Not the Healthy

Not the Healthy,
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”  Matthew 9:9-13.
Here is a concept that quite often is lost on some in the church today and I think especially on many within the evangelical church today.
I’ve been in churches over the years where the soul purpose of the congregation seems to have been to have a good time singing hymns and songs and feeling good about themselves. They feel good that they can praise God and have praised God. Which is a good thing. However such congregations need to remember that the purpose of the church is not just to praise and worship God but to evangelize and make disciples.
In addition to this group I’ve also heard many calling themselves Christians speaking out against those they disagree with even to the point of trying to restrict the rights of other groups they deem not to be Christian. This should not be so.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,
“It is the Holy Spirits job to convict of sin, God’s job to judge, my job to love.” Billy Graham.
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.
Christians are to look after their own house if you will. Ensure that the word of God is being taught correctly. It is the Christians job to present the gospel to whoever will listen to us. To sit down and have dialogue with all people without judging them.
This is what Jesus was doing when he was sitting with the tax collectors. He who had the right to judge them did not.
Jesus told his detractors,
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice...”
As Christians we should be showing mercy toward those who do not believe as we do. Not speaking against them as the religious leaders did in this incident.
It is essential that we show love to all we come in contact with. Only in doing this can we truly reach people for Christ. Which is the primary duty of all Christians.
Please think about it.

Jesus Forgives Sin

Jesus forgives sin
“Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” 
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” 
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?  
Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?  
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”  
And the man got up and went home.  
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.” Matthew 9:2-8.
Here we have an incident in which Jesus heals and forgives sin. Sin is something the religious leaders of his day and today agree that only God can do.
The healing part could not be denied the man was healed and God received the Glory.
The forgiveness of sins however rubbed the religious leaders the wrong way. As I said, only God can forgive sins. Thus Jesus was saying in effect He is God.
This is something people who claim Jesus is not God incarnate can’t explain to me. Why would Jesus and his followers claim Jesus could forgive sin?
If the fledgling Church was to succeed why would Jesus and later his apostles be so bold as to say Jesus is God. The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
Jesus provided purification for sins. This is a fundamental belief of all Christians. There is no middle ground. To be a Christian you must believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh. That He can and does forgive sins.
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.” 1 John 1:9.  
I know for many this can be a stumbling block even the apostle Paul wrote,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.
The thing is God does not do things the way we mortals do things.
Let’s face it God could have come down from heaven with hundreds of angels and said, “see I am real. I want you to worship me.” and I’m sure the majority if not all mankind would worship Him some because they genuinely loved him others however out of fear of what he would or could do to them. 
God however does not want people to worship him and serve him out of fear. Instead He wants each individual to make up their own mind about him. He asks for faith. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“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 11:6.
Faith defined by the writer of Hebrews as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1.

God wants men and women of faith because God knows someone who has true faith in anything are the true followers willing to even die for their cause.
Please think about it.

Storms

Storms
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.  
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.  
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” 
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. 
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Matthew 8:23-27.
Here is one of those things I often ask those who don’t believe in Christ about and it goes for all miraculous things mentioned in the Bible. Why put the miraculous in the New Testament? If not true they would take away from the truth of the scriptures.
The answer is they are true. Sometimes truth can be harder to believe than fiction.
Here we have a story of Jesus sleeping when a storm come up. The disciples some of whom were fishermen were afraid, so it must have been severe. Jesus then wakes up and calms the storm.
This incident showed the power of Jesus.
The incident can also be a metaphor to the storms in our life. We all have them at one time or another. Such storms can cause us to have great fear as regards to the outcome.
As a Christian however I have found that no matter the storms that come in my life, and I have had numerous very serious storms, I can get through them with the peace of mind that Jesus is there with me. That God is with me.
Jesus truly is a port in a storm. The one who gives me strength to go through the problems of life.
He is also there for me in the good times.
I as a Christian can say with the Psalmist,

"The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell

 in the house of the LORD forever." 

Psalm 23.

Can you?
Please think about it.

Following Jesus

Following Jesus
Matthew’s Gospel records,
“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.  
Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” 
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” 
Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:18-22.
Let’s clear something up here. Jesus is not telling the man that said let me go bury my father. That he couldn’t bury his dead father.
 This is probably a reference to the man waiting for his elderly father to pass on. As Levitical law stated the man should not be out in public if his father had just died.
What Jesus points out that we shouldn’t wait to follow him.
He warns that the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. Saying essentially that the spreading of the good news of Salvation is an on going thing. In the terminology of today, a twenty-four/seven activity.
The Christian faith is very much a way of life. A lifestyle. As Francis of Assisi said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
 Francis of Assisi.
The Christians are called to live their faith in word and in deed. The apostle Peter telling Christians,
“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 2:12.
From the moment we encounter Jesus we must decide what we are to do with Him. Reject him or believe in Him and do his work. There is no middle ground.
We cannot say wait until tomorrow. Billy Graham the American Evangelist stated,
“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.” Billy Graham.
Please think about it. 

The Centurions faith

The Centurion’s Faith
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.  
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.” 
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.” 
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.  
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.  
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.  
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.” Matthew 8:5-13.
Let me make things clear here Jesus was a Jew. The Church and its split from Judaism was in the future. All believers at this time were Jews.
In the centurion however we have a gentile, a none Jew who believed Jesus at the very least could heal people. A centurion who cared about his servant. Who was humble enough to say to Jesus “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof...” 
A man who had the faith to say “...But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” To which Jesus said,
 “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.”
Within the church today we have many people who believe in God. Who believe Jesus is all he claims to be but lack the faith of this centurion.
That lack of faith many times prevents things from happening.
The writer of Hebrews states,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1.

Faith is the key to a Christian life. The apostle Paul states,

“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.

It is by faith and the grace of God we get into heaven. Our faith however can result in much more when done in conjunction with God’s will.
Earlier in Matthew eight we heard of the man with Leprosy being healed. The man at that time saying “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Matthew 8:2.
Jesus was willing and the man was healed. His faith in conjunction with the will of God healed him.
There are many who ask why does not God heal people today. The answer is He does. Perhaps not as many as some faith healers and evangelist in the media would have us believe. But God does heal.
I know for certain my former pastor was healed of inoperable colon cancer the doctors confirmed this.
There are also well documented cases of people being miraculously healed by God. After all God is the same yesterday, today and forever. We have testimony that God healed people in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. Likewise he is doing it today.
Sadly there are a lot of fakes out there. Men and women who claim God uses them to heal people but do not. People that brings dishonour to God.
That being said, faith is the key to a Christian life. Whether one is healed or not is ultimately up to the will of God.
God knows what is best for the individual and his will should always prevail.
Please think about it.

Cleansed

Cleansed
“When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.  A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.  
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” Matthew 8:1-4.
Here we have one of many incidents in which Jesus healed a person. In this case a person with Leprosy the only other record of an Israelite being healed of Leprosy is Miriam in the Old Testament (Numbers, 12:10-15).
We don’t known from the narrative how the man knew Jesus healed people. However the man had obviously heard that Jesus had healed people. That he had faith in what he had heard or perhaps seen.
The key is the man’s faith. He didn’t just have an intellectual knowledge he had a heart knowledge. The key being the man said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” it showed an act of faith on the mans part. He also left his healing up to the will of Jesus. As a result the man’s faith was rewarded.
Jesus then told the man,
“See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.” 
Jesus told the man to obey the law of Moses. To keep silent until he’d seen the priest who would testify to the healing. Then offer the sacrifice to God. Ensuring God received the glory for what had happened.
This was a key to the ministry of Jesus he did not break the Law of Moses or abolish it. Jesus himself said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17.
The law in the  Old Testament is eternal. They are universal truths for all time.
One commentator I read said what Jesus is saying here is he has come if you will to “fill out” the law.
Jesus fulfills the law in several ways,
1/ He obeyed it perfectly and taught it’s meaning correctly.
2/ He will one day fulfill all the Old Testament prophecies.
3/ He provides a way of salvation that meets the requirements of the law.
The reason for Jesus coming to this earth was to show the way to heaven. The miraculous healings were there to show he was anointed of God.
The Gospel of John records Jesus as saying,
“The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  
I and the Father are one.” John 10:24-30.
John the Baptist is recorded as saying of Jesus,
“The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”  John 1:29.
C. S. Lewis one of the great English Christian teachers had strong words to say about Jesus in his book Mere Christianity. He said,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.
The Choice as to who you think Jesus is, is entirely up to you the reader.
Please take some time to think about it.

On "The Rock",

On "The Rock"
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 7:24-27.
As a Christian I am called to build my house, my faith, on the teachings of Jesus. That in doing so my faith will grow. This is not entirely a new thing.
The writer of Proverbs tells believers,
     “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
Christians believe that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh which is another reason we should follow Him.
The teachings of Jesus are for the most part simple. They are Love God, your neighbour, and even your enemy.
Jesus told his disciples and through them us,
“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.
Telling people about Jesus and making disciples is an important part of Christian life.
As Christians we believe that Jesus is the way to heaven and as such is the most important message we can present to the world.  Someone who can give you rest for your soul.
Jesus said,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened,

 and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for

 I am gentle and humble in heart, 

and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy

 and my burden is light.”

 Matthew 11:28-30

Having Faith in Jesus, in God also gives us strength to go through the good and the bad times.  The writer of Psalm twenty-three states,

The LORD is my shepherd,

 I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. 

Psalm 23.

As a Christian now for over forty years I can testify to the fact that no matter what we go through God does indeed bring us through and give us peace.
Please think about it

Watch Out

Watch out
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
Matthew 7: 15-23.
Jesus here warns believers to watch out for “false prophets”, false teachers. He notes that  “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
Christianity today in the twenty-first century like any faith or group of any kind that has been around a long time has people who call themselves Christian but are not.
They say they follow the teachings of Christ but one look at their life and lifestyle tells you they are a long way from Christ.
Now it must be said here the average Christian is far from perfect. However as someone once said

“Christians may not be perfect, but they are progressing

 toward what Jesus want for them in their life.” 

It can be hard for a non-believer or for that matter true Christians to tell who is a true Christian and who is not.
However I believe there are several things that mark a true believer in Christ. In brief they are,
1. They Love.
Jesus said,
“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.
2. They love even their enemy
Jesus 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,...” Matthew 5:43,44.
3. They obey Jesus who 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.
4. They truly believe Jesus when He said

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

No one comes to the Father except through me.” 

 John 14:6

   5. They believe you get to heaven by the grace of God through faith. The apostle Paul saying,

“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.

6. They believe in living at peace with all men. The apostle Paul saying,

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

live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:18

7. They will be subject to the rulers and authorities living a good life. Paul writing,

“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.

A true Christian will also want to tell you about the most important thing in their life Jesus Christ. Obeying the words of Jesus who 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.
A true Christian will do all of the above not only because it is what God requires of them but to show the non-believer the way to heaven. And that to a Christian is of paramount importance.
Please think about it.

The Gate

The Gate

“Enter through the narrow gate. 

For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, 

and many enter through it.  

But small is the gate and narrow the road

 that leads to life, 

and only a few find it. 

Matthew 7:13,14.

I as a Christian believe Jesus is that small gate and narrow road.
Jesus speaking to one of his apostles 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.

Jesus speaking of Himself 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.
These are clear statements saying Jesus is the way to heaven. Christians believe we cannot work our way to heaven. That we cannot live a life good enough to get to heaven.
Put simply this is how Christians believe you get to heaven,
  Paul writing to the Romans said,

“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.

Sinning is falling short of what God wants for you life. Sin separates us from God.
 The apostle John noting,

“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.” 

1 John 1:9,10.

Paul make it clear salvation is not something we can work for. Paul writing to the Ephesians stating,

“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

Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,

“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 11:6

Faith defined as,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.” 

 Hebrews 11:1

This indeed is a narrow road to heaven and I know many in the world today do not believe it is the only way to heaven. However if I am wrong about it, no one has to worry. If on the other hand I am right then there is a lot, to at the very least think about.
As C. S. Lewis states,
“Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” C. S. Lewis.
Please think about it.

Seek and Find

Seek and Find
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7,8.
In our twenty-first century many people are saying they don’t believe in God. However I believe many are saying this because they are not actively seeking God.
I think in our modern western society many times people are not seeking out God not necessarily because they are atheist. Rather it is because they simply don’t care about God. God and eternity at this point in their life has no relevance. That it is something to think about closer to ones death.
Having such an attitude toward God however can be dangerous. Very few people know the time of their death.
Jesus here tells us that we should seek God. That we should knock as it were on heavens door and ask God to truly show Himself to us.
Jesus notes,
“For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” Matthew 7:8.
God is not far from anyone of us. All he requires us to do is turn to Him in faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“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 11:6.

The key to finding God is having faith that he exists. However having faith in someone we cannot see, especially in the materialistic twenty-first century world we live in is a very hard thing in deed.
Then again perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith. For people who have true faith in anything are the loyalist of followers.
Please think about it.

Do not Judge

Do Not Judge
Jesus 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.
Jesus here is speaking to believers but it is something everyone needs to think about. Jesus is not saying we should refrain from judging things entirely. There are times when we need to judge whether or not a thing is good or bad for us. Whether someone talking to us is being truthful and such.
What Jesus is saying, it’s easy to find fault with people. There seems to be no end of people who will show you every fault someone else has. This should not be so. Especially if you claim to be a Christian.
The apostle Paul warns Christians,
“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.
Christians have the right to judge those within their faith especially with respect to what an individual claiming to be Christian is teaching. Such judgement is needed to ensure the teaching is correct.
However Christians have no right to judge those outside their faith especially when it comes to where a person will spend eternity.
The warning of Jesus in Matthew 7:1,2, is not to have a “judgmental spirit”. To constantly be criticizing others.
Jesus warns us,
“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 7:2.
By criticizing others you are giving them the right to criticize you in the same way. Jesus summed this 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.
So to judge others is to essentially tell others they can judge you in the same way you judged them.
On the other hand if you want to be treated well, to be treated fairly and honestly you must do the same to others.
I believe  the words of Jesus I quoted, “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.
The so called “golden rule” is something everyone, Christian and non-Christians can understand. Something if followed it is a rule that makes everyone’s life better.
Please think about it.

Your Treasure

Your Treasure
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. 
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light.  
But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness! 
“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 6:19-24.
Where is your real treasure? Jesus states here that we are to store up for ourselves treasures in heaven. Noting that where our treasure is there will be our heart.
Now let me state there is nothing wrong with having wealth in this world. The apostle Paul makes it clear,
“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.
Note Paul states “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” That it has caused some to wander from the faith. This is what Jesus is alluding too.
Wealth in and of itself is not evil or good. Money and material things can be used both for good and bad. It can all so keep you from getting to heaven depending on what your relationship with your wealth is.
Our true treasure must be laid up in heaven. As a Christian I believe this is following the teachings of Jesus. Putting my faith first in all I do.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  
So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?” 
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.  
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” Hebrews 13:5-8.
As a Christian I believe we should be content with what we have at any given time. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to better our position in life. At the same time however the urge to better ourselves should never pull us away from our faith.
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.”  Matthew 22:36-38.
If we truly love God we will want to do His will. The apostle Paul writing to Christian believers in Corinth said,
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”  1 Corinthians 9:24.
As believers in God, believers in Christ our prize is eternal life in Heaven with God. It is a prize we will only get if we keep our hearts and minds fixed on God and the saving Grace Jesus brings.
The most important treasure in our lives must be in heaven. For as Jesus said, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Please think about it.

Post Script,
If you are not a Christian where is your treasure?
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

Our life on this earth is but a momentary mist in eternity. All we have materially in this life will one day be left to others while we go to stand before God.
When you meet God will you meet Him as your Lord and Saviour or as your judge?
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.
It is by the grace of God we get to heaven, through faith. Not our works. So where is your faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

Hebrews 11:1

“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 11:6

So two questions must be answered,
Where is your faith?
Where is your treasure?