Who's your friend, Who's your master?

  Who’s your friend, Who’s your master?

In the book of James we read,

"You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God." James 4:4.

As believers in Christ Jesus we have two choices. We can follow Jesus putting our faith completely in God. Or we can chose to turn from God and follow the world. We can’t have both at the same time.

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.

My point here is we must put our faith in God ahead of the things in this world. That’s not to say we should retreat into our church buildings or have only Christian friends. The apostle Paul points out,

"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters.”1 Corinthians 5:9-10.

Even Jesus sat with sinners in the gospel of Mark we read,

“When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:16,17.

If we truly believe in Christ Jesus. We will put our faith completely in God letting God direct our paths. Letting God open doors for us to work for Him.

So who’s your friend?

Who’s your Master?

Please think about it.

To all who receive Him

To all who receive Him

In the book of James we read,

"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.

We don’t know what will happen to us tomorrow or for that matter in the next moments of our life. Whether we will live or die. But we can know were we will spend eternity.

In the book of Romans 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.

The apostle John writes,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13.

Do you truly believe in The Lord Jesus Christ?

Do you know where you will spend eternity?

Please think about it. 

Asking God

  Asking God

In the book of James we read,

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3.

I’ve met many who claim to be Christians who ask God for everything and anything they can think about. They ask God for a big house, fancy car, money. The list goes on and on.

There are even evangelist, Pastors, and others claiming to be Christians who say give to God (quite often meaning their ministry) and He will give you much more than you ever give to Him. 

Sadly many are mislead to give more than they can afford. Resulting in financial hardship for the giver.

The apostle Paul states, 

“And my God shall supply all your need 

according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

                                                             Philippians:4:19

The key words here being “...your needs”.

You may want a huge multimillion dollar home with a Rolls Royce in the driveway and a huge bank account. But do you really need it?

Take a look at what James writes again,

"When you ask, you do not receive, 

because you ask with wrong motives, 

that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3

When you ask God for something is it what you need?

Please think about it.

Quick to listen Slow to anger

  Quick to listen Slow to anger

In the book of James we read,

“My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.” James 1:19,20.

Life can get “messy” at times. Quite often we find ourselves frustrated at someone or something. It’s easy to lash out in anger at someone who criticizes us or when things don’t go our way. But as James writes “...man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires”.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, whether you like it or not people around you are watching you. Thus the need for those who believe in Christ to again as James states, “be slow to speak and slow to become angry”. Which for many of us can be hard.

Thus the need for us to get in the habit of praying. The apostle Paul reminding us to,

"Pray continually" 

                                          1Thessalonians 5:17.

I believe we should commit everything to prayer everything from the most mundane things in life to the most traumatic.

I believe that when we get into the habit of praying and asking for Gods wisdom and direction before we take action and listen for His guidance, we will be slow to anger. That anger inside us will turn into love and produce the righteous life God desires.

Are you slow to anger?

Before you act especially in anger, do you pray and take the situation you are in to God?

Please think about it.

Seeking Good

  Seeking Good

“Seek good, not evil, that you may live.”

                                                         Amos 5:14

In the book of Amos God sends Amos to tell Judah that they were being Judged for their idolatry. Their covenantal unfaithfulness. Lack of social economic justice. Perversion of the law and sexual immorality. Along with oppression of the poor.

The simple message God gave to Amos back then is still relevant today. Our society and indeed many calling themselves Christians are committing the same sins Judah was back then.

Anyone claiming to be a true follower of Christ Jesus need to examine their life. They need to be asking themselves “Am I standing up for social and economic justice?” 

They need to ask themselves am I perverting the law and committing sexual immorality?

Am I oppressing the poor?

Not only should they be asking themselves these questions, but they need to ask themselves are the people I support be it pastors, evangelist, priests, or politicians doing things that God does not approve of?

Thus my question to you, Are you seeking good and not evil?

Please think about it. 

Do you take time?

  Do you take time?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“With one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 15:6.

Do you glorify God in word and deed?

Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon

 some persons will hear today" 

                                               Francis of Assisi.

When people look at your life do they see you honouring God without you saying a thing?

Do you take time each day to pray and praise God rather than always asking Him for something?

Does the Church you attend and the Christian friends you have join together and praise God?

Can you take a few minutes right now to say with the Psalmist,

“Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD.” 

                                      Psalm 150

Please think 

Do you confess your sins to God?

  Do you confess your sins?

The Psalmist writes,

“I acknowledged my sin to you.”

                                                  Psalm 32:5

So my question to you dear reader is do you acknowledge your sins to God? When you realize you have fallen short of what God wants for your life, do you confess your sin to God?

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.

The apostle Paul reminds us that Jesus took our sins upon Him. Paul states,

"For our sake he (Jesus) made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Redemption for our sins happens when we confess our sins to God and accept the saving grace that comes through Chris Jesus.

So, do you confess your sins to God?

Please think about it.

Are you bringing hope?

  Are you bringing hope?

The Prophet Isaiah wrote,

"You who bring good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain. You who bring good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with a shout, lift it up, do not be afraid; say to the towns of Judah, "Here is your God!" Isaiah 40:9.

The prophet Isaiah was speaking to the people of God during the time of their exile. During uncertain times. His call was a call of encouragement.

Today we live in uncertain times. Wars, political crisis, terrorism, even global warming just to mention a few.

That being said we as believers in Christ Jesus have good news for the world. The salvation that comes through Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life."1Timothy 1:15,16.

If you claim to be a true follower in Christ Jesus, are you telling the world about the hope that can only come through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Who is your Rock?

  Who is your Rock?

                 The Psalmist writes,

“For God alone my soul waits in silence;

from him comes my salvation.

He alone is my rock and my salvation, 

my fortress; I shall not be greatly shaken.”

                                                                       Psalm 62:1,2 (ESV).

Do you take time just to be quiet and seek God’s will?

Is God truly your rock and salvation?

Is God your fortress?

When trouble strikes where do you go for help?

Is your faith built on the Rock?

Jesus told this parable,

"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  

But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  

The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 24-27.

Do you put the teachings of Jesus into practice?

Please think about it.

Can you say

  Can you say

The Psalmist writes,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth.”

                                                      Psalm 121:1,2.

When you need help where do you turn for it? When things are going wrong do you turn to God first?

For me as a believer in Christ Jesus it is comforting to know that when I need help I can turn to God the “Maker of heaven and earth”.

While things in life may not turn out the way we want them. God is still there for us. There to comfort us through the hard times of life. And there to rejoice with us through good times in life. So can you say with the Psalmist,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth."

                                                      Psalm 121:1,2.

Please think about it.

Proclaiming His Name

  Proclaiming His Name.

Isaiah the prophet writes,

"Behold, God is my salvation; 

I will trust, and will not be afraid;

for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song,

and he has become my salvation."

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  

And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted." 

                                                         Isaiah 12:2-4

Can you say “God is my Salvation”?

Can you say “The LORD GOD is my strength and my song”?

Can you say, “He has become my salvation”?

From personal experience I know that God is my Salvation my strength and it’s a wonderful feeling. And it gets better!

In the book of Acts we read this interaction between Paul, Silas and their jailor,

“The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  

He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 

They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." Acts 16:30,31.

I know my family is saved. I know both my children are saved. Both are serving the Lord in their own way as is my daughter in law. 

I know my late wife is with the Lord. Some of her last words were “I just want to be with Jesus”. 

All of this come to be, because both my wife and I believed in “The Lord Jesus” while still in our early twenties before we met each other.

And while we are not household names. Just a small family who love The Lord. We have had the privilege of proclaiming the Love of Christ and the Salvation He offers both in word and in deed to all we come in contact with. 

And if we can do it anyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ can do it also.

If you consider yourself a Christian, A true believer in Christ Jesus. Are you proclaiming the Salvation that comes through Christ in word and in deed to the world around you?

Please think about it.

Acknowledge sin

  Acknowledge sin

The Psalmist writes,

“Then I acknowledged my sin to you 

and did not cover up my iniquity. 

I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"

 and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” 

                                                                Psalm 32:5

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Sin separates us from God. But scripture tells us that if we confess our sins God will forgive us our sins. But God doesn’t stop there the apostle Paul reminds us,

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

Writing to the Corinthians Paul states,

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:20.

It was for us. You and me, that Christ died on the cross.

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.

Thus the choice is ours.

Are you willing to confess your sins directly to God in prayer or not?

Please think about it.