Respect

 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.

Are you ready to present the gospel of Christ to anyone who might ask you. Equally importantly is when you tell people about Christ are you respectful to those with whom your are speaking?

Sadly one of the things I have found here in North America is that those who are not Christians many time feel Christians do not respect them, their way of life or their faith.

They violate the command 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.

We can disagree with people and still respect them. Furthermore they will respect and listen to us if we do as Jesus commanded. 

"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.

Thus my question to you. Do you show respect to those you disagree with, be they family, friend or foe?

Please think about it.

Gods representatives

  Gods representatives 

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.

Question; do you live up to what the apostle Peter is saying here?

Francis of Assisi made two interesting statements. He said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                                            Francis of Assisi

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                               Francis of Assisi.

So what are your words and deeds telling those around you about Jesus?

Please think about it.

Revival or else

 Revival or else

In the book of Revelations we read Jesus speaking to the church Ephesus,

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place" Revelations 2:4,5.

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:

"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 Paul Gallico wanted in 1948 and what the people of the world are looking for in 2020 are what Christ offers. Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Sadly however the Church here in North America has become ‘religious’. It as the apostle Paul predicted when he wrote,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God."2 Timothy 3:1-4.

If ever there was a time in the history of the church here in North America to repent it is now. For the church in its current state has lost the moral high ground. People know more about what the church is against than what it is for. 

The message of Gods love, mercy and understanding is lost in the cacophony of preachers, evangelist and others claiming to be Christian who spend more time condemning others than showing Gods love and mercy.

Thus I believe more than ever the Church in North America from the pulpit to the pew needs to repent like never before.

Please think about it.

Serve one another in Love.

 Serve one another in Love.

The apostle Paul writes,

“...serve one another in love." 

                                      Galatians 5:13b

If you consider yourself a Christian, are you serving your brothers and sisters in Christ in love?

Are the church leaders you support or follow truly serving in love?

If someone from outside your church community looked at you, your pastor, or those you support, would they say they are serving in love?

Sadly there are many from outside the church that would say love is lacking among Christians.

It’s time for those calling themselves Christians to realize this and do more to show unconditional love, to family, friend, and foe.

Francis of Assisi wrote a wonderful prayer I think all who call themselves Christians should pray in all sincerity. He 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.

Pleases think about it.

    

Gods way or our way?

 Gods way or our way?

Jesus said,

“This, then, is how you should pray: " ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew 6:9,10.

Sadly I think many Christians forget this teaching of Jesus, especially the part that states,

“...your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Rather than saying that, they say, “God I want this” “God I want that” “God do this for me” “God I come against this thing or that thing.” then they wonder why their prayers are not answered. 

We must remember that God is not our servant. We are His. As such we should be willing to do His will.

We must accept the fact that God is in control. That ultimately in this world as it is in Heaven Gods will, will be done.

Please think about it.

Christian or WAFR?

  Christian or WAFR?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 

bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man." 

                                                                                                          Proverbs 3:3,4.

Do you Love God? Are you faithful to Him? Does you love extend to those around you, family friend and foe alike?

Sadly when I speak to people of other faiths and lifestyles here in North America they see many of those in the evangelical community as unloving.

They see evangelicals as wanting to take their rights away. Rights given to them by a lawfully elected secular, government.

From my point of view I firmly believe they are not seeing true Christians. They are seeing what someone has called “White American Folk Religion (WAFR)”.

John Walton in a paper entitled, “A Practical View of White American Folk Religion Contrasted with Real Christianity” (October 31, 2020) wrote,

 “WAFR is a race, class, gender-based hierarchy that hijacks the Christian label to sanction abuse, greed, and violence, and then absolve leaders who live lives contrary to the teachings of Jesus and wield power in opposition to God's plan for the world.” John Walton

The attributes of a true Christian are given by the apostle Paul who said,

“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.

The apostle Paul also defined what Christian love is when he wrote,

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

So who are you? 

Do you follow the teachings of Jesus? 

Are you showing the fruit of the Spirit and attributes of Love as the apostle Paul laid out?

        Or; 

Are you a WAFR?

Please think about it.

Who's your friend?

 Who’s your friend?

In the book of James we read,

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."  James 4:4.

So who’s your friend?

Jesus tells us,

"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 6:24.

We must decide whether we are on Gods side or mans side. A decision that should not be taken lightly. 

Matthews gospel tells this story,

"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 neighbor 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.

Are you this young man. Who had more faith in his wealth than in God? Or is your faith in God?

Please think about it.

Not my will bu yours be done

 Not my will but yours be done

Jesus said,

"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Luke 6:38

Here is a portion of scripture misused by the so called prosperity doctrine teachers. They say all you have to do is ask God and He will give it to you. 

Sadly many have given more than they could afford to a ministry only to find what they were led to believe is untrue.

In the book of James we read,

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3.

Jesus makes it clear what we are suppose to do when he states,

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33.

The way I see it is, the closer we come to God, through prayer and the study of scripture the better we see what Gods will for our life is. Thus we come in line for Gods will in our life and pray as Jesus prayed on the mount of olives,

"...not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42b.

So my question to you is; 

Uncertain times

 Uncertain times?

The apostle Paul wrote.

"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.

We live in uncertain times. The Covid-19 pandemic is causing unprecedented grief the world over. Many around the world are looking to the political drama going on in the United States, the regional conflicts around the world, and asking what does it all mean.

Some are even saying we are on the verge of the second coming of Christ.

Frankly I don’t know why all these problems are occurring. I especially don’t know if we are on the verge of Christs return.

What I do no is what the Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 8:28 is true,

"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.

Thus my questions to you the reader is;

Do you truly from your heart, love God?

And;

Are you doing what God has called you to do?

Please think about it.

Revival

  Revival

In the book of 2 Chronicles we read,

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles, 7:14.

I attend an evangelical church and as such I hear a lot of people saying there is a need for revival. And it does. 

That being said what I am hearing is “America and Canada need revival” as if America and Canada are Christian nations who have fallen away from God. Which is not true. Canada and America are not Christian nations. Nor have they ever been. There is no Christian nation in this world.

It is not American and Canadian nations that need revival, it is the Church particularly those claiming to be evangelicals. 

Sadly in the year of our Lord 2020 the evangelical movement in North America has moved away from the pure gospel message. 

They are mixing their faith with politics. Always a bad combination. As someone has said,

“mixing religion and politics is like mixing water and gasoline. 

The water is undrinkable. 

The gasoline unusable. 

And the whole mixture explosive.”

Yes there is a need for revival within the church be they evangelicals or non-evangelicals, all need;

To humble themselves and pray. 

To confess their sins.

And to ask God to forgive them for turning from His word. 

Please think about it.

Are You?

 Are you?

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.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4.

two questions: 1/ Are you following these two teachings of Jesus and the                                                apostle Paul?

                2/ Are the pastors, priests, politicians, or other leaders you                                                follow doing what Jesus and Paul said?

Please think about it.

You and others

 You and others

Jesus said,

"Do to others as you would have them do to you. 

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' love those who love them.  

And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' do that.  

And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners' lend to ‘sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full.  

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked." Luke 6:31-35.

One question; Are you doing what Jesus is telling us to do here?

Please think about it.

Peace

 Peace

The apostle Paul writes,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone."

                                                                       Romans 12:18.

The apostle Paul understood that in order to win souls for Christ you need to be at peace with those around you. If you are constantly arguing and fighting with those of other faiths and lifestyles you will never win a soul for Christ.

Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

He’s right if we care for the sick, feed the hungry and stand up for the oppressed even if they have different views from us, things would change.

Sadly many Christians in North America are known for what they are against rather than what they are for. This should never be so.

In all our interactions with people around us, family, friend, or foe, we should always look to 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.

Christians sin

Christians sin

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.

Do you humble yourself before God. Are you like the Pharisee in the above parable or like the tax collector?

The apostle Paul tells us,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

Even Christians sin. As someone has said, “Christians are not perfect just progressing”

The apostle John reminds us,

"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.

Thus my question to anyone claiming to be a believer in Christ Jesus is;

When was the last time you confessed your sin to God?

Please think about it.

Do you take God for granted?

 Do you take God for granted?

Luke’s gospel records,

“Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table.  

When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. 

When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner." 

Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. 

"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.  

Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 

Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. 

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.  

You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet.  

You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet.  

Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." 

Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." Luke 7:36-48.

I have attended church for over forty years. In that time I have seen many who come to church, who have the attitude that they are saved and seemingly take God for granted. I find this especially in those who grew up in the church. They are like the pharisee mentioned in the above scripture.

At the same time I have seen others come to the alter and weep asking for Gods forgiveness, for they know how far from God they were.

I think as believers we from time to time need to truly look at ourselves and ask;

Do I take God for granted?

Do I take my faith for granted?

Am I truly giving to God the reverence, glory, honour and praise God deserves?

Please think about it.

No other gods

 No other Gods

In the book of Exodus we read,

And God spoke all these words: 

"I am the LORD your God, 

who brought you out of Egypt, 

out of the land of slavery. 

"You shall have no other gods before me. 

                                                       Exodus 20:1-3

What constitutes a god in the twenty-first century. The way I see it is a god is anything you put ahead of The Lord God Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

The one big thing I see more so in the United States than in Canada is their constitutional rights. The constitution of the United States give each individual certain rights. Which is a good thing. The trouble comes when an individual puts their rights ahead of what God tells us to do in the scriptures.

We don’t see the guarantee of individual rights in the Bible. In the bible we read,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:4.

We are called to look to the interest of others. Which means even if we have certain rights guaranteed by the laws of the country in which we live, we have an obligation to God and our fellow man to put others interests above ourselves.

Do you?

Please think about it.

Something to do

 Something to do

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                       Proverbs 3:3,4.

As believers in Christ Jesus we must remember that Love of God, and love for our fellow man, be they family, friend, or foe, should take first place in our heart.

The results of love and faithfulness will, the writer of proverbs tells us,

“...win favour and a good name 

in the sight of God and man.”

So is this something you are doing?

Please think about it.

From the Psalms

 From the Psalms

The Psalmist writes,

“How can a young man keep his way pure? 

By living according to your word. 

I seek you with all my heart; 

do not let me stray from your commands. 

I have hidden your word in my heart 

that I might not sin against you. 

Praise be to you, O LORD; 

teach me your decrees. 

With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 

I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 

I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 

I delight in your decrees; 

I will not neglect your word.” 

                                                                               Psalm 119:9-16.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. Why not make these words from Psalms a reality in your life today?

Please think about it.

Gods word

 Gods word

The psalmist writes.

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." 

                                                                                  Psalm 119:105

Thus my question to you dear reader is; Is it? Is the word of the Lord a guiding light to you in all your ways?

Sadly for many claiming to be Christians today Gods word is not their primary guiding light. They mix the word of God with other things, everything from philosophies, other faiths, and even the constitution of the country in which they live. This should not be so.

If we are true followers of Christ Jesus our guidance should come directly and unadulteratedly from the Bible. 

You cannot pick and choose what you believe in the bible and disregard the rest. St. Augustine said,

“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don't like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.

The bible is the inspired Word of God. The apostle Paul telling us,

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”2 Timothy 3:16,17.

So I ask you again; is the Bible your guiding light?

Please think about it.

About the poor, A Christian perspective.

 About the poor. A Christian perspective. 

In the book of Acts we read,

“He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly" Acts:10:2.

Here in North America we live with freedoms that are the envy of the world. We also live in a very materialistic society. And materialism has infiltrated the church. There are many evangelist and pastors out there saying if we truly love God we will be healthy and wealthy. Yet the reality is quiet the opposite. There are many who love God who are just making ends meet.This is also true for many around the world who believe in Christ Jesus. 

Why does this happen? 

I think the best explanation comes from of all places the Jewish Talmud that states,

Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, "Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?"  He answered, "God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love."  The Talmud.

This statement is true the apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,

"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality." Romans 12:13.

The apostle John writes,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

In the book of James we read,

"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. James 2:14-17.

I firmly believe all who claim to be Christian, all who claim to be true followers of Christ Jesus need to be helping the poor in anyway they can. We need to do it because in this world we are the hands of Christ.

Please think about it.

May the name of The Lord be praised

 May the name of the Lord be praised.

In the book of Job we read,

"The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; 

may the name of the Lord be praised."

                                                                    Job 1:21

Job went through many hardships. Hardships that included the loss of his family and possessions. Yet through it all Job praised God. He remembered just who was in control.

I wonder how many people who call themselves Christians in the North American church today could praise God if they went through what Job went through?

What about you dear reader; if you were in Job’s position do you think you could praise God?

Please think about it.

Gods will any you

 Gods will and you

Jeremiah wrote,

“Then you will call on me 

and come and pray to me, 

and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                                  Jeremiah 29:12,13

Seeking God with our whole heart is I believe the key to truly finding what God wants for our lives. 

That being said many seeks God out for their own means. They call on him to do things for them in their way not His way. 

When God shows them what he wants for their life and they don’t agree with it they reject it. Saying it can’t be from God.

Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane just prior to his arrest and subsequent execution said,

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."  

Luke 22:42.

The key phrase here being “...not my will, but yours be done.”

We as believers in Christ Jesus must always remember that we should put Gods will first in our life, whether we agree with it or not.

Thus my question to you; do you always put Gods will first in your life?

Please think about it.

Humility

 Humility. 

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.

I believe the Christian life is about being humble before God. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8.

In the book of James we read,

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, 

and he will lift you up."

                                        James 4:10.

Humility will win more souls for Christ than arrogance and self-righteousness will any time.

Please think about it. 

What is good

 What is good

The Prophet Micah writes,

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

 And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God." 

                                                             Micah 6:8.

This is a duty of every believer in Christ Jesus. Every believer in God. 

  We are

to act justly, 

to love mercy, 

to walk humbly with God.

These attributes are what God desires in a believer.

Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a believer in Christ are these attributes visible in your life?

Please think about it.

Our duty as Christians

 Our duty as Christians

The Apostle Peter wrote,

"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.

Here is something for Christians to think about. If sinning is falling short of Gods ideal for your life. If sinning is not doing what God wants you to do. Is it sinning when you put your interest above that of others?

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others." 

                                                                 Philippians 2:4.

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus, we like any other group in a secular democracy such as we have in the west only as many rights as the government grants us. It is therefore incumbent on us to as Peter states, “abstain from sinful desires...”

It is our job to glorify God at all times even when dealing with our enemies. Which at times means helping our enemy and anyone else we deal with. So that no matter what happens, people will see our good work and glorify God.

Please think about it.

The Bible or the Constitution

 The Bible or the Constitution

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others." 

                                                                 Philippians 2:4.

The year is 2020 a year like no other for everyone on the planet. A year that tests Christians. A year in which I am amazed at some American Christians. They say they believe the Bible yet are forgetting the words of the apostle Paul who said,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others." 

                                                                 Philippians 2:4.

Instead they are demanding “their right to assemble in large groups without social distancing or masks”. 

As I understand it no one is stopping Christians or any other group from worshipping. All that is being asked is that they follow health guidelines to protect those around them. They are being asked to look to the interest of others.

Sadly all to often in the United States especially, the constitution written by fallible men, takes priority over the infallible word of God. With personal rights coming before the rights of others. This is certainly not what the apostle Paul taught. 

If you are an American reading this which is more important to you, The Bible or the constitution?

      If you are living outside the United States which is more important to you the constitution of your country or the Bible? And don’t say both your can’t serve two masters.

Please think about it.

False Christs

 False Christs 

Jesus said,

"For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.  

See, I have told you ahead of time. 

"So if anyone tells you, ‘There he is, out in the desert,' do not go out; or, ‘Here he is, in the inner rooms,' do not believe it. Matthew 24:24-26

As Christians we need to be on guard against false prophets and teachers, whom Jesus said “will perform great signs and miracles”

In my lifetime which now spans in excess of sixty years many false teachers have arisen leading people astray. Many times with tragic consequences. This is also true throughout the history of the church.

Sadly many Christians are easily fooled. They tend to be trusting to the point that they give anyone who claims to be Christian the benefit of the doubt. As a result many are led astray. 

The best way for a believer in Christ Jesus to know who to follow is through prayer and bible study. 

Prayer brings us closer to God. While bible study fills us with knowledge about God. The two compliment each other.

  When we pray we should also ask God to give us wisdom about the scriptures and how it relates to us and the world around us. That way we will not be led astray.

Thus my question to you the reader is; do you pray and study the Bible at least daily? OR do you simply trust anyone who claims to be a Christian? 

Please think about it.

Our Duty as Christians

  Our duty as Christians

The apostle Paul writes,

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.”1 Thessalonians 5:1,2.

As Christians we must be ready for the return of Christ. I know many people like to speculate when Jesus will return. There is nothing wrong with that. After all it’s a nice to consider a day when we will be in heaven with God.

The problem becomes when we obsess about the day of his returning to the point where we are not doing Gods work on this earth.

Remember 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 our duty as Christians to do anything less is to fail God.

Please think about it.

Where are your roots?

  Where are your roots?

The prophet Jeremiah wrote,

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 

They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It dose not fear when heat comes; its leave are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7,8.

The psalmist wrote,

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3.

So my questions to anyone reading this who calls themselves a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus is;

Where is your roots are they deep within the word of God? 

         Is your faith truly rooted in Christ? 

         Do you trust God in all circumstances?

Please think about it.

Our Job

 Our Job

In the book of Revelations we read,

“He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. 

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen” Revelations 22:20,21.

I don’t know when Jesus is coming but I do believe he is coming. It is therefor incumbent on all believers in Christ Jesus to keep our eyes on our primary duty. That duty given to us when 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.

All Christians should be doing what they can to win souls for Christ. It’s that simple. We should not be mixing our faith with politics, other philosophies or anything else. We should be telling the world,

"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.

We should be telling people that it is that black and white. Either you believe or you do not. The choice is always up to the individual.

Thus I ask you; if you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you telling this to those around you?

Please think about it.