Do You Love People?

Yesterday I took Zed to his soccer practice and was blessed by the love of total strangers.  When Fred and Mary sat down and started a conversation, we didn't stay strangers for long!  For the duration of Zed's practice we talked about all kinds of things:  sport, family, work, Australia, WWII, the weather, and Jesus.  Towards the end of practice we exchanged details.  Our family has been invited to share a meal with two of the most delightful people imaginable.  Before we shook hands and left for the evening, I was struck by a statement Fred made:  "We love people."  And it really showed!

A heart of love is not revealed by words but by caring actions.  God's love is so unnatural but comes through people in the most natural ways.  How many practical ways was I shown genuine love?  Fred and Mary sat right down next to me and started talking.  They were interested and happy to chat.  During our conversation I was offered a toffee.  When the rain began to fall I was offered shelter under an umbrella.  Instead of distance, I was invited right into their lives through the sharing of experiences.  After all this, they were delighted to extend an invitation into their own home to share a traditional Italian meal.  They gave me personal details and entreated me to call them soon.  Why?  Because they love people.

This kind of unsolicited love is also seen in my Saviour, Jesus Christ.  God's active love is revealed through deeds.  Those who are filled with the Holy Spirit will reveal the same quality of sacrificial love seen in Jesus Christ.  The love of my friends reminds me of Matthew 25:31-40:  "When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. ³² All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats. ³³ And He will set the sheep on His right hand, but the goats on the left. ³⁴ Then the King will say to those on His right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: ³⁵ for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; ³⁶ I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.' ³⁷ Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? ³⁸ When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? ³⁹ Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' ⁴⁰ And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me."

As Christians, we ought to love like Jesus.  Sometimes we struggle to see what shape this should take in our families, workplaces, or even at the soccer field.  It is hard to fathom that when we see the lonely and sick, the imprisoned or thirsty, the hungry or destitute, we are looking at Christ.  It is not physically Christ Himself, but when we do good towards those in need we do it to Christ.  Consider this quote from Mother Theresa's book, No Greater Love (pages 66-68):

If you are really in love with Christ, no matter how small your work, it will be done better; it will be wholehearted.  Your work will prove your love.  You may be exhausted with work, you may even kill yourself, but unless your work is interwoven with love, it is useless.  To work without love is slavery...You can touch the sick, the leper and believe that it is the body of Christ you are touching, but it is much more difficult when these people are drunk or shouting to think that this is Jesus is His distressing disguise.  How clean and loving our hands must be to be able to bring that compassion to them!  We need to be pure in heart to see Jesus in the person of the spiritually poorest...We consider it an honor to serve Christ in the distressing disguise of the spiritually poorest; we do it with deep gratitude and reverence in a spirit of sharing.

It is impossible to share the love of Christ with the world in a moment.  But it is possible to share His love with one person in need.  That is how Jesus reached the world and still does today:  one person, one act, one conversation at a time.  Even when sharing God's love with one person seems overwhelming, the power of God works to empower us to do what we naturally cannot.  2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us, "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  All things are possible for those who believe!  Jesus loves all people, and we ought to love them too.  And because we love both God and man, we do.

Agreeing With God

As Christians, our faith in God is exercised according to knowledge.  God has revealed Himself through creation, the perfection of His Law and Word, the person of Jesus Christ, and the person of the Holy Spirit.  Instead of telling us to believe without thought, we are to consider Christ's claims and choose to place our faith in Him willingly.  It is an amazing irony, that the intellect God has given us to consider the Gospel can both aid and hinder us in our spiritual journey in following Jesus.

It is no recent realization to me that many Christians who take initial step of faith to follow Jesus stop short of the grace and gifts He desires them to operate.  The apostles followed Jesus while He lived, but remained in unbelief after His resurrection.  It is written in Mark 16:14 of Christ:  "Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen."  Most people are surprised to think that the ones who had been willing to leave their nets and occupations to follow Christ would remain in unbelief, even after hearing Jesus with their ears prophesy:  "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up."  The most devout believers can cultivate hearts hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.  It's not only the Pharisees who turn the temple into a den of thieves, for even Christians can allow the Temple of the Holy Spirit to become a den of iniquity.

I believe it is normal for our faith in Christ to lead us places we hesitate to go.  Faith in Christ also leads us to places we initially refuse to go!  God told Jonah to go preach to Nineveh, but Jonah ran from his responsibility.  God may tell you to give up a hobby or throw out some stuff in your house.  You may have faith to trust that Jesus cleanses you from all sin, but stop short of obedience because of an intellectual hindrance.  Your experiences may erode your faith that the promises in God's Word actually apply to you.  Sure, you believe that Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father, but you are not convinced He will lift you from depression or remove your shame.  What a scourge our intellect is when it hinders our faith!

It is just as impossible to convince a heathen person that his sins have doomed him to hell as trying to convince a born-again Christian that it is God's will He be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  How can this be?  Because the natural man cannot receive the things of God because they are foolishness to him.  The natural man does not operate according to faith, but by sight.  We desperately need the Holy Spirit to teach, guide, and enable us to desire to receive the great gifts God has provided for all His children.  Solid reasoning is nothing without the power of God's Word and the Holy Spirit opening the eyes of the blind.

Do any of your opinions or thoughts stand in opposition to God?  These arguments will stumble you until they are thrown down by the power of God.  Praise God He has given us the means to overcome through Him: 2 Cor. 10:3-5:  "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. [4] For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, [5] casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."  Do not argue with God and fight against His Word or your conscience, brothers and sisters.  Can you understand the infinite God with your finite mind?  Consider well what hinders you from being baptized by Jesus with the Holy Spirit and fire.  Return to your first works of repentance and trust in Christ as a child.  Jesus will run to you and His reward is with Him!

Salvation Psalm

"The LORD lives! Blessed be my Rock! Let God be exalted, the Rock of my salvation!"

2 Samuel 22:47

 

Our God is above all gods!  Since He lives whom should we fear besides Him?  How great is our God and worthy to be praised!  The earth shakes, the ground opens its mouth.  The rocks are torn with great shaking, waves destroy the face of the earth.  Trees are splintered, hills sink and become valleys.  The mountains are broken by fierce wind, and mud covers the land as a shroud.  Above this God reigns in glory and power, a Rock of Salvation that cannot be moved.  He holds the stars in His right hand, and the earth is His footstool.  His arrows are bolts of lightning, and His power is revealed in thunder.  He is a God exalted who reigns on high, mighty and full of glory.  What man or nation can stand before Him?  He makes the earth as water and the mountains melt in His presence.  Where shall you flee, O man?  Where can you hide from His presence?  The whole earth trembles before its Maker:  are you too proud to tremble before Him, O man?  Hear our cries for help O Father, for our only hope is in you.  Come speedily to our aid for there is none to deliver.  Those who are proud will be brought low, even to hell, and those who are contrite He will exalt to His right hand, even to the heavens.  God is exalted and therefore can exalt.  Jesus is exalted over all and has been magnified in glory above all others, that at the name of Jesus Christ every knee shall bow and every tongue confess that Jesus is LORD to the glory of God the Father.  The stone rejected by the builders has become the Chief Cornerstone, and this is marvelous in my eyes!  Praise God there is healing in His wings.

Jesus Loves You!

"And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, He was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁵ Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. ¹⁶ And He took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them."

Mark 10:13-16

All morning the words of Christ have been running through my mind:  "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not:  for of such is the kingdom of God."  As I meditate upon this scripture, I am led to consider the context.  People brought their children to be touched by Jesus, but the disciples withstood and rebuked the parents who did so.  Why would they do this?

I am convinced that we have sanitized our ideas of Jesus Christ by picture books we've seen since we were young and in doing so have weakened the Gospel.  In our pages Jesus sits wearing His white robe and blue sash, and little happy children are sitting on his lap.  They don't look smelly or dirty or covered with fleas.  They don't look diseased or sick or have muddy drool and sweat all over their faces.  Most pictures show fully-clothed, lily-white, clean, perfect little kids without frowns, hurts, or tears.  Do you think that is how the kids really looked?  I bet the kids brought to Jesus were from the poor lower class of folks who had no hope in the world except Jesus.  And when they brought their scruffy looking kids the disciples said, Not a chance!  Why would you trouble the Teacher with these dirty kids crawling with vermin?

This angered Jesus, who had come to seek and save the lost.  Jesus didn't come to earth so people could be turned from Him, but so He could save them.  Do you notice that He did much more than these hopeful parents could have dreamed?  Jesus not only blessed them, but He gathered them up in His arms!  He put his hands on them and prayed over them.  He didn't recoil because of their stench or lack of sanitation.  He didn't put on gloves or quickly go to His bottle of hand sanitizer after he touched a child.  He didn't change into His back-up robe because some dirt or mucus dripped onto Him.  He blessed those kids and hugged them just the same.  He kissed those sick kids like a loving dad.  And He sternly rebuked His disciples:  DON'T YOU DARE hinder the children from coming to Me!

When you saw those pictures as a child, did sadness fill your heart because you weren't happy or pretty or perfect?  As an adult do you feel that Jesus is too aloof to reach out His hand to touch you, take you in His arms and bring comfort to your soul?  You see your filth, you smell your stench of sin and think, Why would God trouble Himself with someone like me?  Sometimes well-meaning disciples of Christ hinder people from coming to Him because of requirements they place on others.  But Jesus has no requirements except that we come to Him in faith, trusting in Him alone.  Are you sick in soul, deeply wounded, feel like an outcast, or afraid Jesus doesn't want you?  Don't buy that lie of the devil!  Jesus came to open the eyes of the blind, heal the sick, release the prisoners from their addictions and oppressions, and set people free.  He came to breathe life into our souls dead in sins, and fill us with His Holy Spirit that we might know Him intimately.

Come to Jesus today as you are.  He will not only bless you, but hold you close with comfort.  Repent and have your sins washed away with His precious blood.  Those who come to Him He will never cast out.  You need never again be apart.

William Gurnall Quote

I was reading Gurnall's classic The Christian in Complete Armour yesterday and discovered an amazing observation.  We know that God can work all things for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purposes.  But would you think anything good could come from Adam transgressing God's command and bring the scourge of sin and death to all mankind?  Yes!  God wrought good despite man's rebellion, because now by faith we can experience closeness with God even Adam did not possess!  We can have the fullness of God dwelling within us by God's grace!   If it wasn't written in scripture, it would be too good to be believed. 

" The reconciled sinner hath the advantage of Adam in his union to God, as it is nearer.  The union is nearer, because God and man make one person in Christ.  This is such a mystery as was not heard of by Adam in all his glory.  He, indeed, was in league of love and friendship with God-and that was the best flower in his crown-but he could lay no claim to such kindred and consanguinity as now - with reverence be it spoken - the reconciled soul can with God.  This comes in by the marriage of the divine nature with the human, in the person of Christ, which personal union is the foundation of another, a mystical union betwixt Christ and the person of every believer; and this is so near a union, that, as by the union of the divine nature and human…The reconciled sinner hath the advantage of Adam in his union to God as it is stronger.  Therefore stronger, because nearer.  The closer stones stand together the stronger the building.  The union betwixt God and Adam in the first Covenant, was not so near but Adam might fall, and yet God’s glory stand entire and unshaken; but the union now is so close and strong betwixt Christ and his saints, that Christ cannot be Christ without his members.  “Because I live,” saith Christ, “ye shall live also,” (John 14:19) implying that their life was bound up in his, and that it was as easy for him to be turned out of heaven as for them to be kept out...the reconciled sinner hath the advantage of Adam in his communion with God.  There nearer, we use to say, the dearer.  Communion results from union.  If the union be nearer and stronger between a reconciled soul and God than Adam’s was, his communion must needs be sweeter and fuller.  Why else is the communion of husband and wife fuller than of friend and friend, but because the union is closer?  God converseth with Adam as a friend with his friend and ally, but with the reconciled soul; as a husband with his wife.  “Thy Maker is thy Husband,” (Is. 54:5) there is a double sweetness peculiar to the reconciled sinner’s communion with God…The Christian cannot lift up now an eye of faith to God, but he sees his own nature standing upon the throne by him in the person of Christ.  And, if the sight of Joseph at Pharaoh’s right hand, in court favour and honour, sent the patriarchs home with such a joyful news to their aged father, what a ravishing message of joy must faith carry then to the soul of a reconciled sinner, when it comes in after some vision of love in an ordinance and saith, “Cheer up, O my soul, I see Jesus Christ, thy near kinsman, at God’s right hand in glory, to whom ‘all power is given in heaven and earth;’ fear not, he is so nigh in blood to thee that he cannot be unmindful of thee, except he should do what were unnatural in thyself, that is, hide himself from his own flesh.’  The lower a prince stoops to the meanest of his subjects, the more familiar he makes himself to his subjects.”

William Gurnall, Christian in Complete Armour, Pg. 500-501

A Love that Pursues

"Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, ²⁰ let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins."

James 5:19-20

There is no shortage of needs in the world.  When we think of the "lost" our minds automatically pigeon-hole the group of people who have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Maybe we think of people in distant lands who speak foreign languages.  It is likely we do not consider the regular church goer to be included in the lost.  Even more incredible, we hardly believe a lost person could be a born-again Christian!

Wait a second, you might be thinking.  What do you mean that a Christian can be lost?  I do not mean "lost" as far as eternally lost and doomed to hell, but lost in the sense they have wandered from the truth.  To illustrate the point, let's say you decide to hike in a thickly wooded area, at first careful to follow the path.  As you continue to explore and are caught up in the raw beauty of your surroundings, after a while you realize you are no longer on a clear trail.  Do you know where you are?  You would likely be able to supply general answers.  You would know if you were in a national park, or maybe know the reserve name, or the suburb you parked in before the trek.  But though you know your basic location, you have become lost without a sense of direction.  A lost man often does not know where or when he became lost and cannot find his way back without outside help.

How horrible would it be if people knew you had taken a trek into the woods but did not search for you because they were assured of your competence!  "He knows these woods like the back of his hand," they might say to each other.  "Maybe he decided to camp out overnight under the stars.  I'm sure he is prepared for that storm rolling in."  At that precise moment you would likely be panicked because you have lost your way and are unprepared.  Even worse, no one even thinks of looking for you because they are certain of your abilities.  Do you know this constantly happens in church fellowships today?  Church leaders and congregants can come to church with smiles and firm handshakes but be neck-deep in a spiritual slough.  People might become isolated or disillusioned because they have wandered from communion with Jesus.  Some shrug their shoulders and say, "Well, at least he's saved."  God forbid!

The scripture in James makes it clear he is referring to people who once walked on the true path of following Jesus.  But for whatever reason, they have wandered from fellowship with Christ and are for the lack of a better word, lost.  Galatians 6:1 says, "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted."  Christians can be ensnared by sin.  They can also be hopelessly confused or stuck.  The devil has whispered in their ear so long they don't know what to think or do.  A strong man can fall into a hole too deep to climb out of by himself.  How necessary it is that brothers and sisters in Christ would commit such a one to prayer and take all practical steps to assist that person.  Restoration should be as important ministry of the church as evangelism.  Even the redeemed must often be restored.

Christ has given us the victory through His shed blood.  But that doesn't mean we always walk in the victory He has provided.  As your body is conscious to protect all parts from harm and injury, the Body of Christ is designed for every part to be cognisant of the pain of other parts.  We are all accountable unto God and to each other.  The Law given to Moses states that if you saw your neighbor's ox wandering it was your responsibility to retrieve it so it wouldn't be lost, injured, or stolen.  If we should be watchful for wandering livestock, shouldn't we be mindful of our brothers and sisters in Christ who have wandered?  You have the opportunity to bring a soul back from sinning against the LORD and giving occasions for Christ's name to be blasphemed.  Yes, we have a God-given duty to intervene with love to restore such a one with grace and mercy.

Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."  Apart from the grace of God, we would be eternally lost.  Take every opportunity to restore those who have wandered from God and need help.  Love keeps no record of wrongs.  I have heard people define God's "agapao" and "agape" love as unconditional, but that is incomplete:  it means, "the active love of God for His Son and His people, and the active love His people are to have for God, each other, and even enemies" (Strong's Concordance).  ALL lost people both inside and outside the church need God's pursuing, active love revealed through us.  LORD Jesus, teach us to love and pursue like you!

Refuse to Accuse

Have you ever been falsely accused of doing wrong?  As I circled a roundabout today, I was emphatically flipped off by a woman with so fierce a glare I could only laugh.  I entered into the roundabout with my right indicator on, planning on performing a u-turn.  The woman was on the opposite side on the outer lane and must have expected me to go straight through because halfway through my turn she entered the far left lane.  Seeing me directly next to her as we slowly turned, she did her best to insult me for her own blunder for not giving way.

I have to admit I was a little confused by her response.  A part of me that wanted to be angry, and another part that thought the whole thing was ridiculous.  But it made me think about false accusations and how bad they can make us feel.  I thought about how Jesus was brought before Caiaphas and falsely accused as being a blasphemer.  How ironic that the Righteous One was falsely slandered and maligned by wicked men under the guise of justice and honoring God!  The irony did not insulate Christ from the pain.  It amazes me to consider that God never accuses people.  Accusations can be true or false and are often spawned through distrust with incomplete information.  God makes righteous judgments based upon complete, perfect knowledge and wisdom.  Instead of threatening, God warns.

Both man and Satan are highly skilled in the art of accusation and threats.  A woman caught in the act of adultery was once brought before Jesus.  The scribes and Pharisees asked Jesus what should be done with her:  if Jesus ordered her death it would be illegal according to Roman law, and if He said to let her live He would be in violation of the Law of Moses.  I'm sure they wondered how Jesus could possibly reconcile this difficult position.  But Jesus said, "Whoever is without sin, let him throw the first stone."  One by one the accusers left and John 8:10-11 says, "When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, "Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" ¹¹ She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said to her, "Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more."  Jesus could have hurled accusations because He was a man or threw stones at the woman because He was God incarnate.  But instead He offered words of comfort and an exhortation to live righteously.  Though being a man, Jesus acted opposite from men because He is also God.  Accusations come from a position of weakness, not strength.

Zechariah 3:1 shows us an interesting picture of a spiritual reality:  "Then he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right side to accuse him." (NIV)  In another insightful passage, Revelation 12:10, this role Satan plays in opposing the children of God is revealed:  "Then I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, 'Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down.'"  Though Satan may accuse us, his toothless words can never undo the atoning work of Christ's precious blood.  God will never hearken to the accusations of the enemy of our souls.  The great danger is Christians can be deceived to take his poisonous words to heart.  Praise God that we have a Redeemer and Advocate in Jesus Christ, who is faithful and just to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness according to His merit!

When we are falsely accused without cause, we can in that moment share in the sufferings of Christ.  It is in that place of identification where our appreciation of our Savior grows and flourishes.  Thank God for such a Savior who in all points was tempted, yet remained without sin!  Instead of accusing others, let us offer the grace of God.  God's love is what this sinning world is dying for.

Designed to Fail

I was raised in a family of tradesman.  My grandpa is still laying carpet well into his 70's, and my late grandad was a shipwright and construction worker.  My dad is a carpenter and my brother and I both are trained as journeyman mechanical insulators.  As I grew up I was often exposed to many facets of construction between home remodeling and church renovations.  I remember the first day I worked eight hours:  my dad set me up to nail the floor/deck of our upstairs room addition with a bucket of eight-penny nails and a 16oz. hammer.  We snapped some chalk lines and it was on!

Construction projects, like life, provide many opportunities to learn from mistakes.  It also provides many opportunities to follow builders and repair their mistakes!  Some of these repairs could be due to improvements in specifications or codes.  But quite often it is clear repairs must be made because of shoddy craftsmanship!  The evidence of cutting corners can be hidden behind walls, above ceilings, under floors, and it is likely years later before the structure reveals its faults.  Structural changes might also be necessary because of a design flaw.  After production it is discovered that the architects or engineers had neglected to factor significant issues into the design.

In my university days, I took a course in geology.  Our professor showed pictures of a house built near a steep slope.  Instead of constructing four houses on adequate lots, the builder had tried to squeeze in a fifth lot.  Because of the type of expansive soil in the area, she believed the small retaining wall would not be able to support the hillside at the back of the property.  She took pictures immediately after the project was complete and every month came back to take another picture.  Sure enough, within a year or two the entire slope had broken through the wall and smashed the back side of the house.  The house was condemned and later demolished.  Because of her background in geological studies, my professor was able to confidently predict the failure of the design.

Nothing that man does in this world is perfect.  There is no such thing as a "perfect" construction project.  Things go wrong, designs must be revised, and mistakes are made.  But even if man was flawless in his building there would need to be maintenance.  A perfectly painted wall fades, and a well-designed footing can settle and crack.  The best roofs will last about thirty years and tile grout becomes dingy with mold.  Man's best efforts are designed to fail because man is stricken with sin.  Heeding the modern wisdom of the world is compared by Christ to a man who builds upon sand.  When the waves crash and the winds blow, great will be the fall of that house because it had no foundation.

How foolish would it be for the fallen house to be built again with a revised set of drawings, taking in account waves and wind yet with no thought of a foundation!  The world is destined for failure.  Amazingly the Bible teaches us the world will not be destroyed by the folly of men, climate change, or greenhouse gases:  God will step in and destroy it Himself!  2 Peter 3:9-12 says,  "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up. ¹¹ Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, ¹² looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be dissolved, being on fire, and the elements will melt with fervent heat?"  Only God is fully able to create and destroy.  Man is certainly destructive, and his only hope for salvation is in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus says in Matthew 7:22-27:  "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' ²³ And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!' ²⁴ "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."  I always found it annoying to build sand castles because it wasn't long before my labour was erased by the encroaching tide or some kid would knock it down when I wasn't looking.  Man in himself is no more stable than a sandcastle.  The days breeze by and even the memory of man fades into nothing.  Headstones crack and crumble, and the body decays and turns to dust.

Jesus says in John 11:25-26,  "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"  Christ is the Chief Cornerstone, an everlasting Foundation to build upon.  Let us take heed where we build!  If we build on Christ we need only build once!

Be Brilliant!

Last night before I went to sleep, I thought about the great need of the world for Jesus Christ.  The world is full of people that deny God's existence and are willfully ignorant of the sacrifice Christ has given for their redemption and salvation.  My mind wandered to many groups of people that are largely unreached by the church.  People searching for the love and forgiveness of God are turned away by the hate and disgust they feel towards them from professing Christians.  "How can those lost people who impale themselves with their own lusts be brought to Christ?" I thought.

When I got out of bed to close the window, I looked the dark street below.  Light from a street light behind my house flooded through the swaying vertical blinds.  I blinked in the light and I considered how Jesus reached the world and it was never again the same.  First of all, He was and is the Light of the World.  He was in the world but was not of the world.  His conduct was a shining example of God's sacrificial, active love.  The second thought which crossed my mind is that Jesus Christ did not remain in the heavens.  Instead of remaining unobtainable and impersonal in divine glory, Jesus came down to earth as a person.  He touched and mingled with people.  Jesus reached people who needed healing, help, forgiveness, and love.

Sometimes we Christians become so overwhelmed with saving the whole world we forget we have a neighbor who needs to hear the Good News.  We theorize and build church programs to reach a segment of society when an ignored co-worker is in deep depression and considering suicide.  Jesus could have become a politician.  He could have become an activist for civil or animal rights.  He could have invested in swords, militias, and propaganda to fuel a revolution.  Jesus did none of these things.  He knew every method of the world was incapable of redeeming the world.  How did Jesus change the world?  With God's love and grace.  With mercy and truth.  He sent the power of the Holy Spirit to transform people from within.  He did it one person at a time.

The way of Christ is a path every single Christian ought to walk.  Jesus did nothing for "posterity:"  He did it to glorify and honor His Father in heaven.  Churches all over the world often seem to operate for the purpose of creating a lasting legacy through buildings, curriculum, books, DVDs, methods, or organizations.  Vance Havner says it very well in his brilliant simplicity:  "The only way to minister effectively to this generation is to be Christians in it.  I do not mean run-of-the-mill church members, but Christians in all the glorious implications of the word." (Why Not Just Be Christians, pg. 13)  Jesus is the true Messiah, the Savior of the world - and there was only one of Him.  Has being a Christian lost its glorious brilliance?  If it has, either the power of God has ceased or Christians have ceased to be empowered by God!  When we cease operating to honor Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit, rust seizes us and dims Christ's glorious light.

It is time for us to be Christians!  Instead of shaking our heads at the condition of the world and the church, let us be tuned to Jesus Christ and shine bright for Him.  Allow me to quote again from Havner:  "We Christians do not need unanimity or unification.  The only place where you will ever get the saints together is where they are already together, in Jesus Christ.  We need more unity of the Spirit.  There is a common understanding when we are in Him.  One does not tune twenty pianos by harmonizing each with the other; they are tuned to a tuning fork, and when each is in tune with the standard pitch, they are in tune with each other." (pg. 13-14)  Let's shine for Christ and glorify Him!

Birth No Excuse

On the radio today I heard a song by Lady GaGa called, "Born This Way."  The song begins in unassuming way, even mentioning God as the Maker and Designer of man.  The chorus states, "I'm beautiful in my way 'cause God makes no mistakes I'm on the right track, baby I was born this way."  There is nothing wrong with rejoicing in the marvelous creation of God.  David says in Psalm 139:14, "I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well."  It is true that God makes no mistakes, and even Paul affirms "by the grace of God I am what I am" in 1 Corinthians 15:10.

God makes no mistakes, but man certainly does!  And this is the problem with GaGa's philosophy and humanistic theology:  man is born on the wrong track because all men are sold under sin.  In Romans 7:14-15 Paul writes, "For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. ¹⁵ For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do."  In telling a half-truth, this song is a complete lie.  Man, because of his sin nature and voluntary rebellion against God, the Bible reveals is on a certain track to hell.  It is written in Revelation 21:8:  "But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."  Man cannot blame God for His own sin.  That would be like blaming the law when you are convicted by it!  If a man rapes a child, he cannot complain that without the law he would be blameless.  The law is good and shows a man is wicked.

At the very core of this song is the modern tide of subjective morality.  Some will admit God exists if it enables self-justification, but the same will deny God's right to govern the world according to His definition of righteousness.  Towards the end of the song the true colors of immorality are laid bare for all to see:  "No matter gay, straight or bi, lesbian, transgendered life I'm on the right track, baby."  A person may be born with tendencies to curse, be a drunk, a thief, a liar, and have a heart filled with covetousness.  Man has erred and estranged himself from God through his own sin.  But no man on the Day of Judgment will be able to look at the God of all Creation, point the finger and accuse God:  "You have made me this way!  I was born this way!  I had no choice in the matter."  God has given every man an opportunity to be BORN AGAIN through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  You might have been born into sin, but Jesus died and rose from the dead so we could be born again from above by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans chapter 1 describes in very certain terms that all men are without excuse and will be held accountable for all sins we commit in this life according to God's standard.  Sexual sin and fornication is a sin man commits against not only God, but his own body.  1 Corinthians 6:18 says, "Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body."  All sex which outside a marriage relationship between one man and one woman is sin.  No amount of sex can fill the needs of a person to be accepted and loved.  Sex can be addictive because it does not satisfy permanently.  It temporarily satisfies and excites the flesh, but leaves a gnawing desire for more.  There are many things people substitute for a right relationship with God, but nothing brings divine acceptance except repentance, confession of sin, and faith in Jesus Christ.  Jesus is the One who leads people from the bondage of sexual and chemical addiction into a life of eternal freedom with Him.  Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life - no one comes to the Father except through Him. 

Galatians 6:7-8 reads, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."  God has made man and given each person a choice:  whether he will agree with God and submit to His rule, or if man will rebel against God and live according to the desires of his own flesh.  Proverbs 14:12 says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death."  All men die, and God has made a way for men to rejoice eternally in His presence.  Let us choose to respond to God's love in joyful union with Him.

Real or Fake?

At Calvary Chapel Sydney we have a Tuesday morning prayer meeting from 6 to 7:30am open to all who desire to attend.  After I started the coffee and sat down to read the Bible before the meeting, I looked towards the front door.  On a table near the entry sits a green, thriving plant.  I my experience, plants do not stay green on their own!  My best efforts to keep green things green and growing typically produce dismal results.  Over the past couple months I have seen different people from the church checking the condition of the plant, watering it, and clearing away the ants which on a daily basis find it again and again.

Taking care of the plant is no one's job and yet is a job always done.  As far as I know the care for this plant is not governed by sign-in sheets, a planned roster, or even word of mouth.  Amazingly this living plant looks a million times better than most of the plastic plants I have seen in churches or office buildings.  Because caring for a live plant is sometimes difficult or impossible because of lighting or other conditions, some purchase synthetic plants to add some greenery.  Synthetic plants, though they require less continual maintenance, involve a good deal of labor to occasionally wash the dust which firmly adheres to the silk petals and leaves.

It occurred to me that as both real plants and fake plants adorn buildings all over the world, people can choose to be real or fake when they enter a church building.  Some people seem to actually prefer a fake atmosphere, where everyone is fine and life is great.  This approach seems predictable and safe, has minimal upkeep, and no trimming or fertilizing required.  This is a life devoid of life and therefore devoid of love.  When people are real, that is when God and His people are free to serve each other.  There will be watering necessary, trimming, removal of dead foliage, and perhaps even have to deal with difficulties.  Ants are attracted to water because it has the power to sustain life.  The main difference between a real and fake plant is a real plant is alive, while the fake plant never was.

Sometimes it can be hard to tell the real from the fake.  I find it ironic that we rarely think fake plants are real upon close inspection, but people will scrutinize a real flower and say, "It's real?  It looks so fake!"  When a flower is gently touched, the cool softness betrays it as a living plant.  The fragrance also stimulates our senses to discern the truth.  It would be wrong for any person to judge the depth of someone else's spiritual walk because of his or her personality.  Some people are naturally more transparent than others, and this can be as much a strength or a fault.

The fact remains that there are real Christians who attend church, and also fake ones.  Judas appeared to the disciples to be above reproach though Satan had entered into him.  When Jesus said, "What you do, do quickly," John 13:29 tells us what was going on in all the disciple's minds:  "For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, "Buy those things we need for the feast," or that he should give something to the poor. "  They thought he was going to do a blessed service, when instead he was intent on the betrayal and murder of Christ!  Jesus was willing that all, even Judas, come to the knowledge of the truth and did not exclude him.  God has given us all an opportunity to be born again, and our new life is to spent cultivating this new life in others.  Galatians 6:10 says, "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith."

If you notice something needs doing, it may be God wants you to do something about it!  Instead of complaining about the drama in our own lives or the lives of fellow believers, instead of growing weary from picking up dead leaves and clearing away ants, let us praise God for the life He has brought to our souls and to those in our fellowships.  Don't wait for someone to do what God has enabled and equipped you to do.  Can you water a plant?  Can you share Christ's love?  Can you reach out to those who are hurting?  By God's grace, yes we can!

Lesson from a Chicken Man

Yesterday after church service many of the ladies from our church gathered together for yum cha at a local restaurant.  Not to be left out, some men went over to North Rocks for a meal at Nando's.  I had never been to Nando's before and were treated with some delicious spicy chicken.  I ordered extra hot chicken and added extra-extra hot peri-peri sauce...it was a welcome amount of heat for a spicy food enthusiast as myself.

While we waited for our party to arrive, we were greeted by a Nando's employee offering chicken wings to people who passed by.  Most people who walked by were happy to enjoy a sample or two.  Occasionally there was a person who was not interested, but the bearer of wings did not seem to mind.  He continued to happily hand out samples and vouchers:  why should he be ashamed to offer quality meat for free?

As I ate my sample I thought about the parallels of evangelism.  Jesus is the Bread of Life freely offered not just to satisfy a stomach temporarily, but to save souls for eternity.  In offering Christ to others we address the greatest need of all people for love, redemption, forgiveness, and salvation.  The truth is, most people are more interested to fill their mouths and stomachs with lemon and herb roasted chicken than to consider the truth of the Gospel.  We as Christians ought to be as joyful to offer the Gospel without offense to all as this chicken man, I thought.

Do we as Christians believe Christ is better than roasted chicken?  Of course!   I considered differences in motivation.  This man was a paid employee who offered free chicken on the hopes that people would buy more chicken.  It is to our shame that we would offer the Gospel for the express purpose of inviting people to attend our churches.  This cheapens the sacrifice of our Savior.  It is good to be able to direct seekers to fellowships where they will be exposed to the whole counsel of God's Word, don't get me wrong.  But our motivation for sharing Jesus must never be to increase attendance of our church.  That makes us like mere hirelings.  We ought to share Christ with the lost for the sake of Christ.  We share Jesus because of the souls He died and rose to save, not to fill pews.

If we shrink from the idea of sharing Christ with others, we must confess it as sin.  It brings glory to God when we are without shame concerning the Gospel as Paul states in Romans 1:16:  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek."  Also he affirms in Romans 10:11:  "For the Scripture says, "Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."   Just think of the power of the God through the Gospel to save!  Let us be bold to share Christ with the world for His sake alone motivated by God's love.  Jesus has taken our shame:  let us choose never to pick it up again.

Mark Peters, My Friend

Yesterday I received word that one of my friends and co-laborers at Calvary Chapel El Cajon has passed into eternity:  Mark Peters.  His time of difficulty has passed, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. Having been born again by the power of the Holy Spirit through faith in Christ, Mark undoubtedly now rejoices in heaven.  My grief is great, not because Mark has gone home but that I was unable to visit him as he lay dying.  I will not be able to attend a service to memorialize his life.  Though God is a present help and comfort to me, presenting a tangible testimony of my thoughts of Mark in the presence of his family and friends is unobtainable.

Hence the impetus for this post:  let me tell you a little about my friend Mark.  The thing which struck you immediately about Mark is that he was real.  His faith and love for God was real.  He had not had an easy life by any means - there had been many struggles along the way, but God brought him safely through.  His enjoyment and willingness to serve God was not a contrived ploy to find favor with men or God.  There are certain "decorum" guidelines set for the ushers at the church, but I don't know that Mark heeded them!  He would sing with gusto and raise his hands to God in praise.  Every Sunday he was there, holding his cup of 7/11 coffee, greeting people, having loud conversations, moving chairs.  He was a Roman Guard annually at our Easter outreach.  I'm pretty sure Mark has helped set up for every Easter sunrise service I can remember...we'll miss his helpful hands.

A lather by trade, a man well-acquainted with dirt-bikes who listened to Third Day, a fixture greeting people at the door with coffee and bulletins in hand, a man who came with his son Richard to Men's Retreats...but this is only scratching the surface of who Mark is.  I say who Mark "is," because Mark has not ceased to be.  His body has ceased to function, but his soul lives on in the presence of Christ his King.  He is clothed not only with Christ's robe of righteousness, but a glorified body with which to serve God forever.  I can hear his voice rising strong and clear over hosts of angels, tirelessly praising the God who has graciously granted him eternal life.

The days of coffee, lath, and plaster are finished - but eternal day has dawned for Mark.  Gone are the days of sickness and pain, arrived is the age of complete freedom from sin and earthly limitations.  Sing Mark, jump for joy!  You have entered into the joy of the LORD, where there is no darkness forever and ever.

Do you know this hope of eternal life is offered to you as well?  Romans 5:8 says, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Mark confessed his sin, and asked Christ to forgive him.  John 3:16-17 reads, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved."

A short haitus...

Our family has just moved into our new rental home, and so much has been happening both at church and with the moving process.  About 85% of our things have been taken out of boxes, and books primarily remain packed.  Our new house will not have an operational land-line or Internet connection until February 10th, so our daily routine is to go somewhere so we can hurriedly check e-mails, do our banking, etc.  Needless to say, blogging will be nearly impossible for the next couple weeks!

Where do I begin in explaining the "hecticity" of our lives right now?  Saturday night we were in a car accident (everyone ok, we were not at fault) so the back of the car is smashed in.  The back window exploded and is now covered with cling wrap and tape (not pretty, but effective!) which greatly limits our carrying capacity!  I am happy to say that the car in front of us which we hit suffered very minor damage, just traded a little paint.  Two of the five cars involved were towed away, so we are blessed to still have a functional vehicle.

Today we're off to buy furniture, tomorrow we have Women's Bible study at church and visitation, Thursday another meeting is likely, Friday I need to take the car to be assessed, and all day Saturday we are going to the youth camp held by our fellowship which includes a baptism...and somewhere in between I need to prepare for a couple of messages, pray, and spend time with the family.  Praise God that our times are in His hands, and our lives are bound up in His.  God is good, and His mercy endures to all generations!

Thanks for keeping up with the blog and be sure to check in occasionally because it won't be long before we're back in the swing of things.  May God bless you richly!

Inner Alchemy?

While driving down Old Windsor Road I saw a company name written on a vehicle which interested me:  it read something to the effect of "Inner Alchemy Massage Therapy."  Alchemy is a fascinating subject because it has never been successful.  Like Rumpelstiltskin turned straw into gold, people through the ages have tried to use chemical means to change worthless or cheap metals into valuable ones.  No matter how many chemicals a person adds to lead or tin, it will never become platinum or gold.

The company name I read illustrates the fact that man thinks that by stimulating the body or mind with religion, philosophy, or exercise, he can purify himself.  Is it possible that a massage of muscles can increase the value of my soul?  This is a far stretch!  And why, if man believes himself naturally good (which he is not - that is why we lock our doors, protect our personal details, and buy pepper-spray), do we need any "inner alchemy" at all?  Man has been born into sin, and no amount of pampering or make-up or holidays will change this.  Our chemical imbalances pale in comparison to our spiritual negligence.  No amount of counseling or psycho-therapy will solve our sin-problem:  only Jesus can purify our hearts from sin!

There is much a man can do to make himself a better person from without, but no man can begin to be good inside without the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ within.  All attempts at alchemy have failed, and so has every attempt of man to draw near to God by his own "goodness."  Religion churns out devils, but Jesus redeems sinners and makes them saints.  How many men in a vain attempt to earn the favor of God have denied themselves of God's grace and perished eternally, while those who cry out "O LORD be merciful to me a sinner!" have entered into life eternal.  Praise God for the transformation He alone can do!  He does not change us from one element to another, but a complete change from death to life.  Thank Him for that!

The Atheist's Dilemma

People are dynamic and unique, and no two share the same personality.  To claim to speak for all people is simply impossible, though we all share similar needs and natures.  As I was cleaning a pool this morning, I was thinking about atheism, a belief system that claims "there is no God."  There are some who might claim this is an oversimplification, but the basic premise is the assertion God does not exist.

There may be many reasons that brings a person to this stance.  Atheism stands in defiance of God and places self as a substitute.  The allure of atheism for many is there is no right or wrong, no Supreme Being that must be contended with, no judgment, and no hope of life after death.  In this world a man can become like God, doing what is right in his own eyes without eternal consequence.  This was the same advice and argument present by Satan to Eve in the Garden of Eden:  Genesis 3:4-5 reads, "...You will not surely die. ⁵ For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil. "  In essence the devil said, "What God says doesn't matter.  If you eat the fruit you will be like God and can make your own rules."  This proposition tempts people to this day.

The irony of claiming "there is no God" is that in doing so man makes himself a god.  He can live without confessing his sin to another and sit in God's judgment seat of himself and others.  The Bible speaks clearly concerning those who are deluded to deny the True God who has created all things.  Romans 1:16-23 says:  "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. ¹⁷ For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith." ¹⁸ For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, ¹⁹ because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. ²⁰ For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, ²¹ because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. ²² Professing to be wise, they became fools, ²³ and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things."

I rejoice in the God of the universe, by whom all things have been created.  While atheists have no hope in this life beyond themselves and random chance, I am rooted upon a sure eternal foundation of Jesus Christ, in whom I stand by faith.  No guilt, no shame, and no condemnation I harbor in my soul, for He has cleansed me of all my sin.  I delight in submission to His will, for it is God who has purchased me that He might be glorified.  This hope is for all people who will humble themselves, repent, and trust in Christ as Savior, LORD, and God.  Jeremiah 3:22-24 says, "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings." "Indeed we do come to You, for You are the LORD our God. ²³ Truly, in vain is salvation hoped for from the hills, and from the multitude of mountains; truly, in the LORD our God is the salvation of Israel."

What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul (Matt. 16:26)?  What will it profit a man to live as a god on earth and perish like the devil in hell, when God has offered redemption through His own blood (Acts 20:28)?  Come to Jesus everyone, and find rest for your souls.

Love is Genuine

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 describes God's love in this manner:  "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor,⁴ Love suffers long and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away."

God's love is so contrary to anything in this world.  We cannot quantify it, sum it up in a sentence, or even explain it fully.  It is infinite in abundance yet a single selfless deed can portray it clearly.  It is a power more earth-shattering than a million atomic bombs, yet is peaceable and gentle.  Countless books have been written about God's love and all the sermons ever preached have scarcely explored its depths.  A man might as well try to free-dive the Mariana trench or jump to Jupiter:  those physical feats would be simple in comparison to discovering the furthest reaches of God's love.  Real love is something every person deeply longs for, but only those who have been born again from above can begin to digest, process, or comprehend it.

People are fed up with hearing about the love of God.  Love is not something to be talked about but continually lived out.  As Christians we should not merely ask, "Who can I tell of God's love today?" but rather, "How shall I display the love of Jesus to people today?"  To put it simply, the love that God gives is displayed through a genuine, gracious interest in others even to my own detriment.  I should not serve others to receive anything in return, and do not speak to people simply for the opportunity to give them a sales pitch. 

There is nothing more practical, generous, and gracious than love.  Love meets real needs.  The wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ.  Because all have sinned, all are condemned to die and remained separated from God in hell for eternity.  Then the love of God sprung into action as Romans 5:7-8 proclaims:  "For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us ."  Love is a not a demonstration like a salesman with his knives at a fair, but is practical, tangible, and undeniable display of regard for others.

Christ is the only true source of this love.  The world has substituted lust for love, and worshiped the creation over the Creator.  It is up to those in whom God has placed the Holy Spirit to be ambassadors of the love of Christ, not only to be talked about, but to be practically displayed.  As Jesus says in John 15:10, "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love."  And what are the greatest commandments?  Love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves.  In fact, Jesus trumps the second command by saying, "Love one another as I have loved you."  And how did Jesus love?  Compassionately, continually, and completely.  May God be free to pour out His love through us!

Official Crazy Time

It's been a good experience to have the family with me in Australia.  It has demanded many changes from my normal routine of writing, exercise, and visitation.  Because Laura is not driving yet, it has also meant that all errands have become a family adventure!  We've also been sharing the same computer, so the time that I could spend preparing sermons, communicating with people, and blogging has been adjusted to accommodate us both.

Yesterday we were able to spend an afternoon at Featherdale Wildlife Park.  A collection of animals hailing almost exclusively from Australia, this park provides a wonderful opportunity to see, touch, and experience these beautiful creatures up close.  We were able to pet koalas, emus, kangaroos, wallabys, blue-tongued lizards, kookaburras, and tawny frogmouths (both birds, two of my favorites!).  We watched as the penguins were fed (yes, I'm told Sydney is home to penguins which can be seen in the harbour), as well as the dingos and Tasmanian devils eat dinner.  While we were near the penguin exhibit we had a unique experience:  I heard a loud thump or crash, and suddenly I saw ten people scamper in every direction.  A goanna (an Australian monitor lizard) nearly two meters long had jumped from his sign to the top of the wall of his enclosure.  He nimbly dropped to the ground, ignoring the amazed people who kept their distance, and waddled over to some bushes where he was promptly hauled out by a park employee.  He told us that one of the handlers years ago needed 300 stitches to close a wound on his arm inflicted when he tried to stop two of them from fighting!  Glad to say no one was injured, and I love Featherdale more than ever!

Today is a day we've long been anticipating as a family, the day when we pick up the keys for our rental house.  It is a very exciting accomplishment, having spent over three months actively searching for a property with an owner willing to rent to us.  We have not rented for over twelve years, and certainly have no Australian renting history!  In Sydney (I have no experience dealing with real estate in other territories or cities), if you desire to submit an application for a property you MUST physically go to the open house to be considered - which is a grand total of 15 minutes in duration!  These 15 minute open houses can be far apart or a struggle to make on time because of traffic or other obstacles.  Needless to say, this involves a LOT of driving around!  Many thanks to Ross and Peter and all of those who have labored with us in this endeavor.  The funny thing is, after all the applications we submitted without success, the day our first application is finally accepted, we were accepted to rent two properties!  The property we finally did choose has a year rental agreement, and is one of the best houses we've seen during the last three months.  Praise the LORD!

I suppose I'm not sure how often I will be able to blog in the coming week or two because of church meetings, moving house, buying appliances, driving all over town...it's officially crazy time!  We are blessed to be loved and supported by people all over the world, and our fellowship in Sydney is very precious to us.  Our family is experiencing that same gracious, miraculous provision that our Savior is faithful to grant those who trust in Him.  He knows when a sparrow falls to the ground or when a goanna scuttles out of his enclosure:  how much more shall He provide for all our needs?

Ol' John Owen

I'll be the first to admit that I have a soft spot for Puritain writers.  Very few modern writers or readers, for that matter, can explore the depths or soar to the heights where these men dwelt spiritually.  They are masters of the basic Gospel truths, and explain things with such detail and sound Biblical analysis that it is a breath of fresh air.  A entire book which passes for spiritual meat these days is almost like baby food in a jar compared to the side of beef these divines slap down on a single page.  The book I am enjoying right now has been re-titled Indwelling Sin in Believers by John Own and it very compelling.  He clearly explains the law of sin which works in our members which Paul spoke about in Romans 7:21.  Although I am not finished with the book, I already recommend it.  The wisdom, practical advice, and insights into the dangers of sin which so easily besets us is quite thrilling.  My heart and spirit bear witness that although this book was first written in 1667, it is completely relevant for today.  I leave you with paragraphs from page 33:

I believe that most apostasy from a profession of any length begins either with some great and shameful sin which wounds the conscience and takes away all delight in having to do with God, or with a course of neglect in private duties, arising from weariness in fighting against a powerful aversion to these duties.  And, through the craft of Satan, some develop the foolish and sensual opinion that one can live to God without the need for communion with Him.  So we find that after men have choked and blinded their consciences for a while with this pretense, they crown their folly with cursed wickedness or sensuality.  And the reasons for all this is that giving way to the law of sin gives strength to it.  Leaving it alone lets it grow; not to conquer it is to be conquered by it.

What is true of private duties is also true of public duties which have anything extraordinary in them.  How the heart struggles against them, especially against the spirituality of them!  If we give indwelling sin the least liberty, or if we do not guard against it constantly, it will bring about result we do not expect.  It begins with reluctance and indisposition, goes on to entangle the mind and affects with other things, and ends, if not prevented, in weariness of God, which He complains of in His people (Is. 43:22).  They ceased to call upon Him because they were 'weary of Him.'

Identity Crisis?

So much of our lives is caught up in framing our identity in relation to others.  Who we truly are reaches far beyond our actions, careers, hobbies, ethnicity, family traditions, and relationships because man was created by God as a spiritual being.  Yet most people are unaware of this spiritual dynamic of their lives and seek to define themselves by why they do or don't do, common interests, or natural abilities and tendencies.  Birds of like feather stick together, the saying goes, and people are much the same.  As long as there are people there will be cliques, clubs, fraternities, and groups where people can relish their identity together.

Today I came across a offbeat story which captured my attention.  According to an article on cnn.com, people suffered from an identity crisis when they heard that the dates affixed to astrological signs shift over time.  A quote from the article states, "Our identities are precious.  If someone challenges our belief system, it's very threatening. You want to hold on to the fact 'at least I'm a Libra.'"  This is both sad and absurd at the same time.  It would be one thing to live with a tattoo of the "wrong sign" on your body, just like the tattoo of an ex-girlfriend.  But for your identity to be connected to the planets and stars, or to have your choices in life governed by a sentence in your local fish-wrap is appalling!

As a Christian, my identity is found in the person of Jesus Christ, the One who does not change.  The wisdom of the world, governments, hobbies, and lifestyles come and go.  This is the slippery sand which the world is built upon.  What appeared to be great beach-front property 50 years ago has eroded into the surf!  My identity is built upon God as Creator, and I am a being created by Him.  As Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, "But by the grace of God I am what I am..."  I do not have to join any social groups, or conform to the opinions of others.  I am free to be myself, and do not need to worry that my belief system will be challenged and fail.  Truth can bear scrutiny, examination, fierce persecution, mockery, and violence.  Nothing will change the fact that Jesus was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, fulfilled the promises of scripture, was crucified for my sins, rose from the dead the third day, ascended to the right hand of the Father, makes intercession for me and all His church continually, and sent the Holy Spirit to indwell and empower me for His glory.  Jesus is also my Savior, and my life is bound up in His.

Hear the unshakable wisdom and truth of Christ from His own lips:  Matthew 7:24-27 reads, "Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: ²⁵ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: ²⁷ and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."  Jesus is not of this world, and this is also true of those who follow Him.  Planets move in their circuits, stars are born and die.  To seek to construct my identity upon these temporary things is futile and meaningless.  What is more stable:  the swirling tides of the sea or the everlasting Chief Cornerstone, who existed before He created the heavens and the earth and all that is in them?

A Place Prepared by Grace

Jesus says in John 14:1-3: "Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. ² In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also."  It's a wonderful thought for consideration, that Jesus is preparing a home of eternal rest for us with Him in the heavens.  It is built not according to our works or worthiness, but out of the riches of God's grace and love toward us.  No human being save Jesus Christ is worthy to dwell in the presence of the Father.  But He has promised us in Revelation 3:21:  "To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne."

A good portion of these past three months have been spent working to secure a rental property for my family and me to live in while we serve God and Calvary Chapel Sydney.  I'm amazed when I consider the amount of effort and time expended on the process with frankly little to show for it.  The rental market in Sydney at the moment feels like an impenetrable clique!  Our search has been thorough, extensive, and time-consuming.  It has given us the opportunity to throw ourselves upon the mercy of God and enjoy the generous hospitality of church family.  Yet it is disheartening to be continually rejected without the opportunity to prove yourself.

But this is familiar feeling experienced by people all over the world on a spiritual level.  No matter how hard people work to ensure themselves salvation by their own goodness, they fall short of perfection and are without hope.  Even if people are able to claw to the top of their denominational ladder, do and say all the right things, the peace of God only received through faith in Christ eludes them.  Well-meaning people go on missions to obtain eldership, others pay thousands of dollars to take the next spiritual course to learn privileged secrets.  People literally crucify themselves, crawl through broken glass, and travel thousands of miles in a vain attempt to earn favor from God.  What they do not understand is God's grace and eternal life is not for sale.  Their proud works and efforts prevent them from receiving what God only gives freely.

Ephesians 2:8-10 teaches us of God's wondrous grace:  "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, ⁹ not of works, lest anyone should boast. ¹⁰ For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them."  There are flats in Sydney that cost over $1,200 a week to rent!  Some people feel proud they could afford such a place to live.  God will not allow a shred of pride in heaven!  The only currency God accepts for heavenly entry is repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.  No amount of money, good works, or effort can help us gain entry into the presence of God.  God saves us by grace through faith, and having received such a gift we are moved to labor freely for God's glory and honor.  God has created us to do good, but we can only do so if He first indwells and empowers us.

How happy I am that God has prepared a place for me in heaven, as well as providing abundantly for our family in Australia.  Though it has been a trying process to secure a rental property, it is good to know that our eternal destination is secure in Christ.  He even has provided us a place to stay here, though it isn't what we thought it would be three months ago!  It is not by our goodness that we have a place in heaven or in Australia, but all of grace!  How great is our God and His unsearchable wisdom!

Sympathy or Prayer?

All of Australia it seems is looking with great interest and horror as the flooding continues to increase in Queensland.  During the news telecasts last night, it was repeated over and over that last week it was believed the worst had passed with the flooding of Rockhampton.  A huge flash flood suddenly went through Toowoomba, and the water which surged through the town is now on its way to Brisbane which is expected to flood severely, possibly greater than the massive floods of 1974.  As we watched the continuing coverage last night, Prime Minister Julia Gillard addressed those directly impacted by the floods:  "Our thoughts and sympathies are with you."  As I watched the footage shown again and again, I heard similar statements by journalists and politicians:  "You have our thoughts and best wishes."

Coming from the United States, I sensed a cultural difference.  Even non-Christians in America would say, "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families of those affected."  It sometimes may be hypocrisy, but that is a common emphasis in times of tragedy in America:  prayers.  And by saying "prayers" it is an encouragement to appeal to God, clearly announcing His existence.  It is commonly known that PM Julia Gillard is an atheist, so one would not expect her to pray.  My question is, what is the power of "sympathy" compared to the power of God through the prayers of His people?  Has sympathy caused fire to fall from heaven to consume an offering, or has sympathy made water flow from a rock?  Has sympathy cured one person of disease or caused someone to rise from the grave?  Has sympathy brought victory in a single battle or caused a person to receive comfort through Christ which cannot be taken away?  No.

Our continual need is to seek and entreat the One True God, the Maker of Heaven and Earth, who alone is able to save.  It is good and right that we sympathize and empathize with people, feeling their pain and doing what is in our power to assist.  If we were to see someone swept away with a torrent of water, we ought to extend a hand to catch them, not fall to our knees and ask God to send someone to help!  There are times when we can offer practical, physical assistance.  But there is no assistance more practical and needed than the power of prayer!  It is both the least we can do and the most we can do.  Our God is able to cause the storms to cease and be still with a word, and all power and authority in heaven and on earth is the LORD's.  Should we not faithfully petition such a God for help, that His name with be glorified through lives being saved and souls eternally preserved?

Please keep those who are suffering and displaced in these floods in your prayers, as well as all others throughout the world who have no power to save themselves.  Pray for our Prime Minister, that she might be exposed to the powerful saving hand of God and one day say of Christ, "My LORD and my God."  When faced with trials, is it your tendency to pray?  Sympathy is not enough when prayer is required!

God Speaks!

During a conversation after the Sunday morning service at Calvary Chapel Sydney, I was asked a pointed question:  "Do you believe that God still speaks to people today, for instance, just like He did to Moses at the burning bush?"  After thinking I replied in the affirmative:  God has not changed, neither is the way He communicates with people.  Though He does use the Holy Spirit to speak to us personally through He Word, He certainly can speak through dreams, visions, or even spoken voice.  God is not limited to speak to us in the ways which we might expect.  It is God's choice how He speaks to us, and most certainly He has spoken to us all through His Son, Jesus Christ.  He is our Mediator, Intercessor, and Savior.

How wonderful it is to know that we need not rely on a certain church official, a particular rabbi or priest, or a holy man or woman to decipher and tell us what God is saying to us.  From the very beginning, God spoke directly to Adam before his fall.  It was because of sin that God instituted the covenant of His Law with Israel, appointing and anointing priests to serve before Him.  They were a type of Christ in that they were the mediators between the people and God.  The king himself would consult with God through them, to receive guidance from the King of Kings.  Now Jesus has become our High Priest, and has become sin for us in offering Himself freely to atone for the sins of the world.  By faith we receive forgiveness through His shed blood, and we enter into the New Covenant established upon Christ and grace.

But God, in His great wisdom, did not leave us without personal help or comfort when Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father:  He sent the Holy Spirit to indwell all believers so we might be empowered, exercise spiritual gifts, and be taught all that Jesus desires to tell us.  Jesus told His disciples in John 16:12-15:  "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. ¹³ However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you."  Whether God speaks to us audibly from a burning bush or through His still small voice within our hearts, He still speaks with all the authority and power of an infinite, Almighty Creator and Ruler of All.

As a friend of mine and dear brother in Christ enjoys saying, "God doesn't need me."  This blog is not required for you to grow spiritually in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.  These writings are simply a means to encourage you to seek God more.  May this blog never be a substitute for a real relationship with God!  Know that you do not need anyone to draw close to Christ except Him.  Now some have stretched this into error, and would claim that because only Christ is needed they do not need to be involved and serve in a church fellowship, adhere to sound doctrine, or labor to be profitable for the glory of God.  God has given us each other to gird us with strength, to preserve unity, to sharpen one another, to be an encouragement, and to pray and serve together for God's glory.  The fact remains that Jesus must be our All in All, and we ought to preserve that place of all honor and glory for Him alone!

God still speaks!  Have you heard Him lately?  I tend to hear well only when I listen.  I encourage you to take some time today to seek God and listen for His voice.  And when He DOES speak to you in the night hours or calls your name as He did Samuel, say "Speak LORD, for your servant hears."  (Then don't roll over and try to immediately go to sleep.)  What He tells you be faithful to speak and live out.  Praise God that He still speaks, and may His people be faithful to listen and obey!

Overcoming the Adversary

This morning during my quiet time with the LORD I read the first chapter of 1 Samuel.  A verse about Hannah the mother of Samuel caught my attention.  1 Samuel 1:6 reads, "And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb."  The NKJV drives home the effect Peninnah (a rival wife of Hannah's) had upon her:  "And her rival also provoked her severely, to make her miserable, because the LORD had closed her womb."  Hannah was barren because God had closed her womb.  Though she had a wonderful husband and did greatly desire children, it was the hateful spite from Peninnah that broke Hannah down.  It is amazing to consider the means God employs to foster within His children His heavenly graces as we are refined "as by fire."

God did not desire for Hannah to be miserable, to weep and refuse to eat food.  But He intentionally closed Hannah's womb and allowed Peninnah to continue her assault.  How true it is that our adversary, the devil, would provoke us to be miserable over what God does or does not do!  Hannah wished for a child, and cried out to God to fulfill her petition.  It was God's will she would have a son and five more children besides, but He desired to use this difficult situation to work within her as well as through her.  She would later give birth to the prophet Samuel, whom she would consecrate for life to serve the LORD.

There is much God will do in our lives, and He has given us desire to see His word immediately fulfilled.  Yet in His wisdom, He tarries.  And in some cases, it feels as though His promises might never see fruition!  While He tarries, our adversary labors to make us fret and wallow in misery, break our resolve, distract us from His goodness, fill us with doubt and anguish, and drown us in cares that ought to be cast upon Christ in prayer.  How great is our God, who works all things - even the vicious assaults of our adversaries - for good!  May we be as Hannah, who sought the LORD fervently despite the ferocity of her rival.  When her prayers were answered, she was faithful to obey and do her part unto the LORD as she promised.  She was rewarded with fruitfulness and God received the glory!   

Just Another Potato...

When I ran cross country for Grossmont High school, I enjoyed the leadership of Coach Lib.  He did much more than teach us how to run competitively.  He gave us great insight into being part of a team, knew how and when to challenge us to reach our hidden potential, and understood the power of motivation.  During his pep talks, he would talk about how our character was being built by our choices.  When we were faced with obstacles or difficulties he would say, "That's just another potato in the stew of life."  That's a positive way to see our struggles - like a potato that can be swallowed and put away for good.

As believers we know God allows things to happen we cannot.  He knows that good will come from circumstances He allows which we never could have imagined.  Unlike the natural process of digestion, God is able to supernaturally make good out of obstacles there's no way we could chew or swallow.  What a comfort this is to us, knowing God remains in control!

This morning our family disembarked at 6:15am Sydney time, had our passports stamped, and headed over to Carousel #4 to pick up our baggage.  Our flight from Carlsbad to Sydney had been delayed 20 minutes, shrinking our 45 minute layover to mere minutes.  Thankfully the gates were close!  But it became apparent as we waited at the carousel in Sydney watching bag after bag pass by without seeing one of our eight checked bags, we had managed to make a connection our bags had not!  It was later confirmed that our bags had indeed reached LAX, but were somewhere else than Sydney this morning.  We weren't the only ones with missing bags either!

Needless to say this was an unexpected snag in our travels.  Laura and the boys had only the clothes on their backs, we were without toiletries, and separated from things considered precious enough to cart 7,500 miles!  Though disappointed with this minor setback, we were blessed beyond measure to be met by two women from church who woke up early (and one young man on summer holiday!), faced the traffic and tolls, and met us with joyful embraces.  I would rather lose 10 bags forever and receive the love of Christ than to have 10 cases filled with gold without God's love.  How blessed we are to have the fellowship, unity, and love of Jesus Christ displayed from His people!

We still do not know how the missing baggage story will end.  Will our bags ever be found?  I hope so!  But even in this God can and will be glorified, and even this setback is just a small potato in the stew of life.  We'll chew it up and grow stronger.  Praise God He has given us a life worth living and brothers and sisters in Christ to share it with!

A Time to Fly

The big moment has almost arrived!  Tomorrow my wife and two sons will be boarding a plane bound for Sydney, Australia!  People ask me:  "Are you excited?"  Frankly, I don't know when I wasn't excited.  But at the same time it feels unbelievable, that the day that hardly seemed imaginable will become a soon reality.  One of my sons have not even been out of the state of California, much less off the continent!  A challenge and change awaits us.

Thank God that He is LORD of the heavens and the earth.  As the words of David relate in Psalm 139:7-18:  "Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? ⁸ If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. ⁹ If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, ¹⁰ even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. ¹¹ If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall on me," even the night shall be light about me; ¹² Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. ¹³ For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. ¹⁴ I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. ¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth. ¹⁶ Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. and in Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them. ¹⁷ How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! ¹⁸ If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You."

How marvelous are the works of our God!  Though we leave family and friends dear to us, we look forward to friends and family in Christ we join in service to God in Australia.  Tomorrow is already written in God's book, but I have a part in walking according to His will.  Though we may be out of sight and out of mind of men, our God will never forget us.  He will never leave or forsake His children.