Today: A New Beginning!

The length of time we have formally followed Christ is a source of pride for some.  I wonder, dear professing follower of Christ, if you are closer to Him now than you were at the first?  Has your love and passion for Him grown?  Or has your love become familiar and cold?  Are you as excited now to pray as you once were?  Do you have an almost ravenous desire to consume the Word of God like at the beginning when you know you knew nothing?  Have you become cynical about church and Christianity because of some bruises you've experienced over the years?  This line of thought will not apply to all, but it certainly applies to some.

Are you willing to admit that up until now you have really played at Christianity?  Are you willing to sacrifice your honorable badge of years following Jesus to say that you have never known Him as you ought?  Are you ready to disown all works previous to now as done in the power of your flesh?  Are you willing to say that today is the day of your true conversion, when you were filled with the Holy Spirit for the first time through faith and total abandonment to Christ because God loves you, you love Him, and trust Him completely? Consider a quote from G. Campbell Morgan which rings true:

You have been for years on the confines of Emmanuel's land.  You are familiar with all the songs, but you cannot sing them and feel the rapture of them.  You are familiar with all the phrasing of Christianity, but it has never become the phrasing which beats your heart into infinite music.  You need that faith which abandons itself absolutely and wholly, not to an ideal you would like to realize, but to a Person who will realize in you every ideal after which your heart is seeking.  In order to receive the Holy Ghost we have to add to our conviction, confidence; to our repentance, faith; to our hope, appropriation, and all these things in relation to Jesus Christ.  The living Christ has come.  The Spirit has been poured out.  Westminster Chapel, London, tonight is as full in every part of the Holy Spirit of God as was the upper room on the day of Pentecost.  The mistake you have been making for years is that you have been waiting for Him to come in nights of prayer and lonely vigil, in speculative inquiry; waiting while you have been attending conventions and reading books about the Holy Ghost.  The Spirit has come.  He is here.  Every man, woman, and little child in this house is surrendered by the beneficent Spirit of God, waiting to come in, waiting to teach you the deeper music of life, its vision and glory.  "How is it that I do not feel the thrill and do not see the light?" you ask.  Because you have never believed in Jesus Christ.  Convinced of the perfection of His ideal, put confidence in Him, and rank yourself by His side and under His banner.  Repenting of sin, changing your mind about it, trust Him to give you victory in every department of life.  Hoping for a better day, appropriate the day that has come.  Wishing that you could be delivered, be delivered now by trusting Jesus Christ.  Just where you sit, hoping, wishing, wondering, cast yourself upon Jesus Christ and say, "Here I am, now, just as I am."  The Spirit of God will bring the living Christ into your own inner experience.  That will end your infidelity, your skepticism, your wonder.  You will pass into the realm of life, and all the signs following will be granted to you." (The Westminster Chapel, Morgan, Vol. 1, pages 236-237)

It is not until we are wearied and utterly finished with a knock-off brand of Christianity devoid of all power, strength, victory, and new life before we can taste the real thing.  Some have never known Christ, some only think they know Christ, and some truly know Him.  No matter where you stand, meet and follow Jesus today for the first time!

Supernatural Resource

The earth is abundant with natural resources.  The perfectly tuned atmosphere exists on earth which promotes health of plant, animal, and human life.  Fruits and vegetables are grown in abundance on farms, and living animals both in the sea and on land provide food to support life.  Beneath the surface of the earth, vast reserves of oil and coal are collected to supply fuel for heating, transportation, and manufacturing.  Precious metals and gems are mined throughout the world for both industrial and cosmetic use.  The more plentiful the natural resources, the more profitable the enterprise.  When rarity of a resource is coupled with high demand, the value of that resource skyrockets.

From a worldly perspective, limited resources means limited success.  The ultimate resource for business and people is money.  Unfortunately, many churches these days also perceive money to be either the catalyst or great limiter for "ministry."  I recently read a quote from an Australian pastor which I paraphrase:  "Little money, little chance for ministry.  Lots of money, enormous opportunity for ministry."  This sentiment could not be further from the actual truth.  Are money, manpower, and positive thinking the natural resources of the church?

Let us turn our attention upon Jesus Christ, the Founder and Head of the church of God.  He did not attract followers with programs or large amounts of money.  He did not have a worship team comprised of young, stylish people who were skilled musicians and singers.  Jesus did not build a modern church campus and market Himself on the TV or internet.  And think of all the real ministry He was able to do through the power of the Holy Spirit!  Think of all the souls saved under His teaching, the people delivered from demonic power, the forgiveness, hope, peace, and joy which has been perpetuated to this day!  What is the resource of the church?  It is none other than the supernatural resource of God's love.  Big buildings, cutting-edge media presentations, dynamic preaching personalities, and thousands of euphoric people singing uplifting songs in unison are absolutely impotent for ministry without the love of Jesus Christ.

This is clearly seen in scripture:  the question is, do we believe it is true today?  Is the love of Jesus Christ all we need to reach this dying, decadent, world with the Gospel of Jesus Christ?  1 Corinthians 13:1-2 reads, "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."  I thank God He has abundantly supplied the needs of His people, both spiritually and physically.  Let us couple every resource God has provided with the supernatural resource of His love.  May our gaze be fixed upon our Saviour Jesus Christ, the model and source of such love! 

Does Life Matter?

The other day I picked up a biography on Heath Ledger, an Australian-born actor who made it big in Hollywood until his untimely demise at the age of 28.  My greatest interest in reading the book is learning about the man behind the masks.  As I read the book, however, I find that the author doesn't have insights into Mr. Ledger on a deep, personal level.  It is more of a chronology of events, a timeline sprinkled with quotes.  Heath's own words open a small window to his heart.

Heath had a unique perspective of the world and his place in it, as illustrated by this quote:  "I've always been very big on self-exploration and answering my own questions...I look up at the stars and go, 'There's no explanation for us to be here.'  When anything is blocking my head or there's worry in my life, I just - whoosh! - go sit on Mars or something and look back here at Earth.  All you see is this tiny speck; you don't see the fear, you don't see the pain, you don't see the movie industry, you don't see this interview, you don't see thought...It's just one solid speck.  Then nothing really matters, it just doesn't." (Heath Ledger, McShane, John Blake Publishing Ltd., 2008, pg. 67)

As I read that quote, the only word I can think to describe it is "tragic!"  It may be artistic from a worldly point of view, but the philosophy found within one's own heart is desperately lacking and often misleading.  When I look at the stars, I say just the opposite:  "There is a reason we are here."  It is impossible to maintain proper perspective in life apart from a relationship with the Creator and Giver of life:  Jesus Christ.  Jesus experienced first-hand the effects of sin man brought upon himself through rebellion against God.  He answered questions, shared the wisdom of God, cast out fear with perfect love, and experienced pain for us.  He knew what it was like to be hounded by the paparazzi of His day.  What God does matters, and the fact that He loves us makes all the difference.

I can't answer my own questions, but I'm thankful God answers..  I would have really loved to sit down with Heath and have a discussion about the development of his philosophy over the years.  I wouldn't speak to him in an attempt to prove him wrong or tell him the right way to live.  It would simply be to listen, to hear where he's coming from.  He believed there is no explanation behind why human beings walk this earth.  Yet for 28 years, Heath walked this earth and distinguished himself from others due to his skill in the art of acting.  He was very careful in choosing roles.  How can you say your roles or actions matter when in the big picture nothing matters?  My heart breaks for the guy.  The trip back and forth to Mars seems to have been tiring and unsatisfying.  Mars seemed more and more attractive as a permanent home over the camera flashes, money, fame, drugs, voyeurs, and realizing that his life was not his own:  he was a product that had an expiration date.  The man never came back from his last trip.  But Mars isn't where souls stay after their body dies.  I only know what the Bible says:  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  No one comes to the Father except through Him.  He created Heath, knows Him, and I hope Heath knew Christ as LORD too.  Rest in peace, mate.

Life does matter.  We exist to glorify God, even as the stars which shine brightly in the heavens.  Psalm 19:1-3 reads, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. ² Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. ³ There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard."  Whether you are are a star which shines in space or a movie star in Hollywood, our existence is intended to shine for the glory of God.  Let all we do be to this end.  Isaiah 55:6-9 says, "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. ⁷ Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. ⁸ "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD. ⁹ "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." We matter to God, and pleasing Him should matter to us.

God's Lovingkindness

"Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; ²⁴ but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD."

Jeremiah 9:23-24

Last night during our family devotions we read through this passage.  What a wonderful reminder it is of the loving, gracious, and holy character of God.  How easy it is for our ideas of God to be warped by the opinions of those who do not know Him or through our own prejudice!  People's ideas of God range from imaginary to real, a benevolent "Santa Claus" or Genie contrasted with the fire-breathing destroyer and hater of men.  To magnify a single aspect of God's character at the expense of ignoring another contorts our perception of God.

In the Jeremiah passage, God entreats the wise not to glory in his wisdom, nor the mighty man in his might, or the rich man in his riches.  Instead, whoever who glories should glory in the fact he understands and knows God.  This is a wonderful truth, that God has revealed Himself to man primarily through His Word and the person of Jesus Christ.  Man can understand and know His Creator in a personal way, even as a man knows a close friend.  The character of God is revealed through His righteous law, perfect justice, and gracious lovingkindness.  The automatic spell-checker does not believe that "lovingkindness" is a real word, and most people have no idea of the incredible lovingkindness of God.

For many of those who do believe and affirm there is a "God," He is a strictly impersonal, judgmental, passive, and potentially volatile god.  They would nod their heads if I described Him as just and righteous.  But does He exercise lovingkindness and actually delight in it?  The transliteration of this Hebrew word is "hesed," meaning "kindness, favour, mercy, pity."  God is a loving, gracious God.  He is loving to punish wickedness, and His lovingkindness is evident through His correction, grace, and mercy towards us.  Romans 5:8 reads, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."

This morning I read two incredible messages by G. Campbell Morgan titled "The Sifting of Peter" and "The Turning Again of Peter" (The Westminster Pulpit, Vol. 1, Chapters 15 & 16).  He details how Peter denied Jesus after boasting he would not.  Instead of being angry or offended at Peter upon meeting with him again, Jesus was compassionate and filled with love.  Peter was deeply ashamed because of his failure and cried bitterly.  He was broken over the fact he had denied Christ on the night He was betrayed in public, and for the fact that Jesus knew it.  Jesus did not confront Peter as many of us would have if we had been betrayed.  Jesus did not say, "I told you so," glare at Peter, or make cynical comments aimed at belittling him in front of others.  He asked Peter a simple, direct question:  "Do you love me?"  The fact that Jesus loved Peter was undeniable.  Jesus had chosen, called, and taught Peter, and even saved him from drowning.  Jesus had washed Peter's feet, showed His undying love through the cross, and had risen from the dead.  At that moment Jesus had just fed Peter and the disciples breakfast.  He asked Peter, "Do you love me?"

Jesus asks you today:  "Do you love me?"  Instead of "keeping us in line" through threats of judgment or the risk of our sin being found out by others, it is Christ's lovingkindness which draws us to repentance.  Jeremiah 31:3 shows us clearly the heart of God towards all flesh:  "The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."  It should not be the threat of God's wrath that keeps us from sin, but the love of Christ.  When we struggle between right and wrong Jesus Himself stands with us, places His arm around our shoulders, looks us in the eyes (and we cannot hold that penetrating gaze of compassion, being ashamed of our sin and continual failure), and says with love:  "Do you love me?"  What a weighty question to which everyone must respond.  Our words carry little weight:  it is our life that will provide our answer.

Perhaps your dad related to you by fear, an imposing figure of terror or violence.  Maybe you have suffered much through men who abused their authority or position.  You could be deeply wounded by a pastor or a priest who claimed to be a man of God!  But I implore you in the name of Jesus, never allow the sins of men to poison your perceptions of God.  Go to scripture and read of this God, the Creator of All Things, the One who delights in exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.  Instead of trying to balance your beliefs through the opinions of others or negative experiences, seek the truth from the Source.  Forget all your bias, admit your ignorance, and seek God with your whole heart.  You will see that He created and knows you, and He desires to be understood and known by you.

I close with the words of Psalm 103:1-18.  Read and believe, if you dare!  "Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: ³ who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, ⁴ who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, ⁵ who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷ He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. ⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. ⁹ He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. ¹⁴ For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. ¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. ¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, ¹⁸ to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them."