Life, Liberty and Christians

Life liberty and Christians
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
Words from the United States Declaration of Independence.
Freedom, perhaps mankind’s most sought after ideal. But freedom is much more than to be free to do as you wish. Freedom is more than freedom from government oppression.
Freedom is the ability to let others do what they wish no matter how much you disagree with them. That is provided that is they are not harming anyone or restricting another persons freedoms. As it has been said,
 “your freedom stops short of your fist hitting my face.”
Sadly many Christians especially here in North America don’t practice freedom that way. They operate under the delusion that the United States in particular is a Christian based county.     One look at the satanic symbols on the back of the money tell you someone forgot to tell the designers of the bills that.
Still the United States is a still great country despite what a certain politician would have you think. America is great and I say that as someone who is not an American and does not live in the United States of America.
America has been responsible over the years of being a safe haven for Christians and other faiths. It has allowed Christianity in particular to grow and spread it’s message around the world.
Unfortunately too many calling themselves Christians have used their freedom to restrict the freedoms of others.
The United States like all democracies in the western world is a secular democracy. Yes it is based on many Christian principles. But that does not negate the fact it is a secular democracy that does its best to cater to people of all faiths, beliefs and lifestyles.
One of the freedoms God gave to the world was Freedom.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
That freedom also lets a person believe in God or not. It allows them to live a lifestyle that Christians and other religious groups may object to.
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans under the rule of the Emperor Nero who would eventually put him and the apostle Peter to death said this.
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.” Romans 13:1,2.
Think about it Paul wrote this from Rome a society that had a myriad of Gods. That had beliefs and practices that were far from what God would want. Still the apostles and Christ never spoke out against Rome or anyone outside their faith.
In fact the apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
There are thousands of things if not millions of things that Christians do not like ethically or morally that secular governments allow. Such is the nature of a free and democratic secular governments.
We will not win favour with secular governments if we are protesting them or protesting against groups we disagree with. We do however stand the chance of turning them away from the most precious gift God has to offer, Salvation, eternal life with God, only Jesus Christ can give.
The American evangelist Tony Campolo speaking about abortion made an interesting point when he said,
“In short, I'm not sure that the abortion problem can be solved by legislation. I think it can only be solved through moral persuasion.” Tony Campolo.
You cannot legislate morality if prohibition on alcohol back in the nineteen twenties taught us one thing is that you cannot stop people doing what they want to do by passing a law.
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.
Here Jesus tells us to make disciples of all nations then he states,
 “teaching them to obey everything I have commanded...” 
If we as Christian can teach our beliefs to others, rather than protesting and trying restrict their freedoms in a secular democracy. We will do far better. And subsequently our society and the world will be far better off.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Simply put that means if you want others to respect and listen to you. You must be willing to do the same to them.
I believe each Christian must ask themselves, “ Am I treating others the way I want to be treated?”
Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian Living

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 

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 3:3-6.

Are you truly a Christian? If so where is your faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 

Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:6.

Do you believe this? Do you truly believe this! Where is your faith?
Are you the kind of person who runs to God for help in the bad times but forgets about Him in the good times?
Is God truly an intricate part of your life and lifestyle?
Do you truly follow the teachings of Jesus?
There several key teachings I believe all Christians must follow.
First, 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.
Second Jesus tells us,
“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.
Thirdly
“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 12:18-21.
Fourthly, the apostle Peter states,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
Fifthly the writer of Hebrews telling us,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Six.
“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.
It is only when we truly follow these teachings having complete faith in Christ. Complete faith in God, that we can truly be effective in doing what Jesus called all Christians everywhere to do.
Jesus telling us.
“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.
Please think about it.

Christian Lifestyle

Christian Lifestyle
The apostle Peter wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Dear Christian are you doing what the apostle Peter is telling you to do?
When people look at your life and lifestyle what do they see?

Do people see a life, and lifestyle Jesus would be proud of?  

OR 

Do they see at best a religious imitation of the secular word. 

OR , 

Do they see someone who is insensitive toward people of other faiths and lifstyles? 

OR 

Even worse

Do they see someone who is prejudice or even a bigot? 

What is your life, lifestyle, words and deeds telling the people around you?
Francis of Assisi said two things every Christian needs to consider. He wrote,

“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” 

Your actions as a professing Christian may and can have eternal consequences. By what you say and do, you will either cause people to at the very least consider comeing to know Christ as their Lord and Saviour, or push them away.
What are you doing?
Please think about it.

Christianity in a Democracy

Christians in a democracy
Perhaps nowhere else in the world are there as many freedoms as in America. Sadly however that freedom I believe has in many ways been detrimental to the purity of Christianity.
Too many Christians in America mix their faith with politics. Which is their right in a free and democratic country like America. However some one once said,
“Mixing politics and religion is like mixing water with gasoline. The gasoline is unusable and the water is undrinkable. Not only that, the mixture is flammable and destructive.” 
America offers far more freedoms to the individual that the Roman Empire offered to the disciples of Christ or Jesus himself. The disciples did not have a vote or the right demonstrate.
To demonstrate against the ruling authority of their day was to court death. Yet these men with out demanding “their rights” or speaking out against any group they disagreed with changed the world.
Billy Graham said of those disciples of Christ,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.”Billy Graham.
Think about it the emperor Nero was ruling. Nero persecuted Christians severely. He was the man who put the Apostle Paul and Peter to death along with many other Christian believers.
Yet the Apostle Paul could say,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
He also said,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Christians in America need to look closely at the teachings of the scriptures and what Jesus said before mixing their faith with their politics.
Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
Think about it this way. Are the politicians you support saying and doing what you would want to happen to you?
Are they espousing freedom for all even those people you disagree with?
Are they really espousing Christian values. For example politicians get excellent healthcare benefits and good wages in their job. Are they espousing that all employers grant to their workers equally, good healthcare, and good living wages? Are they willing to pass legislation that would ensure universal  healthcare and fair wages for all? Are they passing legislation that will truly help the poor and less fortunate of our society?
James the half brother of Jesus 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.”  James 2:14-18.
Who better to help those in need than a politician who has the power and wealth of a government behind them.
 Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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.
That says it all Love God, your neighbour, your enemy and pray for your persecutors. That to me means you cannot be against anyone.
You must be for God and for all Christ stands for if you truly are a Christian. That includes freedoms for all, even those we disagree with.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23. 
If you are a Christian, are people seeing these fruits in the life of the politicians you support? Are they seeing it in your life.
To the Romans Paul said,
“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.” Romans 14:19.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9.
The apostle Peter wrote
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.’    1 Peter 2:9-12.
The writer of Hebrews make it clear what a Christian is to do,
 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Now I have used America as an example because it’s what I am familiar with. However all Christians everywhere need to consider what their lifestyle is telling others.
Christians everywhere especially in western democracies need to be evaluating their lives and lifestyle and saying “Am I truly Living a life Jesus would be proud of?”
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” Francis of Assisi.
What is your sermon telling people?
Please think about it.

Stand for Freedom

Stand for Freedom
As I wright this the worst mass murder in United States history has just taken place. At this writing at least 49 are dead and many, many more injured. All at the hands of a lunatic claiming ties to terrorist groups. Someone who hated Gays
I as a heterosexual Christian I recoil in horror at such an act.
I believe it is time for Christians to stand up against those who would not only try to restrict the rights of homosexuals but the rights of all others who are not hurting others.
Christians particularly in the United States need to realize that the government is a secular democracy. That within a secular democracy the government does its best to ensure the rights and freedoms of all people.
No matter what Christians feel about Gay rights, same sex marriage or any other group we have no right to judge them. The apostle Paul states,
“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.
The way I see it Paul is telling Christians to refrain from judging anyone who is not Christian and getting rid of anyone who claims to be Christian and is not following the teachings of Jesus.
Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12.
This means if you want to live in freedom with the right to practice your faith. Then don’t speak out against any group that is living in peace and not hurting anyone. Let them enjoy the same rights and freedoms you enjoy.
Jesus and the apostles lived in the Roman Empire a place that allowed almost any kind of practice. I’m sure the apostle Paul and the other disciples saw many things they would not have liked. Yet they didn’t speak out against them. Instead they presented the Love of Jesus and the Salvation only He could bring to the world.
Today especially, Christian leaders should be sending their condolences to the families of the dead and injured at that night club.
They should be standing up against bigotry, prejudice and violence in any form against any group. They should be extending the hand of friendship and love to all.
We must remember that to restrict the rights of even one person could ultimately lead to the restriction of our rights one day.
Martin Niemoller during the reign of the Nazis in Germany 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.”

As Christians who if statistics are correct, are the most persecuted group on earth at the moment we need to stand up for the oppressed.
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.”Tony Campolo
He is right. We need to stand up for the rights of all people irrespective of whether we agree with them or not.
God in creating man gave man a freewill to do as he wished. We as Christians in a democracy should be upholding peoples freedom and right to live as they wish as long as they are not hurting or restricting the rights of others.
I as a Christian for one offer my condolences to the families of those who died.
It is my sincere hope that those who were injured will make a full recovery in body, mind and spirit.
May God bless and keep you, and your families, strong in what has to be one of the worst times in your life.
            Neal W.

Accepting

Accepting
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  

Do not forget to entertain strangers, 

for by so doing some people have entertained angels

 without knowing it.” 

Hebrews 13:1,2.

A couple of days ago now, my wife and I went to a Comicon fair. It’s a place where fans of comic book heros, and sifi, enthusiasts go to meet their favourite characters and the personalities that portrayed them.
At first I thought there are a lot of “odd balls” here. But they turned out to be some of the nicest people we’d ever met.
Many “Cosplay” (costume play). They dress up as their favourite character and act the part.
My wife and I had never gone before so I loaded her in her wheel chair paid our money and had what turned out to be a very enjoyable few hours. Every time we got a chance my wife asked some of those dressed up for a picture. They were more than willing to let us take their pictures.
What impressed me was everyone we met and talked to not just the vendors and professional actors but those attending, were very polite. Very accepting people.
I attend various other secular events during the year and never have I met people who were so polite. We were genuinely amazed.
Frankly the people were more polite than in some churches we’ve attended.
Over the years I and my wife before she was forced to retire, had been to and performed in lots of churches. Usually when we go to a church other than our own we go to perform. People seen us coming because we wear funny clothing and a big red nose.
You see for several decades we were  professional clowns performing both at secular and Christian events.
At church events we presented the gospel message through clowning to both adults and children. People liked what we did and welcomed us warmly.
Sadly however not all people feel welcome in church or Christian circles. I have met many who had such a bad experience in church that they say they would never go again. People I know in the gay community shun especially those churches espousing to be evangelical, because they feel looked down upon. As if they have a “special sin”.
Others have been turned off because of what people say. One man I know met me after church to say he would never be back because someone quote “lectured him on smoking cigarettes”.
Others complained that they were looked down upon because they didn’t “dress right”. Or for that matter “look right”.
I remember one incident when we attended a very large church of a woman in her late forties that after the service stood in the foyer of the church and no one spoke to her. No one had spoken to her other than a greeter at the door the whole time she’d been in church.
I went to speak to her. It turned out we had a mutual friend whom she’d been on the mission field with. In fact she’d just returned from her third time on the mission field. And here she was among believers who didn’t have the time to say hello.
Needless to say she never returned to the church.
Churches should be a place of welcome. As Christians we should not be judging anyone. The apostle Paul said,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?

 Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.”

 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

We must in order to properly spread the word of God welcome everyone we come in contact with. Jesus summed things up when he said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Think about it if you were visiting a church would you not want someone other than the greeter to say hello?
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.
We must do this. As the writer of Hebrews said,

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  

Do not forget to entertain strangers, 

for by so doing some people 

have entertained angels without knowing it.” 

Hebrews 13:1,2.

Please think about it.

Advice to Christians

Advice to Christians
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Gandhi I believe saw too many people who were Christians in name only.
Here is some advice from scripture of what Christians are suppose to do.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans during the reign of Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians in history. He said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Writing to Titus the apostle Paul said,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:1,2.
To the Galatians Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  1 Peter 2:9-12.
Our Lord Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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.
When it comes to how a Christian should act Jesus put it in a nut shell saying,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
If we follow these simple pieces of advice we will be well equipped to do what Jesus called us to do when He 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.
There is a prayer by Francis of Assisi that I think Christians should take to hart in their day to day lives. Francis wrote,
Francis of Assisi while not an Apostle of Christ gave some excellent advice when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

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

                                                                 Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

Advice to Christians

Advice to Christians
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Gandhi I believe saw too many people who were Christians in name only.
Here is some advice from scripture of what Christians are suppose to do.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans during the reign of Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians in history. He said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Writing to Titus the apostle Paul said,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:1,2.
To the Galatians Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  1 Peter 2:9-12.
Our Lord Jesus when asked,
 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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.
When it comes to how a Christian should act Jesus put it in a nut shell saying,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
If we follow these simple pieces of advice we will be well equipped to do what Jesus called us to do when He 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.
There is a prayer by Francis of Assisi that I think Christians should take to hart in their day to day lives. Francis wrote,
Francis of Assisi while not an Apostle of Christ gave some excellent advice when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

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

                                                                 Francis of Assisi.
Please think about it.

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.

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. 

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.

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.