Who do you turn to?

 Who do you turn to?

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.”  

                                                           Matthew 11:28,29.

Speaking from personal experience I have always found that no matter how difficult the circumstance I have been able to find rest in Jesus. Through major medical issues and other events in my life, my faith in Jesus has given me rest. 

I’m not alone in this. I know of many people that have been through horrendous things in their lives. Men and women who have called out to Jesus, have called out to God and found peace in knowing that He is with them.

Calling out to Jesus is not to say that the problem will not go away. We still may have to deal with the problem. The thing is knowing Jesus is right there with you gives you comfort. Gives you rest for your weary soul.

Question; when you go through trouble who or what do you turn to?

Please think about it.

Ask Jesus

 Ask Jesus

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

I think whether or not they want to admit, it people in this world whether they live in the poorest or the richest nations on earth, are looking for something. They are longing for something that seems to elude them. Just what that is they may not know.

Many especially here in the rich western counties try to fill that longing with material things, fancy cars, luxurious houses, money, the list goes on and on. Ultimately they find that these things may for a moment fill the void they have in their life but when that moment is passed the need more. Rather like a person addicted to drugs who needs to get another fix.

To these people Jesus calls,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

This is the message Christians around the world proclaim to those around them. Irrespective of the situation people find themselves in Jesus can give them rest for their soul. 

Are you in need of that rest today? Why not take time to ask Jesus to give you that rest. 

Take time to read the New Testament. Pray and ask Jesus to come into your life.

Please think about it.

Do you turn to Christ?

  Do you turn to Christ?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.”

                                      Matthew 11:28.

We are not promised a life without trials and tribulations. Problems in life come and go. That being said if your trust is truly in The Lord Jesus Christ, no matter what you are going through you can find rest.

In the very next line we hear Jesus say,

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:29.

If we look at the early apostles especially Paul we see that he went through some horrific things. He was shipwrecked, beaten, thrown in jail and ultimately murdered for his faith. Yet his faith in Christ never wavered. If anything it seems to have made him stronger.

As a Christian I find comfort in knowing that no matter what trial or trouble I am going through Jesus is there with me giving me the strength to go through it.

When you go through troubles do you turn to Christ?

Please think about it. 

In the name of the Lord Jesus

  In the name of the Lord Jesus

To the Corinthians the apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

Whether you like it or not if you claim to be a Christian you are an ambassador for Christ. People will judge Christ through the lense of your words and deeds.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

So if you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus what is your sermon. Your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?

Please think about it.

Rest

 Rest

The Psalmist writes,

“I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”Psalm 16:2.

As I look back on the six plus decades of my life, I can honestly say the best decision I have ever made in my life is to follow Jesus.

I have been through many triumphs, and sadly many tragedies, in my life and through it all God has been there for me. Had He not been there for me, my life may have been much shorter. And I know others who can say the same thing.

It all comes down to what I learned as a new Christian. The pastor I had at the time pointed me to the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter six that reads,

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

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:33,34.

And to the word of Jesus in Matthew chapter eleven that reads,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

I have found over the years that no matter how good or how bad the situation is, God is there for me. As He is for anyone who sincerely calls on Him.

Please think about it. 

You and God

You and God
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.
What the psalmist is saying here is simple. God knows all about you. He knows why you are the way you are.
Thus the call of God to all people everywhere is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
The apostle Peter states,
“And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Acts 2:21.
Jesus 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.
All of that being said where do you stand? There are two ways of looking at the above. You can acknowledge what I have quoted intellectually or you can acknowledge the truth of what is said and accept Jesus into your heart today. The choice is yours.
Please think about it. 

An Admission

An admission
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.
The Church has been around a long time and like with any institution that has been around for millennia false teachers have entered the Church.
Unfortunately especially it seems when it comes to those who espouse to be in the evangelical church there is no policing. Preachers in North America in particular can say what they want to say. Which is a good thing in one respect. It’s called freedom of speech. With such freedom  however comes a responsibility to teach the truth. And puts the onus on believers to police themselves. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians tells us,
“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
 In the above quoted scripture from Matthew seven Jesus himself admits there will me many who say they did God’s work but were not true believers at all.
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“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.
I see these men in the media all the time. You only have to Google the names of some of these preachers to see they are not true Christians.
There is however a growing group of Christians in all denominations who are starting to take a hard look at the Bible and its teaching. They are turning back to the true teachings of Jesus. One of love for God, our neighbour and our enemy.
Men and women who believe the teachings of the Apostle Paul who said,

“If it is possible, 

as far as it depends on you,

 live at peace with everyone.”

                             Romans 12:18.

Who follow the teachings 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

Jesus who 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45
Jesus who when asked,
 “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 22:37-40
Such men and women are the “new fundamentalist”. Men and women who know Jesus reached out to everyone irrespective of what they believed, their race, their ethnicity, or their lifestyle.
Men and women who dislike what passes for Christianity sometimes. People who wish to ensure that all people have the opportunity to feel the Joy and Peace only a relationship with Jesus can bring.
A relationship that costs nothing more than having faith in Christ.
As the apostle Paul put it,
“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
Christianity is God reaching down to man. It is Jesus calling to each and every person saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
We believe as Christians have believed from the time of Jesus that the most important message we can give to the world is the words of Jesus who 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.” John 3:16  
Please think about it.

A Principle

A principle
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.”  Exodus 20:8-10.
As I look around the world today, particularly here in North America where I live I see men and women who are stressed out.
Statistics show that many don’t take all their allotted vacation time. Many take work on vacation with them and home during the week.
Over the years our world has moved away from the principles of God. The principle of stopping one day a week to rest for example.
I can remember a time in Canada when I first arrived that stores had to be closed on Sunday’s. The law went as far as saying even transport trucks could not travel on Sunday’s. The exception was vehicles carrying perishable goods.
This was a break that allowed for family time. However secular forces prevailed and Sunday closings became a thing of the past.
The result is it can be hard to have family time.
On top of all of this we are bombarded by the media telling us we need the latest gadget.
When I was young I didn’t know I needed a smart cell phone, or a handy dandy tablet to help me keep in touch with people 24/7. They simply were not around and we got by just fine. Now we can’t it seems get by without them.
Now there is nothing wrong with the latest technology or wanting the best things in life. There is something wrong if you have to work ridiculously long hours to earn the money to get the best things in life at the expense of time with family, friends and our faith.
Sadly too many people today are doing just that. They are working long hours just to pay the bills so they can keep their nice house and own the latest gadgets.
Sadly over the years I’ve heard of many people who have simply committed suicide because they can’t take the strain of living in modern society. Suicide rates today are through the roof.
This is not what God wants for anyone. God’s call through Jesus is clear. Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30.
I firmly believe that if we return to the basic principles of living a life God wants us to live, one of honouring God, loving one’s neighbours and even our enemies.
Of taking at least one day a week to relax without the thought of work, our society and we as individuals will be all the better for it.
Please think about it.

To Save

To save
The Apostle John quoted Jesus, speaking of himself as saying,
“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.
This is what all Christians need to remember.

“...God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,

but to save the world through him.” 

                                                     John 3:17.

Christians have no right to judge anyone, especially when it comes to where that person will spend eternity.
The apostle Paul states,

“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.

Christians are only allowed to judge those within their own faith and then only to make sure they are teaching the scriptures correctly. We as Christians have no right to judge as to where an individual will spend eternity that is God’s job.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love,” 

                             Billy Graham.

The call of Jesus is,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.”

                                   Matthew 11:28.

People will never hear that message if we as Christians are judging them.
Please think about it.

If He never wept

If He never wept
The gospel of John records,
“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.
John referring to Jesus as “The Word” makes it clear that, Jesus made all things. Jesus is God. The creator of the universe.
This is a fundamental Christian belief.
John also points out,
“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
That God in the form of Jesus entered the world he created.
This to is a fundamental Christian belief. Which is to non-Christians perhaps one of the most perplexing beliefs Christians have.
Many would ask why would God enter the world He created? After all God is all knowing and all powerful why would he need to enter the world?
I think the answer is simple. To be completely fair to man.
Any Christian will tell you that Jesus came into the world to save the world. To point man to God. To pay the price of man’s sins.
That being said the late evangelist Charles Spurgeon wrote,
“A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.”Charles H. Spurgeon.
Through Jesus God experienced all there was to be human. Everything from the mundane day to day things like the smell of dust, to the rain falling, to the feeling of the sun beating down on a hot day. To having friends, to the death of a friend, to having enemies, to being flogged and put to death innocently. Jesus run the complete gamut of what it was to be human.
Thus he knows what you are going through and the call of Jesus to each and every individual is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
Question, Are you weary and burdened?
Why not consider looking to Jesus. Take time to read the New Testament and see for yourself what those early believers in Jesus had to say about him.
Please think about it.

Peace

Peace
Jesus said,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

                                                  Matthew 11:28-30.

Someone once said to me being a Christians is following a lot of do’s and do not’s. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Yes God expects believers in Christ Jesus to follow a moral code of conduct. Doing so however is no more difficult than anyone who plays sports and must follow the rules of the game.
Most who play sports don’t think about the rules. They follow them instinctively, as a result the game becomes enjoyable.
It is the same for Christians. A true believer in Christ Jesus knows what God expects of him or her and does it without thinking.
Not only that when one has a personal relationship with Jesus one knows that no matter what they go through Jesus is there for them.
Psalm twenty-three says,

"The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever." 

                                                                                                    Psalm 23.
I personally know this to be true. In my life I have gone through many things, some life threatening. Yet though it all I have had peace for I know my Lord and Saviour has been with me through it all.
Do you have such peace. If not why not look to Jesus. Take time to read the New Testament and see for yourself the Peace Jesus offers to you.
Please think about it.

Your Shepherd

Your Shepherd
The Psalmist writes,

The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

                                                                          Psalm 23

Is Jesus Christ the Shepherd of your life? The Lord of your life?
This time last year my wife and I had just come from visiting her sister Sheila. Sheila was suffering from terminal cancer that would claim her life by mid January. Not a very nice way some would say to end the old year and bring in the new year. And it may not have been were it not for the fact Sheila knew the Lord.
Sheila and my wife were not terribly close. Over the years she and we had moved around a lot. On top of everything Sheila had gone her own way and done her own thing. And frankly from time to time we had not see eye to eye. In fact her battles with the family in general were at times to say the least, intense.
Still she it was never enough to keep us apart. She was family and family was always welcome in our home and we in hers.
A few years before she received the cancer diagnosis things started to change in her life. She connected with God. She had made Jesus Lord of her life. God had become the Shepherd of her life, and her life truly began to change.
Sheila I believe had learned the meaning to what Jesus said,
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy 

and my burden is light.”

                                              Matthew 11:28-30.

Never was this more noticeable than when we last saw her. She was truly a changed person. She was at peace with God and indeed all those around her.
It was evident to those around her that she knew exactly where she would be spending eternity.
While there were some tears at her passing as at any funeral. Those who knew Sheila were comforted by the fact she was in Heaven.
Question, Is Jesus the Lord of your life. Is God your Shepherd?
Have you found rest for your soul?
Please think about it.

To Christians

To Christians
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2Timothy 3:1-5.
Here is a bleak warning to Christians from the apostle Paul. Essentially he warns that the world is if you will, going to Hell in a handbarrow. It reminded me of a quote from an old book my wife found entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written today.
  It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
  Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
   Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency  courage."
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
   When I speak I can only truthfully speak of what I see first hand from my perch here in North America where I live.
  To live in North America is to be bombarded daily by a media calling to the individual to get the latest gadget, the latest designer clothing. It must be the latest, it must be brand name or you’re not "cool".
  Not only do you need "it" "but you need it now!" forget about paying "buy now pay later." is the general philosophy. Experts say North Americans are drowning in debt.
   It seems like everything has a price tag, everything is a commodity. Everything from toothpicks to basic human rights such as food, housing, and health care. Society simply states if you can afford it you can have it. If not tough.
And some at least claiming to be Christian are not any better it seems. They have becomes religious copies of secular society. Some preachers and evangelist calling out to people if you give to God he will give to you ten, twenty, a hundred fold. As if God were a supernatural banker giving super interest. They ignore the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,

“Keep your lives free from the love of money 

and be content with what you have, because God has said, 

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

 Hebrews 13:5 

Churches are beginning to empty. Church congregations for the most part are falling in numbers. The Church is running the risk of becoming irrelevant, irrespective of the denomination.
Someone even told me that those who call themselves evangelical Christians are no longer relevant they’ve become too political. There message is lost in all the protesting they do. People it seems know far more of what evangelical Christians are against, than what they are for.
They have a form or godliness but have lost the true message of Jesus. As Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians 

- you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Billy Graham said,

“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, 

yet today many in church are chasing after the world 

 not to win them, but to be like them.”

Billy Graham

If you are truly a Christian then you must believe in the teachings of Jesus and put those teachings to work in your life. Jesus said,
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 
“All this I have spoken while still with you.  
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:23-27
The message Jesus gave is one of hope. The call of Jesus is,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.
The rest Jesus is speaking of is a rest many people in our society are looking for. A rest only God can give. It is a message they will not hear if we are not true to the teachings of Jesus in word and deed. As Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today” 

                                                        Francis of Assisi 
Please think about it.

Peace and Contentment

Peace and Contentment
The apostle Paul writes,
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.
 He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions  and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 
But godliness with contentment is great gain.  
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.   But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1Timothy 6:3-10.
Here Paul is talking about false teaching and financial gain.
Now there is nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of money. Its what motivates us to get that money and what priority we put on it. Paul notes.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

Some people, eager for money, 

have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs 

1Timothy 6:10.

Paul however notes some are teaching wrong doctrine and, “think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Such people are around today supposedly teaching in the name of Jesus saying if you give to God he will give back to you a hundred or even a thousand fold. This is not so.
We are not to give to God as if He were a banker giving super interest on what we give. We are to give to God because we feel it is right, not expecting anything in return.
Paul tells us,

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  

For we brought nothing into the world, 

and we can take nothing out of it.  

But if we have food and clothing, 

we will be content with that.    

1 Timothy 6: 6-8.

Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to get ahead in life. To have nice things. The problem comes when we focus all our efforts on getting those things to the point of forgetting God and our faith.
I like what Paul states, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 
In the western world and in particular North America where I live, people seem to lack contentment. We are bombarded by the media telling us that we need the latest greatest gadget to fulfill our lives.
We are told we need to look a certain way, dress a certain way, with the latest designer things, “made just for us”. To have the beautiful house with all the trimmings. That following such a philosophy will not give us contentment.
This is not what the apostle Paul is saying. He’s telling us we should be content with what we have. That we brought nothing into the world and will take nothing with us when we leave this world.
The pauper and the prince. The wealthiest and the poorest person on earth will stand before God equal. All their material wealth be it a little or a lot will mean nothing only what’s done for God will count.
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes four very true statements,

“What has been will be again, 

what has been done will be done again; 

there is nothing new under the sun”

Ecclesiastes 1:9

“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

“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, 

but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth 

to hand it over to the one who pleases God. 

This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” 

Ecclesiastes 2:26

“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

What the writer is saying is that life without God is meaningless. That all the material wealth we gather is meaningless in the light of eternity. That all things on this earth are meaningless without God.
What the apostle Paul is saying is as believers in Christ. As believers in God. We are to keep the things of this world in proper perspective. Not to get into ungodly arguments. Not to put emphasis on money and the material things of this world. As long as we have adequate food, clothing the basics of life we should be content.
As Christians we have a calling to serve God in whatever way we can. We don’t need to be wealthy to do so. Offering someone a glass of water in the name of God is as much service to God as donating millions of dollars to missions.
The key is to be content with what you have in life and to present the message of Jesus to all who will receive it. For only he can give one genuine peace. Jesus who said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, 

and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30

Please think about it.

On "The Rock",

On "The Rock"
Jesus said,
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.   But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”Matthew 7:24-27.
As a Christian I am called to build my house, my faith, on the teachings of Jesus. That in doing so my faith will grow. This is not entirely a new thing.
The writer of Proverbs tells believers,
     “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6
Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh which is another reason we should follow Him.
The teachings of Jesus are for the most part simple. They are Love God, your neighbour, and even your enemy.
Jesus told his disciples and through them 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.
Telling people about Jesus and making disciples is an important part of Christian life.
As Christians we believe that Jesus is the way to heaven and as such is the most important message we can present to the world.  Someone who can give you rest for your soul.
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for

 I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy

 and my burden is light.”

 Matthew 11:28-30

Having Faith in Jesus, in God also gives us strength to go through the good and the bad times.  The writer of Psalm twenty-three states,

The LORD is my shepherd,

 I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

Psalm 23.

As a Christian now for over forty years I can testify to the fact that no matter what we go through God does indeed bring us through and give us peace.
Please think about it

That they may have life!

That they may have life
Jesus said,

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; 

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” 

John10:10.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30

I as a Christian can testify that the words of Jesus quoted above are true. That’s not to say Christians don’t go through highs and lows, they do. But you go through those times with the knowledge that God is there for you.
Someone once told me the Christian life is a lot of do and do not’s. nothing could be further from the fact.
Being a Christian means following the moral standard set down by Christ. This is no more difficult than someone following the rules of a football match.
In order for that match to be enjoyable by all the players one must follow the rules. Once you know the rules then you follow them automatically.
Thus it is when one becomes a Christian. You study the bible and learn from it how Jesus, how God wants you to live.
In the process you also come to realize that no matter what life throws against you God is with you, helping to lighten your burden.
In my life I have gone through many trials, one of my children being badly hurt when hit by a car, I survived cancer and blood clots on my lungs. My wife has underwent major emergency surgery. We lost our house to fire. Never the less through it all we have been able to look to God.
We have seen Gods provision. After our house burned down, on which we had no insurance, within twenty-four hours we had a place to live and furniture to go into it. It was an amazing provision.
After our son’s injury we were told my son would never be the same, having sustained a brain injury. But God answered our prayers. Today thirty years later he is perfectly normal and the father of a son of his own.
The God I worship is a God of love who is there for us in the good times and the bad times. A God who thought so much about His creation that He sent his one and only Son to earth to point us to heaven.
Jesus speaking of 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.” 3:16-17.
        Are you willing to follow Jesus today?
Please think about it.

My Shepherd

My Shepherd

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

He leads me beside quiet waters, 

He restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,

 and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

                                                                                                            Psalm 23.
Psalm twenty-three. All I can say about this is that I have found what it says to be true. In my life I have gone through many good times and many bad times.
I have found that God has been for me in both the good and the bad.
It is something I want everyone to know about.
I know God is real. I know that Jesus is Gods one and only Son. That he came to die for my sins and short comings.
I know that in the darkest days of my life I have been able to rely on Him.
I have never regretted choosing to follow Jesus.
I have heard the call of Jesus,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                                         Matthew 11:28-30.
And through my life I have proven it to be true.
I hope anyone reading this will at least start to look at and read the New Testament at the very least and see the truth about Jesus and how he can make your life richer.
Please think about it.