Christian ponder this

  Christian ponder this

Here from the book or Proverbs and the mouth of Jesus is something to think about.

“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor 

will himself call out and not be answered.” 

                                                          Proverbs 21:13.

Jesus 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.  

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.' 

"They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?' 

"He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.' 

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." Matthew 25:41-46.

So if you consider yourself a true Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing what you can to help the poor?

Please think about.

A Peaceful and Holy life

 A holy and peaceful life

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

live at peace with everyone.” 

                                    Romans 12:18 

The writer of Hebrews states,

“Make every effort to live in peace with all men 

and to be holy; 

without holiness no one will see the Lord.” 

                                                            Hebrews 12:14.

If you claim to be a Christian are you doing your best to live at peace with all people? Are you doing your best with Gods help to live a holy life?

Because if you are not you will not win a soul for Christ.

As Christians we should be known for our love and understanding. People should see our love for God and those around us be they family, friend, or foe.

So I ask the questions again;

Are you doing your best to live at peace with all people.

Are you with Gods help doing your best to live a holy life?

Please think about it.

A Caution

  A Caution

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

This is a caution to all Christians. 

It was happening in the day of the apostle Paul and beyond doubt is happening in the North American church today and in other places around the world. We have evangelist and pastors that are misusing the word of God for their own ends. Rather than gathering biblical teachers and scholars around them as advisors. They pick and choose only those that think the way they think.

Sadly such men and women mislead many. And just as bad or worse they misuse the scriptures for financial gain. 

And when it comes to knowing what is right of wrong. They only way we can tell is by praying and studying the Bible for our selves.

So the question becomes,

When it comes to the pastors, evangelist, priests, that you support are they truly following the word of God, or are they teaching false doctrine?

Please think about it.

Let love and faithfulness

 Let love and faithfulness

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; 

bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man." 

                                                                                                          Proverbs 3:3,4.

Do you Love God? Are you faithful to Him? Does your love extend to those around you, family friend and foe alike?

In Galatians we read,

“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.

The apostle Paul defined what Christian love is when he 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....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

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

So Do you follow the teachings of Jesus and the apostles? 

Are you showing the fruit of the Spirit and attributes of Love as the apostle Paul laid out? Are you obeying the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew 7:12

Please think about it.

Eyes fixed on Jesus

 Eyes Fixed on Jesus

The writer of Hebrews said,

"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.

Here is a simple admonition from the writer of the book of Hebrews to all who believe in Christ Jesus. 

We are to keep our eyes on Jesus.

That to me means following His teachings and example. That at times may mean we will have to endure abuse and hardships.

Ultimately however at the end of our life we will be able to say as the apostle Paul wrote,

"For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.  

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.  

Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing." 2 Timothy 4:6-8.

Paul from the day of his conversion until the day he died, no matter what circumstance he was in good or bad, in prison or free, kept his eyes firmly fixed on Jesus.

If you truly believe in Christ Jesus, can you say that also?

Please think about it.

Live by Faith

  Live by Faith

In the gospel of Luke we read,

"A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.  

You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.''" 

"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 

When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." Luke 18:18-22.

Here is what Jesus is saying here. Live by faith. Do not rely on your earthly wealth. Live by faith expecting God to supply you needs.

In the book of Philippians we read,

"And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus" Philippians 4:19.

Do you believe this. Do you rely on God to supply your needs?

Do you think the pastors and evangelist you support believe this?

Please think about it.

The Love of Money

 The Love of Money

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

Jesus said,

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.

So who do you love? Who do you serve? God or Money which comes first in your life?

Now there is nothing wrong with being wealthy. The trouble comes when you love money so much it becomes your god and turns you away from God.

Every Christian must answer this question for themselves. Do they love God or money. Do they love the things of this world or the things of God?

There is another question here also. What about the ministers, and evangelist you support. Especially those who are multimillionaires. Those who preach give to get. The prosperity doctrine. 

Who do you think they serve? 

Do you think they could give up everything and still serve God?

Please think about it.