What God Accepts

  What God accepts

In the book of James we read,

“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” James 1:27

Is this the kind of faith you exude? Do you do what you can to help the orphans, widows and others in need?

We here in Canada live in a rich country. Yet there are thousands of people living on the street or who’s incomes are so low that they have to choose between what they pay for, rent of food. Our church and many others in the city where I live reach out to those on the street with food and at this time of year warm clothing. 

We deliver thousands of food parcels each month for those in need. And the need never seems to end.

So I ask you if you are a Christian who has a good income with some to spare, are you doing your best to help those in need? For this is what God wants.

At the same time we are told to keep ourselves from being polluted by the world. Our actions should be driven by our faith in God and not influenced by the world.

So what are you doing to help the widows and orphans in their distress?

Please think about it.

Need Help

 Need Help

“That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the lake.  

Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore.  

Then he told them many things in parables, saying: "A farmer went out to sow his seed.  

As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up.  

Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow.  

But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.  

Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants.  

  Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.  

He who has ears, let him hear."...

“Listen then to what the parable of the Sower means:  

When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path.  

The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy.  

But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.  

The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful.  

But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”  Matthew 13:1-9,18-23.

Here is a parable that tells where each believer stands. There are many people who go to church. Many claiming to be Christians that have fallen away or struggle for one reason or another with their faith. Thus the apostle Paul writes to the rest of us,

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves." Romans 15:1.

We who are strong in the Lord ought to help those who are weak in their faith.

Are there people around you whom you need to help spiritually?

Please think about it.

Show me your ways?

  Show me your ways?

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

As believers is God I think we all seem to take God for granted. We miss who he really is.

As such we need to remind ourselves that God is our Saviour and that all our hope is in Him.

This quote from Psalm 25 is, I believe a prayer we all need to be praying. We need to be asking God to show us his ways. We need to ask God to show us his paths and guide us in his truth. To teach us his truths.

Do you ask God to show you his ways? How often do you do it?

Please think about it.

None of us are perfect

 None of us are perfect

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

None of us are perfect. The key for a Christian however is to remember what Christ said were the most important things. Love the Lord your God and your neighbour.

One other thing Jesus said was,

"So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" 

                                                                               Matthew 7:12.

If we as believers in Christ Jesus remember these verses we will be spurred to live a good life for God. A life that shows those around us what a Christian is all about.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Christians duty to the poor

 Christians duty to the poor

In the book of Leviticus we read,

" ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God." Leviticus 19: 9,10.

The Jews have a concept known as "Tzedakah". That I believe lines up perfectly with Christian belief. 

I got the following definition of Tzadakah from a Jewish website it states, 

"Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word "charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.

The word "tzedakah" is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due."

According to Jewish scholars there are various levels of Tzedakah,

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, but giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient's identity, but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient's identity, but the recipient doesn't know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other's identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant. 

This lines up with Jesus who 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 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.

Gods instrument

 Gods instrument

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

When people look at you are they seeing as an instrument of Gods Love?

Please think about it.

Fruits of a Christian

 Fruits of a Christian

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.

Ask yourself am I exhibiting the fruits of the spirit in my life at all times? 

Please think about it.

Abstain from sinful desires

  Abstain from sinful desires.

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.

When people look at you what do they see?

Do you do your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Please think about it.

About Judging

 About Judging

 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.

An important element of Christian life is never to judge anyone other than for our personal protection or to correct a person claiming to be a Christian who is not teaching sound doctrine. 

The apostle Paul telling us,

"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.

We especially should not judge a person with respect to where they 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," 

As a duty to present the word of God to those around us and not judge them. 

Please think about it.

Show me your actions

 Show me your actions

The apostle John writes,

"This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.... 

"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 3:11,17,18.

The Bible is full of admonitions to the believer to help those in need. 

While the Talmud is not a Christian book, it highlights shared principles of both Jews and Christians. Something the apostle John would understand. It reads,

“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.

The book of James puts it this way,

"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

Please think about it.

On your head

 On your head

In the book of Obadiah we read,

In the book of Obadiah we read,

"For the day of the LORD is near upon all nations.

As you have done, it shall be done to you;

your deeds shall return on your own head" 

                                                                         Obadiah 1:15.

This is a warning to both believers and none-believers. One day we will stand before God and answer for all we have done. But if we follow 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. We have a guide as to what we should do. 

Put simply if we don’t want something done to ourselves we shouldn’t be doing it to others.

So are you doing this?

Are you doing to others what you would have others do to you?

Please think about it.

Worship the Lord with Gladness

 Worship the Lord with Gladness

The Psalmist writes,

“Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

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.

Here’s a call to all who believe in God. To all who believe in Christ Jesus. Shout praises to Him. Worship God with gladness.

Why should we do this? For the simple fact it is God who made us. We are his people.

Also, God’s love toward us endures forever. His faithfulness continues through all generations.

Question, do you worship God each day? 

Do you enter His gates with thanksgiving and praise?

Please think about it.

A sermon from Paul

  A sermon from Paul

For this post I’d like post the Apostle Paul’s sermon to the Athens. Paul states,

“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

So my question to you dear reader, in which of the three groups are you, those who sneered, those who wanted to hear more on the subject, or those who believed.

Please think about it.

Advice from an apostle

  Advice from an apostle

The apostle Paul wrote,

“And we urge you, brothers, 

warn those who are idle, 

encourage the timid, 

help the weak, 

be patient with everyone.  

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, 

but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 

Be joyful always;  

pray continually;  

give thanks in all circumstances, 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

                                                                  1 Thessalonians 5:14-18.

What the apostle Paul is saying here are basic Christian principles we who claim to need to follow. So the question I have for you is. Are you doing what Paul is telling us we should do?

Please think about it.

The law of the Prophets

 The Law of the Prophets

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

Put this way in the year 2025 this means;

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 on others

however good they may be.

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,...

unconditionally.

Please think about it

Our deeds shown in our faith

  Our deeds shown in our faith

In the book or 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.

This should serve as a warning, particularly to those who claim to be Christians. To those who claim to be true followers of Christ Jesus. We all one day will stand before God and answer for what we have done.

True as Christians we believe we are saved by the grace of God. Through our faith in Christ Jesus. In the book of James however 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. 

So is your faith in God seen in the deeds you do?

Please think about it.

The Christian and the needy

  The Christian and the needy

Jesus said,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40.

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.

This is what it is to be true Christians. 

So are you doing what Jesus tells us to do?

Please think about it.

Principle for living #8 Love

 Principle for Living #8, Love. 

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 favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” 

                                                                                             Proverbs 3:3,4.

The American civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.

During the height of world war two Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.” Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon

I truly believe our faith in God should result in us showing unconditional love for those around us. Our neighbours, our families, Our friends, even our enemies.

Love is a universal truth that Atheist as well as men and women with Faith in God can agree is good for both individuals and society as a whole.

The apostle Paul defines love this way,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

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

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

There is a famous prayer by Francis of Assisi that I believes says it all. Especially if one calls themselves a believer in Christ. It states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

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

Please think about it.

Principles for living #4

 Principles for living #4 

Live at Peace with those around you.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.

The Apostle Peter tells believers in Christ Jesus,

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

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.

Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness. 

As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love. 

In doing so they opened up doors to talk with other groups throughout the known world. As a result in just over a century, Christianity had spread throughout the known world.

These men and women respected all those they came in contact with. They lived peaceful loving lives.

As a result they stood in the Areopagus in Athens and spoke to the learned men and women there. They spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society from slaves to rulers.

This is what we in the twenty-first century church need to do. Are you?

Please think about it.

Principle to live by #1

 Principle to live by #1

There are some very important precepts within Christianity that all true believers in Christ Jesus I believe must be following. The first is Love.

Jesus said when asked the question,

“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

Earlier in Matthews gospel we hear Jesus taking this concept of love one step further. He said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44.

When it comes to Love the Apostle Paul made clear what Christian Love should be. He 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.

What these Scriptures from the New Testament say needs no interpretation. They make clear that believers in Christ Jesus should love unconditionally, God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. And The should be praying for those who persecute them.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you show this kind of Love to those around you?

Please think about it.