This is the time of year that we remember that Jesus, God in the flesh, 'made his dwelling amongst us' (John 1:14) 

What an amazing event, for the eternal God to become man and come to live, die and rise on this planet so he could say to Philip, 'Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father'. 

Because of the coming of Jesus, all our questions about God can be answered. What God is like, what does he think about this world, what is his attitude to people, to religion, to relationships. What Jesus says, is what God says. Jesus attitudes are God's attitudes.

The summary of John's gospel is 'No-one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only, who is at the Father's side, has made him known' (John 1:18)

In this Federal Election month, it is a good time to be reminded of what God says about Government. In Romans 13 Paul says 'governing authorities' are established by God (v1), instituted by him (v2) and 'God's servant an agent of wrath', (v4). 

Therefore believers are to submit (v1,5) and pay their taxes (v6). 

Our motivation is not just fear,(v3) which is why anyone keep as the law. The believer has the added dimension as respecting the authority as God's instrument (v 6-7).

Governments are not to be ignored and not to be unquestioningly obeyed. The Lord Jesus taught that they have a limited jurisdiction. In Matthew 22:15-22 we see that believers need to keep on their toes and give proper respect. But when obedience to the clear word of God and submission to the state conflict, our ultimate citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20).

In Romans 12:1 we find Paul's last great 'therefore'. He sums up God's activities as his 'mercies' and says that the logical and rational response to this mercy, is to present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. This involves non conformity to the world, (which would judge such a logical sacrifice as foolishness) and transformation by the renewal of the mind (v.2).

We must think and assert about ourselves what the gospel asserts. Such thinking leads to transformed living as a living sacrifice. The scrambled thinking of the natural person (Romans1:21,28) now becomes unravelled and the mark of the spiritual person is renewed thinking leading to transformed living, being a living sacrifice. We are then able to recognise and approve of God's good and perfect will.

As Christians today, this is our reasonable response to God's mercy in our lives.

August 2004

The Gospel is Momentous News- the fact that righteousness is not a human achievement but God's provision to the believer is indeed momentous.

However, so many professing Christians see righteousness or a right relationship with God something that is to be earned or achieved. Such an achievement is impossibility. 

Such an achievement is also totally unnecessary, for God has promised righteousness to all who trust in the redeeming death of Jesus Christ. 

All the religions of the world can be categorised as 'achievement' based. Biblical Christianity is categorised as provision based. God provides by grace through faith in Christ.

I urge you to read this momentous news found in the following Scriptures: Genesis 15:6; Romans 1:17; Romans 3:22-26 and Romans 10: 3-13

Have you ever had to do things twice because you didn't get it right the first time? We've all had experiences like that. Jesus performed only one miracle twice. Not because of his inability to heal the blind man in Mark 8, but because he had an important lesson to teach

In Mark 8:22-26, after Jesus' touch, the blind man sees people 'like trees walking around', then on Jesus' second touch he sees everything clearly. The blind man's two stage restoration of physical sight is an indication of what is about to happen to Peter spiritually in Mark 8: 27-38. Peter understands that Jesus is the Christ but in verse 32 seeks to correct Jesus' understanding of what that means. Peter sees, but not yet clearly. Jesus makes it clear that since he is the Messiah he has the right to determine what his Messiahship will mean and indeed what it means to be his disciple (v34). The sort of Messiah Jesus is or what it means to be a disciple of his are not matters for debate and conciliatory agreement. Jesus is the authoritative Christ and has every right to determine both.

May God bless you as you follow the Lord Jesus.

Models are very important and no area of modelling is more important than that of Christian leadership.

In Philippians 2, Paul urges the Philippian Church to have the same attitude as Christ did (v.5ff). He then refers to himself (v.17) as a drink offering, that is, making an essential but insubstantial contribution, the substantial portion being the sacrifice and service flowing from the Philippians faith. He refers to Timothy (v.20-22) not looking out for his own interests but putting the interest of others first. Then Epaphroditus who literally 'gambled' his life (v.29) to serve Paul and whose every distress about his own illness was that it would cause concern to the Philippians to know that he was ill (v26). Here we see three great models of leadership. Christian leadership is always about humble service and must never be status driven.

An older minister once told me that in ministry one should never whine, don't shine and don't recline-don't complain about one's lot in life (whine) don't seek to excel in a way obvious to others (shine) and never be weary in well doing (recline).

Do you read life with a sense of poise and confidence or do you believe that chance rules? Many Australians think that what happens in life is just a matter of luck; the big red lotto ball may or may not cross our path.

The Christian world view recognises the hand of God in every event of life. Those who love God, for them, God is at work in all things for good, that is, for those called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28. There is then, for the believer no such thing as a rogue cell or virus-nothing can happen to us that has not passed through God's sovereign control that He has not ordained for our good. Our good in Romans 8:29, is that we should be conformed to the image of His Son. This is God's one agenda item for you today - that's how we are to read life.

God's sovereign power is the foundation of our poise and confidence

April 2004

On two occasions in 1 Corinthians, the Apostle Paul speaks of passing on what he has received.

The first occasion is 1 Corinthians 11:23, concerning directions regarding the Lord's Supper. The second occasion is 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 concerning the death, burial and resurrection of the Christ. However, on this second occasion, Paul adds 'as of first importance' The Lord's Supper and its institution, important as that is, of primary importance are the facts of the Gospel itself. Christ died, He was buried (certainly dead) and was raised on the third day .Paul tells us His death was as the substitute 'for our sins' and that these events were no surprise for they were foretold, 'according to the Scriptures'The same Apostle stresses our unity in Christ, that we died with Christ, were raised to new life and we will appear with him in glory (Colossians 3:3-4).

Great truths for us to reflect on this Easter.

In his last interview before his death, Johnny Cash spoke of his battle against drugs and what he called the 'dark side'. However, he rejoiced in knowing God and referred to Him as his rock of ages and counsellor.

He spoke of his favourite verse in the Bible by which he lived his life,

'For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live' Romans 8:13

This is the leading of the Spirit and all Christians know this leading. The Holy Spirit is concerned about our holiness - are you pandering, pampering or putting to death sin in your life?

February 2004

Another Year. For farmers and educators particularly, years follow a fairly predictable pattern-Term1,2,3 etc or preparation, sowing, cultivation and harvest.

For the teacher in Ecclesiastes this only adds to to his own verdict about life "utterly meaningless" He says "the sun rises and the sun sets, and hurries back to where it rises"  Ecc 1:5.

The Psalmist urges us to a more God centred outlook when he says, "..This is the day that the Lord had made; let us rejoice and be glad in it..." Ps 118:24.

True wisdom recognises the centrality of God in the everyday-May you count today as his gift to you and live this year in a way which seeks to fruitfully honour him.  

January 2004

Roll out those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer - that's what Frank Ifield used to sing - he had in mind those wondrous days of January.

These good days remind us of Paul's words in Ephesians 5:15-16 :-

"Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil" .

Don't assume the good times are endless - we are to make sure we know how God wants us to live, because the days are not endless and we are to make the most of every opportunity. 

Continue to live for eternity and look for spiritual productivity as the hallmark of the good life.

From the very beginning it is clear that the work of the Father for the Son is to bring Salvation.

The name Jesus, is not chosen for any other reason than it encapsulates all that Jesus, Gods' son is to do -
'...give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins...' Matthew 1:21

The perfect way to celebrate Christmas is to embrace by faith his gift of Salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ.

May God Bless you this Advent.