READ the Bible!

I attended the Calvary Chapel senior pastor's conference for the first time in Murrieta, California.  The week was marked with great teaching and a tremendous time of fellowship with other pastors.  Another highlight for me was searching through the old volumes at the used bookstore.  Among the books I purchased is the Bible pictured here, printed by Samuel Bagster and Sons in London around 1860.

When I pulled this Bible off the shelf, a huge smile spread across my face.  As I turned it over and over in my hands, I was struck by the craftsmanship of the volume.  The gilt pages were etched with beautiful designs and the leather cover was also decorated with intricate patterns.  As I opened the book to examine it further, one thing became apparent:  this book had never been read!  There was no staining of the pages, no oil residue left from fingers, and no marks of any kind.  Apparently it had been a gift given to Reverend Benjamin Darcus who laboured in the Irish parish of Tullyaughnish in 1860.  It is an amazing, well-preserved bit of history.

This beautiful Bible testifies to two facts.  The first is that the Bible has not changed from 1860.  The inspired Word of God has not been changed since it was penned thousands of years ago by men inspired by the Holy Spirit!  Translated from original texts before and after Christ, the Holy scriptures are the same today as they have ever been.  Unlike other religious sects whose texts are edited and changed within a hundred years of being first printed, the Bible remains true and authoritative.  It has endured the most exhaustive scrutiny of both science and history, and remains true and unchanged!

The second fact to which this volume testifies is not good:  for over 150 years, this book remained unread.  It was more of a relic or trophy than actually employed for the purpose it was carefully transcribed over the centuries:  the Bible is to be read, believed, and obeyed.  I would contend that most Bibles remain mostly unread.  This is a terrible tragedy and an affront to God.  Over the years I have loaned out many good books to friends.  It is not uncommon for me to receive a loaned book back many months or years later unread.  How disappointing this is!  People are happy with the concept of gleaning wisdom or truth from a book that might do them good, but are not willing to put in the effort to mine it for themselves.  God must be grieved that His Word is so often neglected and unheeded even by those He has redeemed.

Is reading the Word of God a priority for you?  Is your Bible a trophy on a shelf or food for your soul?  Though it might reduce the resale value of this classic Bible, I intend to read it cover to cover.  The Bible was given by God to be read by men so we might receive His truth and share it with those willing to hear.  Jesus has the Words of life!  What a treasure we have in God's Word!

God the Merciful

I recently arrived in San Diego and am preparing to head north to the Calvary Chapel senior pastor's conference in Murrieta, California.  I'm looking forward to catching up with friends, meeting fellow co-labourers in Christ, and seeking God through times of study and worship.  I don't know how free I will be to blog, but as I was reading this morning I came across a fresh passage I thought I would share.

It is no secret that a tendency in people exists to elevate men because of their wealth, fame, or abilities.  Unfortunately this can be common in the church as well.   Men are praised and revered for their preaching or their gifts as musicians and singers.  Sometimes we think people are chosen to serve God in a particular role because of their unique and special talents.  A verse which shatters this misconception is found in 1 Chronicles 16:41.  When David brought the ark of God into the place prepared for it, the writer explains why certain men were called by name to lead others in worship:  "...and with them Heman and Jeduthun and the rest who were chosen, who were designated by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endures forever..."

Men were called by name to play musical instruments and sing - not because they were amazing singers - but because God's mercy endures forever.  It is not about the men who praise, but all focus is placed on the praiseworthy God whose mercy endures forever!  We sometimes choose men to serve or lead because of their talents or gifts, but it is God who calls and deserves all the glory.

Some have been chosen by name to preach and teach because God's mercy endures forever.  Some are called as apostles or deacons because God's mercy endures forever.  Men and women are called as prophets or gifted in helps, administration, and faith because His mercy endures forever!  All people everywhere are called to glorify and praise God through their lives because God's mercy endures forever!

As it is written in Romans 9:16:  "So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy."  A well-known pastor might be very honorable, but God deserves all honor and glory.  God is the one who shows mercy, and He is the one to receive all glory!

Die, Plank-Eye!

Christianity is a lifestyle unlike any other.  The longer I walk with Christ, my sense of inadequacy and failure increases.  This occurs because I am drawn to greater faith in Christ, recognizing my inability to do the first works on my own.  Also I am realizing more and more how wrong I have been in the past while at the time I was sure I was right!  Little by little, God removes the spiritual pride that knowledge and experience can bring.

The LORD gave me some fresh insight on Matthew 7:1-5 as I mowed the lawn today:  "Judge not, that you be not judged. ² For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. ³ And why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? ⁴ Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; and look, a plank is in your own eye? ⁵ Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

How many times over the years have I suffered from "plank-eye syndrome"?  I looked upon a situation and judged people involved:  who was right, wrong, what could have or should have been done.  How easy it is to ignore our own faults and disobedience because of the perceived wrongs and faults of others!  When we have a plank in our own eyes we CANNOT see clearly or even think correctly.  I find that when I repent and remove the plank in my eye, the speck I thought I saw in my brother's eye disappears too.  Had my brother changed?  Not at all:  but my perspective was clarified through repentance.  A wise man once said, the best men seen themselves in the worst light.  When I am caught up in finding fault in others, I am at fault.  How wicked my sins appear in others!

We do well to keep in mind the last verse in the book of 2 Peter, chapter 3 verse 18:  "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen."  I cannot be content with yesterday's grace, even as yesterday's faith does me no good:  I must grow both in grace and faith today.  Only God can do this work within me, for it is God who works in me both to will and do of His good pleasure.  My role is to abide in Christ, repent of sin, break up my fallow ground, and rest in the forgiveness of my Saviour.  Micah 6:8 reads, "He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?"

Do Christians make mistakes?  Sure!  What is that to me or you, fellow believer?  I am to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and follow Jesus.  When I make a mistake, it is my divine duty to admit fault and resolve to remain free from the scourge of sin.  It is only the grace and mercy of God which convinces a man that he has been all wrong, that all along he is the one with the plank in his eye.  Romans 2:1-5 says, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. ² But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. ³ And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God? ⁴ Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? ⁵ But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God."

God have mercy on me, a sinner!

Unity First!

"Unity is necessary for the outpouring of the Spirit of God."

A.W. Tozer, quoted from the sermon "Unity that Brings Revival"

While listening to a sermon delivered by Tozer online today, I was struck by the aforementioned quote.  Unity of the church is a topic that seems to keep popping up in my mind lately.  This morning in our church prayer meeting I was prompted to pray for unity.  In talking with a fellow follower of Christ this afternoon, unity was a topic emphasised over and over.  Unity is very important in the church, perhaps more important than we think!

In his message, Tozer says that people make the mistake of praying for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit so we might be united.  His claim is that prayer is in the wrong order:  God does not send His Spirit to unite us, but sends His Spirit when we are already united in Christ.  Tozer quotes Acts 4:31-33: "And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. ³² Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. ³³ And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all."  He claims, and I am in agreement, that these Christians were of one accord and one mind:  therefore they were filled and empowered by the Spirit to glorify God.

Think in relation to the natural operation of a human body.  The heart may have the power and force to pump blood swiftly though a leg or arm, but if limbs are severed from the body they are no longer connected to the source.  A gas heater might be plugged into a power point to operate the fan, but unless the heater is connected to the gas line there will be no heat.  For us to be filled with the Spirit as a body of believers, we need to be united together in Christ.  The body of Christ is one body made of many members with Christ as the head.  To paraphrase Tozer's thoughts, he says something to this effect (and I paraphrase):  "How will God revive this church?  The only way He'll do it is when there is among us a oneness, a determination to glorify the LORD alone.  We have as much of God as we want."

Jesus says in Matthew 18:19:  "Again I say to you that if two of you agree on earth concerning anything that they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven."  There is power in unity.  What is the immediate context of this statement?  Right before this Jesus is explaining our duty to seek out those who have offended us for reconciliation.  Right after this statement Jesus explains our duty to forgive.  If we harbor offense, unforgiveness, bitterness, or judgments in our hearts, we cannot be united.  It is simply not possible.  We might both share a real love and desire to follow Christ in faith, we might agree on certain doctrines, but until we are willing to humble ourselves and obey God's command to forgive we are not abiding in Christ.  We are like a branch cut off from the Vine.  But if we seek Christ's glory in our unity, we will again have sweet fellowship with Him and one another!

Let us be united, brothers and sisters!  Family can be a messy business, but thank God we have a loving, gentle Father who seeks to restore!  You want the power of the Holy Spirit?  You know what you must do!