Seeking Good

  Seeking Good

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live.”

                                                         Amos 5:14

In the book of Amos God sends Amos to tell Judah that they were being Judged for their idolatry. Their covenantal unfaithfulness. Lack of social economic justice. Perversion of the law and sexual immorality. Along with oppression of the poor.

The simple message God gave to Amos back then is still relevant today. Our society and indeed many calling themselves Christians are committing the same sins Judah was back then.

Anyone claiming to be a true follower of Christ Jesus need to examine their life. They need to be asking themselves “Am I standing up for social and economic justice?” 

They need to ask themselves am I perverting the law and committing sexual immorality?

Am I oppressing the poor?

Not only should they be asking themselves these questions, but they need to ask themselves are the people I support be it pastors, evangelist, priests, or politicians doing things that God does not approve of?

Thus my question to you, Are you seeking good and not evil?

Please think about it. 

Do Good and Share

  Do good and share

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“Do not forget to do good and to share with others,

 for with such sacrifices God is pleased.”

                                                 Hebrews 13:16.

This is what pleases God. To do good and share with others. So the simple question is, If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus. Do you do good and share what you have with others?

Please think about it.

The LORD gives and The LORD takes away.

 The LORD gives and The LORD takes away

In the book of Job we read,

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshipped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return . The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:20,21.

Job in rapid succession had faced massive personal loss including his family. Yet Job while grieving did not place the blame on God. Rather he blessed the name of the Lord.

We all have problems. We all have times of grief. It’s just a part of life. Still it’s not easy going through troubled times.

In those times it is easy to turn to God and say “why me?”.

Job here however gives us an example to follow. Despite losing everything he still worships God. Knowing that all he has comes from God. Knowing that even in times of trouble God is there for us.

Job knew that he came into the world with nothing and will leave with nothing.

He also knew that by being faithful to God in good and bad times he will ultimately receive his reward.

How about you? 

Do you worship God in the good times and in the bad times.

Please think about it.

What can I do?

  What can I do?

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.

There is nowhere to run from God. Which ultimately means that God can and does guide us no matter where we are. If we are willing.

I know in the good times it’s easy to follow God. However it is in the bad times that we see the true believer shine.

When bad times hit we have too choices. 

One call out to God and ask Him why are you in the position you are in and complain about your circumstances saying “why me Lord?”

The other choice is to call of God and ask Him to be with you, guiding, directing and comforting you. Saying “what do you want me to do Lord?” Or, “What do you want me to learn today?”

When you go through hard times in life what do you do?

Please think about it.

A Strong Bulwark

 A strong Bulwark

In 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." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,

"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.

Abba Hillel Silver is right. It is only when men realize that ultimately there is a God they must answer to that society becomes a better place.

If memory serves me correctly Abba Hillel Silver wrote those words during the dark days of World War Two when millions we dying in the concentration camps. Concentration camps set up by evil men who did not recognize God.

The same thing is happening today in some countries around the world. It is also happening in some of the so called democracies of the world where people are putting political leader ahead of God while turning a blind eye to the evil being done.

Ultimately God will judge everyone. It is therefore imperative that we who truly believe in the gospel of Christ Jesus present His saving grace and the love He shows to all people to all we come in contact with.

Please think about it. 

A recipe for a good life

  A recipe for a good life

The Psalmist writes,

“Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life 

and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil 

and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it. 

                                           Psalm 34:11-14.

Is this you? 

Do you desire to see many good days? 

When people see your words and deeds do they see someone who fears The Lord. Who keeps your tongue from evil and speaking lies?

Do you do good and seek peace?

Please think about it.

Turn from evil and do good

  Turn from evil and do good

The Psalmist states,

"Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." 

                                                                          Psalm 34:11-14.

Do the words written by the Psalmist above reflect your life? 

Please take time to pray and ask God to show you the truth about your life. 

And if you find anything wrong do as the Psalmist states,

“Turn form evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

Please think about it.

Ambassadors

  Ambassadors

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us...."  2 Corinthians 5:20a

Are you a good ambassador or a bad one?

An ambassador represents a king, or a government of a nation. It is his or her job to represent the king or government correctly. An ambassador is a diplomat that promotes international relationships between governments. One of their jobs is to promote among other things cultural relationships between their government and other nations. 

As one website noted. Ambassadors, “ keep a diplomatic demeanour, with the goal of keeping a positive relationship between the country that is hosting them and their home nation.”

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we, as the apostle Paul said are Christ’s ambassadors. Therefore it is important we keep a positive relationship with those in the world around us.

Jesus and all he represents will be judged by what people see us doing. As Francis of Assisi put it,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                              Francis of Assisi.

So what are your words and deeds telling the world around you? Are you a good ambassador or a bad one?

Please think about it

Aliens in this world

 Aliens in this world

    The apostle Peter writes,

"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.

There is no ands, ifs or buts about what the apostle Peter says here. Believers in Christ Jesus are called by Peter a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God. A people called out of darkness to Gods wonderful light.

Therefore we as Gods representatives on this earth are call to as Peter states, 

“To abstain from sinful desires” 

To “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." 

Thus my question to you. Are you obeying what Peter is saying? 

Please think about it.

Do you do this?

  Do you do this?

Isaiah the prophet said,

"Fear not, for I am with you; 

be not dismayed, for I am your God;

I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."  

                                                                   Isaiah 41:10.

According to the YouVersion bible app the most looked up verse in 2020 was Isaiah 41:10. With all that’s gone on in 2020 I can understand why people would want assurance that God is there for them.

Sadly however many people, even people who attend church regularly only turn to God when bad times come.

Many people only turn to God when they think they can get something out of Him.

This should not be so. We need to turn to God everyday. Glorifying His name asking His guidance and protection as we go through the day.

Do you do this?

Please think about it

 Don't grow weary

The apostle Paul writes,

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”Galatians 6:9.

This is a simple admonition from the apostle Paul. “Let us not grow weary of doing good”.

A young Jewish girl, Anne Frank, in hiding, in fear for her life during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands wrote in her diary.

“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!” Anne Frank.

When I read these words of this young girl living every day in fear for her life I am always amazed that she could write these words. If anyone had a reason to cry out for vengeance against those who were persecuting them certainly Anne had.

Anne is not alone. I read and hear first hand accounts of Christians around the world today who are being persecuted, physically and verbally abused, even sent to prison, for their belief in Christ Jesus, who call out asking the world to pray for their persecutors. To show the Love of God to them.

Men and women who are following the what 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.... 

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.”Luke 6:27,28,31,36 Question: Are you doing this?

What good is it?

What good is it?
James that half brother of Jesus wrote,
"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
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.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20
What does your faith produce?
Do you do your best to help those around you?
Have you ever helped in a homeless shelter, a soup kitchen, a food bank?
Have you ever put a money into the hat of someone begging on the side walk?
I know not everyone is cut out to help in homeless shelters, soup kitchens or food banks, but we can all do something. It takes very little effort to drop some money into the hands of someone begging on the street.
I know some people say giving to someone begging on the street encourages them to continue to do it, or worse they’ll only spend it on drugs.
While that may be so. There are those who are homeless that will use the money they receive for food and essentials.
Homelessness is a world wide phenomena. While we hear about the famine and refugee crisis around the world, which we should try to help if we can. We also need to remember those who are near to us.
Every major city in the world has people who live on the streets for a myriad of reasons. Many who live and work in the cities of the world pass them without a thought.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should however notice them and do what we can for them.
Now I’m not saying drop a dollar or two into the hat of everyone you see begging on the street. Most people can’t afford that. But every bit helps. Give a dollar hear and there. Give to reputable charities who help the needy. Encourage your church congregation to at the very least give something to the needy.
Please think about it.

Sinners All

Sinners All
The apostle Paul wrote,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

                                                                         Romans 3:23.

According to Christian belief every man and woman who has ever been born has sinned and falls short of God’s glory.
C. S. Lewis stated what Christians believe when it comes to an individuals relationship to God when he said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
That being said, the apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10
We as individuals must be honest with ourselves, and with God. Admitting to God that we are sinners. That we fall short of the ideal that he wants for our lives. That we make mistakes. That we sin.
Once we admit this we must ask God’s forgiveness. For when we do so John tells us, God,
“will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
The choice as to whether you as an individual believes this is entirely yours. God gives us all a freewill to do as we wish. He will not force himself on you.
Thus the choice dear reader is yours. Will you confess your sins and shortcomings to God today and accept God’s forgiveness or not?
The choice is yours.
Please think about it. 

To Account

To Account
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
These two passages of scripture one from the Old Testament and one from the new, are warnings to all people be they rich or poor. What is being said here is we will be held accountable for our actions. That I believe is doubly so if we claim to be followers of Christ Jesus.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
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.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
If we claim to be true believers in Christ Jesus then we are called to do all we can to help our fellow man.
I think even if you do not believe in Jesus, to help those in need is at the very least is the humane thing to do.
Thus my question for you the reader is, Do you do what you can to help your fellow man? I say this because Ecclesiastes states,
“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.