Marching Forth!

" Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,  11  lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices ." 2 Corinthians 2:10-11 In his second letter to the church in Corinth, Paul spoke of the importance of recognising the tactics of Satan to prevent him from taking advantage of believers.  Unforgiveness is a snare Satan lays at our feet when we have been offended or after we heard about what others said or did.  When we allow malice and envy to abide in our hearts it leads to greater sin.  In William Gurnall's book The Christian in Complete Armour, after a detailed explanation of various satanic tactics, he counsels believers in good actions to take.  In light of God's sovereignty and goodness, there are things we can do to be prepared: 1.  Take God into thy counsel.  Heaven overlooks hell.  God at any ...

We are blessed the unchanging, eternal God has made the way of salvation simple enough for a child to understand:  by faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour, God who became flesh, sinners who repent can receive forgiveness and eternal life.  A child knows what it is like to trust their parent to pick them up and carry them.  You don't need a doctorate to understand what it means to rely or depend on someone.  A baby can tell the difference between good and bad milk, and very early in our Christian walk God helps us to discern truth from deception.  You don't need 20 years of professional experience in the dairy industry to know when milk has curdled and gone off.  If a child failed to do a sight or sniff test of sour milk before drinking it, only a brief taste would be required before the whole glass of milk would be rejected. When I observe eating and drinking habits of children, they notice when flavours are different.  They can drink too much of what make...

In my morning reading, I came across the passage in Numbers 25 where Phinehas executed judgment upon Zimri of the tribe of Simeon and Cozbi a woman of Midian.  The Hebrews were condemned by the LORD for their idolatry, and because of a plague many among the people died.  The rulers of the tribes were executed and hung according to the command of the LORD.  Phinehas was obedient to the command of God and with one stroke slew two transgressors in a tent, and God took notice. Numbers 25:10-13 says, " Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying:  11  "Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, has turned back My wrath from the children of Israel, because he was zealous with My zeal among them, so that I did not consume the children of Israel in My zeal.  12  Therefore say, 'Behold, I give to him My covenant of peace;  13  and it shall be to him and his descendants after him a covenant of an everlasting priesthood, because he was ...

I have been starting to read through J. Oswald Sander's book, Spiritual Leadership .  He observed, " The overriding need of the church, if it is to discharge its obligation to the rising generation, is for a leadership that is authoritative, spiritual, and sacrificial ."  (Sanders, J. Oswald. Spiritual Leadership . Moody Press, 1989. pg. 25) The only way this need for spiritual leadership is met is when a person submits to Jesus Christ as LORD and is filled with the Holy Spirit.  The way leadership looks and works in the world is completely different than the leadership Jesus Christ modelled.  The great need of the church is to seek, obey and depend on Jesus Christ, and individuals who embrace this call will be equipped to lead regardless of their role in the church. One observation hearers made of Jesus was how He taught with authority--not like the scribes who quoted their rabbis.  When officers tasked with arresting Jesus refused to do so,  John 7:46 gi...

" God is not a man, that He should lie, n or a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good ?" Numbers 23:19 As Good Friday and Easter draws near, I remain in awe of the incarnation.  It is an amazing, miraculous demonstration of love Jesus would die on the cross to redeem sinners from death, yet it is remarkable God humbled Himself to put on human flesh at all.  Unless God was willing to become a man, He could not have died and provided atonement for us on the cross.  While God became the man Jesus Christ, God is not a man.  That's one reason the incarnation is so marvellous. To humans with a natural mind, it is not humbling in itself to be a human being.  We can discern the difference between an honourable, respectable person and one who is treated with contempt, but we cannot know what it is like to be something other than human.  The God who created the world and all that is in ...

We can presumptuously imagine the work of God depends upon our best efforts.  While we ought to take responsibility before God to do His will and walk in the way that fully pleases Him, God is required for any of our service and ministry to be fruitful.  If God can redeem our lives from destruction, He can also accomplish His work through our failures.  We should guard ourselves against the error that says since God is all powerful and sovereign, He can do whatever He wants without us and seek to justify our indolence. When the Hebrews murmured in the wilderness for lack of water, God commanded Moses and Aaron to take the rod of God and speak to the rock, and God would cause water to flow from it.  Instead, Moses and Aaron spoke harshly to the people and struck the rock.  God made water spring from the rock, and the people and all their flocks were well-watered.  Yet there was a severe consequence for the sin of Moses and Aaron:  they would not be...

" Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD , t he fruit of the womb is a reward ." Psalm 127:3 Rewarding means to give in return, and this occurs according to the generosity of the one offering the reward.  I have seen posters offering monetary rewards to anyone who finds a lost pet and notifies the owner.  A reward in such circumstances is compensation given to the deserving, even as wages might be given to an employee.  But there is a notable difference with God's rewards, for they are given all of God's grace to the underserving out of His goodness.  We might think on the basis of the forgoing verse that those with many children have received a greater reward from God based on their merit, yet it is by God's merit, wisdom and goodness every living soul enters this world. While I was reading the book of Numbers , I was blessed to read the section at the end of Numbers 18 .  To those under the Law of Moses, God commanded people bring a tithe of the best ...

Unbelief is a killer of rest and peace.  When harboured in our hearts, it prevents our healing and restoration to fellowship with God and other believers.  The writer of Hebrews explained it was due to unbelief the children of Israel would not and could not enter the land God promised to give them, and their dead carcasses in the wilderness are a warning to all who follow them in unbelief.  God was grieved by their unbelief, and they weren't pleased with the prospects of 40 years in the wilderness when they were on the cusp of entering in and receiving their inheritance ( Hebrews 3:17-19 ). After 10 spies gave a bad report of the land of Canaan, the people felt hopeless and wept--though God remained good, faithful and sovereign.  God would defeat the people of Canaan as surely as He delivered them from slavery in Egypt with a mighty hand, but the reports of giants put the people in fear.  Unbelief in God and His promise prevented the people from trusting Him....

The last time I read through the Bible from the beginning, I noticed something I hadn't considered before.  With the exception of the first command--for Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree in the midst of the Garden of Eden--prohibitive commands were established by God after the offence took place.  God did not plant the idea of sin in the heart and mind of mankind:  committing sin was man's own doing. For instance, Cain was the first man guilty of murder when he struck Abel and killed him.  This was not a transgression of any law as Abel's murder occurred somewhere around 1,500 years before Noah's flood, after which God issued a prohibition and punishment for murdering people in  Genesis 9:6 :  " Whoever sheds man's blood, By man his blood shall be shed; For in the image of God He made man ."  There have always been negative consequences for sin (for the soul that sins will surely die), but God graciously spelled this out so people could recognis...

Years ago, I had workmate who expended a lot of thought over what he would do if he ever won the lottery.  He was confused when I did not share his bizarre obsession and giddy preoccupation.  Many times he launched into a detailed explanation of the importance of receiving winnings in a lump sum and investing the money in various ways.  This guy had a serious plan for a vast sum of money (if he ever won big, of course), but I was never convinced buying the lotto religiously was the best investment plan. In the parable Jesus told of the prodigal son, the younger of two brothers demanded his father give him his inheritance in a lump sum.  The father graciously did so, but despite the windfall the son was soon broke, destitute and homeless.  My friend imagined the lottery would simplify his life, and the prodigal son may have thought his life would be improved.  As I consider it, the idea of quick wealth in a lump sum is attractive.  Some view the Gospel ...

John the Baptist was quite a polarising figure in Israel.  He had a devout Jewish upbringing under the Law of Moses and was the son of a respected priest.  His lifestyle was strict and his devotion to God brought back memories of prophets of old--to the point Jews wondered if he could possibly be the Messiah!  At the same time, John spoke without respect of persons, rebuking those who came into the wilderness to be baptised by him.  His fierce upholding of God's word and his severe demeanor against wickedness gained him many followers.   Luke 3:7-9 says, " Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, "Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?  8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father.' For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.  9 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees....

The Gospel can do what nothing else in the world can:  it transforms us inside and out.  By faith in Jesus Christ, a sinner is saved and born again by the indwelling Holy Spirit who empowers us to do God's will.  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.  Knowing facts, philosophy or even theology cannot save a person from death and hell, but Jesus can.  To people saved by grace through faith in Jesus Paul wrote in  Romans 12:2 , " And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God ."  It is only through the Gospel we can pass from death to life and be transformed today and every day. The word for "transformed" is the Greek word from which we use for "metamorphosis."  This is a change of form and structure by an amazing process that takes place inside a chrysalis where the body of the caterpillar is dissolved and a new ...

We don't have to be the most intelligent human beings to tell the difference between something done on accident or on purpose.  When I was a boy, a friend of mine at school pushed down hard on a see-saw (teeter-totter or whatever those illegal schoolyard apparatuses are called nowadays) and smacked me right in the mouth.  I found myself lying on my back in a daze, blood pouring from a gash in my lip, glad I still had all my teeth.  He was mortified and very apologetic, and I thought or felt no ill towards him whatsoever:  it was an accident, and accidents happen.  There were plenty of times growing up the words and actions of others incensed me because they were mean and hurtful on purpose--even though they didn't involve stitches or result in a scar on the face. This understanding of the difference between accidents and things done on purpose illustrates an important role reason plays in everyday life.  Because things exist that have intended purpose, by o...

I was impressed by the description of the men of Zebulun who came to David at Hebron because they were determined to make him king of over Israel.   1 Chronicles 12:33 in the NIV described them in this way:  "... men of Zebulun, experienced soldiers prepared for battle with every type of weapon, to help David with undivided loyalty--50,000 ."  These are the sort of men a new king would want.  While their experience and preparedness for battle using every type of weapon was a plus, it was their undivided loyalty that was their greatest asset.  Divided loyalties lead to all sorts of conflict and trouble that can weaken and destroy a kingdom from within. The NKJV puts the passage in a different light:  " ...of Zebulun there were fifty thousand who went out to battle, expert in war with all weapons of war, stouthearted men who could keep ranks ."  Rather than undivided loyalty, this version refers to the character of the men as "stouthearted."...

" Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession.  15  For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin ." Hebrews 4:14-15 Long before the existence of the nebulous word empathy, "sympathize" was defined by Webster in his 1828 Dictionary as:  " To have a common feeling, as of bodily pleasure or pain; to feel in consequence of what another feels; to be affected by feelings similar to those of another, in consequence of knowing the person to be thus affected ."  When Jesus put on human flesh and came to earth, our Creator personally entered into the complete human experience.  Through experience, He knew what it was to feel hungry, thirsty, sleepy and sore.  He endured without sin all the physical influences that often overpower our resolve and cheerful attitudes.  Unlike us, Jesus...

The Bible provides many examples we should emulate and also ones we ought to avoid.  Thus the worst characters and most repugnant personalities provide instruction we do well to observe and take to heart.  Haman, the villain of the Jews, is one such person.  He was an influential, rich and powerful man, a close friend of King Ahasuerus who ruled over the Persian and Mede empire.  One would think with the great wealth, favour and royal access Haman would have been content, but he was far from it. After accepting an invitation to a banquet and enjoying the hospitality provided by Queen Esther for the King and Haman, he was pleased.  But on the way home there was the Jew Mordecai who did not stand or move at all as he walked by--and this lack of a show of respect filled Haman with rage.   Esther 5:10-13 says, " Nevertheless Haman restrained himself and went home, and he sent and called for his friends and his wife Zeresh.  11  Then Haman told t...

To the children of Israel God delivered from slavery in Egypt, Moses was the man.  He was the one chosen by God to lead them out of Egypt and through the desert to the land of promise.  By his hand God did great miracles, and Moses spoke with the LORD face to face while the rest of the people kept their distance.  Moses was the one who carried the stone tablets engraved with the finger of God down from the mountain, and he was instrumental in interceding on behalf of the people.  As Moses held aloft the rod of God the Hebrews were victorious over their enemies, and he judged the people with God's wisdom. After the altar of God was anointed and dedicated  Numbers 7:89 says, " Now when Moses went into the tabernacle of meeting to speak with Him, he heard the voice of One speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; thus He spoke to him ."  Moses was given the privilege by God's grace to hear...

During Bible study last night we spoke of our need as Christians to examine our love.  What is important is we realise this is not a comparison with our peers but to consider the manner and expression of our love in light of Christ's love to us.  Jesus commanded His disciples to "Love one another as I have loved you," and He demonstrated His love for sinners by dying on the cross to atone for their sins.  Jesus provided an example of loving service by washing the feet of His disciples when He had every right to demand His feet to be washed as their LORD and Master. The apostle John, one who referred to himself as the "disciples Jesus loved," wrote in  1 John 2:10-11 :  " He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.  11  But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes ."  The one who walks in love toward...

I like how commonly and casually the Bible describes the miraculous.  The Bible begins assuming God's existence and supernatural power, but the Scripture reveals that after creation God continued to do wonderous things by His grace.  In 1 Chronicles 5:19-20 , we read of the Reubenites, Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh:  " They made war with the Hagrites, Jetur, Naphish, and Nodab.  20  And they were helped against them, and the Hagrites were delivered into their hand, and all who were with them, for they cried out to God in the battle. He heeded their prayer, because they put their trust in Him ."  The children of Israel were engaged in war, and when they cried out to God He heard and helped them.  He provided strength and deliverance for them, not because they had been faithful to keep His commands or by status earned by good works, but due to their faith in Him. As a result of God's divine intervention, the Israelites won the battle and seiz...

It used to be traditional (and perhaps for many it still is) to wear your "Sunday best" to church for services or special occasions.  It was viewed as a special occasion and a way to honour God by washing up and wearing the best clean clothes a person owned.  I knew of churches in our area where you would be prevented entry if you did not meet the requirements of a dress code.  There are sometimes also cultural traditions and etiquette churchgoers also consider to avoid offending others or might be a distraction. I was impressed to read of the spiritual revival that took place in the days of Nehemiah, where instead of wearing their best to appear before the LORD the people wore sackcloth and put dust on their heads.  This was actually a way they honoured God in confessing their sin with profound grief.  The people did not make general confessions of being sinners but were specific in confessing their sin and those of their fathers--for hours.   Nehemia...

" Like the legs of the lame that hang limp i s a proverb in the mouth of fools ." Proverbs 26:7 This is a proverb that recently came to mind.  The imagery employed is of legs that are not able to fulfill their designed purpose.  The description of legs as lame and hanging limp shows they are not used or useful for walking, running, jumping or even standing.  While the person sits in a chair they look fit and able-bodied, but their appearance is an illusion.  I once knew a man who was paralysed from the waist down from a car accident in his teens and sat in a wheelchair.  Because of his healthy, fit appearance and active lifestyle, some asked him why he didn't use a cane.  They did not realise his legs were without strength, and over time because of muscle atrophy those legs became a liability. A proverb in the mouth of fools is compared to the legs of the lame because those words of wisdom are never exercised.  A proverb or verses quoted from Scripture...

Because God's ways are higher than ours and His thoughts not our thoughts, the natural man cannot comprehend Him.  To the human intellect, the wisdom of God can appear as foolishness ( 1 Cor. 1:18 )!  One of the challenges Christians face is to communicate what faith in God is to those who mischaracterise it and reject Him.  The cliche that faith is, "Believing without seeing" is a misnomer, because saving faith in God is based upon drawing conclusions through various kinds of evidence:  personal observation of the world, historical and biblical accounts and eye-witness testimony.  When the data is considered together, faith is choosing to place our trust in God with intent to obey Him.  To some this will look like foolishness, to trust God no one cannot see.  But evidence for God's existence is all around us and becomes plainly evident when mixed with faith in God. Hebrews 11:1-3 says, " Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of ...