Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord.
The writer of proverbs wrote,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
If you claim to be a Christian do you truly trust in the Lord?
Trust defined by the Oxford dictionary is: “1 firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. 2 acceptance of the truth of a statement without evidence or investigation.”
Trust in God means having complete faith in God. 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.
A lot of people who say they believe in Jesus say they have trust in God but their actions say otherwise. They for example see the government passing laws they perceive as “anti-Christian”. And immediately protest.
Yet the apostle Paul states,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Remember Paul wrote this in the time of the emperor Nero, an enemy of Christianity.
Paul, the other apostles and followers of Jesus Christ during those early days of Christianity lived within the Roman system of government. With laws that at times did not favour Christianity. Yet they reached the world for Christ Jesus. They did so by following the principle set in Proverbs 3:5,6,
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.”Proverbs 3:5,6.
They trusted in the Lord with all their heart and mind and soul. They “leaned not on their own understanding”.
They knew they possessed the very thing that would change the world. The Love of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.
As believers in the twenty-first century we need to remember this. We need to remember that we know the very creator of the universe who can work through us to change the world around us. If we let Him.
Please think about it.

Called to Love

Called to Love
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Prior to this Matthew records Jesus as 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.
As followers of Christ Jesus it is our job to show love to the world around us. John’s gospel records Jesus speaking about himself 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.” John 3:16,17.
God set the example for followers of Jesus. He showed His love toward mankind my sending His one and Only Son to earth, to provide for us a way to heaven.
If we are to continue the work of Jesus then we must love those around us unconditionally.
The definition of Christian Love was written by the apostle Paul when he wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

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

Love never fails....

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

 But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

Do you love those around you, friend and foe alike?
Please think about it.

Do you Forgive?

Do you forgive?
At the end of what is commonly known as the Lords Prayer in which Jesus is teaching his disciple how to pray, Jesus states,

Forgive us our debts,

 as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation,  

but deliver us from the evil one.’  

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, 

your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, 

your Father will not forgive your sins.”

                                                        Matthew 6:12-15

We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to forgive. We are called to follow the example of Jesus who even when on the cross for a crime he didn’t commit forgave his persecutors. Luke’s gospel recording.
“Two other men, both criminals, were also led out with him to be executed.  
When they came to the place called the Skull, there they crucified him, along with the criminals—one on his right, the other on his left.  
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” Luke 23:32-34.
The key is here for Christians to note is that irrespective of what people do to us we are to forgive.
Matthew records Jesus as 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, 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.
John’s gospel records the apostle Peter talking about forgiveness,
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” 
Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:21,22
When Jesus said seventy seven times he meant believers in Christ should forgive those who sin against them all the time.
It goes back to what Jesus says in Matthew 7:12.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
Think about it if you sinned against others would you not want to be forgiven?
As C. S. Lewis noted,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

The Narrow Gate

The Narrow Gate
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying,

“Enter through the narrow gate. 

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, 

and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road 

that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

                                         Matthew 7:13,14.

This is what I see in this passage of scripture. I believe the life Jesus is referring to here is life eternal. That here Jesus point the way to heaven. He says we must enter through the narrow gate. That the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction.
The road that leads to destruction is the world in general. The world offers the individual a myriad of things that offers pleasure and satisfaction. None of which are bad in and of themselves providing they don’t pull us away from God.
Within the world also there are many who would say there are many ways to Heaven. While others say there is no God.

The Bible however both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament says there is only one God the creator of Heaven and Earth. That we must have faith in God. Faith is that Narrow road Jesus is talking about. 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.

The apostle Paul writing,

“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 gate referred to by Jesus in Matthew 7:13,14 is Jesus. Jesus speaking to his disciples said,

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

                                                                     John 14:6.

The writer of Hebrews telling 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.
I know there are many reading this who would not agree with me. That is your right. God gave every person a freewill to believe what they wish and do what they may.
I however believe that all who hear about Jesus must make a decision as to who he is. C. S. Lewis said,

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, 

and if true, of infinite importance. 

The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. 

                                                                       C. S. Lewis.

If Jesus is not the way to heaven or just one of many ways to heaven, then no one has anything to fear.
However if what Christians believe is true. That He is the way to heaven those hear about him and do not believe in Him have a great deal to think about at the very least.
Please think about it. 

Word and Deed

Word and Deed
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus speaking to his disciples as saying,,
“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.
Over the years I’ve heard many sermons on this passage of scripture. Most of them focussed on the fact that believers in Christ Jesus are the light of the world. That it is their job to take the message of salvation into a dark world.
There is however less emphasis on how believers in Christ are to take that message to the world. Many Christians assume that it is by word of mouth that the gospel message is to be preached.
While that is true, it is most definitely not the only way. In the last sentence from the above quot by Jesus, Jesus states,
“In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven” Matthew 5:16.
As Christians we must present the gospel message in word and in deed. 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.
Francis of Assisi wrote two things believers in Christ Jesus need to consider. He wrote,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and 

when necessary use words.’

                                                    Francis of Assisi

and

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                       Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, what are your deeds telling the world about Jesus?
Please think about it.

Beware

Beware
Matthews Gospel records this parable of Jesus,
“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.
This parable reflects the church today. There are many people calling themselves followers of Jesus who are not. They are “weeds” They may look like Christians outwardly. They may even quote scripture after scripture. They may even say they have performed miracles. But they are not Christians.
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.
Like someone has said just because someone goes to church or even speaks from a pulpit does not make them a true believer in Christ Jesus.
The apostle Peter warns,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.”2 Peter 2:1-3. 
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be cautious. We live in a world filled with media of all kinds. Because of it we quite often do not see what a certain preacher, teacher of evangelist is truly like.
Just because someone seems a good God fearing person in the media, dose not mean they are good God fearing person. Does not mean they are following Christ.
Thus as believers we need to be praying and asking God to show us who is rightly administering his word.
We need to be studying the word of God to ensure we are not lead away by false teachers.
At the same time we need to hold those who would be espouse to be leaders in the Church, Be they pastors, evangelist or teachers up to a high standard.
The apostle Paul stated,

“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

While we should not judge a person as to where they will spend eternity. We do as Christians have the right to judge others who claim to be Christians with respect to what they are teaching, and how they are conducting themselves morally.
And if they are not teaching things correctly, or living a morally impure life, we have the right to expel them from our congregations.
Please think about it.

What Business is it of mine

What business is it of mine
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,

“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.

A believer in Christ Jesus has no right to Judge, especially those outside the body of believers.
As believers in Christ Jesus we have the right to judge those inside the church but only to determine if what they are teaching is correct.
We cannot judge whether a person is going to heaven or not. That is God’s job.
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.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember one key thing 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.
Put it this way. If you don’t want people judging you don’t judge them.
Jesus gave his followers a job to do 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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we cannot do this job effectively if we are judging people in any way shape or form.
The job of the Christian is to love God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. We must do this because it is the only way to win souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

What would you do?

What would you do?
Matthews Gospel records this conversation between a rich man and Jesus. Matthew 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.” Matthew 19:16-22.
Let me make a statement here. There is nothing wrong with being a follower of Christ Jesus and being rich. It is the priorities you place on your wealth that makes the difference.
If you wealth or your acquisition of wealth takes priority over your faith, that is wrong. If you put more faith in your wealth than in God that is wrong.
In the conversation the rich man had with Jesus the rich man indicated that he believed in God. That he obeyed the commandments. However his faith in God was lacking. When Jesus said,
“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.” 
Matthew records,
“When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
Someone has said the test of your faith in God comes when you must give up all you possess and rely exclusively on God.
Question, where is your faith? If you were that rich man standing before Jesus and he said,
“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.”
What would you say?
Please think about it.

About God

About God,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                                     Genesis 1:1.

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and as such debate is not needed.
Believers in God accept by faith His existence.
The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and 

certain of what we do not see.”  

                                              Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him

must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                             Hebrews 11:6.

I know there are many people in the world that do not believe in God. That is their right. When God made mankind He did not make robots, He made individuals with a free will to believe act and do as they wish. That freedom extends to not believing in God.
As far as I am concerned God does exist. To say otherwise in my mind is foolishness for believing in God costs you nothing but in the long run offers great gain.
Blaise Pascal put it this way,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists". Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.

The way to Heaven

The way to heaven
The following is what Christians believe is the way to heaven. I place it here so that you the reader may decide for yourself if you agree with it or not.
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  
Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. That He came to earth to show mankind the way to heaven.
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.

Christians believe that no one can live a life good enough to stand before a Holy God. That we sin. Sin is failing to do what God wants us to do, consciously or otherwise. The apostle Paul tells us,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

 and are justified freely by his grace 

through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”

                                                                                 Romans 3:23,24.

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.

The apostle Paul tells us,
It is by faith we get to heaven, by the grace of God. We cannot work our way to heaven.,

“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

Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,                                              Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

                                                 Hebrews 11:1

The same writer noting

“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. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate, the Saviour of mankind. The one who died for your sins?
If so are you willing to confess your sins directly to God and accept God’s saving grace that comes through Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

You and God

You and God
The Psalmist wrote,

“For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 

your works are wonderful, 

I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. 

When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

 your eyes saw my unformed body. 

All the days ordained for me were written in your book 

before one of them came to be.” 

                                              Psalm 139:13-16.

Here is a scripture that says it all for me when it comes to the individual and God. The Psalmist makes it clear God knows all about us. That He knit us together in our mothers womb.
Put in modern terms God knows our genetic make up. He knows why we are the way we are. We can never stand before God and say you didn’t know what it was like to be me, because He does.
The Scriptures also tells us,
“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. 
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 1:1-3,14.
Here the apostle John makes it clear that Jesus is God that he made the world and everything in it. That God in the form of Jesus Christ came into the world that he made.
That being said, no one can stand before God and say you did not know what it was like to be human. We cannot say it because Jesus walked this earth. He knew what it was like to be human. He felt the everyday things humans feel, the sun on his face, the rain, the smell of dust. He knew what it was like to have loving friends and family. He knew what it was to have enemies that wanted to put him to death.
He knew what it was like to be accused of a crime he didn’t do and of being wrongfully convicted of that crime. He felt the pain of a Roman whip. The agony of a cross.
Jesus knew what it was to be human. Thus when we stand before him we will be without excuse.
We will be without excuse because he knows why we are like we are and what it is like to be human. Thus He can judge us fairly.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe that we can know here in this world whether we will enter Heaven or not. The apostle John states,

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God—  

children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision 

or a husband’s will, 

but born of God.” 

                            John 1:12,13.

The apostle Paul makes it clear we cannot work our way to heaven it is a gift of God. Paul writing
“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.
Thus the question becomes are you willing to accept the saving grace of God that comes through Jesus. Are you willing to believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind by faith or are you not.
The choice in yours.
Please think about it.

On Life

On Life

The apostle John speaking of Jesus said,                                                                    

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God—  

children born not of natural descent, 

nor of human decision or a husband’s will, 

but born of God.” 

                            John 1:12,13 

The poet wrote,                                                      

Where are the people?

Where?

Are they but shadows in the mall?

Are they?

Are they shadows in time?

Shadows wandering looking for the latest trinkets, bobbles and beads?

What is life?

What?

Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?

A wisp in the eternal aether? 

Are people wisps of smoke?

What of man’s or woman’s!

 accomplishments?

What of them?

Is the sum total of all ones life simply a pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?

Is that life?

Is life simply a cacophony of sounds travelling through endless time?

Is it?

Is life a finite opera?

An opera played out on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam?

Are we as Shakespear said simply actors?

Does life end?

No!

No!

Life is real!

Played out before God.

In a world suspended between Heaven and Hell

We,

 While mere mortals here.

we are really eternal beings.

Waiting to stand before God.

Are you ready to stand before God?

Are you?

What is the sum total of your life?

What?

Individuals lives in deeds,

What will your deeds say about you?

What will “they” say about you when you pass on?

What will God say?

Jesus said,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 

I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” 

                                                      Revelations 3:20.

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.  

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

The apostle John speaking of Jesus said,                                                                  

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, 

he gave the right to become children of God—  

children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision 

or a husband’s will, 

but born of God.” 

                            John 1:12,13.

Do you believe in Jesus? 

Do you believe He is the Son of God, Saviour of mankind?

Please think about it.