While driving home after church this morning, I was thinking about how God is faithful to give us what we need. He provides for all our needs, physical and spiritual. He also gives us things we don't realise we need. Sometimes we just need a hug! How grateful I am for the love and acceptance from our loving Saviour. Other times God even gives us things we don't want but we do need. The Good Shepherd may lay His staff across our flanks to grab our attention. He gives His beloved sleep, yet He also wakes us up when we have become drowsy and listless.
How good God is to give us what we need, just at the right time! My God supplies all our needs according to His riches in glory by Jesus Christ.
30 November 2013
29 November 2013
Never Forfeit
Upon arriving at the baseball field today after two weeks off due to rain, we were met by a member of the opposite side with bad news: since the other team only had five players available, they had to forfeit the game. We were all disappointed. I suppose we would rather play and lose the game then prepare to play, drive out to the field only to be told there was no game. A win's a win, but that kind of winning isn't much fun.
I thought about the five people on the other side who could have played the game but couldn't because they didn't have the support from their teammates. I felt for them. I'm sure they all wanted to play, even the people who were unavailable. Who knows? Had they been able to field a team - even of seven or eight - they could have won! To forfeit is to give up without trying. It's a waste because no effort has been exerted to win.
I started thinking about the spiritual implications of forfeiting (I have odd thought patterns, I guess). Is it possible to be a Christian who forfeits? Can we run up the white flag of surrender when the enemy assaults us even though we have absolute certainty of victory through Jesus Christ? It's a poor analogy, but can you imagine having the best professional players to ever play baseball on your side against a mediocre group of weekend warriors who can't even run to first base without taking a smoke break? It wouldn't be great competition, but it would be a blast to play with legends of the game. It doesn't matter if your players are the best on paper, have an undefeated record, and you're playing against people who have never even played baseball before: if you don't show up, you forfeit. By not coming to the field, the team has given up. When you forfeit, you can lose without a single pitch being thrown!
When it comes to victory against sin, despair, and fear, Jesus Christ has already claimed the victory. But when Satan rages against us, when temptation overwhelms our minds and pressure to cave seems impossible to resist, we can choose as Christians to forfeit. Why should we give up when Jesus has already defeated sin and death? Should we wave the white flag because the opposition looks intimidating or we have made an error? Never! We win when we commit ourselves to be at Christ's disposal. Hand Him the ball, and watch Him work. Always surrender to Christ, but never forfeit. Too much is at stake to give up. Let's not waste the opportunities Christ provides to walk in victory! Let's not deny Christ the victory He has won.
I thought about the five people on the other side who could have played the game but couldn't because they didn't have the support from their teammates. I felt for them. I'm sure they all wanted to play, even the people who were unavailable. Who knows? Had they been able to field a team - even of seven or eight - they could have won! To forfeit is to give up without trying. It's a waste because no effort has been exerted to win.
I started thinking about the spiritual implications of forfeiting (I have odd thought patterns, I guess). Is it possible to be a Christian who forfeits? Can we run up the white flag of surrender when the enemy assaults us even though we have absolute certainty of victory through Jesus Christ? It's a poor analogy, but can you imagine having the best professional players to ever play baseball on your side against a mediocre group of weekend warriors who can't even run to first base without taking a smoke break? It wouldn't be great competition, but it would be a blast to play with legends of the game. It doesn't matter if your players are the best on paper, have an undefeated record, and you're playing against people who have never even played baseball before: if you don't show up, you forfeit. By not coming to the field, the team has given up. When you forfeit, you can lose without a single pitch being thrown!
When it comes to victory against sin, despair, and fear, Jesus Christ has already claimed the victory. But when Satan rages against us, when temptation overwhelms our minds and pressure to cave seems impossible to resist, we can choose as Christians to forfeit. Why should we give up when Jesus has already defeated sin and death? Should we wave the white flag because the opposition looks intimidating or we have made an error? Never! We win when we commit ourselves to be at Christ's disposal. Hand Him the ball, and watch Him work. Always surrender to Christ, but never forfeit. Too much is at stake to give up. Let's not waste the opportunities Christ provides to walk in victory! Let's not deny Christ the victory He has won.
28 November 2013
Seeking out a Resting Place
My family and I have been very busy lately since moving to a new house - new to us, that is. We've made some improvements already with better lighting in most rooms, installed new spout on the kitchen sink, and systematically moving the dehumidifier through the rooms. The handyman has come through and fixed up some things as well, like screen doors, bathroom taps, exhaust fans, and re-attached an air conditioning unit to the wall. Laura still isn't able to park in the garage yet, but I hope to have that remedied within the next week.
As we are reading through the book of Numbers as a family, it has become clear it doesn't always sit well with God's people to go where He leads. Perhaps you can relate! During decades in the wilderness, God taught His people to rely upon Him for everything: food, water, meat, protection, and direction. He led them to places like Marah, a place where He made the bitter water sweet and made a covenant with them. From Marah God led them to Elim, an oasis with water and beautiful palms. But God didn't allow His people to stay there. He moved them on! After the tabernacle was built, the Spirit of the LORD rested upon it. As long as the presence of God rested upon the tabernacle, the people would remain. At the moment God's presence moved on, the people were called to pack up and leave according to their tribes in the prescribed manner. Last night we read in Numbers 10:33, "So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them."
The idea of God seeking out a resting place for His people was an amazing thought. Did you know that God seeks rest for His people? In Him rest can be found, no matter where we are. After the flood, Noah released a dove from the ark. The first dove returned to him because "she found no rest for the sole of her foot." After seven days the next dove Noah released returned with an olive branch in her beak, signalling the abatement of the waters from the earth. He waited seven days and sent out another dove that never returned. The first time a dove is mentioned in the New Testament was when the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove alighted upon Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. John the Baptist was led to baptise people to reveal the Messiah to the world. In the Gospel of John (a different John writing!), he explains this fact. John 1:29-34 reads, "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." 32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." After Jesus came out of the water God spoke from heaven, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!" When the Spirit in the form of a dove landed upon Jesus and rested upon Him, it was clear to all who would believe that Jesus is the Christ, God-made-flesh, the divine sacrifice, the promised Messiah, and Redeemer of lost sinners.
Do you know you will never know true rest until you know Christ as LORD and Saviour? It is through the Holy Spirit resting and coming upon us that we know God and are empowered to serve Him. The eyes of the LORD go to and fro throughout the whole earth, looking for people who are loyal to Him. He seeks those who worship Him who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Jesus is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire. Once we are through with wandering, murmuring, and complaining, tired of our best efforts to save ourselves, by God's grace our eyes can be opened to Jesus and we realise salvation is found only in Him. Jesus invites all in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The Spirit of God looks today to rest upon those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and abide in Him. Have you been washed?
No matter where you find yourself geographically, Jesus is your peace. Through the Holy Spirit, we can rest in Him! Follow Jesus wherever He leads. God's thoughts toward us are good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope. Jesus is this for us!
As we are reading through the book of Numbers as a family, it has become clear it doesn't always sit well with God's people to go where He leads. Perhaps you can relate! During decades in the wilderness, God taught His people to rely upon Him for everything: food, water, meat, protection, and direction. He led them to places like Marah, a place where He made the bitter water sweet and made a covenant with them. From Marah God led them to Elim, an oasis with water and beautiful palms. But God didn't allow His people to stay there. He moved them on! After the tabernacle was built, the Spirit of the LORD rested upon it. As long as the presence of God rested upon the tabernacle, the people would remain. At the moment God's presence moved on, the people were called to pack up and leave according to their tribes in the prescribed manner. Last night we read in Numbers 10:33, "So they departed from the mountain of the LORD on a journey of three days; and the ark of the covenant of the LORD went before them for the three days' journey, to search out a resting place for them."
The idea of God seeking out a resting place for His people was an amazing thought. Did you know that God seeks rest for His people? In Him rest can be found, no matter where we are. After the flood, Noah released a dove from the ark. The first dove returned to him because "she found no rest for the sole of her foot." After seven days the next dove Noah released returned with an olive branch in her beak, signalling the abatement of the waters from the earth. He waited seven days and sent out another dove that never returned. The first time a dove is mentioned in the New Testament was when the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove alighted upon Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. John the Baptist was led to baptise people to reveal the Messiah to the world. In the Gospel of John (a different John writing!), he explains this fact. John 1:29-34 reads, "The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is He of whom I said, 'After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me.' 31 I did not know Him; but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water." 32 And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. 33 I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' 34 And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God." After Jesus came out of the water God spoke from heaven, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!" When the Spirit in the form of a dove landed upon Jesus and rested upon Him, it was clear to all who would believe that Jesus is the Christ, God-made-flesh, the divine sacrifice, the promised Messiah, and Redeemer of lost sinners.
Do you know you will never know true rest until you know Christ as LORD and Saviour? It is through the Holy Spirit resting and coming upon us that we know God and are empowered to serve Him. The eyes of the LORD go to and fro throughout the whole earth, looking for people who are loyal to Him. He seeks those who worship Him who worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Jesus is the one who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire. Once we are through with wandering, murmuring, and complaining, tired of our best efforts to save ourselves, by God's grace our eyes can be opened to Jesus and we realise salvation is found only in Him. Jesus invites all in Matthew 11:28-30, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." The Spirit of God looks today to rest upon those who have been washed in the blood of the Lamb and abide in Him. Have you been washed?
No matter where you find yourself geographically, Jesus is your peace. Through the Holy Spirit, we can rest in Him! Follow Jesus wherever He leads. God's thoughts toward us are good and not evil, to give us a future and a hope. Jesus is this for us!
24 November 2013
Love My Motive
"My son, keep your father's command, and do not forsake the law of your mother.
21
Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck.
22
When you roam, they will lead you; when you sleep, they will keep you; and when you awake, they will speak with you."
Proverbs 6:20-22
We've been studying through Proverbs on Friday nights at Calvary Chapel Sydney. It's been a terrific time of in depth exploration and discussion. The preceding verses have been on my mind and heart of late. Adherence to the Law was focused on external conformity under the Old Covenant. People could fulfill the demands of the letter of the Law without inner transformation. The Pharisees were outwardly holy men, but were filthy within. They kept the Sabbath according to the Law and the oral traditions, but they nursed envy and murderous intentions in their hearts. After Christ established the New Covenant of His blood, we are no longer governed by an external set of regulations. Jesus did not destroy the Law but fulfilled it. The Holy Spirit regenerates and takes up residence in the heart of every Christian, leading and guiding us into all truth. He washes us clean of our sins when we repent, takes away our heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh.
Jesus told His followers in John 15:12: "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Instead of walking according to the flesh, we are called to be led by the Spirit. Romans 13:8 says, "Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law." The first and greatest command is that we love the LORD God with all our heart, soul, and might. Everything we do, therefore, is to be motivated by the love of God. It is love that must be bound upon our heart, speaking of our motives. The importance of our motive cannot be overstated. It is the love of Christ that constrains us as we follow His example of obedience to the Father, service, and sacrifice.
Some people have this concept of God's commands tying us down, holding us back, or dragging us along. Obedience to God's commands is not an "Old Testament" thing, as John states in 1 John 5:1-3: "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome." Jesus says that if we truly love Him, we will do what He says. When love is our motive, it is like a lead tied around the neck of a well-trained dog. When a dog is trained to heel, he is not to pull on the lead or be dragged around by it. The lead is an extension of his master. When the lead is fitted to his collar, the dog learns to follow the lead of his master. He stops walking and the dog sits, looking to the master. The dog does not resent the lead, for the lead is his freedom. God's commands are not intended to burden or confine us, but rather free us to enjoy the presence of our Master wherever He leads. No matter where we find ourselves in life, no matter how unfamiliar the territory, we can look to our Saviour and He will graciously lead us through everything we face.
One thing God has always desired is to be with His people and to commune with them. Whether we sleep, are awake, or roam, God will direct us in the way that pleases Him. Is love for God your continuous motive for the things you do? Is it the love of God that constrains you and leads you in every circumstance? If we love God, we will keep His commandments. Those who love one another fulfill the Law!
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