Marching Forth!

" So they read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading ." Nehemiah 8:8 After the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt, all who had understanding gathered to hear the Word of God.  Ezra the scribe is described as standing upon a pulpit of wood designed for this purpose, and read the Law to the attentive assembly.  He and others helped the people to understand what the Law said, what it meant, and therefore how it should affect them.  This approach to teaching the Bible is desperately needed today. The value of inductive Bible study and teaching cannot be overstated.  Instead of bringing our bias to the text, it is important to realise we are handling the absolute truth of God's Word.  Whilst it is true there can be various interpretations and applications of a single passage of scripture, Nehemiah 8:8 emphasises readings from "the book" have concrete meaning because they gave "...

Verses familiar to me as a young child are found in  Proverbs 6:6-8 :  " Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 which, having no captain, o verseer or ruler, 8 provides her supplies in the summer, a nd gathers her food in the harvest ."  As long as this world endures, there likely will be sluggards and ants.  It is estimated there are 1 - 1.5 million ants per person on the earth!  The term "sluggard" is seldomly used in common speech today, not unlike the word in the Strong's Concordance which defines it:  indolent.  To be "indolent" as defined by Webster's 1828 edition is " habitually idle or indisposed to labour; lazy; listless; sluggish; indulging in ease; applied to persons ." Solomon directs the indolent and lazy person to the ant, an industrious insect whose qualities and characteristics outshine the sluggard in every way.  Sluggards are idle and only move when it stands to benefit them, but ants lab...

The term "calling" is often used vaguely in Christian circles, even as the "will" of God is left to the imagination.  The call of God is multifaceted like His will, and we do not need to be ignorant of either.  God's Word speaks specifically on the will of God and how Jesus called people to follow Him.  Os Guiness wrote an excellent book titled "The Call" which speaks in detail of the general call to believers and specific calls God makes upon His people. I appreciate the clarity of the Bible, how God spells out the truth for us in black and white.  Last night I was reading through 1 Peter 2 with the family, and I was blessed to read of calls of God we often don't hear about.  People talk about being "called" as a missionary or a pastor, but answering the call of God for all believers is the path to answering every specific call God makes.  For example, God has called all Christians to "love one another."  The man convinced ...

" Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need ." Hebrews 4:16 We all realise there is a difference between "wants" and "needs."  Because of Christ's atoning sacrifice on Calvary, by faith we have the privilege of an audience with the Almighty God, the Creator of heaven and earth.  To appear before a king at an appointed time is a amazing honour, but to have access to the gracious King of Kings through prayer at all hours is nothing short of miraculous. When you draw near to God in prayer, is it typically because you want or need something from God?  Our response to this question may indicate why prayers go unanswered.  If we are praying for our wants or what think is best for others, we may be asking amiss.  Just like we can miss where we are aiming in darts or billiards, our prayers can be off the mark.  James had strong words for these sorts of prayers - prayers wh...