Ticket

                                                           Ticket

                                                      “Where am I?

                                                          What, am...

                                                        I doing here?”

                                                        “You are her.”

                                                     Says the Conductor.

                                                      “Your ticket please.”

                                                     “I bought no ticket.

                                                          I took no ride.

                                                           Where am I?”

           “Your ride is over,                  You are here.               All take the ride.

       Your ticket’s paid for,           Says the Conductor            You are here.

        Your ticket please,                 Please your ticket.              Your ticket please.

    

                                                      “I took no ride!

                                                         Where am I?

                                                      I demand to know!

                                                          I took no...

                                                             ride...

                                                            Am I...”

                                                    “You are here.

                                                     All take the ride.

                                                   The ticket paid for,

                                                    With My blood.

                                                   You were offered

                                                       The Ticket

                                                    Did you refuse?”

                                                   “Wait a minute...

                                                     I am here...

                                                    I have no ticket...

                                                    And you are...?”

                                                         “Jesus.

                                                     Your Judge?

                                                     Your Saviour?”

Jesus said, 

“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

You dear reader must decide whether what Jesus is recorded as saying in John 14:6 is right or wrong. For upon your decision, could rest where you will spend eternity. 

Please think about it.

The Gospel Message

 The Gospel Message

Matthews gospel records,

“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

He said to them, 

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.  

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, 

but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 

                                                                                      Matthew 16:15,16

  On October 19th 2013 a faithful man died. He never became a household name but I’m sure today heaven is rejoicing.

  His name Konstantin Vladianu. He was born in Pinzaran Moldova in the former Soviet Union. He died in Hamilton Ontario Canada.

 His obituary reads in part.

 “Konstantin’s faith in God was the most central thing in his life. He was very involved in the secret underground church, and he was a gifted preacher, blessed with dreams and visions from God which directed his life. He led his family by example in sacrificial giving of his time and resources.”

  Konstantin truly knew what it was to serve God. To go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation and he did it under pain of imprisonment. Something few people here in the western world have ever experienced.

  He did this because his first love was God and he was obedient to God’s word.

  As Christians particularly here in the west we need to from time to time evaluate what we are doing for God.

  Are we truly taking the gospel message into our world, be that world within our country, our city, town or simply to our neighbourhood.

  Please think about it.

A Reward

  A Reward

The apostle Paul writes,

“Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:8.

Here is a simple reason for believing in God. God will reward us for our belief in Him and for all we have done for Him.

Here’s a simple question: Will you receive a crown of righteousness from God on the day you stand before Him?

Do you truly long for God’s appearing?

Please think about it.

Worship The Lord

  Worship the Lord

The Psalmist writes,

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

If you consider yourself a Christian a true believer in Christ Jesus can you in all honesty praise God in the way the Psalmist does here in Psalm 100?

Sadly in our 24/7 world we quite often fail to take time to praise and worship God. 

At the same time I believe many especially here in North America where I live look at the Covid crisis and wonder why they should praise God. Covid sadly for many in the church has challenged their faith.

That being said I read daily of persecuted Christians around the world in far worse situations than we live here in North America praising God for being there for them in very difficult circumstances. 

So here’s an idea. First pray for those believers in Christ Jesus who are in prison or under persecution around the world. 

Then take time to praise God not just for all you have, but for simply being God. A God who is worthy of all praise.

Please think about it. 

The interests of others

  The interests of others.

The apostle Paul writes,

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4.

It is said that a crisis brings out both the best in people and the worst in people. The covid crisis we are in I believe is proving this especially here in North America where I live.

Many calling themselves Christians are out there shouting “I have my rights!” “I have the right to not wear a mask!” “I have the right to meet without socially distancing.”

Yes an individuals rights are enshrined in both the American and Canadian constitutions. That being said, if we as Christians are worshipping our rights over God there’s a problem.

When we demand our rights at the cost of the rights of others to stay safe or free from covid for instance that is wrong.

The apostle Paul tells us,

“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4.

That means that despite having rights, we at times must put the interests of others ahead of our own. If that means wearing something as simple as a mask or social distancing so be it. If that means we have to worship in small groups or over zoom as inconvenient as it may be we should be doing so.

As long as we don’t loose the right to worship then we must be willing temporarily at least, to give up our rights.

As Christians we must always put the rights of others ahead of our own. And that’s not me speaking. That is what the apostle Paul himself tells us.

So what is more important to you, your rights or the interests of others?

Please think about it  

What are you doing?

 What are you doing?

The Apostle John writes,

“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.

Here is something that if you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus you cannot refuse to do. Help others in need.

I firmly believe that all Christians no matter their station in life, if they can help someone even with a cup of cold water we must do it.

Jesus said,

“And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.” Matthew 10:42.

I firmly believe that the more blessed we are materially the more we are obligated as followers of Christ Jesus to help others. This especially is true for politicians who have the power to help those in need the most.

As Christians we cannot stand by and let people suffer. We must help those in need.

Question: What are you doing to help those in need around your city, town or village?

Please think about it.

The Reason

  The reason

Jesus said,

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:17.

Here is the reason God sent Jesus to this earth. To save the world. NOT to condemn the world. 

This is the message Christians, those who believe in Christ Jesus must always remember.

As believers in Christ Jesus we have no right to judge others especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity.

Jesus said,

“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.

Thus my question to all those who say they are Christians, followers of Christ Jesus; Are you presenting the Gospel of Christ in a loving way to those around you?

Please think about it.   

Actions

 Actions

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

A true Christian will not judge anyone outside the church that is God’s job. The apostle Paul does however say we may judge those who claim to be followers of Christ Jesus, Paul writes,

“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.” 1Corinthians 5:12,13.

That being said I truly believe that the only time we can judge anyone who claims to be Christian is to see whether or not they are teaching sound doctrine. We have no right to judge anyone as to where they will spend eternity.

When it comes to interaction with others we should remember the words of James who writes,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgement!”  James 2:12,13.

And above all we should always remember the words of Jesus who 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.

Please think about it.

They may not be Christian

  They may not be a Christian

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.

Mahatma Gandhi said,

“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians

you are not like him.” 

                            Mahatma Gandhi.

I think like many people today Gandhi met many people claiming to be Christian who are not. Men and women who will one day hear the words of Jesus saying,

“I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers”

                                                                         Matthew 7:23b.

Especially now since the pandemic hit here in North America we are seeing people who claim to be Christians who are not. Men and women who are bashing people over the head with the bible yet fail to follow what is in it.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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 believe that if a person is not exhibiting the fruit of the spirit there is a good chance that they are not Christian at all. 

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 neighbour as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. Matthew 22:36-40.

Again if a person is not exhibiting love for God and ones neighbour I firmly believe he or she is not a Christian. 

What do you think?

Please think about it.

Is John telling the truth?

  Is John telling the truth?

The apostle John writes,

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

We write this to make our joy complete." 1John 1:1-4.

John makes it clear that he was writing his letter to tell about all he heard and all he had seen with his own eyes about Jesus.

John in his writings makes it clear he believes Jesus is the Son of God. That he is God incarnate. In his gospel he writes about Jesus whom he calls the Word saying,

“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.

According to John Jesus created all things. He makes it clear that “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” 

John is clear that the creator of the world became flesh and dwelt among mankind. That he has seen “the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”

That being said. Here is something to think about.

If what John is saying here is a lie. Then it is the greatest lie ever in the history of humanity. A lie that three billion people plus in the world today believe. And billions of people have gone to the grave believing.

For me I believe what a person believes about Jesus has eternal consequences.

As the same time I cannot force what I believe on anyone. Everyone must decide for themselves what they believe about Jesus. All I would ask however is that before anyone makes a decision about Jesus, is that they at least read the New Testament.

Please think about it.

Whom do you trust?

  Whom do you trust?

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

In Psalm 20 we read,

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God” 

                                                              Psalm 20:7.

Where I your trust? Do you trust in your own power or in God’s power? It is a question we must all answer.

So I ask you whom do you truly trust in the good times and in the bad times, is it in God or something else?

Please think about it.

Why not take time?

 Why not take time?

The Psalmist writes,

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; 

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." 

                                                        Psalm 9:1,2.

I have read many true stories of persecuted Christians around the world and what amazes me is that despite there sometimes dire circumstances they still praise God. They still believe in God and still praise God even when imprisoned. 

They remind me of the apostle Paul and others who were imprisoned the book of acts telling us

“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25.

So here is my question to anyone living in the free democracies of the western world be they in North America, Europe or elsewhere; Do you praise God often and in all circumstances even your worst circumstances?

It’s hard I know to try and praise God in the bad times but I think we must. For I believe that in praising God in the bad times shows how deep our commitment to God really is.

Not only that I have found it can lift our sprits and make us feel good.

So why not take time right now to praise God?

Please think about it.