A Hard thing

  A Hard Thing

The Psalmist writes,

“The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” Psalm 14:1.

Atheist tell people there is no God. But how do they know? 

The way I see it in order to know there is no God you have to have been everywhere and see everything. Which are traits of God making the atheist a god.

No one in this world can say for certain there is not God simply because God could be in the place that person has never been. A good example is the grave. No one living has gone beyond the grave.

Blaise Pascal made a wise statement, saying,

“Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He exists.” Blaise Pascal.

To believe in God requires faith. The writer of Hebrews stating,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see."  

                                                  Hebrews 11:1.

Faith in anything especially in something or someone we cannot see is for most people a very hard thing. Perhaps that is why God asks us to have faith in Him.

Please think about it.

Suffering Messiah

 Suffering Messiah

The apostle Paul writes,

“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:18.

Let’s face it the Christian message can sound like foolishness to those who don’t believe in Christ Jesus.  

In his letter to the Romans Paul states,

"You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.  

   Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:6-8.

 In Jesus God demonstrated in human terms just how much He loved us. He loved us so much that he was willing to die in the most hideous way possible, by crucifixion.

All of this seems the opposite to what a true saviour, should be. In human terms a true saviour is someone who leads a mighty army.

During the time of Jesus I’m sure the Jewish people who were under the boot of Rome looked for a conquering Messiah.

Jesus on the other hand was a suffering Messiah one who came to cleanse the sins of all who would believe in Him. 

Do you believe in Jesus?

Before you answer that question take time to read the New Testament and see what those who knew Jesus best thought about Him.

Please think about it.

Gods power made perfect in weakness

  Gods power made perfect in weakness

The apostle Paul writes,

“To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.  Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me.  

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.  

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

There is a group of people claiming to be Christians who say God always wants you to be health, and wealthy. While I know God wants the best for all who believe in him. Paul here makes it clear we will have troubles. The apostle Paul should know he suffered much for the gospel of Christ.

God allowed Paul to have a thorn in the flesh. We don’t know what was wrong with Paul suffice to know Paul had a physical aliment.

Paul notes that Christ said to him “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness”.

It is a witness to the world when people who are seemingly weak or sick boast about the Lord. When people who are weak by the world standards do great things for God.

I believe the mark of a true Christian shows when they are going through hardships. When they trust in God no matter the circumstance.

Question: Is Gods Grace sufficient for you?

Please think about it.

This world or heaven?

   This world or heaven?

Jesus said,

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.  

But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.  

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 16:19-21.

Let me make things clear here. There is nothing wrong with being rich. There are many good Christians around the world that are wealthy and serve God to the best of their ability.

The trouble with money and wealth comes when you put your trust in your wealth and not in God. When your wealth becomes your god.

We are called on look to God to provide for us. Jesus said,

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes?  

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6: 25,26.

If you consider yourself a Christian, where is your trust? In the treasure you have in this world or in heaven?

Please think about it. 

Standing before God

 Standing before God

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.” Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

We all have our secrets, be they good or bad. We however cannot hide them from God. The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.” Psalm 139:13-16.

Put simply in twenty-first century parlance God knows our very DNA. He knows why we are like we are. Thus God and only God can judge us.

Here’s a question only you can answer; 

Are you ready to stand before God?

Please think about it.

He will judge

  He will Judge

The Psalmist writes,

“Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity. 

“Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it; 

“let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy; they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.” Psalm 96:10-13.

I firmly believe God will one day judge everyone. He will judge them in righteousness. That is why we as believers in Christ Jesus must be willing to say to the world “The LORD reigns!”

That is why we must be telling the world,

"But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

That is why we must be telling the world that Jesus 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.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.

But did we not...

  But did we not...

Jesus said, 

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  

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 7:21-23.

Where do you stand with God? 

Take sometime to look at what you are doing for God. Will you hear the words of Jesus quoted above or will you hear Jesus when he says,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40.

Please think about it.

Do you follow preachers blindly?

  Do you follow preachers blindly?

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.  

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

Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.

One commentator states they will “commercialize” the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.

There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain. Sadly many of these prosperity doctrine preachers are seen as the face of Christianity in the media.

These people are giving God a black eye.

There only purpose is to line their own pockets.

When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them. 

Peter warns, "In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up."

Sadly many people are blindly trusting these preachers, teachers, and evangelist.

As Christians we need to look carefully at the people we follow. We need to check what they are saying against the Bible. We need to ask the question are these people truly following the teachings of Christ?

Do you do this? OR do you blindly believe the preachers, teachers, and evangelist because of their ‘position’ in the media or church?

Please think about it.

Persecution of Judgment

  Persecution or Judgement

The book of Acts records the apostle Paul being brought before Agrippa for preaching the gospel of Christ. Paul never wavered in his faith. Telling Agrippa his story. The book of Acts then records,

“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: 28,29.

Paul was being persecuted because he had said,

"...I preached that they should repent and turn to God and prove their repentance by their deeds." Acts 26:20b.

Paul was not being persecuted for judging anyone. He was simply presenting the gospel of Christ to anyone who would listen. Calling on people to repent of their sins.

The religious leaders however disliked this and had him arrested.

Today sadly many people where I live in North America say they are being persecuted when if the truth be known they are not.

Many calling themselves Christians are judging others and trying to have the rights of others taken away. They have mixed politics and their faith. Thus people turn on them calling them in extreme cases judgmental bigots. 

Remember 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.

So it should be no surprise that if you are judging someone they will judge you the same way. This is not persecution. It is simply the result of someone calling themselves a Christian who are judging others.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                               Billy Graham

If we are to be persecuted let us be persecuted for presenting the true Gospel of Christ. And not because we are judging others.

Please think about it.

Are you doing your best?

 Are you doing your best?

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

Your best. That is all God requires of you. Especially when it comes to handling the word of God. We are asked to do our best.

When it comes to the scriptures we need to study them for ourselves. At the same time we need to read commentaries and listen to teachers that both agree and disagree with what we believe.

I say we should listen to those we disagree with because if someone disagrees with our interpretation of the scriptures we should be asking the question. “why?” 

Why do they believe as they do? Are they right in what they believe or am I right? 

Through all of this we should be praying and asking Gods to direct us to what is right.

It is only after we have done all we feel we can do to interpret scripture correctly should we teach it.

If you are presenting the Gospel message to anyone are you doing your best to present it correctly?

Please think about it.

Unconditionally

 Unconditionally

The apostle Paul writes,

"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you,

 live at peace with everyone."

                                                              Romans 12:18.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus you need to take this verse of scripture to heart. The words of the apostle Paul are as true today as they were when he wrote them. Christians need to live at peace with everyone.

In order to do this we need to consider carefully 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

Put this way, today this means;

If you are

demonstrating against anyone. 

You are telling them 

they can demonstrate against you.

If you are 

speaking out and trying to restrict the rights of others 

given to them by the lawfully elected government.

You are telling others 

they can try to restrict your rights.

If you are 

imposing your morals on others

however good they may be.

You are telling them 

they can impose their morals on you, 

even if they are not as good as yours.

If you are 

trying to impose your faith on others 

rather than presenting your faith.

You are telling others 

they can impose their faith on you.

If you are

judging others.

You are telling others 

they can judge you in the same way.

If you 

are telling the world you are a Christian,

You should be telling the world 

I love you as Jesus loves you,...

unconditionally!

Please think about it

Canada and the Christian.

 Canada and the Christian

The apostle Paul writes,

"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 Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.  

For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time."  1 Timothy 2:1-6.

I live in Canada. I wasn’t born here but I’ve lived here most of my life. I thank God of Canada and its freedoms. Living in Canada I enjoy freedoms only dreamed of by those in other countries.

That being said contrary to what some Christians believe Canada is not a Christian country. It is a secular democracy who’s government does its best to balance the rights and freedoms of all who live within its bounds.

True some laws are based on Judeo-Christian principles. But that does not make the country Christian.

There is no country in the world that could remotely be called Christian. That is why we must do as the apostle Paul instructs. To pray 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 2:2-4

So as today is Canada day a day when Canada celebrates its birthday. Especially if you are a Canadian or live in Canada pray for the government and all those who are in authority in Canada. Pray that as the apostle Paul states,

“...that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1Timothy 2:2.

Please think about it.