Glory to God

  Glory to God

Luke’s gospel records this as happening on the day Jesus was born,

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in th field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear, 

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying. 

"Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 

                                                                                           Luke2:8-14.

Today is Christmas day the day when Christians like myself celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.

We know Jesus was not necessarily born on December 25th. That however is unimportant. What is important is that we celebrate the day God reached down to mankind offering anyone who would believe in Him eternal life.

It is my prayer this day that all who reads this and my other blog postings that they will at the very least consider reading the New Testament and learning for themselves what The Bible writers believed about Jesus. 

It is my hope and prayer also that all who read this will accept Jesus into their heart.

Please think about it.

Use Caution, Show Love, Be Merciful

 Use Caution, Show Love, Be Merciful

          Jude writes,

  “But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  

They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”  

  These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 

But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  

Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life. 

  Be merciful to those who doubt;  snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.” Jude 1:17-23

  Here again like the apostles, John, Peter and Paul, Jude calls believers in Christ that in the last days there will be scoffers who follow their own ungodly way. Men who will divide believers.

Jude calls on believers to “build yourself up in the most holy faith”.

I do not believe it is enough to simply believe in Jesus. To accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour. While faith in Christ saves you. We need to do more. That more is to learn as much about Him as is possible. We need to study, study, study.

We need to do this so that we will know what is right in God’s sight, and what we as Christians should be doing.

At the same time as Jude points out we need to be there for Christians who doubt. Who are weak in the faith. We need to show love toward them. To open dialogue with them. Study the scriptures with them. Answer any questions they have honestly.

We also need to be presenting the salvation message of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen. In doing so we will snatch people from the fire that is hell.

 Please think about it.

The Clown's Sermon

 The Clown’s Sermon

The pastor with a sigh arose and took the pulpit to addressed the assembled congregation.
 “Today.” he said “today we have something special just for you.”
As he spoke the words soft and true.
A clown moved to take the stage.

He stumbled, tumbled, fumbled and bumbled.

Sallied and quipped and cracked a pun.

They snickered and giggled and laughed out loud.

He was truly amusing the crowd...

Then he stopped!

His buffoonery over he took the stand. 

Standing strait and tall....

The clown, became serious before all...

“For a moment their you laughed and giggled and snickered at me.’

Said he, 

“You seemed to like my buffoonery.... 

After all I’m a jester, a buffoon,  

A joker, a comic, a wit, a wag.

A purveyor of nonsense and senseless stuff.

Which for me is not that tough.

But here’s a thought from and Apostle Paul,

Words to you all,

1Corinthians 1:20-31 says,

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? 

Where is the philosopher of this age? 

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom

 did not know him, 

God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached 

to save those who believe.  

Jews demand miraculous signs 

and Greeks look for wisdom,

 but we preach Christ crucified: 

a stumbling block to Jews 

and foolishness to Gentiles, 

 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, 

Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom,

 and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.

 Not many of you were wise by human standards; 

not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; 

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--

and the things that are not--

to nullify the things that are, 

so that no one may boast before him. 

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, 

who has become for us wisdom from God--

that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Therefore, as it is written: 

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

The quote complete he looked about, and softly said,

“I’m a Jester, a Buffoon...

A Pierrot!

But I’m also a believer,

A follower of “The Way”.

A follower of Gods foolishness,

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom,

 and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength”

A preacher of Christ crucified, descended, resurrected... 

And ascended. 

“a stumbling block to Jews 

and foolishness to Gentiles,”

And if this clown may be so bold.

I offer to you what is from old.

Salvation that cannot be bought or sold.

For it is by grace we are saved Paul tells us.

Not of works.

It is God’s free gift to you...

To me.

So will you join this Jester this buffoon 

this clown...

And here at the alter...

Lay your burdens down.

Commit your life to the one who wears the victors crown.

And give praise to God on high.

Give praise to Adonai!

Please think about it.

An Unmerciful act

  An unmerciful act

Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” Luke 6:36.

I am not a fan of the so called “hellfire and brimstone” preachers. I find their tactics may work well among believers. Although that’s up for debate.

That being said I believe the most unmerciful act a Christian can do is telling someone they are on the way to Hell. Simply because it makes them defensive and can push them away from God

Billy Graham once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                              Billy Graham.

Another American Evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

If you claim to be a Christian do you show mercy to those your witnessing to?

By showing mercy I mean presenting the Salvation message of Christ Jesus in a positive and precise way without judgement?

Please think about it.

Handbarrow to hell

Handbarrow to Hell

The apostle Peter writes,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute."2Peter2:1,2 

In his book Essentials in Christian Faith, published in 1950 John B. Harrington quotes a quote by Paul Callico published in Esquire Magazine in 1948. It is a quote that could have been written today. Harrington states,

"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."

Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,

"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" 2 Timothy 3:1-4

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 here in North America where I live. I can see religious men and women claiming to be Christians bringing Gods name into disrepute as the apostle Peter noted. 

Sadly there are many high profile men and women calling themselves Christians and prophets who are not. Men and women who are leading people astray and turning others away from God. Possibly sending individuals into a Christless eternity.

These false teachers will one day hear the words of Jesus who said,

"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." Matthew 25:41. 

In the meantime we as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be on the lookout for such preachers and stay away from them. We need to obey the word of the apostle Paul who said,

As the apostle Paul said,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Please think about it.

What they believed

  What they believed

The apostle Peter said,

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  

God exalted him to His own right hand as Prince and Saviour that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30-32.

This is what the apostles believed. Keep in mind here Peter and the other apostles were before the Sanhedrin who had the power to imprison or execute them. Yet despite this the Peter made it clear that they believed Jesus was exalted by God “...to His own right hand as Prince and Saviour that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.”

 Peter was making Jesus equivalent to God. 

If that were not true why would Peter and the other disciples risk their lives?

The answer to my mind is that what Peter said is true. 

The question however become; Do you believe this is true?

Please think about it.

Gods existence

 Gods existence 

In the book of Genesis we read,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.

The bible never argues when it comes to God. It was written to believers in God and believers need no explanation.

There are many in the world today that do not believe in God. There are many Atheist governments that do not believe there is a God. Yet they put Christians in prison for believing in Him. Someone they say does not exist. And if something does not exist it cannot be a threat can it?

C. S. Lewis stated,

“Atheist express their rage against God although in their view He does not exist,” C. S. Lewis.

Stephen Hawking perhaps one of the greatest minds of the twentieth century said,

“The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us" Stephen Hawking.

Hawking also noted,

“It would be difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of God who intended to create beings like us" Stephen Hawking.

William Philips, Nobel prize winning Physicist said,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it"William Philips.

Werner Heisenberg, father of Quantum Mechanics, Nobel prize winner in physics noted,

“The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,

but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you"Werner Heisenberg.

Perhaps the reason Atheist and Atheist governments speak out against those who believe in The Lord God Almighty is that deep down they know God exists.

Blaise Pascal said,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

Ultimately the wager Pascal talks about will be determined for each of us upon our death. By then to my way of thinking it, will, for many be too late. They will have placed the wrong bet.

Please think about it.

Wisdom is supreme

  Wisdom is supreme 

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“For wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter, but the advantage is that wisdom keeps the one who has it alive.” Ecclesiastes 7:12.

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 honor you. 

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

Wisdom is supreme. Far too many Christians don’t see this. They quite often blunder into situations say the wrong things and turn people away from Christ.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need wisdom. It keeps us safe and it can show us how to present the Gospel message to those around us.

Therefore as the writer of proverbs tells us “get wisdom”. 

Pray often, and especially pray asking God how to present His word to those around you.

Please think about it.

It's our faith

  It’s our faith

The apostle Paul writes,

“Consider Abraham: "He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." Galatians 3:6.

Paul also writes,

"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 reminds all believers,

“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18.

The writer of Hebrews telling us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1,2.

The apostle Paul telling 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.

We cannot work our way to heaven. That takes an act of faith on our part. Thus the question I have for you is;

 Do you like the Apostle Paul have faith in the Son of God?

Please think about it.

You and your dealings with your fellow man

 Your dealings with your fellow man

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

In the book of James we read,

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right."James 2:8.

Doing what is right toward others is one of the most important messages in the whole of Scripture. It is seen throughout the New and Old Testament, as well as in Jewish writings,

In the book of Leviticus we read,

“You shall not take vengeance of bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself : I am the Lord." Leviticus 19:18.

The Jewish scholar Hillel wrote,

“That which is hateful to you, 

do not do to your neighbour.” 

                                               Hillel

In the Talmud we read,

“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

Doing what is right toward others is one of the most important messages in the whole of Scripture.

So the question becomes are you doing to others what you would have them do to you?

Are you dealing honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?

Please think about it.

Not our way

  Not our way

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

On the day Jesus was crucified Luke’s gospel records,

"The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One." Luke 23:35.

To a people looking for liberation from the Roman boot. Looking for a saviour to get them from under Roman oppression. Jesus hanging on the cross didn’t fit the bill.

The Jews of Jesus’ day were looking for a conquering  Messiah to lead them, victory over their oppressors, not a suffering Messiah.

What they, and people today fail to see is that God does not work the way man works. Lets face it most people living under oppression long for the day a leader arrises to free them. Usually by force of arms.

Jesus was totally the opposite of this. He died to make us free. Not necessarily in physical way. But rather spiritually.

Jesus is God reaching down to man.

The apostle Paul writing,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

"Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:8.

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.” John 3:16. 

Thus the question becomes; Do you believe in Jesus?

Please before you answer that question take time to not just read the New Testament but study it. Taking time to Pray and ask God to show you the truth about Jesus.

Please think about it.

Do you?

  Do you?

The Psalmist writes,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

"let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth." Psalm 96:10-13. 

It is I believe the duty of all who believe in Christ Jesus. All who believe in the Lord God Almighty to tell the world around them God exists. Not only that but tell them that the Lord will one day Judge the world.

Jesus speaking of Himself states,

"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.

Jesus makes it clear that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

The way to heaven at first glance seems simple enough. The apostle Paul stating,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."Romans 10:9-13.

That being said it can be very difficult to believe in your heart in someone or something that you cannot see, or feel.

Then perhaps that is Gods reason asking us to have faith in something. For He knows that those who have faith in anything are the strongest of believers. Men and women who will go through anything to honour and serve Him.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe in Christ Jesus, The Son of God, Saviour of the world?

Please think about it.

Mercy and you

  Mercy and you?

In the book of James we read.

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:12,13.

I am talking now to those who claim to be Christians. Those who claim they believe in Christ Jesus. 

Are you merciful?

Do you judge people by their faith, race, or lifestyle?

You shouldn’t. That is not your job. Your job is to show the love and mercy to those around you. Not to judge them.

I like what the late evangelist Billy Graham said. Referring to Christians he said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

You will not win a soul for Christ if you are judging them. You must love them. For only God knows why a person is the way they are.

Please think about it.

As for me

  As for me

In the book of Joshua we read,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 

But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.

For me this sums things up. I and my household will serve the Lord.

I will as the Psalmist puts it,

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." 

                                                              Psalm 9:1,2.

Dear reader will you join with me this day in serving and praising The LORD God Almighty?

Please think about it.

Can never spoil or fade

  Can never spoil or fade

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” 1Peter 1:3-4.

This is what true Christians. True believers in Christ Jesus believe. When we truly accept Christ into our lives we are given a new birth and a living hope of life ever after in heaven.

It all comes down to faith in Christ Jesus. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"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.

So where is your faith?

Please think about it.

What Christians believe

 What Christians  believe

In the gospel of John we read an interaction between Jesus and Martha,

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

This in a nutshell is what Christians believe. 

The apostles Creed while not written by the apostles elaborates more on what Christians believe. It states,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

The Lord reigns

  The Lord reigns

The Psalmist states,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns.

" The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; 

He will judge the peoples with equity. 

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad;

 let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

"let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. 

Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; 

they will sing before the LORD, for He comes, 

He comes to judge the earth. 

He will judge the world in righteousness 

and the peoples in His truth."

                                                               Psalm 96:10-13. 

As believers in God. Believers in Christ Jesus we are told to “Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns”. We are to warn them that God will one day Judge the people of this world in righteousness. 

In Ecclesiastes we read,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

 For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

Believing in God is a choice. When God created the world and everything in it. God gave man a freewill to believe what he wants to. That includes not believing in God. 

However God offers us hope in the form of Christ Jesus. Jesus referring to 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.

Thus the question becomes do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Are you wise?

 Are you wise?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5,6.

Are you wise when you deal with those around you, especially when it comes to your faith. 

I have found over the decades that I have been a Christian that there are many claiming to be Christians who are not wise.

They are as one friend aptly put it “bible thumpers”. They point out the sins of the world. They point to any groups they disagree with and call them sinners. Worse yet they try to take away or restrict the rights of some groups they disagree with. This should not be so.

Screaming and yelling at people telling them they are sinners is a waste of time. It will only push people away from God. Trying to restrict or take away rights of those you disagree with will push them away from Christ closing all dialogue completely. Not only that it may lead to a backlash that will cause the rights of Christians to be restricted.

No one wants to be told they are a sinner. And most non-Christians I know would not admit to being a sinner. Simply saying they are as good or better than some Christians they know.

Frankly I don’t believe it is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to tell people they are sinners. That is the job of the Holy spirit. 

Billy Graham the American evangelist once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham.

So are you showing the unconditional Love of Christ to those around you?

Please think about it.

Christians and money

  Christians and money

Matthews gospel records this interaction between Jesus and a rich young man.

"Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 

"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony,  honour your father and mother,' and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 

Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." Matthew 19:16-22.

Now there is nothing wrong with having money. It’s what place it has in our life. It should never come before God or other people.

In the story Matthew relates we see that the rich man put his money ahead of everything. He was unwilling to give up his wealth and follow Jesus. Which brings us to the question; 

Are you willing to give up all you have to follow Jesus?

Do you think those preachers and evangelist you support would be willing to give up their wealth and still follow Christ?

Please think about it.

The name of the Lord

 The name of the Lord.

In the book of Exodus we read,

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

In the new testament when Jesus is asked the question,

"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." Matthew 22:36,37,38.

We must never take the Lords name in vain. We must never use Gods name in a wrong manner.

We must remember what the Psalmist tells us,

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." Psalm 113:3.

And what Job states,

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

 may the name of the Lord be praised.” 

                                                                   Job 1:21.

God is sovereign. He is Lord over all the earth. The writer of Ecclesiastes warning us,

"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.

Please think about it.