Marching Forth!

In a sermon I heard, the preacher spoke of Simon of Samaria who came to faith in Jesus after being a practicing sorcerer.  For a long time he held the people of his city spellbound by his supernatural abilities, and he duped them into thinking he wielded the power of God.  After Simon believed in Jesus, was baptised and continued with Philip the evangelist in fellowship, he saw when visiting apostles laid hands on people they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  He foolishly offered Simon Peter money so he too could have the power to lay hands on people so they could receive the gift of God.   Acts 8:20-21 tells us Peter's fiery response:  " But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!  21  You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God ." It is very possible this idea of offering money for power carried over from Simo...

One thing I love and appreciate about God is He is immutable and consistent.  Being eternal and above all God is not susceptible to influences of modern society, and His wisdom does not shift with the times.  In God and His word there is an objective clarity and permanence that is not found in anyone or things of this world.  A person's opinions can shift like the breeze, and their conduct can resemble a chameleon that adjusts to their environment.  I respect people who take a stand on God's truth, and I find their insights by God's grace endure the test of time.  It is encouraging to know there are many great thinkers whose intelligence far exceeds my own who were not ashamed to make the living God and His word central to their thoughts and perspective. I have been reading G.K. Chesterton's In Defense of Sanity lately, and he is exceptionally brilliant.  I am glad that some of the time I understand what he means and enjoy his sense of humour that crops up...

Queen Jezebel is a woman whose villainy is infamous in the pages of Scripture.  She stirred up her husband Ahab to do great evil, systematically tried to exterminate all the prophets of God, murdered righteous Naboth and his household for his vineyard, and promoted idolatry like few in Israel before her or ever since.  For her sin God took vengeance upon her according to His word by the hand of Jehu the son of Jehoshaphat. The prophet who anointed Jehu king held forth the word of the LORD in  2 Kings 9:7-10 :  " You shall strike down the house of Ahab your master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD , at the hand of Jezebel.  8 For the whole house of Ahab shall perish; and I will cut off from Ahab all the males in Israel, both bond and free.  9 So I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah.  10  Th...

The book of Malachi begins with the burden of the word of the LORD that reads, " I have loved you," says the LORD.  Yet you say, 'In what way have you loved us ?'"  Isn't this a heartbreaking response from God's people, ones He always loved?  It is written in  Jeremiah 31:3 :  " The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;  t herefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you ."  From the beginning God only showed love to His people, for God is love.  The Hebrews were God's people because He loved and chose them out of all the nations of the world, brought them out of Egypt, and brought them into the land of promise.  Yet a day came when they did not acknowledge God loved them at all.  Their response to God's claim of loving them was, "Yeah?  Prove it!" Malachi's style of prophecy was dialectical or disputational, and God's objective statements were followed by quest...

While doing premarital counselling, I read a portion of a book that provides insight into our relationship with God.  One of the things we discussed is the different levels of communication, and five levels of communication are shared from John Powell's book, Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am ?  These levels provoked self-examination for me as I considered my personal communication style with God in prayer.  The excerpt from Before You Say "I Do"  reads: " Level Five:  Cliche Conversation.  This type of talk is very safe.  We use phrases such as "How are you?"  How's the dog?  "Where have you been?"  "I like your dress."  In this type of conversation there is not personal sharing.  Each person remains safely behind his defences. Level Four:  Reporting the Facts About Others.  In this kind of conversation we are content to tell others what someone else has said, but we offer no personal information on these facts....

" And Elisha said, "As the LORD of hosts lives, before whom I stand, surely were it not that I regard the presence of Jehoshaphat king of Judah, I would not look at you, nor see you ." 2 Kings 3:14 I found this verse encouraging, that God regards His people even when they live among those who do not fear God.  King Jehoshaphat was asked by King Jeroham son of Ahab, along with the king of Edom, to attack Moab for refusing to pay tribute.  When there was no water and Jeroham imagined it was God's design to destroy them, Jehoshaphat requested they seek the counsel of a prophet of the God of Israel, and Elisha was summoned.  2 Kings 3:13 tells us, " Then Elisha said to the king of Israel, "What have I to do with you? Go to the prophets of your father and the prophets of your mother." But the king of Israel said to him, "No, for the LORD has called these three kings together to deliver them into the hand of Moab ."  Elisha then revealed ...

While some believers have been trained or conditioned to see opposition and trials as spiritual attacks from the devil, the Bible holds forth an alternative view that may surprise you:  to view all we experience as from God Himself.  Since God's ways are higher than our ways, everything He does is beyond our understanding.  This means by our own reasoning we are unable to discern or determine what God is doing or exactly why He has done something--unless He reveals it to us personally.  This may happen later, and sometimes we will never know.  But knowing God is always good, righteous and worthy of being trusted means we continue to trust Him even in the midst of pain or loss.  Rather than blaming Satan for robbing him of his wealth, family and health, Job said of the almighty God in the first part of  Job 13:15 , " Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. "  Those who imagine God is like a genie obligated to fulfill their wishes or Santa who r...

" I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith ." 2 Timothy 4:7 I have observed Christians who really latch onto military language to describe their daily life with Christ.  They see themselves as "under spiritual attack" when troubles arise.  They nod in agreement when someone says something like, "Our Christian values and freedoms are under attack like never before"--when it is very difficult to make such a claim considering we are alive to make it.  Even if this general statement could be supported, it conveniently overlooks all the opposition and troubles the Body of Christ has endured and overcome for thousands of years.  When someone feels "under attack," they may become defensive or even fearful.  They also can be aggressive and brash.  Some celebrate troubles as proof they are doing something right and their every move is on Satan's radar.  "We're in a spiritual battle," they say.  It se...

During my study of the book of Romans , I came across an anecdote in Matthew Henry's Commentary that warmed my heart.  He wrote: “ Mr. Hugh Kennedy, an eminent Christian of Ayr, in Scotland, when he was dying, called for a Bible, but, finding his sight gone, he said, “Turn me to the eighty of the Romans, and set my finger at these words, I am persuaded that neither death nor life.”  “Now, said he, “is my finger upon them?”  And, when they told him it was, without speaking any more, he said, “Now God be with you, my children; I have breakfasted with you, and shall sup with my LORD Jesus Christ this night;” and so departed .” ( Henry, Matthew . Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible . Vol. 6, Hendrickson Publishers, 1991. page 345) From this anecdote, it is likely Mr. Kennedy was a man who had placed his faith in God and also was a reader of the Bible during his life.  On what proved to be his deathbed he requested a Bible be brought to him, and almost to his su...

I recently read a notification from a ministry leader who announced shortly after a family came on staff, was found not to be a good fit and were moving on to continue ministry elsewhere.  When I was looking into options to immigrate to Australia, this was something a mission support group warned me about.  There are believers who have good intentions, are called to ministry, go all in with training, raise support and sell everything--only to go to the field and discover things do not go well.  Conflict arises, expectations are dashed, and there can be disillusionment why things have not gone as planned.  As Paul said, being married and bringing a whole family makes any mission work and move more complex and challenging. When I hear about situations like this, I feel compassion for everyone involved.  An organisation brings a family on board because they have a need, and a couple or family have left their family and culture in the service of God and not fit wher...

One reason cancer is difficult to treat and cure is it often goes undetected or undeterred by our immune system.  These mutated versions of cells from your own body can rapidly multiply because the body supplies them with nutrition as if those abnormal cells promote good health when they work to undermine it.  When the immune system recognises and attacks viral or bacterial pathogens, symptoms like headache or fever send a message of discomfort we understand:  we are sick and perhaps need medical assistance.  Being able to differentiate the abnormal or foreign cells from the healthy cells of the body is important to maintain overall health and the effective treatment of illness.  A recent article said this:  " Because cancer cells are the body’s own cells that have gone rogue, they have inside information on which signals to send to trick immune cells ."  It is crazy to think that our own cells can trick our body from the inside, and there is a spirit...

I have observed among genuine believers when experiencing troubles or difficulties, they view it as a "spiritual attack."  Problems they face serve as a reminder they are "in a spiritual battle" and focus on putting on the armour of God, claim God's promises, and even rebuke the devil for his attempts to rob them of peace and prosperity.  We can be more focused on the satanic volley of flaming arrows than the Holy Spirit who fills us, protects us and on Jesus who has defeated Satan, sin and death.  We can try to fight for victory rather than resting and rejoicing in victory Christ has already won.  Knowing we have been redeemed by God, we can also have confidence God will redeem our suffering He allows for good. I wonder:  how many times Christians have blamed the devil for attacking them when it was God who stirred up enemies against them?  King Solomon is an example of how this is possible.  Though Solomon feared God and was given more wisdom than an...

One thing I relish is the completion of a job done well.  I have caught myself, on a number of occasions, going back to look over a project around the house that finally was finished.  I went out of my way to feast my eyes on my handiwork, drinking in the satisfaction of a completed work.  There were plenty of times I would rather not look at a finished job that was sub-standard.  "Don't look too hard," I've thought to myself or told others.  Sometimes it is better a task be finished than wait for perfection and never complete it. I have found a similar inclination in myself when I have acquired something I considered valuable.  In preparation to propose to my future wife I bought a ring.  Occasionally I would open the box and look at the ring--as if I had forgotten what it looked like.  It was amazing to finally have the special item in my possession with a plan in mind to gift it to the woman I loved and wanted to marry.  After our marriage...

Times of study, reflection and discussion of God's word do not disappoint.  The LORD is faithful to speak to those who are hungry for His word and to do His will, and last night at church provided another example of such a time.  Some of the final verses we discussed have been going through mind, Paul's declaration by faith in God found in  Romans 8:38-39 :  " For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,  39  nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord ."  Believers in the early church (Paul included) faced fierce persecution from Jews and Gentiles.  Paul was persuaded that despite being flogged, beaten, imprisoned, slandered, stoned and left for dead, nothing could separate him or other believers from the love of God. A brother remarked that to be "persuaded" means that ...

The Law of Moses outlined what were acceptable offerings to the LORD and how to properly present them.  The tithes and offerings of the people were a means of God providing for the priests and Levites in addition to providing the blessing of atonement and acceptance from God.    Leviticus 3:14-16 reads, " Then he shall offer from it his offering, as an offering made by fire to the LORD . The fat that covers the entrails and all the fat that is on the entrails,  15  the two kidneys and the fat that is on them by the flanks, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver above the kidneys, he shall remove;  16  and the priest shall burn them on the altar as food, an offering made by fire for a sweet aroma; all the fat is the LORD'S ."  Select portions of offerings were eaten by the priest or people who offered the sacrifice, and God claimed the fat of the offering as His portion. We cook food to eat because we are hungry, and we can give food or...

We have been studying through the book of Romans at church, and it has been wonderful to have a better grasp of what Jesus Christ has accomplished for believers.  Knowing the spiritual reality of receiving the Gospel, our minds are renewed to live for God with more clarity and focus.  A married person does not need to wear a wedding ring to remain married, but wearing the ring can be an intentional acknowledgment of marital status everyone can see.  When our minds are renewed by what Jesus has done and our privileged position in Him, it impacts the way we see Him and desire to serve Him.  He has not saved or blessed us anonymously, and the indwelling Holy Spirit guides us to live to please and glorify our Saviour in particular.  My relationship with my wife is special because we uniquely belong to one another, and through the Gospel we have a marvellous relationship with God because He loves us, saves us and lives in us--and we in Him. The Bible opens our eyes ...

Christians are saved eternally by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and we are also called to walk by faith in Jesus today.  Since we are willing to trust Jesus forever, it follows we ought to seek, trust and obey Him today.  The work God has begun in us He is faithful to complete, and we can take God at His word regarding our lives and other believers as well as it is written in  Philippians 1:6 :  "... being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ ..."  Though Jesus has not yet returned in glory, His glorious life is in us and lives through us today. In the book Love, Acceptance and Forgiveness , Cook and Baldwin make a good point of our need to trust the power of the Gospel as well as the life of Jesus in other Christians.  From the perspective of one in church leadership, Cook wrote:  " Besides lacking faith in the gospel, there is among us a tragic distrust of the l...

After God gave His people the design of the tabernacle, the wise-hearted among them gave of their goods to provide the materials to build it.  I was intrigued by a verse that revealed the source of the brass for the laver crafted by Bezaleel in  Exodus 38:8 :  " He made the laver of bronze and its base of bronze, from the bronze mirrors of the serving women who assembled at the door of the tabernacle of meeting ."  Peering through the door of the tabernacle, immediately one saw the altar for sacrifices that likely obscured the view of the laver--the vessel for priests to ceremonially wash their hands and feet--because it was located between the altar and door to the holy place. It is ironic the women gave brass mirrors they used to see themselves with to construct a laver they could not touch or see.  They were not permitted to enter the inner court of the tabernacle, yet their generous gifts made the work of the ministry possible.  Every time the priest...

I have always enjoyed Bible trivia as a test of knowledge, yet it is good to take the next steps to grow in personal understanding and application.  Trivia or rote recitation is of little practical value when information is stored in our heads and stops short of our hearts.  Looking at pictures of food or reading about nutritional content does nothing to sustain our bodies with energy for strength and growth.  In a similar way, the word of God benefits us spiritually and practically when we receive it by faith and live according to God's revelation.  When we come to God hungry and open our mouths wide in faith, He is faithful to fill us. For instance, Hebrews 9:4 tells us what items were placed in the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies:  a gold pot of manna, Aaron's staff that budded, and the 10 Commandments written by the finger of God on two tablets of stone.  All these items were significant in the history of Israel and also provide insight conce...

Yesterday while at the baggage carousel, I saw a fellow traveller who wore an assortment of chains from which dangled charms and crystals.  She even had a silver charm glued to her forehead!  I observed her begin at the lowest crystal and align them with her fingers in ascending order towards her chin.  In some spiritual circles, it is believed wearing crystals promote healing and provide protection from negative energy.  My observation is many people put their trust in crystals, amulets and charms that only the almighty God is worthy and able to receive.  Since God is powerful and mighty to protect, save and heal, all who fear God and trust Him can rest assured He will shepherd us without fail now and forever. When David expressed willingness to fight Goliath, king Saul insisted David wear the king's armour--even though it did not fit him at all.  It was God who preserved David and gave him skill to fight, and thus David faced the giant armed with a sling ...