Riding Along

During recent months I have been cycling for exercise and to strengthen my surgically repaired knee.  These days I am on the lookout for new routes to try.  While I usually stick to the bike paths, it is fun to take on new roads and challenges.  I have often quipped Jerusalem and Riverstone have some similarities:  regardless which way you came from, it seems you always "go up" to Riverstone!  Pushing hard up the hills provides a welcome challenge, but I still prefer racing down them!

The other day my sons and I went fishing with a good friend.  We headed down Boundary Road to Wiseman's Ferry, and the scenery was beautiful.  Cows lounged under the shade of spreading trees, and green fields stretched out for kilometres.  "This would be a good place to ride," I thought to myself.  There wasn't a true bicycle lane, but there seemed like enough room to comfortably stay out of the way of passing traffic.  The gentle rise and fall of the terrain would be a good challenge as well.  One the way back I had decided:  Boundary Road was my next cycling destination.

A few days later I embarked on my new path.  It wasn't very long before I was white-knuckling those grips!  The hills which seemed hardly to rise in the Toyota Kluger seemed to stretch on and on whilst cycling.  I am basically new to cycling distance and I had to concentrate furiously on the edge of the road.  Many areas had no room at all, and the drop off the edge of the bitumen was severe at times.  The ride also happened during afternoon peak hour, so cars and trucks whizzed past me.  It wasn't too long before I was a bit saddle sore.  Towards the end of the ride, I began to lose circulation in my right hand - likely gripping too hard due to intense concentration and physical exertion.  I actually experienced more adrenalin on that ride with "close calls" than ever before.  At the end of the 53 minute ride, the Strava cycling app on my phone told me I had traveled a distance of 18.2 kms and climbed 215 metres.  I am looking forward to improving on my time and distance.

As I cycled, I was amazed how different elevation seemed from when I rode along in a car.  It occurred to me we often "ride along" with others in their pain and struggles, the hills they are tackling gentle and easy - kind of like when my mate drove me along Boundary Road.  His car was doing all the work.  I enjoyed the comfort of air conditioning and was not winded at all.  Needless to say, it was a massive difference when I took to the road myself on my bicycle.  It was hot.  It was perilous and cars swerved around me and at times I was mere centimetres from sliding off the road into gravel.  One time I even threw the chain and had to stop and fix it.  There was pain and discomfort I experienced on that bike I couldn't have imagined from the plush seats of a vehicle.  This is the truth:  you never know what someone is going through until you are in the saddle yourself.  It is easy for us to dismiss the pain and struggles of others, thinking that our "ride along" gave us real insight concerning how they should cope or what tactics they could use.  It seems quite easy until we climb into the saddle ourselves and go through the exercise ourselves, as the road stretches on and the uphills seem to go on forever.

If you know someone who is going through a tough uphill experience - whether it be divorce, illness, depression, loss of a job, chemical dependency, or family strife - demonstrate compassion and loving support.  Even if we have driven down that road plenty of times, it takes climbing into the saddle to open our eyes and receive a deeper appreciation of a struggle we couldn't have grasped otherwise.  One aspect of the Christian life which is so lovely is whatever suffering God allows, He provides greater consolation and comfort still.  The comfort we receive by faith is not only for us, but to give to others when they suffer.  2 Corinthians 1:3-6 says, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, ⁴ who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. ⁵ For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. ⁶ Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation."

We don't have to experience all the suffering in the world to offer the consolation and salvation we have in Jesus Christ and God's Word.  Jesus has suffered for our sakes, and when we share in the sufferings of one another as faithful friends, we can rejoice and endure through Him.  We can never know how much someone else is suffering or how they are doing it tough.  But God does, and He is able to deliver and save.  He is able to comfort, heal, and restore.  He's the One who protects us as we push up the challenging hills of this life.  Should we fall, it is He who will lift us up and bring brothers and sisters along to strengthen us in Him.  Let us bless the LORD, thanking and praising Him, for our God is the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.  

Losing and Finding Jesus

Yesterday I was reminded of when Joseph and Mary took Jesus to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem for the first time.  After the days of the feast were completed, the passage in Luke 2 says they left with a company of other people.  They traveled for a day, assuming Jesus was somewhere with the people of the group.  When they realised Jesus was not in the company, they hurried back to Jerusalem to seek Jesus.  If you have ever lost a child even for a short time it is worrisome, but how much more when you have been entrusted to raise the Son of God!

Luke 2:46-49 states, "Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." ⁴⁹ And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"  Joseph and Mary had "lost" Jesus, but Jesus wasn't lost.  His behaviour and choices were completely consistent with His divine character and purpose:  "I must be about My Father's business."  Joseph and Mary inferred Jesus had wronged them in some way because of their anxious feelings of losing Him.  But Jesus asked them, "Why did you seek Me?"  The truth is, they never should have lost sight of Him.  They should not assumed He was with them when it was they who left Him behind!

There is a picture we do well to meditate upon.  Joseph and Mary took Jesus to the temple in obedience to celebrate the Passover.  A time came when Joseph and Mary figured it was time to head home, but forgot to bring Jesus with them.  They simply assumed He would find His way home with them.  But on the trip back to Nazareth, they discovered Jesus was not with them!  Can Christians do the exact same thing?  Absolutely.  We go to church on Sunday mornings or to attend a prayer meeting or evening service and assume Jesus will be there.  We head off to work or a business meeting and expect because we are a Christian, the presence of Christ will be around us all the time.  Even though Jesus was born of Mary it did not mean they were inseparable.  You may say, "Wait a second!  Jesus said He would never leave or forsake us!"  And you would be right.  However, just because Jesus will not leave or forsake us does not mean we are unable to leave or forsake Him.  If we think by virtue of being born again God is "in" all that we say or do - that God's presence will rubber-stamp our actions or words with His approval because of our belief - we are making an assumption similar to what Joseph and Mary did.  "Oh, He must be around somewhere," we say.  The reality was Jesus was more than a day's journey away!  For three days there was great distance between them and Jesus.  But when they sought Jesus faithfully, they found Him.  When they finally found Him with great relief, He was about His Father's business.

Let us never lose sight of Jesus.  Stay close to His side.  He will always be about His Father's business.  One of the roles of a shepherd is to seek lost sheep.  I am grateful Jesus is my Good Shepherd, so when I lose sight of Him and cry out to Him, seeking Him with all my heart, I can always find Him.  Instead of blaming Jesus for not gracing us with His presence, we ought to put into practice James 4:6-10, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." ⁷ Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. ⁸ Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up."

The Candle of the LORD

"The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, searching all the inner depths of his heart."

 Proverbs 20:27

This verse was in my Bible portion I read this morning and God has used it to illuminate me today.  The scriptures say God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).  Jesus is the Light of the World, sent to bring light into the darkness.  Psalm 119:105 compares God's Word to a lamp which lights our path:  "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  The Proverbs passage above in the KJV calls the spirit of a man "the candle of the LORD," something which we commonly call "the conscience."  Even as a flickering light shows us where solid footing is free from obstructions, so the conscience illuminates our hearts, minds, and motives.  It is not a pleasant experience when our conscience brings sin to light according to God's Word, but it is for the best.  In the end it is fruitful and a great blessing, even though it is hard for us to accept.

After a conversation I had today (which was light and friendly), the LORD used the light of my conscience to reveal sin in my heart.  He said something like, "Did you enjoy your little whinge today?"  Those from the UK or Australians will understand what this means.  For any Americans our there, a "whinge" could be compared to what is called "whining."  It is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as, "to complain persistently and in a peevish or irritating way."  Whilst I was speaking I did not thing myself as whinging at all!  But as the light of my conscience shone upon my words, I could only agree with God's assessment.  The majority of the conversation was me talking about how hard things were, all the work I had done, and how much I still had to do.  When I could have chosen to speak concerning the faithfulness or goodness of God, my focus was primarily on myself, and it disgusted me.

Call it whinging, complaining, whining, or whatever you like, but when motivated by pride and selfishness it is a foul stench in God's nostrils.  Just because it is natural or normal for people to whinge does not mean it is approved as righteous in God's sight.  Whinging always takes a view of problems apart from God's grace, goodness, and righteousness.  I have no right to trot out my accomplishments as if it's something I have done.  All I am and I have done is by God's grace.  When I complain it is a sign I am focused on myself rather than glorifying and praising God.  I don't need to whinge to people:  I need to cry out to God for strength, deliverance, and help!  I can rejoice and praise Him, knowing that God's grace is sufficient for me and His strength is made perfect in weakness.  Instead of focusing on myself, my feelings, or my efforts, how good it is to praise God and be content in all circumstances.  Pride loves to put self as the main course in a conversation, but humility and godliness holds forth the wonderful truth of God's love and power.

We are called to let our light shine before men, and this happens when we open our eyes to the light of our conscience, confess our sins, repent, and start walking in the right way.  We can be confident that God who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it (Phil. 1:6).  I have resolved to put off the sin of evil speaking and choose to glorify God with my heart and mouth, so help me God.  In this God is well pleased!

God Accepts Those Who Receive

Something I have been thinking about lately is a common term used among Christians:  "accepting Christ."  It is biblical to believe and receive the Gospel, and to place our trust in Christ.  But "accepting" Him?  The vast majority of times in the KJV this term is used is not man accepting God, but God accepting man and his sacrifices.  The term almost puts man in the place of God, in the role of a judge or ruler.  We trust Christ and receive the Gospel by faith, and then God rejoices to accept us.  It is only through Christ's righteousness we are made acceptable! 

There is a massive difference between accepting a truth in your mind and placing your faith or reliance in the thing.  The Gospel of Jesus is not simply to be accepted (to generally deem as valid or correct), but we are to put our complete reliance in Christ in how we live every day.  Paul wrote in Colossians 2:6-7, "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, ⁷ rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."  Acknowledging the Gospel is not enough:  we must be born again.

I believe Satan accepts God is real, and that Jesus is the Son of God.  The demons tremble in fear before Christ, but this will not save them from eternal punishment.  It is important therefore people not only acknowledge or accept God's existence, rule, or promises, but receive the Gospel and the indwelling Holy Spirit through faith.  All who repent, believe in the LORD Jesus Christ and His resurrection, and place their trust in Him will be saved.  It is not we who accept God, but He who has graciously accepted us.  As it is written in Ephesians 1:3-6, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, ⁴ just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, ⁵ having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, ⁶ to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved."