Live good lives

Live Good Lives
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.
Peter here calls believers in Christ Jesus, “a royal priesthood, a holy nation belonging to God...”
He commands believers to abstain from sinful desires, to live good lives among those around us.
Jesus 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
He goes on to say,
“If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  
   Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:46-48.
We are to live lives that are better than those around us.
One of the criticisms I have heard consistently over the years is about Christians is that they do not live their life any better than those around them. And in some cases the life they live is worse than the people around them.
We have an obligation as believers in Christ Jesus to live a life that is as good and holy as possible. The writer of Hebrews telling us,
"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.
Thus the questions every individual who believes in Christ Jesus must ask themselves is, Am I living a good and holy life?
Do people see Christ in my life without me saying a word?
Please think about it.

Only through love

Only through Love
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.
The Church has been around a long time and like with any institution that has been around for millennia false teachers have entered the Church.
Unfortunately especially it seems when it comes to those who espouse to be in the evangelical church there is no policing. Preachers in North America in particular can say what they want to say. Which is a good thing in one respect. It's called freedom of speech. Having freedom to speak what one believes enables Christians to spread the gospel message easier.
With such freedom  however comes a responsibility to teach the truth. And puts the onus on believers to police themselves. The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians tells us,
"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.
As Christians we must remember what the apostle Paul writes here in 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We must keep our focus on the reason for Jesus coming to this earth. The apostle John quotes Jesus speaking of himself as 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.
Jesus speaking to his apostles 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.
This is the duty of all who believe in Christ Jesus. To make disciples of all nations. And we must do this in love. For it is only through love that we will win anyone for Christ.
Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus; are you reaching out to those around you with the Love of God?
Please think about it.

Look Deep into Nature

Look deep into nature
Albert Einstein one of the greatest scientist ever to live made an interesting statement. He said,

“Look deep into nature, 

and then you will understand everything better.”

                                                                 Albert Einstein

The psalmist writing several millenniums  before Einstein’s birth wrote,

“The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.” 

                                                                              Psalm 19:1-3.

I have always been of the opinion that science done correctly will show there is a creator behind it all. And science seems to be heading in that direction.
Scientist are looking into nature. They are seeing that everything from the largest galaxies to the smallest subatomic particles have all come together to allow life as we know it here on earth to exist.
To me that speaks of a creator.
Einstein noted,

“Human beings vegetables  or cosmic dust. 

We all dance to a mysterious tune, 

intoned in the distance by an invisible player.”

                                                              Albert Einstein.

I don’t know whether or not Einstein believed in God. I do know that his statement about we all being cosmic dust, dancing to a tune played an invisible player is true.
The Bible tells me,
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1.
In other words God created the very cosmic dust that makes up the Earth the Universe and Everything in it.
God is that “invisible player” Einstein spoke of.
Mankind is God’s creation. That being said God in making mankind did not make robots. He made individuals with a freewill to do as they wish.
That includes the right to believe in God or not to believe in Him. I and billions of people like me believe God exists.
I believe in God not out of blind faith. I believe in God because of what I see around me. I have looked at what the Bible says and what science says and find no contradiction. Both point to a creator.
The choice however is up to you. Each individual must decide what they believe and ultimately live with the consequence of their decision.
Please think about it. 

Paul's Sermon

Paul’s Sermon
To my mind one of the best sermons ever spoken was spoken by the Apostle Paul. It is recorded in the book of acts and does two things.
It is an example to believers in Christ Jesus how to present the message of Christ to non-Christians.
At the same time it presents a clear message of what believers in Christ believe to the non-believer.
The book of Acts records,
“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.  
A group of 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?  
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”  
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.) 
Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.  
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.  
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.  
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.  
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ 
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.  
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.” 
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”  
At that, Paul left the Council.  
A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others” Acts 17:17-34.
Notice here that three things happened.
1/ some sneered
2/ some believed
3/ and yet others wanted to hear more on the subject.
As believers in Christ I firmly believe this should be the same outcome we have when presenting the gospel of Christ. It shows that we are presenting the gospel message in the right way. With the right spirit.
Please think about it.

Wager without Hesitation

Wager without hesitation

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” 

                                                                       Genesis 1:1.

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. It was written to believers in God and as such debate is not needed.
Believers in God accept by faith His existence.
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.

I know there are many people in the world that do not believe in God. That is their right. When God made mankind He did not make robots, He made individuals with a free will to believe act and do as they wish. That freedom extends to not believing in God.
As far as I am concerned God does exist. To say otherwise in my mind is foolishness for believing in God costs you nothing but in the long run offers great gain.
Blaise Pascal put it this way,
“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.

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord
The Psalmist wrote,

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

Question: If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you praise The Lord, outside the church as well as inside the Church?
Please think about it.

Because

Because

Because...

“...He (God) first loved us.”

       1 John 4:19

I will...love God

Because...

“...God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, 

that whoever believes in Him should not perish 

but have everlasting life.”  

John 3:16

I will...have faith in Christ, faith in God

Because...

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

I will...love my God and my neighbour.

Because...

Jesus 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

I will...love my enemies and pray for my persecutors.

Because...

“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

I will...I will love unconditionally.

Dear reader

Will you do the same?

Please think about it.

You Decide

You Decide
The Gospel of Matthew states,
“As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and at once you will find a donkey tied there, with her colt by her. Untie them and bring them to me.  
If anyone says anything to you, tell him that the Lord needs them, and he will send them right away.” 
This took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: 
“Say to the Daughter of Zion, ‘See, your king comes to you, gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.’ ” 
The disciples went and did as Jesus had instructed them.  
They brought the donkey and the colt, placed their cloaks on them, and Jesus sat on them.  
A very large crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.  
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” 
“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 
“Hosanna in the highest!” 
When Jesus entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?” 
The crowds answered, “This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.” Matthew 21:1-11.
Here we have Jesus entering Jerusalem. Those who were following him praising him as he entered the city proclaiming him to be the Son of David. It made such a stir in the city that those in the city asked who Jesus was. To which came the reply “the prophet form Nazareth in Galilee”
In entering Jerusalem as he did Jesus fulfilled the prophesy of Zechariah,

“Say to the Daughter of Zion, 

‘See, your king comes to you,

 gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt,

 the foal of a donkey.’ ”.

Zechariah 9:9

But Jesus did not enter the city on a horse of war. He entered on a beast of burden. Something that would have more than likely been non-threatening to the Roman authorities.
However his entry did create a stir. Those who followed Jesus that day called out,

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” 

“Hosanna in the highest!” 

This is something the followers of Jesus are calling out to the world today. They are honouring Jesus with their praise.
To this day believers in Jesus believe what the writer of Hebrews states,
“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  
The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.
In doing so Christians are saying to the world you must decide just who Jesus is.
Is he the Son of God. God incarnate, Saviour of mankind or a fake?
There is no middle ground.
Please think about it.

About Jesus

About Jesus

John’s gospel records this conversation between Jesus and Martha,

“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world,” John 11:25,26,27.

Jesus is one of, if not the, most controversial people in history. With Jesus there is no middle ground. You either accept His claim of being The Son of God, God incarnate, The Saviour of mankind or you do not.

The New Testament writers recorded many statements by Jesus and others regarding who he is. Listed below are just a few.

Upon his birth when he was to be dedicated at the temple Simeon said,

“Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying: “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. 

For my eyes have seen your salvation,  which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel.” Luke 2:28-32

Matthew’s gospel records this conversation between the apostle Peter and Jesus,

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” 

They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” 

Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 

Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.  Matthew 16:13-17.

Jesus speaking to his disciples said,

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.

Even when faced with being stoned Jesus did not back down on saying who he was. John’s gospel records,

“Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.  

The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” 

Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s

name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.  

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.  

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.  

I and the Father are one.” 

Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?” 

“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10 22-33.

The writer of Hebrews tells us what believers in Christ at the time believed about Jesus stating, 

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe.  

The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.” Hebrews 1:1-3.

These quotes from the New Testament at the very least tell what Jesus and the early believers, believed about Jesus. That he was God incarnate, the one who provided purification for sins. That he is indeed the Christ, the suffering Messiah.

C. S. Lewis notes,

“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the man who says he is a poached egg — or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut him up for a fool, you can spit at him and kill him as a demon or you can fall at his feet and call him Lord and God, but let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about his being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity.

Ultimately however anyone when presented with the story of Jesus must make up their own mind as to who he is.

Thus the question becomes,

What do you think about Jesus?

Please think about it.

By the Grace God has given you

By the grace God has given you
The apostle Paul writes,
"By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.  
For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  
If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.  
If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.  
If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames." 1 Corinthians 3:1-15
Here Paul is making it clear that Jesus must be our foundation. The teachings of Christ must be paramount in our lives. We must build our faith on Christ and no one else.
He warns that we must be careful how we build on that foundation. We cannot build on this foundation using earthly logic using earthly wisdom.
Sadly many people who say they are Christians do not build their foundation on the teachings of Jesus. They choose to follow a particular teacher, preacher or evangelist.
Men however are fallible. They fall into temptation. When this happens those who are followers of them quite often fall with them and turn from God.
In Matthews gospel we read of Jesus saying,
"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.  
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.  
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." Matthew 7:24-27.
My question to anyone who considers themselves a Christian is, is your faith build on the words of Christ Jesus?
If so are you putting them into practice?
Please think about it.

The thoughts of the wise

The thoughts of the wise
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.

Christians Clothe Yourselves

Christians Clothe Yourselves.
The apostle Paul writing to the Colossians said,
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience....  
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:12,17
To the Galatians Paul writes,
“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.
Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion, these are traits of a true believer in Christ Jesus.
While a Christian believes the words of the apostle Paul when he states,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
The Christian should not see the sinner as such. As a believer in Christ Jesus we should see a soul in need of the Love of God.
As Christians we are not allowed to judge anyone outside the church. Especially with regards to where they are to spend eternity.
The whole purpose of the gospel of Christ is to show a person the way to heaven. We can only do that if we practice the fruits of the spirit. If we are humble enough to sit down with those we may or may not agree with and present what we believe is the way to heaven.
This is what Jesus and the apostles did. We only have to look at Paul’s sermon in the Areopagus in Athens Acts 17:17-34.
At no time did Paul call his audience sinners. Instead he met them where they were at and presented the gospel message to them. The results being, some rejected what he said, some believed and others wanted to hear more.
Paul on that day showed attributes Christ wants us to show when we present the gospel to others today.
  Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion. These are the attributes we should be showing to the world everyday. If we are not then we will not reach people for Christ.
Thus my Question to you.
When people see you do they see a person who exhibits Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, compassion.
Please think about it.

There is a River

There is a River
Jesus 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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:43-48.
Loving your enemy. Loving someone who will not love you back is a big thing. Why should you love your enemy? For the Christian the answer is simple. Jesus told us to.
That being said there is a deeper reason for a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, to love your enemy. That is by showing them the Love of God that shines through you, you are pointing them in the direction of heaven.
The apostle Paul tells us,
“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
Love is the key to the Christian life. Christian love started with God. Jesus speaking of himself 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.” John 3:16,17. 
Martin Luther King jr. the American civil rights leader said,

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into friend.

                                                                                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

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.
There is a river that any believer must allow to flow through them. A river of Love. This river begins with God. Flows through the believer and out to those around them.
If we as believers in Christ Jesus do not allow this river to flow no one will ever come into a right relationship with God.
Please think about it.

Your Choice

Your Choice
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
“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 following is a story about a judge about to make a ruling. All I would ask of the reader is to think carefully about it. It is called,
The Eleven O Clock Parable

"It's eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, waits. 
Will the new law be legal? 
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant. 
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . "HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO HELL!!!"
Approached by the media he says it again, "homosexuals are going to Hell." 
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man an Christian?"
Wasn't it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ 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.” 
Would this man want people demonstrating against his beliefs and lifestyle?
Is this man showing love?
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
Is this man want to be judged by the same rules he is judging others?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, "Can we truly know what is in someone else's head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?" 
I think not.
For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day.
Turning away from my window I put on my robes and head toward the courtroom. As I do I pray, “Lord give me wisdom to make the right decision this day.”
What decision would you make?
Would you follow the law or your beliefs?
Please think about it.

One of God's Sheep

One of God's sheep?
Scripture tells us,
 “Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.” Psalm 100:3 
I am told by friends that at times I like to poke people figuratively with a pointy stick, particularly those in the Christian community, this is one of those time.
I post this story with the intent of making you the reader truly search your heart and mind as to what you would do and why.
The story is called Images of a woman.

Images of a Woman

"That morning, Margaret Elizabeth got up extra early, readying herself for the day.  She would get only one chance to make an impression.  To that end, she applied her makeup with extra care.  Chose the black ankle length wraparound skirt, white turtle neck top and black jacket, her children had given her as a gift, while in hospital.  She limited her jewelry to a simple pair of diamond studded earrings, that had been her grandmother’s and small bracelet given to her by her daughter-in-law.
That done she took the ten minute drive to the modest size church she attended. Meeting with the pastor in the office.
For a few minutes they talked and passed the time of day. Then seeing the time she proceeded to the pulpit.
Leaving that office, to walk to the pulpit was the hardest step, she ever had to make.  Her heart pounded and by the time, she stood behind the pulpit she was visibly shaking.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Margaret Elizabeth Williamson and just before Christmas, I underwent Sexual Reassignment Surgery.” she said relief surging through her body, as silence engulfed the assembly.  I know that many of you, maybe uncomfortable with that.  That is why I have asked to speak to you, to give you my testimony and then allow you to ask questions.
I have felt like a woman trapped in a man’s body for my entire life.  I was married for over thirty years to a wonderful and accepting woman, who died several years prior to my coming to this assembly.  I have a wonderful family, all of whom support me and are here today.
Believe me, I did not choose this course of action lightly.  I did so after much personal anguish and a great deal of prayer.
For a little over two years prior to my complete transition, I have lived my life as a woman: I was doing so when I came to this church and I think I did it well enough that no one knew.  If they did no one commented.
I have no apologies to give for what I did, or who I am, because I do not believe I did anything wrong.
I accepted Jesus as my Saviour over thirty-five years ago, and asked Him to remove from me what at times, has been a difficult burden.  He has chosen not to and thus, I have accepted that I am what I am.  A child of God, who knew me according to the Psalms in my mother’s womb.
I have no intentions of preaching a sermon here today, only to ask you to accept me as I am.  In fact, the only reason I stand before you today, is because I was asked to come onto the staff of this church and wish to be completely honest with you.
Now, I will open the door to all questions and endeavor to answer them to the best of my ability.  After which, I will ask for a vote and abide by your decision.”
There were many questions answered. Then finally the pastor came to the front.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now time to take a vote.”  He said.  “If you wish Margaret Elizabeth to become a part of our pastoral staff, please rise to your feet.”
         How would you vote? Why?
         Do you think Margaret Elizabeth is one of God's sheep?
         Please think about it.

Only God Can

Only God Can
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.
Here is a very simple statement. God knows us intimately. He knew us in our mothers womb. He knit us together in our mothers womb. He knows our DNA.
It is for that reason and that reason alone that only God can judge us.
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?" 1 Corinthians 5:12.
As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we must obey these words. We do not know what goes on inside a persons mind. We do not know what makes a person the way they are. Thus we have no right to judge them. That is especially true when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
Paul tells us we are to judge those inside the church. But even then I believe we can only judge people inside the church to see if they are teaching sound doctrine.
We have no right to tell anyone where they will spend eternity. That is between God and the individual.
The job of the Christian is simple 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.
So the question I would ask is; if you consider yourself a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, are you obeying what God is telling us through these verses of scripture?
Please think about it.

Not so Easy

Not so easy
The book of Acts records this incident in the apostle Pauls life while he was imprisoned.
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.  
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31.
The Jailor asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
To which Paul replied “believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved...”
Christians make it clear that in order to be saved to have eternal life with God each individual must believe, have faith, in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The writer of Hebrews defines faith this way,

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and 

certain of what we do not see."  

                                             Hebrews 11:1

Going on to say,
"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.
I believe God wants us to believe in him by faith because he knows men and women of faith are the most loyal of followers.
Not only that it is truly a hard thing to have complete faith in anything, especially something we can’t see.
Those who truly have faith in something will willingly give up their lives for what they believe in.
Jesus speaking to the Samaritan woman 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.
Thus my questions to you,
Do you believe in God?
Do you believe with all your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, The Saviour of mankind?
C. S. Lewis said,
“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.
Do you believe that Jesus died for you sins?
Please think about it.

Praise be to God

Praise be to God
The apostle Peter writes,
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade kept in heaven for you” 1Peter 1:3-4.
As believers in Christ Jesus we can praise God for the new hope He as given us through Christ Jesus. We can say with the psalmist,

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness;

 come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God.

 It is he who made us, 

and we are his; 

we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations. 

                                                                            Psalm 100.

Can you do this?
Please think about it.

Everything is meaningless?

Everything is meaningless?
In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,
“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 labour. 
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.
If there is no God then the above statement is true.”everything is meaningless, a chasing after the wind;...”
Some atheist say when we die we will live on in the memories of others. A statement that is not completely true. Perhaps if we have made a great discovery we may be remembered in some history book. But most of us will be forgotten within a generation or so.
Ask yourself, where was your great, great, great grandmother or father born? What was the colour of their eyes? What was their favourite piece of music? Where is their grave? What was their greatest achievement? Few people can answer these questions.
So my question to anyone who does not believe in God is where is the purpose in life if we are forgotten within a few generations? If all our achievements are only remembered in some dusty history book?
The way I see it without God life is meaningless. God’s existence makes life worthwhile. God gives us something to look forward to when this life is over.
The writer of Ecclesiastes comes to this conclusion,
“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.
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.
This statement of Jesus if right and I believe it is, is God’s offer to each individual of eternal life with Him. While at the same time giving a warning to all who would not believe of the consequences of unbelief.
It is a statement that all who hear about Jesus must consider carefully.
Please think about it.

The Bulwark

The Bulwark
The Psalmist writes,

"Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations." 

                                                                                Psalm 100

The Bible is written to believers. It therefor does not debate the existence of God. Believers know that God exists. Believers also recognize that there is a need for God within our society.
Abba Hillel Silver at the height of world war two wrote,
"Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.
Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority." Abba Hillel Silver.
History has shown us that when people turn from the basic principles God has laid down for mankind society suffers. We only have to look at world war two to see this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God. They turned away from God and lived by their own rules. The result was world war two, the worst conflict in human history with upwards of 60,000,000 men, women, and children killed senselessly.
The same thing is happening today. There are nations around the world that do not recognize God or His moral code. They say that say they are free yet persecute, imprison or murder, not only Christians but anyone that disagrees with them. There are many terrorist groups around the world that are murdering people. Some even having the audacity to say they are doing it in the name of God.
That being said on the streets of the cities of western democracies there are men and women murdering others daily. Men and women who do recognize God or the moral code He has laid down.
The murdering aside. There are many more things happening that are against God’s laws.
The apostle Paul wrote,
"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.
This is happening today and society is the worse for it.
As a believer in Christ Jesus I believe it is the obligation of every Christian to present the gospel message of unconditional love to all people. For I believe it is this message and this message alone that can change people for the better.
Please think about it.

Consider this

Consider this.
Jesus Prayed,
“My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me....  
“Righteous Father, though the world does not know you, I know you, and they know that you have sent me.  
I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20,21,25,26,
Prior to this John records Jesus 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 Christian life is all about Love. All those who believe in Christ Jesus must love and show that love to all those around them, family, friend, and foe alike.
It is by this love that the world will know that we are of God the apostle John writes,
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.  Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1John 4:7,8.
Francis of Assisi wrote this prayer. A prayer every Christian should think about praying in all sincerity. He wrote,

"Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life." 

                                                                 Francis of Assisi

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus,....
Please think about it.

The Christian and Love

The Christian and Love
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
He 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
So what is true Christian love? The apostle Paul tells us,

“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.

This to me is the definition of true Christian love. You cannot be a Christian and not believe this.
As Christians. As true believers in Christ Jesus we must love like this. The Apostle John tells us,
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.  
No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. 
We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  
And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world.  If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.  
And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.  1 John 4:11-16.
Please think about it.

Would you?

Would you?
The apostle Paul writes,
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  
Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” Colossians 4:5,6.
Are you wise when you deal with those around you, especially when it comes to your faith. I have found over the decades that I have been a Christian that there are many claiming to be Christians who are not wise.
They are as one friend aptly put it “bible thumpers”. They point out the sins of the world. They point to groups they disagree with and call them sinners. Worse still they try to take away or restrict the rights of some groups they disagree with. This should not be so.
Screaming and yelling at people telling them they are sinners is a waste of time. It will only push people away from God. Trying to restrict or take away rights of those you disagree with will push them away from Christ closing all dialogue completely. Not only that it may lead to a backlash that will cause the rights of Christians to be restricted.
No one wants to be told they are a sinner. And frankly I don’t believe it is our job as believers in Christ Jesus to tell people they are sinners. That is the job of the Holy spirit.
Billy Graham the American evangelist once said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God's job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                  Billy Graham.

Another American evangelist Tony Campolo said,
“We ought to get out of the judging business. We should leave it up to God to determine who belongs in one arena or another when it comes to eternity. What we are obligated to do is to tell people about Jesus, and that's what I do.” Tony Campolo.
The apostle Paul tells us,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?” 1 Corinthians 5:12.
It is the job of believers in Christ Jesus to present the gospel to anyone who will listen. 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.
Jesus told us,
"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.
We as believers in Christ Jesus need to remember this.
Think of it this way 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.
If someone came to you and tried to restrict your rights, or told you bluntly you were wrong and they were right and wouldn’t listen to your explanation, would you listen to that person. Probably not.
Thus we as Christians are called to present what we believe and not to judge anyone, especially when it comes to where anyone will spend eternity.
Please think about it.

In Spirit and in Truth

In spirit and in truth
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.

If you claim to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus, do you worship God in spirit and in truth.
There are many people in churches today who do not worship God in spirit an in truth. To them going to church is part of their culture. They go because their parents went. They go because their friends are there. They go because they like the music and the warm fuzzy feeling they get when they sing. The list goes on and on. The truth is that there are dozens of reasons to go to church. All of which are good.
That being said God does not want people to simply come to church because it makes them feel good, or because it’s a social thing. God wants worshippers who worship Him in spirit and in truth.
If you go to church. If you claim to be a Christian. Are you worshipping God in spirit and in truth?
Please think about it.

Do not

Do not
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
These are the words of Jesus not mine. As Christians we cannot afford to judge people. We must love people.
The late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love, 

                              Billy Graham

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.
The American civil rights leader Martin Luther King jr., said,

Love is the only force capable 

of transforming an enemy into friend. 

                                            Martin Luther King, Jr.

We as believer in Christ Jesus are the representatives of Christ in this world. As a result we must love, God, our neighbour, our family and our enemy.
We must do this because the eternal resting place of someone we meet might depend on our actions.
If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus...
Please think about this. 

Every Day

Every day
The apostle Peter states,
“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.

The other day I found a couple of interesting quotes. One from Lenny Bruce said,

“Every day people are straying away from the church

 and going back to God. Really.” 

                                      Lenny Bruce, "Religions Inc."

The other is from an unknown author it states,

I believe in God; I just don't trust anyone who works for him.”

                                                                               Author Unknown

I have met many people who truly believe in God but are turned off by the people who supposedly serve Him. It’s sad but there are many claiming to be Christians who are not. Jesus said,
“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 7:22,23.
As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, I believe we must be careful to present the gospel of Christ in the way He would want us to do so. That being in a nonjudgmental, loving way.
We have no right to judge another human being, especially when it comes to where they will spend eternity.
We do have the right to judge anyone who claims to be a Christian but only with respect to the doctrine they are teaching. The apostle Paul said,
“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 need to remember this. Do you remember this when you interact with others?
Please think about it.

Lost Value

Lost Value?
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 look around the “Christian world” here in North America and sadly see people claiming to be Christians be they in the pulpit, or in the pew that don’t regard the kingdom of heaven as treasure, or fine pearls.
If they did regard the kingdom of God and God’s word as something precious they would not mix their faith with anything else.
For me a good example of this is when Christians mix politics and their faith. Jesus and his disciples never mixed politics with their faith. They focussed on presenting the gospel of Salvation nothing else.
Mixing anything with your faith dilutes it. Particularly politics. As some one once said, “mixing politics with faith is like mixing water and gasoline. The gasoline is unusable, the water undrinkable and the whole mixture explosive. 
This however is happening particularly it seem among evangelicals. This should not be so.
That being said it is not just the mixing of faith and politics. It is also mixing their faith with secular values. For example men and women calling themselves Christian leaders telling those who believe in them that if they give so much money usually to their ministry, God will bless them ten, fifty even a hundred fold.  Such people treat God as a “spiritual sugar daddy” willing to give them what they want.
My bible tells me,
“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.
I firmly believe that we are in a time here in North America with all our freedoms are cheapening the gospel message by linking it to politics and secular values.
Many leaders in the North American church and many in the pews are doing what the apostle Paul said would happen in his letter to Timothy.
“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.
I believe we are in a time when the Christians of every stripe need to look at what they believe.
We as believers in Christ Jesus need to Pray, turn to the word of God, and ask God to show us where we are going wrong.
We need to heed the words of God in Chronicles that says,
“if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14.
People within particularly the Evangelical church, are fond of saying we need revival.
    Revival however starts from within. It is messy and controversial as every leader of every revival from the days of Martin Luther to present day knows. But it is necessary if the church is to function as God wants it to function. That being the winning souls for Christ.
Please think about it.