Seek Peace

Seek Peace
The Psalmist writes,

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

                                                                                        Psalm 34:11-14.

Someone told me the other day this is advice that everyone can benefit from. A standard by which we all must live. This is doubly so if we are in a position of authority. It is simple advice that says a lot.
Look at what it says,
1/“Keep your tongue from evil...”
2/“Your lips from speaking lies.”
3/“Turn from evil...”
4/“Seek peace and pursue it.”
Question: Is it advice you follow?
         Do the leaders both political and religious that you follow,
                         follow this advice?
Please think about it.

Love & Mercy

Love & Mercy
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
As believers in Christ Jesus I think we must be able to say like Paul we are the worst of sinners. 
The fact is, if you are indeed a follower of Christ Jesus, you have to admit you are a sinner. That you fall short of God’s ideal.
We must remember the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
The apostle Paul writing to Titus said,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
We must remember the reason Jesus came to this earth. Jesus who 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.
The sole reason Jesus came into this world was to provide a way to heaven for anyone who would believe in Him.
As a result we believers in Christ Jesus, must do everything we can to present the Love of God, the Love of Jesus to all we come in contact with. That they may receive the saving grace of God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We must be careful not to put up barriers between God and the individuals we come in contact with.
I like what James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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 2:12,13.
We are to show mercy even to our enemy. The apostle Paul writing,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink....” Romans 12:18-20a.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are not allowed to Judge anyone. 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.
Judging others especially when we may not have all the facts puts up barriers between the individual and the one he or she is judging. In doing so it can create a barrier between the individual and God. This should never be so.
The late evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,

 God’s job to judge 

and

 my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, do you admit you are a sinner saved through the cleansing blood of Christ Jesus, through the Grace of God?
Are you showing mercy to those around you, even your enemy?
Are you judging others or are you showing Mercy to those around you?
Are you truly showing the Love of God to all whom you come in contact with, friend and foe alike?
Please think about it. 

Love God

Love God
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

 with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, 

and shall talk to them when you sit in hour house, 

when you walk by the way, 

when you lie down, 

and when you rise up

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

                                                                                     Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

Here in Deuteronomy we are told the most important thing in a believers heart should be. 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.
As believer in God. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to put God first in our lives. Not only that we need to teach them to our children not only in word but in deed.
When I was growing up there was an old saying that some of my extended family use to say. They’d say, “Do what I say. Not what I do”. Believers in Christ Jesus must not say or practice such a thing.
In order to show our children and the world around us the importance of God. God should come first in our lives. We need to tell our children about our faith in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

Francis also said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                Francis of Assisi

If you claim to be a believer in God. A believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

A Time to Praise

A Time to Praise.
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32.
Today is Easter Monday. The day after Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. A day in which we should be praising God for all he has done.
Shortly after Jesus was born, in accordance with the law, the parents of Jesus brought him to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord. As they did a man called Simeon approached them. Luke’s gospel records what happened.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32.
Jesus at this time was only days old yet God showed Simeon Jesus was the Messiah. As a result he praised God.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to take time to praise God. To give glory to God for His Salvation.
The Psalmist writes,

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.

Question, when was the last time you praised God outside of Church? When was the last time you raised your voice to praise God without the accompaniment of a praise recording or instruments?
Why not take a few minutes to do so now?
Please think about it. 

He is Risen

He is Risen!
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:6-7.
Of all the things believers in Christ Jesus believe the resurrection from the dead is perhaps the most controversial. Even when the apostle Paul presented this to the learned men in Athens some sneered and didn’t believe. Still Christians believe it to be completely true.
As today is Easter Sunday. The day we believers in Christ Jesus celebrate Christ’s resurrection. I thought it appropriate to tell in a nutshell what Christians believe.
The Apostles Creed while not written by an apostle of Jesus, lists in brief the core beliefs of all Christians. I place it here for you the reader to consider. It states,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s one 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 apostle John wrote this about Jesus, he said,
“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.”John1:1-4,11-14
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Who is Jesus?

Who is Jesus?
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
Who is Jesus to you?
In the above scripture the apostle John states that “The Word” (Jesus) was in the beginning with God. That all things were made by him. And that “The Word” became flesh.
Thus according to the apostle John, Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh.
The writer of Hebrews states,
"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 1:3 
This backs up what John stated.
John’s gospel also records this incident where the Jews gathered around Jesus and asked him who he was. John records,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” 
Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?
“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”  John 10:24-33
For the Jews in the day of Jesus making ones self equal to God was blasphemy. Thus the question becomes if Jesus was not telling the truth. Why would he say such a thing? He knew the potential consequences of saying such a thing.
C. S. Lewis the great Christian commentator 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 question you the reader must ask yourself is, Who is Jesus?
Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
Luke’s Gospel records,
“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.” And they divided up his clothes by casting lots. 
The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.” 
The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him wine vinegar and said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.” 
There was a written notice above him, which read: THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 
One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:32-43.
Today is Good Friday 2018. The day Christians the world over recognize as the day Jesus was crucified.
As we look at the crucifixion of Jesus we see all of mankind represented.
We see the Jewish leadership who refused to believe Jesus was the Messiah. Who seen him as a threat to their political authority and wanted him out of the way.
We see political secular authority in the form of the Roman governor. Who actually found no guilt in Jesus deserving of death. Yet out of political expediency had him flogged and put to death.
Both of these groups could have prevented Jesus from dying but didn’t.
We see the gentile (non-Jewish) world represented by the Roman soldiers who it could have cared less about who Jesus and cast lots for his clothing.
We seen the average person standing around watching the events unfold. Their rulers sneering demanding proof he was the Messiah saying,
“He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.”
God was also there that day. He was showing mankind how far he would go in human terms to point us to heaven. He showed vividly in the crucifixion the choice we all must make. Luke records,
“One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 
But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence?  
We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.” 
Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’” 
Jesus answered him, “I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.” 
The one criminal demanded proof Jesus was the Messiah by saving them. That man thought only in terms of this world. Getting off the cross and going free.
The other however recognized Jesus was who he said he was, The Messiah. The Saviour of mankind. That he did in fact have the power to save him.
This man admitted he was a sinner and asked only that Jesus remember him when he came into his kingdom.
This man did what we all must do, believe that Jesus is the Saviour of mankind. The suffering Messiah who takes away the sins of the world.
That man confessed his sins to Jesus and thus entered into Paradise (Heaven) with Jesus.
To the natural man this seems like total foolishness but then the apostle Paul admits this he said,
“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.  
For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.” 
Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?  
For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.  
Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom,  but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,  but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.  
For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength. 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.
That being said the choice is up to you the reader. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind or not?
Please think about it.

The Clowns Sermon

The Clown’s Sermon
The pastor with a sigh arose and took the pulpit to addressed the assembled congregation.
“Today.” he said “today we have something special just for you.”
As he spoke the words soft and true.
A clown moved to take the stage.

He stumbled, tumbled, fumbled and bumbled.

Sallied and quipped and cracked a pun.

They snickered and giggled and laughed out loud.

He was truly amusing the crowd...

Then he stopped!

His buffoonery over he took the stand. 

Standing strait and tall....

The clown, became serious before all...

“For a moment their you laughed and giggled and snickered at me.’

Said he, 

“You seemed to like my buffoonery.... 

After all I’m a jester, a buffoon,  

A joker, a comic, a wit, a wag.

A purveyor of nonsense and senseless stuff.

Which for me is not that tough.

But here’s a thought from and Apostle Paul,

Words to you all,

1Corinthians 1:20-31 says,

“Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? 

Where is the philosopher of this age? 

Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? 

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom

 did not know him, 

God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached 

to save those who believe.  

Jews demand miraculous signs 

and Greeks look for wisdom,

 but we preach Christ crucified: 

a stumbling block to Jews 

and foolishness to Gentiles, 

 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, 

Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 

For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom,

 and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength.

  Brothers, think of what you were when you were called.

 Not many of you were wise by human standards; 

not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 

But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; 

God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

 He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things--

and the things that are not--

to nullify the things that are, 

so that no one may boast before him. 

It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, 

who has become for us wisdom from God--

that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 

Therefore, as it is written: 

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

The quote complete he looked about, and softly said,

“I’m a Jester, a Buffoon...

A Pierrot!

But I’m also a believer,

A follower of “The Way”.

A follower of Gods foolishness,

“For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom,

 and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength”

A preacher of Christ crucified, descended, resurrected... 

And ascended. 

“a stumbling block to Jews 

and foolishness to Gentiles,”

And if this clown may be so bold.

I offer to you what is from old.

Salvation that cannot be bought or sold.

For it is by grace we are saved Paul tells us.

Not of works.

It is God’s free gift to you...

To me.

So will you join this Jester this buffoon 

this clown...

And here at the alter...

Lay your burdens down.

Commit your life to the one who wears the victors crown.

And give praise to God on high.

Give praise to Adonai!

Please think about it.

Please excuse us.

Please excuse us
Please excuse we who believe in Christ Jesus when we get a little excited about what we believe and want to tell you about our beliefs. You see we believe we have a message from God. A most important message about the kingdom of Heaven. Jesus said of this message,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it” Matthew 13:44-46.
You see we who believe in Christ Jesus just want to tell you how we believe you get to heaven.
First of all be believe Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. 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.
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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
We believe you get to heaven by the grace of God. Through belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. The apostle Paul tells us,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
We believe the words of the apostle John who wrote,
“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.
And yes an honest believer in Christ will tell you that believing these things can seem foolish but they are true. The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
C. S Lewis points out,
“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
It all comes down to what you personally believe. 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.

God, Jesus, & Creation

 God, Jesus & Creation
“He spreads out the northern skies over empty space; he suspends the earth over nothing.” Job 26:7
Job got it right.
In the above photographs, one taken by Apollo 17 from the vantage point of the moon we can see that the Earth is indeed suspended over nothing.
The second picture backs this up. It was taken by the space probe Voyager billions of kilometres from earth, as it left the solar system.
The Voyager picture also shows how small and potentially insignificant earth looks to be in the vastness of the cosmos.
The late Carl Sagan who convinced N.A.S.A. to take this picture said,
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” Carl Sagan.
Sagan is right if you think in strictly human terms that “mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam” is all we have. But it is not all we have. There is more.
There is a God who created it all.
Physicist Dr. Paul Davies who once promoted Atheism, after examining the evidence around creation said,
“[There] is for me powerful evidence that there is something going on behind it all it seems as though somebody has fine-tuned nature’s numbers to make the Universe. The impression of design is overwhelming”Dr. Paul Davies.
Stephen Hawking by far one of the greatest minds ever to live, commenting on how the universe began said,
“It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us,” Stephen Hawking.
These men have looked into the heavens and come to the same conclusion as the Psalmist who wrote,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                                      Psalm 19:1-3.

The Apostle Paul speaking the learned men in Athens said,
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” Acts 17:22-32.
The book of Acts then goes on to note how those who had listened to Paul reacted. It noted,,
“When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others”Acts 17:22-34.
Thus my question to you the reader becomes if you were listening to the Apostle Paul that day which group would you be in?
Would you sneer at the thought of the resurrection? Would you want to hear more on the subject? Would you, do you believe what Paul said?
The choice is yours. Please think about it.

The Christian Life,

The Christian Life,
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans tells believers in plane language how they are to live. I place it hear without commentary for you to read for yourself. What I would ask is, is what Paul outlines here reflective of your life, Paul writes,
“‘Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  
Live in harmony with one another. 
Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. 
Do not be conceited. 
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."Romans 12:9-21.
So if you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus is this how you are living.
Please think about it.

What would you say?

What would you say?
The writer of Proverbs states,

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths.” 

                                              Proverbs 5:21

I am a firm believer that one day God will judge each individual.
       True Christians believe we are saved by faith in Christ Jesus, through the grace of God.
       Still God will judge each individual  Thus no matter who we are or our position in society we will have to give an account for our actions.
While we may get away with many things in this world we will not get away with them when we stand before God.
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.
Jesus told this story,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
We will be held accountable for our actions with respect to our fellow man.
James the half brother of Jesus writing to believers in Christ Jesus wrote,
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  
Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  
Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  
Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  
You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  
You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6.
Scripture shows us that God is interested in the individual and our interaction with others. Half of the ten commandments are about how God expects individuals to act toward there fellow man.
And like it or not we are to help others in any way we can. The book of Leviticus states,
“ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’ ” Leviticus 23:22.
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.
While the Talmud is not a Christian book it tells of a scenario that I can imagine might just happen it states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?”  Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? 
“He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” The Talmud.
God does not have to ask us any questions he knows all things. However I can see God in his wisdom giving the individual one last chance to make an honest statement as to how they themselves feel they dealt with their fellow man.
Question when you stand before God. If he does ask you the question,  “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?” What would you say.
Please think about it.