How will you be Judged?

How will you be judged?
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.
Here Jesus makes it simple for those who believe in Him. We are not to judge others period.
If we judge others we give them the right to judge us. And it has been my experience that they will. They will judge us with the same measure we judge them.
The psalmist speaking of God states,
"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.
God because he is who he is knows why we are the way we are has the right to judge us. We do not. For that reason we do not have the right to judge others. That is especially true when it comes to a persons relationship with God and where an individual will spend eternity.
So my question to you if you consider yourself a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus is, how will you be judged both by God and those around you?
Please think about it.

How would you vote?

How would you vote?
“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 now and then I like to poke Christians and others with a pointy stick this is one of those days. Thus I present to you the story of Margaret Elizabeth.
“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 Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  
I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If so they did not commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  Nothing is off limits. After the questions, pastor will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions. Finally however, the question answered, the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
Thus my question to you the reader. How would you vote?
Please think carefully and prayerfully about it.

Can

Can
John’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and Martha.
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.
The other day I was asked if I believe a gay man can get to heaven. I answered with the words of the American evangelist Toni Campolo who said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.”Tony Campolo
Jesus speaking about 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 Paul wrote,
“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 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
Only God knows why we are the way we are. No one can truly tell what is in the heart and mind of another person. No one knows an individual as well as God does. Thus we have no right to Judge other people when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
Jesus told his disciple and through them us,
“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.
He did not tell those who believe in him to judge people with respect to where they will spend eternity. He told them to go out and show the world how they can spend eternity in heaven.
Please think about it.

Your Faith?

Your faith?
Jesus Said,
“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 7:22,23.
I firmly believe many calling themselves Christians, particularly here in North America where I live will have a shock when they stand before God because they will hear the words of Jesus as spoken in Matthew 7:22,23. I strongly believe this will also be true of many pastors and evangelist.
They will be like the rich young man that Matthew’s gospel talks about.
“Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life ?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” 
“Which ones?” the man inquired. Jesus replied, “ ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbour as yourself.’’” 
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 
Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Matthew 19:16-22.
Now there is nothing wrong with being rich. That being said you must not put your wealth ahead of God. You must be willing to let God supply all your needs. By allowing God to supply all your needs you are acting in faith. If you are not. You need to question your commitment to God.
Many claiming to be Christian have “followed the formula”.
They have said the Sinners Prayer,
They go to Church,
They Read their Bible,
They are active in their church,
Some even preach and evangelize,
But they are not Christians,
The Evangelist Leonard Ravenhill said,
“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.
Saying the sinners prayer, reading the Bible, going to and being active in the church, even preaching and evangelizing means nothing if you don’t truly believe in Christ. The apostle Paul makes it clear,
“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.
Sadly many today particularly in North America where I live, have an intellectual knowledge of the Bible. They know what it says. Yet they don’t truly have faith.
Like the rich man that came to Jesus they follow bible precepts yet lack complete faith in God.
So the question becomes do you have complete faith in God?
Please think about it.

Four more Questions

Four more questions?
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  
This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,  who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”  1Timothy 2:1-4.
Do you pray for everyone, not only those around you but kings and those in authority?
As I write this there is a highly charged political environment in the United States. Sadly many Christians are taking sides in the political arena, mixing their faith with politics. This should not be so. None of the apostles ever mixed politics and their faith. Nor should we.
Jesus, and the apostles lived in a multicultural world similar in some ways to our own here in the democracies of the west today. The difference being they did not live in a democracy. Thus they had no say in who would govern them.
So when the apostle Paul tells Timothy to pray for kings and those in authority he is asking Timothy to pray that those governing will basically leave Christians alone. That Christians may live quiet lives.
Living in peace with those around you is the best way to spread the gospel message. Christians I believe here particularly in the United States and Canada seem to have forgotten this.
Christians it seems in the United States and to a lesser degree in Canada are known for being aggressive against anything they disagree with. Sadly among some in our society Christians are seen as uncaring bigots. This certainly is not what God wants.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Ask yourself these questions,
1/ Am I praying correctly for those in authority?
2/ Am I praying that the governing authorities will let us live in peace?
3/ Am I abstaining from “sinful desires”?
4/ Am I living a good life. A life God would truly be proud of?
Please think about it.

Four Questions

Four Questions
The Apostle Paul writes,
"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. 2Timothy 2:15.
Billy Graham the American evangelist stated,
“Make sure of your commitment to Jesus Christ, and seek to follow Him every day. Don't be swayed by the false values and goals of this world, but put Christ and His will first in everything you do.”Billy Graham.
four questions for anyone who claims to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus.
1/Are you a workman approved of God?
2/Is your commitment to Christ pure?
3/Have you let the false values and goals of this world enter your life and water down your commitment to Jesus?
4/Do you truly put Christ and His will first in everything you do?
Please if you believe you are true follower of Christ Jesus, Pray and ask God to show you if you truly are a workman approved by Him.
Please think about it.

Just like the Thief

Just like the Thief
Luke’s gospel records this conversation between the two criminals that were crucified with Jesus, and Jesus. 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.” Luke 23:39-43
The American evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“I'm going to Heaven 

just like the thief on the cross

 who said in that last moment:

 'Lord, remember me.”

                            Billy Graham.

On the day Jesus was crucified we have before us the choice that every individual needs to make.
On that day one of the criminals insulted Jesus and made it clear he didn’t believe who Jesus was. He demanded proof saying, “Aren’t you the Christ? Save yourself and us!’” 
On the other hand the other criminal said,
“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.’”
The second thief got to heaven.
The Bible makes it clear how we get to heaven,
The apostle John writes,
“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.
Confession of our sin to God as the second criminal did is the one step in getting to heaven. However in order to do that one must first believe Jesus is who he says he is. The apostle Paul stating,
“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.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved Romans 10:9-13.
Thus the question comes down to who do you believe Jesus is?
Please think about it.

Be Still

Be Still
The Psalmist writes,

“Be still, and know that I am God;

 I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth.” 

                                        Psalm 46:10. 

Someone said,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” 

                                                                 Author Unknown

That may be true. Many people I know who do not believe in God have made up their mind and are not willing to change.
Believing in God takes faith and as Blaise Pascal wrote,

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe 

and enough shadows to blind those who don't.”

                                                           Blaise Pascal.

I think as well the reason many people today in our 24/7 society do not believe in God is that they are not looking for Him. They are distracted by the many things that our society has to offer. You just have to walk down the street in any city, go into a shop, walk in the park. Even sitting in a doctors office and you see people constantly on their electronic device.
We are so wired, so content with looking at what this world has to offer that we don’t see God. Yet as the Psalmist warns,

That God,“...will be exalted among the nations,” 

That God “will be exalted in the earth.” 

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”Ecclesiastes 1:14.
The writer goes on to say,
“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.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
The Apostle Paul speaking in Athens states,
"For he (God) 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 17:31.
Thus the decision is up to you. You can believe in God or you can choose not to. You can believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Saviour of Mankind or you can choose not to.
The apostle Paul 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 choice is yours.
Please think about it.

This is Love

This is Love
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defined Christian love when he wrote,

“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.

As a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus we have no choice but to love. 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.
Thus my question to you. Do you truly love?
Please think about it.

We are the Aliens

We are the Aliens
The writer of Hebrews states,
“All these people (...Abraham, Isaac, Jacob) were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.” Hebrews 11:13.
The apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ states,
“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.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ you need to always remember you are an alien in the world. As such you must as far as possible live a good life.
We as believers in Christ Jesus must remember that it is through the lense of our words and deeds that people will see Jesus.
For me the best way to do this is to remember the words of Jesus who said,

“So in everything,

 do to others 

what you would have them do to you, 

for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” 

                                                        Matthew 7:12.

Please if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus,
Think about it.

The Hardest

The Hardest
The writer of Hebrews states,
“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.  
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.” Hebrews 11:8-10.
I think of all the things we can ask anyone to do is to have faith in something especially if it is something they cannot see. Yet that is exactly what God asks of everyone.
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.

God fully understands that anyone who has faith in any cause will quite literally go to the grave for their beliefs.
And when it comes to God you either have faith He exists or you do not. There is no middle ground.
Please think about it.

Consider this

Consider this
What if what Jesus is recorded as saying in the gospel of Matthew is true?
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.
What if the words of Jesus recorded in the gospel of John are true?
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
What if the words of Jesus are true 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.  
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.
What if the words of the Apostle Paul are true when he said,
“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.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.