Rest for your Soul

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.
The other day my wife and I attended an event near to where we live. We’d attended the same event a year earlier. This time however security was much higher. The result no doubt of events thousands of miles from where we were, the Manchester, and London attacks. Where misguided individuals murdered innocent men women and children.
The two incidents as tragic as they were are a symbol of our times and not limited to terrorism.
If statistics are correct more people died because of gun violence in the United States in the first part of this year 2017 than because of all violent crimes in all of the United Kingdom in the previous two years. Including terrorism. According to Gun Violence Archives. Org. 6,453 people have died in the United States because of gun violence between January and June of this year 2017.
While the United states can arguably be said to be the most violent of all western nations it is not alone. Violent crime, murders, robberies, sexual assaults and other vicious crimes are everyday occurrences in every country.
The people who commit such crimes have little or no fear of reprisal. Jail terms, even the death penalty means nothing to them.
And while I firmly believe Christianity has the answer to the problem. I believe many calling themselves Christians have become of no effect. They have become “religious”. That is to say, they know what to say and how to act in church and around other Christians. But they are really just a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
Jesus said,
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.” Matthew 5:13.
Many claiming to be Christian have lost their saltiness. They have turned the truths Jesus and the apostles taught into religious do’s and don’t. Even worse they do not put into effect the teachings of Jesus and the apostles in their lives.
In many cases those claiming to be Christians are religious copies of the world and people want nothing to do with it. People especially young people are looking for more.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,
“Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them.”Billy Graham
In 1958 John B. Harrington wrote a book called "Essentials in Christian Faith" it could have been written yesterday. 
It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948. It states,
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency and courage."
  The people who join terrorist groups, and inner city gangs are looking for meaning in life. They are longing to belong. They are longing for love and acceptance of others. For purpose in life.
Sadly most of the time they are not finding it in the one spot they should be finding it, the Gospel of Christ.
They are not finding it because those calling themselves Christians are not living a Christian life and lifestyle.
 Those in the world are looking at many calling themselves Christians and saying to themselves “I live a better life morally and ethically than they do. Why should I become a Christian?”
As Christians we need to be looking carefully at our life and lifestyle. Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

 Francis of Assisi

Francis also reminds us,

“We have been called to heal wounds,

 to unite what has fallen apart,

 and to bring home those who have lost their way.” 

Francis of Assisi

At the start of this article I quoted Jesus as saying,
“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.
I know I, and other followers of Christ like me have found those words to be true. However those seeking rest for their soul will never find it if those calling themselves Christians are not living it.
Please think about it.

About Judgement

About Judgment
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.
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.
The Apostle Paul writes,

“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.

It is very easy to judge someone. Christians however according to Jesus, James and the apostle Paul are not to judge anyone. Especially those outside the church. And we are only allowed to judge those inside the church to see if they are teaching sound doctrine. If they are not we are to expel them from the church.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,”

                 Billy Graham

Another American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
That all, means all of us, Popes, pastors, evangelist, people sitting in the pew, political leaders, men and women on the street. All have sinned. The apostle John however tells us,
“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.
As Christians we must remember we are sinners saved by the grace of God. We have no right to judge another human being.
We do however have an obligation before God to present the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone who will listen to us. Something we can only do if we are not judging people. The writer of Hebrews reminds us,
“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.
Please think about it.

We Must Love

 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.
Earlier in Matthew’s gospel Jesus is recorded as saying,
“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
We must love. We must love God, our neighbour even our enemy. It is a commandment from God. The apostle Paul even defines what Christian love is when he 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.

If we claim to be believers in Christ we must love unconditionally. God requires that of us. The apostle John writes,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  
Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.  
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him.  
This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  
Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.....  
We love because he first loved us.  
If anyone says, “I love God,” yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen.  
And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother. 1 John 4:7-11, 19-21.
Nothing could be more clear. We as believers in Christ we must love unconditionally.
Please think about it.

A Faith Thing

A Faith Thing
The writer of Genesis states,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. After all it was written to believers. The Bible simply says “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. It by default acknowledges the existence of God and leaves it up to the reader to decide for themselves.
Thomas Aquinas said,
“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas.
I think what Thomas Aquinas said is very true in the day and age in which we live. Just a quick glance around the internet proves there are many people who believe in God without reservation. Likewise there are many who no matter what you say to them, they will not believe in God.
I believe in God because I cannot believe that the short span of years we live in this physical world is all there is. At the same time I do not have blind faith in God. I believe as the Psalmist states,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. 

Their voice goes out into all the earth, 

their words to the ends of the world. 

Psalm 19:1-4

I believe in a world, in a universe, that was perfectly created to sustain life as we know it.
    From the smallest subatomic particle to the most massive galaxy all work in harmony to created life as we know it.
I believe the writer of Hebrews who said,
“By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” Hebrews 11:3.
This I admit is very much an act of faith on my part, which makes me no different than any scientist and particularly theoretical physicist. Men and women who postulate a theory from what they see around them, then believe by faith their science is correct.
Men and women such as Einstein, who had faith his theories were correct all his life, some of which were not proven until after his death.  
Thus it is with God. If we look around we can see God’s handiwork within creation. We can because of the perfection of the universe and everything in it postulate accurately that God exists.
Ultimately however I admit it comes down to a faith. The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
Thus the question come down to do you the reader. Do you believe in God?
Please think about it.

A Warning

A Warning
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“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.” James5:1-6.
Here is a warning to the rich and those in power, politicians etc. God will one day judge you. You may get away with oppressing the poor and doing wrong in this life. However God will one day judge you.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.
I believe those who have wealth and power have an obligation to help the poor and oppressed. I believe no matter who we are rich or not so rich we have an obligation to help anyone we can.
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.” Tony Campolo.
I believe Campolo is correct. We should be caring for the sick, feeding the hungry and standing up for the oppressed. Not only that we should be telling our politicians and those in power to do this also. For this is not only the Christian thing to do, but the humane thing to do.
The writer of Ecclesiastes warns,
“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.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
Question: When you personally stand before God what will he say to you?
Please think about it.

Become Wheat

Become Wheat
Jesus said,
“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 7:21-23.
The church has been around a long time as a result many calling themselves Christians are not. The apostle Paul even warned,
“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
The apostle Peter warned,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
We as Christians must be carful not to follow false teaching, not to listen to false teachers. The only way we can do such a thing is to read and study the scriptures for ourselves. We should also do our best to become apart of a good bible believing church congregation.
Michael Flynn observed,
“Jesus said the weeds would grow with the wheat until the Judgement," Dietrich answered, "so one finds both good men and bad in the Church. By our fruits we will be known, not by what name we have called ourselves. I have come to believe that there is more grace in becoming wheat than there is in pulling weeds.” Michael Flynn, 
I like Flynn’s statement
“I have come to believe that there is more grace in becoming wheat than there is in pulling weeds.”
We can as believers wanting to make sure the truth is spoken in the name of Jesus, jump up and down, yell and criticize those we believe are not presenting the word of God correctly. That however will just wear us out and produce nothing.
There will always be false teachers in the church. And while we need to be aware of them. Even following what the Apostle Paul tells us to “....“Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Cornithians 5:13b. We should not engage in witch hunts. Such things do not produce followers of Christ.
We need as Flynn put it to become wheat. Producing good spiritual food for those around us. We need to do as Paul writing to Timothy said,
“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.
Please think about it.

Faith and Works

Faith and Works
James the half brother of Jesus 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.
As Christians we do live in our deeds. Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                        Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ, people are watching you. They see everything you do whether you realize it or not. Christians cannot do things half heartedly. We cannot see people in need and not do what we can to help.
James tells us
“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?”  
As Christians we are called to love our neighbour whoever they may be and that means at times doing what we can to help those in physical need around us. 
Luke’s gospel records this incident between Jesus and an expert in the Law.
“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 
“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?” 
He answered: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’’” 
“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” 
But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 
In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  
So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ 
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” 
The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:25-37.
Please think about it

Have You?

Have You?
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.
There is an interesting quote I like from the Talmud a Jewish book that lines up perfectly with this parable. 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
God is exists whether you believe in him or not, and He will hold you accountable for your actions. The writer of Ecclesiastes telling us.
“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.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14
The question is how will you fare when you stand before Him?
What the Talmud and Jesus are expressing is a simple universal truth. We as human being should be showing unconditional love and compassion for our fellow man. We should be helping those in need in whatever way we are able. After all if you were in need of help of any kind would you not want help?
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 
This is a universal truth irrespective of what you believe.
Especially if you claim to be a follower of Christ, do you follow this truth?
Please think about it.

A Special Day

A special Day
Jesus said to his disciples,
“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8.
What Jesus spoke about here actually occurred fifty days after Easter Sunday according to tradition. Within Christian circles it is called Pentecost Sunday or Whitsunday. It is the time when Christians celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit,
The book of Acts tells us,
“When the day of Pentecost came, they (the followers of Jesus) were all together in one place.  
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.  
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.  
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  
When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.  
Utterly amazed, they asked: “Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in his own native language?  
Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome  (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!”  
Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” Acts 2:1-12.
Interestingly enough this occurred on the Jewish holiday of Shavuot. The time when the Jews celebrate God giving them The Law (the Torah) and when they celebrate the wheat harvest. It was a time when Jews from all over the world made a pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
If you think about it this was the ideal time to launch the church. To present the salvation message to the people. And God did this in miraculous fashion scripture telling us,
“All of them (the followers of Jesus) were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 
Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven.  
When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.”
An incredible event that caused people to ask,
“Brothers, what shall we do?” 
Allowing the Apostle Peter to reply, 
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  
The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” Acts 2:38-39.
And the promise dear reader is for you.
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.” John 3:16,17.
The apostle John tells us,
“If we confess our sins, he (Jesus) 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 John also writes of Jesus,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
Thus the choice dear reader is yours. Will you believe in Jesus?
  Please think about it.

An Important Day

An important day.
         The Book of Exodus records,
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
On the 6th to 7th day of the Jewish month of Sivan Jews all over the world celebrate the giving of the law. In the Jewish year 5778 which is this year 2017 that falls at sunset on May 30th .
God if you will on the 7th of Sivan put into writing what I believe He has written on the hearts and minds of all men. Laws that make for a civilized society.
In acknowledging the law we are also acknowledging the sovereignty of God, for I do not believe man on his own could have come up with such a comprehensive set of rules to govern society as a whole.
Abba Hillel Silver speaking during the dark days of world war two said,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver
History shows us that when man turns away from God’s moral absolutes, when man refuses to accept the existence of God our society as a whole suffers.
Hitler and his henchmen are the best examples of this. They did not fear God. They followed their own sinister code of ethics. A code of ethics that led to the deaths of six million Jewish men women and children and an equal number of others in the death camps alone. In a war they started that claimed the lives of in excess of fifty-six million people.
Terrorist around the world today are doing the same. They have no fear of God or His laws. Thus tens of thousands are dying at their hands.
We as a society no matter who we are Jew, Christian, Muslim or those of other faiths. Need to take time this day to acknowledge the giving of God’s law to not only the Jews but to all mankind.
We need to acknowledge God for the writer of Ecclesiastes stated,
“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
Please think about it.

Faith

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.  
This is what the ancients were commended for. 
By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. 
By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead. 
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.  
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. 
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. 
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.  
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 
By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarah herself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who had made the promise.  
And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth.  
People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.  
If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.  Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.”Hebrews 1:1-16.
I have heard Hebrews chapter one called the roll of the faithful. It defines faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” then notes, “This is what the ancients were commended for.”
     Men and women who had faith in God even though they did not see in their lifetime the fruition of the promise God had given them.
Today in the twenty-first century faith in anything is hard to have. We live in a very if you will tactile world. We need to see and feel things otherwise we do not believe in it.
God however asks us to have faith in Him. 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.
In writing to the Galatians he states of himself,
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.
Faith in the twenty-first century is all around us. People believe in politicians, in philosophers, even in fad diets, herbal remedies and much more. All are promising a better way of life. Yet few offering any concrete proof they will do what they say. All with potential negative consequences of making life worse if their claims prove false.
When it comes to God however many people refuse to have faith in Him. Yet faith in God costs us nothing and is devoid of risk especially in this life.
Blaise Pascal said,
“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists. Blaise Pascal.
Please think about it.

A Simple, Complicated, Statement.

A simple, complicated, statement.
Jesus taking to His disciples and through them to us, 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.

Put this way in the year of Our Lord 2017 this means,

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals however good they may be on others.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally.

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 neighbour as yourself.’ 
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
Matthew 22:36-40.
Earlier in the gospel of Matthew Jesus is recorded as saying,

“You have heard that it was said, 

‘Love your neighbour 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.

The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians defines love as,

“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

The apostle Paul telling us,

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

live at peace with everyone.”

Romans 12:18

The Writer of Hebrews telling us,

“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

Please especially if you consider yourself a Christian...

       think carefully about it.