The Ultimate Choice

  The ultimate Choice.

In Luke's gospel we read,

“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.

Here we have laid out for us the choice all who hear about Jesus need to make. Here on the day Jesus was crucified were two other men, both sinners. Both in need of Salvation.

We too are sinners. While we may not have been guilty of the same sins the criminals on the cross had done. We are still sinners. The apostle Paul noting,

"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.

The two criminals chose two different paths. One insulted Jesus asking him to save himself and them. This man had no idea that if he’d followed the path of the second criminal he would have been saved.

The second man saying,

"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.'" 

To which Jesus said,  "I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise." 

That second criminal did what we must do. We must have faith that Jesus is the Son of God the Saviour of all who believe in Him.

The apostle John Writing,

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."1John 1:9. 

Have you confessed your sins to God today.

Please think about it.

Pray for wisdom

  Pray for wisdom

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

“For wisdom is a shelter, and money is a shelter, but the advantage is that wisdom keeps the one who has it alive.” Ecclesiastes 7:12.

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.

Wisdom is supreme. Yet far too many Christians don’t ask for it. Instead they ask for the wrong things. Then wonder why they don’t get what they are asking for.

We as believers in Christ Jesus need wisdom. It keeps us safe and it can show us how to present the Gospel message to those around us.

Therefore as the writer of proverbs tells us “get wisdom”. 

How do you pray? Do you ask God for wisdom in all you do?

Please think about it.

Living by the words of Jesus

  Living by the words of Jesus

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.

As Christians we have no right to judge people. Especially where they will spend eternity. If we as Christians come across as judgmental people will turn away from us.

Billy Graham the late American evangelist said,

“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 

God’s job to judge

 and my job to love,” 

                                   Billy Graham

It is only by showing love to those around us that we will win souls for Christ. We would not like people judging us therefor we should not judge others.  Jesus made things clear when He said,

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

If you consider yourself a Christian are you living by these words of Jesus?

Please think about it.

Do you truly have faith?

  Do you truly have faith?

Jesus said,

“Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.” John 4:23-24

Are you a true worshipper of God? Do you worship God in spirit and in truth?

There are many in our society here in North America who claim to be Christians who claim to be worshippers of Christ Jesus who are not true worshippers.

They may have gone to church all their lives and know what to say and when to say it. They may be graduates of Bible schools. They may have read the Bible many times. They may even be standing in the pulpit.

They may have even said the sinners prayer. But as the evangelist Leonard Ravenhill put it,

“The sinners prayer has sent more people to hell than all the bars in America.” Leonard Ravenhill.

The fact of the matter is you can say all the prayers you want but if your faith is not truly rooted in a belief in God and Christ Jesus you are not truly a Christian. You are not a true believer in Christ Jesus.

The writer of Hebrews tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                    Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                       Hebrews 11:6.

Ultimately no one can tell someone else if they are truly saved. That is between God and the individual.

So my question to those reading this do you truly have faith in God?

          Please think about it.

Washing feet

 Washing feet

In the book of Mark we read,

"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"  

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:33-35.

Within the church its easy to want to be in high profile ministries, pastors, evangelist, teachers. It’s not as easy to be the person who takes out the garbage, or clean toilets. Yet they are essential to the running of a church.

In my youth I worked for a large institution that had around a hundred fifty cleaners. Each cleaner had an area to clean each night with the exception of the washrooms. That was generally the job of one or two individuals. It was also the job of the newest person hired. And there was a reason. 

It was found that if a person could do the job well and last the probation period. A period of usually 12 weeks. They turned out to be good employees. They were good servants if you will.

The apostle John records this story about Jesus serving His disciples. John writes,

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;  so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.  

After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 13:3-5.

Would you be willing to wash the feet of those in your church circle?

Please think about it.

Believers Principles for living #7 Trusting God

 Believers Principles for living #7 Trusting in God

The writer of Proverbs tells us,

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart 

and lean not on your own understanding; 

in all your ways acknowledge him, 

and he will make your paths straight.”

                                               Proverbs 3:5,6.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you trust God completely? Is your faith squarely in Him. The writer of Hebrew tells us,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for 

and certain of what we do not see.”  

                                                           Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists 

and 

that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” 

                                                                            Hebrews 11:6.

I have learned first hand that trusting in God really does work. 

Yes there have been times when I thought things would not work out. Still I committed the situation to God and left it there. Ultimately the situation did work out, although sometimes not in the way I thought it would work out.

The apostle Paul said,

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”  Romans 8:28.

And Paul should know he went through a lot for his faith yet it all worked out in the end. Even though he was ultimately martyred for his faith he had the opportunity to share that faith throughout the Roman empire. He stood before everyone from rulers to slave and told them of his faith before leaving this earth for heaven.

So the question becomes, if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you put your trust fully in Him?

Please think about it.

"Believers Principles for living, #6 Flee evil

  Believers Principles for living #6 Flee evil

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,

“Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:22.

The Psalmist tells us,

“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 

But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 

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

Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 

Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 

For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish” Psalm 1.

Do you flee evil?

As believers in Christ Jesus we should.

Sadly with all that is happening in the world around us it can be hard to flee evil. While we live in this world evil will always surround us. The key however is to draw close to God by studying the scriptures and praying for God’s wisdom and guidance.

Question: Do you flee evil when you see it?

Please think about it. 

Believers Principles for living #5 At peace with God.

  Believers Principles for Living #5 At Peace with God

In the book of Philippians we read,

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

And they peace of God , which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4; 6,7.

The apostle Paul wrote, 

"May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1Thesalonians 5:23.

The apostle John wrote,

"Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God." John 1:12,13 

Do you have peace with God? Have you accepted Christ into your life?

Please think about it

Believers Principles for living #4 Live at Peace

  Believers Principles for living #4 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.

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 tells believers in Christ Jesus,

“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.

Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness. 

As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love. 

In doing so they opened up doors to talk with other groups throughout the known world. As a result in just over a century, Christianity had spread throughout the known world.

These men and women respected all those they came in contact with. They lived peaceful loving lives.

As a result the apostle Paul stood in the Areopagus in Athens and spoke to the learned men and women there. 

Paul and the other apostles and believers spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society from slaves to rulers.

This is what we in the twenty-first century church need to do. 

         Are you?

Please think about it.

Believers Principles for living #3 Christian attributes

 Believers Principles for living #3 Christian attributes 

The Apostle Paul writing to believers in Christ Jesus tells us,

“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.

Here is a simple test for anyone calling themselves a believer in Christ Jesus. Now keep in mind believers in Christ are far from perfect. We are all human with human frailties and failings. 

That being said however as believers in Christ we should be striving to be Christ like. We should be trying to make the fruits of the spirit part of our daily life. 

Francis of Assisi wrote,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 

                                                                     Francis of Assisi.

If our lives are exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control, the sermon people will see in us is the Love of Jesus.

Question: When people see your life do they truly see the fruit of the Spirit of God?

Please think about it.

Believers Principles for living #2 Deeds

 Believers Principles for living #2 Deeds

James the half brother of Jesus states,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There are many Christians who will tell you, you are saved by faith. That is true. However James here make it clear our faith needs to be accompanied by works. Good deeds.   

If we indeed have true faith in Jesus, it well spur us on to good deeds. Simply believing in God should never be enough for the believer in Christ Jesus. We need to put our faith into action.

Jesus made this clear when he said,

“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.’ 

“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  

I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 

“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, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 

“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” Matthew 25:34-46.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus are you putting your faith into action?

Please think about it.

Believers Principle for living #1 Love

 Believers Principles for Living #1 Love

There are some very important precepts within Christianity that all true believers in Christ Jesus I believe must be following. The first is Love.

Jesus said when asked the question,

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  

This is the first and greatest commandment.  

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40

Earlier in Matthews gospel we hear Jesus taking this concept of love one step further. He said,

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 5:43,44.

When it comes to Love the Apostle Paul made clear what Christian Love should be. He wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast,

 it is not proud.  

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

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                    1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

What these Scriptures from the New Testament say needs no interpretation. They make clear that believers in Christ Jesus should love unconditionally, God, their neighbour, and even their enemy. And The should be praying for those who persecute them.

If you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus do you show this kind of Love to those around you?

Please think about it. 

Live as servants of God

  Live as servants of God

The apostle Peter writes,

"Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God." 1 Peter 2:16.

What Peter is saying here is strait forward live as free men. But don’t use that freedom to hide evil and sin. 

We must live as servants of God.

The apostle Paul writes,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

As such we need to live holy lives. We need to be individuals who have accepted Gods salvation that comes through Christ Jesus.

Question, when people see your life do they see Christ reflected in your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Mercy Triumphs over Judgement

 Mercy triumphs over judgement

In the book of James we read,

"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.

As Christians we need to speak and act as someone who is going to be judged. Just because we have accepted Christ by faith doesn’t mean we can go on sinning or we have the right to judge someone.

The apostle Paul writes,

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” Romans 6:1,2.

Jesus said,

"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." Luke 6:37.

As Christians, as believers in Christ Jesus, we will never win a soul to Christ if we go on sinning or judging people.

Ultimately we need to remember to treat people the way we want to be treated, Jesus saying,

"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.

Please think about it. 

Sing, Praise, Proclaim, Declare,

 Sing, Praise, Proclaim, Declare

The Psalmist states,

"Sing to the LORD a new song; 

sing to the LORD, all the earth. 

Sing to the LORD, 

praise his name;

 proclaim his salvation day after day. 

Declare his glory among the nations, 

his marvellous deeds among all peoples." 

                                                           Psalm 96:1-3

If you claim to be a true follower of Christ do you do as the psalmist says?

Do you...

Sing to the Lord?

Praise Gods name?

Proclaim Gods salvation?

Declare Gods glory?

Proclaim Gods marvellous deeds?

Please think about it.

His love never ends

  His love never ends

In the book of Lamentations we read,

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22,23.

As a believer in Christ Jesus it is nice to know that the God I praise and worship has a love that never ceases.

Thus I can say with the Psalmist,

"Some trust in chariots and some in horses, 

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

                                                                     Psalm 20:7.

How about you do you trust in the Lord God Almighty?

Please think about it.

When they see you

 When they see you

The apostle John writes,

"It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us.  

And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another.  

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love." 2 John 1:4-6

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

So here is my question to anyone reading this who claims to be a Christian. When people see your words and deeds do they see God in you?

Please think about it.

My Peace I give to you

 My Peace I give to you

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

Are you at peace or is your life in turmoil?

We live in a world that is seemingly out of control. A world that pulls us in every direction. So much so peace seems illusive.

The Psalmist writes,

"Be still, and know that I am God;

 I will be exalted among the nations, 

I will be exalted in the earth." 

                                          Psalm 46:10.

It can take effort to be still and listen to what God has to say to you, but we must do this. 

   For it’s only taking time from our busy lives and being still that we can hear God amid the storm life.

If you truly believe in God, why not take sometime right now to be still before God and listen to what he has to say to you,

Please think about it.

What are you doing for others?

  What are you doing for others?

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

While I know the Talmud is a Jewish book and not Christian it presents an interesting scenario. It states,

"When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not,    "Have you believed in God?"  Or "Have you prayed and observed the ritual?  

"He is asked: "have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?" The Talmud

The great American civil rights leader once said,

“Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'” Martin Luther King, Jr.

So the question if you are a Christian becomes, what are you doing for others? At the very least are you doing what 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.

Please think about it.

Love the Lord

  Love the Lord 

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.

Jesus here is reflecting the what was said in the book of Deuteronomy. Which reads,

"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.  

These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts.  

Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."  Deuteronomy 6:5-7.

These two scriptures says it all. We are to love God and our neighbour with all our heart and soul. We are to tell of Gods love wherever we go. Further more we are to impress our love of God on our children. 

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing this?

Please think about it.

The great question

 The great question

The Psalmist writes,

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105.

Question, does Gods word really light your path?

What guides you through life?

The late American evangelist Billy Graham said,

“The great question of our time is, 'Will we be motivated by materialistic philosophy or by spiritual power?” Billy Graham.

We are surrounded on all sides by materialism. As such we must make the same choice Joshua gave the Israelites when he said,

"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.

Jesus made things clear when he said,

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." Matthew 6:24.

So who are you going to serve?

Think about it.

He was in the Beginning

 He was in the beginning

In the gospel of John we read,

“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.

The above scriptures say is all. Christians believe that Jesus is God.

 “That through him all things were made; and without him nothing was made that has been made...”

I know to non-Christians this seems foolish. Even the apostle Paul noted,

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Corinthians 1:18.

The way I look at it if Jesus wasn’t God Incarnate why would the writers of the New Testament say he was?

Which raises the question do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of all who would believe in him?

Before you answer take time to read the New Testament praying and asking God to show you the truths that are held within it.

Please think about it.

In whom do you trust?

 In whom do you trust?

In the book of Lamentations we read,

"The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

"The LORD is my portion" says my soul, "therefore I will hope in Him" Lamentations 3:22-24.

As a believer in Christ Jesus. As a Christian. I am so thankful that I worship a God whose love never ceases. A God who is with me through the good times and the bad times. A God in whom I trust.

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.

Do you worship the Lord God Almighty? Who do you trust?

Think about it.

With thanksgiving and praise

  With Thanksgiving and praise 

The Psalmist writes,

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving 

and his courts with praise; 

give thanks to [God] and praise his name." 

                                                            Psalm 100:4

Our lives can be hectic. So hectic that we forget about God. Likewise quite often we fill our prayers asking God to help us and provide for us. All of which are good things to do.

That being said we need to take time to just praise God. To thank God for all He has done for us.

Why not take time now to enter Gods gates with thanksgiving and praise.

Please think about it.

For those who cannot speak

 For those who cannot speak

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." Proverbs 31:8,9.

Here is a clear statement to all who love God. To all who call themselves Christians. We must speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves.

To my understanding there is about 2000 verses in the bible related to helping the poor.

In Deuteronomy we read,

Deuteronomy 15:11: "There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be openhanded toward your fellow Israelites who are poor and needy in your land." Deuteronomy 15:11.

In Isaiah we read,

"If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday."Isaiah 58:10

In Proverbs we read,

"A righteous man knows the rights of the poor; a wicked man does not understand such knowledge." Proverbs 29:7.

Jesus said,

"Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give." Matthew 10:8.

Proverbs states,

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17.

The lists goes on and on. Which shows that God wants us to care for the poor. So my question to you is,

If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you helping the poor? Are you speaking out to those in authority to politicians and standing up for those who cannot speak for themselves?

Please think about it.

Why were we created?

 Why were we created?

In the book of Genesis we read,

“So God created man in his own image,

in the image of God he created him;

male and female he created them.”

                                                  Genesis 1:27

So why were we created? The simplest explanation I’ve heard is that God created us so that we could have fellowship with Him.

That being said we were also created to interact with others.

The Talmud makes an interesting statement it states,

“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“For we are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10.

If you claim to be a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus are you doing good works?

Please think about it. 

Some questions for Christians

  Some questions for Christians

The Psalmist writes, 

"On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. 

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. 

My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me." Psalm 63:6-8.

Question: If you claim to be a Christian can you say what the Psalmist says in the above scripture.

Do you remember God throughout the night?

Is God truly your helper?

Do you sing to God?

Do you truly cling to God?

Please think about it.

The call of the Christian

  The call of the Christian

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.

Notice here that Jesus says We are the light of the world. It is the individual Christian that is the light of the world. It is we who follow Christ Jesus that use the Bible to enlighten the world. To show Gods love to the world.

It is therefore imperative that we don’t hide our faith but rather share it with others.

If you consider yourself a Christian, a true follower of Christ Jesus are you sharing your faith?

Please think about it. 

If we walk in the Light

  If we walk in light

"This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  

If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1John 1:5-7.

Here is a sign of a true Christian. They walk in the light of God. As the apostle Paul states they show the fruit of the spirit. Paul writing,

"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.

As apposed to the acts of the sinful nature that Paul says is,

“The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like.”

By watching what a person does you can clearly distinguish who is truly a Christian, a follower of Christ Jesus and who is not.

True Christians always do their best to their best to walk in the light of God.

Please think about it. 

Belonging to The Lord

   Belonging to The Lord

The apostle Paul writes,

"For none of us lives to himself alone and none of us dies to himself alone.  

If we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” Romans 14:7,8.

This is a very clear statement. If you truly love Christ and accepted Him as your Saviour. Then whether you live or die you belong to the Lord.

Question: Are you sure you belong to the Lord?

Please think about it.

Blessed are those who have not seen

 Blessed are those who have not seen

The Apostle Paul wrote,

"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance : that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.  

After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.  

Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles," 1Corinthians 15:3-7.

This is an important scripture. It tells us that...

Christ died for our sins.

That Christ was buried,

That Christ was raised from the dead on the third day.

That Christ appeared to the apostle Peter and the other apostles.

That Christ appeared to five hundred others.

What is also important here is that Paul noted that at the time of his writing most were still living. So there was first hand reports of Jesus rising from the dead and walking the earth.

Now these people believed because they seen it. But we today are asked to believe their accounts by faith.

Jesus speaking to Thomas said,

"Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29.

So dear reader do you believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of all who will believe in Him.

Please think about it.

Egg, devil, or God

 Egg, devil, or God

Jesus said,

"All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:37-40

This is an incredible statement. Jesus essentially states that he and God are equal. 

In another incident John records this incident between him and a crowd. John records,

“I and the Father are one.” 

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

“We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.” John 10:30-33.

Jesus knew the penalty of blasphemy yet he still kept to his claim that he was God. 

C. S. Lewis wrote,

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

So make your choice.

Please think about it.

Enter Gods Gates

  Enter Gods gates

The Psalmist writes,

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to [God] and praise his name." Psalm 100:4.

When was the last time you simply stopped asking God for things or to do things and simply gave him thanks and praise for all he’d done for you?

Why not take sometime right now to thank and praise God for all he has done for you?

Please think about it.

You rich people

 You rich people,

Jesus told this parable,

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  

At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 

“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  

In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  

So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 

“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  

And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 

“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  

for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 

“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 

“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 

“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31

Now let me say, that there is nothing wrong with being rich. Many wealthy men and women over the centuries have used there wealth to help the church and the poor. The apostle Paul writes,

"For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs." 1 Timothy 6:10.

That being said in the book of James we see a warning to rich people who have not done right by the poor. James writes,

"Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you.  

Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.  

Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.  

Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.  

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.  

You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you." James 5:1-6

Please think about it.

How will you feel?

 How will you feel?

In the book of proverbs we read,

"Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity." Proverbs 96:10.

In the book of Ecclesiastes we read,

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

God who knows all things. God who knew us from our mothers womb, will one day judge us justly. What will he say to you when you stand before him.

The late American evangelist Tony Campolo wrote,

“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?” Tony Campolo

On the day you stand before God will you be happy?

         How will you feel?

Please think about it.

Do you have breath?

  Do you have breath?

“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

Here is a very basic thing all those who believe in Christ Jesus, all who believe in God are called to do. Praise God.

The Psalmist tells us to praise him in his sanctuary and in the heavens.

The Psalmist tells us to praise him for his acts of power, and for his surpassing greatness.

The Psalmist tells us to praise God with trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, dancing, with the stringed instruments, the flute, and cymbals.

Most importantly everything that has breath is called to praise the LORD.

Do you praise the Lord?

Please think about it.

Have you not heard

  Have you not heard

Isaiah the prophet wrote,

"Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God?

The Creator of the ends of the earth....”

                                               Isaiah 40:28a.

Here is a clear statement from Isaiah. God is everlasting, the Creator of the ends of the earth. 

The Bible does not debate whether or not God exists. In the book of Genesis it simply states,

"In the beginning 

God created the heavens and the earth." 

                                                     Genesis 1:1.

As for me I believe science done right will at the very least show God exists.

Werner Heisenberg 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 father of Quantum Mechanics Nobel prize in physics.

The question is do you believe God exists?

Please think about it.

About Prayer

 About Prayer 

Jesus said,

“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.” Matthew 6:6.

If you claim to be a Christian, a true follower of Christ, how and why do you pray? While I believe we can ask God for what we need. We need to be careful to ask in the right way. 

In the book of James we read,

"When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:3.

When we pray we must pray with the right motives.

A lot of people sadly are always asking God for things they want and nothing else. I found this cartoon on the internet that I think makes my point. 

While we can pray openly in public and God will hear those prayers. We need with right motives to pray in secret, for others, and for ourselves. And I think most importantly we must use our prayer time to thank God for what He has done for us.

Do you do this?

Please think about it.

Greatest

 Greatest

Marks gospel records,

"They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?"  

But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. 

Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." Mark 9:33-35.

We often think of those who are great as someone who has great accomplishments, a great athlete, or soldier or even someone with great wealth as being great. 

But the bible turns that around. It says that the one who is servant of all is the greatest. 

Simply put a good leader must be willing to serve.

Are you a good leader? Do you serve those who are under you in authority? 

Please think about it.

Your acts of Charity

 Your acts of Charity

In the book of acts we read,

"Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity." Acts 9:36

In the book of Proverbs we read,

"Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward them for what they have done." Proverbs 19:17

In the book of James we read,

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food.

     If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." James 2:14-17.

Jesus said,

"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

With the above portions of scripture in mind, do you preform acts of charity the right way?

Please think about it.

Rest for the weary

  Rest for the weary

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.

This is the call of Jesus to all who find themselves burdened. Come to Jesus, tell him the problem. And open your heart to his peace that passes all understanding.

Corrie Ten Boom a Christian who hid Jews from the Nazi’s in the Netherlands knew what it was to be burdened, what it was like to suffer. For aiding Jews, during world war two, the Nazi’s imprisoned her first in Scheveningen prison then sent to the Herzogenbusch-Vught and Ravensbrück concentration camps. Yet through it all she could say,

“There is no pit so deep, 

that God's love is not deeper still.”

                                                      Corrie Ten Boom.

God loves you. 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.

God loves you so much he sent his son (Jesus) to die for you.

The question is do you believe this. Are you willing to put your trust in Christ Jesus. Are you willing to let Jesus take your burdens and give you rest.

Please think about it. 

In Gods presence

 In Gods presence 

The Psalmist writes,

"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 52:9.

Question: If you consider yourself a Christian can you honestly say what the Psalmist is saying here?

Please think about it. 

What do people see in you?

  What do people see in you?

In the book of Ephesians we read,

“I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”

                                                                                                      Ephesians 4:1.

If you consider yourself a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus, do you live a life worthy of Him?

When people see your life do they see the fruit of the spirit?

The fruit of the spirit being listed in the book of Galatians as,

love, 

joy, 

peace, 

patience, 

kindness, 

goodness, 

faithfulness,  

gentleness...

self-control.... 

Galatians 5:22.

Do people see these fruits in your words and deeds?

Please think about it.

Life to the full

  Life to the full

Jesus said,

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. 

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." John 1:10,11.

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

I believe these words to be true. I believe God sent Christ into this world to show in human terms how far He would go to point each individual to heaven.

The question however is, Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

Blessed are the peacemakers

  Blessed are the Peacemakers?

The apostle Paul writes,

“Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace 

and to mutual edification.” 

                                        Romans 14:19.

At the end of your life will people call you a peace maker? 

Do you do your best to live at peace with those around you?

Jesus said,

“Blessed are the peacemakers, 

for they will be called sons of God.”

                                                        Matthew 5:9.

So are you a peacemaker?

Please think about it.

From Ecclesiastes and Romans

 From Ecclesiastes and Romans

"What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun" Ecclesiastes 1:9

"I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind."Ecclesiastes 1:14

"Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole  duty  of man. 

For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes 12:13,14 

The writer of Ecclesiastes looks at all the works a man does and pronounces them meaningless.

I’ve heard it said that there is nothing new under the sun. The only difference between someone in Christ’s day and now, is when we do wrong it ends up on social media. That “modern day sinners”, sin, using high tech devices.

The outcome for the modern day sinner is however the same as it was for sinners since the beginning of time. Spiritual death. Separation from God.

Writing to the Romans 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.

Paul also writes,

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

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

As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame."  Romans 10:9-11.

Do you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ?

Please think about it.

A Note from Proverbs

  A Note from Proverbs

In Proverbs we read,

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you;

 bind them around your neck, 

write them on the tablet of your heart. 

Then you will win favour and a good name

 in the sight of God and man."

                                                          Proverbs 3:3,4.

Here is a simple question. Do you Love?

Before you answer that question however read the following. It’s the apostle Paul’s definition of Love. It reads,

"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.

Jesus when asked,

 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 

Jesus replied: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'  

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'  

All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Matthew 22:36-40.

Now with these scriptures in mind do you truly love?

Take a few moments to think about it. 

A Rainbow

 A rainbow

“I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign 

of the covenant between me and the earth.”

                                                                                  Genesis 9:13

I live not far from Niagara falls where a rainbow and quite often two can be seen at the same time. 

It has been pointed out to me that out of the maelstrom and fury of the water crashing against the rocks a thing of peaceful beauty is created.

Now most people in the world will never see Niagara falls. But everyone has gone through a storm. All of us I’m sure have seen the rainbow that forms after as the sunlight shines through the clouds.

When I see the rainbow I think of the beauty and peace that God gives us after we have gone through the storms of life. I think of Psalm 23 that reads,

The LORD is my shepherd, 

I shall not be in want. 

He makes me lie down in green pastures, 

he leads me beside quiet waters, 

he restores my soul. 

He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. 

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. 

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. 

You anoint my head with oil; 

my cup overflows. 

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, 

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.”

                                                                        Psalm 23

  What do you think of when you see a rainbow?

Please think about it.

Love one another

 Love one another

Jesus said,

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  

By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34,35.

I like this portion of scripture. Jesus here tells us that people will know we are His disciples by our love.

In the book of James we read,

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

But if you show favouritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.  

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it." James 2:8-10.

We must serve each other in love. It is a commandment from Christ himself. 

We should not be showing favouritism. There is no difference between rich and poor Jew and Gentile in Gods eyes. All of us are equal before God.

Furthermore the love we have for our brethren in Christ should not be hidden.

Question: If you consider yourself a Christian. A true follower of Christ Jesus. Do you love the body of believers around you?

Please think about it.

Go make disciples

  Go make disciples

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.

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus. Our primary duty to God is to make disciples of all nations.

The apostle Paul makes it clear that we are Christ’s ambassadors here on this earth. Paul states,

"We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."  2 Corinthians 5:20.

It is our job as believers in Christ to represent God in the best possible light. To present and not force what we believe on others.

We are to tell others about what we believe about Jesus Christ. Then let them decide for themselves. Further more we are to do this in a loving, caring way.

If you believe in Jesus, are you doing this?

Please think about it.