Gathering Together In His Presence

Do we really believe His promise that He will be in the midst of us when we come into His presence with thanksgiving; worshipping Him in Spirit and in truth. (Matthew 18:20)  Do we expect the Living Saviour to be powerfully present in all that we say and do? When we consider the lackadaisical approach all to often taken to worship in our contemporary world, we are made to wonder if those who come together really see themselves as being in the presence of the awesome and mighty God of this universe. 

Some who say they are Bible believers, tend to make a fetish out of informality. They seem to sincerely equate spirituality with a crass, conditioned and creative emotionality. It would seem, that in their understanding, being spirit filled (led or controlled) precludes orderly worship or behavior. They seem to advocate and often practice an uninhibited exhibitionism.

It would seem that some sometimes sincerely seek to stand and pridefully entertain God; rather than approach Him with humility and reverence. Or worse still, turn a holy worship service into a cheap entertainment concert. All of this could remind us of the foolish, frenzied and failed attempts of the prophets of Baal to awaken their god(s) in order to bring a powerful presence to bear upon the altar of sacrifice. An examination of the idolatrous and paganized worship activities in history, as well as in our contemporary world, confirms such a sensuous and sensational approach has always been the way of the heathen. In contrast, we see the hoary-haired old prophet, Elijah, speaking a few quiet simple words. Then the overwhelming presence of the almighty God is manifest to Israel.

We do not have to speculate on God’s plan of conduct in the Body of Christ. In Paul’s critique of the uninhibited excesses of the church at Corinth, he makes the matter crystal clear. “For God is not [the author] of confusion..” (I Cor. 14:33) “Let all things be done decently and in order.” (I Cor. 14:40) The context of these simple admonitions, when applied to gathering together with Christ, could lead us to but one conclusion. God desires a simple scriptural approach to praise and worship.

None of this should inhibit or prohibit the desire of God’s people to gather together in joyful expectation and anticipation of experiencing the presence of the Living Christ. We are to come together truly expecting to meet with God and His Son, Jesus Christ, through the ministry and power of the Holy Spirit of God. We should not come together merely expecting to see each other, but should have the attitude of the Greeks who came and said to Phillip, “Sir, we would see Jesus.”

It is a great privilege to have an audience with royalty. But how could this compare with the promised personal presence of Jesus Christ with His people as they gather together to celebrate His resurrection and worship and praise Him? We do not come together to merely experience the presence of an earthly prince or monarch, but with the very King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

It should go without saying, that we should behave and even dress appropriately for such a rendezvous with real royalty. Who would wish to go into the presence of a king or even an important official without being appropriately attired? Even those seeking meaningful employment, recognize that to do so would be insulting and could jeopardize their prospects. What is more important and who is more deserving of our utmost reverence and respect?   - Pastor John White

Why Adversity?

Why do God’s people have adversity? As David asked, "Why do the wicked seem to prosper at the expense of God’s people?" Why do terrible tragedies occur in the midst of times of great success and prosperity? Why do a multiplicity of calamities, as in the case of Job, seem to come one upon the heels of another?  

Adversity can be the deadliest source of discouragement or the greatest impetus for spiritual growth in the life of a believer. The difference depends upon and is determined by our understanding and response to the pressure involved. But just why might God allow adversity into the life of a child of God whom He loves?

Adversity may be God’s way of getting  our attention. If we focus our life on the world and its standards and priorities, we may invite and accentuate adversity. When we become absorbed in our own personal plans, projects, programs, ambitions, goals and friendships, God may patiently try to get our attention. When we leave God out of our life and our priorities and decisions, inevitably problems and pressures arise too large and complicated for us to solve. When we become too busy with our own selfish will, God may intervene to show us His way of real peace and joy and His schedule and priorities for our lives. 

Such adversity is good for us.  Adversity may be God’s way of reassuring us of His love. Real love must be tough. Tough love means to care enough to rebuke and correct. Physical and emotional pain serve a real purpose. God shows His love by sometimes painfully reinforcing the dangers in our life. When we finally recognize God’s loving hand of correction and turn to Him, our experience will have been beneficial and spiritually maturing.  Adversity may be God calling us to self-examination. One purpose of chastening is to achieve self-examination. This process begins with self-examination, conviction and confession of sin. But if in adversity we become embittered and engrossed in examining and blaming others, God cannot use this process to bless us. Self-examination should lead to repentance and restoration.

Adversity may be God’s way of conquering our pride. God’s grace is free, but there is one thing essential to receive it - humility. God may occasionally prick our balloon of pride through adversity in order to humble us under His mighty hand that He might lift us up to a place of fruitful service that
pleases Him..

Adversity may be God’s way of reminding us of our human weaknesses and frailties. God sometimes tests us and prepares us for challenges in the future.  When stretched, a rubber band breaks at its weakest point. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link. Only by placing pressure upon materials, can we detect certain flaws. When God works powerfully through our obvious weaknesses, both we and others are freed to give Him all the praise and glory!

Adversity may be God’s way of motivating us to cry out for His help. The intensity of a child’s cry will determine the urgency of a parent’s response. When God’s children cry out in true repentance and faith, God will always lovingly respond.  Ultimately it is not the nature or severity of adversity that really matters.  It is our response to it. Someone has well said that Christians are like steam engines, at their best when under pressure!

The People Have Spoken

After a long campaign the people of Australia have spoken at the ballot box. Our present Prime Minister has declared victory and the leader of the opposition has conceded defeat. It then automatically becomes the responsibility of Christian citizens to pray for the government and for all those elected or reelected to serve in our parliament. We are also enjoined to respectfully obey the laws they enact and honor them for their office sake. (See Romans 13:1-7) The only justification God's people have in overtly resisting those in authority relates to laws restricting freedom of worship and religion and the free exercise thereof, as well as laws that abridge God's eternal moral laws. (Psalm 119:89, Acts 5:29)   Of course,  this does not mean that Christians cannot speak out against wrong decisions and oppose both legally and electorally ungodly men and the ungodly agendas of political parties.  Quite the contrary.

It is clear that all too often the ordinary citizens seems to face the dilemma of choosing between the bad and the not as bad.  The lesser of two evils.  For some of us this seemed to be the case in our recent election in Australia and it seems this may well be the case also for many conservative Christians in the upcoming November election in the U. S.  A recent  poll showed that over 80% of the people think one presidential candidate is hot-headed and obnoxious and nearly as many think the other candidate is a liar and cannot be trusted!

Yes the people have spoken, but is the majority decision always right? I'm afraid not. Biblical and secular history are replete with examples to the contrary. After all, wasn't Jesus crucified by what appears to be a unanimous vote? All present and voting seem to have cried out with one voice for the cruel and inhumane execution of the completely innocent God-man.

Yes the people have spoken, but so did Israel when they chose to have a King so they could be like other nations. God was opposed to the idea. When the prophet Samuel faithfully informed the people of God's will and way, they rebelled and still insisted on having a king. God relented and permitted them to make a mistake that would haunt and hurt them throughout many long years. He told Samuel they had not rebelled against Samuel but against God.

Yes, the people have spoken, but just what did they say? Again,  it seems the candidates and parties entered into a bidding contest to see who could promise the most goodies;  paid for by poor ill-informed taxpayers.  And it seems many responded as if this was all that really matters.  Like the old adage,  "My name's Jimmy and I'll take all you will gimme!"  It is clear that God and His eternal moral laws no longer seem the most important criterion upon which the grave choices of future leaders and government policy should be based . There seems to be no doubt that in the heart of many people God is no longer important and money (the economy) has become the God of our nation. Is it any wonder our Saviour said, "No man can serve two masters, he'll love the one and hate the other. No man can serve God and mammon (money - materialism)." (Matt. 6:24)

Yes, the people have spoken, but what did they really say? Did you hear much from either major party, leader or candidate relative to moral choices or issues? In a time when our Judeo-Christian heritage is being auctioned to the highest bidder for a mess of pottage and a glass of wine, did you hear any political voice crying in this wilderness of secular humanism  and relativism for the nation to repent and turn away from the ungodliness and immorality that is tearing apart the very social, moral and spiritual fabric of our nation? Did you hear any leader crying out against the deadly God-denying philosophies destroying the Christian mores and family values and traditions that have made our nation great? It seems that too many on all sides are ready to jump on the popular band wagon and support such  issues as abortion upon demand, the gay agenda, same sex marriage and the increasing degradation of our nation.

Yes, the people have spoken. The obsession of people and politicians with money, the economy and business as usual as a basis of choice might lead one to say, "God help us!"