Are you willing to pay the price?

  Are you willing to pay the price?

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.

This is how important Jesus and the salvation God offers through Him should be to us. We should be willing to sell everything we have to follow Christ.

The gospel of Mark records Jesus as saying,

“Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." Mark 8:34.

Sadly all to many people here in North America don’t count the cost of following Jesus. With all the freedoms we have we can do as we wish with not real consequences providing we don’t hurt someone.

In other parts of the world however following Jesus has a price. It can be anything from being shunned by family, to being force to leave their home, to prison, to being sentenced to hard labour in prison camps to death.

Yet despite the possible consequences people around the world truly believe they have found that “pearl of great value” and are willing to die for it.

Question... If you consider yourself a true Christian are you willing to pay whatever price is required to follow Christ. Are you willing to die for the cause of Christ?

Please think about it.

The question is do you?

  The question is do you?

"That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. " 1John 1:1-3

The apostle John makes it clear here that he is writing this letter that the reader may know that he as seen and touched “that which was from the beginning” meaning from the creation of the world.

In his gospel John states,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14

John firmly believed that Jesus was God in the flesh. And that salvation and eternal life came from Him. 

The question is do you?

Please think about it.

This is the testimony

  This is the testimony

The apostle John speaking about Jesus states,

“And this is the testimony: 

God has given us eternal life, 

and this life is in His Son.  

He who has the Son has life; 

he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

                                                                           1 John 5:11-12.

This statement is one of the corner stone statement of Christianity. God has given us eternal life through His one and only Son, Christ Jesus.

In John’s gospel Jesus is recorded as saying,

“Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.

 No one comes to the Father except through me.  

                                                                          John 14:6.

If these two statements are false and as some say there is a multitude of ways to heaven. Then no one needs to worry.

If on the other hand they are absolutely true statements. Then those who do not believe these statements, have at the very least a lot to think about.

So dear reader, what do you think?

Is Jesus the only way to heaven?

Please think about it.

I never knew you

  I never knew you

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.

If you consider yourself a Christian where do you stand with Jesus?

There are many pastors, evangelist, Christian teachers, and people who just sit in the pew who will hear the words, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.”

They will hear it for I believe two reason. Principally they only intellectually accepted Jesus. The simply believed he existed. They have never accepted Christ as their Saviour. Everything they have done is in their own strength.

Another reason, especially when it comes to pastors, evangelist and teachers they are simply charlatans out to get rich. They have twisted the word of God to their own ends.

They are not preaching the true gospel. They are as someone once said “out to flees the flock”. 

For anyone who considers themselves a Christian we need to look on the reasons we are following Christ. 

Additionally we need to be asking ourselves are the pastors, evangelist, and Christian teachers we follow truly teaching the word of God correctly?

The apostle Paul states,

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

Are you and those pastors, evangelist and Christian teachers you support doing this?

Please think about it.

Like the thief on the cross

  Like the thief on the cross

"One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: "Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!" 

But the other criminal rebuked him. "Don't you fear God," he said, "since you are under the same sentence?  

We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong." 

Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.'" 

Jesus answered him, "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." Luke 23:39-43.

The late American evangelist Billy Graham once said,

“I'm going to Heaven just like the thief on the cross who said in that last moment: 'Lord, remember me.” Billy Graham.

Are you?

When we look at Luke’s account of the crucifixion we see to criminals. Criminals who show us the choice we have.

One insults at Jesus, not believing He was the Christ, the Messiah. He asked Jesus to prove who He was by getting them down from the cross. In other words he would only believe Jesus was the Christ if Jesus proved it by getting them out of their situation.

The other rebuked the first and by faith believed Jesus to be the Christ. As such he confessed he was being justly punished for his crimes. Asking Jesus to remember him when he came into His kingdom.

That man did what we all must do.

Believe Jesus is the Christ.

Confess our sins to Him 

And accept Christ’s forgiveness.

Have you done this? 

Will you get to heaven like the thief on the cross?

Please think about it.

What we must do

  What we must do.

  The apostle Peter said,

"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." 

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" 

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call." Acts 2:36-39.

The Apostle Peter makes it clear that Jesus is both Lord and Christ.

He goes on to say that everyone of us must repent of our sins and be baptized.

The best definition of sin I have found is, “sin is falling short of Gods ideal for your life.” Something we all do everyday. Thus our need to ask Gods forgiveness. 

The apostle Paul states,

“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Will you acknowledge that you have sinned, that you fall short of the glory of God?

Are you willing to go to God now, ask for His forgiveness and receive by faith Christ as you Saviour?

Here’s a simple prayer that you might want to consider praying.

Dear Heavenly Father

I admit that I fall short of your glory. I admit that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins. I acknowledge that Jesus paid the price for my sins. 

Please come into my life this day.

I ask this in the name of Jesus.

Always remember that the prayer does not save you. It is you faith in Christ Jesus that saves you.

So if you have prayed this prayer and meant it. Please consider finding a church near you that truly teaches the Bible.

As this blog is read all over the world. It is impossible for me to recommend a specific church. But I do recommend the Mennonite-Brethren or Baptist churches.

All I would ask is that you pray believing that God will lead you to the right church.

Ultimately however, when it come to Jesus, salvation and the way to heaven it is up to you to decide if what I am saying is true.

I would however encourage you to read for yourself the New Testament and see what the writers who knew Jesus believed Him to be.

Please think about it.

What Peter Believed

 What Peter believed

In Mark’s gospel we read,

"Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 

They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." 

"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.'"Mark 8:27-29.

The disciples knew Jesus better than anyone. And here you see Peter stating that Jesus is the Christ. Jesus is the Messiah.

If what Peter said is false then he and the other disciples are responsible for perpetuating potentially one of the most monumental lies in human history. Causing literally billions of people in the world today to believe that lie.

Causing tens of millions of people throughout the centuries to die in vain.

The truth however is Peter was speaking the truth.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

You must be willing

  You must be willing

Jesus said,

"Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.  

But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven. 

"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  

For I have come to turn " ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law a man's enemies will be the members of his own household.' 

"Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:32-39.

This I believe is a statement everyone considering becoming a Christian should read and take to heart.

Simply put Jesus is saying if you are going to follow me you need to realize that it’s all or nothing. I must be first in your life. And you must be willing to give up everything for me. Not that, that will necessarily happen. But never the less you must be willing to give everything up for the cause of Christ.

The reward for doing so is eternal life in heaven with God.

Thus my question for you;

Are you willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ?

Please think about it.

Are you lukewarm

 Are you lukewarm

       "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 

These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation.  

I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!  

So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.  

You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.  

I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.  

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 

To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." Revelations 3:14-22.

Here Jesus notes that the Laodicean church are neither cold or hot and that God wishes that they’d be one or the other.

They thought they needed nothing. Yet the truth was just the opposite. 

Spiritually they were lukewarm and such people are hard to reach. 

Jesus tells them to turn to Him and buy riches from Him. To buy salve for their eyes, that their eyes would be opened spiritually to their needs.

He calls them to repent. That He is there knocking on their hearts door waiting to be asked into their life.

For those who do open that door and repent of their sins they will get to sit with Him on His throne.

Question:

Are you lukewarm?

Do you believe you have all you need to be a follower of Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Do you live up to Philadelphia's stadard?

  Do you live up to Philadelphia’s standard?

"To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: 

These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.  

I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.  

I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.  

Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 

I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.  

Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:7-13.

Here is the church Jesus praises. Finding nothing wrong. It’s a church many falsely think they are.

However to those who truly are following God the way the Church at Philadelphia was following God will be rewarded by living in Gods temple. Never having to leave it.

God will even make their enemies fall down at their feet.

They will also be kept from the hour of trial.

Take a few minutes to evaluate your life for Christ. Do you honestly think your spiritual life lives up to the standard of those in Philadelphia?

Please think about it.

On life support?

 On life support?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead.  

Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God.  

Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you. 

Yet you have a few people in Sardis who have not soiled their clothes. They will walk with me, dressed in white, for they are worthy.  

He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels.  

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelations 3:1-6.

Here Jesus called to the church at Sardis to wake up. One commentary I read said they were in a deep “spiritual coma”

Jesus notes that they have a reputation for being alive, when in reality they are dead.

He notes their deeds there service to God is incomplete. Therefor they must repent and do God’s work.

At the same time there are people within Sardis who have not stopped working for God. They have not soiled their clothing. As a result they will receive a conquers reward.

Do you have a reputation for being alive when in fact you know you are spiritually dead?

Is the Church you attend truly alive or on life support?

Please think about it. 

False Teachers and the wicked

 False Teachers and the Wicked

    In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write: 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  

I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first. 

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  

I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.  

So I will cast her on a bed of suffering, and I will make those who commit adultery with her suffer intensely, unless they repent of her ways.  

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.  

Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you):  

Only hold on to what you have until I come. 

To him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— Revelations 2:18-26

Here Jesus notes that He knows of the church at Thyatira’s love, faith and perseverance. But he notes that there is a woman, a self proclaimed prophetess referred to as Jezebel. Someone who is misleading people into sexual immorality and other things, that God disapproves of.

Jesus states He has given her time to repent but she was unwilling therefor she will pay the price for her misdeeds and sins. 

Jesus notes that He searches the hearts and minds of all people. And that He will repay each person according to their deeds.

Jesus finally calls the church to hold onto their faith until His return.

Question do you know of any false teachers? Men and women who are misleading those in the church congregation or denomination you attend?

The apostle Paul writes,

"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.

Is the church congregation or denomination doing this with false teachers and the wicked?

Please think about it.

Who are you following?

  Who are you following?

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Pergamum write: 

These are the words of him who has the sharp, double-edged sword.  

I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name. You did not renounce your faith in me, even in the days of Antipas, my faithful witness, who was put to death in your city—where Satan lives. 

Nevertheless, I have a few things against you: You have people there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to entice the Israelites to sin by eating food sacrificed to idols and by committing sexual immorality.  

Likewise you also have those who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans.  

Repent therefore! Otherwise, I will soon come to you and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.” Revelations 2:12-17.

Here the church at Pergamum is commended by Jesus for staying true even though a member of their church Antipas was put to death for his beliefs.

Jesus goes on however to note that the church a Pergamum is mixing the teachings of Balaam with their faith in Christ and holding to the teachings of the Nicolaitans both heretical teachings.

He warns that if they do not repent from teaching these false teachings, Jesus himself will fight against them.

Those who turn from these teachings however will be given a reward for doing so.

Question:

Are you following false teachers?

Are the pastors, evangelist, and teachers you follow truly teaching The Word of God?

Please think about it.

To the point of Death

  To the point of death

To the Church in Smyrna

"To the angel of the church in Smyrna write: 

These are the words of him who is the First and the Last, who died and came to life again.  I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.  

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes will not be hurt at all by the second death. Revelations 2:8-11.

The church at Smyrna is not rebuked by Christ.

Here Jesus states He knows what is happening to them and tells them that their persecution time will be brief.

He states asks the church to be faithful to death and they will be given a crown of life.

There are many Christians today who are undergoing persecution. The estimates are in the hundreds of thousands. Yet despite it all they keep their faith in Jesus.

You may never suffer persecution for your belief in Christ Jesus. But ask yourself this question,

“If I were to be persecuted for what I believe. Would I be faithful to the point of death?

Please think about it.

Have you kept the faith?

Have you kept the faith?

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

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

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

The apostle Paul is writing here near the end of his life. He is about to be put to death by the Roman emperor Nero. Thus he looks back on all that he has done and states, he has fought the good fight, and kept the faith.

As a result he notes he will receive a crown of righteousness. That same crown that all who have served God and longed for Christ’s appearing.

Question... Will you receive a crown of righteousness for your faith in Christ?

Can you say “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Please think about it.

Return

  Return

In the book of Revelations we read,

"To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: 

These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands:  

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false.  

You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. 

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.  

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place.  

But you have this in your favour: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. 

He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God." Revelations 2:1-7 

I was taught that the churches mentioned in Revelations can apply to not only a church congregation but to individuals as well.

Here we see that the church at Ephesus has persevered. 

That they cannot tolerate wicked men, 

That they have tested those who claim to be apostles who are not.

That they have endured hardship for the sake of Christ and not grown weary.

Yet it is pointed out that they have forsaken their first love.

This means they have forsaken Christ who should always be our first love.

There are many reasons Christians forsake their first love. They become lured by the ways of the world, money, possessions even the mixing of non-Christian philosophes.

Combining with Christian teaching, when this was never meant to be.

As believers in Christ Jesus we must look at what we believe and why we believe it. We must ask God to show us the error of our ways. Then repent and turn back to God.

Do you know what you believe and why you believe it?

Are you mixing other things with your Christian faith, things that are not of God?

Please think about it.

Pursue what promotes peace

 Pursue what promotes peace

The apostle Paul writes,

"So then, let us pursue what promotes peace

 and what builds up one another "

                                                                  Romans 14:19

As believers we are called to pursue the way of peace. The apostle Peter writing,

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.

We as believers in Christ Jesus are called to live so good even the pagans will one day see our good deeds and glorify God.

Question...

When people see your life. Do they see a life pursuing peace?

By His Mercy

  By His Mercy

The apostle Paul writes,

“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.

Here is a Christian distinctive. Christians do not believe we can be good enough to enter Gods heaven. And God knew this was true. Therefore God reached down from heaven in the form of His one and Only Son Christ Jesus.

The apostle Paul writing to the Romans states,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.  Romans 3:23,24.

Paul also wrote,

"That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Romans 10:9,10.

Question have you done this?

Please think about it.

Can never perish spoil or fade

  Can never perish spoil or fade

The apostle Peter wrote,

“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, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.”  1Peter 1:3-5.

This is the hope all who believe in Christ Jesus have. So the question becomes;

1/ do you truly have this hope that only comes from Christ Jesus?

2/ If you have this hope are your sharing it with those around you?

Please think about it

Are you doing it?

 Are you doing it?

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.

Here are two key verses in Scripture that we a believers in Christ Jesus need to follow. 

1/ God loves the mankind. Not just mankind in general but each individual.

2/ God sent Jesus Christ into the world to save individuals.

And it is these two points that we as believers in Christ Jesus must be telling the world around us.

It is not up to us to judge and condemn the world. It is our job to present the love of Christ to all those around us.

If you consider yourself a true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

A Model Prayer

  A model prayer

Jesus taught this to his disciples,

"This, then, is how you should pray: 

" ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us today our daily bread. 

Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.'  

For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:9-15.

The prayer is simple.

First, we honour God.

Second, we ask that His kingdom come

Third, we ask that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Forth, We ask that He supply our daily needs.

Fifth, We ask that He forgives our debts (Sins) as we have forgiven those who have sinned against us.

Sixth, We ask that God lead us away from temptation 

Seventh, That God delivers us from the evil one.

Then Jesus adds this warning saying,

“For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  

But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” 

So is this the way you pray?

Prayer

  Prayer

Jesus said,

"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.  

And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.  

Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Matthew 6:5-8.

Prayer is an act of faith. And by what Jesus said here it is nothing we should be calling attention to. We should be praying for the most part in private.

Additionally our prayers need not be “wordy”. We should try to be concise when we pray. We need not say a lot. We should not be constantly repeating ourselves over and over again.

Above all however our prayers should be spoken in faith. Knowing that God will in His way and in His time answer them.

So how do you pray?

Please think about it.

Acts of Righteousness

  Acts of Righteousness. 

In Matthews Gospel we read of Jesus saying,

“Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness’ before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 

“So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.  

But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Matthew 6:1-4.

Here Jesus makes it clear we are to do our righteous acts quietly and without fanfare. 

Sadly this is a message lost on many Christians especially here in North America. 

As believers in Christ Jesus we need to reassess our motives for giving. Are you giving to the poor because you think it’s the right thing to do? Or... Are you giving to the poor because you want to be seen as righteous in the eyes of men?

Why not take a few minutes and pray. Ask God to show you your true motives for doing acts of righteousness.

Please think about it.

A new Hope

  A new Hope

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, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.  1Peter 1:3-5.

Peter here makes it clear all who believe in The Lord Jesus Christ have been given a new birth and a living hope. An inheritance that cannot “perish, spoil or fade. Kept in heaven...”

Do you have this hope? OR is all your hope in the things of this world that one day will perish, spoil or fade?

Is your faith in God and the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus?

Please think about it.

Are you Humble?

  Are you Humble?

In the book of James we read,

“Humble yourselves before the Lord, 

and He will lift you up.” 

                                              James 4:10 

The Psalmist notes,

“He guides the humble in what is right

 and teaches them his way.” 

                                                                     Psalm 25:9

In Psalm 149 the Psalmist states

“For the LORD takes delight in his people; 

He crowns the humble with salvation.” 

                                                           Psalm 149:4

In the book of Philippians we get this advice,

“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.

So are you a proud or humble person?

If you claim to be a follower of Christ Jesus. When you present the gospel message do you present it in humility. Allowing the person you present it to, to decide for themselves whether or not to believe what you say?

Please think about it.

To teaching and fellowship

 To teaching and fellowship

In the book of Acts we read,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer." Acts 2:42.

The early believers in Christ Jesus followed the teachings of the apostles. The men that had sat under the teaching of Jesus. The men, that knew Him best.

This is how we should be today.

We as believers in Christ Jesus should be reading the scriptures and putting what they say ahead of any other teaching about God and Christ.

While there is room and indeed need for Christian study books where men and women of God expound what they have learned about God from the scriptures. These teachings should never supersede the teaching of the Bible.

The Bible is the inspired word of God. Thus it should always be the primary source of our knowledge of God.

Men make mistakes. Some people even twist the scriptures to suit their own way of thinking. Some even twist the scriptures to as someone has said “fleece the flock”, take advantage of people for their own personal gain.

That is why all believers in Christ Jesus should be praying and reading the Bible for themselves asking God to reveal Himself and His ways to them.

Question... Are you listening exclusively to preachers, teachers and evangelist to get your knowledge about God, or are you praying and reading what the Bible for yourself to see what is truly from God?

Please think about it.

To the Christian

  To the Christian

The Psalmist states,

“But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever. 

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints. Psalm 52:8,9.

The Psalmist here states that he trusts in God’‘s unfailing love and that as a result of it he has hope and will praise God in the presence of God’s people.

If you claim to be a true believer in Christ Jesus do you truly praise God when you are at church. OR has church become a social club where you meet friends and acquaintances. Is church a place you attend simply because your friends and family have always gone?

How committed are you to God?

Please think about it.

As you would have them do to you

 As you would have them do to you

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.

How do you treat others? Do you show love and respect to everyone? Even those whom you disagree with?

Love Christian love is defined by the apostle Paul this way,

“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 show to others, even your enemies?

Do you treat others the same way you wish to be treated?

Please think about it.

What John thought of Jesus

 What John thought of Jesus

In 1John we read,

“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  

The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  

We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  

We write this to make our joy complete. “ 1John 1:1-4.

John makes it clear here what the early believers in Jesus believed. He states that Jesus is the Son of God. The Christ. Through whom comes eternal life.

In his gospel John states.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. ” John 1:1-4,14.

John makes it clear that Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh that made all things.

The question is however do you believe this?

Please think about it.

What is truth?

  What is truth?

In the gospel of John we read of Jesus standing before Pilatet to be judged. After a brief interchange with Jesus. Where upon he finds him not guilty of the charges against him Pilate asks...

"What is truth?..."John 18:38a.

It is a question we, when confronted with the story of Jesus must ask. Is what Jesus is saying truth or a lie?

The crowd that day that also included the religious leaders, didn’t want to here the truth. They wanted to put Jesus to death.

John records in Chapter 19: 1-16 that Pilate tried several more times to prevent the crucifixion of Jesus. All to no avail. Thus not wanting a rebellion on his hands he turned Jesus over to his persecutors to be put to death.

In the twenty-first century no matter where we live in the world we must decide for ourselves who Jesus is.

We must decide if Jesus is lying or not when He is recorded as saying,

"I and the Father are one." John 10:30.

We must ask ourselves is what Jesus states in John 14:8-10  true or not...

“Philip said, "Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us." 

Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? 

Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father'?  

Don't you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you are not just my own. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work.  John 14:8-10.

We must ask ourselves if what Jesus said to Thomas is true,

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

So who do you believe Jesus is?

Please think about it.

What do you think?

  What do you think?

In the gospel of John we read,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." Genesis 1:1

The Bible does not debate the existence of God. In Genesis 1:1 it simply states God created the heavens and the earth.

In the Gospel of John, we are told that God became flesh. John writes,

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  

He was with God in the beginning. 

Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  

In him was life, and that life was the light of men....

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. " John 1:1-4,14.

John stating the reason for God entering the world He created Jesus stating,

"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.

The scriptures then leave it up to the individual to decide for themselves if what is said is true.

Thus the question becomes; What do you think? Do you believe what is said in the Bible or not?

Please think about it.

The Free Gift

  The free Gift

The apostle Paul writes,

“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12.

I know as a believer in Christ Jesus we can never in this life describe Heaven. We only get glimpse of it described in human terms in the Bible.

As Christians however we have an unwavering, hope stemming from our faith in Christ Jesus, that we are going to Heaven. 

The writer of Hebrews states

"Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see." 

                                                                   Hebrews 11:1.

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.

The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

The key here is salvation in a gift from God. A gift we can either accept or reject.

The choice is yours. 

Will you take a few minutes now to pray and receive the gift God is offering you today?

Why not pray,

Dear Heavenly Father.

I thank you for Your Son Jesus Christ. And that He died for my sins. 

I accept the gift of Salvation that comes from You through your one and Only Son Christ Jesus.

Please forgive my sins today and come into my life.

In Jesus name I pray.

Amen.

      Please at least think about it.