Be at Peace

 Be at peace 

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  Romans 12:18.

Do you live at peace with those around you?

The only way we will ever win a soul for Christ is if we live at peace with those around us and show unconditional love toward them.

In the book of Hebrews takes this a step further saying,

“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.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus are you making every effort to live at peace and to be holy with those around you?

Please think about it.

The Conclusion of the matter

 The conclusion of the matter

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

  For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

I believe there is a God. Furthermore I believe what the writer of Ecclesiastes is saying here about Him. If I am wrong and God doesn’t exist. I will have lived a good life. A happy life.

If on the other hand I am right then many people in this world have a lot to fear. 

What about you dear reader. What do you believe about God?

Please think about it.

A good workman

 A good workman

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Within our multi-media world anyone can be made to look good. And sadly way to many Christians don’t check out the pastor, teacher evangelist and even politicians they are following. As a result too many Christians are following false teachers.

Note what Paul is saying here these people will “have a form of godliness”

This is what is happening here in North America where I live. They claim to be true Christians. True followers of Christ Jesus but in reality they are what Jesus warned about. 

"Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves." Matthew 7:15.

We as believers in Christ need to do what the apostle Paul says,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

The greatest thing you can pass on

  The greatest thing you can pass on.

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7

The late evangelist Billy Graham said,

“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one's children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one's life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.” Billy Graham.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus do you believe this? More importantly, are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Where will you be most happy?

  Where will you be most happy?

Jesus said,

“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” Mark 8:36.

I think most people do not think much about Jesus and salvation. I would even go as far as saying many don’t even know what salvation means in a Christian sense. 

Most are concentrated on the here and now. On improving their way of life. Trying to find personal satisfaction by earning large amounts of money. By buying luxurious hoses and expensive cars.

Now there is nothing wrong with being rich or having luxurious material goods. The apostle Paul tells 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.

Jesus tells us,

"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.

We as individuals must chose where we will store our treasure. In heaven or on this earth.

Where we will be most happy.

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

Please think about it.

Go and bear fruit

  Go and bear fruit

Jesus said,

“Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.  

You are my friends if you do what I command.  

I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.  

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last....”John 15:13-16a.

Here Jesus is speaking to his disciples telling them to go and bear fruit. He tells them clearly that he has given to them all that the God the Father has given to him.

Matthews gospel records Jesus as saying,

"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.

This is what God requires of us today to make disciple. To reach people around the world for Christ and teach them all that the Bible says about Christ.

Question. 

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it. 

Following Christs example

 Following Christs example

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.” 1John 3:16-18.

I firmly believe that it is not good enough to simply be satisfied with saying “Well I have accepted Christ as my Saviour”. We need to do more. We need to follow the example of Christ.

We may never be called to lay down our life for Christ but we can still show He is at work in our life by helping others. John states,

“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?” 1John3:17.

I think both Christians and non-Christians can agree that having food, clothing, a place to live, good medical care are basic human rights.

And while we as individual Christians may not be able to meet the needs of the poor around us, we can all do something. Helping at a food bank. Helping at a ministry that provides meals for those in need, Giving what we can to reputable charities that serve the poor.

For me helping those in need is an obligation of all Christians. The measure of how much they love Christ.

Please think about it. 

It's not a new commandment

 It’s not a new commandment

The apostle John writes,

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:4-6.

We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to walk in truth, love and in obedience to God’s command. 

The definition of Christian love is defined by the apostle Paul when he writes,

"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. 

So is this the way you love?

Please think about it.

On the Rock or on the Sand?

  On the Rock or on the Sand?

Jesus said,

"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.

Jesus here is making a simple statement about himself. He is telling us that we should put our trust in him. That our faith should be built on his teachings. That if we do so, when troubles come our faith will remain strong, enabling us to endure what life throws at us.

If we don’t every thing will come crashing down around us.

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5,6.

Are you building your house on the rock that is Jesus?

Are you trusting in God with all your heart?

Please think about it.

Clothed with

  Clothed with

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.

Paul here is telling us what a true Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus really is like.

They are holy, dearly loved by God.

They are clothed with compassion, kindness, humility gentleness, and patience.

If you claim to be a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you truly showing these attributes?

Please think about it.

The apostle Paul's advice to believers

 The apostle Paul’s advice to believers

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:15-17.

• Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart

• Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly

• Admonish one another with all wisdom

• Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God 

• Sing with gratitude in your heart to God.

• What ever you do in word or deed do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

• Give thanks to God the Father through Christ.

Simple advice to all believers in Christ Jesus. Something to follow in our daily lives.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you follow this advice?

Please think about it.

Are you truly light?

 Are you truly light?

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Here is something very simple. If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus, “you are the light of the world.”

It is through your words and deeds that the people around you will see Jesus. Even if it’s just bowing your head in prayer in a restaurant or talking to your neighbour. 

So my question to those who claim to be Christians, true believers in Christ Jesus, what are you words and deeds saying about Jesus?

Please think about it.