The way they should go

The way they should go
Proverbs states,

“Train a child in the way he should go, 

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

                                                 Proverbs 22:6.

If you claim to be a Christian do you bring your children up in the way they should go? My parents did.
My parents were not what some evangelicals would call Christians. Mom was Roman Catholic. Dad was Church of England. Both rejected for lack of a better term “organized religion”. Yet throughout their lives they espoused Christian values and passed them on to their Children.
From as young as I can remember we had discussions on politics, religion and social situations around our dinner table.
As we entered our teen years, we were expected to add to the discussion. Further more our opinions were respected even if our parents disagreed.
It was because of what they taught me that led me to embrace Christianity.
I seen in Christianity moral and ethical values made sense. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your disdain and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Matthew 25:34-40.
Loving all unconditionally. Feeding the hungry. Giving those who thirst a drink. Helping a stranger. Clothing those in need. Helping the sick. Visiting the prisoner. These values while expressed by Jesus are universal values that transcend the Christian faith.
My father always use to say put yourself in the other persons shoes and ask yourself how would you want to be treated. With disdain? With hate? OR With Love?
Jesus put it this way,
“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
These are values my wife and I taught to our Children. Values that now that they are adults I see them putting into practice not just in word but in deed. 
These are values all who claim to be Christians should be instilling in their Children.
Please think about it.

Epenetus?

Epenetus?
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus.  
They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. 
Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia.” Romans 16:13-5.
I don’t suppose there are many sermons written around Epenetus. I just happened to read his name while reading the book of Romans the other day.
What perked my interest was Epenetus was the first convert to Christ in Asia. Epenetus when he received Christ as his saviour had no one except those who led him to the Lord to fellowship with.
Whatever happened to him we will never know this side of heaven. The thing is however the salvation of souls in Asia had to start with someone and it just so happened to be Epenetus.
Question, if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus can you think of the first person you led to the Lord?
It is the job of every believer in Christ Jesus to evangelize and teach new converts. 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.
Do you evangelize? I know not everyone can get up in the pulpit and preach. Not everyone can go to a foreign land a present the gospel. Not everyone can teach. Still we can all to something.
Many years ago now I remember a little girl she was eight or nine at the time. Her parents didn’t go to church but they let her go down the street to Sunday school at a nearby church.
That little girl came to know the Lord as her saviour. It led to her brother coming to church and eventually her parents came. All of whom came to know the Lord as their saviour.
All because a little girl came to Sunday school.
If she can do it anyone can do it. They can do it because Christ can use anyone who is willing to let him work in their life.
The reason this little girl was so effective was her parents could see something positive in her life. They also wanted to know what she was being taught. Thus they came.
The pastor and the members of the church welcomed them in love. They never forced anything on them. They never in any way looked down on them. They allowed God to show them the truth. Thus in due time they asked Christ into their life.
I believe is one claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus. It is incumbent on us to present the gospel of Christ in love and let the individual we are presenting it to, to make up their own mind.
I’m sure that’s what happened with Epenetus.
Thus the question becomes, if you are true follower of Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel in love both in word and in deed to those around you?
Please think about it.

Sincere and Unconditional

Sincere and Unconditional
Paul writing to the Romans said,

“Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; 

cling to what is good.”  

                                Romans 12:9.

Is your love sincere and unconditional or is it conditional?
The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

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

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

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                     1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

This is the definition of God’s love. He showed that unconditional love when He sent Jesus to die for our sins. The apostle Paul noting,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

                                                                  Romans 5:8.

Sadly many people who claim to be Christians say they love, and they may very well love to an extent. Sadly however that love is conditional.
The degree to which some claiming to be Christians love is dependent on the person they meet an the position they are in.
If they feel threatened in an way, be it their life or their way of life they seem to withhold love. Something at true follower of Christ Jesus should not do. Jesus said two important things,
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
Matthew also 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.
Thus the question becomes if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus is your Love sincere and unconditional?
Please think about it.

Not from a worldly view

Not from a worldly view
The Apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer.  
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  2 Corinthians 5:16,17.
How do you view people?
Many people claiming to be Christians still see people around them from a worldly point of view. Yet the apostle Paul tells believers, “...from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.”
A true believer in Christ Jesus has an obligation to see all people, each individual, the same way Jesus sees them. A person in need of the love of God. In need of the saving Grace of God that comes through Christ Jesus.
As I write this there are many refugees from all over the world coming to Canada with the hopes of being allowed to live here. The same is true in the United States the two countries I am most familiar with.
At the same time I hear people who were born here in Canada, and the United States who claim to be Christians saying these people should not be allowed into the country, or at the very least they should be forced to enter the country through normal immigration channels. Such people also seem to fear that Canada’s and the United States way of life is threatened by the influx of refugees and other immigrants.
Nothing could be further from the truth. History has shown us that those who enter Canada and the U. S. from other countries enrich the two countries with their presence.
That being said if one is a Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus we should be showing the unconditional love of God to all people irrespective of where they come from, their faith, their way of life or their lifestyle.
We should be doing our best to help such people and in doing so show the Love of Christ to them in word and in deed.
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.
  As Christians we need to ask ourselves if I was in that other persons shoes. If I was the refugee fleeing for my life. In need of a safe haven for my family and myself. Would I not want people to help me find a safe place to live? Would I not want people to offer me what assistance they could?
      Please think about it.

Do you want to?

Do you want to?
The Apostle Paul writes,
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39.
The apostle Paul tells believers in Christ plainly that nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ.
A friend of mine once said people can do what they want to us but it will not separate us from the love of God.
We as individuals can try and run from God but we cannot out run God’s love.
The Psalmist wrote,

“Where can I go from your Spirit? 

Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; 

if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast.” 

                                              Psalm 139:7-10.

The fact is God Loves you and everyone else on the planet, and He wants to have a in intimate relationship with you. Jesus 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.
Thus the question becomes, Do you what to have a relationship with God.
Please think about 

Your Choice

Your choice
The Psalmist writes,

“You are my God, and I will give you thanks; 

you are my God, and I will exalt you.” 

                                                  Psalm 118:28.

Joshua while leading the Israelites made this statement,
“Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  
But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. 
But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24: 14,15.
In the twenty-first century we have the same choice to make. We can serve the god’s of this world the god’s of our secular society or we can serve The Lord God almighty.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

On Faith

On Faith
The Psalmist wrote,

“Praise the LORD, all you nations; 

extol him, all you peoples. 

For great is his love toward us,

 and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                           Psalm 117:1,2.

Written above is Psalm 117 in it’s entirety. It make it clear that all nations and all peoples should praise God.
The choice however is up to you. God in creating mankind did not make robots programmed to do his bidding.
He made individuals with complete freedom of choice.
He gave each individual the same option. Believe in Him by faith or reject him. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                          Hebrews 11:6

The writer of Hebrews defining faith as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                Hebrews 11:1

To my way of thinking God asks us to have faith in Him because it is one of the hardest things for an individual to do.
It is very easy to believe in someone or something you see but it is incredibly hard for many people to believe in things they do not see.
Please think about it.

As a Saint or Sinner?

As a Saint or Sinner?
The Psalmist states,
“Say among the nations, “The LORD reigns.” The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 
Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 
let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. 
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. 
He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.” Psalm 96:10-13. 
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.
Make no mistake God will one day judge the world. One day God will judge you and me. The question is will you stand before God as Saint or Sinner?
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.
Thus the question becomes, Are you a child of God or are you a sinner separated from God?
The apostle Paul wrote,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. 
That all means all. The apostle John making it clear
“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.” 1John 1:9-10
The apostle Paul backs up what John is saying when he writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  Romans 10:9,10.
The way I see it as a believer in Christ Jesus is that the way to heaven is by confessing your sins to God. By accepting the saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ.
By doing so you will on judgement day stand before God as a saint, a child of God. 
A saint as one person rightfully told me, is simply a Sinner who has confessed his sins and accepted the Saving Grace of Christ Jesus.
Thus dear reader it is up to you. Will you confess your sins and accept the Saving Grace of Christ, today, or will you on judgement day take your chances when you stand before God?
Please think about it.

A Believers Duty

A Believers Duty

“Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, praise his name; 

proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvelous deeds among all peoples. 

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; 

he is to be feared above all gods. 

For all the gods of the nations are idols, 

but the LORD made the heavens. 

Splendor and majesty are before him;

 strength and glory are in his sanctuary.”

                                                                   Psalm 96:1-6.

It is the duty of believers in Christ Jesus to declare God’s glory among the nations.
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
As believers in Christ. As believers in God. We must present our faith and belief in God to all the world in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                         Francis of Assisi.

The book of acts speaking of the early church records,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. 
And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:42-47.
Believers in Christ Jesus have a great responsibility. We are called to tell the world about the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus. As such we should be following the words of the apostle Peter who wrote,
“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.
People whether we like it or not are watching anyone who calls themselves Christians. Who claim to be a follower of Christ.
It is through the lense of our life as believers that people will see Christ. Thus it is incumbent on us to present the Gospel of Christ in word, in deed and above all in Love.
Please think about it.

Let us sing to The Lord

Let us sing to The Lord
The Psalmist writes,

“Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; 

let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. 

Let us come before him with thanksgiving 

and extol him with music and song. 

For the LORD is the great God, 

the great King above all gods. 

In his hand are the depths of the earth,

 and the mountain peaks belong to him. 

The sea is his, for he made it, 

and his hands formed the dry land. 

Come, let us bow down in worship, 

let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; 

for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, 

the flock under his care. 

                                           Psalm 95:1-7

Here is a Psalm of praise to God. The Psalm of a believer to the Lord God Almighty. The Creator of heaven and earth.
As a believer in God I think it is the duty of every believer to praise God, not just in church but at other times also.
We as believers in God are called to live a life and lifestyle that is acceptable to God. A life of Love for God, ones neighbours and even ones enemies.
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.
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
Jesus took this concept of Love one step further 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.
The apostle Peter states,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
I believe in living a life of love before all men we will draw individuals to God and the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.

On Getting to Heaven

On Getting to Heaven
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.
I have this portion of the psalms written in the front of my Bible. It reminds me that God created me in the my mothers womb. That he if you will, knows my DNA.
God knows why am the way I am. No human being can say that of any person. That’s why I firmly believe no one has the right to judge me or anyone else. Especially when it comes to where I will spend eternity.
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

I believe anyone can get to heaven no matter who they are their ethnicity, their lifestyle or their sexual orientation.
The God I serve is a God of love. That’s why he sent his one and only Son Jesus Christ into the world. 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.
Belief, faith, in God and the acceptance of the saving grace God offers through Jesus Christ is the only criteria for getting into heaven. And only the individual an God knows if they are truly saved.
No one, believers in Christ or otherwise, have the right to judge where a person will spend eternity.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist states,
“Let us preach Christ, let us be faithful to proclaiming the Gospel, but let's leave judgment in the hands of God.” Tony Campolo.
Please think about it.

It makes me feel good

It makes me feel good
The Psalmist writes,

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; 

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                                 Psalm 100.

You know there are times when I just like sitting back in a chair and praising God. In years long gone I use to be with a gospel group. In that group I learned to dance. And there are times now that I just like to praise God with dance. Why? Because it make me feel good.
And it allows me to express my love of my God and my Saviour Jesus Christ.
If you claim to be a Christian a believer in God and the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus to do you take time to praise God?
Please think about it.