Liberty and Justice

                                                                                                    

Photo by Martin Falbisoner 2013

As we in the United States of America look forward to celebrating Independence Day, we give God thanks for our great nation, founded on Christian principles and blessed by God throughout the years since her birth on July 4, 1776.

Our Pledge of Allegiance to the flag recognizes that we are one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Being under God and being near to Him is what makes our nation great, as we learn from:

Deuteronomy 4:7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

Despite the cultural, socioeconomic, and ideological differences among Americans, if we remain indivisible, or united as a nation under God, we can gain great strength from one another. There is strength in numbers when we work together (Ecclesiastes 4:12). Our diversity gives us strength, much as God uses the unique gifts, talents and resources of each member of His Body, the Church, to serve a specific function in His kingdom (Romans 12:4-5; 1 Corinthians 12:14-27).

Our sin nature often results in discord where there should be unity, but only God can bind us together under His leadership, protecting us from all enemies. As the apostle Paul wrote: If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).  

God is the source of all our nation’s blessings, for blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12). Whatever problems and challenges our country may be facing, God has promised to heal our land if we humble ourselves, turn away from our sins, and pray for His blessing:

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

As the Pledge of Allegiance reminds us, the USA is blessed to have liberty, or freedom, in many areas of life, and one of her great goals is to have equal justice for all. True liberty and justice are possible only through our Lord Jesus Christ, once we have trusted in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6).

Isaiah prophesied that through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ would proclaim liberty to those held captive by sin, death, and hell, and that He would open the prison doors of all those enslaved (Isaiah 61:1). How was this possible? The Son of God, God Himself, came in the flesh and died as the perfect, sinless, atoning sacrifice to pay in full the penalty of our sins, reconciling sinful man to Holy God (Romans 3:25; 5:10; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

He then rose again on the third day, so that all who trust Him would find perfect liberty in Him (2 Corinthians 3:17), meaning eternal life in Heaven (John 3:16) as well as abundant life on Earth (John 10:10), beginning at the moment of salvation. We are not to insult His precious gift of liberty by becoming legalistic (Galatians 5:1), thinking that we can add to His completed work on the cross (Hebrews 10:10) through religious rituals or good deeds (Ephesians 2:8-9). Nor should we restrict the freedom of others to worship and serve Him according to their unique personalities, talents and preferences, provided they are not in conflict with His Word, for He created and gifted each of us for His specific purpose (Ephesians 2:10).

God is perfectly holy, just and righteous, and fairly administers justice equally to all people. God cannot lie (Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:2); He is all-knowing (Psalm 139:6); and Jesus Christ is Truth personified (John 14:6). His justice is therefore perfect, yet tempered by mercy (Psalm 89:14). Perfect peace, judgment and justice await Christ’s reign in the Millennial Kingdom and will continue forever (Isaiah 9:7).

The apostle Paul tells us that God considers all His children who have trusted His Son Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to be equal in Him, regardless of race, nationality, sex, or social status (Galatians 3:28), and James and Peter write that God is no respecter of persons, meaning that He loves and judges all fairly and equally (James 2:1,9; 1 Peter 1:17).

Thanks to the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, all who trust Him can have true liberty from the penalty of sin, which is death and eternal punishment in hell. He satisfied the judgment for our sin required by His perfectly holy, just Father. He will reign one day in perfect justice.

Praise God that Jesus Christ rose from the dead, so that all who trust Him can experience true liberty in Heaven from even the presence of sin! Our glorified bodies will live forever with Him and with our loved ones in Him, without aging, death, pain, sorrow or sin!

Copyright 2025 Laurie Barclay

Bright Clouds

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

We almost talked ourselves out of watching the sunset because the forecast called for rain. And yet, here at our beloved beach getaway, my husband Richard and I have a tradition of always watching the sun as it sets, or more accurately, as we here on Earth rotate away from it. (We like to tilt our porch chairs backward to emphasize this point)!

This evening, the rain held off to allow us to enjoy a hug in this spectacular setting from the privacy of our balcony. A balmy breeze refreshed us after a day of long walks on the warm sand. Osprey and pelicans soared above the sea or plummeted into it in search of fish, while waves undulated along the shore in crescents of foam or billowed and crashed into it.

But the main attraction is always the light show, ever-changing colors and shapes swirled together by the Master’s hand according to His infinitely creative and intelligent design (Genesis 1). According to meteorologists, the Saharan dust storm, traveling all the way to Florida, not only helps protect against hurricanes but also enhances the sunsets as light refracts off the dust particles. And high humidity, while oppressive, contributes to the beauty as the setting sun illuminates the cloud formations in a rainbow of colors.

In school we learned about three types of clouds: wispy, feathery cirrus clouds; fluffy white cumulus clouds; and brooding nimbus clouds threatening rain and storms. Some clouds are a combination of two of these types, and recently scientists have added even more categories according to shape, such as lens- or pouch-shaped. God uses all these types as elements of His ever-changing landscape to demonstrate His beauty (Isaiah 61:3), power (2 Samuel 22:33) and glory (Psalm 29:3).

Shortly before this evening’s sunset, what I could see from the downstairs sliding doors was a neutral gray sky brooding over dark green waves. But as we opened the door to the upstairs balcony, we were speechless except for “Ooh! Aah!” and “Wow!” The crimson orb of the setting sun was barely visible through the thick clouds, yet its golden, ruby and diamond beams of light penetrated the cloud formations, painting each with a unique pastel hue.

Mere words, written or spoken, could not do the scene justice, nor do the photos below. How true that the heavens declare the handiwork of God (Psalm 19:1), revealing His majesty, splendor, and infinite power. To think that He created this masterpiece to lift our spirits and assure us of His presence (Psalm 114:7) reminds me of His infinite love (1 John 4:8).

We have been blessed to view many sunsets on this island, and each is unique and awe-inspiring in its own way. Yet to me, the sunsets on humid, dusty days in a cloud-strewn sky are always far more dramatic and magical than those on clear evenings. It is as if God uses the negatives of dust, humidity, and clouds to contrast with and even enhance His pure, radiant Light (1 John 1:5), creating beauty from ashes ((Isaiah 61:3) .

Similarly, we would not appreciate the joy that comes in the morning were it not for the weeping in the night (Psalm 30:5), nor the depth and abundance of His blessings (James 1:17) were it not for the trials and tribulations of this world. Ultimately, we who trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to eternal life (John 14:6) will encounter the perfect beauty, peace and joy of Heaven, made all the brighter against the backdrop of the “light affliction” we suffered here on Earth (2 Corinthians 4:17).

Praise God that He works all things together for our good! (Romans 8:28) He can use the Saharan dust storm to create a spectacular sunset, and He can shine His light through us and from us (John 1:9; 8:12) to overcome the darkness of this evil world!    

Copyright 2025 Laurie Collett

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

Photo by Laurie Collett 2025

A Godly Legacy: Fearing God, Worshipping Him, Obeying Him

 

As we get ready to celebrate Father's Day, we may consider King David, who set a Godly example for his son Solomon to follow as a believer in God, as a wise man, and as a ruler over God’s people. Despite David’s sins, beginning with idleness, then snowballing into lust, adultery, and deception, and culminating with murder (2 Samuel 11), he was a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22), showing genuine repentance and asking God to cleanse him of his sins (Psalm 51:7-17). If God could forgive and use David so powerfully, there is hope for every one of us!

During his reign, David defended God’s chosen people against her enemies, honored God in his daily walk, and provided Solomon with what he needed to build God’s temple, including precious metals, building materials, and semiprecious stones. His example inspired similar gifts, offerings and service for God’s house from the chief of the fathers and princes of the tribes of Israel, the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and the rulers of the king's work (1 Chronicles 29:1-8).

Moved by the willingness of his people to serve God, David blessed, praised and thanked God for His greatness, abundant provision, and power. He recognized that he and his people were strangers, sojourners, and mortal before the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (1 Chronicles 29:9-16). Even though the Israelites were God’s chosen people, they had to be saved through faith before God could call them His friends, for faith is the common theme underlying salvation through all periods of Biblical history (Hebrews 11:6).

Obedience is the outward sign of faith, which is why “trust and obey” go hand in hand (1 Samuel 15:22; John 14:15,21; 15:10). As I heard a missionary preach once, when Jesus tells you to do something, just do it! (John 2:5). David prayed that his people would always be willing to serve God, that they would prepare their hearts to receive Him, and that Solomon would have a perfect heart, to keep God’s commandments, testimonies, and statutes; to do all that God would have him do, and to build the palace (1 Chronicles 29:17-19).

Again following David’s lead, the people prayed to God, worshipped Him, and offered Him burnt offerings and drink offerings, in addition to the material sacrifices that they donated to build His house. They celebrated the transition in leadership from David to Solomon by joyfully feasting before the Lord, a second time making Solomon to be king, and anointing Solomon to the Lord to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. As Solomon sat on the throne of the Lord as king, all the princes, the mighty men, and all David’s sons obeyed the new King Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:20-24).

David’s shortcomings prove that he is human and a sinner like all others (Romans 3:23) and that the Bible is true, rather than glossing over weaknesses of heroes of the faith (Hebrews 11). Despite David’s sins, he left a Godly legacy for Solomon, his nation, and for all of us to learn from by reading God’s Word. God rewarded David’s faithfulness by answering his prayers for Solomon.

The Lord magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. Of the forty years that David had reigned over Israel, seven years (the number of perfection or completion) were in Hebron, and thirty and three years in Jerusalem. David’s reign, marked by longevity, riches, and honor, was recorded in the books of Samuel the seer (wise man or sage), Nathan the prophet, and Gad the seer (1 Chronicles 29:25-30).

Even if we are not rulers or in positions of power or leadership, may we be like David, good stewards over what the Lord has entrusted to us. Once we realize that we are sinners saved by God’s grace through our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9)  in the death, burial and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), He immediately blesses us with forgiveness of sins (1 John 1:9), eternal life (John 3:16), and abundant life (John 10:10). May we share Him with our families (Acts 11:14; 16:31) so that they too accept God’s freely given gift of salvation!

Our inheritance as children of God (1 John 3:1), joint-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:17), and part of His bride (Revelation 21:2) includes opportunities to serve Him as His stewards (1 Corinthians 4:2), fellow-workers, and ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20). May we be an example of faithfulness, obedience, and honoring God to our children, families and those who come behind us. May we always remember to thank, praise and worship God for His abundant blessings to us, our family, and our nation!

© 2016 Laurie Collett

What Do You Treasure Most?

 

Photo from CNN

A few years ago at a flea market in the Midwest, a scrap metal collector going through tough times bought a decorative gold egg containing a watch. The purchase price was $14,000, way beyond his means, but he thought he could get at least twice that for the weight of gold in the item, and he leveraged all his remaining assets to buy it.

But he had overestimated the weight of the gold, and he realized that his profit after melting it down would only be about $500 – hardly enough to rescue him from his dire financial straits. In desperation, he Googled “egg” plus "Vacheron Constantin," the name inscribed on the watch, and was amazed to learn he might be holding a rare collectible.

He took it to an art dealer who immediately recognized the great value of the piece, not for its gold content, but for its design, craftsmanship and beauty. The dealer realized it could only have been the work of Peter Carl Faberge, jeweler to the last Czar of Russia, and that it matched the description of one of the eight missing Imperial eggs that was designed in 1887 for the Czarina. 

Although the Czar had commissioned 50 of these jeweled eggs throughout his reign, to be given as Easter gifts to his family, only 42 had been retrieved after the bloody revolution in which the Royal Family was assassinated.

The price paid by the art dealer to the scrap metal collector was undisclosed, but the last Faberge egg to be sold at auction (in 2007) fetched over $30 million, even though it was a non-Imperial egg and therefore less valuable than those commissioned by the Czar. So even though the scrap metal dealer sold all he had to purchase the egg, it was by far the best investment of his lifetime.

It reminded me of Jesus’ parables about the kingdom of heaven, which is like treasure found and hidden in a field so that the man burying the treasure could buy the field (and the treasure!) by first selling all that he had. Jesus then told of the merchant who looked for expensive pearls, and when he had found one pearl of great price, sold all that he had to buy it (Matthew 13:44-46).

If we are not willing to sacrifice all that was once dear to us, how can we invest our life in serving Him? Only then can we experience the priceless rewards He longs to give His children (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13). If we were to own the whole world, it would mean nothing if we were to lose our soul to eternal punishment in hell (Matthew 16:25-26; Mark 8:35-37).

The tale of the Faberge egg got me thinking about how we measure value. At a flea market, very few bargain hunters, even the most shrewd, would dream of spending $14,000 on any purchase, no matter what the potential value. Why would the flea market vendor sell the egg so “cheaply,” without even researching the price of the gold alone? What if the scrap metal dealer had failed to realize what an invaluable treasure he held in his grasp?

And what if the Czarina could tell us of what that egg represented to her – a symbol of her family’s power, lavish lifestyle and opulent wealth? A token of her husband’s deep and passionate love for her? Did the beautiful watch within the golden egg mean that the Czar wanted to give her the gift of time, wishing their happiness would last forever? Or, as it was an Easter gift, did it remind her of the most precious gift of all: Our Savior’s death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4), so that all who trust in Him would have eternal life in Heaven (John 3:16), where time can no longer be measured?

Much of the decoration of this art object suggests its religious significance. It is fashioned of gold, fit for the King (Matthew 2:11), and contains a timepiece, which is appropriate to the One Who controls time (Daniel 2:21; Acts 1:7). It is adorned with three sapphires and three golden garlands, which could represent the Trinity. A diamond is the opening mechanism revealing the watch, reminding me of the sapphire and diamond on the high priest’s ephod (Exodus 28:18; 39:11).and the jewel-like brilliance of Christ seated on the throne of glory (Revelation 4:3). The Faberge egg sits upright on an elaborate gold stand supported by lion paw feet, which might be a reference to Jesus Christ as the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

On the night that I heard this news I dreamed, ironically, that I really needed to sleep, because of important and taxing commitments I had the next day. But in the dream, I kept waking up because of a CD player. The first time I was sure I had shut it off before going to bed, until I was surprised by Charles Stanley’s voice preaching. This was no time for a sermon, I thought with irritation, because sleep was now my first priority.

In the dream, I flipped the power switch to “Off” and once more drifted into restless sleep, when I again heard God’s Word as delivered by one of my favorite preachers. But in my annoyance at being awakened once more, my thoughts toward him and his message were not exactly charitable. This time I yanked the power cord from the wall and resumed my tossing and turning.

But to no avail. I again “awoke” (still dreaming!) to the sound of Scripture, this time not read by Charles Stanley but in tones so rich and pure they sounded like crystal resonating. Fascinated, I followed the sound to a golden egg, which appeared to contain not only a timepiece but a musical movement playing Bible verses. I tenderly cupped the egg in my hands and pressed it to my chest, letting the Word resonate through my very being.

No longer dreaming, I arose feeling blessed and inspired. But then I shuddered to think how many times I had shut out my Lord’s voice because of concerns that seemed more pressing, unaware that I was quenching and grieving the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30). Sleep is valuable and necessary (Psalm 127:2), but how much more precious if He would speak to me! (1 Samuel 3:1-10)

What an awesome blessing when He awakens me with songs or visions in the night (Job 35:10; 4:13; Psalm 42:8; 77:6; Genesis 46:2; Daniel 7:13), perhaps laying a burden on my heart to pray for someone’s specific need, or giving me the long awaited solution to a problem, or even a new direction to follow

How often do we put God’s voice on “pause,” or “off,” valuing the empty chatter of the world more than His Word that is our daily bread and guiding light? (Matthew 6:11; Luke 11:3; Psalm 119:105) Even worse, what if we place more worth on our independence than on our relationship with Him? If we attempt to disconnect from our ultimate Power source, we will be as useless as branches yanked away from the True Vine (John 15:1-8).

What do we value most? Do we worship the idol of wealth accumulation (Luke 12:15-21), only to have it stolen or corrupted (Matthew 6:19-20), or to find that we have no time left (James 4:14; Job 14:1) to enjoy our hoard? Do we pour all our energy into making a living rather than seeking new life?

We should not worry about our physical needs (Psalm 37:25), for He is the ultimate Provider (Matthew 7:11; Luke 11:13; James 1:17). All we have to do is seek Him first, and we will give us His Kingdom and all that we need (Luke 12:22-32), granting us the desires of our heart as they align with His perfect will (Psalm 37:4).

Luke 12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Praise God that at the moment of salvation, His Holy Spirit enters our heart (2 Corinthians 1:22;5:5; Ephesians 1:14), which is the most precious gift imaginable. If we allow Him, He will write His mercy and truth on the tablet of our heart. His wisdom far outshines gold, silver and jewels, adding longevity, riches and honor to our life (Proverbs 3:13-16).

He makes us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), transforming us from scrap metal fit for the junk heap to His finely crafted workmanship, destined for His ultimate purpose (Ephesians 2:10). No longer need we fear time running out on our earthly days, for He has conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:26,55-57) and given us eternity with Him!

May we always hide His Word in our heart that we might not sin against Him! (Psalm 119:11) May we treasure Him above all else!

© 2014 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Law Enforcement

 

I recently had a dream in which it was my first day of work as a police officer. As I was a rookie, I was surprised that I had not been assigned a training officer or partner and also that I had not been issued a gun or any other weapon.

There had been intel that the city where I worked was under a terrorist threat targeting the subway system. My assignment was to travel on the city subway lines and trams and to keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.

As I was expecting a rundown, dirty transportation system in dire need of repair, similar to those in most major cities, I was shocked when I entered the outdoor plaza of the central hub. It was immaculate in upkeep and futuristic in design. Each car was transparent, made of plexiglass, bullet-shaped, and trimmed in chrome that gleamed in the sunlight.

There were no ticket takers or transit card punchers, so I entered one of the cars as the doors magically swept open as I approached. I chose a seat near the end of the car, where I thought I would have a better vantage point in the event of trouble. But to my surprise, the car was deserted, as were the platforms at every stop.

The train traveled at great speed, through subway tunnels and on overhead rails suspended above the city, yet gracefully slid to a stop at every station, decelerating almost instantaneously. Finally it reached the end of the line, and I exited the car to a large plaza that was also deserted. As there had been no maps onboard the train and no announcements of stations or routes, I was relieved to see a large, freestanding poster containing a map. But I didn’t recognize any of the station names, so there didn’t seem to be any choice but to get back on the train.

Finally there was a passenger – only one – an older woman stretched out on the bench seat at the back of the car. Her tight-fitting velvet gown accentuating her ample curves, teased hair, overdone makeup, stiletto heels and provocative pose made me wonder if she was a madam.

“I know what you’re thinking, dearie, but you would be wrong,” she purred.  “You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Even in the dream, her comment reminded me of Scripture stating that only God knows the hearts (1 Samuel 16:7). In any event, it seemed safe to assume that this woman was not involved in any sort of terrorist plot. As I considered my first day at work in law enforcement, I was thankful that I had not encountered any violence, suspicious activity, or even any type of confrontation.

When I was awake and contemplated the spiritual applications of the dream, I considered that every Christian is to be involved in law enforcement, meaning upholding God’s Law and the Ten Commandments (Psalm 119; Exodus 20:1-17). Once we are saved by trusting in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), His Holy Spirit indwells us (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13), empowering us to flee temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) and resist the devil (James 4:7).

Although Christians benefit from Godly counsel and fellowship (Proverbs 27:17) and sound teaching and preaching (Romans 10:14), the Holy Spirit is our primary Guide, Counselor, Comforter and Teacher (John 14:16,26; 15:26; 16:7). In the dream I had no earthly training officer or partner, as I was to be led by the Holy Spirit.

God has given us His Word to hide in our heart that we would not sin against Him (Psalm 119:11). The weapons of our warfare to enforce His Law are spiritual, not carnal (2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:12), and involve putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17) before we even leave the house, and preferably before we even get out of bed! In the dream, I had no gun or other weapon to enforce the law, emphasizing that this is a spiritual battle.

In the days of Moses, breaking the law was often punishable by death (Exodus 21). In the New Testament, James wrote that whoever is guilty of breaking any part of the law is guilty of transgressing the entire law (James 2:10-11). This explains why no human can enter Heaven without faith in Christ, as all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).

Jesus Christ made this standard even more impossible for man to meet, as He said that violating the law even in thought and not in deed was a sin. Whoever looked at another with lust was guilty of adultery, and whoever got angry was guilty of murder in their heart (Matthew 5:22,27).

But thankfully, He fulfilled the law perfectly on our behalf, through His perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). Whoever trusts in Him has His righteousness credited to their spiritual account, and their sins paid for in full by Christ’s suffering on the cross (Romans 4:6-22; 3:25).

Although we are to be spiritually discerning and speak the truth in love, confronting another’s sin according to Biblical principles (Matthew 18:15-17), Jesus Christ warns us not to judge, for only He knows the hearts (Matthew 7:1-5). In the dream, I jumped to the wrong conclusion about the subway passenger, who then reminded me of this principle. Christ Himself did not condemn the woman caught in adultery and told her accusers to cast the first stone only if they themselves were free of sin (John 8:1-11).  

In the dream, the immaculately clean, futuristic city and transit system suggested the heavenly City, or New Jerusalem, that will be beyond compare and beyond imagination (Revelation 21:2; 1 Corinthians 2:9). The trains were nearly empty, reflecting Christ’s words that the gate to Heaven is narrow (Matthew 7:13-14), and that few will enter it as He is the only Way (John 14:6). There were no ticket takers or transit card punchers, indicating that we cannot buy or work our way to Heaven, for we are saved only by grace through faith, and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9).

On my first day as a police officer in the dream, I had very little to do, as no laws were being broken! Clearly this was no earthly city, where crime runs rampant because of man’s sin nature inherited from Adam in the fall (1 Corinthians 15:45; Romans 5:12).

Praise God, in Heaven there will be no need for police, first responders, doctors, nurses, counselors, or undertakers, for our glorified bodies will never sin, age, die or experience pain, sorrow or sickness!  (1 Corinthians 15:35-50). In the meantime, may we yield to His Holy Spirit to keep the law ourselves and to refrain from judging others, for only God knows the hearts!

Copyright Laurie Collett 2025

It’s the Message, Not the Medium

 

Photo by Adam J.W.C. 2009

In this dream I was teaching an adult continuing education class. It was held in a kindergarten classroom filled with tiny desks and chairs and cluttered with piles of toys. Some of the adults attempted to sit down, but most huddled awkwardly at the back of the room. I had brought in many visual aids, books, and notes but could find nowhere to set them down. I tried to write on the chalkboard, but it was filled up with an overabundance of writing and pictures. I tried to erase it, but the eraser was heavy with chalk dust and only made more of a mess.

To make matters worse, I could find no suitable chalk. I had an old, splintered piece of lavender chalk that was too brittle to write on the board. One of the students brought me a crayon and showed me that it wrote easily and visibly on the board, but I was concerned that it could not be erased and would ruin the board for other teachers. 

Another student brought me a small gift box, saying it might contain a solution to my dilemma. I opened it and shook out a sea of confetti, only to find small decorative soaps within, sculpted like sea shells, starfish, jellyfish, and other sea creatures. I tried marking the blackboard with one of them, but it was too soft and crumbled like sand.

Finally I realized that I could use my finger to write in the chalk dust already on the board, just like pranksters write “Wash Me!” on the dirty window of a car. My plan was to draw a diagram of the human brain and show how different regions were involved in various interactions with the environment. But to my horror, as I lifted my finger, I realized that I no longer remembered how to draw the brain!

So I turned my attention back to the class, only to find that most of the students had already slipped away, no doubt put off by the clutter, confusion, and inadequate preparation. But an elderly, overweight woman with swollen legs remained, and she said softly, “I thought you were going to tell us about Jesus.”

My heart sunk as I realized that I had gotten so caught up in the presentation that I had forgotten the most important message! I knelt on the floor beside her and explained that we are all sinners (Romans 3:23) deserving eternal punishment in hell, but God gave His only Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to pay for all our sins so that we could have eternal, abundant life with Him (John 3:16; 10:10).

A younger couple also remained. “Oh, we’ve been to church a few times and heard songs about Jesus. They had a great band and videos, and they even served Starbucks! But all they wanted to do was convert us, so we left and didn’t go back.”

As I awoke from the dream, I realized that the Holy Spirit was speaking to me about the importance of witnessing – of preaching Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). We must not be ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of salvation to all who believe (Romans 1:16) in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6).   

Before I was saved, God had blessed me with the opportunity to teach neurology to medical students and residents. To me, this field was the most challenging in all of medicine, because no created system or being can fully understand itself, and therefore no human can completely fathom the mystery of the brain.

As fascinating and elusive as the field of neurology is, it pales in comparison with the mystery of the Gospel (Romans 16:25; Ephesians 6:19). Why would God robe Himself in human flesh (John 1:14), suffer and die to pay for our sins, and open His plan of salvation to “whosoever” would trust Him (John 3:16; Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13), and not just to His chosen people (Joel 2:32) with whom He made His initial covenant?

His design of the human brain is truly a wonder (Psalm 139:14), and He has given us the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). But how much greater is the awe He inspires by His freely given gift of grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), offering eternal life with Him (1 John 5:11, 13.20) to all who call on His name!

I am thankful that long before I knew Him, God transformed me from an awkward, stammering child who almost got held back in kindergarten to a well-educated, highly trained academician, public speaker, dancer, and singer. Looking back, I realized that He was equipping me to share the most important message of all time – the only Truth that matters to our eternal destiny and to that of our fellow travelers on earth.

The training He allowed me has given me entry to spheres of influence and unusual forms of ministry. I pray to be always yielded to His will to be a vessel fit for His service (Romans 9:21; 2 Timothy 2:20-21), and to realize that without Him, I am and can do nothing (John 15:5).

The dream showed me that we don’t need a large, modern venue; a sophisticated media presentation; or even specialized education or a divinity degree to share His Word. A learned, erudite speech will do no good if it goes over the heads of the listeners, any more than a complex neurology lecture is suitable for a kindergarten class.

Speaking in tongues that no one can understand does not edify the listeners, but only fills the speaker with pride (1 Corinthians 14:1-33). Speaking with fluent oratory or brilliant philosophy means nothing unless we are speaking the truth in love (1 Corinthians 13:1).

It’s not about us, or about showing off our knowledge or talents. If we get too attached to our own plan for ministry, God may humble us (Proverbs 16:18), just as I was embarrassed in the dream when I could no longer even remember how to draw the brain. Sometimes our words or artistic expressions seem beautiful and artistic, as were the sculpted seashell soaps in the dream, but they lack substance and fail to communicate.

All we have to do is to get real, and to tell others about Jesus. It is not our job to “convert” anyone, for only the Holy Spirit can convict the sinful heart of the need for a Savior Who paid our ransom price in full (1 Corinthians 3:6-7; Jeremiah 17:9; Luke 19:10; Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:6).

All we need is obedience and desire to fulfill His Great Commission, to go and teach (Matthew 28:19-20). This is only possible when we yield to the power of the Holy Spirit Who enters us at the moment we are born again (John 3:3-8).

As He teaches us and as we grow in our diligent study of His Word, through His grace we will be more effective in communicating His love and truth to others, whether through language, song, dance, or other arts. But from the moment we are first saved, we can and should immediately share with others how He has changed our destiny and made us a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15).

Let us shout from the rooftops (Matthew 10:27) how He delivered us from the pit of hell (Job 33:28; Isaiah 38:17) to abundant, eternal life (John 3:16; 10:10) in heavenly places in Him (Ephesians 1:3; 2:6).

We should pray for direction on how to prepare and how to be receptive to His guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6). But we don’t need to obsess over what to say, for He will give us the right words at the right time (Luke 12:11-12) if we listen to His still, small voice (1 Kings 19:12). We don’t need to arrange for a comfortable, well-equipped auditorium, a Power Point or multimedia production, or even a piece of chalk or a clean blackboard, for He will provide all we need (Philippians 4:14-19).

Jesus taught His amazing truths from a fishing boat (Matthew 13:2-3); He wrote His Word with His finger on stone (Exodus 31:18), plaster (Daniel 5:5) and sand (John 8:6); and He used His powers of observation and allegory to construct timeless parables from everyday events and ordinary people.

 
The Samaritan woman whom Jesus met and saved at the well did not put off witnessing until she could go to Bible school or rent the town hall for a revival. She left her water bucket behind and immediately ran off to tell everyone in her village that she had found the promised Messiah -- the Living Water -- and to invite them to come meet Him (John 4:28-29). May we boldly go and do the same! 

© 2015 Laurie Collett

Reposted from the archives

Flowing Triplets: Fount of Every Blessing

 

As we saw last week, the signature of the Trinity is evident even in the triune nature of water that sustains, nourishes, and cleanses us! This is true not only in the physical realm, but also in the spiritual sense. Christ Himself is the Living Water, the Fountain of every blessing, and the cleansing Flow Who alone can give us eternal life (John 3:16), abundant life (John 10:10), and salvation from our sins (Romans 1:16).

When Jesus spoke to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42), she had come to draw water to satisfy her physical thirst (v. 13), but her needs were deeper than that. Her broken relationships had left her in an emotional desert (v. 16-18), and her spiritual drought led her to seek answers in religious tradition (v. 20) rather than in the Living Water Who had come to her personally.

Jesus knew the significance of this Divine appointment, for He left Judaea, and was headed to Galilee, but “must needs go through Samaria” (v.3-4). This was an odd route to choose, as the Jews of that day were prejudiced against the Samaritans and would have gone to great lengths to avoid them (v. 9). Yet He tells her that if she had realized the gift of God the Father in sending His Son to earth, she would have asked Him for Living Water, referring to the Holy Spirit (v. 10) He gives freely to anyone Who trusts Him.

Still not recognizing Who sat before her, the woman brings up three worldly obstacles to accepting Him, which are still a stumbling block to those who reject Him even today. She saw Him as lacking physical power (for He appeared to have no bucket to draw the water), as being no match for the physical challenge (the well was deep), and as lacking the prestige of the patriarch Jacob, who had given the well to provide water for himself, his descendants, and his cattle (v. 11-12):

Sadly, many lose out on the freely given gift of salvation because instead of trusting Him, they trust their own flesh (Philippians 3:4-8), they fear the opinions of the world (James 4:4), and they rely on their religious traditions (Colossians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:18).

Jesus told the Samaritan woman that whoever would receive His gift of living water would never thirst; for that water would be a well (fountain) of water, springing up into everlasting life (John 4: 14).  Later He offered the same free gift to the Jews gathered at the feast of tabernacles, saying “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. As the Scriptures had prophesied, whoever believed in Christ would have rivers of living water flowing from his belly, with the Holy Spirit giving him the Word of Truth (John 7: 37-39).

God brought His chosen people, the nation of Israel, into the Promised Land, described as a good land of brooks of water, of fountains and depths that spring out of valleys and hills (Deuteronomy 8:7). On their journey, God provided water in the desert by standing before Moses on the rock in Horeb, having Moses strike the rock, and causing water to spring from the rock (Exodus 17: 5). God’s provision of water for His people was spiritual as well as physical, for Christ was the Rock from which their spiritual drink flowed (1 Corinthians 10:4).

But Moses was not permitted to enter the Promised Land because of his subsequent disobedience (Numbers 20: 7-12). On that occasion, God gave Moses clear instructions to provide water to the people by speaking to the rock which would give forth water, proving God’s goodness before their eyes, and bringing them water that flowed from the rock.

Instead, Moses did not believe God would do this, so he chastised the people and struck the rock twice with his rod. Because of the earlier incident, Moses may have thought the power was in the rod rather than in the One Who had given it to Him as a sign of His power. Moses even implied that he and Aaron, not God, had the power to provide the water by asking the people “must we fetch you water out of this rock?”

The sin of Moses was therefore threefold: lack of faith, disobedience, and pride, which are the root cause of all sin even today. The consequences of his sin were that he lost the power of his testimony with the Israelites; he was not permitted to enter the Promised Land; and he had struck the rock, or Christ, twice, foreshadowing how the Jews would scourge and crucify their promised Messiah.

Even though God provided abundantly for His people, they rejected Him as the fountain of living waters (Jeremiah 17:13). Instead they placed their trust in false gods that were as useless as broken cisterns that held no water and as polluted as the Egyptian waters of Sihor (the Nile) and the river waters of Assyria (Jeremiah 2:13-18).  But thankfully, God extended His gracious offer of salvation to all people, the Samaritan woman being an early example of a Gentile who could be grafted into God’s family tree by trusting in Christ (Romans 11:17-24).

The Song of Solomon speaks of the Bridegroom and His beloved as a metaphor foreshadowing the relationship between Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:23-32), meaning all those, whether Jew or Gentile, who are born again (John 3:3-8). He is a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon, and she is an enclosed garden, a spring shut up, and a fountain sealed, referring to her spiritual purity in Him. His living water allows her to be fruitful, producing pleasant fruits, spices, and healing plants (Song of Solomon 4:12-15).

As soon as the Samaritan woman realized that Jesus was the Christ, sent of the Father to be worshipped in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23-26), she left behind the cares of this world, symbolized by her water pot; ran back to the city without fear of facing those who had rejected and scorned her; and spread the Good News that she had found Christ (v. 28-29).

Once we are born again by placing our trust in His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) as the only Way to Heaven (John 14:6), should we not do the same, and tell everyone how He has changed us? Thanks to the Samaritan woman’s testimony, her salvation led to the salvation of those who believed her witness, and to the salvation of those who were just curious at first but who came to see Him for themselves (John 4:39-42). Praise God that whosoever believes in His Son can now have the Spirit of living water within him!

Not only is God the Living Water and the Fountain of every blessing, but His blood is the cleansing flow that washes away all our sins (1 John 1:7). The covenant God had with Israel was that He would wash her with water, thoroughly wash away the blood of her sins, and anoint her with oil (Ezekiel 16:8).

Old Testament sacrifices requiring animal blood and ritual cleansing with water and herbs only covered sins and had to be repeated often (Leviticus 14: 4, 51-52). Trespass offerings of oil and blood of the slain animal had to be placed on the right ear, right thumb, and right great toe of the person to be cleansed (Leviticus 14:14,17,25,28)

Yet Christ’s shed blood that flowed freely for us has once and for all removed us from our sins (1 John 1:7), past, present and future. He is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth, Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and made us kings and priests unto God and His Father (Revelation 1:5-6).

Before Jesus even reached the cross, His blood flowed mingled with sweat (Luke 22:44) in His passionate prayer at Gethsemane; from the crown of thorns piercing His head (Matthew 27:29; Mark 15:17); and from the agonizing whipping He bore on His back (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). On the cross, blood flowed from His nail-pierced hands and feet (Luke 24:39-40) and gushed from His side, where the soldier stabbed Him, releasing not only blood but water (John 19:34).

Even in the Great Tribulation, those who trust Christ and deny the antichrist will be washed clean in the blood of the Lamb, will never thirst again, and will be led to living fountains of waters (Revelation 7:13-17).

Praise God that Christ will come again, bringing peace to Israel like a river and glory to the Gentiles like a flowing stream, nourishing all with His life-giving sustenance! (Isaiah 66:12). In that day, when living waters shall flow from Jerusalem; the Lord shall be king over all the earth, there shall be one Lord, and His Name shall be One (Zechariah 14:8-9).

Revelation 21:6 And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

© 2014 Laurie Collett