You'll be treated the same way

 You'll be treated the same way

Luke’s Gospel records this incident between Jesus and a rich man,

“A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.  

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.''" 

"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.” Luke 18:23. 

The message here is simple. Anyone wishing to become a Christian must be willing to give everything up for Christ.

Jesus never promised us riches or an easy life. He simply offered us eternal life with Him in heaven after this life is over.

In fact Jesus said,

"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.

      When becoming a Christian one must remember that they will be treated in the same way the world treated Jesus

Please think about it. 

Enjoy Life

  Enjoy life

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.

Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.

Enjoy life with the wife whom you love, all the days of your vain life that he has given you under the sun because that is you portion in life and your toil at which you toil under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 9:7-9.

I’ve heard it said that the Christian life is “following a bunch of rules”. “A bunch of do’s and do not’s.” To which I say it is not. 

The Christian life comes with set of rules to live by that’s true. But those rules are like the rules for playing football. The rules are there so that you have good and fair game.

The rules Christians follow are layed down by God so that we know what He requires of us. That being said God wants us to enjoy life. The above Scripture tells us that.

"Go, eat your bread with joy, 

and drink your wine with a merry heart, 

for God has already approved what you do.”

                                                   Ecclesiastes 9:7.

So yes while we as believers in Christ Jesus have rules to follow. They are rules that help us live a good and happy life.

Please think about it.

The fruit of a Christian life

  The Fruit of a Christian life

In the book of Galatians we read,

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.

Look carefully at this list,

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness

 and 

self-control

Are these the attributes that people see when they look at your life?

If you follow a pastor, evangelist, philosopher, or even a politician. Do these people exhibit these characteristics? If not you should not be following them. It’s that simple.

Those Characteristics listed above are those of a Christian man and woman. Something God wants all of us to exhibit.

Thus the question becomes; Do you exhibit these characteristics?

Think about it. 

Pursue what promotes peace

 Pursue what promotes peace

The apostle Paul writes,

"So then, let us pursue what promotes peace

 and what builds up one another "

                                                                  Romans 14:19

As believers we are called to pursue the way of peace. The apostle Peter writing,

The apostle Peter writes,

"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.

We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to live so good even the pagans will one day see our good deeds and glorify God.

Question...

When people see your life. Do they see a life pursuing peace?

Let us make every effort

 Let us make every effort.

The apostle Paul writes,

So then, let us pursue what promotes peace 

and what builds up one another 

                                                                                       Romans 14:19 (CSB)

The New International Bible translates it this way,

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace 

and to mutual edification.”

                                               Romans 14:19.

Christians are called to do what they can to ensure peace. We are to lift others up not tear them down.

I think this can extend to not only other Christians but to those around us. The apostle Paul earlier in his letter to the Romans states,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone.”

                                                           Romans 12:18.

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

Are you doing your best to live at peace with not only other Christians but with those who are not Christians. Those who don’t believe as you do.

Please think about it.

Who are you bowing to?

   Who are you bowing to?

The Psalmist writes,

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

before the "gods" I will sing your praise."

                                                               Psalm 138:1.

It is important that we as Christians are not ashamed to praise God. The world has many ‘gods' and sadly all too many people calling themselves Christians are bowing down to these gods be it the god of materialism, a politician, or even a preacher, teacher or evangelist we follow blindly.

As Christians we must always keep our priorities strait. We must focus on God and praise Him with our whole heart.

Are you praising God or are you bowing to the gods of this world?

Please think about it.

Gods power made perfect in weakness

  Gods power made perfect in weakness

The apostle Paul writes,

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  

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

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

There is a group of people claiming to be Christians who say God always wants you to be health, and wealthy. While I know God wants the best for all who believe in him. Paul here makes it clear we will have troubles. The apostle Paul should know he suffered much for the gospel of Christ.

God allowed Paul to have a thorn in the flesh. We don’t know what was wrong with Paul suffice to know Paul had a physical aliment.

Paul notes that Christ said to him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.

It is a witness to the world when people who are seemingly weak or sick boast about the Lord. When people who are weak by the world standards do great things for God.

I believe the mark of a true Christian shows when they are going through hardships. When they trust in God no matter the circumstance.

Question: Is Gods Grace sufficient for you?

Please think about it.

Is your life an instrument ?

  Is your life an instrument?

The Psalmist writes,

"I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; before the "gods" I will sing your praise.” Psalm 138:1.

I live in Canada a country with incredible freedoms. It is also like most countries full of “gods”. We in the twenty-first century may not call them gods but they are. 

The way I see it a god can be anything we put our unwavering trust in. 

In Luke’s Gospel we read,

"And he (Jesus) 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 12:16-21.

This man in the parable made his possessions his god. He was relying on them to provide for him in the years ahead. They however proved to be an empty god.

On the day he passed from this life all that he had in this world was worthless. 

I believe it is important as a believer in Christ Jesus to openly worship God. That doesn’t mean we should go yelling His name from the roof tops, as good an idea as it might be. Instead however we should be worshipping God in word and deeds.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

"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

So is your life an instrument of Gods Love?

Please think about it.

I will boast

  I will boast

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” Revelations 3:7-13.

Someone has said “if you think you or your church is like the church of Philadelphia in the book of revelations, you probably are not.”

Jesus notes that this church has little strength yet they have kept the His word. As a result He will make those who are their enemies to fall down and acknowledge that Christ has loved them.

Some say that when Christ says that He will keep them from the wrath to come means they will be raptured before the tribulation starts.

Others see this as God saying He will keep them safe through this period of intense persecution. 

He makes it clear there is an open door before those in Philadelphia. That leads to their reward. 

The reward for those who stay true to God is that they will be come pillars in the temple of God. And will never again have to leave it.

The bottom line in this is we as individuals should be striving to follow Christ in as pure a way as is humanly possible. 

We must remember what the apostle Paul said,

“But he (Christ) said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Please think about it.

A Call to Repentance

  A call to repentance

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.

Here we have Christ speaking to the church at Pergamum a city that was full of emperor worship among other things. A church surrounded by paganism. 

Christ points out that one of the things He has against them is they tolerate the teachings of Balaam. A reference to the old testament were Balaam advised the king of Moab to seduce the Israelites into sexual sin and spiritual adultery.

At the same time the Nicolaitans while opposed in Ephesus, were spreading sexual and spiritual adultery in Pergamum.

Christs call is to get rid of such teachings or He will intervene.

There are many churches here in the western democracies today that tolerate false teaching in their midst. The call to the church at Pergamum is a call to those churches who allow false teaching in their midst without correcting it.

Thus the question becomes to anyone reading this; Take a few minutes to assess the church and denomination that you are part of. Do they allow false teaching. Teaching that is not from the bible. Teaching that is not from Christ?

Is there a need for the church or denomination that you attend or support to repent? 

Do you need to repent of false teachings?

Please think about it.

The Persecuted Church

  The Persecuted church

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  

I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.

Here is one of only two churches mentioned in Revelations that Christ does not criticize. Christs states that while they may seem to live in poverty. It is quite the opposite. They are rich. 

Christ tells them that some of them are about to go to prison, and suffer persecution. Yet He reminds them that if they stay faithful to the point of death they will receive a crown of life.

This is happening around the world today in the twenty-first century. There are many believers in Christ Jesus who are being persecuted, jailed, placed in prison camps even put to death for the name of Jesus.

These believers have the assurance from Christ that they will receive a crown of life.

As believers in the western democracies we should be praying for the persecuted church around the world. 

For as brother Andrew a famous evangelist and bible smuggler once said, “our prayers go where we cannot.”

Please don’t just think about it. 

Pray for the persecuted church now.

Do you?

  Do you?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  

But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  Revelations 2:1-7.

It is said each church represented in the book or Revelations can refer to a church, a church denomination or even a person in the present day.

Here while the Lord comments on the Ephesians deeds and hard work. That they have not tolerated wicked men. And that they have hated the practices of the Nicolaitans an heretical group. The Lord also notes,

“Yet I hold this against you: 

You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen!

 Repent and do the things you did at first”. 

Some scholars note that this could mean that they have lost their love of God, of Christ. Some have even said they have lost their love of each other. While others say they have lost their love of both.

Either way The Lord makes it clear if they don’t repent they will loose their status before God.

As individuals we need to look at ourselves and say; Is God truly my first love? Do I truly love those around me. Family, friends, and foe alike?

Do I need to repent?

Do you?

Please think about it.

Jesus made it clear

  Jesus made it clear

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.

If we are true Christians our works will show it. I don’t think you can be a Christian and not show compassion for those who are in need or in trouble.

I believe if we truly are a Christian we are to do our best to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

Please think about it.

A Christian Principle for Living, Deeds

  A Christian Principle for Living Deeds

James the half brother of Jesus states,

"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.

Is your faith spurring you to good works?

Think about some ways you can perform good works, in your church, neighbourhood, or among the less fortunate in your community.

Please think about it.

Loving God

  Loving God

Jeremiah the prophet wrote, 

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, 

and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me and find me

 when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                                 Jeremiah 29:12,13.

The trouble in twenty-first century North America at least is that many if not most people are not seeking God.

God to many is irrelevant in modern society. Making it worse are high profile preachers and evangelist claiming to be Christians who are not. 

For those of us who truly do love God however no greater love could we have. Raphael Simon wrote,

"To fall in love with God is the greatest of all romances; to seek him, the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement." Raphael Simon.

Thus the challenge to those of us who truly love and serve God is to reach out to a lost and dying world with the life changing love of Christ Jesus.

If you truly love God. If you truly love Christ Jesus, are you reaching out to those around you with the Love of Christ?

Are people around you seeing God’s love in action in your life without you saying a word?

Please think about it.

A checklist

  A Checklist

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.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:9-18

Listed above is a checklist written by the apostle Paul for all Christians to follow. It makes clear what Christians should be doing. Thus my question to you...

When people see your words and deeds do they see these attributes in you?

Please think about it.

A Time

  A time

Jesus said

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24.

There are many people within the church today who are simply following the ritual. They come to church simply because their parents or grandparents came. They know what to say and do while in church. 

These people however are simply going through the ritual they’ve been brought up on. They may seem like they have it all together but they don’t. They are not worshipping God in spirit and in truth. They are not worshipping God with their body, soul and spirit.

Are you?

Please think about it.

Like an Olive Tree

  Like an Olive tree

The psalmist states

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; 

I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. 

I will praise you forever for what you have done; 

in your name I will hope, for your name is good. 

I will praise you in the presence of your saints.”

                                                                      Psalm 52:8,9.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, can you say what the Psalmist is saying here.

         Are you like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God?

Do you trust Gods unfailing love?

Will you praise God forever?

Is your hope in God?

Will you take time now to praise God?

Please think about it.

God at the Centre

  God at the centre 

“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

On Christmas day I was reminded of this scripture and how I fell short. Three of us had gone to a restaurant for Christmas dinner. The meal came and I forgot to say grace. The family behind us however did and I was impressed. That brief prayer they spoke witnessed to those around them.

If we claim to be believers in Christ Jesus God should be the centre of our lives. People should know we are Christians by our actions. 

Francis of Assisi made two important statements,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

And

"The deeds you do may be 

the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                            Francis of Assisi.

The world is watching us. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to make Him so much a part of our lives that we worship and serve Him in a way that glorifies Him all the time without even thinking about it.

  Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Running for the Crown

  Running for The Crown

The writer of Proverbs states,

"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.

We may not know what life has in store for us. We may go through many trials, tribulations and temptations but through it all we must trust God.

The apostle Paul equates our life in Christ as running a race. He states,

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.  

"Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever."  1Corinthians 9:24,25.

Are you racing for the crown of life Jesus offers?

Please think about it.