The thoughts of the wise

The thoughts of the wise
The Solomon the writer of Ecclesiastes writes,
“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.
Here Solomon points out that entering a house of mourning a house grieving the loss of a loved one is better that entering a house that is celebrating.
The way I see it Solomon is right.
Not so long ago my wife’s younger brother died suddenly he was only in his early forties. Young by any standards. One of the common, for lack of a better expression phrases I noted from those who attended the funeral was “he was so young. It just goes to show you, you never know when death will happen.”
Solomon notes,
“The thoughts of the wise are in the house of mourning, but the thoughts of fools are in the house of pleasure. Ecclesiastes 7:4.
The way I see it is the death of someone should cause us to think about out mortality. Everyone knows that we will one day die. Yet it seems in our society especially here in the western nations we don’t plan for death. We live in “the house of pleasure”.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo.
Thus my question to you the reader. Upon your death will you be happy?
I as a believer in Christ Jesus believe you can know whether or not you will be happy upon your death. 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.
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.

Christians Clothe Yourselves

Christians Clothe Yourselves.
The apostle Paul writing to the Colossians said,
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience....  
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 3:12,17
To the Galatians Paul writes,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion, these are traits of a true believer in Christ Jesus.
While a Christian believes the words of the apostle Paul when he states,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
The Christian should not see the sinner as such. As a believer in Christ Jesus we should see a soul in need of the Love of God.
As Christians we are not allowed to judge anyone outside the church. Especially with regards to where they are to spend eternity.
The whole purpose of the gospel of Christ is to show a person the way to heaven. We can only do that if we practice the fruits of the spirit. If we are humble enough to sit down with those we may or may not agree with and present what we believe is the way to heaven.
This is what Jesus and the apostles did. We only have to look at Paul’s sermon in the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:17-34.
At no time did Paul call his audience sinners. Instead he met them where they were at and presented the gospel message to them. The results being, some rejected what he said, some believed and others wanted to hear more.
Paul on that day showed attributes Christ wants us to show when we present the gospel to others today.
  Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion. These are the attributes we should be showing to the world everyday. If we are not then we will not reach people for Christ.
Thus my Question to you.
When people see you do they see a person who exhibits Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion.
Please think about it.

There is a River

There is a River
Jesus said,
“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?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.
Loving your enemy. Loving someone who will not love you back is a big thing. Why should you love your enemy? For the Christian the answer is simple. Jesus told us to.
That being said there is a deeper reason for a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, to love your enemy. That is by showing them the Love of God that shines through you, you are pointing them in the direction of heaven.
The apostle Paul 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.
Love is the key to the Christian life. Christian love started with 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. 
Martin Luther King jr. the American civil rights leader said,

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

                                                                                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

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.
There is a river that any believer must allow to flow through them. A river of Love. This river begins with God. Flows through the believer and out to those around them.
If we as believers in Christ Jesus do not allow this river to flow no one will ever come into a right relationship with God.
Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
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
“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 following is a story about a judge about to make a ruling. All I would ask of the reader is to think carefully about it. It is called,
The Eleven O Clock Parable

"It's eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, waits. 
Will the new law be legal? 
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. 
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . "HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!"
Approached by the media he says it again, "homosexuals are going to Hell." 
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?"
Wasn't it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ 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.” 
Would this man want people demonstrating against his beliefs and lifestyle?
Is this man showing love?
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
Is this man want to be judged by the same rules he is judging others?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, "Can we truly know what is in someone else's head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?" 
I think not.
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day.
Turning away from my window I put on my robes and head toward the courtroom. As I do I pray, “Lord give me wisdom to make the right decision this day.”
What decision would you make?
Would you follow the law or your beliefs?
Please think about it.

One of Gods Sheep?

One of God's sheep?
Scripture tells us,
 “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.” Psalm 100:3 
I am told by friends that at times I like to poke people figuratively with a pointy stick, particularly those in the Christian community, this is one of those time.
I post this story with the intent of making you the reader truly search your heart and mind as to what you would do and why.
The story is called Images of a woman.

Images of a Woman

"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 studded earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and passed the time of day. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
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 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 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.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally 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.”
         How would you vote? Why?
         Do you think Margaret Elizabeth is one of God's sheep?
         Please think about it.

Only God Can

Only God Can
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.
Here is a very simple statement. God knows us intimately. He knew us in our mothers womb. He knit us together in our mothers womb. He knows our DNA.
It is for that reason and that reason alone that only God can judge us.
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 wrote,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?" 1 Corinthians 5:12.
As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we must obey these words. We do not know what goes on inside a persons mind. We do not know what makes a person the way they are. Thus we have no right to judge them. That is especially true when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
Paul tells us we are to judge those inside the church. But even then I believe we can only judge people inside the church to see if they are teaching sound doctrine.
We have no right to tell anyone where they will spend eternity. That is between God and the individual.
The job of the Christian is simple 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.
So the question I would ask is; if you consider yourself a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, are you obeying what God is telling us through these verses of scripture?
Please think about it.

Not so Easy

Not so easy
The book of Acts records this incident in the apostle Pauls life while he was imprisoned.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.  
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31.
The Jailor asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
To which Paul replied “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...”
Christians make it clear that in order to be saved to have eternal life with God each individual must believe, have faith, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith this way,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and 

certain of what we do not see."  

                                             Hebrews 11:1

Going on to say,
"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 believe God wants us to believe in him by faith because he knows men and women of faith are the most loyal of followers.
Not only that it is truly a hard thing to have complete faith in anything, especially something we can’t see.
Those who truly have faith in something will willingly give up their lives for what they believe in.
Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman said,
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24.
Thus my questions to you,
Do you believe in God?
Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind?
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
Do you believe that Jesus died for you sins?
Please think about it.

Praise be to God

Praise be to God
The apostle Peter 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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we can praise God for the new hope He as given us through Christ Jesus. We can say with the psalmist,

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.

Can you do this?
Please think about it.

Everything is meaningless?

Everything is meaningless?
In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,
“I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labour. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
If there is no God then the above statement is true.”everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind;...”
Some atheist say when we die we will live on in the memories of others. A statement that is not completely true. Perhaps if we have made a great discovery we may be remembered in some history book. But most of us will be forgotten within a generation or so.
Ask yourself, where was your great, great, great grandmother or father born? What was the colour of their eyes? What was their favourite piece of music? Where is their grave? What was their greatest achievement? Few people can answer these questions.
So my question to anyone who does not believe in God is where is the purpose in life if we are forgotten within a few generations? If all our achievements are only remembered in some dusty history book?
The way I see it without God life is meaningless. God’s existence makes life worthwhile. God gives us something to look forward to when this life is over.
The writer of Ecclesiastes comes to this conclusion,
“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,
"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.
This statement of Jesus if right and I believe it is, is God’s offer to each individual of eternal life with Him. While at the same time giving a warning to all who would not believe of the consequences of unbelief.
It is a statement that all who hear about Jesus must consider carefully.
Please think about it.

The Bulwark

The Bulwark
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

The Bible is written to believers. It therefor does not debate the existence of God. Believers know that God exists. Believers also recognize that there is a need for God within our society.
Abba Hillel Silver at the height of world war two wrote,
"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.
Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.
History has shown us that when people turn from the basic principles God has laid down for mankind society suffers. We only have to look at world war two to see this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God. They turned away from God and lived by their own rules. The result was world war two, the worst conflict in human history with upwards of 60,000,000 men, women, and children killed senselessly.
The same thing is happening today. There are nations around the world that do not recognize God or His moral code. They say that say they are free yet persecute, imprison or murder, not only Christians but anyone that disagrees with them. There are many terrorist groups around the world that are murdering people. Some even having the audacity to say they are doing it in the name of God.
That being said on the streets of the cities of western democracies there are men and women murdering others daily. Men and women who do recognize God or the moral code He has laid down.
The murdering aside. There are many more things happening that are against God’s laws.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—”2 Timothy 3:1-4.
This is happening today and society is the worse for it.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe it is the obligation of every Christian to present the gospel message of unconditional love to all people. For I believe it is this message and this message alone that can change people for the better.
Please think about it.

Consider this

Consider this.
Jesus Prayed,
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me....  
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20,21,25,26,
Prior to this John records Jesus as saying,
“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.
The Christian life is all about Love. All those who believe in Christ Jesus must love and show that love to all those around them, family, friend, and foe alike.
It is by this love that the world will know that we are of God the apostle John writes,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1John 4:7,8.
Francis of Assisi wrote this prayer. A prayer every Christian should think about praying in all sincerity. He 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 consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus,....
Please think about it.

The Christian and Love

The Christian and 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 neighbour as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40
He also said,
“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
So what is true Christian love? The apostle Paul tells us,

“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 to me is the definition of true Christian love. You cannot be a Christian and not believe this.
As Christians. As true believers in Christ Jesus we must love like this. The Apostle John tells us,
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  1 John 4:11-16.
Please think about it.