Praising God and telling others

 Praising God and telling others

Isaiah the Prophet said,

“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  

And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted.” 

                                                        Isaiah 12:3,4

Are you drawing water from the well of salvation, Jesus Christ? 

Is that joy causing you to give thanks to God?

Are you making known the deeds of God among the people around you?

Are you proclaiming and exalting Gods name?

Mary the mother of Christ said it all when she said,

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50.

Mary’s joy at having a child was magnified by the knowledge that she had born the Messiah. The saviour of mankind. As a result she rejoiced and gave praise to God.

When we accept Christ into our hearts we should be full of praise. We should want to go out and tell people about the mercy, and salvation that comes by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, are you praising God and telling others about him?

Please think about it.

Teach me

 Teach me

The Psalmist writes,

“Teach me to do your will, 

for you are my God; 

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” 

                                                                 Psalm 143:10.

Here is a simple truth. In order to know the will of God we need to study the word of God. We need to read the Bible every day. Additionally we need to take sometime each day to pray and ask God for direction in our lives.

Question; If you claim to be a Christians. A follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A word of Caution

 A word of Caution

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.

Someone has said,

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

                                                                               Author Unknown.

Sadly this is true of many non-Christians here in North America. North America someone has said, “suffers from freedom.”

Meaning, we have so much freedom anyone can do and say almost anything. And especially in the United States if someone speaks out against you can sue them.

Thus anyone can claim to be a Christian preacher, evangelist or teacher and not correctly presenting the Bible. They can and many will present and say almost anything. The reason most of the time is to get rich.

So what I am saying here to anyone reading this is to be careful as to who you listen to or follow when it comes to following a particular pastor, evangelist or teacher.

Listen to what they are saying. Then compare it to what the Bible says and see if it is in context. See if what the preacher is saying is truly what the Bible is saying. 

If not at the very least question the preacher about what he or she said. If they don’t want to clarify it with you, wont talk to you, or their explanation does not make sense, stop following or listening to them.

The bottom line is be careful. Pastors, evangelist, and Christian teachers are human and make mistakes. But if they don’t correct themselves that becomes a problem.

Always remember if there are mistakes made by the preacher it’s not the Bibles fault it is the one who is interpreting that’s the problem.

Please think about it.

The Shepherd of your life

 The Shepherd of your life

The Psalmist writes,

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; 

may your good Spirit lead me on level ground." 

                                                                       Psalm 143:10.

The only way anyone can know how to do Gods will is to pray and study the Bible both alone and with a group.  Studying the word of God is the only way we can know Gods will for our lives. Not only that when we present the word of God we need to do so correctly. The apostle Paul admonishes Timothy to,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15.

If you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus is this what you are doing?

Psalm 23 states,

“The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, 

I will fear no evil, for you are with me; 

your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

                                                                             Psalm 23.

So is God truly the Shepherd of your life?

Please think about it.

God reaching down

  God reaching down

The apostle Paul wrote,

"But when the kindness and love of God our Saviour appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" Titus 3:4,5.

The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians said, 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

This is a key element of Christian belief. Christians believe that it is by the Grace of God through Christ Jesus that we get to heaven. Not by our works. Christians maintain that we cannot be good enough to enter heaven. Thus God made away by sending Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins.

Christianity is God reaching down to man and offering him salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

C. S. Lewis said,"He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less." C.S. Lewis.

 Are you that man or woman? A person in need of God?

Why not take a moment to pray and ask God to come into your heart today. Perhaps consider this prayer.

Dear Heavenly Father.

I thank you for your grace that comes through faith in Christ Jesus. Please forgive my sins and come into my life today. Show me your ways. Teach me what it is to be your servant, your follower. Amen.

Please think about it.

Post script;

If you sincerely prayed and believed this prayer. I urge you study the Bible. Then I would urge you to find a church or group of believers where you can study together.

As this blog is read all over the world I personally recommend a church. But I recommend Baptist churches as well as Presbyterian, Anglican, Church of England, salvation army, if you live in countries where they are present.

If you do not all I can say is pray and ask God to show you to a church or house fellowship.

Dwell in you

 Dwell in you

The apostle Paul writes,

"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 3:16,17.

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we must do what the apostle Paul is saying here. And the only way we can do it is to study the Bible.

Study the Bible and not just take the word of some evangelist, pastor or teacher without question. 

Now there are a lot of good men and women of God who are presenting the word of God correctly. The trouble is sometimes you can’t tell the good ones from the bad ones. That is why we should pray and study the Bible for ourselves. Then if we have a problem with some evangelist, preacher or teacher we can approach them and ask them about what appears to be an error. A good pastor will never turn you away or discourage you from asking questions about what he teaches or believes.

Another thing I have seen to be true when the word of God is dwelling in a person, is that they start to exhibit the fruit of the spirit. The apostle Paul 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.

So if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus. Is the word of Christ dwelling in you richly? 

And are you exhibiting the fruits of the spirit to those around you?

Please think about it.

A Christian is

 A Christian is

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.

Do you consider yourself a true Christian? If so are you truly loving God and your neighbour?

St. Augustine said,

"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.

Is this you?

The apostle Paul wrote what is essentially the definition of Christian love. In his first letter to the church at Corinth 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.

So is your definition of love the same as the apostle Pauls definition?

If not it should be.

Please think about it. 

In spirit and truth

 In spirit and truth

Jesus said,

"God is spirit, 

and his worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth."

                                                                                        John 4:23.

Now I’m speaking to those who claim to be Christian, true believers in Christ Jesus. Can you truly say you are worshipping God in spirit and in truth?

It is a question I believe we all should ask ourselves.

So I ask you again, Are you worshipping God in Spirit and in truth?

Please think about it.

Where is Love?

 Where is Love?

The apostle Paul 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.

The above is the apostle Pauls definition of Christian love. Something all Christians have a duty to show to family, friend, and foe alike.

Sadly in this world love is lacking.

In his Christmas message the Pope noted that the world has become desensitised to crisis and suffering. So much so people hardly notice it.

Today around the world there are ten of thousands of people in crisis. The pandemic is only making this worse. Therefor I believe it is imperative that Christians do what they can to help those in crisis wherever they are in the world. Even if it is only giving a few dollars to an aid agency.

At the same time it is important for Christians to pray for those around the world who are living under repression.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing what you can to help those in need, be it in your neighbourhood, country, or around the world?

Please think about it.

The Apostle Pauls Testimony

 The Apostle Pauls Testimony 

In the book of Acts we see the apostle Paul after being brought in before King Agrippa in chains telling him how he was faithful to the vision he received on the road to Damascus when he became a believer in Christ Jesus. The book of Acts records.

"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and to the Gentiles also, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds....  

But I have had God's help to this very day, and so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen—  that the Christ would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would proclaim light to his own people and to the Gentiles." 

At this point Festus interrupted Paul's defence. "You are out of your mind, Paul!" he shouted. "Your great learning is driving you insane." 

"I am not insane, most excellent Festus," Paul replied. "What I am saying is true and reasonable.  

The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner.  

King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do." 

Then Agrippa said to Paul, "Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?" 

Paul replied, "Short time or long—I pray God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains." Acts 26:19-21,23-29.

Paul was a committed believer in Christ Jesus. He believed Jesus was and is, the Son of God, Saviour of mankind. The Messiah.

And what told king Agrippa that day is true today.

All true believers in Christ Jesus want the world to know the love of God as shown through Christ Jesus. All true Christians want individuals to come into a personal relationship with Christ Jesus and receive the gift of eternal life with God He offers.

Dear reader would you consider receiving Christ Jesus as your Saviour today? Please take some time to read what the New Testament has to say about Jesus. Then decide for yourself if what is said there is true.

Please think about it.

Fixed on

 Fixed on

The writer of Hebrews tells us,

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" Hebrews 12:2.

If ever there was a time, especially here in North America, to keep our eyes on Jesus it is now. The North American church despite all (and perhaps because of) its freedoms seems to be getting involved in things they should not be into. They I believe many times without realizing it are turning from the teachings of Christ. And following the beliefs of some evangelist or pastor blindly. Who are not preaching the truth.

The apostle Paul warned,

"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. 

This is happening in North America today.

Within the persecuted church around the world this dose not seem to be happening.

There is a lot the persecuted church around the world can teach Christians in North America. The persecuted church has no option but to keep focussed on Jesus. Everyday they face the probability of going to jail, suffering physical harm, or even being killed for their faith.

Many cannot worship openly. To do so for many at the very least means being rejected by their family or worse as I said, physical abuse, being put in prison or murdered.

The question I would have for anyone who claims to be a Christian, especially those living in North America is; Are you focussed on Jesus or something or someone else?

Please think about it.

An instrument of God

 An instrument of God

Jesus 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.

Today is the first day of 2022. Let us make these words of Jesus real in our lives this year.

Let us live the prayer of Francis of Assisi who prayed,

"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

Please think about it.