Do it in world and in deed

  Do it in word and in deed

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.

Question. Do you treat others the way you want to be treated? Even if you disagree with them?

Sadly many people in the world today do not treat people the way they want others to treat them.

Anne Frank a young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis in world war two 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.

Sadly Anne Frank died in a Nazi concentration camp at the hands of evil men and women who knew nothing of the Love of God.

Today without exception, in every country in the world, there are people, (some even saying they are doing things in the name of God), that are treating people in horrible ways. Ways they would never want to be treated.

Let we who consider ourselves Christians, followers of Christ Jesus follow what 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 don’t just think about it. 

Do it, in word and in deed.

Do you Know?

  Do you know?

In Proverbs

Those who trust in their riches will fall, 

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

                                                               Proverbs 11:28

The Psalmist writes,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." 

                                                                            Psalm 20:7.

Jesus 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....

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money” Matthew 16:19-21,24.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future

 to a known God." 

                                  C. S. Lewis

Thus my question to you the reader is do you know the God of the writer of Proverbs, Psalms? Do you truly know Jesus?

If not why not take some time to read the New Testament and see what those who knew Him best said about Him.

Please think about it.

There is a way

  There is a way

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour."

Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her." Proverbs 4:5-11.

When I look at the world around me here in North America be it at political leaders, religious leaders or the average person on the street. It seems to me that wisdom is lacking.

It seems particularly politicians and religious leaders lack wisdom and understanding. Everything they do it seems is a knee jerk reaction to things going on around them.

These leaders don’t it seems take time to evaluate to consequences of their actions and sadly the average person is following their example and doing the same thing. The result I feel is our society is running toward the abyss that is filled with fire and brimstone.

In Proverbs we read this warning,

“There is a way that seems right ot a man 

but in the end it leads to death.”

                                                            Proverbs 14:12.

Please think about it.

Would you stand?

  Would you stand?

“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.

Every now and then I like to poke Christians and others with a pointy stick this is one of those days. Thus I present to you the story of Margaret Elizabeth.

“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make a good impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.

Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.

“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  

I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.

I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.

Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.

For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If so they did not commented.

I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.

I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over forty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.

I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.

Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  Nothing is off limits. After the questions, pastor will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”

There were many questions. Finally however, the question answered, the pastor came to the front.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”

Thus my question to you the reader. Would you rise to your feet?

Please think carefully and prayerfully about it.

Sadly Christians forget

 Sadly Christians forget

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 

Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendour." Proverbs 4:5-9.

Sadly I think Christians forget what is said here. They don’t get wisdom or understanding. Instead they rely too much on others to whom they think are wise and understand things, better than them.

Being a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus is a continuing learning process. A journey in which we should grow day by day. This not only includes studying the scriptures but studying the thing in the world around us. Observing people reading as wide a range of books as we can.

Christian life is not lived in a bubble. It is lived in a world filled with things both for and against what we as believers Christ believe. And the only way we know how to act toward them is by understanding why the world around us is they way it is.

Studying the scriptures in addition to studying the secular world around us, studying human behaviour, science, history, social behaviour or other things makes us wise. And shows us how we can best present the word of God.

If you consider yourself a Christian, when was the last time you studied the scriptures for yourself? When was the last time you looked at the world around you and studied what was happening?

Please think about it.

Wisdom

 Wisdom

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; 

do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom,

 and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; 

therefore get wisdom. 

Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour." 

                                                                      Proverbs 4:5-9.

I read the other day that,

"Wisdom is the acquired skill of applying knowledge rightly"

I was always taught that we should do our best to learn something new everyday. I was also told that we can have all the knowledge in the world, and if we don’t know how to use it correctly it will either amount to nothing, or amount to catastrophe.

I fully believe that as Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we should be praying daily and asking God to impart wisdom to us through the scriptures and through daily life lessons.

What do you think?

Please think about it.

The Beginning of Wisdom

The beginning of Wisdom
The Psalmist writes,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

 To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                           Psalm 111: 10.

I believe if more people believed in God and His precepts the world would be a far better place.
In my previous blog I quoted Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 that 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.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.
When man loses his fear of God. Fear of ultimate judgement things can go terribly wrong. We only have to look at Adolf Hitler and the Nazis during the second world war. They did not fear judgement. They turned to their own evil ways fearing no one in this world or the next. The result was in excess of fifty-six million plus men women and children murdered in the war and genocide they were responsible for.
They had no fear of God’s judgement. They did not fear God and follow His wisdom.
Think of it if those men and women responsible for starting the second world war and creating the holocaust had just followed one word of advice of Jesus that being,

“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  

If they and for that matter society in general had followed the teachings of 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 22:36-40
The world would have been a much better place and fifty six million plus people would have lived.
Today in the twenty-first century it is incumbent I believe on all people to seek God’s wisdom to Love God, our neighbour and even our enemy.
I believe if we as individuals and a society would do this the world would be a better place.
Please think about it.

My job is to Love

My job is to Love
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

It is the Holy Spirits job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love, 

Billy Graham

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 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,...” 

Matthew 5:43,44

The apostle Paul defined love as,

“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

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14

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.

Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer all Christians need to take to heart. He wrote,

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, 

Where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

where there is sadness, joy;

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; 

to be understood as to understand; 

to be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive; 

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; 

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

                                                                         The Prayer of St Francis of Assisi.
If you claim to be a Christian, are you truly loving unconditionally, those around you?
Please think about it.

Living Stones

Living Stones
The apostle Peter writes to believers in Christ,
“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him—  you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.  
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe,“The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,’”  and, “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall.” 1 Peter 2:4-8.
There are two basic points here. First believers in Christ are called “living stones” “being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood...”
Believers in Christ don’t simply go to a Church building. It is not the building that is the church it is the believers themselves that are the church.
Secondly Christ is the corner stone of the Church. However Peter notes that to many who do not believe in Jesus, Jesus is “The stone that the builders rejected.”  “A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall”
For a believer in Christ Jesus is God incarnate, the Son of God, the creator of the world and everything in it.
To those who do not believe in Christ he is none of these. At best he is a good man.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear what Christians believe saying,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
I as a Christian believe there is no middle ground with Jesus he is everything we Christians believe him to be or he is not. C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
If you are reading this and are not a follower of Christ I would invite you to read the New Testament at least for yourself then make an informed decision as to who Christ is.
There is a down load called “You Version” it’s a free download and has various English bible versions. Take a look at it. Read, get the facts directly from the source. Then decide for yourself who Jesus is.
Please think about it.

Be Holy

Be Holy
Peter the apostle wrote,
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.  
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;  for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. 1 Peter 1:13-16.
Here is a simple principle all Christians need to understand. As believers in Christ we are called to be holy.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.”

Hebrews 12:14.

Peter tells us how we can be holy. He states,
“...prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.  
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires...”
To be holy is to love God and your fellow man unconditionally. It is doing to others what you would want them to do to you.
It is following the words 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 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
It is doing what Jesus called us to do when 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44
It is living a life that points people by our words and deeds to God.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ, are you living such a life?
Please think about it.

A New Birth. A Living Hope!

A New Birth. A Living Hope!
The apostle Peter writes to believers in Christ,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:3-9.
Peter gives praise to God for His great mercy. For the “new birth” and “Living Hope” God gives us through Jesus Christ. An inheritance that can never “perish, spoil or fade, kept in heaven”.
He notes that while we may have to suffer grief from time to time it is worth it.
Trials of any kind can do one of two things to our faith destroy it or strengthen it. Trials show just how strong and true our faith is.
Peter also commends his readers who have not seen or met Jesus in the flesh. He states,
“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.”
This is what God wants. The apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

It is our faith in Christ our faith in God that saves us. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God,

 because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6

The apostle Paul writing to the Galatians said,

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live,

 but Christ lives in me. 

The life I live in the body, 

I live by faith in the Son of God, 

who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20.

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy saying,

“Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him, we will also live with him; 

if we endure, we will also reign with him.

If we disown him, he will also disown us; 

if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,

for he cannot disown himself. 

2 Timothy 11-13.

Please think about it.

To be Christian

To be Christian
Here’s some advice from James the half brother of Jesus to Christians. He writes,
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  
Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:7-11.
The early Church like the church today was expecting Christ to return soon. I don’t think they had any idea of the true scope of the job ahead of the church in taking the gospel to every one in the world.
God could have chose to show Himself miraculously to everyone in the world instantly but he did not do so. Instead He asked the early church and He asks the church today to present a message of faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

Hebrews 11:6.

Asking people to believe what they cannot see can be very hard for many people. Additionally while the majority of people to whom they were taking the gospel believed in an after life and God in some way, the majority of people the gospel would be presented to had no knowledge of the Jewish scriptures.
Thus a monumental task lay ahead of that early church. A task that is still continuing to this day. A task that would see much hardship as well as success. That’s why James writes,
“Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  
You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.  
Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! 
Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  
As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:7-11.
The church needed to be patient. To stand firm in what it believes. To be unified and not grumble about each other. To endure suffering. To look back at the old Testament prophets and Job who went through a great deal yet emerged victorious and received the reward of eternal life with God.
Looking at the Church in the twenty-first century it’s easy to say where is God? Why as He not returned?
It’s easy to say he doesn’t exist. Using the excuse that it has been so long since Christ walked the earth that therefor the scriptures must be mistaken.
The Scriptures are not mistaken. The old and New Testament are true and Jesus will one day return to this earth to judge both the living and the dead.
The call to Christians to keep the faith no matter what the circumstances you are in. To work as if Christ will return tomorrow. To plan as if that return is still many years in the future.
Jesus when he left this earth left the disciple and all believers in Him a job to do. 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.
If you claim to be a follower of  Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

A Spark

A Spark
“Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.  
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check. 
When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal.  
Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.  
Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark.  
The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. 
All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 
With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness.  
Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.” James 3:1-10.
James here is pointing out that not everyone should want to be teachers because teachers are held to a higher standard.
He notes that we all stumble. Then goes on to point out that we need to watch what we say. To keep our tongue in check. Doing so can be difficult. The sad thing about words is that they can cause people to be injured more deeply than getting physically injured.
Physical injuries heal and go away in time. Injuries caused by words can go deep into the mind and soul potentially scaring a person for life.
Likewise people are often remembered for what they say or don’t say.
One wrong word in the wrong place has brought down great men and women. The failure to say the right things at the right time have caused people to fall in the eyes of those around them.
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, 

but the tongue of the wise

 brings healing.” 

Proverbs 12:18

The writer also states,

“Even a fool is thought wise 

if he keeps silent, 

and discerning 

if he holds his tongue. 

Proverbs 17:28.

Be we Christians or not, what we say, can help or injure those who here them. We need to be careful what we say.
The advice of James at the beginning of his letter is advice we should take to heart. James states,

“My dear brothers, take note of this:

 Everyone should be quick to listen, 

slow to speak 

and slow to become angry,”

 James 1:19.

Please think about it.

Deeds

Deeds
“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.” 
James 2:14-19.
If you claim to be Christian you must do good deeds. It is part of our faith. Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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 2:11,12.
We live in deeds. People see God through the lense of our deeds.
Ben Zion Bosker wrote a delightful story that illustrates this, called “The Rose Talked Back. It reads,
“The man sweeping the synagogue paused for a moment.  He looked at the flowers lying about in disorder, ‘What waste!’  He said too himself.  Those roses had adorned the pulpit at a wedding an hour before.  Now all was over and they were waiting to be discarded.
The attendant leaning on his sweeper was lost in thought when suddenly he heard a strange sound.  One of the roses replied to him.
‘Do you call this a waste?” the flower protested, ‘What is life anyway, yours or mine, but a means of service?  My mission was to create some fragrance and beauty, and when I have fulfilled it my life has not been wasted.  And what greater privilege is there than to adorn a bride’s way to her beloved, what greater privilege than to help glorify the moment when a bride and groom seal their faith in each other by entering the covenant of marriage?’
Our little flower paused for a moment too watch the man’s face, and then continued her discourse.
‘Roses are like people.  They live in deeds, not in time.  My glory was but for a brief hour, but you should have seen the joy in the bride’s eye.  I like to believe that I had something to do with it, by creating a suitable setting for the moment of her supreme happiness.  So don’t grieve for me.  My life has been worthwhile.
Having spoken her little piece, the rose was once more silent.  The attendant, startled from his reverie and a little wiser, pushed the sweeper again and continued with his work.”
                                        Ben Zion Bokser
When people see your deeds what do they see?
Do they see love and understanding?
Do they see Christ in your life?
Or do they see something else.
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Favouritism

Favouritism
James writes,
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.  
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.  
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 
Listen, my dear brothers: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?  
But you have insulted the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court?  
Are they not the ones who are slandering the noble name of him to whom you belong? 
If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  James 2:1-10
Do you judge a book by it’s cover? Do you judge people by the way they are dressed? I knew someone, a man who said privately believed, those on welfare are all cheats. That they need to get out there and get a job. That the poor just are not doing enough to get out of poverty. This when many poor people are holding two if not three jobs and still can’t make ends meet.
I’ve heard the same rhetoric coming from some within the church over the years. This should not be so.
Sadly though people do judge a book by its cover whether they claim to be Christian or not.
When I first came to know the Lord back in the seventies people would not go to church dressed casually. I was even criticized for having a small rip in the leg of my jeans when I was helping set up for an event. A rip that occurred while I was helping set up the event.
I knew of people who wouldn’t go to church if they didn’t have a good set of clothing. It is something that still happens today in some churches. Although I must say there is a positive trend happening telling people to come dressed as they are, casually, dressed up whatever they are comfortable with. Still however many people are afraid that they will be judged by the way they dress. Which should not be so.
Someone once said to me “more people get swindled out of more money by a man in expensive clothing that a man in rags.”
It’s a very true statement just ask anyone who’s lost money to a swindler. They will tell you he looked good, talked good, but he still took their money and ran leaving them with nothing.
Now everyone will agree that not every person in fine clothing is a swindler. Likewise not everyone in shabby clothing is a crook either. This is what James is saying.
James also makes it clear that all, irrespective of who they are, how much, or how little, they have should be treated equally in the church.
He points out that we are to keep the “royal law” to love our neighbour as ourselves and not show favouritism.
James notes “But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
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
The Talmud while not a Christian book dose however make an interesting point I think Christians need to consider. It 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
There is no need to ask someone who claims to believes in God if they believe in him or prayed or observed the ritual.
However while God already knows the answer. I believe he wants to hear it from our own lips and for that matter for us to hear it from our own lips. To make us truly think about how we dealt with those around us.
Question: how have you dealt with those around you? Do you show favouritism?
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.

Watch Out

Watch out
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“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: 15-23.
Jesus here warns believers to watch out for “false prophets”, false teachers. He notes that  “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.”
Christianity today in the twenty-first century like any faith or group of any kind that has been around a long time has people who call themselves Christian but are not.
They say they follow the teachings of Christ but one look at their life and lifestyle tells you they are a long way from Christ.
Now it must be said here the average Christian is far from perfect. However as someone once said

“Christians may not be perfect, but they are progressing

 toward what Jesus want for them in their life.” 

It can be hard for a non-believer or for that matter true Christians to tell who is a true Christian and who is not.
However I believe there are several things that mark a true believer in Christ. In brief they are,
1. They Love.
Jesus said,
“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.
2. They love even their enemy
Jesus 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
3. They obey 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.
4. They truly believe Jesus when He said

,“I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

 John 14:6

   5. They believe you get to heaven by the grace of God through faith. The apostle Paul saying,

“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.

6. They believe in living at peace with all men. The apostle Paul saying,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:18

7. They will be subject to the rulers and authorities living a good life. Paul writing,

“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, 

to be obedient, 

to be ready to do whatever is good,

  to slander no one, 

to be peaceable and considerate, 

and to show true humility toward all men.”

Titus 3:1,2.

A true Christian will also want to tell you about the most important thing in their life Jesus Christ. Obeying the words of Jesus who 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.
A true Christian will do all of the above not only because it is what God requires of them but to show the non-believer the way to heaven. And that to a Christian is of paramount importance.
Please think about it.

Love your Enemy

Love your enemy
Jesus 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?  
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47
Here is a very Christian trait. Loving your enemy. Perhaps one of the hardest things we can do. Yet God did it to us when we still enemies to Him.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him!  
For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!  
Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation” Romans 5:6-11.
What Paul is saying here is we as mere human beings could not live a life that was good enough to have fellowship with God. We are by nature sinners and sin separates us from God. It if you will, makes us enemies to God.
However God knowing it is impossible for us to live perfect lives entered this world in the form of Jesus, His one and only Son. Who died for our sins. The writer of Hebrews telling us.
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3
Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
We get to heaven by the grace of God through faith in the saving Grace of Jesus.
Now I have said all of that to say this is why we especially if we claim to be Christian, should love our enemies, because God set the example. As Christians we believe we know the way to heaven.
As Christians I believe we have the most important message in the history of mankind that being, The Way to heaven.
We cannot get this message out if we do not love all those we come in contact with, even our enemies.
Paul even tells us to pray for our persecutors for he knew that they too needed to know of the love of Jesus, the Love of God.
The Apostle Peter reminds us,
“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.
Loving all we come in contact with is a positive sign even if you are not a Christian. Martin Luther King Jr. the American civil rights leader once said,

Love is the only force capable 

of transforming an enemy into friend.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Please think about it.

Crumbs from the Table

Crumbs from the table.
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.
If you claim to be a Christian you are spiritually rich. You have the word of God in your heart. You know the way of Salvation, the Way to Heaven.
There are many however around the world, around your neighbourhood that are spiritually poor. They are consciously or subconsciously craving the crumbs from your table.
It is my belief if you are not telling them about the word of God you are acting like the rich man. Withholding the most important thing a person needs.
If you are doing anything that would turn someone away from God you are acting like that rich man. If you are not sharing the Gospel for any reason, you are acting like that rich man. And, it is my belief God will hold you accountable for those actions.
I had one man tell me he would not attend the wedding of someone of a different faith. He also told me he wouldn’t let certain religious groups into his home to talk with him.
This to me is not being Christian.
Matthew’s Gospel records,
“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 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.
You cannot make disciples by choosing who you will speak to or were you will speak to them. As Christians we must be ready to present the Gospel to all people in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
 Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.

Peace Makers

Peace Maker
Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.” 

Matthew 5:9

       The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

Hebrews 12:14.

Martin Luther King jr. the American civil rights leader said,

“Love is the only force capable 

of transforming an enemy into friend.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do you as a Christian truly show love toward your fellow man? The apostle Paul defines what true Christian love is when writing to the Corinthians said,

“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

Is this the kind of love you show to people around you. Even your enemy?
While I know the Talmud is not a Christian book it has truths in it that line up perfectly with Christian belief. One such note is this,
“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
When someone calling themselves a Christian stands before God. God is not a surprise. The Christian believes in him and that God will judge him.
Thus the first question God may ask may well be,
“Have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
What would you say?
What will God say?
Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to show you your life and what you can do to make yourself a better servant of God.
Please think about it.