Spiritual fruit

 Spiritual Fruit

The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,

"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.

Here is a simple test a check list, to see if anyone calling themselves a Christian is actually a Christian. Are they exhibiting the fruits of the spirit?  

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness, 

gentleness, 

self-control.

If you claim to be a true Christian ask yourself am I exhibiting the fruits of the spirit in my life at all times?

Please think about it.

Christians are Aliens

  Christians are Aliens

The apostle Peter telling us.

"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 must remember that as Peter tells us we are "aliens and strangers in this world" Thus we must do our best to, as Peter tells us "to abstain from sinful desires". 

We must Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse us of doing wrong, they may see our good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

If you consider yourself a true Christian are you living a good life?

Please think about it.

Love and the Christian

  Love and the Christian

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 neighbor as yourself.'  

      All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

We must also love our enemy. Jesus stating,

"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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  

And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.

The definition of Christian love

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defines Christian love as,

"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

Would you not want to be loved like this?

Please think about it.

Christians think of it this way

  Christians think of it this way

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.

Think of it this way

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,

As God loves you...

unconditionally.

Trust in God in all circumstances

  Trust in God in all circumstances

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“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.

This portion of scripture stands on its own not in need of explanation. It simply tells us to trust God even if we don’t know what is happening.

That if we acknowledge God in everything we do He will make our paths strait.

If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus do you acknowledge God in all circumstances?

Please think about it.

A good name

  A good name

The writer of Proverbs states,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                           Proverbs 3:3,4

The apostle Paul writes,

"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

If you claim to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you show this kind of love to those around you? For in doing so you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Please think about it.

Make disciples of all nations,

 Make Disciples of all nations,

Jesus said, 

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."Matthew 28:18-20

This portion of scripture knows as the great commission is as much for the early church as it is for Christians today.

As Christians we have a duty to God to present the Gospel message to anyone who will listen to us.

If you profess to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Tell your world about God

  Tell your world about God

In the book of 1Chronicles we read,

"Give thanks to the LORD, 

call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done. 

Sing to him, 

sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name; 

let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done, 

his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,..." 

                                                                     1 Chronicles 16:8-12 

Here the writer of Chronicles tells believers to tell the world about God and all that He has done for us.

If you are a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

If you are not it’s time to start telling the world around you about your faith in God.

Please think about it.

A Prayer

  A Prayer

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:22,23.

This is my prayer for all those who truly love God and His one and only Son Christ Jesus.

Take time today and everyday to draw near to God.

Please think about it.

To dwell in the house of God

 To dwell in the house of God

The Psalmist writes,

"One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple." Psalm 27:4.

If you claim to be a Christian do you seek to dwell in the house of the Lord forever?

Can you say with the Psalmist,

“The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

                                                                            Psalm 23.

Please think about it.

Enter His gates

  Enter His gates

The Psalmist writes,

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to [God] and praise his name." 

                                                                Psalm 100:4

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, take some time right now to praise the Lord. To give thanks to God for all that He has given you.

Please do not just think about it. Do it.

A Christian is

  A Christian is

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

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

That is who the apostle Paul is calling us. We are Christ’s representatives on this earth.

St. Augustine wrote,

"A Christian is: a mind through which 

Christ thinks, a heart through which

Christ loves, a voice through which

Christ speaks, and a hand through which Christ helps" 

                                                                             St. Augustine.

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

Please think about it. 

Will you give praise?

  Will you give praise?

The Psalmist writes,

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

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you;

 I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." 

                                                                         Psalm 9:1,2.

Today in the beginning of a new year. As believers in Christ Jesus, let us take time to praise God. 

In Psalm 150 we read,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

 praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                                 Psalm 150.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus will you take time right now to give praises to the Lord God Almighty?

Please think about it.

Believing in God

 Believing in God

“You will seek me and find me 

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                           Jeremiah 29:13

As the old year passes away. I firmly believe that all people need to take some time to seek out the truth about God and what He means to them.

For me I have no doubt that God exists and will show Himself to all those who earnestly seek Him. True this takes a leap of faith but that’s what God requires.

In Hebrews we read,

"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

Faith defined as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope 

for and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                                 Hebrews 11:1.

I think God requires us to have faith because people who have faith in anything are the strongest of believers. People who would literally go to the grave for what they believe in.

So my question to you dear reader is... Do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

Are you talking about Jesus?

  Are you talking about Jesus?

The Psalmist writes,

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

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

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

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

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

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

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

The apostle Paul writes,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

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

Please think about it.

In Word and deed

 In word and deed

    In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

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

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

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

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

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

The Talmud states,

Whoever teaches his son teaches not alone his son

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

                                                                                   The Talmud 

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

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

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

Please think about it. 

Do you know the Lord?

  Do you know the Lord?

In the Gospel of Luke we read this annunciation to the Shepherds,

"Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you;

he is Christ the Lord." 

                               Luke 2:11

This is the reason that Jesus came to this earth. To save all who would believe in Him from their sins.

Near the end of Luke’s gospel we read, of this interaction between Jesus and the two men who were crucified with Him. Luke records,

"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.

The criminal that believed in Jesus, did what we all must do I’m sure without any prompting. He confessed his sins directly to Jesus and asked Him to remember him when he entered His kingdom.

This man had no chance to do any good works as his life would soon be over. 

The apostle Paul writes,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

In the book of Romans Paul states,

"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.

That criminal probably as his last act in this world did all that the apostle Paul states we must do. He accepted the free gift of God’s grace by confessing Jesus is Lord. 

He put his trust in Christ and thus would be with Jesus in Heaven.

Do you know the Lord? 

Please think about it.

The Confession

  The Confession

Luke’s Gospel records,

"Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  

It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord's Christ.  

Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required,  

Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: 

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." Luke 2:25-32.

Simeon here makes it clear that Jesus is the Saviour and he doesn’t keep quiet about it. He takes the baby Jesus into his arms and states,

"Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel”

Luke’s gospel goes on to record,

"There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped night and day, fasting and praying.  

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke2:36-38.

Both Anna and Simeon were devoted believers. Both believed this baby Jesus to be the Saviour, The Messiah. 

Today is December 25th the day we celebrate the birth of Jesus. The question thus becomes do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of all who would believe in Him? 

Please think about it.

The light of the world

  The light of the world

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12.

Jesus here claims to be “the light of the world”. 

Stating that “whoever follows him will never walk in darkness but have the light of life”.

Jesus did make some very powerful statements about Himself.

Earlier John’s gospel records Him as saying,

"Then Jesus declared, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.  

But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe.  

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.  

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.  

And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.  

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day." John 6:35-40

Jesus speaking of Himself in John chapter three  states,

"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 soul purpose of Jesus coming to this earth is to light the way to heaven and life eternal.

Do you believe in Jesus? 

Do you believe He gives life eternal to all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

Are you saved?

 Are you saved?

The apostle Paul writes,

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ 

   Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."1Timothy 1:15,16.

Here the apostle Paul tells us why Jesus came to this earth. To save sinners. That means everyone. Paul writing to the Romans states,

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

The apostle John telling us,

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

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

God’s gift of salvation is a free gift based on our faith in Christ Jesus. The apostle Paul writing,

“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 10:12,13.

So my question to you dear reader is, Have you called on the name of The Lord? Are you saved?

Please think about it.