Mountaintop Moments

For anyone who loves God, there can be no higher ambition than a face to face conversation with Him. This was Moses' experience during one of his mountaintop moments. Desiring a little more personal certainty, Moses pleads with God, "Now, show me your glory". As a result God compromises with Moses and agrees to let His goodness pass before him, proclaim his name with his own voice, but prevent Moses from seeing His face. Instead God will let him see his back.

In reflecting on this awesome account, I realize that "seeing God's back" doesn't mean that God is turning his back on his people, but rather it is another assurance of His promised presence. He is there with Moses ~ listening and responding to him as friend to friend. We also know for sure that it means that God is moving ahead of the people ~ leading them. That’s something Moses needed to know. And it is something we need to know too. We need these two things in our weapon store for living. We need to know that God is there, listening and responding ~ to be assured that God is out there in charge, leading the way.

But wait, there's more... another powerful truth this odd and haunting story of seeing God’s back tells us is that we sometimes see where God has been by looking back. Not by seeing God’s face, but by seeing where He has been ~ where the glory of God has passed by.

We pray sincerely the words of chorus 98:

Show us thy glory, Christ of the mount. Thou art of light and wisdom the fount. We would adore thee, make known thy power. Stay with thy people, hallow this hour.

Exodus 33:22-23 (NKJV) ~ "So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen."

Finishing Well

Finishing well is the right way for Christians to close the final chapter of life's earthly book. It testifies to the reality of our faith. It leaves for those who remain a legacy of inspiring memories. People are deeply impressed when they see a godly believer finish life well ~ marked by calmness, confidence, dignity and grace.

No level-headed person wants to leave this world on a bad note. No one wants to be remembered as living life carelessly without thought for the future. So here's a message for both the young and old alike ~ realize that finishing well can only be guaranteed by the choices of today.

No matter where you are on life's journey, now is the time to live well so that you can finish well.

Ezekiel 18:5 (MSG) ~ "(The) person who lives upright and well shall live a full and true life. Decree of God, the Master."

When Disaster Strikes

Ever had a disaster day when one thing goes wrong after another? Despite our good intentions and desires, daily plans can sometimes go awry. Well, we had one of those days recently.

We were hoping for a smooth transition of vehicles. The car detailer was scheduled and, later the same day, rescheduled only to not turn up at all. So with half an hour to go before changeover, I did a quick self-detailed vacuum and clean in the car port. This done, I pushed the vacuum aside, jumped in the car and headed for the car wash. But not before I ran over the vacuum rod and squashed it to a pulp. Argh! With a rising blood-pressure, I pulled into the car wash and relaxed as I awaited its completion. Halfway through, I turned toward the back for a final inspection and...oh no!...the multi-coloured soap suds were layering the back seat accompanied by a constant stream of water. Aarrgghh! While vacuuming the back seat I had obviously knocked the window handle and lowered it ever so slightly to allow for a rear seat clean too!

They say "All's well that ends well"...and in hindsight I now agree. At the time, it was no laughing matter. Later on, it was all I could do.

Praise God he delivers us and gives grace for all occasions!

Job 5:17 (MSG) ~ "From one disaster after another he delivers you; no matter what the calamity, the evil can't touch you—"

Limiting The Load

1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG) ~ "No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he'll never let you be pushed past your limit; he'll always be there to help you come through it."

What a personal and spiritual encouragement these words are when considering temptation! Then there's Paul's testimony of Philippians 4:7 ~ "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Guarded by God ~ just what we each need! Temptation is Satan's way of attacking the basic virtues of Christian living ~ faith, hope and love.

Consider this ~
Satan questioned the Father's love when he tempted Jesus to turn the stones into bread.
Satan questioned God's hope when he offered Jesus the world's kingdoms this side of the Cross.
Satan questioned the Father's faithfulness when he asked Jesus to jump from the temple and prove that the Father would keep His promise.

Andrew Bonar, a Scottish preacher of the 19th century, offered us some sound advice when he stated, "Let us be as watchful after the victory as before the battle." And while keeping this in mind, remember God knows your load limit and limits your load.

Though we may be tempted from time to time, we will always be triumphant if we face each challenge in the strength of Jesus and the power of God's Holy Spirit.

Worship And Service

In our weekly Bible study group we have been considering the gospel accounts of the temptation of Jesus in a study entitled "Tempted, Yet Triumphant". It's been a spiritually refreshing and faith reassuring time spent together in God's Word.

As we considered Jesus' reply ~ "For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only" ~ it was interesting to note the link between worship and service. In the mind of Jesus He knew the connection between the two, dual aspects of the same attitude. To worship is to serve. Christ's answer reveals the fact that to worship him would be to serve him. This was always Satan's main desire, for he challenged Jesus, "...worship me!" not "serve me". As the father of lies, Satan always leaves the obvious unsaid as he subtlely refrains from giving the complete picture.

Worship and service are synonymous and go hand in hand. Jesus knew that whatever we worship we will serve. Service to the Lord is true freedom, but service to Satan is terrible bondage. God's pattern is to start with suffering and end with glory, while Satan's pattern is to start with glory and to end with suffering.

Worship and service...I know where my loyalty lies. Do you?

1 Peter 5:10 (NIV) ~ "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."

Beginnings

Today was a celebration of beginnings for a number of significant reasons.

Following a stirring rendition of "Are you washed in the Blood of the Lamb?", we were privileged to welcome Commissioners Wesley and Margaret Harris to the Inala Chapel as the special guest leaders for our worship service in recognition of Founders' Day, as we celebrated the passion and zeal of our Army founders. Basing his message on Isaiah 51:2 ~ "Look to Abraham, your father, and to Sarah, who gave you birth. When I called him he was but one, and I blessed him and made him many" ~ the commissioner spoke about "A tale of two loves" comparing the lives of Abraham and Sarah with William and Catherine Booth. The great challenge echoed loud and long ~ "No matter what age or stage of life we find ourselves, we are all useful to God." Hallelujah!

In addition, we were delighted to welcome to worship Captains Stephen Court and Danielle Strickland, who, together with their son, arrived in Australia on Friday to commence their respective THQ leadership appointments. We pray God's blessing upon them for a smooth transition into Australian life and ministry.

Finally, on a personal note, today marked our 12th wedding anniversary. O happy day!

Founders' Day Concert

A rousing brass band, tuneful vocal singing, enthusiastic young people's musical sections and a well-choreographed Launceston Timbrel Brigade. Put them all together and you have a great celebration in music at Box Hill Corps in recognition of this Founders' Day weekend.

Right from the commencement, it was clearly evident that all were God-glorifying musicians gathering together to share God-inspired soul music ~ a truly God-honouring intention!

It was a personal delight for us to catch up with my former COs, Colonels Robin and Shona Forsyth, who are over from New Zealand as special guest leaders for this celebration weekend.

Blessed? You bet!