Study

 Study

The apostle Paul writes,

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2Timothy 2:15.

If you are a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus do you do what the apostle Paul is saying here? Do you do your best to correctly at all times present the word of God in as pure a form as is humanly possible?

Do the ministers, evangelist and other teachers you listen to do the same thing? When was the last time you checked the scriptures quoted by someone you listen to, to see that they were not taken out of context?

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to be on guard against those who would misuse the scriptures.

There are a lot of high profile men and women out there in the media and in the pulpit who are not handling the word of God correctly. Thus the need to check what they are saying against the Bible.

Here in North America we have amazing freedoms which is a good thing. That being said it gives those who would misuse the word of God more latitude to misinterpret scripture and mislead people.

The key however for the individual believer is to study the scriptures for yourself and pray asking God to show you what is right.

One way I have found that is good for individuals is to study the word of God is to use a study bible that has foot notes and explanations. These types of bibles tend to have study notes by various individuals.

Using a Bible with study notes by one particular evangelist or pastor as good as they may be is usually bias toward what he or she believes be that intentionally or unintentionally.

Thus I would reiterate pray and study the bible for yourself and with others. All the time asking God to show you the truth within the scriptures.

Please think about it. 

In Whom

in whom

The Psalmist writes,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God." 

                                                                       Psalm 20:7.

Where is your trust? If you claim to be a Christian, a believer in Christ Jesus, where is your trust?

As Christians we should be trusting in the Lord God Almighty. Sadly however many in North America where I live trust entirely in the things of this world. This should never be.

C. S. Lewis wrote,

"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future 

to a known God."

                         C. S. Lewis.

Thus my question to you; If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus to what or whom do you trust your future to?

Please think about it.

Rights, Freedoms, God.

Rights, Freedoms, God.

In the book of Joshua we read,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.

In Exodus we read of God saying,

"You shall have no other gods before me."

                                                                   Exodus 20:3.

What Joshua was saying and what is recorded in the book of Exodus is directed at those people who claim to believe in God.

In Exodus God makes it clear believers are to have no other gods in heaven or on earth. Monotheism and worship of the one true God is the only acceptable thing.

Sadly many in North America where I live have many gods although they many times may not realize it.

One person said to me referring to the United States said to me,

“Too many people calling themselves Christians worship their rights and freedoms more than they do God.”

Sadly that is true. Many calling themselves Christians, again particularly in the United States but to a lesser degree in Canada, are believing the lie of “Christian nationalism” where they believe The U. S. and Canada are nations founded on God and Christian principles. 

Nothing could be further from the fact.

In following this doctrine of Christian nationalism they are putting their nation ahead of or equal to God. Something that should never be.

The apostle Peter calls believers in Christ Jesus we are aliens and strangers in the world. He states,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

As true believers in Christ Jesus we need to constantly put God first in our lives and represent God by doing good deeds and glorifying God in our every day life.

Thus I would ask anyone who claims to be a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus, reading this; Who are you serving. Who comes first in your life your right, your freedoms, or God?

Please think about it.

 What do you believe

In Ecclesiastes we read,

"He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.”  Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Whether we like to admit it or not God has placed a sense of eternity in our hearts. A sense that life goes on after this life is over. We may not be able to comprehend this, or we may want to deny it, but it doesn’t make it go away. 

The fact is we are destined to live on throughout eternity. The question is where will you spend eternity. As a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus I believe the words of Jesus who 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.  

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.

If I and others like me are wrong in this belief no one has anything to worry about. If we are right then at the very least people have a lot to consider.

Thus the it comes down to what you as an individual believe. 

Do you believe Jesus is the one and Only Son of God, The Saviour of mankind or not?

Please think about it.

Pursue Peace

Pursue Peace

The Psalmist writes,

"Come, my children, listen to me; 

I will teach you the fear of the LORD. 

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, 

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. 

Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it." 

                                                            Psalm 34:11-14.

Francis of Assisi 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

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus I think we should all do our best to live by the words of the Psalmist and Francis of Assisi. For by doing so we can make the world a better place to live.

Please think about it.

Without saying a word

 Without saying a word

The apostle Paul wrote,

“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.

Francis Assisi made these two statements,

Preach the Gospel at all times 

and

 when necessary use words.

                                                        Francis of Assisi

"The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today" 

                                                 Francis of Assisi

As Christians we should at all times as far as is humanly possible be showing the love of God to all those around us. People should know we are Christians by our words and deeds without us saying one thing.

When people look at your life do they see the Love of Jesus reflected in you with out you saying a word?

Please think about it.

Are you loving?

Are you loving?

The apostle Paul wrote,

"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."

"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 13:1-8a,13.

Do you truly love? Here in his letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul tells us what true Christian love is. The kind of love we as Christians must show to the world. To God, our family, friends and foe alike. 

Thus my question to you today, Are you loving the world the way God wants you to love?

Please think about it.

If Followed

 If Followed

The apostle Paul writes,

"Let each of you look not only to your own interests, 

but also to the interests of others."

                                                Philippians 2:4.

Here’s a concept I think is lost on many who call themselves Christians. Sadly this pandemic has shown us short falls among Christians. 

With tens of millions vaccinated without problems. Some who call themselves Christians are not getting vaccinated, some even refusing to wear a mask, calling it a breach of their rights and freedoms.

To my mind this tantamount to worshipping their rights over God and the interests of others.

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  

Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.

Paul makes it clear we are to submit to the governing authorities. The only exception to that I would say and I believe Christian scholars agree is when those authorities forbid us from worshipping God. And here in North America we have not been stopped from worshipping God.

Yes we have had to be creative in how we worship, meeting on zoom, meeting outside, meeting with substantially less people in our churches, but we have never been stopped from worshipping God.

The only things the authorities have asked of us, is to, wear a mask, socially distance and get a vaccine. All that have been proven to help stop the spread of Covid.

Precautions that if followed will help us as Christians look out for the interest of others.

Please think about it.

Only Turn

 Only Turn

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 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 it is not only terrorist groups doing the killing. On the streets of our cities there are men and women murdering others daily. 

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 our society knows it. And society is looking for solutions to it’s problems. Thus I feel if our society would only turn to God, and worships only Him things will truly change for the better.

Please think about it.

Do you sit with sinners?

 Do you sit with sinners?

Marks gospel records,

“While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.  

When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: "Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners'?" 

On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." Mark 2:15-17.

Sadly over the years I’ve met far too many people claiming to be Christians who don’t sit down with “sinners”. Who don’t follow the example of Jesus. 

These same people sadly are also quick to judge those they see as being sinners. They are quick to point out the sin and tell them to repent and turn to God or end up in hell.

There is however a problem with this way of doing things. Many people Christians would consider sinners don’t believe they are. Many don’t believe in God or hell. That’s why telling them they need to “repent” or go to hell means nothing.

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.

It’s not the job of a Christians to judge anyone, or tell anyone where they will spend eternity. That is God’s job.

It is the Christians job to follow the example of Jesus. To sit down with all people especially those they think are sinning and present the Love of Christ Jesus to them. Then let them decide for themselves what they want to do.

So if you believe you are a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, are you sitting down with sinners in a nonjudgmental way?

Please think about it.

Act Justly

 Act Justly

In the book of Micah we read,

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8

The book of James states,

"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

Jesus tells us,

"Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." Matthew 5:7.

Jesus warns us,

"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.

All of this boils down to what Matthew records Jesus as saying when he says,

"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 you truly believe the Bible is the word of God then the question becomes are you acting on these words?

If you are not then you may be responsible for turning people away from God. And possibly to a Christless eternity.

Please think about it.

Are you

 Are you

The writer of Hebrews states,

"Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14.

The Apostle Peter who wrote,

"Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11,12.

Jesus said,

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets" Matthew 7:12.

I know we are all human, make mistakes and fall short of what God wants for our lives. That being said however, if we are truly followers of Christ Jesus we should be at least trying to make the above scriptures active in our daily lives.

Thus my questions to you. 

Are you trying to live at peace with all those around you? 

Are you trying to live a holy life? 

Are you doing your best to abstain from sinful desires? 

Are you living a good life? Above all are you treating those around you in the same way your would have them treat you?

Please think about it.

Evidence for God

Evidence for God

The Psalmist in Psalm 104 wrote,

"How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures." Psalm 104:24.

In Psalm 19 we read,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalm 19:1

The workings of the universe are incredible to say the least. Scientists have spent their entire life trying to figure out how it works. The more they study it the more it the more they realize that from the smallest subatomic particle, to the largest galaxy all are related.

It also seems that they are related in such away as to make life as we on this planet as we know it possible.

Even Stephen Hawking said, 

     “The universe and the laws of physics seem to have been specifically designed for us" Stephen Hawking.

Werner Heisenberg father of Quantum Mechanics and Nobel prize winner in physics said,

  “The first gulp from the glass of natural science will make you an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you" Werner Heisenberg.

Another Nobel prize winner in Physics William Philips said,

“I believe in God more because of science than in spite of it"William Philips.

Dr. Arno Penzias a 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics said,

"Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with a very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life and one which has an underlying (one might say ‘supernatural') plan."

While we may never be able to see God physically in this life, we only have to look around to see Gods handiwork. 

Thus the question becomes do you believe God created the universe and everything in it?

Do you believe in God?

Please think about it.

Proclaim

 Proclaim 

The Prophet Isaiah said,

"With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  

And will say in that day:

Give thanks to the Lord call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the peoples,

proclaim that his name is exalted." 

                                                    Isaiah 12:3,4

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.

These two portions of scripture one from the Old Testament and one from the New show Gods message has not changed.

God through Isaiah tells Israel to make known Gods deeds and proclaim His name among the people.

Jesus tells His disciples to go and make disciples of all nation teaching them to obey everything He commanded.

This is what Christians are called to do in 2021. We are not to judge. We are simply to present the gospel message to anyone who will listen to us.

If you consider yourself a Christian. A believer in Christ Jesus are you presenting the gospel message to those around you?

Please think about it.

Tell what The Lord has done

 Tell what The Lord has done

After Jesus had removed the demons from the demon possessed. The man asked to go with him. However Jesus said,

Tell them how much the Lord has done for you, 

and how he has had mercy on you.

                                                  Mark 5:19.

From that day to now believers in Christ Jesus are called to tell those around them what The Lord has done for them. 

Thus my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus, are you telling the world around you what Jesus has done for you?

Please think about it.

Ask Jesus

Ask Jesus

Jesus said,

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

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

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

I think whether or not they want to admit, it people in this world whether they live in the poorest or the richest nations on earth, are looking for something. They are longing for something that seems to elude them. Just what that is they may not know.

Many especially here in the rich western counties try to fill that longing with material things, fancy cars, luxurious houses, money, the list goes on and on. Ultimately they find that these things may for a moment fill the void they have in their life but when that moment is passed the need more. Rather like a person addicted to drugs who needs to get another fix.

To these people Jesus calls,

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

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

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

This is the message Christians around the world proclaim to those around them. Irrespective of the situation people find themselves in Jesus can give them rest for their soul. 

Are you in need of that rest today? Why not take time to ask Jesus to give you that rest. 

Take time to read the New Testament. Pray and ask Jesus to come into your life.

Please think about it.

Lovers of Pleasure

 Lovers of pleasure

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.

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

Particularly here in North America people proclaiming they have “RIGHTS!”, while ignoring the rights of others. People are suffering and dying because of the colour of their skin, ethnicity, or lifestyle.

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

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

"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.'"

Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that    "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 

Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."

As Christians, believers in Christ Jesus, I believe we have a duty to show the unconditional love of God to all who are around us, family, friend and foe alike. 

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.

If you are a Christian. A true believer in Christ Jesus do you show Christs unconditional love to those around you?

Please think about it.

Out of

 Out of

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9.

A Story

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 BURN IN HELL!!!"

Approached by the media he says it again, "homosexuals are sinners 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 told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?

Wasn't it Christ who said go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation?

Is this man showing love?

Is this man judging another? 

Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?

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?"

For a moment I stare down at the crowd. All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day, and how can I reach them for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ?

Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, "Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law."

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.

Jesus didn’t say anything about homosexuality. Jesus didn’t judge anyone. He sat down and talked with people from all walks of life. Jesus knew that the only way to win souls was to treat everyone as equals. 

The apostle Paul writes,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23. That all means all. Everyone that has ever lived.

I like what the 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.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Do you

 Do you

The Psalmist writes,

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4.

The other day I read a true story of a young man who was beaten by a family member for his belief in Jesus. The young man lived in a country where being a Christian can get you killed. 

What impressed me about this young man and others who love Jesus around the world who live in similar situations to him is their courage. They take Psalm 23:4 to heart.

Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared that Christianity is "the most persecuted religion in the world." 

By one estimate over 500,000,000 believers in Christ Jesus live in countries where to quote a friend, “believing in Jesus can and is hazardous to your health”.

To anyone who is reading this today and claims to be a true believer in Christ Jesus I would ask if you even give a thought to those Christians around the world who are persecuted for their faith? Do you pray for them? Do you pray for their persecutors that they would come to know Christ as their Lord and Savour? 

Secondly I would ask do you believe, truly believe, the words of the Psalmist when he says,

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me." Psalm 23:4.

Please think about it.

About Faith

 About Faith

In the gospel of Luke we read Mary the mother of Christ after being told she would be the mother of the Messiah say,

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.”Luke 1:46-49.

Mary was not a rich person. She wasn’t royalty or apart of the ruling elite of the day. Mary was simply a young devout woman. A woman thought so highly of by God that He used her to bring Jesus into the world.

At first glance you can say this story is not real. But if it’s not then Christians are believing a lie. That means almost three billion people in the world are believing a lie.

Quite often I think when we look at what the bible states about Jesus we see things that just don’t seem logical. Everything from Jesus’ virgin birth to his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven seems odd. Yet we are asked to believe this.

We are asked to believe that Jesus is the One and Only Son of God. God incarnate. A very difficult thing to believe.

From my point of view I think because it is so difficult to have faith in what the Bible says about Jesus is the very point.

People who have faith in anything are the strongest believers. They will literally die for what they believe in. And that is what God wants from those who would believe in Him.

Please think about it.

Do you thank God enought?

 Do you thank God enough?

The Psalmist writes,

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 100:4,5.

The Psalmist says it all. We should I believe every day give thanks to God. So my question to you this day is, Do you think you thank God enough?

Please think about it. 

Wisdom

 Wisdom

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Get wisdom, get understanding; 

do not forget my words or swerve from them. 

Do not forsake wisdom,

 and she will protect you; 

love her, and she will watch over you. 

Wisdom is supreme; 

therefore get wisdom. 

Though it cost all you have, 

get understanding. 

Esteem her, 

and she will exalt you; 

embrace her, 

and she will honour you. 

She will set a garland of grace on your head 

and present you with a crown of splendour." 

                                                                      Proverbs 4:5-9.

I read the other day that,

"Wisdom is the acquired skill of applying knowledge rightly"

I was always taught that we should do our best to learn something new everyday. I was also told that we can have all the knowledge in the world, and if we don’t know how to use it correctly it will either amount to nothing, or amount to catastrophe.

I fully believe that as Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus we should be praying daily and asking God to impart wisdom to us through the scriptures and through daily life lessons.

What do you think?

Please think about it.

 Christians and the poor

The following are a group of scriptures that refer to the Christians relationship to the poor.

“Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD,

 and he will reward them for what they have done.”

                                                                                Proverbs 19:17

“The generous will themselves be blessed, 

for they share their food with the poor.”

                                                             Proverbs 22:9

I am told there are over 3000 verses in the Bible that speak about how we are to interact with the poor.

The above verses from proverbs say those who help the poor will be rewarded and will be blessed. That being said. The scriptures don’t tell us when we will be rewarded. It may quite well be that the reward will come in the next life.

Also giving to the poor should be done out of a pure heart without any expectations of being rewarded. In fact Jesus in a parable seems to indicate that the reward may come in the next life. Jesus in a parable states,

"Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.' 

"Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' 

"The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:34-40

Jesus warns those who did not help the poor,

“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’”Matthew 25:44-45.

Please think about it.

Are you doing this?

Are you doing this?

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.

How will you be judged? 

If you’ve ever looked at someone and judged them rightly or wrongly God will according to Jesus here in Matthew 7:1,2, will judge you.

Sadly many people who claim to be Christians do judge people. They judge people who are homeless, people of other faiths, and people with a different lifestyle to their own, to name a few. And it’s not limited to those who sit in the pews. I’ve heard pastors and evangelist judge others also.

Tony Campolo the American evangelist 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.

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.

This is the job of all who believe in Christ Jesus. We have no right to judge anyone. We do however have a duty to God to tell the world about Jesus Christ.

Are you doing this?

Please think about it.

Fill your mind

 Fill your mind

The apostle Paul wrote,

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Philippians 4:8.

One commentary I read on this verse said, 

“the Philippians are to fill their minds with things that inspire worship of God and service to others.”

Many people in the world look at Christians and ask the question “why should I follow Christ?” Many look at the negative message given by those who call themselves Christian and turn away from God.

I believe as Christians we need to show the world around us a reason to follow Jesus. A reason to put their trust in God.

We need to be doing what is noble, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable and what is excellent and praiseworthy about God.

If you claim to be a Christian are you doing this?

Please think about it

Shalom

  Shalom

The Psalmist writes,

"Turn from evil and do good; 

seek peace and pursue it.”

                                            Psalm 34:14

According to one source I read, the Hebrew word for peace is shalom translated into English as peace. The source states,

“...the Biblical concept (of shalom) encompasses much more than that. Biblical "shalom" is wholeness, fullness, total reconciliation - between God and people, and also between people and people. 

As Christians we are called to live at peace,

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

 live at peace with everyone." 

                                                      Romans 12:18.

We must do this because for the simple reason it is the easiest way for us to present the good news of Jesus Christ to the world.

So are you doing your best to live at peace with those around you?

Please think about it.

A Belief

 A Belief

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“A good name is better that perfumed oil 

and the day of death better than the day of birth." 

                                                                         Ecclesiastes 7:1.

What the author is saying here is a good name is better than the most expensive perfumed oil. You can’t buy a good name. That’s why individuals must be careful not to tarnish their name by doing things that are morally wrong.

When the writer states “the day of death is better than the day or birth” all the commentaries indicate that this in not in reference to ones own death but the death of someone else. This is in line with what the next verse states,

“Better to go to a house of mourning than to go to a house of feasting, for all are destined to be mourned; the living should lay this to heart.” Ecclesiastes 7:2.

Later on in Ecclesiastes we read,

“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.

All of these statements may seem odd at first glance but looked at from an eternal prospective it makes sense.

The death of anyone should prompt us to look at how fragile and how finite life is. Everyone who has ever been born will spend more time in eternity than they will spend in this life.

Thus the question becomes where will you spend eternity?

In the gospel of John we read this statement made by Jesus. Referring to Himself he states,

"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.

Thus the choice dear reader is your. Do you believe what is said here or not?

Please think about it.

Pleasing Aroma

 Pleasing Aroma

The apostle Paul writes,

“We are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15.

Are you a pleasing aroma?

When you present the Gospel of Christ to people do they find what you are saying pleasing. Something at least to think about even if they disagree with you?

OR do they reject what you are saying because of the way you present the Gospel?

I think it is very important that we present the Gospel message in as upbeat a way as possible. 

We must remember the words of Jesus who speaking about 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. 

The only way we can effectively win souls for Christ is if we present that message in a positive way in word and deed.

In other words like the apostle Paul our words and deeds must be a pleasing aroma to all those around us.

Please think about it.

 A Wager

The Psalmist states,

"The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." 

                                                                  Psalm 14:1.

This is what the writer of Psalm 14 wrote and each individual who reads it must decide for themselves whether they agree or disagree with what he writes.

Before you decide however I want you to consider what Blaise Pascal wrote. He said,

“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.

About Worship

About 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 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.

I am a believer in Christ Jesus. I believe that He is God incarnate, God in the flesh. I also think (myself included) that those who believe in God don’t worship Him enough.

Many Christians put on worship music in the car or in their house but they listen to it rather than use it to personally praise God.

If you consider yourself a true believer in God, in Christ Jesus, why not take sometime right now to praise and worship God from your heart.

Please think about it.

Tell

 Tell

Jesus after healing the demon possessed man in Mark 5:1-20 said to him,

"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you." Mark 5:9.

I think it is important here to note Jesus told the man to go and tell his family what the Lord as done for him.

I firmly believe that we should never force what we believe on others. I am very much against the so called “hell fire and brimstone” preachers. I think it accomplishes little. After all if someone doesn’t believe in God, they probably don’t believe in hell, therefore they will not be afraid of hell.

I think the best way to evangelize people is to present the gospel in a respectful manner. Meeting a person where they are at. Listening to what they have to say, then telling them, what The Lord has done for you.

This is what the apostle Paul did we see it when he is before king Agrippa (acts 26) and when he speaks to in Athens (acts 17).

In Acts 17 we know that at least some who listened to him came to know the Lord.

For anyone reading this who is not a Christian a believer in Christ Jesus. The following, known as the apostles creed, while not written by an apostle of Christ is in a nutshell what I believe. I put it hear for you to consider.

1.I believe in God the Father the almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God's on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

If you wish to know more about Jesus I would ask you to take time to read the New Testament. It tells what those who knew Jesus personally, and the first century church believed about Jesus.

Please at least think about it.