Marching Forth!

Regardless how many times we have read the Bible or done in-depth study of it, one can never predict what God will say to us through His word.  Yesterday I received instruction concerning a defining factor in relation to conspiracies or conspiracy theories.  I differentiate the two by the first being one as a matter of fact (like when Absalom declared himself king over Israel whilst king David reigned) and the other as a fanciful, far-fetched report gained second-hand through individuals who claim to have inside information (with regular updates!), have an online presence and often are selling something. Last night I read  Isaiah 8:11-13 (NIV) that says:  " The LORD spoke to me with his strong hand upon me, warning me not to follow the way of this people. He said:  12  "Do not call conspiracy everything that these people call conspiracy; do not fear what they fear, and do not dread it.  13  The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as...

This morning at church I did something out of the ordinary for me by inviting people to stand in repentance for sin and to pray together.  I explained to the congregation that until now God has given us all opportunity to repent of our sin, yet repentance is something we can neglect.  We can feel shame or guilt over sin, be disappointed in ourselves for continuing to sin, or be troubled by the consequences for our sin but never actually repent of it with contrition before the LORD.  As a shepherd leads sheep to the water and it is up to them to drink, so it is for those who preach and teach the word of God and seek to lead people to walk in God's ways.  Those who drink deeply of the living water of the Holy Spirit only do so because God has first drawn them. One reason why it is not my first inclination to ask people to respond to a sermon in church publicly is because it is the easy thing to do.  Please don't misunderstand me:  there can be quite a battle ...

Today I had a chat with Christians about our need to count the cost in following Jesus.  Our saviour Jesus is not a useful addition or convenient accessory that improves our life but He  is our life.  Jesus spoke about considering the cost of following Him and drew upon practical examples to teach His disciples. Jesus said in Luke 14:25-33 , " Now great multitudes went with Him. And He turned and said to them, 26   " If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.  27   And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.  28   For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-- 29   lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him,  30   saying, 'This man began to bui...

We have been studying through the book of Ruth at Teen Camp this year and I have been blessed to consider Christ as our Redeemer through the book.  During this study I have better observed the choices Ruth made beyond deciding to accompany Naomi to Bethlehem.  After clinging to Naomi at the crossroads between Moab and Israel, Ruth continued to listen to and follow her guidance. When Boaz saw Ruth gleaning in his field, he told her not to go in anyone else's field and to stay with his servant girls.  Naomi said the same thing after she brought back a large haul of grain.  Then Ruth was bold and courageous to obey her mother-in-law when instructed to go to Boaz as he slept on the threshing floor and to uncover his feet.  "I'll do everything you say," Ruth responded and followed through on all she said.  Her inclination may have been to bustle around and distract herself with activity as she awaited word from Boaz, but she hearkened to the wise advice:  ...