Pharisee or Disciple

Pharisee or Disciple
Luke’s Gospel records,
“Now the tax collectors and “sinners” were all gathering around to hear him.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 
Then Jesus told them this parable:  
“Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?  
And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’  
I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:1-7.
Someone told me recently that what passes for Evangelical Christianity in North America and particularly in the United States is known for what it is against rather than what it is for.
They noted that those claiming to be Evangelical Christians have become very judgmental and political. Very much like the Pharisees that seen Jesus sitting with the tax collectors and sinners. As a result they are in danger of, if they haven’t already, losing their message.
The person was right. Here in North America many calling themselves Christians have placed themselves as judge and juror of those they deem to be living a quote, “sinful life”
They are very vocal against anyone who has a different faith, or lifestyle to theirs, quite often calling it “sinful”
The apostle Paul tells 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

When I see or hear of someone calling themselves Christian speaking out against those of other faiths or lifestyle it bothers me. Jesus the Son of God, never spoke against those outside his faith, nor did his disciples. Nor did they protest against anything. Yet they changed the world.
Billy Graham the great American Evangelist 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.
If someone claims to be a Christian they need to have their lives “turned right side up”.
If you claim to be Christian you need to remember that it is not the Christian’s job to stand in judgement of ones fellow man. To quote Billy Graham again,

"It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love," 

                     Billy Graham

At the beginning of this article I quoted the parable of the lost sheep. In our world today and especially here in North America there are many lost sheep. Not just outside the church but inside also. Men and women who are misguided and following wrong teaching that if not corrected will lead them to destruction.
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
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 7:21-23.
If you claim to be a Christian your job is to win souls for Christ. To do this you must love unconditionally and not judge anyone in the slightest.
C. S. Lewis wrote,

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable 

because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” 

                                                                     C.S. Lewis 

Francis of Assisi 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.

Consider this. If you claim to be a follower of Christ. Take a moment to pray and ask God if you are acting like a Pharisee or like a disciple of Christ.
Please think carefully and prayerfully about it.

Not wanting anyone to Perish

Not wanting anyone to perish
The apostle Peter wrote,

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. 

He is patient with you, 

not wanting anyone to perish, 

but everyone to come to repentance.” 

                                                 2 Peter 3:9

God is patient. He does not want anyone to perish. 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.

I believe sometimes this message is lost on many who call themselves Christians especially here in North America where I live.
Many who call themselves Christians, rather than trying to save the world are too busy pointing out what is wrong with the world to save souls.
Pointing out the wrongs of the world is not the job of Christians. Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love,” 

                          Billy Graham.

Mr Graham is right. We as Christians have no right to judge those outside the church. The apostle Paul states,

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

Are you not to judge those inside?” 

                                   1 Corinthians 5:12.

You will never lead a soul to Christ if you are judging them in any way shape or form. As Billy Graham said we are called to love. The apostle Paul defined true Christian love this way,

“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.

This is what true believers in Christ should be showing to the world rather than judging people.
God does not want anyone to perish and the only way for that to happen is if those who believe in God stick to the message Christ gave us when he said,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, 

that whoever believes in him shall not perish 

but have eternal life.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, 

but to save the world through him John 

                                                     3:16,17.

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 believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

On Finding God

On Finding God
The Book of Deuteronomy tells us,
“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.”  Deuteronomy 4:29.
C. S. Lewis states,
“He shows much more of Himself to some people than to others-not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”  C. S. Lewis.
God is always there willing to show himself to anyone who wishes to see him. Sadly the trouble with many people who say God does not exist is that they refuse to look. They have made up their minds and all the proof in the world will not convince them.
You have to be looking for God in order to find Him. Additionally finding God takes faith. And faith is something we all have even atheist.
Atheist have faith in their own knowledge.
The trouble with mortal man is that man can only truly know what is this side of the grave. No one living today has gone beyond the grave and come back to tell about it.
It takes faith to believe there is something beyond the grave. It’s easy to look at the world around you and say “I can’t see God. Therefore He doesn’t exist.”
The thing is God shows his existence in the world around us. The Psalmist tells us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                            Psalm 19:1.

Everything in the universe is perfect order mathematically. Scientist may not have all the formulas yet but given good science and time I believe science will show there is a definite order in the universe. That everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy is interlinked.
That the universe was designed in such away as for life to exist as we know it on this planet.
 Until that point however we must have faith that there is a God who loves us. The writer of Hebrews telling 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.

Please think about it.

What Christians must do

What Christians must do
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,...” Matthew 5:43,44
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.

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.

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.

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 
These are Christian “must do’s”. Love God, Love your neighbour, Love your enemy, pray for those who persecute you. Do not Judge especially those outside the church. Christians may judge those who claim to be Christian to see if they are teaching the word of God correctly. If they are not we are to expel them from the church,.
Additionally Christians are also to do all they can to help the needy, the sick, and the hungry.
Please think about it.

Sound Doctrine

Sound Doctrine
The apostle Paul writes,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2Timothy 4:3,4.
There are times when I listen to men and women calling themselves Christians in the media and wonder where they get their information from. They are certainly not preaching the word of God. They may sound like it but they are not.
I know there is a lot of diversity in Christianity, that is to be expected. We within Christianity have various denominations and church congregation which at times will disagree with one another over the interpretation of certain what amount to minor parts of scripture or for that matter how best to worship God.
This for the most part is not a problem.
I personally believe God allows that diversity so that people of all backgrounds and lifestyles have a choice as to how they want to worship God.
The problem comes when people calling themselves Christians fail to correctly administer the word of God.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.
If we are not doing this we God will judge us.
Christians are told by the Apostle Paul,
“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.
Notice he told the church not to judge those outside it. That is God’s job. However we have the right to judge anyone who calls themself a Christian in order to see that they are administering the world of God correctly. If they are not we are to expel them from our congregations.
Core Christian beliefs I believe are expressed in what is called the Apostles Creed. While not written by one of Christ’s apostles it is scripturally based. It states,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.
12. I believe in life everlasting.
The Writer of Hebrews tells us,
“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  
The apostle John states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.
The Apostle Paul tells us,
“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.
It is by the grace of God we are saved, by having faith in the salvation Christ Jesus offers. Jesus himself saying,

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

                                                                     John 14:6.

John’s Gospel also quoting Jesus as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”. John 3:16-18
These are very basic beliefs of all who would call themselves Christians. You cannot believe anything else and be truly Christian.
Please think about it.

A Life for Christ

A Life for Christ
The apostle Paul tells us,

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2 

If you consider yourself a follower of Christ consider this. We are “stewards of the Mysteries of God” AND “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”.
A steward in Paul’s day was someone who looked after his masters estate and possessions. Joseph was Potiphar’s steward. He was expected to handle Potiphars estate wisely for his master. It was an very important positions.
According to Paul we are stewards of Christ. As such we have a very important position. We are Christ’s representatives on this earth. It is through us the people around us will see Christ. We cannot afford to be bad stewards.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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
Thus it should be with us. We need to live a life that reflects the Love of God.
The apostle Paul telling us,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

 a workman who does not need to be ashamed 

and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

                                                   2Timothy 2:15.

Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                        Francis of Assisi

What are your deeds telling the world around you?
Please think about it.

A Life for Christ

A Life for Christ
The apostle Paul tells us,

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2 

If you consider yourself a follower of Christ consider this. We are “stewards of the Mysteries of God” AND “it is required in stewards that one be found faithful”.
A steward in Paul’s day was someone who looked after his masters estate and possessions. Joseph was Potiphar’s steward. He was expected to handle Potiphars estate wisely for his master. It was an very important positions.
According to Paul we are stewards of Christ. As such we have a very important position. We are Christ’s representatives on this earth. It is through us the people around us will see Christ. We cannot afford to be bad stewards.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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
Thus it should be with us. We need to live a life that reflects the Love of God.
The apostle Paul telling us,

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,

 a workman who does not need to be ashamed 

and who correctly handles the word of truth. 

                                                   2Timothy 2:15.

Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                        Francis of Assisi

What are your deeds telling the world around you?
Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian Living
Matthews gospel records Jesus as saying,
“Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48
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 Apostle Paul writes,
“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”Ephesians 5:1,2. 
Matthew’s Gospel records this,
“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.
Prior to that Matthew records,
“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
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

These are not my words. They are the words of Jesus and the Apostles. Words summed up by Jesus himself 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.
This is how a believer in Christ is to live.
Are you doing so?
Please think about it.

Something to Consider

Something to consider

Job looked up into the heavens somewhere around the tenth century BC and noted,
“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” 
                           Job 26:7
Thousands of years later the crew of Apollo 17 took the picture above proving Job was right.
Someone has said,
“The Earth is if you will a self sufficient organic extremely complex spacecraft. It is orbiting the sun at 250km/second. The sun is moving around the centre of the universe at 660km/second. All of this including its exact positioning in the universe make it possible for life to exist as we know it.” 
That to me speaks to the fact there is a creator behind everything.
The book of Genesis states,

In the beginning God created

 the heavens and the earth.” 

                             Genesis 1:1

The Psalmist writes,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.” 

                                            Psalm 19:1.

Everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy has its place in the Universe so that life can exist on this planet.
Scientist tell us that just a little closer to the sun or a little further away and life would not exist as we know it.
Someone once asked me if I believed if there is life on other planets. I replied I don’t know. However even if there were it would not affect my belief in God.
I believe God exists it’s that simple. If I am wrong I have nothing to fear. I have simply led a good life by following Him.
If on the other hand I am right those who do not believe in God have much to fear.
What do you believe?
Please think about it.

Pay Attention

Pay attention
The writer of Hebrews states,
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.  
For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment,  how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.”  Hebrews 2:1-3.
If you consider yourself a follower of Jesus Christ then here is something you should consider. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.”
As Christians we have a duty to present to the world the truth about Jesus and the salvation God offers through Him. Our message must be as pure as we can make it.
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.
The call of Jesus is to go into all the world and tell people about him and the way to heaven.
Jesus also 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.
That to me means telling people about the love God has for them, because you would want to know it.
It also means if you see someone in need of food or clothing or a home to live in, or in need of medical help. You are to do what you can to help that person because you would not want to be hungry, in need of clothing a roof over your head or medical attention.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”Matthew 25:34-46.
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“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
While we as Christians believe that we are saved by faith, through the Grace of God. I believe true faith in God spurs us on to do good works in His name.
The apostle Peter tells us,
The apostle Peter tell us,
  “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.
For me living a good life in this world is Loving God, our neighbour and even our enemy. It is helping the poor and needy in whatever way we can.
Francis of Assisi wrote a prayer I believe every Christian needs to consider. 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.

Your Refuge

Your Refuge

“But as for me, it is good to be near God.

I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; 

I will tell of all your deeds.” 

                                  Psalm 73:28.

Is God truly your refuge? Do you truly trust God to provide for you? Matthews gospel records this encounter between Jesus and a rich man
“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.” Matthew 19:16-22.
Here was a man who believed in God. Who obeyed the Mosaic Law. Yet lacked complete faith in God. He trusted in his wealth more than God.
Now there’s nothing wrong with having wealth. It’s our relationship to our wealth that can cause problems. The apostle Paul tells us,
“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.
It’s the love of money that can cause problems and pull people away from their faith.
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. 
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to truly decide where our faith lies. It’s easy to give lip service. It’s easy to say I believe God exists. It’s much harder to place your trust in God especially if you have wealth.
I strongly believe that we must put our complete trust in God and not our wealth. Joshua addressing the Israelites said this,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15.
Question, Who are you truly serving? Is your faith in God or the things of this world?
Please think about it.  

morals to live by

Morals to live by
The book of Exodus records,
“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.
These are God’s ideals given to mankind. God’s Moral code given to mankind that man might live in harmony with God and with other men.
They were not written in pen and ink so that they could be erased. They were engraved on tablets of stone. The very words were part of the stone themselves. They could not be erased.
These are the ideals I believe God has written on the hearts of every person that is living or has ever lived. They are universal truths, core values for living in a civilized society.
Such values did not come from the minds of Atheist, but believers in the one true God.
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.” Abba Hillel Silver.
It is only when individuals and society turns their back on God and His moral values that society suffers.
Hitler during world war two showed the world dramatically how turning away from God’s teachings can cause incredible harm. Fifty six million plus men women and Children killed during world war two. Six million Jews and an equal number of others murdered in an industrial killing machine that was Nazi Germany.
Such killing did not end with Hitler. Stalin and other atheistic leaders throughout the twentieth century have killed millions. As are many terrorist groups today. Individuals who say they are of God but are not, for they are breaking one of the fundamental laws of God, “do not Kill”.
On the streets of every major city there are individuals and gangs who kill and steal. A testament that failure to fear not only man’s laws but God and his judgement causes grief.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14
The Psalmist writes,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

 all who follow his precepts have good understanding. 

To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                                                 Psalm 111: 10.

As society turns away from God, or individuals twists and misinterprets God’s word to say what they want it to say, society I believe moves relentlessly down a slope toward a lake filled with burning brimstone.
Please think about it.