Your Attitude

  Your Attitude

In the book of Philipians we read

“|Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8.

Do you have a servants heart? It’s hard to be a servant. You do all the work while others get to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

Far too many Christians want to be a teacher or leader within a congregation. They are not interested in serving.

Jesus on the other hand believed in serving. Lowering himself to the point where he washed his disciples feet.

In John’s gospel we read,

“so he(Jesus)got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him....

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.  

"You call me ‘Teacher' and ‘Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.  

Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.  

I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.” John 13:4,5,13-16.

So the question becomes, are you willing to serve wherever you are needed or wherever you can, even if its not in a leadership capacity?

Please think about it. 

Faith without deeds

  Faith without deeds

In the book of James we read,

"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.

What James is saying here is simple. We as believers need to help those in need. Our faith should spur us on to doing good works. Otherwise as James states our faith is dead.

Believers in Christ Jesus are called to Love. You cannot fully love if you see someone in need and don’t do what you can to help them.

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.

Please think about it.

The two greatest commandments

  The two greatest commandments

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.

For those who claim they are believers in Christ Jesus this is what they must do.

1/ Love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and mind.

2/ Love their neighbour as yourself.

Notice there is no other qualifications to these commands of Jesus. 

He doesn’t say love God only in good time, or for what He has done for you.

You are to love God regardless of your circumstance.

And we are to love our neighbour even if we disagree with him or her. Be it what they believe or their lifestyle.

As 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....1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

Thus the question becomes...

Are you obeying the two greatest commandments?

Please think about it.

Friend or Enemy?

  Friend or Enemy?

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.

Question. Who are you friends with?

     Do you put the world first or your relationship with God?

     Are you following politicians, teachers and even religious leaders who speak and act in ways that are not Godly?

Who is you best friend, God or the world?

Please think about it.

An Ambassador for Christ

  An Ambassador for Christ.

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to remember every day that we are Christ’s representative in our communities, our neighbourhoods, and the world around us.

As such we need to present Christ in the best possible light through our words and deeds.

Thus the question becomes.

Are you representing Christ to the best of your ability in word and deed.

Francis of Assisi wrote two things Christians need to remember, 

“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”

And

"The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today" 

                                                                                                           Francis of Assisi.

If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

He who does the will of my Father

   He who does the will of my Father 

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.

There are many people in the world today who call themselves Christians but are not. From what they do and say it may seem that they are Christians. The reality however is they are not.

Jesus said these people will say to Him on that day,

"...‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 

Thus we who truly believe in God and the Salvation that comes through Christ Jesus need to be aware of these false prophets and teachers.

We need to read the scriptures for ourselves so we know what is right and wrong. Additionally we need to look at the preachers, teachers and evangelist we follow to see if they are truly following God.

The apostle Paul tells us that while we are not to judge those outside the church we have the right to judge those inside. 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." 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Are you doing this? Is the church congregation you attend standing up to false teacher, preachers, and evangelist?

Please think about it.

Advice from the book of Romans

   Advice from the book of Romans

The Apostle Paul writes, 

"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 fervor, 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 

For me what the apostle Paul is telling all believers in Christ Jesus here is strait forward.

Take a few minutes and read it carefully. Then ask yourself the question “Am I doing this”

Please think about it.

A Principle of the Christian life

  A Principle of the Christian life.

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.

Are you quick to judge people?

Do you judge people in a negative way simply because they disagree with you or have a lifestyle you disagree with?

If you are a true believer in Christ Jesus you shouldn’t be. Jesus makes that clear here in Matthew 7:1,2.

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.

Think of it this way. When you judge others your are giving them the right to judge you the same way.

So the question becomes, are you judging or loving others? Even those you disagree with or have a lifestyle you disagree with?

Please think about it.

Forgive us our sins

  Forgive us our sins,

Jesus taught,

“Forgive us our sins, 

for we also forgive everyone who sins against us.

And lead us not into temptation.' "

                                                             Luke 11:4.

As Christians we should forgive those who sinned against us. Likewise we should be calling on God to forgive our sins daily.

We should also be asking God to lead us away from any temptation that comes our way.

Question.

Are you going to God daily and confessing your sins to Him?

Do you forgive those who sin against you?

Do you ask God to lead you away from any temptation that comes your way?

Please think about it.

Give us this day our daily bread

  Give us this day our daily bread

In the Lords prayer we read,

“Give us each day our daily bread.” Luke 11:3.

Question.

Do you ask God each day to supply your daily needs?

Do you ask God to supply the daily needs of others around the world?

Please think about it.

Reverence for God

  Reverence for God

Jesus said,

"He said to them, "When you pray, say: 

" ‘Father, hallowed be your name,..."  

                                                       Luke 11:12a

Jesus teaches us to honour God as holy. We as believers must never get into the trap of treating God as anything less. 

Sadly over the years I’ve seen people approach God in a very flippant way. Taking God for granted or treating Him like a servant or supernatural banker.

We should never fall into this trap.

While God wants us to have a personal relationship with us. We must never forget that He is the Lord God Almighty. Who deserves to be honoured at all times.

Question. How do you approach God? Do you tread God with the reverence He deserves?

Please think about it. 

Take it to heart

 Take it to heart

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Take to heart these instructions with which I charge you this day. Impress them upon your children. Recite them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up. Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead, inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”   Deuteronomy 11:13-21.

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to take this portion of Scripture to heart. We need to present the gospel message to our children in word and deed. We need to take the word of God seriously and show in word and in deed that we truly love God with all our heart and mind and soul. 

Question. Are you doing this?

Please think about it.