Jesus was invited by a Pharisee to his home for a meal. During the meal, a woman - a well-known "sinner" in the town - came to see Jesus. She was so moved she washed Christ's feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. She then kissed his feet and anointed them with precious oil from an alabaster box she broke for that purpose. Not everyone was pleased by this display of affection and generosity. Luke 7:39-40 reads, "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, "This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner."
40
And Jesus answered and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." So he said, "Teacher, say it."
Did you see that? The critical Pharisee spoke to himself, meaning this was an internal conversation he had in his mind. What happened next proved that Jesus was more than a prophet: He answered him! This is one of many evidences that Jesus truly is the Son of God, a discerner of the hearts of men. Simon the Pharisee had something to say, but social decorum demanded he keep it to himself. Jesus had an answer for his unbelief and criticism, if he would hear it. Jesus explained to the self-righteous Pharisee that the woman poured out a sacrifice of love upon Christ because she loved much. She loved much because she had been forgiven much. Simon was offended that Christ did not rebuff the woman because she was a great sinner. What he did not know is Jesus has the power to forgive sins because He is God! She no longer was stained by her sin because she was made righteous by grace through faith. Therefore her sacrifice of love and praise was acceptable and pleasing in God's sight.
Luke 7:48-50 concludes the passage: "Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49
And those who sat at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?"
50
Then He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace." Not only does Jesus know the hearts and minds of people, able to discern thoughts and answer them, but He forgives sins. This woman's faith was accounted to her as righteousness like Noah, Abraham, Moses, and the harlot Rahab before her. The shed blood of Jesus Christ through repentance and faith is able to cleanse us from all sin and make us righteous before God. 1 John 1:9 says of Christ, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Do you love God much? Those who have been forgiven much love much, but those who have been forgiven little love little. Does your life demonstrate you have been forgiven much by God? Praise the Word who became flesh, the One who is more than a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart! He is the only One able to cleanse us with His shed blood and present us faultless before the Father with exceeding joy. Hear Him!
02 July 2013
01 July 2013
Final Visa Update!
This long awaited day has finally arrived, a day that at times I wondered would ever come: our family received word from immigration that we have been approved for permanent residency. The notification reads, "You have been granted a permanent visa which allows you to remain in Australia indefinitely." It feels unreal even as I read those words now. The walk of faith in Christ provides unimaginable twists, turns, and surprises. It is like a roller coaster where one feels the anticipation of the slow ascent, big drops, corkscrews, the sickness in the pit of the stomach, and g-forces all combine to make it a ride that at the conclusion you laugh and say, "Let's do it again!" Well, almost like that. I am glad beyond words the forms, documentation, physicals, and expense is concluded with a positive result. I am blessed that this chapter of our immigration process is complete. God-willing citizenship is only a year and a half away!
It feels so good to know that I'm not crazy - or at least, crazy in a good sense. When God placed the east side of Australia on my heart in 2005, I wasn't sure if I was going insane or if God was truly calling me to quit my career, later resign from my ministry position, sell my house, uproot my family and move to OZ. He confirmed His Word again and again that "I would preach, and I would be sent." It became clear that the only way that I could immigrate to Australia, much less serve in a church as pastor, would be through His doing. Over the years there were wilderness experiences, doubters, rejections, questions, and the ever-oppressive uncertainty. Even during this final stretch of the visa application process there were obstacles to overcome when we had to re-submit our application and payment. A time came when I was forced to hand over everything to the LORD again: "God, if you just wanted us here for a short season, your will be done. If this obstacle is your doing, we embrace it. If it is the work of the enemy, overcome it!"
With the granting of our permanent visa, it is the stamp of God's gracious approval. It is His will we are here. It is God's will that I should serve Him and the flock at Calvary Chapel Sydney. All those years ago when God gave me a vision to reach the east side of Australia with the gospel, I wasn't insane. Yet I do not see the granting of the visa primarily as validation of my perception, but a demonstration of the guidance, provision, grace, mercy, and power of my God. Coming to Australia was never my idea. It was God who put Australia on my heart because He loves all people and is not willing any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He has graciously provided a window of my time on earth to labour for His glory in OZ, and I rejoice He has established my family and me here. My desire is to live out the rest of my days in Australia, moving rocks, sowing seed, and reaping a bountiful harvest of souls for His glory.
Thanks to everyone who has laboured in prayer, helped with finances, submission of the paperwork, and supported our family through this visa process. We are grateful and humbled with the open door God has placed before us. By His grace, we are walking through the door. The end of the visa process brings a new beginning as permanent residents. As you rejoice with us, please remember to thank God for all He is doing - not only in Australia, but in your life and across the globe for generations. You never know the plans God has for you or where He will send you. God will give you the discernment, wisdom, and strength to march forth in step with Him! The question remains to be answered: will you go where He leads?
It feels so good to know that I'm not crazy - or at least, crazy in a good sense. When God placed the east side of Australia on my heart in 2005, I wasn't sure if I was going insane or if God was truly calling me to quit my career, later resign from my ministry position, sell my house, uproot my family and move to OZ. He confirmed His Word again and again that "I would preach, and I would be sent." It became clear that the only way that I could immigrate to Australia, much less serve in a church as pastor, would be through His doing. Over the years there were wilderness experiences, doubters, rejections, questions, and the ever-oppressive uncertainty. Even during this final stretch of the visa application process there were obstacles to overcome when we had to re-submit our application and payment. A time came when I was forced to hand over everything to the LORD again: "God, if you just wanted us here for a short season, your will be done. If this obstacle is your doing, we embrace it. If it is the work of the enemy, overcome it!"
With the granting of our permanent visa, it is the stamp of God's gracious approval. It is His will we are here. It is God's will that I should serve Him and the flock at Calvary Chapel Sydney. All those years ago when God gave me a vision to reach the east side of Australia with the gospel, I wasn't insane. Yet I do not see the granting of the visa primarily as validation of my perception, but a demonstration of the guidance, provision, grace, mercy, and power of my God. Coming to Australia was never my idea. It was God who put Australia on my heart because He loves all people and is not willing any should perish but that all should come to repentance. He has graciously provided a window of my time on earth to labour for His glory in OZ, and I rejoice He has established my family and me here. My desire is to live out the rest of my days in Australia, moving rocks, sowing seed, and reaping a bountiful harvest of souls for His glory.
Thanks to everyone who has laboured in prayer, helped with finances, submission of the paperwork, and supported our family through this visa process. We are grateful and humbled with the open door God has placed before us. By His grace, we are walking through the door. The end of the visa process brings a new beginning as permanent residents. As you rejoice with us, please remember to thank God for all He is doing - not only in Australia, but in your life and across the globe for generations. You never know the plans God has for you or where He will send you. God will give you the discernment, wisdom, and strength to march forth in step with Him! The question remains to be answered: will you go where He leads?
27 June 2013
Hasn't God Been Good?
This morning as I walked home from the bus stop, I thought back on God's faithfulness. He was guiding, protecting, and providing for me even during times I was far from him. The thought that I could possibly be who and where I was then to where I am now is absolutely incredible. It is not that I have attained or am bragging in any sense, but rather am amazed and overcome by the way God moves and works.
While in high school, I applied and was accepted to attend Baylor University. For whatever reason, I didn't even care to go. When I look back I have no reasonable explanation why I didn't. But what I do know is if I had gone to Baylor I would have not met my future wife Laura in Spanish class. She was also for a season planning to go to UNLV, but she had a change of heart as well. A year and a half after meeting we were married. We have remained married almost 17 years and have been blessed with two sons. I am very, very thankful I didn't go to Baylor!
After I was accepted into the Local 5 Union as a mechanical insulator, I applied myself in the classroom and the field and by God's grace managed to impress the teachers and fellow students alike. Many people approached me and encouraged me to teach the apprentices. Even the apprenticeship coordinator at the time was pleased with the idea. But whenever I sought to look into obtaining the necessary accreditation, doors were slammed in my face. Trying to move forward felt like I was headbutting a brick wall. And then God spoke clearly, stating again something I began to realise in my heart: "You will not teach insulators. You will teach my people. I have called you to be a pastor."
It became a repeating theme between Laura and myself that if God presented us with an open door, we would walk through it. A door opened to join the staff of our church, Calvary Chapel El Cajon. A year later I was ordained by our pastor and board. If the story stopped there it would be crazy enough. But God placed a call upon me to go serve and pastor in Australia, a place I had never been and knew very little about. We have now been living in Australia for over 2 and a half years and more has happened than I could possibly convey. He has joined us with a beautiful church filled with people who love God and us. It is all God's doing, and it is marvelous in my eyes.
Looking back, it is as if God had me on a razor's edge: one move to the left or right would have had a massive effect on my life now. While I was unknowingly walking that line God knew where He was taking me. To me it looked more like a dark forest with twists and turns of disappointments which led into rich green pastures of great delight and back again. I could have never imagined how God would bring me to this point of my life in the supernatural way He has. It fills me with gratefulness and appreciation that even now when I face trials, twists, and turns, He will bring me through them to His desired end. Even as He has led and sustained me, He will continue. In Christ we need not dwell in the past, but can rejoice in the present and our certain future - no matter how uncertain life may seem! 2 Samuel 7:21 says, "For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them."
Take a few moments today to think about what God has done and how He has brought you to the place you are now. Can't you testify that God has been good to you all the way? We have not always been faithful to Him, but He has remained true to us. Following Christ is not easy, but when we look back on our travels we see how He expertly navigated us around unseen pitfalls, kept us fed, protected us night and day, provided comforts and rest, and brought us safely to where we are. Hasn't the LORD been good to us?
While in high school, I applied and was accepted to attend Baylor University. For whatever reason, I didn't even care to go. When I look back I have no reasonable explanation why I didn't. But what I do know is if I had gone to Baylor I would have not met my future wife Laura in Spanish class. She was also for a season planning to go to UNLV, but she had a change of heart as well. A year and a half after meeting we were married. We have remained married almost 17 years and have been blessed with two sons. I am very, very thankful I didn't go to Baylor!
After I was accepted into the Local 5 Union as a mechanical insulator, I applied myself in the classroom and the field and by God's grace managed to impress the teachers and fellow students alike. Many people approached me and encouraged me to teach the apprentices. Even the apprenticeship coordinator at the time was pleased with the idea. But whenever I sought to look into obtaining the necessary accreditation, doors were slammed in my face. Trying to move forward felt like I was headbutting a brick wall. And then God spoke clearly, stating again something I began to realise in my heart: "You will not teach insulators. You will teach my people. I have called you to be a pastor."
It became a repeating theme between Laura and myself that if God presented us with an open door, we would walk through it. A door opened to join the staff of our church, Calvary Chapel El Cajon. A year later I was ordained by our pastor and board. If the story stopped there it would be crazy enough. But God placed a call upon me to go serve and pastor in Australia, a place I had never been and knew very little about. We have now been living in Australia for over 2 and a half years and more has happened than I could possibly convey. He has joined us with a beautiful church filled with people who love God and us. It is all God's doing, and it is marvelous in my eyes.
Looking back, it is as if God had me on a razor's edge: one move to the left or right would have had a massive effect on my life now. While I was unknowingly walking that line God knew where He was taking me. To me it looked more like a dark forest with twists and turns of disappointments which led into rich green pastures of great delight and back again. I could have never imagined how God would bring me to this point of my life in the supernatural way He has. It fills me with gratefulness and appreciation that even now when I face trials, twists, and turns, He will bring me through them to His desired end. Even as He has led and sustained me, He will continue. In Christ we need not dwell in the past, but can rejoice in the present and our certain future - no matter how uncertain life may seem! 2 Samuel 7:21 says, "For Your word's sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them."
Take a few moments today to think about what God has done and how He has brought you to the place you are now. Can't you testify that God has been good to you all the way? We have not always been faithful to Him, but He has remained true to us. Following Christ is not easy, but when we look back on our travels we see how He expertly navigated us around unseen pitfalls, kept us fed, protected us night and day, provided comforts and rest, and brought us safely to where we are. Hasn't the LORD been good to us?
26 June 2013
Broken AND Contrite
"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart-- these, O God, You will not despise."
Psalm 51:17
If we desire to be usable in the hands of God, we must first be broken by God. This is a marvelous thing, how God breaks a man to heal him. Like a horse must be broken before he can do the work of His owner, so God must break us to make us usable. When things are shattered into tiny pieces the only thing we can do is to toss them out as rubbish and look for a replacement. What is impossible with man is possible with God. He can turn us rotten sinners into new creations by the transforming power of the Gospel.
When we are born, we are born broken - but not in this sacrificial sense the scripture speaks of. Every descendant of Adam is born spiritually dead, bound with pride, and blinded by sin. We face every manner of disappointment in life. We can be hurt, betrayed, ignored, offended, or forgotten by those we love. Disillusionment and depression may lay us low. We also must face the bitter effects of our own sinful choices and find ourselves without hope in bondage. Just like the nursery rhyme of Humpty Dumpty who had a great fall and was beyond repair, so we are in our natural condition.
God, who is rich in mercy, gave us His Law so we might see ourselves in truth as broken without remedy. He gave us the scriptures, sent prophets and even His own Son Jesus Christ to reveal His love and message of salvation to all people. After we catch a glimpse of God's perfection, holiness, and righteousness, we recognise how far we are from His standard. His word clearly states the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through repentance and faith Jesus Christ. Perhaps you have acknowledged your guilt and great need for salvation from sin, death, and hell. How sorry you were for your faults! How desperate you were for eternal life! But even after people are born again through the Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit, further breaking is required. Being broken is not enough. God wants our response to our brokenness to make way for contrition. Only then does our brokenness become a sacrifice through which God is pleased.
When something in life breaks your heart, what is your response? Do you feel angry or vengeful? Do you resort to gossip? Do you drown in self-pity and even resent God for allowing such a fiery trial? When your life feels shattered to pieces, how do you cope? When your heart is bursting with grief, are you willing to collapse into God's everlasting arms, casting your cares upon Him because He cares for you? The meaning of "broken" in the Strong's Concordance is "to burst, break (down, off, in pieces, up), bring to the birth, crush, destroy, hurt." "Contrite" means, "to collapse (physically or mentally)." How our pride resists the very things that are pleasing in God's sight. Our flesh hates to be seen as weak or frail. We must be strong! We need to keep up the appearance of having everything under control. We don't want people to know we are broken, and we resist the breaking God must do before He can use us.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. God is pleased when we stop fighting to fix our lives and hand over the little pieces to Him to mend and restore. So often we approach our lives like a stubborn two-year old fighting to complete a 1000 piece puzzle without a border: "I do it! I do it!" We have a way of doing things, and we cry if God should intervene. Godly sorrow brings repentance. When we are broken for our sin and respond with a contrite heart before God, He is pleased. Too many times we confuse brokenness with our pride being damaged. When your ego is bruised, that is not this brokenness of the heart that pleases God. Jesus points to those who will be blessed and ultimately happy in Matthew 5:3-5: "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." This is a beautiful description of what is meant by a broken, contrite heart and spirit. Those who are poor in spirit, mourn, and are meek who learn to depend on God alone will be blessed. Our contrite response reveals we are learning the lesson God intends through breaking.
God has great blessings in store for those who are broken and contrite before Him. These are followers of Christ who have learned through suffering to rely upon God alone and lean on their own understanding. David wrote in Psalm 51:7-13, "Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. 11 Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. 13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You."
When God breaks our bones, may we rejoice to have experienced His touch. When we submit to the breaking, He will bind up our wounds, heal, and make us new. And we will be stronger than before as we learn to collapse into His arms of love!
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