No Longer Slaves of Sin

At a family gathering as a kid, I witnessed an interaction between one of my uncles and his grandson.  When my uncle noticed the boy playing with his pack of cigarettes, it prompted a fairly harsh response that left the little one scurrying away crying.  I was surprised by my uncle's violent outburst, and he justified it without apology as being for the best, as the incident would serve to deter the little boy from smoking in the future.  I was not convinced his assessment was accurate even at the time, and upon reflection I am certain it was untrue.  The boy was interested and drawn to the colourful packet and lighter his grandpa always had at his side, and when his uncle sparked up another cigarette it rekindled the curiosity of the lad.

My uncle's thinly veiled hypocrisy was clear to me, that he was adamant smoking was bad for his grandson when he continued to smoke himself.  I assume his motive to protect his grandson from the fangs of addiction was genuine, but at the same time he resigned himself to a slavish relationship with smoking.  Perhaps he had tried in vain to quit smoking.  I don't know.  What I do know from observing my uncle and his grandson is there can be things people see as bad for others which they continue to do themselves.  Based on my uncle's statement, his outburst was not because the boy was not of legal smoking age, but because he thought it was a bad habit his grandson would do well to avoid altogether.

My point in sharing this story is not to decry the evils of addiction or smoking, but it is to sound the alarm over hypocrisy that can be coddled in the hearts of every one of God's people.  Having been born again by faith in Jesus, we have passed from death to life.  Paul wrote in Romans 6:1-4, "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? ² Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? ³ Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? ⁴ Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."  Our lives should be a testimony of new life through Jesus by freedom from sin.  As God reveals our addictions to sinful ways of thinking, talking and doing, we are to repent and put on the LORD Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh.

It is tragic when Christians have been so mentally and physically beaten by a sin they are like my uncle, resigned to addiction as if there was no point trying to quit.  This is where the problem often lies:  we have failed to walk in the victory granted by Jesus because we have tried in strength of our flesh to overcome what Jesus already has.  Content with salvation, people can give up the fight against besetting sins because God will forgive them anyway.  Conviction over their behaviour as sin has been muted because it has been justified so long.  They can see their sin as being bad for others, yet they accept the sin as a regular part of life and have settled for trying to make peace with it by indulging it.  Brothers and sisters, this ought not to be.  We are not to allow sin to rule in our bodies any longer, for we have been made alive to God.  Paul said in Romans 6:18-19:  "And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness."  This is a choice we can make by God's grace.

It can be easier to recognise sin in others we remain blind to in ourselves.  My uncle's irritation in seeing his grandson play with his cigarettes could have been an impetus to examining his own conduct and the example he set for the boy every time he lit a cigarette.  The same reasons he did not want his grandson to start smoking in the future were solid reasons for him to quit right then.  There are aids that exist to help people break the habit of smoking, and there are steps believers can take to avoid sinning and doing what is right instead.  When it comes to sin our aim ought to be to quit "cold turkey" because we are dead to it and it is not our master any more.  We are called to present ourselves as slaves of righteousness and living sacrifices to Jesus, and how blessed we are the Holy Spirit and our fellow Christians help us on our journey of sanctification.

Mr. Hugh Kennedy

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 surprise he found his sight gone and was unable to find Romans 8:38 himself.  With keen eyes of faith on God and His promise, Mr. Kennedy was persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities or powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height, nor depth nor any other created thing would be able to separate him from the love of God in Christ Jesus.  We too, having placed our faith in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, can retain such confidence even when our bodies fail and we go the way of the earth to our fathers.

The God Who was with Mr. Hugh Kennedy all his days would also be with his children after him, and all believers can have this same confidence and unshakable assurance.  Mr. Kennedy was persuaded because of Christ's love for him that he could eat breakfast with his family, and after his passing would be eating dinner with Jesus in heaven.  The end of life on earth would not be his end.  The anecdote concluded, "And so departed."  His spirit left behind his mortal frame and went to be clothed with a new body in the heavens with his LORD Jesus, united and glorified in the presence of God forever.  His departure from his body meant his arrival in the presence of the LORD, free of pain, blindness and all sorrows of this world--because for him the former things had passed away.

That we would have such confidence in God and His promises to us in Scripture!  The love of God demonstrated for us on the cross and ever since is a sound foundation to build our lives upon, for Jesus gives eternal life to all who repent and trust in Him.  A day came when Mr. Kennedy was unable to see or speak, yet God continues to speak to this day and will continue to speak long after we enter into the LORD's presence.  God remains faithful, and His active love never fails to pursue, bless and cause everything to work together for good to us who love God.  The death of Jesus accomplished God's good purposes and plans, and when God calls us home to be with him we can have this confidence:  nothing shall be able to separate us from God's love in Christ Jesus.  He truly gives rest for the weary soul.

The Mirror Miracle

God is present in the everyday situations of life, and sometimes we are given insight to see Him at work that brings encouragement.  Looking back on God's faithfulness to people in the pages of scripture, through the testimonies of others and our own experiences, we can rest assured God will be faithful to us presently and in the future forever.  Though the future is uncertain, we can know without a doubt our good God knows us and will preserve us going forward.

Recently I reminisced over a challenging move that took place years ago.  Several fellows from church and I organised to help a family move house.  This move was a struggle because the family moving was not sufficiently prepared, it was on a weeknight, and we needed to travel a long distance--and we were all slated to work early the following day.  In our initial discussion, we were told to be extra careful with a bureau and a large matching mirror.  The furniture had been in the family for a long time and it carried a great deal of sentimental value.  "I don't really care if anything else breaks," he said.  "This is the one thing that cannot be broken."  We carefully communicated the importance of the furniture to the crew and carefully secured it in the truck.

After overcoming hiccups and obstacles, we finally arrived at the new residence.  It was nearly midnight as we began transferring items from the truck into the garage--and we were far from home and hours from sleeping in bed.  The unloading was much quicker than the loading had been.  And then the unthinkable happened:  as I raised the Tommy Gate to full height I watched in horror as the large mirror began to fall forward in slow motion.  We were too far away to catch the mirror as it quickly gathered speed and slammed to the deck.  I was in disbelief how this could have possibly happened with all the precautions we had taken.  In grim silence a fellow worker and I lifted the mirror that amazingly, miraculously had been preserved.  There was not a scratch or mark on the mirror that should have shattered into a million pieces after falling straight onto the truck bed.  Our sigh of relief was also praise to God who marvelously helped us.

If God saw fit to preserve a mirror that was special to someone, how much more will He preserve His beloved children He treasures though they fall?  He is there to lift us up again.  Jesus asked in Luke 12:6-7:  "Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. ⁷ But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."  Sparrows were not precious, five of them purchased in exchange for two small coins, yet God took note of every one of these small, relatively insignificant birds.  God is not only concerned with a bird or a whole person but knows the number of all the hairs on our heads.  Jesus exhorted His hearers, "Do no fear:  you are of more value than many sparrows."  Glory to God for loving and valuing us as He does, and assured of His faithfulness we need not fear anything that befalls us.

Godliness and Contentment

When my eldest son was learning to pray out loud to God, he said something that makes me smile to this day.  Shortly after our kitchen had been remodelled, before a meal he rattled off a series of things he was thankful for.  As he made a sweeping gesture with his arm he said happily, "And thank God for the countertops!"  We never had new countertops before, and we were all pleased to have them.  His exuberance over our remodeled kitchen was unexpected and fun to see.

At Calvary Chapel Sydney we are studying through the book of Ecclesiastes, and Solomon was no stranger to new or nice things.  One thing he discovered, however, was no matter how many nice things he had they would not remain his forever:  new things quickly grow old, and things in themselves cannot provide meaning or satisfaction.  We only had our new countertops for a short time before they took damage from an exercise ball that inadvertently knocked a chisel into the bench surface near the sink.  It was a test for me:  would I become angry and frustrated over the damage?  Would I justify bitterness or resentment because of what happened?  How could we take precautions to prevent this from happening again?  Was I praising the LORD with gratitude the chisel had not landed on a little foot or hand?

In contrast to those who believed gain was godliness, Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 6:6-7:  "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷ For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."  Whether Paul had money in abundance or was on a tight budget, he discovered contentment in God that did not depend on his present circumstances.  Paul was content to walk the streets of Jerusalem as a free man or be incarcerated in Rome.  He maintained the eternal perspective knowing he came into the world with nothing and would leave the same way.  While quality countertops are useful, we cannot take them with us.  Those who realise in God all our needs are met can be genuinely thankful and grateful for all we have and not be addled with covetousness over what we do not have--which leads us not to appreciate all God has provided.

Should it become apparent our outlook is marred with greed, covetousness or discontent, many people "try" to be content--as if that is the problem in itself.  The reality is, our lack of contentment is evidence of lack of godliness.  Children of God can fight a continual losing battle to be content in the LORD when we have not first acknowledged and repented of our greed and covetousness and thanking God for all He has given.  Confessing and repenting of our sin is a critical step to walk in godliness with contentment.  Our good God will see to it we will remain troubled should we remain unrepentant in sin.  Contentment is not carelessness or rejection of material possessions but gratitude, thankfulness and joy in the LORD who has given us all that pertains to life and godliness.  We can be thankful and praise God for all He provides for us--even when a chisel gouges the counter.  In our God is only gain, and by faith in Him we can be content by His grace.

The Bible Verse Bungle

I was reminded recently of the time God used a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses who came to my door to teach me some valuable lessons.  I was running late for a Wednesday evening service when two fellows carrying magazines knocked on my apartment door.  At the time these men were unwanted obstacles who prevented me from going where I wanted to go.  I was in a rush but I thought it impolite to leave without saying something.

I had several personal interactions with Jehovah's Witnesses before and understood some important deviations in their theology from mine as a born-again follower of Jesus Christ.  After sharing my conviction that the Watchtower was a false prophet not to be trusted because of many historical errors, I told them I was convinced by scripture God has revealed Himself as one God in three distinct persons:  God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit.  They seemed interested when I told them the Holy Spirit is referred to as God by Peter in the book of Acts in his confrontation with Ananias and Sapphira.

Then something unexpected happened:  one of the fellows held out his New World translation of the Bible and said, "Show me."  I knew the situation took place early in Acts, but I struggled to find the exact passage.  I don't know if it was because it was an unfamiliar Bible or that I was preoccupied that I was going to be later to church than I wanted, but for the life of me could not find it.  I sheepishly handed him back his book, encouraged them to look into the matter, locked the door and left them standing there.  It is not a fond memory to this day, for I barged past these men to rush to church--when a valuable ministry opportunity came right to my door.  Thinking back, it would have been better to be a godly witness to those men so they could be won for Christ and miss church rather than rushing off because I was embarrassed to be late.

This incident prompted me later to look up the verses I found easily enough in my own Bible in Acts 5:3-4:  "But Peter said, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? ⁴ While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God."  While I was initially annoyed by my failure to find the verses, that was a small issue compared to my callous indifference to the men who came do my door.  I demonstrated this by my unwillingness to lay aside my plans to patiently follow the LORD's leading in a friendly conversation.  I missed a prime opportunity to lovingly give an answer for the hope that is in me by faith in Jesus Christ and the power of the Gospel.  I am thankful one regrettable mistake by God's grace has the ability to help us avoid others in a far greater scope.

Praise the LORD He is able to open the eyes of the blind and raise the spiritual dead to new life even when I bungled the conversation.  It is Jesus who is a Saviour:  I cannot change a heart or mind but Jesus brings transformation from within.  How blessed believers are to be born again and to be given chances again and again, not to redeem ourselves, but because Jesus is a Redeemer not willing any should perish.  He delivers His people from pride and lack of love through failure because He is faithful.  A bad memory of our failure can work to give us (and others!) a brighter future by God's grace.

Trusting God with Little Things

As human beings, we can be full of inconsistencies.  We can look to God when situations are overwhelming and out of control, yet we can be undone by an accumulation of minor inconveniences.  We trust God to forgive our sins and provide eternal life for us in heaven, but we can worry over finding a parking spot.  Why not trust God with the little things we are involved with as much as the things which obviously are beyond us?

God can use fear, cares and worries to instruct us concerning our persistent lack of faith in God and chronic unbelief.  One example in my own life was during my union apprenticeship.  As I embarked in what I saw as my career path after working other part-time jobs, I prayed God would help me to excel as Daniel did in Babylon University.  My schooling began well but in my second year an experienced foreman made it his aim to stir up trouble for me with the apprenticeship coordinator.  The accusations were so severe the coordinator drove down from Los Angeles to have a face-to-face discussion with me in San Diego.  I was incredulous...and angry.

I was frustrated that a co-worker I trusted would go to such lengths to try to make me miserable, and I was angry with the degree of success he had.  I had heard many times, "The reputation you make as an apprentice you will carry for the next 10 years."  I wanted a good reputation among colleagues and contractors so I would be hired at a local shop and have a chance for advancement.  I felt disillusioned a person I considered a friend would lie about me for who knew what reason.  God used these bad feelings of betrayal to show me I had made my reputation an idol, something I was working for rather than Him.  My fear of a tarnished reputation revealed unbelief in God I did not realise I had, for I had put my trust in my abilities and efforts rather than in His providence, guidance and protection.

I am glad to say the difficult season eventually passed without any negative repercussions on my career or ability to be gainfully employed.  The situation was instrumental in teaching me to rely on and trust God more rather than worrying about "my" reputation.  Jesus made Himself of "no reputation" and took upon Himself the form of a servant, and God exalted Him above all names.  God exposed my selfish reasons for wanting to excel like Daniel (not that it was a bad desire in itself) and used the prospect of a reputation in tatters to teach me it is trusting and pleasing God in humility before Him that matters.  In God's hands, little troubles can lead to massive life lessons.

An Error Code and Divine Intervention

God who created all things is able to do everything, and this includes using a common household appliance to reveal unbelief in a heart and mind.  Allow me to explain. :)

A couple weeks back our condensing dryer stopped working.  I have a systematic approach to such events:  I dig up the manual, look up the error code and see if there is anything I can do about it.  In this case our Electrolux dryer flashed the letters "EHO" which meant there was an electrical fault in the circuit board.  Since the machine is under warranty for another 6 months it was not a repair I was willing to tackle.  And besides, I have never bothered to invest in a soldering gun.  The manual was hardly informative, and from what I gleaned online the only way to reset the machine was to turn it off for a few minutes and turn it on again.  It was the same problem over and over.

When my wife handed me the extended warranty paperwork for the machine, it was evident to me she wanted nothing to do with it.  I also voiced my feelings that I didn't want to handle it either.  But in our household the dryer has plenty of use and it was still under warranty.  The loving thing to do was to make the call.  Since the fault occurred on a weekend I needed to wait until Monday to contact the company.  On several occasions I tried to start the machine again, only to see the same error code.  "LORD," I prayed, "fix this machine so I don't need to organise this repair."  Well, Monday came and the machine was still broken.  I called the company and there was more I needed to do to prove my identity online.  I ended up scanning documents and applying for the repair online, no need to torture you with the details.

Days later I received a call by the service technician who said the soonest they could inspect the machine was 2 weeks later.  Without a choice I agreed to the service and then went back to the machine...which worked perfectly.  I was gobsmacked.  I know machines don't fix themselves!  Again and again the machine turned on, spun and turned off without any trouble.  After all the hassle the machine worked!  I didn't know how to feel about this sudden changed condition.  I didn't want to immediately cancel the service call because what if the persistent fault started again?  But since the machine worked fine having a technician test it was an unnecessary waste of time.  Then I remembered I had prayed for God to fix the machine.  Given the circumstances and how many times I checked the machine, the most rational option was to credit God for fixing the dryer.  It occurred to me my motive for praying was more about my convenience and comfort than it actually be operational, I mean, we have insurance for that.

The fact it was hard for me to accept God had fixed the dryer exposed unbelief secretly nestled in a heart that believes God can do everything.  My reluctance to call and cancel the service call immediately betrayed a mind that did not trust God to enable the machine to keep running, a person who selfishly hoped to receive the benefit of an extended warranty, and disdain to pay to repair or for a new machine if it died 7 months from now.  My troubled feelings were symptomatic of selfish flesh and unbelief.  As I am writing I can hear the machine whirring in the other room like a trooper, all by the grace of God who is faithful to teach us even when I doubted He did anything.  How important it is for us followers of Jesus to credit God for all He does and how much we desperately need Him.

Unlike machines, we don't have the benefit of a touch-screen or user manual that shows our errors plainly for us to see.  But God has given us the light of His word and the Holy Spirit who convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment.  The thoughts and feelings I experienced were a evidence of faults inside me due to selfishness, unbelief in God and lack of love towards others.  Just as God fixed the dryer, He is able to transform us from within when we confess and repent of our sin He brings to light.  If anything goes well in our lives it is by His merciful hand, and when He divinely intervenes to correct and chasten us it is with gentleness.  When things go wrong it would be foolish to assume it is the devil having a go at you when it can be the God-ordained means to draw you to Himself in faith so we might rejoice in Him and proclaim His goodness.

God Hears and Answers

Those who pray can attest to God's answers.  Just today I prayed God would help me deliver a message at church and He strengthened me to do so, and even directed the worship team to play songs that perfectly complemented the message.  It is wonderful to know God has even these small details in hand that magnify His generosity and greatness to those who believe.

This week I was reminded of a prayer God answered a long time ago in year 8 when I attended Emerald Junior High.  For the previous three years I had been homeschooled, and I felt a bit out of place joining people who had already experienced a year of junior high.  I was the only one I saw wearing pants and a shirt with buttons and collar, quite the contrast of other who wore shorts with much cooler t-shirts emblazoned with popular surf brands.

My prayer was a simple one:  that God would give me a friend.  I had not sat down in my home room seat long before God answered my prayer.  The fellow in front of me turned around with a smile and introduced himself, and extended his hand in a friendly greeting.  It turned out Derek was also new at school, having recently moved from Minnesota.  He was quite the sports enthusiast (as was I) and we hit it off immediately.  While I did make other friends over the course of the year in my various classes, Derek was undoubtedly my best friend at school that year--an answer to my prayer I doubt he was aware of.  I am most thankful to God for His provision and help, and I'm thankful to Derek for his kindness to me.

Derek and I parted the following year because we lived in different school districts, but God has continued with me to this day by His grace.  It is wonderful Jesus, the God who created all things, called His disciples friends.  This is a personal connection alluded to in Deuteronomy 32:8-9:  "When the Most High divided their inheritance to the nations, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the boundaries of the peoples according to the number of the children of Israel. ⁹ For the LORD'S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance."  The LORD's portion is His people, and those who have received the Gospel by believing in Jesus Christ are adopted into the kingdom of God, not merely as friends but as sons.  John 1:11-12 reads, "He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. ¹² But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name..."  This is more than we could have ever thought or asked for, all made possible by our Saviour Jesus who loves us.

Of all the things God chose to make His inheritance, He chose sinners who are born again by the power of the Gospel.  How great is the love of God for His children!  He hears our prayers and answers, graciously meeting our needs for salvation, providing a great friend for a year, or a beautiful song after a sermon.  Isn't the LORD good to us, beyond what we could have ever asked or thought?

Speaking in Symphony

In a meeting this week I was asked to describe the way God spoke to me when it came to deciding to move to Australia before I was aware of any open door.  I suppose I can describe it as similar to a symphony:  a crowd of musicians playing a variety of instruments led by one Conductor.  God is unlimited in the means and manner He speaks to us, confirming His leading by the Bible, other people, what some people might call "coincidence," and the witness of our own conscience, motives, and thoughts.  God is intimately acquainted with all people and knows the way to communicate in a way we can receive.  When we seek the LORD He is faithful to speak.

I remember the day very well God's call to go to Australia was crystalised in my mind.  Even the date was significant and unforgettable, commemorated in the title of this blog:  March 4th, 2009.  From early in our relationship my wife always said "March 4th" was her favourite date because it was also an action--something I never thought of.  On a day that started like countless before it, I rose early to spend some time with the LORD in prayer and reading the Bible.

On that particular morning I read Luke 23 and was struck by Luke 23:26:  "Now as they led Him away, they laid hold of a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, who was coming from the country, and on him they laid the cross that he might bear it after Jesus."  I imagined what was going through the mind of Simon, a Gentile who was "laid hold of" to carry the cross for the bleeding, dying Jesus.  He had come out of his country, something I vaguely felt for years God was leading me to do.  The fact Simon was laid hold of suggests there were no volunteers willing to assist Jesus.  It occurred to me:  that is what the life of a follower of Jesus looks like.  I cried out to God in prayer basically saying, "Let that be me!"

That afternoon the pastoral staff was invited into the pastor's office for our regularly scheduled meeting.  My pastor was impressed by the testimony of a missionary he just heard of:  Gladys Aylward.  He conveyed this amazing story of how she was a British woman who went to China, ended up buying an orphaned child, and ended up being greatly used by God.  When I went back to my office I looked deeper into her story and was gobsmacked:  this was the first person I ever heard of who had a particular place on her heart--God put China on her heart without knowing anything about it, and God had done the same to me concerning Australia, specifically the east side.  Very strange indeed!

Being a Wednesday, I went home from work to exercise, shower, and have dinner before returning to church for the evening service.  As I walked past the globe in our home, I thought to myself:  what is the furthest east point of Australia?  I spun the globe and found Brisbane.  I tackled exercise with earnest, literally raising my voice to God to provide direction and help me to know His will.  Ten minutes in I thought I heard my flip-phone ring and contacted my wife Laura who told me I needed to check my email.  One of the high school students in the youth group needed a personal reference right away.  I opened the email and found an attachment of a template for the reference written in gibberish--all except the heading which read:

To: Somebody, Someone

100 Long Street
Brisbane, Australia

I seriously started shouting!  "What!?  God, you are CRAZY!  You are wild!"  After I calmed down a bit I thought, Brisbane eh?  And that's where I started looking.  I found there was a Calvary Chapel plant in Springwood and sent a letter introducing myself and telling my strange story about how I believed God was leading me to somehow minister in some capacity in Australia.  Amazingly my letter received a positive response and it was the first connection I made in Australia which has grown exponentially.  Hearing from God did not mean the process was quick or easy but God was faithful to speak in symphony and provided enough information for each next step of an amazing journey of following Jesus.

I am not a special case.  On the basis of God's Word I have all confidence God will speak to you too when you seek Him in His time and way.  God spoke to Samuel when he was a child who did not even know the LORD!  God has provided His Word and is the best communicator.  We are the weak link with our lack of seeking God and our chronic unbelief.  But praise be to God for His goodness, grace, and mercy.  He has done all things well.

Taking Grace For Granted

We never know what we take for granted until we lose it.  Over the weekend Sydney was buffeted with strong winds which downed power lines and caused almost 50,000 households to  be powerless.  Right in the middle of sermon preparation on my computer the power to our house went out.  My computer went from a useful machine to being an expensive paperweight or doorstop.  Since all our appliances, computers, and lights require electricity to run, we spent the afternoon sitting in the dark.

During prayer this morning I considered how we need God more than we rely upon Him.  Reliance is an intentional dependence.  Just like computers and refrigerators need electricity to perform their designed function, so we need the Holy Spirit of God to enable us to do God's will.  We need Him constantly but can forget that unless we are a branch connected to the Vine Jesus Christ in faith we can do nothing.  I need countless things which escape my mind at any time, like a heart which effectively pumps blood or oxygen in the air.  God is the One who designed the purpose and functions of individual parts of the body as well as fine-tuning earth's environment to support life.  So much of what God has done--even those who know and love God can take for granted.

I am glad God does not take any of His children for granted as humans can; we can take our parents for granted, but God supplied them by His grace anyway.  Reliance upon God and thankfulness for His gracious provision breaks the cycle of taking things for granted, the assumption that because we have something we are somehow entitled to it perpetually.  When I cracked bones in my wrist and wore a soft cast I was amazed how it impeded normal life:  eating, washing, opening doors, and countless other activities were impacted by one small injury.  God used the loss of electrical power for an afternoon to show me how much I rely upon electricity for daily living and how much more I need what God supplies by grace.  

The Double-Minded Man

Whilst studying in preparation for the sermon last week, I was reminded of an interaction from years ago.  I was working at a church in El Cajon and often people would come to the office seeking assistance of some kind.  "Walk-ins" were common:  people asking for money, homeless people looking for food or clothes, petrol for their cars, and even a medical emergency.  I believe God did a miracle when we prayed for an older man who was overdosing on methamphetamine and instantly set him in his right mind.

One man came into the office who had recently been released from prison.  He looked to be a tough character, covered in tattoos - and was inked on his neck and face.  I was asked to speak with him.  during our conversation he confided he had an addiction to alcohol which he saw as deadly.  "If I don't quit drinking, I'm going to die.  I'm desperate to do anything to be clean and sober."  I told him of a local ministry I knew that specialised in people like him who wanted to be free of drugs and alcohol, to have a stable job, and affordable housing.  I warned him it was not for everyone, as it required a full one-year commitment.  He was enthusiastic:  "That's exactly what I need.  Sign me up."

He was without transport so I offered to provide him a ride to the ministry office on the other side of town.  A pastor greeted us and explained concerning the program in greater detail.  Nodding in agreement to the rigid structure and requirements, the man sparked up a cigarette.  "And by the way," the pastor said, "just so you know there is no smoking permitted during the program."  The man literally staggered back a step in disbelief.  "What?"  he asked incredulously.  "I don't know...I don't think I can commit to that."  As the pastor tried to reason with him, the man began chain smoking the rest of his cigarettes, clearly disturbed by this development he was unprepared for.

I found the situation tragic and sad:  there stood a man in desperate need of help to kick alcohol, but his dependence on cigarettes seemed an insurmountable obstacle.  He knew alcohol would be the death of him, yet he was unprepared to make a necessary sacrifice for a new life because it seemed unreasonable and impossible.  I don't believe this man's situation or response is different than us in our relationship with God.  There are aspects of our life and behaviour we realise are sinful and want to see our problems dealt with, but at the same time the accomplishment of this work can require sacrifices in other areas we are not always willing to make.  So being undecided and in two minds we can settle for what will destroy us.  It's a confronting example to be sure, but one at some level we can all identify with.

James 1:8 tells us a "double-minded man" is "unstable in all his ways."  It was good the man had come to grips with his need to deal severely with his alcoholism, but because he was double-minded, unwilling to sacrifice what the ministry required to aid his restoration, instability marked every aspect of his life.  This is why commitment and willpower is insufficient to live in victory, for we need to be born again through faith in Christ so we are given new hearts and renewed minds which are in agreement with God.  James went on to write in James 4:8:  "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."  If we will be free and forgiven we cannot approach God on our terms, but we must submit to His righteous demands.  When there is agreement between God and a humble, repentant, and contrite sinner, God graciously restores according to His promise.  Then our feet will be firmly planted on the Rock of Salvation who is Christ, and He is a foundation for new life enjoyed for eternity.

Our Consuming Fire

The Bible has been a part of my life for as long as I remember.  Yesterday I recalled an occasion as a child when I was inspired by a passage in 1 Kings 18 to build a small altar of rocks in the back yard.  My actions were inspired by God's response to the prayer of Elijah atop Mount Carmel by causing fire to fall from heaven and consume the sacrifice.  I hoped to be amazed by divine fire igniting the dried pine needles I carefully perched on a pile of rocks.  Around the altar I had carved a trench I dutifully filled with water as Elijah had.  I prayed to the God of heaven, but alas, no fire fell.  And it was a good thing too.  God would not indulge a child with the equivalent of playing with matches.

Looking back on that day long ago under the big pine tree, it is instructive of common mistakes even adults can make when it comes to miraculous signs:  I was focused on the wrong things.  I wanted to see fire fall from heaven, but I didn't consider why God caused fire to fall and consume the sacrifice on Mount Carmel.  God caused fire to fall and consume the sacrifice for the purpose of revealing His reality, power, and superiority over the idols the people worshipped - not just to show Elijah was a genuine prophet or to amaze the people.  People enjoy seeing incredible, even miraculous things.  And there is something in us which enjoys the thought of harnessing such power to achieve our ends - even just to impress others.

Another thing I did not consider was God's desire for the people to re-establish the worship of God according to His prescribed order.  The people were divided in their allegiance between God and Ba'al.  Because of wicked King Ahab and his wife Jezebel the prophets of God had been hunted and slaughtered whilst the prophets of Ba'al numbered in the hundreds.  1 Kings 18:30 reads, "Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down."  Even as the altar had broken down, so the relationship with God had been broken through idolatry and neglect.  My thoughts weren't focused at all on the glory and worship of God but what I wanted done.  Calling down fire from heaven was about what God could do for me.  After the altar was restored 1 Kings 18:36 says, "And it came to pass, at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known this day that You are God in Israel and I am Your servant, and that I have done all these things at Your word."  Elijah drew near to God in prayer and affirmed all he did that day was for God's sake in obedience to God.

Though I tried to follow the example of Elijah, my model had one crucial omission:  the lack of a sacrifice!  I believe it was Leonard Ravenhill, a man revered for his praying who said, "Everyone wants my mantle, but no one wants my sackcloth and ashes."  The gist of this quote is suggests people desire to have influence with the almighty God, yet are unwilling to present themselves before God as a living sacrifice.  Isaac was willing to be bound and laid upon the altar by Abraham according to God's command, and God graciously supplied a ram as a substitute.  It is Jesus Christ who is the Lamb of God who was slain on Calvary as a sacrifice for sinners once for all and therefore put to death the need of sacrificing animals according to the divine Law.  God caused divine fire to fall in the person of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost who regenerates, fills all believers, and guides us into all truth.

If we desire to see fire to fall from heaven, we must be willing to be the living sacrifice upon whom it falls.  Paul exhorted believers in Romans 12:1-2, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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."   Fire purges, purifies, and consumes; it heats and provides light in darkness.  May it be our lives would provide opportunity for God to restore people to Himself through our obedience so He might be glorified.

Clothed With Humility

Some of my favourite fairy tales as a lad were ones written by Hans Christian Andersen:  "The Ugly Duckling" and "The Emperor's New Clothes."  I especially enjoyed the latter because of the incredible ridiculousness of the concept but how apt a depiction it was of the human heart.  The pride and vanity of the Emperor was targeted by deceptive and greedy weavers who promised to make him the most lovely apparel.  They sat before looms without yarn or linen, moving their hands without a thread to be seen.  The weavers claimed the fine fabric they wove was invisible to anyone who was unfit for their office or hopelessly stupid, and because the Emperor was obviously neither he agreed it was the finest he had ever seen.  The whole charade reached a climax when the "clothed" Emperor made a grand appearance before the townspeople who murmured with approval.  Only a child had the sense to say what all the people knew when the foolish king paraded by them nude:  "But he isn't wearing anything at all!"  Sometimes there is wisdom in a simple observation of a child which adults blinded by greed or ambition cannot see.

One of the common threads throughout the tale is how even good men cover for themselves and others.  At one point the Emperor couldn't see the clothes on the loom, so he sent a trustworthy old minister to report of the progress.  The elderly man was shocked when he did not see any fabrics or patterns, but did not want to admit he could not see them so he played along with the sham and provided a detailed report to the Emperor.  A trusted official was sent as well and he too was alarmed when he could not see the clothes!  He could not admit before the Emperor there were no clothes to be seen, for in doing so he would be admitting he was unfit for his position or hopelessly stupid.  So he too played the fool and repeated the words of the swindler weavers, using lies to cover his folly and insecurity.  It seems it was not only the Emperor who was laid bare by the weavers, but the minister, trusted officials, and all the townspeople who vainly praised the clothing they could not see.  It seems good standing before the Emperor was the clothing people used to cover their own pride.

This compelling fable, which well-describes the conflict in a human heart when we seek to please others or cover for ourselves, is an allegory applied to many circumstances we face in life - even when it comes to matters of faith.  The Jewish Pharisees wore clean clothes and searched the scriptures to find eternal life, but Jesus declared it was a cover-up for the rottenness they hid within.  They were like a cup which had been carefully buffed and polished to a high shine, but the cup was filthy within.  Just because the Emperor thought or hoped he was actually wearing clothes does not believe clothes are a sham, for evidence of genuine clothes are all around.  To say the Pharisees used religion as a cover for their own wickedness does not suggest there is not a God who has revealed Himself and can forgive and cleanse people from sin.  The fact there are many gods worshipped does not mean there is not one true God who ought to be feared and worshipped.  Because people have misplaced trust does not mean there is not an almighty God in whom we ought to trust.

Followers of Jesus Christ are not exempt from the folly of the Emperor or the people of the town.  In our Christian circles we can plaster on a smile, act like life is great and all is fine when we are struggling, depressed, and perhaps not even walking with Jesus.  Our lives can be full of compromises and contradictions.  Our knowledge of scripture and theology can be the invisible clothes with which we try to cover the nakedness of our lives polluted with doubts and sin.  We can know about God but it does not mean we are seeking Him; we can say prayerful words with heads bowed but never enter into the LORD's presence because we have never invited Him into us.  Scriptures or Christian catch-phrases can be repeated - not because we actually believe or are experiencing these truths - but if we say them enough perhaps they will.  How we need the truth of God's Word to pierce our hearts and to admit we are unfit for the task of following Jesus and hopelessly stupid on our own!  The ones who humble themselves before God are the ones He will lift up.

Jesus said in Mark 10:15, "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  It was the shrill voice of reason which snapped the townsfolk to their senses in Andersen's fable, and may the words of Jesus strike us to our souls.  Let us never suppose we can rely upon our strength, resolve, or knowledge any more now than we did when we first believed.  We need Jesus to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, and we desperately need Jesus to stay the course.  The faith of a child in Jesus - not the deceitful ambitions of an adult - is what is needed to be born again, fruitful, and faithful.  Instead of being puffed up with pride, let Christians of all ages heed the exhortation of 1 Peter 5:5:  "Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."  This is fine clothing which is always in style and fit for the Kingdom of Heaven..

Receiving the Reward

God rewards those who trust and diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6), and the life of Enoch is cited as an example.  Enoch pleased God, and without faith it is impossible to please God.  He was translated to heaven and never saw death, and what a great reward eternal life is for all who place their faith in Jesus Christ.  Heaven is not the only place where God rewards His people, for we are abundantly blessed with God's presence, love, forgiveness, peace, and fullness of joy even now.

The rewards supplied by God by His grace come to us in unexpected ways.  God has set aside for us a "full reward" John alludes to in 2 John 1:8.  There are ways we can miss out on the rewards God intends to give us.  Paul revealed when followers of Jesus are judged for our stewardship before the judgment seat of Christ we could potentially suffer loss (1 Corinthians 3:15).  Perhaps a little story might help this make sense.

There was once a man who worked for his wealthy father as long as he could remember.  He toiled away day after day because it was expected of him as the oldest son to set a good example.  Before the sun he rose to his duties, but often his heart wasn't in it.  He felt he was hard done by, for what did he have to show for his labours?  All it did was increase his father's wealth.  Let's say he didn't feel there was much upward mobility.

When the season to plow and sow arrived, the father supplied his son with an abundance of seed, farm equipment, and provided access to a well-watered plain.  "Feel free to sow all you want," the father said with a gleam in his eye.  "No doubt it will be a bountiful harvest."  Well, needless to say the son was not impressed.  Fine for him to say, the man thought to himself.  The rich get richer and the workers just keep slaving away, and for what?  What do I have to show for decades of work?  The son was glad for his pay and benefits, but could not be bothered to apply himself.  His father already was rich and lacked nothing.  To rub it in, he was going away on a long holiday as well!

As he continued day after day, the son became increasingly bitter.  It struck him how poorly he was being treated, even taken advantage of!  He felt under pressure by this expectation of a good crop!  So what did he do?  He decided to teach his old man a lesson for taking him for granted.  His days still began before dawn, but he sowed rusty nails instead of seed.  He took long breaks when he should have been clearing new fields, and napped when he could have repaired the irrigation system.  Month after month this continued.  A meagre crop sprang up from old seed, but it was a pitiful amount, a fraction of previous years.  Man, when dad finds out he'll learn his lesson.  The look on his face will be unforgettable.  He smiled thinking about it.

Having returned from a holiday, the man's father gathered the family for an announcement.  He said, "It's no secret I am a wealthy man.  Because I value and rejoice over my eldest son who has served me these many years, instead of harvesting and selling this year's crops for my benefit, in addition to his wages as his reward all that grows in all my land is to be sold for his profit.  At my own expense I have provided soil, seed, equipment, and will even employ harvesters to ensure none of it is lost.  Congratulations, my boy:  you will receive all you deserve."

If you could look at the son's face, I imagine he wore an expression so full of regret and disappointment we do well to consider always.  The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof.  We are unworthy to be numbered among God's children, but He is gracious and good.  He has provided everything pertaining to life and godliness.  He has a full reward set aside for us that is better than money that perishes.  The question is, are we working in a way worthy of receiving it?  Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 4:1-2, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. ² Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."  May we be faithful sons and daughters that persevere in obedience, faithful to serve our Saviour as He did the Father.  Jesus said in John 9:4, "I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work."  Let our lives be marked with integrity for God's glory, for such will receive a full reward.

My Moses Moment

God has important lessons to teach us every day.  These lessons can be presented to us in various ways:  from what we observe or read about, through personal experience, and from the past mistakes of others.  Moses was a servant and friend of God, but his disobedience to God in one instance prevented him entry into the Promised Land.  We are grateful for the second chances God gives as our Redeemer (for we cannot redeem ourselves), but the event detailed in Numbers 20 shows there are times when the consequences of sin can be permanent.  Praise the LORD He still loved and utilised Moses as leader amongst His people despite his error.  At the same time, however, God provided a lesson for Moses and for all who observe it to take to heart.

I have my own "Moses moment" of sorts, and the situation couldn't have been more different.  I had been given no command from God, no particular directive that day as I stepped upon the mound to pitch in the baseball grand final in Castle Hill.  It was a hard-fought game and a very sloppy one for a championship match.  Every error in the field meant more strain on my tired body and painful shoulder.  I gritted my teeth and toughed it out on the hill.  We had won three grand finals as a team and the coach trusted me to pitch the entire game.  When the umpire finally shouted "Time and game!" to conclude the contest, we had won.  I don't even remember the score.  Beyond the gladness of winning I felt a wave of relief mixed with intense frustration.  I felt like the whole team was riding on my shoulders and I was glad to have the stress over with.

From the moment it happened, I instantly and continually regretted what followed.  I was fired up after a taxing win and the adrenaline was flowing, but that was no excuse.  Instead of turning to embrace my teammates in celebration or dropping to a knee to thank God, I shouted, stamped toward the dugout, and threw my glove as hard as I could into the fence.  I don't know anyone really noticed this or cared.  We had won!  But I had the immediate sense God had seen it, and it was displeasing to Him.  I had not given God the glory for the victory, even as Moses did not give God glory for the miracle of causing water to flow from the rock.  Though I played baseball for an additional three seasons, I never returned to the "promised land" of a grand final match.  The next season started promising but in the fifth game I tore my ACL and had nearly two years off.  When I returned from injury my vision had deteriorated, and over the course of the next years I separated my shoulder, sprained my ankle, snapped something in my pitching elbow, and I was done.  How good God was to allow me to compete into my forties and even to be a part of a winning team!  I am grateful for such a gracious heavenly Father.

I don't know that anything can prevent us from experiencing a "Moses moment," a time when we regrettably sin against the LORD in doing what displeases Him.  Perhaps you can learn from the lasting consequences Moses faced when he disobeyed God or by my experience playing baseball.  It is good for us to realise sin has consequences, and sometimes permanent ones.  A permanent consequence is a lesson provided by God's grace because it is like a personal tutor who travels with us to instruct us during our remaining years of our earthly pilgrimage.  Moses had a constant reminder - not just that he had sinned - but his sin denied him further favour from God.  I am certain this revelation kept him from future sin and continued to work in his life to humble him.  How mindful he was to cease doing what displeased God!  How he laboured to sanctify God in the present and future because he had been careless in the past.  I'm still learning the lesson from my "Moses moment" and praise the LORD He still has much He wants to say to me - and to you! :)

The Pencil Message

It is wonderful to realise God knows what we need and is able and willing to meet our needs.  He has promised to provide for us, and sometimes we don't recognise what our needs are.  We might think God's provision of our needs depends upon us remembering to ask Him.  While it is true we do not have because we have not asked, God has freely provided our needs before we were born without us acknowledging Him at all!  He does more for us than we could ever ask or think.

I have been reading lately through the life of Gideon in the book of Judges.  Gideon was a bit incredulous God would choose him to be a deliverer of God's people from Midianite oppressors.  When the Angel of the LORD ascended to heaven, it confirmed God's call upon Gideon and strengthened his faith to take additional steps of obedience.  On two occasions Gideon asked God to confirm he was indeed the one to lead Israel into battle with a fleece, and God did.  Trusting in God, Gideon immediately took action to muster the men of Israel for battle.  After God instructed him to cull the fighting force to a meagre 300 men, God told Gideon to sneak down into the Midianite camp.  As he and his servant crept near to a tent, they heard men discussing a dream about a loaf of barley bread which tumbled down a hill and knocked a tent over.

Judges 7:14-15 says, "Then his companion answered and said, "This is nothing else but the sword of Gideon the son of Joash, a man of Israel! Into his hand God has delivered Midian and the whole camp." ¹⁵ And so it was, when Gideon heard the telling of the dream and its interpretation, that he worshipped. He returned to the camp of Israel, and said, "Arise, for the LORD has delivered the camp of Midian into your hand."  Gideon had not asked God for a sign, but God gave obedient Gideon a sign which prompted him to worship God.  Hearing the dream and interpretation from the tent of an enemy quickened Gideon to further trust God to arise and fight.  That very night God wrought a great deliverance in Israel, and helped Gideon every step of the way.  When God's people trust and obey Him, God will do marvellous things.

It is good to be reminded of God's calling upon our lives, especially when things are difficult.  God has used many people and situations to bring encouragement my way when I didn't realise I was discouraged.  Once God even used a simple pencil to encourage me!  Growing up in San Diego, I was introduced to golf in my later teen years by friends.  I became a junior member of Singing Hills Country Club and played super cheap golf almost weekly on the executive Pine Glen course.  It seemed to fall to me to organise tee times, and I called the Pro Shop all the time.  It has been about 20 years since I played on Pine Glen and moved to Australia about 7 years ago.  A while back I began to play golf more regularly.  I typically play early in the mornings and walk alone.  This is a great time for me to enjoy exercise, think about things, and pray.  I suppose I was feeling a bit low, and it was more than just my poor golfing!  As I walked up the 9th fairway and conversing with God, I saw a pencil laying on the turf.  Would you believe it was a pencil from my old home golf course (now called "Sycuan Golf Resort") in San Diego?

When I picked up the pencil on an Australian golf course in Windsor with wide eyes - engraved with the "619" area code and the familiar number - I had the overwhelming sense  God knew where I was, He had not forgotten me, I was not alone, and He would supply my needs.  To date it is the only pencil I have ever seen on a golf course in Australia.  The odds of me finding a pencil in Australia from a particular golf course in the United States are staggeringly long.  With God, odds are nothing.  Now the pencil serves as a little reminder on my office bookshelf, a wooden "Ebeneezer" of sorts, a testimony of our faithful God who calls, sends, provides for, and guides His people.  When I saw the writing on the pencil I worshipped God because He used it to speak comfort and peace to my heart.  Let us worship the LORD for His goodness, and for the love and grace He freely offers to all.

When Liberty is Beside the Point

A born-again follower of Jesus has been freed from the penalty and power of sin by the Gospel.  The freedom and liberty from sin we have in Christ is not license to sin.  Many who tout their "liberty" as a Christian approach it as a "right" we have as children of God - usually to justify themselves.  This assertion of "liberty" effectively ends any conversation about sinful behaviour or potentially stumbling others.  While it is true a Christian is not under the Mosaic Law and all things are lawful, Paul affirmed not all things are good for me or others (1 Cor. 6:12).  It is in this case liberty is beside the point.

Perhaps an illustration would be beneficial.  I knew a man who was diagnosed with diabetes, a serious condition which effects the entire body.  Complications of diabetes can significantly impact the quality and length of life.  There is no cure for diabetes, but it can be managed through medication, diet, exercise, and monitoring glucose levels.  Unhealthy activities like smoking cigarettes should be avoided, as it negatively affects blood circulation.  I am sad to say the life of my friend was cut short because he did not take seriously the impact of his lifestyle on his illness.  He was a heavy smoker and from what I remember he ate what he wanted when he wanted.  Even after he lost his foot and leg to gangrene, he kept on smoking.

Now my friend was a Christian and did not practice anything immoral or illegal (to my knowledge).  He was a man who enjoyed milkshakes, cheeseburgers, and cigarettes, and he was at liberty to do all of the above.  But these choices proved to be damaging to his body and prematurely left his wife without a husband and his young children without a dad.  Because we live in a body of flesh in a world steeped in sin, there are temptations which will stir up our desires to sin.  Many things are not evil in themselves, but they do us no good.  There are things we can take in through our eyes, ears, and mouths which are legal but are not helpful; we have freedom and liberty to watch what we want without condemnation yet we wound our souls.  I am sure my friend's life would have been prolonged had he established some clear boundaries in his life according to his doctor's orders, and many people's spiritual well-being has been compromised because under the guise of liberty in Christ they slowly are poisoning and killing themselves with practices which lead to sin.  We must be led by the Spirit, and He will lead us to do what is righteous.

When it comes to our decisions, we make a mistake to limit the impact of our choices to ourselves.  It is helpful for us to consider how our decisions could impact others negatively.  I wonder:  if my friend could have seen into the future and knew foods he ate and cigarettes he smoked would have ended his life so soon, would he have made radical changes?  What if that was you?  Paul was willing to forgo liberties to avoid even the potential of stumbling others because he loved God and others.  Rather than toeing the line or dancing around sin, it would be better for us to answer these questions honestly:  is this good for me?  Is it helpful for my walk with Jesus?  Does it provide any occasion to stumble one who is a young Christian?  Is this thing bringing me or my thoughts under its power?  Are my decisions based on love for others?  All sacrifices we make for Christ because we love Him and others will only enrich us and provide greater freedom.

Reading and Heeding

A conversation today reminded me of an eye-opening experience I had as a youth.  In our Jr. High Sunday School class, we were encouraged to read our Bibles every day and bring them to church on Sundays.  Those who did so would be rewarded by a night out to Souplantation - a real treat.  I already aimed to read the Bible every day and so going out for a special meal was a free bonus I wouldn't pass up.  All you can eat for a 13-year-old?  It was a dream come true!

I remember there was one regular student who brought her Bible to class as often as me and (due to the general state of carelessness concerning spiritual things among my peers) I was impressed with this display of faithfulness.  Then one day her parents gave me a ride.  Nothing could have prepared me for what I saw in the back of the car:  there was her Bible lying on the seat, ready and waiting for church on Sunday!  I honestly think my eyes widened and my mouth fell open a little.  Judgmental me felt like the veil had been pulled back to expose a cheat and a fraud, and I was quite shocked and disappointed at the same time.

Now it is possible the other student had two Bibles:  one for the car/church, and the other to read at home.  It is also possible the Bible was left behind only once, though upon inspection that Bible was obvious faded from the sun.  Regardless, it is instructive for personal application:  is your Bible being used for its intended purpose, being read with an aim to hear the word of the LORD?  Would it have more practical use as a paperweight or doorstop than a means of seeking God's wisdom?  And if we are reading the Bible, are we seeking to heed it and put it into practice?  Or is my reading a means of ticking off boxes and gathering up points I hope God redeems when I find myself in strife?

What a treasure we have in the Bible, and God's Word shouldn't gather dust.  No matter how much we think we know, all who know God would readily agree He knows infinitely more than us.  In reading His Word let us seek more than counsel alone but aim to discover God Himself in those divinely-inspired pages.  What truth will God speak to you today?  How about opening the Word and finding out?

Black and Whites

Yesterday during the discipleship course I am leading we discussed a message delivered by a precious sister in Christ, Corrie Ten Boom.  Once when she was being interrogated in the concentration camp Ravensbruck about her "misdeeds," her judge showed her "dangerous" papers which contained damning evidence of her efforts to save Jews.  When she realised the papers had particulars of people she loved and wanted to protect, she said she had nothing to say about them.  She was elated when the man opened the grate and threw all the papers into the stove.  All the handwriting which condemned her and others was gone without a trace, and how grateful she was.

Later in her life, Corrie spoke with her biographer about a troubling incident which filled her with resentment and bitterness - which did not involved the Gestapo or concentration camps - but a mean thing done by fellow Christians.  When the biographer gently probed concerning how the situation had been resolved Corrie said gladly, "It has been forgiven and forgotten and I will not speak about it anymore."  Her friend continued to dig about how the offending party had been since.  "They take it easy," Corrie offered.  "They simply say they have not done it.  They can say that, but I have everything in black and white in the letters they have written me."  "What?" said her friend in surprise. "Say, where are your sins?  You have said that when you brought your sin to the LORD, He has thrown them into the depths of the sea with a sign that says "No Fishing Allowed," and for the sins of your friends you have black and whites?  O LORD, give Corrie the grace to burn all the black and whites of sins of others as a well-smelling sacrifice to you."  And she did.  She exhorted her listeners, "You can't forgive and I can't either, but Jesus can."

From her talk there are indicators which help us know if we have truly forgiven others from the heart as Jesus has forgiven us.  The first is when we intentionally free others from the burden of guilt of their wrongdoing in light of how Jesus has lovingly forgiven us.  This is illustrated in the parable Jesus told of the servant who owed his master an enormous debt.  He fell down at his master's feet and begged for mercy.  His master had compassion on him and loosed him from the debt, forgiving all.  Another way we work towards forgiveness is to refuse to ruminate on how we have been wronged and wallowing in self-pity.  Bad feelings and resentment are signs we have yet to fully forgive others.  We take critical ground in forgiveness when we never again feel the need to mention - to the offender or to others - the situation in detail.  In her message Corrie never laid out exactly what had happened or who had done it, but how God used it to change her.  A negative was thus made positive.  Finally, we must burn our "black and whites," even destroying evidence we would use to prove others wrong or to protect ourselves in the future.  Corrie had forgiven her "friends" in her heart, but burning those black and whites was the final nail driven home into the coffin of unforgiveness.

How about you?  Have you black and whites?  Perhaps it is time to pertinently delete those old emails, burn those hurtful letters, or decide that you will never recount that story you tell about how you were wronged or betrayed by those you trusted.  Praise the LORD God does not have a secret stash of the evidence of our sin, just waiting for an opportunity to throw it in our face.  He has taken all our sins and put them as far from us as the east is from the west.  Like Jesus on the cross we can say with compassion, "Father, forgive them - even if they know what they are doing."  If we refuse to forgive others after receiving such great forgiveness from God, we torture ourselves needlessly (Matthew 18:34-35).  Let us love and forgive our enemies, even when they are brethren.

The Pool Cue Lesson

Years ago, God used a piece of wood to convict me of my lack of faith in Him.  When I bought a pool table second-hand, a few old cues were included by the seller.  One of the cues was warped to the point it was not worth repairing.  As I went to throw it away, however, I was impressed by the solid feel in my hand.  This wouldn't be a bad club, I thought to myself.  If someone broke into my house, I would feel capable of defending myself with this in my hand.  So I discreetly stashed my improvised personal defence system in my bedroom.

It wasn't long before I started thinking:  hasn't God promised to defend me and my family?  Was it possible I was trading divine protection and safety for my own strength?  Wouldn't it be better to do my part to responsibly secure the home with locks and lights and entrust myself to His care?  My club wouldn't do me any good if I was asleep, but the God of Israel does not slumber or sleep.  A club offered limited protection against a gun in the hands of a desperate thief.  If I cried out to God couldn't He strike an intruder with blindness as He did the men of Sodom or make people with evil intentions hear sirens and flee like the Syrians outside the walls of Samaria?  There is a limit of my strength and skill to fight, but there is no weakness in my God.  Strengthened with faith through remembering my God, the club went in the bin and I slept peacefully.

Do you believe God can protect you and your family, believer?  Or have you exchanged the divine protection God provides with reliance on your ability to shoot with precision or swing a club in the dark?  Psalm 118:6-8 says, "The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? ⁷  The LORD is for me among those who help me; therefore I shall see my desire on those who hate me. ⁸  It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."  If fear of man or government control is our motive in arming ourselves, we may be displaying a lack of confidence in God.  Isn't He the one who sets up kings and deposes them?  Hasn't Christ commanded if His disciples are persecuted in one city they should flee to another (Matt. 10:23)?  He did not tell them to hunker down in compounds but to make disciples of all nations.

The only weapon I have in my house today is the Word of the Living God, the Sword of the Spirit:  the Bible.  It cannot bludgeon trespassers or make thieves flee, but it reveals the character and power of my God who loves and protects me.  Its pages are packed with instances of God miraculously saving His people.  Thieves can break in and steal, and murderers can kill and destroy.  But if I am God's and He is mine, I can joyfully entrust myself to His protection.  I am an overcomer through Jesus Christ, and those who do His bidding God can employ as His battle-axe and weapon of war (Jer. 51:20).  Our fight is not against flesh and blood or governments but against spiritual powers of darkness which can only prevail when we rely on our strength and wits instead of the power of God.  Praise the LORD for His protection, for our Good Shepherd will faithfully keep His flock forever.