Marching Forth!

" Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.     But the correction of fools is folly ." Proverbs 16:22 Our ability to understand is a gift given us by God.  Elihu said in Job 32:7-9 , " I said, ‘Age should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.’   8 But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives him understanding. 9 Great men are not always wise, nor do the aged always understand justice ."  God who knows all things and created mankind is able to give eternal life and understanding by His grace.  Unless the living God had revealed Himself to us, we could never know Him or experience the abundant life He delights to provide all who trust in Him. Solomon described understanding as a "wellspring of life" to those who have it.  This understanding is more than observing or accepting reality as we perceive it, but it is knowledge of what is true and the desire to submit our lives to it.  This wellspr...

After Jesus called Matthew to follow Him, Jesus ate at his house and many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with Him.  When the Pharisees saw this they asked His disciples:  "Why does your master eat with tax collectors and sinners?"  Merely asking this question exposed the unbelief and ignorance in these religious leaders.  Their question implied they saw His sinful company as a blight upon His character; it showed they did not believe sinners could be redeemed or Jesus unable to cleanse or change them.  Their response showed they did not believe Jesus Christ was the promised Messiah God sent to seek and save the lost. Jesus answered their query in Matthew 9:12-13 :  " When Jesus heard that, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance .”  Jesus pointed out the...

As I tend to think in concrete terms, it was always difficult for me in my younger days to understand what Christians meant when they spoke about "fruit."  Because the Bible spoke about spiritual fruit in a figurative sense, it seemed a very subjective standard legalistic-leaning people were pleased to spell out.  I remember kids in our youth group debating whether we had a responsibility to be "fruit inspectors," that we were the ones qualified to determine whether others were living up to a biblical standard.  While the Bible does provide a clear contrast between obvious works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 , being able to identify faults in others did nothing to ensure we faithfully walked in the Spirit ourselves! Reading what Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount would have been very helpful for me to read in regards to His warning about false prophets.  He said in Matthew 7:15-20 :  “ Beware of false prophets, who come to you in ...

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples they were the salt of the earth.  He alluded to the purpose of salt for seasoning food to improve flavour, for flavourless salt is good for nothing.  Clearly tasteless salt lacked the chemical properties of real salt, as genuine sodium chloride always retains its savour.  Salt was relied upon to preserve meat and flavour foods, and "salt" that lacked flavour was proved to be a worthless substitute. Jesus continued in the same vein in verses that followed in  Matthew 5:14-16 :  " You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.  15   Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.  16   Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven ."  A city built on a hill would be visible because the man-made structure stood out from s...

Toilet training is a rite of passage for parents of young children.  It can be challenging to train little ones to learn to stop playing and use the toilet in the bathroom.  Training children to wake up and go to the toilet at night takes things to another level!  I remember we had friends over who had a toddler still in nappies who we all observed crouching under a table and was strangely still while kids happily ran around.  Within moments he was back to playing with friends--which soon came to an end when he was picked up by a parent because he needed a nappy change. This week while preparing for a Bible study, this memory came flooding back with conviction and spiritual insight.  We studied and discussed Psalm 102 which has this description in my Bible:  " A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD ."  At times we have all been afflicted, felt overwhelmed and poured out our complaints, but I was c...

Early in my Christian walk, it was common vernacular to say someone was "on fire" for God because of their overt zeal and passion for Christ.  I heard it preached if you were not "on fire" for God, something was wrong with your relationship with God.  This was a source of confusion for me because it seemed to be subjective.  Another problem was it was often determined by comparison with other Christians and was dependent on what we did.  A Christian could be deemed "on fire" because they were more enthusiastic than their peers.  Could it just be an outgoing personality? Another issue I found difficult to navigate was the terminology concerning being "on fire" was not typically taught from Scripture.  The verses I remember people using to emphasise this need to be "on fire" quoted the words of John the Baptist who spoke of Jesus who would baptise with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Some might have alluded to when the Holy Spirit came upon Ch...

After Jesus washed the feet of His disciples, He explained to them in  John 13:13-15 :  " You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  14   If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet.  15   For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you ."  The things Jesus did as Master and LORD set an example He intended His disciples to follow.  This is not always true for children who watch their dad light a fire or their mother stir frying using a wok on a hot burner.  When Jesus washed feet, it was the task all the disciples figured was beneath them and best left to others.  That was the task Jesus embraced for the good of all, and He commanded each of them to follow His example in humble service of one another.  The fact Jesus has filled Christians with the Holy Spirit means we are able to discern opportunities our flesh cannot, and He empow...

There are certain words that are commonly found in the Bible and nowhere else.  We do not hear people in business, politics or in casual conversation use such words, nor do we see them in advertisements or on signs of protesters.  One such word is "lovingkindness" that describes the faithful love and kindness of God combined at full strength.  As if this is not a sufficient description, we can also observe a plural version of "lovingkindnesses" (which spell check flagged as incorrect!) as found in  Psalm 25:6 :  " Remember, O LORD , Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, f or they are from of old ."   Because God is awesome and words can only begin to portray the vastness of His love, goodness, mercy and favour, lovingkindness is a word that attempts to describe our indescribable God. Last night I was reminded of one of those looping scripture songs that were especially popular in the 70's and 80's taken from  Psalm 63:3-4 :  " B...

When women went to the tomb of Jesus to anoint His dead body, an angel asked them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead?"  After His decease they noted the correct location where the body of Jesus was laid, yet because He rose from the dead they were looking in the wrong place.  It struck me how people can do a similar thing in their desire to hear a word from the LORD.  Our modern mindset can be to view something "old" as outdated or unsupported and the "new" is superior.  People easily become bored with the familiar, and they look to something new to grab their interest.  God forbid we would take this approach with the Bible, the timeless word of God! Looking back upon the history of Israel, God revealed Himself to the Jews and gave them His Law.  Though afraid when His presence appeared at Mt. Sinai, their awe and fear of the glorious living God seemed to wear off quickly.  We observe when people like the high priest Eli or King Saul refused t...

During the reign of King Darius in Persia, God-fearing people who resettled in Bethel sent word to the prophet Zechariah with a question:  should they continue to fast on the 5th month as they had while in captivity in Babylon?  We are not told precisely what their motive was that prompted this question.  Perhaps fasting seemed unnecessary since they were back in the land of their inheritance.  Would God be displeased if they left off this tradition they had kept dutifully for decades?  Was there any benefit of fasting any longer? Zechariah 7:4-7 states, " Then the word of the LORD of hosts came to me, saying,  5 "Say to all the people of the land, and to the priests: 'When you fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh months during those seventy years, did you really fast for Me--for Me?  6 When you eat and when you drink, do you not eat and drink for yourselves?  7 Should you not have obeyed the words which the LORD proclaimed through...

Humility and meekness are characteristics of God's people who are led by the Holy Spirit in wisdom.  Jesus humbled Himself by coming to earth in the likeness of mankind, made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Himself the form of a servant.  Serving was a way God demonstrated His active love that gives with the good of others in mind.  On the night Jesus was betrayed, He girded Himself with a towel and washed the disciples' feet and provided an example we all should follow.  Then Jesus gave His own blood on Calvary's cross and demonstrated His love for sinners--for you and me--by dying to provide atonement.  God is exalted and glorious above all, and all authority and power is His, yet He always remains humble and meek at the same time.   James 3:13 says, " Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom ."  In Jesus we observe One who has all wisdom and understanding,...

Our Bible study last night ended with an exhortation in  Psalm 98:5-9 :  " Sing to the LORD with the harp, w ith the harp and the sound of a Psalm,  6 with trumpets and the sound of a horn; s hout joyfully before the LORD , the King.  7 Let the sea roar, and all its fullness, t he world and those who dwell in it;  8 let the rivers clap their hands; l et the hills be joyful together before the LORD ,  9 for He is coming to judge the earth. With righteousness He shall judge the world,  a nd the peoples with equity ."  God's redeemed people and the earth are to praise God with great joy, for God is coming to judge the earth with righteousness and the people with equity.  The songs of praise flowing from God's people will rise to heaven accompanied with the roaring seas and rushing rivers. Why is there such praise and gladness?  Because the LORD is coming to judge the earth in righteousness and the people with equity.  Without ...

Paul wrote in  2 Corinthians 1:3-5 , " Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,  4  who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.  5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ ."  Paul was no stranger to suffering for Christ's sake, and his experiences joyfully endured demonstrated the comfort He received by faith in Jesus in the most trying times.  What Paul dubbed "light affliction" people who have suffered less would have called soul crushing without Christ who gave him strength.  Our God is the God of all comfort who comforts us in all our tribulation so we might also comfort others.  Compared to a meal set before us, the consolation of our Saviour is the main course while troubles that confront us are a light du...

I remember years ago in San Diego we had a mayor who ran on conservative principles he abandoned in tears when he fronted the media, and he stated his position on marriage had changed because of the persuasions of a dear family member.  Some might have appreciated the change in his stance, but the complete reversal of his position was a betrayal of his party and those who voted for him.  I believed he would have done better to cite a conflict of interest and resign rather than undermine the will of the people for personal reasons. One aspect of God's character is He is not a respecter of persons--meaning He does not show preferential treatment.  He does not punish the heathen for sins yet find the rebellion of His people funny or ignore their disobedience.   Deuteronomy 10:17-18 :  " For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe.  18  He administers justice f...

I have been considering lately how God is faithful to speak to our need.  When God told His people not to be afraid it was because they were inclined to be fearful; God's exhortation to be strong and courageous because He was with them was because they felt otherwise.  While we would be content with God validating our feelings, His wisdom and truth revealed to us transcends them.  By virtue of who our sovereign God is, His promises in his word and who we are in Jesus Christ, He gives us all the encouragement and comfort we need to keep going as we labour for His glory. We see an illustration of this in the word of the LORD through Haggai the prophet spoken to Zerubbabal, the high priest Joshua, and the people of Israel that were rebuilding the temple after a long period of captivity.   Haggai 2:3-5 reads, " Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing?...

The Jewish sons of Sceva (a chief of the priests) took it upon themselves to be travelling exorcists, and this foray into itinerant ministry did not go well for them.  Jesus gave authority to His disciples over unclean spirits, yet these men decided to follow a formula they picked up from the apostle Paul.  We need God and a relationship with Him by faith in Jesus Christ to accomplish anything of value for His kingdom, for without Jesus we can do nothing ( John 15:5 ).  They imagined by invoking the name of Jesus who Paul preached, the demon would comply with their commands.   Acts 19:15-16 says, " And the evil spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"  16  Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded ."  There were two different Greek words for "know" employed by the spirit:  that he knew Jesus...

I was recently reminded of this verse in  James 5:16 :  " Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ."  Forgiveness by God is not earned through confession alone, nor should we credit particular words of a prayer for healing:  it is the righteous, holy and just God who forgives and heals.  Rather than seeking a person we view as righteous and placing our trust in their access to God, we ought to humble ourselves by obeying God who has spoken to us in His word, the LORD who hears and answers prayer. The final verses of a chapter I read last night connected observance of the Law of Moses with righteousness in  Deuteronomy 6:24-25 :  " And the LORD commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day.  25  Then it will be righteousness for us, i...

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...

" 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...

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...