Notes from Peter and Paul

 Notes from Peter and Paul

"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.  

In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping"2 Peter 2:1-3

          Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.

The apostle Paul writes,

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.

This is happening today and sometimes it is hard to tell what is true from what is not. The only way to tell what is right and wrong is to pray and study the Bible. Use a good Bible commentary. Join a reliable church and listen carefully to what the preacher or evangelist is saying. If you have a question ask them to explain what you don’t understand. A good honest minister of the word of God will be glad to help you.

Above all things pray, pray, and pray for God to show you right from wrong.

Please don’t just think about it.

Do it.

Christian Principle #4 Spotless, Blameless, at Peace

  Christian Principle #4Spotless, Blameless, at Peace

The apostle Peter writing to Christians reminds believers that Jesus will one day return and this earth will pass away. That He will come quickly when we are least expecting it. Therefor we need to be at peace with God. Peter writes,

“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.    That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  

But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.  2 Peter 3:10-14.

If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, are you at peace with God? 

Are you living a life that is spotless, blameless and at peace with God?

Would others say that about you?

Please think about it.

Christian Principles for living #3: Live at peace with those around you

  Christian Principles for living #3: Live at Peace with those around you.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.

The Apostle Peter tells believers in Christ Jesus,

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  

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.

Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness. 

As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They never got involved in politics.

They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love. 

While not compromising their beliefs they presented the gospel message in a none confrontational way. 

As a result they presented their beliefs to the common man in market places. 

They spoke to Jews and the God-fearing Greeks. 

The apostle Paul was asked by Epicurean and Stoic philosophers to present his beliefs in the Areopagus in Athens. Which the apostle Paul did. With positive results.

They also spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society, from slaves to rulers. With positive results.

As a result they reached the known world for Christ.

Their formula was simple. Stay on message. Present the unadulterated gospel message in a respectful, non-judgmental and peaceful way to anyone who will listen. 

And never, never, never judge those around you. 

Billy Graham the American evangelist made a wise statement when he said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                     Billy Graham

This is what we should do. Always remembering the words of Jesus who 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.

Christian Principle for living #1 Love

 Christian Principle 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. Not only that they should be praying for those who persecute them.

Thus the questions we as believers in Christ Jesus should be asking ourselves is; Am I loving all those with whom I come in contact with, friend, family or foe, in the way Jesus would have me love? Am I loving them in both word and deed?

Please think about it. 

Observations of a man

 Observations of a man

“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” Job 26:7.

The above picture was taken by NASA astronaut William Anders on December 24, 1968, during the Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed flight to orbit the Moon.

The prophet Job never saw this picture. Yet Job looked up and perfectly described it. From the stand point of Apollo 8 earth is suspended on nothing and God did it. Not only that he placed it in the exact place for life to exist as we know it.

NASA astronomer Dr. John O'Keefe noted,

“We are, by astronomical standards, a pampered, cosseted, cherished group of creatures... If the Universe had not been made with the most exacting precision we could never have come into existence. It is my view that these circumstances indicate the universe was created for man to live in.” John O’keefe.

The Bible makes it clear,

"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. 

And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters

And God said, "Let there be light," and there was light. 

And God saw that the light was good. And God separated the light from the darkness.

God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. 

And there was evening and there was morning the first day." Genesis 1:1-5.

The Bible doesn’t debate this point. For the simple fact it was written to believers and believers need no proof. 

To everyone else it is saying the choice is yours. What do you believe?

Please think about it.

I will Love

 I will love

Because...

The Bible says,

"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 will...Have faith in God..

Because...

according to Romans 5:1,2: 

"...having been justified by faith, we have peace with God

 through our LORD Jesus Christ, 

through whom also we have access by faith into this grace 

which we stand, and rejoice in hope of glory of God."

I will rejoice in the glory of God...

Because... 

Jesus said in Matthew 22:37-40:

"...you shall love the LORD your God 

with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: 

"You shall love your neighbour as yourself.  

On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

I will love God, my family, my friends and my foes.

Because...

"He (God) first loved us."

1 John 4:19

I will...love God

Because...

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life."  

John 3:16

I will...love God

Because... 

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

I will...love my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Because...

Jesus said, "Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 

bless those who curse you, 

and pray for those who spitefully use you."   

Luke 6:27,28

I will...love my enemies.

Because...

The Bible says, "Love suffers long and is kind: 

love does not envy; loves does not parade itself, is not puffed up;

 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, 

is not provoked, thinks no evil; 

does not rejoice in iniquity, 

but rejoices in the truth; 

bears all things; believes all things, 

hopes all things, 

endures all things...

"Now abides faith, hope and love, 

these three; 

but the greatest of these is love.   

 I Corinthians 13:4-7 

I will...I will love Gods way. 

Unconditionally.

The law of the Prophets

 The Law of the Prophets

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

Put this way in the year 2025 this means;

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 on others

however good they may be.

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,...

unconditionally.

Please think about it

Bless

  Bless

To all those who have read my blogs throughout the years I would just like to thank you and dedicate this verse from the book of numbers.

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" 

                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26.

Please in all you do throughout the coming year take time to bless someone. As our Lord and Saviour Christ 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 don’t just think about it. 

Do it.  

Not life or death

 Not life or death

In the book or Romans we read,

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39

This simple statement from the apostle Paul is absolutely true. 

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.

So if you believe this do you believe what is written in the book of Ecclesiastes when it says,

“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.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

Please think about it. 

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.

Humans are fragile

  Humans are fragile

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. Isaiah 40:6,7.

We humans are fragile creatures. We live a handful of years before passing on to eternity. The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind." Ecclesiastes 1:14.

Later on the writer writes,

“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.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo.

So will you be happy?

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.

A Child of God

  A Child of God

In John’s Gospel 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.

Today is Christmas day. The day when we Christians. We who believe in Christ Jesus celebrate his birth.

The time we believe, that God in the form of His One and Only Son Jesus, became flesh.    The one who made the universe and everything in it came into the world to save all who would believe in Him.

The apostle John writes,

"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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

The Lord God

  The Lord God

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 favored! 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" Luke 1:26-32.

Here is something I feel is so unbelievable that it has to be true. Mary the mother of Christ encounters an angel that tells her that the baby she is carrying will be called “the Son of the Most High. The Lord God.”

If this were not true why would Luke include it in his gospel, after all it seems outlandish. 

The fact is however, Mary was visited by an angel who told her told her the child she was carrying was the Son of the Most High. Then leaves it up to the reader to believe it or not.

Question: Do you believe Jesus is The Lord God?

Please think about it.

Have you confessed?

 Have you confessed?

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.

Christmas is just a few days away. It is the day we as Christians, as followers of Christ Jesus celebrate the coming of our Saviour Christ Jesus. The suffering Messiah who would give his life for our sins.

That being said we Christians tend to have a formula in order to get to heaven. “Say the sinner prayer.” “Confess your sins to God etc.”.

But in the above scripture one of the criminals didn’t follow a formula. He simply admitted he was deserving of his punishment, believed Jesus was who he said he was. To which Jesus said “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise”.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans wrote,

"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 do you believe Jesus is the Saviour of all who believe in him. If so have you confessed your sins to Him. 

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.