These are Christian Traits

These are Christian Traits
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.
If you consider your self a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are the above traits exhibited in your life?
As Christians we need to live our lives differently. We should not be following the ways of the world. Rather we should be exhibiting the fruits of the spirit,

Love,

Joy,

Peace,

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

Gentleness,

Self-control.

If these fruits are in our life the world will be attracted to us. If they are not the world will dismiss us as nothing special. Nothing of importance.
Francis of Assisi wrote something every believer in Christ Jesus needs to consider. He wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

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

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

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

                                                               Francis of Assisi.

What Francis is saying here can be done by anyone. The key is we must want to do it. Thus my questions becomes,
Are the fruits of the spirit active in your life?
Are you showing unconditional Love and Mercy to all whom you come in contact with?
Are you truly an instrument of God’s Peace?
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

The apostle Paul writes,

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

live at peace with everyone.”

                                 Romans 12:18

The Writer of Hebrews states,

“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.

Living at peace with all men, even your enemies is the key to a good Christian life. Living at peace with those around you is the key to being able to spread the gospel of Christ.
The apostle Peter tells us,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12
The Apostle Paul tells believers what the fruits of a good Christian life are when he writes to the Galatians saying,

“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.

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus are you living at Peace with those around you? Is your life exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit?
Please think about it.

In Spirit and in Truth

In Spirit and in Truth
Jesus said,
“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  
God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24.
If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus, do you worship in spirit and in truth?
All too often going to church can be simply a weekly or twice weekly routine. People go to church quite often because their parents and grandparents went to church. It many times can be a social event where you meet with friends. The worship becomes secondary.
Even those who take time to spend a time alone with God daily quite often do it because they feel an obligation to do so. Not necessarily because they want to.
God however is looking for people who worship Him not out of an obligation but because they truly believe they must do so. Men and women who truly believe in God with all their heart, mind and soul.
Are you such a believer?
Please think about it.

On Relationship to God

On relationship to God.
Jesus said,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 

I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

                                                     Revelations 3:20

The following are some comments I’ve found about some people and their relationship to God.
C. S. Lewis said,
“He (God) shows much more of Himself to some people than to others not because He has favourites, but because it is impossible for Him to show Himself to a man whose whole mind and character are in the wrong condition.”  C.S.Lewis
An unknown author writes,

“Maybe the atheist cannot find God

 for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman.” 

                                                                  Author Unknown

Thomas Aquinas writes,

To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. 

To one without faith, no explanation is possible. 

                                                          Thomas Aquinas

Blaise Pascal writes,

“In faith there is enough light for those who want to believe

 and enough shadows to blind those who don't.”

                                                      Blaise Pascal

The bottom line when it comes to God is you first must have faith, that He indeed exists. The writer of 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.
The other thing is we must be actively seeking God in order to truly find Him.
Jesus said,

“So I say to you: 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. 

                           Luke 11:9,10

Please think about it.

An Anvil

An Anvil
Isaiah the prophet 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

I came across this poem recently. It was one I’d read many years ago when I was in school. The author is anonymous. I put it here for you to think about.

Last eve I passed beside a blacksmith’s door,

And heard the anvil ring the vesper chime;

Then, looking in, I saw upon the floor

Old hammers, worn with beating years of time.

“How many anvils have you had,” said I,

“To wear and batter all these hammers so?”

“Just one,” said he, and then, with twinkling eye,

The anvil wears the hammers out, you know.”

And so, thought I, the anvil of God’s Word,

For ages skeptic blows have beat upon;

Yet, though the noise of falling blows was heard,

The anvil is unharmed - and hammers gone.

                                                           Anonymous.

For centuries people have said Christianity would be consigned to the dust bin of history. That it would simply fade away.
A Pharisee named Gamaliel standing before the Sanhedrin as they were presiding over the trial of two of Christ’s apostles said,
“Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail.  
But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38,39.
He was right. The might of Rome could not stop the spread of the message of Christ. Nor has it been possible for any government or group to stop the message of Christ from going into the world.
Today despite being persecuted by many nations and groups around the world the word of God has reached into every corner of every nation of the world. Billions of people today believe in Christ Jesus and the number is growing even in nations in which Christians are persecuted.
This to my mind proves the Bible and the message of Jesus is true.
Please think about it.

The world reads Christians

The world reads Christians
Jesus said,

“You are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”

                                         Matthew 5:14

Charles H. Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.” Charles H. Spurgeon.
Spurgeon is absolutely right. The world sees Jesus through the lense of those claiming to be Christians.
Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do

may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                      Francis of Assisi.

What is your sermon telling the world?
Does your words and deeds reflect the love of Christ to all people, even those you disagree with? Even toward your worst enemy?
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 Matthews gospel, he records Jesus 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.
Are you loving all people unconditionally?
If you claim to be a Christian, do people see the love of Christ in you.
If you claim to be a Christian why not take a few minutes right now to pray and ask God to show you if you are truly loving others unconditionally.
Please think about it.

Many will say but are not

Many will say but are not
Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
The other day I found a couple of interesting quotes. One from Lenny Bruce said,

“Every day people are straying away from the church

 and going back to God. Really.” 

                                      Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."

The other is from an unknown author it states,

I believe in God; I just don't trust anyone who works for him.”

                                                                               Author Unknown

I have met many people who truly believe in God but are turned off by the people who supposedly serve Him. It’s sad.
Sadly these people are quite often meeting people who claim to be Christians. Men and women who go to church, even preach from the pulpit who are really not Christians.
As I quoted above Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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 states,
“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.
What Peter is saying is happening today. I do believe however if a person is truly looking to find God they can. Jesus said,

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. 

If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, 

I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” 

                                                                Revelations 3:20

Please think about it.

The Pledge of Love

The Pledge of Love
I’ve listened with interest and disgust over the last little while at the debates in political circles around the world but particularly in the United States.
Sadly hate and prejudges seems to be flooding into our society from all directions. Intolerance is everywhere.
Even men and women calling themselves Christians are being drawn into it.
With that in mind I felt prompted to write this. Simply called “The Pledge to Love”. As a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. I have intended it for Christians. That being said I being said I believe it expresses moral values that everyone can understand.

I pledge...

To Love.

I Pledge...

As far as it depends on me...

To live at peace with all people.

I Pledge...

Never, Never, Never! To attack anyone...

Physically, or verbally.

Even if I vehemently disagree with them in any way.

I Pledge...

Never to demean anyone.

No matter their race, their ethnicity, their religion, or their lifestyle.

I Pledge...

As far as humanly possible,

To uphold the dignity of all whom I come in contact with.

I Pledge...

To obey the words of Christ Jesus who said,

“So in everything, 

do to others what you would have others do to you

for this sums up the law and the prophets.” 

                                                              Matthew 7:12.

   Please think about it.

What if the Bible is right?

What if the Bible is right

On February 14, 1990, NASA at a distance of 6 billion kilometres (3,7 billion miles) had the Voyager 1 space probe take a picture of the Solar system. It showed earth as a pail blue dot smaller than the head of a pin.
Carl Sagan said of that dot,
“From this distant vantage point, the Earth might not seem of any particular interest. But for us, it's different. Consider again that dot. That's here. That's home. That's us. On it everyone you love, everyone you know, everyone you ever heard of, every human being who ever was, lived out their lives. The aggregate of our joy and suffering, thousands of confident religions, ideologies, and economic doctrines, every hunter and forager, every hero and coward, every creator and destroyer of civilization, every king and peasant, every young couple in love, every mother and father, hopeful child, inventor and explorer, every teacher of morals, every corrupt politician, every "superstar," every "supreme leader," every saint and sinner in the history of our species lived there – on a mote of dust suspended in a sunbeam.” Carl Sagan.
Sagan is was right in the vastness of the space that little dot may not seem significant, but those of us who live on it, it means everything.
What amazes me even more is that the God that created the heavens and the earth chose to come to that pail blue dot in the form of His one and Only Son Christ Jesus.
The gospel of John states,
“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.... 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. ” John 1:1-4,14
I know such a thing defies human logic but this is what Christians the world over believe.
We believe the words of Jesus who 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.
If Christians are wrong then Christians have created perhaps the greatest lie in human history one that three billion people believe.
Further more if Christians are wrong they have nothing to fear from being wrong. For in believing in God. Believing in Christ Jesus and following His teachings they will have lived a good and moral life.
If on the other hand the Bible is right, If Christians are right then all who hear about Jesus need to think carefully about their relationship toward God and Jesus.
Please think about it.

O LORD our Lord

O LORD our Lord
The Psalmist writes,

“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

You have set your glory above the heavens.” 

                                                                Psalm 8:1.

I am a big fan of the Hubble space telescope. I love the images that it sends back to earth. Those images are to my mind spectacular. At the same time I like to look through a microscope at the incredibly small. Looking at a leaf you can see just how it works.
Science done right is an incredible thing. It can prove how the universe works. It can prove how the greatest nebula’s in the universe are linked to the smallest leaf, or insect here on Earth.
For me also it proves to my mind that God exists. Only God could have fine tuned the universe we live in so precisely a way that life as we know it can exist.
If I am wrong I have nothing to fear. If I am right however those who disagree with my point of view have a great deal to at the very least think about.
Please think about it.

Look Deep

Look Deep
Albert Einstein said,

"Look deep into nature,

 and then you will understand everything better.”

                                                                  Albert Einstein.

  Einstein’s words are true. I am told that if we look deep into space we will be able to if not now, one day be able to see remnants of the Big Bang that created the universe as we know it. I do not doubt for a moment that this is untrue. The universe had a beginning. Genesis tells us,

“In the Beginning

God created the heavens and the Earth”

                                                    Genesis 1:1.

I am also quiet sure God could have used the big bang to bring the universe into being. After all he is an all powerful God and He could do it anyway He wished.
That being said I think as believers in God we must remember that the Bible is a book of faith, not science.
Galileo Galilei wrote,

“The Bible shows the way to go to heaven, 

not the way the heavens go.”

                              Galileo Galilei.

It is inconsequential to the faith of a believer how the heavens and the earth were formed.    Whether it took six twenty-four hour days or billions of years. All that is important is to believe in God, and that he sent His one and only Son to earth to point mankind to heaven.
For me I see God within creation. I agree with the Psalmist who wrote,

“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.

Everything in this universe, from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy is exactly as it should be to create life as we know it on  this planet. If anything was just a little off, we would not exist. This tells me there is a creator God behind it all.
What do you think?
Please think about it.

You Are,. Are You

You are. Are You
Jesus said,
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14-16.
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus,

• Are you letting your light shine before men? 
• Are you living a life that is worthy of the calling of Christ? 
• Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires?

Please think about it.