No explanation necessary

 No explanation necessary. 

Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:15,16.

Sometimes we just have to accept things as they are. Young children are the best example of this. They accept what they are told without question. They trust that what they are told is correct.

Those of us who believe the Bible believe what it states. When the Bible states,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. It’s a black and white issue with us.

We do not debate the existence of God. We do not debate that He created the heavens and the earth. We do not debate this because we have faith enough to believe an Almighty God capable of creating the heavens and the earth exists. Thus no other explanation is necessary. 

The same is true many times for those who do not believe in God. No amount of explaining will convince them that God exists.

Thomas Aquinas said,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas.

Ultimately the question comes down to what you believe?

Please think about it.

You decide

 You decide

The psalmist writes,

"You are my refuge and my shield;

 I have put my hope in your word." 

                                                      Psalm 119:114.

I am a Christian. I believe in Christ Jesus. I believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh.

I believe the writer of Hebrews who said,

"In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  Hebrews 1:1,2.

I believe each person who hears about Jesus must make their own decision as to who he is. 

The only thing I would ask of anyone making a decision about who Jesus is, is to read the New Testament with an open mind. Then decide for yourself if Jesus is all he says he is.

Please think about it.

Take Time

 Take time.

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD;

 let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me;

 let us exalt his name together." 

                                             Psalm 34:1-3.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you extol the LORD at all times? Do you praise God enough during the day, during the week? Do you even praise the Lord during the day?

Why don’t you take just a few moments now and give praise to the Lord?

Please think about it.

What's a Christian to do?

 What’s a Christian to do?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:12-17.

So what is a Christian to do? The apostle Paul makes it clear we are to,

Clothe ourselves with 

Compassion

kindness

humility

gentleness

patience.

We are to, forgive whatever grievances we have against one another.

We are to,

love

let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

We are 

to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.

To admonish one another with all wisdom.

To sing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs

We are to do all this with gratitude in our hearts.

AND we whatever we do in word or deed we must do it in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.

So my question is, Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Preach at all times

 Preach at all times

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17.

Pauls call to all who believe in Christ Jesus is to let His words dwell in you richly. We are called to teach one another. To praise God with gratitude in our hearts. 

We are called to do everything we do in the name of Christ Jesus.

I firmly believe that all of what the Apostle Paul is saying here should be so much a part of our life that we do it automatically, without thinking.

Like wise I believe those around us should know we are followers of Christ Jesus without us saying a word. As Francis of Assisi put it,

"Preach the Gospel at all times, 

and when necessary, use words." 

                                            Francis of Assisi.

Thus my question; when people around you see your words and deeds do they see the Love of Christ, the Love of God in them?

Please think about it.

In the name of the Lord Jesus

  In the name of the Lord Jesus

To the Corinthians the apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

Whether you like it or not if you claim to be a Christian you are an ambassador for Christ. People will judge Christ through the lense of your words and deeds.

Francis of Assisi wrote,

"The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                   Francis of Assisi.

So if you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus what is your sermon. Your words and deeds telling those around you about Christ?

Please think about it.

I am a believer in Christ Jesus

 I am a believer in Christ Jesus.

John’s gospel records Jesus speaking to Martha saying, 

"Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"

"Yes Lord" she told Him, "I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world," John 11:25,26,27.

I am a believer in Christ Jesus. A Christians. I am not an Anglican-Christian, a Catholic-Christian, a Lutheran-Christian,. I am not Evangelical-Christian, a Baptist-Christian, a Pentecostal-Christian  or any other hyphenated Christian. I am a Christian.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour of Mankind, God incarnate. The way to heaven.

I believe Christians by default must be evangelical in nature. They must present to the world the God's Love and Saving Grace that comes through Jesus Christ. 

I believe Christians must make disciples of all nations and teach those disciples. Jesus himself made that clear. Matthew's gospel recording, 

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Consider

 Consider 

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus consider the following Scripture written by the apostle Paul.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3. 

In my previous blog post I said Christians have obligations not rights. What the apostle Paul is saying here is one of those obligations.

We are in all humility to consider others better than ourselves.

Never has there been a time in the lifetimes of those living today that this scripture needs to be put into effect. 

We hear in the media people not wanting to wear a mask. People wanting to congregate in large numbers. We hear church in the United States saying it is their right to meet in person without social distancing or wearing a mask in a church building.

In fact we hear a lot about rights and not a lot about our obligation as a believer in Christ Jesus. 

As believers in Christ we have an obligation to “consider others better” than ourselves.

That in the middle of a pandemic means we need to consider what could happen to others if we don’t follow a few simple rules found to be effective.

And here’s a thought to consider. Supposing, just supposing, the members of these large churches during this pandemic practised what the church has done for centuries. Meet in small numbers in homes. Using the internet to live stream their pastors sermon. They could invite family friends and neighbours to fellowship with them. Perhaps even see salvations!

That would potentially put a church in every neighbourhood represented by the church.

Please think about it.

Obligations not Rights

 Obligations not Rights

The apostle John wrote,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

This is telling me that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to those around us. If we see someone in need and can help, we should.

Luke’s gospel tells us of a story Jesus told. It’s about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything he needed in this world. Poor Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps from the mans table. Yet the man had no compassion on him. Finally when they both past into the next world the rich man was suffering for his lack of action in this world, while Lazarus was no longer suffering.

Jesus made things clear when he 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.

We have an obligation to those around us. It is something many who would call themselves Christians forget about. Too many people calling themselves Christians say they have rights. Christians don’t have rights. The only rights Christians have are the rights granted to them by the government of the country in which they live. Governments who can change their minds at any time.

As Christians have obligations to our God, our family and to those around us. We have an obligation to proclaim the gospel message AND to help those in need anyway we can.

Please think about it.

We have an obligation

 We have an obligation.

The apostle John wrote,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

This is telling me that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to those around us. If we see someone in need and can help we should.

Luke’s gospel tells us of a story Jesus told. It’s about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything he needed in this world. Poor Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps from the mans table. Yet the man had no compassion on him. Finally when they both past into the next world the rich man was suffering for his lack of action in this world, while Lazarus was no longer suffering.

Jesus made things clear when he 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.

We have an obligation to those around us. It is something many who would call themselves Christians forget about. Too many people calling themselves Christians say they have rights. Christians don’t have rights. The only rights Christians have are the rights granted to them by the government of the country in which they live. Governments who can change their minds at any time.

As Christians have obligations to our God, our family and to those around us. We have an obligation to proclaim the gospel message AND to help those in need anyway we can.

Please think about it.

Advice from Paul

  Advice from Paul

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."  Colossians 3:15-17.

This advice from Paul couldn’t be more simple. We are to study the scriptures and take them to heart. Teach one another. Interact with one another, with the purpose of helping each other grow in Christ.

We are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude to God for all he has done for us. For his amazing grace that comes through Christ Jesus.

Paul finishes by saying “whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Need to Worship

  Need to worship

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 individuals 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.

I think it is important for us as believers especially in these uncertain times to lift up our voices and praise God. To remember that God does bless us.

We must remember what the apostle Paul said while in Athens,

"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.” Acts 17:24 

We must remember that the church is not a building and as such never closes. The church is made up of individuals as such it needs no bricks and mortar edifice to meet in. Believers can worship God anywhere be it a large cathedral, a house, or even a field, or forest.

All that is needed are one or two or more people to lift up their voices to God and sing his praises. No illness especially Covid-19 can stop this.

So why not take the time right now to lift up your life and praise God.

Please think about it.