Thursday, 9 June 2016

Do Something

Do Something!
Derek Prince an American evangelist said,
“A faith that does not result in activity of any kind is a dead faith; it is empty, worthless, insincere.” Derek Prince.
Prince was only echoing the words of James the half brother of Christ who wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
Our Faith as Christians should be driving us to do things for Christ. We may not be able to preach grand sermons, lead a bible study or go into the mission field but we can all do something.
I’m a now retired professional clown. While a clown I used my talent to witness for Christ. I always wore a button, at both secular events and Christian events that said, “Jesus Loves You” or “I love Sundays School”. The latter of which brought about some interesting comments opening doors for me to witness to both children and adults alike.
   I for many years also taught Sunday School. Some of the children I taught in those early years are now in their late thirties and early forties with Children of their own.
Once, when asked by an eight year old “what is a missionary?”, I replied half in jest. “A missionary is someone who wears a red nose and tells people about Jesus”. It is a statement I have never lived down.
Years later I was sitting in my car, dressed as a clown, having a break between performances when a young man in his late twenties came up to me and said, “You know a missionary is someone who wears a red nose and tells people about Jesus.”
That young man had been in that Sunday School class that day and twenty years later remembered what I said. He at the time was getting ready to go on the mission field.
While teaching Sunday School and now when I teach adults I tell them that they can all do something for Christ. I taught eight years olds that they may not know the bible very well but they can invite people out to Sunday School and Church and let the pastor or Sunday school teacher tell them about Jesus.
I told them they can visit nursing homes or rake leaves for their neighbour in the name of Jesus without expecting anything in return.
They can raise money for orphanages and schools in the third world. Here at home they can support food banks and other charities.
There is always something you can do in the name Christ.
James said,
“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.”
 How are you showing your faith?
Please think about it.

Wednesday, 8 June 2016

Things are fleeting

Things are fleeting
Former United States Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."
Baker is right all that we have in this world is impermanent.
The following are observations from the writer of Ecclesiastes,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14
“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:26.
Our world is very impermanent. We live but a handful of years gather a few “things” only to enter eternity without them.
All we really enter eternity with is our beliefs, our faith and the actions we have committed in this life. All of which have consequences in eternity. The Talmud while not a Christian book tells something I can envision as happening, 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 
When we enter eternity and stand before God there will be no debate as to whether He exists or not. He’ll be there in front of you. How will you answer the question “have you dealt honourably and faithfully with your fellow man.
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Well a man did rise from the dead that man was Jesus Christ the One and Only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. He has placed before all people everywhere this choice. When speaking of himself he 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
Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
I, as do all Christians, believe you can know and be assured of spending eternity with God here and now in this life.
You can know by believing in Jesus and accepting the Saving Grace He offers to all people freely.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it. 

Tuesday, 7 June 2016

The Greatest of These

The Greatest of these.

Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face.”   Francis of Assisi.
Do you truly love? Many say we love but put restrictions on that love. Their love becomes conditional on a good feeling. “The warm and fuzzy’s” as one of my friends says, or Physical attraction. When the good feeling goes or the physical attraction ends, so does their love.
Our love should not be conditional be it on a good feeling or physical attraction, because true love is more than that.
For me the best definition of love ever written in any language was written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians it states,
“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.
I believe is a universal truth. That everyone everywhere can understand.
I also believe that to be a Christian you cannot do less than follow this definition of love.
So I ask again, by the definition of love given by the apostle Paul do you Love?
The Apostle Paul says another thing about love, that Christians must follow. He states in his letter to the Romans,
Love must be sincere. 
Hate what is evil; 
cling to what is good.  
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 
Honour 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.
So I ask you, if you claim to be a Christian do you follow what the Apostle Paul is saying here?
Please think about it.

Monday, 6 June 2016

Live together

Live together
Martin Luther King jr. prayed,
We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies 
and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, 
that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray,
 but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers
 depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars
 and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace;
 help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together 
until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow 
will rejoice in one common bond of humanity 
in the kingdom of our LORD and of our God, we pray.
Amen.
Martin Luther King Jr. spoke that prayer at the height of the civil rights movement in the united states in the 1960's. All Christians need to heed what it says. King was in his way saying, love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in a December 22nd 1940 sermon said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.”
He was right. Be we Christians, Jews or anyone else we must love.
Especially if we are Christians WE MUST LOVE.
Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus however did not stop there he said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
To me that means Christians should not be following anyone be it a religious leader or a political leader that is in any way espousing hate, be it in word or in deed.
Sadly the second world war and the rise of Hitler and his cronies showed what happened when people did not stand up to leaders who espoused hate.
Martin Niemoller who at the beginning supported Hitler but then turned into a ardent Anti-Nazi wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, 
I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. 
When they came for the Jews, 
I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. 
When they came for the Catholics, 
I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. 
When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.
        ”Tony Campolo the American Evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
He is right.
Sadly what passes for Evangelical Christianity in the United States in particular and in North America in general is not. It tends to be religion mixed with politics. A bad mix in which the teachings of Jesus are at best watered down and at worst existent in word only.
The Apostle Paul warned of such times when he said,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. 
Instead, to suit their own desires, 
they will gather around them a great number of teachers 
to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth 
and turn aside to myths.” 
2Timothy 4:3,4.
As true Christians we need to come back to the teachings of our Lord and His apostles. We need to be looking carefully at the scriptures and practising what they say in spirit and in truth. Not twisting them in a way that we want to hear.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
He didn’t say support a political party or follow a specific religious leader. He said go and make disciples of all nations and teach what he taught.
Paramount in the teaching of Jesus was,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12
As a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Sunday, 5 June 2016

What is life?

The Poet wrote,

What is life?
What?

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

Are people wisps?

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?
Is it?

Or! 

Is life.
Yours and mine 
more!

Is it,
A divine opera?
An opera played out on a high mesa 

A stage suspended between,
Heaven and Hell.
Are we as Shakespear said,
Simply actors?

Life,
I believe. 
Is an opera played out before God.
Live!
On a high mesa,
Between Heaven and Hell.

And we,
We, Are, partakers in a play.
Individuals, who write our own script.
Awaiting the final curtain call
Sending us to eternity

Are you ready for the final curtain call?

What is the sum total of your life?
What?

What will “they” say about you as you pass on?
What will God say?
Where will you spend eternity?”

The Psalmist wrote,
“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; 
let me know how fleeting is my life. 
You have made my days a mere handbreadth; 
the span of my years is as nothing before you. 
Each man’s life is but a breath. 
Psalms 39:4,5

Jesus 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


The Apostle Paul wrote,
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—
and this not from yourselves, 
it is the gift of God— 
Ephesians 2:8

The writer of Hebrews wrote, 
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 
and certain of what we do not see...
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 11:1,6.

Where,
Where will you spend eternity? 
Are you sure you know where you will be?
Please think about it.

Saturday, 4 June 2016

Judgement

Judgement

“The Jesus of the Scripture transcends all nations and calls all nations into judgment.”
Tony Campolo.
The Apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians in the Areopagus said,
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” Acts 17:29-32.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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
Here is what I as a Christian believe. I believe the above. God will one day judge the world. I also believe you can know here and now if you will get to heaven or not.
The apostle Paul 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.
God reached down in love to mankind offering to each individual salvation. As C. S. Lewis said,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis
I also believe what the apostle John said when he wrote,
“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 apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”1Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans tells us,
“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.
This is what I as a Christian believe.
God will one day Judge the world.
That being said you can here and now know where you will spend eternity by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today. Accepting the Saving Grace God offers you today.
Will you pray a simple prayer like this today,
Dear Lord God
I accept your saving grace this day. I believe that Jesus is your one and Only Son. That He paid the price for my sins. Please forgive my sins.
Please Lord Jesus come into my heart and life and teach me your ways. That I may walk in your truth from this day froward. 
Amen.
Please consider it today.

Friday, 3 June 2016

Do you confess Christ?

Do you Confess Christ?
The apostle Paul said,
“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
Do you confess that you love God, that you love Jesus? By that I don’t mean get all fanatical and force Jesus and your beliefs down someone’s throat. I mean, do people see Jesus in all aspects of your life?
I have met many well meaning Christians who talk endlessly to those around them about Jesus. They never talk about anything their listener wants to talk about. Which unfortunately causes people to tune them out or worse stay away from them.
Other Christians try to force their beliefs or morality on non-Christians. They judge those who are not Christians. This is contrary to what the apostle Paul wrote when he 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.
Even Jesus gave us such a warning when He said,
“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.
If you judge someone by your moral standard then they may judge you by theirs and you may not like it.
We need to have a balanced approach when it comes to confessing Christ in our life. We need to witness with wisdom. Meet the person where they are at. We need to listen to what they have to say. Then tell them as much about Jesus as they are willing to listen to.
Not only that but we must do this without judging them.
Francis of Assisi said two important things Christians need to practice when he said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
And
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
What is your sermon saying?                                                                                                      
Please think about it.

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Christian Living

Christian living
Here is something all Christians need to consider. It is written by the apostle Paul to the Romans. He states,
"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.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:9-21.
Dear Christian are you living this kind of life?
When people see your life do they truly see Jesus reflected in you?
Please think about it.

Wednesday, 1 June 2016

Christ's Prayer

Christ’s prayer

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20-26.
Here we have hope for Christians.
Jesus here prays for not only his disciples but for all who would believe in Him through the actions of the disciples. In other words if you are a true Christian Jesus prayed this prayer for you.
Jesus prays for the unity of all believers saying.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
The purpose of that unity is that others may believe through the confession of our beliefs as Christians.
Christianity through the centuries has broken into many denominations all with various traditions and rituals. Traditions and rituals do not make a Christian. Core Christian values transcend denominations.
I believe the apostle Paul who wrote,
“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
Writing to the Romans Paul said,
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
These are two basic conditions laid down by the Apostle Paul that one must believe in order to be a Christian.
The other basic Christian beliefs are summed up by the apostles creed. While it was not written by an apostle of Jesus. It was obviously written by a true believer because it summarizes what all Christians believe it states,
I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
 I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
 I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. 
That he descended in hell.
 I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
 I believe in the Holy Ghost
I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
 I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
I believe in the resurrection of the body.
I believe in life everlasting.
If you claim to be a Christian do you believe this?
Please think about it.
  

Tuesday, 31 May 2016

You

You
Joel Osteen the American evangelist said,
“God didn’t make a mistake when He made you. You need to see yourself as God sees you.” Joel Osteen.
Osteen has a point. In the world we live in today, advertisers and the media try to dictate to us what is the ideal for you as a person. The fashion industry and the fitness industry spend billions trying to get us to buy their product so you can “look right” and “feel right”.
They present to the world a false ideal that is meant to sell their product by, saying we are lacking.
Sadly there are also many calling themselves Christians who are selling the same message wrapped up in a Christian package.
Now there’s nothing wrong with being in good shape, or looking nice. However few people can look like what the advertising media portray. And sadly too many obsess with trying to get “the look” the media say with should have.
Unfortunately it is because people buy into the media hype that can lead people into despair. They buy all the “right products”. Yet fail to get the “right results”. Which leads to a negative self image.
We need to see ourselves as God sees us. The Psalmist writes,
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 
My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.
I have said many times that the Psalmist is telling us that God knows us completely right down to our very DNA.
Every person is unique and every person is loved by God. My bible tells me God loves us irrespective of who we are or what we look like. Thus we need to love ourselves.
As Christians and for that matter non-Christians we need to follow God’s example. We need to do this because loving others and loving ones self is a universal truth we all can agree with.
 The apostle Paul setting the standard for Christian love when he said,
“Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 
it is not easily angered, 
it keeps no record of wrongs.
 Love does not delight in evil 
but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 
But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                          1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
Do you practice this kind of love not only toward others but toward yourself?
Please think about it.

Monday, 30 May 2016

My Shepherd

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, a
nd I will dwell in the house of the LORD
 forever. 
                                                  Psalm 23.
Trusting in the Lord can at times be hard. It takes faith and faith can be the hardest thing to do.
Lets face it you cannot see God. Yet God, through the Bible asks you to believe he exists simply by what you see around you and what you read in the Bible. God asks you to have complete trust in Him.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1
The writer goes on to say,
“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.
I believe God asks us to have faith because he realizes those with true faith are true believers.
Scientist exercise faith all the time. They postulate a theory then do their best to prove it. Many like Albert Einstein had faith that their theories were correct even though they died before they were proven.
So it is with God. He asks that we believe in him through faith. A faith that we would be willing to die for and interestingly enough will be proven to be true upon our death.
Jesus asked this question of 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.
Do you believe as Martha did?
Is Jesus truly the Shepherd of your life?
Please think about it.

Sunday, 29 May 2016

You and God

You and God

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1,2.
Where do you stand. Do you stand with God or not. You can’t have it both ways.
The book of Joshua records this statement,
“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.
How committed are you to your God?
Over the years I’ve met many people who say they are committed Christians but a quick look at their actions brings that into question. I’ve known many people who have decided to skip a morning church service to go golfing or to a sports event or other secular event.
Many who go to church think nothing of skipping church to do other things when there is no need and many times you can do both.
I’ve met many who in the work place hide their faith for fear of being ostracized. Some even hide their faith from their neighbours.
Many fail to take a stand even on the most basic of Christian principle.
When given a choice between a midweek bible study many choose other things.
The bottom line here comes down to how strong is your commitment to Christ?
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
“No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 6:19-24.
Who do you serve?
The writer of proverbs tells us,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
Is God and Christ center of your life?
Please think about it.