Walk in wisdom

 Walk in Wisdom

The apostle Paul writes,

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. 

Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” Colossians 4:5,6

Paul here is warning us to use wisdom toward unbelievers. To be gracious toward them. Sadly many calling themselves Christians don’t do this. They try to force there faith on someone.

One commentary I read said,

“The metaphor suggest speaking in an interesting stimulating and wise way” 

Paul here assumed the church is involved with the local community and interacts with many non-Christians.

We must always respect the views of those we present the gospel to. Even if we don’t agree with them. It all comes down to 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.

Treat others with the respect you expect to be treated with.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you treating others the ways you like to be treated?

Please think about it.

planning for the future

  Planning for the future

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” James 4:13,14.

We humans are indeed are fragile creatures. We live a handful of years before passing into eternity. James here is reminding us of that. 

Now there is nothing wrong with making plans for the future. Especially if that future includes where we will spend eternity.

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.

So my question would be. In planning for your future, have you planned where you will spend eternity?

Please think about it.

Your faith spurring you on

  Your faith spurring you on

The apostle John writes,

"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 3:17,18.

Loving and helping someone in need shows the world we are Christians.

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.

In the book of James we read,

"In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do."  James 2:17,18. 

James makes it clear that faith without deeds is dead.

So the question I would ask is, If you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Is you faith spurring you on to good works?

Please think about it.

The Word made flesh

 The Word made flesh

In the gospel of John we read,

“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 apostle John knew Jesus personally. He saw the miracles Jesus performed. He witnessed Jesus’ life unfold day by day. Things that made him certain that Jesus was the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testement.

He makes it clear that Jesus was God incarnate. Saying,

“In the beginning was the word and the word was God,... through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made.” simply put Jesus was there at the creation of the world making all that is in the world.

John then makes it clear that “the word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” also stating “We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the father full of grace and truth”.

John and the apostles all believed Jesus was God incarnate. Who came to earth offering salvation to all who would believe in him.

John stating in chapter three of his gospel,

"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  

John also warned,

"Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:18.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Believing in your heart

   Believing in your heart

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.

I have always said believing in someone or something without physically seeing them is very hard. Yet that is what God expects. The writer of Hebrews stating,

"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.

The reward for those who believe in God and the salvation that comes from God through Christ Jesus is salvation.

Do you believe in your heart that “Jesus is Lord” and that God raised him from the dead?

Please think about it.

Because of his righteousness

 Because his righteousness

The Psalmist writes,

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." Psalm 7:17.

Here is a very simple statement. Why do we give praise to God? Answer, because of his righteousness. 

In psalm 100 we read,

“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 100:4,5.

So do you give thank and praise to God? Do you believe the Lords love endures forever?

Please think about it.

Accepting Gods Salvation

 Accepting Gods Salvation

The apostle Paul writes,

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God” 2 Timothy 3:1-4

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. We see our society degenerating. People are becoming lovers of self. Society is heading toward the abyss.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948 who writes,

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

What Gallico is speaking about is what the apostle Paul predicted. And the solution to the problem. The only solution is the Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

Society is degenerating and as I said the only way to overcome what is happening is to accept the salvation that comes from God. Through Christ Jesus.

Please think about it.

If we find

  If we find

The Psalmist writes,

“Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men, for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.” Psalm 107:8,9.

Have you ever found yourself asking what is life all about. Have you ever tried to fill your hearts desire with “things” material things, cars, fine jewels, high end houses, designer clothing. Only to still be empty inside?

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."  C.S. Lewis.

I believe there is a “God sized hole” in everyone. One God has put there to point us to Him. One nothing in this world can fill.

Do you believe this? If so are you willing to accept God into your life?

Please think about it.

Where can I go?

 Where can I go?

The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast." Psalm 139:7-10

The Psalmist makes it clear there is nowhere we can go to hide from God’s spirit. 

C. S. Lewis writes,

“We may ignore, but we can nowhere evade, the presence of God.” 

                                                                                              C. S. Lewis.

God is always there for the believer and non-believer. All we have to do is turn to him.

The Psalmist writing,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                              Psalm 19:1.

If we look carefully we can see God in the perfectly designed world around us. Again all we have to do is look.

Do you see God in the world around you?

Please think about it. 

Ready?

  Ready?

Jesus told this parable,

“Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.  

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.  

It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.  

But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.  

You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:35-40.

Jesus here uses the metaphor about the thief breaking into a house. Saying if the owner knew when he was to break in he would have been ready.

When applied to the return of Jesus it means we don’t know when he will return. As such we need to be ready for his return.

So my question to you dear reader is, If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you ready for his return?

Please think about it.

Are you telling?

 Are you telling?

Isaiah the Prophet wrote,

“And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.

Sing praises to the LORD, for he has done gloriously

let this be made known in all the earth.

Shout and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, 

for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel."

                                                                          Isaiah 12:4-6.

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.

We as believers in God are to make His name known around the world. That is the job of the Christian. To tell of the grace of God. The salvation that comes from God through Christ Jesus.

We may not be able to travel to distant countries. To tell people about the love of God. But we can tell the people around where we live about the Salvation that come from God.

If you consider if you consider yourself a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you telling those around you about God’s saving grace?

Please think about it.

A word about love

 A word about 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.

The apostle John write,

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”1John 4:7,8.

The apostle Paul defines love this way,

"Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

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

It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love."  

                                              1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

Is this the kind of love you show to others?

Please think about it.

Giving thanks

 Giving thanks

“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 100:4,5.

Today in Canada is thanksgiving. A national holiday. A day to gather with friends around a table full of food. While for some it may simply be a day off work or school. For others especially Christians, it’s a time to think how blessed we are. And in Canada we are truly blessed.

Please, wherever you are in the world today take a moment to thank God for all you have. Do what the Psalmist commands,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: "His love endures forever." 

Let the house of Aaron say: "His love endures forever." 

Let those who fear the LORD say: "His love endures forever."

                                                                                          Psalm 118:1-4.

Please think about it.

A first hand account

  A first hand account

The apostle Peter writes,

"We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  

For he received honour and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased."  

We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain." 2 Peter 1:19-18. 

Here is a first hand account about Jesus and a voice heard by the disciples saying “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am will please,”

Anyone reading this has to decide for themselves if it true of false. If false it is a monumental lie that has lasted millennia and deceived billions of people through the centuries. 

If it is true as I believe it is. Then we need to consider following Jesus.

C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity wrote,

"I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. 

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. 

You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. 

You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to." C.S. Lewis.

Please think about it.

Judged by what we know

  Judged by what we know

The apostle Paul writes,

"For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  

(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) Romans 2:13-15.

I’ve been asked many times what happens to those people who have not heard the gospel message? 

The above message is the apostle Paul’s answer.

First he states that it is those who hear and obey the law who will be declared righteous.

Then in notes when the gentiles who do not have the law do by nature things required by the law it will be they will get to heaven.

God who is just will judge everyone justly. The individual will only be judged by what they know and do. It’s that simple.

So the question becomes are you following the teachings of Christ and obeying what God commands us to do?

Please think about it.

Faithful forever

  Faithful forever

The Psalmist writes,

"Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5-6.

Here is a simple statement. If you believe in God. If your help comes from God. God will remain faithful to you forever.

The Apostle Paul writes,

“Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him; 

if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

if we are faithless, 

he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself." 

                                              2 Timothy 2:11-13. 

What the apostle Paul is saying here is. If we are faithful to the point of death we will live with him. If we endure for the sake of Christ we will reign with Christ. If we disown Christ he will also disown us. 

Then Paul notes, If we are unfaithful to Christ. He remains faithful, because he cannot disown himself.

Are you faithful to God?

Please think about it.

A Trustworthy saying

  A trustworthy saying

Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

The apostle Paul writes,

“Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him; 

if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

if we are faithless, 

he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself." 

                                              2 Timothy 2:11-13. 

Where do you stand with God? Are you living for Christ? Are you willing to give up everything for Christ?

Please think about it.

What is your choice?

  What is your choice?

In the book of Joshua we read,

“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped 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 very simple statement. We cannot be lukewarm about what we believe. Either we follow God or we don’t.

So What is your choice?

Please think about it.

Could you give it away?

 Could you give it away?

Matthews gospel records this,

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 

"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honour your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 

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." 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22.

I’m speaking here to those rich people who claim to be Christian. 

        Now first let me make one thing clear here. There is nothing wrong with being rich. It’s what priority you put on your riches that count. The apostle Paul tells us,

"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.

Sadly here in Canada and the United States too many people listen to false Preachers and evangelist. All of whom are very wealthy. Who preach a prosperity doctrine. Who have as the apostle Paul said wandered from the faith who preach if give to their ministry and God will bless you with even more than you give. Such teaching is wrong.

The true test of a Christian preacher or evangelist or any Christian is are they willing for the cause of Christ to give up all you have?

I see this happening around the world where people who choose to follow Christ quite often are rejected by their families. Cast out of their villages. Forced to leave their homes. Thrown into prison. Even murdered for believing in Christ.

When I see this I wander if those preachers who preach the prosperity doctrine would be willing to give away all they have? Believing God to supply their daily needs.

Thus my question to you; If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ?

Please think about it.

Do you remember

 Do you remember?

The Psalmist states,

"On my bed I remember you; 

I think of you through the watches of the night. 

Because you are my help, 

I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

My soul clings to you; 

your right hand upholds me." 

                                                   Psalm 63:6-8.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, do you do what the psalmist is saying here?

Do you think of God night and day?

Is God your helper?

Do you sing to God?

Does your soul truly cling to God?

Do you remember God in good times and bad?

Please think about it.