A Crown

  A Crown

The Prophet Isaiah states,

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  

And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted." 

                                                        Isaiah 12:3,4.

One of the things I’m thankful for is my salvation. That’s why I write these Blogs. I want to tell people about Jesus. 

I am eternally thankful that Jesus is in my life. Apart from my salvation Jesus gives me hope, and purpose in this life. 

The apostle Paul seeing the end of his life coming wrote,

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Question: Is there a crown of righteousness waiting for you when you leave this life?

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus then there is.

If on the other hand you don’t know, I would suggest that you read at least the New Testament and learn about Jesus and the Salvation he offers you.

Please think about it.

Rules for Christian living

  Rules for Christian living

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

Normally I would comment on the scriptures I post. But I believe what the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans here is simple and to the point with respect to Christian living. Thus I would ask that you read in carefully and see if you are following what the apostle Paul is saying here.

Please think about it.

With regards to the poor

  With regards to the poor

The apostle John writes,

“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.” 1John 3:17,18

In the book of James we read,

"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

These scripture verses couldn’t be more strait forward. Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, are to help the poor. It’s not an option. We are called to help those in need. There are around 2000 verses in scripture calling believers to help the poor.

To me this means not only our churches but individual who claim to be Christian, be they pastors, evangelist, people in the pews, even politicians who claim to be Christians.

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.

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor 

will himself call out and not be answered." 

                                                                       Proverbs 21:13.

Please think about it.

About Wisdom

  About 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.

Here’s one definition of wisdom I have found that I think sums it up correctly it states,

"Wisdom is the acquired skill 

of applying knowledge rightly"

                                             Author unknown.

It is particularly important for a believer in Christ Jesus, a Christian to apply the Biblical knowledge they have correctly, especially when dealing with non-believers.

Too many believers have with good intentions, misused the word of God and thus turned people away from belief in God.

I see this in the so called “Hell fire and brimstone preaching”. Where preachers again with the best of intentions remind people there is “a Heaven to gain and a Hell to shun.” 

While this may seem logical to a Christian. To someone who doesn’t believe in God or Heaven and Hell it’s meaningless.

Yelling from the roof tops "repent or go to Hell!" doesn’t for the most part work in 2021.

Wisdom would tell us to “show the love of God to those around us.”

I’m certain when Jesus was accused of sitting with tax collectors and sinners (Mark 2:15). He wasn’t preaching hellfire and brimstone. They wouldn’t have listened to Him. Quite the contrary he probably presented the word of God in a loving respectful manner.

If you look a the apostle Pauls speech to the Athenians(acts 17:17-34). Paul met those assembled were they were at. Then lovingly and respectfully presented the gospel of Christ to them.

I believe as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus in the twenty-first century we need to be constantly asking for God to show us the truths that are within the scriptures and the wisdom on how to apply them to those around us.

Please think about it.

Study

 Study

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

If you are a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus do you do what the apostle Paul is saying here? Do you do your best to correctly at all times present the word of God in as pure a form as is humanly possible?

Do the ministers, evangelist and other teachers you listen to do the same thing? When was the last time you checked the scriptures quoted by someone you listen to, to see that they were not taken out of context?

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be on guard against those who would misuse the scriptures.

There are a lot of high profile men and women out there in the media and in the pulpit who are not handling the word of God correctly. Thus the need to check what they are saying against the Bible.

Here in North America we have amazing freedoms which is a good thing. That being said it gives those who would misuse the word of God more latitude to misinterpret scripture and mislead people.

The key however for the individual believer is to study the scriptures for yourself and pray asking God to show you what is right.

One way I have found that is good for individuals is to study the word of God is to use a study bible that has foot notes and explanations. These types of bibles tend to have study notes by various individuals.

Using a Bible with study notes by one particular evangelist or pastor as good as they may be is usually bias toward what he or she believes be that intentionally or unintentionally.

Thus I would reiterate pray and study the bible for yourself and with others. All the time asking God to show you the truth within the scriptures.

Please think about it. 

In Whom

  In whom

The Psalmist writes,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." 

                                                                       Psalm 20:7.

Where is your trust? If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, where is your trust?

As Christians we should be trusting in the Lord God Almighty. Sadly however many in North America where I live trust entirely in the things of this world. This should never be.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future 

to a known God."

                         C. S. Lewis.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus to what or whom do you trust your future to?

Please think about it.

Rights, Freedoms, God.

 Rights, Freedoms, God.

In the book of Joshua we read,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.

In Exodus we read of God saying,

"You shall have no other gods before me."

                                                                   Exodus 20:3.

What Joshua was saying and what is recorded in the book of Exodus is directed at those people who claim to believe in God.

In Exodus God makes it clear believers are to have no other gods in heaven or on earth. Monotheism and worship of the one true God is the only acceptable thing.

Sadly many in North America where I live have many gods although they many times may not realize it.

One person said to me referring to the United States said to me,

“Too many people calling themselves Christians worship their rights and freedoms more than they do God.”

Sadly that is true. Many calling themselves Christians, again particularly in the United States but to a lesser degree in Canada, are believing the lie of “Christian nationalism” where they believe The U. S. and Canada are nations founded on God and Christian principles. 

Nothing could be further from the fact.

In following this doctrine of Christian nationalism they are putting their nation ahead of or equal to God. Something that should never be.

The apostle Peter calls believers in Christ Jesus we are aliens and strangers in the world. He states,

"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.

As true believers in Christ Jesus we need to constantly put God first in our lives and represent God by doing good deeds and glorifying God in our every day life.

Thus I would ask anyone who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, reading this; Who are you serving. Who comes first in your life your right, your freedoms, or God?

Please think about it.

What do you believe?

  What do you believe

In Ecclesiastes we read,

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Whether we like to admit it or not God has placed a sense of eternity in our hearts. A sense that life goes on after this life is over. We may not be able to comprehend this, or we may want to deny it, but it doesn’t make it go away. 

The fact is we are destined to live on throughout eternity. The question is where will you spend eternity. As a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus I believe the words of Jesus who speaking of himself said,

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.

If I and others like me are wrong in this belief no one has anything to worry about. If we are right then at the very least people have a lot to consider.

Thus the it comes down to what you as an individual believe. 

Do you believe Jesus is the one and Only Son of God, The Saviour of mankind or not?

Please think about it.

Pursue Peace

Pursue Peace

The Psalmist writes,

"Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it." 

                                                            Psalm 34:11-14.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus I think we should all do our best to live by the words of the Psalmist and Francis of Assisi. For by doing so we can make the world a better place to live.

Please think about it.

Without saying a word

  Without saying a word

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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.

Francis Assisi made these two statements,

Preach the Gospel at all times 

and

 when necessary use words.

                                                        Francis of Assisi

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today" 

                                                 Francis of Assisi

As Christians we should at all times as far as is humanly possible be showing the love of God to all those around us. People should know we are Christians by our words and deeds without us saying one thing.

When people look at your life do they see the Love of Jesus reflected in you with out you saying a word?

Please think about it.

Are you loving?

 Are you loving?

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.  

If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  

If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing."

"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 13:1-8a,13.

Do you truly love? Here in his letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul tells us what true Christian love is. The kind of love we as Christians must show to the world. To God, our family, friends and foe alike. 

Thus my question to you today, Are you loving the world the way God wants you to love?

Please think about it.

If followed

If followed

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others."

                                                Philippians 2:4.

Here’s a concept I think is lost on many who call themselves Christians. Sadly this pandemic has shown us short falls among Christians. 

With tens of millions vaccinated without problems. Some who call themselves Christians are not getting vaccinated, some even refusing to wear a mask, calling it a breach of their rights and freedoms.

To my mind this tantamount to worshipping their rights over God and the interests of others.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  

Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.

Paul makes it clear we are to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception to that I would say and I believe Christian scholars agree is when those authorities forbid us from worshipping God. And here in North America we have not been stopped from worshipping God.

Yes we have had to be creative in how we worship, meeting on zoom, meeting outside, meeting with substantially less people in our churches, but we have never been stopped from worshipping God.

The only things the authorities have asked of us, is to, wear a mask, socially distance and get a vaccine. All that have been proven to help stop the spread of Covid.

Precautions that if followed will help us as Christians look out for the interest of others.

Please think about it.