Give praise to God!!!

  Give praise to God!!!

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." Colossians 3:15.

Take time to let the peace of Christ rule in your heart. To even gather with other Christians and be thankful for all you have, and all Christ has done for you.

To give praise to God. 

We should as the Psalmist tells us,

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

Please if you are a follower of Christ Jesus take time to praise God this day.

Will you be dressed in white?

 Will you be dressed in white?

The book of Revelations records,

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelation 3:1-6.

Here is a warning to a church that seems to be alive but is in fact dead. This church appears to those around them to be doing Gods work but in reality they are not. Their works were incomplete. 

The principle work of the church is evangelism. Reaching others for Christ.

"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.

The other thing we believers in Christ Jesus should be doing is good works. The book of James states,

"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. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20

Christ notes,

"Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy"

Is the church congregation you attend alive? Are they doing what God has called them to do? Are you alive in Christ? Are you doing what God wants you to do?

Will you be dressed in white?

Please think about it.

Overcomers reward

 Overcomers reward

Jesus through the apostle John speaks this to the church in Thyatira. John records,

“To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  

So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): Only hold on to what you have until I come. 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery’— 

just as I have received authority from my Father.  

I will also give him the morning star.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.  Revelations 2:18-29.

Here Jesus notes that the church in Thyatira is doing more than it had been doing. However he points out that they tolerate a woman called Jezebel. Whether this is her real name or a nickname likening her to queen Jezebel of old Testament fame in 1Kings 16, and 2 Kings 9. This woman is leading people in the church to commit sexual immorality. 

Jesus makes it clear that He will cast her and those who commit adultery with her to suffer intensely, unless they repent. Jesus also states He will strike her children dead. This is to show the church that He is the one who searches hearts and minds and will repay each person according to their deeds.

The church cannot compromise its morality in any way, sexual or otherwise. God has given the Church a moral code which it must follow.

If those calling themselves Christians do not follow this code they will they will be judged according to what they have done. Jesus in this letter to the church at Thyatira could not make it more clear.

There is however a reward for those who overcome and follow Jesus. John records,

“To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— ‘He will rule them with an iron sceptre; he will dash them to pieces like pottery'— just as I have received authority from my Father.I will also give him the morning star.  

So the question becomes; How will you be judged?

Please think about it.

Correctly

  Correctly

The Apostle John records,

“To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.

Here is what is commonly called the compromising church. Jesus states,

“I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives.”

These people stayed true even when one of them Antipas was put to death.              That being said this church let things go on that were not Christian. Some in the church were teaching the teachings of Balaam who tired to turn the people of Israel away from God. They were also allowing the teachings of the Nicolatians, another heretic group. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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

As Christians we cannot allow anything to be taught in our churches that is not in line with the word of God as presented in the holy scriptures. Anyone preaching things contrary to the teachings of the Bible must be put out of the church.

Thus the question becomes are you and the church congregation you attend truly living out and presenting the word of God each day?

 The apostle Paul wrote,

"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. 2Timothy 2:15.

Are you doing this?

Smyrna's example

 Smyrna's example

John writing in the book of Revelations records these words of Jesus,

“To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.

   I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.

The church at Smyrna apparently had it hard. Smyrna was major sea port. It was one of the places Roman imperial cult was present. That along with a large Jewish population who probably didn’t agree with believers in Christ made it hard for these Christians. 

What is notable about the church of Smyrna is despite the persecution these early believers kept the faith, 

Jesus does not say anything against them. He warns them that there will be what most commentators say is a short period of persecution. Then encourages them saying,

“Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

This is the way it is for true believers today. We may from time to time undergo persecution, and certainly there are many places in the world today where believers in Christ are being heavily persecuted, however no matter what we go through if we keep the faith, Jesus promises us a crown of life.

Are you doing your best to keep your faith in Christ Jesus?

Post Script.

To all believers especially those of us who live in the free democracies of the world. Please remember to pray for all believers who are being persecuted around the world.

Please don’t just think about praying...

Do it.

The Ephesus Church

 The Ephesus church

The Apostle John writing in the book of Revelations records these words given by Jesus,

“To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  

But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. Revelations 2:1-7

Here Jesus commends the church of Ephesus as having good works. That they have persevered. That they cannot tolerate wicked men and have even tested those who claim to be Christians but are not.

He then point out,

“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.’"

Our first love should be to God and His one and only Son Christ Jesus. Everything else is secondary. 

Sadly as I look at the churches in North America where I live many have turned away from Christ. There first love has become a whole host of things, individual pastors or evangelist, political leaders, material things including money.

This should not be so. We should have our eyes fixed on Christ Jesus. As the writer of the book of Hebrews states,

"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.

Are your eyes fixed on Jesus? Would those around you, your friends, family and neighbours say your eyes are fixed on Jesus?

Please think about it?

You are the church

  You are the church

John To the seven churches in the province of Asia: 

"Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. 

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen. 

  Look, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him; and all the peoples of the earth will mourn because of him. So shall it be! Amen. 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God, "who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty." Revelations 1:4-8

Here is a warning to the seven churches in the Roman province of Asia. It is a warning that Christ will return.

It is also made clear here that those who truly believe in Christ Jesus are priests called to serve God the Father.

The question in my mind however is what kind of priest are you? What is your local church congregation like?

In the book of Revelations 2:1-3:22. Christ through the apostle John addresses seven churches in Asia minor.

I have over the years been told what was happening in those seven churches happens in the church today. Further more what is happening in those churches can be seen in the life of individuals today.

Over my next seven blog posts I will be looking at those seven churches. Meanwhile I would ask you to evaluate yourself and your relationship to Jesus Christ.

Francis of Assisi wrote, 

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                           Francis of Assisi

So ask yourself what is your sermon telling those around you about Christ?

What is your church saying about Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

You are the Church

  Your are the Church

The apostle Paul tells us,

“God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.” Ephesians 1:22–23.

One definition I found that I believe defines the church states,

“The word Church is translated from the Greek term ekklesia meaning "an assembly" and "to call out" or "the called out ones." 

Thus the Church is not a building. It is a body of believers who are called out to present the word of God to those around them.

In the book of Hebrews we read,

"Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:25

This is the local church an assembly of men and women dedicated to God meeting to honour Him, as well as to pray, break bread together (Communion). To build one another up and encourage one another. Additionally it is the local churches job to make and teach disciples. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

"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

So if you believe in Christ Jesus. If you call yourself a Christian you are the church. You are Christ’s ambassador. God’s representative to the world around you.

Please think about it.

The ultimate statistic

  The ultimate statistic 

The apostle Paul wrote,

"I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  

This is good, and pleases God our Saviour, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."  1Timothy 2:1-4

According to the Kennedy institute for Ethics, 65 million people die each year in the world.  That is 

178,000 each day, 

7425 each hour, 

120 each minute.

  Bottom line we do not get out of this life alive. The question however becomes where will you spend eternity?

It is the duty of all who believe in Christ Jesus to pray for those around them. Everyone from political leaders down to the person on the street. 

It is the job of a true believer in Christ to present the message of Christ to the world around them.

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.

These words of Jesus in a nutshell show how to get to heaven. Thus what it comes down to is whether or not someone believes them.

Do you?

Please think about it.

What they believed

  What they believed

The apostle Peter said,

“The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead—whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.  

God exalted him to His own right hand as Prince and Saviour that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.  

We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.” Acts 5:30-32.

This is what the apostles believed. Keep in mind here Peter and the other apostles were before the Sanhedrin who had the power to imprison or execute them. Yet despite this the Peter made it clear that they believed Jesus was exalted by God “...to His own right hand as Prince and Saviour that He might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.”

 Peter was making Jesus equivalent to God. 

If that were not true why would Peter and the other disciples risk their lives?

The answer to my mind is that what Peter said is true. 

The question however become; Do you believe this is true?

Please think about it.

Pour yourself out for the hungry

  Pour yourself out for the hungry

The Prophet Isaiah states,

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."Isaiah 58:10.

If you truly believe in God. If you are a true follower of Christ Jesus this I firmly believe is what we must do. We must help the poor. We must do our best to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

Jesus told this story that should at the very least be a warning to those who are wealthy. Jesus said,

"There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

"The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 

"But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 

"He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.' 

"Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.' 

" ‘No, father Abraham,' he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' 

"He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' " Luke 16:19-31

Please think about it.

Something to live by

Something to live by

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:9-18.

These are not my words but the words of the apostle Paul. They are words everyone who is a true believer in Christ Jesus should live by, in word and in deed.

Are you?

Please think about it.