Thoughts - Matthew 2:13-15

Read Matthew 2:13-15

One has to be impressed with the speed of Joseph's obedience. An angel speaks to him in a dream telling him to flee to Egypt with Jesus and Mary. Joseph gets up and they leave immediately. Gone. Vanished. Quite possibly without a word to anyone.

Am I ready to jump when God tells me to jump? When He speaks to me through His Word or lays something on my heart? Am I ready to obey immediately?

Why Should we Study the Bible? - It Enlightens our Minds by Teaching us what is Right

On a regular basis we face a subtle bombardment of opinions advocating for what is good and what is not. While watching a television program we may be encouraged to pursue our heart’s desire above all else. A newspaper article may challenge the biblical understanding of marriage. A gallery may post pornography under the guise of “artwork.” Advertisements routinely seduce us into putting all of our hope and desire into cars, alcohol and clothing. Movies suggest that getting high can be fun. We could go on. These views need to regularly be checked by Scripture or else we will find ourselves pursing ideals which reject and oppose the Lordship of Christ.

In 2 Timothy 3:16-17 we read: “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” God’s Word provides the guidance we need to make sure that we get on and remain on the right path.

In my opinion, when it comes to righteousness, listening to sermons and reading Scripture is not primarily about learning new things. Most believers already know the basic teachings of holiness in God’s Word and we can sum up obedience in one word: love. Hearing sermons and reflecting on the Bible is more about being reminded to do what we already know we should be doing than about entering uncharted territory.

It is so easy for misunderstandings of what is right and what is wrong to enter the Church. Each and every follower of Christ needs a guide to keep us on track. This guide is Scripture and it needs to be shaping our conduct on a regular basis.

Powerless Prayers

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; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow. Isaiah 1:15-17 NIV

I often wonder why God seems so distant at times - so far from this city of Toronto. Why does He not pour out His power in conversions, healings and miracles? Why are we surrounded by so many who doubt His existence or want nothing to do with Him? Why are there so many lost and hurting souls wandering this city? Why does He not reveal that He is real? Why does He ignore our prayers for revival?
It seems that the answer to these queries may often lie with us, the Church. We do very well singing songs on Sunday mornings, celebrating Christmas and listening to sermons - but how often do we allow God's love to flow from us to those who cannot help themselves? God has a heart for the broken and He wants His people to love them too. Too often we walk by the homeless without a word; we fail to give enough to the orphans of the world; we don't stand up for those who cannot stand up themselves; we fail to share the Gospel with a dying world. We fail to love because it takes too much time, money or risk. God isn't happy with this.
Bible reading, prayer, corporate worship - all of these are good things. But if we fail to love, if we fail to follow God's will, God will refuse to listen to our cries.

Why do I suck so much?

Sometimes it feels like everything I do just plain bites. I was just chatting with a friend who was in Serbia learning about some church-work going on there. It was great to hear that their ministry to addicts is more than just feeding and clothing them. The missionary there has created an addiction treatment centre in which the patients live, work and learn about Christ. So much of their work could be applied here - but this is not the crux of my present problem.
My heart is regularly moved with the idea of evangelism and missions - with sharing the incredible news of the possibility of reconciliation with God with those who are cut off from Him. However, I have not moved to fulfill what I sense as my primary calling. Sure, I am at a church which does much "mission" work, but there is still something not at ease within my soul. I'm still searching. Still waiting. Still seeking. I think it is time to act.
How can it be the case that the All-Powerful God of creation has taken up residence within me and yet I still find myself lazy, cold-hearted, easily-distracted and living for small things? Why does His power not launch me into a completely different sphere of existence? Why does my old-man still seem to cling to life when he should be dead?
Perhaps if the Church as a whole could answer this question there would not be so many people dying without a knowledge of God's love.