Better

  Better

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

A good name is better than precious ointment,

and the day of death than the day of birth.

It is better to go to the house of mourning

than to go to the house of feasting,

for this is the end of all mankind,

and the living will lay it to heart.

Sorrow is better than laughter,

for by sadness of face the heart is made glad.

The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning,

but the heart of fools is in the house of mirth.

                                                              Ecclesiastes 7:1-4

From the commentaries I’ve read about this the death that is being talked about is not ones own but the death of another.

People react to death differently. But the death of a loved one or someone we know should make us question our mortality. 

Not so long ago my wife lost her youngest brother he was only in his forties. Everyone at the funeral said he died too young. That being said his funeral service was held in his favourite bar. His girlfriend and friends wanted to celebrate his life. And they did.

Our pastor conducted the service and gave a simple message of salvation to all who were there. Reminding them that life is short and finite. 

Somehow however I got the impression that the message was lost on most who attended. And that day I wondered how many even considered their mortality and where they would spend eternity.

But the way I see it and I believe the writer of Ecclesiastes seen it; every funeral should give us pause on where we will spend eternity.

Question; Where will you spend eternity?

Please think about it.

You and the Poor

  You and the poor.

In proverbs we read,

"A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge."Proverbs 29:7.

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done."Proverbs 19:17.

In Judaism there is an interesting concept Christians need to practice it’s called Tzedakah,

I got this explanation from a Jewish web site, it states,

"Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of the poor and needy.

 In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.

Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah  is equivalent to an idol worshipper.”

The book of James states,

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

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

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

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

Jesus said,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40.

What will God say to you when you stand before Him.

Please think about it.

God, you, and the poor

  God, you, and the poor.

In the book of Exodus we read,

"For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. 

"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed."Exodus 23:10-12.

This could be called “Gods welfare plan”. God tells the Israelites to leave the fields unplowed and unused. So that the poor may eat of what is in those fields. In book of Leviticus God states,

“ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19: 9,10.

This is Gods way of providing for the poor.

Note also in Exodus God tells us to rest on the seventh day. And that means everyone in your household and the working animals. 

In Deuteronomy we read.

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."Deuteronomy 15:11.

This is a commandment from God every believer I believe must follow. But sadly at least here in North America where I live, in society that goes twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, this is forgotten.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to be doing what God is saying here. We need to be calling on our politicians, especially those who claim to be Christian to do more for the poor and needy.

Thus the question becomes, Are you doing what you can to help the poor and needy in y our community?

Please think about it.

Pour yourself out

  Pour yourself out

The prophet Isaiah states,

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday." Isaiah 58:10.

The apostle Peter writes,

“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.

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.

Are the people around you seeing your good deeds without you pointing them out to them?

As believers in Christ Jesus we should be doing our best to do good deeds whenever we can. Do they see God at work in your life.

Francis of Assisi said,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                       Francis of Assisi.

So what are your deeds telling those around you?

Please think about it.

Beware of "the Formula"

  Beware of “the formula”

The apostle Peter said,

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Acts 2:21

Today in North America we have what amounts to a formula for getting into heaven. It consists of a simple prayer that states, 

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour.”

The origins of this prayer are debated. Some claim it came out of the early protestant revival movement while others say it came from the late eighteenth century revival movement. While others place it in the early twentieth century. 

Irrespective of when it originated it does not originate from biblical times.

The late British/American evangelist Leonard Ravenhill said of the prayer,

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

And he’s probably right. The prayer had become so ingrained into North American Christianity that it gives a false sense of security.

We don’t see such a prayer in the Bible. What we see is what the apostle Peter states in the Book of Acts, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

We see 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.

This is what happened on the day Jesus was crucified. One of the men crucified with Jesus said,

"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 23:41-43.

There was no formula. Jesus did not ask the criminal to pray the prayer of salvation. It was simpler than that.

This criminal believed Jesus was who He said He was. And proclaimed it with his lips. Admitted his sin and simply asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.

This is what God asks all of us today. 

He asks that we confess our sins to God.

He asks that we sincerely believe in our heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Saviour of mankind.

And He asks that we confess with out mouth Jesus is Lord.

Have you done this?

Do you truly believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. The Way to Heaven?

Please think about it.

He will

 He will?

As Jesus was being crucified Luke’s gospel records,

“Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34.

Sadly those who are persecuting believers in Christ Jesus around the world don’t know what they are doing. That however is no reason to persecute believers in Christ or anyone for that matter. Imprisoning, attacking, persecuting or murdering people for what they believe, the way they live, or their lifestyle is simply morally wrong. And I believe God will hold those who are persecuting others accountable for their crimes. 

The writer of Ecclesiastes stating.

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

The apostle Paul writing,

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 17:31.

Ultimately however the choice is each individuals. God has given each person freedom to choose what they believe. That includes believing the Bible and whether or not Jesus is the Son of God, Saviour of the world.  

Thus the question becomes; what do you believe?

Please think about it.

Who is

 Who is

Isaiah the prophet talking about man made gods states,

“Those who lavish gold from the purse,

and weigh out silver in the scales, 

hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;

Then they fall down and worship!

They lift it to their shoulders , they carry it,

they set it in its place, and stand there;

it cannot move from its place.

If one cries to it, it does not answer

or save him from trouble.”

                                       Isaiah 46:6,7.

Lets not make any mistake we living in the twenty-first century have gods. They may not be effigies of animals or other things but we have them. A god is anything you put your trust in above all things. 

These things can be money, houses, cars, investments. Even political and religious leaders.

The bottom line with all of these things is they cannot save you. You will not get to heaven by making them first in your life. When trouble arrives in your life these things cannot help you.

I’ve heard over the years of millionaires on their death beds sorrowfully admit they didn’t spend more time with God than making millions.

I’ve heard many people who’ve lost their houses and possessions due to natural disaster or fire cry because their life and meaning of success was in the gathering of possessions.

Isaiah the prophet states,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8.

The God we as believers in Christ Jesus. The LORD God Almighty is a living God who loves us and went to great lengths to show us in human terms how far He would go to show us the way to heaven.

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

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

So who is your God? Your possessions, your money? A political or religious leader? Who?

Please think about it.

Commended for their faith

  Commended for their faith

The Prophet Isaiah speaking to the people of Israel states,

"Come now, "let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you call eat the good of the land; 

" but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken" Isaiah 1:18-20.

Here Isaiah explains why God’s people are in crisis. They don’t realize they have forsaken God. Their worship is hollow and their society corrupt.

This is happening today. While secular society is far from God. Many calling themselves Christians are also far from God. Their worship is as hollow as that of Judah in the day of Isaiah the prophet.

Even a quick look at what passes for Christianity here in North America, shows that many so called Christian pastors and evangelist are nothing more than religious versions of secular teachers.

The prosperity doctrine is essentially nothing more that a group of talking heads promising  you will be healthy and wealthy.  If you follow their teaching and give to them.  Sadly many times with at times tragic consequences. 

Sadly the face of Christianity in North America has become the charismatic personalities of the “name it claim it” crowd.

This is not what God wants.

Jesus while speaking to the Samaritan woman said,

"God is spirit, and his worshippers 

must worship in spirit and in truth."

                                                         John 4:23.

Sadly in this day and age many miss this point.

C. S. Lewis noted,

"I didn't go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don't recommend Christianity." C.S. Lewis.

Christianity is one of the most persecuted faiths in the world today. Even in the days of the Jesus and the apostles there was persecution. Jesus was crucified. All but one of his apostles suffered a martyrs death.

Being a Christian is some parts of the world can lead to imprisonment or even death. That is why believers in Christ Jesus must be certain of what they believe.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1,2.

This is what we as believers in Christ Jesus must be commended for. Only true faith in Christ Jesus, true faith in God will get us through the trouble that life places in our way.

So the question be comes; When you stand before God will He commend you for your faith?

Please think about it.

The Christians Duty

 The Christians duty

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.

As far as I am aware Christ has not returned to this earth. Thus the age He is speaking about here in Matthew twenty-eight has still not ended. 

As a result we as true believers in Christ Jesus are obligated, duty bound, to make disciples of all nations.

We have no right to judge those outside our faith. Especially when it comes to where an individual will spend eternity. That is Gods job.

We should never dilute our faith in any way especially by mixing it with politics. 

Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to make disciple of all nations. We cannot do this unless we are doing our best to present the word of God in its purest form.

So my question to you is; If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to present the gospel of Christ to those around you? Are you trying to make disciples?

Please think about it.

In Prison and Mistreated

  In prison and mistreated

The Psalmist writes,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, 

for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 

                                                                     Psalm 23:4.

I live in North America where we have freedoms the likes of which most of the world can only dream of. Fortunately I have never faced persecution for what I believe. Sadly however millions of Christians around the world face physical violence, being sentenced to jail, or even torture and death for believing in Christ Jesus.

Yet despite all the suffering these believers in Christ go through. I still hear. “I love Jesus.” “I will not turn away from Him” 

They even pray for the salvation of their persecutors.

These believers in Christ Jesus deserve to be in our prayers each day.

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3.

We may not know who these persecuted are by name but we can pray for them.

Please if you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus pray for those brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christs sake.

Please don’t just think about it...

Do it.

Is Dead

  Is Dead

In the book of James we read,

“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.”  James 2:17,18.

James goes on to note,

“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” James 2:24.

Simply put our faith should spur us on to doing good works.

So what are you doing for Christ?

Please think about it. 

I live by faith in The Son of God

  I live by faith in the Son of God

The apostle Paul writes,

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" Galatians 2:20.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, is Christ very much a part of your daily life? What value do you place of Gods love for you?

Easter was just a few days ago. A time when we who believe in Christ Jesus remember the sacrifice Jesus made not just for mankind in general but for each person who would believe in Him.

C. S. Lewis states,

"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.

So what place has Jesus Christ in your life?

Please think about it. 

Can never spoil or fade

  Can never spoil or fade

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.

This is what true Christians. True believers in Christ Jesus believe. When we truly accept Christ into our lives we are given a new birth and a living hope of life ever after in heaven.

It all comes down to faith in Christ Jesus. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

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

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

So where is your faith?

Please think about it.

A lie or The Truth

 A Lie or The Truth

The gospel of Matthew records,

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  

Suddenly Jesus met them."Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10.

Here is where Christianity varies from other faiths. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead, walked for a time on this earth before going to heaven. And the New Testament gives numerous accounts of believers seeing Jesus alive after His resurrection.

If these accounts are false then Christianity as a whole is a sham. And the writers of the New Testament have perpetuated perhaps the greatest lie in whole history.

If on the other hand it is true, then those who read about Jesus or are presented with Jesus have a great deal to think about. 

The mission of Jesus is simple. Talking 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.

So where do you stand when it comes to Jesus?

Please think about it.

What Christians believe

 What Christians  believe

In the gospel of John we read an interaction between Jesus and Martha,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

This in a nutshell is what Christians believe. 

The apostles Creed while not written by the apostles elaborates more on what Christians believe. It states,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

To believe or not to believe

 To believe or not to believe

In the gospel of Luke we read the story of Christs crucifixion. In that Luke records the actions of the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus that day. 

Luke notes,

“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 two criminals are if you think about it representative of every person that has encountered Jesus. 

One wanted Jesus to perform a miracle, to get them down from the cross. He wanted physical proof in human terms Jesus was who He said He was.

The other illustrated what is required to get into heaven, confession of our sins and belief, in Jesus. Acknowledgement that Jesus is who He says He is. The Son of God, Saviour of mankind.

Thus my question to you;

Is Jesus the Son of God the Saviour of mankind?

And if you believe this have you confessed you sins to Him?

Please think about it.

The Rejected Stone

  The Rejected Stone

The apostle Peter referring to Jesus said,

"He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  

     Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

Here is Christian belief in a nutshell. Jesus is the way to heaven.

In answering Thomas one of His disciples Jesus said,

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

                                                                          John 14:6.

This was a radical statement at the time Jesus said it. It is even more radical today. Christians believe Jesus is the only way to heaven. As He put it “No one comes to the Father except through me.”

The way I see it you can believe what Jesus and Peter states here or you can not. The choice is yours.

The only thing I would ask the reader before you make a decision, is to at least read the new testament and see what Jesus and the writers of the New Testament believed about Him.

Please think about it.

Something Forgotten

  Something forgotten

In Marks gospel we read,

"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.  

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: 

"Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:15-17.

This is something lost on many who call themselves Christians here in North America. Far too many calling themselves Christians are quick to point out sin in non-believers. That is not their job.

The job of a true believer in Christ Jesus is to obey what 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.

Our job is to make disciples. We do this by presenting the gospel of Christ. And the salvation that comes through Him. Not by condemning people for who they are and what they do.

Once we have presented the gospel message. It is then up to the person to decide for themselves if they believe what we have to say.

I like what the late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham

I believe once we have presented the gospel message it is our duty to pray and ask God to show the person that we are indeed right in our beliefs. That they should give their lives to Christ.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus;

Please think about it.

Praise and Tell

 Praise and Tell

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.

A few questions to those who believe in Christ Jesus. Will you take time right now to Praise THE LORD with your whole heart?

Will you take sometime to tell others of the wonders of God and the saving Grace that comes through belief in Christ Jesus?

Please do more than think about it.

Saved by the Mercy of God

  Saved by the mercy of God

The apostle Paul writes,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour 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

Paul writing to the Romans states,

“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.

A simple Christian fact. 

Christians believe we cannot live lives good enough to enter into heaven. We believe that it is through the Grace of God that we are saved. Through the atoning death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.

It is an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                     Hebrews 11:1.

The writer going on to say,

"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.

So the question becomes do you believe this?

Please think about it.

What God Requires

 What God requires

Micah the prophet states,

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?” Micah 6:8.

Micah’s statement is pretty strait forward. We as believers in God are to show mercy to all those around us. 

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.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.

The key words from Jesus here are, 

“For in the same way you judge others, 

you will be judged, 

and with the measure you use, 

it will be measured to you.”

When we judge others. Others will judge us in much the same way. I also believe that when we stand before God He may at the very least ask us if we want to be judged in the same way we judge others. 

The Talmud while not a Christian book contains words of wisdom in line with Christian belief. One quote referring to when we stand before God states,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual? 

 "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.

While it is true Christians believe we are saved through the Grace of God through belief in Christ Jesus. It seems to me that people who truly have accepted Christ into their lives, their lives change to exhibiting what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the spirit. Paul writing,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control...." Galatians 5:22, 23b.

Question; If on the day you are judged by God He asks you,

"have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" 

What will be your reply?

Please think about it.

Only Eternal Life

  Only eternal life

The apostle Paul writes,

"Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts; take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep. Matthew 10:9,10.

Living in North America allows me to hear a wide spectrum of people calling themselves Christians. Many of whom are not.

The most egregious of these preachers I believe are those collectively called the prosperity doctrine preachers. Very rich men and women who say give to God (quite often meaning their ministry) and He will give back to you many times over the amount you give Him. They treat God like a cosmic investment banker offering super interest. This is completely wrong. These are the men the apostle Paul was talking about in 1Timothy 6:10 when he writes,

“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.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of money. The problem becomes on the value you put on money in your life.

Jesus told 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,  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.

Sadly the face of Christianity in North America is becoming these prosperity gospel preachers. They have the money and resources to go produce carefully scripted program in the media. And their charismatic personalities attract thousands to live events. People who are looking for something that is material in nature and not spiritual, not of God.  

Jesus said,

"God is spirit, and his worshippers

 must worship in spirit and in truth."

                                                     John 4:23.

Jesus never promised us millions of dollars. Jesus never said we would have a perfect life free from troubles. He simply promised eternal life to all who would believe in him

Jesus said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Time to

 Time to

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.

In Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding;

 do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, 

and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme;

 therefore get wisdom.

 Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour."

                                                                     Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly way to many people calling themselves Christians lack wisdom and understanding. They act both in word and in deed without thinking of the consequences. This is especially true of Evangelical Christians in North America. Who it seems heap condemnation on everyone they disagree with.

Over the years I’ve talked to people in the LBGTQ+ community in particularly who have been turned away from God by people claiming to be Christians. 

But it isn’t just limited to them. Many others have been turned away from Christ because of the actions of people claiming to be Christians who are not. Christians have no right to judge anyone outside their faith the apostle Paul stating,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13

Sadly too many Christians wrongly judge others while not expelling the evil doers inside their churches.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist made a great statement when he said,

It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

“God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

It’s time for those who claim to be Christians here in North America to get wisdom and understanding. And while their at it take time to meditate on 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.

Rejoice!

  Rejoice!

The psalmist writes,

"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; 

let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 

Let them praise His name with dancing 

and make music to Him with tambourine and harp. 

For the LORD takes delight in His people;

He crowns the humble with salvation. 

Let the saints rejoice in this honour

 and sing for joy on their beds." 

                                                Psalm 149:2-5.

Easter is on the way. The day Christians believe Jesus the Son of God died for their sins. While it must have been a traumatic for his mother and those who followed Jesus. Within just a few days. Jesus would rise from the dead. 

As believers in Christ Jesus we believe that in sending Jesus to earth God was reaching down to mankind and saying in human terms this is how far I am willing to go to bring you to heaven.

While what we refer to as Good Friday was in human terms traumatic. Easter Sunday was most definitely a time for rejoicing. Jesus rose from the dead offering to all who would believe in Him atonement for their sins.

This is why we as believers in Christ Jesus should as much as we can do what the Psalmist states. Rejoice in God our Maker. Praise His name with dancing. Make music to Him. For He has taken our sins away.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you praise God frequently? Do you praise God enough?

Please thin about it.

Say to the Nations

  Say to the Nations

The Psalmist writes,

“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. As believers in Christ Jesus we are to “Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns”.

We are also to remind them that He will judge the world and everything in it in righteousness. That, that day may happen at any time.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,

“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... 

But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.”

                                                                                                   Billy Graham.

If we are Christians believers in Christ Jesus, we should at the very least be reminding them of the words by Blaise Pascal

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal

Please think about it.

Sing Proclaim Declare

 Sing Proclaim Declare 

The Psalmist writes,

“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.

Here is something simple believers in Christ Jesus can do right now. 

Sing to the Lord.

Praise His name

Proclaim His salvation

Declare His Glory

Tell of His marvellous deeds

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Do this and you will live

  Do this and you will live

In the Gospel of Matthew we read,

"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

In the gospel of Luke we read of this conversation between Jesus and an expert in the law.

"On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 

He answered: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." Luke 10:25-28.

What Jesus is saying here is not new even for the time he lived in. 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 short we are to make God the centre of our lives. We are to love Him with “all our heart and soul”.

And as Jesus said we are to “Love your neighbour as yourself”.

If we do this and those around us do it the world would be a better place.

Please think about it.

Perhaps the hardest thing

 Perhaps the Hardest thing

In the book of Jeremiah we read God as saying,

“You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                        Jeremiah 29:13.

I find most people don’t have God on their radar. This world and all that is happening in it and in their lives is all they are concerned with. At the same time those who espouse to be ardent Atheist it seems without looking carefully for God, dismiss Him. They don’t believe what they cannot see, hear, or touch.

Someone (not me) has said,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God

 for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.”

                                                                             Author Unknown.

Those who don’t believe in God I feel have not looked at the scientific facts,

Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics and Nobel prize winner in physics said,

“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you" Werner Heisenberg.

Even Stephen Hawking considered one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century admitted,

“The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us” Stephen Hawking.

The way I see it the proof God exists it all around us, but just like any scientist who realizes from his research something is there he cannot see we need faith to believe in God.

The writer of Hebrews saying,

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.  

This is what the ancients were commended for. 

                                                                     Hebrews 11:1,2

The writer then tells us,

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

And having faith in anything, especially someone you cannot see is perhaps the hardest thing anyone can do.

Please think about it.

Servant of all

 Servant of all

Jesus said,

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all.” Mark 9:35.

I remember very many years ago I worked the night shift as a janitor for a large institution. 

Whenever a new employee started the first job he or she got was cleaning washrooms. It was the worst assignment a person could get. You dealt with plugged toilets and sinks. Wet floors and much more. Most people lasted a week or two before deciding it was not for them.

Those that did stay turned out to be excellent employees and quite often rose up through the ranks to management positions.

Jesus was a servant. On one occasion going as far as washing his disciples feet. The job of the lowliest servant or slave in a household at the time.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus, we must be humble enough to do the lowliest job. We must be willing to be servant of all.

Are you such a servant?

Please think about it.

It's time

  It’s time

Jesus said,

"In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16.

What is your light telling others about you? About God?

Are people seeing your good deeds or are they seeing something negative?

Over the years I’ve been a believer in Christ Jesus I’ve heard again and again non-believers say, “I’ve seen what those Christians do. And I’m at least as good as them and even better.”

Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                       Mahatma Gandhi.

When I hear things like this I firmly believe that the people whom Gandhi and others are seeing are Christians in name only. They are not following the teaching of Christ.

Jesus even 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.

Sadly many who claim to be Christians are not. Equally sadly they are bringing the name of Christ into disrepute because of their words and deeds.

It’s time for true Christians true believers in Christ Jesus to stand up to those who call themselves Christians but are not. It’s time to as the apostle Paul said,

"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.

Please think about it.