A Note to those claiming to be Christian

A note to those claiming to be Christians
     Question: why do so many people claiming to be Evangelical Christians appose refugees coming to Canada and the U. S. A.?
Contrary to what some politicians would have you believe the refugees are not the problem. It is the evil men and women that force them to flee that are the problem.
The refugees are the result of the problem.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34-40.
This is what believers in Christ Jesus must do. It is not an option.
Jesus went on to say,
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:41-46.
Think of the ramifications of Matthew 25:41-46. If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you willing to hear those words?
Sadly the refugee crisis is with us. Someone unfortunately has to pay the price. That at this point in time is Canada, the United States and the Western Democracies.
And unfortunately they will continue to pay until the root cause of the problem is dealt with.
As believers in Christ Jesus we should not fall into the trap that refugees need to go back to their own country.  We should be welcoming them with open arms as a mission field coming to our door.
We should be praying for our political leaders to have wisdom when dealing with them. And encouraging our political leadership to do all they can to help them.
And one more note.
Jesus also told those who believe in Him,
“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 the ramifications of Matthew 7:12.
 If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus and want refugees or anyone in need turned away, you are saying that were you ever in that situation you would want to be turned away also.
Please think carefully about it.

To the Rich

To the Rich
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1Timothy 6:17-19.
What Paul is saying here is what Jesus talked about when he said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
Jesus also 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
As I’ve said in the past having wealth is not wrong. It’s what we do with it and the priority we place on it. As Christians with wealth we as Paul states should “be rich in good deeds. To be generous and willing to share”.
Christianity is all about our relationship to God and fellow man. The Talmud while not considered a Christian book tells a story that like many things in Jewish thought lines up with Christian belief. It states,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
This is true. We as Christians need to realize this.
Whenever I read 1Timothy 6:17-19 and Matthew 6:19-21 I remember a very special woman.
When I first met her she lived in a rented rundown farm house well outside of town.  Money was tight but there were chickens, and a vegetable garden that supplemented her and her husbands meagre income.
What impressed me about this woman was that no matter who showed up at her door announced or not, there was always room at the table. She never turned anyone away.
On holidays Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, as many as twenty to thirty family and others sat around the table and no one went hungry.
She was an example to me that no matter how little we have we can help others. I was the guest at her house many, many times over the years and she taught me a lot. That lady became my mother in law.
She eventually moved out of that farm house and into an apartment in the home of one of her daughters where she enjoyed a far better life materially.
Yet still, especially during the holidays there were as many as thirty squeezed in enjoying good food and fellowship.
This lady was not wealthy, not well educated, not a great theologian, or orator. She was a simple woman, with a simple faith, doing what she could for God. Which is what we all should be doing, wealthy or not.
Please think about it. 

Live together

Live together
Martin Luther King jr. prayed,

We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.

We are in nature but we live above nature.

Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.

Give us strength to love our enemies 

and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.

We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, 

that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray,

 but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers

 depended on us and not upon thee.

Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars

 and live on through all eternity.

Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace;

 help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together 

until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow 

will rejoice in one common bond of humanity 

in the kingdom of our LORD and of our God, we pray.

Amen.

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke that prayer at the height of the civil rights movement in the united states in the 1960's. All Christians need to heed what it says. King was in his way saying, love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in a December 22nd 1940 sermon said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.”
He was right. Be we Christians, Jews or anyone else we must love.
Especially if we are Christians WE MUST LOVE.
Jesus 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 22:36-40.
Jesus however did not stop there he 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.
To me that means Christians should not be following anyone be it a religious leader or a political leader that is in any way espousing hate, be it in word or in deed.
Sadly the second world war and the rise of Hitler and his cronies showed what happened when people did not stand up to leaders who espoused hate.
Martin Niemoller who at the beginning supported Hitler but then turned into a ardent Anti-Nazi wrote,

“When they came for the Communists, 

I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. 

When they came for the Jews, 

I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. 

When they came for the Catholics, 

I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. 

When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.

        ”Tony Campolo the American Evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
He is right.
Sadly what passes for Evangelical Christianity in the United States in particular and in North America in general is not. It tends to be religion mixed with politics. A bad mix in which the teachings of Jesus are at best watered down and at worst existent in word only.
The Apostle Paul warned of such times when he 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.

As true Christians we need to come back to the teachings of our Lord and His apostles. We need to be looking carefully at the scriptures and practising what they say in spirit and in truth. Not twisting them in a way that we want to hear.
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.
He didn’t say support a political party or follow a specific religious leader. He said go and make disciples of all nations and teach what he taught.
Paramount in the teaching of Jesus was,
“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
As a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Christians and Freedom

Christians and Freedoms
Martin Niemoller wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”  Martin Niemoller.
What I am about to say might not be to the liking of some of my Christian readers. Still I feel it must be said.
Jesus gave Christians the divine commission he stated,
“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.
Prior to Him sending his disciples on another “missions trip” he said to them,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16.
If we as Christians are acting in accordance with the wishes of Jesus we will be shrewd (astute) in all our dealings with people. We will be innocent or as one translation of the bible puts it, “harmless” as doves.
We need to be like this in order to effectively reach the world for Christ.
Jesus also made it clear we are to show love to all people. 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 22:36-40.
Jesus however did not stop there He 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.
That to me means loving even those we disagree with.
I would go one step further in modern society and say we should stand up for the rights of not only Christians but those we disagree with.
History has shown us that dictators and repressive regimes when they start to repress people they pick first of all on groups that are least liked in society. They then work their way up to anyone who opposes them.
Above I quoted Martin Niemoller an Anti-Nazi an opponent of Hitler who wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”  Martin Niemoller.
As Christians living in a secular society as we have here in the western nations we must stand up for the rights of all people to live as they wish and express themselves as they wish provided it brings no harm to anyone, even our enemies.
When Jesus said, love God, you neighbour, and even your enemy he was in effect saying love everyone.
Today there is a hot button issue in the church. Things many Christians see as sin, as doing things contrary to the will of God. But then I’m certain Jesus, and the apostles living in the Roman empire seen many things that were not pleasing to God. Yet they didn’t demonstrate and try and restrict or take away the rights of other groups. They couldn’t.
My point here is not whether something or some one is sinful or not. Everyone sins be they the Pope, an evangelist, pastor, or person sitting in the pew.
My point is we must be showing love for our fellow human beings. That at times may mean standing up for someone else’s rights and freedoms whether we agree with them or not.
Martin Luther King jr said,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.” Martin Luther King, Jr. 
In showing love and supporting someone’s right to do as they wish provided they are not hurting anyone builds bridges.
There are a lot of things Christians do not like. I’m sure the apostle Paul did not like the many pagan things he seen in the cities he visited but he never spoke against them. In fact he ministered to them in such away that in Athens he was invited by the philosophers to speak to them at the Areopagus.
Peter sat down and had dialogue with non-jews something not considered right at the time.
Jesus himself sat down with a group that were the pariahs of his day, tax collectors. Matthew’s gospel recording,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
Jesus may not have agreed with the actions of tax collectors nor did Paul agree with the actions and lifestyle of many he would have met in Athens. But they respected the freedom the Roman empire gave all people to do and act as they wished.
Not only that they used those freedoms to present the love of God to them.
This is what we as Christians should do.
This is what true Christians do.
Please think about it.

On Giving

On giving

The Apostle James 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.
There are approximately 2000 scriptures commanding us to look after the poor.
As Christians we are called to help the poor in what ever way we can even if it’s only giving a glass of water.
Christians are one of the largest contributors to helping the needy. However there is much we can learn from our Jewish friends. Who for centuries have been among the largest contributors to helping the poor irrespective of their faith.
The Talmud tells this story,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                                                The Talmud.
The concept of dealing honourably and fairly with one’s fellow man is a Christian concept also. We are called not to judge our fellow man but to show love and understanding to those around us.
The Talmud also tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                                                                                            The Talmud.
Another concept Christians can understand.
There is however one other interesting concept from Judaism that Christians should latch on to. Its called Tzedakah
The following is as good an explanation of Tzedakah. It comes from a Jewish website,
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.
The Obligation of Tzedakah
Giving to the poor is an obligation in Judaism, a duty that cannot be forsaken even by those who are themselves in need. Some sages have said that tzedakah is the highest of all commandments, equal to all of them combined, and that a person who does not perform tzedakah is equivalent to an idol worshipper. This is probably hyperbole, but it illustrates the importance ot tzedakah in Jewish thought. Tzedakah is one of the three acts that gain us forgiveness from our sins. The High Holiday liturgy repeated states that G-d has inscribed a judgement against all who have sinned, but teshuvah (repentance) tefila (prayer) and tzedakah can alleviate the decree.
According to Jewish law, we are requiered to give one-tenth of our income to the poor. This generally interpreted as one-tenth of our net income after payment of taxes. Taxes themselves do not fulfill our obligation to give tzedakah even though a significant proportion of tax revenues in America and many other countries are used to provide for the poor and needy. Those who are dependent on public assistance or living on the edge of subsistence my give less but must still give to the extent they are able; however, no person should give so much that he would become a public burden.
The obligation to perform tzedakah can be fulfilled by giving money to the poor, to health care institutions, to Synagogues or educational institutions. It can also be fulfilled by supporting your children beyond the age when you are legally required to, or supporting your parents in their old age. The obligation includes giving both to Jews and gentiles; contrary to popular belief, Jew do not just care for our own. Quite the contrary a study of reported in the Jewish journal indicated that Jewish ‘mega-donors’ (who give more than $10 million a year to charity found that only 6% if their mega-dollars went to specifically Jewish causes.
Judaism acknowledges that many people who ask for charity have no genuine need. In fact, the Talmud suggest that this is a good thing: if all people who asked for charity have no were in genuine Need we would be subjected to punishment for G-d for refusing anyone who asked. The existence of frauds diminishes our liability for failing to give to all who ask. Because we have some legitimate basis for doubting a beggar’s sincerity. It is permissible to investigate the legitimacy of charity before donating to it.
We have an obligation to avoid becoming in need of Tzedakah. A person should take any work available, even if he thinks it is beneath his dignity to avoid become a public charge.
However, if a person is truly in need and has no way of obtaining money on his own he should not feel embarrassed to accept tzedakah. No person should feel to proud to take money from others. In fact it is considered a transgression to refuse tzedakah. One source says that to make yourself suffer by refusing to accept tzedakah is equivalent to shedding your own blood.
Levels of Tzedakah
Certain kinds of tzedakah are considered more meritorious than others. The Talmud describes these different levels of tzedakah, and Rambam organized them into a list. The levels of charity from the least meritorious to the most meritorious, are: 

Giving begrudgingly

Giving less than you should, bu giving cheerfully,

Giving after being asked

Giving before being asked

Giving when you do not know the recipient’s identity, but the recipient knows yours

Giving when you know and the recipient’s identity, but the recipient doesn’t know yours.

Giving when neither party knows the other’s identity.

Enabling the recipient to become self-reliant. 

As Christians the above is something we should consider. It is perfectly in line with Christian belief.
Please Think about it.

A common truth

A common truth
John Wesley the famous evangelist wrote,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                                                                                           John Wesley
Wesley’s words echo 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.
This is a truth everyone, everywhere can understand. It is a truth that if followed by everyone would make the world a better place.
Basic Christian lifestyle principles are universal truths, Jesus 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 22:36-40
Jesus even went one step further saying,
“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,...”  
                                                                                   Matthew 5:43,44.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis in the occupied Netherlands during world war two, knew what it was to experience hate. She wrote,
“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.
What Anne said is true. You cannot become poor from giving.
Both Christians and non-Christians alike can understand love and kindness.
As I see it the world around us is getting it seems worse and worse. Even in the United States a country that prides itself of being the bastion of freedom a political candidate is permitted to spew hate and no one seems to want to stop him.
I believe it’s time for people everywhere be they in the United States, Canada, or other places around the world to hold high the banner of love and kindness. To oppose repression and hate.
Such a thing must start on an individual level. As Wesley said,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                                                                                             John Wesley.
Creating a better world is not impossible if we try. All it take is the will to do so. Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.

You and the needy

You and the needy
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.
The Jews have a concept called Tzedakah. It is something I believe all people, Christian, Jew, or anyone for that matter should consider. The following is a brief explanation of Tzedakah from a Jewish website.
“Tzedakah is the Hebrew word for acts that we call charity in English: giving assistance and money to the poor and needy or to other worthy causes. However the nature of tzedakah is very different from the idea of charity. The word “charity suggests benevolence and generosity, a magnanimous act by the wealthy and the powerful for the benefit of he poor and needy.
The word “tzedakah” is derived form the Hebrew root Tzadei-dalet-Qof, meaning righteousness, justice or fairness. In Judaism giving to the poor is not viewed as a generous, magnanimous act, it is simply and act of righteousness, performance of a duty giving the poor their due.”
The question I would ask you the reader do you treat others the way you want to be treated. Do you do your best to help the poor and needy in your community?
Jesus tells 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.
I believe we as human beings have a duty to help those who are in need as much as we can. It is a sacred trust God has given us.
The Talmud also tells this story,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  
He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
                                             The Talmud.
As I write this it is the first week in January 2016. Not counting the millions of refugees that are streaming out of the war torn middle east, there are millions in the United States, Canada and the western countries of the world in need of food, clothing, and shelter and in the United States in particular decent affordable heath care.
The way I see it having enough food to eat, clothing, shelter and health care are basic human rights.
I believe it is up to both those of faith and those who do not believe to do what we can to see the everyone in our society has access to them.
It is time for those of us who can to reach out to those in need and to call on our governments to do more to help the needy.
Please think about it.

Honourably,

Honourably

The writer of Ecclesiastes said,
“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.
I believe it. I also believe God will ask us something similar to what the Talmud states,
"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
                                                                                                               The Talmud
God wants to hear from our own mouths the truth as to how we feel we dealt with our fellow man. Jesus tells 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.
Today I would ask you when you stand before God will you be able to say you “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
If you are a business owner do you pay your employees a good living wage and benefits? To you do you best to even help them from time to time. An example would be allowing a parent to take time off to care for a sick child or family member.
If you are a politician do you do what is right for the individual in your constituency. Do you help pass legislation that specifically benefits the poorest in your constituency rather than simply pass tax breaks.
As an individual do you respect others and do what you can to help the poor and less fortunate in your community?
When you stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.

Its The Christian thing to do

It’s the Christian thing to do
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 
                                                                                                                     Matthew 25:34-46.
As I write this the attacks in Paris just happened about two weeks ago. There is a massive manhunt on for terrorist not only in France but in Belgium and elsewhere.
Through all of this the French president when asked if they would stop letting Syrian refugees in to France, said, he would not. That accepting them in was the right thing to do.
Canada to it’s credit is letting in 25,000 at this time the plan is to let 10,000 in prior to Christmas and the remainder by the end of February.
Compare this to the United States. Where it seems state after state seems to be saying they will not take in refugees. Where Republican candidates are saying not to take in refugees, or to restrict them to “Christian”.
They are worried about terrorist coming in.
Through all of this so far I have not heard of any Christian groups protesting in the way they protest against gay rights, or abortion.
By protesting I mean protesting in a positive way, to tell the government that letting in the oppressed of Syria and other countries is the right thing to do.
In the above quotation from Jesus in Matthew twenty-five Jesus makes it clear what Christians should do. We should be helping the stranger, clothing and feeding the needy.
We as Christians need to be doing this now more than ever before. In doing so we are showing the Love of God to not only the refugees, but we are becoming a witness to the world around us.
Let we as Christians act like Christians. Let us call out to our governments around the world to help those in need.
Let us as individuals reach out and help those in need to the best of our ability. Let us call out to our Church congregations and denominations to show God’s love even to those of different faiths. After all it was Jesus who said 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 22:36-40
Jesus also 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.
James the brother of Christ said,
“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
In New York harbour stands the Statue of Liberty. On it are these noble words by Emma Lazarus,
“Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”
                         Emma Lazarus.
If ever there was a time for these words to be put into action it is now.
Please think about it

Christians do to others

Christians do to others

“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
Dear Christian,
Would you want others judging and heaping condemnation on you simply because they disagreed with you?
Would you want people restricting your rights to marry simply because they disagreed with you?
Would you want any of your rights restricted simply because someone disagreed with your faith or lifestyle?
I don’t think you would.
So as a Christian if you don’t want your rights restricted. If you believe in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. If you believe the word of Jesus as recorded in Matthew 7:12, why would you want to restrict the rights of those in our society to do the same?
We live in a secular democracy where all are considered equal. So why would you protest against anyone who simply wants the same rights as you.
I strongly believe if you try to restrict the rights of others ultimately it will come back to hurt you.
In a democracy freedom for all has to be freedom for all.
As Christians we need to be supporting that concept.
Jesus made things very clear 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
Jesus also 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.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  Matthew 5:43-46.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                               1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13
If we are truly Christian we will be showing such love to all people. We will even be willing to stand up for the rights of those we disagree with, irrespective of who they are.
Billy Graham said,
“Racial prejudice, anti-Semitism, or hatred of anyone with different beliefs has no place in the human mind or heart.”
                          Billy Graham
Tony Campolo said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
      Tony Campolo
As 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.