Christian Lifestyle

Christian Lifestyle
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, 

for I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 

Matthew 11:28-30.

If you were in a position to give the people around you peace and rest would you? OR would you push people away. Tell them they are no good and don’t deserve what you are offering.
I think any person in their right mind would offer the peace and rest to all. Yet many calling themselves Christians push people away from the peace and rest that Jesus has to offer.
I hear it from non-Christians all the time. They say Christians look down on them or act like they have a “special sin”. They see some calling themselves Christians as judgmental prejudice and bigots.
They look at the lives of those claiming to be Christians and say “why should I become a Christian. I live as good a life as them if not better.
I as a Christian, with admittedly as many flaws as anyone can see were non-Christians are coming from.
Christians need to be careful with respect to how they act and speak. Christianity is first and foremost a way of life, a lifestyle committed to Christ, committed to God.
We are to do as Jesus would do and that means loving God, our neighbour, our enemy and praying for our persecutors. We cannot do less.
Christians are not to judge anyone outside their faith. Jesus 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.
The apostle Paul telling us,
“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 as Christians are to tell people about the love and grace of God through Jesus Christ. We are sinners as much as anyone. The apostle Paul reminding us,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Romans 3:23,24.
When Paul said “ALL”, he meant all you, me everyone who has ever been born. There is no big or little sin, no special sin. Sin is sin and sin separates us from God.
By judging someone outside of our faith we are sinning. Sinning is anything that is contrary to what God wants for your life.
An intense light shines on Christians. The eternal resting place of those we meet may depend on how we act and what we say to others. We cannot do anything less that show them love. Love the apostle Paul describes in 1 Corinthians, when he says,

“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.

If we claim to be Christians we need to look at how we interact with others. We need to ask ourselves are we showing the love of God to all people or is our life, lifestyle and what we say turning people away?
Please think about it.

A Truth, Love

A Truth, Love
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“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.” 1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The reason Jesus came into this world is to reconcile man to God. Jesus speaking of Himself said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”John 3:16,17.
Jesus speaking to His disciples and through them to all Christians 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.
Notice Jesus did not say Christians are to judge the world. In fact Jesus 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.
It is only right that others can judge you by the same standard you judge them.
The apostle Paul makes it clear that Christians are not to judge those outside their faith. He 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.
Christians are called to Love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. Only by doing this can we effectively tell people of the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
How a Christian acts toward others may have eternal consequences. Someone calling themselves a Christian can do two things, force someone away from Christ, or bring someone to Christ. There is no middle ground.
If you consider yourself a Christian take a look at your actions. Do you truly love God, your neighbour and your enemy? It’s easy to say yes and give lip service, but do you truly love all people.
The Talmud while not a Christian book makes a good point when it says,
“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.
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.
To my mind if you say you are a Christian and are not loving and showing the love of Christ to all people, friend, family and foe alike you are like that rich man.
Please think about it.

Stand with Olando

Stand with Orlando
Yesterday I heard a news report that anti-gay protesters from a church in Orlando were protesting against homosexuality at one of the funerals for one of these killed. They attended a church apparently and called themselves Christians.
As a Christian I am mortified that those claiming to be Christians would do such a thing. I do not know if these people are truly Christian or not. That is between them and God.
If however they are Christians they are misguided and insensitive to those who need to see the Love of Jesus. They exhibit the worst in Christians, which sadly seems to be the norm for many calling themselves particularly evangelical Christians both in the United States and Canada.
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.
According to what Paul says those people who protested against the LGBT community are wrong in doing so.
Jesus makes it clear
“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 these anti-gay demonstrators claim to be Christian then they must believe what Jesus said here in Matthew 7:12. Which leads to the conclusion that they would like people to demonstrate outside their church.
I have been a Christian for over forty years now. I have taught the Bible for most of those years. I do not see anywhere, where Christ or the apostles spoke against those outside of their faith. I do not see where they ever demonstrated against anything that was against their beliefs or moral values.
Jesus and his disciples showed unconditional love toward all people. It was Jesus who said 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.
Not only that 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, 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.
Love your God, your neighbour, and your enemy, pray for your persecutors. These are Christian values. Not standing with a placard judging people. That is not the role of any Christian.
Jesus 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.
These words are very true and I believe those who protested against the LGBT community at that funeral will be judged according to how they judged.
I as a Christian however extend my prayers and condolences to the families of those who died and all those who were injured both physically and emotionally from the shootings.
My God bless you and shine His peace upon you.
Yours in Christ.
Neal W.

Teach Love

Teach Love
The Talmud says,

“Whoever teaches his son teaches not alone his son 

but also his son’s son, and so on to the end of generations.” 

 The Talmud.

The writer of the book of Proverbs states,

“Train a child in the way he should go,

 and when he is old he will not turn from it.” 

Proverbs 22:6.

There is a need in the world today to teach our children tolerance, love and understanding.
Jesus when asked said,
 “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
The apostle Paul defined love when he wrote,

“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.

We need to be people who are remembered for our love. Love, true unconditional love is a universal truth all faiths that even atheist can understand.
In a sermon in 1940 Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“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.” Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver.
There is a lot of hate in the world both from secular non-religious sources and sadly from people claiming to be men and women of faith. This should not be so.
In the light of what has happened in Florida at he night club in recent days with forty-nine dead many others injured it is incumbent on men and women of all faiths to come out strongly against hatred, bigotry and all forms of discrimination.
We need to be etching on the hearts of our Children, who are the future of the world, the need for tolerance and unconditional love for all. God, our neighbours, even our enemies.
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.
If we all did this the world would be a better place.
Please think about it.

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.