Glass Hearts

Imagine if we were all transparent. I don't mean our physical skin and organs, I mean our souls, our hearts - the real us. Imagine if our motives could not be hidden, concealed, or disguised. In a very real sense you don't have to imagine! There are certain proven ways to see someone's heart - to truly know what makes them the person they really are. And when we are prepared for others to see our hearts there is the promise from the Lover of our souls that we will be blessed. When the masks and cloaks that ordinarily cover our hearts are subjected to the heart of God and made pure - pure of discolouration, pure of evil intent, pure of selfishness - geniunely pure, then we become genuinely blessed with the greatest blessing there is: to see God.

¶ "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God."
Matthew 5:8

Achieving a pure heart, so I am told, is a slow and painful process, for the process demands the test of time, the test of trial, and the test of treasure. Each test increasingly exposes the concealed heart to the penetrating light of God.

And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
Hebrews 4:13

This transluting light of God's great love burns so brightly into an exposed human heart that it exposes all those things in the child of God that have illegitimately found a home in our hearts. Things like: hurts - which should have been weeded out of our hearts with forgiveness (Heb. 12:15 - See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no "root of bitterness" springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled), greed - which should have been evicted from our hearts by the practice of generosity (2Cor. 9:11 - You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God), and self-centredness - which should been slain in our hearts (Col. 3:5 ¶ Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry).

¶ Guard your heart above all else,
for it determines the course of your life. 
Proverbs 4:23

It takes a refined heart to be the kind of ambassador for Christ that God is looking for. Over the years I have seen many men claim that God had called them into pastoral ministry. God treats this claim very seriously. Very, seriously. But sadly, I have to report that when the tests of time, trial and treasure, came, few remained loyal to their professed calling. These tests didn't change their hearts. These tests merely exposed their hearts.

Jesus told the story of two types of shepherds in John 10. One was good and the other was hired. The opposite of 'good' is not usually (if ever) 'hired'. But in this instance Jesus is giving us a glimpse into their hearts. One shepherd was 'good' not because he had to be, but because he really cared for his sheep. The other only appeared to care and only did so because he was paid. The way to distinguish the two shepherds according to Jesus is how they react under the pressure of an attacking wolf (Jn. 10:12). The good shepherd remains with his sheep because he truly cares for them. The hired shepherd flees, thus displaying what was truly in his heart.

He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
John 10:12-13 ¶

Some people are afraid of having a "glass heart", because, as Deborah Harry the lead singer Blondie, wrote and sang, hearts of glass are easily broken. Yes, there is a risk to have your heart encased in window of glass for all to see. You become vulnerable. Your caring can be taken advantage of. But it's still worth the risk. And I'm glad that many of you have taken this risk to being refined and somewhat exposed.

At this point in my life, I am surrounded by many people who have good hearts. They have been tested, some sorely, and have had their hearts beautifully revealed to be caring. When wolves come, these good-hearted people don't run. They take their stand, and care. In just eight weeks from now, I will have been pastoring Legana for 19 years. As I reminisce over this wonderful stint, I think of all the good hearted, faithful, caring people who are serving here. People like Judith. She has been with us for all nineteen years. No-one has attended more services at Legana than Judith (including me). Added to this, for the best part of these 19 years, Judith led our monthly outreach into the local Nursing Home. Added to this, she has organised and maintained our kitchen as well. Why has she done this? Because she has a heart for our church, and she cares. I also think of Stephen and Donna. They have been with us - nearly from the start. Have they been tested? HAVE THEY BEEN TESTED! They certainly have, and their hearts have been proven and revealed to be caring. From leading the Youth, MOPs, and our Media Team, and serving as an elder, they have allowed their hearts to be made of glass - that is, they have lived transparently so that anyone could see they care. And then there's Josh. He joined our church over sixteen years ago at around the age of 6. He is one of the most impressive young men I know. Has his heart been tested? Sure has. More than once. When Josh joined our staff, it was as a teenager for an eight week temporary casual stint. Five years later, Josh is still working for our church (and he is one of the hardest working staff members on our team). I could go on and on and talk about Geoff, Karen, Tony, John, Amanda, and others, who have been tested and had their hearts exposed as caring.

¶ " 'I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false."
Revelation 2:2

None of these dear folk serve in our church for acclaim, applause, or appreciation. They do so because they care. Most of the good that has blessed, guarded, and supported our church has been done quietly, confidentially, and without recognition. The other day I looked out in our carpark and someone was tidying up the spent heads of our agapanthus. They weren't asked to do so. They didn't tell anyone they were doing it. And no one thanked them. But they didn't mind. I know they had a heart of glass because I could see right into it. And even though they've only been in our church for a little while, their good-hearted service told me a lot about them.

What would people see if your heart was 'made of glass'? When a person comes humbly to God and seeks reconciliation with Him through Christ, God transforms them by giving them in a new heart. It seems that it takes some people no time at all to display this new heart, while for others the journey is slower and longer. The next time you are tested and tried by time (delays), trial, or temptation, remember, these are the means by which your Heavenly Father uses to complete the transplant. And when the transplant is complete enough He encases your heart in a 'glass' window into which others can see what He has done. But then again, if you really want to know what's in someone's heart, you don't need a window into their heart, you just need time to watch what they do when wolves come.

Andrew.

The Devil of Havoc

The Devil wreaks havoc. Jesus said the Devil came to steal, kill and destroy. The Apostle Paul said that there were occasions when his mission was hindered by the Devil. And the Apostle Peter warned believers to be on guard against the Devil who went about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. I guess these Scriptures give enough justification for some believers to blame the Devil whenever things go wrong in their lives - but I am wondering if the Devil is blamed for what seems to be quite avoidable havoc. As someone who has induced more than my fair share of havoc, I think I have grounds for my suspicions.

You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.
Second Corinthians 1:11

HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN HAVOC

You don't always need the Devil's help to wreak havoc in your life or the lives of others! Acting unwisely, uncaringly, or inconsiderately, will almost certainly cause a havoc that the Devil would be proud to put his name to. The husband who ignores his wife; the mother who unfairly scolds her child in public; the boss who demands of his employees that they give up their lunch hour for the good of the company; the pastor who only ever dishes up guilt and condemnation on his key leaders; the person who lives on a diet of soda, chocolate and pizza, are all sowing the seeds of havoc.

Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.
For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
Galatians 6:7-8

HAVOC OPTIONS

When things go wrong in your life, it could be Devil, but it may also be the consequences of our own unwise choices or the sovereignty of God! Scripture teaches that our purpose is to live to give and for God's glory, thus if we sense that the Devil is attacking us, it is always with the aim of diminishing our ability to give God glory through our worship. I know. I have, in times past, been too easily distracted from worshiping God due to some devilish distraction. But if my havoc is the result of my own unwise choices or conduct, I know that Scripture teaches me to humble myself, repent, and be reconciled with a view to me worshiping God unobstructively. But if my world is in havoc becuase of the sovereignty of God, as Job's world was, then Scripture calls me to trust God in the midst of my pain and continue to worship Him. Either of the three havoc-causes is ultimately resolved through right worship.

I must stress that I do not get, and have not always got, this right. Maybe this qualifies me to recognise when others are blaming the Devil so that they don't have to accept responsibility for their own lack of wisdom or consideration. If you sow rudeness it won't be the Devil who delivers dischord with others! If you sow neglect into your marriage the arrival of relationship strain is the natural consequence not a Satanic ploy to destroy your marriage. For pastors who only ever preach condemnation to their dwindling congregation, it is too lazy to blame the Devil for dwindling the church (or even worse, claiming that 'God is clearing out the dead wood').

ABOUT THE DEVIL

The English word, "Devil", is from the Greek word, diabolos, and means enemy. It is a virtual synonym for Satan, which means accuser, adversary. 'The Devil' is a title more than it is a name, but like many titles which become so acquainted with a particular person, it has, like the term the Christ, become identified as a name. The Scriptures give sufficient but not exhaustive information about the Devil - after all, the record of Scripture is not so that we can plumb the knowable depths about Satan! What we might ascertain from the Biblical account is that Satan was present on earth shortly after the creation of mankind's parents and either possessed a snake or took on its form. We might surmise that Satan was once an angel with some authority in heaven who rebelled. We read in Job chapters one and two an interesting (and ancient) exchange between the LORD and Satan. It seems difficult if not utterly unreasonable to deny the personhood of Satan and reduce this term to merely an impersonal opposition to the purposes of God (as some now teach). Satan personally sought to tempt Jesus at the beginning of Christ's incarnate ministry (recorded in Matthew 4). It is just not reasonable to assert that this was not a personal evil being doing the tempting. After the Christ crushed the head of Satan on the Cross and destroyed the works of the Devil (1Jn. 3:8), it appears that Satan was granted (in a rather "Job" like manner) a short time in which to wreak havoc on the fledgling Church (Rev. 12:12). The was a gloriously divine risk. If Satan could destroy the entire Christian witness, this period between the Ascension and the Parousia of Christ's judgment on Jerusalem in 70AD, was the only practical and possible time that it could be done! If all Christians could be killed or silenced, there would be no further  continuation of God's redemptive plan. But he failed! With the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD, the Temple was demolished; the levitical priesthood wiped out; and sacrifice and offering brought to a permanent end. When this happened, the Old Covenant officially ceased (note Hebrews 8:13 which foretold this) and Satan was then doomed to damnation which Revelation 20 metaphorically describes as being bound with a chain and was thrown into the abyss (Rev. 20:2-3, which the KJV renders as the bottomless pit). Thus, the time between the Ascension and Parousia is when Satan could roam about like "a roaring lion". While he is defeated and doomed, Revelation 20 tells us that he will be active near the time of Christ's return to culminate the plan of redemption. Understanding this makes it even more unreasonable to blame the devil and give Satan too much due for the various forms of havoc that happen in our lives.

REDEEMING HAVOC

The Scripture has good news for those acquainted with havoc: it can be redeemed. I have seen marriages on the brink of breaking-up healed and restored not because we "bound the Devil" but because the couple learned the rare art of apologizing and learning to communicate properly. I have see churches turned around and significantly grow because a pastor learned to love his people and lead them with great care and wisdom. I have seen parents and their children in relationship havoc brought together and restored because they learned to truly listen to each other. Havoc can be redeemed. Here's three things that I have found help to redeem havoc (even self-induced havoc).

WORSHIP

The next time things go wrong in your world, before you think of the Devil too quickly, or too much - consider worshiping and adoring God. This is one of he main lessons from the story of Job.

LEARN

One of my most frequent prayers in the midst of difficult and trying times is for God to teach me what I need to learn in the midst of my pain. The Psalms seem to state this over and over as well.

BLESS

All too often I have sensed God saying to me to get my focus off myself (and my problems) and onto how I can be a blessing to others - particularly to those who might be going through what I am going through, and worship Him by pressing into His Word, singing more, and serving Him more sacrificially.

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Havoc will come and go throughout your life. Sometimes it will be devilish, but generally it will not. Even when it is, worshiping, learning and blessing will thwart the Devil's schemes. More often than not, there is a tendency to blame others for inflicting havoc upon us. The neglectful husband blames his wife's hormones; the obese blame the fast-food stores for putting too much sugar in their food; the inconsiderate boss blames his lazy staff for his business failings. Of course, there is a lot of havoc that can be avoided - even in a world where the Devil seeks to steal, kill and destroy.

Ps. Andrew

Testing Prophecy

An African "Prophet" has recently and repeatedly "prophesied" that God is about destroy Hobart with an oceanic earthquake and subsequent Tsunami that would swamp Tasmania. Since I live in Tasmania and have an aversion to 30 metre walls of ocean moving in my direction faster than I can drive, this particular 'prophecy' caught my attention.

The Apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian believers that they should "not despise prophecy", but should instead- "hold fast to the truth, and test everything."

1Th. 5:20 Do not despise prophecies, 

1Th. 5:21 but test everything; hold fast what is good.

The same is true today. God can give prophetic words through people, but the church should not naively accept every prophecy without  'testing' it first. When I heard of this particular prophecy about Tasmania being destroyed by a tsunami, I wondered how many others would blindly accept this 'prophecy'? If they  tested this particular prophecy they might discover that several things don't quite add up. 

PROPHECY TEST #1, DOES IT CORRESPOND WITH THE TRUTH?

For thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream

Jeremiah 29:8

"Do not let 'your prophets' deceive you..." declared the proven prophet Jeremiah. This demands that any prophetic claim be tested against the truth. Therefore, when an alleged prophet gives an alleged prophecy, the details of this prophetic claim should be tested for its truthfulness. Let's examine this particular alleged 'prophecy' to see if it corresponds with the truth.

Firstly, the 'prophet' identifies the target of the tsunami as being the "island of Hobart" (the video editor tries to correct this with a graphic of Tasmania showing that Hobart is the capital city). Secondly, he says that the earthquake will come from 'the ocean' between Australia and the Island of Hobart. There is no ocean between mainland Australia and the Island of Tasmania. Thirdly, for a Tsunami to come from Bass Strait  and swamp Hobart it would have to travel nearly 300 kilometres over land! (The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami traveled, in places, just a few kilometres inland.)

PROPHECY TEST #2, DOES IT CORRESPOND WITH THE REALITY?

when a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the word does not come to pass or come true, that is a word that the LORD has not spoken; the prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You need not be afraid of him.

 Deuteronomy 18:22 

Scripture gives a very simple and easily applicable test for any prophetic claim. If a prophet says something will happen and it doesn't happen, the prophecy is not from God. Therefore, this particular prophecy is very test based on the principle in Deuteronomy 18:22. If this prophecy does not come to pass, that is, if it does not correspond with reality, then it is not from God.

Even if none of these facts persuade the naive, there is of course the test of reality. In this case, the reality test is a simple one: the prophecy implies that this tsunami will hit Tasmania soon, if it doesn't, it fails the reality test. (This particular prophecy was first given in the third quarter of 2010.) All too often, so-called prophecies are so vague that their proponents then stretch their appeal to include historic details to validate their prophecy. But this claim is very specific. It is not a prophecy of a severe storm hitting Tasmania and destroying Hobart from Bass Strait - it is the claim that a Tsunami will come from Bass Strait overland to destroy Hobart.

There are other tests of a prophecy, like- Does it correspond with Scripture? Has the person giving the prophecy ever given another prophecy which has been undoubtedly fulfilled? The next time you hear of prophecy warning of some doom, or even of some coming "revival", you might like to apply these prophecy tests.

Andrew Corbett

28th December 2010