Slow to anger

  Slow to anger

In the book of Nahum we read,

“The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,

and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty. 

His way is in the whirlwind and storm,

and the clouds are the dust of his feet.”

                                                                    Nahum 1:3

Nahum said it, “The LORD is slow to anger”. 

I firmly believe God gives everyone a chance to follow Him. Going to great lengths to show people the way to heaven.

Jesus speaking about Himself said,

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

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

The apostle Paul writes,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." 

                                                                            Romans 5:8.

God has gone to extreme lengths in human terms to show how He loves each and every individual on this planet. 

C. S. Lewis writes,

"He died not for men, but for each man. 

If each man had been the only man made, 

He would have done no less." 

                                             C.S. Lewis.

That being said God has given us a warning Jesus saying,

“Whoever believes in him (Jesus) 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

God has also given each individual a free will. Thus a person can choose to believe in God or not. 

Do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

By no means clear the guilty

 By no means clear the guilty

In the book of 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.

We live in a society that is getting ever more sinful as the years go on. Many calling themselves Christians are blatantly lying, and following the lies of both political and religious leaders. 

The Prophet Nahum states,

"The LORD is slow to anger and great in power,

and the LORD will by no means clear the guilty...." 

                                                                            Nahum 1:3.

If we claim to be Christians, true followers of Christ Jesus. We must repent of our sins. Stop following the lies of political and religious leaders and turn to God.

If we don’t then we will see the full wrath of God when we ultimately pass into His presence.

Please think about it.

We must look at their life

  We must look at their life

Jesus said,

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:21-23.

I live in North America were many say they are Christians but they are not. This I know can be confusing for non-Christians. After all anyone calling themselves a Christian is a Christian to them.

At the same time I believe there are many calling themselves Christian who are misled by the pastor, evangelist or teacher they are following. Something that can have eternal consequences.

I believe the best way to tell a true Christian is to look at their life and lifestyle.

In the book of Galatians we read,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

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 5:19-23. 

I firmly believe that we should not believe someone is a Christian simply because they say they are. We must look at their life. We must look to see if they exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. 

Please think about it.

Who's Jesus to you?

 Who's Jesus to you?

"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.

Let me make things clear. I am a Christian. I am not an Anglican-Christian, a Catholic-Christian, a Lutheran-Christian,. I am not Evangelical-Christian, a Baptist-Christian, a Pentecostal-Christian  or any other hyphenated Christian and I am most certainly not a Christian nationalist. I am a Christian.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour of Mankind, God incarnate. I believe Christians by default must be evangelical in nature. They must present to the world the  God's Love and Saving Grace that comes through Jesus Christ. 

This may not go over well with some people but then everyone has the right to disagree with me. Everyone has the right to choose whether the message true Christians present to the world is true. 

Who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

Outward Appearance

 Outward Appearance

In the book of 1 Samuel we read,

“People look at the outward appearance, 

but the Lord looks at the heart.”

                                                    1 Samuel 16:7.

God said this in connection with David the youngest of Jesse's eight sons. Samuel had seen the oldest son and thought because of his outward appearance he had to be the next king of Israel.

God however knew David’s heart and that he was the one best qualified to rule.

The Psalmist writes,

"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.

This is why I believe only God can truly judge us righteously, because only God knows why we are the way we are.

It is not the Christians job to judge, especially those outside of the Church. That is God’s Job. The apostle Paul writing,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?”  1 Corinthians 5:12.

Do you judge people by their outward appearance?

Please think about it

What will God say?

 What will God say?

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.

God indeed reigns. God also created the world and everything in it. All of it belongs to God. That includes everyone who has ever lived and is living today.

And as the Psalmist makes it clear, 

“...He will judge the world in righteousness 

and the peoples in his truth.”

                                                          Psalm 96 13b

Thus I ask a question only you and God can answer; 

What will God say to you on the day He judges you?

Please think about it.

A Principle of the Christian life

  A Principle of the Christian life.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.

Are you quick to judge people?

Do you judge people in a negative way simply because they disagree with you or have a lifestyle you disagree with?

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus you shouldn’t be. Jesus makes that clear here in Matthew 7:1,2.

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. When you judge others your are giving them the right to judge you the same way.

So the question becomes, are you judging or loving others? Even those you disagree with or have a lifestyle you disagree with?

Please think about it.

How are you presenting the gospel of Christ?

  How are you presenting the Gospel of Christ?

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” Luke 6:7.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.

I firmly believe that if you judge people you will never win a soul for Christ. If you are judging a person they quite often will push back against what you are saying. They especially, if they think you are judging them incorrectly, will build a wall between you and them. They will stop listening to you.

Our job as Christians is to show the love of God to all we meet. We are to present the gospel message politely and lovingly. Then let the individual decide for themselves if what you say is true.

If you consider yourself a Christian how are you presenting the gospel of Christ?

Please think about it. 

God examines all of your ways

God Examines all of your ways

In the book of Proverbs we read,

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

and he examines all his paths." 

                                                 Proverbs 5:21.

I write this to those who would call themselves Christians. Followers of Christ Jesus. But what I write is true for all people whether they believe in God or not.

Everything we do is done in full view of God. And God examines us and the paths we take in life. And the reasons we take the paths in life that we do.

Thus my question to you; When God looks at your life what does he see?

Please think about it.

Expel the wicked

  Expel the wicked

The apostle Paul writes,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

We are told by Jesus not to judge others. And as Christians other for our own personal safety we should not be judging others. Especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity.

I’ve also heard it said we should not judge Gods elect. That being said the apostle Paul makes it clear that we should not judge those outside the church. But we can judge those inside the church. Those who claim to be Christians who are teaching wrong doctrine. 

Sadly however here in North America the church is reluctant to do this. Even if they do the person expelled simply sets up his or her independent ministry.

It is for this reason we as individual Christians need to study the Bible for ourselves. Praying and asking God’s guidance as we do. That way we are less likely to be misled by false teachers.

When was the last time you studied the Bible for yourself? Studied the Bible not just read it.

Please think about it.

You and Mercy

You and Mercy

In the book of James we read,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  

because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

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

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

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

I like what the late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                         Billy Graham.

For me one of the best ways I’ve found to be merciful to others is share to Gospel message, along with doing what I can to help those in physical needs.

So are you truly showing mercy to those around you?

Please think about it.

The writer writes

 The writer writes

Jesus said,

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  

bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.... 

Do to others as you would have them do to you." Luke 6:27,28,31 

The Eleven O Clock Parable

  It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation waits.

  Will the new law be legal?

 Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.

 On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.

 One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!”

 Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are going to Hell.”

 From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?”

  Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?

  Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?

 Wasn’t it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?

 Is this man showing love?

 Is this man judging another?

 Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world?

 A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?

 Do we really know why a person is like they are?”

 For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day.

 Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”

Question: If you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus would you vote in favour of a law that restricts the rights of someone else?

Remember Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

Please think about it.

The Poet writes

  The Poet writes

                                                           Ticket”

                                                      “Where am I?

                                                          What, am...

                                                        I doing here?”

                                                        “You are her.”

                                                     Says the Conductor.

                                                      “Your ticket please.”

                                                     “I bought no ticket.

                                                          I took no ride.

                                                           Where am I?”

      “Your ride is over,                  You are here.                    All take the ride.

       Your ticket’s paid for,           Says the Conductor            You are here.

        Your ticket please,                 Please your ticket.              Your ticket.

                                                                                                   please.”      

                                                      “I took no ride!

                                                         Where am I?

                                                      I demand to know!

                                                          I took no...

                                                             ride...

                                                            Am I...”

                                                    “You are here.

                                                     All take the ride.

                                                   The ticket paid for,

                                                    With My blood.

                                                   You were offered

                                                       The Ticket

                                                    Did you refuse?”

                                                   “Wait a minute...

                                                     I am here...

                                                    I have no ticket...

                                                    And you are...?”

                                                         “Jesus.

                                                     Your Judge

                                                           OR

                                                    Your Saviour?”

The apostle Paul referring to Jesus with respect to God’s judgement wrote,

“In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:30,31

Please think about it.

Something Forgotten

  Something forgotten

In Marks gospel we read,

"While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.  

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: 

"Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, 

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:15-17.

This is something lost on many who call themselves Christians here in North America. Far too many calling themselves Christians are quick to point out sin in non-believers. That is not their job.

The job of a true believer in Christ Jesus is to obey what 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.

Our job is to make disciples. We do this by presenting the gospel of Christ. And the salvation that comes through Him. Not by condemning people for who they are and what they do.

Once we have presented the gospel message. It is then up to the person to decide for themselves if they believe what we have to say.

I like what the late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham

I believe once we have presented the gospel message it is our duty to pray and ask God to show the person that we are indeed right in our beliefs. That they should give their lives to Christ.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus;

Please think about it.

Time to

 Time to

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." Colossians 4:5,6.

In Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding;

 do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, 

and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme;

 therefore get wisdom.

 Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour."

                                                                     Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly way to many people calling themselves Christians lack wisdom and understanding. They act both in word and in deed without thinking of the consequences. This is especially true of Evangelical Christians in North America. Who it seems heap condemnation on everyone they disagree with.

Over the years I’ve talked to people in the LBGTQ+ community in particularly who have been turned away from God by people claiming to be Christians. 

But it isn’t just limited to them. Many others have been turned away from Christ because of the actions of people claiming to be Christians who are not. Christians have no right to judge anyone outside their faith the apostle Paul stating,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13

Sadly too many Christians wrongly judge others while not expelling the evil doers inside their churches.

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

It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

“God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

It’s time for those who claim to be Christians here in North America to get wisdom and understanding. And while their at it take time to meditate on 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.

It's time

  It’s time

Jesus said,

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

What is your light telling others about you? About God?

Are people seeing your good deeds or are they seeing something negative?

Over the years I’ve been a believer in Christ Jesus I’ve heard again and again non-believers say, “I’ve seen what those Christians do. And I’m at least as good as them and even better.”

Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - 

you are not like him.”

                                       Mahatma Gandhi.

When I hear things like this I firmly believe that the people whom Gandhi and others are seeing are Christians in name only. They are not following the teaching of Christ.

Jesus even said,

"Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'" Matthew 7:22,23.

Sadly many who claim to be Christians are not. Equally sadly they are bringing the name of Christ into disrepute because of their words and deeds.

It’s time for true Christians true believers in Christ Jesus to stand up to those who call themselves Christians but are not. It’s time to as the apostle Paul said,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Please think about it.

Expel

  Expel 

The apostle Paul writes,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

While we as believers in Christ Jesus have no right to judge those outside of the church, especially when it come to where a person will spend eternity. We do have an obligation to judge those who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus. 

We need to be able to do this in order to see that they are teaching sound doctrine. Where they will spend eternity it still up to Gods judgement.

That being said it is imperative that we question the beliefs of those pastors, and evangelist we follow. We do this in order to see that what they are saying is truly what the Bible is saying.

Sadly however here in North America with all our freedoms we do a poor job of correcting errant pastors, evangelist and teachers. Even if we do expel them, because of our freedoms, our freedom of speech laws they simply set themself up and carry on as an independent ministry.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus, do you ever question the evangelist, pastors or teachers you follow?

Please think about it.

He will. Not you

  He will. Not you.

the Psalmist says of God,

"He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth."

                                                                                                      Psalm 96:13b. 

Here is a very important point lost on many Christians. Or at least those who call themselves Christians. The Psalmist makes it clear “HE, (God), will judge the world...”   

Jesus quoted in the Gospel of Luke,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Luke 6:7.

In Matthews Gospel Jesus is quoted as saying,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1,2.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist stated.

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham

We will never win souls for Christ if we are even perceived as judging them. As Billy Graham stated it is our job to love.

Jesus made it clear what His purpose in coming to earth was for when he 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.

These words should always be on our minds when we speak about Jesus, “ God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him”.

Is this the message you are presenting to the world?

Or are you in the habit of judging those in the world around you?

Please think about it.

A duty we cannot do if...

 A duty we cannot do if...

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."Matthew 7:1,2.

Have you ever judged a person? 

I was once in a car with a person driving in the downtown of our city while stopped at a crosswalk a shabbily dressed man half walked half saggared in front of our car. All the while talking incoherently.

The person with me commented “drunk and its only nine in the morning.” 

It turned out, I found out later that this man had an illness that prevented him from walking and speaking normally. Further more he was mentally ill. The person I was with had judged him wrongly.

This is one reason I’m sure Jesus told us not to judge anyone. We have no idea why a person is the way they are.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

The reason we can judge those within the church is simple. They claim to be followers of Christ and thus we have the right to check whether or not they are proclaiming the word of God correctly. Whether or not they are living a Godly life. If they are not we can expel them from the church.

That being said whether a person is in the church or not we have no right to say where they will spend eternity.

The duty of the church is simple. Jesus telling us,

"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 is a duty we cannot do if we are judging those outside the church.

Please think about it.

A warning to believers

 A Warning to believers

In the book of James we read,

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,...” James 2:12

The writer of Ecclesiastes issues a warning to believers also,

"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.

Sadly where I live in North America these scriptures are many times forgotten of ignored.

While or faith may save us. Our faith in Christ Jesus should transform our lives. The apostle Paul writing,

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  

  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1,2.

Thus I have these questions to anyone who considers themselves a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus;

Is your life truly transformed? Are you doing Gods will or following your own?

Are you speaking and acting as someone who is going to be judged by the law that gives freedom?

Please think about it.