Christians are you saved?

Christian are you truly saved?
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
Sadly what Jesus is saying is true. There are many people today who claim to be Christians who are not. That includes not only people who sit in the pews, but pastors, evangelist and others.
Leonard Ravenhill an English American evangelist said,
“I doubt if 5% of professing Christians in America are born again--and that's true of England!” Leonard Ravenhill.
There are many, many people who go to church that will find out one day that they are not going to heaven. That is especially true I think of many who have grown up in the church. These people know the ritual. They know what to say and when to say it. But they have no personal relationship with Christ.
Many go to church here in North America because it’s a social thing. Their grandparents went. Their parents went and their friends go to church. Thus they go.
But as the saying goes. “Going to church and reading your bible doesn’t make you a Christian any more than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck.
I firmly believe there is a need within the Church especially here in North America where I live for a revival. A revival that must start from within.
We as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be reaching out to the people within the walls of our church congregations to ensure that all who attending are truly in a right relationship with God. For if we don’t it will have eternal consequences.
Please think about it.

I Love the Guy

I Love this guy
I don’t know where this came from exactly but it’s true. It describes a man I love and admire,

• He had long hair and a beard

• He didn’t work for corporations

• He hung out with prostitutes, criminals
and other unsavoury characters

• He advocated paying your taxes

• He advocated giving away your personal possessions

• He advocated social justice

• He gave people hope instead of fear
• He advocated change instead of the status quo

• He preached Peace not war

• He upset local conservatives

• His philosophy was based on compassion, equality, Inclusion,
• forgiveness, tolerance, peace and most importantly Love.

These are values that are considered liberal values today. Yet he preached these values two thousand years ago. One of his most famous quotes is,
“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.
His name was Jesus.
If you claim to be a Christian are you espousing these values?
Please think about it.

Tell what God has done

Tell what God has done.

“Give thanks to the LORD, 

call on his name; 

make known among the nations what he has done. 

Sing to him,

 sing praise to him; 

tell of all his wonderful acts. 

Glory in his holy name;

 let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. 

Look to the LORD and his strength; 

seek his face always. 

Remember the wonders he has done,

 his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,...” 

                                                            1 Chronicles 16:8-12.

The way I see things if we are true followers of Jesus Christ we should be telling the world
what the Lord has done for us.
We should be careful not to exaggerate what God has done for us. We should be open an honest.
The Psalmist writes,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.” 

In my anguish I cried to the LORD, 

and he answered by setting me free.” 

                                                                   Psalm 118:1-5.

If we as believers in Christ Jesus, believers in God present a positive message to the world by telling of what God did in our lives it will at the very open doors for us to present the gospel of Christ to the world around us.
Please think about it.

What are your actions telling People?

What are your actions telling people?

Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, said,

“So in everything, do to others 

what you would have them do to you,

 for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                            Matthew 7:12.

Put this way this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you are

telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

So What are your actions telling people about you?
Please think about it.

Christians have an obligation

Christians have an obligation
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.
Jesus told his disciples to make disciple of all nations. It is something a Christian in the twenty-first century has an obligation to do also.
We however cannot do that if we build walls intentionally or unintentionally between us as those outside the church. We as believers in Christ Jesus must present the gospel of Christ in a respectful manner to those around us. That is what Jesus and the apostles did. That is what we must do.
Jesus I believe was born at the perfect moment in time for many reasons.
One the gospel message could travel throughout the known world in a relatively safe manner.
The other he was born into a multicultural empire that allowed many cultures, religions and philosophies to exist peacefully side by side very much like today.
True there were areas that the apostles went to that caused them grief and at times believers in Christ were persecuted. Even put to death. But that is true today also.
In fact I’ve heard it said that “the Roman empire in the time of Jesus had the same multicultural mix as we have today minus the high tech.”
As a result we can learn from Jesus and the disciples how to present the gospel.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22 
The apostle Peter writes,
“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.
Jesus said,
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9.
Nowhere do I see in the New Testament a call to preach so called ‘Hell fire and brimstone’.
It is the obligation of the Christian to be a peacemaker. To offer the peace of God to anyone who will listen.
No where do I see that Christians have the right to judge anyone or tell anyone where they will or will not spend eternity. 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.
The apostle Paul made it clear, saying,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13
Jesus and the apostles presented the message of salvation in a loving, caring, respectful way. This is how we as believers in Christ Jesus must do it today.
For it is only by doing it the way Christ and his disciples did it we will reach the world around us.
Please think about it.

Will you be able?

Will you be able?
The Psalmist writes,

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

 and he examines all his paths.”

                                     Psalm 5:21

The writer of Hebrews states,
"For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” Hebrews 4:12,13.
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.
The Bible make it clear, God will one day judge all mankind believers and non-believers alike.
That being said, the Talmud a Jewish book has something I believe 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.
Even though God already knows the answer, I can see Him giving us one last chance to be honest before Him.
So here is my question especially if you claim to be a Christian. If you claim to be a follower in Christ Jesus.
When you stand before God will you in all honesty be able to say you have dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man.
Will you be able to say you obeyed the words of Jesus who said,

“Do to others

 as you would have them do to you.” 

                                                    Luke 6:31

Please think about it.

On a scale of 1 to 10

On a scale of 1 to 10
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“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.
So here is my question on a scale of one to ten with one being the least of sinner and ten being the worst of sinners where do you put yourself?
Now think on these words written by James the half brother of Jesus,
“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.” James 2:8-10.
The way I see it, it doesn’t matter where you rate yourself as a sinner. Sin is sin. James clearly tells us if you stumble on just one point of the law you are guilty of breaking all of it.
We who believe in Christ Jesus must always remember this and that we are sinners saved by The Grace of God.
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 this when dealing with those around us. We must remember that God thought enough of us to bring us in contact with someone who was willing to present to us the Gospel of Salvation to us.
We must remember the words of James who 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.
Thus my question to you the reader is, do you speak and act out of love and mercy toward those you come in contact with?
Please think about it.

Sit with Sinners

Sit with sinners
John’s Gospel records this incident between a Samaritan woman and Jesus,
“Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 
When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”  (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 
The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )” John 4:6-9.
In Marks gospel we read,
“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the “sinners” and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16,17.
If you claim to be a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus do you sit down with those with whom you disagree with? Are you willing to sit down with those of other faiths and share ideas? Are you willing to sit down with those who have different lifestyles than you and talk with them? Are you willing to sit down and have a meal with people whom you disagree with or consider sinners.
As we can see from the two portions of scripture I quoted above Jesus did. In doing so Jesus showed he loved unconditionally.
Sometime ago now I heard of a bakery in the United States who went to court over making a wedding cake for a same sex marriage. He claimed it was his right not to serve them because of what he believed. He claimed to be a Christian?
To my mind that does not show the love of Christ. The way I see it by making the cake for that couple doors would have opened allowing him to witness.
I speak here from experience. For close to thirty years I was a professional clown and magician. I performed at everything from small children’s parties to large events.
My wife and I performed for company and community events, as well as various religious groups, LGBTQ events, and more. During that time we never hid our faith. I wore a small cross on the collar of my costume and a large button on the lapel of my jacket that said “I love Sunday School”.
Most of the time people ignored or didn’t notice. There were times however after we’d performed that people would ask us what we believed.
It opened doors to tell them about our love for Christ and I believe planted seeds in the hearts of some people. 
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
Earlier in Matthews gospel Jesus is quoted as saying,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
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.
This is what being a Christian is all about. Living the Christian life is living a life of unconditional love toward everyone.
Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself as a Christian are you loving everyone unconditionally?
Do you sit down with those whom you consider sinners?
Please think about it.

Who is my Neighbour?

Who is my neighbour?
Luke’s gospel records this interaction between an expert in the law and Jesus,
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 
He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37.
We here in Canada and the United States live in a time when it seems everyone wants to come here. The amount of asylum seekers and refugees on the southern border of the United States has caused a lot of controversy. The same is true to a lesser degree in Canada.
Many calling themselves Christians in both countries say there should be more control. That those seeking asylum or refugee status needs at the very least to be slowed if not stopped.
When I hear such a thing I as a Christian cringe. While I know there has to be controls on people entering Canada and the United States for the sake of security. Christians have to ask themselves am I reacting correctly toward those refugees most of whom are law abiding people just trying to escape a bad situation.
As a baby Jesus was a political refugee. He had to flee to Egypt. Matthew’s gospel records,
“When they had gone,(the Magi) an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” 
So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son. Matthew 2:13-15.
Think about it what would have happened if Mary, Joseph and Jesus were not allowed to enter Egypt and sent back to areas under Herod’s control?
As Christians we need to put people first.
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.
I agree to ensure the safety of any nation immigration in all its forms need to controlled. That being said we as Christians. Believers in Christ Jesus need to be doing what we can to help those who come to the borders of our nations.
We need to act as the good Samaritan did in the parable of Jesus I quoted above.
  We should not be shunning them. We should not be seeing them all as bad, for by far the
the majority are not. They are individual souls in need of the love of Christ. A mission field coming to our doorstep.
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.
When you hear and see those refugees and asylum seekers on the borders of our nation do you show compassion and mercy?
Please think about it.

Give Praise

Give Praise
The Psalmist writes,
“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” Psalm 8:9.

I believe in God. I do not apologize for what I believe. My faith in God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ has been a part of my life since I was nineteen.
Today with this blog I simply want to express my praise to God and encourage others who believe as I do to praise God.
Psalm 111 states,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; 

all who follow his precepts have good understanding.

 To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                          Psalm 111: 10

In Psalm 100 we read,

“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 100:4,5 

Psalm 150 tells us,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

 praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, 

praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                      Psalm 150.

If you truly believe in God take time today to praise Him.
Please think about it.

Do you believe this?

Do you believe this?
The writer of Hebrews writes,
“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you,... 1Peter 1:3-4
Here the writer of Hebrews gives believers in Christ Jesus a reason to praise God while at the same time expressing what those early believers in Christ believed.
The writer notes,
God is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God has given us a new birth through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
God has given us an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade.
The key point here is God has given believers a new birth. A birth we have not earned it as such. The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians said,
“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.
Salvation, eternal life with God, is a free gift given to each individual who believes in God and the Saving Grace Jesus Christ offers.
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
This gift from God is given to all who would have faith in Christ.
C. S. Lewis points out two things,
1/ “The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis
2/ “He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis.
Salvation is a free gift offered to each individual. All that is required of them is to have faith in Christ.
This to me as a believer in Jesus Christ is a reason to praise God.
Thus my question is. Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

A New Creation

A New Creation
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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
What Paul is saying here is crucial to the Christian life. In Christ we are a new creation. We therefor should not see people from a worldly point of view.  We are called to see them from the point of view of God.
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.
This is the reason Jesus came to this earth. This is the reason we must be willing to interact with people of all faiths, and lifestyles. This is the reason we must never judge a person. Quite the contrary we must love everyone unconditionally because God loved us.
The apostle John writes,
“We love because he first loved us.  
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  
And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1John 4:19-21. 
One of reasons the early church reached their world for Christ was that they loved unconditionally. They like Christ sat with believers and sinners alike. They realized they had a message that could transform individuals and their world.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham
Is your heart right side up.
Please think about it.