Using your gifts

 Using your gifts

The apostle Peter wrote,

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 1 Peter 4:10.

Do you use the gifts you have received for God? Do you believe you have any gifts God can use?

Sadly there are many within the church who don’t think they have any gifts God can use. Which is sad because if you are willing God will use you for the furtherance of His Kingdom.

I knew a young woman named Sharon who thought she had no gifts. She came from a poor background. People in the small town where she lived looked down on her and her family.

She wasn’t well educated. She certainly couldn’t preach from the pulpit. She didn’t communicate things well and she was “socially awkward”. Unsure how to act in certain circumstances. 

When I met her she was sweeping floors and cleaning tables at a Christian coffee shop outreach where I was performing.

Long story short. Within two years of my meeting her we were married and we were living along way away from here home town, where people didn’t know her.

Our marriage changed her life in many ways. We got involved with a good church, where she became a volunteer librarian. Additionally we hosted a bible study in our apartment.

During those early years we also moved around quite a bit before a series of events brought us to a small Canadian city where we settled down and joined a church.

Again Sharon volunteered as a librarian. At the same time she got involved with various Christian women’s groups both with our church and outside.

At the same time we opened our house particularly on holidays. We’d invite people who were going to spent the holidays alone to come. An event Sharon liked hosting.

Now Sharon never became a great preacher, teacher, or evangelist and her name will one day be lost to history. Still that doesn’t matter. She is known to God and she gave what she had for God to use and he did.

When she passed away after a long illness over a hundred people came to her funeral. All of whom had been touched by her life in one way or another.

Sharon had always called herself “ordinary”. With very little for God us use. Yet she gave what she had and blessed many by doing so.

So my point here is if God can use Sharon a poor girl from a small Canadian village. He can use you. You may not become a world renowned evangelist. But then very few who work for the Lord are.

The important thing is, as the apostle Peter wrote,

"Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, 

faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." 

                                                                                                   1 Peter 4:10.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A Changed Life

  A Changed life

The apostle Peter writes,

"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.  1Peter 1:3-5.

As soon as we give our life to Christ, He gives us a new birth, a living hope, an inheritance that can never perish or fade. An inheritance that is kept in the one place no one can take it away from us, heaven.

When we accept Christ and learn more about Him. Putting more and more of his teachings into action in our life. Our old ways gradually fade away. While a new life and new lifestyle takes over. A new lifestyle that glorifies God. One that tells the world we belong to Christ Jesus.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus has your life changed since you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?

Please think about it.

We are grass

 We are all grass

    "A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8.

We are fragile even if we are in good health are bodies are fragile. A simple fall as we walk along the road can kill us.

All of our institutions everything man has created is fragile. Just take a look Pompeii everything gone in an instant when a volcano erupted. The grandeur of one of the greatest civilizations in history, Rome. Nothing more than ruins. 

Governments and institutions of every kind have faded into obscurity.

Yet through it all God’s word is still standing.

Also still there the call to people everywhere that God loves them. Jesus speaking of Himself saying,

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

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

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

Have you put your trust in God? Do you believe Jesus when he said,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”  John 14:6?

Please think about it.

What really matters

 What really matters.

In 1Corinthians we read,

"I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself.  My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.  

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." 1 Corinthians 4:3-5. 

What the apostle Paul is saying here is it doesn’t matter who in this world judges you. What ultimately matters is God’s judgement. For it is God who will determine where you will spend eternity.

Question, When you stand before God what will He say to you?

Please think about it.

What do they read?

 What do they read?

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.

Charles H Spurgeon said,

"The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! "You are the light of the world." Charles H. Spurgeon.

“You are the light of the world” said Jesus to His followers. So if you are a follower of Jesus; When the world reads your words and deeds what do they see?

Please think about it.

God's representative

God's representative 

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.

It’s interesting here Jesus speaking tells us WE are the light of the world. The apostle Paul tells us,

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  

All this is from God, Simultaneously reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." 2 Corinthians5:17-20.

Simply put we are Gods representatives on this earth. It is through the lense of our words and deeds that people will see God. Therefore we must live a life that is as close to God as is humanly possible.

We will never be a prefect witness for God. However if we do our best. Asking Gods guidance in all we do. While at the same time being willing to admit our mistakes both to God and anyone we may have wronged, then asking for their forgiveness. We can be an effective ambassador for Christ.

So are you doing your best to represent God to the world around you?

Please think about it.

Treat others

  Treat others

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.

This is something I live by. We must be willing to treat others the way we would like to be treated. By doing so we can reach the world for Christ. If we fail to do so we risk turning people away from Christ.

Question. Do you treat people the way you like to be treated?

Please think about it.

Evidenced in good works

  Evidenced in good works

In the book of James we read,

"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

Lets make one thing clear according to the apostle Paul,

"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.

James is not speaking against this belief. Rather James is pointing out that true faith in Christ is evidenced in good works. 

He points out,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?"

James notes that simply acknowledging there is a God (having an intellectual acknowledgement that God exists) is not enough as he states, "Even the demons believe that..."  

Simply saying to a person who is in need of food, shelter and clothing "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," is not enough. We need to put legs on our prayers and help them as much as we can.

Are you doing what you can to help those in need?

Please think about it.

It's hard but we have to

  It’s hard but we have to

Jesus said,

"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour 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?  

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" Matthew 5:43-48.

Do you love your enemy or those who persecute them. Jesus said we should. He didn’t say we should love the things our enemies of persecutors do. But rather we are to love the person.

It is the Christians duty to love those who dislike him.

The late great American civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. said,

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; 

only light can do that.

 Hate cannot drive out hate; 

only love can do that.” 

                                                        Martin Luther King, Jr.

So the question becomes do you love your enemies and persecutors?

Please think about it.

Do you truly Love?

 Do you truly love?

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

This is true Christian Love. So the question I pose to anyone who calls themselves a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus is; 

Do you truly love?

Please think about it.

Live such good lives

 Live such good lives

The psalmist states,

“Trust in the LORD and do good;

 dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”

                                                             Psalm 37:3.

The apostle Peter writes,

“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.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus. You have a duty before God to live a good life before the people around you. In doing so you will be able to live in peace while at the same time glorifying God.

Are you living at peace with those around you? How can you use this peacefulness to glorify God?

Pleases think about it.

Christ through you

  Christ through you

The apostle Paul tells us,

"Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful."

                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2 

If you consider yourself a follower of Christ consider this. We are "stewards of the Mysteries of God" AND "it is required in stewards that one be found faithful".

A steward in Paul's day was someone who looked after his masters estate and possessions. Joseph was Potiphar's steward. He was expected to handle Potiphars estate wisely for his master. It was an very important positions. 

According to Paul we are stewards of Christ. As such we have a very important position. We are Christ's representatives on this earth. It is through us the people around us will see Christ. We cannot afford to be bad stewards.

When People see your life do they see Christ reflected in it.?

Please think about it.

How would you like to be treated?

  How would you like to be treated.

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.

There is an interesting quote in the Jewish Talmud that while not a Christian book strikes me as something God just might say to us when we stand before Him. 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.

So my question to you dear reader is; Have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?

My second question is, Do the religious and political leaders you support deal honourably, and faithfully with the people around them?

Can you and the political and religious leaders you follow honestly that you are doing to others what you would have others do to you? 

If you are not then it’s time to make a change?

Please think about it.

Where

  Where

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.

As I look at not only Christians but the world around us. I see many people, government leaders and religious leaders who are in for a rude awakening when they meet God. 

Sadly many religious leaders (Christian or otherwise) government leaders, and the average person do not treat people the way they wish to be treated. And while those people may get away with mistreating others in this life. One day they will have to answer to God.

The writer of Ecclesiastes make it clear saying,

"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.

Thus my question to you; On the day you stand before God, what will he say to you? Where will you spend eternity?

Please think about it. 

The ultimate statistic

  The ultimate statistic 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  

This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  1Timothy 2:1-4

According to the Kennedy institute for Ethics, 65 million people die each year in the world.  That is 

178,000 each day, 

7425 each hour, 

120 each minute.

  Bottom line we do not get out of this life alive. The question however becomes where will you spend eternity?

It is the duty of all who believe in Christ Jesus to pray for those around them. Everyone from political leaders down to the person on the street. 

It is the job of a true believer in Christ to present the message of Christ to the world around them.

Jesus speaking of himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

These words of Jesus in a nutshell show how to get to heaven. Thus what it comes down to is whether or not someone believes them.

Do you?

Please think about it.

a Prostitutes faith

 A Prostitute's faith

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days. 

       By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient." Hebrews 11:30,31

There, are only four woman other than Mary, the mother of Christ mentioned in the genealogy of Christ in Matthew.  The woman are, Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Uriah’s wife. Neither are Jewish by birth, and one is a prostitute.

We hear constantly about the great leaders, Abraham, Moses, Jacob, Peter, Paul, John and the others.  But there are other “little people” who are just as important.

Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho who seen the Israelites coming and feared God.

She believed what she had heard.  She believed and acted on her beliefs.

She clearly seen the power of God, and at the risk of her own life to hid the spies sent to Jericho by Joshua.

As a result, she was a recipient of the blessing given to Abram by God in 

Genesis 12:3 when it states:

“I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you;  and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:3

If we consider what happened to Rahab after the fall of Jericho, she was truly a recipient of God’s blessing.  Her great grandson would be king David.  Twenty-eight generations from David was the Messiah.  The Saviour of the world.

From her lineage came the greatest blessing God could bestow on mankind.

Rahab is an example to us all.  She shows that God will and does use anyone He pleases irrespective of gender or profession.  All they have to do is believe and act on their faith.

No one remembers the leaders of Jericho, but the lowly prostitute Rahab is remembered in the very opening words of the New Testament.  Her faith is remembered in the book of Hebrews amid the mention of great men of God.

She is remembered with great men such as Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephathah, David, Samuel and the prophets.  All who acted on their faith.

The lesson to be learned here is that:

1, God is the God of all people

2, no one is exempt from the salvation He offers

3, He will use anyone, including you.

All God wants from us is faith.  Hebrews 11:6 states:

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

Please think about it.

Eternal beings

 Eternal beings

Jesus speaking about God the Father said,

“He is not the God of the dead,

 but of the living, 

for to Him all are alive." 

                                   Luke 20:38

Whether we like to admit it or not we are eternal beings. Life does not end with death. This is made clear by the above statement made by Jesus. The last phrase says it all. “...For to Him (God) all are alive.” 

If this statement is true, and I believe it is. The question becomes, where will you spend eternity.

The apostle Peter makes it clear,

"By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men." 2 Peter 3:7.

God will one day judge all of mankind. So will you be good enough to go to heaven?

We can know here and now if we will get to heaven.

The apostle Paul writes,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

To the Ephesians he writes,

"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.

What all this means is anyone can get to heaven if they truly believe in Christ Jesus. This salvation is a gift from God. A gift we can either accept or reject.

Thus the choice is yours.

Do you believe in Christ Jesus and that He died for you sins?

Please think about it.

What will they say?

  What will they say?

The apostle John speaking of Jesus said,                                                                    

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God—  

children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, 

but born of God." 

                            John 1:12,13 

The poet wrote,                                                      

Where are the people?

Where?

Are they but shadows in the mall?

Are they?

Are they shadows in time?

Shadows wandering looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads?

What is life?

What?

Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?

A wisp in the eternal aether? 

Are people wisps of smoke?

What of man's or woman's!

 accomplishments?

What of them?

Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?

Is that life?

Is life simply a cacophony of sounds travelling through endless time destined to end?

Is it?

Is life a finite opera?

An opera played out on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam?

Are we as Shakespear said simply actors?

Does life end?

No!

No!

Life is real!

Played out before God.

In a world suspended between Heaven and Hell

We,

 While mere mortals here.

Are really eternal beings.

Waiting to stand before God.

Are you ready to stand before God?

Are you?

What is the sum total of your life?

What?

Individuals lives in deeds,

What will your deeds say about you?

What will "they" say about you when you pass on?

What will God say?

Please think about it.

In spirit and truth

 In spirit and truth

Jesus said,

"God is spirit, 

and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."

                                                                                        John 4:23.

Now I’m speaking to those who claim to be Christian, true believers in Christ Jesus. Can you truly say you are worshipping God in spirit and in truth?

It is a question I believe we all should ask ourselves.

So I ask you again, Are you worshipping God in Spirit and in truth?

Please think about it.

Are they, Are you?

 Are they, Are you?

Jesus notes,

"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 7:22,23.

I believe there are many men and women claiming to be Christians in this world who are in for a big shock when they stand in front of God. They will hear the words “away from me, you evildoers!”

Many calling themselves Christians especially here in North America are not Christians. They are not correctly following the teachings of Jesus. 

These people claim to be prophesying in the name of Jesus. They claim to be driving out demons and performing miracles, but they are not.

It is such people that individual Christians, followers of Christ Jesus, need to beware of. Jesus warned, 

"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. Matthew 7:15-20.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to take a very close look at the pastors, evangelist and other teachers we follow. We need to hold them to account by asking how they spend the money they give. We need to ask them to prove that the people they claim to heal are really healed.

Sadly few ask these questions. Even sadder is when these false prophets and teachers are proven to be false, many still chose to follow them. Choosing to believe the lie rather than the truth.

Thus my question to you; Are you following false teachers? Have you looked at the lives and teachings of those pastors, evangelist and teachers you support?

Have you looked at your relationship with Christ Jesus and asked the question, am I following Jesus and presenting the gospel message to the best of my ability?

Please think about it.