Words from the apostle Paul

 Words from the Apostle Paul

The following are not my words, but rather the words of the apostle Paul recorded in the book of acts, who spoke at the Areopagus. The ancient Greek equivalent of what we today would be called a Ted Talk.

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." Acts 17:17-31.

The reaction to Pauls speech is recorded in acts 17:32-34. It states,

“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 17:32-34

So having read Pauls sermon where do you stand? Do you sneer at the though of the resurrection from the dead? Do you want to hear more? Or do you believe what Paul said?

Please think about it.

How

  How

The Psalmist writes,

"Be still, and know that I am God; 

I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth." 

                                                          Psalm 46:10.

Here is a no nonsense statement. God will be exalted among the nations. The apostle Paul tells us,

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.

If these two scriptures are correct, and I believe they are, then one day everyone from the lowliest citizen to the mightiest leaders of the world will one day bow before God.

Not only that, the apostle Paul speaking about Jesus states,

“For he (God) 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 17:31.

The question is how will God judge you? 

Please think about it.

An Odd Statement?

 An odd statement?

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

 “A good name is better that perfumed oil 

and the day of death better than the day of birth." 

                                                                          Ecclesiastes 7:1.

The first part of this scripture portion is easy to understand. A good name in this world is far better than anything else the world has to offer.

At first glance however the last portion of this scripture “the day of death better than the day of birth” seems odd. But is it?

From my standpoint as a believer in Christ Jesus. One who truly believes in God I can understand why the writer of Ecclesiastes said “the day of death is better than the day of birth.”

The logic being if we truly have faith in God death becomes a transition between this life with all its trials and tribulations and the eternal life in heaven where trials and tribulations are no

more.

On the day of our birth into this life by contrast, we must walk an earthly path that not only has good times but also bad times. 

So the question becomes are you ready for the day of your death?

On the day Jesus was crucified with two criminals we read in Luke’s gospel,

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

The criminal who asked Jesus to remember him showed what we must do to have eternal life. 

1/ He confessed his sins.

The apostle John writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1John 1:9.

2/He believed in his heart that Jesus was the Messiah.

The apostle Paul writing,

"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.”  Romans 10: 9,10.

 Thus my question to you, Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

A Question to ask

  A Question to ask

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.

There are over 2000 verses in the scriptures that deal with responding to the needs of people.

So here is one simple test of a true believer in Christ Jesus. Does that person have pity on his brother in need?

It is a question we need to ask not only of pastors, evangelist and those who sit in the pews on Sunday. But it is a question we need to ask of any political leader that claims they are a Christian.

Please think about it.

This kind of faith

 This kind of faith

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

The apostle Paul is right. No one can separate us from the love of Christ. That’s because a true believer in Christ Jesus has faith.

I believe there is two kinds of faith if you will. One an intellectual faith. Where in our mind we believe in something. This kind of faith however is the kind that disappears when hard times come. When persecution comes.

The other is what the writer of Hebrews states,

 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                  Hebrews 11:1

This is the kind of faith that is part of a persons very being. A person who has such faith is willing to die for what they believe in. This is the kind of faith God asks of all who would believe in Him.

Do you have the kind of faith in Christ Jesus you are willing to die for?

Please think about it.

Fighting God

  Fighting God

 In the book of Acts we read a Pharisee named Gamaliel standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of two of Christ's apostles saying,

"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.

I firmly believe Gamaliel was right about what the apostles were preaching about being from God. The proof is that two thousand years later what the disciple of Christ were preaching is still going on. The message of the Gospel of Christ has reached into every nation.

Not only that any attempts by governments from the time of the Romans to the present day to try and stop the spread of the Love of Christ has failed.

I do believe that those governments and government leaders that try to stop the spread of the gospel will one day stand before God and give an account for their actions.

If I am wrong those who oppose the Gospel message. Those who oppose Christ Jesus have nothing to fear.

If on the other hand I am right, as I believe I am, then all who oppose and try to suppress the Gospel message have a lot to fear.

Please think about it.

Something Jesus said

 Something Jesus said

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

Put this way in the year 2021 this means;

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 on others

however good they may be.

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 you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

Please think about it

The Greatest thing

The Greatest thing

The apostle Paul writes,

“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.  

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

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 13:1-8a,13.

Within this portion of scripture we see the ultimate definition of love. Paul telling us that if we do not have love we are nothing.

Jesus when asked,

 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

So do you love? Do you truly love the way the apostle Paul defines love? 

Next question; do you love your enemy? If you are a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus you should Jesus said,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.'  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  

  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.

So my final question; Do you love your family friends and foe alike?

Please think about it.

Do you sing?

  Do you sing?

The psalmist writes,

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

 I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

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

                                                                    Psalm 9:1,2.

Here is something to think about if you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus.

Do you praise The Lord with your whole heart?

Do you tell people about the wonders of God?

Do you rejoice in God?

Do you sing praises to the name of the Lord God Most High?

Do you do all of this with your whole heart without any kind of reservation?

Please think about it.

God did not

 God did not

In the gospel of John we read Jesus speaking of himself saying,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.

I think quite often this is an overlooked portion of scripture. We hear from many quarters that God will one day judge the world, and He will. All people will be held accountable for their actions and be Judged by God. But that was not why Jesus came. 

Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save the world. To save all who would believe in Him.

It is very clear cut. Believe in Jesus and you will not perish but have everlasting life.

Question; do you believe this? 

Do you believe this?

 Do you believe this?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.” 1 Corinthians 1:22-25.

God does not do things the way man does. God could have entered this world with all his power and might setting his throne physically on this earth destroying all evil and demanding people worship Him. That however is not how God works.

He chose to enter this world in the form of a child (Jesus) that grew up knowing all of what it is to be a man. Everything from the mundane such as the smell of a dusty road. Rain on his face. The love of friends and family. He also endured the worst of mankind could offer, a horrible beating followed by death on the cross.

Then after all that God asks us to believe that Jesus is the one and Only Son of God and that we should have faith in Him in order to get to heaven.

To our human way of thinking this seems foolish, illogical. Even crazy. Yet it is what God asks us to believe. What God asks you to believe.

Jesus put it this way.  Speaking about himself he 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.

Thus my question to you do you believe this?

Please think about it.

No other

 No other

In the book of Exodus we read God as saying,

"You shall have no other gods before me.”

                                                            Exodus 20:3.

That is a pretty explicit statement. We are to have no other gods in our lives except The Lord God Almighty creator of heaven and earth.

What that means is very simple nothing should come before God in our lives. No matter how good or right a thing or activity seems, God must always take first place in our lives.

Please think about it.

What will you hear?

 What will you hear?

In the gospel of Luke we read,

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50.

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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

We live in a generation world wide where people do not fear God. And it’s not just people in the secular world. It’s people within the church. People claiming to be Christian.

Now I can only speak for what I see here in North America where I live. The North American church is losing its fear of God. It takes God for granted. It goes its own way mixing Gods word with politics and other things. That it thinks will help its cause.

We as believers in Christ Jesus cannot allow this to happen. The apostle Paul warns, 

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

That time has come. There are people, pastors, and evangelist, here in North America that are twisting the gospel message to align with what they believe should be. When it should be we who align our beliefs with that of the Bible.

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

The consequences for individuals who do not correctly handle the word of God. Who do not fear God is I believe simple. They will hear the words of Jesus recorded in Matthews gospel, who said,

“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23.

Question; if you consider yourself a follower of Christ Jesus what will you hear when you stand before God?

Please think about it.

What do they see?

  What do they see?

The apostle Paul writes,

“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light  

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)” Ephesians 5:8,9.

Do you walk as children of light? Does your life reflect the virtues of God? OR; Are you still in darkness?

If Christ is truly working in your life, those around you should see the fruit of the spirit working in your life. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

Being a Christian is like being a flower. The flower starts as a seed planted in the darkness of the earth. Eventually as it gets watered and receives nutrients from the ground it grows toward the sun where upon all those around can see its beauty.

All who become Christian converts start in darkness, but after being watered with prayer and receiving knowledge and wisdom from the Bible. They grow closer to the Son of God and the fruits of the spirit, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” become evident in their lives.

Question: When people see your life what do they see in you, is it darkness or light?

Please think about it.

Something to live up to

 Something to live up to

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.

There is no ands, ifs or buts about what the apostle Peter says here. Believers in Christ Jesus are called by Peter a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. A people called out of darkness to Gods wonderful light.

Therefore we as Gods representatives on this earth are call to as Peter states, 

“To abstain from sinful desires”

Thus my question to you. Are you obeying what Peter is saying? 

Please think about it.

Something to do

The Psalmist says

The Psalmist states,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                                       Psalm 150.

Why not take sometime fight now to praise the Lord. You may not have any instruments or a great singing voice but everyone can praise The Lord in someway. Even if it’s simply saying the words silently or vocally.

Please think about it.

I will sing Praises

 I will sing praises

The Psalmist writes,

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

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, 

O Most High.” 

                       Psalm 9:1,2.

When I read this portion of scripture I am reminded of the persecuted church. While we hear lots of stories of how Christians around the world are suffering for their faith. I also hear stories of some of those living under persecution telling others of the wonders of God. Lifting up Gods name even in the worst of circumstances. This to me is amazing and inspiring.

If Christians living under in some cases fear of being jailed or even death can praise God then we who are blessed to live in the free democracies of the world should be doing the same.

Please think about it.

Are you a good one or a bad one?

  Are you a good one or a bad one?

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us...."  2 Corinthians 5:20a

Are you a good ambassador or a bad one?

An ambassador represents a king, or a government of a nation. It is his or her job to represent the king or government correctly. An ambassador is a diplomat that promotes international relationships between governments. One of their jobs is to promote among other things cultural relationships between their government and other nations. 

As one website noted. Ambassadors, “ keep a diplomatic demeanour, with the goal of keeping a positive relationship between the country that is hosting them and their home nation.”

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we, as the apostle Paul said are Christ’s ambassadors. Therefore it is important we keep a positive relationship with those in the world around us.

Jesus and all he represents will be judged by what people see us doing. As Francis of Assisi put it,

“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 the world around you? Are you a good ambassador or a bad one?

Please think about it

Something Hard

  Something hard

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.

For many people believing in what they can’t see, feel, or hear, is difficult. Yet it’s what God requires of all who will come to Him.

Having faith however as I said can be difficult for many people. Perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith in him?

People who have faith in someone or something will quite often be willing to die for what they have faith in.

People of faith don’t waver in the face of adversity. They will endure everything from verbal abuse to physical abuse and even death, if they truly believe in something.

So here is my question are you willing to believe the words of Jesus who said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

Please think about it.

Can you say

  Can you say

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.

Do you do what the Psalmist is saying here? Have you studied the word of God and hid it in your heart? Do you pray earnestly asking God to teach you His decrees? Do you take time to meditate on the scriptures? Do you delight in the decrees of God?

Can you say to God with the Psalmist “I will not neglect your word”?

Please think about it.

Our

  Our

The Psalmist writes,

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; 

my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. 

He is my shield and the horn of my salvation,

 my stronghold.”

                    Psalm 18:1,2.

The way I see it as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to put God first in our lives. We should without doubting make God...

                    our strength

                                                             our rock

                                                             our fortress

                                                             our deliverer

                                                     our shield

                                                             our stronghold

                                                             our Salvation

                                                             The One we take refuge in.

Question; if you consider yourself a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus is God truly all of the above mentioned things to you?

Please think about it.

Who are they afraid of?

  Who are they afraid of?

In Matthews gospel we read of this incident when the Magi arrived,

"Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared.  

He sent them to Bethlehem and said, "Go and make a careful search for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him."... 

On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshipped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold and of incense and of myrrh.  

And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route. 

When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 

So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called my son." 

When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.” Matthew 2:7-16

Herod feared that Jesus was the Messiah that is why he ordered the murder of the children in the vicinity of Bethlehem in an effort to kill him.

In the twenty-first century we have governments and others who say God does not exist. They say Jesus was at least just a man. If so why are they persecuting those who believe in Him?

After all this was a man who preached love thy neighbour. Who said do to others what you would have others do to you. Who's disciples said pray for the government and rulers. 

  Around the world today thousands,... tens of thousands of believers in Christ Jesus are imprisoned for believing in Jesus. For believing in God almighty. Thousands of believers are being persecuted and even put to death for what they believe.

If everything about Jesus is untrue then why persecute people who believe in a myth. 

My only conclusion can be is that everything about Jesus is true and those who oppose him believe this. 

They believe Jesus when he 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

As for me I have no doubt that everything the bible says about Jesus, about God is true and that he will one day bring all those who oppose him to justice. 

Please think about it.

My Strength and Salvation

  My Strength and Salvation

The Psalmist writes,

“The LORD is my strength and my song; 

He has become my salvation.” 

                                                     Psalm 118:14.

Question is God your strength? Is God your salvation?

Today is Sunday a good day to meditate on your relationship to God. Why not take some time today to pray, study, and meditate on the scriptures? 

Take time to as someone once said to me “review” your relationship with God. Ask yourself do you truly trust God daily? Pray and ask God to show you how you can draw closer to Him.

Please think about it.

Give Thanks

  Give thanks

"Give thanks to the LORD, 

for he is good; 

his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: 

"His love endures forever." 

Let the house of Aaron say:

 "His love endures forever." 

Let those who fear the LORD say: 

"His love endures forever." 

                                               Psalm 118:1-4.

If you truly believe in God. If you truly believe in Christ Jesus. Why not take some time to do as the Psalmist says. Give thanks to the LORD.

Please think about it.

Only you

  Only you

The apostle Peter writes,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you" 1Peter 1:3-4.

Can you in all honesty say what the apostle Peter is saying here? Do you have the living hope Christ Jesus offers? Do you have an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade?

If you are not sure of your relationship with God, with Jesus here is what the apostle Paul states.

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.

Knowing if you are saved and going to heaven is as simple as believing in your heart that Jesus is Lord. 

Your relationship with God is a sacred thing. Only you know for sure if you have accepted the salvation God offers through His one and Only Son Jesus Christ.

So my question to you is; do you truly believe Jesus is Lord?

Please think about it.

There is One

  There is One

The apostle Paul wrote,

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, 

the man Christ Jesus,

 who gave himself as a ransom for all men...”

                                                        1Timothy 2:5,6a.

What the apostle Paul says here is a core belief of all Christians. There is only one mediator between God and man Christ Jesus. Jesus himself said this when he spoke to his apostles saying,

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

                                                                        John 14:6.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus you cannot shy away from the fact that Jesus claimed to be the way to heaven. The only way to heaven.

If Christians are wrong with this then no one has any reason to worry. If however we who believe in Christ Jesus are right those who do not believe as we do have at the least a lot to think about.

Please think about it.

Two Simple Statements

  Two simple statements 

The Psalmist writes,

“May my cry come before you, O LORD; 

give me understanding according to your word.” 

                                                                  Psalm 119:169.

Quoted above is a prayer that we all should consider praying.

May we all cry out to The Lord to give us a full understanding of His word. 

May all who call themselves followers of the Lord Jesus Christ seek to follow the advice of the apostle Paul who wrote,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

Thus my question to you; Are you following the advice of the apostle Paul?

Please think about it.

Kindness and Love of God

  Kindness and Love of God

The apostle Paul wrote,

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.

Here the apostle Paul points out the love of God. He notes we are saved not because of the righteous things we did. Not because of the good we did but because of Gods mercy toward us.

Paul writing to the Corinthians 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.

Our getting into heaven is entirely due to Gods mercy. Gods Grace. We enter heaven because of our faith in God and in Christ Jesus who died for our sins.

The apostle Paul telling us,

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 

    Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8 

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Your Choice

  Your Choice

The apostle John speaking of Jesus writes,

"Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son.  

And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.  

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life." 1 John 5:10-12.

In John’s gospel he records Jesus speaking of himself saying,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18.

The choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is the one and Only Son of God, The Saviour of mankind or not?

I believe upon your answer lies your eternal resting place.

Thus the choice is yours.

Please think about it.