To those in the West

 To those in the west

Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Mark 8:34.

I firmly believe that we who believe in Christ Jesus living in the western democracies don’t fully comprehend this statement. With all of our freedoms we fail to realize that the cost of following Christ can and is extreme for those in countries where the freedom to worship God is prohibited. Where worshipping God can get you and your family sent to jail or labour camps.

Even in some democracies in the world where Christianity is a minority faith. Believing in Christ can lead to persecution. Persecution that can force a believer to leave his or her home village or town, get dismissed from their job, and in some cases lead to their families breaking ties with them.

As a result we living in the west fail to count the cost of following Christ.   

As a result we quite often take our faith in Christ too lightly to the point at times we place God of second or third priority in our life.

Quiet often choosing to do other things ahead of serving and worshipping God.

Some believers even going as far as hiding their faith from their co-workers or employers.

To those in the west I would remind them of the words of Jesus who said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven." Matthew 10:32,33.

So to those reading this who are living in the democratic and free democracies of the west do you admit to those around you, you are a believer in Christ Jesus?

Have you counted the cost of following Christ?

Do you put God ahead of all things in your life?

Please think about it.

Study for yourself

 Studying for yourself

The apostle Peter writes,

“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. 

This is happening today. That is why as true believers in Christ Jesus we need to be not just reading the Bible but studying it. That we may know what we believe and why we believe it.

Sadly many within the Christian community believe everything that is being said from a preacher, evangelist or teacher. Their belief is since this person is in the position they are in they must be teaching the scriptures correctly. Or the preacher is saying the things they want to hear and thus follow him or her.

The apostle Paul tells 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. 2Timothy 2:15.

As Christians we have the right to judge others who claim to be Christians to see if they are teaching scripture correctly. 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.

But in order to know if someone is not teaching the word of God correctly like I said we must study the Scriptures for ourselves. 

Do you spend time regularly studying the Bible yourself?

Please think about it.

Do you let God

  Do you let God

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.

Simply put, God is always there for us no matter where we go. We cannot run from God. God is everywhere.

No matter what trouble we are in God will hold our hand through it. God will lead us all we have to do is ask Him.

In good times or in bad do you ask God to hold your hand? 

Do you let God lead you, or do you try to lead God? 

Please think about it.

Seek Ye First

  Seek Ye First

Jesus said,

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33.

Today in Canada is New Years Eve. A lot of things have happened in 2022. A lot more will occur in 2023. Thus we need to look to God. To as Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Take a few moments now to pray and seek God. Ask God to show you what He wants for your life.

While you’re at it take time to thank God for all the blessings that have come your way in 2022.

Please think about it.

Count the Cost

 Count the Cost

Speaking to the Sanhedrin and the high priest Peter and the other apostles said,  

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  

God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Saviour that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him." Acts 5:30-32.

After being told by the religious leaders in Jerusalem to stop preaching in the name of Jesus. The apostles continued to do so. Which landed them in front of those same religious leaders, who were to say the least upset with them and wanted to kill them. To which

"Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men!" Acts 5:29.

While Peter and the apostles were flogged. They were let go and continued to tell about Jesus and the saving grace that comes through Him.

So it should be for all who are true believers in Christ Jesus. Jesus said,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34.

This is something many believers around the world are doing. By becoming believers in Christ Jesus they are facing persecution imprisonment and even death for following Him.

This is something many in the western democracies especially here in North America for get to tell new converts.

Sadly if you listen to many so called Christian evangelist and pastors here in North America the gospel you here is that God wants you to healthy and wealthy. That no harm will come to you if you give to God (quite often meaning their ministry).

Jesus never promised His followers an easy time. You just have to look at the life of the apostle Paul and the other disciples. All but one suffered a martyrs death. Yet they still preached the Love and Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus to those around them.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus have you truly considered the cost of following Him?

Please think about it.

We Must

We Must

The Psalmist writes,

"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3.

Who do you walk with? Who do you listen to? Do you ever question what you are being taught be it in church or in the media?

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must never compromise our beliefs. We must always be careful who we support be it an evangelist, a church congregation, a pastor or a politician.

It is possible to become guilty by association. 

We must check out everyone we take council from. We must check out anyone we support be it in religious circles or secular circles. Above all we must have open eyes and minds, listening carefully to what those whom we support are saying.

We should be asking ourselves are those we support truly are telling the truth. Asking ourselves if what they are saying lines up with biblical teaching. 

We must always ask ourselves is the person we support just telling us what we want to hear or are they telling the whole truth.

We must never follow an earthly leader be in an evangelist, priest, pope or politician blindly.

We must 

“delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law, meditates day and night”

Please think about it.