Love for our brothers and sisters

 Love for our brothers and sisters

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."John 13:34,35.

Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus? Do you love them by God’s standard. The apostle Paul wrote the definition of Christian love when 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,

So do you love in the way God wants you to love?

Please think about it.

Our Duty to God

 Our duty to God

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, 

praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvellous deeds among all peoples.” 

                                                    Psalm 96:1-3

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.

Whether you are a follower of Christ Jesus or not. I feel it is important to know that followers of Christ Jesus have a duty before God to tell others about the saving grace that comes through Christ.

Jesus speaking of himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”  Romans 3:23,24.

This is the message God wants believers in Christ Jesus to hear and believe.

So the question becomes, Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of all who would believe in Him?

Please thin about it. 

So what are you doing

 So what are you doing?

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.

Do you judge people? Do you show mercy towards people especially those you disagree with. Do you judge someone begging for money on the street or those with a different lifestyle, or faith than yours?

You should not be. Jesus made it perfectly clear saying,

"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.

I like what the late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                         Billy Graham.

So what are you doing?

Please think about it.

When God examines you

 When God examines your ways

The writer of Proverbs states,

"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths." 

                                                        Proverbs 5:21.

That says it all. God knows about everything we do and why we do it. 

Question:

When God examines your ways, what will He say?

Please think about it.

How to be saved

 How to be saved

Jesus speaking about himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." John 3:16,17.

The apostle Paul writes,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

I've heard it said that the way we get to heaven is if your good deeds out weigh your bad deeds you get into heaven.

Christians do not believe this. We do not believe you can live a life good enough to enter heaven. C. S. Lewis said,

"The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us."  C.S. Lewis.

The criminal on the cross with Jesus proves your good deeds don’t have to outweigh your bad deeds to get to heaven. You simply have to confess your sins and ask God’s forgiveness. The book of acts records,

“But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

This criminal did what the apostle John told us to do.

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”  1John 1:9.

He did what the apostle Paul told us we must do,

"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."  Romans 10:9-11

So the question comes down to, Do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of all who believe in Him? 

Please think about it.

Paul's Story

 Paul's Story

"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners

of whom I am the worst."

                              1 Timothy 1:15

The apostle Paul is an example of how even someone with extremist views can be changed for good.

Paul (Saul) at first chose to attack the church. To put Christians in jail. In the book of Acts we read that Saul was at the stoning of Stephen the first Christian martyr. Acts stating,

“But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison”Acts 8:3.

Paul however had an encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Standing before Agippa, Paul tells of this encounter,

"On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.  

About noon, O king, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions.  

We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' 

"Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?' " ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,' the Lord replied.  

‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen of me and what I will show you.  

I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them  

to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.' 

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  

First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:12-20.

The point being if God can change a man like Paul from a zealous persecutor of Christians to a leader in the church. A man who would eventually die for being Christian. God can change your life if you would let Him.

Please think about it.

Are you telling the world

 Are you telling the world

The Psalmist writes,

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvellous deeds among all peoples.” 

                                                      Psalm 96:1-3.

I firmly believe that this is what all Christians are called to do. We are as often as we are able to tell others about the Salvation that come from God through Christ Jesus.

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

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus, are you telling the world around you about the Saving Grace that comes from God through Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

The fulness of the Deity

 The fullness of the Deity

The Apostle Paul writes,

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

                                                                                       Colossians2:9.

The apostle John writes,

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3 

In the above quoted scriptures from the New Testament we see the three basic things believers in Christ Jesus believe.

1. Jesus is God.

    ”in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

    “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” 

   “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”

Simply put Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh.

2. He made the world and everything in it. 

   “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been                          made.”

Jesus is one with God the creator of the universe and everything in it.

3. He provided purification for sins and sits with God in Heaven.

  “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty                in heaven.”

 To be a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. God incarnate. The one who provided purification for your sins.

So what do you believe about Jesus?

    Please think about it

     Please think about it

The ultimate Choice

  The ultimate Choice.

In Luke's gospel we read,

“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

Here we have laid out for us the choice all who hear about Jesus need to make. Here on the day Jesus was crucified were two other men, both sinners. Both in need of Salvation.

We too are sinners. While we may not have been guilty of the same sins the criminals on the cross had done. We are still sinners. The apostle Paul noting,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

The two criminals chose two different paths. One insulted Jesus asking him to save himself and them. This man had no idea that if he’d followed the path of the second criminal he would have been saved.

The second man saying,

"Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

To which Jesus said,  "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 

That second criminal did what we must do. We must have faith that Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of all who believe in Him.

The apostle John Writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1John 1:9. 

Have you confessed your sins to God today.

Please think about it.

Pray for wisdom

  Pray for wisdom

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“For wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter, but the advantage is that wisdom keeps the one who has it alive.” Ecclesiastes 7:12.

In the book of proverbs we read,

“Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour." Proverbs 4:5-9.

Wisdom is supreme. Yet far too many Christians don’t ask for it. Instead they ask for the wrong things. Then wonder why they don’t get what they are asking for.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need wisdom. It keeps us safe and it can show us how to present the Gospel message to those around us.

Therefore as the writer of proverbs tells us “get wisdom”. 

How do you pray? Do you ask God for wisdom in all you do?

Please think about it.

Living by the words of Jesus

  Living by the words of Jesus

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.

As Christians we have no right to judge people. Especially where they will spend eternity. If we as Christians come across as judgmental people will turn away from us.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist 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 showing love to those around us that we will win souls for Christ. We would not like people judging us therefor we should not judge others.  Jesus made things clear when He 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.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you living by these words of Jesus?

Please think about it.

Do you truly have faith

  Do you truly have faith?

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

Are you a true worshipper of God? Do you worship God in spirit and in truth?

There are many in our society here in North America who claim to be Christians who claim to be worshippers of Christ Jesus who are not true worshippers.

They may have gone to church all their lives and know what to say and when to say it. They may be graduates of Bible schools. They may have read the Bible many times. They may even be standing in the pulpit.

They may have even said the sinners prayer. But as the evangelist Leonard Ravenhill put it,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.

The fact of the matter is you can say all the prayers you want but if your faith is not truly rooted in a belief in God and Christ Jesus you are not truly a Christian. You are not a true believer in Christ Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                    Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                       Hebrews 11:6.

Ultimately no one can tell someone else if they are truly saved. That is between God and the individual.

So my question to those reading this do you truly have faith in God?

          Please think about it.

Believers Principles for living #7 Trusting God

 Believers Principles for living #7 Trusting in God

The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.”

                                               Proverbs 3:5,6.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you trust God completely? Is your faith squarely in Him. The writer of Hebrew tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                           Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                            Hebrews 11:6.

I have learned first hand that trusting in God really does work. 

Yes there have been times when I thought things would not work out. Still I committed the situation to God and left it there. Ultimately the situation did work out, although sometimes not in the way I thought it would work out.

The apostle Paul said,

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

And Paul should know he went through a lot for his faith yet it all worked out in the end. Even though he was ultimately martyred for his faith he had the opportunity to share that faith throughout the Roman empire. He stood before everyone from rulers to slave and told them of his faith before leaving this earth for heaven.

So the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you put your trust fully in Him?

Please think about it.

Believers Principles for Living, #5 At Peace with God

  Believers Principles for Living #5 At Peace with God

In the book of Philippians we read,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And they peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4; 6,7.

The apostle Paul wrote, 

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Thesalonians 5:23.

The apostle John wrote,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13 

Do you have peace with God? Have you accepted Christ into your life?

Please think about it

Believers Principles for living #2 Deeds

 Believers Principles for living #2 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.

Jesus made this clear when he 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 you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you putting your faith into action?

Please think about it.

Believers Principles for Living #1 Love

 Believers Principles for Living #1 Love

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. 

When they see you

 When they see you

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

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

So here is my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian. When people see your words and deeds do they see God in you?

Please think about it.

What are you doing for others?

  What are you doing for others?

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

While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book and not Christian it presents an interesting scenario. It states,

"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

The great American civil rights leader once said,

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” Martin Luther King, Jr.

So the question if you are a Christian becomes, what are you doing for others? At the very least are you doing 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.

Please think about it.

Love the God

  Love the God

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 here is reflecting the what was said in the book of Deuteronomy. Which reads,

"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.

These two scriptures says it all. We are to love God and our neighbour with all our heart and soul. We are to tell of Gods love wherever we go. Further more we are to impress our love of God on our children. 

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

Please think about it.

The Psalmist writes

 The great question

The Psalmist writes,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105.

Question, does Gods word really light your path?

What guides you through life?

The late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“The great question of our time is, 'Will we be motivated by materialistic philosophy or by spiritual power?” Billy Graham.

We are surrounded on all sides by materialism. As such we must make the same choice Joshua gave the Israelites when he said,

"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.

Jesus made things clear when he said,

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.

So who are you going to serve?

Think about it.