Come glorify the Lord with me

 Come glorify the Lord with me

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD; 

let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me; 

let us exalt his name together." 

                                        Psalm 34:1-3.

If nothing else the New Testament shows Jesus and his apostles experienced all that it is to be human. They attended weddings. The followed the rules set down in the Torah. They interacted with people of all walks of life.

They were also beaten, thrown in prison all but one dying for their faith. Yet through all of this they praised God. They praised him not only in the good times, but after they’d been beaten and while they were in prison.

They praised God because they knew that even in their darkest hour God was with them. 

How about you; do you praise God in the good times and in the bad?

Please think about it.

Revival?

  Revival?

In 2 Chronicles we read,

“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.

I hear a lot of talk in church circles about revival. They say Canada and the United States need revival. I think if you were to ask most Christians sitting in the pew what revival meant they’d say, “there is a need for the country to turn back to God.”

I don’t see revival as a country turning back to God. Especially countries that were never Christian in the first place.

I see revival as the church turning back to God. Every revival in church history has come from within the church. 

Martin Luther made it clear that the church had turned away from the gospel of Christ and needed to return. This is true of every reformation movement. The reformations throughout history have all called for the church to return to the word of God.

The same is true today. The church has slowly drifted away from the pure word of God. Mixing it with politics, ritual, and other teachings that God never meant it to be mixed with.

We are living in the time the apostle Paul predicted when he said,

“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—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 2Timothy 3:1-5.

Thus I believe it is time for revival, revival within the church. God’s people need to obey,  the word of 2 Chronicles where we read,

“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.

Please think about it.

Do you?

  Do 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.

Sometimes I think Christians forget about wisdom, especially here in North America. They are too focussed on getting things their way. On protecting their rights.

They spend their time complaining that the duly elected secular government is giving rights to people they object too. Then when a group pushes back they complain even more loudly. This should not be so.

As Christians we should be asking for Gods wisdom in reaching the world around us. We should be engaging those we disagree with not in a positive none condemning way. We should remember the words of Jesus who gave us a bench mark to follow when dealing with others, when he 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.

When dealing with those outside our faith, we should be asking ourselves; would I like to be treated the way I treated that person?  

Thus my question is: Do you, in everything, you do, do to others what you would have them do to you?

Please think about it.

Paul's command

  Paul’s command

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14.

Is the above a description of what you do? When people look at your life do they see compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love?

Do you forgive others any wrongs they have done to you in the way the Lord did you? Do you forgive others unconditionally which is the way God forgave you?

Take a little time to pray and ask God to show you if you are truly doing what the apostle Paul is telling believers in Jesus to do.

Please think about it.

The Choice

 The Choice

Isaiah the prophet wrote,

"Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tiered or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.” Isaiah 40:28.

Do you believe in God? Isaiah the prophet did. He tells us plainly that the Lord is everlasting “the creator of the ends of the earth.”

The Psalmist tells us,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands." 

                                                           Psalm 19:1.

I believe science proves God exists. Scientists tell us that everything from the smallest subatomic particle to the largest galaxy are all in perfect alignment to allow life to exist as we know it.

John O’keefe states,

"We are, by astronomical standards, a pampered, cosseted, cherished group of creatures... If the Universe had not been made with the most exacting precision we could never have come into existence. It is my view that these circumstances indicate the universe was created for man to live in." John O'keefe.

Even Stephen Hawking one of the greatest scientific minds of our time said,

"It would be very difficult to explain why the universe should have begun in just this way, except as the act of a God who intended to create beings like us," Stephen Hawking.

Dr. Huge Ross an Astrophysicist said,

“The entity that brought the universe into existence must be the master of all space time matter and energy. 

This entity must be powerful enough to make space time at will and to exquisitely fine tune an untold number of cosmic Characteristics. More than 200 (800 characteristics have since been discovered)  have been discovered so far. The probability of all these know parameters randomly coming together would be one chance in 10215 a probability so incredibly tiny that statistically speaking is impossible. This probability is becoming more remote with every scientific discovery. 

Such a high degree of design demonstrates that this entity must be a personal being with an amazing creativity with wisdom power care and love to a degree far beyond human capabilities.

He has fine tuned the galaxy the solar system and planet earth so that spiritual life can be fused with physical life..... in this one small space for one brief span on our time line" Dr. Huge Ross  

The choice as to whether God exists or not is however always up to you. 

Please think about it.

The Resurrection

  The resurrection

The book of Acts records the apostle Paul as saying,

"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." Acts 17:30,31

This is a core value of the Christian faith. If you do not believe in the resurrection from the dead then you are not a Christian.

That being said everything around the death and resurrection of Jesus can be a stumbling block for many people. The apostle Paul admits this when he writes to the Corinthians saying,

"Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, ...” 1 Corinthians 1:22,23.

The question I would ask those who are not Christians is; considering that the gospel writers were writing about Christ at the very early beginnings of the church. In some cases within living memory of the events. Why would they make a claim that was so, on the surface at least, outrageous. 

If the death and resurrection of Jesus was a lie it would certainly turn people away from the fledgeling faith.

Not only that they would have created the most monumental lie in all history. One that is believed by close to three billion people around the world today.

Please think about it.

We Must

 We Must

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. 

He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." Psalm 1:1-3.

Who do you walk with? Who do you listen to? Do you ever question what you are being taught be it in church or in the media?

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus we must never compromise our beliefs. We must always be careful who we support be it an evangelist, a church congregation, a pastor or a politician.

It is possible to become guilty by association. 

We must check out everyone we take council from. We must check out anyone we support be it in religious circles or secular circles. Above all we must have open eyes and minds, listening carefully to what those whom we support are saying.

We should be asking ourselves are those we support truly are telling the truth. Asking ourselves if what they are saying lines up with biblical teaching. 

We must always ask ourselves is the person we support just telling us what we want to hear or are they telling the whole truth.

We must never follow an earthly leader be in an evangelist, priest, pope or politician blindly.

We must 

“delight is in the law of the LORD, 

and on his law, meditates day and night”

Please think about it.

Love your neighbour as yourself

  Love your neighbour as yourself.

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,

"If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbour as yourself," you are doing right.  

But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. James 2:8,9.

In my previous blog I noted that if Christian leaders and politicians are truly practising Christian principles then they should be doing all they can to help everyone from the poorest of the poor up. 

Here James points out that if we are really following as he puts it “the royal law found in scripture Love your neighbour as yourself” we are doing right. Then he adds a BUT.

“if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers”

James goes on to say,

“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?” James 2:14-20.

We I believe especially if we are in a position of power have a duty to help the poor in any way we can. If not I believe it shows we are not truly following the teachings of Christ.

What do you think?

Priest, Levite, or Samaritan?

  Priest Levite or Samaritan?

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.

Quite often when I speak to Christians here in North America. A lack of love. I see this quite clearly in the actions of many Christian leaders in the United States. The talk a good talk about love and mercy but their actions do not show it.

Lack of love is particularly evident in it seems many American politicians. Their actions do not show they love their neighbour as their self. 

Jesus told this parable  

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 

He answered: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" 

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  

But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,' he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10: 25-37

Politicians and Christian leaders have the power to help those in need. Be it health care, helping people to put a roof over their head and food on the table. 

Think about this. What better way to spend tax money than on the well being of the poor and needy. What better way to spend tax payers dollars than on the health care of all people.

If politicians and those claiming to be Christian leaders are truly following the words of Jesus they should be doing all they can to help everyone from the poorest of the poor to the wealthy. AND they should be doing so without favouritism. 

They should be acting like the good Samaritan.

Please think about it.

2.5%

2.5%

The book of acts speaking of the early church states,

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.” Acts 2:42.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Be joyful in hope, 

patient in affliction, 

faithful in prayer.”  

                      Romans 12:12.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you Pray?

Here’s something to consider,

God gives you 1440 minutes every day.

A good nights sleep takes up 480 minutes.

An average round trip commute to and from work can take 120 minutes.

Work takes up 480 minutes.

That leaves you with 360 minutes.

Thus the question becomes if you consider yourself a Christian are you willing to tithe ten percent of that time to prayer?

Just 36 minutes each day.

2.5% of all the minutes God gives you each day communing with Him.

Please it. think about

Be Merciful

  Be Merciful

Jesus said,

“Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” 

                                                              Luke 6:36.

Mercy according to the Oxford dictionary is “compassion or forgiveness shown towards and enemy or offender in one’s power.”

I’m writing to Christians here and the question I want to ask is; Are you merciful?

I am a retired professional clown and magician. I spent a large portion of my life entertaining children and adults alike at events ranging from a small house party, to large company picnics and even weddings. And I had a lot of fun.

On one particular occasion I mentioned to someone at the church I was attending at the time that I’d been hired to perform at a same sex wedding.

This person, who sat on the board of the church said I shouldn’t be doing it. Frankly while in hindsight it shouldn’t, have shocked me, it did.

 He was without meeting these two people. Judging them to be sinners. Which shouldn’t have mattered anyway. After all Jesus sat with sinners. 

I didn’t know at the time whether this couple were saved or not. The way I seen it, it was not my job to judge them. The 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.

As a believer in Christ Jesus I feel I, and indeed all who believe in Jesus must not judge anyone outside our faith. We must at all times show mercy and love to those around us.

No one will ever see Gods mercy if we as believers do not show it to them. 

The apostle Paul wrote,

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.  

We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God.  2 Corinthians 18-20.

If we are Christ’s ambassadors given the ministry of reconciliation. Then we have a duty to show mercy to all people by reaching out with the love of God in a non-judgemental way.

We must do this irrespective of a persons lifestyle, faith, or position in society.

So I repeat my question; do you show mercy to those around you?

Please think about it.

A Gift

  A Gift.

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

                                                                              Romans 3:23,

Paul goes on to say,

“For the wages of sin is death, 

but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” 

                                                                                     Romans 6:23.

As Christians we believe all people sin even if it is in small ways. We believe that even the smallest sin separates us from God. That being said. The apostle John said,

"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.

Thus my question for you; do you believe what the apostle Paul and the apostle John are saying here?

If so have you confessed your sins to God?

If not why not take sometime to confess your sins directly to God and accept the saving grace and eternal life that comes through Christ Jesus.

Please think about it.

A Truth

  A Truth

Jeremiah the profit quotes God as saying,

“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

                                                                                               Jeremiah 29:13

Someone has said of atheists,

Maybe the atheist cannot find God 

for the same reason a thief cannot find a policeman. 

                                                                              Author Unknown.

It’s true you must be truly searching for God with an open mind and a sincere heart. Otherwise you will never find God.

What it is to be Christian

  What it is to be Christian.

The apostle Paul wrote,

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, 

but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.  

Share with God's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, 

but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

 Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 

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

live at peace with everyone. 

                                                  Romans 12:9-18.

If you consider yourself a Christian do people without you mentioning anything to them see what the apostle Paul is saying here in your life?

Please think about it.

Something to consider

  Something to consider

The book of acts states,

“All the believers were together and had everything in common.  

Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” 

                                                                                               Acts 2:44,45.

Someone once told me that these two verses point to the fact that the first century Christians were a form of socialist. Pointing to the fact they had all things in common and gave to anyone in need.

I suppose you could say that is true. But isn’t having all things in common and helping those in need a Christian concept. 

The apostle John states,

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.  

1 John 3:16-18

James the half brother of Jesus wrote,

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?  

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.  

If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?  

In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 

But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.  

You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 

You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?" James 2:14-20.

Taking care of those who are in need is a Christian concept. I firmly believe if we have true faith in God. If we are truly Christians our actions will prove it.

We will do all we can to help those in need. And if we do not we will answer to God.

Please think about it.

Think about this

  Think about this

John’s gospel records,

"Jesus wept." 

                   John 11:35

Charles H. Spurgeon said,

“A Jesus who never wept could never wipe away my tears.”

                                                                       Charles H. Spurgeon.

Jesus understands what it is to be human. In coming to the earth that he created he experienced first hand what it was to be human. 

Jesus experienced first hand what it was like to feel the sun and rain against his face. The smell of an olive grove. He felt the pain of a friend dying and the joy of friends when he raised that man from the grave. He experienced the love of his earthly parents. The joy of a wedding feast. 

He also experience what it was to be rejected, brutally beaten and anguish of death on a cross for a crime he didn’t commit.

Thus when we stand before Him on judgement day we cannot say to him “you don’t understand what it is to be human because you have always been almighty.”

We can’t say this because Jesus came from heaven to earth to experience all that it is to be a human being. 

We can’t say that God did not care for us because the apostle Paul reminds us,

 "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8.

Please think about it.

The greatest

  The greatest

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.

Do you show love? Do you show unconditional love in the way Jesus did?

The apostle Paul wrote perhaps the best definition of love ever written. A definition I believe all Christians should follow.

Paul wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered,

 it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

Is this the kind of love you are showing to family, friend and foe alike? If not you should be.

Please think about it.

The only way

  The only way

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 judgement without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!” James 2:12,13.

Are you merciful? Do you stand in judgement of those you disagree with. Those who are of a different faith. Those who have a different lifestyle? 

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.

There is no room for argument here. Jesus tells us not to judge. I believe we are not allowed to judge others because we do not know why they are the way they are.

The duty to God of all Christians was made clear 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.

They only way we can fulfil our duty to Christ is to present the gospel in a loving way to those around us. 

We will never win a soul to Christ by judging them.

Please think about it.

Your thoughts and your deeds

  Your Thoughts and your deeds.

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. 

Instead they put it on its stand, 

and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, 

that they may see your good deeds 

and praise your Father in heaven." 

                                                        Matthew 5:14-16.

This is a fundamental scripture for all who believe in Christ Jesus.

1/ We are the light of the world.

2/ We are a city on a hill.

3/ we are to let our light shine before men.

We are to let out light shine that they may see our good deeds and praise God.

So my question to you if you claim to be a Christian is what are your words and deeds telling others about God?

Please think about it.

No explanation necessary

  No explanation necessary. 

Jesus said,

“I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."  

And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them." Mark 10:15,16.

Sometimes we just have to accept things as they are. Young children are the best example of this. They accept what they are told without question. They trust that what they are told is correct.

Those of us who believe the Bible believe what it states. When the Bible states,

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. It’s a black and white issue with us.

We do not debate the existence of God. We do not debate that He created the heavens and the earth. We do not debate this because we have faith enough to believe an Almighty God capable of creating the heavens and the earth exists. Thus no other explanation is necessary. 

The same is true many times for those who do not believe in God. No amount of explaining will convince them that God exists.

 Thomas Aquinas said,

“To one who has faith, no explanation is necessary. To one without faith, no explanation is possible.” Thomas Aquinas.

Ultimately the question comes down to what you believe?

Please think about it.

You decide

  You decide

The psalmist writes,

"You are my refuge and my shield;

 I have put my hope in your word." 

                                                      Psalm 119:114.

I am a Christian. I believe in Christ Jesus. I believe that Jesus is God incarnate, God in the flesh.

I believe the writer of Hebrews who said,

"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.  Hebrews 1:1,2.

I believe each person who hears about Jesus must make their own decision as to who he is. 

The only thing I would ask of anyone making a decision about who Jesus is, is to read the New Testament with an open mind. Then decide for yourself if Jesus is all he says he is.

Please think about it.

Take time

  Take time.

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD;

 let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me;

 let us exalt his name together." 

                                             Psalm 34:1-3.

If you consider yourself a Christian do you extol the LORD at all times? Do you praise God enough during the day, during the week? Do you even praise the Lord during the day?

Why don’t you take just a few moments now and give praise to the Lord?

Please think about it.

What's a Christian to do?

  What’s a Christian to do?

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.  

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

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.

So what is a Christian to do? The apostle Paul makes it clear we are to,

Clothe ourselves with 

Compassion

kindness

humility

gentleness

patience.

We are to, forgive whatever grievances we have against one another.

We are to,

love

let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

We are 

to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly.

To admonish one another with all wisdom.

To sing psalms, hymns, spiritual songs

We are to do all this with gratitude in our hearts.

AND we whatever we do in word or deed we must do it in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father.

So my question is, Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Humility

  Humility. 

“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.

I believe the Christian life is about being humble before God. 

The apostle Paul tells us,

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 

And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!" Philippians 2:5-8.

In the book of James we read,

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, 

and he will lift you up."

                                        James 4:10.

Humility will win more souls for Christ than arrogance and self-righteousness will any time.

Please think about it. 

Preach at all times

  Preach at all times

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

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 3:15-17.

Pauls call to all who believe in Christ Jesus is to let His words dwell in you richly. We are called to teach one another. To praise God with gratitude in our hearts. 

We are called to do everything we do in the name of Christ Jesus.

I firmly believe that all of what the Apostle Paul is saying here should be so much a part of our life that we do it automatically, without thinking.

Like wise I believe those around us should know we are followers of Christ Jesus without us saying a word. As Francis of Assisi put it,

"Preach the Gospel at all times, 

and when necessary, use words." 

                                            Francis of Assisi.

Thus my question; when people around you see your words and deeds do they see the Love of Christ, the Love of God in them?

Please think about it.

I am a believer

  I am a believer in Christ Jesus.

John’s gospel records Jesus speaking to Martha saying, 

"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.

I am a believer in Christ Jesus. A Christians. I am not an Anglican-Christian, a Catholic-Christian, a Lutheran-Christian,. I am not Evangelical-Christian, a Baptist-Christian, a Pentecostal-Christian  or any other hyphenated Christian. I am a Christian.

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Saviour of Mankind, God incarnate. The way to heaven.

I believe Christians by default must be evangelical in nature. They must present to the world the God's Love and Saving Grace that comes through Jesus Christ. 

I believe Christians must make disciples of all nations and teach those disciples. Jesus himself made that clear. Matthew's gospel recording, 

"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.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Consider

  Consider 

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus consider the following Scripture written by the apostle Paul.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." Philippians 2:3. 

In my previous blog post I said Christians have obligations not rights. What the apostle Paul is saying here is one of those obligations.

We are in all humility to consider others better than ourselves.

Never has there been a time in the lifetimes of those living today that this scripture needs to be put into effect. 

We hear in the media people not wanting to wear a mask. People wanting to congregate in large numbers. We hear church in the United States saying it is their right to meet in person without social distancing or wearing a mask in a church building.

In fact we hear a lot about rights and not a lot about our obligation as a believer in Christ Jesus. 

As believers in Christ we have an obligation to “consider others better” than ourselves.

That in the middle of a pandemic means we need to consider what could happen to others if we don’t follow a few simple rules found to be effective.

And here’s a thought to consider. Supposing, just supposing, the members of these large churches during this pandemic practised what the church has done for centuries. Meet in small numbers in homes. Using the internet to live stream their pastors sermon. They could invite family friends and neighbours to fellowship with them. Perhaps even see salvations!

That would potentially put a church in every neighbourhood represented by the church.

Please think about it.

Obligations not Rights

  Obligations not Rights

The apostle John wrote,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

This is telling me that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to those around us. If we see someone in need and can help, we should.

Luke’s gospel tells us of a story Jesus told. It’s about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything he needed in this world. Poor Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps from the mans table. Yet the man had no compassion on him. Finally when they both past into the next world the rich man was suffering for his lack of action in this world, while Lazarus was no longer suffering.

Jesus made things clear when he 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 have an obligation to those around us. It is something many who would call themselves Christians forget about. Too many people calling themselves Christians say they have rights. Christians don’t have rights. The only rights Christians have are the rights granted to them by the government of the country in which they live. Governments who can change their minds at any time.

As Christians have obligations to our God, our family and to those around us. We have an obligation to proclaim the gospel message AND to help those in need anyway we can.

Please think about it.

We have an obligation

  We have an obligation.

The apostle John wrote,

"If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." 1John 3:17,18.

This is telling me that we as believers in Christ Jesus have an obligation to those around us. If we see someone in need and can help we should.

Luke’s gospel tells us of a story Jesus told. It’s about Lazarus and the rich man. The rich man had everything he needed in this world. Poor Lazarus would have been happy with the scraps from the mans table. Yet the man had no compassion on him. Finally when they both past into the next world the rich man was suffering for his lack of action in this world, while Lazarus was no longer suffering.

Jesus made things clear when he 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 have an obligation to those around us. It is something many who would call themselves Christians forget about. Too many people calling themselves Christians say they have rights. Christians don’t have rights. The only rights Christians have are the rights granted to them by the government of the country in which they live. Governments who can change their minds at any time.

As Christians have obligations to our God, our family and to those around us. We have an obligation to proclaim the gospel message AND to help those in need anyway we can.

Please think about it.

Advice from Paul

  Advice from Paul

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.  

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.  

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 3:15-17.

This advice from Paul couldn’t be more simple. We are to study the scriptures and take them to heart. Teach one another. Interact with one another, with the purpose of helping each other grow in Christ.

We are to sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude to God for all he has done for us. For his amazing grace that comes through Christ Jesus.

Paul finishes by saying “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.”

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus. Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Need to Worship

  Need to worship

The Psalmist writes,

"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 individuals 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.

I think it is important for us as believers especially in these uncertain times to lift up our voices and praise God. To remember that God does bless us.

We must remember what the apostle Paul said while in Athens,

"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.” Acts 17:24 

We must remember that the church is not a building and as such never closes. The church is made up of individuals as such it needs no bricks and mortar edifice to meet in. Believers can worship God anywhere be it a large cathedral, a house, or even a field, or forest.

All that is needed are one or two or more people to lift up their voices to God and sing his praises. No illness especially Covid-19 can stop this.

So why not take the time right now to lift up your life and praise God.

Please think about it.