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.

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.

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.

A Warning to the rich

  A warning to the rich

In the book of James we read,

“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.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of material possessions. The apostle Paul tell us,

“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.

It’s what you do with your wealth that is the problem. Do you use it selfishly on yourself or do you use at least a portion of it to help others.

The warning here is clearly to those who use their wealth selfishly. Those who have no compassion on the poor.

So my question is... Do you use at least a portion of what you have to help the poor?

Please think about it.

Prove your repentance

  Prove your repentance

In the book of Acts we read,

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:19 20.

Here is a sure fire way of knowing someone has truly accepted Christ as their Saviour and Lord. They will turn from their evil ways. 

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." James 14-17.

A true Christian will do their best to help others, whether it’s by simply giving a few dollars to someone who’s homeless living on the street. Or through donating to agencies and churches that help the poor. Or by volunteering to work with food banks and those agencies who help the poor. Or by seeing someone be it within or outside the church who just needs a hug and a loving word.

If you claim to be a Christian are you showing the world by your love of God by the deeds you are doing?

Please think about it.

What do others see?

  What do others see?

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.

As Christians we are told to let our light shine so that they may see our good deeds and praise God the Father.

Thus the question I would have for anyone who claims to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus is, When people see you do they see someone who reflects the light and love of God?

Please think carefully about it.

Walking in Gods Light

  Walking in Gods Light

The apostle John states,

"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.

Do you walk in the light? Do the religious and political leaders you follow truly walk in the light?

I believe if we are following Christ correctly we and those we follow must walk in the light. We must exhibit what scripture calls “the fruit of the Spirit”. Scripture telling 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.

So are you and the religious and political leaders you follow exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit? Are they walking in The Light?

Please think about it.  

Your life and your lifestyle

 Your life and your lifestyle

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 truly seek to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

What is more important to you, the things of this world or the things of God?

Take a good look at your life. What is your life and lifestyle telling others? 

When others see your life do they see that you put God first?

Please think about it.

Your love must be sincere

  You must be sincere

The apostle Paul writes,

"Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; 

cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves." 

                                                                    Romans 12:9,10.

When people, especially those outside the church see you, do they see that the love you have is sincere?

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, we cannot do anything halfheartedly. We must be sincere in everything we do. That is especially true when it comes to love. We must love as God loved. Unconditionally.

Is you love unconditional? Are you devoted to other Christians in brotherly love? Do you honour others above yourself?

Please think about it. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Enter into His gates

  Enter into 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.

I think it is important for all who believe in Christ Jesus to give thanks and praise to the Lord at all times. We need to in good times cultivate an attitude of thanksgiving and praise. We need for lack of a better term, make a habit to thank and praise The Lord in all sincerity daily.

I believe we need to end all our prayer sessions with at the very least a few words of thanksgiving to God.

This way when we go through hard times we are in the habit of thanking God for being with us as we go through those bad times.

I remember when my late wife, who had suffered for sometime was quite literally in her final hours of life. The family gathered around her and along with our pastor she, and we, prayed and then sang amazing grace. Then for then next few hours until she passed we listened to praise music. I firmly believe she entered into the presence of God praising His name.

My wife could praise God for two reasons. First she truly loved her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 

And secondly throughout her life she had got into the habit of praising God no matter what she was going through.

When the day comes that you enter the gates of heaven and stand in the courts of God what will you be doing?

Please think about it.