judging
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?
You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
Matthew 7:1-5
Christians here are told not to judge others. We are not to judge especially hypocritically.
This is not the same as discernment.
I’ve heard people say well you shouldn’t judge what the priest, minister or evangelist says because it’s judging. Not so.
The apostle Paul writes,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
There is nothing wrong with questioning the teachings of anyone ministering the word of God, be they a Sunday School or Bible study teacher, a pastor, evangelist or whoever is ministering God’s word.
This is discernment.
When we question what we are being taught this is a good thing it helps us get to the truth of the matter. Especially if what is being said sounds suspicious.
An honest teacher of the Bible will not object to being questioned about his or her teaching.
What Jesus is telling us here is not to judge other people be they Christians or non-Christians for what they are or what they do. Especially since we may be doing or have done similar things before we were prompted by the God to change our ways.
We cannot tell what is in someone’s heart.
All Christians grow in the Lord at different rates and it is up to the Holy Spirit to convict someone of any wrong they are doing.
When it comes to non-Christians this is especially true. Judging them may very well turn them away from God.
The Talmud tells a story about Abraham it goes like this,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door.
That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?
The Talmud
Judging someone especially outside of the church is dangerous. What Jesus says is true,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
People around us are aware of what we do and say. They are aware of our short comings If we judge them they are going to judge us in the same way.
It is not the Christians place to judge sin. That is God’s no one else’s. Only he knows the heart and mind of anyone.
The job of the Christian, the only Job of the Christian is to present the Gospel to anyone who will listen and let God do the rest.
Think about it.
Saturday 28 February 2015
The answer to Radicals
The Answer to Radicals
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
I look at the news and see young people especially heading off to join radical Islamic groups such as ISIS and I ask myself why.
The answer seems to me strait forward. The Western democracies appear to offer them nothing.
While the latest electronic gadget, fine automobile, jewellery, brand name clothing may appeal to the majority of people in the west. It does not to the minority that are slipping away to join the radical groups.
Our western society with all its rights and freedoms while to my mind the best possible way of life is not for those who have become radicalized.
Back in the 1958 John B. Harrington published a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" it could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
I think those who are becoming radicalized agree, be it subconsciously or consciously with Paul Gallico. Our very materialistic western society despite all it’s rights and freedoms is lacking in many ways.
Man is more than a physical being. Man has a soul, that materialism as much as it may try cannot fill.
There is nothing wrong with the latest gadget, the nice car, brand name clothing but unfortunately they have become demigods in our society. A society that is turning away from the one true God.
For me as a Christian I feel our society has failed and all the best secular programs as good as they may be will not succeed in reaching those who are truly looking for meaning in life.
At the same time I see a failing by the church to reach such people.
Living in North America I see a lot of people claiming to be Christians in the media that are speaking out not only against Islam they are speaking out against anything that is not in their eyes Christian.
That is not the job of the church. The apostle Paul didn’t walk into Athens and speak against the god’s and goddesses. He preached the good news of Jesus Christ and won souls.
That is what all followers of Christ should be doing.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
If we as Christians stick to the message of God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.
If we preach that message to the youth of our day in a way that is appealing to them, the message of Christ, we will win their souls for Christ and turn them away from the radicals of the world.
The message of the Gospel of Christ is as relevant today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. It can and will change live if we present it in the right way.
They key is reaching out in love. Extending a hand. Telling them that if they are dissatisfied with the secular society around them there is another alternative that the Gospel of Peace. The love of Jesus Christ and the Love of the one true God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
This is what all mankind is looking for be they those who are looking to radical Islam or simply the man and woman on the street.
This is what we as Christians should be presenting.
Think about it.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
I look at the news and see young people especially heading off to join radical Islamic groups such as ISIS and I ask myself why.
The answer seems to me strait forward. The Western democracies appear to offer them nothing.
While the latest electronic gadget, fine automobile, jewellery, brand name clothing may appeal to the majority of people in the west. It does not to the minority that are slipping away to join the radical groups.
Our western society with all its rights and freedoms while to my mind the best possible way of life is not for those who have become radicalized.
Back in the 1958 John B. Harrington published a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" it could have been written yesterday.
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution.
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
I think those who are becoming radicalized agree, be it subconsciously or consciously with Paul Gallico. Our very materialistic western society despite all it’s rights and freedoms is lacking in many ways.
Man is more than a physical being. Man has a soul, that materialism as much as it may try cannot fill.
There is nothing wrong with the latest gadget, the nice car, brand name clothing but unfortunately they have become demigods in our society. A society that is turning away from the one true God.
For me as a Christian I feel our society has failed and all the best secular programs as good as they may be will not succeed in reaching those who are truly looking for meaning in life.
At the same time I see a failing by the church to reach such people.
Living in North America I see a lot of people claiming to be Christians in the media that are speaking out not only against Islam they are speaking out against anything that is not in their eyes Christian.
That is not the job of the church. The apostle Paul didn’t walk into Athens and speak against the god’s and goddesses. He preached the good news of Jesus Christ and won souls.
That is what all followers of Christ should be doing.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
If we as Christians stick to the message of God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you.
If we preach that message to the youth of our day in a way that is appealing to them, the message of Christ, we will win their souls for Christ and turn them away from the radicals of the world.
The message of the Gospel of Christ is as relevant today as it was when Jesus walked the earth. It can and will change live if we present it in the right way.
They key is reaching out in love. Extending a hand. Telling them that if they are dissatisfied with the secular society around them there is another alternative that the Gospel of Peace. The love of Jesus Christ and the Love of the one true God.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
This is what all mankind is looking for be they those who are looking to radical Islam or simply the man and woman on the street.
This is what we as Christians should be presenting.
Think about it.
Thursday 26 February 2015
The seeker
The Seeker
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7,8.
I believe that I will never be able, no matter how many words I write, or how persuasive my arguments are convince an atheist who’s mind is made up that there is a God. That being said I believe such people are small in number. Further more I believe even the most ardent Atheist is not beyond God’s ability to show him that He exists.
The above scripture is the words of Jesus. He is speaking to those who are truly seeking for meaning in life. His call to them is to continue to seek God with all their heart and he will show himself to them.
The psalmist writes,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
Nature does indeed show the evidence of a creator God.
If we look at nature it is mathematically prefect. We may not know all the formulas or simply the formula that run the universe yet, but they are there to find.
For me if there is no God and a life after this, life is meaningless. All our good deeds our great creative works, are simply a waste.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
His ultimate conclusion,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
There is a God I’m convinced of that,
The Psalmist says.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
I believe a true seeker of truth will prove the words of the psalmist and of Paul. I believe the true seeker will find God and come into a personal relationship with God.
Are you that seeker?
Are you looking for meaning to life?
Please take time to pray and ask God to show yourself to you. Take time read the Bible. Read the New Testament first and I am convinced God will show himself to you.
Please think about it.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Matthew 7:7,8.
I believe that I will never be able, no matter how many words I write, or how persuasive my arguments are convince an atheist who’s mind is made up that there is a God. That being said I believe such people are small in number. Further more I believe even the most ardent Atheist is not beyond God’s ability to show him that He exists.
The above scripture is the words of Jesus. He is speaking to those who are truly seeking for meaning in life. His call to them is to continue to seek God with all their heart and he will show himself to them.
The psalmist writes,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
Nature does indeed show the evidence of a creator God.
If we look at nature it is mathematically prefect. We may not know all the formulas or simply the formula that run the universe yet, but they are there to find.
For me if there is no God and a life after this, life is meaningless. All our good deeds our great creative works, are simply a waste.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
His ultimate conclusion,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
There is a God I’m convinced of that,
The Psalmist says.
“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”
Psalm 14:1.
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
1 Corinthians 1:18
I believe a true seeker of truth will prove the words of the psalmist and of Paul. I believe the true seeker will find God and come into a personal relationship with God.
Are you that seeker?
Are you looking for meaning to life?
Please take time to pray and ask God to show yourself to you. Take time read the Bible. Read the New Testament first and I am convinced God will show himself to you.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Faith
Faith
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Where is your faith?
Matthew records,
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith...
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.”
Matthew 8:5-13.
The incident shows how much the Roman Centurion respected Jesus. He truly believed Jesus could do all he said he could do.
The centurion probably had heard and may have even saw Jesus performing miracles. Either way this man had faith that Jesus could heal his servant without even entering the same room as the man.
He believed Jesus only had to say the words and the man would be healed.
As Christians today do we have such faith?
How strong is you faith?
One survey among church goes found there was a significant percentage who go to church that do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. They believe in the historical Jesus but not the fact that Jesus is God incarnate.
It is easy to believe in the historical Jesus. Records of Jesus exist both inside and outside the bible. All credible historians be they Christian or non-Christian have no doubt there was a great teacher named Jesus.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37—100 AD), aka Joseph ben Mattathias, is one of the most important writers of antiquity. He records Jesus as doing amazing deeds.
But Jesus is more than just a man. Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. This is where faith comes in. It takes faith to believe Jesus is in fact the Son of God.
Do you believe He is?
Think about it.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Where is your faith?
Matthew records,
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith...
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.”
Matthew 8:5-13.
The incident shows how much the Roman Centurion respected Jesus. He truly believed Jesus could do all he said he could do.
The centurion probably had heard and may have even saw Jesus performing miracles. Either way this man had faith that Jesus could heal his servant without even entering the same room as the man.
He believed Jesus only had to say the words and the man would be healed.
As Christians today do we have such faith?
How strong is you faith?
One survey among church goes found there was a significant percentage who go to church that do not believe in the divinity of Jesus. They believe in the historical Jesus but not the fact that Jesus is God incarnate.
It is easy to believe in the historical Jesus. Records of Jesus exist both inside and outside the bible. All credible historians be they Christian or non-Christian have no doubt there was a great teacher named Jesus.
Jewish historian Flavius Josephus (37—100 AD), aka Joseph ben Mattathias, is one of the most important writers of antiquity. He records Jesus as doing amazing deeds.
But Jesus is more than just a man. Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. This is where faith comes in. It takes faith to believe Jesus is in fact the Son of God.
Do you believe He is?
Think about it.
Tuesday 24 February 2015
Consider
Consider
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Carl Sagan wrote of the above picture,
“Consider that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, every human being who ever was lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religious, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there- on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam....
To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”
From Carl Sagan,(1934-1996) Pale Blue Dot A Vision of the Human Future in Space.
Mr. Sagan couldn’t be more right.
We are, if you think about it from a purely human prospective, are space dust and this world is all we have.
I believe however we are more than that.
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
Albert Einstein.
I believe the mysterious tune is life, the invisible player I believe is God.
I believe John when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4,14.
I believe the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16,17
I believe that God took a small part of His infiniteness and entered into our world. I believe he did this so that no man can stand before Him and say you don’t understand.
When we stand before God, before Jesus. We cannot say to Him “You were never human, you don’t understand” because he does.
Jesus lived on this earth. Thus He understands everything that is human. Everything from the mundane things such as the sun and rain against one’s face, to the joy of friends. The love of devoted parents. Everything that we as people go through.
He also understands what it is to be mistreated, lied about, beaten and put to death in a most hideous way for a crime he didn’t commit.
And he experienced it all so that we may have eternal life with him. All we must do is acknowledge him.
Our life in this world, is but a mist in the aeons of time. We are however eternal beings meant to live on through eternity.
While we may vanish from this life we live on through eternity. It is I believe however in this life where we decide where we will spend eternity.
Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
He also said
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus offers life everlasting with God to all who believe in Him. The choice ultimately is yours. It is an act of faith.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
C. S. Lewis put things this way,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Ultimately you the reader must make a decision about God, Jesus and where you will spend eternity.
The Bible and particularly the New Testament offers the true seeker, looking for meaning in life answers and rest for one’s soul.
Please take time to read and study the life and words of Jesus and his apostles with an open mind.
Please think about it.
“Consider that dot. That’s here. That’s home. That’s us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, every human being who ever was lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religious, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there- on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam....
To me, it underscores our responsibility to deal more kindly with one and to preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.”
From Carl Sagan,(1934-1996) Pale Blue Dot A Vision of the Human Future in Space.
Mr. Sagan couldn’t be more right.
We are, if you think about it from a purely human prospective, are space dust and this world is all we have.
I believe however we are more than that.
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Human beings vegetables or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”
Albert Einstein.
I believe the mysterious tune is life, the invisible player I believe is God.
I believe John when he wrote,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4,14.
I believe the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
John 3:16,17
I believe that God took a small part of His infiniteness and entered into our world. I believe he did this so that no man can stand before Him and say you don’t understand.
When we stand before God, before Jesus. We cannot say to Him “You were never human, you don’t understand” because he does.
Jesus lived on this earth. Thus He understands everything that is human. Everything from the mundane things such as the sun and rain against one’s face, to the joy of friends. The love of devoted parents. Everything that we as people go through.
He also understands what it is to be mistreated, lied about, beaten and put to death in a most hideous way for a crime he didn’t commit.
And he experienced it all so that we may have eternal life with him. All we must do is acknowledge him.
Our life in this world, is but a mist in the aeons of time. We are however eternal beings meant to live on through eternity.
While we may vanish from this life we live on through eternity. It is I believe however in this life where we decide where we will spend eternity.
Jesus said,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
He also said
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus offers life everlasting with God to all who believe in Him. The choice ultimately is yours. It is an act of faith.
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
C. S. Lewis put things this way,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis.
Ultimately you the reader must make a decision about God, Jesus and where you will spend eternity.
The Bible and particularly the New Testament offers the true seeker, looking for meaning in life answers and rest for one’s soul.
Please take time to read and study the life and words of Jesus and his apostles with an open mind.
Please think about it.
Monday 23 February 2015
Praise! Praise! Praise!!!
Praise, Praise, Praise
Praise the Lord!!!
Exodus fifteen records,
“When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.
Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.”
Exodus 15:19-21.
The Israelites were celebrating God’s deliverance from Egypt. Pharaoh’s armies have just been drowned in the sea. The mightiest army of it’s day destroyed. Not by Israel but by an act of God.
Upon the destruction Miriam leads the women in singing and dancing. She glorifies God for the deliverance of Israel from it’s enemies.
Question, do you give glory to God for what he has done for you be they a small victory or a big one.
I know there is division in the Christian church as to whether we should dance in during a church service. I know that some groups don’t even use instruments during a service. Still we should.
Psalm 150 reads,
Here the Psalmist is telling us to use instruments not just our voices.
In first Samuel twenty-eight David danced with all his might before the Lord in celebration. If David danced, if Miriam and the women danced and sang. If the Psalmist tells us to praise God with instruments. I believe we should.
Still that aside do you praise the Lord often enough even if it’s just with your voice?
Think about it.
Praise the Lord!!!
Exodus fifteen records,
“When Pharaoh’s horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground.
Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing.
Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.”
Exodus 15:19-21.
The Israelites were celebrating God’s deliverance from Egypt. Pharaoh’s armies have just been drowned in the sea. The mightiest army of it’s day destroyed. Not by Israel but by an act of God.
Upon the destruction Miriam leads the women in singing and dancing. She glorifies God for the deliverance of Israel from it’s enemies.
Question, do you give glory to God for what he has done for you be they a small victory or a big one.
I know there is division in the Christian church as to whether we should dance in during a church service. I know that some groups don’t even use instruments during a service. Still we should.
Psalm 150 reads,
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150.Here the Psalmist is telling us to use instruments not just our voices.
In first Samuel twenty-eight David danced with all his might before the Lord in celebration. If David danced, if Miriam and the women danced and sang. If the Psalmist tells us to praise God with instruments. I believe we should.
Still that aside do you praise the Lord often enough even if it’s just with your voice?
Think about it.
Sunday 22 February 2015
Something Important
Something Important
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
Matthew 16:26,27.
There is only one reason a true Christian presents the gospel to the world and that is because we believe that we have the single most important message all mankind needs to know.
There are many out there that deny there is a God. There are many that say there are many roads to heaven. If these views are true then the Christian has little to fear because he or she is most certainly on one of those roads.
However if the words of Jesus are true when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Then there are a lot of people who need to rethink what they believe.
I know people who want all the toys this life has to offer and there is nothing wrong with that, if it’s in proper perspective.
Things, our toys, our possessions and even our desire to excel in life shouldn’t take us away from the important things in life, our family, friends and above all God.
I truly believe that one day all men will stand before God and see He is real. I believe that we all will be held to account for our lives.
That God will reward us according to our works, and what we believe.
I believe the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Ultimately however it comes down to an act of faith. Do you believe who Jesus is or not.
C. S. Lewis pointed out,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis
Think about it.
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?
For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.”
Matthew 16:26,27.
There is only one reason a true Christian presents the gospel to the world and that is because we believe that we have the single most important message all mankind needs to know.
There are many out there that deny there is a God. There are many that say there are many roads to heaven. If these views are true then the Christian has little to fear because he or she is most certainly on one of those roads.
However if the words of Jesus are true when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
Then there are a lot of people who need to rethink what they believe.
I know people who want all the toys this life has to offer and there is nothing wrong with that, if it’s in proper perspective.
Things, our toys, our possessions and even our desire to excel in life shouldn’t take us away from the important things in life, our family, friends and above all God.
I truly believe that one day all men will stand before God and see He is real. I believe that we all will be held to account for our lives.
That God will reward us according to our works, and what we believe.
I believe the words of Jesus who said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
Ultimately however it comes down to an act of faith. Do you believe who Jesus is or not.
C. S. Lewis pointed out,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.”
C. S. Lewis
Think about it.
Saturday 21 February 2015
The greatest Life
The greatest Life ever Lived
“When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Luke 2:22-32
Jesus is the most influential person in all of history.
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was he replied, “the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.
I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.
I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.”
Napoleon Bonapart
What these men say of Jesus is true.
Simeon the prophet said it best on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him, he said,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Jesus is all he said he is. He is the one and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is God reaching down to mankind and saying I love you. Come unto me and I will give you rest.
The Apostle John states,
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:1-4,10-13.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The choice is yours what do you think of Jesus?
Think about it.
“When the time of their purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord
(as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord” ), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”
Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Luke 2:22-32
Jesus is the most influential person in all of history.
William Durant, popular American modern historian and philosopher (1885-1981) When asked what he felt the apex of history was he replied, “the three years that Jesus of Nazareth walked the earth.”
Napoleon Bonaparte, said of Jesus,
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.
I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force.
Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.
I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel.”
Napoleon Bonapart
What these men say of Jesus is true.
Simeon the prophet said it best on the day Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him, he said,
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.”
Jesus is all he said he is. He is the one and only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind.
Jesus is God reaching down to mankind and saying I love you. Come unto me and I will give you rest.
The Apostle John states,
"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
John 1:1-4,10-13.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The choice is yours what do you think of Jesus?
Think about it.
Friday 20 February 2015
False teachers
False teachers
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
One commentator states they will commercialize the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.
There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain.
These people are giving God a black eye.
There only purpose is to line their own pockets.
When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them.
If we looked at some preacher in the media, (not all), it’s not hard to see that all they seem to be asking for is money. Some are even selling Christian versions of everything secular from health food to creams, lotions and potions.
When it come to asking for money the classic example is those whom my pastor says are the ‘blab it grab it crowd’ the “seed faith” crowd. Who proclaim Jesus as if he were a heavenly sugar daddy. The ultimate investment banker. Who if you give him a hundred dollars, or better still sow that hundred dollars into ‘their ministry’ and God will give you ten fold back.
What garbage. We should be giving to God because we want too not expecting to get ten or a hundred times back.
Peter warns, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
Sadly many people especially the old and trusting have given their life savings to such false teachers of God.
Still if it’s any consolation Peter states, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
They will be brought account.
When people ask me about what ministry especially in the media they should give money to. I tell them to give to your local church congregation. There at least you know how the money is being spent. In Canada especially the Canadian Revenue Agency makes non-profit charities like churches account for the money that’s given them.
All legitimate church congregations will have an annual meeting to show how the money given to the church is spent also.
If you want to give to other ministries outside the church ask your pastor for advice it never hurts.
Remember Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Think about it.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
One commentator states they will commercialize the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.
There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain.
These people are giving God a black eye.
There only purpose is to line their own pockets.
When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them.
If we looked at some preacher in the media, (not all), it’s not hard to see that all they seem to be asking for is money. Some are even selling Christian versions of everything secular from health food to creams, lotions and potions.
When it come to asking for money the classic example is those whom my pastor says are the ‘blab it grab it crowd’ the “seed faith” crowd. Who proclaim Jesus as if he were a heavenly sugar daddy. The ultimate investment banker. Who if you give him a hundred dollars, or better still sow that hundred dollars into ‘their ministry’ and God will give you ten fold back.
What garbage. We should be giving to God because we want too not expecting to get ten or a hundred times back.
Peter warns, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
Sadly many people especially the old and trusting have given their life savings to such false teachers of God.
Still if it’s any consolation Peter states, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
They will be brought account.
When people ask me about what ministry especially in the media they should give money to. I tell them to give to your local church congregation. There at least you know how the money is being spent. In Canada especially the Canadian Revenue Agency makes non-profit charities like churches account for the money that’s given them.
All legitimate church congregations will have an annual meeting to show how the money given to the church is spent also.
If you want to give to other ministries outside the church ask your pastor for advice it never hurts.
Remember Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
Matthew 7:21-23.
Think about it.
Thursday 19 February 2015
Who can get to heaven
Who Can Get to Heaven.
Someone asked me not to long ago a very simple question, “Who can get to heaven?”
My simple answer anyone.
Sadly I see in the media some evangelist and pastors acting like the Pharisees of old. Jesus said of these men,
“Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.”
Luke 11:46.
In Jesus day the teachers of the law were so worried about breaking the law of God that they had placed around those laws their own so that God’s law could not be broken.
It resulted in a huge burden being placed on the individual. A burden God never intended.
A good example comes from Matthew,
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:1,2
The Pharisees interpreted what the disciples were doing as harvesting, preparing the food and eating it. It being considered work and not permitted on the Sabbath.
This is not what God had intended.
In the same way many evangelist in the media today are quick to point out the sin in the world. After all the world has a lot of sin it’s easy to point it out.
But God want’s Christians to point the people of this world to him. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict men of their sin. Not ours.
Only God knows the heart of men. That’s why we as Christians are told by Jesus in Matthew seven not to Judge.
The apostle Paul saying,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
We are to present the gospel to every one who will listen to us and let God do the rest.
Acts records Paul and Silas being put in prison when and earth quake hit opening the prison doors. The Jailor fearing the prisoners had escaped was ready to commit suicide.
But they hadn’t escaped they were there and called out to the Jailer. Acts record,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16:30,31.
Salvation is that simple. The thieves on the cross with Jesus shows how its done.
Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
The second criminal did all that was necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. To inherit eternal life.
He admitted he was a sinner. He believed Jesus was the Son of God sentenced to death innocently and he asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.
Jesus replied. “I tell you the truth today you will be with me in paradise.”
Getting to heaven is that simple.
Think about it.
Someone asked me not to long ago a very simple question, “Who can get to heaven?”
My simple answer anyone.
Sadly I see in the media some evangelist and pastors acting like the Pharisees of old. Jesus said of these men,
“Jesus replied, “And you experts in the law, woe to you, because you load people down with burdens they can hardly carry, and you yourselves will not lift one finger to help them.”
Luke 11:46.
In Jesus day the teachers of the law were so worried about breaking the law of God that they had placed around those laws their own so that God’s law could not be broken.
It resulted in a huge burden being placed on the individual. A burden God never intended.
A good example comes from Matthew,
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them.
When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”
Matthew 12:1,2
The Pharisees interpreted what the disciples were doing as harvesting, preparing the food and eating it. It being considered work and not permitted on the Sabbath.
This is not what God had intended.
In the same way many evangelist in the media today are quick to point out the sin in the world. After all the world has a lot of sin it’s easy to point it out.
But God want’s Christians to point the people of this world to him. It is the job of the Holy Spirit to convict men of their sin. Not ours.
Only God knows the heart of men. That’s why we as Christians are told by Jesus in Matthew seven not to Judge.
The apostle Paul saying,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13
We are to present the gospel to every one who will listen to us and let God do the rest.
Acts records Paul and Silas being put in prison when and earth quake hit opening the prison doors. The Jailor fearing the prisoners had escaped was ready to commit suicide.
But they hadn’t escaped they were there and called out to the Jailer. Acts record,
“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”
Acts 16:30,31.
Salvation is that simple. The thieves on the cross with Jesus shows how its done.
Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’”
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”
Luke 23:39-43
The second criminal did all that was necessary to enter the kingdom of heaven. To inherit eternal life.
He admitted he was a sinner. He believed Jesus was the Son of God sentenced to death innocently and he asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.
Jesus replied. “I tell you the truth today you will be with me in paradise.”
Getting to heaven is that simple.
Think about it.
Wednesday 18 February 2015
Mercy
With respect to Mercy
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:22-35.
I read a commentary on this portion of scripture once. The writer of the commentary used few words to sum it up. He said something to the effect,
God is a merciful God a very forgiving God but he judges those who do not forgive.
This in a nutshell sums up what Jesus is saying in this parable is saying.
He is telling Peter not just to forgive seventy-seven times but time without number.
James writes,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
As Christians we need to take such things to hart. Paul writing to Titus states,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared,
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,”
Titus 3:4-6.
Being a Christian is all about Mercy and forgiveness.
It is about offering the love and Mercy of Christ that leads to eternal life.
Think about it.
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
“Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.
As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him.
Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
“The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’
The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
“But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. ‘Pay back what you owe me!’ he demanded.
“His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.’
“But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt.
When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
“Then the master called the servant in. ‘You wicked servant,’ he said, ‘I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to.
Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’
In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”
Matthew 18:22-35.
I read a commentary on this portion of scripture once. The writer of the commentary used few words to sum it up. He said something to the effect,
God is a merciful God a very forgiving God but he judges those who do not forgive.
This in a nutshell sums up what Jesus is saying in this parable is saying.
He is telling Peter not just to forgive seventy-seven times but time without number.
James writes,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
James 2:12,13.
As Christians we need to take such things to hart. Paul writing to Titus states,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared,
he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,”
Titus 3:4-6.
Being a Christian is all about Mercy and forgiveness.
It is about offering the love and Mercy of Christ that leads to eternal life.
Think about it.
Tuesday 17 February 2015
Praise the Lord
Praise the Lord
There are times we Christians need to stop thinking about things and simply take time to praise the Lord.
The Psalmist wrote,
There are times we Christians need to stop thinking about things and simply take time to praise the Lord.
The Psalmist wrote,
Praise the LORD.
Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.
Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.
Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,
praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,
praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.
Let everything that has breath praise the LORD.
Praise the LORD.
Psalm 150
Please take time to praise the Lord today.
Monday 16 February 2015
A couple of Scriptures
A couple of scriptures
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
I have found a quite, to me at least disturbing trend within the evangelical community here in North America. It’s been around for a long time but it has become more visible now in our multimedia age.
First of all I see some calling themselves Christians not obeying the words of Jesus when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
I see those claiming to be Christians both in the media and out yelling at the top of their lungs to the effect, “YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF SINNERS HEADING FOR HELL.”
These Christians are calling hell fire and brimstone down on the heads of people who do not believe a word they say. Not only that they are pushing people that need God away.
I see people calling themselves Christian leaders pointing to the Gay community condemning them to hell because they have “a special sin”.
Well I have news for those who would do that. The sins of a gay man are no different than the sins of a “holier than thou evangelist”.
Not only that but anyone who calls themselves a Christian and judges someone is also guilty of sin.
Our job is not to judge. Paul makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Jesus told us to love, God, our neighbour, and even our enemies.
I believe he told us to do this because the eternal resting place of an individual may depend on the actions of a Christian believer.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Christians everywhere have a sacred duty to reach out in love to everyone. To show people the way to heaven irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
We are not to judge anyone. We are there to reach out to every man and woman on the planet with the love of God.
Christians as a whole particularly here in North America need to look carefully at our words and actions. We need to remember the words of Jesus to love those around us and to reach out to all people with the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.
At the same time we need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Think about it.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
I have found a quite, to me at least disturbing trend within the evangelical community here in North America. It’s been around for a long time but it has become more visible now in our multimedia age.
First of all I see some calling themselves Christians not obeying the words of Jesus when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
I see those claiming to be Christians both in the media and out yelling at the top of their lungs to the effect, “YOU ARE ALL A BUNCH OF SINNERS HEADING FOR HELL.”
These Christians are calling hell fire and brimstone down on the heads of people who do not believe a word they say. Not only that they are pushing people that need God away.
I see people calling themselves Christian leaders pointing to the Gay community condemning them to hell because they have “a special sin”.
Well I have news for those who would do that. The sins of a gay man are no different than the sins of a “holier than thou evangelist”.
Not only that but anyone who calls themselves a Christian and judges someone is also guilty of sin.
Our job is not to judge. Paul makes it clear,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Jesus told us to love, God, our neighbour, and even our enemies.
I believe he told us to do this because the eternal resting place of an individual may depend on the actions of a Christian believer.
Matthew’s gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Christians everywhere have a sacred duty to reach out in love to everyone. To show people the way to heaven irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle.
We are not to judge anyone. We are there to reach out to every man and woman on the planet with the love of God.
Christians as a whole particularly here in North America need to look carefully at our words and actions. We need to remember the words of Jesus to love those around us and to reach out to all people with the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.
At the same time we need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Think about it.
Sunday 15 February 2015
The greatest commandment
The greatest commandment,
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46.
As Christians we are called to love the world to follow the example of God. Jesus himself noting,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:16,17.
The apostle Paul defined what Christian love, what true love is all about saying,
When I was a teenager before I came to know Christ as my Lord and Saviour I watched a movie called Goodby Mr. Chips the theme tune of the movie had words that have resounded in my mind to this day.
The song is called “In the morning of my life” it’s words are,
In the Morning of My Life
From the movie musical Good by Mr chips
Even though I was young the words struck a cord with me. It said to me what I wanted to do with my life. To fill the world with love.
I believe I have done that and will continue to show love to all I come in contact with until the day my Lord calls me home.
When you stand before God will you be able to say, “I filled the world with love”?
Think about it.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46.
As Christians we are called to love the world to follow the example of God. Jesus himself noting,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him."
John 3:16,17.
The apostle Paul defined what Christian love, what true love is all about saying,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it
keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13When I was a teenager before I came to know Christ as my Lord and Saviour I watched a movie called Goodby Mr. Chips the theme tune of the movie had words that have resounded in my mind to this day.
The song is called “In the morning of my life” it’s words are,
In the Morning of My Life
In the morning of my life
I will look to the Sunrise
At a moment in my life
When the world is new.
And the Question
I shall ask only God can answer.
Will I be brave and strong and true,
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?
In the eveniung of my life
I will look to the sunset
At a moment in my life
When my life is through.
And the question I shall ask only I can answer
Was I brave and strong and true.
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?
By Leslie BricusseFrom the movie musical Good by Mr chips
Even though I was young the words struck a cord with me. It said to me what I wanted to do with my life. To fill the world with love.
I believe I have done that and will continue to show love to all I come in contact with until the day my Lord calls me home.
When you stand before God will you be able to say, “I filled the world with love”?
Think about it.
Saturday 14 February 2015
True Love
True Love
What is true Love?
Some say it is a feeling. Some believe it is a physical act. Some say it’s both. But love is more than that. You see feelings end as does the physical act.
In Shakespear’s play Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence, warns Romeo and Juliet’s about physical love. He doesn’t question their love for one another but he warns about the ‘violent delights’ the emotion based dangers of physical love saying,
“These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness and in the taste confounds the appetite.
Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.”
All too often what we perceive as a love relationship starts with a strong emotional feeling and leads quickly to physical act. Which might feel good at the beginning of a relationship but ultimately will fade to some degree.
If all one is basing their love for another person on is a feeling and a physical act one will ultimately learn that it is hollow love.
We are all human and strong positive feelings for someone does feel nice as does the sexual act. But love is more.
The apostle Paul writes,
Love continues on through the trials of life. It continues when the physical act is not possible. It continues through those dark days when the positive feelings are absent, or masked for whatever reason.
Love, true is...
What is true Love?
Some say it is a feeling. Some believe it is a physical act. Some say it’s both. But love is more than that. You see feelings end as does the physical act.
In Shakespear’s play Romeo and Juliet, Friar Lawrence, warns Romeo and Juliet’s about physical love. He doesn’t question their love for one another but he warns about the ‘violent delights’ the emotion based dangers of physical love saying,
“These violent delights have violent ends And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume. The sweetest honey is loathsome in his own deliciousness and in the taste confounds the appetite.
Therefore love moderately. Long love doth so. Too swift arrives as tardy as too slow.”
All too often what we perceive as a love relationship starts with a strong emotional feeling and leads quickly to physical act. Which might feel good at the beginning of a relationship but ultimately will fade to some degree.
If all one is basing their love for another person on is a feeling and a physical act one will ultimately learn that it is hollow love.
We are all human and strong positive feelings for someone does feel nice as does the sexual act. But love is more.
The apostle Paul writes,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it
keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13Love continues on through the trials of life. It continues when the physical act is not possible. It continues through those dark days when the positive feelings are absent, or masked for whatever reason.
Love, true is...
“... is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered, it
keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts,
always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
Think about it.
Friday 13 February 2015
Commandments Ten Commandments
Commandments Ten
The ten commandments are there to show instruct mankind how to live with both God and ones fellow man.
At a time in history when life was cheap God gave Moses a set of laws that call on mankind to have but one God. The Lord God almighty.
The laws also provide a day of rest, stating,
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.”
Exodus 20:8.
Man was never meant to work 24/7. People need at least one day a week to rest from their labours.
Not only that there is a call to respect your parents, to honour them.
Then there are the laws without which our society would fall into anarchy,
The ancient Israelites recognized there was a God and acknowledged Him. The result was to make society better.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
God gives us freedom.
It is when man starts to turn away from God and his moral principles that our society starts to slip into lawlessness and chaos.
Think about it.
You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make idols.
You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Honour your father and your mother.
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
You shall not covet. Above is the short form version of the most important code of conduct ever written. It appears in Exodus 20:2-17.The ten commandments are there to show instruct mankind how to live with both God and ones fellow man.
At a time in history when life was cheap God gave Moses a set of laws that call on mankind to have but one God. The Lord God almighty.
The laws also provide a day of rest, stating,
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.”
Exodus 20:8.
Man was never meant to work 24/7. People need at least one day a week to rest from their labours.
Not only that there is a call to respect your parents, to honour them.
Then there are the laws without which our society would fall into anarchy,
You shall not murder.
You shall not commit adultery.
You shall not steal.
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour.
You shall not covet.
All of these were I believe written on the hearts and in the mind of everyone who has ever lived. God simply chose to give them in a written form to Moses so that no one could say I didn’t know.The ancient Israelites recognized there was a God and acknowledged Him. The result was to make society better.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society. Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
Abba Hillel Silver
God gives us freedom.
It is when man starts to turn away from God and his moral principles that our society starts to slip into lawlessness and chaos.
Think about it.
Thursday 12 February 2015
God has a welfare plan
God has a welfare plan
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,
but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
Exodus 23:10,11
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10.
In my years as a Christian here in North America I’ve heard a lot said against the poor by everyone from the person on the street, to politicians, to evangelical preachers.
There was and still is in some quarters the idea that the poor are somehow lazy and need to get a job.
The reality is there are many poor people who are working at two even three jobs. Families where both spouses are working and still there are more bills than money at the end of the week.
It has always amazed me that governments can give tax cuts to the rich that take millions out of the government coffers, yet they can’t put millions into giving the poor a legitimate hand up.
What is wrong with making the minimum wage a wage that ensures families will have enough to eat, clothing and a roof over their heads?
Yes I know it will cause those companies who pay their employees minimum wage to earn less profit. Still just because such companies are earning less profit doesn’t mean the owners and share holders of such companies are forced to skip meals so their children can eat.
Why should employees of any company that is making a profit have to go to food banks to try and make it through the month?
I think we as Christians need to do all we can to help the poor.
The verses I quoted above shows God is concerned about the poor. He admonishes land owners to not pick clean their farm fields so that the poor may have something to eat.
Sadly in our modern cities there is no farm fields to leave food in. That’s why it is important for we as Christians to help those in need.
Tony Campolo said,
“Those issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
There are over 2000 verses in the scriptures that call us to meet the needs of the poor. God truly cares for the individual and we as Christians should too.
The Jews have a practice called Tzedakah. I think it would be good for Christians to follow such practice. A Jewish website explained the concept this way,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedaka is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes."
The Talmud suggests different levels of Tzedaka and one Jewish scholar place the levels in order of least meritorious to most meritorious,
The Apostle James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Think about it.
“For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops,
but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove.”
Exodus 23:10,11
“Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.”
Leviticus 19:10.
In my years as a Christian here in North America I’ve heard a lot said against the poor by everyone from the person on the street, to politicians, to evangelical preachers.
There was and still is in some quarters the idea that the poor are somehow lazy and need to get a job.
The reality is there are many poor people who are working at two even three jobs. Families where both spouses are working and still there are more bills than money at the end of the week.
It has always amazed me that governments can give tax cuts to the rich that take millions out of the government coffers, yet they can’t put millions into giving the poor a legitimate hand up.
What is wrong with making the minimum wage a wage that ensures families will have enough to eat, clothing and a roof over their heads?
Yes I know it will cause those companies who pay their employees minimum wage to earn less profit. Still just because such companies are earning less profit doesn’t mean the owners and share holders of such companies are forced to skip meals so their children can eat.
Why should employees of any company that is making a profit have to go to food banks to try and make it through the month?
I think we as Christians need to do all we can to help the poor.
The verses I quoted above shows God is concerned about the poor. He admonishes land owners to not pick clean their farm fields so that the poor may have something to eat.
Sadly in our modern cities there is no farm fields to leave food in. That’s why it is important for we as Christians to help those in need.
Tony Campolo said,
“Those issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
There are over 2000 verses in the scriptures that call us to meet the needs of the poor. God truly cares for the individual and we as Christians should too.
The Jews have a practice called Tzedakah. I think it would be good for Christians to follow such practice. A Jewish website explained the concept this way,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedaka is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes."
The Talmud suggests different levels of Tzedaka and one Jewish scholar place the levels in order of least meritorious to most meritorious,
“Giving begrudgingly
Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,
Giving after being asked
Giving before being asked
Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours
Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.
Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.
Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant.”
As Christians we need to be thinking how we look on the poor. We need to help the poor.The Apostle James writes,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Think about it.
Wednesday 11 February 2015
Let Love
Let Love
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:1-4.
During the dark days of world war two Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in December 22nd 1940 sermon said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.”
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver.
On the Web site Muslim village.com. They quote Mohammad as saying,
They quote Mohammad as saying,
“What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured.” (Bukhari)
“Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures.” (Abdullah b. Amr: Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi)
“Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” (Muslim).
Admittedly I a Christian know little about Islam, but looking at these words of Mohammad quoted on a Muslim website, tells me he wanted those who followed him to show love.
I know Muslims claim to accept the teachings of Jesus and it was Jesus that said when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46.
It was a follower of Jesus, the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
As I look at the world situation today I see a lot of hate in the world. Be that hate in the war zones of the middle east or on the streets of major world cities.
Be we Christian, Jew, Muslim, or of any other faith, even atheist we should be proclaiming love. Because it seems to me love of ones neighbour, ones friends, family and even ones enemies is the one common ideal we can all agree on.
It is only when love is forgotten that hate can grow.
Think about it.
“My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 3:1-4.
During the dark days of world war two Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in December 22nd 1940 sermon said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate. Love is always a refuge. Hate is never a refuge. Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates. But love is the enduring sanctuary of life. Life may rob you of many things. It often does. But it can never bereave us of love itself. That remains.”
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver.
On the Web site Muslim village.com. They quote Mohammad as saying,
They quote Mohammad as saying,
“What actions are most excellent? To gladden the heart of human beings, to feed the hungry, to help the afflicted, to lighten the sorrow of the sorrowful, and to remove the sufferings of the injured.” (Bukhari)
“Allah will not give mercy to anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures.” (Abdullah b. Amr: Abu Dawud & Tirmidhi)
“Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” (Muslim).
Admittedly I a Christian know little about Islam, but looking at these words of Mohammad quoted on a Muslim website, tells me he wanted those who followed him to show love.
I know Muslims claim to accept the teachings of Jesus and it was Jesus that said when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46.
It was a follower of Jesus, the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
As I look at the world situation today I see a lot of hate in the world. Be that hate in the war zones of the middle east or on the streets of major world cities.
Be we Christian, Jew, Muslim, or of any other faith, even atheist we should be proclaiming love. Because it seems to me love of ones neighbour, ones friends, family and even ones enemies is the one common ideal we can all agree on.
It is only when love is forgotten that hate can grow.
Think about it.
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