Marching Forth!

Years ago during a trip to Israel, we sat on the southern steps of the temple mount and had a brief Bible study.  Our guide pointed out how the steps were constructed intentionally with different tread heights and depths so people would walk carefully, being reminded they were approaching the presence of God.  The idea was never to go up to the house of the LORD casually or without consideration of the enormity of the privilege and responsibilities God bestowed upon His people. We were also told about Ezekiel 46:9 that guided people on how to depart the temple mount after presenting yourself with the appropriate offerings:  " But when the people of the land come before the LORD on the appointed feast days, whoever enters by way of the north gate to worship shall go out by way of the south gate; and whoever enters by way of the south gate shall go out by way of the north gate. He shall not return by way of the gate through which he came, but shall go out through the...

When I left my house the other day, I noticed something out of the ordinary at a house on our street.  Despite the early hour, the front door adorned with a Hindu banner stood wide open with no one in sight.  A small wooden table was arranged on the porch with two ornamental brass and silver vessels sitting on top.  I am not sure what the significance of the decorations and the open door were, but it seemed to signal a home that was open and welcoming to spirits and good luck.  It certainly requires faith to believe a banner (Toran) can act as a spirit filter like a flyscreen--allowing sunlight and the cool breeze to pass through but prevents flies and mosquitos from coming in as well. I suspect those who go to great lengths to obtain good luck and prosperity are often in a quandary when troubles arise and lack sure spiritual footing:  did a malevolent spirit come into their home?  Is their bed or mirror arranged in the wrong way?  Have they angered sp...

As people saved by faith in Jesus Christ, we above all ought to bless the LORD and speak of His great works.  The Law of Moses commanded for parents to diligently teach their children God's words as they sat in the house, walked outside, lay down or rose up.  They were to bind God's word as a sign upon their hand and foreheads and write them on the gates and doorposts of their homes ( Deut. 6:4-9 ).  They were to make God's existence, power, goodness and statues were known so the next generation would continue to know God and walk in ways. Many of us today live in a secular society that does not acknowledge our Creator, thank, or praise Him for anything.  It is good for people to go far and wide to spread the knowledge and love of God to the unreached as missionaries, and it is good to realise people who live in our cities also have never heard the truth about the God of Israel.  How will children born today be introduced to Jesus Christ unless someone speaks ab...

" Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints ." Jude 1:3 In the book of Jude , he wrote to Christian believers to exhort them to earnestly contend for the faith.  The faith to which Jude refers is in Jesus who preached the Gospel and made a way for all sinners to be saved through repentance and faith in the Son of God who died and rose again.  In verse 4 that followed Jude explained why this was necessary:  " For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ ."  Even in the early days of the church, ungodly people had crept into the church, turned the grace of God into lewdness (an opportunity to indulge in lusts) and denied God the Fathe...

" The heavens declare the glory of God;  a nd the firmament shows His handiwork.  2  Day unto day utters speech, a nd night unto night reveals knowledge.  3 There is no speech nor language w here their voice is not heard ." Psalm 19:1-3 The heavens and earth declare the glory of God, and everything that is has been created by God's wisdom and power.  It is remarkable to me people can observe the rising of the sun every day and the phases of the moon, the orderly march of days, weeks, months and years, and not consider this world is more consistent, precise and orderly than we are at our best.  I have never written anything in my diary on a particular date on accident, yet there are intelligent people who assert today is a fortuitous accident--the culmination of billions of years of natural processes that has resulted in things like stable elements, the water cycle, dolphins, rabbits, and human beings. Last night I watched a bad science fiction movie that...

Yesterday I read a sermon of Spurgeon on the subject of Election, and he made a good point concerning the nature of man to complain and find fault with God--even when God allows man to have his own way.  People who hate God always try to pin the blame on God when He is only righteous, just and good.  We have observed this in politics:  when people despise and oppose a leader personally, he cannot do anything right in their eyes.  We observe the same in God's people miraculously delivered from slavery in Egypt who murmured against God and Moses, complained about God's provision and refused to enter the land God promised to give them.  Praise the LORD even when people malign and misunderstand God completely, He continues to draw all people to Himself so they might know Him and be saved.  He does not prevent a single soul from entering into eternal glory (for Christ loves all and died for the sins of the world), but all must come His way by faith in Jesus Chri...

What a wonderful privilege and opportunity we have to bring our requests to the LORD in prayer!  Speaking to God has none of the hindrances we experience with modern phones.  We can call but it does not mean anyone is available to talk.  They may not receive or hear a notification, and when we leave a message it can go unread and unanswered.  Our phones can run out of battery or be out of the range of networks which renders communication using them impossible.  Communication with God depends upon the LORD who knows and does all things, God who does not slumber or sleep, and His ears are always open to our cries.  The God who appeared to Solomon and said, "Ask!  What shall I give you?" is just as eager and willing to respond to our praying. The Bible has many examples of people who were locked up and prevented from contacting others yet had continuous communion with God--and sometimes it was God who initiated the call!   Jeremiah 33:1-3 says,...