Praise be to God

  Praise be to God

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.

I am a Christian. I make no excuses. I believe the Bible and all that is said in it. I believe in Jesus and the fact that He paid the price for my sins on the cross. Thus I can say with the apostle Peter,

"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.

Can you say this?

Please think about it.

Why He Came

  Why He Came

The Apostle John referring to Jesus as "the Word", states,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

Christians believe Jesus is God incarnate.

We believe that by becoming flesh. By coming into this world as a child. Jesus experienced first hand what it was to be human. Jesus understood what it was to grow up in an average family. He attended parties, had friends. He even experienced what it was like to walk in the rain. Feel the sun on his face. 

Further more he knew what it was like to suffer at the hands of evil men and die in an horrendous way on a Roman cross.

But death did not hold him scripture tells us he rose again walked on the earth for awhile before ascending to heaven where He will one day judge the world.  

Thus when anyone stands before God on the day of judgement they can never say you don’t know what it is like to be human, because He does.

The New Testament is clear as to why Jesus came into this world. The apostle John writing, 

"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.

Thus the question remains; Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

A Mans Ways

  A mans ways

The writer of Proverbs states,

"For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths." 

                                                        Proverbs 5:21.

That says it all. God knows about everything we do and why we do it. 

Question:

When God examines your ways, what will He say?

Please think about it.

We need to

  We need to

The Psalmist writes,

"I will praise you, O LORD, 

with all my heart; before the "gods" 

I will sing your praise.”

                                        Psalm 138:1.

I believe more than ever those who believe in God. Those who believe in Christ Jesus need to be seen to Praise God.

We as believers need to be lifting up Gods name and telling those around us of His love and compassion.

We need to be saying to the world,

“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.

Please if you claim to be a Christian, think about it. 

Your Future

  Your Future 

The apostle Paul writes,

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known" 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Ancient mirrors were made from polished metal such as bronze as a result your reflection was very dim. Viewable but cloudy.

Paul uses this analogy to tell his readers that at the moment when it comes to heaven we see it dimly. We know it’s there and the scriptures in human terms explains what heaven is like. It is however a shadowy depiction of what it really is.

It is not until we finally get to heaven that we will fully see it in all its magnificence. 

The question however is, is heaven in your future?

Jesus speaking of Himself 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.

Jesus also said,

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

This is what Christians believe. This is what true followers of Christ Jesus believe. 

If we are wrong then no one needs to worry. If on the other hand we are right then at the very least people should be very concerned.

Please think about it.

Seek Ye First

  Seek Ye First

Jesus said,

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33.

Today in Canada is New Years Eve. A lot of things have happened in 2022. A lot more will occur in 2023. Thus we need to look to God. To as Jesus said, seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.

Take a few moments now to pray and seek God. Ask God to show you what He wants for your life.

While you’re at it take time to thank God for all the blessings that have come your way in 2022.

Please think about it.

Your master

  Your masters

Jesus said,

"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 16:24.

Now let me say one thing. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy. The problem comes when your wealth is more important to you than your faith in God. 

The apostle Paul states,

"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.

Money should never rule your life. Many people over the years have fallen away from God by getting mixed up with the so called “prosperity doctrine”. Pastors and evangelist that say if you give to God, (usually their ministry), God will give you back more than you could ever imagine. 

God never promised us a life of luxury free from pain. 

Jesus said,

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.  

If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  

Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.  

They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.  John 15:18-21.

Thus my question to you is. Where is your faith? Who is your master?

Please think about it.

Your trust

 Your trust

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." Matthew 16:19-21.

Christmas has just past a time when we give our loved ones gifts as a way of showing our love for them.

That being said earthly gifts fade quickly. Think of all the millionaires, or billionaires that have passed away. Their money. Their earthly possessions remain here, distributed among family and others. While they stand before God with nothing.

Nothing that is unless they have chosen to follow Jesus. Putting their trust wholly in Him.

In Luke 16:19-31 Jesus tells the story of the rich man and Lazarus. That the rich man had everything this world had to offer. While Lazarus had nothing. He tells how that when they passed from this world the rich man found himself in torment while Lazarus was in heaven.

All the rich mans wealth and possessions meant nothing to him at that time all he wanted was relief from his suffering.

The story is a reminder to us that we truly need to put our trust in God and serve him alone.

Thus my question to you is; Is your faith truly in God?

Please think about it.

On Judgement

On Judgement

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.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo said,

"We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do." Tony Campolo.

Another American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                         Billy Graham.

Do you love those around you the way Jesus loves, unconditionally?

Please think about it.

How would you like to be treated?

  How would you like to be treated.

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.

There is an interesting quote in the Jewish Talmud that while not a Christian book strikes me as something God just might say to us when we stand before Him. It 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.

So my question to you dear reader is; Have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?

My second question is, Do the religious and political leaders you support deal honourably, and faithfully with the people around them?

Can you and the political and religious leaders you follow honestly that you are doing to others what you would have others do to you? 

If you are not then it’s time to make a change?

Please think about it.

Boxing Day

  Boxing day

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.

Today is the day after Christmas day known at least where I live and in many British Commonwealth countries as boxing day. 

There are several beliefs as to how it started but the one that stands out for me is this,

The Boxing day name came from the alms boxed placed in churches during Advent season to collect monetary donations for parishioners. 

On this day also referred to as St. Stephens day (after the first Christian Martyr) members of the clergy would distribute to contents of the boxes to the poor on December 26th  

Giving to the poor within our society is a big part of Christian life. We should never turn a blind eye to the poor. If we consider ourselves a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus we should be doing what we can, even if it’s only a small gesture to help the poor.

If you consider yourself a true Christian. A True follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to help the poor?

Please think about it.

Glory to God

  Glory to God

Luke’s gospel records this as happening on the day Jesus was born,

"And in the same region there were shepherds out in th field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 

And the angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear, 

And the angel said to them, "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, who is Christ the Lord. 

And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying. 

"Glory to God in the highest, 

and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!" 

                                                                                           Luke2:8-14.

Today is Christmas day the day when Christians like myself celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus.

We know Jesus was not necessarily born on December 25th. That however is unimportant. What is important is that we celebrate the day God reached down to mankind offering anyone who would believe in Him eternal life.

It is my prayer this day that all who reads this and my other blog postings that they will at the very least consider reading the New Testament and learning for themselves what The Bible writers believed about Jesus. 

It is my hope and prayer also that all who read this will accept Jesus into their heart.

Please think about it.