Crumbs from the Table

Crumbs from the table.
Jesus tells 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.
If you claim to be a Christian you are spiritually rich. You have the word of God in your heart. You know the way of Salvation, the Way to Heaven.
There are many however around the world, around your neighbourhood that are spiritually poor. They are consciously or subconsciously craving the crumbs from your table.
It is my belief if you are not telling them about the word of God you are acting like the rich man. Withholding the most important thing a person needs.
If you are doing anything that would turn someone away from God you are acting like that rich man. If you are not sharing the Gospel for any reason, you are acting like that rich man. And, it is my belief God will hold you accountable for those actions.
I had one man tell me he would not attend the wedding of someone of a different faith. He also told me he wouldn’t let certain religious groups into his home to talk with him.
This to me is not being Christian.
Matthew’s Gospel records,
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:10-13.
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.
You cannot make disciples by choosing who you will speak to or were you will speak to them. As Christians we must be ready to present the Gospel to all people in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
 Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.

Peace Makers

Peace Maker
Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.” 

Matthew 5:9

       The writer of Hebrews tells 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.

Martin Luther King jr. the American civil rights leader said,

“Love is the only force capable 

of transforming an enemy into friend.”

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do you as a Christian truly show love toward your fellow man? The apostle Paul defines what true Christian love is when writing to the Corinthians said,

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy,

 it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

 it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

Is this the kind of love you show to people around you. Even your enemy?
While I know the Talmud is not a Christian book it has truths in it that line up perfectly with Christian belief. One such note is this,
“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 someone calling themselves a Christian stands before God. God is not a surprise. The Christian believes in him and that God will judge him.
Thus the first question God may ask may well be,
“Have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
What would you say?
What will God say?
Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to show you your life and what you can do to make yourself a better servant of God.
Please think about it.

Christian LIfestyle

Christian Lifestyle
The Apostle Peter states,
“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 Proverbs states,

“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.” 

Proverbs 3:3,4.

It is clear the members of the early church practised what is said above because the book of acts records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common.  
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
The early church is an example of how we as Christians in the twenty-first century should live. The early church was showing love. It watched out for the needs of other believers and did it’s best to help them.
While the early church was still a part of Judaism when the book of acts was written, and it had a difference of opinion on who Jesus was. They still put into practice what Jesus and the apostles taught. Which was the essence of the teaching of Judaism that taught love. The book of  Deuteronomy stating
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7
Jesus echoed this 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 stated,
“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 result was those around them seen their love and devotion to God through their actions. As a result they gained the respect of those around them.
My question to you, if you claim to be a Christian in the twenty-first century. Do people see your love for God, your neighbour and even your enemy?
Are you remembered for these things?
Please think about it. 

Live at Peace

Live at Peace
The Apostle Paul writes,
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.  
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.” Romans 12:17-19.
The Apostle Paul points out here one of the obligations of a Christian is to “live at peace with everyone”.
In order to live at peace with everyone we need to show Love for God, our neighbour and even our enemy. This is what Jesus told us to do.
Jesus also said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2.
If you claim to be a Christian you have no right to Judge. The apostle Paul writing,
“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 have no right to judge those outside the church. Those who are not Christians do not feel they have any right to follow Christian teaching. Nor should we expect them to. For if we expect them to follow our values, however good they are, they have the right to expect us to follow their values and they many not be as good as ours.
That’s why we have no right to judge anyone who is not a Christian. Additionally when we judge those inside the church we I believe can only judge them to see whether or not they are preaching and teaching the word of God correctly.
Our job as Christians is to obey the commandment of Christ 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.
We are to make disciples and teach them all that Christ taught us.
In order to do this we must show love toward them and not judge them. 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 you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Be Ready

Be Ready
““No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.  
As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.  
For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 
Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left.  
Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. 
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.” Matthew 24:36-42.
I once led a Bible study in which this scripture came up. Some of the people around the table were, for lack of a better term, not very well balanced Christians. As a result I immediately had people speculating on when Jesus would return. Most noting that the conditions our society was in was at least as bad as the days of Noah.
They missed the point. Whether or not our society is as bad as the one that Noah lived in is inconsequential. Christ wants us to be ready for His coming. He makes it clear no one knows the day or the hour God will judge the world.
Our duty as Christians is to be doing God’s work. To be reaching out in love with the gospel of Christ to our family, our neighbours, our friends and even our enemy.
We need to be living our lives in a way that is acceptable to God.
Jesus tells us,
“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 are true Christians, we will be putting this principle of Christ into effect in our lives. For example if your family member, friend, neighbour or even enemy, knew of something that could change your life for the better, forever, would you not want them to tell you about it?
If you didn’t know that 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. 
Would you not want to know this?
If you didn’t know the apostle Paul said,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
Would you not want to know this?
That is what it is to do to others as you would have others do to you.
It is showing others the Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, and goodness, that comes from God, and presenting the gospel of Jesus Christ to all who will listen.
If you claim to be a Christian are you doing these things?
Please think about it,

Principles Universal

Principles Universal
The Psalmist writes,
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1.
Here is a warning to all to walk with God and not the ways of the wicked.
The book of Psalms was written before the time of Christ. They are Jewish moral principles. However Christianity comes out of Judaism and it embraces moral principles God gave Judaism.
The truths spoken in The Tora and what we Christians refer to as the Old Testament are very much Christian truths.
The Book of Deuteronomy states,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  
Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.  
Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9.
Jesus echoed this 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 took this principle of Love one step further saying,
“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.
God wants us all to show love to all people. No matter who they are.
The apostle Paul gave us a definition of Love that all people everywhere can relate to when he said,

“Love is patient, love is kind.

 It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

If we are truly showing love to all people we will be doing what Jesus said 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.
The apostle Paul sets out what are the ideal principles Christians profess when he 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.
These moral attributes are not just Christian principles. They are universal moral principles. Principles needed for a good, safe, and all inclusive society. Principles that we in the twenty-first century need more than ever.
Please think about it.

God's Way

God's Way
The apostle Paul writes,
“I beg you that when I come I may not have to be as bold as I expect to be toward some people who think that we live by the standards of this world.  
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  
The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”  2 Corinthians 10:2-4.
Here is something many Christians forget. Although we live in the world. We do not wage war the way the world does. Our warfare is spiritual not physical.
I look at the society around me here in North America and I see people demonstrating against everything they disagree with. Now there is nothing wrong with a peaceful demonstration. It tells people in power especially, there are those out there that have another point of view.
Certainly in my lifetime demonstrations have become the norm. I can remember the protests against the Viet Nam war. Against American Nuclear weapons in England. Of late there have been demonstrations against the top 1%. Against same sex marriage, abortion, against political candidates. The list goes on and on.
How effective these demonstrations are is subjective. Some do work some don’t. Most allow at the very least freedom of expression.
Demonstrating for or against something is the way of the world. Sadly however Christians have adopted this method to try and change things.
I think Christians should evaluate things however especially if they demonstrate against things. The apostle Paul states,
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.”
Picture this if you can. Imagine a group of people living in a world that has teachings and beliefs that are quite the opposite to what they believe. A world that has practices that are morally reprehensible to what they believe. With a government that allows these practices to continue without regulation.
This is the world Jesus and the Apostles lived in. In Corinth alone there were supposedly hundreds of temple prostitutes. Pagan teachings and ceremonies were every where.
When the apostle Paul entered Athens there were temples to dozens of gods. Things were being going on that Paul, a Jew would have found very much in conflict to what he believed. Yet Paul said nothing about them.
Paul didn’t protest to the Roman Emperor. Nero wouldn’t have listened anyway. In fact Nero later on had Paul put to death along with Peter.
Yet Paul said,

“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.

“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.” 

Romans 13:1   

Billy Graham the American evangelist, speaking about the Apostles of Christ said,
“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.
The men and women who followed Christ knew what the Apostle Paul was saying was right when he said,
“The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4.
We have the power to change society. To change the way people think it is the power of Love and the Grace of God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We as Christians need to stop using the weapons of the world and fight our battles using God’s word.
The temple prostitutes in Corinth are no longer practising. The temple they served in is in ruins. The temples to all those Greek Gods Paul seen in Athens are now ruins. Their priest long dead. The power that was the Roman Empire with it’s emperor worship and worship of idols are but notes in history.
Christianity on the other had is in every country in the world today. Even in countries that violently oppress Christians it survives.
Christianity survives because true men and women of God do not fight with the weapons of the world. They fight with prayer, and The Word of God. Weapons that demolish strongholds that the weapons of this world cannot defeat.
True Christians stick to the script. They obey what the writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

     True Christian follow the command of Christ who 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.

In doing so the lives will be changed and the world will be a better place.

Please think about it.

Christian Points to Ponder

Christian Points to Ponder

Sometimes when talking about the Christian life we can say too much. Sometimes I think Christians just simply need to think about the ramifications of some scriptural points. To that end I leave to you who claim to be Christians, the following Points to Ponder.

1.

Question do you believe what Jesus said when...

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

Question,

Are you doing to others what you would want others to do to you?

2.

Do you believe what Jesus 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.

Question,

Do you love God and your neighbour?

3.

Do you believe 

Jesus said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  

But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44

Question

Do you show love to your enemy?

4.

Do you believe the words of the Apostle Paul who 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

Question,

Is this the kind of Love you show to all people?

Do you indeed Love God, your neighbour and your enemy?

Do you do to others, 

what you would have them do to you?

Please think about it.

Your Treasure

Your Treasure
Matthews Gospel records,
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” 
“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:16-23.
Here’s the test Christians need to think about if you claim to be following Christ. Would you be willing to give up all that you had, your home, your big bank account, the luxuries of life. Even be willing to leave the country you live in to follow Christ?
To be a Christian is to be willing to give up the riches of this world to do the will of God. Jesus said,
There is nothing wrong with being wealthy and having all the luxuries wealth can bring. There were wealthy men in the early church and there are many wealthy individuals in the modern church who love God. Men and women who are serving God with their wealth.
The key however is not to let wealth rule your life.
If you find yourself wrapped up in the pursuit of wealth to the exclusion of serving God that is wrong.
The rich young man that came to Christ believed in God. However he was placing his faith in his wealth not in God.  It’s easy if you have a lot of money to rely on it. It’s comforting to know that your material wealth is there when you need it.
It’s much harder to give it all up and put your faith in God to provide for your needs. It is however in God that we must put our trust not the wealth of this world.
Jesus said,
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.
By trusting in God and serving Him you are storing for yourself treasure in heaven. That this world cannot take away from you.
Not far from where I live there is a huge cemetery. Buried there are men and women that had great wealth in this life. At the same time there are many who were virtually pennyless laid in a paupers grave.
What they all had in common was that the material wealth they had in this world be it a lot or a little stayed here. They passed into eternity into the presence of God with nothing material. Materialism in heaven means nothing.
When I was a much younger Christian we use to have a saying that went like this.

“ you have only one life that will soon be past. 

Only what’s done for Christ will last”

While it may not be scripture, it is true.
While it is our faith in Christ that gets us to heaven. It is what we have done for Christ that God will reward us for.
Please think about it.

Freedom

Freedom
“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
Question: Do we take our freedoms and Rights too much for granted? Do we demand our freedoms and Rights without thought for the freedoms and rights of others.
I found the following in my archives it was written in 2014. I put it here for you to think about.
Today as I write this it is June 6th 2014 the 70th anniversary of D Day. Here in Canada the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) is putting on an all day special, commemorating the day a hundred and fifty thousand men rush ashore in Normandy France.
These men risked their life that we might have freedom.
My Father while not at Normandy fought in the British Army in North Africa, Italy, Belgium and Germany. He spoke little of his actual time in Battle he tended to dwell on the good times he had with his friends between the fighting.
One day however when I went to visit him at home. By this time he was in his eighties. He’d been watching television.
Someone who was denying the holocaust ever happened was being sentenced for hate crimes was in the news.
He suddenly started an angry tirade aimed largely at the television. He was very upset saying that he knew the death camps were real. That he was there.
His tirade lasted a few seconds then he settled down. Then he told me for the first time his experience at the Bergen Belsen death camp. He’d been among the liberator of the camp. He’d seen the horror and it had left wounds that he’d never spoken about for decades.
He said that’s why they had fought the war, to end tyranny. That we should always remember those who fought and died to end it.
For me I believe the fear of God was forgotten in Germany during the 1930's and 1940's.
Historians tell us that the late twenties and thirties was a low point for the German people. They were looking for someone to pull them out of the depression that gripped the country. Someone who would also restore national pride.
Hitler appeared to many to be that man. As a result he was allowed to come to power. The result would be by the end of 1945, more than 56,000,000, would die.
    Death camps would claim the lives of 6,000,000 Jews alone and five to eight million non-Jews.
The scripture I quoted above says a lot,
“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
If we believe in God. If we truly walk in the precepts of God. If we love God and we ensure our leadership both political and religious, loves God then the horrors of world war two will not be repeated.
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.”
It is only when mankind turns its back on God’s truths of Love for God, our neighbour and even our enemy, that such a thing as world war two can happen.
The men that started world war two were far from God. Their hearts were filled with hate.
We can never let this happen again. We must stand up to hate and prejudges wherever it may be.
We must insist that our political and religious leaders exercise tolerance and show love to all irrespective of their race, colour creed, or their lifestyle.
Martin Luther King Jr. once 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.”
Nelson Mandela said,
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.”Nelson Mandela
I as a Christian believe in Love. Love for God, my neighbour, and my fellow man.
Jesus said
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
These words are a universal truth all people can understand. That if put into practice can and will make the world a better place for all.
Please think about it.

Are You?

Are you?
Jesus told His followers
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
If you claim to be a Christian are you truly the light of the world? Are you presenting the word of God to all who will listen in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
If you claim to be a Christian your life should be different than the world around you. People should see your way of life, your lifestyle and be attracted to it.
Billy Graham the American Evangelist stated,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham.
Is your life different from the world around you?
All too often through the years I’ve heard the phrase “Why should I become a Christian. I know some Christians, and I live better than that.”
Sadly in many cases it’s true. Those claiming to be Christians are acting worse than those in the world around them.
As Christians we can’t take our place in the world lightly. Jesus said to his apostles and through them 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.
Christ’s call to his followers is to Love God, our neighbour and even our enemy. We are called to tell everyone about God’s saving grace that comes through Christ Jesus.
The apostle Peter says,
“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.
If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Christian Principles

Christian Principles
There are a lot of Christian principle. Principles we should be using when making our decisions in life. The following is what I consider the core Christian principles as quoted from Scripture.
Love
The Apostle Paul 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.

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 characters.” Matthew 22:36-40.
He 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.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.
Fruits of a Christian Character
The Apostle Paul writes,
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God. 
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.  
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.  
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.  
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” Galatians 5:18-26. 
Your Actions

“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.

These are the principles of a good Christian life. They are principles we should be using in our every day life. Principles we should be noted for by those around us.
They are principles we should be holding all who claim to be Christians up to. For these truly are Christian values.
The apostle Peter telling us,
“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.
Please if you consider yourself a Christian think carefully a