Marching Forth!

The life we live on earth is more than a springboard to eternity.  The abundant life provided through faith in Christ is to be lived in light of eternity.  Though eternity is forever, our lives during this temporary season on earth are important.  Our motives for living for God today and seeking the salvation of others matters. Ask yourself:  why do I want to go to heaven?  Is it primarily for hell-avoidance, your own comfort, or so God will receive glory eternally from your life?  Why is it important for you to know loved ones or even total strangers go to heaven?  Would it be a relief for you to know they will be in God's presence forever because they will be safe, or is it because God deserves their praise and worship for eternity?  Is our view of heaven obscured by motives less pure than the everlasting glory of God?  It is ironic heaven is only heaven because God is there, and yet our picture of heaven can be clouded by who else will o...

From the very beginning of creation, God set before man a way of life and death.  Man was free to chose to obey God or go his own way.  Before each person to this day, God has freely given the choice of choosing to trust God or rebel against Him.  Those whose eyes are opened to see God in truth, the most reasonable choice is to trust and obey Him - not that we are not often foolish and stray from the path of righteousness.  To the world and even to some in the church today, the Laws of God appear arbitrary and odd.  Others try to explain why God's ways actually make practical sense, for instance concerning the dietary restrictions in the Law of Moses.  The truth is, even if I can explain rationale behind some of God's commands, their good and righteous qualities do not hinge on my understanding why they exist or agreeing with them.  My explanations cannot do them justice, for God's ways are higher than mine.  In trusting God is good and righteous ...

This morning I woke up with the essence of Psalm 106:1 in my heart:  " Praise the LORD! Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever ."  God is so praiseworthy!  Consider the favour He has bestowed upon the lowly, and hears all who cry unto Him.  All He does is good, and there has not failed one word of His promises.  He is beautiful in holiness, glorious in power, mighty to save, and actively loves all people.  He graciously opens His arms to the unwilling and speaks tenderly to outcasts.  God rebukes the foolish and corrects those whom He loves.  He gives wisdom to the wise, knowledge to the understanding, reveals deep and hidden things, knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells within Him.  He is altogether lovely, just, righteous, and does not change. Psalm 28:7 says, " The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I...

" As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend ." Proverbs 27:17 Honing metal to a fine edge is a skill which these days requires special equipment.  I do not own a single iron blade, but have many stainless and carbon-steel blades.  The use of grinders, files, and stones are all useful to sharpen tools for maximum effectiveness.  A sharp blade requires less strength and is often therefore safer and more efficient.  In the day when King Solomon penned this proverb, quality tools and weapons were fashioned of iron.  Rubbing iron blades against each other sharpened each at the same time.  In the same way, friends have a way of positively "rubbing off" on one another.  Insightful discussion, sharing thoughts, and working together sharpens the intellect and improves understanding. This verse is applied easily to the benefit of fellowship in a church fellowship of Christian believers.  But do not mistake gathering toget...

2 Timothy 3:16-17 reads, " All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work ." The Bible is personally applicable and powerful, being the Word of God.  All written in the scriptures is for our learning and edification:  that all people might know their Creator and experience an everlasting, loving relationship with Him.  There are numerous good and bad examples of people who trusted God, a realistic picture of humanity without any attempt to veil flaws. Apart from the life of Jesus Christ, there are far more bad examples and failures observed in people who trust God than good ones.  It does not require the learning of a brilliant theologian to discern inconsistencies, errors, and major faults in God's people:  they are clear for all to see.  It seems when we are first born again we...

Jesus came to provide all who will trust in Him an abundant life.  This does not translated into an excess of material goods or money, for it is Jesus who said, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of things he possesses." ( Luke 12:15 )  The abundant life Jesus offers is one only realised through faith in Him and being born again.  It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates and dwells inside a follower of Jesus, teaching, guiding, comforting, and helping us to live for God's glory. It is an unfortunate reality the abundant life Jesus offers is misunderstood or goes unrealised - even by people who profess to be Christians.  People thirst for knowledge, spiritual experiences, longing for God's power, and in all their labours miss the sweetness of fellowship God has for those who simply love and obey Him.  It is easy to move from the simplicity of the Gospel and become learned Pharisees who polish a clean exterior but nurse a critical and judgmental spirit w...

Over coffee this morning a brother shared a wonderful truth out of the Bible.  God has revealed His righteous character through various names, like "Jehovah Jireh" ("the LORD will provide" in Genesis 22:14 ), "Jehovah Shalom" ("the LORD is peace" in Judges 6:24 ), "Jehovah Nissi" ("the LORD my banner" in Exodus 17:15 ), and "Jehovah Rapha" (the LORD who heals" in Exodus 15:26 ).  People named altars and even a city after attributes of God which provide glimpses into details of His awesome and magnificent ways.  My friend turned to Ezekiel 7:9 which reads, " My eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will repay you according to your ways,and your abominations will be in your midst. Then you shall know that I am the LORD who strikes ."  "Jehovah Nakah" - the LORD who strikes or kills - is probably not the first name of God people frame on the wall or include in lists on their bookmarks. ...