Marching Forth!

Years ago when I worked at a church in the States as I unlocked the front door of the building I was accosted by a man who demanded money:  "Hey, give me five bucks."  When I declined, his demeanour became more aggressive and said something like, "This is a church, man!  And you say you love and care about people?"  Apparently I wasn't the soft target he was expecting, and I was not about to cave to a guilt trip because I didn't respond how he wanted.  In fact, it was because I cared about him I was not going to give him money to enable his addictions or embolden him to panhandle at our premises.  Love doesn't always look like we think it should. Recently I read about when Jesus received word his beloved friend Lazarus was sick.  His  condition was dire enough to prompt his sisters to urgently send word to Jesus so He might come and heal him.   John 11:4-6 says, " When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but...

" The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD , saying: 2 "Arise and go down to the potter's house, and there I will cause you to hear My words." 3  Then I went down to the potter's house, and there he was, making something at the wheel ." Jeremiah 18:1-3 God isn't into what I would call "efficiency," but He is big on obedience in faith.  Does it seem strange to you God didn't just tell what in the first place what He intended to say?  But this perspective might be borne out of our impatient and slothful mindset where convenience is king.  It was not a question of God knowing what to say, but obedience from Jeremiah the prophet was required to hear more. I imagine we would be excited to tell others in light of Divine revelation, "God spoke to me!  He told me where to go!"  We would feel pretty special to hear from God, but for many people it ends right there.  God speaking is a key component of our relationship wit...

It is expected and predictable for sceptics to distort the truth of God's Word through unbelief, but there is no excuse when professing Christians explain away the miraculous in favour of naturalistic interpretations.  Some seem compelled to avoid any subjects or doctrines which might offend modern (often secular) sensitivities.  There are few things as stomach churning for me as the almost grovelling and apologetic, hand-wringing, or soft-selling approach to the proclamation of God's Word.  There is always a place for grace and tact, but no place should be given to tamper with the true message of the Gospel to avoid potential offence of unbelievers, and in our politically correct day even Christians. It is important we translate the meaning of unfamiliar words or terms with people, but as God's messengers we abuse our role should we attempt to dull the sharp edge of scripture intended to cut.  C.S. Lewis wrote in an address titled "Christian Apologetics," ...

When a huge crowd gathered to see Jesus He asked Philip, "Where shall we buy bread to feed all these people?"   John 6:6 says, " But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do ."  Philip, on the other hand, had no idea what to do.  Before he could bring himself to think about what bakery would have enough food on hand for 5,000 men plus their families, he knew they did not have enough money to buy it!  He responded that wages earned over eight months (200 denari) would not be enough to adequately feed those assembled.  Hard labour wouldn't put a dent in the needy sprawled around them.  Jesus did not ask out of ignorance, but to test Philip because He already knew what He was going to do. Perhaps overhearing the conversation, Andrew piped up in  John 6:9 , " There is a lad here who has five barley loaves and two small fish, but what are they among so many ?"  In light of the crowd, five loaves and two small fish ...