Quick to listen Slow to anger

  Quick to listen Slow to anger

In the book of James we read,

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19,20.

Life can get “messy” at times. Quite often we find ourselves frustrated at someone or something. It’s easy to lash out in anger at someone who criticizes us or when things don’t go our way. But as James writes “...man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires”.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, whether you like it or not people around you are watching you. Thus the need for those who believe in Christ to again as James states, “be slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Which for many of us can be hard.

Thus the need for us to get in the habit of praying. The apostle Paul reminding us to,

"Pray continually" 

                                          1Thessalonians 5:17.

I believe we should commit everything to prayer everything from the most mundane things in life to the most traumatic.

I believe that when we get into the habit of praying and asking for Gods wisdom and direction before we take action and listen for His guidance, we will be slow to anger. That anger inside us will turn into love and produce the righteous life God desires.

Are you slow to anger?

Before you act especially in anger, do you pray and take the situation you are in to God?

Please think about it.

Pray without ceasing

 Pray without ceasing 

In 1Thessalonians we read,

“...pray without ceasing,”

                               1Thessalonians 5:17.

One commentator (Colin Nicholl) writing in his commentary in the English study Bible,  noted that this verse suggests that we should have,

 “a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in his presence throughout each day.” Colin NIcholl.

Which I think sums this verse up.

We need to have that personal relationship with Christ, daily. We need to know that God is with us all the time. That we can speak to Him anytime. Both in good times and in bad.

Praying to God is one of those good habits that all believers need to practice.

Are you in the habit of praying continually?

Please think about it.

Don't pray like the Hypocrites

 Don't pray like the Hypocrites

In Colossians we read,

“Devote yourselves to prayer.”

                                                Colossians 4:2.

I think for many Christians prayer is a hard thing to do. They worry they may be doing it wrongly, or asking to much of God, or not asking for the right things. Added to that we may not always see the results of our prayers right away.

For that matter we may not see the results of our prayers this side of heaven. Still we are called to to devote ourselves to prayer.

Luke’s gospel tells us, 

"But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed."

                                                                                Luke 5:16

Jesus gave us instruction on how to pray Matthew records, 

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 

"This, then, is how you should pray: " ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'  

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." Matthew 6:5-14.

So if you claim to be a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Do you pray as Jesus taught us to pray?

Please think about it.

Let us draw near to God

  Let us draw near to God

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.

Here we as believers are called to draw near to God. To my way of thinking that entails, 

going to God in prayer daily.

Studying the Bible daily, not just reading it. Studying it looking at what it means to us. We need to study with an open mind that God will show us what is truth and show us any misconceptions we may have about scripture.

For if we don’t do this we will never grow in our Christian faith.

Please think about it.

Do you pray?

Do you pray?

The apostle Paul writes,

“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  

This is good, and pleases God our Saviour” 1Timothy 2:1-3.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus do you do what the apostle Paul is saying here? 

Do you pray and intercede for those around you?

Do you thank God for all He has done for you?

Do you pray for all those in authority?

Do you pray that we as believers can live in peace?

If not you should. 

Please think about it.       

2.5 %

  2.5%

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work here in North America can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

Pray Continually

  Pray Continually

One of the apostle Pauls closing remarks to the Thessalonians was,

“...pray continually;” 

                                  1Thessalonians 5:17.

Do you pray continually? By this I don’t mean do you stand in public and pray with many words. 

Prayer as I noted in my previous blog ,Jesus said should be done in private (Matthew 6:6-8). If possible. But we should as the occasion arrises be at least whispering a prayer as we walk down the street on when driving, even in church.

Question; have you ever whispered a prayer asking God to direct your pastor and the church service you’re about to enter into?

That being said when the chance arrises you should also be involved in payer meetings at church or in house fellowships. This is what the early church did. Luke noting in the book of Acts, 

“They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”Acts 2:42

The early church met as often as they could to be taught by the apostles, to partake of communion, even a fellowship meal, and to prayer.

If you claim to be a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

When you pray

  When you pray

Jesus said,

"But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:6-8.

How do you pray. With many words or few? What I believe Jesus is saying here is simple. Don’t be showy with your prayers. Go to a place where you can pray in secret and present your petitions to God. Then leave them there and trust God to answer them.

Please think about it.

To be Praised

  To be praised

The Psalmist writes,

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." Psalm 113:3.

Some one once told me the intent of this verse from Psalm 113 is simple. God is to be praised everywhere.

I firmly believe this is true. Today around the world there are billions of Christians who are praising The Lord God Almighty. It may be quietly in a secret house church. In a country where Christians are persecuted. It may be in a prison cell. OR it may be in churches on the streets and in the media of the free nations of the world.

No matter where Christians are. They will find a way to praise the Lord today and every day.

If you are a Christian that lives in the free democracies of the world don’t just praise God. Take time to ask God to protect and give wisdom to those around the world who are persecuted for being Christians and must worship and praise Him in secret.

Please don’t just think about it. Do it!

You and Prayer

You and prayer

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

   God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

My Prayer

  My Prayer

The Psalmist writes,

"May the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth, 

bless you from Zion." 

                                               Psalm 134:3

This is my prayer today for all who truly believe in Christ Jesus. 

Dear Lord God

I pray that you will be with all those who truly believe in you around the world this day. Bless them and care for them.

In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

A Prayer for you

  A Prayer for you

In the book of Jude we read this blessing. A blessing I’d like to send out all those believers who read my blogs. It reads,

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 1:24,25.

Dear Heavenly Father,

It is my prayer for those true believers in Christ Jesus, that no matter where they may be living around the world, that you God will bless them richly.

That You will keep them safe. Give them strength for each day, and give them wisdom in all situations.

In Jesus name I pray

Amen

With your whole heart

  With your whole heart

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Devote yourselves to prayer, 

being watchful and thankful." 

                                      Colossians  4:2

Writing to the Romans Paul said,

"Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer."

                                 Romans 12:12  

In the book of Jeremiah we read,

“Then you will call on me 

and come and pray to me, 

and I will listen to you. 

You will seek me 

and find me 

when you seek me 

with all your heart.” 

                                              Jeremiah 29:12,13

If you claim to be a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus. Do you pray?

Prayer takes us to the very thrown room of God. It puts us in touch with the Creator of the universe and as such helps us through each day.

So if you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus are you truly praying with your whole heart?

Please think about it.

  Are you willing

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

In Prison and Mistreated

  In prison and mistreated

The Psalmist writes,

“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.” 

                                                                     Psalm 23:4.

I live in North America where we have freedoms the likes of which most of the world can only dream of. Fortunately I have never faced persecution for what I believe. Sadly however millions of Christians around the world face physical violence, being sentenced to jail, or even torture and death for believing in Christ Jesus.

Yet despite all the suffering these believers in Christ go through. I still hear. “I love Jesus.” “I will not turn away from Him” 

They even pray for the salvation of their persecutors.

These believers in Christ Jesus deserve to be in our prayers each day.

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3.

We may not know who these persecuted are by name but we can pray for them.

Please if you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus pray for those brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christs sake.

Please don’t just think about it...

Do it.

A Note from the apostle Paul

 A note from the apostle Paul

The apostle Paul writes,

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  

Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  

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 4:2-6.

Paul here makes it clear what a Christians is suppose to do. 

Be devoted to prayer, 

Be wise in the way we act with non-Christians, 

Make the most of every opportunity to tell people about Jesus,

Let our conversations be full of grace ( grace defined as, courteous good will... attractive qualities or behaviour).

These are all things within a Christians life that will attract people to Christ.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing what the apostle Paul is saying here?

Please think about it.

In need of God

 In need of God

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians said, 

"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.

This is a key element of Christian belief. Christians believe that it is by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus that we get to heaven. Not by our works. Christians maintain that we cannot be good enough to enter heaven. Thus God made away by sending Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins.

Christianity is God reaching down to man and offering him salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

C. S. Lewis said,"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.

Are you that man or woman? A person in need of God?

Why not take a moment to pray and ask God to come into your heart today. Perhaps consider this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father.

I thank you for your grace that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Please forgive my sins and come into my life today. Show me your ways. Teach me what it is to be your servant, your follower. Amen.

Please think about it.

Post script;

If you sincerely prayed and believed this prayer. I urge you study the Bible. Then I would urge you to find a church or group of believers where you can study together.

As this blog is read all over the world I personally recommend a church. But I recommend Baptist churches as well as Presbyterian, Anglican, Church of England, salvation army, if you live in countries where they are present.

If you do not all I can say is pray and ask God to show you to a church or house fellowship.    

2.5%

2.5%

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes if you consider yourself a Christian are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please it. think about

Do you? Are you?

Do you? Are you?
The apostle Paul writes,

“Flee the evil desires of youth,

 and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, 

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart”

                                                                           2 Timothy 2:22.

Do you flee from evil?
Are you truly pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?
Are you calling on the name of the Lord out of a pure heart?
                                                 Or
Do you only call on God when it is convenient for you?
Do you only call on God when you need something?
Are you willing to ask God, as the Psalmist did,

"Search me, O God, and know my heart;

 test me and know my anxious thoughts. 

See if there is any offensive way in me, 

and lead me in the way everlasting." 

                                               Psalm 139:23,24.

Please think about it.

2.5%

2.5%
The book of acts speaking of the early church states,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?
Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work here in North America 

can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

      Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.