Evangelical or Political?

Evangelical or Political?
Jesus said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
I attend a small evangelical church. That does a lot of good. It reaches out to the poor and those living on the street with the love of Jesus. We do what many other churches do and should do.
That being said are churches in 2019 truly evangelical?
It is a sad fact that the evangelical movement in particular are known for what they are against. In the United States many evangelicals have started to mix their faith with their politics. This is something Jesus and his disciples never did.
As I have said in previous blogs, mixing politics and religion is like mixing gasoline and water. The water is undrinkable the gasoline unusable and the whole mixture explosive.
Sadly because many evangelicals mix their politics and faith it turns people away from Christ.
It is not the job of the Christian, a true believer in Christ Jesus to support a politician or political party. To do so I believe is to put a millstone around ones neck. Making it very difficult to present the gospel message.
The job of the Christian is to present the gospel message to those around us. We cannot do this if politics or for that matter any other earthly thing gets in the way.
In my previous blog post I quoted the apostle Paul who writing to Timothy said,
"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.” 2Timothy 2:15.
If we do this we will win more souls for Christ than we ever could supporting a politician or political party. Which is what we are called to do.
Please think about it.

Do your best

Do your best
The apostle Paul writes,
"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.
If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you teaching sound doctrine?
Many churches are not following sound doctrine. Many preachers and evangelist are teaching what they believe and not what the bible teaches. To make matters worse there are few voices in the Christian world who are willing to take a stand and at least try to correct those teaching wrong doctrine.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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.” 2Timothy 2:15.
This is what we as Christians whether we stand in the pulpit or sit in the pew must do.
Please think about it.

Nothing Gained

Nothing gained
The book of Ecclesiastes records,
"I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. 
Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:10,11.
For me if there is no God life is meaningless.
If all life is, is gathering a few bobbles, bangles and beads. Gathering wealth or for that matter doing great deeds. Life is meaningless. For all of the things we have acquired in this life will be dispersed among others when we die. As for those who do great deeds many if not all with the passage of time will be forgotten. Their names found only in history books.
The writer of Ecclesiastes got it perfectly right when he wrote,
   “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.”Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
The writer also states,
“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.
While we shouldn’t dwell on death. I firmly believe we should ask ourselves the question “what will happen to me when I die?”
Tony Campolo the American evangelist make a good point when he states,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”Tony Campolo 
Will you?
Please think about it.

Do it with respect

Do it with respect
The apostle Peter states,
"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander." 1 Peter 3:15,16.
Peter here is simply telling those who believe in Christ Jesus to be prepared in a respectful manner to tell anyone who asks why we believe in Christ.
I have seen over the years many calling themselves Christians who do not respect the people they are presenting their faith to. They put down a persons faith and lifestyle of others and then expect them to listen to what they have to say.
We should never disrespect others no matter how much we disagree with them. An excellent example of how we should present our faith comes from the book of Acts. Acts records Paul while he was in Athens.
It states,
“So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.” acts 17:17.
Notice he didn’t argue he reasoned with them. The book of acts then records,
“Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, "What is this babbler trying to say?" Others remarked, "He seems to be advocating foreign gods."    They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.  Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?”Acts 17:18,19.
When Paul finally spoke at the Areopagus, he essentially presented if you will a first century ‘Ted Talk’. Paul did not insult his listeners. Rather he met them where they were at.
He noted they were very religious and that they even had an “alter to an unknown God”.
From that point he started to talk about Christ. The result was some scoffed at what he said, others believed and others wanted to hear more about what he was saying.
This should be the way we present the gospel message. If we do so we will get the same result. Some people will scoff at us. Others will believe. And importantly others will want to hear more of what we are talking about.
So my question to you. If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel message in a respectful manner?
Please think about it.

How rich are you?

How rich are you?
The gospel of Luke records this Parable of Jesus.
“Someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” 
Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?”  
Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” 
And he told them this parable: “The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop.  
He thought to himself, ‘What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.’ 
“Then he said, ‘This is what I’ll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods.  
And I’ll say to myself, “You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.” ’ 
“But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?’ 
“This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God.” Luke 12:13-21.
My brother and I are different. Principle in the differences between us is, I’m a Christian, while he’s an atheist.
He likes to say “life is short and he who has all the toys at the end wins.” A statement that couldn’t be more wrong.
When we die all that we’ve accumulated in this life will mean nothing. It will be dispersed between our family, friends and perhaps even the government. Within a century the average person will just be a name in the family tree. Our accomplishments for the most part forgotten.
There is a saying my first pastors wife like to quote it said,

“We have but one life. 

It will soon be past.

 Only what’s done for Christ will last”.

This is true.
“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 6:19-21. 
There are two things a rich man and a poor man have in common. One is they will one day die. The other is both have a choice where they will spend eternity.
As a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. I believe that you can know now where you will spend eternity. The Apostle Paul telling us.
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved
Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.

Eyes Fixed

Eyes Fixed
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
If you claim to be a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus are your eyes fixed on Jesus?
As Christians we must have our eyes fixed on Jesus and what he taught. We must live a life that reflects His Love. It is the only way we will win souls for Christ.
Francis of Assisi wrote,

“While you are proclaiming peace with your lips,

 be careful to have it even more fully in your heart.” 

                                                                  Francis of Assisi.

So my question to you if you claim to be a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. Are your eyes fixed on Jesus. Is the word of God truly planted in your heart?
Please think about i

Why?

Why?
Luke’s Gospel records,
“After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him,  
and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. 
Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them.  
But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:27-32.
This passage of scripture tell us why Jesus came to earth. To call the sinners to repentance.
John’s Gospel records 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.” John 3:16,17.
This is a message those calling themselves Christians need to remember. The purpose of Christ’s coming to earth was to save the world. Not condemn it.
Jesus told his disciples,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
It is not the Christians job to judge the world. It is not the Christians job to say where anyone will spend eternity. It is the Christians job to make disciples of all nations.
In order to do this we must live out the message of Christ in word and in deed.
We must remember 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.

We must ask ourselves am I presenting the gospel message to others in a way that I would like it presented to me?
Please think about it.

God is there

God is there
The Psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, You are there; 

if I make my bed in the depth, You are there.  

If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea,

 even there Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                              Psalm 139:7-10.

We cannot hide from God. No matter where we go God is there. We may deny that God exists but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t exist as C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
Ben Zion Bokser wrote,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God.  But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.” Ben Zion Bokser.
I as a believer in Christ Jesus believe that God exists.
I see the evidence everyday when I wake up and look out at the fields and trees beside my house. I see God’s handiwork in the wild Rabbit my two year old grandson tries in vain to catch as it runs across our lawn.
I look at the stars at night and realize that from the greatest galaxy to the smallest subatomic particle everything is in perfect balance to allow life to exist as we know it here on earth.
All of this tells me there is a creator behind it all.
My question then becomes to you the reader do you believe in God? If not why not?
Please think about it.

The Reason

The Reason
The Gospel of John states,
“Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book.  
But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:30,31.
John who knew Jesus personally make it clear why he wrote his gospel. It is written to you the reader
”that you may believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.” John 20:31.
This is the reason all of the gospels were written. They were written by men who knew Jesus. They are true accounts of what they believed.
Throughout the generations these words have gone forth giving the reader a choice. To believe what was written by them or not.
What I would ask you the reader of this blog, is to read the New Testament. Read for yourself what those first century Church leaders believe. Then decide for yourself if you believe them or not.
Please think about it.

Those who have not seen

Those who have not seen
John’s gospel records,
“Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came.  
So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” 
A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!”  
Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” 
Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” 
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:24-29.
Here we have the story of the man quite often referred to as doubting Thomas. He wanted proof that Jesus was alive following his death on the cross. He wasn’t taking the word of the other disciples. He wanted physical proof, so Jesus appeared to him.
What Jesus however said after furnishing proof to Thomas is important. John records,
“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” 
Believing in Jesus and all that he did is especially today in the twenty-first century an act of faith. The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                          Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                               Hebrews 11:6

Having faith in anything is a difficult thing for many if not most people. Still it is what God requires of us. Yet when you think about it having faith in God costs us nothing.
Blaise Pascal wrote,
“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.
Please think about it.

Why take human form?

Why take on human form?

The apostle John’s gospel states,

“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.

One of the things Christians get asked is “why would God take on human form?” I think the answer is simple. To remove all possible excuses an individual may have when he stands before God on judgement day.
Charles Spurgeon said,

“A Jesus who never wept 

could never wipe away my tears.” 

                                               Charles H. Spurgeon.

In becoming flesh in the form of Jesus, God can honestly say I know what it is to be human.
Yes God is almighty and all knowing. Never the less there is just the possibility that on judgement day individuals could use the argument that “because God is all knowing and all powerful He can’t truly understand what it is not to be all powerful. What it is to be human.”
In coming to earth in the form of a man and experiencing what life is from the standpoint of a human being, God can honestly say I know what it is to be human.
I understand what it is to experience the day to day things, the sun and rain on my face. To smell the dust in the air. The smell of wheat growing in a field. I know what it is like to be an infant who’s family had to flee their home and become political refugees in Egypt. I know what is like to grow up as an infant. I was a teenager. I studied the scriptures. Sat with learned men.
I experienced everything from the joy of being at a wedding to enjoying the company of friends and family. I performed good deeds and did the miraculous. I even spoke of how to get to heaven.
That being said, I also know what it was like to be persecuted, put on trial for a crime I didn’t commit. To be beaten inhumanely, and put to death on a cross for mere political expediency.
In becoming human God eliminated any possible excuse an individual can give for not believing in Him.
Please think about it.

Faith to Accept

Faith to Accept
In the book of Proverbs we read,

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                        1 Corinthians 13:13

The New Testament essentially is the story of God showing His love for each individual on the face of the earth.
The Apostle Paul defines Christian Love. God’s Love when he writes,

“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.”  

                                                       1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

  C. S. Lewis points out,
“He (Jesus) 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.
God’s wish is to meet each person where they are at. He desires to have a personal relationship with each every individual.
As a Christian I believe what C. S. Lewis wrote,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis
The apostle Paul confirms this statement saying,

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: 

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 

                                                            Romans 5:8.

All that is required of the individual is the faith to accept that love. The apostle Paul telling us,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  Romans 10: 9,10.
Thus the choice is yours. Will you accept the Love and Salvation that is offered through Jesus Christ or not?
Please think about it.

Are you Seeking?

Are you Seeking?
The Psalmist writes,

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,

 and in his word I put my hope. 

My soul waits for the Lord 

more than watchmen wait for the morning,

 more than watchmen wait for the morning.” 

                                                      Psalm 130:5,6.

Some time ago my pastor used the above scripture in his sermon. What he said is unimportant. The scripture struck a note with me for an entirely different reason.
I live in North America. I enjoy incredible freedoms. Sadly I see those freedoms used by men and women calling themselves pastors and evangelist to pervert the word of God. Then when someone challenges them they hide behind the freedom of speech laws or threaten a law suit. To silence their critics.
When I hear such things my heart cries out to the Lord. I cry as the Psalmist did,

“How long will the wicked, O LORD, 

how long will the wicked be jubilant?” 

                                                    Psalm 94:3.

Sadly the world tends to see the wrongs these pastors and evangelist commit and are turned off. They label all Christians with the same brush. That being said I believe anyone who is truly seeking God will find Him. I am reminded of what Jesus said,

“Ask and it will be given to you; 

seek and you will find; 

knock and the door will be opened to you.  

For everyone who asks receives; 

he who seeks finds; 

and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.” 

                                                         Matthew 7:7,8.

For those who are reading this and are seeking God please remember the words of Jesus who 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.
I would ask anyone seeking the truth about God, that you pray and read the Bible for yourself. Read the New Testament, that tells you what the early Christians believed about Jesus. What they taught about with respect to living a Christians life.  Ask God to show you the truth about what true Christians, true followers of Christ Jesus believe.
Don’t be turned off by those who twist the word of the Bible for their own gain. Seek God in spirit and in truth and He will show Himself to you.
Please think about it. 

A Steward

A Steward
The apostle Paul wrote,

“Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ 

and stewards of the mysteries of God. 

Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.”

                                                                  1Corinthians 4:1,2.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus are you a good steward. A good servant and “Steward of the mysteries of God”.
As I understand it a steward in the time of Christ looked after his masters things. He was expected to administer them correctly and honestly. To be faithful to his master. This is what the apostle Paul is telling the Corinthians and through them us.
To Timothy 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. 2Timothy 2:15.
This is what we must do. We must pray and study the scriptures then present them in the purest way possible.
Thus the question becomes; if you consider yourself a true believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting the scriptures in the truest possible way?
Please think about it.

A must for Christians

A must for Christians
The book of Exodus tells us that God said,

“You shall have no other gods before me.”

                                                           Exodus 20:3.

 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 neighbor as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44
The Apostle Paul wrote,

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

 live at peace with everyone.”

                                               Romans 12:18

The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
   Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
Dear friends,
 I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:9-12.
If you claim to be a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus are you doing what is said in the
above Scriptures?
Please think about it.

Words to Live by

Words to live by.
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.
I was told by a very wise man when I was a new Christian. That if I was to memorize only one verse and put it into action into my life it should be Matthew 7:12
This verse in the epitome of Christian teaching.
It is Universal truth all people can put into practice in their lives no matter who they are.
What it means is simple. When you do anything to someone else. You need to pause and ask yourself. Would I want what I was doing to another person done to me. If the answer is no you shouldn’t be doing it.
Please think about it.

Give Account

Give account
The writer of Hebrews states,
“For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  
Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12,13.
I believe the Bible has two purposes. One to show us the way to heaven and two to show us how God expects us to live.
Many in today’s culture do not want to hear how God expects us to live. They take  heed of only the portions of the Bible they want to listen to and disregard the rest.
St. Augustine said,
“If you believe what you like in the gospels, and reject what you don’t like, it is not the gospel you believe, but yourself.” St Augustine.
The choice however is always ours. God has given us a freewill to do as we wish. That being said,
The book of Ecclesiastes reminds us,
“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.
Please think about it.

Why?

Why?
Jesus said,
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. 
When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. 
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.  
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it. Matthew 13:44-46.
I’ve been asked on numerous occasions “why do Christians want to tell you about their faith?” The answer is in the above portions of scripture.
We as Christians as believers in Christ Jesus have found the “hidden treasure”. We have found the “fine pearl of great value” and want others to share in that treasure.
Matthews gospel records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are to make disciples. Moreover 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.

One of the things we as Christians must do if we are obeying Christ’s command to do to others what we would have others do to us, is tell people about the most important thing in our lives. That being the Love of Jesus. The Saving Grace God offers to all people through Christ Jesus.
So I would ask you. If you do not believe Jesus is the Son of God. If you have not accepted God’s Saving Grace that comes through Christ Jesus. Please consider doing so.
C. S. Lewis once wrote,
“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.
That means he died for you dear reader. All you have to do is accept this. The apostle Paul telling us,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
  Romans 10: 9,10.
Please think about it.

What it?

What if?
The gospel of John records Jesus as saying,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6
What if as I believe, this statement is true? That Jesus is the way to heaven?
In saying this, Jesus is saying, there is a very narrow entrance to Heaven.
In the gospel of Matthew we read Jesus as saying,
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.  
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.
I hear non-Christians all the time say there are many ways to heaven. I as a Christian do not believe that. There is but one way to heaven. By accepting Gods saving Grace that comes through Jesus Christ.
I know that may turn people off. That many non-Christians don’t want to hear that or simply think Christians are wrong in believing this. Still it is what Christians believe.
I simply place this hear for you dear reader to consider. If I am wrong then you have nothing to worry about. If on the other hand I am right it potentially has eternal consequences for all who do not believe Jesus is the way to heaven.
Please think carefully about it.

Worship do you?

Worship do you?
Jesus said,

“Yet a time is coming and has now come 

when the true worshipers 

will worship the Father in spirit and truth, 

for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  

God is spirit,

 and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” 

                                                                               John 4:23-24.

There are many in this day and age especially here in North America where I live who claim to be Christians. Who claim to worship God, and they do somewhat. They go to church, they participate in the worship portion of the service. Listen to the sermon. There heart however is not entirely in it.
Outside of the church they do nothing. They fail to worship God outside of Church. The things of the world it seems are more important to them.
The way I see it is Worship is made up of three things. Praise, prayer and thanksgiving.
The psalmist tells us,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary; 

praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet,

 praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing, 

praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

 praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                              Psalm 150.

The apostle Paul tells us,
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone...” 1 Timothy 2:1.
The Psalmist telling us,

“Give thanks to the LORD, 

for he is good; his love endures forever. 

Let Israel say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let the house of Aaron say: “His love endures forever.” 

Let those who fear the LORD say: “His love endures forever.”

                                                                                 Psalm 1181-4

This, if you claim to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus this is what you should be doing both inside and outside the church.
Please think about it.

The Foolishness of the Cross

The foolishness of the cross
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.
Sadly this is a very true statement. At first glance the sacrificial death of Christ on the cross can seem like foolishness. I think that is largely because people tend to want God to do things their way.
After all why not, if God wants people to believe in Him, why not come in all His glory and power?
Why enter the world in the form of a baby, grow up in the normal way? 
Why let evil men put you to death for a crime you didn’t commit?
Why not even after being placed on the cross, why not show your power by getting down and calling legions of angels to deal with the evil ones that put you there? This would show anyone that Jesus is God. So why not do this?
Answer God does not do things the way man thinks he should do things.
The very life of Jesus at times does not seem to be the actions of an all powerful God. Still this is the way God wanted it. I believe the reason He wanted it this was is simple. God want’s men and women of faith. God knows that men and women with faith in anything are the strongest of followers. Such people will give their lives in the cause they believe in.
 The writer of Hebrews states
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”  Hebrews 11:1
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Hebrews 11:6.
At first glance the story of Jesus may seem outrageous still it is what God wants people everywhere to believe.
The choice dear reader is yours.
The apostle Paul stating,
“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.
Please think about it.

Sinners All

Sinners All
The apostle Paul wrote,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”

                                                                         Romans 3:23.

According to Christian belief every man and woman who has ever been born has sinned and falls short of God’s glory.
C. S. Lewis stated what Christians believe when it comes to an individuals relationship to God when he said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”  C.S. Lewis.
That being said, the apostle John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.” 1John 1:9-10
We as individuals must be honest with ourselves, and with God. Admitting to God that we are sinners. That we fall short of the ideal that he wants for our lives. That we make mistakes. That we sin.
Once we admit this we must ask God’s forgiveness. For when we do so John tells us, God,
“will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
The choice as to whether you as an individual believes this is entirely yours. God gives us all a freewill to do as we wish. He will not force himself on you.
Thus the choice dear reader is yours. Will you confess your sins and shortcomings to God today and accept God’s forgiveness or not?
The choice is yours.
Please think about it. 

Pray for everyone

Pray for everyone
The apostle Paul writing in the time of the emperor Nero wrote,
“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.”  1Timothy 2:1-4.
Paul living under Nero one of the worst persecutors of Christians actually asks his readers to pray for “kings and all those in authority”. 
Note however why he asks us to pray for those in authority. “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness”.
Paul unlike many who claim to be Christian today was under no delusion that he was living in a Christian nation. The Roman empire like all nations today was very secular.
Paul however understood that in order for the gospel message to be spread believers in Christ Jesus needed to live in peace with those around them.
He notes that living peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness pleases God. He fully understood that living at peace made it easier for the salvation message to be spread.
Today here in North America many Christians tend to bring politics into the mix. They say we should pray for our leaders because they say, they are Christian. To pray for our nation, because it is Christian.
I would imagine that few of our nations politicians even if they go to church, be they Canadian or American are truly Christian. (but that is between them and God). Politicians do not need to be Christian to be used by God.
God used a pagan, Caesar Augustus to get Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem and fulfil the prophesy that Jesus was to be born in Bethlehem.
As for the nations of the world no nation on the face of the earth is Christian. There may be some nice sounding words in government documents and on government buildings that are words from the Bible. Additionally some laws are based on Christian principles. That however does not make a nation Christian.
My point here is the apostle Paul was not being political. He was a citizen of a multicultural pagan empire, telling followers of Christ to pray for and emperor and government officials that were far from Christian.
He was telling them to pray “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness”. Which is what we should be doing.
We shouldn’t care whether our political leaders are Christian, or not. Be they atheist, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist or any other faith. Be they gay or strait. God can and does use them.
We should be praying for them. That they will make decisions that will help us as believers in Christ Jesus to live in peace that we may spread the good news of Gods salvation through Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.

Are You?

Are You?
The Psalmist writes,

“Blessed is the man who does 

not walk in the counsel of the wicked

 or stand in the way of sinners

 or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD,

 and on his law he meditates day and night.” 

                                                           Psalm 1:1,2.

If you claim to be a Christian, do you meditate on God’s word?
Do you practice the teachings of Jesus?
Have you answered the question Jesus asked the Pharisees? When he said,
“But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” Matthew 9:13.
Mercy is the key teaching of Christianity. The apostle Paul tells us,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
In order to understand the mercy of God through Christ Jesus, we need to meditate and study the scriptures daily. For it is only then will gain a fuller understanding of what God wishes for our lives.
The apostle Paul states,
“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. 2Timothy 2:15.
Thus my questions to you the reader. I you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus.

Are you truly studying the word of God correctly? 

Are you doing your best to handle the word of God correctly? 

Are you?

Please think about it.

Judgement and the Christian

Judgement and the Christian
James the half brother of Jesus said,
“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  
because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13
How do you speak and act with other people?
Do you refuse to interact with those of different faiths or lifestyles?
Do you judge those with whom you disagree with?
Are you quick to point out whether or not a person is going to hell?
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.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Christians have no right to judge other people. We can, I believe from what the apostle Paul states judge other Christians but only to see if they are teaching sound doctrine. We however have no right to judge anyone when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
The mandate of the church was given by Jesus when he said,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”Matthew 28:18-20.
Our job as individual Christians is to present the good news of salvation in Christ Jesus to those around us. We cannot do this if we are in any way judging those around us.
Please think about it.

Failing Christ

Failing Christ
Jesus said,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18,19.
Many modern businesses have what they call mission statements. If Jesus ever had such a mission statement. The above quote would be it.
In today’s 24/7 society people are looking for precisely what Jesus is offering, something beyond the materialism and secularism western society offers. They may not know what it is but they know it is there somewhere.
I firmly believe that what they are looking for is the freedom Christ has to offer. They however through no fault of their own are missing that opportunity.
Sometime ago I came across a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" by John B. Harrington, published in 1958, although it could have been written yesterday. It opens with this quote 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."
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 about Christians and the North American society in which I live.
The way I see it the Christian church has slowly let secularism politics and other things of the world into its doors.
So much so in many cases Christians have for lack of a better term “become religious”. They are known for what they are against and not for what they are for. 
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
All of these things the apostle Paul mentions have quietly slipped into the church today and church leaders are failing to correct the wrongs being done in the name of Jesus, in the name of God. Thus the church is failing in it’s mandate.
The church often talks of the need for revival and if ever there was a time for revival it is now. Revival however come with a price. It comes from within. Starting by going back to the basics. Going to God in prayer and asking Him to show where things have gone astray. At the same time there is a need to go back to the teachings of Jesus and the apostles to study the scriptures and put them into practice.
All of the great reformers of the church have done this. In doing so they caused great debate and conflict within the church. It at times has even resulted in the deaths of many servants of God. The result however was a return to the true teaching of the scriptures.
Jesus said,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Luke 4:18,19.
This is the mission statement of Jesus. This should be the mission statement of the church today in the twenty-first century. A statement we must take to heart. For if we do not we are failing Christ.
Please think about it.

Better

Better
The Solomon 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.
Here Solomon points out that entering a house of mourning a house grieving the loss of a loved one is better that entering a house that is celebrating.
The way I see it Solomon is right.
Not so long ago my wife’s younger brother died suddenly he was only in his early forties. Young by any standards. One of the common, for lack of a better expression phrases I noted from those who attended the funeral was “he was so young. It just goes to show you, you never know when death will happen.”
Solomon notes,
“The thoughts of the wise are in the house of mourning, but the thoughts of fools are in the house of pleasure. Ecclesiastes 7:4.
The way I see it is the death of someone should cause us to think about out mortality. Everyone knows that we will one day die. Yet it seems in our society especially here in the western nations we don’t plan for death. We live in “the house of pleasure”.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist said,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo.
Thus my question to you the reader. Upon your death will you be happy?
I as a believer in Christ Jesus believe you can know whether or not you will be happy upon your death. The apostle Paul writes,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” Romans 10:9-13.
Please think about it.

A note to the 21st century church

A note to the 21st Century Church

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

live at peace with everyone.”  

                                      Romans 12:18.

Think about this...
Jesus and his disciples,
• Never Voted.
• Never Protested.
• Never judged anyone outside their own faith.
Yet they within a century they had spread the Good News of the Love of Jesus Christ throughout the known world.
They did so by,
• Presenting the Love of God to their neighbours and enemies alike.
• Showing Love and Mercy to all those they came in contact with.
• Living as far as possible at peace with those around them.
The disciples put into action the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
And the words writer of the writer of Hebrews,
“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.
They followed the teaching of the Apostle Peter who wrote,
“Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ are you doing this?
Please think about it.

Going to Heaven?

Going to Heaven?
Luke’s gospel records
“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, 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 18:9-14.
Do you go to church on Sunday? How about during the week? Do you go to church during the week? Are you active in the church? Do you fast? Do you tithe?
Do you know you can do all of the above and not go to heaven?
Sadly many people who go to church including those who are in places of responsibility in the church, Sunday school teachers, Bible study leaders, Pastors, Evangelist, may not be going to heaven.
O they’ve prayed the sinners prayer and do good work in the church, but just because they do this doesn’t mean they are going to Heaven. It does not mean they are justified before God.
The evangelist Leonard Ravenhill once said,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell

 than all the bars in America.” 

                                                   Leonard Ravenhill

Sadly the sinners prayer has become a formula, at least here in North America. It can and does many times give a person a false sense of eternal security.
I believe you can go to heaven without saying the sinners prayer. All one must be willing to do is confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe God raised him from the dead you will be saved.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans explained it this way,
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”  
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,  for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:9-13.
So my question to you the reader is, Do you truly believe Jesus is Lord?
Your answer to that question can have eternal consequences.
Remember Jesus warned,
“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
Please think carefully about it.

On Abortion

On Abortion

The Psalmist writes,

“For you created my inmost being; 

you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

                                                           Psalm 139:13

The other day I listened to my little granddaughter Faith’s heartbeat. It was on a microchip inside a stuffed elephant belonging to my grandson Faith’s two year old big brother. The reason Faith’s heartbeat is in the elephant is because it was recorded during an ultrasound. You see Faith is still in my daughter in laws womb.
Hearing Faith’s heartbeat reminded me of the words from Psalm 139 that states,

“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; 

                                                                  Psalm 139:13,14a

As I have said in previous blogs this portion of psalms tells us that God knew us from the inception of our lives. In our mothers womb. God knows why we are the way we are. He knows our DNA.
From this portion of scripture I also realize that we are alive in our mothers womb. We are a person in the same way we are outside the womb. Thus my belief abortion is wrong.
That being said I do believe a woman has the right to decide what she does with her own body.
At the same time a woman is also given a special responsibility by God to protect the child that is growing in her womb in the same way she would protect a child outside the womb.
There is almost no need for an unwanted pregnancy other than one caused by rape. Even then there is nothing wrong with bringing the pregnancy to full term and if the mother wishes having the child adopted. Allowing some good coming out of a traumatic experience. That good being a life that has unlimited potential.
That being said I believe the African proverb 

“It takes a village to raise a child”. 

     Which to my way of thinking means everyone especially our elected officials have an obligation to help both the child and his or her mother.
Governments can help by making birth control freely available.
One statistic I found, a US study, in 2012  of more than 9,000 women found that when women got no-cost birth control, the number of unplanned pregnancies and abortions fell by between 62 and 78 percent.
Abstinence-only approaches, do not work.
I think especially if one claims to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus. We should bring our children up with our moral values of no sex before marriage. Which in a perfect world should be enough to ensure unwanted pregnancies. However we do not live in a perfect world.  There are children even in Christian homes that will engage in sexual behaviour.
That’s why I believe even in a Christian home we have a moral responsibility to speak openly with our children about sex. To tell our children that we would rather them abstain but if they do not, various forms of contraception are available.
Additionally we should not heap condemnation on our children, or for that matter anyone, for having sex or for that matter getting pregnant outside of marriage. All sins are forgivable.
We need to remember the words of James the half brother of Jesus who said,

“Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,  

because judgment without mercy 

will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. 

Mercy triumphs over judgment!” 

                                                James 2:12,13.

At the same time we need to remember the words of Jesus who said,

“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.” 

                                                                              Matthew 5:7.

Which brings me to the picture at the top of this blog called “Memorial for Unborn Children”, by Martin Hudacek a sculpture from Slovakia. It depicts the anguish that some women can feel after having an abortion and the healing God can bring.
It to me illustrates that Christians should be there for any woman who has gone through with an abortion.
We should be there showing the Love of God remembering the words of Jesus who 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 

Please think about it.