It Seems Crazy

It seems crazy
The Psalmist writes

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God.

 It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

                                                                      Psalm 100.

I know it may seem crazy to some to say praise The Lord in the midst of the worst pandemic in modern history. But as Christians we should be praising the Lord.
The apostle Paul and Silas praised God in bad times. The book of Acts records,
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.  
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 
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 16:25-31.
While Paul and Silas were not in the midst of a pandemic. They were in a Roman jail in what was most probably very miserable circumstances not counting the earthquake they went through. Yet these men of God were praising The Lord.
Another man of God Job. A man who endured a lot of hardship, who had unwavering faith in God said,

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;...”

                                                                Job 13:15a.

So it should be with all who call themselves Christians. Amidst our troubles we should be not only putting all our trust in God but taking time to praise God also. Not for the bad things that are happening. But for all that God is and the Salvation He has sent into our lives through His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.
Please think about it. 

Make sure

Make sure
The Psalmist writes,

“I wait for the LORD,

 my soul waits, 

and in his word I put my hope.” 

                                    Psalm 130:5  

If you claim to be a Christian, where is your trust. Billy Graham the American evangelist wrote,
"Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do." Billy Graham.
In Proverbs we read,

“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.

Here is a question for all who claim to be followers in Christ Jesus. Do you truly “trust in the LORD with all your heart?”
Please think about it.

2.5%

2.5%
The book of acts speaking of the early church states,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?
Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work here in North America 

can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

      Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

Give thanks to The Lord

Give thanks to The Lord

The writer of 1 Chronicles states,
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done. 
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 
Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 
Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. 
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...” 1 Chronicles 16:8-12.
As I write this we are living in unprecedented times. A pandemic the likes of which we have never seen in our generation. Thousands around the world are dying. Sadly many without hope.
There are some people who ask the question why does God let such things happen? Frankly I don’t know.
What I do know that hard times either pull individuals toward God or turn them away. Hard times test the individuals faith.
In Psalm 23 we read,
“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.” Psalm 23:4,5.
This is what a true believer can honestly say and I wont deny that saying such things in hard times is very difficult for some people.
Still in good times and in bad times God asks us to have faith in Him. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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 writer of Hebrews defining faith as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.” 

                                                        Hebrews 11:1.

As believers in Christ Jesus we must be willing to put our full trust in God. We must remember that no matter what happens God has a plan for us. The apostle Paul writing,

“And we know all things work together for good 

to those who love God to those who are called according to His purpose.” 

                                                                                                     Romans 8:28 

Please think about it.

I will Praise you O LORD

I will Praise you O LORD
The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

 I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.”

                                                                             Psalm 9:1,2.

As I have said in a previous blog. I write these blogs a week or two in advance. So as I write this it is March 17th 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic is well underway both here in Canada and around the world.
    Because of our age and other things, I and my wife are in a high risk group. Thus we have chosen to follow the directions given by Canada’s health agency.
That being said the pandemic as extremely serious as it is will not cause our faith in God to waver. We and I am sure all believers in Christ Jesus. All Christians can say,

“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

It is my sincere hope and prayer that anyone reading this will not be effected by this virus. At the same time it is my sincere hope and prayer that you will put your trust in God to be your shepherd no matter what happens.
Please think about it.

Going to Hell in a handbarrow

Going to Hell in a Handbarrow
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.
In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.
It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948. Harrington quotes Gallico as saying,
"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."
What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted.
Looking at the face of what passes for Christianity in the media here in North America we see men and women claiming to be Christians, who are preaching things that are clearly false.
While there are many honest men and women of God who make mistakes when preaching the word of God.
There are men and women who sadly have very high profiles in the media that are twisting the word of God for personal gain. These I believe are the men and women Paul Gallico is referring to. They are religious men and women who offer most of the time nothing more than secular ideas wrapped up in a Christian package.
They have for lack of a better term made Christianity look religious without any substance
The apostle Paul writes,
"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—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them."Timothy 3:1-5.
“...having a form of godliness but denying its power...” states Paul.
The world is looking for more than a “secular ideas in a Christian box” It is looking for the very thing that Christ Jesus has to offer.
The call of Jesus is,
“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 the message we as Christians should be offering the world. For it is the only way individuals can get out of that handbarrow heading for Hell and go to heaven.
Please think about it.

God is

God is

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                    Genesis 1:1

I believe this and the Bible does not leave this statement up for debate. In order to be a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus you have to believe this. I believe God is real and that he created the heavens and the earth.
I believe that science done correctly will prove it. I believe as the psalmist states,

“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

I don’t know if Stephen Hawking was a believer in Christ or even if he believed in the existence of God but he wrote,
“It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us,”Stephen Hawking.
I do know the father or quantum mechanics winner of the Noble prize for physics, Werner Heisenberg is a believer in God and that he said,
“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,
but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you” Werner Heisenberg.
The question however always comes back to you the individual. Do you believe in God?
Do you believe as Christians do?
"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.
Christians take belief in God the creator one step further. We believe that God in the form of his one and only Son Jesus Christ entered the world He created to show not just mankind as a whole but individuals, how far he would go to show them the way to heaven.
As C. S. Lewis puts it.
“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
Jesus speaking of himself 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.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Maybe the Atheist cannot find God because....

Maybe the Atheist cannot find God because...

“Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth.” 

                                                Psalm 46:10

C. S. Lewis wrote,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain
I think there are two primary reasons people cannot find God. One they are simply not looking for Him. The other is they have made up their mind and are not willing to listen anything that might give insight into God’s existence.
As someone I think wisely said,

Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. 

                                                               Author Unknown

We especially here in the western democracies live in a society that is filled with a cacophony of noise and distractions. Distractions that quite often distract us from seeing God.
In order to find God we must be looking for Him. We must have faith that He exists. The writer of Hebrews stating,
“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.
In order to seek God we must be still. We must take time from our busy life sit down and simply ask, Dear Lord please show yourself to me.
The question I would ask you the reader is are you willing to be still and to ask God to show Himself to you?
Please think about it.

Narrow is the Road

Narrow is the road
John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.
I’ve heard many non-Christians say there are many ways to heaven. The question I would ask is, are there?
What if as Christians believe there is only one way to heaven, that being through Jesus?
Jesus said,
"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.
It to my way of thinking is logical that God would make a single road to heaven. A road that I believe is through Jesus Christ.
The way I see it is if I and other Christians like me are wrong then we have nothing to fear by following the teachings of Jesus, because in doing so we will have lived a good life.
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.
I believe it is of infinite importance.
What do you think?
Please think about it.

God or Country or Anything Else

God, or Country, or Anything else?
In the book of Exodus we read,

"You shall have no other gods before me."

                                                 Exodus 20:3.

Here is a hard question for many who claim to be Christians particularly her in the western democracies. Who is first in your live, your country, your civil rights, your sports team, or God?
It should be God.
In Exodus God makes it clear that,
"You shall have no other gods before me."Exodus 20:3.
Anything that comes before God be it our country, our civil rights, our politics, or anything else even something as mundane as a sporting event, is wrong.
Around the world today there are many men and women, Christians who are imprisoned for their faith. Imprisoned because they put their faith first in their lives.
Now just because we put our faith first does not mean we cannot support the country in which we live. Quite the contrary. We can support the country we live in by obeying its laws. It is only when those laws contradict God’s laws that we cannot support that country.
The Apostle Peter reminds us to live good lives wherever we may be on this earth. He also reminds us that we are not citizens of this world when he 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.
Thus my question to anyone who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus.
Who truly comes first in your life?

Equal Unconditional Love

Equal Unconditional Love

The Apostle Paul wrote this definition of Christian love,

“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? Do you love each person you come in contact with equally? For example do you love a refugee that comes into your country as much as those who live on the street in your country?
While I know we have a special affection for our immediate family which we know well. Do you show unconditional love to your neighbours, friends and even enemies?
Loving someone be it your immediate family, friends, neighbours and especially your enemies in a Christian manner, in the way God intended us to love can for many, if not most believers in Christ Jesus, be very difficult. Yet we are called to love as Jesus loved, and we know that, that love took Jesus to the cross.
Francis of Assisi wrote this prayer,

"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.

Question: Can you honesty pray this prayer and mean it?
Please think about it.

He Got it right

He got it right
In the book of Job we read,

“He (God) spreads out the northern  skies  over empty space; 

He suspends the earth over nothing.” 

                                                Job 26:7.

The writer of the book of Job writing in second millennium BC (somewhere between 2000BC to 1000BC) got things right when he wrote,

"He (God) spreads out the northern  skies  over empty space; 

He suspends the earth over nothing." 

                                                Job 26:7.

Yet this man never left the earth. What proves Job right are the various pictures taken of earth from space. Look at each of these images taken by various NASA missions. From left to right. Earth from Apollo 8 while orbiting the moon. Earth taken from Apollo 17, 45000 Kilometres from earth on their way to the moon. Earth from Voyager the furthest picture ever taken of earth at a distance of 6 Billion Kilometres.

They all show Earth hanging on nothing.
This shows me that God gave the writer insight.
Also the more I look into science done right. The more I see the hand of a creator God.
Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics said,
“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,
but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you” Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics noble prize in physics.
Another Nobel Prize winner William Philips,
“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it"William Philips Nobel prize winning Physicist.
God is very real. For me personally it does not matter how God created the Universe or how long it took him be it billions of years or six twenty-four hour days. The fact is the Bible tells us.

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                        Genesis 1:1.

The fact is in the Gospel of John we read,
“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 fact is the God who made Heaven and Earth came to this world He created in the form of His One and Only Son Christ Jesus to point the way to heaven.
The fact is the gospel of John records Jesus speaking of himself as saying gives us a choice, 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.  
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.
Thus my question to you the reader; Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

The Word of God Stands Forever

The Word of God Stands forever
Isaiah the Prophet wrote,

"A voice says, "Cry out." 

And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, 

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

but the word of our God stands forever." 

                                                          Isaiah 40:6-8.

I make no apologies I believe in God. The Bible that was written to believers does not debate the existence of God. For those who believe strongly in anything need not convincing. So it is with me. I believe strongly that God exists and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. God incarnate. The Saviour of mankind.
Over the centuries however there are many that claim God is not real. Many that have predicted that the word of God would one day fade away. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Many years ago I read this poem,

“Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith's door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

"How many anvils have you had," said I,

"To wear and bater all these hammers so?"

"Just one," said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know."

And so, thought I, the anvil of God's Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.”

                                                                        Anonymous   

God is real. Jesus Christ is real and just because some sceptic says it is not does not make it so. As C. S. Lewis put it,
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell." C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
Thus questions I have for you the reader are.
 Do you believe in God?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate the Saviour of mankind?

Enjoy safe pasture

Enjoy safe pasture
The Psalmist writes,

“Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 

for like the grass they will soon wither, 

like green plants they will soon die away. 

Trust in the LORD and do good;

 dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”

                                                                  Psalm 37:1-3.

There is a lot of evil in the world today. Men and women who succeed by lying, cheating, stealing. And those who are succeeding by evil methods are not just organized crime, or the common criminal who robs a bank, or corner store, or even someone who murders and doesn’t get caught.
There are men and women who are in the business sector, sports and even politics who have become successful by doing things that are against the law or morally wrong.
The psalmist here tells us not to be envious of those people. He states,

“for like the grass they will soon wither, 

like green plants they will soon die away.”

                                                                 Psalm 37:2

James the half brother of Jesus states,
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  
You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6.
Ultimately all who do evil of any kind will answer to God. The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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. 
Thus all who believe in Christ Jesus. All who believe in God, should not envy those who are succeeding by doing wrong. Instead they should follow the advice the Psalmist gives,

“Trust in the LORD and do good;

 dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture”

                                                                   Psalm 37:3.

The should follow the advice of the writer of proverbs who said,
"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.
                         Please think about it.

Everyone

Everyone
Jesus 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.
If you claim to be a Christian do you believe this? If you attend church do you believe this? For it is this message that can change the world one person at a time. It is a message that can change your life.
On the day of Pentecost the apostle Peter said,
“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:36-39.
The apostle Paul backs up Peters words when he writes to the Romans,
“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Romans 10:12,13.
Are you willing to call on the name of the Lord right now and accept God’s forgiveness that comes through the Saving Grace of Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

Remember them

Remember them
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.”Hebrews 13:3.
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Do you pray for those fellow Christians who are in prison?
Today there are thousands of Christians in prison for their faith around the world. It is said that a Christian dies for their faith every seven minutes somewhere in the world.
Lately we are hearing a lot about the persecution of various groups. Yet it seems to me we hear very little about the persecution of Christians.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." 
Today as you read this Christians in North Korea must meet in secret. To be caught worshipping God is at the very least a prison sentence doing hard labour. And while North Korea is considered the worst place to be a Christian, there are many other countries around the world where being a Christian can get you thrown in prison, attacked, even murdered.
Thus we Christians in the western democracies with all the freedoms we have, must remember to pray for and support those around the world who are suffering for the sake of Christ.
 Thus I would ask anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian, please pray for those brothers and sisters who are suffering for their faith in Christ Jesus.
Please Pray.

Give Thanks

Give Thanks
The Psalmist wrote,

"Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 

Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever." 

                                                                                           Psalm 118:1-4.

I you consider yourself a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Why not take time right now to thank God for his love toward you.
Please think about it.

All God Asks

All God Asks
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 neighbour as yourself.' 

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." 

                                                                                                Matthew 22:36-40.

The apostle Paul defines love this way,

"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.

While you can define love as the apostle Paul so eloquently does in 1Corinthians 13. It is very difficult to quantify love. The only way we can quantify love in human terms I believe is by seeing how far one would go for the person we love.
In the case of Jesus the apostle Paul tells us,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
This is true love.
C. S. Lewis 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.
God through Jesus showed in a very human way how He cares not just for mankind as a whole but for the individual.
All he asks in return is that individuals have faith in Him.
Please think about it.

The Cost

The cost
Matthews gospel records this incident between a young man and Jesus,
"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 
"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 
"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honour your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.''" 
"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22
Here we seen a young man who wanted to know how to get eternal life. To which Jesus said obey the commandments. The young man telling Jesus he did. To which Jesus said,
“...If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21.
Upon hearing this Matthew records,
“When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:22.
When it comes to truly following Christ, Jesus must come first in our lives. We must trust completely in God to supply our needs not in the wealth of this world.
The young man here put his trust in his wealth. He believed in God. He followed the commandments, but his faith was in material things not in God.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must remember that our complete trust must be in God. While God may not ask us to give up all our material possessions, our faith must be strong enough that if He does we will be willing to give everything, and rely on Him.
Please think about it.

Jesus Saviour of Mankind

Jesus Saviour of Mankind
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
I believe passionately that Jesus Christ is the Saviour of mankind. I believe as C. S. Lewis put it,
"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.
I believe the soul purpose of the Church is to show the world around them the way to heaven. To evangelize and teach those new converts what it is to be followers of Christ Jesus.
Jesus made this clear 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.
I do not believe it is the job of a Christian to judge anyone. 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.
The apostle Paul stating,
“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 believe that even when we judge those within the church it should only be to discern whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine. We have no right to say where a person will spend eternity. That is God’s job because only God knows why a person is the way they are.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo 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.

We as Christians should remember this.
  Please think about it.

It's about Individuals

It’s about individuals
Jesus said,
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  
The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.  
The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. 
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. John 10:11-15.
For Jesus it is all about people and not just people in general it’s about the individual. In Matthew’s gospel we read
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. 
"What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off?  
And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.  
In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.” Matthew 18:10-14.
C. S. Lewis speaking of Jesus wisely said,
"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.
This is the important thing about Christianity. Jesus died for the individual. That’s how much love he had.
As Christians that’s what we need to remember.
Jesus did not see an individuals sin as such. He saw an individual in need of His saving grace. Thus he looked passed the persons beliefs, social status, and lifestyle offering them salvation.
This is the way we should be when we interact with others. We should be presenting family, friend and foe the message of eternal life through the saving grace of Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.

The Prime Directive

The prime directive
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.
Sadly here in North America many of those who espouse to be Christians, followers of Christ Jesus seem to have forgotten this.
Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham
As I look around at those claiming to be Christians here in North America I see people selling lotions, potions, get rich quick schemes, even survival rations that are essentially secular things with Christian names added.
I see Christians getting involved with politics. Something Jesus and his disciples never did. 
As Christians we have an obligation to do what Jesus said,
1/ to make disciples of all nations,
2/ to baptize new converts in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy spirit
3/ to teach new converts to obey everything Jesus commanded us to do.
James the half brother of Jesus tells us what our faith should spur us on to doing when he 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.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo states,
"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 is right. I think each individual who claims to a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus needs to take a long look at what they believe. They then must look at their words and deeds and see if what they are saying and doing is truly reflecting the teachings of Jesus.
Please think about it. 

Speak and Act

Speak and Act
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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.
If you claim to be a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus do you follow these words from James?
When you interact with people of other faiths or lifestyles do you show mercy?
Jesus 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.
Do you follow this advice?
While the Talmud is a Jewish book it has many illustrations that illustrate Christian truths. One such illustration states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud
I can see this happening because the Bible is a book about relationships. The relationship between man and God, and the relationship between man and his fellow man.
Jesus tells this story,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”Luke 16:19-31.
As individuals we may not be as uncaring as the rich man was toward Lazarus but that does not let us off the hook.
We must remember to treat everyone equally. Without judgement. We must love everyone we come in contact with, with unconditional Love because God loves us unconditionally.
Please think about it.

This is how

This is how
The apostle John writes,
“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. He who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.  
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.  
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.  
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:7-10.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to listen to these words of John carefully.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we need from time to time to evaluate who is a child of God and who is not.
While Jesus told us,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” Matthew 7:1.
We still have an obligation to judge those who claim to be Christians. The apostle Paul writing,
“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.
Sadly throughout the centuries that the church has been around many people have arisen claiming to be Christians that are not. Such people are around today. Not only that they are in our churches. Many are even considered by some to be church leaders.
The apostle John gives Christians a bench mark with which to tell if someone is a true believer in Christ Jesus and who is not he states,
“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother.” 1 John 3:10.
What John states is black and white. If a person is not doing what is right. If a person is not loving his brother. They are not a child of God.
It is an easy standard to use to determine if a person is a child of God or not. All we have to do is look at a persons words and deeds.
Please think about it.

What Jesus didn't do?

What Jesus didn’t do?
Luke’s gospel record this incident in the life of Jesus,
“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  
He wanted to see who Jesus was, but being a short man he could not, because of the crowd.  
So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 
When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today."  
So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly. 
All the people saw this and began to mutter, "He has gone to be the guest of a ‘sinner.' " 
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." 
Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." Luke 19:1-10.
“For the Son of man has come to seek and save what was lost.” those are the words of Jesus not mine.
As Christians we must remember this statement. This is the reason Jesus came to this earth. In the gospel of John we read Jesus speaking of himself saying,
“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.
Zacchaeus was a tax collector. Tax collectors were considered among the worst of sinners at the time. They got their job by bidding on it. The one who bid the highest promising to get Rome the most money got the job. The tax collector then got his money by charging more than he promised Rome.
Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was. Yet look what he didn’t say to him,
Jesus did not tell Jesus to him to change his profession.
He did not tell him to change his lifestyle.
He did not tell him to give back any money he had stolen.
Yet Luke records,
“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount." Luke 19:18.
That is the way it should be with Christians. We are not to judge anyone. Jesus did not Judge Zacchaeus yet he changed his ways.
Billy Graham the American evangelist wisely said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                        Billy Graham.

This is the way it should be with us. We should be looking past the sin in someone’s life and loving them as God loves them, unconditionally. For love, true love, is the only thing that will bring a person to Christ.
Please think about it.

Not my Job

Not my Job
“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
Do you judge the world and those around you? Do you look on people you disagree with, people who are living a lifestyle you disagree with and judge them?
We should not be doing this.
We however are told to by Paul to not associate with immoral people who call themselves brothers in Christ. Paul says,
“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  
But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat
“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.”  1Corinthians 5:9-13.
Unfortunately all too many Christians do the opposite to what Paul says. They judge those outside our faith and turn a blind eye or refuse to speak out against anyone who claims to be a brother in Christ and is,
“..sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler.”
We as Christians seem to have a bad record when it comes to speaking up against those who are doing wrong within our faith. Things that makes us look bad.
Likewise we have a very bad record when it comes to judging those outside the church. Some outside the Christian community, because of the negative actions they see done in the name of Christ,  going as far as calling Christians hypocrites and bigots.
We need to be open and honest. Christianity like any group will from time to time find people in their midst that are Christians in name only. Their actions are not actions of true believers.
We need as Paul says, to, “Expel the wicked from among us.”
As for judging others outside our faith we need to stop doing it period. There is a quote I am fond of quoting from the late American evangelist Billy Graham who said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham

He’s right. We would not want people judging us simply because we disagree with their beliefs of lifestyle.
Rather than judging others we should remember 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.
If we remembered just these words of Jesus we would be able to present the Gospel of Christ far more easily and win more souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

At Peace with God

At Peace with God
The apostle Peter writing to Christians reminds believers that Jesus will one day return and this earth will pass away. That He will come quickly when we are least expecting it. Therefor we need to be at peace with God. Peter writes,
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 
   That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.  2 Peter 3:10-14.
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, are you at peace with God?
Are you living a life that is spotless, blameless and at peace with God?
Would others say that about you?
Please think about it.

Live at Peace

Live at Peace
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
The Apostle Peter tells believers in Christ Jesus,
“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.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness.
As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They never got involved in politics.
They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love.
While not compromising their beliefs they presented the gospel message in a none confrontational way.
As a result they presented their beliefs to the common man in market places.
They spoke to Jews and the God-fearing Greeks.
The apostle Paul was asked by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to present his beliefs in the Areopagus in Athens. Which the apostle Paul did. With positive results.
They also spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society, from slaves to rulers. With positive results.
As a result they reached the known world for Christ.
Their formula was simple. Stay on message. Present the unadulterated gospel message in a respectful, non-judgmental and peaceful way to anyone who will listen.
And never, never, never judge those around you.
Billy Graham the American evangelist made a wise statement when he said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                     Billy Graham

This is what we should do. Always remembering 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.
Please think about it.

Christian Principles: Deeds

Christian Principles: Deeds
James the half brother of Jesus states,
“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.
There are many Christians who will tell you, you are saved by faith. That is true. However James here make it clear our faith needs to be accompanied by works. Good deeds.
   If we indeed have true faith in Jesus it will spur us on to good deeds. Simply believing in God should never be enough for the believer in Christ Jesus. We need to put our faith into action.
Jesus made this clear when he said,
“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.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you putting your faith into action?
Please think about it.