In Gene Edward's book A Tale of Three Kings, he shows how God breaks a man before He uses Him. David is cited as a chief example of a broken man and the means God uses to break men: circumstances, people, being misunderstood and wrongly judged. On Wednesday night I heard a message on brokenness. A man who is self-assured, self-confident, and self-reliant is unfit for use in the hands of the Master Potter. There is no salvation in self, only destruction. God is wise, loving, and good to break us from what kills us.
As pastor Drew preached from the Word concerning Moses and Peter, he used a clay pot smashed by a hammer to illustrate the breaking process. Moses was raised as a prince in Pharaoh's house and had all the benefits of royalty, while his countrymen toiled under harsh oppression in Egypt. God used being misunderstood by the Israelites, fleeing for his life from Pharaoh after killing an Egyptian, and 40 years of tending the sheep of his father-in-law to break him. Peter was a confident, brave man whom Jesus called to follow Him. Peter was humiliated by denying Jesus Christ after bragging that he would face prison and even die for Jesus. Moses and Peter are numbered among those men and women of faith whom God shattered before He could use for His glory.
A point of emphasis which I appreciated in the message is that breaking is not a one time thing. The milestones along the path of Christian experience for me are the points of breaking, not the points when I stood in church, came forward for prayer, or raised my hand in response to an invitation in a service. I have been broken by my own sin and grave offense before God, broken by death of loved ones, broken by being deceived and lied to, broken by hurtful words and betrayal, broken through the power of God's Word and Holy Spirit, and broken through witnessing the pain of others. The ways that God breaks a person are all ordained by God to accomplish His purposes for our good and His glory. If we believe that God is supreme over all, we cannot fault His means or methods. When God breaks a man, that is an Ebeneezer stone along our path towards eternity in Christ: that is where God most helped us. Brokenness is the only way to completion and sanctification in Christ.
God says in Jeremiah 23:29: "Is not My word like a fire?" says the LORD, "and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" Whether the hammer that breaks us is a devastating illness, people, betrayal, being misunderstood, slander, bigotry, or Satan himself, we need to recognize that it is simply a tool in God's hands. When we are broken, a temptation is the resent or hate the tool God uses. Instead of hating God or the implement He chooses to use, we must determine to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength. What did Paul say? Romans 8:28 reads, "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose." Faith in God and recognition of His guiding hand brings comfort even in the midst of trials. When our broken bones are being set back in place, God holds us closely and whispers sweet comforts to our hearts. Our pain is overshadowed by the healing in His wings, the love from which nothing or no one can separate us from.
Romans 8:35-39 reads, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written: "For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." 37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." There is only one person who can separate you from the love of God: you! You can choose to reject this love, this healing balm which God freely has given to us through Jesus Christ. We can wallow in our pain, lash out in anger, and flee from the hand of God because we do not trust Him. We resent Him for allowing suffering. We can become bitter, cynical, jaded, hateful, and filled with self-pity. But God's love remains. It is an active love which pursues all wandering, fleeing, failed men to their graves. It is a sacrificial love revealed in Jesus Christ as He died for our sins on the cross.
God didn't leave His love for man in the heavens, but sent Jesus so His love could be revealed and received by all who are willing. Broken bones grow back stronger, and faith in God and our love for Him is strengthened when God breaks us. Instead of hating the instrument He chooses or the means He uses, may we receive His love and love Him with all our heart, soul, and strength. Those who sow in tears shall reap in joy!
15 March 2012
Back from New Zealand
This morning Drew and I returned from a four-day jaunt to New Zealand to speak at the Calvary Chapel Bible Institute. It was a blessing as we enjoyed the fellowship of Jesus Christ with staff and students alike. It is a wonderful privilege to catch a small glimpse of what God is doing in another part of the globe.
My first impression when flying into New Zealand was lush, green beauty. Ironically, the Bible Institute is located directly across the street from a thermal pool and spa resort called, "Hell's Gate." On one side of the road people are spreading their beliefs concerning Ruaukoto, the Maori god of earthquakes and volcanic activity, while on the other side people are teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, the One True God. The demons worshiped by the Maori people have great power and influence over man, but the Almighty God is both Creator and Supreme Ruler. Demons can copy God to a fixed point He ordains and deserve no worship. 2 Samuel 22:7-9 reads, "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. 8 "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. 9 Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it."
Not only did we enjoy several wonderful days at the Bible Institute, but we were treated to an afternoon of walking through the city of Rotorua. One of the things I wanted to do was drink an "L & P," which is "world-famous in New Zealand." In May of 2009 in Brisbane was the last and only time I had previously enjoyed the drink. After Drew and I had ice cream (I chose "dark chocolate raspberry and chili" which I highly recommend) we walked around, handed out some Gospel tracts, and spoke with folks from Calvary Chapel Rotorua. The anointing of the Holy Spirit permeated our evening, and we rejoiced in the grace and greatness of our God.
Our prayers for a safe return to Australia were answered, and I am happy to be back in the land of OZ. As I shared with both students and staff of my testimony concerning God's call and faithfulness to me and my family in Australia, it reaffirmed how good and gracious God has been. How blessed and privileged we are to be broken by Him so He can heal and use us for His glory. Over and over He bids us trust in Him, for He shall bring His perfect will to pass. Rejoice in the LORD, believer, wherever God has you now. Give no room for impatience! Instead, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Be faithful, even as God is faithful. He will establish His Word!
My first impression when flying into New Zealand was lush, green beauty. Ironically, the Bible Institute is located directly across the street from a thermal pool and spa resort called, "Hell's Gate." On one side of the road people are spreading their beliefs concerning Ruaukoto, the Maori god of earthquakes and volcanic activity, while on the other side people are teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ, the One True God. The demons worshiped by the Maori people have great power and influence over man, but the Almighty God is both Creator and Supreme Ruler. Demons can copy God to a fixed point He ordains and deserve no worship. 2 Samuel 22:7-9 reads, "In my distress I called upon the LORD, and cried out to my God; He heard my voice from His temple, and my cry entered His ears. 8 "Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken, because He was angry. 9 Smoke went up from His nostrils, and devouring fire from His mouth; coals were kindled by it."
Not only did we enjoy several wonderful days at the Bible Institute, but we were treated to an afternoon of walking through the city of Rotorua. One of the things I wanted to do was drink an "L & P," which is "world-famous in New Zealand." In May of 2009 in Brisbane was the last and only time I had previously enjoyed the drink. After Drew and I had ice cream (I chose "dark chocolate raspberry and chili" which I highly recommend) we walked around, handed out some Gospel tracts, and spoke with folks from Calvary Chapel Rotorua. The anointing of the Holy Spirit permeated our evening, and we rejoiced in the grace and greatness of our God.
Our prayers for a safe return to Australia were answered, and I am happy to be back in the land of OZ. As I shared with both students and staff of my testimony concerning God's call and faithfulness to me and my family in Australia, it reaffirmed how good and gracious God has been. How blessed and privileged we are to be broken by Him so He can heal and use us for His glory. Over and over He bids us trust in Him, for He shall bring His perfect will to pass. Rejoice in the LORD, believer, wherever God has you now. Give no room for impatience! Instead, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you. Be faithful, even as God is faithful. He will establish His Word!
08 March 2012
When the Devil says no...but God says yes!
Every Christian knows we are pitched in a spiritual battle. Our flesh, Satan, and the world under his sway resist and rage against obedience to Jesus Christ and the Word of God. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit and faith in Christ that we can overcome. Though our awareness or sensitivity to this battle against satanic wickedness and obedience to God might at times be muted, other times we become acutely aware of how much the devil hates God and all those who trust in Him.
Jesus was condemned and crucified an innocent man, though He had only always done what had pleased the Father. After He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to fill and come upon Christ's faithful followers to instruct and empower them to live for God's glory. Men who once cowered behind closed doors for fear of reprisal from the religious leaders boldly preached Christ crucified and risen. On one occasion Peter and John were arrested because they preached publicly after performing a notable miracle in the name of Jesus. The religious leaders severely threatened them if they decided to ever preach in the name of Jesus Christ again. In their presence Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you judge. We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Later Peter, John, and other believers gathered for prayer. This portion of their prayer is written in Acts 4:29-31: "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." 31 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." God doesn't just rattle the gates of hell: He crushes them to powder so the captives might be set free. Instead of making concessions to the enemy of their souls, through God Satan was cast under their feet as they boldly proclaimed the Word of God.
A day will come for every Christian when the devil says "No!" because you are close to encroaching upon his territory. We can choose to be afraid of Satan and run and hide. We can be like the Israelites when confronted with the giant Goliath, who cowered in fear in the false hope he would just be quiet and go away. Or we can respond with the boldness of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah because His perfect love casts out all fear. It is in this moment that God is testing us: will we respect the "No!" of the prince of this world or obey the "Yes!" of the Almighty God, Creator of All? Let us make a stand in obedience for righteousness. Jesus says in Luke 12:4-5: "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"
Jesus was condemned and crucified an innocent man, though He had only always done what had pleased the Father. After He rose from the dead and ascended to heaven, the Holy Spirit was sent to fill and come upon Christ's faithful followers to instruct and empower them to live for God's glory. Men who once cowered behind closed doors for fear of reprisal from the religious leaders boldly preached Christ crucified and risen. On one occasion Peter and John were arrested because they preached publicly after performing a notable miracle in the name of Jesus. The religious leaders severely threatened them if they decided to ever preach in the name of Jesus Christ again. In their presence Peter and John said, "Whether it be right in the sight of God to obey you rather than God, you judge. We cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard."
Later Peter, John, and other believers gathered for prayer. This portion of their prayer is written in Acts 4:29-31: "Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, 30 by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus." 31 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." God doesn't just rattle the gates of hell: He crushes them to powder so the captives might be set free. Instead of making concessions to the enemy of their souls, through God Satan was cast under their feet as they boldly proclaimed the Word of God.
A day will come for every Christian when the devil says "No!" because you are close to encroaching upon his territory. We can choose to be afraid of Satan and run and hide. We can be like the Israelites when confronted with the giant Goliath, who cowered in fear in the false hope he would just be quiet and go away. Or we can respond with the boldness of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah because His perfect love casts out all fear. It is in this moment that God is testing us: will we respect the "No!" of the prince of this world or obey the "Yes!" of the Almighty God, Creator of All? Let us make a stand in obedience for righteousness. Jesus says in Luke 12:4-5: "And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear Him who, after He has killed, has power to cast into hell; yes, I say to you, fear Him!"
07 March 2012
Unveiled Face
Last night I was reading in Exodus 34 about how Moses communed with God on Mt. Sinai as God wrote the 10 Commandments for a second time upon tablets of stone. After 40 days, Moses descended from the mount, carrying the two tablets inscribed with the finger of God. Unbeknown to Moses, his face literally shone from the time he spent in the presence of God. This frightened the people, even Aaron his brother, to the point that he needed to cover his face with a veil when addressing the people. Otherwise no one would come near him! Exodus 34:33-35 explains, "And when Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with Him, he would take the veil off until he came out; and he would come out and speak to the children of Israel whatever he had been commanded. 35 And whenever the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone, then Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him." Moses veiled his face to speak with the people, and removed the veil when speaking with God.
When Moses veiled his face, it was practical. As we look at this veiling in light of scripture, we see it is also symbolic and highly significant. In the tabernacle, there was a thick veil which separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies, the most holy place where the Spirit of God dwelt above the mercy seat. No man but the high priest on the Day of Atonement could enter the most holy place without dooming himself to certain death. When Jesus atoned for the sins of the world through His shed blood, crying out "It is finished!", this same veil was torn top to bottom, exposing the most holy place to all. From God to man, an invitation to divine communion through the shed blood of Jesus Christ by grace to faith had been offered to all.
Paul relates in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Isn't this a wonderful truth? Because of Christ, we no longer need to read scripture with hearts obscured, even as Moses covered his face when he spoke to the people. Because the Holy Spirit has indwelt and filled Christians, we can approach God with unveiled face in prayer, read the scriptures with understanding and clarity as the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, and speak with unveiled face to our fellow men, sinners who are heading to their eternal destruction - even as we once were. When we turn to the LORD, the veil is taken away! If we turn to religion, the opinions of men, legalism, or walk in disobedience without repentance, our veil remains.
Sometimes we can drift far from God, though we have long been Christians. We try to retrace our steps to where we went off the track, even like Pilgrim in Bunyan's allegory. The trouble is Satan's lies, our limited understanding, and our own sins blind us to the right path. When we try to retrace our steps, we sink deeper in the slough of sin, strangled by our own theology, and lose all hope we will ever find our way back to Jesus Christ. Forget retracing your steps: turn to the LORD! Come to Jesus today as you came to him in simplicity in faith at the beginning. Come to Jesus as if you have never known Him truly until now. Confess your sins, repent, and trust Jesus Christ and God's Word. Allow Him to remove the veil from your face and heart and set your feet once again on the narrow path which leads to victory and eternal glory.
Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' " Jesus revealed Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The way to eternal life is not through failed attempts to keep the Law of Moses or beating yourself up for your faults, but to repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour. Victory does not come from theological wranglings, but atonement and redemption spring only through the shed blood of the Messiah. Jesus affirmed this truth in Matthew 11:29 when He said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." A groom does not kiss his bride through the veil, but lifts it to reveal her face. He does this to demonstrate affection through a kiss without any obstruction. Allow Christ to remove the veil so you might commune with Him with unveiled face and realize, like never before, how much He loves you.
When Moses veiled his face, it was practical. As we look at this veiling in light of scripture, we see it is also symbolic and highly significant. In the tabernacle, there was a thick veil which separated the holy place from the Holy of Holies, the most holy place where the Spirit of God dwelt above the mercy seat. No man but the high priest on the Day of Atonement could enter the most holy place without dooming himself to certain death. When Jesus atoned for the sins of the world through His shed blood, crying out "It is finished!", this same veil was torn top to bottom, exposing the most holy place to all. From God to man, an invitation to divine communion through the shed blood of Jesus Christ by grace to faith had been offered to all.
Paul relates in 2 Corinthians 3:12-18, "Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."
Isn't this a wonderful truth? Because of Christ, we no longer need to read scripture with hearts obscured, even as Moses covered his face when he spoke to the people. Because the Holy Spirit has indwelt and filled Christians, we can approach God with unveiled face in prayer, read the scriptures with understanding and clarity as the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, and speak with unveiled face to our fellow men, sinners who are heading to their eternal destruction - even as we once were. When we turn to the LORD, the veil is taken away! If we turn to religion, the opinions of men, legalism, or walk in disobedience without repentance, our veil remains.
Sometimes we can drift far from God, though we have long been Christians. We try to retrace our steps to where we went off the track, even like Pilgrim in Bunyan's allegory. The trouble is Satan's lies, our limited understanding, and our own sins blind us to the right path. When we try to retrace our steps, we sink deeper in the slough of sin, strangled by our own theology, and lose all hope we will ever find our way back to Jesus Christ. Forget retracing your steps: turn to the LORD! Come to Jesus today as you came to him in simplicity in faith at the beginning. Come to Jesus as if you have never known Him truly until now. Confess your sins, repent, and trust Jesus Christ and God's Word. Allow Him to remove the veil from your face and heart and set your feet once again on the narrow path which leads to victory and eternal glory.
Jeremiah 6:16 says, "Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' " Jesus revealed Himself as the Way, the Truth, and the Life. The way to eternal life is not through failed attempts to keep the Law of Moses or beating yourself up for your faults, but to repent and trust in Jesus Christ as Saviour. Victory does not come from theological wranglings, but atonement and redemption spring only through the shed blood of the Messiah. Jesus affirmed this truth in Matthew 11:29 when He said, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." A groom does not kiss his bride through the veil, but lifts it to reveal her face. He does this to demonstrate affection through a kiss without any obstruction. Allow Christ to remove the veil so you might commune with Him with unveiled face and realize, like never before, how much He loves you.
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