Marching Forth!

God's Word has the miraculous ability to sustain believers in trials.  There is no shortage of unwelcome and troubling news we receive, but a word from God draws our eyes to consider Him.  God knows what we need even before we ask, and He also knows exactly what we need to hear so we can say with the faithful, "I have been greatly helped." Yesterday in the morning I read through John chapter 20 after Jesus rose from the dead.  Twice in the chapter Jesus addressed disciples who were afraid and did not believe, " Peace be unto you ."  What a gracious, compassionate, and merciful thing to say!  They did not earn the right to experience this peace nor were they qualified by their courage.  They had fled from the presence of Jesus during His arrest and Peter denied even knowing Jesus.  Jesus kept the promise made previously in  John 14:27 despite their folly:  " Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give t...

" And Gideon went up by the way of them that dwelt in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah, and smote the host: for the host was secure ." Judges 8:11 People these days go to great lengths to ensure the security of their homes, possessions, and identities.  Layers of identification help online banking and shopping transactions maintain high levels of safety and security.  For this reason it seems ironic Gideon was able to smite the host who encamped east of Nobah and Jogbehah when the scripture says, "... for the host was secure ."  The NKJV sheds light on the situation:  " Then Gideon went up by the road of those who dwell in tents on the east of Nobah and Jogbehah; and he attacked the army while the camp felt secure ." (emphasis mine)  Shaved Samson who said, "I will arise as at other times and free myself" and did not know the Holy Spirit had left him, faith in self--instead of God alone--makes us complacent and vulnerable. ...

There is something universally believed which is a big lie:  there is something on this planet which will provide enduring happiness.  The world and our flesh constantly reinforce the fantasy if our circumstances were different (and better!) we could be satisfied and at rest.  What people forget or are ignorant of is we live on an earth cursed with the consequences of sin.  The only true good news we could receive must come from beyond this world. We are thirsty for good news and look everywhere to find it.  Like a person in pitch darkness trying to see beyond their nose, we strain to hear good news.  But the thing is, even when we do find welcome news it never lasts because nothing on earth does:  new things grow old, innovations become obsolete, every marriage will someday end, and good health always ends in death.  Seriously, think about it.  "All is vanity and grasping for the wind," said King Solomon after doing everything the richest...

I think I can remember the first video game I ever played:  a Mattel "football" game which required a 9-volt battery.  There were no graphics or pictures but a red light which could be directed and controlled by the player.  Since the early days of Apple IIe computers and Atari consoles, gaming has exploded as an industry offering entertainment, online interaction, and competition.  Over the years gaming with my sons has been a hobby I quite enjoy. The online game I play has a chat feed which I keep during rounds.  I have learned one of the great compliments in the gaming arena is when someone actually bothers to type your name in the chat.  Being accused of hacking is one of the better back-handed compliments--that is, when you are playing fair.  If someone mentions one of our names we will say something to one another like, "You're getting some love on the chat" and it makes for amusing and friendly conversation.  When you are one player b...

God's love is demonstrated in most unexpected ways.  When Lazarus was deathly ill, his sisters Mary and Martha sent an urgent message to Jesus to alert Him.  Moved by faith, they knew Jesus had the ability to miraculously heal Lazarus and prevent his death.   John 11:4-6 reads, " When Jesus heard that, He said, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it." 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was ."  The writer John explained because Jesus loved Martha, Mary, and Lazarus, He did not immediately drop everything and depart.  He waited two days before leaving for Bethany knowing by the time they arrived Lazarus would have been dead four days.  Pause for a moment to allow this to sink in. So often people can imagine what God's love looks like--I know I do.  Since God loves people a...

The way humans engage in conflict with others has changed over the years, though people haven't changed.  The first reference of human conflict with one another in the history of the world was when Cain struck and killed his brother Abel in a field.  We do not know if Cain wielded a weapon, but it is clear he purposely murdered his brother.  The blood of Abel cried out to God in heaven for divine retribution. It used to be warring people met their enemy in hand-to-hand combat, using weapons like swords and knives crafted to inflict injury on others.  There have been strategic advances involving fortresses, reinforced gates, shields and armor.  Horses and chariots were utilised to effectively pursue and overwhelm foot soldiers.  Arrows were designed to inflict injuries from afar, and in more recent times catapults were employed.  Whilst physical combat has continued in the fighting ring for sport or in the street for honour, the rise of the firearm...

I was reminded recently of the refrain of the hit by the British band  Yes that goes, " Owner of a lonely heart, (much better than an) owner of a broken heart ."  The song is certainly catchy, but I don't know I ever bothered to consider if this assertion is true when I sang along.  Beauty and often truth these days is determined by personal perspective, but looking at this through a biblical lens provides insight and clarity to crushed feelings we all experience in this life. God created man needy and for relationship with Him and other people.  Feelings of loneliness can plague people who know and trust God as well as those who enjoy meaningful relationships.  Loneliness can be exacerbated by unhealthy self-focus.  The feelings of being alone (and varying degrees of isolation) can be fleeting or chronic depending on more factors than I can suggest.  The point I feel inclined to consider is no heart created by the living God needs to settle for ...