Tag Archives: devotion

The Angel Gabriel introduces the Good News

Let’s look how the angel Gabriel, promised the Birth of John the Baptist to Zechariah  (Luke 1:4–25)

Luke started at “the beginning” (Luke 1:3). But for Jesus’ life, the beginning was not his birth, but instead the announcement of the birth of John the Baptist—the person who would prepare the way for Jesus. Zechariah’s wife, Elizabeth, was also from the priestly line of Aaron. Elizabeth descended directly from Aaron, brother of Moses and Israel’s first high priest (Exodus 28:1).

Zechariah and Elizabeth both were righteous in God’s eyes. This does not mean that they were sinless, but that they loved God and obeyed him. Luke adds the detail that they were both quite old. (Luke 1:6–7) .1 This gives each of us, as it does myself, encouragement: God can reveal a ministry to begin at any juncture in our lives. As long as we draw breath, we can serve the Lord.

I am focusing on the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:19) who delivered the unique message of the Good News about Jesus to Zechariah who is now forever known in the Gospels as the father of John the Baptist. His theophany 2 was not a dream or a vision; the angel was a royal herald of God who had brought divine insights to another nobleman of God during the exile to Babylon – Daniel. The angel appeared in visible form and spoke audible words to the Zechariah, the priest as he had done to Daniel in bygone days. (Luke 1:11)

The angel appeared as Zechariah placed the incense on the altar. At this great moment, God begins to work in a fresh way to redeem humankind by revealing his sending of the forerunner – John the Baptist – to present the One who would take sin away from the world. How appropriate to pick a moment of worship and a time when people recognised their need for cleansing from sin! 3

“Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son.” (Luke 1:12–13) The angel even told Zechariah what to name the baby: John means “the LORD is gracious.” Through the birth of this son, God was gracious to Zechariah and Elizabeth, and ultimately to all people, for this son would prepare people’s hearts for the Messiah.

Luke refers to the Holy Spirit – the third person of the Trinity – more than any other Gospel writer does; it was a primary focus for him (see Luke 1:35, 41).That John would be filled with the Holy Spirit, even before his birth, indicates a unique choice of this child. What this signalled was the restoration of the prophetic work of the Holy Spirit that had not been present in Israel for over four hundred years (since the days of the prophet Malachi). (Luke 1:14–15)

Gabriel told Zechariah that John would go before God with the Spirit and power of Elijah – a great prophet who was known for not mincing words and for standing up to evil rulers (Luke 1:16–17 1 Kings 17–19; 2 Kings 2:9, 15; see also Matthew 11:14; 17:10–13).

John’s mission would turn the hearts of the fathers to their children. This phrase comes directly from the prophecy of the Messiah’s forerunner found in Malachi 4:5–6. Though the meaning of the phrase is not immediately apparent, it may mean that John’s messages of repentance would unify broken family relationships – help fathers in their parental responsibilities, or change the lives of disobedient children so that their fathers would approve of them. (see Luke 15:20)

As the story goes, John’s ministerial call to repentance would change the disobedient minds to accept godly wisdom by bringing many of his contemporaries back to a former or a new relationship to God.

When Gabriel appeared to Zechariah, he stated: “I am Gabriel, I stand in the very presence of God.” Gabriel had come with a critical message—Gabriel himself described it as good news. The old priest ought not to have doubted anything the angel said as Zechariah would recall that Gabriel was the angel who had appeared long ago to Daniel, immediately responding to his prayer in Babylon. (Luke 1:19; Daniel 9:21)

Though Zechariah and Elizabeth had been childless for many years, God was waiting for the right time to encourage them and take away their disgrace. Elizabeth realised that in this impossible pregnancy, God had performed a miracle. She praised God for taking away her shame of having no children (Luke 1:7, 25).

One of the keys to the narrative, as I noted above, is to recognise that a story’s characters represent certain types of people. In Zechariah and Elizabeth, we see not just historical figures but representative personalities, and we can identify with their attitudes. We can sympathise with Elizabeth’s plight of childlessness. But she also is an example of how she responds. Despite her disappointment, she faithfully serves God. Even when her situation reversed, she does not forget God but rejoices in what he has done to renew her.

From righteous Zechariah, we also learn something about walking with God. This Gospel is full of such exemplary characters.

Life Application Both Zechariah and Elizabeth are at the heart of the bridge between the past and the present. Our pain may not be the absence of a child, but many things can bring disappointment in life. Zechariah nor Elizabeth succumbed to bitterness, even though Elizabeth felt “disgrace.”

Maybe that is one reason God called them upright and blameless. But good people need to learn to rely even more on God. Sometimes the answer to their disappointment is not clear. Whether it be a severe illness, the loss of a child to premature death, a financial collapse, dealing with a child who falls away from Christ, or into calamity or a grave sin, or an unfortunate accident, the hard times are not always self-explanatory.

God never guarantees that life will be a bed of roses as the cliche goes, never comes without pain and disappointment sometime in our lives. The issue is how we handle it. Bitterness yields the fruit of anger and frustration, sapping our immediate joy from life. Conversely, by adhering to our faith, trust and dependence will cause us to find fulfilment in ways we would not even have considered otherwise.

God’s plan is a basic echo throughout the entire Gospel. Are we prepared for God and do we respond to his love through the ones he uses to lead us to him? As John pointed the way, we need to respect those who have led us in our journey – for me, it was my mother Ruth who read the old Bible stories to me as a young boy; Miss Phillips who came into Lord Elgin school and taught the good news on her felt board; the principal, Miss Couch, who had the entire school annually sing carols together in the hall; and Gordon Pfeifer, the evangelist who preached Christ crucified, and other exceptional elders such as Len Leatherdale, Pastor Mark Johnson, and more.

I’ve learned that we must sense God’s leading and act right then and there recognising our need for Him and respond to Jesus, the One who offers forgiveness to us! I have asked myself more than once: have I humbly walked before the Lord – taking the path he called me to, or have I too often opted to go my own way? If you draw breath, it is not too late to give your life to Jesus Christ as Lord of heaven and the earth, and your soul. Turn to Him, and He will turn to you.

Filled with the Spirit from birth, John testified to Jesus by kicking in his mother’s womb (Luke 1:44 when His mother Mary spoke to her cousin Elizabeth. A powerful testimony often accompanies the presence of the Holy Spirit in Luke. Those who are directed by God in the Spirit do not render testimony to God in the privacy of their own home, as the many Spirit-filled characters in the book of Acts also show. If we have the Spirit, God will be manifest in both our words and deeds.

Yet different ways for doing this exist (see Luke 7:24–35). John’s greatness is not found in his choice of lifestyle, but in the fact that in understanding his calling, he pursues it wholeheartedly and carries out God’s will faithfully.

God does not lead all people to minister in the same way. That diversity allows different types of Spirit-led ministry to impact different kinds of people. We should not make everyone minister, in the same way, similarly advocate our particular doctrines, nor with the same style. The test of ministry is not its external appearances; instead, it is found in much less obvious ways. As a servant of God, John became a preacher who encouraged others to live before God in a way that honoured the Creator. Not everyone responded to John, so we can ascertain that numbers needn’t measure ministerial or elder success. John’s mission was to be a source of stimulating others to find God – something we all can emulate.

The turning of the fathers and sons to each other and God (Luke 1: 17) shows how vital reconciliation within the family is. Colossians 3:21 states clearly how the father’s approach to his child can help form or deform a child’s self-image. Yet what is needed is not merely a reconciled relationship between father and child, but a spiritual connection among the family kindred secured by a robustly strong divine bond mutually uniting them to Christ.

In this way, all family members turn to serve the Lord, so that “the disobedient [are turned] to the wisdom of the righteous” (Luke 1: 17). God’s desire to unite us in a relationship to Himself has resounded over the ages since Moses taught Israel how to restore weakening divine relationship. (see Deuteronomy 4:30; Jeremiah 24:7; Isaiah 10:21; 31:6, 55:7; Zechariah 1:3; Malachi 3:7; James 4:8; Acts 16:31 NLT).

One need only needs to read all the wise words of the father to his son in Proverbs to sense how crucial a three-way relationship between parent, child, and God is. 5

1 Barton, B., Comfort, P., Osborne, G., Taylor, L. K., & Veerman, D. (2001). Life Application New Testament Commentary (p. 241). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.

2 Meaning of Theophany: Manifestation of God that is tangible to the human senses. In its most restrictive sense, it is a visible appearance of God in the Old Testament period often, but not always, in human form. Some would also include in this term Christophanies (pre-incarnate appearances of Christ; and post-ascension visions of Christ, such as the bright light experienced by Paul on the Road to Damascus, and my own experience) and angelophanies (appearances of angels).

3 Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke (pp. 48–49). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

4 Barton, B., Comfort, P., Osborne, G., Taylor, L. K., & Veerman, D. (2001). Life Application New Testament Commentary (p. 241). Wheaton, IL: Tyndale.

5 Bock, D. L. (1996). Luke (pp. 48–49). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.

Is belief enough to get you through life?

“Teach me good judgement and knowledge for I believe in your commandments” Psalm 119:66 ESV 

It is one thing to believe – even the devils believe! (James 2:19) Indeed it is far more unusual to adhere obediently to Scripture than just to think belief is sufficient evidence of faith. 

It is yet another to deeply discern and determine good judgement among diverse situations and subjects both theologically and in practical parameters of personal relationship. 

Further, it is yet a leadership blessing to possess organizational knowledge and intuit the right business and personal paths in any or all realms. Daniel and Joseph were such men of clear judgement and fast decision-making capacity precisely because they were led by the Spirit while facing crises. 

Such guidance by the Lord’s Spirit was due to the entire submission of mind, body, and soul to be open and expectantly listen for leadership council from Yahweh’s Spirit. Thus they magnified and glorified Yahweh among the ungodly. 

God prepares true leaders long ahead of the circumstances to achieve good results for his elect in a fallen self-centred world. 

How do you want to live? Anyone can observe the lives of the heroes of faith. Their prophetic written words historically prove that they were true prophets of old from whom we can learn. The Bible has ample evidence for Christians to praise and glorify the Lord when reading the book of Daniel or the story of Joseph in the book of Genesis.

And let us not forget the greatest source of biblical guidance: the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for they demonstrate faithful obedience to God’s love for others in the life of the Lord Jesus Christ relating to men and women like you and me.

Can we just stop being divisive?

“I came to break down the division walls” (Ephesians 2:14)

When discussing controversial issues, we may lose sight of the cooperative aspects of arguing. Metaphorically we think arguing or debating a point is not friendly, but rather “a battle” to selfishly win. That means win-lose, someone has to lose, be slanderously demonised, shouted down, spiritually murdered or given the proverbial boot. The singular winner with their group followers must gloat in superiority and wear the laurel wreath. 

Where is the victory when more division bells toll and people rally ideologically in a medieval-like furore? When frenzied crowds get ready to trample and kill? When we adulate the win-lose mindset many remain deaf and blind to all things new!

As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:12-14)

Alternatively, view debate as win-win. Look to incorporate a viewpoint that you might have missed, or traditionally overlooked. View someone who is arguing debatingly with you as giving you attentive time, a valuable commodity, in an effort at mutual understanding. But when we are preoccupied with the battle aspects, we often lose sight of the potentially rewarding cooperative unifying elements. In our self-driven competitive culture, notably our political standoffs and often our religious traditions are sadly preoccupied with oppositional viewpoints: whose right? Who won the contest?  

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. (Philippians 2:3)

Jesus himself, said “I came to break down the division walls”, and further the Spirit will lead you into all truth. If we forgive and give up our grudges, listen, viewing others with love, we might learn something we otherwise would never hear nor see.

The Personal Identity of the Holy Spirit

Although spirituality is an attribute of God, for “God is spirit,” it is misleading to assume that the Holy Spirit can be reduced to a characteristic of God alongside other divine attributes like eternity and omniscience. That would be to deny to the Spirit that personhood which scripture attests. Rather the Spirit is a distinct divine person who possesses these characteristics and qualities ascribed as divine attributes. The Holy Spirit is not merely a quality or attribute or emanation of God, but rather a distinct person within the Godhead. 

The Spirit acts personally engaged in Gospel Ministry. Not impersonal but personal pronouns are regularly used to refer to the Spirit—Jesus told his disciples, “I will send him to you” (John 16:7). This personalization was taken for granted when the council at Jerusalem declared, “It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us” (Acts 15:28) that a particular action was to be taken, as if to say that Peter and James and John and others were there, and the Holy Spirit was also there in the conversation, personally sharing with them, dwelling with them as an incomparable partner in their effort. 1

The characteristic properties of a person are those that are continually attributed to that person. The properties regularly attributed by scripture to the Holy Spirit are teaching, comforting, guiding, giving, calling, and sending into services of ministry.

“Thus it is said that [the Holy Spirit] teaches, comforts and guides us in all truth, that he distributes gifts as he will; that he calls and sends apostles”

God the Spirit is actively leading as persons lead. The apostolic testimony applied intensely personal analogies: guiding (Rom. 8:14), convicting (John 16:8), interceding (Rom. 8:26), calling (Acts 13:2), commissioning (Acts 20:28).

Like a person, the Spirit can be resisted (Acts 7:51), avoided, or responsively answered (Acts 10:19–21). Only a person can be vexed (Isa. 63:10) or grieve (Eph. 4:30). Only one with intelligence and the capacity for communication can speak from heart to heart. These are qualities of personhood. Only a person can teach, talk, reveal his will to other persons, or feel anger (Isa. 63:10). As persons speak and communicate, so does the Holy Spirit speak in scripture to the faithful (Mark 13:11; Acts 8:29; 21:11; 1 Tim. 4:1; Rev. 2:7) to disclose his will and listen responsively to creatures.

Only a person can be lied to—no one can lie to a stone or vegetable. Ananias was condemned not for lying to Peter but for lying to the Holy Spirit. Those who lie to the Holy Spirit, lie to God (Acts 5:3–90)

The Spirit is found actively directing the mission of the apostles. The Spirit set aside Paul and Barnabas for their specific work (Acts 13:2); selecting overseers for the flock (Acts 20:28); bearing witness (Acts 5:32; Rom. 8:16), distributing gifts freely as he chooses (1 Cor. 12:11); leading into all truth as Jesus noted to his followers (John 16:13).

These functions imply intelligence, will, feeling, purpose—all characteristic of personhood, which God possesses in incomparable measure. The Spirit searches our hearts (1 Cor. 2:10–11), teaching human persons individually and within the church community (Rom. 8:12–27). 

If “the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?” (2 Cor. 3:7, 8). If he speaks, forbids, appoints, witnesses, is lied to, and resisted, the Spirit must be personal and free, for only a person can do these things. So the Spirit is not merely a metaphor of Jesus himself, but as much a living person (prosōpon, personal face) as Jesus himself. The Spirit in scripture is God himself. The Christian community confesses its belief not merely about but in God the Spirit. “Belief in” is directed to a person; “belief about” is directed to things. 3

The Interpersonal Mystery God works person to person, within human wills and consciousness, in the heart, through language. God the Spirit relates interpersonally to apostles on an intimate basis, while maintaining His own distinctive pre-temporal relation to God the Father and God the Son in the eternal mystery of the communion of the triune God.

God must be a speaking person via the Holy Spirit. If it is through our own personal spirit that we breathe out words, God the Spirit is experienced as a person is experienced, endowed with free volition, energy, communicative language proceeding from the Father and residing now in  the Word/the Bible (Luke 1:70; John 16:15; 2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter 1:11, 21; Acts 1:16)

The Spirit is God’s own quiet coming to execute the Father’s plan, to attest to the Son’s saving work, to enlighten, counsel, strengthen, and enable life until the Son’s return.

The Depersonalization of the Spirit. Although the work of the Spirit may be spoken of in the neuter tense, God the Spirit is not properly addressed as “it” or “object” or “impersonal being” or “force” by any expression that suggests that God the Spirit has no proper name as a person. “Holy Spirit” is that proper name, which by analogy to human proper names is best spoken of either as he or she. To persistently think of God the Spirit as “it” (not as Thou) is to apply a mistaken analogy.

The depersonalization of God the Spirit has occurred in the period of philosophical idealism. Hegel reduced the Spirit to a logistic of history. Tillich reduced the Spirit to an existential category of being itself. Process theology reduced the Spirit to creative energy. Theosophy and its philosophical twin, the Law of Attraction reduced the Holy Spirit to a destiny-achieving force. Each reduction is tempted by an unconstrained application of a mistaken impersonal analogy to the person of the Spirit.

God the Spirit soon becomes reduced to a symbolic generalized dimension of our own view. As Karl Barth noted: Nor does it stand as an improvement to replace the term person with an alternative expression like “mode of being”. 4  

1 Calvin, Comm. XIX, pp. 77–80; cf. Luther, Answer to Emser, LW 39, pp. 175–78, 197–99.

2 Ursinus, Comm. Heid. Catech., p. 272.

3 Oden, T. C. (1992). Life in the Spirit: systematic theology, vol. III (pp. 19–21). San Francisco, CA: HarperSanFrancisco.

4 Barth, Dogmatics I/1, p. 407

Humility: As Taught by Jesus

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 ESV); and “Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.’ (Matthew 20:26-28 NLT).

Scripture reveals that Jesus Christ, while on earth, lived a life of humility. He laid open His heart to his disciples in verbal teaching and to us now by scriptural reference.  His lessons on humility which he repeatedly taught, inferred that Christians are to be just as humble as He was. Let’s look at Christ’s teaching on humility to get a gist of the seriousness of this virtue so often overlooked by Christ’s followers. To understand Christ as Creator will help you perceive why he laboured so intensely to teach behavioural values to men and women. (Colossians 1:15-20; John 1:1-3; Hebrews 1:1-4). Since we are created by God, we are highly potentiated created, humans.

Here are several lessons:

Christ’s view of the poor and meek. In the Beatitudes with which the Sermon on the Mount opens, He speaks “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” and “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:3, 5) To the poor, who have nothing in themselves — to them, the kingdom comes. To the meek, who seek nothing in and of themselves — the earth will be theirs. The blessings of heaven and earth are for the humble. Here in our earthly life, humility is the secret of spiritual grace.

Jesus asks Christians to take humility seriously. “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 ESV) He tells us that the spirit of humility is an attribute which we can learn and receive from Him. Humility and humbleness of mind and manner of life are what He explains. We learn via His Spirit’s leading when born again. Our minds must be humble and calm — in these states of mindfulness, we will find perfect rest of soul. Humility is to be evidence of our deliverance from the world’s distractive ploys to trick us to put ourselves first. When freely led by His Spirit, we properly enjoy our salvation in discipleship — doing His will as He leads day by day.

Modesty begets Greatness. A few of the disciples were desiring to be the greatest in the kingdom and agreed to ask the Master, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” (Luke 9:46). The Lord set a child in their midst, and said, “Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 18:3-4) Further, “…the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” (Luke 9:48) True heavenly-mindedness, the chief of the graces, is humility.

Self-righteous self-elevation is disdained by God. The apostles John and James expressed this when they asked Jesus to sit on His right and left hand when he goes back to heaven, the highest place in the kingdom. (Mark 10:35-45) Jesus referred such query to the Father’s authority. Their mission was a redemptive mission that would culminate in the Lord’s supreme humiliation  — death on the cross.  These men must be prepared to go on and build on Christ’s teaching of the importance of loving others. This is the essential message of the new covenant that Jesus taught in His Gospel

Loving others begets Serving others: “…whoever wishes to be first among you shall be the servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44-45) Humility, as seen in the life of Christ, as the one who came down from heaven to serve, will be the primary standard of glory in heaven. The lowliest mindset is the nearest to God. Primacy in the church is promised only for the humblest. Conversely, a pompous attitude among a church leader stinks of power-tripping. The silent movie of the 20s reveals Joan of Arc being asked theologically devious questions by politically motivated priests determined to judge her as a heretic, which culminated in her being burned at the stake.

Who Is the Greatest? Even during the last supper, the disciples still disputed who should be the greatest. Jesus said, “let the greatest among you become as the youngest and the leader as one who serves.” (Luke 22:26) The unpretentious life which He presented to us as our example, the power and gentle spirit in which He bore insult to bring our salvation, is the only demonstrative humility that can influence today’s’ Christians to be servants to others.

Speaking of the Pharisees and their love of the supremacy. Christ said once again: “The greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:11-12). Humility is the only path to honour in God’s kingdom.

God will humble the proud. On an occasion, in the house of a Pharisee, He taught the parable of the guest who would be invited to come up higher (Luke 14:1–11), and ended with: “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” The demand is apparent: there is no other way. Self-abasement alone will be exalted. At first, this may appear difficult because our pride will prefer domination to some degree.

Don’t be too proud of your biblical knowledge. After the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Christ spoke against self-exaltation again: “…everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Luke 18:10-14). In the temple, in the presence and worship of God, everything — even knowledge of doctrine is worthless unless pervaded by a deep, true humility towards God and men. The Pharisees were educated in the scriptures above the average Jew in the days of Christ. Never should we feel more exalted due to our theological knowledge.

Be supportive and help others when the opportunity arises. Jesus said, “If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.” (John 13:14). The symbolic message of foot-washing is to defer to help others, not look to be exalted nor pampered by others. Christ’s absolute authority and example, every thought, either of obedience or conformity, make it quite evident: humility is the primary essential element of discipleship.

Men sometimes speak as if humility and meekness would rob us of what is noble and bold and manlike. You can see this attitude in movie episodes of “The Game of Thrones”. There is a Machiavellian spirit of tribal one-upmanship; a devilish desire to usurp and control others at all costs.

Is it your heart’s desire to understand humility? If we realize that self-will is a problem that we all must deal with. Our lizard brain 1 is a destructive mindset harmful to mankind. Ask the Holy Spirit to lead us to envision a better understanding of humility. Church fellowship, our peace and joyful appreciation of our kindred unity in Christ, is possible when mindful of this significant primary teaching.

Humility reveals character growth in grace. Presenting the character trait of humility represents evident progress — of a maturing, abiding relationship with Jesus — sanctification in our Christian growth. Based on this study of the teaching of Jesus, no place in the church will be too low, no service beneath our stature. Let us happily prove the like-minded fellowship with Him who spoke, ‘I am among you as a servant.’

Jesus, the meek and lowly One, calls us to learn of Him the path to God. Let us study humility until our heart agrees: My one need is humility. And let us believe that what Christ shows, He gives by His Spirit; what He is, He imparts. As the meek and lowly One, He will come in and dwell in the open-minded, humble heart. 2

1 The lizard brain term is a metaphor for the self-willed, lustful human mindset that prefers political manipulation, violence, domination, retribution, and sexual perversion.

2 Glen Jackman’s summary edit of Andrew Murray’s thinking. This is from Humility: The Beauty of Holiness (pp. 11–16). New York; London; Glasgow: Fleming H. Revell. (1800) In the public domain.

Humility: A proper attitude to Systematic Theology

Peter tells us, “Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble” ’ (1 Peter 5:5).

Those who study systematic theology will learn many things about the teachings of Scripture that are perhaps not known or not known well by other Christians in their churches or by relatives who are older in the Lord than they are. They may also find that they understand things about Scripture that some of their church officers do not understand, and that even their pastor has perhaps forgotten or never learned well.

In all of these situations, it would be very easy to adopt an attitude of pride or superiority toward others who have not made such a study. But how ugly it would be if anyone were to use this knowledge of God’s Word simply to win arguments or to put down a fellow Christian in conversation, or to make another believer feel insignificant in the Lord’s work. 1

James’ counsel is good for us at this point: “Let every man be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger, for the anger of man does not work the righteousness of God” (James 1:19–20). He tells us that one’s understanding of Scripture is to be imparted in humility and love:

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good life let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom … But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. (James 3:13, 17–18)

Systematic theology rightly studied will not lead to the knowledge that “puffs up” (1 Cor. 8:1) but to humility and love for others.

1 Grudem, W. A. (2004). Systematic theology: an introduction to biblical doctrine (p. 33). Leicester, England; Grand Rapids, MI: Inter-Varsity Press; Zondervan Pub. House.

How the Lord led me as a Literature Evangelist

For seven years after accepting the Lord, I worked in a peculiar ministry. As a Literature Evangelist, I shared quality Bibles and simplified commentaries on scripture for families: for adults and children.

Eventually, I trained other men of faith to do the same work as me. I would also preach the Word of God, often to replace pastors unable to be in their pulpits in various areas of Ontario, the Maritime province of Nova Scotia, and in Newfoundland.

How I learned to live by faith in the Lord’s leading

I will share one of those stories here. Scheduled to preach in Bellville on Sabbath, I drove from Peterborough, Ontario, via an old road I had never before driven.

Several miles from the city, I became fatigued and pulled over into the entrance drive of a cornfield. After the nap, I prayed over my open Bible, asking the Lord to be with me and give me words of encouragement to the people (the pastor’s son had just drowned in Lake Ontario).

A knock came on my car window. It was a young boy about 12 years of age. Asking if I was okay, he noted my Bible and said: I am a Christian too. I asked, “Which church do you attend, son?” Well, his answer revealed that I was preaching in his family’s church tomorrow! I asked the lad if he would mind if I told the folks how we met while preaching my message tomorrow — the title being: The Just Shall Live by Faith.

How the Lord led me to another young man 

As usual, I took my lunch on the road while working as a Literature Evangelist. This day, I was by Lake Ontario in a park in Trenton. Praying for guidance, I felt that the Lord was holding me back without question. Then all of a sudden, I heard a still small voice say “go now”. As I drove from the park, I stopped at the road junction to ask for directions from an approaching teenager. He noticed a small book on my passenger seat: Steps to Christ, and said: “my mother has that book”.  We chatted about how he was living away from home, his mother being a believer in my church’s College Park family in Oshawa, Ontario. I said to him. “I am certain that your mother is praying for you”. I spoke more words of encouragement and praised the Lord for his patience with me that he would use me to talk to this young man.

I have many more stories like this recorded in my written journals over the seven years in this sacred ministry.

Seek first the kingdom of God and all blessings will follow

Scriptural Meditations Part 2:  God moves in His natural kingdom to bring blessings my way when I seek him first. He alone is the Great Rearranger who moves upon the atomic nature of the universe; giving ideas that bring forth results for the provision of his own children.

  • I am recognizing that all power, wealth and honour comes as directed from you Yahweh; you created everything in heaven and on earth; everything good is of Your Kingdom and I am exalting you as the head over all. 1 Chronicles 29: 11-12
  • All good things related to my life’s needs are coming my way for provision because I seek first our Lord’s kingdom and His righteousness. Matthew 6:33
  • My God is an enabling God who activates nature to manifest and change form by faith for his children when asked. Psalm 107: 29; Joshua 10: 11-13; Jonah 1: 10-17; Matthew 8: 23-27; Mark 4: 38-40; John 21: 4-12; Matthew 21: 19-22; Exodus 3: 1-4, 15: 3-5; 1 Kings 18: 36-46
  • My Lord hears my prayer claiming his covenant promises that he puts in my heart and mouth and then acts on my behalf to bring justice my way. His hand is not shortened, that he cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that he cannot hear; He sets up a standard against my enemies to protect me. Isaiah 59:1, 16, 19
  • I have courageous action-based faith that Yahweh will give me the tools to prevail to give me success in all my ventures despite major obstacles in life or business, just as He gave David victory over Goliath. 1 Samuel 17: 45-53

Prayerful meditations for God-directed blessing in life

Scriptural Meditations Part 1:  Over the years in ministry and business life, I believe I have succeeded abundantly based on trusting the Lord’s blessings. My meditations include this kind of prayer-based thinking. Here I share only a part of a large document of scriptural prayer meditations on many life and business subjects. I am also careful not to advocate a prosperity gospel, yet in my mind, I must trust the Lord for the provision of life’s necessities and recognize his blessings when accrued.

  • I confidently trust, lean on, and rely on Yahweh/Father God, that I will be supported when I declare His righteousness in His entire kingdom on earth among the nations; because He will not hide His face from me, as He listens to me when I cry out to Him, who alone is my help. Psalm 22: 4, 5, 9, 22, 28-29, 30
  • I joyfully dance in the Lord being established with strength and boundless prosperity. Psalm 30: 6, 7, 11; Psalm 122: 6-7
  • I am calm and courageous speaking wisdom from an understanding heart, submitting godly thoughts to musical meditations expressing my inherent redemption as He guarantees to receive me into my inheritance of eternal life.  Psalm 37: 30-31; 40: 3, 9-10; 49: 3-5; 7-8. 15
  • The Lord increases my family’s peace, protection, and firm prosperity increasing in proportion as we trustingly take refuge in Him; He makes our right and just behaviour shine like the noon-day sun in all effects of causation. Psalm 37: 4-7; 11, 19; 22-26
  • I am committing my works unto Yahweh and my thoughts and plans are established and succeed. Proverbs 16: 2-3
  • I order my thoughts, conduct, conversation, and actions in the will of Yahweh’s Word and his entire revealed will, and manage my decisions to not wander from his commandments; and I, therefore, am rewarded by inheriting all your promises. Psalm 119: 1-7
  • I am succeeding, increasing my business sales, selling continuously and vigorously in the marketplace, making entire penetration in my field of business expertise, because as a partaker of the divine nature, all my natural springs issue from you and you are able to make all grace abound toward me that I may have abundant provision in all good things. 2 Peter 1:4, Psalm 87:7, 2 Corinthians 9:8
  • God reveals my moment of timing with regard to my life purpose with all the plans clear before me as with Moses, including what I am to preach regarding His current truth. John 9: 3, 4, 22, 13-34
  • God keeps His secrets and protects my business and life purposes from idea-theft of ungodly men. 1 Sam 21: 12-13
  • I trust Yahweh to give me Spirit led insights like David when he said “I knew it” regarding anyone who would tell one of my business secrets. 1 Samuel 22: 22; 23: 9-12
  • I am waiting to see what God is going to do for me in all my business ventures. 1 Samuel 22:3; Genesis 31: 10-16, 50: 18-21
  • As a sinner, I have an advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 1:9
  • I am a son of Yahweh attested to and confirmed by Jesus Christ. Psalms 82:6; John 10: 34-36; Romans 13: 1-2

Divine guidance can save you much grief

“The Lord will guide you into all the truth” applicable to you. (John 16:13)

To live by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and be led in all your most beneficial ways one must learn the discipline of ongoing listening for the direction of the Lord and acknowledge His methods of opening up our viewpoint to see the right way to walk. David won most of his battles because he always wanted to hear God’s view first (Psalm 27:7, 11)

We live in a world order which is becoming increasingly difficult to hear God speak to us through His Word, or the “still small voice” (Isaiah 30:21)

This is increasingly true when you are surrounded by excess talking and clamour while facing a choice when in need of information that may be yet unknown or purposely held back from you by men who feel superior in education, religion, or health care. For example, it was found out that many hysterectomies were unnecessary in the 60s yet many a doctor ran ahead with multiple surgeries even when it was known it was unnecessary. No one should hold back pertinent information because money per operation is a primary goal. I see this mindset continues today in some disciplines.

We must not trust every word of others or the feeling within ourselves, but cautiously and patiently try the matter, whether it be of God. Do not give ready heed to every news-bearer, for they know man’s weakness that it is prone to evil and deceptive in dialogue. It is supreme wisdom, not to be hasty in action, or stubborn in our own opinions. It is essential wisdom to not believe every word we hear. An obedient life, submissive to the Lord, makes a man wise toward God and gives him experience in many things. The more humility and obedience within and without to God’s will, the more knowledgeable will he be in all things, and the more shall his soul be at peace. 1

Amidst others of rank, where you cannot hear yourself think let alone hear God speak it is hard to make a rational decision. Montaigne noted in his essay on presumption: “occasions surprise me and move me contrary to my premeditation”. The smartest contemplative person can be derailed from original rational thinking in a few minutes of chaos under decisional pressure.

This is particularly true if we replace the guidance directly from God with an: if, then, else flowchart, which I am prone to do because I have been trained in writing computer code. I learned the hard way that this can be like rolling the bones or tossing the dice without rational thought versus the leading of God directing as we pray for guidance in His Word and discern what light He has on the subject at hand. Dreams even if frightening, where warnings can come in the wee hours can save you from a bad decision. If the Spirit of Christ leads in either of these two methods sit up and go to your journal and immediately write down the leading and ask what this means – it is vital to do this before it is lost. Carry your journal and ponder the guidance and take it to heart and change course if necessary.

As a Christian resist the temptation of trying to find things out only on your own.

When the founder of Buddhism was bidding his followers farewell, he said: “You must be your own light”. When Socrates was about to take that fatal cup one of his disciples mourned that he was leaving them orphans. When Jesus was about to ascend to heaven He said of the Holy Spirit, “if I go I will send him to you” (see John 14:18; 16:5-7,13; Luke 1:79; John 10:4)

Divine guidance is only available to Christians, who obey the directives of and rely on the Father in Heaven. Such obedience offers: Peaceful quietude (Psalm 23:2), good decisions (Psalm 25.9, 32:8), lifetime guidance (Psalm 48:14), wise counsel (Psalm 73:24), internal divine directions (Isaiah 30:21, John 16:13), lead amidst uncertainties (Isaiah 42:16,48:17).

Praise the Lord for His amazing grace. May He lead you into the paths of a peaceful life in all your decision making away from the chaos of mankind who can ruin your choices and bring regret for not taking the time to listen in the quiet hour with the Lord Jesus Christ in His sacred scriptures daily.

1 Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, Glen Jackman modern edit