Marching Forth!

Knowledge of the future has wide appeal.  This was evident when a work mate of mine who showed virtually no interest in living a godly life shared his fascination with the "red heifer" spoken of in Numbers 19 .  I found this most strange.  "You may think I don't know about things like that," he said with a twinkle in his eye.  "I've been reading about it.  You gotta have a red heifer to have worship in the temple in Jerusalem.  They be looking for that heifer!"  I didn't know what to think.  He clearly felt as if he had obtained privileged information and was even smug about it. He was correct a red heifer is required under the Law, though he didn't say anything about what practical function it served - that the ashes were used for making the water of separation to cleanse people who had come in contact with a dead body.  To him, the discovery of a red heifer was a sign of the culmination of end time events, that when a young cow which m...

In the Law God made provision if people or the nation sinned unintentionally.  When it came to the attention of the guilty party they were directed to offer sacrifices for the atonement of sin.  I was surprised to read in the passage immediately following there was a situation, however, when no sacrifice was acceptable for sin.  In contrast  Numbers 15:30-31 reads, " But the person who does anything presumptuously, whether he is native-born or a stranger, that one brings reproach on the LORD , and he shall be cut off from among his people. 31 Because he has despised the word of the LORD , and has broken His commandment, that person shall be completely cut off; his guilt shall be upon him ."  The word "presumptuously" conveys the motive of the person who committed the offence before God and could be described as self-exalted, haughty, and wilfully promoting sin. If it was determined someone knew the Law and flaunted it intentionally, proudly and defiantl...

When I am faced with difficult situations, I find many times a resulting conflict within me.  It is often trying times in life which bring the conflict of the flesh and Spirit of a Christian to the surface.  If I could reduce the inner conflict to the lowest denominator, it would be the decision to walk in God's love or not:  will I choose to love the person according to the love I have received through faith in Jesus, or will I do what I think is best?  The love of God provides wisdom and understanding in how to navigate all the decisions of this life ( Phil. 1:9-11 ) In a delightful discussion this morning a mate of mine commented how the shield of faith goes before us to block fiery darts so they don't find their mark.  This is a rich insight.  When we walk in the Spirit, remaining vigilant to be led by God in our thoughts, words, and deeds, attacks and insults can be easily extinguished by the shield of faith.  But there will always be situati...

An intriguing balance exists as we embrace our role in God's work.  It is very easy to find ourselves tending to think God's plan and the fulfilment of His promises depends on us.  When we tilt this balance to our efforts, it exposes our limitations.  It makes obeying God an imposing task because we recognise we are being asked to do something we cannot. An example of this is seen after God miraculously brought His people out of Egypt.  He promised to give them an exceedingly good land, one "flowing with milk and honey."  God had given the land to His people, but there was one big problem (at least to people who did not trust God):  the land was inhabited by strong people in fortified cities.  God had given the land to His people, and their role was to enter in and possess the land.  Naturally the people thought it fell to them to "take" the land, and did not believe they had the ability to defeat their giant foes.  They compared their str...

For the discipleship course I am leading, we typically read through a chapter or two in a Gospel.  With the current course we are reading through the book of Matthew, and I enjoy how themes flow and build through each chapter.  For instance, one chapter may emphasise the power of Jesus over everything - over sin, every sickness, disease, demon, and even a raging sea!  I had a bit of an epiphany as I read through Matthew 22 recently, and it is wonderful God has ordained these moments for those who trust in Him.  The revelation of God is not only for prophets or pastors, but for every Christian who seeks the LORD and trembles at His Word. Matthew 22 begins with Jesus speaking a parable to multitudes which included priests and Pharisees.  He spoke of a king who invited people to the wedding of his son.  Those who were initially invited made light of the invitation and others persecuted and killed his messengers.  Enraged, the king destroyed the mu...

I was struck last night with the greatness of God's love.  No matter how "loving" we imagine ourselves to be, our love is nothing compared to God's infinite love.  Love is the greatest fruit of the Spirit.  Unless the Holy Spirit lives within and empowers us to love, loving and forgiving others is impossible.  It is good for us to recognise our lack and ability to love so we might earnestly walk in the love of God, not just the best efforts of our flesh. Jesus said to His disciples in  John 15:12-13 , " This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends ."  Laying down your life for your friends is the greatest demonstration humanly possible, and Jesus did this and more too.  He laid down His life on Calvary for friends, enemies, sinners.  What I find phenomenal about Jesus is He loved people He knew hated Him and would continue to do so - ...

" The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all-- 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him ." Acts 10:36-38 One marker of Christ's life was He " went about doing good ."  Doing good is much more profitable than avoiding evil because it is an intentional act.  Of course forsaking sin is a good thing, but the Christian walk is far more than sin-avoidance but faith displayed by obedience to God.  More than a list of Laws to obey, following Jesus is a grateful response to the love extended to us through Jesus. Today as I taught through Nehemiah 5 , it struck me there is a definite and important difference between saying, "You'r...