The cares of this life fade away when we realise and affirm God is in complete control. What is unknown to me is finished from God's perspective. During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about anything: the future, the provision of daily necessities like food, clothing, or money, even their physical height or lack thereof! God knows what we need and is able to provide out of infinite abundance. It is easy for us to look at our limited resources, our circumstances, and the condition of the world around us and give place to worry instead of placing faith in God because He is in control.
God desires to place in us an ever-growing comprehension of His love and goodness towards us. He wants us to live according to the knowledge that He is in control of everything. Abraham believed God, and his faith was accounted as righteousness even before the covenant of God's Law was established. We live in a day of a New and better Covenant in Christ's blood. Yet the appropriation of Christ's atoning blood by faith is not a substitute to walking daily by faith even as Abraham did. This constant, active-reliance upon Christ is to be the framework of our lives as we build on Christ as our foundation.
Words do not suffice for me to illustrate the many ways God has proved Himself worthy to be trusted and praised. I am continually humbled and frankly baffled at times when I consider the generosity of many who pray for our family and give money to support us financially. The practical demonstration of your love is overwhelming at times. I can lay no claim to pray with the tenacity or faith of George Mueller, but I have seen God mightily, miraculously move people to give sacrificially without even a request of men. Without sharing our needs to any human being, God has provided through our small church, little jobs, and many donations. I cannot recall writing a single letter detailing specific financial needs, yet God has supplied enough just at the perfect time for all of them. It is amazing to consider the amount of money that has passed through our hands to provide for our necessities since moving to Australia, a witness of God's grace, mercy, and care. We have less now than when we sold our house and moved to Sydney, Australia in one sense, but we are so much the richer! God's provision is the only reasonable explanation. I have heard the phrase used, "Where God guides God provides," and in a sense that has been true to my experience. And yet God's provision is not a testimony of my obedience or faith, but solely of God's grace. It is not by anything I have done but according to His mercy and goodness. I believe God has guided and God has provided through many willing people who have been led by the Holy Spirit.
With all my heart, I thank all of you who have been used by God to prayerfully and financially support our family over these years. I cannot repay the kindness you have shown us, yet I know that God will reward you far beyond the value of mere money. God has used you to increase our faith and know beyond a shadow of doubt He is in control. I think of the words Paul wrote to the church in Philippi in Philippians 4:15-20, "Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only.
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For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities.
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Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account.
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Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God.
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And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
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Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." To all who have partnered with us in the Gospel through your love, prayers, and gifts, may much fruit abound to your account. Praise the LORD that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!
12 March 2014
09 March 2014
Green Leaves - But Any Pumpkins?
After we moved into our rental in Riverstone, I pulled out some of the overgrown seasonal plants which were dying. In a cleared area of soil it was not long before a vine began to grow. At first I thought it might be a zucchini plant, but after a month it became clear it was a pumpkin vine. I knew this only because of the small green pumpkins the size of a cricket ball crowned with a golden flower. The boys and I continued to water the plant along with our passion fruit vines. Recently I went out to check on the growth of the pumpkins and to my surprise could not find a single one. Upon further inspection, some animal (likely a possum or rat) had eaten every flower and pumpkin during the night, leaving only a small bit of rind. That explained why the vine is growing massive. With the fruit being eaten before it is mature, the vine keeps expanding. The problem is, there's no fruit! That's the only reason I didn't rip up the plant like a common weed!
The LORD reminded me of the passage in Song of Songs 2:15 that says, "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes, like possums, are opportunistic. In the middle of the night they sneak into the garden or vineyard and do damage to the vines as they feed on the fruit. The devil is an opportunistic spoiler himself. If he cannot kill or destroy, he tries to ruin our fruitfulness. He ever seeks to gain entry to our minds and hearts through temptations or suggestions. When we least expect it, he covertly works to gain a foothold through sin. Instead of bearing the fruit of the Spirit, our spreading green leaves hide the truth even from our eyes. We are to take captive all thoughts to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). That is why we must intentionally ask God to search our hearts and see if there be anything keeping us from fruitfulness. Expansive growth may be pretty, but it's pretty useless if fruit never grows to maturity!
The world spoon-feeds us gossip disguised as news, distracts us with busyness, barges into our thoughts with technology and media, and keeps us preoccupied or occupied with things of this world. We may be careful to avoid spreading gossip with our lips, but how well do we avoid it with our eyes? Those tasty trifles deal out great damage to all who swallow them. Let us set a godly guard over our eyes and ears, for they have a direct line to our heart from which spring all the issues of life. Instead of being defined about what we avoid, let us be those who walk in love so we might be fruitful. Growing green leaves without pumpkins is like gaining knowledge without loving one another as Christ loves us. Jesus has called us to bear fruit as it is written in John 15:16-17: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another." We love God because He first loved us. It is walking in His love that makes us fruitful for His glory!
The LORD reminded me of the passage in Song of Songs 2:15 that says, "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes." Foxes, like possums, are opportunistic. In the middle of the night they sneak into the garden or vineyard and do damage to the vines as they feed on the fruit. The devil is an opportunistic spoiler himself. If he cannot kill or destroy, he tries to ruin our fruitfulness. He ever seeks to gain entry to our minds and hearts through temptations or suggestions. When we least expect it, he covertly works to gain a foothold through sin. Instead of bearing the fruit of the Spirit, our spreading green leaves hide the truth even from our eyes. We are to take captive all thoughts to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5). That is why we must intentionally ask God to search our hearts and see if there be anything keeping us from fruitfulness. Expansive growth may be pretty, but it's pretty useless if fruit never grows to maturity!
The world spoon-feeds us gossip disguised as news, distracts us with busyness, barges into our thoughts with technology and media, and keeps us preoccupied or occupied with things of this world. We may be careful to avoid spreading gossip with our lips, but how well do we avoid it with our eyes? Those tasty trifles deal out great damage to all who swallow them. Let us set a godly guard over our eyes and ears, for they have a direct line to our heart from which spring all the issues of life. Instead of being defined about what we avoid, let us be those who walk in love so we might be fruitful. Growing green leaves without pumpkins is like gaining knowledge without loving one another as Christ loves us. Jesus has called us to bear fruit as it is written in John 15:16-17: "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. 17 These things I command you, that you love one another." We love God because He first loved us. It is walking in His love that makes us fruitful for His glory!
04 March 2014
Celebrate Small Victories
After sending the boys off to school, I walked past the kitchen to head to my office area. When I walked by the empty kitchen sink, I celebrated a brief moment of happiness. I made waffles for the family this morning and washed the dishes right away. Seeing the sink empty of dirty dishes made me feel I had accomplished something worthwhile, something I ought to savour for a moment. The clean dishes and empty sink was a victory worth celebrating.
Washing the dishes may seem a very insignificant thing. It does not compare with landing a rocket on the moon, climbing a mountain peak, or surviving a fiercely fought gunfight as a soldier. Clean dishes seem even less important because dishes become dirty again. Since the next meal will generate more dishes, it can be one of those thankless jobs that never seem to be done. Consider this: how would your life be different if you saw the little household victories like mopped floors, clean windows, and washed dishes as great victories? How thankful to God we would be! Our appreciation of the strength and wisdom He provides would grow exponentially. What if we saw small sacrifices for God's glory and the good of others as massive victories only accomplished by God's grace? When we recognise we cannot do anything without God's help, no victory would seem small. Indeed, even the smallest completed task is a miraculous victory to be celebrated if we maintain this biblical perspective.
Cleaning the kitchen cannot hardly be compared to warfare, but it is an accomplishment we ought not take lightly. For some folks, simply getting out of bed when the alarm goes off at dark-thirty is a massive win! Should we take this victory over the soft fetters of drowsiness lightly? No! Turning down that dessert, saying no to the second soda is a victory to be celebrated. Our celebration should not be to boost our pride or build confidence in self, but in recognition and praise of God's grace toward us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." In seeking an arbitrary "victory" to celebrate (let's say losing 10 kilos), we neglect to celebrate when we only lost one! In fact, the one kilo lost over two weeks feels more like a failure because we have forgotten that in everything we are to give thanks and rejoice before our Saviour.
If your sink is clear of dirty dishes, thank God and celebrate Him. If your sink is full of dirty dishes, thank God you have dishes to clean! In everything rejoice, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Washing the dishes may seem a very insignificant thing. It does not compare with landing a rocket on the moon, climbing a mountain peak, or surviving a fiercely fought gunfight as a soldier. Clean dishes seem even less important because dishes become dirty again. Since the next meal will generate more dishes, it can be one of those thankless jobs that never seem to be done. Consider this: how would your life be different if you saw the little household victories like mopped floors, clean windows, and washed dishes as great victories? How thankful to God we would be! Our appreciation of the strength and wisdom He provides would grow exponentially. What if we saw small sacrifices for God's glory and the good of others as massive victories only accomplished by God's grace? When we recognise we cannot do anything without God's help, no victory would seem small. Indeed, even the smallest completed task is a miraculous victory to be celebrated if we maintain this biblical perspective.
Cleaning the kitchen cannot hardly be compared to warfare, but it is an accomplishment we ought not take lightly. For some folks, simply getting out of bed when the alarm goes off at dark-thirty is a massive win! Should we take this victory over the soft fetters of drowsiness lightly? No! Turning down that dessert, saying no to the second soda is a victory to be celebrated. Our celebration should not be to boost our pride or build confidence in self, but in recognition and praise of God's grace toward us. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." In seeking an arbitrary "victory" to celebrate (let's say losing 10 kilos), we neglect to celebrate when we only lost one! In fact, the one kilo lost over two weeks feels more like a failure because we have forgotten that in everything we are to give thanks and rejoice before our Saviour.
If your sink is clear of dirty dishes, thank God and celebrate Him. If your sink is full of dirty dishes, thank God you have dishes to clean! In everything rejoice, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
02 March 2014
Grace to You and Peace
At Calvary Chapel Sydney yesterday, we began the study of Philippians. Paul began by introducing himself and Timothy as bondservants of Christ and continued in verse 2: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." The order of grace and peace is significant, for true peace is a product of God's grace. There is no peace apart from the grace of God. "Shalom" is the Hebrew word translated peace in the Old Testament and conveys peace, prosperity, and well-being. Because the New Testament is translated from Greek, the transliteration is "eirene" which means "to join, by implication prosperity, to set at one again." A man alone without God cannot be at peace, because he has been cut off from God because of his sin. By the grace of God we can experience union with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
On the heels of the sermon, I happened to read the back of a "Tea Tonic" chamomile packet. It vividly described the effect of drinking the tea: "A charming simplicity created from delicate flowers, that helps calm, soothe, and gives inner peace." All I can say is, the "inner peace" chamomile tea potentially brings is far from what is available to all in Christ. The union of tea with my stomach does not provide any lasting peace. There is no shortage of activities or things the world claims is a substitute for peace from God, but every single one of them is a sham. The world is big on promoting feelings gained from various activities, but nothing the world gives lasts. Not one thing originating in this fallen world can bring peace to the soul of a human being. The very things we can be duped into thinking bring peace do the opposite! More money in the bank cannot give this peace. No job, amount of fame, sex, or recognition provides peace. Everything we see will someday pass away and be remembered no more.
But God, who is rich and mercy, has provided peace that passes understanding and is available to all who will receive Him. Paul reminded the church in Ephesus to hearken back to their life prior to believing the Gospel in Ephesians 2:12-19 and to consider their changed circumstances after being born again by faith in Christ: "...that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 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. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..."
No one can be truly be at peace alone, for how can we be joined to ourselves? Our sin has separated us from God, and Christ through the Gospel is the one who makes us a new creation: He "sets at one again." It is foolish to imagine we can be at peace in this life surrounded by troubled people and circumstances all around us by any external means. The only way to divine peace is through Jesus Christ and union with Him through faith. God has given us grace, and peace is provided for all who abide in Christ. No matter the trials and challenges God allows us to face in the future, the peace God gives is a reality we experience as we look to Him. It is by God's grace Paul can write the exhortation found in Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
On the heels of the sermon, I happened to read the back of a "Tea Tonic" chamomile packet. It vividly described the effect of drinking the tea: "A charming simplicity created from delicate flowers, that helps calm, soothe, and gives inner peace." All I can say is, the "inner peace" chamomile tea potentially brings is far from what is available to all in Christ. The union of tea with my stomach does not provide any lasting peace. There is no shortage of activities or things the world claims is a substitute for peace from God, but every single one of them is a sham. The world is big on promoting feelings gained from various activities, but nothing the world gives lasts. Not one thing originating in this fallen world can bring peace to the soul of a human being. The very things we can be duped into thinking bring peace do the opposite! More money in the bank cannot give this peace. No job, amount of fame, sex, or recognition provides peace. Everything we see will someday pass away and be remembered no more.
But God, who is rich and mercy, has provided peace that passes understanding and is available to all who will receive Him. Paul reminded the church in Ephesus to hearken back to their life prior to believing the Gospel in Ephesians 2:12-19 and to consider their changed circumstances after being born again by faith in Christ: "...that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 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. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..."
No one can be truly be at peace alone, for how can we be joined to ourselves? Our sin has separated us from God, and Christ through the Gospel is the one who makes us a new creation: He "sets at one again." It is foolish to imagine we can be at peace in this life surrounded by troubled people and circumstances all around us by any external means. The only way to divine peace is through Jesus Christ and union with Him through faith. God has given us grace, and peace is provided for all who abide in Christ. No matter the trials and challenges God allows us to face in the future, the peace God gives is a reality we experience as we look to Him. It is by God's grace Paul can write the exhortation found in Philippians 4:6-7: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."
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