God, you, and the poor

  God, you, and the poor.

In the book of Exodus we read,

"For six years you are to sow your fields and harvest the crops, but during the seventh year let the land lie unplowed and unused. Then the poor among your people may get food from it, and the wild animals may eat what they leave. Do the same with your vineyard and your olive grove. 

"Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work, so that your ox and your donkey may rest and the slave born in your household, and the alien as well, may be refreshed."Exodus 23:10-12.

This could be called “Gods welfare plan”. God tells the Israelites to leave the fields unplowed and unused. So that the poor may eat of what is in those fields. In book of Leviticus God states,

“ ‘When you reap the harvest of your land, do not reap to the very edges of your field or gather the gleanings of your harvest.  

Do not go over your vineyard a second time or pick up the grapes that have fallen. Leave them for the poor and the alien. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19: 9,10.

This is Gods way of providing for the poor.

Note also in Exodus God tells us to rest on the seventh day. And that means everyone in your household and the working animals. 

In Deuteronomy we read.

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land."Deuteronomy 15:11.

This is a commandment from God every believer I believe must follow. But sadly at least here in North America where I live, in society that goes twenty-four hours a day seven days a week, this is forgotten.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need to be doing what God is saying here. We need to be calling on our politicians, especially those who claim to be Christian to do more for the poor and needy.

Thus the question becomes, Are you doing what you can to help the poor and needy in y our community?

Please think about it.

Pour yourself out

  Pour yourself out

The prophet Isaiah states,

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday." Isaiah 58:10.

The apostle Peter writes,

“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 2:12.

Jesus said,

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" Matthew 5:16.

Are the people around you seeing your good deeds without you pointing them out to them?

As believers in Christ Jesus we should be doing our best to do good deeds whenever we can. Do they see God at work in your life.

Francis of Assisi said,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                       Francis of Assisi.

So what are your deeds telling those around you?

Please think about it.

Beware of "the Formula"

  Beware of “the formula”

The apostle Peter said,

"And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" Acts 2:21

Today in North America we have what amounts to a formula for getting into heaven. It consists of a simple prayer that states, 

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead. I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Saviour.”

The origins of this prayer are debated. Some claim it came out of the early protestant revival movement while others say it came from the late eighteenth century revival movement. While others place it in the early twentieth century. 

Irrespective of when it originated it does not originate from biblical times.

The late British/American evangelist Leonard Ravenhill said of the prayer,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill

And he’s probably right. The prayer had become so ingrained into North American Christianity that it gives a false sense of security.

We don’t see such a prayer in the Bible. What we see is what the apostle Peter states in the Book of Acts, “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”

We see the apostle Paul writing,

"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.  Romans 10: 9,10.

This is what happened on the day Jesus was crucified. One of the men crucified with Jesus said,

"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 23:41-43.

There was no formula. Jesus did not ask the criminal to pray the prayer of salvation. It was simpler than that.

This criminal believed Jesus was who He said He was. And proclaimed it with his lips. Admitted his sin and simply asked Jesus to remember him when He came into His kingdom.

This is what God asks all of us today. 

He asks that we confess our sins to God.

He asks that we sincerely believe in our heart that Jesus is the Son of God. Saviour of mankind.

And He asks that we confess with out mouth Jesus is Lord.

Have you done this?

Do you truly believe Jesus is the Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. The Way to Heaven?

Please think about it.

He will

 He will?

As Jesus was being crucified Luke’s gospel records,

“Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” Luke 23:34.

Sadly those who are persecuting believers in Christ Jesus around the world don’t know what they are doing. That however is no reason to persecute believers in Christ or anyone for that matter. Imprisoning, attacking, persecuting or murdering people for what they believe, the way they live, or their lifestyle is simply morally wrong. And I believe God will hold those who are persecuting others accountable for their crimes. 

The writer of Ecclesiastes stating.

"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 apostle Paul writing,

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 from the dead.” Acts 17:31.

Ultimately however the choice is each individuals. God has given each person freedom to choose what they believe. That includes believing the Bible and whether or not Jesus is the Son of God, Saviour of the world.  

Thus the question becomes; what do you believe?

Please think about it.

Who is

 Who is

Isaiah the prophet talking about man made gods states,

“Those who lavish gold from the purse,

and weigh out silver in the scales, 

hire a goldsmith, and he makes it into a god;

Then they fall down and worship!

They lift it to their shoulders , they carry it,

they set it in its place, and stand there;

it cannot move from its place.

If one cries to it, it does not answer

or save him from trouble.”

                                       Isaiah 46:6,7.

Lets not make any mistake we living in the twenty-first century have gods. They may not be effigies of animals or other things but we have them. A god is anything you put your trust in above all things. 

These things can be money, houses, cars, investments. Even political and religious leaders.

The bottom line with all of these things is they cannot save you. You will not get to heaven by making them first in your life. When trouble arrives in your life these things cannot help you.

I’ve heard over the years of millionaires on their death beds sorrowfully admit they didn’t spend more time with God than making millions.

I’ve heard many people who’ve lost their houses and possessions due to natural disaster or fire cry because their life and meaning of success was in the gathering of possessions.

Isaiah the prophet states,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8.

The God we as believers in Christ Jesus. The LORD God Almighty is a living God who loves us and went to great lengths to show us in human terms how far He would go to show us the way to heaven.

The apostle Paul writes,

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8.

So who is your God? Your possessions, your money? A political or religious leader? Who?

Please think about it.

Commended for their faith

  Commended for their faith

The Prophet Isaiah speaking to the people of Israel states,

"Come now, "let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.

If you are willing and obedient, you call eat the good of the land; 

" but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be eaten by the sword. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken" Isaiah 1:18-20.

Here Isaiah explains why God’s people are in crisis. They don’t realize they have forsaken God. Their worship is hollow and their society corrupt.

This is happening today. While secular society is far from God. Many calling themselves Christians are also far from God. Their worship is as hollow as that of Judah in the day of Isaiah the prophet.

Even a quick look at what passes for Christianity here in North America, shows that many so called Christian pastors and evangelist are nothing more than religious versions of secular teachers.

The prosperity doctrine is essentially nothing more that a group of talking heads promising  you will be healthy and wealthy.  If you follow their teaching and give to them.  Sadly many times with at times tragic consequences. 

Sadly the face of Christianity in North America has become the charismatic personalities of the “name it claim it” crowd.

This is not what God wants.

Jesus while speaking to the Samaritan woman said,

"God is spirit, and his worshippers 

must worship in spirit and in truth."

                                                         John 4:23.

Sadly in this day and age many miss this point.

C. S. Lewis noted,

"I didn't go to religion to make me happy. I always knew a bottle of Port would do that. If you want a religion to make you feel really comfortable, I certainly don't recommend Christianity." C.S. Lewis.

Christianity is one of the most persecuted faiths in the world today. Even in the days of the Jesus and the apostles there was persecution. Jesus was crucified. All but one of his apostles suffered a martyrs death.

Being a Christian is some parts of the world can lead to imprisonment or even death. That is why believers in Christ Jesus must be certain of what they believe.

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.  This is what the ancients were commended for.” Hebrews 11:1,2.

This is what we as believers in Christ Jesus must be commended for. Only true faith in Christ Jesus, true faith in God will get us through the trouble that life places in our way.

So the question be comes; When you stand before God will He commend you for your faith?

Please think about it.

The Christians Duty

 The Christians duty

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.

As far as I am aware Christ has not returned to this earth. Thus the age He is speaking about here in Matthew twenty-eight has still not ended. 

As a result we as true believers in Christ Jesus are obligated, duty bound, to make disciples of all nations.

We have no right to judge those outside our faith. Especially when it comes to where an individual will spend eternity. That is Gods job.

We should never dilute our faith in any way especially by mixing it with politics. 

Our job as believers in Christ Jesus is to make disciple of all nations. We cannot do this unless we are doing our best to present the word of God in its purest form.

So my question to you is; If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to present the gospel of Christ to those around you? Are you trying to make disciples?

Please think about it.

In Prison and Mistreated

  In prison and mistreated

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.

I live in North America where we have freedoms the likes of which most of the world can only dream of. Fortunately I have never faced persecution for what I believe. Sadly however millions of Christians around the world face physical violence, being sentenced to jail, or even torture and death for believing in Christ Jesus.

Yet despite all the suffering these believers in Christ go through. I still hear. “I love Jesus.” “I will not turn away from Him” 

They even pray for the salvation of their persecutors.

These believers in Christ Jesus deserve to be in our prayers each day.

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering." Hebrews 13:3.

We may not know who these persecuted are by name but we can pray for them.

Please if you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus pray for those brothers and sisters who are suffering for Christs sake.

Please don’t just think about it...

Do it.

Is Dead

  Is Dead

In the book of James we read,

“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.”  James 2:17,18.

James goes on to note,

“You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.” James 2:24.

Simply put our faith should spur us on to doing good works.

So what are you doing for Christ?

Please think about it. 

I live by faith in The Son of God

  I live by faith in the Son of God

The apostle Paul writes,

"I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" Galatians 2:20.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus, is Christ very much a part of your daily life? What value do you place of Gods love for you?

Easter was just a few days ago. A time when we who believe in Christ Jesus remember the sacrifice Jesus made not just for mankind in general but for each person who would believe in Him.

C. S. Lewis states,

"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.

So what place has Jesus Christ in your life?

Please think about it. 

Can never spoil or fade

  Can never spoil or fade

The apostle Peter writes,

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you” 1Peter 1:3-4.

This is what true Christians. True believers in Christ Jesus believe. When we truly accept Christ into our lives we are given a new birth and a living hope of life ever after in heaven.

It all comes down to faith in Christ Jesus. The writer of Hebrews telling us,

"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.

So where is your faith?

Please think about it.

A lie or The Truth

 A Lie or The Truth

The gospel of Matthew records,

After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 

There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  

His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  

The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 

The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  

He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  

Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 

So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  

Suddenly Jesus met them."Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  

Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10.

Here is where Christianity varies from other faiths. We believe that Jesus rose from the dead, walked for a time on this earth before going to heaven. And the New Testament gives numerous accounts of believers seeing Jesus alive after His resurrection.

If these accounts are false then Christianity as a whole is a sham. And the writers of the New Testament have perpetuated perhaps the greatest lie in whole history.

If on the other hand it is true, then those who read about Jesus or are presented with Jesus have a great deal to think about. 

The mission of Jesus is simple. Talking about himself he 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.

So where do you stand when it comes to Jesus?

Please think about it.