Do you

Do you?
In the book of Exodus we read,

"You shall have no other gods before me."

                                                           Exodus 20:3.

Thus the question becomes do you have any other gods in your life?
A god is not merely a wooden or stone carved idol. A god particularly in the twenty-first century can me many things, money, a political party or politician, material possessions, religious leaders. Someone even mentioned to me it can even be your countries constitution or “your” constitutional rights.
Other god’s are things that you put ahead of God Almighty the Creator of heaven and earth.
Thus my question, do you have any other gods in your life?
In order to be a true believer in God. In order to be a true follower of Christ Jesus. God must take first place in your life. You must have complete faith in Him. As the writer of Hebrews states,
"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.
Thus my third question, do you have any other gods in your life?
Please think about it.

To show mercy

To Show Mercy
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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.
As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must be careful how we act. We must not use our freedom to judge anyone. We must be merciful to those around us.
As James said, “...judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful.”
As Christians we have no right to judge anyone. Jesus made that clear when he 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.
If we believe what 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.
Then when we judge others we are saying to them they have the right to judge us.
It is not the job of any Christian. Of any believer in Christ Jesus to judge the world. That is God’s job.
Our job as Christians was summed up by Jesus when he 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.
This is our job as believers in Christ. To show the mercy of God to those around us.
      To evangelize, to make disciples of all nations and to teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Draw near

Draw near
In Psalmist speaking of God wrote,

“You are my refuge and my shield; 

I have put my hope in your word.” 

                                              Psalm 119:114.

Isaiah the prophet states,
"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tiered or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He give strength to the weary and increase the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not faint."Isaiah 40: 28-31.
The writer of Hebrews states,
"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:22,23
Every Christian. Every believer in Christ Jesus, needs to take time each day to draw near to God. To study the scriptures and pray. For it is only by doing this that we will have the assurance that God is with us no matter what our situation. That we never have to worry about tomorrow for tomorrow is in God’s hands.
Please think about it.

Trust

Trust
The writer of Proverbs states,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

                                                    Proverbs 3:5.

Here is a biblical truth that many people cannot do. Trusting, having faith in God is perhaps the hardest thing to do. Yet we must do this. The writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

The writer of Hebrews defining faith as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                    Hebrews 11:1.

Someone has said “A person with true faith in anything will not easily be turned away from what they believe in.”
This is the kind of faith God asks anyone who believes in Him.
Is this the kind of faith you have in God?
Please think about it.

Something for a Christian to do

Something for a Christian to do

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12.

   Please if you are a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus don't just think about doing this. Do it.

A thought

A thought

Please think about it.

Do Good

Do Good
The Psalmist writes,

“Trust in the LORD and do good; 

dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” 

                                                          Psalm 37:3.

Here is something we as Christians should be doing. Trusting in God and doing good. This is what we should be remembered for.
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.
Here in North America many times Christians are remembered for what they are against or who they have attacked or for who’s rights they are trying to take away or for their political stance. This should not be so.
In terms of eternity it dose not matter what a government or anyone else says or does. God will one day bring everyone to account including Christians.
What does matter is that Christians, those believe in Christ Jesus trust in the Lord and do good. The apostle Paul writes,
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.
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.
That being said I think it can be safely said that all Christians. All those who believe in Christ Jesus would want to live in peace. Would want others to do good toward them.
The reward for living in peace with those around you, is that we will enjoy safe pasture. A place where we can tell others of the Love of God and the salvation God offers through Christ Jesus. Which is exactly what Jesus expects of all those who believe in Him.
Please think about it.

I lift my head up

I lift my head up
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 strength come from? Those around you? Your abilities? God?
Isaiah the prophet writes,

“Even youths grow tired and weary 

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. 

They will soar on wings like eagles; 

they will run and not grow weary they will walk and not faint."

                                                                                                   Isaiah 40:30,31.

Speaking through personal experience I can say that the above quotes are true. God is truly there for anyone who trusts him even in the darkest times.
All I can say to anyone who doesn’t believe what I say is to read the Bible.
Starting with the New Testament, pray with and open mind and ask God to show himself to you.

What will God Say?

What will God say?
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ”Luke 16:19-31.
Here we have a warning not just to the rich and powerful in this world but to anyone who can help those less fortunate. You may get away without helping those less fortunate but one day God will justly judge your actions in this world.
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.
Question; on the day you stand before God what will He say about your deeds? What will God say about the things you hid?
Please think about it.

Shown by deeds

Shown by deeds
The apostle Paul said,

“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God

 and prove their repentance by their deeds.”

                                                              Acts 26:20b.

If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus do your deeds prove your repentance? Do your deeds tell others the Love of God dwells in you? OR do people only see someone who calls themselves a Christian?
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.” 1Corinthians 13:1. 
Are you a “resounding gong or a clanging cymbal”?
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.
If you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus do you “flee evil desires?”
Do you “pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace?”
Are you following the admonition of the apostle Paul when he said,
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone."Romans 12:18.
Francis of Assisi said,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                Francis of Assisi.

So the question becomes; Do your deeds show that you are a true follower of Christ Jesus?
Please think about it.

For preaching the Love of God

For preaching the Love of God
In the book of Acts we see the apostle Paul after being brought before King Agrippa in chains telling him how he was faithful to the vision he received on the road to Damascus when he became a believer in Christ Jesus. The book of Acts records.
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.  
That is why the Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me.  
But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—  that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 
At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defence. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 
"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.  
The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.  
King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 
Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 
Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:19-29.
The apostle Paul here was being persecuted for his beliefs. He was being persecuted for saying,
“...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.”Acts 26:20b.
If we are truly believers in Christ Jesus and are being persecuted this is what we should be being persecuted for. For calling those around us to “repent and turn to God”. For presenting the gospel of Christ Jesus.
Sadly many times here in North America with all our freedoms, those who claim to be Christians say they are being persecuted for their faith when they are not.
Many Christians here use their freedom of speech to condemn, judge and even attack, those they disagree with. Then when they receive criticism they call it persecution.
Many Christians particularly in the United States mix their politics with their faith and try to restrict the rights or take away rights of those they disagree with.
If we are truly servants of God then we will willingly sit down with those we disagree with, and in a loving way listen to them. While at the same time in a loving and respectful manner present the gospel of Christ Jesus.
The late American civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr. wrote,
“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”Martin Luther King, Jr.
The whole gospel message is that of Love. The love of God not just for mankind as a whole, but for each individual. So, if we are to be persecuted for what we believe and what we are preaching let it be because we are preaching the Love of God.
Please think about it.

The Way

The Way
The apostle Paul speaking about Jesus at the Areopagus in Athens said,
“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." Acts 17:30,31.
Here the apostle Paul had just told those assembled at the Areopagus about Jesus. That the day is at hand when God calls each individual to repent. That He will one day judge the whole world.
That message may have been new to the Greeks but it was not a new message. In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,
"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 apostle John states,
"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.
The simplest definition of sin is falling short of what God wants for your life. Doing things God dose not want you to do.
All of us from the Pope, to pastors, evangelist, teachers, politicians and the average person on the street do things God does not want us to do. Thus we are called to confess our sins to directly to God.
Believers in Christ Jesus believe the apostle Paul when he states,
“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.
We cannot get to heaven by good works alone. Getting to heaven is a gift of God. We get to heaven through accepting the grace of God that comes through belief in Christ Jesus.
As Christians we quote and believe, Jesus who said,

"...I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father except through me.”

                                                                        John 14:6.

As Christians we believe we have no right to impose our beliefs on anyone. We simple present what we believe and leave it to the individual to decide.
C. S. Lewis said,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
Thus the choice is yours. Do you believe Jesus is the way to Heaven or not?
Please think about it.