What God Expects

  What God Expects

In the book of Deuteronomy we read,

“And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with your soul,” Deuteronomy 10:12. 

This is passage to me is strait forward. We as believers in God, in Christ Jesus are to

1. Fear God.

2. Walk in all His ways. Follow God without wavering from His teaching.

3. Love God. 

Jesus said,

“...“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.” Matthew 22:37.

4. Serve God with your whole heart.

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

Please think about it.

A Christians Hope

A Christians Hope

In the book of Thessalonians we read,

“Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope.  

We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.  

According to the Lord's own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.  

For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  

After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.  

Therefore encourage each other with these words”1Thesalonians 4:13-18.

Christ will one day return and take those who believe in Him up into heaven. This is a cornerstone belief of all Christians. Those who are dead will rise first. Followed by those who are alive.

This is the hope of all those who truly believe in The Lord Jesus Christ. 

It may seem farfetched to the none believer. But it is what true Christians believe.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Before the gods

  Before the gods

The Psalmist writes,

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

 before the "gods" I will sing your praise.” 

                                                                   Psalm 138:1.

As I write this its 2022 and I think there are more “gods” in the world today than in the past. Things we may not think as gods. Money and materialism perhaps being the biggest, especially here in North America where I live.

It seems here in North America everyone is striving to be wealthy. It even extends to those who call themselves Christian evangelist. Men and women who say God wants you to be wealthy. And you will get that way if you have enough faith (and of course give to their ministry).

Such men and women have fallen away from the true faith.

Still that aside, the true believer in Christ Jesus is surrounded by a myriad of “gods” who want to pull them away from the faith.

In such an environment we as believers in Christ need to stand out. We need to turn to the scriptures and praise the LORD with our whole heart no matter the circumstance we are in.

Daily I read of believers in Jesus around the world who must meet in secret for fear of being persecuted, attacked, murdered, and even thrown in prison because they choose to follow Christ.

Men and women who despite the risks, worship and praise God out of a pure belief in Christ Jesus. Beliefs they are willing to die for.

Question; To those Christians who live in the United States, Canada and other western democracies, that live in freedom. Do you worship God in spirit and in truth openly?

Please think about it.

Come bless the Lord

  Come bless the Lord

The Psalmist writes,

“Come bless the LORD, all you servants of the LORD,

who stand by night in the house of the LORD!

Lift up you hands to the holy place

and bless the LORD!

May the LORD bless you from Zion

he who made heaven and earth!”

                                                                      Psalm 134 1-3 (ESV)

Here we have a call to all who serve the LORD, to worship God. To bless the LORD with your words and deeds. With your life.

For those who do this and for those who believe in God the Psalmist states,

“May the LORD bless you from Zion

he who made heaven and earth!"

Are you blessing the LORD? Are you worshipping God in word and deed? Is your life truly dedicated to serving God?

Please think about it.

Are Christians right or wrong?

  Are Christians right or wrong?

The prophet Isaiah states,

"A voice says, "Cry out." And I said, "What shall I cry?" 

"All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the LORD blows on them. Surely the people are grass. 

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God stands forever." Isaiah 40:6-8

The writer of Ecclesiastes writes,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart." Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Ultimately we will all die. The question is where will we spend eternity?

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.” John 3:16-17.

This is what I believe. This is the corner stone of Christian belief. If we as believers in Christ Jesus are wrong then those who do not believe as we do have nothing to fear. 

On the other hand if we are right then there is at the very least a great deal of things to consider because Jesus speaking of himself also states,

“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 3:18

Please think about it.

The Job of the Church

  The Job of the Church

In the book of James we read,

“You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”  James 4:4.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham once said,

"Those outside the church expect followers of Christ to live differently, yet today many in church are chasing after the world - not to win them, but to be like them." Billy Graham.

Sadly this is true. Many calling themselves Christians are incorporating into their churches the ways of the world. Some are saying they want to be more inclusive. Which is good.

The problem becomes however when they compromise their beliefs in an effort to welcome others who do not believe as they do.

Others incorporate false doctrines. Claiming their nation is founded on the principles of God. Making statements that God will make you healthy and wealthy if you only have enough faith among other things.

The apostle Peter warns,

"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."2Peter2:1,2.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be inclusive within our churches. All people irrespective of who they are or their lifestyle should be welcomed into our churches without fear of human judgement. After all Jesus sat down and talked with everyone. He made no distinction.

The apostle Paul tells us,

"I have written you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—   not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case you would have to leave this world.  

But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. 

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.”1 Corinthians 5:9-13.

The late American Evangelist Billy Graham said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                             Billy Graham.

Please think about it.

If your brother

  If your brother

In the book of Leviticus we read,

“If your brother becomes poor and cannot maintain himself with you, you shall support him as though he were a stranger and a sojourner, and he shall live with you.”Leviticus 25:35.

Here is a powerful statement for all believers. We are to help those who cannot help themselves. A similar sentiment is written in the book of James it 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.

Around the world there is a refugee crisis. The numbers of refugees fleeing their home countries is overwhelming. Aid agencies and indeed countries are finding it hard to cope with the numbers. A hundred million people by one estimate are displaced. Forty percent are children under eighteen.

As believers in Christ Jesus we are told by Jesus himself to,

"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.

The bottom line for those who believe in Christ Jesus is we are to help those who are in need to the extent we are able.

Please think about it.

When Least expected

 When Least expected

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2.

One thing I think Christians and environmentalist agree on is one day this world we live in will die if something is not done. The environment is falling apart as a result in the not too distant future if nothing is done now, mankind may go extinct.

Where believers in Christ Jesus disagree is that there is hope for mankind in the person of Jesus Christ. This world will die. But this world, this life we live is not all there is. There is life after death.

The spark within us that makes us a sentient beings, that thing we call the soul lives on throughout eternity. The question however becomes; where will you spend eternity?

Jesus offers all who would believe in Him hope. In the gospel of John we read Jesus speaking of Himself saying,

"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.

C.S. Lewis speaking about Jesus states,

"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.

This means He died for you dear reader.

For those who have heard about Jesus and believe in Jesus an eternity in heaven awaits. The key to getting into heaven being, if your truly believe in The Lord Jesus Christ and accepted Him into your life.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“The Bible says today is the accepted time, today is the day of salvation... But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.” Billy Graham.

We don’t know when Jesus will return. We know that the apostle Paul tells us He will come as a thief in the night. At a time when we are least expecting Him.

Thus the question becomes is will you be ready for Him?

Please think about it.

My Beliefs

My Beliefs

The Gospel of John records,

"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

I believe Jesus is God incarnate creator of the universe and all that is in it. I believe that He is the Saviour of the all who would believe in Him.

The Apostles creed while not written by an apostle states what I an all true Christians believe. It states,

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

A Servants heart

  A servants heart

Jesus said,

“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them.  

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,  and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:42-45.

This is the key to a true Christian life. To serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and those around us. Sadly many Christian leaders, pastors, teachers and evangelist, even men and women in the pew don’t follow this principle.

To many pastors, teachers and evangelist want to have big houses, fancy private jets instead of serving. They like to be the centre of attention.

“...Jesus told this parable:  

"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.' 

"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 

"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." Luke 18:9b-14.

As believers we need to remember we are called to be servants of God. Men and women who have the responsibility in word and deed to spread the gospel message and help whoever we can.

Francis of Assis wrote this prayer,

"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.

Is this your prayer? Do you believe this is the prayer of the pastor, teacher or evangelist you follow?

Please think about it.

The Rich and the Poor

  The rich and the poor

Jesus told this parable,

“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.

Here is a warning to those who have wealth and power. A warning that God will one day hold them to account for not helping those less fortunate. For not remembering their wealth and power ultimately come from God.

In the Talmud we read,

“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, "Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?"  He answered, "God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love." The Talmud.

Sadly to many people do not believe or practice this.

For a myriad of reasons there are poor in this world. Men, women, and children quite often because of circumstance beyond their control do not have enough to eat, a roof over their heads, clothing or health care. Basic human rights.

Politicians and those with excessive wealth whether they admit it or not have the ability to help. Sadly for political or ideological, or even greed they do little or nothing to end poverty. Such men and women I believe should beware that one day stand accountable for their actions.

There is one quote from the Talmud, that while not a Christian book expresses what I believe will happen when such people stand before God. The Talmud states,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  "He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud.

This I believe applies to all people.

Please think about it.

Handbarrow to hell

Handbarrow to Hell

The apostle Peter writes,

"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."2Peter2:1,2 

In his book Essentials in Christian Faith, published in 1950 John B. Harrington quotes a quote by Paul Callico published in Esquire Magazine in 1948. It is a quote that could have been written today. Harrington states,

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 2 Timothy 3:1-4

If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.

When I speak I can only truthfully speak of what I see first hand here in North America where I live. I can see religious men and women claiming to be Christians bringing Gods name into disrepute as the apostle Peter noted. 

Sadly there are many high profile men and women calling themselves Christians and prophets who are not. Men and women who are leading people astray and turning others away from God. Possibly sending individuals into a Christless eternity.

These false teachers will one day hear the words of Jesus who said,

"Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25:41. 

In the meantime we as true believers in Christ Jesus need to be on the lookout for such preachers and stay away from them. We need to obey the word of the apostle Paul who said,

As the apostle Paul said,

"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." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Please think about it.