Pray and Study

Pray and Study
Jude the half brother of Jesus writes,
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.  
They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”  
These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. 
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.  
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.” Jude 1:17-21.
Jude’s message to believers in Christ Jesus is simple. He reminds believers that in the last days there will be scoffers who “Follow their own ungodly desires” That these men will divide believers.
He tells believers to build themselves up in “your most holy faith...” 
To “keep yourself in God’s love”, as they await the Lord Jesus Christ.
It is important that believers in Christ Jesus read at the very least the New Testament. It is the sole authority for the Christian faith. The New Testament tells the believer in Christ Jesus how they are to live.
Thus the more we study the scriptures the stronger our faith becomes.
When I was a young believer in Christ Jesus a pastor gave me some good advice. He told me to remember these three points,
1. Pray and study the Bible.
2. Study the Bible and Pray.
3. Never forget to Pray and Study the Bible.
It was sound advice when he gave it to me. It is sound advice today to all who would call themselves believers in Christ Jesus.
If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus ask yourself these questions.
How often do you sit down to pray and study the Bible?
Do you think you do it enough?
Please think about it.

Radiance of God's Glory

Radiance of God's Glory
Jude whom scholars tend to agree is the half brother of Jesus wrote,
“Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.  
For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.” Jude 1:3,4
Jude makes to points,
1. He writes a warning to the church that godless men have secretly slipped in among the believers. That these men are heretics who pervert the word of God.
They believe because they are saved they can do anything they wish good or evil. Nothing could be further from the truth.
If we are truly saved by the grace of God we will desire to be more Christ like. We will want to do the will of God. We will shun evil. We will love those around us.  Our desire will be to present the gospel of Christ to all who will listen.
2. The other point Jude makes is that there are those who have slipped into the church that deny that Jesus is the Christ our only Sovereign Lord.
You cannot be a Christian and deny that Jesus is our Sovereign Lord, that Jesus is the Son of God. The one who paid the price for our sins.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3.
The apostle John referring to Jesus as “The Word” writes,
“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
Henry Ward Beecher said,
“If Christ is not divine, every impulse of the Christian world falls to a lower octave, and light and love and hope decline.”  Henry Ward Beecher.
Thus the question becomes, who do you believe Jesus to be?
Please think about it.

Believers Must

Believers must
The apostle John wrote,
“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 “1 John 4:7-10.
C. S. Lewis notes,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
As human beings we have the capacity to do many things. Among those things are love and hate.
If a person is truly a believer in Christ Jesus they will not have anything to do hate. They will love unconditionally.
The apostle Paul 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.

Love is the greatest asset a believer in Christ Jesus has. Martin Luther King jr. the great American civil rights leader at the height of the civil rights movement said two things about love,

“Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy 

into friend.”

                                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

He pointed out,
“Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”  Martin Luther King Jr.
Jesus knew this that’s why when asked,
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also went as far to say,

“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

As believers in Christ Jesus we must love. We must love unconditionally.
Over and over again throughout the New Testament love is a recurring theme. 
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ are you showing the unconditional love of Christ to those around you, even your enemies?
Please think about it.

Did You?

Did 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.'" Matthew 25:34-40.
St. Augustine wrote,

"A Christian is: a mind through which 

Christ thinks, a heart through which

Christ loves, a voice through which

Christ speaks, and a hand through 

which Christ helps" 

                              St. Augustine.

If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus are you letting Christ work through you.
While it is true we are saved by our faith in the saving grace that comes from God through Christ Jesus, our faith must spur us on to doing more. The 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. James 2:14-17
So what are your works saying about you? When you stand before God will you here the words I quoted at the top of this writing or will you here these words of Jesus who said,
“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 25:41-46.
Please if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus,
Think about it.

Must Believe

Must believe
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
Faith defined as,
"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."  Hebrews 11:1.
I think it is safe to say that you will not find God if your mind is made up and you say He doesn’t exist. You must be looking for God. You must have faith that God exists in order to find him.
Proof of God is all around us.
The Psalmist writes,
"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.
Here are a few quotes from prominent scientist throughout the years,
Lord William Kelvin said,
"If you study Science deep enough and long enough, it will force you to believe in God" Lord William Kelvin.
Louis Pasteur said,
“A bit of science distances one from God, but much science nears one to Him... The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed by the work of the Creator” Louis Pasteur.
Even Stephen Hawking one of the greatest scientific minds ever admitted,
“It would be difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of God who intended to create beings like us” Stephen hawking.
Now I said all of that to ask you this question,
Do you truly believe God exists?
The choice is yours.
Please think carefully about it.

Of Prime Importance

Of Prime Importance
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,”1 Corinthians 15:3.
The apostle John telling 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.
It is precisely because true believers in Christ Jesus, true Christians, believe these two statements that we reach out to the world around us.
Jesus said,
"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.” Matthew 13:44-46.
For the Christian this is what heaven is like. It is a hidden treasure, fine pearls. Christians however don’t what to keep this treasure a secret we want to share it with those around us.
We believe that by believing in Christ Jesus we have truly found the way to heaven and eternal life with God.
It all comes down however to you the individual. You either accept what is being presented as truth or not. For belief in God and the Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus is an act of faith.
The writer of Hebrews telling us,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
Please think about it.

What if?

What if?
The Apostle Paul said,
"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." Acts 17:30,31.
What if the Apostle Paul is right?
In another statement the Apostle Paul writes,
"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.
What if this statement is correct and Jesus did indeed come into the world to save sinners?
The apostle Paul notes,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8.
What if this statement is correct?
The Apostle John wrote,
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.
What if this is correct?
Jesus speaking of himself said,
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.  
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son". John 3:16-18.
What if this is correct?
As for me I believe what I quoted above. It however comes down to an act of faith. You either believe what is recorded in the New Testament about Jesus or you don’t. The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Is He Central?

Is He Central?
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  
These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  
Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.
Jesus said,
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 
Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  
This is the first and greatest commandment.  
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.'” Matthew 22:36-38.
My question to anyone reading this who claims to be a believer in Christ Jesus is, Is God central in your life? Does God take priority in your life?
When I was a young Christian back in the 1970's I attended a small church. Our pastor at the time encouraged people when they went on holiday to bring back a church bulletin from whatever church they attended while they were away.
It was remarkable to see how many bulletins came back. It, while not an accurate indication, it showed those who put a priority in going to church wherever they were.
There are many people here in North America where I live who attend church while at home but not while away from home.
There are many who go to church because it’s the way they were brought up, or because it is a social event. A place where they meet friends and family. The sermon, God and Christ just happen to be there.
Thus my question to you if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus, is God and Christ central in your life?
Please think about it.

Closes doors

Closes doors
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.
Let me state here that there are certain circumstances when we must judge people. Particularly when it comes to our personal safety or the safety of others. The apostle Paul even says,
"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.
Paul here makes it clear we can judge someone inside the church but this only extends to judging whether or not they who claim to be brothers and sisters in Christ are teaching the truth about Jesus. We have no right to judge anyone with respect to where they will spend eternity.
If we choose to judge those outside the church we will get backlash and doors will close, preventing us from presenting the Love of Christ to them.
We have no way of knowing why the person is the way they are. Only God knows that.
Billy Graham the great American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,”  

                         Billy Graham.

If we look in the book of acts at the apostle Paul presenting the gospel message in Athens at no time does Paul call those present sinners. He mentioned that God will one day judge the world, but he doesn’t call his audience sinners. That wasn’t his job. His job was to present the gospel of Christ to them.
Which is what we are to do.
Thus my question, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus are to judging people or are you in love presenting the gospel of Christ to them?
Please think about it.

Not all

Not all
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 but there are many claiming to be Christians who 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 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.
Sadly there are many in the world today claiming to be Christians who are not. They have twisted the scriptures to say what they want it to say. They have wandered far from the principles of God. What is worse in many such people have in many cases become the face of the church.
Sadly true Christians for a myriad of reasons have not stood up to them. They have not followed the teaching of the apostle Paul who tells true believers in Christ Jesus,
"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.
Paul also tells us what the characteristics of a true believer in Christ Jesus will exhibit when he states,
“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.
I think I can honestly say that if these attributes are not being shown by anyone claiming to be Christian, they may be Christian in word only. Christ may not be active in their life at all.
Please think about it.  

At peace with God

At Peace with God
The Apostle Peter writes,
"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. 
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. 
   That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”  2 Peter 3:14.
Are you living a holy and godly life?
Are you at peace with God?
I ask this because the fact of the matter is no one knows when they will be called to stand before God.
A few years ago now my wife’s younger sister died of cancer. She had been the wild one of the family. She frankly had made quite a lot of family members and other people upset at her.
However a few years before she knew she had cancer she accepted Christ as her Saviour. It made a big change in her life. A change people could see without her telling them. She was literally a new person.
A week before her death my wife and I went to visit her. I had never seen a person so at peace ever. She told me she had nothing to fear. That she had confessed her sins to God and was at peace with God. A week later she passed into his presence.
Never had I been so sure of where a person was spending eternity as I was that day.
Thus my question to you the reader.
If you were die today and stand before God. Would you be at peace with God?
Please think about it.

At Peace with Others

At Peace with others
The apostle Paul writes,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”Romans 12:18.
Question, do you? If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you doing your best to live at peace with everyone?
If you are not. You should be. It’s not only the apostle Paul that tells us to live at peace with everyone. In the book of Hebrews we read,
“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.
Notice the writer of Hebrews tells us to not only make every effort to live in peace with all men, but to do our best to be holy.
If you claim to be a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus you should be exhibiting the fruits of the spirit. The apostle Paul telling us,
“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.” Gal 5:22,23.
Are these truly the fruits you exhibit in your life to those around you?
Please think about it.