The Beloved's Vineyard

I have been absent from my blog for a month or so. This was due to school holidays, new computer and general busy-ness. Welcome back.

Today is the 24th January, and so, this morning I read the 24th chapter of Proverbs. This book of Wisdom is such, that no matter how many times you read it, there will always be new treasure. Of course, the whole Word of God is like that - new and fresh each day, just like the manna from heaven.....and today I was drawn to the final verses of this chapter where we read about the vineyard, and the effect of being slothful in tending to our vineyard. This is encouragement to not slacken our hands, to not give up being diligent in our communion with our Beloved, or immersing ourselves in the Scriptures.  Here is the picture:

'I went by the vineyard of the slothful, and by the man devoid of understanding; and lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down. Then I saw, and considered it well: I looked upon it and received instruction. Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep, so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth and thy want as an armed man' Proverbs 24:30-33

The thorns and thistles are painful weeds, which grow amongst the good vines, robbing them of nourishment and finally obscuring them from the light.  The fruit, if indeed any remains, is hidden so that none may find it or enjoy it.  It may well be sour and stunted fruit, because the thorns have taken the moisture and sweetness.  Nettles are painful and irritating to the touch, and repel anyone from coming near to the vine.  Our neglect of our walk - our own vineyard - will eventually make us fruitless, sour and separated.  Sin will always result in this (Genesis 3:18)

The stone wall was erected to provide shelter from the elements, protection from pests and predators.  If the wall was broken down, the vineyard was vulnerable; the winds could more easily blow foreign seed into the vineyard.  Foxes could find a way in and rob the vines of their fruit.  Thieves could more easily slip in undiscovered in order to steal.

The wall also marked a clear boundary around the vineyard.  Only the rightful owner or person caring for the vineyard could enter, and only by the gate.  Anyone entering would need permission from the owner.  A city with its walls broken down was considered conquered.

This boundary was also important not just for outer protection, but also because the vines were contained.  They could not ramble their way into a stranger's field or escape the vineyard owner's attention and pruning.

Spiritual poverty renders our vineyard worthless and hostile.  The Master can no longer delight in the fragrance and fruitfulness of His planting, and will cease from walking there.  Others will not find us pleasant.  In the extreme, we have become fugitives and our lives become restless and we are fugitive away from His love, care and provision.  And when the Master does look upon us, and choose to tidy up, the process is hard and painful, because we have allowed sin to take root and our vines have become wild.  Let us not sleep, like the foolish virgins, oblivious to the true state of our vineyards.  (Matt 25:1)

Christmas Bush

No snow here. It is summer. But we have beautiful Christmas Bush. The Lord who made the universe, the sun, the earth, the seasons in their time, made Christmas Bush. I wish you all the very best for the Christmas season and New Year.

May you know and love the Lord more each day as we look forward to His coming. Maranatha!

The Dear Unknown Brother

The day before Christmas I happened to be in Parramatta (the city before you get to the city...) and amidst the hurried crowds, tired business people and jolly sprukers, a lone voice spoke out in the middle of the square, telling people how to be saved. Every shop had its bargains displayed along the pavement for those last minute buys, and here was a man offering people the secret of eternal life, something no money could buy. And it was free. People, do you have any idea of the priceless treasure you have just passed by? Do you not know that this man is holding out the answer to your eternal destiny, and you have failed to even take the remotest interest? This man, if you had listened, was telling you that our Creator sent His own Son to die on the Cross, in your place, so that you may have your sin forgiven and not have to face an eternity in hell. This man was telling you about the wonderful, saving grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. This man, like his Master, and brothers before him, was not ashamed to be ignored, refused and even ridiculed for the sake of the Gospel. Thank you brother.

On Prayer

Today our dear pastor preached on a simple, but vital truth. The mark of an effective and Spirit filled believer is a life soaked in constant prayer. I am blessed to attend a church where the pastor lives what he preaches and is a man of prayer, who makes prayer a part of the church's life. I was pricked to the core that my prayer life has been less than what it should be, because not only do I become focused more on myself that my Saviour, but I also let down my Brethren.

“The superficial results of many a ministry, and the deadness of others are to be found in the lack of praying. No ministry can succeed without much praying, and this praying must be fundamental, ever-abiding, ever-increasing. The text–the sermon–should be the result of prayer. The study should be bathed in prayer, all its duties impregnated with prayer, its whole spirit the spirit of prayer.

“I am sorry that I have prayed so little” was the deathbed regret of one of God’s chosen ones. That is a sad and remorseful regret for a preacher. “I want a life of greater, deeper, and truer prayer,” said the late Archbishop Tait. So may we all say, and this may we all secure.

God’s true preachers can be distinguished by one great feature: they are men of prayer. Often differing in many things, they have always had a common center. They may have started at different points, and traveled by different roads, but they converge to one point: they are one in prayer. To them, God is the center of attraction, and prayer is the path which led to God. These men do not pray occasionally–not a little or at odd times. But they so pray that their prayers enter into and shape their very characters. They pray so as to affect their own lives, the lives of others, and to make the history of the Church influence the current of the times. They spend much time in prayer, not because they watch the shadow on the dial, or the hands on the clock, but because it is to them so momentous and engaging a business that they can scarcely quit.”

–E.M. Bounds, (1835-1913), Power Through Prayer

Lord, forgive my lack of prayer these past days.

The Truth About the Cross

SImple Thoughts on the Cross

I used to teach my children that the Cross is the centre of the entire universe. In fact, I likened it to the mathematical number plane, where the x and y axis - both of which travel to eternity in every direction, intersect at zero, the very centre of the number plane, forming a cross (for those of you who can remember high school maths). I also used to explain the wonders of the Cross and its mathematical proportions, known as the Golden Mean, found time and time again in nature and music....the very signature of God surrounds those who have eyes to see and ears to hear. But for those who are not mathematically or scientifically minded, we discovered the Cross in our neighbour's backyard as well!


For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Romans 1:20

God bless you, dear friends.

Absolute Captivity

"Now thanks be to God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ." 2 Cor. 2:14

"The viewpoint to maintain is that we are here for one purpose only, viz., to be captives in the train of Christ’s triumphs. We are not in God’s showroom, we are here to exhibit one thing—the absolute captivity of our lives to Jesus Christ. How small the other points of view are—‘I am standing alone battling for Jesus’; ‘I have to maintain the cause of Christ and hold this fort for Him.’ Paul says—‘I am in the train of a conqueror, and it does not matter what the difficulties are, I am always led in triumph.’ ...

"Paul’s secret joy was that God took him, a red-handed rebel against Jesus Christ, and made him a captive, and now that is all he is here for."

My Utmost for His Highest : October 24

I was reminded of this again, when visiting Berit Kjos' 'Crossroad' site (see link above right). On more than one occasion when Paul writes, he begins "Paul, a prisoner of the Lord Jesus Christ..." (Ephesians 3:1-3, Philemon 1:1-3) He was not a prisoner of Rome, or the Jews, but of God. You are in your situation because the Lord Himself has placed you there. If He has not told you to leave, then stay and He will enable you to do so. He will no doubt use your 'prison' for your refining, until He has you in a place of complete surrender, and until there is the sweet, lovely fruit of His character emanating from your life. (Galations 5:22) It is easy to say, but not so easy to practise. As soon as I think I am doing better, the pruning scissors are put to me again. I am a wretched, slow learner and the flesh always wants to complain and have its way. Lord, I want sweet fruit which will bless others, not bitter fruit. But how often my prayer is that the Lord will not just help me to endure, but that He will even make me willing to endure in the first place. It is the surrender to His will which must come first. Suffering can be endured in anguish and bitterness of heart, and others may still admire our human grit...but if the heart is not surrendered, not completely relinquished, then it is worth nothing in the Lord's sight. Abide in Him, and let Him have His way.

John 15:5,8 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.