Marching Forth!

I have been reading The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, a clever and unique book.  It is a fictional series of letters from uncle Screwtape to his nephew Wormwood, the older demon giving advice concerning how to influence his "patient," the soul assigned to his care, to ensure he goes to hell.  In this book everything is upside down:  the "Enemy" is God and the "Father" is Satan.  Whilst this book was never intended to be a book of theology, it turns the thinking of born again Christians to profitable self-examination.  We are told there is a spiritual battle we are to contend in, having been provided spiritual armor by the Holy Spirit, yet the reality of it can be lost on us.  The insights of C.S. Lewis are helpful to expose the subtle ways the enemy of our souls works to undermine the good work God intends to do in and through us. Lewis hit upon a topic of great relevance for people today:  the need for Christians to be in regular fellowship....

Long before dawn I awoke this morning with the phrase in my mind, " All my springs are in you ."  Throughout the morning I have been reminded of the passage of scripture so I searched and found it in Psalm 87 .   The context of the song extols God as supreme, that He dwells in Zion, and draws people of many nations to Himself.  Psalm 87:7 reads, " Both the singers and the players on instruments say, "All my springs are in you ."  It is fitting Jerusalem is situated upon a spring of fresh water which flows to this day, a picture of the life, provision, satisfaction, and refreshment which is found in God alone.  He truly is the source and fountain of all blessing. When the children of Israel departed from Egypt, God supplied their every need.  Bread, meat, and water was miraculously provided for the great multitude.  Their lives did not depend upon their ability to find springs of water, their wisdom or discernment to discover an oasis, or thei...

I recently was struck by the fundamental difference between tolerance and love.  Tolerance, to endure or allow what is not wholly approved, to bear or put up with, can be done with love as the motivation.  But tolerance in itself can be merely external and with effort can be accomplished politely whilst hatred is concealed within.  From a young age we learn to comply with directives from parents, teachers, bullies, rules or laws we think are silly, and we are conditioned to be tolerant of differences.  Tolerance has its place in a diverse society to be sure yet should never be confused with the love of God which is to mark the lives of Christians. Love which is produced by the presence of the Holy Spirit is a defining characteristic of followers of Jesus Christ.  Paul exhorted in  Romans 13:8 , " Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law ."  Those who have been born again through faith in Christ...

God can use things like simple yardwork to convey spiritual truth.  I spent the morning chopping down a rogue jasmine vine which had taken over several plants in the vicinity.  I realised the lush green which blanketed the area was a jasmine vine which quickly spread.  Most likely it wasn't that the vine that grew so quickly, but a demonstration of the high price of neglect. Truth be told, I am a low-maintenance gardener.  My focus had been on the turf while the vine slowly crept, twisting around other plants, choking out light and nutrients.  The result of passing glances without closer inspection resulted in not realising how prolific the jasmine vine had become:  the fresh green looked healthy but hid problems.  Attacking the jasmine brought my attention to a hollowed out bottle-brush tree and a bush which was also overgrown.  It was easy to chop off the shoots but the root stock is a solid mass.  Because of the limited size of my bin...

Unlike men who can be all talk with decent intentions, God always finishes what He starts.  He explained this in His revelation to Samuel concerning the judgment He would bring upon Eli and his house in  1 Samuel 3:12 :  " In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end ."  God's Word is true concerning judgment but also our sanctification and glorification as partakers of God's grace in  Philippians 1:6 , "...b eing confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ...".   God is the first and last, the beginning to end, and our only Way to eternal life with Him. If we desire to experience eternal life in heaven, we must have our sins atoned for whilst on earth.  Consider the far-reaching implications of sin concerning Eli in  1 Samuel 3:13-14 :  " For I have told him that I will judg...

I hadn't planned on posting today, but sometimes things God reveals are too amazing and exciting to keep to yourself!  I am always delighted to discover new things in what was familiar like when Jesus spoke from the cross, " My God, my God, why have your forsaken me ?" and I learned He was reciting the first line of Psalm 22 .  Realising Psalm 22 was connected to Jesus the Messiah who suffered on Calvary deepened my understanding of the pointed statement Jesus made to orthodox Jews which was previously lost on me.  He spoke in the hearing of people who fulfilled the word verbatim written by David a thousand years before in their accusations against Him. After God brought the children out of Egypt with mighty wonders, at His command Moses sent one ruler of each tribe into Canaan to spy out the land God had given them.  After surveying the land for 40 days, taking stock of strongholds, fortifications, and the people, the spies brought back ripe fruit of the land....

Most of us have closets which contain many options of clothes and shoes to suit the occasion.  We have clothes we wear to the office, formal gatherings, to paint or do yardwork, or pajamas to sleep in.  Our future plans and activities make an impact on clothes we wear.  Our wardrobe decisions are also affected depending if we are hosting guests or are home alone.  Many clothes we wear to "dress up" can be stifling and uncomfortable, and it is a pleasant feeling to change from these tight or complicated garments into loose, breathable fabric.  After wearing boots or tight shoes all day what a relief it is to pull them off! Whilst our favourite clothes may not be appropriate to wear every day, there is one thing followers of Jesus ought to be clothed with at all times:  humility.  See what  1 Peter 5:1-5 says:  " The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of...