The Father Loves You

God's grace and love is foreign to this world and we can struggle at times to receive it.  We naturally love based on who a person is in relation to us, if our experiences with someone have been favourable or out of appreciation for admirable qualities we find in others.  This offer or withdrawal of love based upon performance can filter into our relationship with God, imagining He only loves us because of Jesus.  Jesus loves us, this we know because the Bible tells us so.  Did you realise God the Father loves us too?

A friend told me of a recent conversation he had when he extended an invitation to church.  "Oh I couldn't go to church," he was told.  "I'd be burned up for sure."  This perspective was not one of confidence in the love of God that seeks to forgive and restore lost sinners to fellowship with Himself.  Some see God as a vengeful, angry judge who is ready to smite sinners in anger when suddenly meek and mild Jesus steps in and the Father's wrath abates.  Rest assured there is no divine nepotism at work, no "good cop bad cop" routine where God is primed to destroy and Jesus wants to show mercy.  Jesus and the Father are one, and God is love.

Do you see God the Father as a surly, divine bouncer who guards the gates of heaven?  Do you imagine tentatively approaching the gates of pearl and suddenly God grabs you by the scruff of the neck to dispatch you into hell and Jesus, seeing His Father a bit unhinged says, "Oh, he is with me."  At the words of Jesus the Father releases His hold, smooths out our rumpled clothing and relents from what He really wants to do, which is to throw us into the eternal flame of hell.  This is a completely false, unscriptural idea of what God is like.  God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to save sinners, not condemn them.  We were condemned already!

Jesus said in John 16:26-27, "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God."  God the Father answers the prayers of those who trust in Jesus, not just for Christ's sake but because the Father Himself loves us.  This is a wonderful thing Jesus revealed.  Those who love Jesus are in a posture to receive the love of the Father and share it with others.  Anything on earth we receive and share with others means we have less of it, yet the more we share God's love the more it grows and expands within us.  God the Father, Jesus the Son and the Holy Spirit are in full agreement as one God, revealing the gracious love of God for undeserving people.

God loves you, you don't deserve it and you never will.  But will you receive the love of God freely offered to you?  Will you choose to love God and others as you exercise faith by obedience in the God who delivers, redeems and saves?  God is the righteous judge of all and made a way of salvation by faith in Jesus for unworthy sinners because He loves us.  God loved us and sent His Son, and the Father Himself loves those who love Jesus.  The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love.  May we be enraptured in the love of God provided by His grace and grow in it by loving Him and others.

Are You Hungry?

I have heard it said, "Beggars can't be choosers" but I assure you they can.  I have met some selective and demanding beggars over the years.  I have met many people who would regularly come into the church I attended in San Diego to receive food kept for that purpose.  They preferred to pick and choose what they wanted rather than receive what they were given.  So what we did is have bags prepared beforehand ready to give to those who requested food.  Sometimes we would find some of the food thrown on the ground or deposited in the rubbish bin outside.  Most of the time these people who were not actually hungry at the time, but they were doing their rounds like people go to the shops to buy groceries.

I remember one time I was enjoying some carne asada burritos in Point Loma with friends and we struck up a conversation with a homeless man.  He said he was hungry and we offered to buy him a burrito.  He assured us one burrito alone would not satisfy his ravenous hunger so he wanted money to buy the most expensive item on the menu, something that "would really stick to the ribs," he said.  The more we spoke with him, however, it became apparent that he wasn't really hungry for food but wanted money to use elsewhere.  If the man was truly hungry, I'm thinking he would have been grateful for the offer of quality food we enjoyed ourselves.  (By the way if you know of a quality Mexican taco shop in Sydney, I am keen to hear recommendations.:) )

One thing I find most refreshing in pastoral ministry is when people are actually hungry for the word of God.  We do not need to be prompted to speak enthusiastically about our favourite restaurant or dish because we enjoy freely sharing our discoveries with those who also may appreciate the benefits.  I have found the more physically active I am, the more ravenous my appetite.  Those who are walking in the Spirit and exercising faith in Jesus are more apt to have a spiritual appetite for the word than the sedentary, sleepy Christian.  There is a kind of Christian that resembles a food critic who is much more focused on plating and ambiance than satisfying their spiritual need by feasting on God's word.  Because they are not hungry they sample this or taste that and leave their plate basically full.  A Christian can be like picky eaters who only eat chicken nuggets or macaroni and cheese who fill up before going out.  Already full, they have little appetite for the unfamiliar and uncomfortable truths presented by the scriptures for their nourishment.  A spiritually dead person has no appetite for God's word, and thus a desire to receive God's word is a positive sign of life.

Many times my family and I have sat down to eat and we are treated to a rare thing in our household, that of silence.  This is typically an indication we are hungry and the food is great and being enjoyed.  Everyone at some point likely have sat down to eat lunch or dinner because it was the time for lunch or dinner, not because we were really hungry.  It was more of an obligation to appear at the table for the sake of the gathered family or the one who prepared the food than because we are starving and need sustenance.  Brothers and sisters, if we are not hungry for God's word there is likely is something off with our spiritual digestion.  Perhaps we have been feeding on junk and sweets; perhaps we have fasted from spiritual nutrition so long we no longer feel hunger pangs.  It ought not to be pangs of guilt that prompt us to go to church on Sunday or read the Bible but a desire to know God and to feed on His faithfulness.  We joyfully anticipate a special meal to savour every flavourful bite and appreciate the texture, and every word God has written to us is pure and good as He is.

Those who have had their spiritual hunger satisfied by the word of God will be those who tell others of the wondrous things God has revealed to them.  Tasting and eating are things we must do for ourselves, and those who find what is good become walking advertisements of quality establishments.  Having found our satisfaction in Jesus Christ and the scripture, it is ultimately Jesus we proclaim--not a particular church, doctrine or controversial subjects.  We ought to be in fellowship at a church were the word of God is preached and where the fear and love of God unifies.  No church or pastor is perfect, but the problem does not lie in the preaching or teaching when we are not hungry for God's word.  Humbly loving, serving, praying and helping one another in fellowship gives us an appetite for the scriptures the almighty God has provided.  Having received the Living Bread Jesus by faith, our Good Shepherd guides us to pastures of green where we can daily feed and find our hunger satisfied by Him.

Where No Thieves Can Steal

I read an article that detailed a recent 60% increase of theft on construction sites as reported by A Current Affair.  Jessica Nagel wrote, "Supply shortages and price hikes combined with items sitting on site for longer periods of time has created the perfect storm for an increase in theft."  Whilst this on the surface may seem true, this statement is akin to shaming victims of sexual assault for their choice of clothing.

I happen to live in a suburb that has many incomplete new home builds all around.  As I take early morning walks I see building materials piled high on job sites awaiting the break of day:  bricks, sand, steel, timber, tiles and windows are staged behind locked fences with the oversight of security cameras.  And guess what?  People walk by the stuff day after day of "supply shortages and price hikes" and there it sits secure until it is installed or a greedy, selfish thief steals it.

God commanded people in His law, "Thou shalt not steal."  The problem isn't a supply issue or price increases but the wicked hearts of men who justify their sin.  A victim of theft can feel entitled to steal from others.  Better locks, more cameras, stronger deterrents or actually putting teeth in the judicial system doesn't fix what ails us.  Solomon observed in Ecclesiastes 8:11, "Because the sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil."  Stealing is a heart problem, not a supply issue.

Because we live in a world rife with sin, it is important for us to be wise and take necessary precautions to deter theft.  Left to his own devices man will lie, steal, make pathetic excuses and justify himself all the way into hell.  I am grateful to Jesus Christ for the way of forgiveness and salvation He has provided through the Gospel, for even the thief being executed beside Him on Calvary was provided an opportunity to believe in Jesus as LORD and Saviour.  Praise the LORD for the new hearts given us by faith in Jesus and the future in heaven where thieves cannot break in and steal.  Our treasure is in heaven since we are in Christ.

2 Peter 3:13-15 says, "Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. ¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; ¹⁵ and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation..."  God is longsuffering even towards thieves so they might repent, be forgiven and saved.  As long as thefts continue we can know this world is not all there is, for there are new heavens and a new earth awaiting us where righteousness dwells.  As we look forward to our inheritance provided by Jesus in His presence, we ought to "be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless."  Since we are going where righteousness dwells and no thief can enter, by faith in Christ we can be content, generous and gracious today.

God Reigns Over All

At times I admit I am baffled by the idealistic ways people describe themselves or others.  I read an article recently where an aspiring model was called "independent and strong," and have seen t-shirts emblazoned boasting "Girl Power" and car decals that espouse the "power" of a race or ethnicity.  Apparently some find inspiration in terms like "Mommy Warrior" and from a biblical worldview these titles and aspirations are puzzling, for what is the power of a man or fierceness of a woman compared to God?

It seems to me the aspirations of the world is to be and do what only God can, and this at the core is a satanic notion:  "I will be like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:14)  People may raise their children to be fiercely independent, but the scripture puts forth a completely different view of what is good and right.  God's will is we would be increasingly dependent on Him by faith.  Strength is not achieved by standing up for one's rights, by lifting weights or facing hardships, but by the recognition of our weakness and need for God to deliver us.  People have been called "fighters" for their tenacity and fearlessness, and the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.  Knowing the God who fights our battles and that the battle is the LORD's prompts a joyful countenance rather than a hateful sneer.

Towards the end of David's reign 1 Chronicles 29:10-13 says this:  "Therefore David blessed the LORD before all the assembly; and David said: "Blessed are You, LORD God of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. ¹¹ Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all. ¹² Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. ¹³ "Now therefore, our God, we thank You and praise Your glorious name."  David blessed the LORD who rules and reigns over all, the One who has all greatness, power, glory, victory and majesty.  He has power, might and gives strength to all.  The glorious God who rules over all is the powerful one, and the nations are a drop in the bucket compared to Him.

A chief problem in the world is not misogyny or feminists who labour to tear down the patriarchy but  any who contemptuously oppose God's sovereignty.  While people in the world follow their own hearts, godless philosophies and idealistic agendas contrary to the God revealed in scripture, God provides wisdom and strength for living by faith in Him.  Jesus taught us to love our enemies and bless those who curse us.  He has taught us when we are weak then we are strong because His grace is sufficient for us.  It is folly to boast in our strength or power when all we have is a gift from the God who has breathed life into us.  The world may deem Christians losers, but in Christ we have obtained victory over sin and death, peace that passes understanding and fullness of joy forever.  No man or woman can hang onto a kingdom or empire on earth, yet God's kingdom will endure forever.

Contrary to the wisdom of the world, the KING OF KINGS Jesus said to His servants in Matthew 23:11-12:  "...he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. ¹² And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."  Jesus Christ, the mightiest man who ever lived humbled Himself, was meek, lowly and the servant of all; His strength was exerted to love others, speak truth, show compassion and mercy.  As a willing slave of the Father God has exalted His name above all others, and we humbly bow the knee before Him in reverence, praise and worship.  How glorious is the LORD, and how good!