Humble yourself

  Humble yourself

“To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everybody else, Jesus told this parable:  

“Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  

The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.  

I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ 

“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 

“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” Luke 18:9-14.

I believe the Christian life is about being humble before God and before our fellow man.

The apostle Paul tells us,

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

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

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

In the book of James we read,

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, 

and he will lift you up."

                                        James 4:10.

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

Please think about it. 

Do

 Do

The Prophet Micah writes,

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.

 And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

and to walk humbly with your God." 

                                                             Micah 6:8.

This is a duty of every believer in Christ Jesus. Every believer in God. 

                                    We are...

to act justly, 

to love mercy, 

to walk humbly with God.

These attributes are what God desires in a believer.

Thus my question to you. If you consider yourself a believer in Christ are these attributes visible in your life?

Please think about it.

In everything

 In everything 

The apostle Paul writes,

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone Colossians 4:5,6.

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

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

As Christians we should be asking for Gods wisdom in reaching the world around us. We should be engaging those we disagree with, in a positive none condemning way. We should remember the words of Jesus who gave us a bench mark to follow when dealing with others, when he said,

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

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

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

Please think about it.

Paul's call

  Paul’s call

The apostle Paul wrote,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Please think about it.

Day and night

 Day and night

The Psalmist writes,

“I say to the Lord,

You are my Lord; 

apart from you I have no good thing.

                                                      Psalm 16:2

If you consider yourself a Christian do you believe this? 

Do you truly believe this?

Can you say apart from God there is no good thing?

As Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus. God must be woven into the fabric of our being. 

We must as the Psalmist states,

"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.”

                                                                    Psalm 1:1,2 

So if you consider yourself a Christian. A follower of Christ Jesus. Do you meditate on the word of God day and night?

Please think about it.

Just as your Father

 Just as your Father

Jesus said,

"Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful." 

                                                              Luke 6:36.

Mercy according to the Oxford dictionary is "compassion or forgiveness shown towards an enemy or offender in one's power."

Throughout my years in church work I have heard from various individuals that I shouldn’t associate with “certain people” because they are sinners. Those individuals were WRONG. And were sinners themselves. They were sinners because they judged others. Jesus saying, 

Judge not, that you be not Judged   

"For with the judgement you pronounce you will be judged with the measure you use it will be measured to you.” Matthew 7:1,2 

Paul writing to the romans stating,

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

Matthews Gospel records,

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

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

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

Jesus is the ultimate doctor. Healing the soul. His call is,

"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.

Jesus associated with everyone irrespective of who they were or their status in society. And we are called to do as he did. 

If we don’t take to Gospel message to the world who will?

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 our job as Christians. As believers in Christ Jesus to present the gospel to all people without judging them. Jesus saying,

"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.

The only way we can do this is showing love and mercy to those around us.

Please think about it. 

Gods Judgement

  Gods Judgement

In the book of Acts it records the apostle Paul standing in the Areopagus in Athens among learned men and women, and testifying to them about God and Christ Jesus. Paul concluded with,

"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.  

For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead." 

When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, "We want to hear you again on this subject."  

At that, Paul left the Council.  

A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others" Acts 17:30-34

God will one day judge the world justly. He will judge us I believe in accordance to what we know. That being said I also believe we at the very least know almost from birth what is right and wrong. As such we will be judged accordingly.

If someone has told us about the salvation that comes through Christ Jesus we will be judged on that knowledge. 

God will never I believe judge us on what we don’t know that at the very least will be unfair.

That being said. Are you ready to be judged by God?

Please think about it.

Have you?

 Have you?

The apostle John who lived with and was taught by Jesus said,

I believe the apostle John when he 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 believed Jesus was God incarnate. God in the flesh. In chapter three of his gospel he wrote,

"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.

This was the reason Jesus came to the earth he created. God realized that man could not live a life good enough to enter heaven. We all at one point in our lives sin. Sin meaning falling short of God’s ideals for our life.

The apostle Paul writing,

"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.

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.  

If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives." 1John 1:9-10.

So have you asked for forgiveness of your sins? If so Christ as given you and all who believe in him a duty.

"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.

Please think about it.

Creation

 Creation 

"The heavens declare the glory of God; 

the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

Day after day they pour forth speech; 

night after night they display knowledge. 

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

                                                                                             Psalm 19:1-3.

I over the years have listened with interest to discussions among Christians about creation. Some believing in the six twenty-four hour day theory. The so called “young earth theory”.

While some believe the creation is billions of years old, the so called "old earth theory".

For me this is an unimportant question. I believe, Genesis when it states,

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth."

                                                                                        Genesis 1:1.

I believe the apostle John when he 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 (Jesus) all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made." John 1-3

I firmly believe God created the universe specifically for us to live in.

Even Stephen Hawking said,

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

William Philips Nobel prize winner in Physics stated,

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

Dr. Arno Penzias 1978 Nobel Prize winner in Physics

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

So what do you believe?

Please think about it.

About wrong teaching

 About wrong teaching

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

What the apostle Paul is saying here is happening now. Throughout the history of the church men and women calling themselves Christians, have strayed from sound doctrine. And never has it been more prevalent than it is in our multimedia times. 

It’s easy for people who love the Lord to get sucked into wrong teaching if they are not careful.

Someone sent me a picture of a wolf standing among a flock of sheep. Disguised as sheep. The caption read,

“Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.”

That's why we need to pray and study the word of God to ensure we know what is right and what is wrong teaching.

So my question to you is; are you studying the Bible for yourself? 

Have you even read the doctrinal statement of the church you attend or the doctrinal statement of the organization, evangelist and preachers you support?

Why not take sometime to do so. Ask your church for a copy of their doctrinal statement. Do the same for any organization, evangelist or pastor you support or listen to. Honest organizations will give you one willingly. 

If after you’ve prayerfully read their statement of faith and you disagree with what they are teaching leave. Stop supporting those are teaching wrong doctrine.

The Apostle Paul told us,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Unfortunately we especially here in North America cannot always expel those who teach doctrine that is wrong for a myriad of reasons. But we can leave any organization calling it self Christian, we believe is teaching wrong doctrine. 

Please think about it.

Shout to the Lord all the earth

  Shout to the Lord all the earth

The Psalmist writes,

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

Worship the LORD with gladness; 

come before him with joyful songs. 

Know that the LORD is God. 

It is he who made us, 

and we are his; we are his people, 

the sheep of his pasture. 

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;

 give thanks to him and praise his name. 

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; 

his faithfulness continues through all generations.”

                                                                              Psalm 100.

If we truly believe in God. We are His. To be called a child of God. To be accepted by God as one of His own is a tremendous privilege. A privilege we should not take lightly. 

I firmly believe that throughout the day we should take time to shout for joy. We should take time to simply praise and thank God for all he has done for us.

 Please take time right now to thank God for all you have.

Please don’t just think about it do it.

About being Christian

 About being Christian

The book of acts states,

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

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

                                                                                               Acts 2:44,45.

The apostle John states,

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

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

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. " 1 John 3:16-18

In the book of James we read,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Taking care of those who are in need is a Christian concept. To be a Christian is to do our best to help those in need.

Please think about it.

It's about love

  It’s about love

Every so often I go back to this post about love, because our faith comes down to love, Love of God for each person. Each individuals love for God and their love for those around them.

Jesus when asked,

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

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

This is the first and greatest commandment. 

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

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

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

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

Paul wrote,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

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

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

it is not easily angered,

 it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, always trusts, 

always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

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

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                  1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

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

Please think about it.

The Christian lifestyle

 The Christian Lifestyle 

The apostle Paul wrote,

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, 

but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

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

Share with God's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, 

but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

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

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

live at peace with everyone. 

                                                  Romans 12:9-18.

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

Please think about it.

On wrong Teaching

  On wrong teaching

The apostle Paul wrote,

"For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.  

They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths." 2Timothy 4:3,4.

What the apostle Paul is saying here is happening now. Throughout the history of the church men and women calling themselves Christians, have strayed from sound doctrine. And never has it been more prevalent than it is in our multimedia times. 

It’s easy for people who love the Lord to get sucked into wrong teaching if they are not careful.

Someone sent me a picture of a wolf standing among a flock of sheep. The caption read,

“Satan is not fighting churches; he is joining them. He does more harm by sowing tares than by pulling up wheat. He accomplishes more by imitation than by outright opposition.”

That's why we need to pray and study the word of God to ensure we know what is right and what is wrong teaching.

So my question to you is; are you studying the Bible for yourself? 

Have you even read the doctrinal statement of the church you attend or the doctrinal statement of the organization, evangelist and preachers you support?

Why not take sometime to do so. Ask your church for a copy of their doctrinal statement. Do the same for any organization, evangelist or pastor you support or listen to. Honest organizations will give you one willingly. 

If after you’ve prayerfully read their statement you disagree with what they are teaching or find flaws in their teaching. Ask them to explain anything you don’t agree with. If you still disagree leave.

The Apostle Paul told us,

“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 1 Corinthians 5:12,13.

Unfortunately we especially here in North America cannot always expel those who teach doctrine that is wrong for a myriad of reasons. But we can leave any organization calling it self Christian, we believe is teaching wrong doctrine. 

Please think about it.

A not for todays church

 A note for todays church

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

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

Think about this...

Jesus and his disciples, 

• Never Voted.

• Never Protested.

• Never judged anyone outside their own faith.

Yet they within a century they had spread the Good News of the Love of Jesus Christ throughout the known world.

They did so by,

• Presenting the Love of God to their family friends and foe alike.

• Showing Love and Mercy to all those they came in contact with.

• Living as far as possible at peace with those around them.

The disciples put into action the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote,

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.

And the words of the writer of Hebrews,

“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.

Above all they put into action the words of Jesus who said,

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

Please think about it.

Blessed is the man

  Blessed is the man

The Psalmist writes,

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

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

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

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

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

It is possible to become guilty by association. 

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

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

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

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

We must 

“...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... meditates day and night.” 

Please think about it.

He is there

 He is There

The psalmist writes,

"Where can I go from your Spirit?  

Where can I flee from Your presence?  

If I go up to the heavens, You are there;

 if I make my bed in the depth, You are there. 

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, 

if I settle on the far side of the sea, 

even there 

Your hand will guide me.  

Your right hand will hold me fast." 

                                            Psalm 139:7-10.

Here is something we as believers must always remember. No matter where we are God is there for us. God is there to guide us in the best of times and in the worst of times.

Do you believe this?

Please think about it.

To be a Christian

  To be a Christian.

The apostle Paul wrote,

Love must be sincere. 

Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.  

Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. 

Honour one another above yourselves.  

Never be lacking in zeal, 

but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord.  

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

Share with God's people who are in need. 

Practice hospitality. 

Bless those who persecute you; 

bless and do not curse.  

Rejoice with those who rejoice; 

mourn with those who mourn.  

Live in harmony with one another. 

Do not be proud, 

but be willing to associate with people of low position. 

Do not be conceited. 

Do not repay anyone evil for evil.

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

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

live at peace with everyone. 

                                                  Romans 12:9-18.

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

Please think about it.

Preach the gospel at all times

 Preach the gospel at all times

The apostle Paul writes,

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

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

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Colossians 3:15-17.

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

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

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

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

"Preach the Gospel at all times, 

and when necessary, use words." 

                                            Francis of Assisi.

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

Please think about it.

Telling others about God

  Telling others about God

Jesus said,

"You are the light of the world. 

A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  

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

Instead they put it on its stand, 

and it gives light to everyone in the house.  

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

that they may see your good deeds 

and praise your Father in heaven." 

                                                        Matthew 5:14-16.

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

1/ We are the light of the world.

2/ We are a city on a hill.

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

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

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

Please think about it.

Extolling the LORD

  Extolling the LORD

The Psalmist writes,

"I will extol the LORD at all times; 

his praise will always be on my lips. 

My soul will boast in the LORD;

 let the afflicted hear and rejoice. 

Glorify the LORD with me;

 let us exalt his name together." 

                                             Psalm 34:1-3.

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

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

Please think about it.