Words to live by

Words to live by
John Wesley the famous evangelist wrote,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                                                                                           John Wesley
Wesley’s words echo the teachings 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.
This is a truth everyone, everywhere can understand. It is a truth that if followed by everyone would make the world a better place.
Basic Christian lifestyle principles are universal truths, 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
Jesus even went one step further saying,
“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.
Anne Frank a young Jewish girl in hiding from the Nazis in the occupied Netherlands during world war two, knew what it was to experience hate. She wrote,
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can?  And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!  If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world.  Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible.  Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving!  No one has ever become poor from giving!”                                                                                                                                                    Anne Frank.
What Anne said is true. You cannot become poor from giving.
Both Christians and non-Christians alike can understand love and kindness.
As I see it the world around us is getting it seems worse and worse. Even in the United States a country that prides itself of being the bastion of freedom a political candidate is permitted to spew hate and no one seems to want to stop him.
I believe it’s time for people everywhere be they in the United States, Canada, or other places around the world to hold high the banner of love and kindness. To oppose repression and hate.
Such a thing must start on an individual level. As Wesley said,

Do all the good you can,

By all the means you can

In all the ways you can

In all the places you can,

At all the times you can,

To all the people you can,

As long as ever you can.

                                                                                             John Wesley.
Creating a better world is not impossible if we try. All it take is the will to do so. Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Start by doing what is necessary, then what is possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.” 
Francis of Assisi
Please think about it.

Creation points the way

Creation points the way

The Psalmist writes,
“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
The minute detail of the visible world, the minute detail of the subatomic world, the minute detail of the universe points to God the creator.
I am a creationist. I believe God created the universe and everything in it. I do not care how he created the universe. Whether He used the big bang and billions of years, or He completed His work in six twenty-four hour days. The God I serve is an almighty God who could have done it either way.
How God created the universe however does not affect my faith. I believe God exists period.
I know I cannot see God. I was not living when Jesus walked the earth. However I have faith that God is real and the teachings of Jesus and the apostles are true.
I know in this information filled world, it may seem odd that someone would have faith in something they don’t see but scientist do it all the time.
A scientist looks around him or her and says because they see certain thing then other things must exist. The classic example is black holes. Scientist were predicting the existence of black holes long before they were seen. They had faith that they existed.
Likewise I have faith God exists because I see a world, a universe that is in perfect harmony. So perfect scientist can come up with mathematical formulas that can be used to predict everything from those black holes, to the existence of subatomic particles to something as mundane as when a leap year will fall.
The universe we live in I’ve been told is so fine tuned that it allows life to exist as we know it on this planet. All of this to me tells me there is a God.
God however requires one thing from everyone. Faith. God realized that a true follower, someone who is truly committed to Him are the people with true faith.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 
                                                                                                                        Hebrews 11:1.
No matter how many words I write, or how much I quote from the bible or other works, I will never convince some people that God exists. And I respect those who do not believe in God. That is their right.
I would however ask them to read the Bible, particularly the New Testament. I would ask that they read it for themselves and not rely on what others say about the Bible, be they Christian, those of other faiths or atheist.
I would ask that each person reading this would pick up the Bible and read it asking but one question, “God if you are real show me through the Bible that you are real?”
Please think about it.

Your Fruits

Your Fruits
The apostle Paul wrote,
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”  
                                                                                   Galatians 5:22,23.
Dear Christian when you stand before God what will He say about your life?
If we are indeed following the teachings of Jesus and the apostles if we are following the leading of the Holy Spirit then what the apostle Paul wrote above should be evident in our lives.
Read the words of Paul again,
“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.
Is your life showing those fruits?
The writer of Proverbs states,
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” 
                                                                                                             Proverbs 3:3,4.
The outcome of true love from God are the fruits of the Spirit.
These attributes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control show God is working in your life.
They also point people to Christ without you even saying a word.
When people see your life as a Christian they should want what you have. Even if they disagree with what you believe they should still admire the fruits of the Spirit exhibited in your life.
Every so often I believe Christians need to take stock of their lives. We need to go to God in prayer and ask Him to show us how we can be more like Him.
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.
Dear Christian are you living a Holy life before the people around you? Can they see the fruits of the Spirit in your life?
Please think carefully about it. 

A Lesson for Christians

A Lesson for Christians
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God.  Learning that he was a fire-worshipper.   Abraham drove him from his door.  That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
                                                                                  The Talmud.
I know the Talmud is not a Christian book but the principle given here is very pertinent to Christians. Be patient and show love to those who are around you. Be patient and show love to those you witness too.
Jesus 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 so loved the world that He gave His One and only Son. Think about it. God loved each person on this earth enough to send His son into the world to pay the price for our sins.
God does not want anyone to end up in hell that’s why He sent His Son.
The Apostle Paul states,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8.
While we were still sinners separated from God Christ died for us. That’s the depth of His love.
Paul writing about love states,

“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....” 

                                                                                 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a.
If we are showing the attributes mentioned by Paul about love, then we will not push anyone away.
I have met many Christians throughout my life that like Abraham pushed an unbeliever away from God.
The best example of this happening is in the Gay community. Gay’s Lesbians and others in the transgendered community are nervous if not outright fearful of entering a so called evangelical church. This because many calling themselves Christians have branded their lifestyle a “special sin” whether they mean to do it or not.
Matthew records this incident with what could be called “special sinners” of Jesus day.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.  
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” 
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.  
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” 
                          Matthew 9:10-13.
Let me make things clear here. There is no such thing as a special sin. Sin is falling short of what God wants for your life. Sin separates us from God and sends people to hell be they gay or strait.
A pastor or evangelist who has not accepted Christ as their personal saviour or who is doing things contrary to God’s will is as guilty of sin as anyone walking out on the street.
People everywhere need to hear of the love of God and we cannot do it by pushing people away.
We cannot be standing up with placards denouncing same sex marriage or homosexuality in a secular democracy the likes of which we in the west live in.
We cannot be protesting against anything that is lawful in a secular democracy as long as it is bringing no harm to people or not restricting their rights.
We need to be sitting down with those who have not accepted Christ as their Lord and Saviour. Be they gay, strait, atheist, or those of other faiths.
We need to extend the hand of love and open a dialogue with them. Listening respectfully to what they have to say while expressing our opinions in a respectful way.
Only then can we truly said to be doing the work of God.
Remember the words of Francis of Assisi who said,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today” 
                                                                                               Francis of Assisi.
Question;
What is your sermon telling people about you today?
Please think about it.

Mercy and the Law

Mercy and the Law

“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, 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.  
For he who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 
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 2:8-13.
I write this to Christians particularly to Christians here in North America where I live.
Here in North America I see many Christians in the media and out, showing favouritism. They may not see it as that but it is.
Where I see it is when Christians pick on various groups because of their faith or lifestyle. They treat these people as if they have a special sin.
As Christians we cannot afford to point out the sins of the world. That is the job of the Holy Spirit, not ours. Our job is to extend the hand of friendship and love to those around us.
Sadly way too many people have been turned away from the saving grace of Christ because of the “holier than thou” attitude of some Christians.
We have no right to judge those outside the Church of Christ or to impose our moral values on them. 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.
Even while in Athens one of the great cultural centres of the ancient world. A city filled with temples to every conceivable God. A place that would have embraced many practices Paul would have been opposed to, Paul did not speak out against anything.
Paul simply presented the Gospel of Christ to those around and as a result we know there were souls won for Christ.
We as Christian cannot afford to show favouritism toward anyone, especially those outside the Church.
Christians must be aware that their actions can and will have eternal consequences on people.
There is a quote from the Talmud that I like. I know the Talmud is not considered an inspired work by Christians. Never the less it still contains many ideas that have Christian concepts. The following is one I particularly think just might happen.
The Talmud 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.
It to me seems a logical question God would ask. God asking us to give an honest appraisal of our life and conduct in this world.
Look at what James said in the above quoted scripture,
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.  
But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
It would seem logical that God would want to know from our own lips if we felt that we treated all men equally and loved our neighbour as loved our self.
Question: When you stand before God will you be able to honestly to say you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow man?
Think about it. 

A great sinner, A Great Saviour

A great sinner, A Great Saviour

“My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Savior.”
          John Newton 
Over his desk at St. Mary Woolnoth  an Anglican church in the City of London, John Newton placed a plaque reading,
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.”
 Deuteronomy 15:15.
John Newton remembered today as the author of the hymn Amazing grace had an amazing conversion.
In his youth Newton was a seaman and a slave trader whose mouth was reportedly a cesspool of profanity. A man who to quote one source “liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.”
He became a deserter from the British Navy was flogged and made a slave of a slave, a sadistic woman who mistreated him.
Incredibly God reached down to this man and John Newton became one of England’s greatest preachers
Newton went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.  
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
         1 Timothy 1:15,16.
The apostle Paul who before his conversion stood at the murder of the Stephen the Churches first martyr and was on a mission to imprison Christian believers was also reached by God. As a result he went from opposing the Gospel of Christ to being one of the leading proponents Christianity.
The conversion of these two men shows the amazing grace of Christ. The power of God to turn individuals around.
These men proved their conversion was real by spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ from the day of their conversion until their deaths.
The lives of these two men showed that anyone who is willing to accept the saving grace of God can change their lives.
John Newton and the apostle Paul could not have changed their life themselves such a conversion must come from coming into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                   Ephesians 2:8,9.
The writer of Hebrews makes it clear,
“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 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.
Jesus speaking to Martha said,
“Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies;  and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
“Yes Lord” she told Him, “I believe you are the Christ the Son of God, who was to come into the world, 
John 11:25,26.
This is a question we must all answer. John Newton, the Apostle Paul answered it as must you. You must believe Jesus is “the Christ the Son of God” the saviour of mankind or not. The Choice is yours.
If you truly believe in Jesus is the saviour of mankind then He will come into your life and change it.
Your conversion may not be as dramatic as the apostle Paul and John Newton. But it will be a change for the better.
Please think about your relationship to Christ today.

ATrue Christian

A True Christian
Throughout the four decades plus I’ve been a Christian I’ve heard many people, non-Christians say,
“Why should I become a Christian? I know people who claim to be Christian but outside of church they are worse than me.”
That may be true. However 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.
Many that attend Church that are not Christians. They may claim to be but they are not.
Some got to church for social reasons. Some because it’s what their parents and grandparents did and they are carrying on the tradition. Others for a myriad of reasons.
Like a someone has said “going to church makes you no more a Christian than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck”.
There are many out there especially in the media claiming to be Christians that are not. They quote the bible but still that does not make them a Christian.
It can be hard especially for a non-believer to tell a true Christian.
Still I as a Christian have several ways to tell a true Christian.
A true Christian has had his or her sins forgiven. The apostle John stating,
“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
The apostle Paul stating,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—  not by works, so that no one can boast.” 
                                                                       Ephesians 2:8,9.
A true Christian has accepted the saving grace of Jesus and has had his or her life transformed. Perhaps slowly at first. Still ultimately they become more like Christ. The apostle Paul noting that once the Holy Spirit starts working in a persons life they start to change.
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.
These are traits of a true Christian.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“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 Paul echos those words writing,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
                                                                                                             Romans 12:18
I believe a true Christian is a Peace maker.
Jesus saying
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.” 
                                                                                                       Matthew 5:9.
A Christian wants people to know about Jesus who 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.
A true Christian knows that no matter the circumstance. Faith in Christ will bring you through. That you can have peace even through the darkest moments of your life.
Please think about it.