Marching Forth!

Something my mum said about children's ministry provoked good thought, that there is a difference between management and ministry.  Sitting the kids in front of a TV or allowing them to play on their devices in class may manage their behaviour, but it won't minister to their souls.  A manager conjures up images for me of a hireling, but a minister is a servant of all.  In a Sunday School lesson, the end does not justify the means--especially when our ends do not line up with God's.  Do we tolerate people or do we love them?  To love others requires an investment of time and effort which benefits others. Jehosheba and the high priest Jehoiada provide a good illustration of the conduct fitting of God's faithful ministers.  2 Kings 11:1-3 reads, " When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs.  2  But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ah...

God's word is profound and enduring, and even portions of scripture which seem mundane or repetitive can be treasures hidden in plain sight for those who seek God by reading them.  Instead of looking at reading the Bible as a task to be endured it is better to view it as an intentional opportunity to hear God speak into our lives today.  I discovered such a passage today in the book of Ezekiel as the prophet described a vision he saw. Ezekiel 47:2-4 reads, " He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. 3 And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. 4  Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came...

People struggle with the unknown.  We like to plan, prepare, and strategise.  We all have expectations we hope are met.  Fluid situations, changed conditions, and chaos cause us to feel unsettled and can produce stress.  Fundamentally we prefer to be in control or at least have a sense of control of our lives.  There are aspects of life we do have a degree of control over, but even the most controlling realise there are things beyond us, things which are “out of our hands.” Knowing God is sovereign and reigns over all is quite comforting when it seems the world has gone mad.  We rest in God’s hands as His beloved people, yet He is not in any way controlled by or dependent on people.  Our prayers might be hindered but His arms are not shortened that He cannot save.  He will accomplish His will regardless of the schemes of Satan or perceived ineptitude of His people.  Knowing God’s will is different than my will helps in trusting Him, for ev...

Today at Calvary Chapel Santee a message was preached on Acts 4  and focused on the transforming effect of a relationship with Jesus.  Through the name of Jesus Christ spoken by Peter a lame man was miraculously healed before many witnesses.  The only explanation for the man previously lame suddenly walking, leaping, and praising God was the power of God through Jesus' name.  The physical healing of the lame man provided an opportunity for Peter to preach the Word to an intrigued and engaged audience. Religious leaders who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God or in the resurrection from the dead took offense to the preaching of Peter and other Christians and brought them before the Sanhedrin, rulers of the Jews.  Acts 4:8-10 says, " Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:  9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,  10 le...

In the Disney cartoon Robin Hood , the minstrel rooster sang of the depressed state of Nottingham and the overtaxed inhabitants under the rule of Prince John:  " Sometimes ups outnumber the downs, but not in Nottingham ."  In life there will always be ups and downs which can ebb and flow as the tide.  Calm and serenity can be suddenly overwhelmed with a tsunami of negative emotions.  Unexpected trials and tragedies can knock us off our feet like little children happily playing on the shore as we are having the time of our lives.  Praise the LORD we are not at the mercy of the wind and the waves because God is with us, for us, and helps us. Life brings with it pains and struggles all people must face, and God provides much more than positive thinking or a means of coping.  He provides comfort, hope, and salvation far beyond our ability to claim or grasp because He is good and with us.  God takes a continual interest in us due to His gracious love for...

Last night I read  Psalm 143:1-2 , " Hear my prayer, O LORD , give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in thy righteousness. 2  And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight shall no man living be justified ."  David made his appeal for God to take heed due to His faithfulness and righteousness, for David could not rightly claim these qualities for himself.  David believed in God and laboured to honour and glorify God, yet he was far from perfect.  His sins were ever before him.  There is no way justification could come by attempts to keep God's law. Paul confirmed this in  Romans 3:19-20 , " Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. 20  Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin. "  The Law of God brought ...

Knowing a thing is from the LORD impacts our perspective.  To fight against what is from the LORD is to fight against Him.  Realising God is good and sovereign over all provides rest for our souls even when circumstances are out of our control.  By God's grace we can seek Him and the God who breaks can also make whole. When it was revealed to King Hezekiah he would surely die, he prayed earnestly to the LORD with weeping.  He asked God to remember the good things he had done for God's glory.  In his sickness he mused, "How can I praise and honour you in the grave?  It is the living that will praise God!"  God graciously caused Hezekiah to recover and added 15 years to his life.  God even provided a miraculous sign that Hezekiah would be restored and go up again to worship in the house of the LORD by causing the sundial to reverse 10 degrees. After Hezekiah recovered of his grave illness, a delegation from Babylon came with a gift.  King...