Following Christs example

 Following Christs example

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.” 1John 3:16-18.

I firmly believe that it is not good enough to simply be satisfied with saying “Well I have accepted Christ as my Saviour”. We need to do more. We need to follow the example of Christ.

We may never be called to lay down our life for Christ but we can still show He is at work in our life by helping others. John states,

“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?” 1John3:17.

I think both Christians and non-Christians can agree that having food, clothing, a place to live, good medical care are basic human rights.

And while we as individual Christians may not be able to meet the needs of the poor around us, we can all do something. Helping at a food bank. Helping at a ministry that provides meals for those in need, Giving what we can to reputable charities that serve the poor.

For me helping those in need is an obligation of all Christians. The measure of how much they love Christ.

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.

Why do you believe

 Why do you believe

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.

To many believers do not know why they believe what they believe. Rather they simply trust the pastor, evangelist, or teacher they are listening to at a given time.

There is nothing wrong with questioning a pastor, evangelist, or Bible teacher about their beliefs and how they back those beliefs with Scripture.

An honest Bible teacher will always be willing to tell you how he come to believe what he does. 

That being said I firmly believe that individual Christian have a duty to study the Bible for themselves. Praying and asking God to show them the meaning of what they are studying.

So my question to you dear reader is, 

Do you study the scriptures for yourself or do you solely rely on the people you are listening to?

Please think about it.

Do you question?

 Do you question?

"Jesus answered: "Watch out that no one deceives you.  

"For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." Matthew 24:4,5.

The apostle Paul stated,

"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.

The Gospel of Christ has been around in excess of two thousand years. In that time it’s truths have been twisted by charlatans for their own purpose.

These men and women were around when Paul and the apostles were around and they warned against them.

These men and women are around today. That is why we must be carful. That is why we must read the Bible for ourselves and know what we believe and why we believe it. So that no one will call us to fall away from Christ.

I firmly believe we as individual Christians have the right to question any teaching that we may suspect as wrong. Going as far as asking the pastor, teacher or evangelist why they teach what they teach. To prove that what they are teaching is true. 

Do you ever question what is being spoken from the pulpit or by men and women claiming to be teachers of Gods word in the media?

Perhaps you should.

Please think about it.

Forgive us our sins

  Forgive us our sins,

Jesus taught,

“Forgive us our sins, 

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.' "

                                                             Luke 11:4.

As Christians we should forgive those who sinned against us. Likewise we should be calling on God to forgive our sins daily.

We should also be asking God to lead us away from any temptation that comes our way.

Question.

Are you going to God daily and confessing your sins to Him?

Do you forgive those who sin against you?

Do you ask God to lead you away from any temptation that comes your way?

Please think about it.

Reverence for God

  Reverence for God

Jesus said,

"He said to them, "When you pray, say: 

" ‘Father, hallowed be your name,..."  

                                                       Luke 11:12a

Jesus teaches us to honour God as holy. We as believers must never get into the trap of treating God as anything less. 

Sadly over the years I’ve seen people approach God in a very flippant way. Taking God for granted or treating Him like a servant or supernatural banker.

We should never fall into this trap.

While God wants us to have a personal relationship with us. We must never forget that He is the Lord God Almighty. Who deserves to be honoured at all times.

Question. How do you approach God? Do you tread God with the reverence He deserves?

Please think about it. 

I you really keep the Royal Law

  If you really keep the royal law

In the book of James we read,

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right."James 2:8.

If you are a Christian are you doing this. By this I mean showing Christian love as defined by the apostle Paul,

"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.

Is this truly the Love you show to those around you?

Please think about it.

To be taken to heart

  To be taken to heart.

The apostle Paul Wrote

"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 fervor, 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.

This to me is self explanatory. Something every one who calls themselves a Christian needs to take to heart.

Please think about it. 

Acceptable

  Acceptable.

The Psalmist writes,

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14.

We need to be concerned about what God thinks about our comments. We need to remember,

"Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body,

 but it makes great boasts. 

Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark."  

                                                                                         James 3:5.

Our words can hurt and I believe God is listening carefully to what we say. Words can raise a person up. At the same time however they can destroy a person. Many people have been pushed to suicide by hurtful words.

That is why we need to be careful about what we say. 

We need to remember 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.

This is especially true when we speak. We need to be aware of the fact that our words can hurt quite often more than a physical injury.

Take a moment to think about the words you said to others. Do they build up or tear down?

Ask yourself are my words and the meditations of my heart acceptable to God?

Please think about it.

A Christians obligation

  A Christians obligation

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5,6.

Are you wise when you deal with those around you, especially when it comes to your faith. 

I have found over the decades that I have been a Christian that there are many claiming to be Christians who are not wise.

They are as one friend aptly put it “bible thumpers”. They point out the sins of the world. They point to any groups they disagree with and call them sinners. Worse yet they try to take away or restrict the rights of some groups they disagree with. This should not be so.

Screaming and yelling at people telling them they are sinners is a waste of time. It will only push people away from God. Trying to restrict or take away rights of those you disagree with will push them away from Christ closing all dialogue completely. Not only that it may lead to a backlash that will cause the rights of Christians to be restricted.

No one wants to be told they are a sinner. And most non-Christians I know would not admit to being a sinner. Simply saying they are as good or better than some Christians they know.

Frankly I don’t believe it is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to tell people they are sinners.  

It is our obligation to present the gospel of Salvation to those around us and let God work in their lives from there.

Billy Graham the American evangelist once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham.

So are you showing the unconditional Love of Christ to those around you?

Please think about it.

The Believers pledge

 The Believers Pledge

Jesus said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12.

I’ve listened with interest and disgust over the last little while at the debates in political circles around the world but particularly in the United States.
Sadly it seems that hate and prejudges is flooding into our society from all directions. Even men and women calling themselves Christians are being drawn into it.
With that in mind I felt prompted to write this the Believers Pledge. 

As a believer in Christ Jesus,

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” 

                                                                   Matthew 7:12.

   Please think about it

I will praise You

  I will Praise You

The Psalmist writes,

"I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; 

I will sing of you among the peoples. 

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; 

your faithfulness reaches to the skies. 

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; 

let your glory be over all the earth." 

                                                    Psalm 57:9-11.

Do you sing praises to God? How often do you praise God? Daily? weekly? only when you are in Church?

As believers in God. As believers in Christ Jesus, we should be taking at least a few minutes each day to praise God. For He is our hope and Salvation. 

Why not take time to praise God now. Why not set aside time in your day just to thank God for all He has done for you?

Please think about it.

Give praise to God!!!

  Give praise to God!!!

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." Colossians 3:15.

Take time to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. To even gather with other Christians and be thankful for all you have, and all Christ has done for you.

To give praise to God. 

We should as the Psalmist tells us,

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

Please if you are a follower of Christ Jesus take time to praise God this day.

What can you do?

  What can you do?

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.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“We have been called to heal wounds, to unite what has fallen apart, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”Francis of Assisi.

Our faith in Christ Jesus. Our faith in God, should spur us on to help those who are in need.

So the question becomes; What have you done to help those less fortunate? What can you do to help those less fortunate than you?

Please think about it.

Living at Peace

Living at peace

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

live at peace with everyone." 

                                                           Romans 12:18.

I always look with amazement at Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith. These believers are doing their best to live at peace with those around them. Yet time after time I hear of those who believe in Christ Jesus, being expelled from their village, or expelled from their family for their beliefs. I over and over again I hear believers in Jesus being verbally and physically attacked. Even put in jail. And time and time again I hear of those believers praying for and forgiving their persecutors. These believers are putting into practice what Jesus did on the cross. When he said,

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

This is the sign of a true believer.

It is something those of us who live in Canada and America who claim to be true believers in Christ Jesus need to show in our lives.

Question; when people act negatively in any way to you, do you pray for them?

Are you doing your best to live at peace with those around you, Even those you disagree with, or you perceive as your enemy?

Please think about it. 

The Christians Duty

 The Christians duty

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.

As far as I am aware Christ has not returned to this earth. Thus the age He is speaking about here in Matthew twenty-eight has still not ended. 

As a result we as true believers in Christ Jesus are obligated, duty bound, to make disciples of all nations.

We have no right to judge those outside our faith. Especially when it comes to where an individual will spend eternity. That is Gods job.

We should never dilute our faith in any way especially by mixing it with politics. 

Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to make disciple of all nations. We cannot do this unless we are doing our best to present the word of God in its purest form.

So my question to you is; If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to present the gospel of Christ to those around you? Are you trying to make disciples?

Please think about it.

Did you fill the world with love?

   Did you fill the world with love?

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“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.

When I was in my teens I watched a musical called Goodby Mr. Chips. I watched it a few years before I accepted Christ into my life. The theme tune of this movie (in the morning of my life) still resonates in my life today. It says,

In the Morning of My Life

by Leslie Bricusse 

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                Leslie Bricusse   

                                                         From the Musical Good by Mr chips.

When you come to the end of your life and you stand before God will you honestly be able to tell God, you filled the world with Love your whole life through?

Please think about it.

Are these attributes yours?

  Are these attributes yours?

In the book of James we read,

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.

You will be judged. 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.

Yes your faith in Christ saves you. But if you are truly saved you will be merciful, you will refrain from judging people. You will exhibit what the apostle Paul calls the fruit of the Spirit. Paul in the book of Galatians stating,

“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 these attributes yours?

Please think about it.

Start by doing

 Start by doing

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

Jesus even went one step further saying,

"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.

Looking around the world today love seems to be lacking. Wars, social unrest, terrorist attacks. Love just seems to be lacking. Even some politicians in the western democracies appear to lack love.

So what should a Christians do in such a world? Answer,... Love.

As the great evangelist JohnWesley said,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                               John Wesley.

Creating a better world is not impossible if we try. All it take is the will to do so. Francis of Assisi wrote,

"Start by doing what is necessary, 

then what is possible, 

and suddenly you are doing the impossible." 

                                                           Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Reformation Not, Revival

 Reformation Not, Revival.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

This beyond doubt is happening in the North American church today. We have evangelist and pastors who rather than gathering wise biblical teachers and scholars around them as advisors that tell the truth.

    Men and women who will at times disagree with them, correct them, and say why they are doing so. They pick and choose only those that think the way they think.

The result is such people can easily, and frequently do, misuse the word of God to say what they want to say. 

Some do so out of ignorance or because they have not had good teaching in their lives. Others do so for personal gain. Deliberately misleading those who would follow them.

Walking in evangelical circles here in Canada I hear a lot about the need for revival. Revival being, a reawakening within the church. While this needs to happen. What needs to happen first is Reformation.

Reformation a turning back to the fundamentals of our Christian faith. 

By this I mean we need to take a hard look at what passes for Christianity. We need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

"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 need to get out of politics and believing the lie that the United States and Canada are Christian nations. We need to heed the apostle Peters words who said,

“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.

We need to take a good look at the evangelist and pastors that we support who are millionaires to see if they are “in love with money”. Remembering that the apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

And while there is nothing wrong with being a millionaire we must ask them would you be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus? Jesus quoted as telling a rich man,

"Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Matthew 19:21..

Please think about it.