In good times in bad times

In good times in bad times

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 nothing else the New Testament shows Jesus and his apostles experienced all that it is to be human. They attended weddings. The followed the rules set down in the Torah. They interacted with people of all walks of life.

They were also beaten, thrown in prison all but one dying for their faith. Yet through all of this they praised God. They praised him not only in the good times, but after they’d been beaten and while they were in prison.

They praised God because they knew that even in their darkest hour God was with them. 

How about you; do you praise God in the good times and in the bad?

Please think about it.

All has been heart

 All has been heard

The writer of Ecclesiastes states,

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."Ecclesiastes 1:14.

He concludes his book with,

"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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.

The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at all the things around him in this world and states all is meaningless. And looking around at our world today the same thing can be said.

While men and women can aspire to do great things, a champion athlete, a great dancer, or actor. A noble king, mighty warrior, a successful business man or woman, successful pastor or evangelist. Ultimately all their accomplishments will we confined to some dusty books on a library shelf or hidden in some obscure data base. 

In the book of James we read,

“Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.”  

Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. James 4:13,14.

To me if this world is all there is life is meaningless. On the other hand if there is life beyond the grave, life with God. Which I believe there is. Then there is meaning and hope.

As a believer in Christ Jesus I see a future beyond the grave of Love, and Peace.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Who do you turn to?

 Who do you turn to?

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.”  

                                                           Matthew 11:28,29.

Speaking from personal experience I have always found that no matter how difficult the circumstance I have been able to find rest in Jesus. Through major medical issues and other events in my life, my faith in Jesus has given me rest. 

I’m not alone in this. I know of many people that have been through horrendous things in their lives. Men and women who have called out to Jesus, have called out to God and found peace in knowing that He is with them.

Calling out to Jesus is not to say that the problem will not go away. We still may have to deal with the problem. The thing is knowing Jesus is right there with you gives you comfort. Gives you rest for your weary soul.

Question; when you go through trouble who or what do you turn to?

Please think about it.

Rich toward God?

 Rich toward God?

The Psalmist writes,

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

                                                                Psalm 62:1,2

Whom or what do you wait for? Do you base your hopes on money? A lottery win?

Jesus told this parable,

“Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions." 

And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' 

"Then he said, ‘This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  

And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." ' 

"But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' 

"This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." Luke 12:15-21.

Are you rich toward God?

Is God first in your life?

Please think about it.

Do not trust in princes

 Do not trust princes

“Do not put your trust in princes, in mortal men, who cannot save. 

When their spirit departs, they return to the ground; 

on that very day their plans come to nothing.” 

                                                                 Psalm 146:3,4.

Over the years I’ve seen many preachers and evangelist go off the rails, fall away from Christ. Some of these men and women attracted thousands even tens of thousands of followers. Sadly too many of those followers were following the preacher and not God. As result when the preacher fell they fell away from God.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to put our faith firmly in God. Not a pastor or evangelist. 

Thus my question to you the reader; Is your faith firmly in God or in a pastor or evangelist?

Can you with the Psalmist say,

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

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

                                                                     Psalm 20:7.

Please think about it.

An Instrument of Peace

An instrument of Peace

In the Book of Romans the Apostle Paul writes,

Let us therefore make every effort 

to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. 

                                                                         Romans 14:19

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

live at peace with everyone.”

                                                         Romans 12:18

Today in Canada is Remembrance Day. The day we remember those soldiers, men and women who died in two world wars and other conflicts around the world to defend the freedoms we enjoy.

World war one saw the deaths of over 9,000,000 not just soldiers but civilians also. World war two the worst conflict in world history claimed between 56,000,000 and 60,000,000 men women and children. Ten million plus in death camps run by the Nazis. Since then in it seems countless “little wars” around the world millions more have died. Murdered at the hands of evil men.

People have said, "if God created everything, then He created evil, which means God is evil.

Here is something Albert Einstein said about that,

Does cold exist?

In fact, cold does not exist. According to the laws of Physics, what we consider cold is in reality the absence of heat.

Does darkness exist?

Darkness does not exist either. Darkness is in reality the absence of light.  Light we can study, but not darkness.

Evil does not exist. It is just like darkness and cold. God did not create evil.

Evil is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart. Albert Einstein (1979-1959).

As believers in Christ Jesus it is important that we show God love to all around us. I like what 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

Please think about it.

Not Everyone

Not Everyone

Jesus said,

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  

Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  

A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  

Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  

Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 

"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'  

Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matthew 7:15-23.

Someone has said,

"Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition." Author unknown.

Sadly here in North America where I live there are many who call themselves Christian leaders who are really false prophets. Equally sad is the fact many people are following them blindly. 

Too many people in the church today believe anything that come out of the mouths of Evangelist and pastors without questioning them. Without taking the time to check the scriptures to see if the pastor or evangelist is using the scriptures correctly or taking them out of context. 

Too many Christians think because a person speaks from the pulpit or attracts a large crowd they must be speaking the truth. 

I believe its time for those who believe in Christ Jesus to question those who claim to be Christian leaders. Too look at their lives and how they are spending the money given to them for the furtherance of the Gospel of Christ.

Take a few minutes to pray and ask God to show you what the men and women you support are truly like. 

Take time to do a little research on those pastors and evangelist you support. So that you can make an informed decision as to who you support.

Please think about it.

An Ambassador

An Ambassadors 

The Apostle Paul writes,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 5:18-20

As believers in Christ Jesus we should always remember what the apostle Paul is saying here

“We are therefore Christ's ambassadors,

 as though God were making his appeal through us.” 

                                                                         2 Corinthians 5:20.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus you must always remember you are Christs representative on this Earth. People will see Christ through what you say and do.

St. Augustine said,

"A Christian is: 

a mind through which Christ thinks, 

a heart 

through which Christ loves, 

a voice

 through which Christ speaks, 

       and

 a hand through which Christ helps" 

                                                                                St. Augustine 

Francis of Assisi put it this way,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                              Francis of Assisi.

Thus my question, What are your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?

Please think about it.

Basic Belief

 Basic Belief

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

I am convinced that we especially we who live in North America, are seeing what the Apostle Paul predicted happening before our eyes.

In North America we enjoy amazing freedoms. Sadly many calling themselves Christians use these freedoms to preach false teachings. These men and women have gathered around them people who agree with them. People who are unwilling to tell them they are wrong.

The apostle Paul said,

"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 

God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

With very few exceptions this is not happening in the church today.

Now having said that there is room to disagree on some things. But we should never differ on the basics. The basics to me are in a nutshell contained in the Apostles Creed. While not written by one of the apostles it gives if you will a base line for Christian thought.

The Apostles Creed reads,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Thus my question to you. Do you and those pastors and evangelist you listen to and support believe this?

Please think about it.

Loving

 Loving

In Matthews gospel we read of someone asking Jesus,

"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 claim to be a Christian do you love?

The apostle Paul defines Christian love this way,

"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

The apostle Paul also writes,

"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."1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

So I would ask again; If you consider yourself a Christian do you love in accordance to the apostle Pauls definition of love?

Please think about it.

Called to do

 Called to do

In the gospel of Matthew we read,

“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 is what Christians, believers in Christ Jesus are called to do. 

As believer in Christ Jesus we are not called to judge the world or tell anyone where they will spend eternity that is Gods Job. 

Billy Graham the late American evangelist stated,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                     Billy Graham.

As believers we are to present the good news of Christ Jesus to anyone who will listen to us. It is then up to them to decide for themselves whether or not they believe what we have told them or not.

Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian, are you presenting the gospel of Christ or are you judging them?

Please think about it. 

Faith in Jesus

  Faith in Jesus

Jesus 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.” John 3:16,17.

Here in a nutshell is the reason Jesus came to this earth. Jesus came to give eternal life to anyone who would believe in Him. 

Now I know believing Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate is an act of faith. Faith defined by the writer of the book of Hebrews as,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1

The writer going on to say

"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.

A person with true faith is a person with strong convictions and is if necessary willing to die for what they believe in.

So my question to you would be, whether you are a Christian or not; do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, God incarnate. The one who offers forgiveness of sin and offers eternal life?

Please think about it.