For those who cannot speak

 For those who cannot speak

In the book of proverbs we read,

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

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

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

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

In Deuteronomy we read,

Deuteronomy 15:11: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11.

In Isaiah we read,

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."Isaiah 58:10

In Proverbs we read,

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

Jesus said,

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

Proverbs states,

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

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

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

Please think about it.

Why were we created

 Why were we created?

In the book of Genesis we read,

“So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.”

                                                  Genesis 1:27

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

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

The Talmud makes an interesting statement it states,

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

In the book of Ephesians we read,

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

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

Please think about it. 

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

Are you talking about Jesus?

  Are you talking about Jesus?

The Psalmist writes,

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

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

"let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth." Psalm 96:10-13.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what the Psalmist is telling us to do?

Are you saying to those around you “the LORD reigns” and that He will one day judge all people with equity?

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.

As believers in Christ Jesus it is important that we tell the world about the saving grace that come from God through Christ Jesus. That they need to call on the name of Jesus. 

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.

So if you claim to be a Christian are you telling those around you about Jesus?

Please think about it.

In Word and deed

 In word and deed

    In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk to them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

This to me is saying clearly that God should be the centre of our lives. That it is our obligation to God to teach our faith to our Children.

The Talmud states,

Whoever teaches his son teaches not alone his son

 but also his son's son, and so on to the end of generations. 

                                                                                   The Talmud 

We should not only be telling our Children about our faith but we should be living our faith before them.

Our Children do see our every move therefor we have a duty to them to live our faith in word and in deed.

The apostle Paul writes,

"And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:17.

Do your words and deeds reflect that of our Lord and Saviour Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Ambassadors for Christ

 Ambassadors for Christ.

The apostle Paul also wrote,

  “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 Corinthians5:20.

I think that many Christians overlook this verse of scripture. They forget that we are Christ’s ambassadors. An ambassador is diplomatic. 

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

An ambassador does not try and impose their will or the will of their country on another country. They simply present what their country believes. 

This is how we as Christians, as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be aware of. We are to present to the world around us what we believe. Leaving it to the people listening to them to decide for themselves if what is being said is true or false.

Question; If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you a good ambassador for Him?

Please think about it.

Peacemaker

 Peacemaker

Jesus said,

"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." 

                                                                                                           Matthew 5:9.

Are you a peace maker? And by that I don’t mean some diplomat that tries to bring peace to some war.

You can be a peace maker right in your own country, town or neighbourhood.

I find particularly in the current political climate here in North America. Christians, at least those calling themselves Christians, are looked at war mongers. While they may not be starting a physical war between nations. They by their actions are causing rifts between Christians and everyone else.

Sadly many calling themselves Christians are getting involved with politics. Something a Christian should never get involved with. Someone has said,

“Combining religion and politics is like combining water and gasoline. The water is undrinkable. The gasoline unusable. And the whole thing is explosive.”

Many Christians are using politics to try and stop anything they disagree with. They believe the lie that Canada and the United States are built on Christian values.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Canada and the United States are secular democracies. They are as culturally as diverse as the Roman empire.

I’m sure when the apostle Paul walked into Athens he could have yelled “you heathen God is going to send you to hell!” But he didn’t instead after being invited by the Epicurean and Stoic Philosophers to speak at the Areopagus he said,

"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." Acts 17:22,23.

Paul and all the other apostles never tried to restrict the rights of others. Paul even tells us to, 

"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men." Titus 3:1,2.

Paul and the apostles knew that by trying to restrict the beliefs and lifestyles of those they disagree with could backfire and cause their faith to be restricted.

If we are to be true Christians in 2024 we need to live at peace with those around us. We need to extend the hand of friendship and present our beliefs not force our beliefs on others. 

      We need to listen to them. To treat them as equals. For it’s only in doing this will we win souls for Christ.

There is a phrase the late American evangelist Billy Graham said. He said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                 Billy Graham

It is only by doing this we will be called Peacemakers and be called sons of God.

Please think about it.

Using your gifts

 Using your gifts

The apostle Peter wrote,

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.

Do you use the gifts you have received for God? Do you believe you have any gifts God can use?

Sadly there are many within the church who don’t think they have any gifts God can use. Which is sad because if you are willing God will use you for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

I knew a young woman named Sharon who thought she had no gifts. She came from a poor background. People in the small town where she lived looked down on her and her family.

She wasn’t well educated. She certainly couldn’t preach from the pulpit. She didn’t communicate things well and she was “socially awkward”. Unsure how to act in certain circumstances. 

When I met her she was sweeping floors and cleaning tables at a Christian coffee shop outreach where I was performing.

Long story short. Within two years of my meeting her we were married and we were living along way away from here home town, where people didn’t know her.

Our marriage changed her life in many ways. We got involved with a good church, where she became a volunteer librarian. Additionally we hosted a bible study in our apartment.

During those early years we also moved around quite a bit before a series of events brought us to a small Canadian city where we settled down and joined a church.

Again Sharon volunteered as a librarian. At the same time she got involved with various Christian women’s groups both with our church and outside.

At the same time we opened our house particularly on holidays. We’d invite people who were going to spent the holidays alone to come. An event Sharon liked hosting.

Now Sharon never became a great preacher, teacher, or evangelist and her name will one day be lost to history. Still that doesn’t matter. She is known to God and she gave what she had for God to use and he did.

When she passed away after a long illness over a hundred people came to her funeral. All of whom had been touched by her life in one way or another.

Sharon had always called herself “ordinary”. With very little for God us use. Yet she gave what she had and blessed many by doing so.

So my point here is if God can use Sharon a poor girl from a small Canadian village. He can use you. You may not become a world renowned evangelist. But then very few who work for the Lord are.

The important thing is, as the apostle Peter wrote,

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, 

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 

                                                                                                   1 Peter 4:10.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

About your enemies and Persecutors

  About your enemies and persecutors

Jesus said,

"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,..." 

                                                                                         Matthew 5:43,44.

What Jesus is saying here can be a daunting task, especially if you are under persecution. When I read this portion of scripture. I think of those Christians around the world that have had to leave their homes, towns and villages. Even their families because they believe in Jesus. 

Some believers are forced into refugee and internal displacement camps because of the persecution they are enduring.

Yet to them and indeed all true believers in Christ Jesus, Jesus calls us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

The late American civil rights leader Rev. Martin Luther King jr. . A man who knew what persecution was 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.

Jesus while hanging on the cross said,

“Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."...Luke 23:34

Jesus knew what persecution was and yet as He was hanging on the cross, He asked God the Father to forgive to forgive his persecutors. The men that had nailed Him to the cross.

The apostle John wrote,

"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." 1 John 3:16.

Do you love your enemies? Do you pray for those who persecute you?

Please think about it.

Let your requests be known

Let your requests be known

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,...” 1 Timothy 2:1-3.

As believers we are called to pray for everyone. Everyone from kings, and those in authority to our family, friends and neighbours.

Doing so for many may be hard. Especially when it comes to those in authority we disagree with or who seem evil. Still we are called to do so.

Paul understood what he was saying. He was living under one of the worst dictators the world has seen. Yet he still said pray for those in authority.

Paul believed in prayer. Prayer can and does change things. That why Paul tells us to pray. 

Do you pray for your government leaders? Do you pray for your family, friends and neighbours? If not why not?

Please think about it.

A warning to all

 A warning to all

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

In 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.

What is said above is not just for the wealthy but for all people. It is important especially if you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, that you deal honestly with those you interact with, be they a customer, some one who works for you or just some random person you deal with.

So are you dealing honestly with people? What will God say about your dealings when you stand before Him on judgement day?

Please think about it.

Dealing Honourably and Faithfully

 Dealing Honourably and Faithfully

Jesus told this story

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,  

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

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

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

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

Here we have a warning to not just the rich but to all who have the ability to help the poor and less fortunate. Especially for those who believe in God. You need to care for those who are not as fortunate as you in life.

In the Talmud we read,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not,    "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?”  "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud

So my question to you dear reader is, If you consider yourself a Christian or for that matter if you don’t consider yourself a Christian, do you deal honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?

Please think about it.

Take tome to praise God

  Take time to praise God

The Psalmist writes,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

 praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                                   Psalm 150

Here is something we as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus should do every day. That is praise the Lord.

Why not take a few moments right now to praise God.

Please don’t just think about it. Do it!

Pray

  Pray 

In 1 Thessalonians we are told to,

“Pray continually”

                                1Thessalonians 5:17

As a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus must pray continually. While we must also set a quiet time aside to pray. We also need to lift up what is on our heart to God throughout the day. Sometimes it can be audible other times it can be silent. Other times it can be without words just simply reaching out to God.

I like this quote from Our Daily Bread devotional that states,

“It's possible to "pray continually" because Christ's Spirit unites our hearts to God's, continually assuring us of His love for us as His children”

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus do you pray continually?

Please think about it.

The upward call

  The upward call.

The apostle Paul writes,

     “I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:14.

Here Paul sets an example for us all. He presses toward “the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

As believers in Christ Jesus it is important to “press into God’s word”, the Bible. We must endeavour to do all we can to learn about the God, and Christ Jesus.  

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy wrote,

"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. 2Timothy 2:15.

The only way we can handle the word of truth is by knowing what the scriptures say. That means not just reading the Bible but studying what it says.

Question, do you just read the Bible or do you study what it says?

Please think about it.