The Grass Withers

The Grass Withers
James writes,
“The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position.  
But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower.  
For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.” James 1:9-11.
Here James points out that God’s ways are dynamically different from mans ways. The man in a humble position, someone who is probably poor materially, is considered to be in a high position while a rich man is considered to be in a low position.
The way I see it is that the person of humble means needs to trust in the Lord everyday for his provision. Being in such a position can draw a person closer to God. Thus increasing their faith and God wants people of true faith.
To seek out and serve God daily even if it is in just a small way is a high and noble thing to do.
On the other hand the rich person is described as having a low position. While there is nothing wrong with being wealthy, having wealth can lessen your dependance on God. A wealthy person can be tempted to rely on their wealth rather than God. Thus while he may believe in God he may not be as close as the man who must depend on God for his every need. An incident recorded in Matthews Gospel illustrates this,
“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.  Matthew19:16-23.
It’s not that a rich man cannot get into heaven, anyone can get into heaven if they have true faith in the saving Grace of God. Having such faith may however at times, mean giving up all our material wealth to follow Christ. If we are wealthy we must be willing to do this should God call us to do so.
James speaking of the rich states,
“the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business.”
Wealth is fleeting it is possible to loose it all in an instant. Someone who loves money more than God. Who puts his trust in money could, if he suddenly lost it all, curse God, blame God for his loss and turn away from Him.
That is why the writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. 
This is why 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

Yes you can have lots of money but it should not be your first love.
The apostle Paul warns,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:10.
This life we live is fragile we can loose it in an instant as Isaiah the prophet said,

“A voice says, “Cry out.” 

And I said, “What shall I cry?” 

“All men are like grass, 

and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, 

because the breath of the LORD blows on them. 

Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.” 

Isaiah 40:6-8.

The rich man and the poor man will enter eternity materially broke. Where each will spend eternity will be determined by what they believe in this world.
The apostle Paul wrote,

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith

and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

not by works, so that no one can boast.” 

Ephesians 2:8,9.

The Writer of Hebrews stating,

“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.

Thus the question becomes. Where is your Faith?
Please think about it.

For

For
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy tells him to do what all Christians should be doing.
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,  so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:  
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 2 Timothy 3:16-4:2.
As Christians, we need to remember that the scriptures are all “God-breathed”. That God has set down within scripture a blueprint if you will for all people everywhere to follow concerning their relationship with God and their fellow man. We see this blueprint in the ten commandments.
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
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
  These laws are eternal easily understood and easily followed by all who hear them.
Paul tells Timothy,
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.” 
The key the Christian message is to stay on message. To tell people that God loves them. To show the Love of God to all who are around.
If someone who claims to be a Christian deviates from this message then as followers of Christ we are to correct them in a loving way.
Additionally if we claim to be Christian, we are to be ready to express our faith to others at all times in a loving caring way. We are as the apostle Peter said,
“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.
Please think about it.

To Christians

To Christians
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2Timothy 3:1-5.
Here is a bleak warning to Christians from the apostle Paul. Essentially he warns that the world is if you will, going to Hell in a handbarrow. It reminded me of a quote from an old book my wife found entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, could have been written today.
  It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
  Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
   Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency  courage."
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
   When I speak I can only truthfully speak of what I see first hand from my perch here in North America where I live.
  To live in North America is to be bombarded daily by a media calling to the individual to get the latest gadget, the latest designer clothing. It must be the latest, it must be brand name or you’re not "cool".
  Not only do you need "it" "but you need it now!" forget about paying "buy now pay later." is the general philosophy. Experts say North Americans are drowning in debt.
   It seems like everything has a price tag, everything is a commodity. Everything from toothpicks to basic human rights such as food, housing, and health care. Society simply states if you can afford it you can have it. If not tough.
And some at least claiming to be Christian are not any better it seems. They have becomes religious copies of secular society. Some preachers and evangelist calling out to people if you give to God he will give to you ten, twenty, a hundred fold. As if God were a supernatural banker giving super interest. They ignore the words of the writer of Hebrews who said,

“Keep your lives free from the love of money 

and be content with what you have, because God has said, 

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

 Hebrews 13:5 

Churches are beginning to empty. Church congregations for the most part are falling in numbers. The Church is running the risk of becoming irrelevant, irrespective of the denomination.
Someone even told me that those who call themselves evangelical Christians are no longer relevant they’ve become too political. There message is lost in all the protesting they do. People it seems know far more of what evangelical Christians are against, than what they are for.
They have a form or godliness but have lost the true message of Jesus. As Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, 

but you Christians 

- you are not like him.”

Mahatma Gandhi

Billy Graham said,

“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

If you are truly a Christian then you must believe in the teachings of Jesus and put those teachings to work in your life. Jesus said,
“If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.  
He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. 
“All this I have spoken while still with you.  
But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.  
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:23-27
The message Jesus gave is one of hope. The call of Jesus is,
“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.
The rest Jesus is speaking of is a rest many people in our society are looking for. A rest only God can give. It is a message they will not hear if we are not true to the teachings of Jesus in word and deed. As Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today” 

                                                        Francis of Assisi 
Please think about it.

Note to Christians

Note to Christians
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. 
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.  
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 
Here is a trustworthy saying: 
If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.” 2Timothy 2:7-13.
Here Paul notes several important Christian beliefs, Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, he was raised from the dead and Jesus is descended from king David.
The writer of Hebrews elaborates saying,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
These are Christian core beliefs. If we as Christians are to be persecuted in any way let it be because we are presenting these beliefs to the world. Nothing else.
Paul points out
“If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”
Paul was simply being faithful to Jesus and following the command Jesus gave his disciples 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.
This is what Paul was being persecuted for. This was the reason he was in prison. Paul was proclaiming the message of Salvation that comes through the Love and Grace of God.
As Christians we should be staying true to this message. For it is a message that the world needs to know.
Please think about it.

We Need To

We need to
The other day I was reading the apostle Pauls second letter to Timothy and these few lines jumped out at me. They said,
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2Timothy 1:13,14.
Paul is telling Timothy to pattern his teaching after Paul’s own teaching. Sadly in this day and age many evangelist, pastors and others claiming to be Christians do not pattern their teaching after the apostle Paul.
If we look at Paul’s teaching we see a number of things we as Christians need to do.
When we look at Paul speaking in Athens in the Areopagus Acts chapter seventeen. We see Paul did not speak against anything the Athenians believed in. He met them where they were at. He noticed a temple to an unknown God. Using that as a starting point he proclaimed the gospel of Christ. He said,
"For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:23-31.
Paul proclaimed the gospel message without criticizing the Athenians beliefs. He even won souls for Christ that day and left people wanting to hear more.
 Paul was very big on staying on message and not criticizing those outside the church. He said,

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

 Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 

1 Corinthians 5:12,13 

 When Paul corrected anyone it was always Christians never those outside the Church.
Paul points out,
“No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.”  2 Timothy 2:4.
Christians need to remember this we are in an army that proclaims the Love of God. We for the most part should not be getting involved in secular affairs.
Sadly many in the North American church it seems like to criticize those outside the church. They tend to mix particularly secular politics and their faith. This should not be so.
Someone once said “mixing politics and religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable, and the whole mixture explosive and damaging.”
If we as Christians in the twenty-first century are to reach people for Christ we need to stick to the pure message of the gospel. We need to heed the words Paul wrote to Timothy when he said,
“What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus.  
Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.” 2Timothy 1:13,14.
We need to follow the advice of the writer of Hebrews who said,
“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.
Please think about it.

To the Rich

To the Rich
The Apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.  
Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.  
In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1Timothy 6:17-19.
What Paul is saying here is what Jesus talked about when he 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.
Jesus also 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
As I’ve said in the past having wealth is not wrong. It’s what we do with it and the priority we place on it. As Christians with wealth we as Paul states should “be rich in good deeds. To be generous and willing to share”.
Christianity is all about our relationship to God and fellow man. The Talmud while not considered a Christian book tells a story that like many things in Jewish thought lines up with Christian belief. It states,
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
This is true. We as Christians need to realize this.
Whenever I read 1Timothy 6:17-19 and Matthew 6:19-21 I remember a very special woman.
When I first met her she lived in a rented rundown farm house well outside of town.  Money was tight but there were chickens, and a vegetable garden that supplemented her and her husbands meagre income.
What impressed me about this woman was that no matter who showed up at her door announced or not, there was always room at the table. She never turned anyone away.
On holidays Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving, as many as twenty to thirty family and others sat around the table and no one went hungry.
She was an example to me that no matter how little we have we can help others. I was the guest at her house many, many times over the years and she taught me a lot. That lady became my mother in law.
She eventually moved out of that farm house and into an apartment in the home of one of her daughters where she enjoyed a far better life materially.
Yet still, especially during the holidays there were as many as thirty squeezed in enjoying good food and fellowship.
This lady was not wealthy, not well educated, not a great theologian, or orator. She was a simple woman, with a simple faith, doing what she could for God. Which is what we all should be doing, wealthy or not.
Please think about it. 

To be Christian

To be Christian.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 
But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  
In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you  to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,  which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords,” 1Timothy 6:10-15
Paul reminds Timothy that the “love of money is the root of all kinds of evil”. That rather than pursuing money and the things of this world we should be pursuing,   “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.” That we should, “Fight the good fight of the faith.”
Writing to the Galatians Paul states,

“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

This is what it is to be a Christian. They are signs of a true Christian. If we are truly following Christ people will see these things in our life and be drawn to God.
The apostle Peter said,
“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 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

If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Peace and Contentment

Peace and Contentment
The apostle Paul writes,
“If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing.
 He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions  and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. 
But godliness with contentment is great gain.  
For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it.   But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.  
People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction.  
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1Timothy 6:3-10.
Here Paul is talking about false teaching and financial gain.
Now there is nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of money. Its what motivates us to get that money and what priority we put on it. Paul notes.

“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 

Some people, eager for money, 

have wandered from the faith 

and pierced themselves with many griefs 

1Timothy 6:10.

Paul however notes some are teaching wrong doctrine and, “think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”
Such people are around today supposedly teaching in the name of Jesus saying if you give to God he will give back to you a hundred or even a thousand fold. This is not so.
We are not to give to God as if He were a banker giving super interest on what we give. We are to give to God because we feel it is right, not expecting anything in return.
Paul tells us,

But godliness with contentment is great gain.  

For we brought nothing into the world, 

and we can take nothing out of it.  

But if we have food and clothing, 

we will be content with that.    

1 Timothy 6: 6-8.

Now there is nothing wrong with wanting to get ahead in life. To have nice things. The problem comes when we focus all our efforts on getting those things to the point of forgetting God and our faith.
I like what Paul states, “But godliness with contentment is great gain.” 
In the western world and in particular North America where I live, people seem to lack contentment. We are bombarded by the media telling us that we need the latest greatest gadget to fulfill our lives.
We are told we need to look a certain way, dress a certain way, with the latest designer things, “made just for us”. To have the beautiful house with all the trimmings. That following such a philosophy will not give us contentment.
This is not what the apostle Paul is saying. He’s telling us we should be content with what we have. That we brought nothing into the world and will take nothing with us when we leave this world.
The pauper and the prince. The wealthiest and the poorest person on earth will stand before God equal. All their material wealth be it a little or a lot will mean nothing only what’s done for God will count.
The writer of Ecclesiastes makes four very true statements,

“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

“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.” 

Ecclesiastes 12:13,14

What the writer is saying is that life without God is meaningless. That all the material wealth we gather is meaningless in the light of eternity. That all things on this earth are meaningless without God.
What the apostle Paul is saying is as believers in Christ. As believers in God. We are to keep the things of this world in proper perspective. Not to get into ungodly arguments. Not to put emphasis on money and the material things of this world. As long as we have adequate food, clothing the basics of life we should be content.
As Christians we have a calling to serve God in whatever way we can. We don’t need to be wealthy to do so. Offering someone a glass of water in the name of God is as much service to God as donating millions of dollars to missions.
The key is to be content with what you have in life and to present the message of Jesus to all who will receive it. For only he can give one genuine peace. Jesus who 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

Please think about it.

A Christian Principle

A Christian Principle
The apostle Paul wrote,
“Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 
Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God.  
The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help.  
But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.  
Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame.  
If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”1Timothy 5:1-8.
Here Paul tells Timothy and through him Christians how we are to treat those around us especially family.
We are to treat older men with respect “as if he were your father”
“Treat younger men as brothers,”
“Older women as mothers,”
“younger women as Sisters”
all “with absolute purity”
We are to look after widows who are truly in need.
Then Paul notes,
“If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”
This is not a concept exclusive to Christians. The Jewish faith believes in this, as do others.
When I was young someone gave me a button that read, “Don’t let your parents down. They brought you up.”
This is true. We as Christians have an obligation to our families to help them if they are in need as long as we are able.
We as Christians are also called as part of our faith to help those who are truly in need. 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.  
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.
The Christian faith is more than a faith that simply believes in God. It is very much a faith of love in action. Of showing God’s love in all we do. Of witnessing for God in word and deed to all those around us. Our families, our neighbours and all we come in contact with.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Keep True to The Faith

Keep True to The Faith
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.  
Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.  
They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.  
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,  because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 
If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.  
Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.  
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 
This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance  (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” 1 Timothy 4:1-10.
Here the apostle Paul is telling Timothy a young minister to teach the word of God correctly. Not to stray from the truth. He tells Timothy that people will arise claiming to be teaching the Gospel message but are not. They are teaching things Jesus never taught.
Jesus told this parable about the church,
“Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field.  
But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.  
When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. 
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 
“ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’ 
“ ‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them.  
Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’” Matthew 13:24-30.
Christianity has been around for a long time and like anything that has been around for a long time it has picked up things that are not Christian. Things are done in the name of Christ and the church that are not true.
What the apostle Paul stated,
“...in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” is happening today.
There are those claiming to be Christians both in the media and out, that are not Christians. Such people will be around until the return of Jesus. Ultimately however they will be judged by God for their misdeeds. Ultimately what Jesus said when he said,
“Many will say to me  on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” Matthew 7:22,23. Will happen.
For the moment however false teachers are still around thus we must be cautious.
To those on the outside of the church and to many within the church it can be hard to tell the difference between what is true and what is not. That is why Paul states,
“Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.”
In order to do this we need to study the Bible. We need to know what it says. What those who actually were there with Jesus said and believed.
Please think about it.

God and the Christian

God and the Christian
The apostle Paul writes,
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  
For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all men the testimony given in its proper time. 1Timothy 2:1-6
Here Paul tells Christians to pray make intercession and thanksgiving for everyone. Paul even notes we should pray for those in authority that we may live in peace. That such a thing pleases God.
Paul notes there is but one God and Mediator between God and men Christ Jesus. That Jesus that gave himself a ransom for all men.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
Jesus died for all men. That is why Christians need to pray for our leaders. To pray that we can live in peace. For it is in times of peace that the gospel of Christ can spread the fastest.
Christianity is not a faith that promotes conflict. Quite the opposite the early church founders all talked about living in peace with all people. 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.
To be a Christian we can do nothing less.
We are to pray for our leaders, both those inside and outside the church. We are to pray for our secular political leaders and for all those around us no matter who they are in the church or on the streets around us.
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.
If you claim to be a Christian this is what you should be doing.
Please think about it.

Sinner to Saint

Sinner to Saint
The apostle Paul writes,
“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 apostle Paul makes it very clear why Christ Jesus came into this world. That being to save sinners.
Writing to the Romans Paul states,
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8.
Prior to that Paul wrote,
“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.
Paul notes to Timothy that he was the worst of sinners.
The book of Acts tells of how Paul then called Saul, persecuted the early church until God took hold of his life in a miraculous way.
Paul is an example for all who would follow Christ that no matter how bad your life is, truly accepting Christ into your life can result in a changed life.
This is the message that Paul is telling Timothy. It is the message Jesus wants the Christians to tell the world. 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
As I have said in previous blog posts Christians believe God through Jesus Christ reached down to mankind and offered forgiveness of sins and eternal life with Him.
The Bible also makes it clear how we get to heaven. It come down to who you think Jesus is and what his purpose on this earth was for,
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 apostles said,

... “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”  

John 14:6

   Paul writing to the Romans said,

“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.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
The apostle John noting,

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins 

and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, 

we make him out to be a liar

 and his word has no place in our lives.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“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

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

What do you believe?

Post Script
The Bible tells us Sinning is falling short of God’s ideal for your life. God realized that man could not live a life good enough to stand before Him. That is why Jesus came to pay the price for the sins of all who would truly believe in him.
A Saint in the new Testament is a believer in Christ. A believer in God.
So by admitting you are a sinner, believing in and receiving God’s saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ. You can go from sinner to Saint and have eternal life with God.
Please think about it.