MORE ON REPENT

I didn't mention in my last blog on repentance that Matthew uses the same word in describing the preaching of Jesus. But you knew that any way, right?
From that time on Jesus began to preach, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” Matthew 4:17
Throughout Jesus' teaching there is a strong sense of "turn around", radical discipleship, paying a price to follow Him. To be true to the message of Jesus we must understand that His real followers have picked up a cross; have died to self and are alive to Jesus; they have different world views, different values, different priorities: they are thinking, talking and acting differently the longer they follow Him. They have made a U-turn.

I rode home from our office on the back of a motorbike yesterday instead of in a taxi. It was just after 5:00 pm, the beginning of rush hour. (My driver was one of our elders, a Canadian, who has been in SE Asia for more than a decade.) A ride in Hanoi's heavy traffic, dominated by motorbikes, (with no white lane lines painted on three lane wide roads), is far more interesting than any amusement park rides for which you have to pay. I won't go into the details since I've often written and talked about traffic here.
Except there is one detail that relates to repentance. In Hanoi traffic, it is common, accepted practice to make what in North America we call a U-turn. At any intersection, or at any place where on a major road there is break in the island that divides traffic moving in different directions, you are allowed to make a U-turn. In fact often there are four motorbikes and two cars making that U-turn at the same time.
What makes this a little more interesting: someone driving a full sized car will normally move to the right at least half a lane before he/she begins to move left to make her U-turn. Then if the car is blocked by traffic, it could be blocking the equivalent of two lanes of traffic from moving. It becomes even more interesting when a large bus is "repenting, turning to go in another direction"; making a U-turn.
In that case traffic travelling in both directions, cars, trucks, bicycles and motor bikes, must slow down or even stop; everyone is fully aware that the bus is definitely changing direction.
In some cultures and countries, a person who repents and becomes a Christ follower is easy to spot. Their change in direction is very evident. This tends to make people hesitate because they know that if they turn to follow Christ, they will easily be identified by family and community. It is a hard decision because they know there may quickly be a price to pay for making this U-turn.
On the other hand, it makes it easier to explain to people that trusting in and following Jesus involves a major life change: in those cultures the traffic pattern is clear; when you choose to follow Jesus you have clearly changed direction.
While we must avoid legalism and an over emphasis on behaviour, we do need to explain to new believers what this new life involves; the implications of their repentance and faith. It will be so helpful to them if they understand from the beginning that "to repent and follow Jesus" is not merely a traffic lane change; they've made a definite U-turn.

REPENTANCE AND RESULTS

It is not a word that Christians use as much as they once did. I confess, like many modern preachers, I don't use the word a lot, probably not nearly as much as I should.
John the Baptist spoke very harsh words to the Pharisees and Sadducees who came out to see him. You remember how the Gospels describe John and his preaching. He was preaching out in the Judean Desert, saying "Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand."As the crowds responded to his message they confessed their sins and were baptized by John the Baptizer.
But when the Pharisees and Sadducees came, his message changed somewhat. Not doubt he said much more than this, but these are the words that Matthew (and Luke) records:

 “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Matthew 3:7, 8

What impresses us most on first reading is how harsh and confronting his first words are. I've heard some fiery preachers who sounded very angry with their audience, but I've never heard anything as strong as "you bunch of snakes". John stood in the long line of OT prophets who spoke without fear, the message God gave them.
But notice his comment about repentance. "Produce fruit in keeping with, or reflective of repentance." The NLV puts it this way"Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God."
The NT meaning of repentance is to "turn from, to make a change of direction; it is a transformation, a turnaround". Unlike some who write about repentance, John is not quoted as saying anything about feeling sorry, or crying tears of repentance. That may often be experienced. But it is not the evidence of repentance.
John calls for evidence of repentance, not emotion. If a person repents - turns, changes direction - it should be evident. Physically speaking, it is obvious to any onlooker when a person or a vehicle changes direction. So we should expect if someone has repented, there will be life change evident. That is what John calls for. He does not want to simply baptize religious people who become a little more religious. He calls for change.
Sometimes we miss that when we talk about "receiving or trusting in Jesus; becoming a follower of Jesus." To be biblical, to be true to John, Jesus, Scripture - we need to explain to people that where there is true faith - true repentance - their is a turning from a self-centered, self led life to a Christ centered, Holy Spirit led life. The evidence may be subtle or it may be dramatic, but we should expect fruit; proof that the person has turned and been changed by the God who responds to faith.

FOUR MONTHS UNTIL

I missed writing yesterday. No excuse. I meant to share thoughts from the book of Malachi. But today, having finished reading through the OT yesterday, I began reading in Matthew today.
Contemplating the old, old story of the birth of Christ; finding it once again ever new and ever fascinating, I realized that today was the 25th, August 25th - only four months until the traditional date (western) for Christmas.
So Malachi comments will have to wait. Today, I marvel once again at the four women who are included in Matthew's genealogy of Christ. It was uncommon back then (to say the very least) to include the names of mothers in a genealogy. Why does the author mention four, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba (though not by name), but only four women? And if Matthew was inspired to include the names of some women, why did he choose these four? These are worthwhile questions to consider.
There are a variety of reasons suggested. Here are a few.
1. Since the genealogy ends with one special woman, Mary who gave birth to Jesus; and since Joseph had nothing to do with this miraculous birth; it was fitting to note several other women who played a role in the lineage of the Messiah born in Bethlehem.
2. Since Jesus came as Saviour of the world (not only of the Jews), Matthew includes four women who were not Jewish. Four foreigners! A clear hint that the Jewish Messiah belongs to the whole world.
3. Since Jesus came to save sinners, these four women are included because all of their biblical stories record their involvement in sinful behaviour. Tamar has sex with her father-in-law (albeit for a noble purpose). Rahab was a prostitute which was why it was not unusual that strangers (in Joshua the spies) would be seen going to her house. Ruth was very forward or aggressive (I don't think sinful quite fits here) in pushing Boaz to marry her. And while King David was the initiator and bore primary responsibility, it appears that Bathsheba was complicit in their adultery.
4. All four appear as very strong women. In fact Tamar, Rahab and Ruth take very unusual and risky steps to do what they believe is right. Their bravery is very impressive. They foreshadow the bravery of Mary.
5. Perhaps God wants us to know from the very beginning of the New Testament that He will not be boxed in. We are foolish to predict how He will act in the future. He is a God of surprises. He will use whomever He wishes to accomplish His will. His ways and thoughts are higher than ours.

Well there are a few pre-Christmas thoughts for you on this Saturday, four months before the traditional date for Christmas. Sitting in front of a fan, dressed in shorts and a T - shirt, with temperature today rising to 34 degrees, I am delighted to praise God for the Christmas story. Praise God for His marvellous works - none greater than visiting planet earth in the form of a baby. Thank you God for Jesus, our eternal Lord and Saviour. We celebrate His coming 365 days a year.

ZECHARIAH DIDN'T KNOW

Peter tells us that the Old Testament prophets often didn't really know what they were writing as they foretold the future, inspired by the Spirit.
"Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spokeof the grace that was to come to you,searched intently and with the greatest care, trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of the Messiah and the glories that would follow."    I Peter 1:10 - 11
One who may have wondered more than others was probably Zechariah. Writing 500 years before Christ, his book is a mixture of words being fulfilled at that time, words to be fulfilled in the next couple of centuries, words about our Lord's coming and words about days that are still in the future. The challenge for believers of all centuries has been to sort out which words were about which time.

Fortunately, Matthew wrote the most "Jewish" of the four Gospels. He often quotes or references Scripture and quotes Jesus quoting Scripture. When reading through Zechariah, if you are familiar with Matthew's Gospel, you notice numerous statements that Matthew indicates were fulfilled in Christ. Fulfilled prophecy is very significant, one of the internal proofs for inspiration. In the case of the following quotes, I note them because while Zechariah was fully aware of what he prophesied, I am pretty sure He would not have been able to tell you how when or by whom the following words would be fulfilled. But the Spirit knew and so He inspired Zechariah to write.
Would he, could he have guessed that the following words all refer to what happened to one Man, the Messiah, in the last week of his life? Note that these passages are scattered among several chapters in Zechariah. Three are referenced in Matthew and one in John.
"Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." Zech. 9:9 (Matt. 21:5)

"And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord." Zech. 11:13 (Matt. 27:9,10)

"They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son." Zech. 12:10 (John 19:37)

“Awake, sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me!”    declares the Lord Almighty. “Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered, and I will turn my hand against the little ones."                         Zech. 13:7 (Matt. 26:31)

Thank you Lord for inspired Scripture. Thank you Lord for our Saviour.

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LOVING LIFE IN HANOI

I recently enjoyed meeting for coffee (actually a mango smoothie, I don't drink coffee) in a nearby restaurant with a local Vietnamese pastor. I had heard about a recent baptism in his small church, so asked about it. Eleven Vietnamese were baptized!
I thought I knew that answer to my next question, but asked it anyway. "How many of those baptized were from Christian families?" His reply: "None."
So we pray for these newly baptized Hanoi residents, all young in years (probably ages 15 - 30) and young in faith. Two of them visited our Expat fellowship a few months ago and we pointed them to my friend's church. So we had a small part in their coming to faith and being baptized. We also are doing a small part in supporting his church.
Now on a mundane but tasty note: why do I like living in Hanoi besides the privilege of involvement in what God is doing here?
In Canada I rarely ate as much fruit as the health guidelines recommended. I confess I just hated to pay the price of most fruit. Here I am happy to do so, because it is very tasty but also because it is so inexpensive. We have a Vietnamese helper who works for us just four hours a week. Among other things we ask her to shop for fruit because she finds better fruit, at great prices.
I happened to see today's hand written bill. 10 bananas; 2 pineapples, 2 mangoes and 600 g. of Nhan (a cherry size fruit with thin skin and large pit) - total cost only $3.35 US. Hmmm, I will keep eating at least as much fruit as the Canadian health guidelines say I should.

Random but worth sharing!
Just read the following on my sister Donna Jean's blog. (For reasons unknown to me I can only read the first paragraph of each of her postings! Strange?) Anyway I thought this wisdom from two little ones was worth a big smile if not a good laugh. I suspect that these are two of my sister's almost perfect grandchildren being referenced. Apparently they play very well together except when they fight.

"Both of them were regularly frustrated to the point of tears …and punches. One day recently, an arbitrating parent halted the violence yet again, and asked for negotiation. Parent, to Sibling #1 “What would you like him to do?” Sibling #1, “Stop being so *stupid*!” Sibling #2, in a moment of wisdom beyond his years, “How am I supposed to do that?”

Don't we all wish we knew how to do that? Since we don't, please forgive me the next time I do something stupid. And I will do my best to forgive you.

LITTLE AND POWERLESS

The prophet Zechariah brought his messages to the people of Jerusalem at the same time as Haggai. It is evident that God used both men to galvanize and encourage the leaders and the people of Israel to rebuild the temple. At the same time they were being called to right heart attitudes as they were called to right priorities and action.
Zechariah encourages the people who had returned to the Jerusalem that had been destroyed. At times must have felt overwhelmed even as they worked to rebuild the Temple. He tells them things that would are not normally emphasized in 21st century management books or self help books. Through this prophet, God affirms that human power is not of great importance nor is size of great importance.
I confess that often I have been, and still am impressed with both. The size of companies, buildings, churches, etc. do impress me. I cannot help but be impressed with the amount of power in a machine (say a 747 vs. a single engine 2 seat plane) or in a person's position (say a president vs. a secretary).
But God wants me, us, the people of Israel in Zechariah's day, to be very clear. When it comes to what God is doing and will do, power and size are not significant.

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power,but by my Spirit,’says the Lord Almighty. 4:6

“Who dares despise the day of small things" 4:10

The Bible places great emphasis on humility. Why? Because proud people are independent people who either ignore God or take Him for granted. Why? Because proud people can do it "my way" or "on my own" and thus do not develop a relationship with God. Why? Because " God opposes the proud but shows favour to the humble"James 4:6
Size, strength, power are impressive and lead toward pride. However in things that count for eternity and in relation to God, they are meaningless. What we need is the fulness and power of His Spirit. We need to be in obedience to Him in small things or larger things. Of course God uses the large and the powerful. But it is only as He chooses to use them do they make eternal, spiritual impact.
Better little and powerless with the presence of God than all the size and power a person could possibly accumulate. I know that, but please keep reminding me Lord!

SATURDAY NIGHT HABIT

I am writing this blog at 9:00 pm (our time zone) on a Saturday night. There are many advantages to living in Asia. One is that in terms of time we are ahead of most of the world. Therefore when I pray for the church around the world on a Saturday night (my usual habit) I know that no one in the world is entering into Sunday worship yet. (Of course many of our Christian friends in Muslim countries will have worshipped on Friday, but that is another story.)
Even if you live in North America, as most of this blog's readers do, if you pray for Christians around the world on Saturday night, you will be praying before the majority will have started or at least finished their Sunday services. For what should you pray?
Remember that their are millions of Christians who have no guarantee of safety and security when they gather to worship. I prayed earlier this evening for their courage and safety: there must be many Christians tonight wondering if they should risk attending a church gathering tomorrow. In their village, they risk mockery, a beating, perhaps arrest if they venture out to church. Some may be shot inside or outside of their church building. Others who will welcome a small group of believers into their home for worship tomorrow may risk having their house burned to the ground. Some will gather, not knowing if police may arrest their leaders, or all of them, tomorrow.
We who live in free, secure countries, may, to our shame skip Sunday worship if it is raining hard, or we were out too late Saturday night, or we have a sniffle, or ----. We take it for granted that we can attend a Sunday church service in safety and security on any Sunday we choose. Thus sadly, we don't often consider this a privilege.
I challenge you to make a habit of praying for five minutes each Saturday night for those who will take a risk Sunday morning by attending a church service. Risking because they love Jesus, risking because they need Christian fellowship, worship and teaching; risking because they know gathering with His church pleases Jesus.
And maybe, if you live in a "risk free" country, praying for these courageous, committed brothers and sisters will increase your commitment to gather with Christians; and increase your gratitude that you can do so, with no risk.

ONLY ONE OUT OF TEN

It is a brief story found only in Luke 17. There is an unusual reference to Jesus travelling along the border between Samaria and Galilee. Unusual because on the way to Jerusalem you normally should be travelling north to south, not east or west. The story reminds us of Jesus' concern for outcasts like the excluded lepers and a reminder that those farthest from God often respond better than those who are "His people" (see the Good Samaritan parable).
However what should and does draw our attention most: only one came back! Ten men, estranged from family and village, ugly from disease and bonded only because no one else wanted them. They dare not approach Jesus and the apostles - so they stand at a distance. They don't cry out "Jesus, heal us" but rather "Jesus, take pity, have mercy!"
We aren't told how they knew about Jesus. We aren't told how much faith they had. We don't know if nine were Jews and only one a Samaritan. What we do know is that they were in desperate need of God's mercy, of God's healing power.
Jesus in response tells them to take a faith walk. To start walking toward the place where they will find a priest who according to Jewish law is the one with authority to declare them healed, clean, permitted to return to village and family. And by faith, the ten begin to walk - away from Jesus toward a merciful healing!
What great fun a film maker could have with the scene. Did one of them look at his own disfigured feet and suddenly see, protruding from his sandals 10 healthy toes? Did another one in conversation with his fellow sufferer stagger back because he'd just seen a scarred face made whole? Did they all discover healing at once, or what? Use your imagination. We do know that all ten were joyously healed.

But only one returned to Jesus. I suppose we could rise up in defence of those who failed to return and give thanks. Perhaps overwhelmed with joy they temporarily forgot all about Jesus and the priest and ran directly to long missed family. Or perhaps they ran quickly to the priest and then hurried to their family. Maybe in the rush they decided they would simply thank Jesus later.
We don't know. We only know that Jesus was evidently disappointed. Ten men, some at least Jewish men, who knew God should be thanked and praised, yet only one, a Samaritan returned to give thanks.

As we approach another Sunday, I want to be found among the truly thankful. I want to be one who offers the best that I can to God in thanks, praise and worship.
"Lord, don't let us be found with the nine - too busy, or too pre-occupied, or too ----. We want to thank You in spirit and in words!"

QUESTIONS AND FAITH

I admit that Habakkuk is one of my favourite minor prophets. I love his honesty and his attitude. He feels comfortable in asking God questions (that it is acceptable for him to do so). He, like most of us, just does not understand first, what God is not doing; then second, what God says He is going to do. He trusts God's character, but he cannot understand God's ways.
Does that sound familiar? Many OT saints had the same struggle that we have. They, and we, wonder why God is not stepping in to prevent a disaster in the making. Or we wonder why God is allowing evil people, evil groups, or evil countries to "get away" with what they are doing.
So Habakkuk asks God and waits for an answer. When God does answer his two questions, he really doesn't like either answer. But he affirms that he will trust God.
In fact his affirmation of trust and faith at the end of the book is a classic; one of the all time great statements of "I will trust God no matter what" found anywhere in the Bible.
If ever you need to encourage someone that doubt, honest questions and strong faith in God can actually co-exist in one person, just tell them to read through Habakkuk several times. A wonderful brief book providing an encouraging example and a marvellous message. Yup, one of my favourites.

WHAT THE LORD REQUIRES

There are many ways in which we can describe what God expects from His people. The statement we most often turn to is from Jesus when He said:
"Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37 - 39

One of the powerful yet simple statements of what God requires from us is found in Micah. First the prophet suggests what OT people might think God primarily wanted. Since God through Moses instituted the sacrificial system, you would think He might especially want sacrifices.
So Micah asks in a rising crescendo: will God be pleased with burnt offerings of young calves? thousands of rams? ten thousand rivers of oil? the most costly sacrifice possible from an Israelite, my firstborn son?
Then comes the very simple description of what God wants:
"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." 
Micah 6:8
Of course if we compare this to the words of Jesus in Matthew, we realize that they are not dissimilar. Justice and mercy will flow from the lives of those who really love God and others. In this part of the world, a Christian easily becomes more attuned to the need for this in our world. Christ followers must live out and advocate for justice and mercy. And if we walk humbly with our God, that will be with dependence (instead of independence) and obedience (instead of disobedience); a clear demonstration of our love for Him.
God has always wanted the same from those who follow Him. It may be expressed differently in the OT. It is true that today we have no need of a temple, no sacrifices, no earthly high priest, for Christ has come. But God has never changed and what He has always wanted from His people, at the core, has never changed either.

LIVING SECURELY

No one lives securely. We understand this, at least theoretically. We learn about a young man in costume walking into a movie theatre with several guns, wounding and killing many people. We hear of another armed man entering and killing in a Sikh temple. Half way around the world we read of violent death in the Sinai, in the Congo, in Nigeria or in Syria.
We know that the President of the United States for the past 60 years has probably the best security detail in the world. Yet numerous attempts have been made on the life of Presidents and one has been assassinated. It seems that none of us can live with absolute security - until!
Millions of Christians prayed together yesterday, the familiar words taught by our Lord Jesus, "Your kingdom (rule) come, your will be done."
I was reminded of both this prayer, our future hope and the depressing lack of security in our world this morning. Micah writes of a wonderful time when God's greatness;, when the rule of His Sent One, prophesied to come from Bethlehem (5:2); will extend around our globe.
"They will live securely, for then His greatness will extend to the ends of the earth. He will be their peace". (Micah 5:4b, 5a)
Once again we see how the Jewish prophets knew that God cared for more than just his special Jewish nation. They variously write about that future day - sadly still future - when the greatness of "His rule" will spread to everyone, everywhere; when everyone will finally live in absolute security and enjoy the peace that only God through the Messiah can bring.
Come Lord Jesus!

JUST CHECKING

I wonder how many readers actually look up the Bible passages I reference. If you did look two posts ago, you were led to the wrong OT prophet.
For some reason I was quoting Amos but referred you to Joel 4 instead of Amos 4. I would say that it was a purposeful mistake to see if you would notice. But it wasn't. Just one of many mistakes I've no doubt made this week (but hopefully not in my blogs.)

JUDGMENT, COMPASSION, INTERCESSION

The prophet Amos brings God's words of judgment to both Israel and Judah and also to the nations. He speaks judgment but calls for repentance. As noted yesterday from chapter 4, God sadly concludes that in spite of the suffering His people have experienced, they will not repent.
God reveals to Amos the kind of punishment or judgment He is going to bring upon His people. Amos has spoken strong words of judgment to God's rebellious people in Israel. In fact he is accused of a conspiracy against the king. Amaziah the priest demands that he go back south where he belongs.
Yet unknown to Amaziah (and maybe all the people who heard his prophecy) Amos cares deeply about them. As God describes the impending judgment, Amos recoils with concern and pleads with God:

“Sovereign Lord, forgive! How can Jacob survive? He is so small! ” 7:2

Again Amos cries out:

“Sovereign Lord, I beg you, stop! How can Jacob survive? He is so small! ” 7:5

As Amos intercedes for his people, God relents and does not do what He had planned. 

In our day, there are well known evangelicals who seem to teach that if Christians really love people and really believe in a loving God, then they must also surely believe God will not judge and condemn those who ignore and disobey God.
In contrast, Amos provides us an excellent example of a believer who knew and believed that our loving, merciful God does judge sin; yet he is also an example of a believer who really cared about what happened to his people; and he provides a powerful example of an intercessor who believed and experienced God answering prayer.
"Lord, help me to follow Amos' example."

WHEN NOTHING WORKS

The United States just suffered through the hottest July on record. The result has been huge crop losses in numerous states with resulting financial devastation for many. The twelve million people of Manila have just suffered terrible flooding from torrential rains with thousands of people trapped without drinking water or food.
God taught his people in the OT to see what we call "natural disasters" as part of God's permissive will.   He knew and knows how prone we are to exert our independence; to assert our self reliance; to plan and act without consulting God. When God allows "natural disasters" to strike, He expects wayward believers to be humbled and repentant before Him.
Through the prophet Joel, God rebuked His people for failing to respond when disaster came upon them. In Joel chapter 4, one condemning phrase tolls like a warning bell five times: "yet you have not returned to me, declares the Lord." God had allowed Israel, at different times to suffer and experience food shortages, drought, locust infestations, etc. These disasters should have made their need of God so obvious and resulted in humility and prayers of repentance and commitment. Yet even in times of pain and need, they had failed to turn to God.
God finally says through Joel: Since you would not voluntarily respond when I tried to get your attention, "Prepare to meet your God, O Israel." Joel 4:12 Now it is too late. This is not a plea for repentance. This is now a warning: get ready for God's judgment; the calamity that He is about to bring on the nation.
Not too many decades ago, (OK, quite a few decades ago), if the USA was going through serious drought, their would have been public appeals for national prayer. The vast majority of the nation believed they were "one nation under God." But when hearts grow hard it seems no disaster can bring repentance and humility. No matter what God may do or allow, nothing works.
I have witnessed people with Christian heritage endure one, two, or more very painful life experiences. Yet apparently it does not occur to them to turn back to God. When hearts become spiritually hard, it seems nothing works; nothing can cause a return to the waiting Father.
"Oh God, we pray for responsive, humble, soft hearts - for ourselves, our loved ones and for others."

WHAT IS GOD DOING?

Jesus had promised, "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised --- in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit". Again Jesus said, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you ---." Acts 1:4 - 8
So the apostles and the other Christ followers waited and prayed. Prayed and waited. What were they expecting? How would they know when the Spirit came? Would they be aware of what God was doing? What would God by His Spirit expect them to do?
We know that for a few weeks they prayed and waited. We know that they chose a man to take the 12th apostle's place vacated by the traitor, Judas. What we are not told, but I think is certain: they spent long hours studying their Old Testament scrolls and "paging" through the many parts of the OT that they had memorized. They were especially looking for teaching and promises about the Spirit of God. They were preparing through prayer and the Word for what God would do. One brief OT book must have been referenced many times as they waited for the Spirit. God had provided powerful comforting words through the prophet Joel which included a strong word about pouring out His Spirit in the future.
Therefore, when the Spirit came and apparent "chaos" broke out - many believers speaking many languages all at once - they were not shocked. Peter could reference Scripture and explain to the Jewish crowd that gathered: "this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel". Acts 2:16 Then he quotes those powerful prophetic words from Joel, concluding with "And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Acts 2:21, Joel 2:32
Those who know the Bible, can best understand the times and best understand what God is doing. Too often believers are perplexed and asking questions, when Scripture has clearly provided the answers. If we read and study the Scriptures we will increase our understanding of what God has done, is doing and will do. Then, like Peter, we will be prepared.

FULLY LOVED

The prophet Hosea was called upon to both proclaim and act out the amazing love of God. Instructed to marry one who either had already become or would become a prostitute, Hosea is told that this is how God loves Israel. Betrayed by his unfaithful wife, he is told to go and bring her back, to reach out in loving grace and mercy, just as God kept kept reaching out to His disobedient, unfaithful people.
In contrast to God's love, He describes Israel's superficial, disloyal, unfaithful love in Hosea 6:4 "Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears." Love that disappears - how much our society of broken relationships and broken hearts knows about that kind of love.
The book Hosea writes is not all "sweetness and light". However it portrays through Hosea's actions and prophetic words how God keeps on loving His OT people with a tough but tender love. He may bring them through very painful times, those who so often rejected and betrayed God's loyal love. Yet His compassionate love never gives up.
If we know ourselves at all, we know that we don't deserve such loyal, faithful love. To be loved fully, not because of who we are or what we have done is a marvellous gift. To be loved in spite of who we are and what we have done is God's amazing gracious gift to us. This kind of love is what is demonstrated and promised to those of us who respond to God's invitation.
Thank you God for the life and message of Hosea. Thank you Father for the life and death of your Son, our Saviour. "Amazing Love, how can it be, that you my God would die for me."

PURPOSE IN SUFFERING

Entire books are written on the topic of suffering. How can we defend God's reputation for compassion and love when the world He has made seems so full of pain and suffering? How can we explain why some suffer so much and others live what appear to be charmed lives? When will God bring an end to all of the massive amount of pain and sorrow caused by war, slavery, natural disasters? 

Some questions have no simple answer. Some questions may have no human answer that makes sense. Perhaps more than any other issue, the question of suffering calls for great faith because we can at best find only partial answers to some of the questions - personal, theoretical or theological.

However both in the NT and the OT, there is a repeated refrain for believers who must deal with their own personal suffering. Suffering can have purpose in our lives. I am reminded of this in the latter part of Daniel as two words are repeated when talking about suffering to come.

"Some of the wise will stumble, so that they may be refined,purified and made spotless until the time of the end, for it will still come at the appointed time." 11:35

"Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand." 12:10

 I like the results of "refined and purified", but I don't like the process that is involved. When speaking of physical elements being purified and/or refined means there is loss and often great heat, even fire involved in the process.

As  followers of Jesus we want to made more like Him. We know godly character is best for us, best for human relationships and brings honour to our Lord. We want that kind of character. Unfortunately it seems that the process of purifying or refining our character most often involves pain and suffering of some kind. It is not purposeless. Our loving Father, we are assured, is preparing us, purifying us for a life in His holy Presence forever.  

DANIEL AND PRAYER

I've just finished reading the book of Daniel again. What a book. What a godly man. What a God he served! Like many of you, I was raised on the stories of four young men who dared to be different (Daniel 1); of three of those men of faith thrown into the fire (Daniel 3); and of Daniel himself thrown into the lion's den (Daniel 6). Thus we may feel we are familiar with the book of Daniel.
But when you read and re-read the book of Daniel, you cannot help but be impressed with his faith and his commitment to daily prayer. He prays with great humility and great passion; and his prayers are heard in heaven and answered, sometimes immediately. (Daniel 9:21-23; 10:12 - 14)
Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 can teach us much about how to pray. If you can take time to read it now or in the near future, here are a few things to note:
Daniel has a high view of God and of God's love. (9:4)
Daniel confesses the sins of his people. (9:5 - 6) He himself is not guilty but he identifies fully with his people and so prays "we have sinned; we have been wicked; we have turned away; we have not listened." He recognizes that the judgment of God is righteous and just.
Daniel prayed at great length. I am sure what we read in these verses is merely a summary. (9:3)
Daniel pleads with God to answer and act: "hear the prayers and petitions of your servant; Give ear, O God and hear; open your eyes and see; O Lord listen! O Lord forgive! O Lord hear and act." (9:17 - 19)
Finally notice that Daniel like so many of those whose prayers are recorded in the OT, does not pray just for his own sake or for the sake of His people. Daniel is concerned about God's honour and God's reputation. He does not pray with the idea that God must answer his prayers because of his righteousness but appeals to God's great mercy. ((17 - 19)
We can learn a lot about prayer from Daniel's godly example! Thank you Lord, that in your Word, you do teach us to pray.
   

REMAINING SINGLE

Jan and I heard a portion of a woman's journal read today. In it she said that people regularly asked her whether she was going to marry. Was she disappointed to still be single? Was she praying for a husband?
In her journal she simply wrote (paraphrasing from memory) that she simply wanted to be in the centre of God's will. Her first love and allegiance was to Christ. She did not know if God would give her a husband but for now she would serve Him with all her focus as a single woman.
The woman who wrote that was 38 years old. It was written in 1997. The following year she felt led by God to go to Vietnam and serve the Vietnamese people. Last month she died at age 53. She never married; never had a husband and never birthed a child. Her close friend read that journal entry to us today at her Memorial service.
Many in this country mourned her death. Many Vietnamese would call her their spiritual mother who loved them, served them, prayed for them and shared Christ with them. She was deeply involved in orphanage work here, among other things. God only knows if she would ever have come to Vietnam had she married. God only knows if she would have had a fruitful ministry had she married.
One thing was clear to all of us at the Memorial service today. She did not lose by choosing to make her love for Christ and obedience to Him the foundation of her life. And dozens, no hundreds of people here in Vietnam gained because she invested her life here for 14 years. 

OLYMPIC PERSPECTIVE

Jan and I have watched more table tennis, archery and badminton over the past few days than we've ever watched.
Of course we have followed the Olympics in past years and spent hours in front of the TV like perhaps a billion people around the world. And yes, we could get ESPN network in Canada and the USA. But we have never watched the Olympics before from SE Asia and via ESPN international.
The Olympic coverage we have seen has included a little gymnastics and swimming. But apart from China and Australia, not many athletes from this part of the world are among top competitors in those sports. So what is the focus here?
Archery, where several Asian countries have excelled. Badminton where most of the best singles and doubles are from Asia. Table tennis which again is primarily dominated by Asians.
So what? Well it has reminded me again that perspective and interests affect how we see life and live life. I have an increased interest in the previously mentioned sports because Asia is home right now. My interest and perspective have changed because of where I am investing my life. Most Americans and Canadians would be amazed to discover that a huge portion of sports watchers in the world are more interested in badminton, archery and table tennis than are interested in gymnastics or swimming.
Spiritual parallels and lessons from this abound. There is kind of a parallel with what Jesus said: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." What I really value captures my interest, my attention, my heart.
In the Olympics our interest naturally follows our often nationality and/or our adopted country. In spiritual things my interest follows who or what I really love and where I am investing my time and my money. I hope you are competing for the rewards that last forever!!

LIFE, FOOD AND HEALING

The end chapters of Ezekiel (40 - 48) are understood in several different ways. There are good points made and questionable points made by each approach to interpreting these verses. It is wise to stay tentative in whatever our own conclusions about the temple and the sacrifices described in these chapters.
However no matter how puzzling we may find this section, there are verses within these chapters that give us an enlarged view of God. Other verses remind us of what God has done and what He will do. One section that does the latter is found in Ezekiel 47. There a river is described that flows from under the Temple of God. In numerous ways it reminds us of the river described in Genesis 2 and the river in Revelation 22.
I note just three things about this marvellous river. It is powerfully life giving. When it flows into the Dead Sea (vs. 8 - 10) it overwhelms death with life! The Sea in which nothing can live becomes abundant with fish and other aquatic life. The river also provides life for trees that line the riverbanks. (vs. 7, 12). The trees are so abundantly sourced with water that they bear fruit, not once or twice a year but monthly! And the leaves of these trees provide healing!
Now it can be argued that this is figurative language not describing a real river and real trees. Or it can be argued that this is an actual physical rive that will appear in the Millennium or when we are ushered into the eternal New Heaven and New Earth including the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
While scholars and lay people disagree as to how to best interpret this chapter, one thing is clear. In fact it is one thing that runs like a river throughout Scripture. Our God is a life giving, life providing, wonderfully healing God. He has sent us a Saviour who offers Himself to us as "the Life", as the Bread of Life and as our Healer. The River of God is already flowing. (Hmmm, sounds like a worship song!) Only God truly knows whether one day we may be able to wade into an actual, very special river. What we know for sure is that we have in Christ all we need for the present and the future.