Going against the flow

In 21st century culture, it's so easy to go with the flow!  It doesn't take any fortitude, intelligence or wisdom. Any dead fish can float downstream, and one of the easiest things in the world to do is simply follow the majority. Have you ever done it?  I'm sure we all have!

Yet the Bible - God's book of wisdom - holds up some red flags.

Proverbs 14:12 says "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (esv) The word "seems" is key. There is a way that seems to be the right way. It appears good, innocent, and harmless.  Many people are travelling that way, so what could be possibly be wrong with it?  But this is part of the problem.  It merely seems to be right - just like a plate of fried rice laced with cyanide looks perfectly harmless but is deadly. (And anyone who sounds a warning about the toxic meal may be unpopular and shouted down!). But things aren't always what as seem.

There are multitudes of people today doing what seems to be right.  eg. Cohabiting before marriage, binge drinking, experimenting with drugs, telling lies to save face, or plunging into the homosexual lifestyle - and getting plenty of encouragement from the world! But where does that pathway lead?  To "death" (Prov 14:12).  It is not simply a case of choosing second best, it is to go down a pathway with catastrophic consequences. 

We need to beware of doing what seems to be right.

God loves us so much, and very much wants us to avoid catastrophe, and to have LIFE. So He warns us against doing what seems to be right.  What's more, the Bible is chock full of positive guidance as to how to live. Not just how to avoid trouble, but how to LIVE! Jesus promised He'd come that we "may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10).

Going His way sounds so much better! We avoid shocking consequences and get a higher quality of life. Not an easy life, to be sure, for the life of the disciple includes self denial and cross bearing.  But included in that lifestyle is great joy and peace!

'Thank You, Lord, that You love us so much that You gave us the warnings we need, and the guidance we need, so we can live an abundant life! Please protect us from doing what seems to be right.'

A right view of God

It is so important to have a right view of God!  Why?  If we view God as an angry Father, that will be detrimental to our spiritual health - and our growth! We will cower before Him, rather than relating to Him as a loving Father. We'll see Him as someone hovering over us, ready to strike at any moment. This wrong view of God can be generated by having had a domineering or cruel human father. But we must avoid the mistake of 'projecting' onto God our view of what a father is based on our earthly experience.

On the other hand, if we view God as an eternally tolerant God who doesn't mind sin too much, that will also have a negative effect. It's to lose sight of His command to Christians to "Be holy" just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). The mindset that "God doesn't mind too much if I sin. After all, we all make mistakes. It's okay!" is dangerous. It's to have a flippant view of sin, whereas the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to "pursue..holiness, without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14). Holiness IS important to God, and He is not "okay" with our sins and bad habits. He calls us to a higher standard of life than unbelievers.

More examples could be given of erroneous views of God. It is so important that any wrong perceptions we have about God be put aside, and that we embrace Him as He really is - as portrayed in the Scriptures. As we feed on God's Word, and walk with Him daily, we truly get to know Him. And that's a delightful experience!

David Hunt

Hospitality - a great ministry!

One important - and often underestimated - ministry in the Christian Church is that of hospitality. It is such a blessing when a Christian has a generous spirit, and opens their home to visitors for meals, encouragement, accommodation, etc. Peter wrote, "Show hospitality to one another without grumbling." (1 Peter 4:9 esv). We can all do it!

One interesting thing when we study the New Testament is that hospitality is not listed as a spiritual gift. Other abilities, such as teaching, leadership, administration and prophecy are noted as spiritual gifts - but not hospitality. What does that tell us?  It tells us that hospitality is a ministry for every Christian! Showing kindness to people and opening our homes to them is not limited to a select few. Really, it doesn't cut it for us to say "I'm not gifted in hospitality so I'll leave it to others." It's a responsibility for us all, as Peter encouraged Christians (not a select few) to practice it.

In fact, one of the necessary qualifications for a church leader (1 Timothy 3) is that he be "hospitable" (vs 2). If a man is not hospitable, he is not permitted to be a church leader according to the New Testament. God places a high value on hospitality!

What does the word "hospitable" (1 Tim 3:2) actually mean?  It means "fond of guests" (Strongs Concordance) and "generous to guests" (Thayers' Greek Definitions). A hospitable person likes to bless others! These guests may be people visiting our home, newcomers at church, neighbours moving in next door, refugees arriving in our city, or missionaries on home assignment. Hospitality involves reaching out in kindness to them, whether they be from across the street or from the other side of the world. It includes being kind to people we already know. 

Hospitality doesn't only mean inviting people into our homes. We can be hospitable by meeting people in a coffee shop, delivering a meal to their house, or making them feel welcome at church. Any Christian who determines in their heart to talk to visitors at church is instantly involved in hospitality! Welcoming visitors is a great way of showing that we are "generous to guests," and it's a blessing to them to feel so appreciated.

It's a great thing when Christians serve joyfully in the ministry of hospitality!

Pastor David

What should we do with prophecies?

The prophets were faithful men and women of God in the Bible who declared His message. The most well known prophets include Samuel, Elijah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and Jeremiah. Then John the Baptist came on the scene, as "the prophet of the Most High" God (Luke 1:76).  Was Jesus a prophet? Yes! Jesus referred to Himself as a prophet in Matthew 13:57. 

Then we read in Ephesians 4, we read that God gave "prophets" to the church (vs 11). Christians have differing views as to whether we have prophets today. Some say 'Yes' - regarding certain people as legitimate prophets. Others say 'No' - claiming that since the end of the New Testament era, and the completion of the Bible, God is no longer sending prophets with a fresh message for His people. 

What is certain is that some people claim to be prophets today, and to be speaking for God. So what should we do if we hear a "prophecy"? The safest approach is to test it (1 Thess 5:21), lining it up against the Bible. 

The following helpful advice is given in the article 'Are there prophets in the church today?' by www.gotquestions.org 

"whenever a person claims to be speaking for God (the essence of prophecy) the key is to compare what is said with what the Bible says. If God were to speak through a person today, it would be in 100% complete agreement with what God has already said in the Bible. God does not contradict Himself. 1 John 4:1 instructs us, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 declares, “Do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good.” So, whether is it a “word from the Lord” or a supposed prophecy, our response should be the same. Compare what is said to what the Word of God says. If it contradicts the Bible, throw it out. If it agrees with the Bible, pray for wisdom and discernment as to how to apply the message (2 Timothy 3:16-17;James 1:5)." 
Source: http://www.gotquestions.org/prophets-today.html 

We live in days of deception, and need to face the fact that not all who claim to speak for God are in fact speaking for God. May God give us discernment, and vigilance to compare everything to His Holy Word. 

David

Was it out of character?

Sometimes it is said of a person that 'He (or she) acted out of character.' It's a statement sometimes used to communicate that a person is basically good, and when they do something bad, it is "out of character."

I believe it is closer to the mark to say that people act out their character. The decisions we make are indicators of our character. For example:

> Cain displayed his character by killing Abel.
> Joab displayed his character by slaying unsuspecting men.
> Absalom displayed his character by mounting a rebellion his father.
> Judas displayed his character by taking money from the money bag.

These men were not acting out of character. They were acting out their character. The kind of men they were was seen by what they did.

On the positive side:

> Joseph displayed his good character by fleeing from Potipher's wife.
> Hannah displayed her character by keeping a promise to give her son to God.
> Daniel displayed his character by praying in spite of the king's edict.
> Mary displayed her character by submitting to God's will.

Yes, we act out our character.

> The man who constantly puts his wife down is displaying his character.
> The woman who will not submit to her husband is showing her character.
> The teenager who steals a CD from K Mart is showing his character.
> The woman who constantly gossips is showing her character.

Let's not justify our wrong choices by saying, "Oh, I acted out of character." Our wrong choices are displays of what we are really like. They reveal a sin problem within, not something that is outside ourselves and can be excused. 

May God help us to take responsibility for our choices, and repent of the wrong things we do. There's nothing to lose, and everything to gain, by confessing our sins! "He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy." Proverbs 28:13 nkjv

Do we deserve applause?

Sometimes when we serve God, we may think afterwards that we did a mighty fine job! We may be pleased with ourselves, congratulated by others, and enjoy compliments - even applause. Many Christian singers and bands are constantly on the receiving end of applause.

So we serve, and may think to ourselves,

"That was a great sermon I preached!"
"I did really well at performing that song!"
"I'm a good Bible study leader. The church is blessed to have me on the team!"

These are, of course, all expressions of pride.

Jesus taught something that shows us that applause is undeserved - even if we do what others think was a fantastic job. Jesus shows us that if we think we are owed applause, we have the wrong perspective...

Jesus asked the disciples if a slave owner would thank his servant for doing the things commanded him (Luke 17:7-9). Jesus answered the question Himself: "I think not." 

He added:

"So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, 'We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.'" (Luke 17:10, nkjv)

The servant has not done anything worthy of applause. He simply did his duty.

The Christian has a duty to serve the Lord. It is, of course, a great privilege also. But in this context, Jesus described doing His commands as a "duty." So if we - in obedience to Jesus - were to cross land and sea to win souls, and we made GREAT sacrifices in doing so, and we did this faithfully for fifty years, at the end of it no applause would be deserved. Why? We simply did our duty.

What Jesus says here is good at knocking some pride out of us!  May God help us to serve Him with true humility. After all, He deserves all the glory!

From Atheist to Creationist!

From Atheist to Creationist!

Dr. Jerry Bergman is an Associate Professor at the University of Toledo Medical College in Ohio, USA.  He used to be an atheist, having been exposed to evolutionary views while studying at University. He writes, "I was exposed to evolution. Influenced by my atheist father and my professors, I accepted this worldview"

But as time went on, and he further studied evolution, he says "it eventually became apparent that the theory has some major problems. The first example I researched in detail was the "vestigial organ" claim. There are over 100 claimed vestigial organs. These are supposedly non-functional evolutionary "leftovers," yet I found uses for all of them."  

Dr. Bergman goes on to testify, "After exploring all of the major arguments for evolution, I..realized that the evidence demands an intelligent creator.  ..Like many scientists who came before me, I discovered that the evidence supports the truth of the Bible."

It's encouraging to know that God is able to work in the lives of atheists and draw them to Himself! They may kick and fight and resist at first, but God's love is strong!

Source: 'Acts & Facts', Feb 2015, p20

Great author and inspirer!

One of my all time favourite authors is Oswald J. Smith. In 1988 I read his book "The Challenge of Missions" and it made an impact on me. In more recent years, I've been blessed by "The Work God Blesses" and - my favourite OJS title - "The Revival We Need." His books appear to be out of print (at least here in Australia), but "The Revival We Need" is available on line at
http://www.gospeltruth.net/OJSmith/revival_we_need.htm I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT.
It's VERY inspiring.

Are you as desperate as Rachel?

Poor Rachel. She was all lined up to marry Jacob, but her sister Leah was given to him instead. So when Rachel did marry Jacob, a week later, there were three of them. Not a good situation.

But there was more pain in store for Rachel. Leah turned out to be a fruitful bearer of children. She gave birth to four sons. But during the time Rachel was unable to have children. This was no doubt a source of pain, shame, and anxiety for her. She longed for children, but it just wasn't happening. But out of this pain comes one of the most desperate statements found in the Bible.
Rachel said to Jacob, "Give me children or else I die!" (Genesis 30:1)

I have a question...

Are you as desperate to see people saved as Rachel was to have children?
Am I?

Do we LONG to give birth to spiritual children? This is not simply about "wanting results." It's having a Holy Spirit inspired, passionate longing to see people saved. It's even having the personal heart-cry, 'Lord, please give ME spiritual children!'

Are we as desperate as Rachel?

Could it be?

Dear fellow pray-ers,
COULD IT BE that there are breakthroughs we are praying for - and not yet receiving - which will only come if we move up to prayer and fasting? Do you think that is possible?

Perhaps God is wanting us to up the ante.
Perhaps prayer and fasting alone will bring the breakthrough.
Perhaps a greater sacrifice is needed before the miracle occurs.

We read in Isaiah 58:6, "Is this not the fast that I have chosen: To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, And that you break every yoke?"

When we are praying for a person's salvation, are we not praying that"the bonds of wickedness" will be loosed? Could it be that there are cases where those bonds will NOT be loosed until we move up to prayer and fasting?

It's worth thinking about.