Mercy Triumphs over Judgement

 Mercy triumphs over judgement

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.

As Christians we need to speak and act as someone who is going to be judged. Just because we have accepted Christ by faith doesn’t mean we can go on sinning or we have the right to judge someone.

The apostle Paul writes,

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6:1,2.

Jesus said,

"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 6:37.

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus, we will never win a soul to Christ if we go on sinning or judging people.

Ultimately we need to remember to treat people the way we want to be treated, Jesus saying,

"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. 

Sing, Praise, Proclaim, Declare,

 Sing, Praise, Proclaim, Declare

The Psalmist states,

"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 claim to be a true follower of Christ do you do as the psalmist says?

Do you...

Sing to the Lord?

Praise Gods name?

Proclaim Gods salvation?

Declare Gods glory?

Proclaim Gods marvellous deeds?

Please think about it.

His love never ends

  His love never ends

In the book of Lamentations we read,

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23.

As a believer in Christ Jesus it is nice to know that the God I praise and worship has a love that never ceases.

Thus I can say with the Psalmist,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

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

                                                                     Psalm 20:7.

How about you do you trust in the Lord God Almighty?

Please think about it.

When they see you

 When they see you

The apostle John writes,

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:4-6

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.

So here is my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian. When people see your words and deeds do they see God in you?

Please think about it.

My Peace I give to you

 My Peace I give to you

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

Are you at peace or is your life in turmoil?

We live in a world that is seemingly out of control. A world that pulls us in every direction. So much so peace seems illusive.

The Psalmist writes,

"Be still, and know that I am God;

 I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth." 

                                          Psalm 46:10.

It can take effort to be still and listen to what God has to say to you, but we must do this. 

   For it’s only taking time from our busy lives and being still that we can hear God amid the storm life.

If you truly believe in God, why not take sometime right now to be still before God and listen to what he has to say to you,

Please think about it.

What are you doing for others?

  What are you doing for others?

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

While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book and not Christian it presents an interesting scenario. It 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

The great American civil rights leader once said,

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” Martin Luther King, Jr.

So the question if you are a Christian becomes, what are you doing for others? At the very least are you doing 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.

Please think about it.

Love the God

  Love the God

Jesus when asked,

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

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

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

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

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

Jesus here is reflecting the what was said in the book of Deuteronomy. Which reads,

"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.

These two scriptures says it all. We are to love God and our neighbour with all our heart and soul. We are to tell of Gods love wherever we go. Further more we are to impress our love of God on our children. 

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

The Psalmist writes

 The great question

The Psalmist writes,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105.

Question, does Gods word really light your path?

What guides you through life?

The late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“The great question of our time is, 'Will we be motivated by materialistic philosophy or by spiritual power?” Billy Graham.

We are surrounded on all sides by materialism. As such we must make the same choice Joshua gave the Israelites when he said,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:14,15.

Jesus made things clear when he said,

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.

So who are you going to serve?

Think about it.

He was in the Beginning

 He was in the beginning

In the gospel of John we read,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.

The above scriptures say is all. Christians believe that Jesus is God.

 “That through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made...”

I know to non-Christians this seems foolish. Even the apostle Paul noted,

"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.

The way I look at it if Jesus wasn’t God Incarnate why would the writers of the New Testament say he was?

Which raises the question do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of all who would believe in him?

Before you answer take time to read the New Testament praying and asking God to show you the truths that are held within it.

Please think about it.

In whom do you trust?

 In whom do you trust?

In the book of Lamentations we read,

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion" says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him" Lamentations 3:22-24.

As a believer in Christ Jesus. As a Christian. I am so thankful that I worship a God whose love never ceases. A God who is with me through the good times and the bad times. A God in whom I trust.

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.

Do you worship the Lord God Almighty? Who do you trust?

Think about it.

With Thanksgiving and Praise

  With Thanksgiving and praise 

The Psalmist writes,

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to [God] and praise his name." 

                                                            Psalm 100:4

Our lives can be hectic. So hectic that we forget about God. Likewise quite often we fill our prayers asking God to help us and provide for us. All of which are good things to do.

That being said we need to take time to just praise God. To thank God for all He has done for us.

Why not take time now to enter Gods gates with thanksgiving and praise.

Please think about it.

For those who cannot speak

 For those who cannot speak

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

Here is a clear statement to all who love God. To all who call themselves Christians. We must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

To my understanding there is about 2000 verses in the bible related to helping the poor.

In Deuteronomy we read,

Deuteronomy 15:11: "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.

In Isaiah we read,

"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

In Proverbs we read,

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

Jesus said,

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:8.

Proverbs states,

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

The lists goes on and on. Which shows that God wants us to care for the poor. So my question to you is,

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you helping the poor? Are you speaking out to those in authority to politicians and standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Please think about it.

Why were we created

 Why were we created?

In the book of Genesis we read,

“So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.”

                                                  Genesis 1:27

So why were we created? The simplest explanation I’ve heard is that God created us so that we could have fellowship with Him.

That being said we were also created to interact with others.

The Talmud makes an interesting statement it states,

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

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing good works?

Please think about it. 

Some questions for Christians

  Some questions for Christians

The Psalmist writes, 

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:6-8.

Question: If you claim to be a Christian can you say what the Psalmist says in the above scripture.

Do you remember God throughout the night?

Is God truly your helper?

Do you sing to God?

Do you truly cling to God?

Please think about it.

The call of the Christian

  The call of the Christian

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Notice here that Jesus says We are the light of the world. It is the individual Christian that is the light of the world. It is we who follow Christ Jesus that use the Bible to enlighten the world. To show Gods love to the world.

It is therefore imperative that we don’t hide our faith but rather share it with others.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you sharing your faith?

Please think about it. 

If we walk in the Light

  If we walk in light

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:5-7.

Here is a sign of a true Christian. They walk in the light of God. As the apostle Paul states they show 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. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22,23.

As apposed to the acts of the sinful nature that Paul says is,

“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.”

By watching what a person does you can clearly distinguish who is truly a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus and who is not.

True Christians always do their best to their best to walk in the light of God.

Please think about it. 

Belonging to The Lord

  Belonging to The Lord

The apostle Paul writes,

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.  

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:7,8.

This is a very clear statement. If you truly love Christ and accepted Him as your Saviour. Then whether you live or die you belong to the Lord.

Question: Are you sure you belong to the Lord?

Please think about it.

Blessed are those who have not seen

 Blessed are those who have not seen

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.  

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles," 1Corinthians 15:3-7.

This is an important scripture. It tells us that...

Christ died for our sins.

That Christ was buried,

That Christ was raised from the dead on the third day.

That Christ appeared to the apostle Peter and the other apostles.

That Christ appeared to five hundred others.

What is also important here is that Paul noted that at the time of his writing most were still living. So there was first hand reports of Jesus rising from the dead and walking the earth.

Now these people believed because they seen it. But we today are asked to believe their accounts by faith.

Jesus speaking to Thomas said,

"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29.

So dear reader do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of all who will believe in Him.

Please think about it.

Egg, devil, or God

 Egg, devil, or God

Jesus said,

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:37-40

This is an incredible statement. Jesus essentially states that he and God are equal. 

In another incident John records this incident between him and a crowd. John records,

“I and the Father are one.” 

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 

“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:30-33.

Jesus knew the penalty of blasphemy yet he still kept to his claim that he was God. 

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

So make your choice.

Please think about it.

Enter Gods Gates

  Enter Gods gates

The Psalmist writes,

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to [God] and praise his name." Psalm 100:4.

When was the last time you simply stopped asking God for things or to do things and simply gave him thanks and praise for all he’d done for you?

Why not take sometime right now to thank and praise God for all he has done for you?

Please think about it.

You rich people

 You rich people,

Jesus told this parable,

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 

“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31

Now let me say, that there is nothing wrong with being rich. Many wealthy men and women over the centuries have used there wealth to help the church and the poor. The apostle Paul 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.

That being said in the book of James we see a warning to rich people who have not done right by the poor. James writes,

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  

You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6

Please think about it.

How will you feel?

 How will you feel?

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Proverbs 96:10.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

God who knows all things. God who knew us from our mothers womb, will one day judge us justly. What will he say to you when you stand before him.

The late American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo

On the day you stand before God will you be happy?

         How will you feel?

Please think about it.

Do you have breath

  Do you have breath?

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

 praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                          Psalm 150

Here is a very basic thing all those who believe in Christ Jesus, all who believe in God are called to do. Praise God.

The Psalmist tells us to praise him in his sanctuary and in the heavens.

The Psalmist tells us to praise him for his acts of power, and for his surpassing greatness.

The Psalmist tells us to praise God with trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, with the stringed instruments, the flute, and cymbals.

Most importantly everything that has breath is called to praise the LORD.

Do you praise the Lord?

Please think about it.

Have you not heard

  Have you not heard

Isaiah the prophet wrote,

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God?

The Creator of the ends of the earth....”

                                               Isaiah 40:28a.

Here is a clear statement from Isaiah. God is everlasting, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

The Bible does not debate whether or not God exists. In the book of Genesis it simply states,

"In the beginning 

God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                     Genesis 1:1.

As for me I believe science done right will at the very least show God exists.

Werner Heisenberg 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 father of Quantum Mechanics Nobel prize in physics.

The question is do you believe God exists?

Please think about it.

About Prayer

 About Prayer 

Jesus said,

“But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:6.

If you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ, how and why do you pray? While I believe we can ask God for what we need. We need to be careful to ask in the right way. 

In the book of James we read,

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

When we pray we must pray with the right motives.

A lot of people sadly are always asking God for things they want and nothing else. I found this cartoon on the internet that I think makes my point. 

While we can pray openly in public and God will hear those prayers. We need with right motives to pray in secret, for others, and for ourselves. And I think most importantly we must use our prayer time to thank God for what He has done for us.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Greatest

 Greatest

Marks gospel records,

"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"  

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 

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 9:33-35.

We often think of those who are great as someone who has great accomplishments, a great athlete, or soldier or even someone with great wealth as being great. 

But the bible turns that around. It says that the one who is servant of all is the greatest. 

Simply put a good leader must be willing to serve.

Are you a good leader? Do you serve those who are under you in authority? 

Please think about it.

Your Acts of Charity

 Your acts of Charity

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

In the book of Proverbs we read,

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

In the book of James we read,

"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.

Jesus said,

"Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 

"So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4

With the above portions of scripture in mind, do you preform acts of charity the right way?

Please think about it.

Rest for the weary

  Rest for the weary

Jesus said,

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

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

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

This is the call of Jesus to all who find themselves burdened. Come to Jesus, tell him the problem. And open your heart to his peace that passes all understanding.

Corrie Ten Boom a Christian who hid Jews from the Nazi’s in the Netherlands knew what it was to be burdened, what it was like to suffer. For aiding Jews, during world war two, the Nazi’s imprisoned her first in Scheveningen prison then sent to the Herzogenbusch-Vught and Ravensbrück concentration camps. Yet through it all she could say,

“There is no pit so deep, 

that God's love is not deeper still.”

                                                      Corrie Ten Boom.

God loves you. 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.

God loves you so much he sent his son (Jesus) to die for you.

The question is do you believe this. Are you willing to put your trust in Christ Jesus. Are you willing to let Jesus take your burdens and give you rest.

Please think about it. 

In Gods presence

 In Gods presence 

The Psalmist writes,

"I will praise you forever for what you have done; 

in your name I will hope, 

for your name is good.

 I will praise you in the presence of your saints."

                                                                                Psalm 52:9.

Question: If you consider yourself a Christian can you honestly say what the Psalmist is saying here?

Please think about it. 

What do people see in you?

  What do people see in you?

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

                                                                                                      Ephesians 4:1.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you live a life worthy of Him?

When people see your life do they see the fruit of the spirit?

The fruit of the spirit being listed in the book of Galatians as,

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness...

self-control.... 

Galatians 5:22.

Do people see these fruits in your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Life to the full

  Life to the full

Jesus said,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 1:10,11.

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

I believe these words to be true. I believe God sent Christ into this world to show in human terms how far He would go to point each individual to heaven.

The question however is, Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

 Blessed are the Peacemakers?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace 

and to mutual edification.” 

                                        Romans 14:19.

At the end of your life will people call you a peace maker? 

Do you do your best to live at peace with those around you?

Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.”

                                                        Matthew 5:9.

So are you a peacemaker?

Please think about it.

From Ecclesiastes and Romans

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun" Ecclesiastes 1:9

"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

"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." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 

The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at all the works a man does and pronounces them meaningless.

I’ve heard it said that there is nothing new under the sun. The only difference between someone in Christ’s day and now, is when we do wrong it ends up on social media. That “modern day sinners”, sin, using high tech devices.

The outcome for the modern day sinner is however the same as it was for sinners since the beginning of time. Spiritual death. Separation from God.

Writing to the Romans the apostle Paul states,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Paul also 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."  Romans 10:9-11.

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

A Note from Proverbs

  A Note from Proverbs

In Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                          Proverbs 3:3,4.

Here is a simple question. Do you Love?

Before you answer that question however read the following. It’s the apostle Paul’s definition of Love. It reads,

"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.

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.

Now with these scriptures in mind do you truly love?

Take a few moments to think about it. 

A Rainbow

 A rainbow

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign 

of the covenant between me and the earth.”

                                                                                  Genesis 9:13

I live not far from Niagara falls where a rainbow and quite often two can be seen at the same time. 

It has been pointed out to me that out of the maelstrom and fury of the water crashing against the rocks a thing of peaceful beauty is created.

Now most people in the world will never see Niagara falls. But everyone has gone through a storm. All of us I’m sure have seen the rainbow that forms after as the sunlight shines through the clouds.

When I see the rainbow I think of the beauty and peace that God gives us after we have gone through the storms of life. I think of Psalm 23 that reads,

The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

                                                                        Psalm 23

  What do you think of when you see a rainbow?

Please think about it.

Love one another

 Love one another

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.

I like this portion of scripture. Jesus here tells us that people will know we are His disciples by our love.

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.  

But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:8-10.

We must serve each other in love. It is a commandment from Christ himself. 

We should not be showing favouritism. There is no difference between rich and poor Jew and Gentile in Gods eyes. All of us are equal before God.

Furthermore the love we have for our brethren in Christ should not be hidden.

Question: If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Do you love the body of believers around you?

Please think about it.

Go make disciples

  Go make disciples

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 Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus. Our primary duty to God is to make disciples of all nations.

The apostle Paul makes it clear that we are Christ’s ambassadors here on this earth. Paul states,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

It is our job as believers in Christ to represent God in the best possible light. To present and not force what we believe on others.

We are to tell others about what we believe about Jesus Christ. Then let them decide for themselves. Further more we are to do this in a loving, caring way.

If you believe in Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Christian love in Action

  Christian love in action.

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

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

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”1 John 3:16-18.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

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

Campolo was right. Sadly however while there are many churches and Christian organizations out there doing good, helping the poor and feeding the hungry. There are many that could do more.

In helping the poor and feeding the hungry we are showing the love of God in a tangible way. 

St. Augustine wrote,

"A Christian is: a mind through which 

Christ thinks, 

a heart through which

Christ loves, 

a voice through which

Christ speaks, 

and a hand through which Christ helps" 

                                                                             St. Augustine.

Please think about it.

The fullness of the deity in bodily form

  The fullness of the Deity in bodily form

In the book of Colossians we read,

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity

 lives in bodily form.”

                                       Colossians 2:9

This is what all Christians believe. 

The apostles creed while not written by an apostle of Christ sums up what true 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.

Thus the question becomes if you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Salvation in no one else

 Salvation in no one else

“Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them: "Rulers and elders of the people!  

If we are being called to account today for an act of kindness shown to a cripple and are asked how he was healed, then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed.  

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 4:8-12.

Here the apostle Peter standing before the religious leaders makes it clear that,

“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 4:12.

Those rulers that Peter stood in front of had the power to at the very least sent them to jail, even have them flogged or worse. Peter and John who also stood with Peter that day knew what these leaders could do to them yet they boldly proclaimed “salvation is found in no one else”.

What about you dear reader do you believe that Jesus is the only way to heaven?

After all Jesus is recorded as saying,

, "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.

A Message from the apostle Paul

  A message from the Apostle Paul

I firmly believe that from time to time we need to let scripture speak for itself. This occasion is one of them. What follows are Pauls words (sermon) to the Athenians. Words that are as relevant today as they were when he spoke them.

The book of acts records,

"So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  

A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  

Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  

You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."  

(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  

For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  

And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  

From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  

God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  

‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.' 

"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill.  

In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 

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.

The question I have for you dear reader is, In which group do you fall? Those who sneered at him? The ones who wanted to hear more? Or the ones who accepted what he had to say?

Please think about it.

He was tempted in every way

 He was tempted in every way

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.  

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” Hebrews 4:14,15.  

Here is the unique thing about Jesus. Jesus was God incarnate, God in the flesh. He lived on this earth as a man. Jesus experienced everything a man could experience. He was tempted just like we are. Yet he didn’t sin.

As a result we can never stand before God on judgement day and say “You don’t know what it was to be human, because you have always been divine”.

Jesus lived life as a human and therefore knows what it is to be human. 

In his lifetime Jesus and his parents became political refugees having to run to Egypt in order to save his life. Jesus attended various events such as marriages. He knows what it is to have good friends. He also knows what it is like to have enemies. To be falsely accused of a crime he didn’t commit. He also experienced the harsh reality of a Roman whip and crucifixion.

And think about it he even experience the mundane things in life like dusty feet, rain against his face. The warmth of the sun.

In short Jesus experienced all that it was to be human from the best mankind could offer to the worst mankind could do to an individual.

Which is why he can judge us fairly.

Please think about it.

Live Free

  Live Free

The apostle Peter wrote,

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

With all the freedoms we here in North America enjoy it is easy to use those freedoms to cover up evil.

Here we have laws that guarantee our freedom of speech. Thus we can within reason say anything we want. That being said, there are men and women particularly in the political and religious communities that say things that are wrong or blatant lies. Then threaten those who try to correct them with libel. Saying it’s their right to free speech that allows them to say what they did.

At the same time there are those who would use the freedom they have to take away the rights of others. This is especially I find used by those calling themselves Christians. Who would seek to restrict the freedoms of people who’s lifestyle they disagree with.

As Christians we have do not have the right to restrict the rights of those we disagree with. 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.

It is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to go out in love and reach people for Christ. If we are trying to restrict others rights we will never win them for Christ.

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.

You dear reader would not like your rights and freedoms restricted. But by trying to restrict the rights and freedoms of others you are giving them the right to try and restrict you rights.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham wisely said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                             Billy Graham

Please think about it.

A blessing for today

 A blessing for today.

In the book of Numbers God gives Moses this blessing to say over the Israelites,

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" 

                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26

Today this blessing is spoken by many pastors over the congregation. It is as relevant today as it was then. It is a blessing I would like all those who read my blogs to accept today. 

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" 

                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26.

May God bless all who read this blog today,

                                                            Neal

Do you believe it?

 Do you believe it.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”  Hebrews 1:1,2.

Here is if you think about it, is an incredible claim. The writer of Hebrews is saying, Jesus is the Son of God through whom the universe was made.

The apostle John writes,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

John walked and talked with Jesus. So if anyone could know the truth about Jesus it was John.

Thus anyone reading what John wrote must make the choice. Is John telling a lie or is he telling the truth. There is no middle ground.

Who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

Enter with thanksgiving

  Enter with thanksgiving

The Psalmist writes,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to [God] and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4

When you pray and worship God do first enter Gods gates with thanksgiving and praise? Quite often when we approach God we approach Him with “a shopping basket of requests”. 

Now there is nothing wrong with asking God to help you. In the book of Philippians we read,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And they peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7.

The way I see it we should all approach God with thanksgiving. We should thank God for all He is and all He has done and will do for us.

So when you pray do you approach God with thanksgiving in your heart?

Please think about it.

When people cry

  When people cry

The prophet Isaiah wrote,

"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.

We humans are fragile beings. We live but a handful of years in this world before moving on to eternity.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

"When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?" Tony Campolo

So how would you answer Tony’s question?

Are you certain you will be happy when everyone else is crying?

Please think about it.

Don't you know

  Don’t you know

    In the book or James we read,

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

Are you a friend to the world. Jesus make it clear we can either follow the ways of God or the ways of man.

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also....

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” Matthew 16:19-21,24.

Here in North America many calling themselves Christians want to have their feet in both worlds. Something Jesus tells us we cannot.

The choice is clear we must decide whether we are to serve Jesus or the world.

Please think about it.

All are equal before God

  All are equal before God.

"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.  

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26-28.

Here in Galatians we see that all people are equal before God. No person is above another person. There is no hierarchy within the church. There is no political affiliation for Christians. 

     We are bound together not by race, occupation wealth or lack of wealth. All, men and women are one in Christ. Our faith in Christ is our unifying force.

Please think about it.

Living your faith in word and deed

 Living your faith in word and deed

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

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

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18.

Here is a very simple Christian life principle. We are to show our faith by our actions. It couldn’t be simpler than that.

So the question is, if you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you living your faith not just in words, but in your actions?

Please think about it.

A note for Valentines day

  A note for Valentines day

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

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

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

This is the description of true Godly love. It is something we as Christians need to but into action every day of our life.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

  Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:22.

Here Paul is telling his readers to get your heart right with God. Get rid of those evil desires you have. Pursue,

Righteousness,

Faith,

Love, 

Peace,

Doing this pleases God.

So are you pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?

Please think about it.