Are you an Instrument?

Are you an Instrument?

Jesus said,
"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.
As believers in Christ Jesus, as Christians we are called to let out light shine before those around us. To let the world around us see our good deeds. The apostle Peter put it this way,
“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.
My question to anyone who would call themselves Christians, believers in Christ Jesus is do people see your good works even without you pointing them out to them?
We as believers in Christ Jesus must always remember that we are God’s ambassadors in this world. We are tasked with showing those around us God’s love and the way to heaven.
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

This I believe should be the prayer of all who love Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.

A True Worshipper

A True Worshipper

Jesus said,
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshippers the Father seeks.  
God is spirit, and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24
Are you a true worshipper of God? Do you worship God in spirit and in truth?
There are many in our society here in North America who claim to be Christians who claim to be worshippers of Christ Jesus who are not true worshippers.
They may have gone to church all their lives and know what to say and when to say it. They may be graduates of Bible schools. They may have read the Bible many times. They may even be standing in the pulpit.
They may have even said the sinners prayer. But as the evangelist Leonard Ravenhill put it,
“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.
The fact of the matter is you can say all the prayers you want but if your faith is not truly rooted in a belief in God and Christ Jesus you are not truly a Christian. You are not a true believer in Christ Jesus.
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.

Ultimately no one can tell someone else if they are truly saved. That is between God and the individual.
So my question to those reading this do you truly have faith in God?
Please think about it.

Principle number one

Principle number one
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.
My parents who grew up in the Church of England and Roman Catholic churches respectively taught me long before I became a Christian what I consider the prime Christian principle. Summed up by Jesus when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
In the year 2020 Matthew 7:12 could be put this way,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others 

rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

Are telling the world,

I love you and God loves you

You are telling the world

God loves you and I love you

Unconditionally.

Please think about it.

An example from Athens

An example from Athens
The book of Acts tells of this incident in the life of the apostle Paul when he spoke to the Greeks in Athens at the Areopagus. The book of acts records,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
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 17:17-34
This should be an example to all who claim to be Christians, followers of Christ Jesus as to how to present the gospel.
Notice Paul did not attack or insult his audience he met them where they were at and presented the Gospel message to them. Then allowed them to make their own decision as to whether they believed what he said to be true or false.
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus do you present the gospel this way? OR do you judge and condemn others who do not believe as you? OR worse do you try to impose your beliefs on others?
Please think about it.

Are you a Peace Maker?

Are you a Peace Maker?
Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.” 

                                                      Matthew 5:9.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are you a peace maker? OR have you let the things of this world slip into your life? Into your faith?
Here in North America where I live way too many people calling themselves Christians mix their politics with their religion. And as someone has said,
“Mixing Politics with religion is like mixing gasoline with water. The gasoline is unusable and the water undrinkable. The whole mixture explosive”
Christians cannot afford to mix politics with their faith. Politics requires taking sides and politicians are far from perfect. By taking sides in anything we run the risk of alienating those who don’t think the same way we do.
The only side true Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus should be on is that of Christ.
We must remember at all times we are Christ’ representatives on this earth. That at all times we should be giving a good account of ourselves. The apostle Peter reminds us,
“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
Peter goes on to say,
“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.
If we are truly peace makers. We should be abstaining from sinful desires. We should be showing unconditional love to those around us. Seeing the person not the sin.
C. S. Lewis wisely said,
"He (Jesus) 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.
Throughout the New Testament we see Jesus and the apostles sitting with sinners presenting them with love of God. This is what it is to be a peace maker in Christian terms.
Our job is to show the individuals around us how they can have eternal peace with God.
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.
Are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Did you fill the world with Love?

Did you fill the world?
Jesus upon sending out his disciples to evangelize said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
If you consider yourself a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus are you “innocent as doves”?
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ said,
"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.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus are you abstaining from sinful desires? Are you living a good life?
Jesus and Peter both knew that it was only by being harmless as doves and living a good life. A none threatening life before the people around us that we would be able to win souls for Christ.
A long time ago now when I was in my teens I watched a movie musical called Good by Mr. Chips. It’s theme song in the morning of my life has stayed with me all these years. The word are by Leslie Bricusse. They say,

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                             Leslie Bricusse 

When your life is through will you be able to say you filled the world with love your whole life through?
More importantly will God say you did?
Please think about it. 

On The Church

On The Church
The book of Acts records,
A Pharisee named Gamaliel standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of two of Christ’s apostles said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38,39
An unknown poet wrote,

“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.

Since the early days of the church there have been religious, political and other leaders that have tried to destroy the church. Yet it still survives. Not only that it is now the largest religion on the planet. Estimates range that between two point five billion and three point five billion people around the world believe in Christ Jesus. And that number continues to grow daily.
No matter how much persecution the church has been through throughout the centuries the church has survived. From my standpoint that at the very least means Christianity is from God.
As Gamaliel put it when those first Christians, two of Christ’ apostles, were put on trial,
“...if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38b,39.
The apostle Paul writes,
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39
What Paul said is completely true. We as believers in Christ no matter what situation we are in can never be separated from “the Love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
That being said each person when confronted with Jesus must decide for themselves if they will follow Him.
Please think about it.

Are you willing?

Are you willing?
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....
No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money’. Matthew 6:19-21,24.
Where is you treasure? Is your treasure in this world or in heaven? 
Many people who go to church here in North America where I live quite often try to have their feet in both worlds. This world and heaven.
Mathews gospel records,
“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,  honor 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 is the test for a true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you willing to give up everything for Him?
Here in North America materialism is king. People are striving for the so called “American dream”. A nice house, money in the bank, a nice car. And there is nothing wrong with having any of this. Jesus did not tell this man that being rich was bad.
The problem comes when you have to choose having the riches or following God. The true test of faith in Christ Jesus, in God, is when you are willing to give up everything you own for him.
While in North America with all our freedoms we may never be asked to give up everything. We still must choose which comes first. God or riches?
Around the world today hundreds of thousands of Christians are making that choice everyday. Many have to choose between following Christ, being persecuted for their faith, or going to jail or even being put to death.
It is estimated that 500,000 plus Christians live under the threat of persecution, imprisonment, or death each day.
Thus my question to those who claim to be Christians living in the western democracies is are you willing to give up everything for your faith?
My next question is if you are, are you at the very least, praying that God will protect and strengthen those brothers and sisters in Christ who are under persecution around the world?
Please think about it.

Do you? Are you?

Do you? Are you?
The apostle Paul writes,

“Flee the evil desires of youth,

 and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, 

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”

                                                                           2 Timothy 2:22.

Do you flee from evil?
Are you truly pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?
Are you calling on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart?
                                                 Or
Do you only call on God when it is convenient for you?
Do you only call on God when you need something?
Are you willing to ask God, as the Psalmist did,

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

 test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting." 

                                               Psalm 139:23,24.

Please think about it.

It's self explanatory

It’s self explanatory
The Apostle Paul writes,
"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  
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 10:9-13 
The apostle Paul make it very clear for all who can read. “If you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is a cornerstone belief of Christianity.
If this statement is wrong, no one has anything to fear if it is on the other hand a true statement then everyone who reads it has a lot to think about to say the least.
As C. S. Lewis stated,
“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.
Please think about it.

Do you

Do you?
In the book of Exodus we read,

"You shall have no other gods before me."

                                                           Exodus 20:3.

Thus the question becomes do you have any other gods in your life?
A god is not merely a wooden or stone carved idol. A god particularly in the twenty-first century can me many things, money, a political party or politician, material possessions, religious leaders. Someone even mentioned to me it can even be your countries constitution or “your” constitutional rights.
Other god’s are things that you put ahead of God Almighty the Creator of heaven and earth.
Thus my question, do you have any other gods in your life?
In order to be a true believer in God. In order to be a true follower of Christ Jesus. God must take first place in your life. You must have complete faith in Him. As the writer of Hebrews states,
"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 my third question, do you have any other gods in your life?
Please think about it.

To show mercy

To Show Mercy
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.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must be careful how we act. We must not use our freedom to judge anyone. We must be merciful to those around us.
As James said, “...judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”
As Christians we have no right to judge anyone. Jesus made that clear when he 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.
If we believe what 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.
Then when we judge others we are saying to them they have the right to judge us.
It is not the job of any Christian. Of any believer in Christ Jesus to judge the world. That is God’s job.
Our job as Christians was summed up by Jesus 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.
This is our job as believers in Christ. To show the mercy of God to those around us.
      To evangelize, to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Draw near

Draw near
In Psalmist speaking of God wrote,

“You are my refuge and my shield; 

I have put my hope in your word.” 

                                              Psalm 119:114.

Isaiah the prophet states,
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tiered or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not faint."Isaiah 40: 28-31.
The writer of Hebrews states,
"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22,23
Every Christian. Every believer in Christ Jesus, needs to take time each day to draw near to God. To study the scriptures and pray. For it is only by doing this that we will have the assurance that God is with us no matter what our situation. That we never have to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow is in God’s hands.
Please think about it.

Trust

Trust
The writer of Proverbs states,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

                                                    Proverbs 3:5.

Here is a biblical truth that many people cannot do. Trusting, having faith in God is perhaps the hardest thing to do. Yet we must do this. The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Someone has said “A person with true faith in anything will not easily be turned away from what they believe in.”
This is the kind of faith God asks anyone who believes in Him.
Is this the kind of faith you have in God?
Please think about it.

Something for a Christian to do

Something for a Christian to do

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12.

   Please if you are a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus don't just think about doing this. Do it.

A thought

A thought

Please think about it.

Do Good

Do Good
The Psalmist writes,

“Trust in the LORD and do good; 

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” 

                                                          Psalm 37:3.

Here is something we as Christians should be doing. Trusting in God and doing good. This is what we should be remembered for.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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.
Here in North America many times Christians are remembered for what they are against or who they have attacked or for who’s rights they are trying to take away or for their political stance. This should not be so.
In terms of eternity it dose not matter what a government or anyone else says or does. God will one day bring everyone to account including Christians.
What does matter is that Christians, those believe in Christ Jesus trust in the Lord and do good. The apostle Paul writes,
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.
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.
That being said I think it can be safely said that all Christians. All those who believe in Christ Jesus would want to live in peace. Would want others to do good toward them.
The reward for living in peace with those around you, is that we will enjoy safe pasture. A place where we can tell others of the Love of God and the salvation God offers through Christ Jesus. Which is exactly what Jesus expects of all those who believe in Him.
Please think about it.

I lift my head up

I lift my head up
The Psalmist writes,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth." 

                                                Psalm 121:1,2.

Where does your strength come from? Those around you? Your abilities? God?
Isaiah the prophet writes,

“Even youths grow tired and weary 

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not faint."

                                                                                                   Isaiah 40:30,31.

Speaking through personal experience I can say that the above quotes are true. God is truly there for anyone who trusts him even in the darkest times.
All I can say to anyone who doesn’t believe what I say is to read the Bible.
Starting with the New Testament, pray with and open mind and ask God to show himself to you.

What will God Say?

What will God say?
Jesus told this parable,
“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.
Here we have a warning not just to the rich and powerful in this world but to anyone who can help those less fortunate. You may get away without helping those less fortunate but one day God will justly judge your actions in this world.
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.
Question; on the day you stand before God what will He say about your deeds? What will God say about the things you hid?
Please think about it.

Shown by deeds

Shown by deeds
The apostle Paul said,

“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God

 and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

                                                              Acts 26:20b.

If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus do your deeds prove your repentance? Do your deeds tell others the Love of God dwells in you? OR do people only see someone who calls themselves a Christian?
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.” 1Corinthians 13:1. 
Are you a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal”?
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:22.
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus do you “flee evil desires?”
Do you “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace?”
Are you following the admonition of the apostle Paul when he said,
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.
Francis of Assisi said,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                Francis of Assisi.

So the question becomes; Do your deeds show that you are a true follower of Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

For preaching the Love of God

For preaching the Love of God
In the book of Acts we see the apostle Paul after being brought before King Agrippa in chains telling him how he was faithful to the vision he received on the road to Damascus when he became a believer in Christ Jesus. The book of Acts records.
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  
That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.  
But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—  that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 
At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defence. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 
"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.  
The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.  
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 
Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:19-29.
The apostle Paul here was being persecuted for his beliefs. He was being persecuted for saying,
“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”Acts 26:20b.
If we are truly believers in Christ Jesus and are being persecuted this is what we should be being persecuted for. For calling those around us to “repent and turn to God”. For presenting the gospel of Christ Jesus.
Sadly many times here in North America with all our freedoms, those who claim to be Christians say they are being persecuted for their faith when they are not.
Many Christians here use their freedom of speech to condemn, judge and even attack, those they disagree with. Then when they receive criticism they call it persecution.
Many Christians particularly in the United States mix their politics with their faith and try to restrict the rights or take away rights of those they disagree with.
If we are truly servants of God then we will willingly sit down with those we disagree with, and in a loving way listen to them. While at the same time in a loving and respectful manner present the gospel of Christ Jesus.
The late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. wrote,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”Martin Luther King, Jr.
The whole gospel message is that of Love. The love of God not just for mankind as a whole, but for each individual. So, if we are to be persecuted for what we believe and what we are preaching let it be because we are preaching the Love of God.
Please think about it.

The Way

The Way
The apostle Paul speaking about Jesus at the Areopagus in Athens said,
“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." Acts 17:30,31.
Here the apostle Paul had just told those assembled at the Areopagus about Jesus. That the day is at hand when God calls each individual to repent. That He will one day judge the whole world.
That message may have been new to the Greeks but it was not a new message. In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,
"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.
The apostle John states,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.
The simplest definition of sin is falling short of what God wants for your life. Doing things God dose not want you to do.
All of us from the Pope, to pastors, evangelist, teachers, politicians and the average person on the street do things God does not want us to do. Thus we are called to confess our sins to directly to God.
Believers in Christ Jesus believe the apostle Paul when he states,
“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.
We cannot get to heaven by good works alone. Getting to heaven is a gift of God. We get to heaven through accepting the grace of God that comes through belief in Christ Jesus.
As Christians we quote and believe, Jesus who said,

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

                                                                        John 14:6.

As Christians we believe we have no right to impose our beliefs on anyone. We simple present what we believe and leave it to the individual to decide.
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.
Thus the choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is the way to Heaven or not?
Please think about it.

Are you one?

Are you one?
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.  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.
The apostle Paul writes.
"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.
I like what the apostle Paul says about Jesus,
“"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly...”
Christ could have come with legions of angels showing in a miraculous way that He was indeed God. Yet he didn’t.
He in human terms showed how much He loved each individual by suffering and dying on the cross. 
C. S. Lewis 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.
He died for you and for me. But death could not hold Him. He rose from the dead, walked the earth for a while then ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father. The writer of Hebrews tells 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.
  Ultimately to believe what I have written above takes an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
"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 defining faith as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                                  Hebrews 11:1.

I believe anyone who has faith in anything especially God, are the strongest of followers. Men and women who will give their lives for what they believe in.
Are you one of those followers?
Please think about it.

What do they see?

What do they see?
Jesus said,
“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.
To all those who call themselves Christians who are reading this; when a light is shone on your life what do they see?
Do they see the Love of Christ?
Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today"  

                                                                         Francis of Assisi.

Like it or not a spotlight is shining on anyone who calls themselves a Christian. People are looking at their words and deeds.
Sadly many who are watching men and women who call themselves Christians are not seeing the love of Christ. Christians may think they are but they are not.
Over the years I’ve heard people call Christians, hypocrites, bigots, people who attack those who don’t agree with them.
This should not be so as believers in Christ Jesus we should be showing unconditional love to all with whom we come in contact with.
If we are a true Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus we should at a bear minimum showing the kind of love the Apostle Paul defined when he wrote to the Corinthian church. Paul writing,

"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.

Is this the kind of love you are showing to the world?
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus you should.
Please think about it. 

With Gentleness and respect

With gentleness and respect
The apostle Peter writes,
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,”1 Peter 3:15.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should always be ready to give an answer as to why we place our hope in Christ Jesus. Not only that we should be doing it with as Peter tells us, “with gentleness and respect.”
Followers of Christ should never be attacking others with their faith. We should be presenting our faith. Then leaving it up to the individual we have presented it to, to decide whether or not to believe what we presented.
If we are a true Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus we will exhibit what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirit. Paul writing,
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.

Thus my question to anyone who is reading this and calling themselves a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus; is this the fruit of your life?
Please think about it.

Are you?

Are you?
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.

Sadly from my perch here in Canada I see many Christians who are not following what the writer of Hebrews is saying here.
Many are mixing their faith with politics something Jesus and the apostles never did. Many are speaking out against any group they disagree with. In some cases they are even trying to remove or restrict the rights of others given to them by a lawfully elected government.
Doing this is not an act of holiness. Nor is it living at peace with all men.
When we try to restrict the rights of others. We are turning them against us. 
If we as Christians as followers of Christ Jesus truly believe the words of Jesus when he said,
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31.(NASB).
Then by trying to restrict the rights of others we are saying to them they have the right to do that to us.
Sadly here in North America where I live and particularly in the United States people like to say “I have my rights” “I have the right to do as I wish”.
That may be so. But doing as ‘you’ wish may not win souls for Christ. In fact it might do just the opposite.
The apostle Peter reminds us,
"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.
Living good lives among none believers means living with people who’s belief system or way of life may be different from our own. It may be living with a government who gives rights to those with whom we disagree.
Certainly the apostle Paul, all the disciples and even Jesus lived in a world in which the government gave rights to those with whom they disagreed.
Paul for example went to Corinth a city know for it’s temple prostitutes and other abhorrent lifestyles. He stood in the Areopagus in Athens and preached the word of God. A city that had temples to dozen of Gods that Paul would have thought appalling. Yet neither he or any of the apostles spoke out against the religious practices or lifestyles of those around them.
Quite the contrary Jesus and the apostles sat down with those they disagreed with and presented the word of God in peaceful, loving manner.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said of the disciples,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham
Thus my question to anyone who claims to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus; is your heart right side up?
Are you living at peace with those around you living as holy life as you possibly can?
Please think about it. 

If you seek

If you seek
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul."  Deuteronomy 4:29.
Someone once said,
“Maybe the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” Author Unknown.
The truth is you must be looking for someone in order to find them. Which is why I think many Atheist cannot find God. They may say they are looking but they already have their minds made up.
I have met many who say they are looking for God, when all they are doing is looking for evidence that what they believe is right.
Finding God is an act of faith. The book of Hebrews tells us,
“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 defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1.
That being said God does not want us to have blind faith in Him. But rather informed faith. The psalmist states,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day naive 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 

If we look into Science correctly we will see the handiwork of God.
One of the most brilliant minds of our time Stephen Hawking said,
“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 like what William Philips a Nobel prize winner in Physics said,
“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it”William Philips.
Werner Heisenberg the father of Quantum Mechanics and Nobel Prize winner in Physics 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.
I think in order to find God we have to keep looking. Both Philips and Heisenberg are well educated scientist who believe in God because of their work in science.
I think to say simply because I cannot see, hear or touch God in a tangible way is naive. Something that has eternal consequences.
Please think about it. 

A Moral Code

A Moral Code
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, 

with all your soul, and with all your strength.

                                                          Deuteronomy 6:4,5

Abba Hillel Silver writes,
"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.
I think it can safely be said that no atheist group has ever come up with a moral code anywhere equivalent to that of the Bible. 
Within the Bible we have a moral code that instructs mankind how to live with ones fellow man and with God.
It lays down everything from a six day work week. Exodus recording,
"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. Exodus20:9,10
To providing food for the poor. Leviticus 19: 9,10 stating,
"‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  
Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.
To Jesus telling us,
"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.
 Without the moral code laid down in the Bible, mankind would fall into the abyss of anarchy or worse extinction, with survival of the fittest or most violent, ruling.
History shows us that when the truths of the Bible are ignored society declines. We just have to look at what happened to those people the Nazis conquered and ruled during world war two. Close to sixty million men, women and Children dying needlessly at the hands of a despotic ruler. Who ruled using his own moral code.
The bottom line is man needs an absolute moral code without it society will fail. Frankly it is beyond my comprehension that somewhere along the line in ancient history a group of men and women sat down and agreed on a universal moral code.
I firmly believe that God has placed in the hearts and minds of everyone who is living or has ever lived His moral code. Each person knows instinctively what is right or wrong and has the choice of which way to go.
I also believe ultimately that God will hold us all to account for our actions. The writer of Ecclesiastes telling us,
“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.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Please think about it.

The Duty of the Church

The duty of the Church
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.
This is the duty of the Church.
Lately with this pandemic in full flight there has been a lot of speculation about the coming of Christ in Christian circles. The same thing happened among Christians at the outbreak of world war two with the rise of Hitler. Many thought Hitler the anti-christ.
That being said, it is not the duty of the church to speculate on when Christ will return. The duty of the church is to make disciples of all nations and to teach them all to obey all that Jesus taught.
Thus believers in Christ Jesus should be working to win souls for Christ as if He is coming before the end of the day. AND! We should be doing this each and every day until Christ does return.
Please think about it.

Lunatic, Devil, or Son of God?

Lunatic, Devil, or Son of God?
John’s gospel records this incident between the Jews gathered in Solomon's Colonnade on the Feast of Dedication and Jesus. Jesus states,
“I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 
  “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:30-33.
What would you say if someone told you they were God? I think that most people today would think the person to be at the very least mentally ill. Yet the apostle John who knew Jesus personally and was there in Solomon’s Colonnade makes it clear Jesus said he and God the Father were one.
Not only that Jesus said this knowing that he probably would be stoned for making such a statement.
C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity gives an explanation as to why Jesus did what he did stating,
"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. Is Jesus a lunatic, the Devil of Hell, or the Son of God?
Please read the New Testament for yourself before you make your decision.
Please think about it.

Hallmarks

Hallmarks
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.
Here is a question we as Christians, believers in Christ Jesus need to be asking ourselves. Who is of God?
While the scriptures tells us not to judge. We do have a right to judge who is of God and who is not in order that we are following correct teaching. This is a especially true if they claim to be Christian. The apostle Paul writes,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Paul tells us what a true believer in Christ should be exhibiting in their life when he writes,
“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.
Coupled with what the apostle John wrote,
“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.
This gives us a good idea of who is of God. The above scriptures that I quoted are criteria that we should be applying to anyone who claims to be a Christian be they pastor, evangelist, teacher, someone sitting in the pew or anyone else.
These attributes,
Doing what is right, showing Love, Joy, Peace Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, self-control. Are the hallmarks of a true believer in Christ Jesus.
Are these the hallmarks you see in people you follow?
Are the hallmarks of your life?
Please think about it.