So do you believe?

  So do you believe?

The apostle Paul writes,

“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.

The apostle Paul makes it clear here that it is through the mercy of God that we are saved. Through the Gods grace. In Ephesians 2:8,9 Paul notes,

"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.

Christians believe that God in his mercy reached down to mankind through Jesus Christ and offered salvation to all who would believe in Jesus.

It is the Christian view that we cannot live a life good enough to get into heaven. Nor can we work our way to heaven.

The way Christians believe we get to heaven is simple. The apostle Paul telling us,

"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

So do you believe Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead?

Please think about it.

To Proclaim Good News

  To proclaim good news

Jesus said,

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour."  Luke 4: 18-19.

This is the reason for Jesus coming to this earth. In the gospel of John Jesus speaking of himself said,

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

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

This is the message we as believers in Christ Jesus must do also.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Expel

  Expel 

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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

While we as believers in Christ Jesus have no right to judge those outside of the church, especially when it come to where a person will spend eternity. We do have an obligation to judge those who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus. 

We need to be able to do this in order to see that they are teaching sound doctrine. Where they will spend eternity it still up to Gods judgement.

That being said it is imperative that we question the beliefs of those pastors, and evangelist we follow. We do this in order to see that what they are saying is truly what the Bible is saying.

Sadly however here in North America with all our freedoms we do a poor job of correcting errant pastors, evangelist and teachers. Even if we do expel them, because of our freedoms, our freedom of speech laws they simply set themself up and carry on as an independent ministry.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus, do you ever question the evangelist, pastors or teachers you follow?

Please think about it.

Gods job not ours

  Gods job not ours

The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.

God knows us intimately. This quote from psalms in modern terminology is essentially saying God knows the very DNA make up of our being. He knows why we are the way we are. This is why God and God alone is the only one who can judge another person.

Jesus made it clear to all who believes,

“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.

While we must be careful as to who we trust at time for our own safety. We have no right to judge where someone will spend eternity. That is Gods job. NOT ours.

Please think about it.

Are you a Tabitha?

 Are you a Tabitha?

"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity." Acts 9:36

Are you a Tabitha? Are you full of good works? As Christians we should be. 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. 

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.

Our faith should spur us on to doing whatever good works we can do. Even if its just donating to a reputable charity or food bank.

Jesus said,

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42.

So are you doing what you can to help those in need?

Please think about it.

A sermon for 2022

  A sermon for 2022

The apostle Paul while in Athens was asked to speak at the Areopagus by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers. This is his sermon. As important today as it was then. 

Paul states,

"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

For Christians this is an example of how to reach non-Christians. Paul did not condemn them. He didn’t say anything against their beliefs or lifestyle. He simply presented what he believed to those gathered. 

The result was some “sneered” at him. Others believed. While others wanted to hear more. 

When we as Christians present the gospel message this is how we should do it.

So is this the way you present the gospel message to those around you?

Please think about it.

In gentleness

 In gentleness

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, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.” 1 Peter 3:15,16.

Is Christ first in your life? Are you prepared to give an answer to everyone who wants to know why you follow Christ?

When you present the gospel message to someone do you do it respecting the person you are speaking to? Do you present the message of Christ with gentleness?

All of these things are necessary to reach people for Christ. If you don’t respect others, they wont respect you. If you don’t present the word of the Lord in a gentle fashion people will turn away from you.

It all comes down to 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.

So are you obedient to what Peter and Jesus are saying?

Please think about it.

Let your light shine

  Let your light shine

Jesus said,

“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus is your light shining before those around you?

The apostle Peter wrote,

"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 2:12.

Is this what you are doing?

I remember reading of an incident in a south east Asian country where a man in a small village for some reason got mad and a group of Christians and wanted his neighbours to help him persecute them. The neighbours said no. That Christians were good people.

Could this be said of you?

Or are you noted for your protesting against everything and everyone you disagree with?

Please think about it.

He will. Not you

  He will. Not you.

the Psalmist says of God,

"He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth."

                                                                                                      Psalm 96:13b. 

Here is a very important point lost on many Christians. Or at least those who call themselves Christians. The Psalmist makes it clear “HE, (God), will judge the world...”   

Jesus quoted in the Gospel of Luke,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:7.

In Matthews Gospel Jesus is quoted as saying,

"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.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist stated.

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham

We will never win souls for Christ if we are even perceived as judging them. As Billy Graham stated it is our job to love.

Jesus made it clear what His purpose in coming to earth was for 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.” John 3:16,17.

These words should always be on our minds when we speak about Jesus, “ God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”.

Is this the message you are presenting to the world?

Or are you in the habit of judging those in the world around you?

Please think about it.

Ascribe

  Ascribe

The Psalmist calls to the nations of the world to,    

"Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, 

ascribe to the LORD glory and strength. 

"Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;

 bring an offering and come into his courts. 

Worship the LORD in the splendour of his holiness;

tremble before him, all the earth." 

                                                      Psalm 96:8,9.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this. Even more importantly are the people around you seeing this. For if you are not doing as the Psalmist states, how can you expect people around you to do it?

Francis of Assisi made two very important points when he said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

AND

"The deeds you do may be the only

 sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                        Francis of Assisi

When people look at the sermon that is your words and deeds, what will they say?

Please think about it

The Lord reigns

  The Lord reigns

The Psalmist states,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns.

" The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; 

He will judge the peoples with equity. 

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

 let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

"let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. 

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; 

they will sing before the LORD, for He comes, 

He comes to judge the earth. 

He will judge the world in righteousness 

and the peoples in His truth."

                                                               Psalm 96:10-13. 

As believers in God. Believers in Christ Jesus we are told to “Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns”. We are to warn them that God will one day Judge the people of this world in righteousness. 

In 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.

Believing in God is a choice. When God created the world and everything in it. God gave man a freewill to believe what he wants to. That includes not believing in God. 

However God offers us hope in the form of Christ Jesus. Jesus referring to himself said,

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

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  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 the question becomes do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Sing, Proclaim, Declare

  Sing, Proclaim, Declare

The Psalmist proclaims,

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, 

praise His name; 

proclaim His salvation day after day. 

Declare His glory among the nations, 

His marvellous deeds among all peoples.”

                                                           Psalm 96:1-3.

If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus. 

Do you take time to praise God? 

Do you proclaim His salvation to those around you? 

Do you declare Gods glory to those around you? 

Do you declare Gods marvellous deeds among the people?

If not. Why not?

Please think about it.

Family, Friend, and Foe alike.

 Family Friend and Foe alike

Jesus 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.

Mahatma Gandhi said,

"Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians - you are not like him."

                                                                     Mahatma Gandhi.

I'm convinced that Gandhi (and many people here in North America today) do not see true Christians. He saw people who claimed to be Christians. People who were not practising what Jesus taught.

The key message of Jesus can be put into one statement,

"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.

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 22:37-40.

When it comes to the definition of Christian love the apostle Paul wrote,

When it comes to Christian love the Apostle Paul defines it this way,

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

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

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

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love."  

                                                                   1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13 

If a person claims to be a Christian and does not show unconditional love for those around them. I would doubt if they are Christians.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you showing unconditional love to those around you, Family, friend and foe alike?

Please think about it.

Ask, Seek, Knock, and Find

  Ask, Seek, Knock and Find

Jesus said,

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened." Matthew 7:7,8.

I believe those words of Jesus quoted above. I believe that anyone who is truly looking for God will find Him.

I believe that provided we believe there is a God we will find him.

Ben Zion Bokser wrote,

"I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.

I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child's eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.

I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.

I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.

I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation." Ben Zion Bokser

For me it is inconceivable that the universe we live in was not made by God.

The Psalmist said,

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

 the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                Psalm 19:1.

Do you believe this?

Are you wise?

 Are you wise?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5,6.

Are you wise when you deal with those around you, especially when it comes to your faith. 

I have found over the decades that I have been a Christian that there are many claiming to be Christians who are not wise.

They are as one friend aptly put it “bible thumpers”. They point out the sins of the world. They point to any groups they disagree with and call them sinners. Worse yet they try to take away or restrict the rights of some groups they disagree with. This should not be so.

Screaming and yelling at people telling them they are sinners is a waste of time. It will only push people away from God. Trying to restrict or take away rights of those you disagree with will push them away from Christ closing all dialogue completely. Not only that it may lead to a backlash that will cause the rights of Christians to be restricted.

No one wants to be told they are a sinner. And most non-Christians I know would not admit to being a sinner. Simply saying they are as good or better than some Christians they know.

Frankly I don’t believe it is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to tell people they are sinners. That is the job of the Holy spirit. 

Billy Graham the American evangelist once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham.

So are you showing the unconditional Love of Christ to those around you?

Please think about it.

Did you fill the world with love?

   Did you fill the world with love?

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 favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Proverbs 3:3,4.

When I was in my teens I watched a musical called Goodby Mr. Chips. I watched it a few years before I accepted Christ into my life. The theme tune of this movie (in the morning of my life) still resonates in my life today. It says,

In the Morning of My Life

by Leslie Bricusse 

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   

                                                         From the Musical Good by Mr chips.

When you come to the end of your life and you stand before God will you honestly be able to tell God, you filled the world with Love your whole life through?

Please think about it.

Christians and money

  Christians and money

Matthews gospel records this interaction between Jesus and a rich young man.

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 

"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honour your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22.

Now there is nothing wrong with having money. It’s what place it has in our life. It should never come before God or other people.

In the story Matthew relates we see that the rich man put his money ahead of everything. He was unwilling to give up his wealth and follow Jesus. Which brings us to the question; 

Are you willing to give up all you have to follow Jesus?

Do you think those preachers and evangelist you support would be willing to give up their wealth and still follow Christ?

Please think about it.

Are these attributes yours?

  Are these attributes yours?

In the book of James we read,

"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.

You will be judged. 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.

Yes your faith in Christ saves you. But if you are truly saved you will be merciful, you will refrain from judging people. You will exhibit what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. Paul in the book of Galatians stating,

“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.

So are these attributes yours?

Please think about it.

Could I

  Could I

In the book of James we read,

“Now listen, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money."  

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13,14.

Life is short and unpredictable. We have seen in the last few years tens of thousands die of Covid. But covid aside thousands die of medical problems, car crashes, war and a myriad of other things every day.

The key to my way of thinking is are you ready to enter eternity? 

As a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, I believe we can be ready and I don’t mean by just saying the sinners prayer.

The late evangelist Leonard Ravenhill said,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.

The sinners prayer can give a false sense of security. 

Anyone who truly wants to get to heaven must truly believe in Christ Jesus. 

We should never make our decision to follow Christ in the heat of the moment. While we are in that feel good moment. We must count the cost.

We must I believe take a close look at the New Testament and what God is saying through it before making our decision. By looking at the New Testament we can see what the happened to the apostles. The trials and tribulations they went through. Trials and tribulations that potentially all Christians can go through.

Then we must ask ourselves with Gods help could I go through what they went through.

Please think about it.

Is this you?

  Is this you?

Jesus told this parable,

"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 

   I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 

"They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

"He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:41-46.

This is a very simple question. Are you one of the people Christ describes here?

Are you doing what you can to help those less fortunate around you?

How can you help those less fortunate around you?

Please think about it.

The Sower

 The sower

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed.  

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  

Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  

He who has ears, let him hear.”   Matthew 13:1-9.

Jesus seldom interpreted his parables but he does this one and as he does it better than me thus I give you his interpretation,

“Listen then to what the parable of the sower means:  

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” Matthew 13:18-23.

This interpretation is very typical of what happens in our churches today. There are those who hears the message but fails to fully understand it and quickly falls away without trying to look deeper.

There are others who receive the word out of the emotion of the moment only to fall away when the emotion dies off.

Then there are those who receive the word but have a lot of earthly baggage. They fall pray to the worries of the world. And fall away as their worries in this world take precedent over the word of God.

Then there are those who truly believe who go forth and take the gospel to those around them producing more believers.

Where are you in this spectrum of hearers of the word?

Think about it. 

 With respect

The apostle Peter states,

"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.

First of all I think many Christians are not prepared to give and answer to people asking them why they believe in Christ Jesus. They seem to have the attitude “the bible says it I believe it” or such and such a pastor or evangelist says it so I believe it. Which is not an answer to non-believers.

Another thing many calling themselves Christians fail to do is present the gospel message with gentleness and respect. The result it is to turn people away from Christ.

We must respect others. We must respect those of different faiths and lifestyles. We should never demonstrate against them or speak disparagingly against them, or judge them.

We must as 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.

Please think about it.

Planted by the water

Planted by the water

The Psalmist writes,

"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.

As Christians we need to take a close look at our lives. Are we living a life God would be please with or not?

Dear reader do you “delight in the law of the LORD?”

Do you live good lives?

The apostle Peter tells 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

If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus are you truly doing this?

 Known by

The apostle Paul 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.

The apostle Paul makes it clear how people will know we are true believers in Christ Jesus. Showing the fruits of the spirit is one of those ways.

Too many non-believers today in North America know Christians for what they are against. Rather than what they are for. 

The reason is simple they have gone their own way. They have let secularism seep into their belief system. They demonstrate against anything or anyone that opposes them.

This is not what Jesus and the disciples did. They didn’t protest against Rome or the religious leaders of their day.

Instead they kept to the script so to speak. They presented the Love of God that comes through Christ Jesus. They presented the Grace of God and Salvation that comes through Christ Jesus. And they did it in a loving peaceful way. They exhibited the fruits of the Spirit, Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and self-control. 

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A Note from the apostle Paul

  A note from the apostle Paul

The apostle Paul writes,

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Colossians 4:2-6.

Paul here makes it clear what a Christians is suppose to do. 

Be devoted to prayer, 

Be wise in the way we act with non-Christians, 

Make the most of every opportunity to tell people about Jesus,

Let our conversations be full of grace ( grace defined as, courteous good will... attractive qualities or behaviour).

These are all things within a Christians life that will attract people to Christ.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing what the apostle Paul is saying here?

Please think about it.

The name of the Lord

 The name of the Lord.

In the book of Exodus we read,

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

In the new testament when Jesus is asked the question,

"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." Matthew 22:36,37,38.

We must never take the Lords name in vain. We must never use Gods name in a wrong manner.

We must remember what the Psalmist tells us,

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." Psalm 113:3.

And what Job states,

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

 may the name of the Lord be praised.” 

                                                                   Job 1:21.

God is sovereign. He is Lord over all the earth. The writer of Ecclesiastes warning 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." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

Please think about it.

Live as free men and women

 Live as free man and women

The apostle Peter writes,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1Peter 2:16.

Peter here tells us to live as free men. 

Being free does not mean we can do anything we wish. Freedom has limitations. 

True freedom is a compromise.

It is the freedom to do as you wish. While at the same time allowing others the freedom to do as they wish, without causing harm to anyone.

For the Christian. For followers of Christ Jesus this means we can live as servants of God. It means we can present our beliefs to others and allow them to decide for themselves if they believe what we say or not.

Freedom for the Christian. For believers in Christ Jesus means we must keep our own house in order. The apostle Paul telling us,

"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.

The apostle Peter telling 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.

This is what it is to live as free men and women of Christ.

Please think about it.

The reason for Jesus

 The reason for Jesus

John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,

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

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

This is the reason Jesus came into this world to save the world. It is what Christians all over the world must tell those around them.

The apostle Paul states,

"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.

At first glance this statement seems simple enough. Believe in Jesus and you shall go to heaven.

Believing in someone. Having faith in someone. Especially someone you cannot see is a very difficult thing for some people. Yet the Bible calls us to have faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

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

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

Thus my question to you. Do you have faith in God? 

Do you believe Jesus when He said,

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.

Please think about it.

Trust

Trust

In Proverbs

Those who trust in their riches will fall, 

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

                                                               Proverbs 11:28

The Psalmist writes,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." 

                                                                            Psalm 20:7.

Where is your trust. In material possessions or in God? 

Now there’s nothing wrong with having a lot of possessions or being wealthy it’s what value we place in them. It’s what place they occupy in our life. Do we put our trust in what we have rather than God.

The apostle Paul warned,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

Thus I ask you the question do you love money more than God?

In whom do you place your trust?

Please think about it.

A duty we cannot do if...

 A duty we cannot do if...

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.

Have you ever judged a person? 

I was once in a car with a person driving in the downtown of our city while stopped at a crosswalk a shabbily dressed man half walked half saggared in front of our car. All the while talking incoherently.

The person with me commented “drunk and its only nine in the morning.” 

It turned out, I found out later that this man had an illness that prevented him from walking and speaking normally. Further more he was mentally ill. The person I was with had judged him wrongly.

This is one reason I’m sure Jesus told us not to judge anyone. We have no idea why a person is the way they are.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

The reason we can judge those within the church is simple. They claim to be followers of Christ and thus we have the right to check whether or not they are proclaiming the word of God correctly. Whether or not they are living a Godly life. If they are not we can expel them from the church.

That being said whether a person is in the church or not we have no right to say where they will spend eternity.

The duty of the church is simple. Jesus telling us,

"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 a duty we cannot do if we are judging those outside the church.

Please think about it.

A warning to believers

 A Warning to believers

In the book of James we read,

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,...” James 2:12

The writer of Ecclesiastes issues a warning to believers also,

"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.

Sadly where I live in North America these scriptures are many times forgotten of ignored.

While or faith may save us. Our faith in Christ Jesus should transform our lives. The apostle Paul writing,

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  

  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1,2.

Thus I have these questions to anyone who considers themselves a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus;

Is your life truly transformed? Are you doing Gods will or following your own?

Are you speaking and acting as someone who is going to be judged by the law that gives freedom?

Please think about it.