Rend Heart, Open Heavens

The prophet cried out to the LORD in Isaiah 64:1-2, "Oh, that You would rend the heavens! That You would come down! That the mountains might shake at Your presence-- ² as fire burns brushwood, as fire causes water to boil-- to make Your name known to Your adversaries, that the nations may tremble at Your presence!"  Too long had the heavens been like brass - not because of the sins of the nations - but the sin of God's own people (Deut. 28:23).  He acknowledged this in the following verses.  Isaiah 64:6-7 says, "But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. ⁷ And there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You; for You have hidden Your face from us, and have consumed us because of our iniquities."  I wonder if we too live in such a day.  Without God's intervention, we have no hope in this world or beyond.

I am reminded of the beautiful picture provided when Noah released the dove from the ark.  God had judged the inhabitants of the world because of their wickedness and only those who were in the ark were left alive.  God rent the heavens with lightning, thunder, and torrential rain.  Genesis 8:6-12 says, "So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. ⁷ Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. ⁸ He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. ⁹ But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. ¹⁰ And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. ¹¹ Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. ¹² So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore."  Noah sent out the raven, a bird which fed on carrion and considered unclean.  When the Law of Moses was given, doves were an animal deemed acceptable for sacrifice.  None of this is without significance.

Satan is a unclean spirit gone into the world, much like the raven going to and fro throughout the earth.  The dove when it was sent out and later returned because it found no "resting place for the sole of her foot," a picture of the Spirit of God hovering over the face of the waters.  The second time Noah sent out the dove, she returned carrying an olive branch, signifying the waters had receded from the earth.  It was a picture of peace being restored.  The next time the dove was sent out, she did not return because she found a suitable habitation.  The story of Noah sending out a dove is the first reference to a dove in the Old Testament.

It is very significant that the first mention of a dove in the New Testament is right after Jesus Christ - the Prince of Peace foretold in Isaiah 9:6 - came up out of the water from being baptised.  As a sign to John the Baptist and all around that Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah, a voice called out from heaven, "This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased" and the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove lighted upon Him.  This event was recorded in all four Gospels (Matt. 3:16, Mark 1:10, Luke 3:22, and John 1:32)  It is written in  John 1:32-34, "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 baptises with the Holy Spirit.' ³⁴ And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."  Not only is Jesus the One who was filled with the Holy Spirit without measure, but Jesus is also the One who baptises with the Holy Spirit and fire.

If that wasn't amazing enough, it gets better.  After Jesus rose from the dead, He breathed on the disciples and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit."  Though they had been given the Holy Spirit, He strictly commanded them to tarry in Jerusalem until they were filled with power from on high and said in Acts 1:8:  "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."  When the Day of Pentecost had fully come and the disciples (about 120) were praying in one accord in an upper room, a sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the house, tongues of fire appeared above their heads, and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.  God had rent the heavens and the Spirit had been sent to come upon the disciples of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ.  God had done it!  It wasn't because of the righteous efforts of Christians, but the righteousness of Christ imputed to them that the Spirit rested upon them and His power was evidenced through them.  The followers of Christ walked in faith coupled with obedience, and the Holy Spirit was sent in fulfillment of His Word according to His grace.  God gives the Holy Spirit to those who ask (Luke 11:13) and obey Him (Acts 5:32).

It is written in Joel 2:28-32:  "And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. ²⁹ And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. ³⁰ "And I will show wonders in the heavens and in the earth: blood and fire and pillars of smoke. ³¹ The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD. ³² And it shall come to pass that whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be deliverance, as the LORD has said, among the remnant whom the LORD calls."  Does your spirit bear witness that the Holy Spirit has regenerated and come upon you?  You need not pray that God rend the heavens, for the Holy Spirit has already been given!  Joel 2:12-14 says, "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "turn to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." ¹³ So rend your heart, and not your garments; return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness; and He relents from doing harm. ¹⁴ Who knows if He will turn and relent, and leave a blessing behind Him-- a grain offering and a drink offering for the LORD your God?"

The baptism with the Holy Spirit is not for your sole benefit, but is always connected with service unto the LORD.  Sometimes this baptism or initial filling is called the "second blessing" after conversion, but it is more still.  After we are baptised by the Holy Spirit we need to be filled again and again, leaky vessels that we are.  R.A. Torrey puts it well:  "It is the work of the Holy Spirit to apply to us that which is already ours in Christ.  it is His work to make ours experientially all God has and all God is, until the work is consummated in our being "filled unto all the fulness of God."  This is not the work of a moment, not a day, nor a week, nor a month, nor a year; but the Holy Spirit day by day puts His hand, as it were, into the fullness of God and conveys to us what He has taken therefrom and puts it into us.  Then again He puts His hand into the fullness that there is in God and conveys to us what is taken therefrom, and puts it into us.  This wonderful process goes on day after day and week after week and month after month, and year after year, and never ends until we are "filled unto all the fulness of God." (The Person and Work of the Holy Spirit, Torrey, pg. 109)

Has the Holy Spirit found a clean place to set down His foot in your heart?  It is only the blood of the Lamb of God that can wash you clean of sin.  No amount of human effort can make God rend the heavens and come down.  But Jesus Christ has opened a way to heaven for all who humble themselves before Him in repentance, those who rend their hearts before Him in faith.  Ask and ye shall receive, seek and ye shall find, knock and the door will be opened unto you.  With confidence in Christ and the scriptures we have complete assurance that being saved and filled with the Holy Spirit is the Father's will for whosoever believes and asks Him!

Thanks For Giving

The cares of this life fade away when we realise and affirm God is in complete control.  What is unknown to me is finished from God's perspective.  During His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus told His disciples not to worry about anything:  the future, the provision of daily necessities like food, clothing, or money, even their physical height or lack thereof!  God knows what we need and is able to provide out of infinite abundance.  It is easy for us to look at our limited resources, our circumstances, and the condition of the world around us and give place to worry instead of placing faith in God because He is in control.

God desires to place in us an ever-growing comprehension of His love and goodness towards us.  He wants us to live according to the knowledge that He is in control of everything.  Abraham believed God, and his faith was accounted as righteousness even before the covenant of God's Law was established.  We live in a day of a New and better Covenant in Christ's blood.  Yet the appropriation of Christ's atoning blood by faith is not a substitute to walking daily by faith even as Abraham did.  This constant, active-reliance upon Christ is to be the framework of our lives as we build on Christ as our foundation.

Words do not suffice for me to illustrate the many ways God has proved Himself worthy to be trusted and praised.  I am continually humbled and frankly baffled at times when I consider the generosity of many who pray for our family and give money to support us financially.  The practical demonstration of your love is overwhelming at times.  I can lay no claim to pray with the tenacity or faith of George Mueller, but I have seen God mightily, miraculously move people to give sacrificially without even a request of men.  Without sharing our needs to any human being, God has provided through our small church, little jobs, and many donations.  I cannot recall writing a single letter detailing specific financial needs, yet God has supplied enough just at the perfect time for all of them.  It is amazing to consider the amount of money that has passed through our hands to provide for our necessities since moving to Australia, a witness of God's grace, mercy, and care.  We have less now than when we sold our house and moved to Sydney, Australia in one sense, but we are so much the richer!  God's provision is the only reasonable explanation.  I have heard the phrase used, "Where God guides God provides," and in a sense that has been true to my experience.  And yet God's provision is not a testimony of my obedience or faith, but solely of God's grace.  It is not by anything I have done but according to His mercy and goodness.  I believe God has guided and God has provided through many willing people who have been led by the Holy Spirit.

With all my heart, I thank all of you who have been used by God to prayerfully and financially support our family over these years.  I cannot repay the kindness you have shown us, yet I know that God will reward you far beyond the value of mere money.  God has used you to increase our faith and know beyond a shadow of doubt He is in control.  I think of the words Paul wrote to the church in Philippi in Philippians 4:15-20, "Now you Philippians know also that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. ¹⁶ For even in Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. ¹⁷ Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. ¹⁸ Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. ¹⁹ And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. ²⁰ Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen."  To all who have partnered with us in the Gospel through your love, prayers, and gifts, may much fruit abound to your account.  Praise the LORD that God will supply all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus!

Green Leaves - But Any Pumpkins?

After we moved into our rental in Riverstone, I pulled out some of the overgrown seasonal plants which were dying.  In a cleared area of soil it was not long before a vine began to grow.  At first I thought it might be a zucchini plant, but after a month it became clear it was a pumpkin vine.  I knew this only because of the small green pumpkins the size of a cricket ball crowned with a golden flower.  The boys and I continued to water the plant along with our passion fruit vines.  Recently I went out to check on the growth of the pumpkins and to my surprise could not find a single one.  Upon further inspection, some animal (likely a possum or rat) had eaten every flower and pumpkin during the night, leaving only a small bit of rind.  That explained why the vine is growing massive.  With the fruit being eaten before it is mature, the vine keeps expanding.  The problem is, there's no fruit!  That's the only reason I didn't rip up the plant like a common weed!

The LORD reminded me of the passage in Song of Songs 2:15 that says, "Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes."  Foxes, like possums, are opportunistic.  In the middle of the night they sneak into the garden or vineyard and do damage to the vines as they feed on the fruit.  The devil is an opportunistic spoiler himself.  If he cannot kill or destroy, he tries to ruin our fruitfulness.  He ever seeks to gain entry to our minds and hearts through temptations or suggestions.  When we least expect it, he covertly works to gain a foothold through sin.  Instead of bearing the fruit of the Spirit, our spreading green leaves hide the truth even from our eyes.  We are to take captive all thoughts to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor. 10:5).  That is why we must intentionally ask God to search our hearts and see if there be anything keeping us from fruitfulness.  Expansive growth may be pretty, but it's pretty useless if fruit never grows to maturity!

The world spoon-feeds us gossip disguised as news, distracts us with busyness, barges into our thoughts with technology and media, and keeps us preoccupied or occupied with things of this world.  We may be careful to avoid spreading gossip with our lips, but how well do we avoid it with our eyes?  Those tasty trifles deal out great damage to all who swallow them.  Let us set a godly guard over our eyes and ears, for they have a direct line to our heart from which spring all the issues of life.  Instead of being defined about what we avoid, let us be those who walk in love so we might be fruitful.  Growing green leaves without pumpkins is like gaining knowledge without loving one another as Christ loves us.  Jesus has called us to bear fruit as it is written in John 15:16-17:  "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. ¹⁷ These things I command you, that you love one another."  We love God because He first loved us.  It is walking in His love that makes us fruitful for His glory!

Celebrate Small Victories

After sending the boys off to school, I walked past the kitchen to head to my office area.  When I walked by the empty kitchen sink, I celebrated a brief moment of happiness.  I made waffles for the family this morning and washed the dishes right away.  Seeing the sink empty of dirty dishes made me feel I had accomplished something worthwhile, something I ought to savour for a moment.  The clean dishes and empty sink was a victory worth celebrating.

Washing the dishes may seem a very insignificant thing.  It does not compare with landing a rocket on the moon, climbing a mountain peak, or surviving a fiercely fought gunfight as a soldier.  Clean dishes seem even less important because dishes become dirty again.  Since the next meal will generate more dishes, it can be one of those thankless jobs that never seem to be done.  Consider this:  how would your life be different if you saw the little household victories like mopped floors, clean windows, and washed dishes as great victories?  How thankful to God we would be!  Our appreciation of the strength and wisdom He provides would grow exponentially.  What if we saw small sacrifices for God's glory and the good of others as massive victories only accomplished by God's grace?  When we recognise we cannot do anything without God's help, no victory would seem small.  Indeed, even the smallest completed task is a miraculous victory to be celebrated if we maintain this biblical perspective.

Cleaning the kitchen cannot hardly be compared to warfare, but it is an accomplishment we ought not take lightly.  For some folks, simply getting out of bed when the alarm goes off at dark-thirty is a massive win!  Should we take this victory over the soft fetters of drowsiness lightly?  No!  Turning down that dessert, saying no to the second soda is a victory to be celebrated.  Our celebration should not be to boost our pride or build confidence in self, but in recognition and praise of God's grace toward us.  1 Corinthians 10:31 says:  "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  In seeking an arbitrary "victory" to celebrate (let's say losing 10 kilos), we neglect to celebrate when we only lost one!  In fact, the one kilo lost over two weeks feels more like a failure because we have forgotten that in everything we are to give thanks and rejoice before our Saviour.

If your sink is clear of dirty dishes, thank God and celebrate Him.  If your sink is full of dirty dishes, thank God you have dishes to clean!  In everything rejoice, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Grace to You and Peace

At Calvary Chapel Sydney yesterday, we began the study of Philippians.  Paul began by introducing himself and Timothy as bondservants of Christ and continued in verse 2:  "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."  The order of grace and peace is significant, for true peace is a product of God's grace.  There is no peace apart from the grace of God.  "Shalom" is the Hebrew word translated peace in the Old Testament and conveys peace, prosperity, and well-being.  Because the New Testament is translated from Greek, the transliteration is "eirene" which means "to join, by implication prosperity, to set at one again."  A man alone without God cannot be at peace, because he has been cut off from God because of his sin.  By the grace of God we can experience union with God through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

On the heels of the sermon, I happened to read the back of a "Tea Tonic" chamomile packet.  It vividly described the effect of drinking the tea:  "A charming simplicity created from delicate flowers, that helps calm, soothe, and gives inner peace."  All I can say is, the "inner peace" chamomile tea potentially brings is far from what is available to all in Christ.  The union of tea with my stomach does not provide any lasting peace.  There is no shortage of activities or things the world claims is a substitute for peace from God, but every single one of them is a sham.  The world is big on promoting feelings gained from various activities, but nothing the world gives lasts.  Not one thing originating in this fallen world can bring peace to the soul of a human being.  The very things we can be duped into thinking bring peace do the opposite!  More money in the bank cannot give this peace.  No job, amount of fame, sex, or recognition provides peace.  Everything we see will someday pass away and be remembered no more.

But God, who is rich and mercy, has provided peace that passes understanding and is available to all who will receive Him.  Paul reminded the church in Ephesus to hearken back to their life prior to believing the Gospel in Ephesians 2:12-19 and to consider their changed circumstances after being born again by faith in Christ:  "...that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. ¹⁴ For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, ¹⁵ having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. ¹⁷ And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. ¹⁹ Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God..."

No one can be truly be at peace alone, for how can we be joined to ourselves?  Our sin has separated us from God, and Christ through the Gospel is the one who makes us a new creation:  He "sets at one again."  It is foolish to imagine we can be at peace in this life surrounded by troubled people and circumstances all around us by any external means.  The only way to divine peace is through Jesus Christ and union with Him through faith.  God has given us grace, and peace is provided for all who abide in Christ.  No matter the trials and challenges God allows us to face in the future, the peace God gives is a reality we experience as we look to Him.  It is by God's grace Paul can write the exhortation found in Philippians 4:6-7:  "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; ⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

Look to Christ!

Mr. Kennedy was my History teacher at Emerald Junior High in 1993.  He was a man in control, a seasoned veteran of the classroom.  He was one of those older men who had a gruff persona, but also had that twinkle in his eye.  I liked him from the first day.  My appreciation of his experience, knowledge, and teaching methods only grew as the year progressed.  When graduation from year 8 finally came, I mustered up the courage to ask him to sign my yearbook.  He obliged.  After writing a quick note, he said with a straight face, "I usually don't write half that much."  I received his statement as a compliment, and after reading his message knew it was.

Out of all the messages written in my yearbook by friends and teachers, his meant the most to me.  It still means a lot to me now.  Mr. Kennedy was a man who only knew me as a student in his class for a short time, yet there was a man who believed in me.  Outside of my parents and family relations, I don't know of any others who expressed what he did in a couple of sentences.  He concluded with a sentence at the time I hoped would prove prophetic:  "You will do well in anything you try."  It was an important encouragement at an awkward time in my life.  I had entered into public school after being home schooled for 3 years, and was preparing to transition into high school.  I thank God for Mr. Kennedy and the encouragement he provided.  Twenty-one years have passed, and my appreciation for his care burns undimmed.

Back in those days I could never have imagined where the LORD would lead me.  I had aspirations of being a forensic pathologist or a coroner.  Perhaps a baseball career or my budding golf interest would pay future dividends.  God opened a door after two years of university to go into a construction trade, mechanical insulation.  And after a decade God did the absolute unthinkable:  called me into pastoral ministry.  Then God even went further to lead me to settle in Australia and pastor a church!  When I consider how God has directed my life, it blows me away.  I am most thankful and appreciative of all He has done.

I had a strange series of thoughts the other day, and in retrospect I do not know they were mine.  There were suggestions, statements rooted in doubt that did not spring from a perspective of faith.  The devil can be most subtle.  "Look at all your High School friends," the thoughts began.  "Some are doctors, lawyers, professors, business owners, corporate executives, a commercial pilot, a professional baseball player, well-known people of wealth and distinction.  And what have you done?  You are virtually unknown.  Think what could have been should you have chosen a different path.  You could have done this, done that, been somebody."  I didn't think long before I realised the futility of it.  There was an undertone of discontent, envy, and greed that reeked of sulfur in those thoughts.  I confessed my sin as I prayed:  "Please forgive me LORD for even giving place to those thoughts for a second.  Your way is the right way.  I'm happy right where I am, and my satisfaction is in you."

The path of faith in Christ is the only one worth traveling.  If there is anything I desire to do well, it is to follow Jesus faithfully all my days.  I am not rich in worldly goods, but I have all I need.  I am not well known in this world, but I am known by God as His dear child.  And I am not alone!  Last night I read with great delight a passage of a man who has gone before me.  Moses was a man who was raised as a prince, trained by the very best, and at 40 years old had a bright future.  He had wealth, intelligence, fame, and security.  Yet Moses chose to forfeit it all to serve God, believing only God could supply true wealth.  Hebrews 11:24-26:  "By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, ²⁵ choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, ²⁶ esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward."  There it is!  Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.  I too have come to the conclusion that the reproach of Christ is greater than all this world could ever offer.  My convictions and beliefs have cost me superficial friendships, but the gain I have through friendship with God and fellowship in the church is of far greater and eternal value.

When you are tempted to look back on what could have been, instead look to the God who was, is, and is to come.  Regret promotes decay and death, whereas faith and hope in God bring light and life.  God is the one who does all things well, and He does not even need to try.  It is a beautiful day when our identity is found in Christ alone:  in the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His suffering.  God is a Redeemer who provides joy unspeakable and peace that passes understanding for eternity.  Jesus is the One who makes all things new!

Forget Formulas

As Christians, we must take care not to make formulas out of facts.  Scripture is packed with important facts relevant for personal and broad applications.  There is a tendency in people - compared by God as sheep in many instances - for us to walk in the footsteps of whomever we follow.  When we see a result we appreciate, we seek to follow the same steps so we might too have a particular experience or outcome for ourselves.  "How did you make the cake so moist?"  "What product did you use to have such healthy looking hair?"  "Who details your car?  I never seem to get that deep shine."  "How do you stay so positive after all that has happened to you?"  So we follow a recipe, buy product and follow the instructions carefully, call the mobile detailer, or do our best to follow advice.  Sheep tend towards imitation, not innovation.

There are many who claim to have the answers we are all looking for.  There are hucksters who sell their wares at the fair, offer free seminars with a "free" gift promised to the first 50 who call, and plenty of folks willing to sell you information to increase your net worth.  The same can be true concerning spiritual matters.  Some have developed plans to increase church size, books have been written outlining how to pray and prepare studies, and some hold seminars on how to pursue religious experiences.  Formulaic approaches may be more entrenched in your life than you might think.  We couple biblical facts with our experiences and figure if someone desires an experience, they can do what we have done.  But the fact remains:  there are no formulas when it comes to knowing God and experiencing all He has for us.  There are plenty of facts and things in common between people who have known God, but God Himself is the only true common denominator.

Man likes to be in control.  He enjoys sitting down at a particular hour, pushing a button on the remote, having the television turn on, and watching the program he expected to be on air.  This is all very predictable, entertaining, and comfortable.  The modern television watcher even has more control than he used to, for he can record, pause, and rewind television with a button.  He can stand up and make himself a proper coffee and not miss a second.  It is in this culture of convenience and ease where God stands in stark contrast.  There is no formula to know God or steps we take in a particular order to have fellowship with Him.  This is no button to push, no convenient time frame provided, no pause button.  There are facts in scripture that teach us of God, His righteous character, reasonable requirements, and our fitting response.  There is no prayer that saves a man from hell.  There is no series of actions we can take in our flesh to accomplish what God does only through the Holy Spirit.  God is consistent in is holiness and righteousness, but the means and methods He uses are widely varied as our experiences and feelings.

We do a great disservice to God when the way of salvation is reduced to a formula, a "repeat after me" statement devised either for convenient use in groups or to quantify results.  "If you just prayed that prayer," I have heard someone say, "you are now a child of God."  That is presumptuous at best, abominable falsehood at worst.  Please don't misunderstand:  it very well may be at that very moment people were justified through faith in Jesus Christ as Saviour.  Perhaps you look back to a time when after uttering a prayer you were convinced of your justification by faith.  But it was not the prayer, hand-raising, or coming forward that accomplished the divine regeneration:  it is the power of God that makes a person born again by the Holy Spirit.  Sadly, it is at that moment when some seekers stop seeking.  They have found all they wanted - assurance of salvation - even if from a mere man.  This assurance may be granted after a genuine conversion, but it might be an illusion.  God does not look to see if we have ticked external boxes, but looks upon the heart.

It is the scriptures that teach us the way of salvation and provide ample assurance.  I believe everyone must wrestle individually with God, even as Jacob did.  Whether it is salvation or baptism with the Holy Spirit, it is for each and every one of us to seek God humble, fervently, presenting ourselves as surrendered servants to His will.  We are not alone in our search.  God has given us the Holy Scriptures and other believers to join us along the road in our pursuit of Christ.  God has seen fit to establish the church of which Christ is Head, scattered throughout the earth.  He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill and come upon us in power.  We must be careful not to adopt the means of Simon, a man spoken of in Acts 8:18-19:  "And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."  Instead of seeking God, Simon sought the help of man.  He offered corruptible money to obtain power only given by God as He sees fit according to His purposes.  Simon saw what he believed to be a formula for people to receive the Holy Spirit, yet this was no formula!  Sometimes the Holy Spirit was given to people without the laying on of hands (Acts 10:44).

The point?  Formulas are no substitute to knowing God in personal relationship.  As they mislead, formulas also disillusion.  "I have prayed that prayer and nothing happened."  "I prayed for healing like a book said and my aunt still passed away."  "I have sought spiritual gifts but I guess those things aren't for me."  What hardness, pain, doubt, and disunity can result!  When our experiences trump God's Word in our minds, we build on a foundation of sand.  Let us renew our desire to seek God with all our hearts according to His Word.  May our desire for closeness and intimacy increase as we grow in grace and knowledge of who God is and all He has done.  When we fall into the trap of formula instead of friendship with God we miss the point:  we miss knowing the One who has revealed Himself.  We should not approach God for experiences, though we will have them.  We should not seek God for power, though He empowers all Christians to perform His will.  God will never be a means to our end.  When God is our end, the best will never end.

Ignorance is No Fix

While driving this morning, I noticed something a bit odd in my rear-view mirror.  The vehicle behind me had what appeared to be a parking ticked tucked underneath the windscreen wiper, flapping madly in the breeze.  I wondered if the person hadn't noticed it before they climbed into their car.  But then again, perhaps the driver had noticed it.  Maybe they thought if they kept driving and the ticket happened to fly out, they could deny all knowledge of being ticketed for parking illegally.  People aren't that silly, are they?

I wondered.  Every driver with a reasonable amount of sense knows when they are ticketed, their details have been recorded by the governing body to enforce legal parking.  The loss of the paper ticket does not erase their infraction, nor will it wipe the fine they owe from the record.  It would be utterly foolish to ignore that ticket, watch the wind pry it loose from the wiper, shrug the shoulders and ask with a grin:  "What ticket?"

There is no doubt in my mind this is a similar approach some take with God and His righteous requirements.  They drive around (so to speak) with little scraps of paper flying from their vehicle they hope will slip away to litter the ground as they speed along.  Some think they do themselves a favour by ignoring their debt of sin before God.  Perhaps they believe that when they stand before God on the Day of Judgment they can "play dumb" and by pleading willful ignorance they can escape the enormous, compounded fine they owe for a life of sin.  Ignorance does not provide freedom from the Law and its righteous demands.  The only way to "fix" a ticket is to deal with it with the governing body and meet their conditions in the time permitted.  In similar fashion, the only way our sins are forgiven is when we own up to it before God, humbling ourselves according to God's conditions.  Our sins need not hang over our heads because atonement and forgiveness has been provided to all who repent and trust in Jesus Christ as LORD.

Ever so often it is reported on news stations a sting has been carried out to arrest people who have outstanding warrants for all manner of crimes.  These home arrests are typically carried out when the lawbreakers would not expect it, usually before the light of day when they are asleep in their beds.  We know that God often requires the souls of people at a time they do not expect.  Every word and deed will be brought under His righteous judgment.  Both Christians and non-Christians will be brought before God and will be required to give an answer, either of the quality of our stewardship or the denial of Christ.  When God brings it to our attention we have transgressed, let us take that slip of paper and own it, choosing repentance over willful ignorance.  Praise God He has provided the means of our atonement, forgiveness, righteousness, and reconciliation!

The Blessedness

When Paul wrote his epistle to the church in Galatia, he did not waste much time before going straight to the heart of the matter.  After a brief introduction, he launched into the purpose of his letter with grave concern.  The growing church in Galatia had initially responded to the Gospel of Jesus Christ with great joy.  But after Paul left them, others came to the body of believers and perverted the message of the Gospel.  The people in the fellowship abandoned the simple grace of God and adopted a legalistic approach - that as followers of Christ, they were compelled to keep the ordinances given to Moses.  They had come to God through grace, yet they were deceived to think they were justified through their works.

The issue Paul dealt with severely in the Galatian church is not unfamiliar today.  There are many people who make a joyful acceptance of the Gospel yet it is not long before they are turned aside from the simplicity of it.  They heap upon themselves doctrines of men taught as the commands of God.  Some align themselves will Paul, Apollos, or Cephas instead of Christ!  Like the Pharisees before them, they work to measure up to an arbitrary standard and forget their calling to follow Christ and make disciples who follow Jesus too!  Christ drew them with His love, mercy, and grace, yet some professing believers do not demonstrate the same simplicity of heart.  How many have shipwrecked through devilish deceptions disguised as piety!  How many have become twisted, angry, frustrated souls, trying to accomplish through the flesh what Jesus has done through the Spirit!  My heart breaks for those who are turned aside from the Gospel through their revelations and knowledge.

The Galatians did what is common for all men:  they followed mere men.  They were fickle and easily fooled, not having a strong foundation in the Word of God.  God used Paul to expose them to the truth of the Gospel, but it was not long until they saw him as an enemy!  Paul wrote in Galatians 4:13-17:  "You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. ¹⁴ And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. ¹⁶ Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth? ¹⁷ They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them."  Paul did not come to Galatia as a grand orator, nor did he have any manipulative motives.  He was deeply burdened by the possibility they were not even born again, for their lives had no evidence of Christ's love or good fruit.

Beware the day when we trade the blessedness of the Gospel for anything less!  If any doctrine or emphasis begins to trump the Gospel of Jesus Christ, His love and grace, it is only a matter of time before we will begin to alienate ourselves from those who truly love us.  It is so tragic when Christians see fellow believers as enemies, reconcilable only if they choose to agree with their pet doctrine or emphasis.  People will know we are Christians by the love we have toward one another.  When we keep in clear view the blessedness of Christ's Gospel, His love will be evident and fruitful through us for God's glory.

Reading Right

As I prepared a study in the book of Proverbs, a thought crossed my mind.  How many times in the past I have read those sayings of divine wisdom almost as I would read quotes from famous people?  Job 12:11 says, "Does not the ear test words and the mouth taste its food?"  What tastes lovely to one person may not appeal to someone else.  There is a range of subjectivity to personal preferences when it comes to food.  When we hear or read a quote, a process similar to tasting food is begun.  As we chew the food, no hands are forcing us to do so.  At any moment, we can decide that bite is simply too much to handle and spit it out. As we read a statement or hear words spoken, we weigh the words against our beliefs.  We can choose to reject what is said or file it away for future use because we agree.

The absolute worst way to read the Bible is to weigh the proverbs or sayings against our own experience or opinions.  The Bible is not true by virtue of my agreeing with it, but on the basis that it is actually what it claims to be in its entirety:  the Spirit-breathed Word of God.  What a mistake we make when we read a proverb and say, "Hmm, does my experience agree with this statement?  Do my prior opinions line up with the implications of what is being said?  Because I can think of an example from my own life to support it or I already happen to agree, I believe it is true."  This is a grave error and one to be avoided at all cost.  The Bible is not like a book of quotes where we are free to pick and choose what is true based upon our feelings, experience, or implications we agree with already.  It must be viewed as absolutely authoritative and true, trumping all my opinions, even my own experience viewed through the skewed perspective of the passage of time and my human frame.

There is a right way to read scripture if we are convinced it is the Word of God from a position of belief.  It is true on the basis of the righteousness of the Author, who through the Holy Spirit moved men to pen these immortal passages.  It's true that we can draw many examples to illustrate the truth of scripture from the pages of the Bible, our own lives, the world in which we live, confirmed through history.  Confirmation is everywhere for those who read with personal knowledge of the God who wrote those words.  They are indeed the words of life and that without controversy.

Increasing and Abounding in Love

I love it when God opens my eyes to a particular verse and then continues to bring it to my attention day after day.  Through His Word God speaks.  The repetition provides confirmation of the particular area God is directing me to pray, and reveals how intentional God is to speak into my life.  It also prompts a response from me, for in His wisdom God knows exactly what I need even if I am unaware or clueless.  1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 says, "And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."  What the LORD continue to impress upon me is my need to increase and abound in love to one another and to all.  God points out my faults and insufficiency so I will admit my need and seek Him as my sufficiency.

I am aware of my need to grow in love for God and others in a theoretical sense, but God wants me to accept this as His will for me right now.  The Bible confirms this is a process all believers should embrace according to His will.  God does not simply desire my love increase but to abound.  Instead of measuring out active love to a select few, I am called as a follower of Christ to seek Him that I might increase and abound in love to all!  Only through Christ can our love increase and abound.  Jesus said in John 10:10-11, "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. ¹¹ I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep."  Paul wrote in Romans 5:8, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."  Though Jesus died on a cross and rose from the dead almost two thousand years ago, His demonstration of love remains in the present tense.  Our love for one another must also perpetually remain in the present tense through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The apostle Paul did not "attain" in this life.  His life after being born again was marked by his increasing and abundant love for God, fellow believers, and all people.  But while he remained in a body of flesh, the road of sanctification stretched out far before him.  If Paul needed this growth, how much more do I need to increase in love as well!  I do not want to be content only with a measurable increase of love demonstrated through my life, but a super-abundance of Christ's supernatural love.  This is not something I can do by my best efforts, but God delights to cause my love to increase and abound towards all.  He is able!  This is not a work He will do until I admit my great lack, confess my sin in repentance, and walk in obedience to Him by faith.  It is the LORD who will make me increase and abound in love, and I'm thankful He will do this so He might "establish my heart blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

Scripture Teaching

How spiritually healthy and rewarding it is when our steps require faith in God!  The flesh hates feeling out of control, but what a blessing it is to walk in the truth that God is in control.  I experienced one such moment today.  Earlier today God brought to pass the culmination of a desire that has grown since I first visited Phil and Linda White in Brisbane, Australia in 2009:  teaching scripture to students in a public school.  During one of our chats, Linda told me that in public schools in Australia scripture is taught by qualified volunteers from local churches.  I could hardly believe it!  Hailing from the United States of America, a nation hamstrung by political correctness and supposed implications of "separation of Church and State" with corresponding restrictions, this seemed too good to be true.

An open door to teach scripture in public schools stands open in Australia, and God opened a door to teach scripture in my own suburb.  One week after moving house, I received a call from a coordinator of the scripture classes to inquire concerning a character reference.  It turned out there was a vacancy that had just opened up.  It is a remarkable opportunity to expose kids to the truth of scripture and introduce them to God.  The fact is, scripture teaching works!  Students are free to opt out of scripture teaching, and those who do are taught "ethics."  I would be curious to know the origin and foundation of those ethics!

When going through the modules to be qualified to teach scripture, I was amazed at the objectives according to the Rawlinson Report and the current NSW Education Act.  Taken from a Youthworks Training booklet, the five reasons scripture teaching exists are:

• to develop an ability to interpret religious data within the traditions of their particular faith
• to gain an appreciation of specific religious interpretations of issues and problems in which committed people apply their faith to life
• to translate their learning about their faith into active expression in a worshipping community
• to encounter, in a peer group-learning context, religious teaching given from a position of faith and committment by a person explicitly associated with the religious community
• to be aware of the availability of personal and group counselling in the area of religious need

As I entered the school today, it certainly was an act of reliance upon God.  The flesh never enjoys striking into unfamiliar territory.  I could sense doubts and worries being thrown my way by the enemy, reasons why I should not bother teaching scripture.  I had heard the class was difficult, nearly unmanageable!  There is no doubt God gave me a peace and utterance as I shared from the scriptures.  Overall everyone was engaged and attentive.  Perhaps the accent had something to do with that!  Because God promises His Word does not return void, I know seeds were planted, watered, and in His time according to His grace will be fruitful.

Have you recently taken new steps of faith?  If you are a Christian, this is what God has called us to.  By receiving the Gospel by grace through faith we have signed up to take more steps of faith!  If our lives do not require a walk of faith -going into situations outside our comfort zone where God is our only peace and help - then we must wonder if we are trusting Christ at all!  What joy comes from this walk of faith, though our days be filled with unknowns and growing challenges.  When we walk in faith in God, we walk closer to Christ.  He will always lead us in the right way!

Walking Wisely

My family and I have been hosts this week to a couple which have long been a positive, godly influence in our lives.  It was a pleasure showing them the sights of Sydney and we greatly enjoyed their insights as we chatted about ministry and family.  There is great encouragement when the global body of Christ unites together under His banner of love.  The support of gracious brothers and sisters in Christ is a gift God has provided we do well to embrace.

Last night as a small group of us gathered at Calvary Chapel Sydney for a Bible study, we considered practical ways to walk in wisdom.  Many things were discussed:  being born again, humility, heeding God's Word, fellowship with God through prayer, discipline, and obedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  There was one aspect in particular that God impressed upon me to emphasise, not that it is more important than the rest.  I do believe, however, it is an aspect which can be quite foreign in our individualistic, self-centered societies:  we have a deep need to be in regular fellowship with Christians.  I do not simply mean attending a local church.  I am talking about forging close friendships centered upon Christ where we are unashamed and transparent, cultivating relationships where all have the freedom to encourage, exhort, rebuke, confess sin and struggles, and strengthen one another by pointing to Christ.

If as born again Christians we are each part of Christ's Body the church, then we must be united in worship of God and fellowship with one another with love and grace, bearing one another's burdens.  We cannot do this alone.  I believe there are many who think they can live for Christ alone and continue to grow.  With the power of the Holy Spirit within them, the Bible to guide them, books and podcasts to encourage them, they do not need to cultivate relationships with other Christians.  That is like a leg saying it does not need the ankle or foot to remain upright!  We are not to view church as a support system for our benefit (though we do greatly benefit from unity in Christ), but to consider how we might practically provide strength for the Body.  We do this by reaching individual lives and ministering to each according to the leading of the Holy Spirit.  Those who are born again are called to provide edification of the Body through love.  The gifts and resources God has given you are not intended for your sole benefit, but for the good and strengthening of others.  The early church laid hold of this calling with both hands, and by His grace we can do the same.

Jesus did not come to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.  Some make the mistake of focusing on service and neglect to fix their eyes and hearts on Christ.  Others think the church exists for their benefit instead of considering how they might contribute to the strengthening and edifying the Body through love.  We must move beyond maintaining a relationship with God and press on in faith in Christ so we might grow and encourage others to do the same.  God's intention was not that we labour to protect ourselves from the world but that we would overcome it through Him.  Christianity is not defined by what we don't do, but is established upon the fact God knows us and we know Him through the Gospel.  Too many times we focus on "not sinning" instead of walking in the Spirit through abiding in Christ.  God places individuals in our lives to sharpen us, not to make us miserable or hopeless.  Jesus is our hope and peace!

Rejoice believer, for you are not alone!  Jesus has promised to never leave or forsake us.  He has also united us to fellow Christians that we might run with endurance the race set before each of us.  We may not agree on every point of doctrine or emphasis, but love covers a multitude of my sins.  We walk wisely when we forge relationships where God remains the centre, chief joy, and our all in all.

Purity in Worship

"And he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men."

2 Kings 23:14

The two first commands of the 10 Commandments boom from the Creator of All, "Thou shalt have no other gods before me" and "Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image."  These are commands all people have broken, even those who claim to trust in God.  God's people agreed to a covenant with God on His terms, that they would love and obey Him.  Yet over the passage of time, generations grew up who did not know the LORD or follow Him exclusively.  They began to worship the gods of the native people and their religious activities were devoid of worship as God intended.

Throughout the history of Israel and Judah, the majority of kings did not worship the LORD and led the nation into idolatry.  There were, however, kings raised up by God who sought to destroy the high places and eradicate the gross idolatry that corrupted the worship of the true God of Israel.  Josiah was one such king.  He re-established the covenant before the LORD and destroyed the pillars, altars, and high places used for idolatrous practices.  Then Josiah did something very interesting.  After breaking in pieces the pillars and images, he filled the area with the bones of men.  Under the Law of God, to touch a dead body or bone made the transgressor ceremonially unclean.  These bones sent a clear message to all who intended to offer sacrifice to the demonic entity:  the place was unclean, and to offer a sacrifice in this place meant those bones could just as easily be yours!

This brought an interesting thought to mind.  The bones littering the ground did not make the high place any more unclean than before.  The worship of any god or image other than God Almighty was unclean, yet the people did not see it.  It took the desecration of the pillars and the pollution with dead things to demonstrate to the people how horrible sin and the consequences were.  This display grabbed the attention of the people.  It's possible for people - even God's people - to be engaged in horrendous activities we don't even realise are sinful.  The way we think, speak, and act slip past our guard unnoticed.  It takes the searching power and conviction of the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to see how sinful sin is.  It is a glorious day when the thing we once embraced as fun and wholesome is now as attractive to us as rotting corpses and unclean as bones.  Instead of clearing the carnage and justifying ourselves to continue according to our traditions, may we seek guidance from God in His Word on how we can worship and glorify Him.  Too many times we simply built another altar, erect another image, or seek out another pillar in a shady high place instead of seeking the LORD alone.

What a wonder, that God rejoices in the repentance of His people!  Our sin brought death, but God provides life, grace, and peace through Jesus.  Let us not neglect God's order of things.  It does no good to tear down altars before we have agreed with God's covenant through the Gospel.  We must first repent and be born again!  Once that heavenly transaction has taken place, during our lives we will ever be waging a war against our flesh and the subtle temptations of the devil.  May the pastures where the Good Shepherd leads us to grace be kept free from the pillars and idolatrous images.  God desires and deserves all our worship.

Find True Security

"The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me: 'He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God. ⁴ And he shall be like the light of the morning when the sun rises, a morning without clouds, like the tender grass springing out of the earth, by clear shining after rain.' ⁵ "Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure. For this is all my salvation and all my desire; will He not make it increase?"

2 Samuel 23:3-5

For almost a week now, the beginning of verse 5 keeps ringing through my head.  God had revealed to David the state of the man who rules justly in the fear of God.  God compared such a man to the first light of the sunrise, warm rays warming the horizon, without a cloud or threat of storm.  He also likened that man to tender grass that springs out of the earth, providing food for beast and men.  In addition fresh growth and vibrancy, this ruler is like the clear shining after rain:  refreshed, cleansed, and satisfied.  Then comes the confession of humble David:  "Although my house is not so with God..."  God had revealed the truth, the unshakable reality of the man who walks in godliness.  David was a man after God's own heart, but he recognised he was far from perfect.  He had not achieved this ideal reality, and he wasn't afraid to admit it.

This is one thing I admire about David.  He did not pretend he was perfect, nor did he try to fool himself into believing everything was fine.  A godly man is honest, sincere, and transparent, and David was all these things.  It seems these days a man in authority - a king, minister, father, or boss - does not feel at liberty to expose his warts, sins of his past, or the troubled condition where he finds himself.  Admitting weakness or faults represents God poorly some think, and they refuse to acknowledge sin or personal problems even with their friends.  I say such think wrong.  My admission of failure and that my house is not so with God reveals clearly I need Him.  If people are stumbled because of my faults or bad decisions of my kin, perhaps they have put too much stock in following men.  People stumbled at the words and works of the infallible Christ:  how much more if they follow mere men?  David does an amazing thing as king by these admissions:  "God says a just ruler is like the light of the sunrise without clouds, but I cannot say that of me.  God revealed to me that one who rules in the fear of God is like tender grass springing from the earth, yet that does not resemble me or my family."  David knew he was deeply flawed, and this understanding made room for God's unfathomable grace. 

"Although my house is not so with God, yet He has made with me an everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and secure."  Though David was not perfect, God had given him an everlasting covenant.  The agreement God had with David was eternal and secure.  This gave David great peace, for he understood physical and emotional insecurity very well.  For years he fled from the face of King Saul who tried to murder him.  Even after he was established on the throne, he fled from Jerusalem when his son Absalom tried the usurp the throne.  He found himself in danger in fields, caves, castles, and in the open field.  Could he accuse God of wrong?  No.  David nor his house was perfect before God.  His life was one of thunderstorms, screaming winds, and desolation.  Being king did not end his troubles, in fact, during his time as king is when he weathered some of the most fierce storms.  Yet in all his trials, the light of God shone through his circumstances with illuminating clarity.  The Holy Spirit was upon David to guide his fingers in battle as well as penning many prophetic Psalms in scripture.

David had times of trouble and uncertainty, and it was in these times the eternal covenant God had made with him kept him centered on what mattered.  A covenant is only as strong as the one who establishes the covenant.  God, with all wisdom, power, and grace, established a covenant with David.  He promised to establish His house forever, even though David or his house was not so with God.  He would send Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Son of David, to be the Messiah whose kingdom will endure forever and ever.  For all who repent and trust in Christ, with us Jesus has established a covenant through His own blood.  We don't need to be perfect to receive His gracious forgiveness, nor do we need to meet God's ideals before the righteousness of Christ is imputed to us.  What a wonder, that although me and my house are not so with God, God has offered to us an everlasting covenant through the Gospel.

Let us follow David's lead in admitting we are not perfect, and neither is our house.  It is by grace we have been saved through faith and not of ourselves.  Though there be storms on the horizon or floods swelling all around us, we can look to the God who has given us an everlasting covenant.  Those who seek the LORD with find Him, and with Him is everlasting security and peace.

What God Longs For

First impressions can be most misleading.  Many deep friendships I now have did not start off that way.  The initial snapshot we have of others, the conversation we walked in on, a few words spoken misunderstood, can give us a very jaded and unfair picture of reality.  This same thing happens when it comes to knowledge of God.  God's character is complex and multifaceted, and it is easy for people to grab bits and pieces out of biblical context to create a monstrous caricature in their minds.  Some can only see God as a mushy "God of love" and others see Him as always furious, ready to dole out judgment for the slightest trespass.  Only through scripture and the power of the Holy Spirit can a man begin to know God.  Those who are known of God on earth can know Him, but our knowledge, experience, and sight is incredibly limited.  Through eternity those saved by the blood of Jesus will be ever growing in our knowledge, appreciation, and worship for who God is and all He has done.

After God revealed Himself to the Israelites in power on Mt. Sinai, the people were overwhelmed by His presence.  When they realised how far above and beyond them God was, they were afraid even to speak with Him!  Yet this mighty God chose them, saved them, and made a covenant with them.  God made a covenant with His people according to His grace, for all people are undeserving of His great divine condescension.  God made a covenant knowing His people would not always be faithful to Him nor heed His Word.  He knew they would rebel, break His laws, promote idolatry and sin, murmur against Him, refuse to believe, and ask for a king like all the other nations rather than being ruled by God alone.  Knowing all His people would do:  cast His words behind them, kill the prophets He raised up to teach them, spit in His face, and murder His only Son, God accepted them anyway.

If man had the foresight of God, he would not give like God.  Even though people are deeply, profoundly flawed, He desired only good for them.  Consider the longing of God in Deuteronomy 5:29:  "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"  Does this sound like a God who is "out to get people?"  God alone knows the insidious nature and the far-reaching consequences of sin and rebellion.  God did not give His people commands to restrict them from having fun, but to protect them from their own wickedness.  God knew what would happen should His people seek after mediums, pervert justice, worship idols, or fornicate:  the land would vomit them out!  Judgment would be required!  God longs that people would have a heart to fear Him and keep His commandments.  Jesus told His disciples in John 15:12, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you."

How has God loved you?  Jesus demonstrated the love of God by laying down His own life as a sacrifice for your sin.  God knew people could never measure up to His perfect standard, so He made a way through the sacrifice of His Son so all could repent, receive the Gospel by faith, and have eternal life.  God desires that it would be well with us and our children forever.  With new hearts by grace through faith in Christ, may we fear God and always keep all His commandments.  No matter what befalls us in this life, it will be well for us.  God will see to it!

Your King Matters

In the biblical history of the Jewish people we see well illustrated the importance of who sat on the throne.  The one anointed as king wielded great influence on the lives of the people:  some walked according to God's laws, and others encouraged idolatry and great abominations.  What is true for nations has spiritual implications for individuals.  The one you pay homage to will dictate your spiritual health and vitality.  When self sits on the throne, there can be no true peace.  It is only when Jesus Christ is elevated to His rightful status in our lives as LORD and Saviour that all begins to be put right.

After Adam's sin in the garden, man was separated from God.  God promised He would deliver His people from the oppression of sin and tyrannical rulers if they would love Him and walk in His ways.  A day came when the people demanded to have a king like the other nations, rejecting God as their divine ruler.  The majority of these kings were evil and led the nation into idolatrous practices.  After the kingdom was divided between Israel and Judah, there was no shortage of wicked kings and queens!  God in His mercy raised up kings who performed His will to forcibly remove those abominable rulers.  Jehu was one of those kings.  In him we see a picture of how wickedness is overthrown by God's anointed in both hearts and nations.  A day is coming when Christ will return and mete out judgment on all evildoers.  He will not spare in that day when God's wrath is full.  While He tarries, today is the day of salvation.

After Jehu was anointed by a prophet at the command of God, he went on a rampage against Ahab's house.  2 Kings 9:22-24 reads, "Now it happened, when Joram saw Jehu, that he said, "Is it peace, Jehu?" So he answered, "What peace, as long as the harlotries of your mother Jezebel and her witchcraft are so many?"²³ Then Joram turned around and fled, and said to Ahaziah, "Treachery, Ahaziah!" ²⁴ Now Jehu drew his bow with full strength and shot Jehoram between his arms; and the arrow came out at his heart, and he sank down in his chariot."  Joram sought peace, but there could be no peace because of the rampant harlotries and witchcraft.  Similar to how allowing a gangrenous limb to remain connected to the body endangers the whole, it was time for Ahab's wicked house to be cut off from Israel.  He and Jezebel had shed much innocent blood, and their blood was upon their own heads.  2 Kings 9:27 "But when Ahaziah king of Judah saw this, he fled by the road to Beth Haggan. So Jehu pursued him, and said, "Shoot him also in the chariot." And they shot him at the Ascent of Gur, which is by Ibleam. Then he fled to Megiddo, and died there."  Ahaziah tried to escape the penalty of death for his grave sins, but he was tracked down and executed.  His speedy chariot was no match for the demands of God's justice.

Jezebel was not able to avoid her punishment though she was wealthy and alluring.  2 Kings 9:30-33 says, "Now when Jehu had come to Jezreel, Jezebel heard of it; and she put paint on her eyes and adorned her head, and looked through a window.³¹ Then, as Jehu entered at the gate, she said, "Is it peace, Zimri, murderer of your master?" ³² And he looked up at the window, and said, "Who is on my side? Who?" So two or three eunuchs looked out at him.³³ Then he said, "Throw her down." So they threw her down, and some of her blood spattered on the wall and on the horses; and he trampled her underfoot."  Jezebel killed the righteous and promoted the wicked.  She questioned the wisdom of Jehu's act in slaying Joram and Ahaziah.  What she did not acknowledge is Jehu had been anointed and crowned king.  As king, he had authority from God Himself to mete out justice for the grave crimes which Ahab and his house had perpetrated.  Without even acknowledging Jezebel's words, he commanded she be thrown down and promptly trampled her.

Do you see it?  Jezebel is a picture of the wicked ruler of this world, Satan.  A day is coming when Jesus will return to earth with a mighty army and throw down the ruler of this world.  Satan's grip on this world is already broken, for on the cross Jesus crushed his head through His death and resurrection.  Satan is a liar, accuser, thief, and murderer from the beginning.  The day of his reckoning draws nigh.  Jesus will give the command, and Michael will throw Satan down!  Revelation 12:7-11 reads, "And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, ⁸ but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. ⁹ So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. ¹⁰ 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. ¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death."

The parallels do not end there.  King Ahab's daughter Athaliah was given as wife to King Jehoram of Judah.  She was an incredibly brutal and wicked woman who seized an opportunity to usurp the throne from her own kin.  2 Kings 11:1 tells the tragic tale:  "When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal heirs."  Athaliah ordered the death of her own grandchildren to assume rule over Judah.  If a person is willing to do such unthinkable atrocities, is anything beyond them?  God did not forsake His people even in that dark chapter of their history.  Joash, son of the rightful king, was hidden from Athaliah's wrath and kept hidden in the Temple.  When he turned seven years old, the High Priest Jehoiada called together a group of trustworthy men who were loyal to God and their king.  He organised the coronation of the king without the knowledge or consent of the usurping Athaliah.

2 Kings 11:12-16 reveals the climactic moment, a day of rejoicing and celebration:  "And he brought out the king's son, put the crown on him, and gave him the Testimony; they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, "Long live the king!" ¹³ Now when Athaliah heard the noise of the escorts and the people, she came to the people in the temple of the LORD.¹⁴ When she looked, there was the king standing by a pillar according to custom; and the leaders and the trumpeters were by the king. All the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. So Athaliah tore her clothes and cried out, "Treason! Treason!"¹⁵ And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of the hundreds, the officers of the army, and said to them, "Take her outside under guard, and slay with the sword whoever follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not let her be killed in the house of the LORD." ¹⁶ So they seized her; and she went by way of the horses' entrance into the king's house, and there she was killed."  Athaliah cried "Treason!  Treason!" yet there was none in Judah more treacherous than her.  Once the rightful king was anointed, crowned, and established, then the usurper could be destroyed.  When the Anointed Messiah, Jesus Christ the Son of God is crowned and established in a heart by faith, Satan's grip is broken.  All he can do is scream and tear his clothes, for his reign of terror and oppression is broken!  Jesus is for us both King and High Priest, and His Word will endure forever.  Satan and all who follow after him will face eternal death in torment, while those loyal to Christ will experience life and light for all eternity.

What a day of rejoicing it is when the strongholds of Satan come crashing down before the power of our promised Saviour!  Satan's rule for a Christian is effectively over, and we need not fear him any more.  When the true king is rightfully on the throne, the oppression of Satan is dealt a death blow.  Let us not listen to his temptations to doubt or fear, but instead rejoice because salvation, strength, the Kingdom of our God, the power of His Christ has come, and thus Satan has been overcome!  To whom do you bow the knee today:  Jesus Christ or some usurper?  Jesus is the KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS.  It is rightly said of Him in Jude 1:24-25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, ²⁵ To God our Savior, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen."

Seek Out the Truth Yourself

The theme of the primary camp at Kedron last week was "Fruit."  In preparation for the talks I assembled an assortment of interesting fruit facts.  One day I did a demonstration and showed how to easily remove pomegranate seeds using a knife, bowl, and wooden spoon.  Less than half of the kids had ever seen a pomegranate before, and they enjoyed sampling the fruit.  From what I can tell, a pomegranate is an "aggregate fruit" that is technically a berry.  Believe me, botany is not for the timid.  It is very complex and at times confusing, so I tended to share fruit facts I could understand and easily explain.  There is much about fruit I don't know!

The following day we had a local television chef and personality come and visit.  The kids were very excited to see a professional chef they had seen on TV.  He came with loads of different fruit and asked questions about them.  What did he hold up?  A pomegranate!  "Do you kids know what this is?"  Tons of hands were raised.  "A pomegranate!" said the one he chose.  "Who here thinks this is a fruit?"  Again, tons of hands were raised in confidence.  Why, we just learned about this yesterday!  Easy!  "You would be wrong," he said with a grin.  Hands went down in dead silence.  "A pomegranate is actually a flower," he went on to say.  The next time he asked a question, only a few hands went up.  "Not so sure about things, are you?" he asked.  He continued with a terrific demonstration which everyone enjoyed.

Now I admit I am no expert, but what the television chef said had me thinking:  was I wrong?  Did I miss something?  I could find no evidence to support his claim of pomegranates being classified as a flower, not a a fruit.  But the thought came to me:  I wonder who the children believed?  Two opposing views were presented.  Would they believe the professional chef, would they take my word for it, or would they investigate themselves to find the truth?  I saw in that moment a microcosm of what people face when they leave the church into secondary school and university.  They have believed something they have heard without investigating themselves.  When their university professor stands up and tells them what they have believed is incorrect, they begin to wonder.  There stands a professional, a man or woman with education and degrees they highly respect.  It is at that moment many kids forsake all they have been taught in Sunday School as fiction or fables, and choose to side with an intellectual and professional person whom they believe is better qualified to teach them.  Their lack of grounding in truth makes them easy prey to be manipulated and influenced to agree with this new teaching - whatever it may be.  And when the cost in university is being branded as unintelligent or a fool for believing the Bible to be the inspired Word of God, most are loathe to pay that price.

I was very happy with the object lesson I was presented with.  My prayer is that everyone chose to look up the facts about pomegranates and claims of Jesus Christ and His resurrection for themselves.  Both professional celebrities and me can be wrong, for we all make mistakes.  None of us are perfect.  What a great reminder that we need to own our faith by going to the Bible as the source of all truth.  Ken Ham says it well:  "Stop trusting man's word!"  Don't take my word for it, but choose to seek after the truth revealed in Jesus Christ.  If we seek God with our whole hearts, we will find Him!

The Cost of Convenience

Convenience often comes at a price.  You can purchase milk at the corner store near your house, but it will likely cost more money than at major shops.  The cost for convenience can extend beyond mere monetary cost as well.  It may be convenient to buy fast-food off the dollar menu, but it is often not as healthy or nutritious as food prepared yourself at home.  Most of us will weigh the cost of convenience and decide accordingly.  If ordering five pizzas delivered is only a $3 fee, you may well choose that option.  But if it is a three dollar charge per pizza, you may decide pickup is the way to go!

We've heard the sad story of a "relationship of convenience," a relationship sustained by motives other than love and affection for their spouse.  Dealing with strife and contention with little effort to reconcile seems easier and cheaper for some than going through a formal split.  When reading the Bible, I came across such a situation with the Israelites. Jeroboam was made king of ten tribes in Israel, having rebelled against Rehoboam king of Judah.  He knew the law of God required the Jews to go to Jerusalem to offer up sacrifices and assemble for the high feast days.  Prompted by the fear of people potentially becoming loyal to Rehoboam and thus endangering his life, Jeroboam decided to set up idols in Bethel and Dan.  His spin to the people, however, was one of convenience.

1 Kings 12:28 reads, "Therefore the king asked advice, made two calves of gold, and said to the people, "It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Here are your gods, O Israel, which brought you up from the land of Egypt!"  The convenience of these idols and the appointment of local men as priests proved too great a temptation for the people to pass up.  "It's too hard for you to go all that way to Jerusalem," Jeroboam said.  "Sacrifice to God close to home!  Why contribute to the economy of Judah when you can invest right here?"  The nation was led into idolatry and grave sin because of Jeroboam's error.  He sacrificed on the altars, created new feasts according to his own heart, and promoted idolatry as good.  The cost for Jeroboam was exponentially high:  his family was cut off (1 Kings 14:9-10).

In the passage of time God raised up a king named Jehu who was zealous for God.  He destroyed the house of Ahab, killed those who worshiped Baal according to the Law, and destroyed the images and temples of Baal.  But though he was zealous for God, Jehu fell into the trap of convenience.  2 Kings 10:31-32 states, "But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart; for he did not depart from the sins of Jeroboam, who had made Israel sin. ³² In those days the LORD began to cut off parts of Israel; and Hazael conquered them in all the territory of Israel..."  It is a sad thing when God's people do not take heed to follow God with all our hearts.  There are always grave consequences of sin, and in this case parts of Israel were cut off through conquest of their enemies.

Convenience is not a bad thing - in fact, it can be a great thing!  But it is good for us to examine if our relationship with God is one we pursue with our whole heart.  It is good to see if we have fallen prey to seeking convenience rather than simple obedience.  Zeal for God does not mean we can sin without consequences.  We do well to tear down our idols and grind them to powder once we are aware of them, and go back to Christ in humility and faith as at the beginning.  Convenience always carries a cost, and our relationships with God and others are not worth sacrificing over it!  Is any sacrifice too much to maintain a right and good relationship with God?

Strength Made Perfect

"And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

2 Corinthians 12:9

God allowed a messenger of Satan to trouble Paul, for in Paul's weakness God's strength was made perfect.  The grace of God was sufficient for any situation Paul might experience.  In His wisdom, God allowed Paul to suffer - and not without divine purpose.  Through experience Paul knew by God's grace when he was weak, he was strong.  Human weakness, coupled with humble faith in Jesus Christ, promotes supernatural strength for God's glory.

What the world perceives as weakness is sometimes the embodiment of strength.  Life on earth is made to be "survival of the fittest" where the biggest, strongest, and fastest rule.  We are taught to fight for our rights, showing no signs of weakness.  With pride to fuel our attitudes and motivated by envy, humans learn how to manipulate others to gain advantage.  When faced with the wild popularity of Jesus Christ, the leading religious leaders of the Jews sought to kill Him.  They used lies, the power of politics, and an angry mob to achieve their ends.  Jesus silently walked in obedience to the will of the Father, meekly laying down His life as a sacrifice for sin.  As the Pharisees gloated and scorned Christ as He bled out on Calvary, the One who was beaten, stripped, and pierced was the picture of strength and divine power.  Given the circumstances, no one at the time could have realised that.

The priests and Pharisees believed they had triumphed.  Satan too thought the power of the grave was enough to overcome Jesus, the Lamb of God.  Three days after being crucified, Jesus Christ changed everything when He rose from the dead.  The Lamb had risen; the Lion of the Tribe of Judah had triumphed after all!  Not only is God's strength made perfect through weakness, but often what appears weak to the world is a demonstration of divine strength.  Though it may marvel, the world cannot understand.  There is none stronger than God, revealed in the persons of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  When a person is born again through repentance and faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts and bears fruit.  Galatians 5:22-23 says, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law."  If a poll was taken of the best character attributes to succeed in a profession or business, I suspect not one of these fruits would appear in the top 10.  Do loving or gentle lawyers make the cut primarily for their love or gentleness?  Are construction workers filled with joy or peace the ones promoted?  Are musicians chosen for gigs because of their patience or self-control?

The fruit of the Spirit to the world on the surface appears weak, even pathetic.  But it is through the leading of the Holy Spirit real strength is demonstrated.  True strength comes from God.  Through faith in Him our weakness gives release to strength made perfect.  May the power of Christ rest upon us!

The Gift of Pineapple

Last evening I returned with Abel from a week spent speaking at a primary camp hosted at Camp Kedron.  "Fruit" was the theme, and it was amazing how many great activities the kids enjoyed.  We all learned a lot about fruit, and more importantly I trust everyone learned a lot more about God.  I did!

One incident summed up the grace of God demonstrated through the camp perfectly.  Before each session, I shared some interesting "fruit facts" with the kids.  I am no botanical expert, but I did spend literally hours scanning articles and websites to learn more about various fruit.  One day I brought a pineapple, also called the "King of Fruit."  I showed them how the crown can be twisted off, dried, and planted to grow a new pineapple plant.  It is not a single fruit but a sorosis, a multiple fruit where the flowers grow flesh and are pressed closely together.  I pointed out the leaves at the bottom of the pineapple, that when picking one out you want to see those leaves are green.  This shows the pineapple is very fresh.  After talking about the pineapple for a minute or two, I put it aside and continued with the talk.

The next day during break, a particular girl's cabin expressed their interest to eat that pineapple.  I decided the next morning to take the pineapple to chef Phil and ask if I might use the kitchen facilities to cut it up.  He generously volunteered to cut it for me.  As he began to cut off the outer skin, it became evident the heat had not been kind to the pineapple.  Brown splotches had spread throughout the pineapple because it was overripe and going bad.  We arrived to an immediate consensus:  the pineapple was good only for compost.  "Oh well," I said.  "I'll just tell them the pineapple was not good."  Without a word, Phil walked a few steps and from somewhere pulled out a different, fresh pineapple.  He quickly sliced through the pineapple, and it looked great!  He cubed the yellow flesh and presented it beautifully on a platter, with the crown displayed artistically at the top.

During morning tea, I sought out the girls who had asked for the pineapple and handed them the platter.  They were very thankful, appreciative, and apparently hungry - those seven or eight girls ate the entire thing!  It was a lovely illustration of the faithfulness of God.  My pineapple was brown and rotten, yet I was given a delicious pineapple to share that many people enjoyed.  During camp at times I felt a bit lousy with a cold, yet God gave me the strength to speak and press on.  In my flesh no good thing dwells, like that brown, nasty pineapple.  Yet God, by His grace, gave me and the other leaders words to say from the scripture that bring new life and promote health.  I had nothing to offer, but God generously supplied all our needs.

I am thankful to God for all He has done at Camp Kedron, and know He will complete the work He has begun.  When God exchanges His good for our rottenness, let us share it freely with others for His glory.  Thanks Phil for the lesson!  Who would have thought God could use a couple of dumb pineapples to teach life-changing lessons?

Cross Over Jordan

God sees the big picture.  This is quite the opposite of man, whose tendency leans towards self-focus and immediate gratification.  Our physical eyes may have "perfect" vision, yet we can be spiritually shortsighted to the point of blindness.  To enter in to all God has for us requires us to trust Him.  We must be convinced He intimately knows us, our needs, and what is best.

After God led the children of Israel out of slavery in Egypt, He intended to bring them into the land He promised to give them.  When they arrived at the doorstep of Canaan, they sent spies into the land for 40 days.  10 out of 12 brought an evil report of the land.  They acknowledged it was a good land but there were giants and massive strongholds.  In their shortsightedness they looked at the giants and their own relative physical stature and strength rather than the power of God who had done mighty wonders to miraculously deliver them from Egypt.  The people cried and wished they had never left Egypt.  Because of the unbelief of that generation, God forbade them to enter the land.  The two spies who gave a good report and urged the people to trust God who would grant them certain victory, Joshua and Caleb, were the only people from that generation who entered into the land 40 years later.

For 40 years, a year for a day, God led the people through the wilderness.  Finally, the day came when it was time to cross over the Jordan River and enter into the Promised Land.  As they made ready to cross over, the children of Ruben, Gad, and Manasseh talked amongst themselves.  The land on the east side of the Jordan was good land for cattle, and they had much cattle!  Numbers 32 speaks of how they approached Moses and asked politely to be given the land west of Jordan for their inheritance instead of passing over.  They saw goodness of the land and thought, "Man, it doesn't get much better than this!  We would be content to stay right here!"  God, in His mercy and grace, heeded their request and gave them the land.  If they did not want to enter into the land, He would not force them.  He blessed them, despite their unbelief.

Yes, unbelief.  This is the same shortsighted unbelief that can strike the hearts and minds of Christian today.  As we follow Christ, contentment in every situation is something God teaches us.  But we can grow comfortable in our surroundings and be unmotivated to take the next step of faith.  Hey, if God is blessing me on this side of the Jordan, what's the point of crossing over?  Can it get any better than this?  We have cattle and this land is good land for cattle.  Can't I just stay right here, God?  As we see in the text, sometimes God says yes.  But it is always a terrible tragedy when God's people think they know better than God.  To politely decline an inheritance in the Land of Promise because you prefer the grazing where you are - without any knowledge of what God has in store for you - is foolish!

Believers, it gets better.  When we think we have tapped out how good God is, He raises the bar exponentially.  The only way we will know and experience all God has for us is walking by faith, not by sight.  If God has an inheritance on the east side of the Jordan, do not be content to stay on the west side - even if you have cattle and it is good land for cattle.  Where God is leading you is where you should go.  Doesn't God know what cattle need?  More importantly, doesn't God know what you need?  Doesn't He know best?  Since He has purchased and redeemed us for Himself, let us go where He leads.  Should God lead you over Jordan, cross over!

God is Good No Matter What

It is good to be reminded that God is in control.  In good times and bad, God stands at the helm of the circumstances of our lives.  He rules and reigns, sovereign over all.  It is common for a Christian to attribute what we see as good and beneficial as Divine Providence blessing us, and when trials or difficulties come it is seen as an attack of Satan.  While it is true Satan is alive and well on planet earth, that he seeks to steal, kill, and destroy, he is not to blame for anything we perceive as "bad" which happens to us.  God's sovereignty is not only what we perceive as good, but also has control over what we see as inconvenient, troubling, and even fiery trials.

Do you struggle that God allows both good and evil in the world?  He allows even His own children to suffer greatly at the hands of sinners.  A reason why God's sovereignty is hard for us to comprehend can be our own unbelief.  We look at tragedies, obstacles, even delays, and wonder what could possibly be good about them.  There is nothing good about sin, and the world is steeped in it.  Because we do not see good in the circumstances, we figure there must be a sinister purpose behind them - something other than God.  This is the view from the flesh, a view that does not hold God as all powerful, righteous, and good.  The fact that God has the power to change our circumstances and at times chooses not to is a tablet (pill) that sticks in unbelieving throats.  Yet God wants my thinking to change concerning His character and the things He allows.  He is able to take the most obscene, horrendous evil and make it work for good.  How He does this I cannot say, but I am convinced by scripture this is exactly what He does every time.  God wants to bring us to a place where we trust Him because we know Him, not because we think He has made our lives easier or better.

Romans 8:28 says with unflinching, bold confidence:  "And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose."  If we are in Christ, He can use our wretched past and uncertain future for our good and His glory.  Instead of seeing everything advantageous as a blessing and delays or trials as enemy assaults, let us rejoice knowing our Father sits on the throne.  There are blessings in both what we perceive as good or bad.  Since we aren't God, we won't fully understand His ways or thoughts.  But on the foundation of scripture we stand strong in belief in God's righteousness, goodness, and unfailing love.  No matter what we face, God is good.  In a world that has forsaken God, let us seek refuge in the One who will never leave or forsake us!