Accept one another

  Accept one another

The Apostle Paul wrote,

“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.”Romans 15:7.

Back in the late sixties and early seventies I was part of a movement within the church called “Jesus freaks” essentially the hippy movement of church. The movement brought many young people, teens and such into the church. People within the movement met in small groups in houses generally. 

It was a group that accepted you at face value. If you said you believed in Jesus they believed you. They without probably knowing it at the time lived what Paul was saying in Romans 15:7.

At a time when the traditional church expected you to come to church in your “Sunday best” suits and ties for the gentlemen. Conservative dresses for women. Short hair for the men.  You could come as you are. Tee shirts and jeans, mini skirts, long hair. All that was important was that you came to worship in spirit in truth.

Worship consisted of lively music, in both the folk, rock and traditional genres. Music was made on whatever was available guitars, piano, tamborine  or anything that could make a joyful noise to the Lord. Even dance that at the time was taboo in many churches.

There were sadly, many church congregations that turned their back on us. I think those churches lost a lot by not welcoming us. While those who welcomed us were blessed.

While the church has come a long way since then. There is much that can be learned from what happened back then.

I think it serves as a reminder to churches today that we must embrace those who are “different”, or “out side the norm” for lack of a better description. 

It all comes down to 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.

Which I believe means meeting people where they are at, showing them the Love of Jesus and teaching them all Jesus has taught us.

Please think about it.

In who do you place your faith ?

  In whom do you place your faith?

In the book of Chronicles we read,

“Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.”1 Chronicles 16:11.

Do you look to the Lord and His strength? OR Do you rely on your own strength?

I think for most people especially here in North America where materialism is rampant, it can be hard to look to God for all our needs.

In the book of Matthew we read,

"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,  honour 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.

I think at times whether we have great wealth or not we need to ask ourselves the question. Am I relying on God or my own strength to get me through life?

Certainly the man that approached Jesus was relying on his wealth. His faith was in his wealth and not in God.

Thus the question becomes, In whom or what do you place your faith?

Please think about it.

Are you Ephesus?

  Are you Ephesus ?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  

But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.  Revelations 2:1-7.

It is said each church represented in the book or Revelations can refer to a church, a church denomination or even a person in the present day.

Here while the Lord comments on their deeds and hard work. That they have not tolerated wicked men. And that they have hated the practices of the Nicolaitans an heretical group. The Lord also notes,

• “Yet I hold this against you: 
• you have forsaken your first love.  
• Remember the height from which you have fallen!
• Repent and do the things you did at first”. 

Some scholars note that this could mean that they have lost their love of God, of Christ. Some have even said they have lost their love of each other. While others say they have lost their love of both.

Either way The Lord makes it clear if they don’t repent they will loose their status before God.

As individuals we need to look at ourselves; Is God truly my first love? Do I truly love those around me. Family, friends, and foe alike?

Do I need to repent?

Do you?

Please think about it.

There are lots of ways

  There are lots of ways

In the book of James we read,

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”James 2:14-17.

Are you following this portion of Scripture? 

There are lots of ways to follow it. Give to a good charitable organization. Volunteer at a soup kitchen, a food bank or other charity that is helping the poor.

Why not take some time right now to pray and ask God how you can help the poor.

Please think about it. 

Remember these things

 Remember these things

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.

Here ultimately is what Christians are called to do. To tell the world about Christ Jesus. To go and make disciple of all nation.

The only way we are going to be able to do this is to remember three things...

1/ Do not judge anyone no matter who they are. What they believe or their way of life.

2/ Love unconditionally.

3/ do as 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.

The final thing we need to remember are also the words of Jesus who 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.

Please think about it.

Do your best

  Do your best

The Psalmist writes,

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, 

for I have put my trust in you. 

Show me the way I should go, 

for to you I lift up my soul." 

                                                    Psalm 143:8.

Is this your prayer? Do you ask the Lord to show His love toward you? Do you ask the Lord to show you the direction you are to go? Do you daily lift your soul to God?

As believers we need to seek God every day. We can only do this by going to Him in prayer and studying the scriptures.

The apostle Paul states,

"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.

Is this what you are doing? 

Please think about it.

Speak up

 Speak up

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, 

for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; 

defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

                                                                Proverbs 31:8,9.

Now I live in Canada. I see everyday what is happening in North America and if there are questions I would ask those who espouse to be Christians particularly Evangelical Christians in the United States is; 

Do you speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Do you speak up for the rights of the destitute? 

Do you defend the rights of the poor?

I say this because if you are not, you are not, obeying God. The words above from Proverbs 31:8,9 are Gods words not mine.

There has been a lot of political turmoil in the United states over the last four years and sadly Christians have been caught up in it. 

If there is a positive note coming out of it, it is that truth is coming out as to who is truly following the word of God and who is not.

Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo.

 Campolo is right. The evangelical community in North America needs to become more biblical. 

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14:17.

Jesus said,

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward." Matthew 10:42.

As Christians we are not called to get involved with politics. We are called to present the love of God to anyone who will listen to us.

We are to present that love in both word and deed. 

Are you speaking up for those who are in need?

Please think about it.

I love You

 I love You

The Psalmist writes,

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”

                                                                                        Psalm 118 1-4.

When was the last time you gave thanks to God? When was the last time you lifted your hands in praise to God?

Why not take time now to praise God. To simply say to God "I love you".

Please think about it.

Something to do

  Something to do

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.

So here’s something for you to do. If you are a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus take time right now and throughout the day to Praise God.

Please don’t just think about it do it.

Above all

 Above all

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"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.

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.

I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?

Please think about it.

What are you telling others

  What are you telling others?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12.

When people see you do they see these characteristics in your life?

Paul notes in his letter to the Galatians,

“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.

I don’t think that you can truly call yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus if these attributes are not being exhibited in your life.

Paul writing to the Ephesians stated,

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" Ephesians 2:10.

Are you doing good works?

Francis of Assisi tells us,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                             Francis of Assisi.

So what is your sermon telling others?

Please think about it. 

Call on Him

  Call on Him

Jeremiah the prophet states,

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12,13.

In order to find God we must be searching for Him. Not only that but when the truth of Gods existence is revealed to us, we must continue to seek the truths He offers to us.

Jesus 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.

The Christian life is one of continued growth. The more we study the scriptures the more we grow into the person God wants us to be.

Jesus told us,

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.  

For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7,8.

If you claim to be a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus do you study the scriptures, praying, calling on God that He will show you the truths that are within their pages?

Please think about it.