Caution

  Caution

"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 

The church in 2022 has many false prophets. That I think is especially true in North America where I live. A place where in the name of freedom people have the right to say anything provided it doesn’t hurt anyone.

That being said false prophets in the church do hurt people. They do it in numerous ways,  asking for money seemingly tops the list, (to give as they say “sacrificially” over and above what in many cases individuals can afford) 

The other way is by misinterpreting scripture, intentionally in most cases. 

It is for this reason Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, need to read and study the Bible for themselves. 

As Christians we need to attend a good church. A church that not only tells us what we want to hear but causes us to think about what we are doing.

A Church congregation that challenges us to be more Christlike.

Who are you listening to? Are you studying the Bible for yourself? Are you in a Church congregation That challenges you to be more Christlike?

Please think about it. 

When a man Appears

 When a man Appears

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

I know the Talmud is not a Christian book. But it is Jewish and Christianity is based on Jewish thought. Thus the Talmud has many things within it that apply to Christians.

In the above scripture, James tells believers in Christ that our faith should be shown in our works. And I believe while it is by faith in Christ Jesus, faith in God that we get to heaven. I also believe we will be accountable for our works in this life. 

The Talmud put it this way,

"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.

So the question becomes. If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus do you deal honourably with your fellow man? Or is your faith as James puts it “useless”?

What will God say to you when you stand before Him?

Please think about it.

Your Deeds and Your Faith

Your Deeds and Your Faith

The apostle Paul writes,

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9.

Doing good without expectation of getting anything in return should be an intimate part of a Christians life. It should be so much a part that it becomes second nature to us.

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 if you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, what are your deeds saying about your faith?

Please think about it.

Glory, Majesty, Power, Authority!

 Glory, Majesty, Power, Authority!

In the book of Jude we read this doxology ,

"To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy—  to the only God our Saviour be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." Jude1:24,25.

Here Jude praises God. Ascribing to Him all glory, majesty and power. Jude reminds the believer in Christ Jesus of all that Christ is doing for them as they wait for His return. 

That He is there helping to keep them from falling away from the faith.

This should also be a reminder to each believer personally to as often as possible take time to praise God even if it is just for a few moments. 

Praising God should become an intimate part of the believers life.

Question do you praise God often?

Do you ascribe to God glory, majesty, power and authority?

Please think about it.

Something Precious

  Something Precious

Jesus said,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. 

    When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.

For me this is what I feel about my faith in Christ Jesus, my faith in God. It is precious to me and I can get upset when men and women calling themselves Christians, followers of Christ Jesus do not represent Him correctly. 

Sadly there are many out there who claim to be following and teaching about Jesus who are teaching things that are completely wrong. The apostle Peter warned about this saying,

"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.

The way I see it is we who do truly love and serve God. Who love and serve Christ Jesus must do our best to point those we witness to, to the truth God has shown us.

We must be faithful to present our faith in the best possible light without compromise.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

Are you full of good works?

  Are you full of Good works?

In the book of Acts we read,

“Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity.” Acts 9:36.

So here is the question are you like Tabitha? Are you full of good works and charity?

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.

Are you doing this?

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus you should be.

Please think about it.

Least and Greatest Possible Number

  Least and Greatest Possible number

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. Matthew 6:9,10.

We live in turbulent times. Some Christians believe we may even be in the last days prior to the return of Christ Jesus. Which may or may not be the case. 

When Christ will return is not up to us. When it come to Christ’s return Jesus made it clear,

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36. 

What we as believers in Christ Jesus should be praying however is that Gods kingdom should come and His will be done here on earth as it is in heaven. While at the same time obeying Christ’s command to,

“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 28:19,20.

As someone once told me we should be doing this, 

“to make sure the least possible people go to Hell and the greatest possible number of people go to heaven”.

So my question to you is. If you consider yourself a Christian are you reaching out to those around you and presenting the Gospel message to them?

Please think about it.

Faith Required

  Faith Required

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"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. 

By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible....

"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 11:1-3,6.

Faith in anyone or anything is perhaps the hardest thing we humans do.

A scientist looks around him, sees something, and postulates what must be happening even though he cannot see it.

Many scientist have gone to their graves believing a theory that was not proven until long after their death.

It is the same when it comes to God. We must have faith that God exists even though we cannot see Him. But we are not asked to have blind faith.

The Psalmist tells us,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                                   Psalm 19:1

The heavens, the earth and the universe all exist because God brought them into existence. Even the late Stephen Hawking 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 

William Philips, Nobel prize winner in Physics stated,

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

Blaise Pascal was a French mathematician, physicist, inventor, philosopher, writer, and Catholic theologian. (1623-1662). Gave this advice as relevant to day as it was then, 

“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 is your faith?

Please think about it.

Two Masters

 Two Masters

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also....

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.” Matthew 16:19-21,24.

From my perch here in Canada I see many who call themselves Christians wanting to have their feet in both worlds. They want to be wealthy and they want to serve God.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being wealthy. Many wealthy people throughout the centuries have helped fund church growth. 

The problem becomes when acquiring wealth and all that it can buy you becomes more important than God.

Our service to God should be paramount in our life. And we don’t need to be rich to serve God. We just need to be willing to serve Him.

So my questions to you dear reader is;

Who is your master? 

Where is your treasure?

Are you willing to put God and service to Him over your earthly wealth?

Please think about it.

What God Expects

  What God Expects

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with your soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12. 

This is passage to me is strait forward. We as believers in God, in Christ Jesus are to

1. Fear God.

2. Walk in all His ways. Follow God without wavering from His teaching.

3. Love God. 

Jesus said,

“...“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 22:37.

4. Serve God with your whole heart.

If you claim to be a Christians. A follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A Christians Hope

A Christians Hope

In the book of Thessalonians we read,

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  

Therefore encourage each other with these words”1Thesalonians 4:13-18.

Christ will one day return and take those who believe in Him up into heaven. This is a cornerstone belief of all Christians. Those who are dead will rise first. Followed by those who are alive.

This is the hope of all those who truly believe in The Lord Jesus Christ. 

It may seem farfetched to the none believer. But it is what true Christians believe.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Before the gods

  Before the gods

The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

 before the "gods" I will sing your praise.” 

                                                                   Psalm 138:1.

As I write this its 2022 and I think there are more “gods” in the world today than in the past. Things we may not think as gods. Money and materialism perhaps being the biggest, especially here in North America where I live.

It seems here in North America everyone is striving to be wealthy. It even extends to those who call themselves Christian evangelist. Men and women who say God wants you to be wealthy. And you will get that way if you have enough faith (and of course give to their ministry).

Such men and women have fallen away from the true faith.

Still that aside, the true believer in Christ Jesus is surrounded by a myriad of “gods” who want to pull them away from the faith.

In such an environment we as believers in Christ need to stand out. We need to turn to the scriptures and praise the LORD with our whole heart no matter the circumstance we are in.

Daily I read of believers in Jesus around the world who must meet in secret for fear of being persecuted, attacked, murdered, and even thrown in prison because they choose to follow Christ.

Men and women who despite the risks, worship and praise God out of a pure belief in Christ Jesus. Beliefs they are willing to die for.

Question; To those Christians who live in the United States, Canada and other western democracies, that live in freedom. Do you worship God in spirit and in truth openly?

Please think about it.