Marching Forth!

During a conversation today a co-worker of mine remarked, " It seems like the world is running away from what it really needs ."  I told him that statement is more true than we can know.  The world is on a rampage of rebellion against God.  Christians are not called to be highbrow "goody goodies" who stand in judgment of the world.  Whoever is of the world has Satan as father, ruler, and master.  Those who have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ are now alive to God.  One thing that will mark a true believer in Christ is that we no longer walk according to the model of Satan's self-seeking rule.  Ephesians 2:1-3 says, " And you He (Christ) made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, [2] in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, [3] among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfi...

Sometimes I hear "Christianese" which causes me to wonder if we comprehend the doctrines of scripture.  A song commonly sung in evangelical circles repeats, "I want more, I want more of you Jesus" and people often pray, "Lord, we need more of you in our lives."  A foundational truth of Christianity is that Jesus Christ has become a sacrifice for sin and has risen from the dead so we might be born again through the Holy Spirit's power.  When we confess our sins, repent, and trust in Jesus as Savior and LORD, He sends the Holy Spirit without measure who regenerates us and dwells within us.  Technically therefore, we have the same Spirit who dwelt in Jesus Christ to the full.  We cannot have more of Him because He has given all to us.   John 3:34 says, " For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure ."  We see that we have all of Christ as the song goes, "All of you is more than enough for al...

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is unlike anything that world has ever seen.  When the Gospel was presented by Jesus, it was not accompanied by an advertising campaign.  Unlike many other pagan religions of the time, it was not sexually driven or marked by drug use.  It was not forwarded by political influence, nor advanced through military prowess by Christ's disciples.  The Gospel did not hold promises for financial gain, nor boasted promises of fame, acceptance, and power.  It was quite the opposite:  Jesus said that all who repented and trusted in Him would be forgiven of their sins and inherit eternal life - with the understanding they were choosing a life of humility, servitude, rejection, being hated, misunderstood, persecuted, tortured, imprisoned, and even murdered.  The world must marvel that Jesus had any followers at all.  But those who have left all to follow Christ understand that a relationship with Him is the most real thing they have e...

On every jobsite I work, many systems comprise every project.  The electricians run wires and connect circuits; iron workers build the steel structure, pipe fitters weld steam, chilled water, and heating pipes; plumbers connect condensate drains and domestic hot and cold water; roofers install flashing, insulation, and drainage; sheet metals workers hang air-conditioning ducts.  On and on it goes, from the architects to geologists, structural engineers to the inspectors, beyond the range and scope any one person can fully grasp.  I insulate mechanical equipment and very few people in the entire construction industry outside our profession have any concept of how to perform the work.  Yet for all this complexity, manpower, training, and experience, a state-of-the art building which costs a billion dollars and takes years to complete is NOTHING compared to the complexity of the systems which make up a living human body. Take a chiller system, for instance.  A ch...

A discussion with a friend today reminded me of a truth in a way I've never before considered.  Recently having been married to an officer in the Navy, he showed me his identification which allows him access to military bases, medical care, the commissary, and other areas restricted to military personnel.  He told me about what it's like to drive through the gate with the decal of an officer on the windshield.  "The guards really snap to attention," he said.  I had seen this before when I golf with my father-in-law, who retired from naval service as a chief warrant officer.  Like my friend, I was afforded privileges and access because of my affiliation with a man who earned those benefits through years of service.  The treatment of the driver of my father-in-law's vehicle and my truck without a decal is very different! As great as it is to receive benefits on earth due to birth or marital status, how much greater are the blessings we receive when we join ...

I have been working at Farwest Insulation for almost 10 months while waiting for a door to open for ministry in Australia on a full-time basis with my family.  In addition to saving money for moving expenses, working in the construction field has given me opportunities to share my faith with others.  I am very excited to report that one of my co-workers I have shared with prayed with my brother to receive Christ last week!  It is nothing that I have done, but God has answered the prayers of His people to save the lost.  Since I have started working at this shop our superintendent has made a decision for Christ and the LORD has begun a great work in him and his family. God is amazing, doing more than we can imagine at all times.  He has redeemed and made fruitful the sowing of seed for His glory here when I would have chosen to be elsewhere.  This again proves the wisdom and providential hand of God.  God's care for the salvation of souls on every con...

" There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord ." Proverbs 21:30 The Bible says " He who glories, let Him glory in the LORD " ( 1 Cor. 1:31 ).  It is no fault for a man to boast in the Living God.  We are shamed when we do not do so.  For a moment, consider the inestimable wisdom and knowledge of God.  Job says in Job 26:7 , " He stretches out the north over empty space; He hangs the earth on nothing ."  How God suspends the earth in the vacuum of space with a unique atmosphere which supports humans, animals, plant life, gasses, minerals, and elements all working together...it is too much for the mind to take in.  A man comes home from work and hangs his jacket on a hook - a jacket he could likely not sew together even if all the fabric was already woven for him and he had a month to practice!  A metal hook is employed which he could not cast, shape, or beat into a useful form even if all the tools were provided.  The jacket ha...