Start by doing

  Start by doing

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 even went one step further saying,

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

Looking around the world today love seems to be lacking. Wars, social unrest, terrorist attacks. Love just seems to be lacking. Even some politicians in the western democracies appear to lack love.

So what should a Christians do in such a world? Answer,... Love.

As the great evangelist JohnWesley 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.

Value Others

  Value others

The apostle Paul wrote,

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3,4.

We are living in unprecedented times. Nothing within my lifetime at least equals the Covid crisis we are going through. Yet many Christians in North America are forgetting these words of the Apostle Paul. “Value others above your self” “look to the interests of others”.

I think in terms of the Covid crisis this means wearing a mask, taking the vaccine if you can. Follow the science. It can’t hurt you. But it may save the life of someone else.

Please think about it.

It is Possible

 It is Possible

The apostle Paul writes,

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

Never have these words meant so much as today. There is a lot of unrest in our world today. Hatred and violence it seems dominate the news. We even hear those espousing to be Christians proclaiming hate. This should not be so.

The key I believe to living at peace with those around us whether we agree with them or not it the love of Christ. Unconditional love. 

The apostle Paul defines love this way,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, 

it is not proud.  

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

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

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

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: 

faith, hope and love.

 But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                       1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

If we as believers in Christ Jesus put the Love of God into practice into our daily lives, then it is possible for us to live at peace with those around us.

So the question becomes; Are you showing the love of Christ to those around you?

Please think about it. 

Priest, Levite, or Samaritan?

  Priest Levite or Samaritan?

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.

Quite often when I speak to Christians here in North America. A lack of love. I see this quite clearly in the actions of many Christian leaders in the United States. The talk a good talk about love and mercy but their actions do not show it.

Lack of love is particularly evident in it seems many American politicians. Their actions do not show they love their neighbour as their self. 

Jesus told this parable  

“On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" 

He answered: " ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.''" 

"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." 

But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbour?" 

In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  

A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  

So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  

But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  

He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him.  

The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,' he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.' 

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?" 

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." Luke 10: 25-37

Politicians and Christian leaders have the power to help those in need. Be it health care, helping people to put a roof over their head and food on the table. 

Think about this. What better way to spend tax money than on the well being of the poor and needy. What better way to spend tax payers dollars than on the health care of all people.

If politicians and those claiming to be Christian leaders are truly following the words of Jesus they should be doing all they can to help everyone from the poorest of the poor to the wealthy. AND they should be doing so without favouritism. 

They should be acting like the good Samaritan.

Please think about it.

I love the Guy

I love this guy
I don’t know where this came from exactly but it’s true. It describes a man I love and admire,

• He had long hair and a beard

• He didn’t work for corporations

• He hung out with prostitutes, criminals
and other unsavoury characters

• He advocated paying your taxes

• He advocated giving away your personal possessions

• He advocated social justice

• He gave people hope instead of fear
• He advocated change instead of the status quo

• He preached Peace not war

• He upset local conservatives

• His philosophy was based on compassion, equality, Inclusion,
• forgiveness, tolerance, peace and most importantly Love.

These are values that are considered liberal values today. Yet he preached these values two thousand years ago. One of his most famous quotes is,
“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.
His name was Jesus.
If you claim to be a Christian are you espousing these values?
Please think about it.

These are Christian Traits

These are Christian Traits
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
If you consider your self a Christian a true follower of Christ Jesus are the above traits exhibited in your life?
As Christians we need to live our lives differently. We should not be following the ways of the world. Rather we should be exhibiting the fruits of the spirit,

Love,

Joy,

Peace,

Patience,

Kindness,

Goodness,

Faithfulness,

Gentleness,

Self-control.

If these fruits are in our life the world will be attracted to us. If they are not the world will dismiss us as nothing special. Nothing of importance.
Francis of Assisi wrote something every believer in Christ Jesus needs to consider. He wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                               Francis of Assisi.

What Francis is saying here can be done by anyone. The key is we must want to do it. Thus my questions becomes,
Are the fruits of the spirit active in your life?
Are you showing unconditional Love and Mercy to all whom you come in contact with?
Are you truly an instrument of God’s Peace?
Please think about it.

By This

By this
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.
Over and over again throughout the New Testament we hear the word Love. Love God, love your neighbour, love your enemy.
John’s gospel records Jesus as saying,
“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.” John 3:16.
Paul writing to Titus tells us,
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” Titus 3:4,5.
Writing to the Corinthians Paul states,
 “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.  
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.  
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”1 Corinthians 13:1-3.
To the Romans Paul writes,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”Romans 12:9 
James the half brother of Jesus wrote,
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.
As Christians I firmly believe we must love, everyone, unconditionally friend and enemy alike, no exceptions. I believe failure to love those around us may have eternal consequences for them and possible for us.
So the question becomes if you profess to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you truly love those around you, God, your neighbour, your enemy?
Please think about it.

Signs of a Christian

Signs of a Christian
Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                                             Mahatma Gandhi.
I’m convinced that Gandhi did not see true Christians. He saw people who claimed to be Christians. People who had a holier than thou attitude. People who certainly didn’t practice what they preached.
In our time I would say quite a few people in our society, see people claiming to be Christians who are not. Jesus even said,
“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 7:22,23.
True Christians believe the basics of their faith,
“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” 
           John 14:6
“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.
But true Christians go further they obey 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
“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 22:37-40
“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, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
                         Matthew 5: 43-45
When it comes to Christian love the Apostle Paul defines it this way,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”  
                                                                                                           1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13

A true Christian will not judge anyone outside the church that is God’s job. 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.
The apostle James writes
“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.
A true Christian will be true to the words of Jesus who gave them their task on this earth when he 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.
It is the Christians job to tell anyone who will listen about the saving grace of Jesus Christ. They are to present it and let the individual decide for themselves. They are never to force their beliefs on anyone.
A true Christian will do as Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                                Francis of Assisi
This to me is what a true Christian is. And what a True Christian is called to do.
Think about it.

For the record, Christian Values

Christian Values for the record

As Christmas is around a week away I though it appropriate to express to the non-Christian what core Christian values are.
The Apostle Paul writing to the Galatians wrote,
“But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.... 
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 5:18,22.
These are Christian values. This is what those with the spirit of God in them should be expressing.
A Christians principle duty is to present the Gospel of Christ to anyone who will listen to them.
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.
However Jesus taught his followers much more than that.
The principle teachings of Jesus are,
“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.
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 neighbour as yourself.’  
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” 
                                                                                        Matthew 22:37-40
He also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  
     Matthew 5:43-47.
The apostle James wrote,
“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!
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 2:12-20.
Sadly today all to many Christian in the media and out of the media fail to remember the basics of Christ’s teachings, do not judge, love your neighbour, love your enemy.
They come across in a very negative way. In some cases I as a Christian would question if they are Christian.
Even Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                                        Mahatma Gandhi
He I know seen many who said they were Christians but were not.
I think Francis of Assisi described a Christian best when he wrote,

“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,

Where there is injury, pardon;

Where there is doubt, faith;

Where there is despair, hope;

Where there is darkness, light;

And where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek

to be consoled as to console,

to be understood as to understand,

to be loved, as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.” 

                                                     Francis of Assisi

A person who is truly a Christian will practice what Jesus taught and live a life that reflects the words of Francis of Assisi.
think about it.