Live Free

  Live Free

The apostle Peter wrote,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16.

With all the freedoms we here in North America enjoy it is easy to use those freedoms to cover up evil.

Here we have laws that guarantee our freedom of speech. Thus we can within reason say anything we want. That being said, there are men and women particularly in the political and religious communities that say things that are wrong or blatant lies. Then threaten those who try to correct them with libel. Saying it’s their right to free speech that allows them to say what they did.

At the same time there are those who would use the freedom they have to take away the rights of others. This is especially I find used by those calling themselves Christians. Who would seek to restrict the freedoms of people who’s lifestyle they disagree with.

As Christians we have do not have the right to restrict the rights of those we disagree with. Jesus said,

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

"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 28:18-20.

It is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to go out in love and reach people for Christ. If we are trying to restrict others rights we will never win them for Christ.

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.

You dear reader would not like your rights and freedoms restricted. But by trying to restrict the rights and freedoms of others you are giving them the right to try and restrict you rights.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham wisely said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                             Billy Graham

Please think about it.

A blessing for today

 A blessing for today.

In the book of Numbers God gives Moses this blessing to say over the Israelites,

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" 

                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26

Today this blessing is spoken by many pastors over the congregation. It is as relevant today as it was then. It is a blessing I would like all those who read my blogs to accept today. 

"The Lord bless you and keep you;

 the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; 

the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" 

                                                                            Numbers 6:24-26.

May God bless all who read this blog today,

                                                            Neal

Do you believe it?

 Do you believe it.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.”  Hebrews 1:1,2.

Here is if you think about it, is an incredible claim. The writer of Hebrews is saying, Jesus is the Son of God through whom the universe was made.

The apostle John writes,

"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.

John walked and talked with Jesus. So if anyone could know the truth about Jesus it was John.

Thus anyone reading what John wrote must make the choice. Is John telling a lie or is he telling the truth. There is no middle ground.

Who do you think Jesus is?

Please think about it.

Enter with thanksgiving

  Enter with thanksgiving

The Psalmist writes,

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to [God] and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4

When you pray and worship God do first enter Gods gates with thanksgiving and praise? Quite often when we approach God we approach Him with “a shopping basket of requests”. 

Now there is nothing wrong with asking God to help you. In the book of Philippians we read,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And they peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6,7.

The way I see it we should all approach God with thanksgiving. We should thank God for all He is and all He has done and will do for us.

So when you pray do you approach God with thanksgiving in your heart?

Please think about it.

When people cry

  When people cry

The prophet Isaiah wrote,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8.

We humans are fragile beings. We live but a handful of years in this world before moving on to eternity.

The American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

"When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?" Tony Campolo

So how would you answer Tony’s question?

Are you certain you will be happy when everyone else is crying?

Please think about it.

Don't you know

  Don’t you know

    In the book or 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.

Are you a friend to the world. Jesus make it clear we can either follow the ways of God or the ways of man.

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.

Here in North America many calling themselves Christians want to have their feet in both worlds. Something Jesus tells us we cannot.

The choice is clear we must decide whether we are to serve Jesus or the world.

Please think about it.

All are equal before God

  All are equal before God.

"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.  

There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26-28.

Here in Galatians we see that all people are equal before God. No person is above another person. There is no hierarchy within the church. There is no political affiliation for Christians. 

     We are bound together not by race, occupation wealth or lack of wealth. All, men and women are one in Christ. Our faith in Christ is our unifying force.

Please think about it.

Living your faith in word and deed

 Living your faith in word and deed

The apostle John writes,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18.

Here is a very simple Christian life principle. We are to show our faith by our actions. It couldn’t be simpler than that.

So the question is, if you consider yourself a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you living your faith not just in words, but in your actions?

Please think about it.

A note for Valentines day

  A note for Valentines day

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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.

This is the description of true Godly love. It is something we as Christians need to but into action every day of our life.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

  Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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” 2 Timothy 2:22.

Here Paul is telling his readers to get your heart right with God. Get rid of those evil desires you have. Pursue,

Righteousness,

Faith,

Love, 

Peace,

Doing this pleases God.

So are you pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace?

Please think about it.

A Warning to the rich

  A warning to the rich

In the book of James we read,

“Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  

You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.” James 5:1-6.

Now there’s nothing wrong with being rich and having a lot of material possessions. The apostle Paul tell us,

“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.

It’s what you do with your wealth that is the problem. Do you use it selfishly on yourself or do you use at least a portion of it to help others.

The warning here is clearly to those who use their wealth selfishly. Those who have no compassion on the poor.

So my question is... Do you use at least a portion of what you have to help the poor?

Please think about it.

Prove your repentance

  Prove your repentance

In the book of Acts we read,

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.  First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds.” Acts 26:19 20.

Here is a sure fire way of knowing someone has truly accepted Christ as their Saviour and Lord. They will turn from their evil ways. 

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." James 14-17.

A true Christian will do their best to help others, whether it’s by simply giving a few dollars to someone who’s homeless living on the street. Or through donating to agencies and churches that help the poor. Or by volunteering to work with food banks and those agencies who help the poor. Or by seeing someone be it within or outside the church who just needs a hug and a loving word.

If you claim to be a Christian are you showing the world by your love of God by the deeds you are doing?

Please think about it.