True Christian Love

 True Christian Love

Jesus said,

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

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

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

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

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

So what is love?

The apostle Paul writes,

"Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, 

always trusts, 

always hopes, 

always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

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

 But the greatest of these is love."  

                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

If you call yourself a Christian and are not loving people this way, you must ask yourself, am I truly loving as Christ loved?. Is the Love of God truly in my heart?

Please think about it.

Fact Check

  Fact Check

"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.

This is a message the church today needs to listen to. 

Over the years the church has sadly gained a lot of spiritual and material baggage God never intended it to have. As such we must take care and assess whether or not the Church congregation or denomination is truly teaching the word of God. We must ask the question whether or not the evangelist or pastor we support is truly teaching the word of God.

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

We are in the time Paul is talking about. As such we need study not just read the Bible. We should never simply take the word of any man or woman who is teaching the word of God. We should be asking ourselves “are they teaching sound doctrine?”

If you claim to be a Christian, have you ever fact checked what the pastor or evangelist you listen to? If not why not?

Please think about it.

As for me and my house

 As for me and my house

In the book of Isaiah we read,

“Give attention to me, my people, 

and give ear to me, my nation;

for a law will go out from me,

and I will set my justice for a light ot the peoples.

My righteousness draws near,

my salvation has gone out,

and my arms will judge the peoples;

the coastlands hope for me,

and for my arm they wait.

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,

and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens vanish like smoke,

the earth will wear out like garments,

and they who dwell in it will die in like manner;

but my salvation will be forever,

and my righteousness will never be dismayed.”  

                                                                    Isaiah 51:4-6

One commentator I read said this about the above passage,

“...the truth of the Lord is going out to the nations with a saving power that will outlast the universe.”

The late American civil rights leader once said in a prayer,

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

God has sent his word throughout the world. Thus everyone who hears the word must make a decision as to believe what God tells us in Bible or not.

This world will not last forever. We however are crated to last forever. As a result we must decide where we will spend eternity.

As for me personally I like what Joshua said,

"...as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24:15b.

Will you serve the LORD?

Please think about it.

A Basic Christian Belief

  A Basic Christian belief

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 very clear how you get to heaven.

“Confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead.”

As a result anyone reading this has a choice. Is what the apostle Paul writing true of false?

The choice is yours.

Please think about it.

A lot to think about

  A Lot to think about

The apostle Paul writes,

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

The way I see it we cannot hope to reach God even by doing good deeds. The prophet Isaiah wrote,

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6.

God knew this. That is why He reached down from heaven and sent His One and Only Son Jesus Christ to live a perfect life and die for our sins.

I know it sounds foolish. 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." 1Corinthians 1:18.

But then Gods ways are not our ways.

For the Christian those who truly believe in Christ Jesus the only way we get to heaven is by faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

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

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

John the Baptist states,

"Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." John 3:36.

Jesus said,

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

If what John the Baptist said is not true then no one has anything to fear. That being said. If they are right then at the very least you have a lot to think about.

Please think about it.

A Thorn in the flesh

  A thorn in the flesh

The apostle Paul writes,

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  

Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  

But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness."     Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  

That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2Corinthians 12:7-10.

Sadly I’ve heard many preachers throughout the years say God wants you to be “healthy, happy and wealthy.”

While God wants the best for us, He does let us go through difficult time. Case in point the scripture above penned by the apostle Paul who had “a thorn in the flesh.”.

We are not told what it was and that is unimportant. What is important here is that the apostle Paul had asked God three times to take away the thorn. And God made it clear it was His (Gods) grace that was sufficient for Paul. That God’s power was made perfect in weakness.

It is especially in those times when we are at our weakness that we should be drawing close to God. Asking God for help and insight as to what we can learn from our hardships.

Please think about it.

Do your best for God

  Do your best for God

The apostle Paul writes,

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

Here is a simple question. 

If you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus.

Are you doing your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed? A person who correctly handles the word of truth?

Please think about it.

A Christian duty to love

A Christian duty to love

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 

We as believers in Christ Jesus are told to walk in love. Jesus said,

“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12.

That means loving unconditionally.

While we may not always agree with others as believers in Christ we are called to love even our enemies. Jesus said,

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you....  

Do to others as you would have them do to you.... 

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."Luke 6:27,28,31,36 

The late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. once said,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

                                                                                   Martin Luther King, Jr.

So my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian is, Do you truly Love?

Please think about it.

How to tell a true Christian

How to tell a True Christian

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.

The institution that is the church, which is what those outside the church see, has been around for a very long time. Sadly it has fractured into many hyphenated denominations. As such it has picked up a great deal of baggage it was never meant to carry.

Additionally many calling themselves Christians are not.

The Apostle Paul foreseeing this happening wrote to Timothy saying,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

Thus I would say to those outside the Church. In order to judge who is truly a Christian  you should look for the following in their life.

Do they love God, their neighbour and their enemy?

Is unconditional love a major factor in their life and lifestyle?

Do they refrain from passing judgement on others, especially those outside the church?

Are they quick to correct any wrong teaching within their ranks?

Are they living good loving lives?

Are they exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control?

Are they doing good deeds?

Do they help the poor in whatever way they can?

Do they respect those in authority?

Do they live their faith without compromise?

Do you see them truly trusting God?

Please think about it.

What' a Christian to do?

 What’s a Christian to do?

The writer of Proverbs tells us,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight."

                                               Proverbs 3:5,6.

To be a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus we must put our faith firmly in God. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                           Hebrews 11:1

"And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him." 

                                                                            Hebrews 11:6.

This does not necessarily mean that we will receive our rewards in this world. Certainly the patriarchs mentioned in Hebrews did not see the fruition of their faith in their lifetime. Still they did receive the reward for their faith in heaven.

If you consider yourself a true Christian will you receive your reward in Heaven?

Please think about it.

Obeying God

  Obeying God 

In the book of Acts we read of the religious leaders saying to the apostles,

"We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." 

Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" Acts 5:28,29.

Here Peter and other apostles were brought before the Sanhedrin, the ruling body that had told them not to preach in the name of Jesus. Their crime being preaching the gospel of Christ.

So angry were the religious leaders that they wanted to kill the apostles. Fortunately a Pharisee named Gamaliel (a respected teacher of the law) stood up. Then after giving all present a history lesson about past men who had claimed to be the Messiah and failed. Convinced them not to kill the apostles. Gamaliel stating,

"...but if this is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found to opposing God!..." Acts 5:39a

In John's gospel Jesus warns us about persecution when he states,

"Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also" John 15:20.

Jesus also tell us,

"Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you." Matthew 5:10-12.

Persecution is hard to go through. That is why if we are to go through it we must be certain that we are going through it for the right reason. That being, telling the world around us about the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus in love.

Please think about it.

Pray for those in authority

 Pray for those in authority

The apostle Paul writes,

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” 1Timothy 2:1-6.

Here the apostle Paul tells us to make requests, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving for everyone. For kings and those in authority.

Note here Paul dose not say pray and expect the governments agree with us. Remember we like Paul live in a largely non-Christian world. A multicultural world filled with many gods.  

  The governments of this world are for the most part secular. There are no Christian governments in the world today. Nor are there any nations based strictly on Christian principles.

The best I believe Christians can hope for is to live at peace with them. To live quiet lives of godliness and holiness so that we can present our beliefs to others.

The apostle Peter tells us,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

If you claim to be Christian are you obeying the words of the apostle Paul who said,

“Make requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

Please think about it. 

Christians and basic human rights

  Christians and basic human rights

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.' 

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

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

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

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

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

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:34-46.

Providing food, shelter, medical aid and even a job for the needy is simply providing basic human right. Providing what everyone on this earth should have access to.

Also in providing these basic human rights unconditionally, in the name of Jesus, to someone opens a door to tell them about the saving grace that comes from Christ Jesus.

If you were hungry, thirsty, a stranger, in need of clothing, sick or in prison I'm sure you would appreciate any help that comes your way.

It comes down to

"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.

The Christian and Deeds

 The Christian and Deeds

In the book of James we read,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are many Christians who will tell you, you are saved by faith. That is true. However James here make it clear our faith needs to be accompanied by works. Good deeds.    If we indeed have true faith in Jesus it well spur us on to good deeds. Simply believing in God should never be enough for the believer in Christ Jesus. We need to put our faith into action.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace;

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is discord, harmony;

Where there is error, truth;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek

To be consoled as to console;

To be understood as to understand;

To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive;

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;

And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

                                                                   Francis of Assisi

Is your faith spurring you to do good works?

Please think about it.

Spiritual fruit

 Spiritual Fruit

The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."  Galatians 5:22,23.

Here is a simple test a check list, to see if anyone calling themselves a Christian is actually a Christian. Are they exhibiting the fruits of the spirit?  

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness, 

gentleness, 

self-control.

If you claim to be a true Christian ask yourself am I exhibiting the fruits of the spirit in my life at all times?

Please think about it.

Christians are Aliens

  Christians are Aliens

The apostle Peter telling us.

"Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 

Dear friends,

 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:9-12.

We must remember that as Peter tells us we are "aliens and strangers in this world" Thus we must do our best to, as Peter tells us "to abstain from sinful desires". 

We must Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse us of doing wrong, they may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

If you consider yourself a true Christian are you living a good life?

Please think about it.

About Christians and Judgement.

 About Christians and Judgement

  Jesus said,

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

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

We as mere mortals do not have all the facts. We do not know why a person is like they are. Only God knows that. That's why we must show love and not judge in anyway toward those around us.

Interestingly the apostle Paul states,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?

 Are you not to judge those inside?" 

                                                                            1 Corinthians 5:12.

We are allowed to judge those who claim to be Christian, but only to tell whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine. 

We have no right to judge where people will spend eternity.

The late evangelist Billy Graham once 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.

Love and the Christian

  Love and the Christian

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.

We must also love our enemy. Jesus stating,

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

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

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

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

The definition of Christian love

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defines Christian love as,

"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

Would you not want to be loved like this?

Please think about it.

Christians think of it this way

  Christians think of it this way

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.

Think of it this way

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,

As God loves you...

unconditionally.

So in everything

 So in everything

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.

The way I see things is that if a Christian truly believes that we are to do to others what we would want others to do to us then we have to tell the world around us about Jesus.

The most important thing in the life of a Christian is knowing Christ as his or her personal saviour. That is why Christians must follow the words of Jesus who 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.

Jesus never told us to impose our faith on someone. He simply said make disciples of all nations. 

You cannot make true disciples if you are trying to impose or force your faith on them. Those who hear about the saving grace of Christ Jesus must choose to for themselves if the message is true or not. They must make that step of faith and believe in Him.

The writer of Hebrews states,

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

Truly believing in God is an act of faith on the part of the individual. Without that faith it is impossible to please God.

Do you believe in God and the saving grace that comes through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

The Shepherds Testimony

  The Shepherds Testimony 

In the gospel of Luke we read,

"And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  

An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  

But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  

Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  

This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests." 

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another,    "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 

So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger.  

When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child,  and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.  

But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.  

The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told." Luke 2:8-20.

Here Luke who in chapter 1:1-4 states that he has, “carefully investigated everything” tells of the angels appearing to the Shepherds. 

      To my way of thinking this has to be true simply because Luke is recording a supernatural event. An event that if not true would put his credibility at risk. And by extension Christian belief.

 The key point here is that the angels tell the shepherds that a Saviour is born. “Who is Christ the Lord” and the shepherds believe them going to Bethlehem to see for themselves. Additionally they tell those around them about this Saviour.

For us in the twenty-first century the message of the angels and shepherds comes down to whether we believe them or not.

Was Luke in relating this story telling the truth or creating a fictional story that has fooled the world for millennium.

The choice dear reader is yours.

Please think about it.

Trust in God in all circumstances

  Trust in God in all circumstances

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.”

                                                                     Proverbs 3:5,6.

This portion of scripture stands on its own not in need of explanation. It simply tells us to trust God even if we don’t know what is happening.

That if we acknowledge God in everything we do He will make our paths strait.

If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus do you acknowledge God in all circumstances?

Please think about it.

A good name

  A good name

The writer of Proverbs 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 favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                           Proverbs 3:3,4

The apostle Paul writes,

"Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

It is not rude, 

it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

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

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."  

                                                                         1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

If you claim to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you show this kind of love to those around you? For in doing so you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Please think about it.

Make disciples of all nations,

 Make Disciples of all nations,

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

This portion of scripture knows as the great commission is as much for the early church as it is for Christians today.

As Christians we have a duty to God to present the Gospel message to anyone who will listen to us.

If you profess to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Tell your world about God

  Tell your world about God

In the book of 1Chronicles we read,

"Give thanks to the LORD, 

call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done. 

Sing to him, 

sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,..." 

                                                                     1 Chronicles 16:8-12 

Here the writer of Chronicles tells believers to tell the world about God and all that He has done for us.

If you are a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

If you are not it’s time to start telling the world around you about your faith in God.

Please think about it.

A Prayer

  A Prayer

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:22,23.

This is my prayer for all those who truly love God and His one and only Son Christ Jesus.

Take time today and everyday to draw near to God.

Please think about it.

To dwell in the house of God

 To dwell in the house of God

The Psalmist writes,

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4.

If you claim to be a Christian do you seek to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

Can you say with the Psalmist,

“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.

Please think about it.

Enter His gates

  Enter His 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

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, take some time right now to praise the Lord. To give thanks to God for all that He has given you.

Please do not just think about it. Do it.

A Christian is

  A Christian is

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

The Oxford dictionary defines ambassador as “a diplomat sent by a state as its permanent representative in a foreign country.”

That is who the apostle Paul is calling us. We are Christ’s representatives on this earth.

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.

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

Please think about it. 

The Universe was designed

  The Universe was designed. 

The Psalmist writes,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." 

                                                                                                  Psalm 19:1-3

I like this portion of scripture. It points us to the heavens. The heavens that when studied correctly show how the universe and everything in it was formed by God.

Stephen Hawking said,

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

Hawking also said,

“It would be difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of God who intended to create beings like us" Stephen hawking.

The fact is the Universe was created and designed. And it’s design points us to God.

Please think about it.

Will you give praise?

  Will you give praise?

The Psalmist writes,

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

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

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

                                                                         Psalm 9:1,2.

Today in the beginning of a new year. As believers in Christ Jesus, let us take time to praise God. 

In Psalm 150 we read,

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.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus will you take time right now to give praises to the Lord God Almighty?

Please think about it.