What they should be doing

 What they should be doing

“On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them.  

When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. "Sovereign Lord," they said, "you made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.  

You spoke by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of your servant, our father David:" ‘Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against his Anointed One.'  

Indeed Herod and Pontius Pilate met together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel in this city to conspire against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed.  

They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen.  

Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness.  

Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 

After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”Acts 4:23-32.

This was one powerful prayer. The apostles prayed for boldness, to perform miraculous signs and wonders in the name of Jesus. Which did indeed happen.

Not only that it is happening today. I have read many confirmed stories coming from especially the persecuted churches around the world about miraculous healing and wonders in the name of Jesus.

Unfortunately here in North America while there are confirmed miracles, there are many preachers and evangelist who claim to be performing miracles but are not. Bringing the name of Jesus into disrepute.

Their gatherings seem to be more about raising money than doing the work of God. 

Do faith healers, evangelist and pastors really need private jets or multi-million dollar houses? Peter, and the apostles of Christ didn’t.

Believers in the book of acts are noted for selling land and other things to help the poor among them. Why can’t these rich preachers and evangelist do the same?

The book of acts talking about believers state,

"All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had.  

With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all.  

There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need. 

Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement),sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet. Acts 32-37.

This is what I believe true believers especially millionaire pastors and evangelist should be doing with the money their organization is bringing in.

Please think about it.

No other name

 No other name

The book of Acts records,

“He is " ‘the stone you builders rejected, which has become the capstone.'  

Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:11,12.

The apostles Peter and John after being brought before the religious leaders of his day (the Sanhedrin) for healing a man in the name of Jesus makes this bold statement about Jesus,

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” Acts 4:12.

This is what Peter and John believed. This is what all the apostles believed and this is what true Christians believe today.

To a true believer in Christ Jesus, accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour is the way to heaven. There is no other way.

When Peter made this statement he could have been punished severely. Thrown in jail or potentially even stoned. The only reason he wasn’t was because the religious leaders of his day feared the public reaction. The book of acts records,

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.  

But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say.  

So they ordered them to withdraw from the Sanhedrin and then conferred together.  

"What are we going to do with these men?" they asked. "Everybody living in Jerusalem knows they have done an outstanding miracle, and we cannot deny it.”

The result was they told Peter and John not to preach in Jesus name. As the book of acts records,

"But to stop this thing from spreading any further among the people, we must warn these men to speak no longer to anyone in this name." 

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus.  

But Peter and John replied, "Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to obey you rather than God.  

For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard." 

After further threats they let them go. They could not decide how to punish them, because all the people were praising God for what had happened.  

For the man who was miraculously healed was over forty years old. Acts 4:17-22.

As I said what Peter and John believed then is believed by believers in Christ Jesus today. Notably 

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" Acts 4:12.

And just like Peter and John believers in Christ Jesus are willing to be called up before non-believing authorities for telling those around them what they believe. Like them also they are willing to face imprisonment and even death for what they believe. 

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting this message?

If you don’t believe that Christ Jesus is the way to heaven then I would ask you to take some time to read the New Testament and see for yourself what the early church believed about Him.

Please think about it.

Anyone can

Anyone can

The Psalmist writes,

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be." Psalm 139:13-16.

This is one of my favourite scriptures. Put simply it says God knows why we are the way we are. He knows our DNA. That is why God and only God has the right to judge anyone especially with respect to where they will spend eternity.

The Bible makes it clear how we are to get to heaven. The apostle Paul makes it clear,

"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.

If we look at the crucifixion of Jesus we see crucified with Jesus a man who by his own admission was a thief deserving of the punishment being rendered to him. Yet Jesus tells him he will be with Him in paradise. Luke’s gospel recording,

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

Anyone can get to heaven if they truly turn from their sins, believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind, and confess their sins to Him.

As I said at the beginning God knows why we are the way we are. He knows if we are truly repenting of our sins. If we have truly accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Which is something we as mere humans cannot. And thus must not judge anyone with respect to where they will spend eternity. 

The job of the Christian. The true believer in Christ Jesus is simple. 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.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

According to works

 According to works

“Once God has spoken;

twice have I heard this; 

that power belongs to God,

and that to you, O Lord belongs steadfast love.

For you will render to a man

according to his works” 

                               Psalm 62:11,12.

While it is true we are saved by faith. It is also true that God will judge everyone by their works.

That being said all who have faith in Christ Jesus will do the work of God. 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.

So my question to you is do your works show your faith?

When you stand before God what will He say about the works you did for Him in this life?

Please think about it.

For God Alone

 For God alone

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.

For me as a Christian this says it all. 

My soul does wait in silence for God.

My salvation come from God alone.

God alone is my rock, the foundation of my faith, my salvation.

God is my fortress and because of this I shall not be shaken no matter what I go through.

Question.

Can you say this?

Please think about it.

Well done

 Well done

Job said,

I know that my redeemer lives, 

and that in the end he will stand on the earth.

                                                                   Job 19:25.

The apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians said,

“For He has set a day when He will judge the world with justice by the man He has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him (Jesus) from the dead." Acts 17:31.

In Proverbs we are warned,

"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths." Proverbs 5:21.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

"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 judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

Way too many Christians don’t heed what is being said in the above verses of scripture. Some see themselves as being “saved” and therefor can do as they wish. Others see their relationship with God too casually. Referring to God as their “Daddy” and thinking of Him as a “sugar Daddy” who will give them everything they want.

As believers in Christ Jesus we should be taking care to show reverence to God. To praise and worship Him in spirit and in truth. 

We should be doing our best to grow into the man or woman God will be proud of. Men and women who will one day hear “well done thou good and faithful servant”.

Are you doing your best to worship God in Spirit and in Truth?

Are you showing proper reverence to God?

Will you one day hear the words “well done thou good and faithful servant”?

Please think about it.

Reformation Not, Revival

 Reformation Not, Revival.

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.

This beyond doubt is happening in the North American church today. We have evangelist and pastors who rather than gathering wise biblical teachers and scholars around them as advisors that tell the truth.

    Men and women who will at times disagree with them, correct them, and say why they are doing so. They pick and choose only those that think the way they think.

The result is such people can easily, and frequently do, misuse the word of God to say what they want to say. 

Some do so out of ignorance or because they have not had good teaching in their lives. Others do so for personal gain. Deliberately misleading those who would follow them.

Walking in evangelical circles here in Canada I hear a lot about the need for revival. Revival being, a reawakening within the church. While this needs to happen. What needs to happen first is Reformation.

Reformation a turning back to the fundamentals of our Christian faith. 

By this I mean we need to take a hard look at what passes for Christianity. We need to heed the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

"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.

We need to get out of politics and believing the lie that the United States and Canada are Christian nations. We need to heed the apostle Peters words who said,

“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.

We need to take a good look at the evangelist and pastors that we support who are millionaires to see if they are “in love with money”. Remembering that the apostle Paul wrote,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

And while there is nothing wrong with being a millionaire we must ask them would you be willing to give up everything to follow Jesus? Jesus quoted as telling a rich man,

"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." Matthew 19:21..

Please think about it.

Yes or No?

 Yes or No?

The Psalmist writes,

"The fool says in his heart,

 "There is no God." 

                                 Psalm 14:1.

The Bible doesn’t debate the existence of God. It was written to believers and believers need no explanation. The Bible does however make some blunt statements about God and individuals. An excellent example being here in Psalm 14:1. 

Whether you believe the statements, the Bible in general, or that God exists is entirely up to you. God never forces you to believe anything. After all he gave you a freewill to do as you wish and that includes believing in Him.

When it comes to believing in God however C. S. Lewis makes this point.

"Supposing there was no intelligence behind the universe, no creative mind. In that case nobody designed my brain for the purpose of thinking. It is merely that when two atoms inside my skull happen, for physical or chemical reasons, to arrange themselves in a certain way, this gives me, as a by-product the sensation I call thought. But if so, how can I trust my own thinking to be true? It's like upsetting a milk jug and hoping that the way it splashes itself will give you a map of London. 

But if I can't trust my own thinking, of course I can't trust the arguments leading to Atheist or anything else. Unless I believe in God, I cannot believe in thought: so I can never use thought to disbelieve in God" C. S. Lewis The case for Christianity. 

Ultimately the choice to follow God is up to you. God will never impose himself upon you nor should anyone who believes in Him. 

Each individual is endowed by God with a freewill to believe and do as they wish. Thus the Choice is yours. 

Do you believe in God yes or no?

Please think about it.

Reason and Warning

 Reason and Warning

In John’s gospel we read of Jesus saying,

"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.

This is the reason Jesus came into this world. To point all who would believe in Him the way to heaven.

Additionally Jesus issues this warning,

“Whoever believes in him (Jesus) 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 3:17.

If what is reported here by the apostle John is to believed, then what is said is to my mind the most important warning in history.

As C. S. Lewis put it,

“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.

That being said. It is a personal choice. Thus all who hear about Jesus must decide for themselves.

Which dear reader you must decide for yourself; Is what the New Testament says about Jesus true or false?

Please think about it.

A Baseline

 A Baseline

The Psalmist states,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.” Psalm 111: 10.

Anyone who has ever lived needs a reference point for their morality and behaviour. If you truly believe in God you have a solid baseline for your morality.

Abba Hillel Silver at the height of World war two wrote,

"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver

As world war two showed when men turn their back on Gods morals millions suffer. 

So here is a question for anyone reading this, be they Christian or not where does your moral baseline come from?

If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus are you morals based on the teachings of Jesus, on the teachings of the Bible.

Please think about it.

Nothing Can

 Nothing Can

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:38,39.

Paul is right. If you truly believe in Christ Jesus. If you are truly dedicated to Him. Nothing in this world or the next will separate you from “the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.

We may go through hard time. We may be persecuted, thrown in jail or even murdered. But none of this will separate the true believer in Christ Jesus.

Are you such a believer?

Please think very carefully about it.

One Day

 One day

In the Book of Genesis we read,

Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God finished his work and that he had done, and He rested on the seventh day from all His work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy because on it God rested from His work that He had done in creation. Genesis 2:1-3.

Rest. Do you take time to rest and worship God at least once a week? 

Now I’m not going into whether we should rest on the Sabbath, the seventh day of the week or not. I believe it’s up to the individual to decide when they worship God. Ultimately we should I believe show our devotion to God everyday of the week. 

We should put time aside each day to pray and worship God in word, and in song.

That being said we should take one day where we devote the entire day to worshipping God. Preferably without distractions.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to spend time with other believers in praising God and thanking Him for all He as done for us.

Thus my question to you; Do you set a day aside for the worship of God?

If not why not?

Please think about it.