Marching Forth!

There is nothing more practical to living an abundant life than faith in Jesus Christ.  A problem arises when we reduce the reality of relationship with the living God to a selfish utilitarian exercise, that God exists primarily for our benefit than we do for His good pleasure.  Since our flesh is steeped in a humanistic and self-focused world, it is easy for worldly thoughts and feelings to have sway within us.  It is important to examine our motives in what we choose to do or avoid because there is a massive difference between action to earn blessing from God or actions because we are already blessed by God. Some people put great emphasis on trying to explain why God's command "actually makes sense" according to modern science or medical discoveries.  I reject the premise that God's commands in Law of Moses were reasonable because they unwittingly benefited the Hebrews--for instance how their restrictive diet helped them avoid dangerous foods.  God is the God ...

I have been reading through Old Testament prophets and coming judgment is a common theme.  What might surprise people is the testimony of God's prophets were not so much an indictment against the heathen but focused primarily upon the judgment God would bring upon the Jewish nation, His chosen people with whom He made a covenant.  The apostle wrote in  1 Peter 4:17 , " For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God ?"  Peter's words affirm God's judgment of His people should not be relegated to the Mosaic covenant but is presently in full force in our age of the Gospel of grace. It is imperative every man know, even in our post-Christianity world, every one of us will face the judgment of God in this life on earth and in the life to come.  Whether we preach from a pulpit or speak to a man on the street, we are addressing people who will ...

" You have wearied the LORD with your words; y et you say, "In what way have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil  i s good in the sight of the LORD ,  a nd He delights in them,"  o r, "Where is the God of justice ?" Malachi 2:17 The LORD of hosts who keeps Israel does not slumber or sleep, yet He was wearied by the words of His people.  He pointed out two specific ways God was tired of the claims made by His priests and people.  Previously in the passage God critiqued His people for their treacherous conduct with family members, how they profaned the holiness of God by mixed marriages to idolators and how they treacherously divorced their wives.  To deal treacherously is to have broken faith, to go back on their promises and vows they had made. God was wearied by people who justified themselves, even distorting God's word to approve of what was sinful.  As God's chosen people they imagined they were good and pl...

" But Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck and kissed him, and they wept.  5 And he lifted his eyes and saw the women and children, and said, "Who are these with you?" So he said, "The children whom God has graciously given your servant ." Genesis 33:4-5 Jacob had many reasons to be concerned when meeting his brother Esau after being away for 20 years.  When Jacob departed years prior, Esau comforted himself with a plan to murder Jacob for stealing his blessing.  Upon his return Jacob sent droves of animals as presents and bowed himself to the ground 7 times to give honour and respect as a servant to a master.  Esau shed any regal bearing and ran to his brother, embraced him like a beloved friend and they wept tears of joy.  When Esau asked who the women and children who accompanied Jacob were he answered, " The children whom God has graciously given your servant. " Jacob returned from his uncle Laban's house a changed ...