Marching Forth!

God is more than impressive, for He is awesome beyond comprehension.  It is amazing God our Creator has revealed Himself to us in the person of Jesus Christ, speaks to us in His word, and helps guide us by the power of the Holy Spirit.  His ways and thoughts are completely above ours, and at most we merely perceive the edges of His marvellous works ( Job 26:14 ).  Because the divide between God's miraculous abilities and ours is so vast, we often bring Him down to our size through unbelief.  When we feel helpless, we assume help cannot be found.  God is not always presently in the front of our minds, so we tend to lean on our own understanding and abilities rather than placing our confidence in God. I was immeasurably blessed by a passage I recently read in  Jeremiah 33:19-22 :  " And the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,  20  "Thus says the LORD : 'If you can break My covenant with the day and My covenant with the night, so that t...

When someone wronged me as a child, I often looked for visible signs of contrition before I would accept their apology and forgive them.  We all realised (even as children) people can say things they do not necessarily mean.  We said "please" and "sorry" because our parents told us we needed to, and doing what we were told was the means of earning good standing with them again.  This, of course, is not the biblical model of forgiveness made possible by God after we are born again by faith in Jesus.  Trying to ensure people prove they really are sorry and have learned their lesson is not the basis of our forgiving of others, but Jesus has freely forgiven us according to His grace.  People are more likely to adopt a system of imposing penance on those who do wrong or put a burden on themselves rather than freely forgiving others and receiving forgiveness by God's grace. The definition of "penance" in the Webster's 1828 Dictionary is as follows:  ...

There was big news in the online gaming world this week when it was announced a live-service game had run its course and would no longer be updated.  For over a decade this game was popular enough to support careers of many content creators who played, discussed, analysed and critiqued the game they thoroughly enjoyed.  When the news hit, there was one content creator who sat in silence as he processed what this meant for him personally.  Moved by emotion, his observations were insightful of how important the game had been in his life.  He compared the game to an "anchor" and a "foundation" he could always return to, and with the game ceasing development he expressed fear about what the future held for him. I don't know if he realised it or not, but the honest, raw realisation of the YouTuber is a microcosm of everyone who puts their trust and reliance in things of this world that are surely passing away.  He came to a conclusion people sometimes found on a deat...

" Then the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying,  27  "Behold, I am the LORD , the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me ?" Jeremiah 32:26-27 At Bible study last night we discussed how God's thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways; He is altogether higher and His plans are beyond us in every aspect, for the LORD God who created all things rules over everything.  One of the great difficulties people face who personally believe and know God is that He answers our prayers in ways we could not have predicted.  God's greatness defies our expectations and always exceeds them immeasurably.  Though we know this, we would be lying when God does His wonders to say, "I knew it!"  We would be better served simply praising God who is awesome and wonderful in all His ways. The question God asked Jeremiah was a rhetorical question the prophet and all God's people ought to take to heart.  In theory we ascribe to the absolut...

Recently I was encouraged by a church gathering and the edifying fellowship we shared together.  One of the recurring exhortations was for those who are not regularly reading the Bible to make it a priority moving forward.  While I believe this is of critical importance in the life of a Christian who walks in victory, quantity does not equate with good quality.  We can read pages and chapters of Scripture that wash over us, and we may not have a memorable verse, phrase or word we carry into the day by aligning our outlook and lifestyle with it.  We can be in such a rush we do not remember a thing!  When we are already reading the Bible, reading the Bible "more" is not necessarily feasible--and will be of nominal help unless we believe God and put what He has said into practice. While we might not be physically able to kneel before an open Bible, sit with the Scriptures open or hear it read to us, we can live in consideration of what God has spoken to us continua...

Many Christians are aware of the compelling power of a personal testimony in leading people to Jesus Christ.  The man born blind who was healed by Jesus was fiercely interrogated by religious rulers who intimidated his parents from even speaking on his behalf--lest they be excommunicated from the synagogue.  Poisoned by unbelief, those blaspheming rulers judged Jesus to be a sinner and told the man to give God the glory for his miraculous healing.   John 9:25 gives us his brilliant response:  " He answered and said, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see. "  Though this man was unskilled in matters of Jewish religion and law compared to those experts, he spoke wisdom by sharing his personal transformation by Jesus these men could not even speak again.  All their scorn could not shake the faith of the man in Jesus. Something which Christians can overlook is how sharing our personal testimony...

After Job suffered tremendous personal loss and was afflicted with boils head to toe, his wife was incredulous he clung to his integrity.  She scornfully said, "Curse God and die!"  His response is provided in  Job 2:10 :  " But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?" In all this Job did not sin with his lips ."  Despite his pain and troubles, Job did not accuse God of doing wrong or sin with His lips.  He praised God who gave him life rather than cursing Him.  Though Job did not understand why such awful things befell him, he was convinced God remained only good. This morning I was reading in the book of  Micah how God would come down to the earth with the mountains melting before His presence like wax before flame and that the valleys would be torn in two.  The God of Israel would reduce the capital city of Samaria to a heap, throw down the...

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul explained one purpose of the Law of Moses in  Romans 3:19-20 :  " Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.  20  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin ."  While all sin is contrary to God and His righteous ways, it is completely natural for all those born into it.  The Law gave commands and prohibitions that guided the conduct of people, yet laws written on tablets of stone could not govern or transform hearts.  Thankfully God who knows the heart has given Christians the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin the Law never explicity mentioned. During my recent study in the book of Jeremiah, it occurred to me how self-pity is a sin I have not always recognised in myself or others.  Self is at the centre of countless si...

Last night at Bible study we discussed the crucifixion and burial of Jesus in Matthew 27 .  Typically Roman crucifixion was reserved for the worst criminals, and after being taken down from the cross their bodies were treated as unclean refuse and left to rot.  Matthew tells us a wealthy disciple of Jesus named Joseph of Arimathea went to Pilate and asked for His body.  After Jesus was confirmed dead by Romans, Joseph was granted permission to take the body of Christ. Matthew 27:59-60 says, " When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth,  60  and laid it in his new tomb which he had hewn out of the rock; and he rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb, and departed ."  The Gospel of John adds in  John 19:39-42 :  " And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds.  40  Then they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips...

I read a passage in Jonah this morning that illustrates the tendency of people to rely on his own strength to save themselves.  After Jonah attempted in vain to flee by ship from God who commanded him to go to Nineveh and preach against the city, the LORD whipped up a tremendous storm.  The mariners feared for their lives and threw their cargo overboard to save themselves as they each cried out to their gods.  The captain roused sleeping Jonah (ironically sleeping and silent when only his God hears and answers prayer), and it was determined by lot he was responsible for the tempest.  He admitted he had brought disaster upon them by disobedience to God.  The terrified men asked what they needed to do to restore calm. Jonah 1:12-13 says, " And he said to them, "Pick me up and throw me into the sea; then the sea will become calm for you. For I know that this great tempest is because of me."  13  Nevertheless the men rowed hard to return to land, but t...

Years ago when I worked as a foreman, some of my colleagues were bemoaning the chronic bad behaviour of our employees.  Workers were showing up late, taking long breaks and production had fallen off.  No matter how much they complained, begged or threatened their workers, their efforts to "right the ship" had little to no effect.  Perhaps the workers would immediately make a show of work, but the second their foreman left the room everyone reverted back to their careless, meandering ways.  Our workers had been conditioned to do as they wanted because there were no consequences besides complaining. As a relatively new foreman at that company, after observation and consideration I asked:  "Do we have a disciplinary policy?"  They affirmed the corporation had a policy in place.  Then I questioned, "Why aren't we putting it into practice?"  Somehow the implementation of the formal disciplinary policy of our company had been neglected, and it took time...

When I bought milk during a recent shop, my mind drifted back to an interview I heard on ABC radio years ago.  For a long time the cost of 3 litres of milk was $3, and the host was interviewing listeners if they were in favour of increasing the cost $.50 to support Australian dairy farmers who were doing it tough.  The majority of those calling in were surprisingly supportive of the idea as $.50 was not asking much.  Shortly thereafter, the cost of milk was increased $.50--along with all other dairy items. This was something that was not discussed in the ABC interview.  Their pitch to consumers was to increase the cost of milk to help dairy farmers, but the host did not mention that this possibly could or would impact everything milk was used to make.  Since I buy groceries on a weekly basis, I immediately noticed a corresponding increase in other products like cheese, cream, yogurt, sour cream, milk chocolate and ice cream.  A proposed fifty-cent in...

As a spectator, I have watched world-class athletes have what we call in Australia a "shocker."  My eyebrows went up recently when I saw clip from a baseball game when a routine ground ball skipped by an excellent outfielder and roll all the way to the wall, allowing 4 runs when it should have been only one or two.  It was surprising to see a player of such calibre make such a fundamental error, but we have all failed to execute simple tasks we know we are capable of doing--whether on the sports field, while cooking dinner, at work or school.  Today I had a bit of a shocker at church when I sent the wrong verses to the sound team and then forgot to edit my own notes.  Let's just say, things did not run smoothly. Our God is glorious, perfect and majestic in all His ways without error, and He has chosen to use people who are flawed, weak instruments to serve Him and to do His will.  It is fitting that we do our best to honour God by applying ourselves to give Him ...

There is a classic sketch where Bob Newhart is a therapist who repeatedly and agressively urges his client to "Stop it!" when she shares how fear is negatively affecting her life.  It would be wonderful if we could simply break the power of addictions, fear, worry and anxiety by willpower alone, but often our experience shows us we lack the ability to fundamentally change ourselves.  Newhart's character put the onus of change on his client who found herself unable to change--and that is why she sought professional help.  While the dialogue and delivery in the sketch is hilarious, it illustates how hopeless and helpless people can feel when their deliverance and healing depends upon them doing what they cannot do. I was very encouraged by a Bible passage I read recently in  Psalm 94:18-19 :  " If I say, "My foot slips," Your mercy, O LORD , will hold me up.  19  In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul ."  The p...

When it comes to ministry and money, I am very cognisant it can be a huge stumbling block to people inside and outside the church.  I find persistent fundraising appeals by Christian ministries can feel like harassment, and it is disgusting when preachers dangle financial prosperity for those who give to support their lavish lifestyle.  In fitness culture, people put stock in the chiseled or ripped physique of their trainer at the gym, and at some churches people are drawn by professional productions, opulent wealth, and prosperity of pastors because they desire to obtain those results for themselves.  Unfortunately the "gospel" put forth by some is a false gospel, for it shifts the focus from Christ and all He has done to ourselves, our entitlements, and how to be prosperous now. Though envy, greed and selfishness can creep into a person, ministry or a church, this does not invalidate the responsibility and privilege of Christians to regularly and gladly give according t...

As I was departing from a carpark today, the car in front of me stopped and very slowly inched forward.  At first I thought it was caution before turning right, as there were cars lined up on both sides of the street that obscured a clear view.  Then I suspected it was out of care for the paint on the bumper because the dip was extreme.  When my turn came to make a right--careful though I was--I felt the front bumper graze the bitumen and scraped off some paint.  Likely the fellow before me had already learned the lesson I did by experience. I have found learning by personal experience to be the natural order of things.  Though I saw the other driver taking great care in turning right, I did not know precisely why he was so slow in doing so.  Even when I suspected I knew the reason, we were driving different models of vehicles, and his car had lower profile tyres.  Drivers of utes of four-wheel drives would not need to slow down at all to safely navig...

The more God's people consider the awesome attributes of our God, it blows our minds away.  Though God has created us in His own image and given us minds able to understand, reason and remember, God is not like us.  He knows all things, and because He is outside time sees what is past, present and future all at once.  Though He cannot forget, God chooses what He will and will not remember.   Jeremiah 31:34 speaks of the new covenant God would bring and how He will forgive repentant sinners:  " No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, 'Know the LORD ,' for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the LORD . For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more ."  Blessed is the one whose sin is forgiven and God remembers it no more! God does not need reminders like we do (because we forget), but God takes specific action to remember and do all He has said....

Our world is filled with complexity.  People, languages, relationships and theology are all complicated.  While there are aspects of all these that remain the same, there are things that change and morph over time.  The use of words can change to the point someone can mean the exact opposite of the word's common definition.  I remember when the Michael Jackson song "Bad" was at the peak of popularity (which meant the best), and other words have taken its place like "sick" or "mean."  When it comes to interpreting the Bible, it can clash with the modern take of the meaning of words.  A recent and useful conversation I had illustrated well the importance to carefully define what we mean when we use a particular word. Because words are complicated and not limited to a single definition, the context helps us determine what people mean and thus the conclusions we draw.  A statement I find challenging to accept at face value without explaination is the claim...

Over the years I have watched shows that chronicle the experiences of people who have sought assistance with a hoarding problem.  Slowly stuff and clutter accumulates in the house to the point the movement and activity of the homeowner is severely restricted.  Rooms become impossible to enter, basements fill, and stuff begins to spill into the yard.  Quite often by the time television crews are on the scene, the house has become dangerous to the occupants and nearly impossible to traverse.  Mould, vermin and spoiled food create an environment that becomes increasingly unpleasant and unhealthy. Another thing I have noticed when a house is full of stuff, maintenance of the house itself become impossible and is neglected.  The desire to acquire, preserve and save things ends up being thwarted by all the things accumulated that are inaccessable and exposed to fouling by pests and water damage.  Leaks in the roof are not able to be fixed, and plumbing repairs ar...

Aaron and Miriam spoke against Moses their brother after he married an Ethiopian woman.  The passage says ominously, " And the LORD heard it. "  Because he was a meek and humble man, Moses did not say anything to defend himself from their attempts to publicly undermine his God-given leadership role.  God is patient and longsuffering, yet in this case He acted quickly by summoning all three of them to appear before him at the tabernacle.  The LORD descended before them in a pillar of cloud and stood in the doorway, and He commanded Aaron and Miriam to step forward. Numbers 12:6-9 tells us God's words:  " Then He said, "Hear now My words: "If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD , make Myself known to him in a vision; I speak to him in a dream.  7 Not so with My servant Moses; h e is faithful in all My house.  8 I speak with him face to face, e ven plainly, and not in dark sayings;  a nd he sees the form of the LORD . Why then were y...

When facing tragedy and loss, we can be overwhelmed with hopeless feelings to the point we can refuse comfort.  We observe this in the life of Jacob after his eldest son Reuben presented the special colourful coat Joseph wore that was torn and soiled with blood.  There was no mistaking the coat, for Jacob had given it to his son who was at the time 17 years old.  The destroyed state of the coat caused Jacob to assume the worst.   Genesis 37:34-35 reads, " Then Jacob tore his clothes, put sackcloth on his waist, and mourned for his son many days.  35  And all his sons and all his daughters arose to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted, and he said, "For I shall go down into the grave to my son in mourning." Thus his father wept for him ." Because Joseph was precious to His father, he took no comfort from his sons, daughters and grandchildren.  He was determined to grieve the loss of his son presently and perpetually, for the death of Jos...

Have you experienced being overwhelmed, when everything seems too hard and you've had enough?  When we feel this way our tendency is to feel lonely, disillusioned and like we ought to quit.  If you have felt this way as a Christian, you are not alone.  Elijah was a man who feared God, who was protected and miraculously provided for, whose prayers were answered, and saw God work wonders firsthand.  Yet after he received a death threat from queen Jezebel, he left his servant behind ventured alone into the wilderness.  He prayed to God he would die and said, " It is enough!  Now, LORD, take my life, for I am no better than my fathers !"  It was all too much for Elijah. 1 Kings 19:5-8  reads, " Then as he lay and slept under a broom tree, suddenly an angel touched him, and said to him, "Arise and eat."  6 Then he looked, and there by his head was a cake baked on coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank, and lay down again.  7 And t...