A Servants heart

  A servants heart

Jesus said,

“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45.

This is the key to a true Christian life. To serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and those around us. Sadly many Christian leaders, pastors, teachers and evangelist, even men and women in the pew don’t follow this principle.

To many pastors, teachers and evangelist want to have big houses, fancy private jets instead of serving. They like to be the centre of attention.

“...Jesus told this parable:  

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9b-14.

As believers we need to remember we are called to be servants of God. Men and women who have the responsibility in word and deed to spread the gospel message and help whoever we can.

Francis of Assis wrote this prayer,

"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.

Is this your prayer? Do you believe this is the prayer of the pastor, teacher or evangelist you follow?

Please think about it.

The Rich and the Poor

  The rich and the poor

Jesus told this parable,

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 

“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.

Here is a warning to those who have wealth and power. A warning that God will one day hold them to account for not helping those less fortunate. For not remembering their wealth and power ultimately come from God.

In the Talmud we read,

“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, "Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?"  He answered, "God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love." The Talmud.

Sadly to many people do not believe or practice this.

For a myriad of reasons there are poor in this world. Men, women, and children quite often because of circumstance beyond their control do not have enough to eat, a roof over their heads, clothing or health care. Basic human rights.

Politicians and those with excessive wealth whether they admit it or not have the ability to help. Sadly for political or ideological, or even greed they do little or nothing to end poverty. Such men and women I believe should beware that one day stand accountable for their actions.

There is one quote from the Talmud, that while not a Christian book expresses what I believe will happen when such people stand before God. The Talmud states,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.

This I believe applies to all people.

Please think about it.

Handbarrow to hell

Handbarrow to Hell

The apostle Peter writes,

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute."2Peter2:1,2 

In his book Essentials in Christian Faith, published in 1950 John B. Harrington quotes a quote by Paul Callico published in Esquire Magazine in 1948. It is a quote that could have been written today. Harrington states,

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4

If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.

When I speak I can only truthfully speak of what I see first hand here in North America where I live. I can see religious men and women claiming to be Christians bringing Gods name into disrepute as the apostle Peter noted. 

Sadly there are many high profile men and women calling themselves Christians and prophets who are not. Men and women who are leading people astray and turning others away from God. Possibly sending individuals into a Christless eternity.

These false teachers will one day hear the words of Jesus who said,

"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. 

In the meantime we as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be on the lookout for such preachers and stay away from them. We need to obey the word of the apostle Paul who said,

As 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.

Please think about it.

Doomed

  Doomed?

The Psalmist states,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                  Psalm 19:1

The Bible doesn’t debate that God exists. It was written to believers and believers need no convincing. It does however as seen here in Psalm 19:1 point to the handiwork of God within creation.

For me the acknowledgement of God and the fact He will judge each person in this world is the glue that keeps our society secure from the morass of anarchy.

God set in the heart of each person what is right and what is wrong. While at the same time giving them a freewill to do as they wish.

As someone has said, “God did not make robots. He wants people to worship Him and follow His rules for living, because they choose to do so. Not because they are forced.” 

There is however consequences for not acknowledging God and His laws.

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.

 When individuals or society fail to acknowledge God individuals suffer the consequences. We only have to look at Nazi Germany during the 1930's and the second world war to see what can happen. Millions of people murdered because political leaders were allowed to ignore the basic human rights God set upon each persons heart.

The world today in 2022 needs God whether people wish to believe it or not. For if we don’t those who fail to acknowledge God are doomed to Godless eternity.

Please think about it.

You and Prayer

You and prayer

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

   God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please think about it.

Where

  Where

Jesus said,

“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.

As I look at not only Christians but the world around us. I see many people, government leaders and religious leaders who are in for a rude awakening when they meet God. 

Sadly many religious leaders (Christian or otherwise) government leaders, and the average person do not treat people the way they wish to be treated. And while those people may get away with mistreating others in this life. One day they will have to answer to God.

The writer of Ecclesiastes make it clear saying,

"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.

Thus my question to you; On the day you stand before God, what will he say to you? Where will you spend eternity?

Please think about it. 

God is There for us

  God is there for us

The Psalmist writes,

“Where can I go from your Spirit? 

Where can I flee from your presence? 

If I go up to the heavens, 

you are there; 

if I make my bed in the depths, 

you are there. 

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there your hand will guide me, 

your right hand will hold me fast.”

                                                           Psalm 139:7-10.

In Psalm 23 we read,

"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.

No matter where we are. No matter the circumstance we are in. Believers in God. Believers in Christ Jesus can be assured God is with them even in the worst of circumstances.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Eyes and mind open

  Eyes and mind open

In the book of Genesis we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                                                           Genesis 1:1.

I believe this. Whether it took six twenty-four hour days or six billion years means nothing to me. God is God and He could do it either way.

I’ve heard critics say Christians adjust their theory of creation to fit the science of the day. That may be so but believers in God like scientist are continually learning. (And remember the Bible is not a science book)

Scientist at one time thought the sun revolved around the earth. Through the use of proper science they discovered they were wrong.

So it is with believers in God. As we study the scriptures in context we gain a better understanding of the world around us and how scripture perfectly melds with science.

There are many famous scientist who believe in God because of their work in science

William Philips Nobel prize winning Physicist said,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it" William Philips

Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics and Nobel prize winner in Physics said,

"The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist,

but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you" Werner Heisenberg.

Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said,

"Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural') plan."

Even Stephen Hawking one of the greatest scientific minds of the 20th century said,

"It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us," Stephen Hawking.

The psalmist writes,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                   Psalm 19:1

While we may not be able to see God. We can see the works of His hands throughout all creation. All we need to do is open our eyes and minds in order to see it.

Are your eyes and mind open to the fact God exists?

Please think about it.

A lesson from The Lords Prayer

 A lesson from The Lords Prayer

Jesus said,

"This, then, is how you should pray: 

" ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 

your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'  

For Yours is the kingdom the power and the glory forever Amen" Matthew 6:9-13

Question: If you consider yourself a Christian do you practice everything that is said in this what we commonly call the Lords Prayer?

Do you treat the Lords name with reverence?

Do you pray for Gods kingdom to come?

Do you pray that God with supply you with the food you need for each day?

Do you pray not to be led into temptation, and to be delivered from the evil one?

Do you give God praise?

Do you remember this warning from Jesus?

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." Matthew 6:14,15.

Please think about it.

Love in word and in deed

  Love in word and in deed

Jesus said,

"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.

Words that echoed the words written in Deuteronomy.

"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.

Love is the key to the Christian life. Love is essential to reaching the lost for Christ.

The apostle Paul defines love as,

"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.

If we as Christians remember and live out this definition of love in word and in deed everyday of our lives, we will sin souls for Christ.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

That is why

 That is why

The apostle Peter said

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:36-39.

Everyone irrespective of who you are has sinned. Sin defined is,

"Sin is anything that contrary to the will of God or doesn't express the holy character of God, in word, in deed and in thought.

Sin, then, is to transgress those boundaries God has set for us or to miss the target He set for us.”

Thus according to the definition all have sinned. The apostle Paul saying,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.

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

The apostle John writes,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10

God knows we cannot live a life good enough to get into heaven that is why He sent his son to show in human terms how far He would go to help us to get into heaven.

The key however is believing that Jesus is the Son of God and that He died for your sins. Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

The fruits of a Christian

The fruits of a Christian

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 thornbushes, 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. Matthew 7:15-20.

Here is something I think Christians here in North America seemingly forget about. Many calling themselves Christians follow false prophets. Men and women who sound religious. Who spout scripture but take it out of context in order to deceive people. 

A true believer in Christ Jesus exhibits good fruit. The apostle Paul defining what good fruit is. Writing,

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness and self-control...." Galatians 5:22, 23b.

As Christians we should be following men and women of God who exhibit these qualities. 

So the question becomes are the pastors, evangelist and other church leaders you are following truly exhibiting, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

Are you personally exhibiting these qualities?

Please think about it.