Accepting the Love of God

  Accepting the Love of God

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.

Jesus talking 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.

God loves is for everyone. And God give everyone the opportunity to accept the redemption from our sins that came from the death of Christ Jesus on the cross.

As we begin this new year have you accepted the love of God and the redemption for your sins that come through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it. 

Shedding your light

 Shedding your light

The apostle John writes,

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1John 1:5-7.

Today is New Years Eve where we usher in the new year. A time to celebrate. For we Christians it gives us a chance to reflect on the past year while looking to the new.

Why not take time to praise God for what he has done for you in the past year. and to follow the light that is Christ Jesus. 

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

We, you, and me, as believers in Christ Jesus, are the light of the world. It is our job to spread the light that is the gospel message.

So why not take time today to pray and ask God where you can shed the light of the Gospel during this coming year?

Please think about it.

Saved by Faith

  Saved by Faith.

In John’s gospel we read

"He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.  

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  

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 1:10-13.

John makes it clear how we become a true follower of Christ Jesus.

We must believe in his name.

This means a complete heart felt belief. It is an act of faith. Not simply and intellectual belief there is a God.  

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 Hebrews we read,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1

Later in the book of 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.

So do you believe in Christ Jesus?

Do you believe he is the Saviour of all who would believe in Him?

Please think about it.

Purified?

 Purified?

The apostle John writes,

“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” 1John 1:5-7.

This is how we can tell a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. A true follower of Christ. A True believer in God will as John states will not walk in darkness. They will not do evil things. They will show true love to God and to those around them. 

By walking in the light by believing in Christ Jesus our sins are purified by the blood of Jesus shed on the cross.

Are you walking in God’s light?

Have you been purified from sin through the blood of Jesus?

Please think about it.

The God I serve

  The God I serve

In the book of Isaiah we read,

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God?

The Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable." 

                                                   Isaiah 40:28.

This is the God I serve. An almighty God who is everlasting, who never grows faint or weary. Not only that.

In the book of Psalms we read,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.

Which tells me God knows me intimately. 

Is this the God you serve?

Please think about it

Luke's Report

  Luke’s report

In the gospel of Luke we read,

"In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary.  

The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you." 

Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God.  

You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.  

He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David,  and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." 

"How will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" 

The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God....  

"I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her. Luke 1:26-35,38.

For me this is one of the portions of scripture that prove that Jesus is the Son of God. Depending on who you read. Scholars place Luke’s gospel as being written around the early 60's A D. Which was within living memory of a lot of people who knew Jesus. So for him to make up stories about Jesus it would cast his writings in dispute.

Additionally for Luke to write what he did. To claim Mary was a virgin and that had a visitation from an angel could be considered far fetched and thus bringing what he said into disrepute.

Thus what he wrote had to be true. A truth that every Christian believes to this day.

So the question I would ask you the reader do you believe what Luke has written?

Please think about it.

Let your gentleness

  Let your gentleness 

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  

Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.”  

                                                                              Philippians:4:4,5.

This is what Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus should be. We should be rejoicing at all times. At the same time we should be known for our gentleness. 

Jesus didn’t want a physical fight. He didn’t tell us to verbally attack those with whom we disagree. He 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.

Are you doing this

Please think about it.

Our deeds shown in our faith

  Our deeds shown in our faith

In the book or Ecclesiastes we read,

"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.

This should serve as a warning, particularly to those who claim to be Christians. To those who claim to be true followers of Christ Jesus. We all one day will stand before God and answer for what we have done.

True as Christians we believe we are saved by the grace of God. Through our faith in Christ Jesus. In the book of James however 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. 

So is your faith in God seen in the deeds you do?

Please think about it.

Let love never leave you

 Let love never leave you

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 favour and a good name in the sight of God and man." Proverbs 3:3,4.

So just what is true Christian love? 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.

When people see your life is this the kind of love they see?

Please think about it. 

Worshiping God

 Worshiping God

In John’s gospel we read Jesus saying,

“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.

Do you believe in God? Is that belief simply intellectual? Acknowledging God exists. Or is your belief a deep spiritual belief?

Do you worship God in spirit and in truth? For this, according to Jesus, is what God is seeking.

Where do you stand when it come to Jesus and to God?

Please think about it.

Taking time

  Taking time

The Psalmist writes,

"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.

This is something all who believe in God should be doing. Praising God. 

All to often as we go through our daily routines we forget to praise the Lord. We forget to thank him for all that he as done for us.

God at times seems to be in the background of our lives. Someone we praise at night before bed. When we should be taking time throughout our day to at least praise Him.

How about you do you do take time throughout your day to praise God?

Please think about it.

Moral Attributes

  Moral Attributes

                        The Psalmist writes,

"Your word is a lamp to my feet 

and a light for my path." 

                                                             Psalm 119:105

Man needs moral attributes for us to live by. The Bible provides those morals.  If we do not have moral absolutes, society will slip into a lawless abyss. 

We only have to look at world war two, where men and women did not obey the moral laws of God, caused tens of millions men, women and children to be murdered in death camps.

It is therefor imperative that we study the Bible and learn the laws God set down in order for society to function correctly.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

Have you accepted?

  Have you accepted?

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.

This is the soul reason Jesus came to earth. He came to show each person the way to heaven. The Christian message is that simple.

Later in John chapter 6 we read,

“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 6:40.

God wants everyone to turn to Him and accept the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus.

Have you accepted the salvation and eternal life that comes through Jesus?

Please think about it.

With Trusted Teachers

 With Trusted teachers

The Apostle Peter states,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  

Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute."2Peter2:1,2  

This is happening today. There are many around the world who claim to be Christian but are not. These people deliberately twist the word of God for their own gains. Thus we must be well informed when it comes to the scriptures.

The apostle Paul telling us,

"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.

In order to handle the word of God correctly we need to study it for ourselves and with trusted pastors and teachers.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Starting and Ending

  Starting and Ending

The Psalmist writes,

"Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love,

for in you I trust.

Make me know the way I should go,

for to you I lift up my soul." 

                                          Psalm 143:8.

It is my belief we should start each day with prayer to the Lord. Asking God for a good day. A day where he gives us direction. A day in which we lift up our soul, our very being to Him. Likewise we should end our day praying to God. Thanking him for all he has done for us.

What about you? If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are you starting your day praying to God? And as you end your day are you praying to Him?

Please think about it.

Face to Face

  Face to Face

In the book of Psalms we read,

“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.

For me especially if I’ve had a hard day. This verse of scripture gives me hope and rest for my soul.

I am looking forward to the day when I will see the LORD in person. So what about you? If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus. Are you waiting for the day you will meet God face to face?

Please think about it. 

To save the Lost

  To save the lost

In the gospel of Luke we read,

“For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost." 

                                                                                                      Luke 19:10.

Here as we would put it in industry today is Jesus’ job description. 

The apostle Paul writing,

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

Earlier in Romans 3: 23,24 Paul tells us,

"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

We cannot live a perfect life. We all fall short of what God wants for our life. That’s why the apostle Paul tells us,

“For our sake he made him [Jesus] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

We Christians believe we cannot work our way to heaven. In the book of Ephesians we read,

“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.

Thus we must humble ourselves before God. Confess our sins and ask God to come into our lives.

Have you done this?

Please think about it? 

God raised Him

 God raised Him

The apostle 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."  

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.

At first glance this statement seems simple enough. Believe in Jesus and you shall go to heaven. But is it? Many people have problems believing in someone or something they cannot see. So perhaps it’s not as easy as it seems.

So my question to you dear reader is do you believe in Christ Jesus and that God raised him from the dead?

Please think about it.

A prerequisite

  A prerequisite

Here is for many people a very hard thing. Many people can’t believe in anything that they cannot see or touch. Yet in the book of Hebrews we read,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                  Hebrews 11:1

In Hebrews 11:6 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 in God is a requirement to getting to heaven. Yet many refuse to believe. 

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

So do you believe in God and the salvation that comes through His Son Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Spurred on

 Spurred on

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.'” Matthew 25:34-40

While our faith saves us. We are called to do more. As the above words of Jesus notes. 

In the book of James we read,

"You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:20.

Our faith must spur us on to do good deeds.

So the question becomes. If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus. Is your faith spurring you on to do good works?

Please think about it.