Accepting

Accepting
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  

Do not forget to entertain strangers, 

for by so doing some people have entertained angels

 without knowing it.” 

Hebrews 13:1,2.

A couple of days ago now, my wife and I went to a Comicon fair. It’s a place where fans of comic book heros, and sifi, enthusiasts go to meet their favourite characters and the personalities that portrayed them.
At first I thought there are a lot of “odd balls” here. But they turned out to be some of the nicest people we’d ever met.
Many “Cosplay” (costume play). They dress up as their favourite character and act the part.
My wife and I had never gone before so I loaded her in her wheel chair paid our money and had what turned out to be a very enjoyable few hours. Every time we got a chance my wife asked some of those dressed up for a picture. They were more than willing to let us take their pictures.
What impressed me was everyone we met and talked to not just the vendors and professional actors but those attending, were very polite. Very accepting people.
I attend various other secular events during the year and never have I met people who were so polite. We were genuinely amazed.
Frankly the people were more polite than in some churches we’ve attended.
Over the years I and my wife before she was forced to retire, had been to and performed in lots of churches. Usually when we go to a church other than our own we go to perform. People seen us coming because we wear funny clothing and a big red nose.
You see for several decades we were  professional clowns performing both at secular and Christian events.
At church events we presented the gospel message through clowning to both adults and children. People liked what we did and welcomed us warmly.
Sadly however not all people feel welcome in church or Christian circles. I have met many who had such a bad experience in church that they say they would never go again. People I know in the gay community shun especially those churches espousing to be evangelical, because they feel looked down upon. As if they have a “special sin”.
Others have been turned off because of what people say. One man I know met me after church to say he would never be back because someone quote “lectured him on smoking cigarettes”.
Others complained that they were looked down upon because they didn’t “dress right”. Or for that matter “look right”.
I remember one incident when we attended a very large church of a woman in her late forties that after the service stood in the foyer of the church and no one spoke to her. No one had spoken to her other than a greeter at the door the whole time she’d been in church.
I went to speak to her. It turned out we had a mutual friend whom she’d been on the mission field with. In fact she’d just returned from her third time on the mission field. And here she was among believers who didn’t have the time to say hello.
Needless to say she never returned to the church.
Churches should be a place of welcome. As Christians we should not be judging anyone. The apostle Paul said,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church?

 Are you not to judge those inside?  

God will judge those outside. 

“Expel the wicked man from among you.”

 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

We must in order to properly spread the word of God welcome everyone we come in contact with. Jesus summed things up when he 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.
Think about it if you were visiting a church would you not want someone other than the greeter to say hello?
Jesus 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.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
We must do this. As the writer of Hebrews said,

“Keep on loving each other as brothers.  

Do not forget to entertain strangers, 

for by so doing some people 

have entertained angels without knowing it.” 

Hebrews 13:1,2.

Please think about it.

Advice to Christians

Advice to Christians
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Gandhi I believe saw too many people who were Christians in name only.
Here is some advice from scripture of what Christians are suppose to do.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans during the reign of Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians in history. He said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Writing to Titus the apostle Paul said,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:1,2.
To the Galatians Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“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
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  1 Peter 2:9-12.
Our Lord Jesus 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.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45.
When it comes to how a Christian should act Jesus put it in a nut shell saying,
“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.
If we follow these simple pieces of advice we will be well equipped to do what Jesus called us to do when He 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.
There is a prayer by Francis of Assisi that I think Christians should take to hart in their day to day lives. Francis wrote,
Francis of Assisi while not an Apostle of Christ gave some excellent advice when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                 Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

Advice to Christians

Advice to Christians
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Gandhi I believe saw too many people who were Christians in name only.
Here is some advice from scripture of what Christians are suppose to do.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans during the reign of Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians in history. He said,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Writing to Titus the apostle Paul said,
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,  to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.” Titus 3:1,2.
To the Galatians Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” Galatians 5:22,23.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“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
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”  1 Peter 2:9-12.
Our Lord Jesus 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.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Matthew 5:43-45.
When it comes to how a Christian should act Jesus put it in a nut shell saying,
“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.
If we follow these simple pieces of advice we will be well equipped to do what Jesus called us to do when He 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.
There is a prayer by Francis of Assisi that I think Christians should take to hart in their day to day lives. Francis wrote,
Francis of Assisi while not an Apostle of Christ gave some excellent advice when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                                 Francis of Assisi.
Please think about it.

Do Something

Do Something!
Derek Prince an American evangelist said,
“A faith that does not result in activity of any kind is a dead faith; it is empty, worthless, insincere.” Derek Prince.
Prince was only echoing the words of James the half brother of Christ who wrote,
“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.
Our Faith as Christians should be driving us to do things for Christ. We may not be able to preach grand sermons, lead a bible study or go into the mission field but we can all do something.
I’m a now retired professional clown. While a clown I used my talent to witness for Christ. I always wore a button, at both secular events and Christian events that said, “Jesus Loves You” or “I love Sundays School”. The latter of which brought about some interesting comments opening doors for me to witness to both children and adults alike.
   I for many years also taught Sunday School. Some of the children I taught in those early years are now in their late thirties and early forties with Children of their own.
Once, when asked by an eight year old “what is a missionary?”, I replied half in jest. “A missionary is someone who wears a red nose and tells people about Jesus”. It is a statement I have never lived down.
Years later I was sitting in my car, dressed as a clown, having a break between performances when a young man in his late twenties came up to me and said, “You know a missionary is someone who wears a red nose and tells people about Jesus.”
That young man had been in that Sunday School class that day and twenty years later remembered what I said. He at the time was getting ready to go on the mission field.
While teaching Sunday School and now when I teach adults I tell them that they can all do something for Christ. I taught eight years olds that they may not know the bible very well but they can invite people out to Sunday School and Church and let the pastor or Sunday school teacher tell them about Jesus.
I told them they can visit nursing homes or rake leaves for their neighbour in the name of Jesus without expecting anything in return.
They can raise money for orphanages and schools in the third world. Here at home they can support food banks and other charities.
There is always something you can do in the name Christ.
James said,
“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.”
 How are you showing your faith?
Please think about it.

Things are fleeting

Things are fleeting
Former United States Secretary of State James Baker once said, "Someone asked me what was the most important thing I had learned since being in Washington. I replied that it was the fact that temporal power is fleeting." Baker went on to observe that once driving through the White House gates he saw a man walking alone on Pennsylvania Avenue and recognized him as having been Secretary of State in a previous administration. "There he was alone - no reporters, no security, no adoring public, no trappings of power. Just one solitary man alone with his thoughts. And that mental picture continually serves to remind me of the impermanence of power and the impermanence of place."
Baker is right all that we have in this world is impermanent.
The following are observations from the writer of Ecclesiastes,
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun” Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 1:14
“To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind.” Ecclesiastes 2:26.
Our world is very impermanent. We live but a handful of years gather a few “things” only to enter eternity without them.
All we really enter eternity with is our beliefs, our faith and the actions we have committed in this life. All of which have consequences in eternity. The Talmud while not a Christian book tells something I can envision as happening, 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 
When we enter eternity and stand before God there will be no debate as to whether He exists or not. He’ll be there in front of you. How will you answer the question “have you dealt honourably and faithfully with your fellow man.
Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
Well a man did rise from the dead that man was Jesus Christ the One and Only Son of God. The Saviour of mankind. He has placed before all people everywhere this choice. When speaking of himself he 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
Ecclesiastes states,
“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, as do all Christians, believe you can know and be assured of spending eternity with God here and now in this life.
You can know by believing in Jesus and accepting the Saving Grace He offers to all people freely.
The choice is yours.
Please think about it. 

The Greatest of These

The Greatest of these.

Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Blessed is the servant who loves his brother as much when he is sick and useless as when he is well and can be of service to him. And blessed is he who loves his brother as well when he is afar off as when he is by his side, and who would say nothing behind his back he might not, in love, say before his face.”   Francis of Assisi.
Do you truly love? Many say we love but put restrictions on that love. Their love becomes conditional on a good feeling. “The warm and fuzzy’s” as one of my friends says, or Physical attraction. When the good feeling goes or the physical attraction ends, so does their love.
Our love should not be conditional be it on a good feeling or physical attraction, because true love is more than that.
For me the best definition of love ever written in any language was written by the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians it states,

“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.
I believe is a universal truth. That everyone everywhere can understand.
I also believe that to be a Christian you cannot do less than follow this definition of love.
So I ask again, by the definition of love given by the apostle Paul do you Love?
The Apostle Paul says another thing about love, that Christians must follow. He states in his letter to the Romans,

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; 

cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope,

 patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.  

Share with God’s people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, 

but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. 

Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, 

live at peace with everyone. 

                                                                              Romans 12:9-18.
So I ask you, if you claim to be a Christian do you follow what the Apostle Paul is saying here?
Please think about it.

Live together

Live together
Martin Luther King jr. prayed,

We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.

We are in nature but we live above nature.

Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.

Give us strength to love our enemies 

and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.

We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, 

that challenges us to do more  than sing and pray,

 but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers

 depended on us and not upon thee.

Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars

 and live on through all eternity.

Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace;

 help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together 

until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow 

will rejoice in one common bond of humanity 

in the kingdom of our LORD and of our God, we pray.

Amen.

Martin Luther King Jr. spoke that prayer at the height of the civil rights movement in the united states in the 1960's. All Christians need to heed what it says. King was in his way saying, love God, your neighbour and even your enemy.
Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver in a December 22nd 1940 sermon said,
“There is one other fundamental difference between love and hate.  Love is always a refuge.  Hate is never a refuge.  Only a mentally sick person can find refuge in his hates.  But love is the enduring sanctuary of life.  Life may rob you of many things.  It often does.  But it can never bereave us of love itself.  That remains.”
He was right. Be we Christians, Jews or anyone else we must love.
Especially if we are Christians WE MUST LOVE.
Jesus 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.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus however did not stop there he said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”Matthew 5:43-45.
To me that means Christians should not be following anyone be it a religious leader or a political leader that is in any way espousing hate, be it in word or in deed.
Sadly the second world war and the rise of Hitler and his cronies showed what happened when people did not stand up to leaders who espoused hate.
Martin Niemoller who at the beginning supported Hitler but then turned into a ardent Anti-Nazi wrote,

“When they came for the Communists, 

I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. 

When they came for the Jews, 

I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. 

When they came for the Catholics, 

I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. 

When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.

        ”Tony Campolo the American Evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
He is right.
Sadly what passes for Evangelical Christianity in the United States in particular and in North America in general is not. It tends to be religion mixed with politics. A bad mix in which the teachings of Jesus are at best watered down and at worst existent in word only.
The Apostle Paul warned of such times when he said,

“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. 

Instead, to suit their own desires, 

they will gather around them a great number of teachers 

to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth 

and turn aside to myths.” 

2Timothy 4:3,4.

As true Christians we need to come back to the teachings of our Lord and His apostles. We need to be looking carefully at the scriptures and practising what they say in spirit and in truth. Not twisting them in a way that we want to hear.
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.
He didn’t say support a political party or follow a specific religious leader. He said go and make disciples of all nations and teach what he taught.
Paramount in the teaching of Jesus was,
“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
As a Christian are you doing this?
Please think about it.

What is life?

The Poet wrote,

What is life?

What?

Is life but a wisp of smoke carried in the air?

A wisp in the eternal aether 

Are people wisps?

What of man’s, or woman’s! accomplishments?

What of them?

Is the sum total of all ones life simply, 

A pile of shinny tin, brass, and wood?

Is that life?

Is life simply a cacophony of sounds travelling through endless time?

Is it?

Or! 

Is life.

Yours and mine 

more!

Is it,

A divine opera?

An opera played out on a high mesa 

A stage suspended between,

Heaven and Hell.

Are we as Shakespear said,

Simply actors?

Life,

I believe. 

Is an opera played out before God.

Live!

On a high mesa,

Between Heaven and Hell.

And we,

We, Are, partakers in a play.

Individuals, who write our own script.

Awaiting the final curtain call

Sending us to eternity

Are you ready for the final curtain call?

What is the sum total of your life?

What?

What will “they” say about you as you pass on?

What will God say?

Where will you spend eternity?”

The Psalmist wrote,

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; 

let me know how fleeting is my life. 

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; 

the span of my years is as nothing before you. 

Each man’s life is but a breath. 

Psalms 39:4,5

Jesus said,

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. 

No one comes to the Father 

except through me.”

 John 14:6

The Apostle Paul wrote,

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—

and this not from yourselves, 

it is the gift of God— 

Ephesians 2:8

The writer of Hebrews wrote, 

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see...

And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Hebrews 11:1,6.

Where,

Where will you spend eternity? 

Are you sure you know where you will be?

Please think about it.

Judgement

Judgement

“The Jesus of the Scripture transcends all nations and calls all nations into judgment.”
Tony Campolo.
The Apostle Paul speaking to the Athenians in the Areopagus said,
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.” Acts 17:29-32.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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
Here is what I as a Christian believe. I believe the above. God will one day judge the world. I also believe you can know here and now if you will get to heaven or not.
The apostle Paul writes,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.
God reached down in love to mankind offering to each individual salvation. As C. S. Lewis said,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” C.S. Lewis
I also believe what the apostle John said when he wrote,
“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 writing to Timothy states,
“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.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans tells us,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:9-13.
This is what I as a Christian believe.
God will one day Judge the world.
That being said you can here and now know where you will spend eternity by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Saviour today. Accepting the Saving Grace God offers you today.
Will you pray a simple prayer like this today,
Dear Lord God
I accept your saving grace this day. I believe that Jesus is your one and Only Son. That He paid the price for my sins. Please forgive my sins.
Please Lord Jesus come into my heart and life and teach me your ways. That I may walk in your truth from this day froward. 
Amen.
Please consider it today.

Do you confess Christ?

Do you Confess Christ?
The apostle Paul said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13
Do you confess that you love God, that you love Jesus? By that I don’t mean get all fanatical and force Jesus and your beliefs down someone’s throat. I mean, do people see Jesus in all aspects of your life?
I have met many well meaning Christians who talk endlessly to those around them about Jesus. They never talk about anything their listener wants to talk about. Which unfortunately causes people to tune them out or worse stay away from them.
Other Christians try to force their beliefs or morality on non-Christians. They judge those who are not Christians. This is contrary to what the apostle Paul wrote when he said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Even Jesus gave us such a warning when He 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.
If you judge someone by your moral standard then they may judge you by theirs and you may not like it.
We need to have a balanced approach when it comes to confessing Christ in our life. We need to witness with wisdom. Meet the person where they are at. We need to listen to what they have to say. Then tell them as much about Jesus as they are willing to listen to.
Not only that but we must do this without judging them.
Francis of Assisi said two important things Christians need to practice when he said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

And

“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

What is your sermon saying?                                                                                                      

Please think about it.

Christian Living

Christian living
Here is something all Christians need to consider. It is written by the apostle Paul to the Romans. He states,
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.  
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.  
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.  
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” 
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”  Romans 12:9-21.
Dear Christian are you living this kind of life?
When people see your life do they truly see Jesus reflected in you?
Please think about it.

Christ's Prayer

Christ’s prayer

“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.  
I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 
“Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world. 
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20-26.
Here we have hope for Christians.
Jesus here prays for not only his disciples but for all who would believe in Him through the actions of the disciples. In other words if you are a true Christian Jesus prayed this prayer for you.
Jesus prays for the unity of all believers saying.
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
The purpose of that unity is that others may believe through the confession of our beliefs as Christians.
Christianity through the centuries has broken into many denominations all with various traditions and rituals. Traditions and rituals do not make a Christian. Core Christian values transcend denominations.
I believe the apostle Paul who wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9
Writing to the Romans Paul said,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Romans 10:9-13
These are two basic conditions laid down by the Apostle Paul that one must believe in order to be a Christian.
The other basic Christian beliefs are summed up by the apostles creed. While it was not written by an apostle of Jesus. It was obviously written by a true believer because it summarizes what all Christians believe it states,

I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

 I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

 I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. 

That he descended in hell.

 I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

 I believe in the Holy Ghost

I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

 I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

I believe in the resurrection of the body.

I believe in life everlasting.

If you claim to be a Christian do you believe this?
Please think about it.