Seeking with your whole heart

 Seeking with your whole heart

“You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                               Jeremiah 29:13

Perhaps its because we are in an information age and we see more things happening because of it. But I think not. I believe our society is degrading. People are becoming lovers of self.

In his book "Essentials in Christian Faith" John B. Harrington, published in 1958, there is a quote that could have been written yesterday.

It's from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:

"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."

What Gallico is searching for is Christ Jesus.

Jesus said,

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  

For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30

Have you asked Jesus into your life?

Please think about it.

It is good to praise the Lord

  It’s good to praise the Lord

The Psalmist writes,

“It is good to praise the LORD and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp.” Psalm 92:1-3.

Do you praise the Lord? Do you take time out of your day and praise the Lord?

I firmly believe if we believe in Christ Jesus. If we believe in God, we need to take time out of each day and praise the Lord. Be that singing along with recorded worship music or just by raising our own voice to praise Him.

Consider taking time several times a day to praise God, either audibly or silently. 

Please think about it.

Flee the evil desires of youth

  Flee the evil desires of youth

“Flee the evil desires of youth, 

and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, 

along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 

                                                                                   2 Timothy 2:22

Here is some simple advice to all who believe in Christ Jesus. 

Flee,

Evil desires of youth.

Pursue, 

righteousness, faith, love and peace.

This is what we should expect of ourselves as believers in Christ Jesus. Along with those who call out to the Lord with a pure heart?

If you consider yourself a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Do you give thanks?

 Do you give thanks?

  In the book of Psalms we read,

"You are my God, and I will give you thanks; 

you are my God, and I will exalt you. 

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; 

his love endures forever." 

                                                             Psalm 118:28,29 

If you claim to be a Christian,

Can you say with sincerity the above quoted scripture from the book of Psalms?

Do you give thanks to God for all you have and for all he has done for you?

Do you give thanks because you know the LORD is good and his love endures forever.

Please think about it.

Shine before men

 Shine before men

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Jesus said all who believe in Him are the light of the world. As such we are not to hide that light. We are to put that light on a stand in order to give light to everyone.

Put simply we are to tell those around us about the Love and Salvation that comes through belief in Christ Jesus.

We are not to force our faith on anyone just present what we believe and leave it at that. Let those who hear the Gospel message decide for themselves.

If you consider yourself a Christian are you letting your light shine?

Please think about it.

A commandment from Jesus

 A commandment from Jesus

In the gospel of John Jesus is quoted as saying,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

The key quote here is “Love one another as I have loved you,”

God’s love is unconditional. What the Bible refers to as Agape. This is how Christians are to act with each other and others. If we do so they will see the fruit of the spirit in us. The fruit of the spirit being,

“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 as a Christian are you showing love to those around you? When people see the fruit of you life do they see the fruit of the spirit in it?

Please think about it.  

So what do Christians believe?

 So what do Christians believe?

In the book of Isaiah we read,

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God?

The Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable." 

                                                             Isaiah 40:28

We Christians believe God is everlasting. The Creator of the ends of the earth.

The Apostles Creed while not written by an apostle of Christ states what Christians today 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.

This is what we Christians believe. I leave it hear for you the reader to decide for yourself if you believe this.

Please think about it.