The name of the Lord

 The name of the Lord.

In the book of Exodus we read,

“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.” Exodus 20:7.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

In the new testament when Jesus is asked the question,

"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." Matthew 22:36,37,38.

We must never take the Lords name in vain. We must never use Gods name in a wrong manner.

We must remember what the Psalmist tells us,

"From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the LORD is to be praised." Psalm 113:3.

And what Job states,

“The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;

 may the name of the Lord be praised.” 

                                                                   Job 1:21.

God is sovereign. He is Lord over all the earth. The writer of Ecclesiastes warning us,

"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.

Please think about it.

Live as free men and women

 Live as free man and women

The apostle Peter writes,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1Peter 2:16.

Peter here tells us to live as free men. 

Being free does not mean we can do anything we wish. Freedom has limitations. 

True freedom is a compromise.

It is the freedom to do as you wish. While at the same time allowing others the freedom to do as they wish, without causing harm to anyone.

For the Christian. For followers of Christ Jesus this means we can live as servants of God. It means we can present our beliefs to others and allow them to decide for themselves if they believe what we say or not.

Freedom for the Christian. For believers in Christ Jesus means we must keep our own house in order. The apostle Paul telling us,

"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.

The apostle Peter telling us,

"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.

This is what it is to live as free men and women of Christ.

Please think about it.

The reason for Jesus

 The reason for Jesus

John’s gospel records Jesus as 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 save the world. It is what Christians all over the world must tell those around them.

The apostle Paul states,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9-13.

At first glance this statement seems simple enough. Believe in Jesus and you shall go to heaven.

Believing in someone. Having faith in someone. Especially someone you cannot see is a very difficult thing for some people. Yet the Bible calls us to have faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

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

"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.

Thus my question to you. Do you have faith in God? 

Do you believe Jesus when He said,

Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.

Please think about it.

Trust

Trust

In Proverbs

Those who trust in their riches will fall, 

but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf.

                                                               Proverbs 11:28

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. In material possessions or in God? 

Now there’s nothing wrong with having a lot of possessions or being wealthy it’s what value we place in them. It’s what place they occupy in our life. Do we put our trust in what we have rather than God.

The apostle Paul warned,

"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.

Thus I ask you the question do you love money more than God?

In whom do you place your trust?

Please think about it.

A duty we cannot do if...

 A duty we cannot do if...

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.

Have you ever judged a person? 

I was once in a car with a person driving in the downtown of our city while stopped at a crosswalk a shabbily dressed man half walked half saggared in front of our car. All the while talking incoherently.

The person with me commented “drunk and its only nine in the morning.” 

It turned out, I found out later that this man had an illness that prevented him from walking and speaking normally. Further more he was mentally ill. The person I was with had judged him wrongly.

This is one reason I’m sure Jesus told us not to judge anyone. We have no idea why a person is the way they are.

The apostle Paul 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.

The reason we can judge those within the church is simple. They claim to be followers of Christ and thus we have the right to check whether or not they are proclaiming the word of God correctly. Whether or not they are living a Godly life. If they are not we can expel them from the church.

That being said whether a person is in the church or not we have no right to say where they will spend eternity.

The duty of the church is simple. Jesus telling us,

"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 a duty we cannot do if we are judging those outside the church.

Please think about it.

A warning to believers

 A Warning to believers

In the book of James we read,

"Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,...” James 2:12

The writer of Ecclesiastes issues a warning to believers also,

"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.

Sadly where I live in North America these scriptures are many times forgotten of ignored.

While or faith may save us. Our faith in Christ Jesus should transform our lives. The apostle Paul writing,

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.  

  Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:1,2.

Thus I have these questions to anyone who considers themselves a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus;

Is your life truly transformed? Are you doing Gods will or following your own?

Are you speaking and acting as someone who is going to be judged by the law that gives freedom?

Please think about it.

Judgement

Judgement

"In the beginning God created 

the heavens and the earth." 

                                         Genesis 1:1

Abba Hillel Silver 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.

The Bible does not try to prove the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and to believers no explanation is necessary.

Belief in God however is as Abba Hillel Silver put it “the strongest bulwark of a free society...”

When men forget or do not believe in God, society can quickly degenerate into a very bad place to be. We just have to look at Nazi Germany during world war two. Millions of people murdered in death camps.

And it doesn’t stop there. Today around the world there are governments and groups who refuse to accept the existence of God. Thus they do as they wish. Believing that they have no one to answer to.

The writer of Ecclesiastes however issues a warning to all people,

"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.

The question is do you believe this.

Please think about it.

If you truly seek

 If you truly seek

In Deuteronomy we read,

"But if from there you seek the LORD your God, 

you will find him

 if you look for him with all your heart 

and with all your soul."  

                                                     Deuteronomy 4:29 

Someone has said,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” Author Unknown.

The truth is simple. You truly must be looking for God to find Him. If you’ve made up your mind that God does not exist. Then you will never find God.

So the question becomes are you truly looking for God?

Please think about it.

Saviour of all who put their faith in Him

 Saviour of all who puts their faith in Him

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.

I could not agree more with the apostle Paul. Almost from the day Jesus ascended into heaven religious and political leaders and individuals have tried to stop the church. None have succeeded.

In Acts Chapter five. Two of Christs disciples were brought before the Sanhedrin. The Jewish religious leaders, to stand trial for preaching about Jesus. These men wanted to put the disciples to death but the book of Acts records,

“But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honoured by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while.  

Then he addressed them: "Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men.  

Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing.  

After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered.  

Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  

But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God." Acts 5:34-39

Since that day many have tried to stop the spread of Christianity to no avail.

Jesus is the One and Only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind and no one will ever stop His message of Salvation from reaching people.

Thus the question becomes, do you believe that Jesus is the One and only Son of God. The Saviour of all who will put their faith in Him.

Please think about it.

Sing with Joy

 Sing with Joy

The Psalmist writes

"Let Israel rejoice in their Maker;

 let the people of Zion be glad in their King. 

Let them praise his name with dancing 

and make music to him with tambourine and harp. 

For the LORD takes delight in his people;

 he crowns the humble with salvation. 

Let the saints rejoice in this honour 

and sing for joy on their beds." 

                                                       Psalm 149:2-5.

If you are a true believer in God, a true believer in Christ Jesus, why not take some time right now to rejoice in your maker?

Please think about it.

 Fixed on Jesus

The writer of Hebrews said,

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2.

Here is a simple admonition from the writer of the book of Hebrews to all who believe in Christ Jesus. 

We are to keep our eyes on Jesus.

That to me means following His teachings and example. That at times may mean we will have to endure hardships. It may mean those around us will call our following Jesus shameful.

Ultimately however we will be able to say as the apostle Paul 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.

Paul from the day of his conversion until the day he died, no matter what circumstance he was in good or bad, in prison or free, kept his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

If you truly believe in Christ Jesus, can you say that also?

Please think about it.

Wager

Wager

James writes,

"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.

I think everyone who has ever lived has had to ask themselves what happens after I die? Life is brief, eternity is forever. Thus the question becomes where will you spend eternity?

Atheist say there is no God, and no heaven. That when you pass from this world you simply pass into oblivion.

On the other hand we who believe in Christ Jesus believe there is a God and a heaven. A God that will one day decide where you will spend eternity. 

A God who has offered each individual the chance to know where they will spend eternity while still in this life. Paul and Silas in prison said to the Jailor,

"..."Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts16:31.

Paul also writes

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  

For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”Romans 10:9-13.

This is the hope Christians have that when we pass from this life we will spend eternity with God.

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal

So where will you place your bet?

Please think about it.