Marching Forth!

When the children of Israel reached the border of the land God promised to give them, they sent 12 men into the land for 40 days as spies.  They brought back fruit from the land a report that the region truly flowed with milk and honey as God had said.  But 10 of the spies brought back a damning report and asserted they were unable to enter the land because of the inhabitants.  They said in  Numbers 13:28-29 , " N evertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there.  29  The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan ."  Though God brought the children out of Egypt and through the Red Sea with signs, wonders, and a mighty hand, they faltered at the sight of those who dwelt in the land God promised. It seems the spies...

" In that day sing to her, "A vineyard of red wine! 3 I, the LORD , keep it, I water it every moment;  l est any hurt it, I keep it night and day. " Isaiah 27:2-3 Many times in the Old Testament the nation Israel is compared to a vineyard.  The day spoken of here is after Jesus defeats Satan and establishes His throne over all.  God chose Israel as His inheritance, and His eyes are always upon His people for good.  He caused the nation of Israel to flourish, and even now offers Living Water to all who come to Him and drink. When a vineyard was planted, the wine dresser took many steps to ensure it was fenced, guarded, irrigated, and carefully pruned to be more fruitful.  There are many varieties of grapes which produce wine, and in this passage Israel is compared to a vineyard which would produce red wine.  Night and day God remains vigilant to protect and provide for the needs of His people.  Under the New Covenant ushered in through the s...

" Come to the foot of Calvary, 'cause there is redemption for every affliction here at the foot of Calvary ." Rescuer , by Rend Collective Songs written to worship God are a great benefit to believers.  Whilst songs should never be our source of biblical doctrine, they often contain truth upon which to meditate and proclaim.  How good it is for our minds to be drawn to consider the greatness of our God and the power of the Gospel. Some people imagine they must labour to be accepted by God and saved.  Some make pilgrimages to distant lands to visit holy sites, and others seek the counsel of gurus and shamans desiring to be healed.  The Gospel transcends this world because all freely offered by God's grace is eternal.  There is no holy mount to ascend, no temple to visit, or a sacrifice to give to receive salvation, healing, and redemption:  these are received by faith in Jesus Christ, the "Good LORD" the song speaks of. Since God has redeemed...

At the Refresh Conference in Secret Harbour WA, pastor John Spencer made a good observation from the Sermon on the Mount.  He read the words of Jesus spoken to His disciples in  Matthew 5:13-15 :   " You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. 14   You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15   Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house ." During a talk pastor John mentioned he previously heard this passage preached to urge people to make an effort to be salt and light.  He pointed out Jesus did not teach this as an ideal to strive for, but the reality of our identity because of our faith in Jesus Christ:  we are the salt of the earth; we are the light of the world.  No one can earn status as sal...

God's ways are higher than ours, and His ways are far better too.  God has plans and purposes He is faithful to fulfil, redeeming things meant for evil for good.  What we perceive as setbacks and obstacles God makes most fruitful as He brings us to His desired end. The life of Joseph provides a great example of this.  In his youth God gave him two dreams recorded in scripture whose interpretations were understood:  God would elevate Joseph to a position above that of his father, mother, and brothers though the eleventh of twelve sons.  His brothers hated him and cast him into a pit, he was sold as a slave in Egypt, falsely accused of sexual assault, and then thrown into prison where he remained for years.  All his life seemed caught in a downward trajectory.  Yet in his trials Joseph continued to look beyond his circumstances in fear of the God who ordained them.  Far removed from family and the familiar, Joseph trusted God. Psalm 105:16-19 g...

A couple years ago I was sitting on a lounge reading a book by Isobel Kuhn, a missionary whose story has always touched my heart.  It was in the midst of a tough season, and it was refreshing to read of God's faithfulness to His people and the power of the Gospel.  As I sat reading, a little girl walked up smiling and offered me a yellow piece of paper.  "What's this?" I asked.  "It's a love-heart," she replied.  I thanked her and tucked it into my Bible where it has remained to this day. It was a touching gesture, a wonderful reminder of the love of God through His little ones.  It illustrates to me how simple yet profound love is and the great impact it has upon our hearts and minds.  God's love is pure and enduring, gracious and full of compassion.  I had not said or done anything worthy of the attention of the little girl, but she freely gave me a symbol of love which to me ministered God's love I will not forget. Perhaps you wonder...

" And the Lord said, "Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.    32   But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren ." Luke 22:31-32 Last night at the Refresh Conference at Calvary Chapel Secret Harbour a message was preached on this passage by pastor John Spencer.  I enjoyed and appreciated the insights he provided, and since hearing it have continued to meditate on implications of the passage in relation to what is commonly called "spiritual warfare." The context of the passage is the disciples had been arguing about who was the greatest among them.  Peter was an assertive and vocal guy, and it would not surprise me at all if he had just trotted out his opinions about why it could (or should be) him.  The ironic thing is it does not seem Jesus Christ was in the running!  Anyway, Jesus singled Simon Peter out and revealed Satan ha...