Marching Forth!

Do you sometimes feel unappreciated?  When we feel unappreciated, the tendency towards bitterness, resentment, and ultimately inaction is a natural slide.  We can fall into the trap of measuring the usefulness of our deeds based upon the response we receive from others.  Did Jesus embrace the cross because He knew some might appreciate it?  No!  The lack of "appreciation" expressed by others didn't enter into His decision.  He shed His blood knowing most people wouldn't appreciate or appropriate it!  God had prepared a good work to enter into through sacrifice, and Jesus was obedient and faithful to see it through regardless of how much others appreciated it. I don't always feel appreciated.  Just yesterday I was feeling like my efforts to help others were not appreciated or being recognised at all.  But as I examined my feelings according to scripture, I realised I was looking to the response of others to encourage me to serve when my eyes...

People ask God a lot of questions.  Jesus demonstrated He is under no obligation to answer any question - especially the dishonest questions of men - though He is glad and willing to answer all sincere questions.  In an interaction with the Pharisees, before Jesus agreed to answer their question they were required to answer His.  This is the correct order of things, for God has all authority over men.  If we demand an honest answer from God, we must first be honest with Him.  When we refuse to answer Christ's questions, do not be surprised when you do not receive answers. Matthew 21:23-27 tells the story:  " Now when He came into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted Him as He was teaching, and said, "By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority?" 24 But Jesus answered and said to them, "I also will ask you one thing, which if you tell Me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do ...

I saw a video of soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo going "undercover" as a bearded man in sweatpants and sunglasses in Madrid, Spain.  During the short film, he pulled out a soccer ball and a cardboard box like a busker.  After demonstrating some footwork, he tried to encourage other people to play soccer with him.  No one seemed very interested in the man juggling and kicking the ball to himself.  Finally, Ronaldo managed to gain the interest of a boy, and he encouraged him to try to steal the ball from his lightning-fast feet.  After a few minutes Ronaldo picked up the ball, signed it, and began to remove his disguise.  He handed the ball to the boy and gave him a hug.  Onlookers can be heard gasping in shock and amazement as the sportsman revealed his true identity.  The once desolate square quickly packed with people with mobiles out, and strained to capture images of the world-famous celebrity. Who receives the glory for Ronaldo posing as a ho...

I read a comment today which held forth sentiment I have heard many times.  On the topic of God a person wrote, " Only the foolish claim to have knowledge of what is unknowable. Science can't prove God doesn't exist and religion can't prove one does ."  Instead of offering a direct rebuttal to this claim, it is a fair question to ask:  are "science" and "religion" the only authorities to invoke in the quest for the proof of God's existence?  If God exists, couldn't He chose to be known and reveal Himself?  The God who created mouths and speech, the One who has provided His written Word, can't He speak for Himself?  Science has its limits, and "religion" has been aptly defined by some as "man's attempts to reach God."  Science and religion are not the authorities concerning God's existence:  God is! The statement that God is unknowable is partially true.  In the beginning God said, "Let there be l...