Forgiving

Forgiving
Luke’s gospel records,

“Jesus said, 

“Father, forgive them, 

for they do not know what they are doing.” 

                                                 Luke 23:34a.

Here Jesus asks God to forgive those who are putting him to death because they are oblivious as to what they are actually doing. Jesus was big into forgiveness.
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying this,

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ 

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.’  

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:9-15.
Matthew’s Gospel records the apostle Peter asking Jesus,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21,22.
Jesus here did not actually mean to forgive people 490 times he meant to forgive people all the time.
C. S. Lewis said,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis.
Unconditional forgiveness is the key to truly loving a person.
Thus I would ask you this question.
If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus, Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Please think about it.

Showing favorites

Showing favorites
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
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 2:8-13.
Do you or the congregation you attend show favourites? Think carefully about it.     
Here’s some scenario’s for you to think about.
1/ If a man, or woman, living on the street dressed in dirty clothing. Someone who may have not had a shower in a few days came into your church congregation how would he or she be greeted?
2/If a man, or woman impeccably dressed wearing expensive clothing entered your church congregation how would they be met?
3/If a man or woman dressed in blue jeans, tee shirt and flip flops entered your congregation how would they be greeted?
4/ If two gay men or women, entered your church holding hands how would they be greeted?
Now think of this. All these people are in need of the love of God. How you react to these people could very well determine where they may spend eternity.
Jesus never showed favouritism. He interacted with all people, Samaritans, Tax collectors, Roman soldiers, Jews, and Non-Jews.
Jesus said,
"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.
Jesus who had the right to judge them never did. He realized his job on this earth was to save souls.
John’s gospel quotes Jesus speaking of himself as saying,
“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.” John 3:16,17.
Speaking to his disciples and through them to us today Jesus said,
“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.
One of the things Jesus taught us was,
“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.
So think of things this way. If you were to enter a church congregation would you want to be judged for the way you looked or what you are?
Or would you want to hear the unadulterated word of God presented to you in a loving way? Showing you the way to heaven?
Please think about it.

What would you do?

What would you do?
From time to time I like to poke believers in Christ Jesus with a pointy stick. To make them think about things that are hot button issues in some church congregations. This is one of those days.
The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16
The scenario I present for your consideration is this story,
“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and prayed. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest steps, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Doran and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  
I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
Question,
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus how would you vote?
How do you think the congregation you belong to would react?
The position she was seeking aside. Would this person be accepted in the congregation you attend?
Please think about it.

Do you believe?

Do you believe?
The Apostle John writing about Jesus said,
“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 1:12,13.
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus said,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28.
It is the core of Christian belief that through belief in Christ Jesus you become children of God. That you receive eternal life.
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.
The apostle Paul writes,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.” 1Timothy 1:15,16.
What the apostle Paul is saying here through belief in Christ Jesus we receive eternal life.
Thus the question becomes. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate who died for your sins, That you may have eternal life in heaven with God?
Please think about it.

Faith and Works

Faith and Works.
The James the half brother of Jesus 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.
I have often heard over the years by Christians that you are saved by faith in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. That is true. The apostle Paul tells us,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
That being said our faith in Christ Jesus should spur us on to do good works. That is what James is speaking about in the above scripture. Christianity is very much a faith of deeds.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These 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.
He’s right in caring for the sick, feeding the hungry and standing up for the oppressed we as believers in Christ Jesus are building bridges. Bridges that can help lead a person to life eternal in Christ Jesus.
I like what Francis of Assisi wrote. He said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                 Francis of Assisi

Thus the question becomes. If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus what are your words and deeds telling those around you about God?
Please think about it.

A Christian Life

A Christian Life
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ about the Christian life states,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
Sadly many outside the church here in North America where I live don’t see these fruits. They see people calling themselves Christians demonstrating against things. They see people who claim to be Christians but who’s actions show them to be hypocrites, and bigots. They fail to see Love.
When I was much younger my pastor at the time told me that if I only remembered one verse from scripture it should be. The words of Jesus who 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.
He told me that as you grow correctly as a believer in Christ Jesus the fruits of the Spirit the apostle Paul talks about should grow and show in your life.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus look at the fruits Paul is speaking about. Are they showing in your life? The apostle Paul noted,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness

 and self-control.” 

Paul then notes, “Against such things there is no law.”
If we are true followers of Christ Jesus people should see these attributes without us saying a single word. They should see it in our lifestyle.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                   Francis of Assisi

Francis also noted,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                        Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

The Love of Money

The Love of Money
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
Let me make one thing clear here. Having a lot of money is not in itself sinful. There are many wealthy people within the church who use their wealth to further the kingdom of God.
The problem comes when you put money ahead of your faith in God. God should always come first.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
It’s nice having a lot of money. Money that allows you to do as you wish. However if you are spending all your time trying to earn more and more money to the point where you can’t serve God that is wrong.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
Thus the question becomes. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus do you truly put God first?
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
In my previous blog I noted that in order to be a true believer in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. You must believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins.
If Jesus is not all he claimed to be then Christianity is meaningless. C. S. Lewis writing about Jesus said,
“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
Thus the Choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh, The Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Who is Jesus

Who is Jesus?
The Apostle Paul writes,
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
                                                                                          Colossians 2:9.
The apostle John writes,
“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.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 
In the above quoted scriptures from the New Testament we see the three basic things believers in Christ Jesus believe.
1. Jesus is God.
    ”in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
    “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” 
   “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
Simply put Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh.
2. He made the world and everything in it.
   “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Jesus is one with God the creator of the universe and everything in it.
3. He provided purification for sins and sits with God in Heaven.
  “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
To be a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. God incarnate. The one who provided purification for your sins.
What do you believe about Jesus?
Please think about it. 

The Real War

The real war
The apostle Paul writes,

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. 

On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 

                                                                               2 Corinthians 10:3,4

As I write this North Korea has nuclear missiles that experts say can reach the United States. This is not a new thing. While North Korea is late in coming to the nuclear table. Nuclear weapons have been around since world war two.
As someone who lived in England during the “Cold War” a nuclear threat means little. Back then it was said it took seven minutes for and intercontinental ballistic missile to reach the United Kingdom from the Soviet Union. Not much time to seek shelter. My father always joked “why seek shelter. It will do little good. If one is launched. Lets go and watch the blast.”
My father was essentially right. An all out nuclear war would leave little standing and put man on the brink of extinction, at least in this world.
Someone once said,
“Some people are waiting for a final apocalyptic war. When in reality the final war is not fought with guns, bombs and ICBM’s on earthly battlefields. 
The real war is fought in and for the human heart. The out come of that battle will determine where a person will spend eternity.”
Martin Luther King jr. said,

“We need not join the mad rush to purchase an earthly fallout shelter. 

God is our eternal fallout shelter.” 

                                       Martin Luther King, Jr., 

The question is, is God your eternal fallout shelter? If you were to die to day would you be spending eternity with God?
The Psalmist states,

“The fool says in his heart,

 “There is no God.”

                             Psalm 14:1

The apostle Paul states,

“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.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of Mankind?
John’s gospel 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 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. 
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 1:1-4,11-14
C. S. Lewis makes this point,

“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.

Lewis speaking of Jesus also states,

“He died not for men, 

but for each man. 

If each man had been the only man made, 

He would have done no less.” 

                                      C.S. Lewis.

It all comes down to where your faith lies. As Billy Graham the American evangelist put it,

“I can't prove it scientifically, 

that there's a God, 

but I believe.” 

                 Billy Graham.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Thus the choice is yours.
Do you believe in God?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Praise God?

Praise God?
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ Jesus said,

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

a people belonging to God, 

that you may declare the praises of Him 

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 

                                                                            1 Peter 2:9.

So the question is if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus in 2018 do you praise God?
You can praise God in many ways. The Psalmist tells us,
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.

Notice the Psalmist tells us to Praise God
With the trumpet,
With the harp and the lyre.
With the tambourine.
With dance.
With strings and flute.
With the clash of cymbals.
With resounding cymbals.
When I was much younger in the 1970's I performed with a gospel group. We combined music and dance into our repertoire.
We had an amazing time. We always said our performances blessed us more than the audience because when we performed we were preforming for God not the audience.
We always stressed to those we performed in front of that they can do what we do. You don’t necessarily need a perfectly choreographed dance routine. You just need to put on some praise music and move to the flow of the music.
If you can’t dance then sing and it doesn’t have to be in tune. All God asks is that we praise him. That being said if you are self conscious about singing simply speak words of praise to God. It is something you can do anywhere.
The other way you can praise God is to tell others about Him. Giving praise to God in your words and your deeds.
As the apostle Peter said,

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, 

a people belonging to God, 

that you may declare the praises of Him 

who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 

                                                                            1 Peter 2:9.

Please think about it.

The Eleven O Clock Prayer

The Eleven O Clock Prayer
It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation waits. 
Will the new law be legal? 
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. 
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO BURN IN HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are sinners going to hell.” 
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another? 
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”

A comment
Jesus never said a gay man or woman couldn’t get to heaven. He didn’t specifically say a strait man or woman could not get to heaven either.
The Bible makes it clear that sin separates us from God. The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24
John’s gospel telling us,
“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 1:12,13.
No individual can tell another individual whether they are saved or not. Salvation is between God and the individual. We have no right to judge our fellow man with respect to where they will spend eternity.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo
Another American evangelist, Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

                             Billy Graham

Please think about it.

Are you on the Left or on the Right?

Are you on the Left or the Right?
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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.  
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?...  
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead”James 2:14-20, 26
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46
There are those today who look on the poor and call them lazy. For the most part nothing could be further from the truth. Many poor people are working at minimum wage jobs. Many are holding down multiple jobs and still living below the poverty line.
Here where I live in Ontario Canada the provincial government raised the minimum wage considerably. The cry from many in the business sector was it was going up too fast. Some even said to high.
I would challenge people particularly those calling themselves Christians, who say’s the minimum wage is too high or being raised too fast to look at those living below the poverty line. To look them in the eye and tell them they must wait to put food on the table for their families.
The Jews have a concept called “Tzedakah”. It is something Christians need to think about. something we all need to think about.  One Jewish web site defines Tzedakah as,
"Tzedakah" is the Hebrew word for the acts that we call "charity" in English: giving aid, 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 powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy. The word "tzedakah" is derived from the Hebrew rootTzadei-Dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism, giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act; it is simply an act of justice and righteousness, the performance of a duty, giving the poor their due.”
Tzadakah is to me what Jesus and James were talking about. Giving the poor their due. Their basic human rights if you will, food, clothing, housing, a living wage.
so the question is, when you stand before God will you be with those who stand on the left or on the right?
Please think about it.

A Sermon

A Sermon from Athens
Sometimes I believe pastors teachers and evangelist need to simply sit back and let the Bible speak. This is one of those times. Below is one of the first sermons ever recorded. It was spoken by the Apostle Paul at the Areopagus in Athens. What it says is as relevant today as it was on the day Paul spoke it. Paul states,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill. 
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. 
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.” Acts 17:22-34
Thus the question for you the twenty-first century reader of Paul’s sermon is what do you think? In Paul’s it is recorded that some sneered at the thought of the resurrection. Others said they wanted to know more. While yet others believed.
So where do you stand with respect to Jesus?
Please think about it.

Love

Love
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 22:36-40
Today is Valentines day. Here in Canada while not an official holiday, lovers exchange gifts most often of chocolate or other sentimental things that make their lover feel good.
Unfortunately all too often people associate love with a physical act or some feel good emotion. When the act is completed or the emotion ends so it seems dose their love.
True love however transcends any physical act or emotion.
The apostle Paul defined what true love is when he 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....” 

                                                1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.

Is this the kind of love you show to others?
Please think about it.

What would you think

What would you think
What would you think if it were possible to place a wager. A wager that costs you absolutely nothing. A wager that if you lose costs you nothing.  A wager however that if you win makes you rich beyond measure?
Such a does wager exists. Blaise Pascal speaking about God said,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.
The Bible because it was written to believers, does not debate the existence of God. It simply makes the statement,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
Believing in God however is an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“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

Faith in anything however is perhaps the most difficult thing to have. You must weigh the evidence and come to the conclusion that whatever you have faith in actually exists.
The Bible however does not ask believers to have blind faith the Psalmist tells us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                        Psalm 19:1-3.

Science tell us that the world we live in is in the exact right spot in space and within the solar system to produce life as we know it. Whether that came about in six twenty-four hour days or billions of years is irrelevant.
The fact is the perfection of the universe from the biggest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particle to my mind points to a creator God.
The decision to believe in God is however up to you the reader.
Please think about it. 

Peace

Peace
Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying,

“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.

Someone once said to me being a Christians is following a lot of do’s and do not’s. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Yes God expects believers in Christ Jesus to follow a moral code of conduct. Doing so however is no more difficult than anyone who plays sports and must follow the rules of the game.
Most who play sports don’t think about the rules. They follow them instinctively, as a result the game becomes enjoyable.
It is the same for Christians. A true believer in Christ Jesus knows what God expects of him or her and does it without thinking.
Not only that when one has a personal relationship with Jesus one knows that no matter what they go through Jesus is there for them.
Psalm twenty-three says,

"The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." 

                                                                                                    Psalm 23.
I personally know this to be true. In my life I have gone through many things, some life threatening. Yet though it all I have had peace for I know my Lord and Saviour has been with me through it all.
Do you have such peace. If not why not look to Jesus. Take time to read the New Testament and see for yourself the Peace Jesus offers to you.
Please think about it.

One Proof

One Proof
The book of Exodus records God as giving Moses what we refer to as the ten commandments. Exodus records,
"And God spoke all these words: 
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“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.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” Exodus 20:1-17.
When I look at the above laws I see the hand of God. The ten commandments tells us how we are to act toward God and toward our fellow man.
They are laws that allow for a peaceful and productive society.
No atheist group in the history of mankind has ever come up with anything comparable to the ten commandments.
We only have to look to Nazi Germany during and just before world war two to see what happens when society turns away from these divine principles.
The ten commandments are to my mind one of many proofs that God exists. That He is personally interested in the well being of each individual.
Please think about it.

It's all about Jesus

It’s all about Jesus
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.
Here is something everyone who claims to be a follower of Jesus must remember. Our faith is all about Jesus. He is “The Author and Perfecter of our Faith”.
If we as believers are focussing on anything else no matter how good it may be we are not serving God correctly.
Jesus gave his followers a job to do when he said,
“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.
It is the most important job God has ever given to any group of individuals.
A great light shines on believers in Christ Jesus. It is through the words and deeds of believers that people will see Jesus.
Our words and deeds can have eternal consequences. Thus our faith in Christ must be as pure as is humanly possible. We cannot afford to mix or faith with politics or philosophy or anything else that would dilute it’s message.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.
Thus the question becomes, if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus,
Are you as far as humanly possible presenting the world of God in it’s purest form, or are you mixing it with things of this world?
Please think about it.

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord.
The writer of proverbs wrote,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
If you claim to be a Christian do you truly trust in the Lord?
Trust defined by the Oxford dictionary is: “1 firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. 2 acceptance of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation.”
Trust in God means having complete faith in God. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“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.
A lot of people who say they believe in Jesus say they have trust in God but their actions say otherwise. They for example see the government passing laws they perceive as “anti-Christian”. And immediately protest.
Yet the apostle Paul states,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Remember Paul wrote this in the time of the emperor Nero, an enemy of Christianity.
Paul, the other apostles and followers of Jesus Christ during those early days of Christianity lived within the Roman system of government. With laws that at times did not favour Christianity. Yet they reached the world for Christ Jesus. They did so by following the principle set in Proverbs 3:5,6,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
They trusted in the Lord with all their heart and mind and soul. They “leaned not on their own understanding”.
They knew they possessed the very thing that would change the world. The Love of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
As believers in the twenty-first century we need to remember this. We need to remember that we know the very creator of the universe who can work through us to change the world around us. If we let Him.
Please think about it.

Called to Love

Called to Love
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 22:36-40
Prior to this Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
As followers of Christ Jesus it is our job to show love to the world around us. John’s gospel records Jesus speaking about himself as saying,
“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.
God set the example for followers of Jesus. He showed His love toward mankind my sending His one and Only Son to earth, to provide for us a way to heaven.
If we are to continue the work of Jesus then we must love those around us unconditionally.
The definition of Christian Love was written by the apostle Paul when he 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.

Do you love those around you, friend and foe alike?
Please think about it.

Do you Forgive?

Do you forgive?
At the end of what is commonly known as the Lords Prayer in which Jesus is teaching his disciple how to pray, Jesus states,

Forgive us our debts,

 as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation,  

but deliver us from the evil one.’  

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, 

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, 

your Father will not forgive your sins.”

                                                        Matthew 6:12-15

We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to forgive. We are called to follow the example of Jesus who even when on the cross for a crime he didn’t commit forgave his persecutors. Luke’s gospel recording.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:32-34.
The key is here for Christians to note is that irrespective of what people do to us we are to forgive.
Matthew records Jesus as saying,
“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.” Matthew 5:43-45.
John’s gospel records the apostle Peter talking about forgiveness,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21,22
When Jesus said seventy seven times he meant believers in Christ should forgive those who sin against them all the time.
It goes back to what Jesus says in Matthew 7:12.
“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.
Think about it if you sinned against others would you not want to be forgiven?
As C. S. Lewis noted,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

The Narrow Gate

The Narrow Gate
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying,

“Enter through the narrow gate. 

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, 

and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road 

that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

                                         Matthew 7:13,14.

This is what I see in this passage of scripture. I believe the life Jesus is referring to here is life eternal. That here Jesus point the way to heaven. He says we must enter through the narrow gate. That the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction.
The road that leads to destruction is the world in general. The world offers the individual a myriad of things that offers pleasure and satisfaction. None of which are bad in and of themselves providing they don’t pull us away from God.
Within the world also there are many who would say there are many ways to Heaven. While others say there is no God.

The Bible however both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament says there is only one God the creator of Heaven and Earth. That we must have faith in God. Faith is that Narrow road Jesus is talking about. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

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.

The apostle Paul writing,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, 

it is the gift of God—  

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

                                               Ephesians 2:8,9

The gate referred to by Jesus in Matthew 7:13,14 is Jesus. Jesus speaking to his disciples said,

“I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

                                                                     John 14:6.

The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
I know there are many reading this who would not agree with me. That is your right. God gave every person a freewill to believe what they wish and do what they may.
I however believe that all who hear about Jesus must make a decision as to who he is. C. S. Lewis said,

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.

If Jesus is not the way to heaven or just one of many ways to heaven, then no one has anything to fear.
However if what Christians believe is true. That He is the way to heaven those hear about him and do not believe in Him have a great deal to think about at the very least.
Please think about it. 

Word and Deed

Word and Deed
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus speaking to his disciples as saying,,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5: 14-16.
Over the years I’ve heard many sermons on this passage of scripture. Most of them focussed on the fact that believers in Christ Jesus are the light of the world. That it is their job to take the message of salvation into a dark world.
There is however less emphasis on how believers in Christ are to take that message to the world. Many Christians assume that it is by word of mouth that the gospel message is to be preached.
While that is true, it is most definitely not the only way. In the last sentence from the above quot by Jesus, Jesus states,
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.
As Christians we must present the gospel message in word and in deed. The apostle Peter states,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Francis of Assisi wrote two things believers in Christ Jesus need to consider. He wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and 

when necessary use words.’

                                                    Francis of Assisi

and

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                       Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, what are your deeds telling the world about Jesus?
Please think about it.