loves him will be more compassionate and patient.  Knowing a person in the workplace has been going through painful circumstances prompts us to be gracious and merciful when it is in our power to discipline them for tardiness or being absent.  The law condemns, but the loving give more grace. As Jesus hung on the cross He prayed, " Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do " ( Luke 23:34 ).  Rather than seeing forgiveness as a welcome benefit of ignorance when it comes to judgment (which Scripture does not support), see how the love of Jesus for sinners combined with His knowledge of them prompted Him to show compassion on them.  Jesus knew the deceived, envious hearts of those who plotted...

I was asked a thoughtful question today about the Calvary Chapel style of teaching through the Bible verse by verse:  what happens after you teach through the entire Bible?  Do you just cycle through the same notes?  While I cannot speak for other churches or pastoral approaches to teaching, I can speak to the unfathomable wisdom of the revelation of God's word.  One could more easily bottle all the water of the oceans of the world before we could process or exhaust God's wisdom held forth in the Bible.  Because Scripture is God-inspired, living and active, there is much more to learn than we can possibly receive in a single pass or a thousand studies of the same passage.  This is one reason my practice is to study a passage from scratch every time:  God and the passage hasn't changed, but I do. By the grace of God, faith in God and obedience to His word results in increased maturity.  Our experiences, feelings, and circumstances impact our perspe...

When we establish priorities, it is reasonable this results in making decisions that are non-negotiable.  A pregnant mother who prioritises the health of her baby chooses to avoid drinking alcohol during her pregnancy.  Should a glass of wine or beer be offered to her--even when she is not "showing"--she will politely decline the beverage because having a healthy infant is more important than having a drink.   She does not need to wrestle every time alcohol is on a menu or on the table because it is not negotiable in her mind; the decision has already been made.  The decision was already made to choose drinking options without alcohol that pose no risk for her developing baby. In a marriage, workplace or in our relationship with God, there should be non-negotiables.  During an interview with a company years ago, I told the business manager who was hiring I was not available to work on Sundays regardless of overtime.  For me, it was a non-negotiable bec...

After David was anointed king over Israel, the Holy Spirit came upon him and the Spirit departed from king Saul.  God sent a distressing, tormenting spirit to afflict king Saul and his advisors were discerning to know exactly what was happening.  Rather than urging Saul to repent of his pride and rejection of God, they suggested Saul find a man who could skillfully play soothing music on the harp when he was troubled.  Saul agreed with their advice and amazingly David was the candidate immediately suggested. 1 Samuel 16:18 states, " Then one of the servants answered and said, "Look, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite, who is skillful in playing, a mighty man of valour, a man of war, prudent in speech, and a handsome person; and the LORD is with him ."  One could say David had a lot going for him:  he was a skillful musician, a brave and mighty champion, a fit soldier, well-spoken and good looking.  I expect most people would be happy for others...

A passage I read this morning affirmed it is possible we can take credit for things we ought to primarily credit God for doing.  While God has given mankind the freedom to choose what we will believe, think, say and do, He always is personally involved when we do what is right.  He helped Abimelech to walk in integrity when he had been deceived by Abraham and Sarah during a visit to his land. When Abraham visited Gerar, he and Sarai both lied and claimed to be siblings when they were husband and wife.  As was customary in those days, if a beautiful woman came into a king's territory he had the authority to bring her into his home--which he did, for Sarah was beautiful.  God appeared to Abimelech in a dream and rebuked him for taking a married woman into his house, and Abimelech protested he had done nothing wrong.   Genesis 20:5-6 reads, " Did he not say to me, 'She is my sister'? And she, even she herself said, 'He is my brother.' In the integrity of my ...

I heard something great in a sermon yesterday when the pastor made a distinction between "devotions" and "devotion."  Many Christians call a regular time of Bible reading or prayer "devotions," a spiritual discipline embraced to be in the Word of God, personal growth and to commune with God.  Without devotion to God, however, reading verses or muttering prayers can be an empty exercise.  The Pharisees were big on reading the Scriptures, public prayer and worship, yet they were not even forgiven of sin or saved because they had not placed their faith in Jesus.  This distinction prompted me to consider others that can plague the walks of genuine believers.  Different words make a world of difference. King Saul believed in the existence of God and was given a new heart, yet he attempted to substitute sacrifice for obedience.  God told him to destroy all the Amalekites and all their animals because the time of judgment had come.  Instead of obeying the LOR...

Our study of Romans at Calvary Chapel Sydney has thrown us into the deep end of God's grace, and we are blessed for it.  "Grace" is one of the many words in Scripture that we often sell short by stunted or cliche definitions that are true but inadequate to convey the immense importance and impact of truth.  Have you ever had the situation where you are trying to take a picture of a breathtaking landscape or scene but the hi-tech camera you hold in your hands cannot contain or translate the beauty right before your eyes even in landscape mode?  Language, being limited, can sometimes be inadequate to explain all the wonder and impact of a small word that means more than the world to us. God's grace is like that.  Our struggle to comprehend God's grace springs from the reality it is of God Whose ways and thoughts are higher than ours and is not of this world.  I have heard grace described as unmerited favour, and this is true--yet it only begins to scratch the sur...

I'm often amazed when I read familiar passages and the LORD helps me see them from a fresh perspective.  As one who cycles through familiar recipes for dinner or baking, my family grows accustomed to textures and flavours.  Many times over the years I have had comments--not that the food was good or bad--but that the flavour was different .  It has come to the point if I realise there is a difference than the usual offering, I will notify my family beforehand that I am aware of a difference because I did not have the usual ingredients on hand or made a substitution to spice things up. Having read through the Bible numerous times and studied it in depth, a familiarity can grow with passages in God's word, our daily bread.  Today was a day when a familiar passage hit me differently, similar to a unexpected twist of flavour in a favourite dish.  I read the chapter when God spoke with Abram in Genesis 15 and said, " Do not fear, Abram.  I am your shield, your ...

Back in school we used to write compare and contrast essays, and this approach was an effective technique to dig deeper into a subject.  This is also a viable technique to apply as we read the word of God, for it is easy to gloss over details as we carry on to the next verse or chapter without thinking things through.  While we need the assistance of the Holy Spirit to have understanding and fruitful application of God's word, the Bible remains the greatest literary work ever written.  We do well to ready slowly, thoughtfully and meditate on the words analytically.  With so much truth right on the surface, we also know God continues to reveal fresh insights that take more effort to gather and feed our souls with His wisdom. I was struck after reading of Abram's victory by the grace of God over the 4 northern kings with their armies that sacked Sodom and took his nephew Lot captive.  After Abram and his 318 trained servants passed through Salem (which would later...

This morning I read Genesis 12 , the passage of scripture where God spoke to Abram to leave his country and his father's house and to go to the land God would show him.  After Abram obeyed God and went to Canaan, God appeared to Abram and made a promise to give the land to his children.  Most people would be glad to see an inheritance of land that was coming to us, yet God did far greater in revealing Himself.  Abram recognised this and responded in worship. Genesis 12:7  reads, " Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, "To your descendants I will give this land." And there he built an altar to the LORD , who had appeared to him ."  In response to God's revelation of Himself, Abram's response was to build an altar to the LORD who appeared to him.  In ancient times people worshipped the sun, moon and stars and celebrated their appearance in the heavens, but God's revelation was vastly different:  He spoke with Abram, appeared to him, made promis...

It made the news this week when a star soccer player had a serious injury shortly after kickoff--in the game slated to be her last.  Megan Rapinoe quipped after the match, " I’m not a religious person or anything and if there was a god, like, this is proof that there isn’t .”  This statement gives me pause to consider what people who do not know God personally think of Him.  Based on her own logic, the fact she previously won world titles without suffering serious injury is proof there is a God.  I have observed people who do not credit God with existence often lash out at God in seasons of pain, frustration and disappointment rather than praising Him when all is well. The view shared by Rapinoe is one familiar to atheists, skeptics and even professing Christians:  that God's existence is primarily for our benefit, to please us.  Like a divine Santa Claus that rewards good little boys and girls or a genie we pray to for health, wealth and prosperity, God (...

The theme for today's sermon at Calvary Chapel Sydney was, " Remember now your Creator ."  It is interesting that God knows all and never forgets, yet He also remembers.  We are prone to forgetfulness, so we might assume to remember is merely to recall to mind.  Looking at times God remembered in scripture is instructive to people who fear Him, as it reveals remembrance goes beyond thinking because it is often connected with intentional, corresponding action. After God flooded the earth, Genesis 8:1  tells us:  " Then God remembered Noah, and every living thing, and all the animals that were with him in the ark. And God made a wind to pass over the earth, and the waters subsided ."  There was not a moment God "forgot" about Noah or any living thing on the earth, but His remembrance of them was connected with sending a wind to dry the earth.  Remembering Noah meant God did something to help him. God remembering Abraham led Him to deliver Lot from the ...

During a church men's event this morning, a rainbow lorikeet decided to cool off in a bird bath in the back yard.  I have seen many bird baths over the years but this was the first time I could remember a bird actually using one to bathe in.  This bird was really going for it, diving under the water so it was completely submerged again and again. Our host explained to the group that they had several bird baths, but that was the one most used for a variety of reasons.  This first was that the bird felt safe because it was in an elevated, fenced area.  Another reason was because it was filled with fresh water daily to accommodate bathing birds according to its designed intention.  The homeowners provide a safe, inviting environment, even feeding birds that pass through.  Over time birds learn where the safe places are to feed, roost and bathe, and this bathing lorikeet was the result of intentional effort and faithfulness over time. As we chatted with one ano...

Sometimes I am left wondering if professing Christians realise how dire their situation was before coming to faith in Jesus Christ.  When people speak only of how their life is improved without reference to what Jesus has done for them or Who He is to them, this concerns me.  Recently I read an article that explained the changes Jesus had brought to a person's life who was much "happier now."  This should come as no surprise to someone who was facing the just wrath of God for eternity due to sin.  Such statements strike me like a person who was miraculously healed on their deathbed.  It would seem odd if all they had to say about their experience later was, "I'm glad I don't have to wear that unflattering hospital gown any more."  Focusing on fashion or current happiness ignores the immense gravity of how close they came to leaving the hospital in a box, a huge understatement. The article went on to say the lifestyle of the person before coming to Christ...

God has given people unique personalities, freedom and opportunity by God to have personal opinions and preferences, and this is true concerning Christians and modern translations of the Bible.  There are simple and at the same time complex reasons why we prefer one translation over another, yet it is good to see different translations of the Bible as complimentary to one another rather than conflicting.  Spurgeon brought up a good point on Psalm 40:6 concerning the divine inspiration of biblical texts:  “ The Septuagint, from which Paul quoted, has translated this passage, ‘A body hast thou prepared me:’ how this reading arose it is not easy to imagine, but since apostolical authority has sanctioned the variation, we accept it as no mistake, but as an instance of various readings equally inspired .”  These instances of different manuscripts being equally inspired may be uncommon, but is no trouble for God. I have been reading through the entirety of the Bible in th...

I am often bemused when I see articles or books about people who share near-death stories of going to heaven--as if their experience provides proof of heaven's existence.  In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul spoke of being caught up into paradise and saw things he said were "unlawful to utter" and thus remained silent on the particulars.  If there are sensual experiences we have with our spouse that are so personal and precious we will not speak of or describe those moments to another living soul, it is fair to wonder why people are willing to share personal, spiritual experiences (legitimate or not) for fame, clicks or financial gain. It is possible people have had many spiritual experiences I would not have imagined possible, for God is unlimited in power and His ways and thoughts are beyond ours.  If Paul was caught up into paradise and saw a wondrous vision, it follows others could also have similar experiences for God's good purposes.  Yet these extra-b...

" He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churche s ." Revelation 3:22 Today's sermon at Calvary Chapel Sydney centred around the words of the Holy Spirit to believers not to harden their hearts, and the words of Jesus to the seven churches in the book of Revelation also urge us to hear what the Holy Spirit says.  Jesus said the Holy Spirit was sent to convict the world of sin, of righteousness and judgment, and He continues to do so today:  instructing, reminding us of God's word and warning us as needed.  The 10 plagues God visited upon Egypt when Pharaoh hardened his heart are a sobering illustration all people ought to take to heart if we justify continuing in hardness of heart--Christians included. Interestingly in Hebrews 3:7-11 the Holy Spirit did not say to Hebrew Christians, "Don't be like Pharoah who hardened his heart" but not to be like their Hebrew fathers who hardened their hearts and provoked Him after He delivered t...

" He has put a new song in my mouth--p raise to our God;  m any will see it and fear,  a nd will trust in the LORD ." Psalm 40:3 Psalm 40 begins with David waiting patiently on the LORD Who was inclined to listen to and deliver him.  David praised the LORD for hearing his prayer and answering, Who pulled him out of a pit, established his steps on a rock, and put a new song in his mouth.  David was convinced his song of praise to God would lead others to observe the goodness of God, fear Him and trust in Him as LORD.  Do you believe your praise of God will have this effect on others?  If David did we should because we worship the same glorious God. How many times have we been interested by the excitement others demonstrated about a movie, book, cleaning product or retail shop?  The passion and gladness of the person compelled us to later think, "What was the name of that shop with the satisfaction guarantee?  What was that product that can remov...

After the people of Israel demanded a king to rule over them, God answered their request and directed the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul, son of Kish, king.  True to form, many people were not pleased with God's choice of king, though he was head and shoulders taller than every other person in Israel coupled with humility.  If they would not have God rule over them, why would they gladly submit to His wise judgments?  While there was a band of men whose hearts God had touched that accompanied their newly crowned king to his home in Gibeah, life in Israel largely continued as it did before.  People did not subject themselves to their king, and thus they remained at the mercy of their enemies. The next chapter starts with  1 Samuel 11:1-2 :  " Then Nahash the Ammonite came up and encamped against Jabesh Gilead; and all the men of Jabesh said to Nahash, "Make a covenant with us, and we will serve you."  2 And Nahash the Ammonite answered them, "On this ...