Who do you serve?

Who do you serve?

            Joshua said,

“Now therefore,

 fear the LORD,

serve Him

in sincerity

and truth,

and put away the gods which your fathers served

on the other side of the river and in Egypt.  Serve the LORD!

And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD,

choose for

yourselves

this day

whom you

will serve, 

whether the

gods which your

fathers served

that were on the other side

of the river,

or the gods 

of the Ammorites,

in whose land you dwell.

But as for me and my house,

 we will serve the LORD.”

                                     Joshua 24:14 & 15

Like it or not there are many gods in the twenty-first century. Money, material possessions, selfish ambition, political ambition. Anything that pulls you away from God is an idol.
Sadly many claiming to be Christians and many calling themselves Christian evangelist and pastors worship those gods also.
Thus the question is do you?
Please think about it.

Courage in a Cell

Courage in a Cell

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  

But I tell you: Love your enemies 

and pray for those who persecute you, 

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. 

He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good,

 and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? 

Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  

 And if you greet only your brothers, 

what are you doing more than others? 

Do not even pagans do that?  

                              Matthew 5:43-47

The jailer’s push slams her

against the wall.

For a long moment,

she clings to its cool,

smooth surface.

Then in slow motion, slumps to the floor.

Her head dripping  blood, her arms and body bruised and aching from the beating she took.

For a moment, her jailer pauses, watching, as she lays motionless, assessing the enfeebled

figure for signs of life.  Then seeing her stir, he closes the door, 

causing it to make a cold, empty sound.

She is now alone.

Her face and legs swollen,

every inch of her being in agony.

Too exhausted to move,

she lays where she fell

and softly weeps. 

Though her tears she prays:

“Dear God:

  Protect my children from this evil that has overcome me.

Let me show love toward them that beat me.”

In Jesus’ name

Amen.

Her

     Prayer

                        finished,

                                   Quietly she

                                               Passes into Eternity.

It is said that a believer in Christ Jesus dies for their faith every seven minutes somewhere in the world.
Millions are said to be in what some have called dangerous neighbourhoods. Areas of the world were believing in Christ Jesus could get you killed.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world."
Sadly the media here in the west, don’t report much about it.
Please pray for those persecuted for their faith.

The Choice

The Choice
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.
Every so often I like to poke Christians with a pointy stick to see how they react. To make them think about their faith and their relationship to others. This is one of those days. It is a story called simply The Choice.
“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.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, 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 and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly. I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
“Still 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.
All of my life I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body. 
That being said 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 also have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
For a little over three 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 this 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 Psalmist, 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 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, would you accept Margaret Elizabeth as she is?
Would you show her love?
How would you vote?
Why would you vote that way? What scriptural basis do you have?
Do you think your church congregation would accept her as a person?
Would your church congregation vote to take her on to its pastoral staff?
Please think about it.

A Sermon from Jesus

A Sermon from Jesus
The late civil rights leader Martin Luther Kin jr. said

“Love is the only force capable 

of transforming an enemy into friend.” 

                                             Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jesus preached this sermon
“But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,  bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.  
If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic.  
Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.  
Do to others as you would have them do to you. 
“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them.
And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that.  
And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full.  
But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.  
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36.
Please if you consider yourself a follower of Christ Jesus think about it.

By This

By this
Jesus said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”John 13:34,35.
Over and over again throughout the New Testament we hear the word Love. Love God, love your neighbour, love your enemy.
John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Paul writing to Titus tells us,
“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.
Writing to the Corinthians Paul states,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
To the Romans Paul writes,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”Romans 12:9 
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
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.
As Christians I firmly believe we must love, everyone, unconditionally friend and enemy alike, no exceptions. I believe failure to love those around us may have eternal consequences for them and possible for us.
So the question becomes if you profess to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you truly love those around you, God, your neighbour, your enemy?
Please think about it.

Loving and Respectful

Loving and Respectful
James the Half brother of Jesus said,
“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.
One of my favourite quotes from the late American Evangelist Billy Graham is,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                          Billy Graham

As followers of Christ Jesus we are called to present the Love of Christ to the world around us. We have no right to judge. As Billy Graham said, “(it is) God’s job to Judge”. Our job is and to love to present the gospel message to anyone who will listen to us.
I firmly believe if we present the message of Christ in a loving, respectful way people will at the very least listen to us. Which is all we can expect.
Question. Do you present the love of Christ to the world around you in a loving respectful way?
Please think about it.

Do you?

Do you?
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.
The writer of Deuteronomy stated,
“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.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus do you love?
If you are indeed a true follower of Christ Jesus you must love. The apostle Paul defines what Christian love truly is when he writes,

“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.

Paul prior to defining love tells us,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
Thus the question becomes. If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus to you truly love?
Please think about it.

Christ's Representative

Christ’s representative
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17.
I turned sixty-five this year. For all but nineteen of those years I have served the Lord. I like to think I have done my best in representing him.
Over the years however I’ve heard Christians referred to as hypocrites, bigots, money grabbers and worse. Sadly I can see from the standpoint of some groups in our society that those labels can be placed on those who call themselves Christians.
Many calling themselves Christians have done their best to restrict the rights of other groups. They have yelled the word SINNER, SINNER, SINNER, so many times, that it’s lost it’s meaning.
Many calling themselves Christians make people think God is simply a grumpy old man ready to beat you with a stick each time you do wrong. That you can’t do anything right for God.
Many calling themselves Christians have mixed their politics with their faith. Which as some one has said,
     "Mixing your faith with your politics is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable, the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive."
Sadly it is people who call themselves Christians. Who protest against everything they disagree with. That people notice. Yet such people may not be Christian.
Jesus said,
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”Matthew 7:21-23.
The apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ wrote,
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.”  2 Timothy 2:15.
To the Roman believers Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18
The apostle Peter also writing to believers in Christ said,
“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.
As a true believer in Christ Jesus I firmly believe that we are to follow what Peter and Paul said. We are to live at peace with those around us.
We are to represent Jesus in the best possible light. For it is the only way we will win souls for Christ.
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

If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus. You should be able in all good conscience be able to say those words of Francis of Assisi and live them.
You should be showing unconditional love to all those around you even if you disagree with them. Even if they are your enemy.
Are you?
Please think about it.

Judgment will come

Judgment will come
The Prophet Obadiah warned.
“The day of the Lord is near for all nations. As you have done, it will be done to you; your deeds will return upon your head. Obadiah 1:15.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“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 said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew7:12.
One day whether we want to believe it or not God will judge everyone. I believe on that day if we haven’t accepted God’s Saving Grace through Christ Jesus, God will judge every individual by what they have done.
Individuals be they the average person or people of power in government and industry will one day stand before God to give account for their actions.
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.
Now here’s something to think about. Jesus was crucified, died, and rose from the grave. He while walking this earth, 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.
Thus the choice is yours. Do you believe what Jesus said or not?
Please think about it.

God Incarnate, Saviour, Fake?

God incarnate, Saviour, or fake?
“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.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear what early believers in Christ Jesus believed.
They believed.
Jesus was the radiance of God...
The exact representation of God’s being...
One who sustains all things by His powerful word...
The one who provided purification for sins...
The apostle John wrote,
“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, 12-14. 
John who knew Jesus personally makes it clear, Jesus whom he calls “the Word”
Made all things...
In Jesus was life, the light of men...
To all who received him he gave the right to become children of God.
That the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.
That John and the other disciples seen him.
This is what the early church believed about Jesus. Yet many even then did not believe. John makes the statement,
“He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.”
The Jewish leaders of his day rejected Jesus claim that he was the Messiah, the Christ. The gospel writers even acknowledged that.
That being said many believed Jesus was the Son of God, the Messiah, God incarnate. Not only that they were willing to die for their beliefs as are true believer in Christ Jesus today.
The question becomes however, what do you believe about Jesus?
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“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.
So what do you believe? Is Jesus the Son of God, Saviour of the world, God incarnate, or is he a fake?
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

A Universal Principle... LOVE

A Universal Principle... Love.

The writer of Proverbs states,

“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 

bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favor and a good name 

in the sight of God and man.” 

                                            Proverbs 3:3,4.

The American civil right leader Martin Luther King Jr. said,
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” Martin Luther King, Jr.
During the height of world war two Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.”
-Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver, rabbinic leader, from a December 22, 1940, sermon
I truly believe our faith in God should result in us showing unconditional love for those around us. Our neighbours, our families, Our friends, even our enemies.
Love is a universal truth that Atheist and men and women with Faith in God can agree is good for both individuals and society as a whole.
The apostle Paul defines love this way,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

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

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

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

There is a famous prayer by Francis of Assisi that I believes says it all. Especially if one calls themselves a believer in Christ. It states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                            Francis of Assisi

Please think about it.

Christian Principle for living #7 Trust in the Lord

Christian Principles for living #7 Trust in the Lord
The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.”

                                               Proverbs 3:5,6.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you trust God completely? Is your faith squarely in Him. The writer of Hebrew tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                           Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                            Hebrews 11:6.

I have learned first hand that trusting in God really does work.
Yes there have been times when I thought things would not work out. Still I committed the situation to God and left it there. Ultimately the situation did work out, although sometimes not in the way I thought it would work out.
The apostle Paul said,
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28.
And Paul should know he went through a lot for his faith yet it all worked out in the end. Even though he was ultimately martyred for his faith he had the opportunity to share that faith throughout the Roman empire. He stood before everyone from rulers to slave and told them of his faith before leaving this earth for heaven.
So the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you put your trust fully in Him?
Please think about it.