Tell what The Lord has done

  Tell what The Lord has done

After Jesus had removed the demons from the demon possessed. The man asked to go with him. However Jesus said,

Tell them how much the Lord has done for you, 

and how he has had mercy on you.

                                                  Mark 5:19.

From that day to now believers in Christ Jesus are called to tell those around them what The Lord has done for them. 

Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus, are you telling the world around you what Jesus has done for you?

Please think about it.

Ask Jesus

 Ask Jesus

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

I think whether or not they want to admit, it people in this world whether they live in the poorest or the richest nations on earth, are looking for something. They are longing for something that seems to elude them. Just what that is they may not know.

Many especially here in the rich western counties try to fill that longing with material things, fancy cars, luxurious houses, money, the list goes on and on. Ultimately they find that these things may for a moment fill the void they have in their life but when that moment is passed the need more. Rather like a person addicted to drugs who needs to get another fix.

To these people Jesus calls,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30.

This is the message Christians around the world proclaim to those around them. Irrespective of the situation people find themselves in Jesus can give them rest for their soul. 

Are you in need of that rest today? Why not take time to ask Jesus to give you that rest. 

Take time to read the New Testament. Pray and ask Jesus to come into your life.

Please think about it.

Lovers of Pleasure

 Lovers of pleasure

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.

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. Spiralling down into a very dark place. People are becoming lovers of self. 

Particularly here in North America people proclaiming they have “RIGHTS!”, while ignoring the rights of others. People are suffering and dying because of the colour of their skin, ethnicity, or lifestyle.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written today.

It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that    "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, I believe we have a duty to show the unconditional love of God to all who are around us, family, friend and foe alike. 

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.

If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus do you show Christs unconditional love to those around you?

Please think about it.

Out of

 Out of

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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.

A Story

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 BURN IN HELL!!!"

Approached by the media he says it again, "homosexuals are sinners 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 told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?

Wasn't it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?

Is this man showing love?

Is this man judging another? 

Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?

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?"

For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, "Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law."

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.

Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality. Jesus didn’t judge anyone. He sat down and talked with people from all walks of life. Jesus knew that the only way to win souls was to treat everyone as equals. 

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. That all means all. Everyone that has ever lived.

I like what the American evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Do you

  Do you

The Psalmist writes,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.

The other day I read a true story of a young man who was beaten by a family member for his belief in Jesus. The young man lived in a country where being a Christian can get you killed. 

What impressed me about this young man and others who love Jesus around the world who live in similar situations to him is their courage. They take Psalm 23:4 to heart.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." 

By one estimate over 500,000,000 believers in Christ Jesus live in countries where to quote a friend, “believing in Jesus can and is hazardous to your health”.

To anyone who is reading this today and claims to be a true believer in Christ Jesus I would ask if you even give a thought to those Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith? Do you pray for them? Do you pray for their persecutors that they would come to know Christ as their Lord and Savour? 

Secondly I would ask do you believe, truly believe, the words of the Psalmist when he says,

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4.

Please think about it.

About Faith

  About Faith

In the gospel of Luke we read Mary the mother of Christ after being told she would be the mother of the Messiah say,

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”Luke 1:46-49.

Mary was not a rich person. She wasn’t royalty or apart of the ruling elite of the day. Mary was simply a young devout woman. A woman thought so highly of by God that He used her to bring Jesus into the world.

At first glance you can say this story is not real. But if it’s not then Christians are believing a lie. That means almost three billion people in the world are believing a lie.

Quite often I think when we look at what the bible states about Jesus we see things that just don’t seem logical. Everything from Jesus’ virgin birth to his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven seems odd. Yet we are asked to believe this.

We are asked to believe that Jesus is the One and Only Son of God. God incarnate. A very difficult thing to believe.

From my point of view I think because it is so difficult to have faith in what the Bible says about Jesus is the very point.

People who have faith in anything are the strongest believers. They will literally die for what they believe in. And that is what God wants from those who would believe in Him.

Please think about it.

Do you thank God enough?

  Do you thank God enough?

The Psalmist writes,

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 100:4,5.

The Psalmist says it all. We should I believe every day give thanks to God. So my question to you this day is, Do you think you thank God enough?

Please think about it. 

Wisdom

 Wisdom

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; 

do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom,

 and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; 

therefore get wisdom. 

Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour." 

                                                                      Proverbs 4:5-9.

I read the other day that,

"Wisdom is the acquired skill of applying knowledge rightly"

I was always taught that we should do our best to learn something new everyday. I was also told that we can have all the knowledge in the world, and if we don’t know how to use it correctly it will either amount to nothing, or amount to catastrophe.

I fully believe that as Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we should be praying daily and asking God to impart wisdom to us through the scriptures and through daily life lessons.

What do you think?

Please think about it.

Christians and the poor

  Christians and the poor

The following are a group of scriptures that refer to the Christians relationship to the poor.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

 and he will reward them for what they have done.”

                                                                                Proverbs 19:17

“The generous will themselves be blessed, 

for they share their food with the poor.”

                                                             Proverbs 22:9

I am told there are over 3000 verses in the Bible that speak about how we are to interact with the poor.

The above verses from proverbs say those who help the poor will be rewarded and will be blessed. That being said. The scriptures don’t tell us when we will be rewarded. It may quite well be that the reward will come in the next life.

Also giving to the poor should be done out of a pure heart without any expectations of being rewarded. In fact Jesus in a parable seems to indicate that the reward may come in the next life. Jesus in a parable states,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40

Jesus warns those who did not help the poor,

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”Matthew 25:44-45.

Please think about it.

Are you doing this?

Are you doing this

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.

How will you be judged? 

If you’ve ever looked at someone and judged them rightly or wrongly God will according to Jesus here in Matthew 7:1,2, will judge you.

Sadly many people who claim to be Christians do judge people. They judge people who are homeless, people of other faiths, and people with a different lifestyle to their own, to name a few. And it’s not limited to those who sit in the pews. I’ve heard pastors and evangelist judge others also.

Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

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.

This is the job of all who believe in Christ Jesus. We have no right to judge anyone. We do however have a duty to God to tell the world about Jesus Christ.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Fill your mind

 Fill your mind

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8.

One commentary I read on this verse said, 

“the Philippians are to fill their minds with things that inspire worship of God and service to others.”

Many people in the world look at Christians and ask the question “why should I follow Christ?” Many look at the negative message given by those who call themselves Christian and turn away from God.

I believe as Christians we need to show the world around us a reason to follow Jesus. A reason to put their trust in God.

We need to be doing what is noble, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable and what is excellent and praiseworthy about God.

If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it

Shalom

  Shalom

The Psalmist writes,

"Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it.”

                                            Psalm 34:14

According to one source I read, the Hebrew word for peace is shalom translated into English as peace. The source states,

“...the Biblical concept (of shalom) encompasses much more than that. Biblical "shalom" is wholeness, fullness, total reconciliation - between God and people, and also between people and people. 

As Christians we are called to live at peace,

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

 live at peace with everyone." 

                                                      Romans 12:18.

We must do this because for the simple reason it is the easiest way for us to present the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.

So are you doing your best to live at peace with those around you?

Please think about it.