Marching Forth!

For years I have had my eye on a Weber smoker, and this week I finally bought one.  One of the big selling points for me is Weber quality and customer service.  The first grill I bought after arriving in Australia was cheaply made (though not cheap in price), and rusted quickly as it was clearly unsuited for the humidity.  The quality components and strong warranty Weber actually honours is a big selling point.  It's true in this case:  a buyer gets what he pays for. When you pay full price, it makes sense to expect to receive all the products and benefits promised.  As I have been studying the book of Galatians I am struck with the high price Jesus paid for salvation by giving Himself, and how far short we can fall from realising the indescribable benefits He has provided.  Through the Gospel Jesus has redeemed sinners from the curse of the Law and provided the blessing of Abraham, the " promise of the Holy Spirit through faith ." ( Gal. 3:10-14 )...

God can use tragedy to bring realisation of truth because He is a Redeemer.  Circumstances we immediately judge as negative, pointless, and unnecessary God employs in His sovereign plans for good.  A situation in the life of Elijah presents an example. The background is Elijah was a prophet of the God of Israel, yet king Ahab and many Israelites worshipped Baal:  the god of fertility, weather, rain, wind, lightning, war, and seasons.  Elijah prayed it would not rain, and through the ensuing drought and famine which lasted over three years it was evident Baal was powerless to bring the necessary rain.  God directed the prophet Elijah to live with a poor widow woman and her young son, and God miraculously provided for their needs. Over the course of time the little boy became ill and died.  The heartbroken woman was distraught and  1 Kings 17:18 reads, " So she said to Elijah, "What have I to do with you, O man of God? Have you come to me to brin...

Every day is a fitting time to celebrate the grace of God.  Appreciation of God's grace springs from the acknowledgement we are undeserving of any good thing.  If there is a moment circumstances fill us with the feeling "Life is good," it is only good because God is good and gracious.  When we feel like is a drag and a bummer, it is evident we have ceased looking to God and are either focused on ourselves or problems - something other than God.  In Jesus alone is abundant, eternal life, and He offers it freely to all who trust in Him. The grace of God stands in contrast to all who clamour for rights, equality, and social justice.  Our very existence on this planet is by the grace of God alone.  These humanistic approaches claim all people are entitled to an arbitrary standard of living based upon what others have, not because of who they are:  people created and loved by God for Him.  The reach of human rights and justice is limited, but grace ...

We are studying through the book of Galatians at Calvary Chapel Sydney on Sunday mornings and it has been a privilege and blessing to put the talks together.  The letter was written by Paul to stand against legalism and emphasised how righteousness and salvation come by faith in Jesus Christ alone.  The Law never promised righteousness, but exposed the need of sinners to be forgiven.  The Law was like a schoolmaster who led us by the hand to our Saviour who could forgive and redeem us, Jesus Christ. A portion of the book which has impacted me immensely is found in chapter 2.  Paul wrote in  Galatians 2:20 :  "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me ."  Paul, through the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on Calvary, was through the Law dead to the Law.  The risen and glorified Me...