Fix your eyes on God

Fix your eyes on God
The apostle Paul wrote,
“So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18.
Where are your eyes fixed? Are your eyes fixed on God or on the things of this world? As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus, we should have our eyes fixed on God.
We are in unprecedented times. Thousands of people are sadly dying around us. Governments are warning us not just about catching Covid-19, but of possible mental health issues that come from living in a pandemic.
Mental health issues is something I understand. I have lived most of my life with Bipolar affective disorder and an anxiety disorder that has caused me a great deal of grief over the years. Fortunately, now, after much anguish, my illness is kept relatively under control with medication.
Just a warning note here. It is my firm belief that anyone who thinks they have a mental health disorder should contact a doctor or their local mental health service. There is always hope for anyone in mental distress. Don’t try to handle it alone. Remember God allowed doctors and mental health professionals to exist to help those who need help.
That being said one of the many things that have helped me through the roughest times with my illness before I got help. Before I was diagnosed, was my faith in God.
With my moods swinging wildly and not knowing what was happening. With me quite literally thinking I was going insane, I turned to God for direction.
The psalmist writes,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD,

 the Maker of heaven and earth.” 

                                           Psalm 121:1,2.

My help did come from God. I am convinced that he directed me to the right psychiatrist and mental health programs that stabilized me. Allowing me to live a relatively normal life.
By faith I fixed my eyes on what was not seen, God, and God directed my paths.
He did it for me and He can do it for you.
Please think about it.

Please

Please
The writer of Hebrews tells us,
“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” Hebrews 12:2.
We are going through difficult times, the likes of which we have never seen. The economy is at a standstill. Socialization is at a bear minimum. All because of a virus for which there is no cure.
Such times stretch our faith.
Here in the western democracies we are use to having our freedoms. To doing as we wish. Now however we are being asked to stay in doors. Keep our distance from those around us and even stay away from church.
At times like these I am reminded of our Christian brothers and sisters that are in parts of the world where being Christian is illegal. Where being a Christian can get you put in prison, attacked or even put to death.
At times like these for me the persecuted church is setting an example for us in the western democracies.
The persecuted church out of sheer necessity has kept it’s eyes on fixed on Jesus quite often in the most horrendous of situations. The persecuted church knows where their help comes from. They can say with the psalmist

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth." 

                                            Psalm 121:1,2.

It is my hope that we Christians. We believers in Christ Jesus here in the west can also say this and truly mean it.
It is also my hope that we here in the west will take time to pray for our brothers and sisters suffering persecution around the world, while at the same time dealing with the Covid-19 virus.
Please if you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus, take a few moments to pray for those being persecuted for their faith around the world.
      Please Pray

From an expert

Form an expert.
 
The book of acts records this sermon from one of the best experts that ever lived on Jesus, the apostle Paul. While in Athens the book of acts states,
"So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.  
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods." They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean."  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.' 
"Therefore since we are God's offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man's design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he 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." 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others”Acts 17:17-34
Ultimately each individual must decide whether to believe what Paul is saying here, or to reject it. Thus the choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
The Gospel of Matthew records,
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  
Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  
Suddenly Jesus met them."Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10.
Flavius Josephus, (Born: 34AD died 98 A.D.), a romanized Jewish historian. Wrote,
"About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine.    They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is something each person when presented with the life of Jesus must choose to believe or not. There is no middle ground here. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the cornerstone of Christian belief. You cannot be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus and not believe in His resurrection.
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.
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 my question to you is do you believe what Matthew and Paul are saying?
Please think about it.

Is not of God

Is not of God
The apostle John writes,

“Whoever does not love

 does not know God, 

because God is love.” 

                        1 John 4:8

In my previous blog I asked if you truly loved. Today I am asking the same question. Do you truly love.
When I was in my teens before I became a Christian I watched a movie musical called good by Mister Chips. It’s theme tune has resinated with me all the years since. It reads,

In the Morning of My Life

                         by Leslie Bricusse 

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                   Leslie Bricusse   

At the end of your life will you be able to honestly stand before God and say you filled the world with love your whole life through?
For...

"Whoever does not love

 does not know God, 

because God is love." 

                        1 John 4:8

Please think about it.

On Love

On 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.
In Matthews gospel we also read of Jesus 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.
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.
Do you love? Do you love according to the definition of love given by the apostle Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians. 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.

    Today is Good Friday. The day Jesus showed the world, family, friend, and foe alike how much He loved us by going to the cross and dying for our sins.
Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus do you love as a believer in Christ Jesus should love as Jesus loved,... Unconditionally.
     Please think about it.

Can you?

Can you?
The psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

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

if I make my bed in the depth, You are there.  

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there 

Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                                         Psalm 139:7-10.

I like this portion of scripture for the simple fact it is simple and to the point. It tells us that God is omnipresent. That no matter where we go God is there.
Not only is God wherever we are but He is there to guide us and hold us fast in whatever circumstance we are in.
Question; Can you truly say God is there for you in all situations, guiding you and taking care of you?
Please thing about it.  

Do you believe?

Do you believe?
In the book of Genesis we read,
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Gen 2:7
Albert Einstein said,
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”Albert Einstein.
Einstein was right we are all made from the cosmic dust of the universe. The Bible telling us,

“In the beginning

 God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                 Genesis 1:1. 

I believe the same material God created the heavens and the earth from He also made us from. Now whether he made everything in six twenty-four hour days or over billions of years is irrelevant. God is God and he could have made the universe either way.
What is important in all of this is there is a God and He is there for anyone who is looking for Him. The psalmist telling us,

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

 the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard." 

                                                                                            Psalm 19:1-3.

I have always said that science done right will prove there is a creator God of the universe, and all one has to do is look into nature.
Now I don’t know whether Albert Einstein believed in God, but I believe he got it right when he said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.”

                                                                 Albert Einstein 

Everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy is in perfect harmony. A harmony necessary for us here on planet earth to exist.
I can’t believe that creation as we know it simply comes together by chance. But what I believe is between me and God. As is what you believe.
Thus my question to you the reader is, do you believe in God?
Please think about it.

Faith or misguided actions?

Faith or misguided actions?
The writer of Hebrews states,

"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 

Where is your faith?
Next question, Is your faith true faith or misguided actions?
As I write this we are at the height of the pandemic here in Canada. It’s Sunday March 29th 2020. Government officials have asked all places of worship not to meet. So far I have not heard of any churches here in Canada at least ignoring the ban.
South of the border in the United States I have heard in news reports of some churches that are planning to hold services. They are “claiming that God will protect them”.
I suppose it hasn’t occurred to them that God could be using the civil authorities to keep them safe.
That being said we need to look carefully at our actions. After all God gave us common sense to use and we should use it.
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between Jesus and Satan,
"If you are the Son of God," he (Satan) said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''" 
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''" Matthew 4:6,7.
We should be aware of these words of Jesus “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”.
While we are to have faith in God. We need have faith and realize that God can, and does use those around us to protect us. Even the government.
Thus I would ask is are you using the common sense God has given your to protect not just yourself but those around you?
Please think about it.

Where does your faith lie?

Where does your faith lie?
The psalmist writes,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth." 

                                        Psalm 121:1,2

Where does your help come from?
This pandemic will test the faith of all who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus. Bad times usually show who’s the true believer and who is not.
Thus I would ask you where is your trust. Can you sing 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

Are you trusting God to bring you through this crisis?  Where does your faith lie?
Please think about it.

Prais God

Praise God
The Psalmist writes,

“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

Many years ago when I was young I performed in a gospel group. We were somewhat successful on a local level. Managing to perform at various venues from coffee houses to churches around southern Ontario.
Our performances consisted of music, theatre, and interpretive dance.
A couple of fond memories I have of back then is that rehearsals were more like a praise meeting. As was meal times. Rather than saying grace we sung it. Singing

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

We sang not just because we were a gospel group. We sang because we believed what we were singing. We believed that no matter the situation we were in, God was worthy of being praised.
It is something believers in Christ Jesus need to be doing especially in these uncertain times.
Please think about it.

How Important?

How important?
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
“Here, O Israel: The Lord our God is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give to 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, and when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as a symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
In proverbs we read,

“Train a child in the way he should go, 

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

                                                         Proverbs 22:6.

I firmly believe we should be teaching our children to worship God. We should be teaching them to trust God no matter what happens. They need to know that God is in control even in uncertain times.
That being said we should be teaching them to use wisdom and common sense also. After all God gave us wisdom and common sense to use.
Still trust in God should be so much a part of our everyday life that both in word and in deed, something we do it for lack of a better term, without thinking about it.
Saying a quick prayer silently or audibly should be second nature to us, whether that prayer is for something we need, or praising God.
In Jewish culture Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is called “The Shema” and is recited in some households first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
In Christians culture there is no expectation of reciting this portion of scripture. However doing such a thing with a pure heart is a good thing. It reminds us of just who God is.
By reciting it morning and evening shows us how important God is in our life. Important enough that He is the first one we speak to of in the morning and last one we speak to at night.
Thus my question to you. How important is God in your life? And. Do you show how important God is in your life to your children in word and in deed?
Please think about it.