The Prosperous Word

This is a picture I took in 2005 during my first trip to Israel of the theatre in Caesarea.  Though there are various accounts, this location may be the spot where Herod Agrippa was struck by God according to the historian Josephus (Josephus, Antiquities 19.8.2 343-361)  The biblical account is found in Acts 12:21-24:  "So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. ²² And the people kept shouting, "The voice of a god and not of a man!" ²³ Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. ²⁴ But the word of God grew and multiplied."  There is debate over the exact malady which killed the proud ruler, but the Bible is clear Herod's grave, worm infested condition was God's judgment upon a man who denied God rightful glory.

The people flattered Herod for his fine oration as a god who walked among them, and Josephus recorded his silver clothing shone brilliantly in the sun.  Herod's voice would be swiftly silenced, and verse 24 holds forth a contrast:  "But the word of God grew and multiplied."  There are many voices in this world, and often it seems voices which contradict God's word are plentiful and amplified.  Many are unwilling to glorify God, much less acknowledge His existence.  But we can rest assured man's word will not endure as God's word, nor can the effectiveness of it be compared.  Notice the passage does not bother to tell us what Herod said, for the power of his words - polished as they may have been - perished with him.  God's Word, on the other hand, will endure forever (1 Peter 1:25).

Today at Calvary Chapel Sydney we considered Isaiah 55 and the divine authority and power of God's Word.  Isaiah 55:10-11 says, "For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, ¹¹ So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."  Into the darkness God said, "Let there be light!" and there was light.  With the power of His words God spoke into existence the earth, plants which bear fruit and seeds, the atmosphere of the earth, the sun, and all living things.  From nothing God brought life!  A seed sown in the ground may not impress you immediately, but it will sprout in due season according to God's design.  In the same way, the scriptures of the Bible are effectual and will accomplish what God pleases with power.  Caesarea is a reminder how man's words will fail and ultimately be forgotten, but God's Word will prosper, grow, and multiply.

Dare To Joyfully Receive (what you didn't ask for)

One of the first things which happened after followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Spirit on Pentecost was the healing of a lame man at the gate of the Temple.  Peter and John were going to the Temple at the hour of prayer when a beggar asked for money.  Acts 3:4-5 reads, "And fixing his eyes on him, with John, Peter said, "Look at us." ⁵ So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them."  I imagine some people walked by the beggar as if he did not exist, and others dropped a coin into his lap without a word.  But Peter and John stopped and spoke to the man, and he gave them his full attention because he expected to receive something from them.

The man had asked for money, but what Peter said next must have amazed him and all who stood by.  Acts 3:6-7 says, "Then Peter said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you: in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk." ⁷ And he took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength."  This is a bit out of the square, isn't it?  The man sought a charitable donation, but Peter offered healing and strength by the power of Jesus Christ.  Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength from God, and the man stood to his feet.  Has it ever occurred to you that there are content beggars in the world?  They are quite comfortable shaking coins in a cup at passersby, and some who claim they make more begging than working!  The expectancy of this man was rewarded with healing, and the passage tells us he rejoiced to receive this gift he didn't ask for from God.  Acts 3:8 tells us, "So he, leaping up, stood and walked and entered the temple with them--walking, leaping, and praising God."

It is common in some households to know what a Christmas gift is because it was asked for!  I have seen people disappointed after opening a gift to discover it is not what they asked for or "what they really wanted."  We Christians rightly ask God for many things, but you might have noticed He doesn't always give us what we want.  The question is, will you receive what God has for you joyfully - even it is isn't what you asked for?  The lame man dreamed of receiving silver or gold from a generous soul, but a man who had neither silver or gold provided something through Jesus he perhaps stopped dreaming of:  healing and strength for his weak and lame feet.  How tragic it would have been for the man to stand to his feet healed, then sit back down and place his garment in his lap, sighing and disappointed silver or gold wasn't on offer.

The man who entered the temple walking, leaping, and praising God is a great illustration of how we should respond to all gifts from God - even when we didn't receive what we hoped for.  God allows us to experience injuries, pain, and limitations in our lives for the purpose of drawing us closer to Him.  A gift from God might be a loss He can transform into practical and eternal gain.  God is good and He is able to cause to work for good all things in the life of a Christian.  Even when you haven't received what we wanted or asked for, in looking to God expectantly we will receive good things beyond price.  Let us give God our full attention, expecting to receive all we need from Him.  Ephesians 3:20-21 provides a fitting conclusion:  "Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Windows Of Heaven

The Bible speaks of opening the "windows of heaven," and this is used in a literal and a metaphorical sense.  When God judged the earth in the days of Noah, the windows of heaven were opened to send a deluge of water which covered the planet (Gen. 7:11).  This term is also stated figuratively in a promise to those who give their completed tithe in Malachi 3:10:  "Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this," says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it."  The windows of heaven are figurative, but when opened can provide quantifiable increase and fruitfulness from God.

It appears the windows of heaven are able to pour out judgment upon the unbelieving wicked and blessing upon those who fear God and are obedient to Him.  There is only one other occasion in scripture when this phrase is used, and it contains a useful application.  The city of Samaria had been besieged by the Syrians and the situation was dire.  The famine had grown so severe people had resorted to eating their own children to survive.  Though the seige had been long and the outlook hopeless, God promised a complete and almost immediate reversal of the situation in 2 Kings 7:1-2:  "Then Elisha said, "Hear the word of the LORD. Thus says the LORD: 'Tomorrow about this time a seah of fine flour shall be sold for a shekel, and two seahs of barley for a shekel, at the gate of Samaria.' " ²  So an officer on whose hand the king leaned answered the man of God and said, "Look, if the LORD would make windows in heaven, could this thing be?" And he said, "In fact, you shall see it with your eyes, but you shall not eat of it."

The adviser to the king could not believe the word of the LORD spoken through Elisha.  With the horrors he had seen perhaps he wondered if God existed at all, and if He existed was He able to make windows in heaven to supply their needs?  It seemed beyond improbable; it was impossible and unthinkable!  Through miraculous circumstances, the two-fold prophesy of Elisha did come to pass:  God provided abundant provision and salvation for the people in Samaria, and the man who did not believe saw with his eyes but did not eat of it because he was trampled by starving people in the gate.  The lesson for us is there are windows of heaven, and God is able to open them.  He is able to bless and curse, to destroy and save.  He is the God of the impossible.  Those who believe God are those who will see and receive the good things God has prepared!

"Set For Life"

When someone strikes it rich with money and fame, it is commonly said they are "set for life."  This is spoken of inventors, musicians famous for a "one hit wonder," actors, athletes with multi-million dollar contracts, corporate executives, and people born into great wealth.  I understand what is meant by the phrase, but I believe it masks an obvious lie because it does not take eternity into account.  Money and fame in this world provide privilege and opportunities coveted by many, but they have a downside as well.  Fame opens doors as well as closes them.  Money is useful but has its limits, and its personal benefits perish when a man does.

This morning I heard the beloved actress Carrie Fisher, famous for her portrayal of Princess Leia in Star Wars movies, suffered a massive heart attack and is in critical condition.  I pray for her recovery.  She is a world-famous actress whose net worth is counted in the millions, and some might say acting in the original Stars Wars trilogy had her "set for life."  The words of Jesus contradict this idea.  He said life does not consist in the abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15).  Our life is compared in scripture to transient things like a vapour, grass, or a flower in a field which is here today and gone tomorrow.  Money cannot supply life.  There is more to life than money or toil on this planet, for the souls of men were created to endure forever.

Jesus said to His disciples in Matthew 16:24-26, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ²⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. ²⁶ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?"  The only man who is truly set for life is the one who loses their own life for Christ's sake, the one born again through faith in Jesus.  There is infinitely more to life than what we call "the good life" on earth.  There is more to life than food, clothing, a career, fame, sex, music, and acquiring stuff.  We all like the idea of being "set for life," not having to worry about money in an uncertain world.  But God would have us without worry even when we do not have money, knowing our future is secure through Jesus Christ.  When we do have money the hearts of Christians should not be set upon it, but look to God who bountifully supplies our needs (Psalm 62:10).

Only the followers of Jesus are "set for life."  Life does not consist in good health, fame or recognition from others, money, in holidays, travel, or earthly security.  Life is found in losing our lives for Christ's sake, for in Him is eternal life we will enjoy forever.  Are you "set for life?"  What does it profit to gain the whole world but lose your own soul?