A Gift

 A Gift.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," 

                                                                              Romans 3:23,

Paul goes on to say,

“For the wages of sin is death, 

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

                                                                                     Romans 6:23.

As Christians we believe all people sin even if it is in small ways. We believe that even the smallest sin separates us from God. That being said. The apostle John said,

"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.

Thus my question for you; do you believe what the apostle Paul and the apostle John are saying here?

If so have you confessed your sins to God?

If not why not take sometime to confess your sins directly to God and accept the saving grace and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.

Please think about it.

A Truth

 A Truth

Jeremiah the profit quotes God as saying,

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                                                               Jeremiah 29:13

Someone has said of atheists,

Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. 

                                                                              Author Unknown.

It’s true you must be truly searching for God with an open mind and a sincere heart. Otherwise you will never find God.

Please think about it. 

What it is to be Christian

 What it is to be Christian.

The apostle Paul wrote,

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, 

but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, 

but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

 Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone. 

                                                  Romans 12:9-18.

If you consider yourself a Christian do people without you mentioning anything to them see what the apostle Paul is saying here in your life?

Please think about it.

Something to consider

 Something to consider

The book of acts states,

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.  

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” 

                                                                                               Acts 2:44,45.

Someone once told me that these two verses point to the fact that the first century Christians were a form of socialist. Pointing to the fact they had all things in common and gave to anyone in need.

I suppose you could say that is true. But isn’t having all things in common and helping those in need a Christian concept. 

The apostle John states,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  

1 John 3:16-18

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20.

Taking care of those who are in need is a Christian concept. I firmly believe if we have true faith in God. If we are truly Christians our actions will prove it.

We will do all we can to help those in need. And if we do not we will answer to God.

Please think about it.

Think about this

 Think about this

John’s gospel records,

"Jesus wept." 

                   John 11:35

Charles H. Spurgeon said,

“A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.”

                                                                       Charles H. Spurgeon.

Jesus understands what it is to be human. In coming to the earth that he created he experienced first hand what it was to be human. 

Jesus experienced first hand what it was like to feel the sun and rain against his face. The smell of an olive grove. He felt the pain of a friend dying and the joy of friends when he raised that man from the grave. He experienced the love of his earthly parents. The joy of a wedding feast. 

He also experience what it was to be rejected, brutally beaten and anguish of death on a cross for a crime he didn’t commit.

Thus when we stand before Him on judgement day we cannot say to him “you don’t understand what it is to be human because you have always been almighty.”

We can’t say this because Jesus came from heaven to earth to experience all that it is to be a human being. 

We can’t say that God did not care for us because the apostle Paul reminds us,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Please think about it.

The greatest

 The greatest

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.

Do you show love? Do you show unconditional love in the way Jesus did?

The apostle Paul wrote perhaps the best definition of love ever written. A definition I believe all Christians should follow.

Paul 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.

Is this the kind of love you are showing to family, friend and foe alike? If not you should be.

Please think about it.

The only way

 The only way

James the half brother of Jesus said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Are you merciful? Do you stand in judgement of those you disagree with. Those who are of a different faith. Those who have a different lifestyle? 

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.

There is no room for argument here. Jesus tells us not to judge. I believe we are not allowed to judge others because we do not know why they are the way they are.

The duty to God of all Christians was made clear 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.

They only way we can fulfil our duty to Christ is to present the gospel in a loving way to those around us. 

We will never win a soul to Christ by judging them.

Please think about it.

Your Thoughts and Your deeds

 Your Through and your deeds.

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, 

and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, 

that they may see your good deeds 

and praise your Father in heaven." 

                                                        Matthew 5:14-16.

This is a fundamental scripture for all who believe in Christ Jesus.

1/ We are the light of the world.

2/ We are a city on a hill.

3/ we are to let our light shine before men.

We are to let out light shine that they may see our good deeds and praise God.

So my question to you if you claim to be a Christian is what are your words and deeds telling others about God?

Please think about it.

No explanation necessary

 No explanation necessary. 

Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:15,16.

Sometimes we just have to accept things as they are. Young children are the best example of this. They accept what they are told without question. They trust that what they are told is correct.

Those of us who believe the Bible believe what it states. When the Bible states,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. It’s a black and white issue with us.

We do not debate the existence of God. We do not debate that He created the heavens and the earth. We do not debate this because we have faith enough to believe an Almighty God capable of creating the heavens and the earth exists. Thus no other explanation is necessary. 

The same is true many times for those who do not believe in God. No amount of explaining will convince them that God exists.

Thomas Aquinas said,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas.

Ultimately the question comes down to what you believe?

Please think about it.

You decide

 You decide

The psalmist writes,

"You are my refuge and my shield;

 I have put my hope in your word." 

                                                      Psalm 119:114.

I am a Christian. I believe in Christ Jesus. I believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh.

I believe the writer of Hebrews who said,

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  Hebrews 1:1,2.

I believe each person who hears about Jesus must make their own decision as to who he is. 

The only thing I would ask of anyone making a decision about who Jesus is, is to read the New Testament with an open mind. Then decide for yourself if Jesus is all he says he is.

Please think about it.

Take Time

 Take time.

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD;

 let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me;

 let us exalt his name together." 

                                             Psalm 34:1-3.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you extol the LORD at all times? Do you praise God enough during the day, during the week? Do you even praise the Lord during the day?

Why don’t you take just a few moments now and give praise to the Lord?

Please think about it.

What's a Christian to do?

 What’s a Christian to do?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

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.

So what is a Christian to do? The apostle Paul makes it clear we are to,

Clothe ourselves with 

Compassion

kindness

humility

gentleness

patience.

We are to, forgive whatever grievances we have against one another.

We are to,

love

let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

We are 

to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.

To admonish one another with all wisdom.

To sing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs

We are to do all this with gratitude in our hearts.

AND we whatever we do in word or deed we must do it in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.

So my question is, Do you do this?

Please think about it.