We have enjoyed uncharacteristically wet weather in Sydney for the past several days. Sydney has been shrouded with thick grey clouds and a steady, light drizzle, a complete shift from the last weeks of warm temperatures and rising humidity. The seasons seem a little confused.
When I opened the Word this morning, I read Psalm 4:8: "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep; for You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety." In the United States, Thanksgiving is being celebrated across the country. How many things do we take for granted God has given us, even something like peaceful sleep! Did you ever thank God for a restful night of sleep? It is God who enables us to sleep soundly and wake up refreshed.
There have been well-documented cases of celebrities whose deaths have been linked to desperate attempts to simply sleep in peace. Marylin Monroe, Heath Ledger, and Michael Jackson are tragic cases numbered among them. I suppose there are an infinite amount of reasons people struggle to sleep. But good sleep, like all other wholesome things we need and enjoy, is a gift from God. Psalm 127:1-2 reads, "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it; unless the LORD guards the city, the watchman stays awake in vain. 2 It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows; for so He gives His beloved sleep."
Sleep in humans is an interesting study. From articles I've read over the years, even experts can't explain why we need to sleep. The brain can be more active during sleep than when we are awake! But it is no secret that human function is greatly impaired when the body is deprived of sleep. Just like everyone needs sleep, we all need the love of God. God gives us love, grace, and sleep - not to mention everything that pertains to life and godliness. Sometimes we fall asleep unwittingly, but God's love must be consciously received. When we repent and trust in Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are born again and ushered into God's beloved.
You don't need to be a Christian to enjoy a wonderful night's rest, but Christians ought to recognize that even the gift of sleep is received by the grace and goodness of God. He allows the rain to fall on the just and the unjust. He gives all benefits and blessings that people might recognize His goodness and trust in Him (Rom. 2:4). Thank God for the rest He graciously gives!
24 November 2011
23 November 2011
My Inheritance Request
"I will declare the decree: the LORD has said to Me, 'You are My Son, today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them to pieces like a potter's vessel.' "
Psalm 2:7-9
The heading in my Bible for Psalm 2 is, "The reign of God's anointed." The term "anointed" is a reference to the Jewish Messiah, who has been revealed as Jesus the Christ. He was not only the Messiah to the Jews, but to all who repent and trust in Him. Previously when I read Psalm 2, I looked at it only in this context. Jesus is the only begotten of the Father (John 3:16) who died for the sins of the world, rose again, and will someday return to set up His rule upon earth. There is a prophetic glimpse of Christ returning in power and glory in Revelation 19:11-16. Revelation 19:15 reads, "Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
God chose the children of Israel out of all the nations to be His inheritance. Deuteronomy 4:20 states, "But the LORD has taken you and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be His people, an inheritance, as you are this day." How interesting and enlightening that God says through King David to the Messiah, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the nations (or the "heathen") for Your inheritance." God is not willing that any person or nation should perish, but that all would come to repentance and faith in Him and be saved. God offers Jew or Gentile, slave or free, the opportunity to be numbered among His children by His grace through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross.
For the first time in my life, yesterday I saw that the entreaty of verse 8 is not only relevant to the person of Jesus Christ the Messiah, but to all who have been born again into the family of God. God challenges all Christians to say, "Give me the heathen for my inheritance." As children of God by faith, we have become Christ's inheritance, and He is ours. Our relationship with God through faith has granted us access by the blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit, and His grace that even the Priests and Levites under the Mosaic Law did not possess. I was once estranged from God because of my sin, but I have been brought near to God through Christ. Ephesians 2:13-18 reads, "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father."
If Christ dwells in me and I in Him, I have not only a right but an obligation to pray thus: "LORD, you have said in your Word, "Ask of Me, and I will give You the heathen for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession." It is not gold and silver than I desire, or crowns or mansions, nor honour among men or angels. I do not deserve to eat the crumbs from your table, but you have adopted and numbered me among your precious children, even making me a co-heir with Jesus Christ! I ask that you give me the heathen for my inheritance, that many would come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. May you receive the reward of your suffering through my testimony. Grant me saved souls by your grace! May you anoint me to go forth weeping, continually bearing seed for sowing that I may doubtless come again rejoining, bringing my sheaves with me." (Psalm 126:6)
When you see enemies of the Gospel or those tragically heading to eternal destruction, never see them as your enemies: they are your inheritance! Treasure their souls! Allow yourself to consider their condition and weep for their lack. Then supply the good seed of God's Word which will not return void. Sowing to the Spirit brings life everlasting.
20 November 2011
God Gives More Grace
The church will only be the loving, vibrant, fruitful body God designed after we have laid hold of His grace. If we think that the work of God depends on us, our talents, gifts, or aspirations, we will be impotent to step out in faith and obedience. A common trap which ensnares Christians is to look at ourselves, consider what our gifts are, and then only seek to use those gifts. Consequently our actions and lifestyle will only reflect what we perceive in ourselves. This kind of insular thinking has the potential to paralyze us and limit what we are willing to do for God - consciously limiting what we consider to be a reasonable scope of work - and therefore limit His effectiveness to work in and through us. But there is much beyond our perception that God wants to do!
If we agree that all gifts we have been given us by God's grace, let us consider another view. Instead of looking at my gifts, deeming them worthy, and then offering them, how about I look to God? Once my eyes are fixed upon Jesus Christ, I can ask God to open my eyes to see the needs all around me. After He reveals the need, I ask God to grant me grace so God might meet that need through me for His glory. If my focus is on my gifts, I will be forever waiting for the perfect opportunity to trust God to use them, rather than trusting God to give me in that instant the gifts in the moment of need. All I have is from God anyway: can't He do more in my life today than yesterday? Or am I going to chain myself to the past, limit my faith, and deny the fact God can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what I could ever ask or think?
We all know there are grave needs in the world. There is no shortage of needs in our own neighborhoods. But I will never know the needs of people until I get to know the people themselves. What kind of doctor could make a correct prognosis and administer medication without knowing the patient, examining their medical history and symptoms, and communicating with them? If you want to know the needs of your community, it starts with creating relationships one person at a time. Pastors Matthew Barnett and Bill Wilson are perfect examples of men who immersed themselves in the lives of people and God has used them mightily to reach lost souls for Christ. The church, made entirely of Christians, is hamstrung if all Christians only have relationships with Christians. We must seek to interact with all people so the love of Christ might be revealed through tangible means. That's what Jesus did and what He wants us to do.
Not every fellowship will grow to be as numerically large as the Dream Center in Los Angeles or Metro Ministries in New York, but the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit enables each church fellowship to be fruitful, effective, and a place where the miraculous is common. After all, no church will ever be judged by God on account of the square footage of buildings, number of parishioners ministries, or buses, or how talented their musicians or singers are. God is seeking people to love and trust Him. He is looking for people to obey His leading and desires we would use all He has graciously given to bring souls to salvation, make disciples of all nations, and faithfully feed the flock of God. God's eyes do not light up at our volume of service or sacrifice, but He rejoices over two mites thrown into His treasury out of a heart rejoicing in faith. How we give matters most to Him.
Don't wait for someone else to lead. Let us look to Christ and purpose in our hearts to follow Him and trust that He will supply all our needs. He is able to accomplish what concerns us today. Will God deprive us of what we need when we are about Christ's business?
If we agree that all gifts we have been given us by God's grace, let us consider another view. Instead of looking at my gifts, deeming them worthy, and then offering them, how about I look to God? Once my eyes are fixed upon Jesus Christ, I can ask God to open my eyes to see the needs all around me. After He reveals the need, I ask God to grant me grace so God might meet that need through me for His glory. If my focus is on my gifts, I will be forever waiting for the perfect opportunity to trust God to use them, rather than trusting God to give me in that instant the gifts in the moment of need. All I have is from God anyway: can't He do more in my life today than yesterday? Or am I going to chain myself to the past, limit my faith, and deny the fact God can do exceedingly, abundantly beyond what I could ever ask or think?
We all know there are grave needs in the world. There is no shortage of needs in our own neighborhoods. But I will never know the needs of people until I get to know the people themselves. What kind of doctor could make a correct prognosis and administer medication without knowing the patient, examining their medical history and symptoms, and communicating with them? If you want to know the needs of your community, it starts with creating relationships one person at a time. Pastors Matthew Barnett and Bill Wilson are perfect examples of men who immersed themselves in the lives of people and God has used them mightily to reach lost souls for Christ. The church, made entirely of Christians, is hamstrung if all Christians only have relationships with Christians. We must seek to interact with all people so the love of Christ might be revealed through tangible means. That's what Jesus did and what He wants us to do.
Not every fellowship will grow to be as numerically large as the Dream Center in Los Angeles or Metro Ministries in New York, but the love of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit enables each church fellowship to be fruitful, effective, and a place where the miraculous is common. After all, no church will ever be judged by God on account of the square footage of buildings, number of parishioners ministries, or buses, or how talented their musicians or singers are. God is seeking people to love and trust Him. He is looking for people to obey His leading and desires we would use all He has graciously given to bring souls to salvation, make disciples of all nations, and faithfully feed the flock of God. God's eyes do not light up at our volume of service or sacrifice, but He rejoices over two mites thrown into His treasury out of a heart rejoicing in faith. How we give matters most to Him.
Don't wait for someone else to lead. Let us look to Christ and purpose in our hearts to follow Him and trust that He will supply all our needs. He is able to accomplish what concerns us today. Will God deprive us of what we need when we are about Christ's business?
17 November 2011
Don't Eat What You Should Chuck
The other night we had an interesting occurrence at the dinner table. Everyone in our family had nectarines with dinner. It's not an oddity to eat fruit in our house, but what happened next was a first for me. I was assured that the nectarines had been washed just after being purchased. But being the avid fruit and vegetable washer that I am, I still examined it carefully. Where the stem used to be there was a little grey fuzz, nothing scary. I poked a knife into the hole and suddenly a tiny stick poked out a couple centimeters away. I removed the knife and held it up in the light to see better. Funny, I couldn't see the stick. Again, I cut into the nectarine and suddenly the stick appeared again. Wait a second, I thought. Something weird is going on...it was one of those strange moments when the brain is a little slow to process.
Upon further examination, I could see the stick bending ever so slightly. I stabbed right into it. As you may have already guessed, I was disgusted and surprised to see my nectarine was inhabited by a small worm! Before too long I had cut the worm on my plate, proudly displayed for all to see. Then I cut out the small bad spot and washed the nectarine again. And yes, I ate the rest. Apart from that soft, blackened pinhole the fruit was fine. I did notice, however, that the rest of Laura's nectarine remained uneaten. It takes more than a tiny worm to ruin my appetite.
So much of life is like that nectarine. Much of the programming on TV is fit for family viewing: sports, cartoons, nature shows, even some movies and shows. But there is a lot of programming that is pure garbage for the eyes and mind. Even in good shows there can be bad spots. It's a lot easier to cut the bruise out of a nectarine than to trim out a word or a mental image from a show. That's where discernment comes in. Even too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. It's good to have fun but not at the expense of responsibility and morality.
Sometimes for the sake of that one black spot a whole show or movie must go. But there are times when it is alright to skip a scene and keep a movie. What if we were as careful with what we watched on TV or the internet as what we put in our mouths to eat? No one in their right mind would eat that peach which suddenly went very wrong on my bench yesterday. In the matter of a day it was an oozing, green haired, foul piece of fruit so rotten it could not be eaten (word to the wise - don't leave fruit too near your electric kettle). The funny thing is, we can watch stuff that's just as bad spiritually and pollutes our minds - without giving it a single thought.
So the next time you find a worm in your fruit, are you going to eat it? Or will you cut it out? Same thing with what we put before our eyes. Sometimes that thing needs to be thrown in the bin. It's no good for you, and it will make you sick. A worm may not eat much, but a little sin can consume your life! By the time you recognize the symptoms, it may be too late for an easy cure. Take it to the LORD. He will grant the wisdom you need to make the righteous decision.
Upon further examination, I could see the stick bending ever so slightly. I stabbed right into it. As you may have already guessed, I was disgusted and surprised to see my nectarine was inhabited by a small worm! Before too long I had cut the worm on my plate, proudly displayed for all to see. Then I cut out the small bad spot and washed the nectarine again. And yes, I ate the rest. Apart from that soft, blackened pinhole the fruit was fine. I did notice, however, that the rest of Laura's nectarine remained uneaten. It takes more than a tiny worm to ruin my appetite.
So much of life is like that nectarine. Much of the programming on TV is fit for family viewing: sports, cartoons, nature shows, even some movies and shows. But there is a lot of programming that is pure garbage for the eyes and mind. Even in good shows there can be bad spots. It's a lot easier to cut the bruise out of a nectarine than to trim out a word or a mental image from a show. That's where discernment comes in. Even too much of a good thing can have a negative effect. It's good to have fun but not at the expense of responsibility and morality.
Sometimes for the sake of that one black spot a whole show or movie must go. But there are times when it is alright to skip a scene and keep a movie. What if we were as careful with what we watched on TV or the internet as what we put in our mouths to eat? No one in their right mind would eat that peach which suddenly went very wrong on my bench yesterday. In the matter of a day it was an oozing, green haired, foul piece of fruit so rotten it could not be eaten (word to the wise - don't leave fruit too near your electric kettle). The funny thing is, we can watch stuff that's just as bad spiritually and pollutes our minds - without giving it a single thought.
So the next time you find a worm in your fruit, are you going to eat it? Or will you cut it out? Same thing with what we put before our eyes. Sometimes that thing needs to be thrown in the bin. It's no good for you, and it will make you sick. A worm may not eat much, but a little sin can consume your life! By the time you recognize the symptoms, it may be too late for an easy cure. Take it to the LORD. He will grant the wisdom you need to make the righteous decision.
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