A Household of Love

 A Household of Love

In the book of Leviticus we read,

" ‘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.

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.    If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17.

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.

Do you do what you can to help the poor and those less fortunate in your community?

I know most of us don’t have thousands of dollars lying around that we can give to the poor. But we all have something we can give. Even if it’s just giving some spare change to a homeless person begging on the street corner. Other ways to give is by donating to a reputable charity. OR, by getting involved by volunteering with a local food bank or other groups that minister to the less fortunate.

If you’re not already, consider volunteering or giving (even if it’s just a few dollars) to a program that is helping the poor. Actions that will show that you are contributing to make the world around you “a household of love”.

Please think about it.

Receiving God's Mercy

  Receiving God’s Mercy

In the gospel of Luke, Luke quotes Mary the mother of Jesus saying,

"And Mary said:                                                                                                         

"My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, 

for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. 

From now on all generations will call me blessed, 

for the Mighty One has done great things for me

holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.” 

                                                      Luke 1:46-50.

Truly all generations of Christians are calling Mary blessed. What could be greater than God choosing her to bring forth His son Jesus.

Notable here is what Mary says about those who fear God. She states,

“His mercy extends to those who fear him, 

from generation to generation.”

 If you truly believe in God and His Son Christ Jesus then God’s mercy is shown to you. It is through the Mercy of God that comes from believing in Christ Jesus that saves us. The apostle Paul writing,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

Do you believe in God? 

Do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God?

Have you received God’s mercy?

Please think about it.

To all who believe in Him

  To all who believe in Him

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.

There are a lot of things in this world that we can loose. Our wealth, our possessions, our health, even our friends and family.

That being said, when we accept Christ as our Lord and Saviour we are given a “new birth into a living hope”. With this comes an inheritance that can never perish. One kept in heaven.

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 6:19-21

Blaise Pascal wrote,

“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.

Do you believe in God? 

Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God a Saviour to all who believe in Him?

Please think about it.

Take tome to praise God

  Take time to praise God

The Psalmist writes,

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

Here is something we as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus should do every day. That is praise the Lord.

Why not take a few moments right now to praise God.

Please don’t just think about it. Do it!

Spotless, blameless, at peace

  Spotless, Blameless, at Peace,

    The apostle Peter writes,

“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 

So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”  2 Peter 3:13,14.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

As believers in Christ Jesus we are told to live as holy a life as we can. A life that is spotless, blameless, and at peace with God.

 The reward seeing the Lord. Entering heaven.

If you are a believer in Christ Jesus take sometime right now to assess your life. Asking yourself the question, “Am I doing my best to live a spotless blameless life that is at peace with God?”.

Please think about it.

Your first priority

  Your first priority

Jesus said,

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

It is important that we seek the kingdom of God first. Seeking For by doing so we see what God requires of us. Additionally as we truly seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness our desires become what God desires. 

That being said, in order to truly seek God we must study the scriptures and pray with our whole heart for His guidance.

Is seeking God’s kingdom and righteousness first on your priority list?

Please think about it.

Clothe yourself in

  Clothe yourselves in

In the book of Colossians we read,

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience." Colossians 3:12

Here is what those who claim to be Christians. True followers of Christ Jesus should be showing to those around them. “Compassion, Kindness, Humility, Gentleness, Patience”.

If you consider yourself t true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are these attributes what people see in you?

Please think about it.

Draw near to God

 Draw near to God

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"...let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.  

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:22,23.

Here is a truth from the book of Hebrews. We as believers in Christ Jesus need to “draw near to God with a sincere heart full of faith”.

God knows our hearts. He knows how sincere we are when we worship Him. Thus we need to look into our own heart and ask ourselves “how sincere am I when it comes to worshipping God?” 

Is my worship truly sincere or am I simply going through the motions? Intellectually acknowledging God. While not worshipping Him with all my heart and soul.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. Deuteronomy 6:5.

Jesus quoted Deuteronomy 6:5 when asked,

"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." Matthew 22:36,37,38.

So my question to your dear reader is,

Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind?

Please think about it.

Guard your heart

  Guard your heart

In the book of Proverbs we read,

“Above all else, guard your heart, 

for everything you do flows from it.”

                                                       Proverbs 4:23:

Jesus said,

“But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’  

For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matthew 15: 18,19. 

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to guard our hearts. It’s easy living in this world to fill our hearts with sinful thoughts. To look upon the negative things of this world and express that negativity to those around us.

The key I believe to guarding our hearts is to draw near to God. 

The apostle Paul writing,

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”2Timothy 2:22.

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you doing this?

Are you guarding your heart?

Please think about it.

Confession of sin

  Confession of sin

Jesus said, 

“..."Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."” Matthew 4:17.

I know many people say they are as good as most people. Better even than some. And it’s probably true. But the fact is we all sin. We all fall short of Gods ideal for our lives. 

The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

The apostle John writes, 

"If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.    If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” 1John 1:8-10.

The important thing here is to realize that although we sin. That by confessing our sins to God those sins will be forgiven. This is especially important for those who claim to be Christians, true followers of Christ Jesus.

Have you confessed you sins to God recently?

Please think about it.

A Changed Life

  A Changed life

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, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1Peter 1:3-5.

As soon as we give our life to Christ, He gives us a new birth, a living hope, an inheritance that can never perish or fade. An inheritance that is kept in the one place no one can take it away from us, heaven.

When we accept Christ and learn more about Him. Putting more and more of his teachings into action in our life. Our old ways gradually fade away. While a new life and new lifestyle takes over. A new lifestyle that glorifies God. One that tells the world we belong to Christ Jesus.

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus has your life changed since you accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour?

Please think about it.

Be Prepared to

  Be Prepared to

The apostle Peter writes,

"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,"1 Peter 3:15.

As believers in Christ Jesus we must always be aware that Christ should come first in our lives. Not only that but the people around us should see Christ is first in our life without us even telling them.

At the same time we must be prepared to give the reason we believe in Christ Jesus to anyone who asks. And we must do so while showing our respect to the person asking. We must never attempt to force our beliefs on anyone.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus, are you prepared to tell anyone who asks, why you believe in Him?

Please think about it.