Give Praise To God

Because we live within the confines of time marked by years, months and days that repeat, it is common for people to mark particularly meaningful days like birthdays, wedding anniversaries and holidays.  There are also days that "live in infamy" when people and nations have suffered great tragedies that will be soberly remembered for generations to come.  We look forward to days we celebrate, and Christmas is a day rapidly approaching many gladly anticipate.  Everyone has different holiday traditions and why a day is more meaningful or worthy of celebration, and for me Christmas is a reminder of something I can rejoice in every day:  that God sent Jesus Christ our Saviour to give us eternal life by faith in Him.

The giving and receiving of gifts on Christmas is a longstanding tradition among many people and cultures.  I find it interesting the different ways people discuss Christmas, like we are going to "have Christmas" at someone's home--meaning there will be a special meal or the exchange at that location rather than somewhere else.  An article reporting on an interview with an epidemiologist on The Project said, "After the interview, Wilkinson seemed sceptical that Australia’s politicians would follow the health experts’ advice: “They know that the greatest gift they could give, as politicians, is to give us Christmas,” she said.  “You don’t want to be the politician that destroyed Christmas,” quipped panellist Nazeem Hussain."  Can a politician give anyone Christmas or destroy it?  I suppose that depends on how you define Christmas.

God has given us Christ, and thus the purpose and reason Christmas exists for me does not depend on our ability to gather with family, to drink eggnog, eat special foods or the exchange of gifts.  I personally enjoy the exchange of gifts as an expression of thankgiving for the LORD's greatest gift in sending us His Son.  This morning David's words directed to God in Psalm 54:6 resonated with me:  "I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your name, O LORD, for it is good."  David was obligated under the Law of Moses to offer sacrifices to the LORD from his flocks and herds.  As a shepherd he knew what to look for in quality sheep, goats and cattle and selected the best to give to God who gave him all things.  His obligation under Law was not an arduous and annoying duty but a joyful opportunity to freely sacrifice to God and praise God because He is good.  This is the heart we can have in giving to God and others every day, for God's goodness does not hinge on politicians or legislation.

Giving ourselves in praise to the LORD is fitting for every occasion as it is written in Hosea 14:1-2:  "O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; ² take words with you, and return to the LORD. Say to Him, "Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips."  See this divine exchange:  having received Jesus our LORD and Saviour by faith, God's people are received by God according to His grace.  We are sinners, and God sent us a Saviour.  God knew what mankind needed and gave us the perfect gift, the Person of Jesus Christ the LORD.  Hebrews 13:15 is the perfect response in light of all God has done for and given us through Jesus:  "Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name."  Let us give thanks unto our LORD freely, for He is good.

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.