A Clean Filter

Jesus used parables to teach spiritual truth, and God uses all manner of things to instruct us today in His ways.  During preparation for last Sunday's message I was blessed to gain insight concerning what Jesus said in the Sermon on the Plain:  "Of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45)  "Garbage in, garbage out," some people say, but the point Jesus made was that it is the rubbish already in the heart of people which expresses itself in our words:  what is hidden in our hearts and heads will be manifested in our thoughts, words, and decisions.

I maintain a pool at our house we rent that is surrounded by several palm trees.  Almost simultaneously they all put out pods of flowers and small berries which drop into the pool.  Leaves from an overhanging tree also fall into the pool and the circulating water pulls the debris floating on the surface into a filter.  There is a primary and secondary filter to prevent debris from damaging the pump.  If it was up to me I never would have planted palms by the pool or would have cut them down long ago, but I am the steward of property I do not own.  What I have learned to do is as soon as I see those pods begin to emerge, within a day or two I don a long-sleeved shirt and remove them with a pruning saw.  This prevents the majority of filter-blocking episodes.  A blocked filter places additional stress on the pump, reduces the efficiency of filtration, and more junk sinks to the bottom of the pool.

It dawned on me all people develop an internal "filter" of sorts which depends on our personalities, how we were raised, who we are around, and to whom we speak.  We learn at an early age polite words and good manners are rewarded while lying or swearing are frowned upon.  I remember an occasion hearing a child say loudly while pointing, "Why is that person so fat?"  The child's mum quickly pulled him aside and explained how the things we say can hurt the feelings of others and thus not to always say out loud what we think.  As we mature as people and especially as Christians, it is love which is to filter our words.  We may decide not to say something because of the audience or the situation which is inappropriate.  Our filter is not a basket made of plastic but almost a reflex developed according to our character whether for good or ill.

As people living in a body of flesh which will ultimately be corrupted and perish due to sin, we are stewards of the body, mind, and new heart Jesus has given us.  Just like bees or leaves drop into a pool blown by the wind, depending on the situation there may be all kinds of immoral or sinful thoughts or words which are caught by our filter:  we think them, but we do not say them.  This goes for our feelings as well.  We may feel angry or offended but at the time make an effort not to let on we have been affected by what was said.  Many times this is when our pride has been wounded or the flesh feels slighted.  Jesus said in Luke 6:45, "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks."  Our filters cannot catch everything, but what our filters do catch ought to be of concern to us because they reveal the true condition of our heart.  This is a key aspect of what Jesus is saying:  we can be more concerned about what escapes the filter than what the filter catches.

Since we are given a new heart and renewed mind through faith in Jesus, as we walk according to the leading of the Holy Spirit and value what is good our filters can stay clean.  Sinful thoughts and desires ought to be confessed and repented of as we remove major sources of temptation from our eyes and ears.  Love is to filter what we say, how we say it, and why we say it for the glory of God and the benefit of others.  Our hearts are naturally deceitful and wicked, yet after being born again through the Gospel we can value what is good and it will be brought forth.  Praise the LORD for His cleaning work, that He is good, and how He reveals His goodness, wisdom, and grace to us in ordinary things.

Rank With Fear

We have been reading through the book of Ezra as a family and I was struck by the remarkable scenes of the children of Israel returning to Jerusalem at the command of King Cyrus to rebuild the temple.  People were not commanded to go up by heritage alone or lot but according to their willingness.  The LORD stirred the hearts of people to leave the land of their captivity and return to the ruins of Jerusalem to re-establish the worship of God who was their Inheritance.  They were greatly blessed and provided for by God.  It was God and faith in Him which enabled them to overcome their fears.

See what Ezra 3:1-3 says:  "And when the seventh month had come, and the children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered together as one man to Jerusalem. ² Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his brethren, arose and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. ³ Though fear had come upon them because of the people of those countries, they set the altar on its bases; and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, both the morning and evening burnt offerings."  The first order of business was to build an altar unto the LORD according to the Law of Moses, even before the foundations of the new house were laid.  Take note the people were in fear "because of the people of those countries" but they did it anyway.  Their attitude was not careless or cavalier but boldly united in the faith of God.

I appreciated the transparent insight into the feelings of the people and how faith in God enabled them to overcome and prevail.  The scene from the Lord of the Rings movie Return of the King with Gothmog comes to mind as they approached Minas Tirith.  It was a city ruled by a cowering steward unfit to reign and the warriors and people trembled alike at the sight of the evil horde which came to besiege them.  Gothmog sniffed and exclaimed:  "Fear!  The city is rank with it!"  Jesus told His followers to not fear or worry but to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things--all our needs for this life and for eternity--will be added to us.  We know we shouldn't be afraid, but fear is subtle and insidious.  Before long it becomes a plague which infests our motives, decisions, and actions.  The fear of man is a snare, yet the fear of God frees us from all sinful worries and cares.

With a global pandemic, a sharp economic downturn, and with a bleak outlook of swift recovery as drastic steps are taken by government and individuals for damage control and self-preservation, it is easy for us to give fear a place to bed down.  The future has always been uncertain and our lives perilous--and humans have always been susceptible to fear.  There is no possible way to alleviate our fears by giving into them or vainly attempting they exist.  It is a change of heart and mind we require to take our eyes off the howling storm and look beyond it to our loving Saviour.  God forbid our hearts should be rank with fear of anything when Jesus is our KING, for the love of God drives out all fear.  Though the people were afraid of the nations around them who opposed what they were doing, they arose and offered sacrifices to God.  May we praise the name of God in all seasons of life!  There is a purity in worship where faith in the God we know (Who knows and loves us) trumps fear of all unknowns.

God's Merciful Reign

I am convinced unless God was entirely good, loving, gracious, and merciful there would be no possibility for humanity to survive.  If there was a shred of greed, selfishness, pride, or arrogance in God it would only be a matter of time (and God is eternal!) before He wiped us off this planet like we sanitise surfaces of unwanted germs.  Even in times of difficulty and trials He remains good.  Our natural tendency is to turn away from or against the God who is our only source of hope, healing, and salvation to worries and fears.

In correspondence with my mum today she referenced Psalm 103 and what consolation is found there for all!  When I read through God's Word I mused to myself, who can say it better than God Himself, the One whose mercy is from everlasting to everlasting?  Now matter where or when we live, we exist in the peak season of God's mercy.  What an exhortation it is for people hungry for God's blessings to place their focus on blessing Him instead.  For your reading and living pleasure, here is Psalm 103 in its entirety.

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! ² Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: ³ Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, ⁴ Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, ⁵ Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. ⁶ The LORD executes righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. ⁷ He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the children of Israel. ⁸ The LORD is merciful and gracious,slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. ⁹ He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. ¹⁰ He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. ¹¹ For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; ¹² as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. ¹³ As a father pities his children, so the LORD pities those who fear Him. ¹⁴ For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust. ¹⁵ As for man, his days are like grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourishes. ¹⁶ For the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. ¹⁷ But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children, ¹⁸ to such as keep His covenant, and to those who remember His commandments to do them. ¹⁹ The LORD has established His throne in heaven, and His kingdom rules over all. ²⁰ Bless the LORD, you His angels, Who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word. ²¹ Bless the LORD, all you His hosts, you ministers of His, who do His pleasure. ²² Bless the LORD, all His works, in all places of His dominion. Bless the LORD, O my soul!"      Psalm 103

Make Love Flourish

The Bible is filled with exhortations to trust God, and our faith is made evident through our actions.  What may seem a very inconvenient time might provide a great opportunity to make good on our "good" intentions.  God never promises believers a life of ease and convenience but that He will supply all our needs according to His grace.

I was reminded of this as I continue to read through 2 Corinthians.  In chapter 8 Paul told the Corinthian church about the churches in Macedonia, how they were afflicted and in poverty but gave generously to help meet the needs of others in the church who were struggling.  The previous year the Corinthians expressed their desire to give, and though they had far greater resources to draw upon than the Macedonians they never fulfilled their intentions.  After using the Macedonian church as an example, Paul wrote to the members of the church in Corinth in 2 Corinthians 8:7-8:  "But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also. ⁸ I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others."

The church in Corinth had abundant faith in Jesus, boldness to speak, great knowledge of the truth, were diligent in ministry, and demonstrated love for the saints, yet their giving to those in need lagged behind.  Paul, in a gentle and courteous way, encouraged them to focus on this area of weakness in their walk.  What I appreciate is how Paul did not start comparing the Macedonians with the Corinthians, using guilt or shame to manipulate them to financial giving, but he reminded them about what Jesus had done for them in 2 Corinthians 8:9:  "For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich."  Giving would be an expression of their love of God, acknowledged their Saviour Jesus Christ who gave all for them, and followed His example.  Through giving to meet practical needs their love flourished--not that they would be burdened and others eased--but so their abundance could supply what others lacked.

How fitting is this exhortation to the church today, and when I say church I mean the individual members of the Body of Christ.  May the love of God flourish through us as we give to meet the needs of others in what seems to be the season to stockpile; to supply generous provision instead of hoarding for ourselves.  I exhort you, believer, to seek the LORD's guidance and follow His directives to reach out today to at least one person you know:  a friend, family member, neighbour, or fellow Christian.  Ask them how they are faring, if they have any pressing needs, and consider how the LORD would lead you to contribute.  The LORD can use countless means to accomplish His good purposes and reveal His love and grace to others, yet it is amazing and awesome He chooses to use us to practically demonstrate His love.  It may not seem the most convenient time to give, but today is always the ideal day to cause the love of God to flourish through giving by faith in God.