Belief

Belief
The Apostle Peter writes,
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  
They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  
But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.  
By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.  
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 
But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.”2 Peter 3:3-10
Peter here warns the church that in the last days scoffers will arise ridiculing what believers in Christ Jesus believe. They will mockingly ask where is Christ. Why hasn’t he returned. Such things are happening today.
Peter however points out that it’s not that Jesus will not return or that God does not exist. It is because God is patient. He wants to give everyone a chance to receive the saving grace that comes through Jesus Christ.
The key to accepting the grace of God is that you must first be looking and acknowledge that God exists. That takes faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling 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.

For some people having faith in something they cannot see, especially when it come to God is a very difficult thing.
It is easy to believe in something you can see feel or smell. It is much harder to believe in something you cannot see.
Still God does show us He is around. The psalmist said,

“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.” 

                                                                                       Psalm 19:1-3.

Even science is starting to show us that the Universe was indeed created.
Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics stated,
“Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural’) plan.”
The late Stephen Hawking one of the greatest minds of our generation said, “It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us,” Stephen Hawking.
Sadly however no matter how much proof is given to some people they still will not believe in God. That however is their choice. A choice given to them by God.
It is a choice you the reader must make. For there will come a time when Christ will return.
If the apostle Peter is right and I believe he is “...the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare” 2 Peter 3:10
The question thus becomes if Christ were to return today where would you be?
Please think about it.

The Debate

The Debate
In the book of Acts we see a debate within the early church as to what a believer must do upon being saved.
At this time Christianity was part of Judaism and some of the Pharisees who had become believers in Christ Jesus said that Gentile (non-Jews) who believed in Jesus had to be circumcised. In order to settle the debate the apostles and leaders of the early church convened a council to address this issue.
The book of Acts states,
“Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses.” 
The apostles and elders met to consider this question.  
After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe.  
God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us.  
He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.  
Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of the disciples a yoke that neither we nor our fathers have been able to bear?  
No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:5-11.
Thus after the discussion the book of Acts tells us the elders sent a message to the churches that read,
“...The apostles and elders, your brothers, 
To the Gentile believers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia: 
Greetings. 
We have heard that some went out from us without our authorization and disturbed you, troubling your minds by what they said.  
So we all agreed to choose some men and send them to you with our dear friends Barnabas and Paul—  men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.  
It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements:  
You are to abstain from food sacrificed to idols, from blood, from the meat of strangled animals and from sexual immorality. You will do well to avoid these things. 
Farewell. Acts 15:23-29.
Notice the council at Jerusalem made things very easy for the new convert. Peter makes it clear that,
“...We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.” Acts 15:11.
The apostle Paul writing to the church in Ephesus said, 
“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.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,
“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
Salvation is an act of faith. It is believing by faith that Jesus is indeed is the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind, The Messiah.
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.

Sound Doctrine

Sound Doctrine
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
This is a warning not just for Paul’s day but for every generation of believers. Sadly too many people in the Christian community only listen to what they want to hear. This does not necessarily lead to the truth.
St. Augustine said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
From time to time I believe we need what we believe questioned. We should not live in a bubble. We should do as Paul writing to Timothy states,
“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.”  2 Timothy 2:15.
At the same time we need to discuss our beliefs with others. Even question what we believe.
It was by questioning their own beliefs, by questioning what they had been taught, that Martin Luther and John Calvin realized that some of what they believed was not scriptural. This triggered what we know today as the Reform or Protestant movement.
Those who believe in Christ Jesus. Those who are truly rooted in the truth of Christ’s teachings need not fear their faith being questioned.
Quite the contrary if what we believe is true, questioning what we believe will only make us stronger in our faith.
So the question I would ask you, if you espouse to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you from time to time question what you are being taught? Or, Do you simply blindly trust those who are teaching you?
Please think about it.

In Full View

In full View
The writer of Proverbs states,

“For a man’s ways are in full view of the LORD, 

and he examines all his paths.” 

                                             Proverbs 5:21.

As I look around the world. I find there is a great deal of injustice in this world. I suppose it’s always been the same. The difference now is that in our multimedia world injustice is seen more easily.
Sadly in this world those who are unjust. Those who take advantage of other people or are deliberately evil quite often escape the judgement in this world. That being said anyone who is guilty of wrong doing will eventually stand trial before God.
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.
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.” James 5:1-6.
These are warnings anyone in power or has any kind of responsibility over others need to take seriously be they in government or in private industry. God will one day judge them fairly. Thus it comes down to how will God judge you?
If you are in government, if you are a politician, or in a place of power in private industry are you treating those under you fairly?
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.
Are you doing this?
Would you want to be treated in the same way you are treating others?
Please think about it.

Your Fruits

Your Fruits.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
Over the years I have heard a lot of criticism of Christians. The criticism ranges from Christians are judgmental to Christians are bigoted and much more.
Speaking as a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus I can see how such criticism can be seen as justified. It seems especially here in the United States and Canada that Christians are known for what they are against.
Christians are seen by many as trying to impose their beliefs on those around them.
Many Christians sadly labour under the delusion that the United States and Canada are Christian nations. Thus their govenments must uphold Christian beliefs.
The United States and Canada are not Christian nations by any stretch of the imagination. They are no more Christian than the Roman empire in the time of Christ was.
      They are very much secular nations, with governments that do what they believe is in the best interest of everyone. Christians need to understand this.
Think of this Jesus and his disciples and indeed the first century believers in Christ Jesus never voted, spoke out against any law the Roman government enacted, and they never demonstrated against anything. Yet within a century the Gospel of Jesus Christ had spread throughout the Roman Empire.
The late American evangelist Billy Graham speaking about Christ’s followers said,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham.
The Book of Acts speaking of those early believers tells us,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  
Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  
All the believers were together and had everything in common.  
Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47
Those early believers showed the fruits of the spirit. The apostle Paul stating,
“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.
Today in the twenty-first century we as a body of believers in Christ Jesus need to be exhibiting these fruits. We need to be known as individuals who exhibit Love, Joy Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. For in doing so we will reach more people for our Lord and Saviour Christ Jesus than any demonstration could ever do.
Please think about it.

Your View

Your view
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don’t show favoritism.  
Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in.  
If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:1-4.
Sadly all too many people in society judge a book by it’s cover. They see a person wearing a thousand dollar suit and judge him to be good. While a person in shabby jeans with a bit of a body odour is considered bad. This should not be so.
One policeman I know once told me a person in that thousand dollar suit with the expensive watches and rings is just as likely to do something illegal as someone dressed in rags. The only difference is that the well dressed person is more likely to get away with millions of dollars while the poorly dressed person gets away with a couple of dollars.
My point here is rich or poor we are all the same. No matter who we are we can choose to do good or bad.
In God’s eyes we are all equal and as believers in Christ Jesus we need to treat all people the same.
One of my favourite quotes from the American evangelist Billy Graham is ,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge 

and my job to love,”

                                   Billy Graham.

Question: Do you judge a person by the way they look or the way they are dressed?
If a person well dressed were to enter your church congregation for the first time would he or she be treated better than a person entering poorly dressed with a body odour?
If so consider the words of James who states,
“If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?” James 2:3-4.
Please think about it.

Love your Enemies

Love your enemies
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, 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.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?”  Matthew 5:43-47.
Do you love your enemies?
Martin Luther King jr. at the height of the civil rights movement in the United States when African Americans were being persecuted and attacked said,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.”

                                                                                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

The apostle Paul defines love this way,

“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.

Thus the questions I would ask you the reader are,
1/ Do you Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you?
2/ Is the love you show to those around you friend and foe alike the same love that the apostle Paul defines when he wrote to those in the Corinthian church.
Please think about it.

Seek Peace

Seek Peace
The Psalmist writes,

“Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.”

                                                                                        Psalm 34:11-14.

Someone told me the other day this is advice that everyone can benefit from. A standard by which we all must live. This is doubly so if we are in a position of authority. It is simple advice that says a lot.
Look at what it says,
1/“Keep your tongue from evil...”
2/“Your lips from speaking lies.”
3/“Turn from evil...”
4/“Seek peace and pursue it.”
Question: Is it advice you follow?
         Do the leaders both political and religious that you follow,
                         follow this advice?
Please think about it.

Love & Mercy

Love & Mercy
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
As believers in Christ Jesus I think we must be able to say like Paul we are the worst of sinners. 
The fact is, if you are indeed a follower of Christ Jesus, you have to admit you are a sinner. That you fall short of God’s ideal.
We must remember the words of the apostle Paul who said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.
The apostle Paul writing to Titus said,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
We must remember the reason Jesus came to this earth. Jesus who 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 sole reason Jesus came into this world was to provide a way to heaven for anyone who would believe in Him.
As a result we believers in Christ Jesus, must do everything we can to present the Love of God, the Love of Jesus to all we come in contact with. That they may receive the saving grace of God through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
We must be careful not to put up barriers between God and the individuals we come in contact with.
I like what 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.
We are to show mercy even to our enemy. The apostle Paul writing,
“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....” Romans 12:18-20a.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are not allowed to Judge anyone. 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.
Judging others especially when we may not have all the facts puts up barriers between the individual and the one he or she is judging. In doing so it can create a barrier between the individual and God. This should never be so.
The late evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict,

 God’s job to judge 

and

 my job to love,” 

                         Billy Graham.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, do you admit you are a sinner saved through the cleansing blood of Christ Jesus, through the Grace of God?
Are you showing mercy to those around you, even your enemy?
Are you judging others or are you showing Mercy to those around you?
Are you truly showing the Love of God to all whom you come in contact with, friend and foe alike?
Please think about it. 

Love God

Love God
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,

 with all your soul, and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.

You shall teach them diligently to your children, 

and shall talk to them when you sit in hour house, 

when you walk by the way, 

when you lie down, 

and when you rise up

You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, 

and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. 

You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”

                                                                                     Deuteronomy 6:4-9 

Here in Deuteronomy we are told the most important thing in a believers heart should be. 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.
As believer in God. As believers in Christ Jesus we need to put God first in our lives. Not only that we need to teach them to our children not only in word but in deed.
When I was growing up there was an old saying that some of my extended family use to say. They’d say, “Do what I say. Not what I do”. Believers in Christ Jesus must not say or practice such a thing.
In order to show our children and the world around us the importance of God. God should come first in our lives. We need to tell our children about our faith in word and in deed.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

Francis also said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times 

and when necessary use words.”

                                Francis of Assisi

If you claim to be a believer in God. A believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?
Please think about it.

A Time to Praise

A Time to Praise.
Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:
“Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32.
Today is Easter Monday. The day after Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. A day in which we should be praising God for all he has done.
Shortly after Jesus was born, in accordance with the law, the parents of Jesus brought him to the temple to be dedicated to the Lord. As they did a man called Simeon approached them. Luke’s gospel records what happened.
“Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.  
It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.  
Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 
For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:25-32.
Jesus at this time was only days old yet God showed Simeon Jesus was the Messiah. As a result he praised God.
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to take time to praise God. To give glory to God for His Salvation.
The Psalmist writes,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary;

 praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

 praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

 praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                           Psalm 150.

Question, when was the last time you praised God outside of Church? When was the last time you raised your voice to praise God without the accompaniment of a praise recording or instruments?
Why not take a few minutes to do so now?
Please think about it. 

He is Risen

He is Risen!
He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  
‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ” Luke 24:6-7.
Of all the things believers in Christ Jesus believe the resurrection from the dead is perhaps the most controversial. Even when the apostle Paul presented this to the learned men in Athens some sneered and didn’t believe. Still Christians believe it to be completely true.
As today is Easter Sunday. The day we believers in Christ Jesus celebrate Christ’s resurrection. I thought it appropriate to tell in a nutshell what Christians believe.
The Apostles Creed while not written by an apostle of Jesus, lists in brief the core beliefs of all Christians. I place it here for you the reader to consider. It states,
1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth
2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s one and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.
3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary
4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.
5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.
6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost
9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,
10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.
11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.
12. I believe in life everlasting.
The apostle John wrote this about Jesus, he said,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....  
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.  
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. 
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”John1:1-4,11-14
Do you believe this?
Please think about it.