Marching Forth!

This morning I woke up with the essence of Psalm 106:1 in my heart:  " Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ."  God is so praiseworthy!  Consider the favour He has bestowed upon the lowly, and hears all who cry unto Him.  All He does is good, and there has not failed one word of His promises.  He is beautiful in holiness, glorious in power, mighty to save, and actively loves all people.  He graciously opens His arms to the unwilling and speaks tenderly to outcasts.  God rebukes the foolish and corrects those whom He loves.  He gives wisdom to the wise, knowledge to the understanding, reveals deep and hidden things, knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him.  He is altogether lovely, just, righteous, and does not change. Psalm 28:7 says, " The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I...

" As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend ." Proverbs 27:17 Honing metal to a fine edge is a skill which these days requires special equipment.  I do not own a single iron blade, but have many stainless and carbon-steel blades.  The use of grinders, files, and stones are all useful to sharpen tools for maximum effectiveness.  A sharp blade requires less strength and is often therefore safer and more efficient.  In the day when King Solomon penned this proverb, quality tools and weapons were fashioned of iron.  Rubbing iron blades against each other sharpened each at the same time.  In the same way, friends have a way of positively "rubbing off" on one another.  Insightful discussion, sharing thoughts, and working together sharpens the intellect and improves understanding. This verse is applied easily to the benefit of fellowship in a church fellowship of Christian believers.  But do not mistake gathering toget...

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work ." The Bible is personally applicable and powerful, being the Word of God.  All written in the scriptures is for our learning and edification:  that all people might know their Creator and experience an everlasting, loving relationship with Him.  There are numerous good and bad examples of people who trusted God, a realistic picture of humanity without any attempt to veil flaws. Apart from the life of Jesus Christ, there are far more bad examples and failures observed in people who trust God than good ones.  It does not require the learning of a brilliant theologian to discern inconsistencies, errors, and major faults in God's people:  they are clear for all to see.  It seems when we are first born again we...

Jesus came to provide all who will trust in Him an abundant life.  This does not translated into an excess of material goods or money, for it is Jesus who said, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses." ( Luke 12:15 )  The abundant life Jesus offers is one only realised through faith in Him and being born again.  It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates and dwells inside a follower of Jesus, teaching, guiding, comforting, and helping us to live for God's glory. It is an unfortunate reality the abundant life Jesus offers is misunderstood or goes unrealised - even by people who profess to be Christians.  People thirst for knowledge, spiritual experiences, longing for God's power, and in all their labours miss the sweetness of fellowship God has for those who simply love and obey Him.  It is easy to move from the simplicity of the Gospel and become learned Pharisees who polish a clean exterior but nurse a critical and judgmental spirit w...