How important it is to seek God's direction concerning our decisions! This morning I read a portion in Leviticus that spoke of a man in a fight who was heard blaspheming the name of God with a curse. Unsure of the appropriate response, the witnesses brought the man to Moses. Leviticus 24:12 said, "Then they put him in custody, that the mind of the LORD might be shown to them." As an aside, this may be one the only examples of incarceration in the Old Testament under the Law, and for a reason foreign to us! The Law was all about restitution, not incarceration. I love the fact the man was put in a ward not for punishment or in the hope of rehabilitation: he was placed in custody so Moses and the leaders of Israel might seek the mind of God concerning this circumstance. Because Moses was not entirely sure of how to proceed in this matter, he sought the mind of God through prayer. How different would the justice systems look if this was the response of every judge, solicitor, and jury! After God rendered His righteous judgment, Moses swiftly carried out His command.
In our lives we continually face complex situations and circumstances. Sometimes it is difficult to know the correct course of action according to God's righteous judgments. We need the Holy Spirit to guide us so we might walk in righteousness, and God has provided His indwelling presence for every believer. We could not know sin except by the Law, nor could we know righteousness without the wisdom which springs from God alone. Have you ever made a decision you later regretted? Our negligence to seek the mind of Christ before we speak or act is always the most regrettable oversight. It is natural for us to walk by sight, not by faith. Instead of reacting to our circumstances, this passage teaches us to take even our thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ so we might respond obediently to wisdom revealed from above.
1 Corinthians 1:30-31 states, "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--
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that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the LORD." If we have been born again through repentance and faith in Christ by the Gospel, then Christ has become for us wisdom. Through the Holy Spirit, we are led to walk in the way which fully pleases God. When we seek God for direction and walk according to His guidance, we need not fear. Even when we speak or act presumptuously, God is able to redeem our foolish mistakes for our good and His glory. This does not make our hearts swell with pride, but causes us to praise and glorify the God who is good and given such wonderful gifts to sinful men. Who we are and all we have is only by His grace. God does not stumble over the minutiae that bogs us down, but lifts us above it effortlessly.
Nothing we face is unknown or uncertain to Him, for He has seen it afar off. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says, "For "who has known the mind of the LORD that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ." Praise God for His marvelous mind, and that it can be known by us! Since we have been united with Christ, may we walk in unison with Him!
25 April 2013
24 April 2013
ANZAC Day
Today is "ANZAC Day" in Australia, one of the most important national observances. "ANZAC" stands for "Australian and New Zealand Army Corps." This day is a commemoration of the service of Australian and New Zealand "diggers" who fought in World War 1 in Gallipoli. It ended up being a stalemate that came at the high cost of 8,000 ANZACs. Throughout the nation and beyond our borders this sober, proud day has been set aside to remember and honour the memory of the brave fallen and those who have valiantly served their country in times of war. In Gallipoli the ANZACs did not achieve a victory, but through their courage and toughness in the face of adversity defined themselves with strength and bravery all can appreciate.
One of the amazing facts is that the diggers who fought in Gallipoli did not often have the training, supplies, or equipment that was available to others. In the face of insurmountable odds, they kept going. According to skwirk.com, there were five basic traits that defined a "digger:"
The ANZACs showed great love in laying down their lives for their mates, boldly charging into the line of fire on beach in Gallipoli. Jesus demonstrated His love for all people by dying in our place on Calvary. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It is good to remember the sacrifices of brave men and women for their countries. It is better still to remember the sacrifice Jesus has made for all people so "...whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
One of the amazing facts is that the diggers who fought in Gallipoli did not often have the training, supplies, or equipment that was available to others. In the face of insurmountable odds, they kept going. According to skwirk.com, there were five basic traits that defined a "digger:"
- the ability to remain cheerful with a good sense of humour, even in the most difficult of times
- the ability to be resourceful when they had no supplies, for example by making hand grenades from empty tin cans
- the spirit of mateship in which a soldier would risk his own life for his mate's
- Australian courage, which was shown on the very first landing at Anzac Cove where the soldiers continued to charge up on to the beach straight into the line of Turkish fire
- the notion that people all deserve the same amount of respect, no matter what their background is
The ANZACs showed great love in laying down their lives for their mates, boldly charging into the line of fire on beach in Gallipoli. Jesus demonstrated His love for all people by dying in our place on Calvary. Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." It is good to remember the sacrifices of brave men and women for their countries. It is better still to remember the sacrifice Jesus has made for all people so "...whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
22 April 2013
Death in the Pot!
Once our eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit, we cannot read the Bible without marveling at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The articles and vestments of the Temple, the Law and prophets, the Old Testament appearances of the "Angel of the Lord, and even miracles reveal the power and person of Jesus. Even as a quality film director uses foreshadowing, God has set the standard with all the foreshadowing of Christ and details of His life in the Old Testament. God brought one of these instances to mind this morning during a time of prayer.
The Bible speaks of a time when prophet Elisha went to Gilgal to meet with the sons of the prophets. At that time there was a famine in the land. Elisha commanded his servant to set a pot to boil stew for the men who gathered together. They rustled up whatever they could. One man found a vine with gourds on it that were chopped up and put into the stew to boil. What they did not know, however, is the gourds were poisonous. 2 Kings 4:40-41 reads, "Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it. 41 So he said, "Then bring some flour." And he put it into the pot, and said, "Serve it to the people, that they may eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot." Through the power of God, Elisha did a miracle that day. Flour has no purifying qualities, nor does it neutralise poison. Yet flour was used to reverse the poisonous effects of the gourds on the stew. Flour (KJV calls it "meal") is made from ground up grain, the main ingredient in bread.
In those days there was not only a famine of food, but in hearing the good Word of God. Paganism and heathen practices had been adopted by God's people. These sinful acts and deeds brought destruction and death to the people, even as the gourds were poison in the stew. The people remained outwardly religious, yet they had forsaken the pure worship of the One True God. We can apply this truth even to the church. There are some who have embraced heretical doctrines and teachings and have turned from faith in God. In the early church the misuse of the Lord's Supper led to sickness and death (1 Cor. 11:30). Jesus once compared Himself to a grain of wheat falling to the earth and that His death would result in a bountiful harvest of much grain. Jesus also compared Himself to Living Bread. The children of Israel ate manna in the wilderness provided by God and ended up eventually dying: those who partake of Jesus Christ in faith will live forever! The way we should not take this passage is to simply "add" a bit of Jesus to heathen practices and all will be well. The world is a pot of death. All of us have death working in our members. It is only a matter of time until we go the "way of the earth" and perish. But God has offered all eternal life through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Life is not found in food alone, but in the Word who became flesh.
The picture of Christ is further amplified by the immediate passage that follows. 2 Kings 4:42-44 says, "Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, "Give it to the people, that they may eat." 43 But his servant said, "What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?" He said again, "Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: 'They shall eat and have some left over.' " 44 So he set it before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD." A man brought a knapsack of food to Elisha: 20 small loaves of barley bread, and some ripened grain. Elisha told the man to distribute the food among the men. The man was incredulous at such an idea. "What? It's not nearly enough to feed 100 men!" Elisha told the man to distribute it anyway "...For thus says the LORD: 'They shall eat and have some left over.'" As the LORD spoke through Elisha, so it was. Although the food did not seem enough to feed the men, they were all satisfied and still had some left over! What a picture of Jesus, who on one occasion fed 5,000 men with five small loaves and 2 fish! After everyone ate and was full, there were 12 baskets of food left over.
Even as Jesus took the bread, blessed, broke, and distributed it to His disciples to pass around, so the Father has taken the Son Jesus Christ - the Living Bread from heaven - blessed Him, broke Him, and given Him to all who have been born again through faith in Him. God has committed to us the words of life, for Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the Living Bread that has been sent from heaven, and we catch glimpses of Him throughout all the Old Testament. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! There was death in the pot, but those who believe have been healed and made whole!
The Bible speaks of a time when prophet Elisha went to Gilgal to meet with the sons of the prophets. At that time there was a famine in the land. Elisha commanded his servant to set a pot to boil stew for the men who gathered together. They rustled up whatever they could. One man found a vine with gourds on it that were chopped up and put into the stew to boil. What they did not know, however, is the gourds were poisonous. 2 Kings 4:40-41 reads, "Then they served it to the men to eat. Now it happened, as they were eating the stew, that they cried out and said, "Man of God, there is death in the pot!" And they could not eat it. 41 So he said, "Then bring some flour." And he put it into the pot, and said, "Serve it to the people, that they may eat." And there was nothing harmful in the pot." Through the power of God, Elisha did a miracle that day. Flour has no purifying qualities, nor does it neutralise poison. Yet flour was used to reverse the poisonous effects of the gourds on the stew. Flour (KJV calls it "meal") is made from ground up grain, the main ingredient in bread.
In those days there was not only a famine of food, but in hearing the good Word of God. Paganism and heathen practices had been adopted by God's people. These sinful acts and deeds brought destruction and death to the people, even as the gourds were poison in the stew. The people remained outwardly religious, yet they had forsaken the pure worship of the One True God. We can apply this truth even to the church. There are some who have embraced heretical doctrines and teachings and have turned from faith in God. In the early church the misuse of the Lord's Supper led to sickness and death (1 Cor. 11:30). Jesus once compared Himself to a grain of wheat falling to the earth and that His death would result in a bountiful harvest of much grain. Jesus also compared Himself to Living Bread. The children of Israel ate manna in the wilderness provided by God and ended up eventually dying: those who partake of Jesus Christ in faith will live forever! The way we should not take this passage is to simply "add" a bit of Jesus to heathen practices and all will be well. The world is a pot of death. All of us have death working in our members. It is only a matter of time until we go the "way of the earth" and perish. But God has offered all eternal life through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Life is not found in food alone, but in the Word who became flesh.
The picture of Christ is further amplified by the immediate passage that follows. 2 Kings 4:42-44 says, "Then a man came from Baal Shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley bread, and newly ripened grain in his knapsack. And he said, "Give it to the people, that they may eat." 43 But his servant said, "What? Shall I set this before one hundred men?" He said again, "Give it to the people, that they may eat; for thus says the LORD: 'They shall eat and have some left over.' " 44 So he set it before them; and they ate and had some left over, according to the word of the LORD." A man brought a knapsack of food to Elisha: 20 small loaves of barley bread, and some ripened grain. Elisha told the man to distribute the food among the men. The man was incredulous at such an idea. "What? It's not nearly enough to feed 100 men!" Elisha told the man to distribute it anyway "...For thus says the LORD: 'They shall eat and have some left over.'" As the LORD spoke through Elisha, so it was. Although the food did not seem enough to feed the men, they were all satisfied and still had some left over! What a picture of Jesus, who on one occasion fed 5,000 men with five small loaves and 2 fish! After everyone ate and was full, there were 12 baskets of food left over.
Even as Jesus took the bread, blessed, broke, and distributed it to His disciples to pass around, so the Father has taken the Son Jesus Christ - the Living Bread from heaven - blessed Him, broke Him, and given Him to all who have been born again through faith in Him. God has committed to us the words of life, for Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Jesus is the Living Bread that has been sent from heaven, and we catch glimpses of Him throughout all the Old Testament. Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! There was death in the pot, but those who believe have been healed and made whole!
21 April 2013
Veneer Maintenance
A veneer is a decorative coating to cover something inferior from sight. My two front teeth, for instance, are covered with veneer crowns. Due to a skateboard mishap in my youth, my teeth were badly chipped. Not only was it a bad look, but the sensitive roots were exposed and very painful! After my temporary caps became yellowed with age, my folks and I pooled the necessary funds to replace them with veneers. Another common use of veneer is wood veneer which gives glued particle board the appearance of quality hardwood. A discerning eye can usually pick out wood veneer in seconds, but it is a cheaper alternative to solid wood.
Our furniture or teeth is not the extent of our use of veneer, of course. People do not need to be on stage to wear masks or costumes which hide true feelings. There can be cultures developed in school, the workplace, families, or even in church that make us feel pressure to keep up the appearance of perpetually being happy and doing well. I think all who have been courageous enough to share struggles and hurts have been criticised or eyed with suspicion by some for having honestly opened their hearts. As I still decompress from my experience at camp this last week, I am convinced that it is never wrong to be real. We ought to be mindful of proper decorum and tact, but too often in Christian circles we can pass off a veneer for the real thing. If we believe Christians are without troubles or struggles, we are naive and foolish. Just because someone hasn't bared their soul to you, doesn't mean they are without pain or are doing fine.
An example of this is seen in Israel's history. Samaria was under siege by the Syrians, and the people were dying of starvation. Things became so bad that parents were eating their babies to survive. When King Jehoram heard this news firsthand, he was beside himself with grief and anger. 2 Kings 6:30 reads, "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body." Jehoram's royal robes hid the truth: he was secretly in mourning for their desperate situation. The king put on a front for his people and wore his robes over the sackcloth. Some agree with this approach. "He's the king! He has to be strong for the people! If he was seen mourning, the people would despair!" Not so fast. King Hezekiah was not afraid to cover himself with sackcloth and even went into the house of the LORD (2 Kings 19:1)! God looked favorably upon the repentant king and people of Nineveh and relented from the disaster he would bring upon them. Kings, parents, and Christians all face struggles and difficulties. Do we do ourselves or others a favour by concealing our true feelings behind a veneer we carefully maintain to save face?
When Jesus was facing the cross and in agony of spirit, He shared those moments with a chosen few. He did not sweat great drops of blood before the masses. Yet He did not take pains to hide His tears from people. He wept openly over the grave of Lazarus. People recognised the genuine love of Christ in that moment: "See how He loved him!" Jesus was a conqueror and overcomer, but was not above feeling pain and heartache. The joy of the LORD was His strength, yet the prospect of being separated by God for the sins of the world placed upon Him brought Him low. Being a Christian does not mean we don veneer smiles and conceal our grief from others. Let us speak the truth in love, not to seek sympathy or hide our struggles under a proud facade. When we lower our defenses in faith and become transparent for the glory of God, hidden hurts will be brought to light and healed. James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
A true friend is someone to whom you can say anything and it will not destroy the relationship. If you must maintain a veneer to keep your friends friendly, these may not be friends at all. Genuine friendships are made even stronger with conflict. Jesus has called His followers friends. We are to be casting our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. If in this life you have true friends, you are most blessed. Be such a friend to others, even as Christ is to you!
Our furniture or teeth is not the extent of our use of veneer, of course. People do not need to be on stage to wear masks or costumes which hide true feelings. There can be cultures developed in school, the workplace, families, or even in church that make us feel pressure to keep up the appearance of perpetually being happy and doing well. I think all who have been courageous enough to share struggles and hurts have been criticised or eyed with suspicion by some for having honestly opened their hearts. As I still decompress from my experience at camp this last week, I am convinced that it is never wrong to be real. We ought to be mindful of proper decorum and tact, but too often in Christian circles we can pass off a veneer for the real thing. If we believe Christians are without troubles or struggles, we are naive and foolish. Just because someone hasn't bared their soul to you, doesn't mean they are without pain or are doing fine.
An example of this is seen in Israel's history. Samaria was under siege by the Syrians, and the people were dying of starvation. Things became so bad that parents were eating their babies to survive. When King Jehoram heard this news firsthand, he was beside himself with grief and anger. 2 Kings 6:30 reads, "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the woman, that he tore his clothes; and as he passed by on the wall, the people looked, and there underneath he had sackcloth on his body." Jehoram's royal robes hid the truth: he was secretly in mourning for their desperate situation. The king put on a front for his people and wore his robes over the sackcloth. Some agree with this approach. "He's the king! He has to be strong for the people! If he was seen mourning, the people would despair!" Not so fast. King Hezekiah was not afraid to cover himself with sackcloth and even went into the house of the LORD (2 Kings 19:1)! God looked favorably upon the repentant king and people of Nineveh and relented from the disaster he would bring upon them. Kings, parents, and Christians all face struggles and difficulties. Do we do ourselves or others a favour by concealing our true feelings behind a veneer we carefully maintain to save face?
When Jesus was facing the cross and in agony of spirit, He shared those moments with a chosen few. He did not sweat great drops of blood before the masses. Yet He did not take pains to hide His tears from people. He wept openly over the grave of Lazarus. People recognised the genuine love of Christ in that moment: "See how He loved him!" Jesus was a conqueror and overcomer, but was not above feeling pain and heartache. The joy of the LORD was His strength, yet the prospect of being separated by God for the sins of the world placed upon Him brought Him low. Being a Christian does not mean we don veneer smiles and conceal our grief from others. Let us speak the truth in love, not to seek sympathy or hide our struggles under a proud facade. When we lower our defenses in faith and become transparent for the glory of God, hidden hurts will be brought to light and healed. James 5:16 says, "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
A true friend is someone to whom you can say anything and it will not destroy the relationship. If you must maintain a veneer to keep your friends friendly, these may not be friends at all. Genuine friendships are made even stronger with conflict. Jesus has called His followers friends. We are to be casting our cares upon Him, for He cares for us. If in this life you have true friends, you are most blessed. Be such a friend to others, even as Christ is to you!
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