Train up

Train ups
Matthews Gospel records,
“Then little children were brought to Jesus for him to place his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 
Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:13, 14.
It has been said Christianity is just one generation from extinction. People are not born Christian. Even if someone goes to church all their life dose not mean that they are Christian.
   Each individual when they are old enough and mature enough must decide for themselves if they wish to follow Christ.
That being said it is imperative that we as believers in Christ Jesus bring our children up to know God in a personal way.
Scripture tells us,

“Train a child in the way he should go, 

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

                                               Proverbs 22:6.

Notice scripture tells us to “train up a child in the way he should go” NOT force our faith on the Child. We must present our faith to our children not only in word but in deed also.
You cannot force your children or anyone into becoming a follower of Christ Jesus. Ultimately it is a decision of faith between the individual and God.
We can and must however live our faith as they say 24/7 in front of our children and those around us.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                          Francis of Assisi.

We, whether we like it our not are preaching a sermon every minute of every day to our children. If our lives are not reflecting Christian values our children and those around us will see this and turn away from God.
Thus the questions become.
How are you living your life?
Is your life reflecting the love of God, the attributes of Christ Jesus?
Please think about it. 

Forgiving

Forgiving
Luke’s gospel records,

“Jesus said, 

“Father, forgive them, 

for they do not know what they are doing.” 

                                                 Luke 23:34a.

Here Jesus asks God to forgive those who are putting him to death because they are oblivious as to what they are actually doing. Jesus was big into forgiveness.
Matthew’s gospel records Jesus as saying this,

“This, then, is how you should pray: “ 

‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

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 6:9-15.
Matthew’s Gospel records the apostle Peter asking Jesus,
“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.
Jesus here did not actually mean to forgive people 490 times he meant to forgive people all the time.
C. S. Lewis said,
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” C.S. Lewis.
Unconditional forgiveness is the key to truly loving a person.
Thus I would ask you this question.
If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus, Do you forgive those who sin against you?
Please think about it.

Showing favorites

Showing favorites
James the half brother of Jesus writes,
"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  
For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!" James 2:8-13.
Do you or the congregation you attend show favourites? Think carefully about it.     
Here’s some scenario’s for you to think about.
1/ If a man, or woman, living on the street dressed in dirty clothing. Someone who may have not had a shower in a few days came into your church congregation how would he or she be greeted?
2/If a man, or woman impeccably dressed wearing expensive clothing entered your church congregation how would they be met?
3/If a man or woman dressed in blue jeans, tee shirt and flip flops entered your congregation how would they be greeted?
4/ If two gay men or women, entered your church holding hands how would they be greeted?
Now think of this. All these people are in need of the love of God. How you react to these people could very well determine where they may spend eternity.
Jesus never showed favouritism. He interacted with all people, Samaritans, Tax collectors, Roman soldiers, Jews, and Non-Jews.
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.
Jesus who had the right to judge them never did. He realized his job on this earth was to save souls.
John’s gospel quotes Jesus speaking of 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.” John 3:16,17.
Speaking to his disciples and through them to us today 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.
One of the things Jesus taught us was,
“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.
So think of things this way. If you were to enter a church congregation would you want to be judged for the way you looked or what you are?
Or would you want to hear the unadulterated word of God presented to you in a loving way? Showing you the way to heaven?
Please think about it.

What would you do?

What would you do?
From time to time I like to poke believers in Christ Jesus with a pointy stick. To make them think about things that are hot button issues in some church congregations. This is one of those days.
The Psalmist writes,
“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
The scenario I present for your consideration is this story,
“That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studied earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and prayed. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest steps, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Doran and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  
I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
Question,
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus how would you vote?
How do you think the congregation you belong to would react?
The position she was seeking aside. Would this person be accepted in the congregation you attend?
Please think about it.

Do you believe?

Do you believe?
The Apostle John writing about 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 Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus said,
“You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  
There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28.
It is the core of Christian belief that through belief in Christ Jesus you become children of God. That you receive eternal life.
Jesus said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.
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.” 1Timothy 1:15,16.
What the apostle Paul is saying here through belief in Christ Jesus we receive eternal life.
Thus the question becomes. Do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate who died for your sins, That you may have eternal life in heaven with God?
Please think about it.

Faith and Works

Faith and Works.
The James the half brother of Jesus writes,
“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.
I have often heard over the years by Christians that you are saved by faith in the redemptive work of Christ Jesus. That is true. 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.
That being said our faith in Christ Jesus should spur us on to do good works. That is what James is speaking about in the above scripture. Christianity is very much a faith of deeds.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.” Tony Campolo.
He’s right in caring for the sick, feeding the hungry and standing up for the oppressed we as believers in Christ Jesus are building bridges. Bridges that can help lead a person to life eternal in Christ Jesus.
I like what Francis of Assisi wrote. He said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                 Francis of Assisi

Thus the question becomes. If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus what are your words and deeds telling those around you about God?
Please think about it.

A Christian Life

A Christian Life
The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ about the Christian life 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.
Sadly many outside the church here in North America where I live don’t see these fruits. They see people calling themselves Christians demonstrating against things. They see people who claim to be Christians but who’s actions show them to be hypocrites, and bigots. They fail to see Love.
When I was much younger my pastor at the time told me that if I only remembered one verse from scripture it should be. The words of Jesus who said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
He told me that as you grow correctly as a believer in Christ Jesus the fruits of the Spirit the apostle Paul talks about should grow and show in your life.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus look at the fruits Paul is speaking about. Are they showing in your life? The apostle Paul noted,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness

 and self-control.” 

Paul then notes, “Against such things there is no law.”
If we are true followers of Christ Jesus people should see these attributes without us saying a single word. They should see it in our lifestyle.
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

Francis also noted,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                        Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

The Love of Money

The Love of Money
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
Let me make one thing clear here. Having a lot of money is not in itself sinful. There are many wealthy people within the church who use their wealth to further the kingdom of God.
The problem comes when you put money ahead of your faith in God. God should always come first.
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.
It’s nice having a lot of money. Money that allows you to do as you wish. However if you are spending all your time trying to earn more and more money to the point where you can’t serve God that is wrong.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
Thus the question becomes. If you are a believer in Christ Jesus do you truly put God first?
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
In my previous blog I noted that in order to be a true believer in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. You must believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins.
If Jesus is not all he claimed to be then Christianity is meaningless. C. S. Lewis writing about Jesus said,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Thus the Choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh, The Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Who is Jesus

Who is Jesus?
The Apostle Paul writes,
“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
                                                                                          Colossians 2:9.
The apostle John writes,
“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 writer of Hebrews states,
“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 
In the above quoted scriptures from the New Testament we see the three basic things believers in Christ Jesus believe.
1. Jesus is God.
    ”in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”
    “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” 
   “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being.”
Simply put Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh.
2. He made the world and everything in it.
   “Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
Jesus is one with God the creator of the universe and everything in it.
3. He provided purification for sins and sits with God in Heaven.
  “After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”
To be a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus you must believe that Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. God incarnate. The one who provided purification for your sins.
What do you believe about Jesus?
Please think about it. 

The Real War

The real war
The apostle Paul writes,

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.  

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. 

On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” 

                                                                               2 Corinthians 10:3,4

As I write this North Korea has nuclear missiles that experts say can reach the United States. This is not a new thing. While North Korea is late in coming to the nuclear table. Nuclear weapons have been around since world war two.
As someone who lived in England during the “Cold War” a nuclear threat means little. Back then it was said it took seven minutes for and intercontinental ballistic missile to reach the United Kingdom from the Soviet Union. Not much time to seek shelter. My father always joked “why seek shelter. It will do little good. If one is launched. Lets go and watch the blast.”
My father was essentially right. An all out nuclear war would leave little standing and put man on the brink of extinction, at least in this world.
Someone once said,
“Some people are waiting for a final apocalyptic war. When in reality the final war is not fought with guns, bombs and ICBM’s on earthly battlefields. 
The real war is fought in and for the human heart. The out come of that battle will determine where a person will spend eternity.”
Martin Luther King jr. said,

“We need not join the mad rush to purchase an earthly fallout shelter. 

God is our eternal fallout shelter.” 

                                       Martin Luther King, Jr., 

The question is, is God your eternal fallout shelter? If you were to die to day would you be spending eternity with God?
The Psalmist states,

“The fool says in his heart,

 “There is no God.”

                             Psalm 14:1

The apostle Paul states,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, 

but to us who are being saved 

it is the power of God.” 

                                    1 Corinthians 1:18.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of Mankind?
John’s gospel 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....  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
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. 
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 1:1-4,11-14
C. S. Lewis makes this point,

“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.

Lewis speaking of Jesus also states,

“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.

It all comes down to where your faith lies. As Billy Graham the American evangelist put it,

“I can't prove it scientifically, 

that there's a God, 

but I believe.” 

                 Billy Graham.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Thus the choice is yours.
Do you believe in God?
Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of mankind?
Please think about it.

Praise God?

Praise God?
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ Jesus 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.” 

                                                                            1 Peter 2:9.

So the question is if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus in 2018 do you praise God?
You can praise God in many ways. The Psalmist tells us,
Praise the LORD.

“Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power;

 praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                              Psalm 150.

Notice the Psalmist tells us to Praise God
With the trumpet,
With the harp and the lyre.
With the tambourine.
With dance.
With strings and flute.
With the clash of cymbals.
With resounding cymbals.
When I was much younger in the 1970's I performed with a gospel group. We combined music and dance into our repertoire.
We had an amazing time. We always said our performances blessed us more than the audience because when we performed we were preforming for God not the audience.
We always stressed to those we performed in front of that they can do what we do. You don’t necessarily need a perfectly choreographed dance routine. You just need to put on some praise music and move to the flow of the music.
If you can’t dance then sing and it doesn’t have to be in tune. All God asks is that we praise him. That being said if you are self conscious about singing simply speak words of praise to God. It is something you can do anywhere.
The other way you can praise God is to tell others about Him. Giving praise to God in your words and your deeds.
As 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.” 

                                                                            1 Peter 2:9.

Please think about it.