Nine do nots

  Nine do nots 

In the book of Exodus we read,

1 "Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness.

2 "Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd.

3And do not show favouritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.

4 "If you come across your enemy's ox or donkey wandering off, be sure to return it.

5 if you see the donkey of someone who hates you fallen down under its load do no leave it there; be sure you help them with it.

6 "Do not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

7 have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

8 "Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twists the words of the innocent.

9"Do not oppress the foreigner; you yourselves know how it feels to be a foreigners, because you were foreigners in Egypt. Exodus 23:1-9.

Here in the book of Exodus we have made clear to us what we are not to do in nine verses. Look carefully through it and ask yourself “am I doing any of them?”

Please think about it.

I believe in God

  I believe in God

In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1.

Albert Einstein one of the greatest scientist ever to live made an interesting statement. He said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.”

                                                                 Albert Einstein

The psalmist writing several millenniums  before Einstein’s birth wrote,

“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 have always been of the opinion that science done correctly will show there is a creator behind it all. And science seems to be heading in that direction.

Scientist are looking into nature. They are seeing that everything from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles have all come together to allow life as we know it here on earth to exist.

To me that speaks of a creator.

Einstein noted,

“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. 

We all dance to a mysterious tune, 

intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”

                                                              Albert Einstein.

I don’t know whether or not Einstein believed in God. I do know that his statement about we all being cosmic dust, dancing to a tune played an invisible player is true. 

The Bible tells me,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.

In other words God created the very cosmic dust that makes up the Earth the Universe and Everything in it. 

God is that “invisible player” Einstein spoke of.

Mankind is God’s creation. That being said God in making mankind did not make robots. He made individuals with a freewill to do as they wish.

That includes the right to believe in God or not to believe in Him. I and billions of people like me believe God exists.

I believe in God not out of blind faith. I believe in God because of what I see around me. I have looked at what the Bible says and what science says and find no contradiction. Both point to a creator.

The choice however is up to you. Each individual must decide what they believe and ultimately live with the consequence of their decision.

Please think about it.   

Not cleverly invented stories

  Not cleverly invented stories

The apostle Peter wrote,

“We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  

For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."  

We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain." 2 Peter 1:19-18.

Here we have the apostle Peter one of Christ’s closest followers. He had followed Jesus for the entirety of his ministry. He had seen the miracles, and the healings. He knew Jesus intimately.  That’s why he could say he did not follow “cleverly invented stories”. As could all of Christs apostles.

Peter wrote these words within the lifetime of people who knew Jesus. So him propagating such a lie would raise alarm bells.

In fact if any of the apostles said things that were not true it would push people away from Christ. The exact opposite to what they wanted to do. 

Further more it would be the biggest lie of all time as over two billion people today believe Jesus is the Son of God, God in the flesh. The saviour of all who would believe in Him.

Do you believe in God and the Salvation that comes from Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Are you ready to give an account?

 Are you ready to give an account?

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.

There is nothing wrong with being rich. It’s the emphasis what you put on your wealth that causes problems.

Jesus told this story,

“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 

"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  

And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21.

We do not know when we will be called to stand before God. That’s why we must prepare ourselves to meet him.

As I said there is nothing wrong with being materially wealthy. It’s what we do with the wealth we have. In this case the rich man had an abundance and said to himself he was going to “take life easy; eat, drink, and be merry.” apparently without thinking about his relationship with God.

We need to do our best to put God first in our lives. To live a life that is pleasing to God because we never know when we will be called by God to give an account for what we have done in this life.

Are you ready to give an account of your words and deeds to God?

        Please think about it.

Please think about it.

Notes from Jesus, Paul, and Psalms

 Notes from Jesus, Paul and Psalms 

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.

The Psalmist writes,

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

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

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

God knows our DNA. He knows why we are the way and why we do things we do. That is why we have no right to judge those around us except for our personal safety.

The apostle Paul tells us we can judge some people those people being those who claim to be Christians. Paul writes,

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

This is to make certain the truth from the scriptures are being taught correctly. 

The apostle Paul stating,

"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.

Please think about it.

Gods light

 God’s light

The Psalmist writes,

"Your word is a lamp to my feet 

and a light for my path." 

                                                  Psalm 119:105 

If you consider yourself a true Christian. It is important that Gods word illuminates your way. The scriptures exist to give us a moral compass to live by as well as pointing us to salvation and our eternal home in heaven. Thus it is incumbent on us to not just read the scriptures but study them as well. So that we know what they say.

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

Thus my question to you is. Are you studying the scriptures? And, Is Gods word a lamp to your feet and a light to your path?

Please think about it.

Where is your trust?

  Where is your trust.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“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.

I think one of the hardest things we can do is have faith in someone or something. And it is twice as hard to believe in something we can not see or touch. I think that’s why the writer of Hebrews tells us “without faith it is impossible to please God”.

The prise if you will for following God by faith is that God will reward those who earnestly seek Him.

So where is your trust? Where is you faith?

Please think about it.

Will you be happy or sorry?

  Will you be happy or sorry?

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Millions, if not billions of people in this world get up in the morning. Do what they have to do during the day without giving death a second thought.

Even when we go to the funeral of a friend or family member, we don’t think much about dying. Yet it is something we will go though.

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 are you certain that you will go to heaven?

In the Gospel of John we read,

"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.

So do you believe in Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Walk in wisdom

 Walk in Wisdom

The apostle Paul writes,

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5,6

Paul here is warning us to use wisdom toward unbelievers. To be gracious toward them. Sadly many calling themselves Christians don’t do this. They try to force there faith on someone.

One commentary I read said,

“The metaphor suggest speaking in an interesting stimulating and wise way” 

Paul here assumed the church is involved with the local community and interacts with many non-Christians.

We must always respect the views of those we present the gospel to. Even if we don’t agree with them. It all comes down to what Jesus said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.

Treat others with the respect you expect to be treated with.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you treating others the ways you like to be treated?

Please think about it.

planning for the future

  Planning for the future

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

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

We humans are indeed are fragile creatures. We live a handful of years before passing into eternity. James here is reminding us of that. 

Now there is nothing wrong with making plans for the future. Especially if that future includes where we will spend eternity.

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

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

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

So my question would be. In planning for your future, have you planned where you will spend eternity?

Please think about it.

Your faith spurring you on

  Your faith spurring you on

The apostle John writes,

"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." 1John 3:17,18.

Loving and helping someone in need shows the world we are Christians.

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.

In the book of James we read,

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

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."  James 2:17,18. 

James makes it clear that faith without deeds is dead.

So the question I would ask is, If you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Is you faith spurring you on to good works?

Please think about it.

The Word made flesh

 The Word made flesh

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 apostle John knew Jesus personally. He saw the miracles Jesus performed. He witnessed Jesus’ life unfold day by day. Things that made him certain that Jesus was the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testement.

He makes it clear that Jesus was God incarnate. Saying,

“In the beginning was the word and the word was God,... through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made.” simply put Jesus was there at the creation of the world making all that is in the world.

John then makes it clear that “the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” also stating “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the father full of grace and truth”.

John and the apostles all believed Jesus was God incarnate. Who came to earth offering salvation to all who would believe in him.

John stating in chapter three of his gospel,

"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  

John also warned,

"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:18.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Believing in your heart

   Believing in your heart

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.

I have always said believing in someone or something without physically seeing them is very hard. Yet that is what God expects. 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.

The reward for those who believe in God and the salvation that comes from God through Christ Jesus is salvation.

Do you believe in your heart that “Jesus is Lord” and that God raised him from the dead?

Please think about it.

What will God say on that day?

  What will God say on that day?

Isaiah the prophet writes,

“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 are all if you think about it, grass. We are destined to live a handful of years on this earth after which we pass into eternity. Before we pass into eternity however we need to give our hearts to God.

The writer of Ecclesiastes writing,

"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.

Are you ready to meet God? 

What will God say to you on that day?

Please think about it.

Because of his righteousness

 Because his righteousness

The Psalmist writes,

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17.

Here is a very simple statement. Why do we give praise to God? Answer, because of his righteousness. 

In psalm 100 we read,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4,5.

So do you give thank and praise to God? Do you believe the Lords love endures forever?

Please think about it.

Accepting Gods Salvation

 Accepting Gods Salvation

The apostle Paul writes,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. We see our society degenerating. People are becoming lovers of self. Society is heading toward the abyss.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948 who writes,

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the Christ Jesus.

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.

Society is degenerating and as I said the only way to overcome what is happening is to accept the salvation that comes from God. Through Christ Jesus.

Please think about it.

If we find

  If we find

The Psalmist writes,

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8,9.

Have you ever found yourself asking what is life all about. Have you ever tried to fill your hearts desire with “things” material things, cars, fine jewels, high end houses, designer clothing. Only to still be empty inside?

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."  C.S. Lewis.

I believe there is a “God sized hole” in everyone. One God has put there to point us to Him. One nothing in this world can fill.

Do you believe this? If so are you willing to accept God into your life?

Please think about it.

Where can I go?

 Where can I go?

The Psalmist writes,

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

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

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

The Psalmist makes it clear there is nowhere we can go to hide from God’s spirit. 

C. S. Lewis writes,

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” 

                                                                                              C. S. Lewis.

God is always there for the believer and non-believer. All we have to do is turn to him.

The Psalmist writing,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                              Psalm 19:1.

If we look carefully we can see God in the perfectly designed world around us. Again all we have to do is look.

Do you see God in the world around you?

Please think about it. 

Gambling on Christ.

  Gambling on Christ

Jesus said,

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." Matthew 7:13,14.

I’ve heard it said by many outside the church that there are many ways to heaven. Jesus did not say that. He said enter through the narrow gate that leads to life.

Jesus also 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 this claim is true, and I believe it to be so. Then all who hear about Jesus and the saving grace that comes from God through him, need to consider carefully what they believe.

Blaise Pascal wrote,

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

Ultimately the choice is yours. You either believe or you don’t. 

Please think about it.

Ready?

  Ready?

Jesus told this parable,

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.  

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.  

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:35-40.

Jesus here uses the metaphor about the thief breaking into a house. Saying if the owner knew when he was to break in he would have been ready.

When applied to the return of Jesus it means we don’t know when he will return. As such we need to be ready for his return.

So my question to you dear reader is, If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you ready for his return?

Please think about it.