Marching Forth!

" I say then: walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish ." Galatians 5:16-17 During the lives of Christians on earth there will be tension between the the desires of the flesh and walking as led by the Holy Spirit.  The efforts of the flesh are not sufficient to enable us to desire, think, speak or do righteously.  The Spirit of God and the sinful flesh are ever at odds, and it is only after we are born again and walk in the Spirit we are divinely enabled to do what is right.  We are born into the bondage of sin, and we are thus natural slaves of the flesh.  Praise be to God Jesus Christ has been sent to set us free and has provided the Holy Spirit to help us overcome the tyranny of the flesh. Though we realise to a degree our natural limitations, spiritua...

We are studying through the book of Acts at Calvary Chapel Sydney and on a couple of occasions I have flipped to the back of my Thompson Chain Reference Bible to follow Paul's missionary journeys.  Though we are currently in the midst of Paul's first missionary journey, my eyes drifted to Paul's fourth and last journey, the one which ended at Rome.  In his travels there was often a circular, leaving and returning flow to them.  The final trip to Rome was a one-way trip:  it was there his earthly pilgrimage and service to the LORD would end. When Paul set out on a journey or voyage, I don't know he was ever certain where God would take him.  Being arrested and incarcerated and transported has a way of changing plans!  When we plan mission trips today, typically we know beforehand if it will be a "short term" or more permanent move because of the transportation we have available to us.  The first time I came to Australia I had a return ticket so th...

David wrote Psalm 142 when he was at a low point, and many believe it was penned when he hid in the cave Adullam.  He had been anointed by the prophet Samuel as king, had experienced the victory and fame over the giant Goliath, yet danger dogged him at every turn.  King Saul (his father-in-law) sought to murder him, Doeg the chief herdsman was glad to betray him, and there was no help to be found from Philistines who remembered him.  The threat upon David's life drove him to leave his home, the company of his wife (who was given to another), and his best friend Jonathan.  During this season of David's life he undoubtedly felt alone, and in his distress he may not have had even the company of sheep. Here are the words of Psalm 142 : " I cry out to the LORD with my voice;  w ith my voice to the LORD I make my supplication. 2  I pour out my complaint before Him; I declare before Him my trouble. 3  When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, ...

It is amazing how God expands our understanding of the implications of His Word and the Gospel as we grow.  In my youth I was convinced I understood what the Bible said and meant, but I am learning my perspective is often limited and narrow.  The "Great Commission" scripture in Matthew provides a fitting example. Matthew 28:19-20 were words of Jesus Christ I committed to memory at a young age:  " Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   20   teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen ."  I didn't notice it at the time, but verse 19 refers back to a critical truth which undergirds what has been called the "Great Commission."   Matthew 28:18 reads, " And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth ....