Marching Forth!

Though God has graciously revealed Himself to people, there is infinitely more to God than we know.  The almighty God who is unapproachable in glory has spoken to us in His word, by voice booming from the heavens, in person by Jesus Christ and to our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  God's personal revelation to those who trust Him is as uniquely tailored by God as each person He has created. Have you noticed when people have an amazing experience they not only desire others to share that experience but to enjoy it as much as they did?  While this can sometimes happen, other times these desires are unfulfilled by both parties.  I had a friend who loved roller coasters, and I wasn't so sure.  As a young teen I would be fine to go on less "extreme" rides on offer, by my friend wasn't having it.  "You're going on every single ride in this park," my friend said.  And I did.  I don't know if I enjoyed them as much as he did from the start, but by the end I ...

The Bible is an awesome revelation of the living God so man might know and worship Him.  I was blessed beyond measure to read this passage today where David, in the midst of expressing faith in God, received first-person guidance from God he trusted in  Psalm 32:7-10 :  " You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah  8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.  9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, w hich have no understanding,  w hich must be harnessed with bit and bridle,  e lse they will not come near you.  10  Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; b ut he who trusts in the LORD , mercy shall surround him ." David found God to be a refuge and help in time of trouble, the God who surrounded him with songs of deliverance.  The Psalms are packed with songs that begin in the midst of conflict and trouble r...

" Sing praise to the LORD , you saints of His, a nd give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.  5 For His anger is but for a moment, His favour is for life;  w eeping may endure for a night,  b ut joy comes in the morning ." Psalm 30:4-5 One attribute of God I find comforting is His immutability, the fact He does not change.  This means God is glorious and good now and forever, and He will always stay true to His word.  What security and rest we have by faith in our Creator who always loves us without fail.  His grace, mercy and goodness have no end.  David urged all to sing praise to the LORD and to give thanks, and He is our sole source of joy and life. Though God is eternal and all His attributes infinite, His " anger is but for a moment ."  The God who is infinite in power has set divine limits upon His anger.  The redeemed of the LORD praise God for this!  Those who die in their sins will face His wrath forever and ever, ...

The best celebrations are ones fit for every day, and Thanksgiving is one of them.  I appreciate how the term "thanksgiving" remains in the present tense because there are always reasons to presently praise and thank God for the wondrous things He does.  Since God is good and always was, is and is to come, all He has done, is doing and will do is absolutely worthy of thanksgiving. In light of God and His grace to all, Psalm 100:1-5 is a glorious exhortation God's people ought take to heart and practice:  " Make a joyful shout to the LORD , all you lands!  2 Serve the LORD with gladness; c ome before His presence with singing.  3  Know that the LORD , He is God; i t is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;  w e are His people and the sheep of His pasture.  4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, a nd into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.  5 For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting,  a nd H...

After Moses died, God spoke to Joshua and repeatedly encouraged him to "be strong and of good courage" because God would be with him wherever he went.  God said in  Joshua 1:6-9 , " Be strong and of good courage, for to this people you shall divide as an inheritance the land which I swore to their fathers to give them.  7 Only be strong and very courageous, that you may observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may prosper wherever you go.  8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go ." It is interesting Joshua ...

The covenant and commands God gave to His people provided guidance over what to do and explicit instruction what not to do.  It would do little good to avoid what was evil and shirk doing what God commands or to imagine our souls are profited by embracing good and evil together by our practices. When asked what the greatest commandment was in the Law, Jesus did not quote one of the Ten Commandments.  He instead summed up the Law this way in  Luke 10:27 :  " So he answered and said, "' You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbour as yourself .'"   The active love we show towards God should be demonstrated by doing what pleases Him, and it is also implied we should not do what is wicked in His sight.  Implied in traditional wedding vows is a promise of faithfulness to your spouse, and this can be demonstrated by pursuing adulterous relationships. God spell...

" Then Jesus lifted up His eyes, and seeing a great multitude coming toward Him, He said to Philip, " Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat ?"  6 But this He said to test him, for He Himself knew what He would do ." John 6:5-6 When Jesus asked Philip where they should buy bread for a great multitude of people, it was not because Jesus was ignorant of the situation.  Jesus asked already knowing what He would do.  Because God is all-knowing and the source of all wisdom and understanding, He does not need to rely upon advisors, news reports or messengers.  Jesus revealed Himself to be the Living Bread come down from heaven, the Son of God, when He fed the 5,000 to the full with only five loaves and two fish.  I am amazed and in awe of God who has purposes, plans and foreknowledge of all that will happen for eternity.  No backup plans are needed for the God who knows and does all. I had a friend in university who was studying to be a landscape archit...