Marching Forth!

We have embarked on a study of Song of Solomon during our Sunday morning messages at Calvary Chapel Sydney.  The epic romance of the Shulamite and her beloved is like a rich tapestry, with multiple layers of meaning and insights into the love of God.  It is amazing to think of royalty courting and marrying a common working woman, but even more phenomenal to consider the great love of God for people. As I studied the beginning of chapter 2, it dawned on me how Solomon's love for the Shulamite was revealed in at least five ways.  The love God has granted us by His grace ought to be love which marks our lives towards God and all we meet, especially those of the household of faith with whom we have been made one body through Christ.  The way Solomon displayed love for his betrothed is a striking parallel to the way the love of Jesus has been given to me. Solomon's love for his betrothed was personal .  He affirmed his love through sincere compliments, and she wa...

During a discussion recently, the topic of conversation turned to one not often addressed:  being angry with God.  My friend observed he had noticed an increasing number of students and interns in Bible schools who claim to be currently "angry with God" like it is a badge of honour and justifiable.  For some time he noticed a growing trend - among professing Christians - who said they were angry with God.  That brings up a question:  is it OK to be angry with God? The scripture says of anger in Ephesians 4:26, "Be angry, and do not sin": do not let the sun go down on your wrath. .."  Whilst it is possible to be angry without sin, this scripture reveals it is impossible for us to remain angry without sin.  Solomon cautioned in Ecclesiastes 7:9 , " Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools ."  Frequent anger is an indication of foolishness, and a fool is someone who lives without regard or fear of God.  W...

The best stories are those straight from the Bible, but a close second are those which affirm God's eternal truth.  God has crammed life full of situations the Holy Spirit transforms into meaningful parables for those with eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts to understand.  I am always on the lookout for good stories, and I came across one yesterday written by my sister-in-law, Jena.  Enjoy the following guest post! Several years ago, when Jack was a wee lad, no more than four, we would head over to Mission Trails and take a small hike to a little place called Crystal Cave. I don't even know if that's its actual name; it's just what I was told. My aunt and uncles grew up living on Mission Trails, and I grew up listening to the stories they had of adventure and conquest during their childhood. Crystal Cave was one of those places. Apparently it was once a cave used to mine crystals, but for whatever reason was abandoned and broken down. Around what u...

It is a tragedy the Christian life for many is an ever-increasing litany of "do's and don'ts."  People focused on external works of doing good or avoiding sin forms their own identity and sets them at odds with fellow believers.  Don't misunderstand:  we ought to be obedient to the commands of our Saviour, and we also ought to put off sinful deeds, thoughts, and motives.  What defines a Christian is not what he does or doesn't do, but Jesus Christ who has saved him!  Being born again by grace through faith is an supernatural inner work by the Holy Spirit of God which will certainly be perceived outwardly. The Jews set a very high standard of outward obedience to the Law.  Amazingly complex and technical definitions of sin were established and observed according to oral tradition, and man taught as Law the traditions of the elders.  In the book of Zechariah, God pointed out prolonged fasts the Jews observed even in captivity.  Zechariah 7:4-6 re...