JACQUES GAUVIN, RELIGION

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Examine Yourself (2016)

As I looked out my window this morning I saw smoke coming from industrial buildings in the distance. I thought, must we pollute the environment in order to live and to earn a living? As society progresses it seems to get further and further away from God^s ways. Every item in the grocery store is highly processed, they have additives of all sorts, pesticides, herbicides, insecticides, growth hormones, preservation agents, sugar, colour, artificial flavour and or who knows what. What are we doing to our bodies, to the temple of God?

Many successful stores try to cater to people^s every whim of vanity and fantasy far beyond needs; music, games, trinkets, clothing and all manner of mass produced things. We are commanded not to covet and not to worship other gods but many of us must earn our living in producing or selling pagan products and promoting pagan ideology. Even land surveying, a biblical profession where I spent the vast majority of my working life, is primarily occupied in providing services to companies involved in and people employed in all these practises that and who uphold dubious customs and traditions. Are we becoming artificial with all this artificial food and vain, empty, pointless entertainment and mechanical stockpiling and filling dump sites with gadgets and toys and packaging?

In my youth, since reading the ten commandments in grade one, I was so shocked, alarmed, awakened, stunned, affected by the fourth commandment and the thereby exposed corrupt world and its rejection of the authority of the Bible, that I lost my own way and for a while was no better than anyone else because I relied on my own faulty ideas for my thoughts and actions. Am I saying that I consider myself better than others now? With Christ now dwelling within me how can I not? I was so untrusting of the world that it blinded me and stifled my attaining knowledge of the way of God and the truth of the Bible. When I read it I found myself totally unprepared for what I was reading, I was shocked, amazed and bewildered. I needed guidance or counselling but did not know where to look for it and found none for quite some years. I was comforted by an inner voice, perhaps even the voice of Jesus but how could I be sure? Without background knowledge of the holy scriptures how could I have confidence in the will of God how could I know God? Only those who know the Bible can understand what I^m talking about. My sins and faults and shortcomings of youth were many and constant and saturating, sins of omission and sins of ignorance and sins of carelessness and sins of faithlessness.

I was a victim of Satan the devil. Weren^t we all? Aren^t we all? He is enemy number one packaged with everything that he is doing and trying to do. Without God we are helpless against him. This is a sure sign that God is very much looking after us. Still we err and sometimes stumble and sin in our walk through life. We get knocked down but we get up again.

So in examining myself I can also see that I have accumulated much Biblical knowledge over the years and that my life, habits and goals have improved in accordance to the will of God and with His help I have even been able to effect my character by exercising greater self control and faithfulness on a more regular and consistent basis. I was introduced to the Bible in grade one, started reading it seriously at age 25, found a Bible compatible church at 30, was baptised at 31 and now have a Bible based thousand+ page website and three published books at 62 with no end in sight. Faith without works is dead.

There is nothing I can do to change anything that happened in the past. The best I can do is try to improve the way I handle my memories now and in the future. I can also change the way I react to similar events that might happen to me now. I now have a trustworthy Saviour, Jesus, living and dwelling within me and effecting ongoing positive change. Jesus is not idle and He is the most significant determiner of my life. All thanks and honour belong to Him.

Jesus is a being of many responsibilities and titles. He is a Father, a Shepherd, a Captain, a Teacher, a Master Craftsman, a Potter and a King, just to name a few. I am and you are a child, a lamb, a crewman, a disciple, a vessel, a clump of clay and a subject.

Can the clay tell the Potter what to do? or question why he is doing it? Can the clay even understand what the Master Craftsman is doing or how?

It^s hard to transition the mind from the concept of a clump of clay being moulded to a person with schizophrenia or cancer or a birth defect like having poor eyesight, especially if these conditions continue to deteriorate with time.

Let the Words of God speak to you:
Leviticus 21:16 to 24 (NIV84)
16The LORD said to Moses,
17Say to Aaron: For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God.
18No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed;
19no man with a crippled foot or hand,
20or who is hunchbacked or dwarfed, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles.
21No descendant of Aaron the priest who has any defect is to come near to present the offerings made to the LORD by fire. He has a defect; he must not come near to offer the food of his God.
22He may eat the most holy food of his God, as well as the holy food;
23yet because of his defect, he must not go near the curtain or approach the altar, and so desecrate my sanctuary. I am the LORD, who makes them holy.
24So Moses told this to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites.

Daniel 1:3 and 4 (NIV84)
3Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring in some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility
4young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king^s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians.

Hebrews 9:14 (RSV)
how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.

1 Corinthians 11:27 to 32 (NKJV)
27Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
29For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord^s body.
30For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep.
31For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged.
32But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world.

God forgives but does not heal physical ailments with miracles yet, at least not often, so it seems. We all grow increasingly old and feeble if we live long enough. We all wear out this mortal body if we live long enough.

Is it because we are not worthy? Or is it to show us that only Jesus was truly worthy? Perhaps, probably both.

God does heal emotional and spiritual damage but it takes time. To us it seems like a lot of time sometimes. But He does give us the freedom to adopt His ways, to adorn His saving grace.

In practical terms, God is working with us every step of our lives. We must let Him participate in our every evaluation, assessment, perspective, goal, work, attitude, feeling, thought and decision and in our prayers, study, meditation, fasting and gratitude. We must keep our attention on Him and let Him guide us and direct us and command us. It is not always easy nor is it always clear just what we should do or not do during every moment of every day and in every circumstance that arises but many things are clear. The closer we get to God, the closer we stay to His way of life, the surer we can be that the promise of our salvation is sure. The greater is our love for God and His Word the greater is our hope and our faith. Steadfastness, perseverance, patience, gentleness and self~control are good barometers.

Everyone should have a personal relationship with God. Everyone has unique experiences in life or at the very least a unique sequence or set of experiences. We all experience or have experienced a different upbringing. We all spent our lives with different people in different circumstances. And even though the Bible says that we suffer nothing that is not common to man, I believe that it means that whatever we suffer there are many who suffer and have suffered much similar experiences. We also all respond differently to a certain degree. Telling the truth about certain experiences can be an unachievable challenge. We often use the term ^coming to terms with something.^ Coming to terms with some things can take a lifetime. Failure may prevail. We are encouraged to be slow to anger, for example. And sometimes we simply must leave it to God. But we get tested, we get pressed hard and we get sore and we get defensive. Still we muddle through as best we can.

The ministry is too easily offended too often. It stifles discussion and getting to the root of problems. They over simplify and refuse to address facts at times. They try to over rule and suppress at times. The scriptures warn do not be over ruled or suppressed. The ministry at times has been known to scatter the sheep, by the hundreds of thousands. We must keep watch.

2 Corinthians 4:8 to 10 (amplified by JG)
8We are pressed even hard pressed on every side by troubles, on every side being in tribulation, we are often troubled, we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed and not broken. We are perplexed because we don^t know why things happen as they do, we don^t give up and quit, sometimes in doubt, but never in despair, not driven to despair, yet not distressed, not despairing.

9We are hunted down, but God never abandons us. there are many enemies, but we are never without a friend. Persecuted, but not forsaken, not abandoned; We get knocked down, but we get up again and keep going. And though badly hurt at times, cast down, and struck down, we are not destroyed.

10These bodies of ours are constantly facing death just as Jesus did; At all times we carry in our mortal bodies the death of Jesus, Always bearing or carrying about at all times in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, bearing about in the body, so it is clear to all that it is only the living Christ within who keeps us safe. so that his life also may be seen in our bodies, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest may be manifested in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:8 to 10 (AMP)
8We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; 9We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed; 10Always carrying about in the body the liability and exposure to the same putting to death that the Lord Jesus suffered, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown forth by and in our bodies.

Luke 7:23 (NKJV)
And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.

My sins were forgiven at baptism but I still had the same needs, bodily functions, illnesses, ailments, financial situation, etc., but I also had more knowledge, more understanding, a confirmed path, dedication, revived hope, more faith and growing love and appreciation.

We understand with hindsight. Life^s experiences begin to make sense long after we heal from our wounds, after years of meditation and prayer. The lesson is often patience and trust and faith in our Creator. Is that all there is? Not really. Our character changes. We understand God and Jesus better, how they suffer for our benefit and because of us. Some work is of clay, wood and even straw but other work is of copper, iron, gold and silver. We cannot fathom the efforts that our Creators put in forming us but we know that They, our Father and Jesus, are capable of great feats even far beyond our imagination.

I am now under God^s care, protection, mercy and grace. Patience is in order on my part but patience with works. Works worthy of God^s approval and perhaps even praise in His own way and time. We must all have works. Each one of us according to our abilities; some in giving and some in receiving, some in sowing and some in reaping, some in nurturing and some in edifying. We all await the words from the one that matters, Well done faithful servant!

Always remember,
Hebrews 13:5 and 6 (NKJV)
5Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ^I will never leave you nor forsake you.^
6So we may boldly say: ^The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?^

2 Corinthians 13:5 (NKJV)
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? unless indeed you are disqualified.

Our life^s experiences are a testing and refining process. Know that God tests us by fire as gold and silver are refined and purified and that it is a life time process.

Jesus is a being of many hats so to speak, many duties and responsibilities. He is a Father, a Shepherd, a Captain, a Teacher, a Master Craftsman, a Potter and a King. I am and you are a child, a lamb, a crewman, a disciple, a vessel, a clump of clay and a subject or soldier. So we are being brought up, trained, guided, fleeced occasionally, commanded, built, used and moulded.

As it is the season to examine ourselves, here is a list of selfexamining questions. It might help to rate yourself from 1 to 7 on each of these to indicate encouraging progress or areas that need special attention.
1. Is your character improving in the eyes of God?
2. Do you own up to your mistakes and offences and try to make amends?
3. Are you quick to apologise for bad behaviour and for your mistakes?
4. Do you make efforts to fellowship with everyone in the church or to make some friends?
5. Are you genuinely concerned about every brother and sister in the faith?
6. Are you a good listener when someone talks to you?
7. When you communicate with others, do you use tact and avoid arguments?
8. Do you share your insight, good advice and helpful suggestions?
9. Do you genuinely try to solve problems rather than aggravate situations on an ongoing basis?
10. Are you dedicated to the Way of God 24/7 in all situations?
11. Do you turn away from sin?
12. Do you keep your heart open to forgiveness of others and of yourself?
13. Do you reserve judgement to God?
14. Do you reserve revenge to God?
15. Do you serve the church in some direct ways?
16. Are you responding whole heartedly to God^s calling?
17. Are you obedient to the Word of God?
18. Is your attitude of prime importance to you and are you an exemplary disciple of Christ?
19. Are you changing your character to align with God?
20. Do you consciously pursue love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness and selfcontrol on an ongoing basis?
21. Are you appreciative of all your blessings?
22. Are you satisfied with your relationship with God and Jesus?

And finally a poem or prose:

Satisfaction Is Grasping Vapour

I seek the love and mercy of God all day
I pray in my bed at night
I think of all the trials at hand
is it right merciful just
insurmountable problems get worse
my efforts often seem worthless futile
and life sometimes pointless
goodness and kindness like salt lose their flavour
the best that I can hope for is a good night^s sleep
what I^ve said and done that worked out wrong
how I could have made things right but stumbled
so many things that haunt
how hard it is to find joy at times
satisfaction is grasping vapour
all the problems that need more time to solve
all the wasted energy and futile efforts
all the while demands prevail
all the while time is running out
selfcontrol hard to hold
if only I could be set right with God
once and for all
we were appointed to be custodians of the earth
immigration threatens civil society
pollution prevails
adulterated food stocks the shelves
health comes through pills
God is the real healer
who knows
satisfaction is grasping vapour
true hope lies entirely in the God of love
blessings abound for the grateful
still disappointment and discouragement linger and lurk
the only solution is faith in God and His mercy
peace, patience and perseverance to the end
and gentleness comforts always
and true satisfaction is through Jesus only.

2016 Jacques Gauvin

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