Your Choice

Your Choice
The Gospel of Matthew records,
"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb. 
There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it.  
His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow.  
The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 
The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  
He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.  
Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you." 
So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.  
Suddenly Jesus met them."Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshipped him.  
Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10.
Flavius Josephus, (Born: 34AD died 98 A.D.), a romanized Jewish historian. Wrote,
"About this time arose Jesus, a wise man, who did good deeds and whose virtues were recognized. And many Jews and people of other nations became his disciples. Pilate condemned him to be crucified and to die. However, those who became his disciples preached his doctrine.    They related that he had appeared to them three days after his crucifixion and that he was alive. Perhaps he was the Messiah in connection with whom the prophets foretold wonders [Josephus, Jewish Antiquities, XVIII 3.2]
The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is something each person when presented with the life of Jesus must choose to believe or not. There is no middle ground here. The resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the cornerstone of Christian belief. You cannot be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus and not believe in His resurrection.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
"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.
Thus my question to you is do you believe what Matthew and Paul are saying?
Please think about it.

Is not of God

Is not of God
The apostle John writes,

“Whoever does not love

 does not know God, 

because God is love.” 

                        1 John 4:8

In my previous blog I asked if you truly loved. Today I am asking the same question. Do you truly love.
When I was in my teens before I became a Christian I watched a movie musical called good by Mister Chips. It’s theme tune has resinated with me all the years since. It reads,

In the Morning of My Life

                         by Leslie Bricusse 

In the morning of my life

I will look to the Sunrise

At a moment in my life 

When the world is new.

And the Question

I shall ask only God can answer.

Will I be brave and strong and true,

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Will I fill the world with love my whole life through?

In the evening of my life

I will look to the sunset

At a moment in my life 

When my life is through.

And the question I shall ask only I can answer 

Was I brave and strong and true.

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

Did I fill the world with love my whole life through?

                                                                   Leslie Bricusse   

At the end of your life will you be able to honestly stand before God and say you filled the world with love your whole life through?
For...

"Whoever does not love

 does not know God, 

because God is love." 

                        1 John 4:8

Please think about it.

On Love

On 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.
In Matthews gospel we also read of Jesus 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, 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.
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.” 1John.
Do you love? Do you love according to the definition of love given by the apostle Paul when he wrote to the Corinthians. 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.

    Today is Good Friday. The day Jesus showed the world, family, friend, and foe alike how much He loved us by going to the cross and dying for our sins.
Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus do you love as a believer in Christ Jesus should love as Jesus loved,... Unconditionally.
     Please think about it.

Can you?

Can you?
The psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, You are there; 

if I make my bed in the depth, You are there.  

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there 

Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                                         Psalm 139:7-10.

I like this portion of scripture for the simple fact it is simple and to the point. It tells us that God is omnipresent. That no matter where we go God is there.
Not only is God wherever we are but He is there to guide us and hold us fast in whatever circumstance we are in.
Question; Can you truly say God is there for you in all situations, guiding you and taking care of you?
Please thing about it.  

Do you believe?

Do you believe?
In the book of Genesis we read,
"And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being." Gen 2:7
Albert Einstein said,
“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. We all dance to a mysterious tune, intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”Albert Einstein.
Einstein was right we are all made from the cosmic dust of the universe. The Bible telling us,

“In the beginning

 God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                 Genesis 1:1. 

I believe the same material God created the heavens and the earth from He also made us from. Now whether he made everything in six twenty-four hour days or over billions of years is irrelevant. God is God and he could have made the universe either way.
What is important in all of this is there is a God and He is there for anyone who is looking for Him. The psalmist telling us,

"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.

I have always said that science done right will prove there is a creator God of the universe, and all one has to do is look into nature.
Now I don’t know whether Albert Einstein believed in God, but I believe he got it right when he said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.”

                                                                 Albert Einstein 

Everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy is in perfect harmony. A harmony necessary for us here on planet earth to exist.
I can’t believe that creation as we know it simply comes together by chance. But what I believe is between me and God. As is what you believe.
Thus my question to you the reader is, do you believe in God?
Please think about it.

Faith or misguided actions?

Faith or misguided actions?
The writer of Hebrews states,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and 

certain of what we do not see." 

                                                     Hebrews 11:1

"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 

Where is your faith?
Next question, Is your faith true faith or misguided actions?
As I write this we are at the height of the pandemic here in Canada. It’s Sunday March 29th 2020. Government officials have asked all places of worship not to meet. So far I have not heard of any churches here in Canada at least ignoring the ban.
South of the border in the United States I have heard in news reports of some churches that are planning to hold services. They are “claiming that God will protect them”.
I suppose it hasn’t occurred to them that God could be using the civil authorities to keep them safe.
That being said we need to look carefully at our actions. After all God gave us common sense to use and we should use it.
Matthew’s gospel records this incident between Jesus and Satan,
"If you are the Son of God," he (Satan) said, "throw yourself down. For it is written: " ‘He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.''" 
Jesus answered him, "It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.''" Matthew 4:6,7.
We should be aware of these words of Jesus “Do not put the Lord your God to the test”.
While we are to have faith in God. We need have faith and realize that God can, and does use those around us to protect us. Even the government.
Thus I would ask is are you using the common sense God has given your to protect not just yourself but those around you?
Please think about it.

Where does your faith lie?

Where does your faith lie?
The psalmist writes,

"I lift up my eyes to the hills— 

where does my help come from? 

My help comes from the LORD, 

the Maker of heaven and earth." 

                                        Psalm 121:1,2

Where does your help come from?
This pandemic will test the faith of all who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus. Bad times usually show who’s the true believer and who is not.
Thus I would ask you where is your trust. Can you sing with the Psalmist,

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, 

and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving

 and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him

 and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good 

and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations."

                                                                           Psalm 100

Are you trusting God to bring you through this crisis?  Where does your faith lie?
Please think about it.

Prais God

Praise God
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

Many years ago when I was young I performed in a gospel group. We were somewhat successful on a local level. Managing to perform at various venues from coffee houses to churches around southern Ontario.
Our performances consisted of music, theatre, and interpretive dance.
A couple of fond memories I have of back then is that rehearsals were more like a praise meeting. As was meal times. Rather than saying grace we sung it. Singing

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Praise Him all creatures here below.

Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts.

Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

We sang not just because we were a gospel group. We sang because we believed what we were singing. We believed that no matter the situation we were in, God was worthy of being praised.
It is something believers in Christ Jesus need to be doing especially in these uncertain times.
Please think about it.

How Important?

How important?
In the book of Deuteronomy we read,
“Here, O Israel: The Lord our God is one.
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
These commandments that I give to 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, and when you lie down and when you get up.
Tie them as a symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.
Write them on the doorframes of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.
In proverbs we read,

“Train a child in the way he should go, 

and when he is old he will not turn from it.” 

                                                         Proverbs 22:6.

I firmly believe we should be teaching our children to worship God. We should be teaching them to trust God no matter what happens. They need to know that God is in control even in uncertain times.
That being said we should be teaching them to use wisdom and common sense also. After all God gave us wisdom and common sense to use.
Still trust in God should be so much a part of our everyday life that both in word and in deed, something we do it for lack of a better term, without thinking about it.
Saying a quick prayer silently or audibly should be second nature to us, whether that prayer is for something we need, or praising God.
In Jewish culture Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is called “The Shema” and is recited in some households first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
In Christians culture there is no expectation of reciting this portion of scripture. However doing such a thing with a pure heart is a good thing. It reminds us of just who God is.
By reciting it morning and evening shows us how important God is in our life. Important enough that He is the first one we speak to of in the morning and last one we speak to at night.
Thus my question to you. How important is God in your life? And. Do you show how important God is in your life to your children in word and in deed?
Please think about it.

Blessed is the One

Blessed is the one
The Psalmist states,
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5-6.
Where is your trust? Is your trust in yourself, in your own strength,  in the government, or in God?
I have been blessed with several incredible pastors and biblical teachers over my now sixty-five plus years on this earth. Pastors and teachers that have helped me lay a spiritual foundation for my life.
What they taught me at the time seemed at times somewhat academic. Still slowly quite often without me realizing it I put the teachings to work in my life.
Years later when I received a cancer diagnosis and later blood clots on my lungs that almost took my life. Those teachings gave me the peace I needed to weather the storm.
The psalmist states,
“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them—the LORD, who remains faithful forever. Psalm 146:5,6.
I can honestly say I have found these words of the Psalmist to be true. God has remained faithful to me.
That being said I know during these unprecedented times amid this pandemic I know God will be faithful to all who trust in Him.
Thus my question to you is. Is your trust truly in God?
Please think about it. 

Trust

Trust
In Proverbs we read

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight."

                                                         Proverbs 3:5,6

Let us face it we are in extraordinary times. What we are going through is far from normal. If ever there was a time to put our trust in God it is now.
We as believers need to take to hart the words of the apostle Peter who wrote,

"Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, 

that He may lift you up in due time. 

Cast all your anxiety on Him 

because he cares for you.” 

                               1 Peter 5:6,7.

One thing I am certain of is bad times either draws someone closer to God or pushes them away. Thus the choice is yours.
Are you in these uncertain times drawing closer to God or moving away from Him?
Please think about it.

My Fortress

My Fortress
The Psalmist writes,
“I love you, O LORD, my strength. 
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18:1,2.
Over my sixty plus years on this earth I have had a lot of things happen to me. Everything from my house burning down leaving my family and I with literally just the clothing on our backs, to a cancer diagnosis, to blood clots on my lungs that almost took my life, among other things.
During that time I had two choices. I could have called out to God and said, “Why me. Why am I going through this.” or “Lord in you I put my trust.”
I chose to say the latter, Lord in you I put my trust.
Now I’m far from a spiritual superman. I am simply an ordinary man who makes mistakes and falls short of what God would ask of me many times. That being said, I have been blessed with excellent men and women of God who have helped me with their teaching to build my house on The Rock in the good times.
It, I firmly believe is precisely because of this that I have got through the bad times. Times when I could have easily died.
Looking back there is one other thing I was willing to say to God. “God not my will but your will be done”
Jesus while in the garden of Gethsemane knowing what he was about to suffer prayed,
"...My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done." Matthew 26:42b.
I firmly believe that as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must put our lives entirely in the hands of God. Without any kind of reservation.
We must remember that while this mortal life we live is finite, with a beginning and an end. We are destined to live throughout eternity. Thus the only thing that ultimately matter is where we will spend that eternity.
So dear reader are you certain of where you will spend eternity?
Please think about it.