Reflections on Judges

Why are you downcast O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet Praise Him, my Saviour and my God. (Psalm 42:11)

This verse was sent to me by a friend this morning (out of the blue), obviously sovereignly directed by God. Through a series of difficult events that happened in the past week, I have been feeling quite down and discouraged. I am so grateful to God for speaking to me through this verse...and yes, I will hope in Him!

This morning as I read Jeremiah 26-27, I was left astounded, dumfounded and rebuked by God. You see, Jeremiah was instructed to prophesy to the Israelites, to warn them of pending judgement because of their sins. However, the amazing thing is, as part of their repentance and obedience, the Isarelites were instructed to subject themselves to the King of Babylon!

"..I will hand all your countries over to my servant Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon. I will make even the wild animals subject to Him. All nations will serve im and his son and his grandson until the time for his land comes; then many nations and many kings will subjugate him" (27: 6-7) However, if Israel would not submit to the authority and dominion of Babylon, God would punish them with .."sword, famine and plague"...until they are destroyed by His hand.

The God who loved Israel with an everlasting love and who chose them as His people, now demands and commands that they live under the tyranny of Babylon; as part of his punishment and deliverance.

My mind boggles and yes, I feel rebuked, because many times I presume that God would act in a certain way. But, He is above our ways and thoughts and does not act in ways that we predict or assume. Sometimes his best for us require humble submission to circumstances that seem contrary to His infinite love...after all, being a just and righteous God, it is right that He punishes and rebukes us when we sin.

I guess, I'm beginning to understand bit by bit, the awesome, mystifying, ways of God. That His purposes for us most definitely require suffering, pain, rejection, humility, loneliness, heartahces.....things and circumstances that we would not wish for ourselves or others; but are deemed good for the sake of being refined, shaped and transformed for His glory.

Surely, one would think that being subject to a wicked nation is the furthest thing a loving Father would want for His children, but all things work for the good of those who love God, yes...even incomprehensible things that seem to speak contrary of His love and commitment to us.

We need to trust God more and not depend on our own understanding, and acknowlege our utter dependance on Him in all humility and obedience...and He will make our paths straight!

1 Corinthians 4

1 Corinthians 4

Apostles of Christ

It was a timely reminder tonite, during our family devotions on 1 Corinthians, that we not to judge, nor be judged. It is the Lord who judges us, therefore we are not to judge anything before the appointed time of Jesus' return. It is Jesus who will bring to light, everything that is hidden in our hearts, our movtives, our attitudes...everything will be exposed and the darkness will be brought to light.

I am guilty of judging, mostly thinking that I am going ok, whilst sometimes thinking and questioning why a person may act or speak a certain way. Sometimes I may even evaluate someone by their "works" or by their "faith". Truth is, no one is righteous, not one person. It is only by the gracious work of Christ's redemption that we stand before God. For truly, we only deserve death and condemnation, not sonship and an eternal inheritance and to be included in His plan of partnership in Kingdom work.

Please forgive me Lord, for my pride. For not considering others as better than myself. Funny how this was yesterday's sermon as well. I guess God knows I need more than one reminder. Truth is, I am, we are; nothing without God. "For what makes us different from anyone else?" We are all in the same boat. "What do we hve that we hve not received" from God? Then, why do we boast and act like we did not?? Everything comes from the hand of God. It is He who makes all things possible. Not because we are clever, or hardworking, or ingenious, or strategically apt...

The way of the cross is difficult...what makes us think that difficulties and hardship, opposition from the world, even our friends and family, will always approve of our faith, trust and hope in Christ. The way of discipleship, is one of condemnation to die; being made a spectacle; being fools for Christ; being weak; being dishonoured; being hungry and thirsty; being in rags, being brutally treated; being homeless; being ursed; persecuted; slandered; and becoming the scum and refuse of the world.

Lord teach me your way!

Pride (Article for October issue of "Cornered"

I often fear the wrong impressions people may have of me, as I write these articles. You see, I am no spiritual giant, in fact, the reverse is true. I am acutely aware of the many “renovation projects” in my life that require so much more submission and surrendering to the Holy Spirit. Yes, I confess, I do have many imperfections and flaws.

One area of that is pride. Pride can be so subtle, even guised in false humility. I read recently, an article in the Leadership Magazine, a quote by Francois Fenelon, that “The truly humble is perfectly obedient, because he has renounced his own will. He lets himself be led to where he is wanted, in one way or another. He yields to everything and resists nothing, because he would not be humble if he had a choice and a will or an argument over what was ordered for him….Let us abandon ourselves then with courage. If God makes nothing of us, He will give us justice, because we are good for nothing, and if He makes great things, the glory will be His”.

In our society and culture, worldly successes are applauded and accolades lavished on those who reach achievements worthy of recognition. Unfortunately, the church is not exempt from this. Our esteem and pride act like barometers, rising and falling according to the successes we achieve, even in ministry.

Are we guilty of feeling slightly smug, arrogant, egotistical or conceited because we think that we are “doing so much better” than our neighbour? We might gloat with self satisfaction, as we contemplate where we are at, in relation to others. Are we subconsciously in “competition mode” with our brothers in the Lord? CS Lewis wrote in his book, “Mere Christianity”, that “Diabolical Pride comes when you look down on others”. “Pride”, he says, “gets no joy out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man…It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest”.

Jonathan Edwards, the eighteenth century New England puritan once said, “Pride is the worst viper that is in the heart, the great disturber of the soul’s peace and sweet communion with Christ; it was the first sin that ever was”.

“If pride could tempt Lucifer, we can be sure it will come to us in all its finery. The world’s gurus of self esteem and self-assertiveness, its coaches on successes and being number one, its preachers of self-promotion and image, all scorn the Christian’s fear of pride and exaltation of humility” [1]

Isn’t that so true and yet so frightening? Why do we think we deserve to be “recognized” for anything we do, or attempt to do, when we are “microscopically miniscule” compared to the vastness of God? What makes us think that we have any rights or choices, or that we might even share in small, fleeting, intentional or unintentional moments of glory with God?

Jesus was the kind of person whose whole life was lived in the presence of God. All his speaking and acting were with God in mind. He was the perfect example of true abandonment of self and rights. He became obedient to death, even death on the cross. “He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself NOTHING, taking the very nature of a SERVANT” (Philippians 2:6-7)

For God chose “the lowly things of this world and the despised things- and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him” (1 Corinthians 1:28-29)

Vaughan Roberts, in his book, “Battles Christians Face” mentioned three challenges that Jesus issued to his disciples concerning pride. These include: Not letting pride distort our view of ourselves; not letting pride distort our treatment of others and not letting pride distort our opinion of others.

It is so true that clouded by the sin of pride, we tend to magnify the sins of others and question their intentions; whilst minimizing, excusing and ignoring our own sinful follies.

I pray that we would examine our hearts, before God and come in contrition and repentance before His throne of grace, acknowledging our sin. I know that personally, I need to.

Jesus said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and servant of all” (Mark 9:35)

[1] Miles Finch “Surprised by Pride” page 46 (Leadership)

Obedience Versus Religion?

Obedience Versus Religion??

In our success driven culture; pride, selfishness, the desire for recognition and power, and the deception of self-righteousness, “pollute” and darken the hearts and minds of many. Unfortunately, this has also “infiltrated” Christian circles. Alas, when God’s people are driven and motivated by anything short of humble submission and obedience to God and a desire for God’s glory; we have missed the “mark” by a long mile

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as much as in obeying the voice of the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22)

Isn’t it daunting to know that we can look “ceremonially” right and good; use the correct spiritual jargon and language; act in righteously “acceptable” ways; partake religiously and zealously in Christian activities; adopt the Christian “label”; busy ourselves in Christian ministries and yet be detestable and despicable to God??!!

“Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations- I cannot bear your evil assemblies. Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts, my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; even if you offer many prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood (Isaiah 1:13-15)

Some of us may think that we can deceive God, and others; by our outward forms of “holiness”. We think that our outward piety might impress others, but God cannot, and will not, be mocked. Our lips may offer praises to God, but if we indulge in sin and ungodliness; and our lives are not subject to, or “aligned” to utmost conformity and obedience to His will; we are imposters and hypocrites.

“These people come near to me with their mouths and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men” (Isaiah 29: 13)

Saul was anointed king, at the age of thirty. He was outwardly impressive, by any man’s standards. He stood a head taller than the rest, and no one came close in comparison. He had the image and the “prestige” to draw followers. But tragically, Saul was plagued by pride, ambition, jealousy and disobedience.

In the midst of war, Saul took matters into his own hands, disobeyed God’s word, and depended on his own “wisdom”. What might have seemed like clever and “logical strategies”, were an abomination to the Lord. As a result, God rejected him as King.

“You acted foolishly…You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you; if you had, he would have established your kingdom over Israel for all time, but now your kingdom will not endure..” (1 Sam 13:13-14a)

“Obedience is a measure of the extent of Christ’s lordship over you” (“Measure Your Life” by Wesley Duewel pg 105)

“Why do you call me Lord, Lord and do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)

“But humble, sincere, and conscientious obedience to the will of God, is more pleasing and acceptable to him than all burnt-offering and sacrifices. God is more glorified and self more denied, by obedience than by sacrifice. It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burned upon the altar, than to bring every high thought into obedience to God, and to make our will subject to his will. Those are unfit and unworthy to rule over men, who are not willing that God should rule over them” (The Pleasure of God in Obedience by John Piper March 29th 1987)

May we fall at the feet of Jesus, in brokenness, contrition, repentance and humility; for we are all guilty of disobedience! I pray that our lives will continue to be consecrated in humble submission to God, as we surrender all our personal agendas, selfish and ungodly motives, and bend our wills to His, in perfect alignment.
“To obey is better than sacrifice”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.--Psalm 111:10

Wisdom and obedience

Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings deep within yourself, always ready on your lips. I am teaching you today-yes you- so you will trust in the Lord"
(Proverbs 22:17-19)

"Thank you Father for your desire and willingness to teach me today. You call me to rest in the fact that you take responsibility for instructing me. Plant your truth deep within me, so that your name will always be on my lips. As I apply my heart and mind to your word, bring me into a deeper trust in you.

"The sacred page is not meant to be the end. But only the means towards the end. which is knowing God himself" (A W Tozer 1897-1963)

Help me Lord to trust in you, through all of life's circumstances, and especially the ones where it is hard to see your face and your purposes. Help me rest in the sovereignty of your love and grace, knowing that all things work for the good of those who love you, and that you will bring your kingdom to fruition, no matter how sinful and wicked men are, not matter how thwarted their motivations, no matter how utterly deceitful the heart is....you are all powerful and all knowing, and will bring all things to pass, by your Sovereign and awesome power.

Lord, I pray that you will continue to refine and purge me. That I will be a clean vessel, humble and ready to be used. Please nudge, prode, stop me in my track; when I do not honour and glorify you, and you only. Forgive my pride, my selfishness. Get rid of all that is not holy within me. I want to be like Jesus Lord. I want to love you more. Please use me for your kingdom. Grant me the obedience, the strength, the humility and obedience. Give me a heart that is bent and pliable towards you!

Grant me godly wisdom, I pray

Faith

It is becoming blatantly evident to me, and even more so, as I grow older; that our lives, and the lives of our family, friends and acquaintances, are plagued with hardship, pain, sickness, death, suffering, difficulties and misfortune.

Unfortunately, this is happening with ever increasing regularity and pace; sometimes gradually and expectedly, but other times; suddenly and unexpectedly.

There have been many major disastrous world wide events; like the Genocide in Rwanda, which resulted in the annihilation of a million lives; the many lives that were devastated on September 11th; the Tsunamis that consumed many parts of South East Asia; the London bombings in 2005; many other acts of terrorism and the constant fighting in the Middle East. The world is in turmoil and chaos, and seems to be spinning out of control.

Closer to home too, are daily tragic examples of, would-be mothers delivering still-born or seriously handicapped babies; depressed individuals taking their own lives; bodies ravaged by cancer, life threatening diseases and other terminal illnesses; orphaned children born to drug addicted or AID infested mothers; senseless murders, rapes. There are so many broken homes and broken lives….

Do we shudder and shy away from all of life’s circumstances and complexities? Do we question and shake our fists at a “silent” and “arrogant” God? Do we retreat into our little “boxed-in” lives? Do we carry on our lives in ignorant bliss? Do we deny the existence of God? Or do we trust wholly in a Sovereign God who is awesomely good and in total control?

The answer to all of life’s calamities and unexplained hurdles, struggles and pain, is steadfast faith. What is faith? Faith is an instinctive, unquestioning belief in, and reliance upon a loving God. It is to have absolute confidence and certainty in a faithful, trustworthy Heavenly Father. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see”.

An example of a man who had remarkable faith, in the midst of personal crisis and turmoil, is Job. With God’s permission, Satan afflicted him with the loss of all his children, all his property, livestock and servants. There were no obvious reasons why he had to endure such intense suffering. Yet, he said “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gives and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21)

“Unwavering trust is a rare and precious thing because it often demands a degree of courage that borders on the heroic. When the shadow of Jesus’ cross falls across our lives in the form of failure, rejection, abandonment, betrayal, unemployment, loneliness, depression, the loss of a loved one; when we are deaf to everything but the shriek of our own pain; when the world around us suddenly seems a hostile, menacing place-at those times, we may cry out in anguish, “how could a loving God permit this to happen?” At such moments the seeds of distrust are sown. It requires heroic courage to trust in the love of God, no matter what happens to us”



We may not fully see through the cobwebs of life’s heartaches and tragedies, or make sense of bewildering and heart-wrenching situations in and around us. Nor will we always understand all the perplexing questions that life’s circumstances throw at us. Trusting involves “seeing” God in the darkness.

“The way of trust is a movement into obscurity, into the undefined, into ambiguity, not into some predetermined, clearly delineated plan for the future”
(“Ruthless Faith” pg 12 Brennan Manning)

John Flavel, the Puritan writer once wrote “The providence of God is like Hebrew words. It can be read only backwards”. It is true, that only after we have been brought through our later trials, do our earlier trials make “more sense”.

We have a big God who created the vast, expanse of the universe and who put the stars in space and planets into orbit. Who are we, to challenge the ways of God? “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Who stretched a measuring line across it?” (Job 38:4-5)

Amidst the chaos of life’s trials, surely we can put our trust in a powerful, awesome, loving, gracious, dependable Father, who loved us and gave His son for us all.

“Do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere, so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised” (Hebrews 10:35-36)

A day will come when God’s ultimate purposes will be fully revealed in its entirety.

I can only imagine

Life on earth...
What is it?
It's only a vapour
A miniscule moment in time
Compared to eternity
From the time we are born
Till the time we die
Each heartbeat
Each breadth
Each moment of transcience
Do they count for anything?
As all life is but fleeting..

Heaven...
is what I live for
My hope, my joy, my crown
My finish line
My destination
Life hasn't been easy
There have been many tumultuous years
Yet, they count towards
My completeness in sanctification
When all is done
When Jesus returns!

My Jesus, My Saviour, My Hope and Salvation!
You are whom I live for!

"Cornered" article (June 2007)

"Much praying is not done because we do not plan to pray. We do not drift into spiritual life . . . We will not grow in prayer unless we plan to pray. That means, self-consciously setting aside time, to do nothing but pray" ( “A Call to Spiritual Reformation” p 19 Don Carson)

J.I. Packer wrote about his own pilgrimage in prayer and commented, "I believe that prayer is the measure of the man, spiritually, in a way that nothing else is, so that how we pray is as important a question as we can ever face" (My Path of Prayer, David Hanes, ed., Worthing, West Sussex: Henry E. Walter, 1981, p. 56).

“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (James 5: 16)

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that He hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5: 14-15)

“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints” (Ephesians 6:18)

God has increasingly impressed upon me, the deep necessity and urgency to pray. To call upon the name of the Lord; to seek His face more earnestly; to pour out my heart in praise and worship; to intercede and petition. Indeed, God hears our prayers, answers our prayers and moves in response to our prayers.

Prayers offered up to the throne room of God to intervene, to restore, to heal, to transform, to continue the work of sanctification, to save, to illuminate, to reveal, to forgive, to bind Satan, to protect, to give wisdom and understanding. They are heard by our Almighty God and loving Heavenly Father.

The more I grow in fellowship with God and His people; the more I am involved in the daily lives of others; the more I am aware of the happenings of persecuted Christians and other missionaries around the world; and the more “intensely” and “furiously” Satan shoots his fiery darts of temptations, enticements and doubts at God’s people and God’s church… the more I know that prayer is desperately and vitally important. Prayer is the key to spiritual power and “survival”.

Why should we be so dependant on prayer? It is because, in ourselves, we are limited in strength and ability; in wisdom and revelation; in power and might; in discernment and understanding. Our God is more than able to work through our prayers; in overwhelmingly difficult and seemingly impossible situations; according to His will and for His glory. He is the God who responds to the cries of His people.

“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

We are powerless when we are prayer-less. Anything we attempt to do in our lives without seeking God’s face in prayer (whether it be ministry or otherwise); is futile.

It was the habit of Jesus to spend time in prayer to His father. Jesus prayed when He was tempted; He prayed when He was tested; He prayed when He was crucified. He was dependant on the Father’s provision and perfect plan. How much more then, should frail; sinful; helpless; creatures like us, depend on the sovereign power of God, by praying to Him? God hears our prayers, when our wills are aligned to His.

Let us therefore labour in prayer for one another, for God’s church, and for all believers in Christ.

Please pray for us @north that:

· We would grow in depth and maturity in the Lord Jesus through committed prayer and consistent and faithful reading of God’s word.

· For new believers in Christ. That they may be discipled and grounded in the word and continue to remain steadfast in the Lord. That they may understand more and more the meaning and reality of putting God first in their lives.

· For those still seeking to understand the gospel and the truth of God’s word, that their hearts and minds may be enlightened by the Spirit and that they will be brought to conviction to confess Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

· For the International students, that they may continue to be willing to come to learn from the sermons and bible studies. That our interactions with them would be mutually encouraging and up-building.

· For families, that God would grant men in households the wisdom, discernment and strength, to be spiritual heads and to lead their families in godliness, grounded in the word of God.

· For new families and new comers, that they will feel welcomed into our family @north and anchor their “roots” with us

Article for "Cornered" Newsletter (April 2007)

As I sit here contemplating what I should write about this month, the “glory of God” comes to mind. Those who know me well enough, know how much I am influenced by John Piper; writer, speaker and pastor at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minnesota, USA. Piper inspires me, by his godly life and his many writings and talks on the supremacy of God and the glory of God.

According to Piper:

“In the church, our view of God is so small instead of huge, so marginal instead of crucial, so vague instead of clear, so impotent instead of all determining, and so uninspiring instead of ravishing that the responsibility to live to the glory of God is a thought without content. The words can come out of our mouths, but ask the average Christian to tell what they know about the glory of this God that they are going to live for, and the answer will not be long.” [1]

Like Piper, I long for the glory of God to permeate in all of our lives. That His magnificent name be given due honor, praise and worship. My heart craves that we are giving God what we were created for.

“After all, man was created from the beginning in God's image that he might image forth God's glory!” [2]

Our lives would be totally transformed, if only we understood a small measure of the glory of God and caught a glimpse of God’s awesome majesty. His beauty, excellence, magnificence, purity, wisdom, goodness, mercy, grace, perfection, omniscience, omnipresence, omnipotence, sovereignty; and the list goes on.

The glory of God is displayed in creation. “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands” (Psalm 19:1) There are numerous passages in the bible that attest to the glory of God’s creation, and how the amazing, matchless handiwork of God, demands our total worship.

The glory of God is likewise displayed in His actions. “Who among the gods is like you, O Lord? Who is like you- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders?” (Exodus 15:11)

God’s presence, His being, His character; embodies the full spectrum of holiness and glory. Whenever God revealed manifestations of His glory, lives would be shaken, stunned, overwhelmed and radically changed.

When Moses asked to see God’s glory, he was only allowed to see a “part” of God, His back. “You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live”. God allowed His goodness to pass in front of Moses, but Moses was placed “in a cleft in the rock” with God’s hand covering him, while God passed by ( ref Exodus 33: 18-23) Even though Moses only had a glimpse of God’s “partial” glory, it left his face shining literally for days!

Ezekiel was thirty years old and exiled from his homeland, when God revealed His glory to him in a spectacular vision. Like John, Ezekiel could only describe what he saw in powerful symbolic terms. The description of the vision of “wings” and “wheels” seemed so “foreign” and “bizarre”. It was certainly nothing like anything he had ever seen nor experienced before. Ezekiel declared, “This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord”. This powerful encounter with God left Ezekiel overwhelmed for seven days (ref Ezekiel 1-3:15).

Jesus is the ultimate display of God’s glory. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14)

Ironically, God was supremely glorified when Jesus accomplished the mission God had purposed for Him, by dying on the cross.
“Father, the time has come, glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted Him authority over all people that He might give eternal life to all those you have given Him…I have brought you glory, by completing the work you gave me to do” (John 17:1-2; 4)

The question and challenge that comes to my mind as I write this is; “How important is it for me to delight in God, so much so that He is what satisfies me completely, and is therefore glorified in my life?”

Paradoxically, it seems that the way to glory also includes rejection, shame and suffering. Romans 8:18 tells us that “our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us”. When we share in the sufferings of Christ, we will likewise share in His glory.
“In love, He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves” (Ephesians 1:4-6)
Isn’t it an awesome privilege, to be sons and daughters of a glorious God and to accomplish the mission God has purposed for us, even before the creation of the world?

I pray that we would live passionate lives for God’s glory and kingdom! May His glory capture our hearts and minds and cause us to fall down on our knees in awe and worship of Him our whole lives.

“The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory” (Isaiah 60:19)
[1] John Piper, “A Passion for the Supremacy of God,” Spirit of Revival, March 2002, p 5
[2] John Piper, “God Created Us For His Glory” July 27th 1980