What will God See?

  What will God see?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD,

 and he examines all his paths." 

                                                                      Proverbs 5:2.

I don’t believe the idea that God is a big old self-centred man with a big stick ready to hit us when we do wrong. We only have to read John 3:16,17 to know that. 

John 3:16,17 states,

"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.

At the same time God is watching us and will judge us fairly in according to what He sees.

So my question to you is. When you stand before God and He examines your life What will God see?

Please think about it.

Pray without ceasing

 Pray without ceasing 

In 1Thessalonians we read,

“...pray without ceasing,”

                               1Thessalonians 5:17.

One commentator (Colin Nicholl) writing in his commentary in the English study Bible,  noted that this verse suggests that we should have,

 “a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day.” Colin NIcholl.

Which I think sums this verse up.

We need to have that personal relationship with Christ, daily. We need to know that God is with us all the time. That we can speak to Him anytime. Both in good times and in bad.

Praying to God is one of those good habits that all believers need to practice.

Are you in the habit of praying continually?

Please think about it.

The way you love

  The way you love

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

Love is one of the cornerstones of the Christian faith.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1,2. 

It is our duty as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus to Love as Christ Loved. Unconditionally. Our love should have no bounds.

The apostle Paul defines Christian love 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.

Is this the way you love?

Please think about it.

Believers in Christ are to...

  Believers in Christ are to....

In the book of Colossians we read,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17.

Here is a list of what true Christians. True believers in Christ Jesus should be doing.

We are to:

Clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

Forgive whatever grievances we have with one another.

Forgive as the Lord forgives us.

We are to love.

Let the peace of Christ dwell in our hearts.

Let the word of Christ dwell richly in us.

We are to teach and admonish one another with all wisdom.

We are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.

We are to sing with gratitude in our hearts to God.

We are to do all this in word and in deed, to God in the name of the                     Lord Jesus.

So here’s a simple question:

So if you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing what is listed above?

Please think about it.

Our focus

  Our focus

The apostle Paul writes,

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

In this statement the apostle Paul makes it clear that once we have accepted Christ as our saviour it is no longer we who live but Christ in us.

Upon accepting Christ into our lives our focus should change form ourselves and what is good for us. To one of doing the will of Christ.

If we claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus we should be studying the scriptures to see what God requires of us. 

We must do this in order to grow in Christ Jesus. To become Christ like. Because wether we like it or not when we claim to be a Christian people will look at our lives and judge Christ by our words and deeds. As Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                             Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Remember

  Remember

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“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 who live in the western democracies quite often forget our brothers and sisters who a being persecuted around the world.

According to a United Kingdom house of commons report in 2023, 365 million Christians are “subject to high levels of persecution and discrimination this compared to 340 million in 2021. 

That is 1in 7 Christians are persecuted, worldwide, including 1 in 5 in Africa and 1 in 7 in Asia in 2023, compared to 1in 8 world wide in 2021.

As believers world wide we have an option at the very least to pray for our brothers and sisters around the world.  At the same time we should consider helping support organizations that are helping the persecuted such as Open Doors Canada and Global Christian relief in the United States.

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you at least pray for the persecuted and imprisoned Christians around the world?

Please don’t just think about praying for those being persecuted and imprisoned PRAY for them.

When people see you

  When people see you.

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.

This is a follow up to the blog I posted yesterday about helping the refugees, innocent men women and children. Here Jesus tells us that in helping the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, those in need of clothing, the sick and those in prison. We are helping Him. Jesus saying,

"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 25:40.

While it is true that having faith in saving grace offered by God saves us. Our faith should spur us on to doing more. In the book of James we read,

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:17.

When people see your life do they see you as a follower of Christ Jesus. A person who does what you can to help those in need?

Please think about it.

Who welcomes

  Who welcomes 

Jesus said,

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me” Mark 9:37.

When I read this I cannot help thinking of all the child refugees and their parents that are fleeing war and bad situations in their homeland. Innocent people who only want to live in peace. And while I get the need for border security. I also think we as Christians need to do what is right. We should not be getting political and demanding the borders be closed and legitimate refugees sent back to unsafe conditions.

We should however be doing all we can to help those refugees both before they reach our borders and at our borders. 

Having said that there are many Christian organizations that are doing just that. As true believers in Christ Jesus we may not be able to go to the refugees but we can contribute to those organizations that are doing their best to help those in need both outside our borders and inside.

Remember the words of Jesus I quoted above,

“Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not be but him to sent me” Mark 9:37.

In helping the innocent men women and children in the name of Christ we are receiving not just Christ but God the creator of the universe and everything in it.

Will you do what you can today to receive those in need?

Please think about it.

Instructions from Psalms and Proverbs

  Instruction from Psalms and Proverbs

The Psalmist writes,

"Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil 

and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it." 

                                                  Psalm 34: 11-14.

Here the Psalmist gives good simple advice. If you desire to see good days, you should...

Keep you tongue form evil.

Keep you lips from speaking lies.

Turn from evil and do good.

Seek peace and pursue it.

If you consider yourself a true Christian you need to follow this instruction from the Psalmist. An other thing we need to put in to action is along with what the Psalmist is saying is from the book of proverbs that states,

“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

Please think about it.

Let the morning bring

 Let the morning bring

The Psalmist writes,

“Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul.” 

                                          Psalm 143:8.

No matter the circumstance we find ourselves in each morning. It is good to hear of God’s steadfast love. It is Good no matter where we find ourselves to know God is there for us. 

At the same time we should call on God each morning to show us the way we should be going. To direct us throughout the day, the week and beyond.

The Psalmist stating, 

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

                                                 Psalm 121:1,2.

Does you help truly come from The LORD, Maker of heaven and earth?

Please think about it.

Do Good and Share

  Do good and share

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others,

 for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

                                                 Hebrews 13:16.

This is what pleases God. To do good and share with others. So the simple question is, If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus. Do you do good and share what you have with others?

Please think about it.

A Prayer for Guidance

  A Prayer for guidance. 

The Psalmist writes,

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God;

 may your good Spirit lead me on level ground."  

                                                              Psalm 143:10.

This is what all believers should be asking of God each day. 

The Christian life is one of constant learning. We will never this side of heaven truly know everything there is to know about God.

The Christian life is one of approaching God each day and asking Him to show us His will for our life for that day and for the days to come. Asking God’s Spirit to guide us.

If you consider your self a true believer in Christ Jesus do you approach God each day asking Him to teach you what His will is for your life for the day ahead? Do you ask for the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

Please think about it.

Your way or Gods way?

  Your way or Gods way?

The Psalmist states,

"Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long." Psalm 25:4,5.

This is good advice. Advice many people do not listen to. As someone has said,

“Most people wish to serve God —

 but only in an advisory capacity.” 

                                                Author Unknown

I would say that the majority of people in the world today want to get to heaven. But sadly they want to do it there way.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to pray and study the scriptures. We need to take time to learn just what God wants for our life. And how He wants us to accomplish that goal.

We need to learn the way God works. For it is only in doing things God’s way that we will get to heaven. 

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“So, as the Holy Spirit says:" Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. 

That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.' 

 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.” Hebrews 3:7-11.

Where do you stand? Are you willing humble yourself before God. Study the scriptures and see how God does things or do you insist on following your own path.

When you are considering this remember what we read in Proverbs.

“There is a way that seems right ot a man, 

but its end is the way of death.”

                                                               Proverbs 14:12.

Please think about it.

Is God your Strength?

 Is God your Strength?

The Psalmist writes,

"I love you, O LORD, my strength. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:1,2.

Do you love the LORD?

Is God, your, rock, your fortress, your deliverer. The rock in which you take refuge?

Is God the first person you go to in time of trouble?

Are you willing to trust God with your life?

Take a few minutes to assess your relationship with God. Ask yourself can I say with the Psalmist, 

"I love you, O LORD, my strength. 

The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold." Psalm 18:1,2.

Please think about it.

What The Lord requires of believers

  What the Lord requires of believers

The Prophet Micah 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 here makes it clear what God requires of all who believe in him.

We are to...

do justice,

love kindness,

walk humbly with God.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are these three halmarks of a believer part of your life?

Please think about it.

Giving you all

  Giving your all

The apostle Paul writes,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

The apostle Paul makes it clear 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”.

These words may seem easy to follow but they for many can be hard words to follow. 

Believing Jesus is God incarnate and believing He rose from the grave seems to many people strange. Even the apostle Paul notes,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

I firmly believe God did it this way because those who truly believe in anything will literally go to the grave for what they believe. Which is the kind of people God wants.

The Christian life is not all smooth sailing. From it’s beginnings in Israel to present day there are those who have persecuted, imprisoned, and put Christians to death for what they believe. 

Yet even knowing they could face persecution, imprisonment, and death, the true believer in Christ Jesus does not shrink away from telling those around them what they believe.

The apostle Paul states what true Christians believe. Saying,

"For to me, to live is Christ 

and to die is gain." 

                                Philippians 1:21.

If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus are you willing to give your all for what you believe?

Please think about it. 

Sons of God through faith

  Sons of God through faith

The apostle Paul writes,

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. Gal 3:26,27.

One commentary I read said,

“The Greek word huioi (sons) is a legal term used in the adoption and inheritance laws of first century Rome. As used by Paul here and elsewhere in his letter this term refers to the status of all Christians, both men and women, who having been adopted into God’s family, now enjoy all the privileges, obligations, an inheritance rights of God’s children.”

So what the apostle Paul is making clear is that all who put their faith in Christ Jesus are children of God.

This is a great honour. Something no one asked for, but never-the-less God through Christ Jesus offers us.

The apostle John stating,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13.

Are you willing to accept the saving grace that comes from God through Jesus?

Please think about it. 

The LORD gives and The LORD takes away.

 The LORD gives and The LORD takes away

In the book of Job we read,

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return . The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20,21.

Job in rapid succession had faced massive personal loss including his family. Yet Job while grieving did not place the blame on God. Rather he blessed the name of the Lord.

We all have problems. We all have times of grief. It’s just a part of life. Still it’s not easy going through troubled times.

In those times it is easy to turn to God and say “why me?”.

Job here however gives us an example to follow. Despite losing everything he still worships God. Knowing that all he has comes from God. Knowing that even in times of trouble God is there for us.

Job knew that he came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing.

He also knew that by being faithful to God in good and bad times he will ultimately receive his reward.

How about you? 

Do you worship God in the good times and in the bad times.

Please think about it.

We must look at their life

  We must look at their life

Jesus said,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

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 7:21-23.

I live in North America were many say they are Christians but they are not. This I know can be confusing for non-Christians. After all anyone calling themselves a Christian is a Christian to them.

At the same time I believe there are many calling themselves Christian who are misled by the pastor, evangelist or teacher they are following. Something that can have eternal consequences.

I believe the best way to tell a true Christian is to look at their life and lifestyle.

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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 5:19-23. 

I firmly believe that we should not believe someone is a Christian simply because they say they are. We must look at their life. We must look to see if they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Please think about it.

What can I do?

  What can I do?

The Psalmist writes,

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.” Psalm 139:7-10.

There is nowhere to run from God. Which ultimately means that God can and does guide us no matter where we are. If we are willing.

I know in the good times it’s easy to follow God. However it is in the bad times that we see the true believer shine.

When bad times hit we have too choices. 

One call out to God and ask Him why are you in the position you are in and complain about your circumstances saying “why me Lord?”

The other choice is to call of God and ask Him to be with you, guiding, directing and comforting you. Saying “what do you want me to do Lord?” Or, “What do you want me to learn today?”

When you go through hard times in life what do you do?

Please think about it.

To those in the West

 To those in the west

Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

I firmly believe that we who believe in Christ Jesus living in the western democracies don’t fully comprehend this statement. With all of our freedoms we fail to realize that the cost of following Christ can and is extreme for those in countries where the freedom to worship God is prohibited. Where worshipping God can get you and your family sent to jail or labour camps.

Even in some democracies in the world where Christianity is a minority faith. Believing in Christ can lead to persecution. Persecution that can force a believer to leave his or her home village or town, get dismissed from their job, and in some cases lead to their families breaking ties with them.

As a result we living in the west fail to count the cost of following Christ.   

As a result we quite often take our faith in Christ too lightly to the point at times we place God of second or third priority in our life.

Quiet often choosing to do other things ahead of serving and worshipping God.

Some believers even going as far as hiding their faith from their co-workers or employers.

To those in the west I would remind them of the words of Jesus who said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32,33.

So to those reading this who are living in the democratic and free democracies of the west do you admit to those around you, you are a believer in Christ Jesus?

Have you counted the cost of following Christ?

Do you put God ahead of all things in your life?

Please think about it.

Who do you associate with?

  Who do you associate with?

The apostle Paul writes,

“I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—  not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat.” 1 Corinthians 5:9-11.

I find it interesting here that believers in Christ Jesus are allowed to associate with sexually immoral people, greedy, swindlers, idolaters. Who are outside the Church. Yet are not allowed to even eat with those who claim to be Christians and are sexually, immoral, greedy, idolaters, slanderers, drunkards and swindler.

I think the reason is strait forward. Those who call themselves Christians and are sexually immoral people, greedy, swindlers, idolaters, are not true Christians.

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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 5:19-23.

As Christians especially those of us who live in North America we need to truly ask ourselves are we associating with those who call themselves Christians who are not?

Who do you associate with?

Please think about it. 

Keeping the Royal Law

 Keeping the Royal Law

In the book of James we read,

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right."James 2:8.

Are you doing right? 

Are you loving your neighbour as yourself?

I firmly believe it is the duty of a true believer in Christ Jesus to love those around them in the same way Jesus did, unconditionally.

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 neighbor as yourself.'  

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

So are you loving your neighbour as yourself?

Please think about it.

Treat others the same way

 Treat others the same way

Jesus said,

"Treat others the same way you want them to treat you." Luke 6:31.

The meaning of this portion of Scripture is self explanatory. Treat others the way you want them to treat you. 

In Matthews gospel we see Jesus as saying it this way,

"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.

If you call yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Jesus Christ you should be doing so.

So the question becomes do you treat others the way you want to be treated?

Please think about it.

About your attitude

  About Your Attitude

In the book of Philippians we read,

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.  

Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 

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

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

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:3-8.

Why do you do what you do?

Many people do what they do out of selfish ambition. They do things for the glory it gives them. They like waving and saying “look at me! Look how important I am!” All they are looking out for is themselves.

A true leader knows how to lift up those who are under him or her.  A good leader is in affect the servant of those under them.

This is especially so in the Church. Leaders need to look to the interests of those they are interacting with. As the apostle Paul states,

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

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 

but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

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

Do you humble yourself, considering others better than yourself?

Please think about it.

Live a life worthy of The Lord

  Live a life worthy of The Lord 

The apostle Paul writes,

“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,” Colossians 1:10.

Do you live a life worthy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

No believer is perfect. We all fall short of what God wants for our life from time to time. The key however is, if we’ve sinned or fallen short of Gods expectations for our life, is to pray and ask His forgiveness.

The other thing that is important is to pray and ask the Holy Spirit to help us live a life worthy of our Lord.

It is also important to pray for other believers. Every believer from your pastor, church leaders and teachers, to those believers sitting in the pews each Sunday.

Additionally it is important that we pray and study scripture so that we know just how to live a life worthy of our Lord.

Take a few minutes to take stock of your life. Ask yourself am I doing my best to live a life worthy of Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Get Wisdom

  Get wisdom

In the book of 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.

What is wisdom? Here’s one definition I believe sums wisdom up, 

“the ability or result of an ability to think and act utilizing knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight.”

When it comes to being a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus. We need to ask God to give us wisdom in all situations in life.

One of the best ways is to pray and study the scriptures, not just read them. Pray and ask God to show you the truths held within the Bible. At the same time look at what various people in the Bible did. How they overcome problems.

Question... Do you ask God to give you wisdom, especially when dealing with other people?

Why not take some time right now to pray and ask God for wisdom.

            Please think about it.

Let's Rejoice!

  Let's 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.

What the psalmist is saying here is clear. We are to rejoice in our maker, be glad in our KING.

We are to praise God with dancing, music, with the tambourine and harp and with dancing.

The psalmist reminds us that The LORD delights in His people.

Telling us to rejoice in Gods honour and sing for joy in our beds.

Question,... If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus do you take time during the day to praise God openly?

Please think about it.

Sing to the Lord a new Song

 Sing to the Lord a new Song

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.

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, Christians need to praise the LORD. To proclaim His salvation day after day.

Just how do we do it?

Francis of Assisi said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and 

when necessary use words.”

                                            Francis of Assisi.

Francis of Assisi also warned,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

Praise God before the gods

  Praise God before the gods

The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise. Psalm 138:1.

At first glance this verse seems to be an unnecessary statement in the twenty-first century. After all there are no “gods” in this century.

Quite the contrary there are as probably as many gods in 2024AD as there were in 2024BC. 

The thing is while the gods that were in 2024BC have faded into history. There has arisen new gods in 2024AD. Things that we may not realize we hold to be gods. A god by my way of thinking is anything we put our trust in blindly or otherwise. One of the most obvious ones being money and our material possessions. Other things might be religious or political leaders. Again people we follow blindly or otherwise.

Such gods can easily trick us into following them. By the promise of wealth or health or even prestige and social standing.

As believers in the One True God it is important for us to keep our eyes on Him. Not only that but openly praise the LORD with our whole heart publicly, in word and in deed.

We need to in a loving manner tell the world around us that we serve the LORD God Almighty.

If you consider yourself a Christian. Do you praise God publicly in word and deed?

Please think about it.

A question asked

 A question asked.

In the book of James we read,

“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 4:14.

Is there a meaning to life? 

Is this life we are living all there is?

Is the sole duty of men and women to have children then die?

Paul Gauguin asked,

“Where Do we Come From? What Are We? Where Are we Going?”

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:14

The writer of Ecclesiastes however comes to the conclusion,

"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.

Martin Luther King jr. prayed to God saying,

“Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.” Martin Luther King jr.

Whether we want to admit it or not. Life does go on into eternity and what we do here in this life determines where we will stay in eternity.

The book of Acts record this incident in the apostle Paul’s life,

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  

He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 

They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:30,31.

Question. Do you know where you will spend eternity?

                 Do you believe in God?

                          Do you believe in the Salvation that comes through the Lord Jesus?

Please think about it.

Are you a Dorcas?

 Are you a Dorcas?

In the book of Acts we read,

"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.

Do you do good works without being prompted? 

Many within the church have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour then stopped. Being quite satisfied with being saved. 

God however doesn’t want us to be satisfied with just being saved. He wants us to reach out in love through good works to those around us. James writes,

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

    If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17.

So is your faith alive or dead?

Our faith should spur us on to good deeds. We should want to help those who are in need of help. I firmly believe that we have an obligation to God to help people to the extent that we are able. Even if it’s just giving a few coins to a homeless person begging on the street.

So what good works and acts of charity have you done recently?

Please think about it.