Kindness
“Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”
Mark Twain
Do you show kindness to those around you. Do you show love even to those with whom you disagree and is that love sincere?
Paul writing to the Romans wrote,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:9-18
I’ve found where love and kindness is lacking hate can get a foothold. Love and kindness requires giving of one’s self.
A young Jewish girl named Anne Frank, hiding from the Nazis in world war two Holland wrote this,
“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.
Anne Frank knew what hate was all about. She was in hiding from evil men that hated her because she was Jewish. Yet Anne could write the above words.
She doesn’t seem to have been bitter about things. Instead she probably seen the love and kindness offered to her by those who hid her and she seems to expounded on that rather than dwelling on the evil all around her.
Showing kindness is an important part of being Christian and there are a myriad of ways to show kindness to the people around us.
Kindness is handing a bottle of cold water to a homeless man on the street.
Kindness is helping an elderly neighbour on your street.
Kindness is giving what you can, when you can to help the less fortunate.
Kindness comes down to this,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.”
Matthew 7:12.
Think about it.
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Wednesday, 30 July 2014
What Business is it of Mine
What business is it of mine
“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.
Question do you judge those around you that are not Christians? Sadly all to many Christians do.
Christians have no right to judge others Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
True Christians will not judge,
James writing to believers states,
“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.
The express job of a Christian is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world around us in word and in deed.
We cannot win a world to Christ if we are judging them.
Think about it.
“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.
Question do you judge those around you that are not Christians? Sadly all to many Christians do.
Christians have no right to judge others Jesus states,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
True Christians will not judge,
James writing to believers states,
“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.
The express job of a Christian is to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world around us in word and in deed.
We cannot win a world to Christ if we are judging them.
Think about it.
Tuesday, 29 July 2014
Creation
Creation
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
John 1:1-3.
I believe in that God created the heavens and the earth. I believe that Jesus is God and that he was responsible for making the universe and everything in it.
When I witness to someone and creation comes up. The one thing that comes up is alway well God couldn’t have made the heavens and the earth in six day.
I shock people by saying that isn’t the point. The point is he created the universe. It doesn’t matter how long it took him.
The point is we can look into the stars and see God’s handy work. We can look at the smallest life form on earth or into the tiniest particle and see how wonderfully made they are.
We can look at everything on the earth and see how beautifully balanced things are. Everything is perfectly in balance. If something was to go to much out of balance we would not be able to exist.
A few degrees hotter of colder on average over the whole world would spell the end of human life.
If we were just a little bit in astronomical terms closer or further away from the sun we would either fry or freeze.
Mathematics to me is a pure science and you can use mathematical formulas to determine everything from the orbit of the planets and galaxies to the decay rate of an atom.
For all of these reasons I believe in divine creation.
What do you think?
Think about it?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
John 1:1-3.
I believe in that God created the heavens and the earth. I believe that Jesus is God and that he was responsible for making the universe and everything in it.
When I witness to someone and creation comes up. The one thing that comes up is alway well God couldn’t have made the heavens and the earth in six day.
I shock people by saying that isn’t the point. The point is he created the universe. It doesn’t matter how long it took him.
The point is we can look into the stars and see God’s handy work. We can look at the smallest life form on earth or into the tiniest particle and see how wonderfully made they are.
We can look at everything on the earth and see how beautifully balanced things are. Everything is perfectly in balance. If something was to go to much out of balance we would not be able to exist.
A few degrees hotter of colder on average over the whole world would spell the end of human life.
If we were just a little bit in astronomical terms closer or further away from the sun we would either fry or freeze.
Mathematics to me is a pure science and you can use mathematical formulas to determine everything from the orbit of the planets and galaxies to the decay rate of an atom.
For all of these reasons I believe in divine creation.
What do you think?
Think about it?
Monday, 28 July 2014
Are You
Are You?
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
Jesus knew what kind of world we were going into. He understood that the world we entered would be one with morals and beliefs that were objectionable to the Christian.
Take a look at the Roman Empire. It was as culturally diverse as Canada and the Western nations are today.
They had people who believed everything and nothing. People who worshipped what to the early Christians were strange Gods.
There were raucous celebrations that lasted days to god’s such a Bacchus. In Corinth there was temples to the goddess Aphrodite that at its height had over a thousand priestess prostitutes working there.
Corinth had such a bad reputation that to Corinthianize meant to practice sexual immorality.
Yet the early church thrived in that multicultural environment. They did so I believe because they heeded the words of Jesus who said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
They were careful to keep on topic. They didn’t judge they met people where they were at. They spoke the language of the people.
We know from Paul’s speech to the Athenians that Paul at least didn’t use a lot of scripture and Paul was well educated in the scriptures.
Instead he met them where they were at and presented the gospel from that point.
That’s how we should be.
We should have a good grasp of the scriptures but we should also be aware of what is happening in the world around us.
I’ve met Christians that all they do is listen to Christian programming. They rap themselves in the scriptures. There is nothing wrong with it. But if you can’t relate those scriptures to the real world around you. It means nothing.
Most people on the street will not and for the most part cannot relate to scripture but if you can as Paul did with the Athenians start from a point they understand they will at least listen to you.
How do you witness. Do you quote great mounds of scripture or do you at least try to understand where your audience is.
Think about it.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
Jesus knew what kind of world we were going into. He understood that the world we entered would be one with morals and beliefs that were objectionable to the Christian.
Take a look at the Roman Empire. It was as culturally diverse as Canada and the Western nations are today.
They had people who believed everything and nothing. People who worshipped what to the early Christians were strange Gods.
There were raucous celebrations that lasted days to god’s such a Bacchus. In Corinth there was temples to the goddess Aphrodite that at its height had over a thousand priestess prostitutes working there.
Corinth had such a bad reputation that to Corinthianize meant to practice sexual immorality.
Yet the early church thrived in that multicultural environment. They did so I believe because they heeded the words of Jesus who said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
They were careful to keep on topic. They didn’t judge they met people where they were at. They spoke the language of the people.
We know from Paul’s speech to the Athenians that Paul at least didn’t use a lot of scripture and Paul was well educated in the scriptures.
Instead he met them where they were at and presented the gospel from that point.
That’s how we should be.
We should have a good grasp of the scriptures but we should also be aware of what is happening in the world around us.
I’ve met Christians that all they do is listen to Christian programming. They rap themselves in the scriptures. There is nothing wrong with it. But if you can’t relate those scriptures to the real world around you. It means nothing.
Most people on the street will not and for the most part cannot relate to scripture but if you can as Paul did with the Athenians start from a point they understand they will at least listen to you.
How do you witness. Do you quote great mounds of scripture or do you at least try to understand where your audience is.
Think about it.
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Same old, Same old
Same old Same old
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”
1 Timothy 1:3-11
There is one thing you learn from the Bible is the truth of Ecclesiastes 1:9 that states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
People are people it seems in every generation. Someone said to me the only difference between ancient man and modern man is modern man does everything ancient man did both right and wrong in a high tech way.
That’s why the bible is so good. The early church had the same problems the modern church has.
In this letter from Paul to Timothy Paul say
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith."
There were people even then teaching wrong things in the church. Just as today.
We need to be very careful about those we listen too. We need to study the word of God. Study the scriptures carefully so we know what is wrong teaching and right.
If we disagree with a teacher, pastor evangelist, even the Pope. We need to ask them, or send them an email or a letter asking to explain how they come to that conclusion.
If they are unwilling or do not give an answer you’re happy with have nothing to do with them.
Church boards I firmly believe need to hold pastors accountable to what they teach. Not just let the pastor teach anything.
All teaching must line up with the Bible. it’s that simple
Think about it.
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.
The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk.
They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.
We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.
We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”
1 Timothy 1:3-11
There is one thing you learn from the Bible is the truth of Ecclesiastes 1:9 that states,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9.
People are people it seems in every generation. Someone said to me the only difference between ancient man and modern man is modern man does everything ancient man did both right and wrong in a high tech way.
That’s why the bible is so good. The early church had the same problems the modern church has.
In this letter from Paul to Timothy Paul say
“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith."
There were people even then teaching wrong things in the church. Just as today.
We need to be very careful about those we listen too. We need to study the word of God. Study the scriptures carefully so we know what is wrong teaching and right.
If we disagree with a teacher, pastor evangelist, even the Pope. We need to ask them, or send them an email or a letter asking to explain how they come to that conclusion.
If they are unwilling or do not give an answer you’re happy with have nothing to do with them.
Church boards I firmly believe need to hold pastors accountable to what they teach. Not just let the pastor teach anything.
All teaching must line up with the Bible. it’s that simple
Think about it.
Saturday, 26 July 2014
Some Scriptural Advice
Some Scriptural Advice to Christians
Here are a few Scriptures I think any real Christian needs to contemplate and live by.
1/“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
2/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
3/ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
4/ Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
5/ “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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
6/ "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.
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
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 2:8-13
Are you doing to others what you would have others do to you?
Are you refraining from Judging?
Are you “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” practising good judgment when dealing with especially none Christians?
Are you showing Love even to your enemies?
Are you praying for those who persecute you?
Are you showing true love to those around you?
Are you keeping the Royal Law?
Remember the words of Jesus,
“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
Are you truly doing the work of God.
Here’s a prayer I think all true Christians should be able to say it was written by Francis of Assisi,
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not 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. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
Think about it.
Here are a few Scriptures I think any real Christian needs to contemplate and live by.
1/“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
2/“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
3/ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” Matthew 10:16
4/ Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”
Matthew 5:43-45
5/ “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.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
6/ "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.
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
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 2:8-13
Are you doing to others what you would have others do to you?
Are you refraining from Judging?
Are you “shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” practising good judgment when dealing with especially none Christians?
Are you showing Love even to your enemies?
Are you praying for those who persecute you?
Are you showing true love to those around you?
Are you keeping the Royal Law?
Remember the words of Jesus,
“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
Are you truly doing the work of God.
Here’s a prayer I think all true Christians should be able to say it was written by Francis of Assisi,
“O Divine Master, grant that I may not 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. It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.”
Francis of Assisi
Think about it.
Friday, 25 July 2014
Warning! Warning!
Warning!
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4
I remember an old sc fi show called Lost in Space in it had a robot that would go around saying “Warning! Warning!”
I think Christians need to heed the warnings coming from some in the media.
Paul writing to Timothy tells of a time
“...when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
There are many who call themselves Christians, people in the media doing just that. They are twisting the scriptures to suit their own itching ears. They are turning to myths instead of truth.
I know of one evangelist in the nineties who said God had told him that all the homosexuals were going to be destroyed by the end of the decade.
He was most definitely wrong and to make matters worse he came across looking like a bigot and at the very least extremely foolish.
This man failed to see that God did not want to destroy homosexual. Quite the contrary he want’s to draw them into a personal relationship with himself just as he does with every other man woman and child on the earth.
There are many others in the world today taking scriptures out of context making it sound good misleading people.
We as believers in Christ need to read and understand the scriptures. So that we will not be deceived by such people.
We I believe need to hold our leadership up to a high standard of accountability. We need to carefully listen to what is being spoken supposedly in the name of Christ. We need to examine it carefully and see if it truly does line up with the word of God. If it doesn’t we need to at the very least stop listening to the person speaking.
We need to be ever vigilant with respect to who we are listing to and what we ourselves are teaching.
We need to constantly be in prayer and studying the Bible to help keep us on the right track. With our feet firmly planted in the truth of God.
Think about it
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4
I remember an old sc fi show called Lost in Space in it had a robot that would go around saying “Warning! Warning!”
I think Christians need to heed the warnings coming from some in the media.
Paul writing to Timothy tells of a time
“...when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
There are many who call themselves Christians, people in the media doing just that. They are twisting the scriptures to suit their own itching ears. They are turning to myths instead of truth.
I know of one evangelist in the nineties who said God had told him that all the homosexuals were going to be destroyed by the end of the decade.
He was most definitely wrong and to make matters worse he came across looking like a bigot and at the very least extremely foolish.
This man failed to see that God did not want to destroy homosexual. Quite the contrary he want’s to draw them into a personal relationship with himself just as he does with every other man woman and child on the earth.
There are many others in the world today taking scriptures out of context making it sound good misleading people.
We as believers in Christ need to read and understand the scriptures. So that we will not be deceived by such people.
We I believe need to hold our leadership up to a high standard of accountability. We need to carefully listen to what is being spoken supposedly in the name of Christ. We need to examine it carefully and see if it truly does line up with the word of God. If it doesn’t we need to at the very least stop listening to the person speaking.
We need to be ever vigilant with respect to who we are listing to and what we ourselves are teaching.
We need to constantly be in prayer and studying the Bible to help keep us on the right track. With our feet firmly planted in the truth of God.
Think about it
Thursday, 24 July 2014
The Lord is my Shepherd
The Lord is my Shepherd
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6.
Is the Lord truly your Shepherd? How much do you trust him.
On one of my other blogs today I noted that I have Bipolar Affective disorder. Simply put my moods can range from high highs to low lows and in my case untreated the will do that several times day.
When I’m high no one can do anything fast enough or good enough for me it’s get out of the way let me do it.
When I’m low all I want to do is roll up in a ball and die.
It’s not demon possession as one person told me. It’s a chemical imbalance in my brain.
But especially when I’m depressed I am so glad I know the Lord. Now my condition is controlled by medication. But I still have down times. Time when suicide does cross my mind.
Those are the days I’ve learned to draw extra close to God.
Long before I was diagnosed with my illness I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, as the Shepherd of my life.
I learned to turn to Him each day to ask him to guide me and direct me. To keep me in the valley of the shadow of death.
I believe that early foundation that was laid in my life prepared me to go through all the problems I’ve had in life.
I know what it is like to be in the valley of the shadow of death. You’re there when you’re so depressed that it physically hurts and suicide seems to be the only way out.
Long ago before I met Christ I would have committed suicide but now I see depression as a time to draw near to God.
There is a poem called Footprints that hangs on my livingroom wall it says,
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed tow sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life:
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
This I believe is true. Though the darkest times in our life Jesus is there for us.
If we truly have made him Lord of our life we simply have to turn to him and say “Gentle Shepherd I need thee now and always.”
And he will answer.
Think about it.
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”
Psalm 23:1-6.
Is the Lord truly your Shepherd? How much do you trust him.
On one of my other blogs today I noted that I have Bipolar Affective disorder. Simply put my moods can range from high highs to low lows and in my case untreated the will do that several times day.
When I’m high no one can do anything fast enough or good enough for me it’s get out of the way let me do it.
When I’m low all I want to do is roll up in a ball and die.
It’s not demon possession as one person told me. It’s a chemical imbalance in my brain.
But especially when I’m depressed I am so glad I know the Lord. Now my condition is controlled by medication. But I still have down times. Time when suicide does cross my mind.
Those are the days I’ve learned to draw extra close to God.
Long before I was diagnosed with my illness I had accepted Jesus as my Lord and Saviour, as the Shepherd of my life.
I learned to turn to Him each day to ask him to guide me and direct me. To keep me in the valley of the shadow of death.
I believe that early foundation that was laid in my life prepared me to go through all the problems I’ve had in life.
I know what it is like to be in the valley of the shadow of death. You’re there when you’re so depressed that it physically hurts and suicide seems to be the only way out.
Long ago before I met Christ I would have committed suicide but now I see depression as a time to draw near to God.
There is a poem called Footprints that hangs on my livingroom wall it says,
"One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed tow sets of footprints in the sand; one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life:
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it. “LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.”
The LORD replied, “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you.”
This I believe is true. Though the darkest times in our life Jesus is there for us.
If we truly have made him Lord of our life we simply have to turn to him and say “Gentle Shepherd I need thee now and always.”
And he will answer.
Think about it.
Wednesday, 23 July 2014
Words of Advice
A word of Advice
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
We all get angry from time to time. The key however is never to take it to bed with you. Rather to come to terms with what made you angry and forgive.
If someone has caused you to become angry do your best to reconcile yourself to them. If they wont talk it over with you. Take it to God and ask forgiveness.
Anger only hurts the one that is angry. It can eat you up inside and doctors tell me it can cause physical problems.
Especially note what Paul is saying here. “In your Anger do not sin.”
The classic example of sinning in your anger is road rage. Someone cut you off and you get upset.
I watch one man from a parking lot. He’d been cut off by a car up the street. The man in his anger got in front of the offending car and slammed on the brakes, bringing both of them to a sudden halt.
The man, a big man then jumped out of the car and confronted the men in the other car.
Imagine his surprise when two uniformed police officers got out of the car.
They slapped him in cuffs and waited for another unit to arrive.
I thought it was poetic justice. But it’s an example of how our anger can get us in trouble.
That man could have just as easily let the whole incident rest and chalk it up to someone making a mistake. Instead he ended up in the back of a police car.
Anger can sour relationship also.
If we feel offended and get upset it can ruin lives.
Many relationships and marriages over the centuries have been destroyed by anger, simply because we haven’t practised forgiveness.
Jesus says,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
Matthew 5:23-25
As Christians we are called to forgive even our enemies.
So,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
Think about it.
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
We all get angry from time to time. The key however is never to take it to bed with you. Rather to come to terms with what made you angry and forgive.
If someone has caused you to become angry do your best to reconcile yourself to them. If they wont talk it over with you. Take it to God and ask forgiveness.
Anger only hurts the one that is angry. It can eat you up inside and doctors tell me it can cause physical problems.
Especially note what Paul is saying here. “In your Anger do not sin.”
The classic example of sinning in your anger is road rage. Someone cut you off and you get upset.
I watch one man from a parking lot. He’d been cut off by a car up the street. The man in his anger got in front of the offending car and slammed on the brakes, bringing both of them to a sudden halt.
The man, a big man then jumped out of the car and confronted the men in the other car.
Imagine his surprise when two uniformed police officers got out of the car.
They slapped him in cuffs and waited for another unit to arrive.
I thought it was poetic justice. But it’s an example of how our anger can get us in trouble.
That man could have just as easily let the whole incident rest and chalk it up to someone making a mistake. Instead he ended up in the back of a police car.
Anger can sour relationship also.
If we feel offended and get upset it can ruin lives.
Many relationships and marriages over the centuries have been destroyed by anger, simply because we haven’t practised forgiveness.
Jesus says,
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.
“Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still with him on the way, or he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.”
Matthew 5:23-25
As Christians we are called to forgive even our enemies.
So,
“In your anger do not sin” : Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.”
Ephesians 4:26
Think about it.
Monday, 21 July 2014
Some Simple Truths
Some simple Truths
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
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.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
1John 1:5-26
Some simple truths from John.
1/ “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
2/ “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”
3/ “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
4/ “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us....”
5/ “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
6/ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
7/ “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands...”
8/ “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
John also makes it clear that if we sin we,
“...we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
As Christians it is important for us to live a life as close to the ideals Jesus set out for us as possible.
John recognizes that we are human and that we do sin and thus have one who speaks in our defence, Jesus Christ.
Jesus knows and understands what it is to be human and I believe relates this to the Father.
Jesus knows our hearts and minds and he know what it is to be human and how easily we can sin.
That’s why if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have no fear for he has paid the debt for our sins.
Think about it.
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
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.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did."
1John 1:5-26
Some simple truths from John.
1/ “God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.”
2/ “If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.”
3/ “if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.”
4/ “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us....”
5/ “If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
6/ “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
7/ “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands...”
8/ “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
John also makes it clear that if we sin we,
“...we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”
As Christians it is important for us to live a life as close to the ideals Jesus set out for us as possible.
John recognizes that we are human and that we do sin and thus have one who speaks in our defence, Jesus Christ.
Jesus knows and understands what it is to be human and I believe relates this to the Father.
Jesus knows our hearts and minds and he know what it is to be human and how easily we can sin.
That’s why if we have accepted Jesus as our Lord and Saviour we have no fear for he has paid the debt for our sins.
Think about it.
Sunday, 20 July 2014
A Need
A Need
“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
Are you and the Church you attend showing the love of God? Do people see the love and compassion of Jesus in you.
A man asked Jesus,
“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.
Is your church stuck on form, ritual and tradition?
I watched a news show today that said in the city of London England there is a group of people meeting who have no faith as such. They meet because they feel they need to be with other people.
That personal contact in is lost in the big impersonal city that is London. Apparently there are other such groups meeting like this around the world.
The article went on to say that the Church of England was in crisis in that it is losing many people. That three out of four people in England do not believe in God.
I firmly believe that it is the institution that is the Church of England and other mainline churches that are missing the mark.
They have failed to move with the times. They have built a gilded cage filled with ritual that has no relevance today.
By contrast the evangelical church is bucking the trend and growing.
Why? I believe because they are preaching a relevant message.
In our city I know of a pastor that went to a conference in the United States. His luggage got lost and he was reduced to blue jeans, white shirt and a black suit jacket.
He had to sit on stage like that among other pastors that were all wearing nice suits.
He then had an epiphany. He looked out and seen everyone was wearing the same fine suits.
No wonder he thought people were not coming to church. They take one look at the crowd and feel they don’t belong.
He went home and immediately told his staff no more suites on stage. At the very least business casual. No ties.
He had not been pastor of his congregation very long at that time. The congregation was languishing in the high four hundreds low five hundreds if that.
He started presenting the gospel in a relaxed relevant manner. One that did not compromise the teachings of Christ in any way. One that showed the love of God by trying to be inclusive.
Someone told me it was like putting fertilizer on grass the congregation started to grow. By the time he moved on eight or so years later the congregation was toping two thousand plus. It is still growing under its current pastor who also has a relaxed come as you are attitude. The church even opened two outreaches that are also attracting two hundred plus at each sight.
That church is not alone other churches in cities around us have done the same they’ve become come as you are churches with not expectations with respect to dress code.
It’s difficult in many of these churches to find people in suits today.
Even in our small congregation where the people are older suits are unusual. Our worship leader is frequently dressed in blue jeans.
We accept people as they are and present the word of God to them.
It’s working. People feel accepted and not under pressure to look a certain way.
Think about it Jesus didn’t care how a person was dressed. He associated with anyone. He preached everywhere from the temple to the shores of a lake.
The important thing with Jesus and his disciples is that the message of the love of God reached the world around them.
That everyone irrespective of how they looked, how they dressed or what their lifestyle was could come into a personal relationship with Christ.
Question to you Christian.
Would a person who is shabbily dressed or simply not dressed in their Sunday best be comfortable in your congregation.
Think about it.
“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
Are you and the Church you attend showing the love of God? Do people see the love and compassion of Jesus in you.
A man asked Jesus,
“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.
Is your church stuck on form, ritual and tradition?
I watched a news show today that said in the city of London England there is a group of people meeting who have no faith as such. They meet because they feel they need to be with other people.
That personal contact in is lost in the big impersonal city that is London. Apparently there are other such groups meeting like this around the world.
The article went on to say that the Church of England was in crisis in that it is losing many people. That three out of four people in England do not believe in God.
I firmly believe that it is the institution that is the Church of England and other mainline churches that are missing the mark.
They have failed to move with the times. They have built a gilded cage filled with ritual that has no relevance today.
By contrast the evangelical church is bucking the trend and growing.
Why? I believe because they are preaching a relevant message.
In our city I know of a pastor that went to a conference in the United States. His luggage got lost and he was reduced to blue jeans, white shirt and a black suit jacket.
He had to sit on stage like that among other pastors that were all wearing nice suits.
He then had an epiphany. He looked out and seen everyone was wearing the same fine suits.
No wonder he thought people were not coming to church. They take one look at the crowd and feel they don’t belong.
He went home and immediately told his staff no more suites on stage. At the very least business casual. No ties.
He had not been pastor of his congregation very long at that time. The congregation was languishing in the high four hundreds low five hundreds if that.
He started presenting the gospel in a relaxed relevant manner. One that did not compromise the teachings of Christ in any way. One that showed the love of God by trying to be inclusive.
Someone told me it was like putting fertilizer on grass the congregation started to grow. By the time he moved on eight or so years later the congregation was toping two thousand plus. It is still growing under its current pastor who also has a relaxed come as you are attitude. The church even opened two outreaches that are also attracting two hundred plus at each sight.
That church is not alone other churches in cities around us have done the same they’ve become come as you are churches with not expectations with respect to dress code.
It’s difficult in many of these churches to find people in suits today.
Even in our small congregation where the people are older suits are unusual. Our worship leader is frequently dressed in blue jeans.
We accept people as they are and present the word of God to them.
It’s working. People feel accepted and not under pressure to look a certain way.
Think about it Jesus didn’t care how a person was dressed. He associated with anyone. He preached everywhere from the temple to the shores of a lake.
The important thing with Jesus and his disciples is that the message of the love of God reached the world around them.
That everyone irrespective of how they looked, how they dressed or what their lifestyle was could come into a personal relationship with Christ.
Question to you Christian.
Would a person who is shabbily dressed or simply not dressed in their Sunday best be comfortable in your congregation.
Think about it.
Saturday, 19 July 2014
A Light upon us
A light upon us
Christians perhaps more than any other group in human history have fierce spot light on us. Upon what we say and do can potentially hang the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with.
We cannot do anything lightly. We have an ethical and spiritual duty to preform every day of our lives.
The call from Jesus is to,
“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...”
Matthew 28:19,20a
The world is watching us. By what we say and do they will judge Christ and the message he gave us.
Look at the words of Jesus again,
“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...”
It does not call us to judge quite the contrary he warns us saying,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
We cannot afford to judge even our worst 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
The Apostle Paul goes as far as saying,
“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.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house in order and not Judge those outside the church because it is only in doing so that we can reach the world for Christ.
Someone once said ten good men can save us but ten bad men can condemn us. In which group are you?
Think about it.
Christians perhaps more than any other group in human history have fierce spot light on us. Upon what we say and do can potentially hang the eternal resting place of those we come in contact with.
We cannot do anything lightly. We have an ethical and spiritual duty to preform every day of our lives.
The call from Jesus is to,
“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...”
Matthew 28:19,20a
The world is watching us. By what we say and do they will judge Christ and the message he gave us.
Look at the words of Jesus again,
“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...”
It does not call us to judge quite the contrary he warns us saying,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2.
We cannot afford to judge even our worst 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
The Apostle Paul goes as far as saying,
“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.”
1Corinthians 5:12,13.
We are to keep our own house in order and not Judge those outside the church because it is only in doing so that we can reach the world for Christ.
Someone once said ten good men can save us but ten bad men can condemn us. In which group are you?
Think about it.
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