Marching Forth!

Whilst driving, I saw the name of a local company written on a truck:  "A Cut Above Constructions."  Immediately I began chewing on an idea:  isn't that what everyone is looking for in anything?  We are always open to a better deal, and nothing is better than the best deal!  We want the best prices, service, quality, and value for money.  This same approach can be brought to the search for a home church.  There are people seemingly doomed to be church vagabonds, never connecting, always open to a better deal.  Wouldn't you want your church to be "a cut above?"  Who wouldn't? I started thinking about my home growing up.  The idea of looking for a better deal doesn't work when it comes to "home."  I didn't have a choice who my parents or siblings were, where we lived, the design of our house, menu, what appliances we owned, or if the lawn mower had a bag attachment.  Now that would have been nice!  But seriously, I never t...

Do you realise God gave the Law to His people and also to you?  Because it is often said "we are not under the Law," a devaluing of it has occurred.  Whilst it is true those who are in Christ Jesus have entered into a New Covenant in Christ's blood through faith, the Law is completely relevant to us today.  We are not obligated to "keep" the letter of the Law, but the principles are just as true and righteous today as ever.  We are no longer under the authority of the "schoolmaster" of the Law ( Galatians 3:24-25 ), but we can still learn much from that teacher.  The Law focused on external righteousness, but Jesus came to establish righteousness within us through faith in Him.  Instead of outward conformity, God desires inner transformation leading to outward godliness through the Holy Spirit. Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-18 , " Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. 18 For ass...

I was raised in a generation of Christian believers who emphasised the grace of God and I am most grateful.  Looking back, perhaps this strong emphasis was in response to legalism and the error of a works-based salvation.  I remember many times being taught the fruit of the Spirit is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit within a born-again follower of Jesus Christ.  This is true.  Whilst it is true that striving to do through the flesh what only God can do through the Spirit is futile, the opposite error can creep into the hearts and minds of Christians:  we do not need to be intentional or sometimes take drastic steps in obedience to the Holy Spirit or God's Word.  Paul subjected his flesh under the Holy Spirit as a slave driver, and then he disciplined himself to live a holy life of obedience to God.  I see in Paul an intentional approach that for much of my early walk might be better described as "passive carelessness."  I suspect I'm not the...

I have always been impressed with pioneers who embraced the risk of the unknown and uprooted their family in the hope of a better life.  Many sold their land, packed everything into a wagon, and started a new living from scratch.  It was a hard life, and many of the early pioneers in the States were on their own.  They faced dangers from wild animals, prairie fires, freezing winters, and hacked an existence out of the bush.  I enjoyed reading the Little House on the Prairie book set as a kid, amazed by the diligence of the hard-working Ingalls family. Something I have been thinking about lately is the relatively recent emphasis on "church planting."  I believe being led by the Spirit is a critical factor in seeking to fulfill your calling.  It is important to examine our personal motives through the lens of scripture.  It is interesting all Christians are called to make disciples, yet I do not see any specific call in the Bible to plant churches....