What will you hear?

 What will you hear?

In the gospel of Luke we read,

"And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name. 

His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation.” Luke 1:46-50.

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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil." Ecclesiastes12:13,14.

We live in a generation world wide where people do not fear God. And it’s not just people in the secular world. It’s people within the church. People claiming to be Christian.

Now I can only speak for what I see here in North America where I live. The North American church is losing its fear of God. It takes God for granted. It goes its own way mixing Gods word with politics and other things. That it thinks will help its cause.

We as believers in Christ Jesus cannot allow this to happen. The apostle Paul warns, 

"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.

That time has come. There are people, pastors, and evangelist, here in North America that are twisting the gospel message to align with what they believe should be. When it should be we who align our beliefs with that of the Bible.

The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,

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

The consequences for individuals who do not correctly handle the word of God. Who do not fear God is I believe simple. They will hear the words of Jesus recorded in Matthews gospel, who 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.

Question; if you consider yourself a follower of Christ Jesus what will you hear when you stand before God?

Please think about it.

God will Judge

God will judge
Luke records this teaching of Jesus.
“Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.  
There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.  
What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs. 
“I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.  
But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.” Luke 12:1-5.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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 will eventually judge all mankind, those woh believe in Him, and those who do not. I firmly believe we will be judged honestly and fairly in accordance with what we know of God.
God will not hold a tribes man deep in a jungle who has never heard of Jesus accountable to the standard he expects of someone who has read the Bible and claims to be a Christian.
I believe the more you know about the Bible and the teachings of Jesus the more you will be accountable for.
The Apostle Paul explains it this way.
“For God does not show favoritism.
All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law.  
For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.  
(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)  
This will take place on the day when God will judge men’s secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares. Romans 2:11-16.
Thus the question I would ask you the reader. Are you prepared to stand before God and be judged by Him?
Please think about it.

A Bulwark for a Free Society

A Bulwark for a free society
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.” 

                                                          Psalm 1:1,2.

Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
Rabbi Silver is correct. Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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.
When man loses his fear of God or refuses to believe God exists society can go down hill. A quick look at Nazi Germany proves this. Hitler and his henchmen had no fear of God’s judgment. This led to a war that killed in excess of fifty-eight million innocent people men, women and children, soldiers and civilians.
Man needs God and the moral compass He provides. That compass in it’s simplest form is the ten commandments found in Exodus 20:2-17 that states,
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17
These commandments lay down the basics for a civil society. It makes clear how God expects individuals to act with respect to God and to other individuals.
Please think about it.

Morals to live by

Morals to live by
The book of Exodus records,
“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 
“You shall have no other gods before me. 
“You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below.  
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me,  but showing love to a thousand  generations  of those who love me and keep my commandments. 
“You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name. 
“Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.  
Six days you shall labor and do all your work,  but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.  
For in six days the LORD made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore the LORD blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy. 
“Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you. 
“You shall not murder. 
“You shall not commit adultery. 
“You shall not steal. 
“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. 
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.” 
Exodus 20:2-17.
These are God’s ideals given to mankind. God’s Moral code given to mankind that man might live in harmony with God and with other men.
They were not written in pen and ink so that they could be erased. They were engraved on tablets of stone. The very words were part of the stone themselves. They could not be erased.
These are the ideals I believe God has written on the hearts of every person that is living or has ever lived. They are universal truths, core values for living in a civilized society.
Such values did not come from the minds of Atheist, but believers in the one true God.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.” Abba Hillel Silver.
It is only when individuals and society turns their back on God and His moral values that society suffers.
Hitler during world war two showed the world dramatically how turning away from God’s teachings can cause incredible harm. Fifty six million plus men women and Children killed during world war two. Six million Jews and an equal number of others murdered in an industrial killing machine that was Nazi Germany.
Such killing did not end with Hitler. Stalin and other atheistic leaders throughout the twentieth century have killed millions. As are many terrorist groups today. Individuals who say they are of God but are not, for they are breaking one of the fundamental laws of God, “do not Kill”.
On the streets of every major city there are individuals and gangs who kill and steal. A testament that failure to fear not only man’s laws but God and his judgement causes grief.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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
The Psalmist writes,

“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom;

 all who follow his precepts have good understanding. 

To him belongs eternal praise.” 

                                                                 Psalm 111: 10.

As society turns away from God, or individuals twists and misinterprets God’s word to say what they want it to say, society I believe moves relentlessly down a slope toward a lake filled with burning brimstone.
Please think about it.

Fear God

Fear God

Here is something I firmly believe everyone everywhere needs to know.
The writer of Ecclesiastes states,
“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 judgement, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
What I see the writer as saying here is, we need to have a healthy respect for God and what he expects of us as individuals.
I don’t believe in a God that has a big stick ready to whack us when we do wrong quite the contrary I believe in a God that loves and gives to his people. A God who forgives them when they make mistakes.
The best proof of this is in the words of Jesus who 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.
Sadly too many people today do not fear God. The Islamic State terrorist have a perverted idea of God. As a result they don’t fear God and the consequences of their actions.
In the western democracies we have men and women who do not fear God. Who do not believe in his existence or that they will be judged at the end of this life.
As a result we have those who commit crimes of every kind.  And these people are not just from poverty stricken neighbourhoods but from every strata of society.
Abba Hillel Silver wrote,
“Faith in God is the strongest bulwark of a free society.  Human freedom began when men became conscious that over and above society and nature there is a God who created them...who fashioned them in His likeness, and that they are, therefore, possessed of intrinsic and independent significance and are endowed, as individuals, with original and irrevocable rights and authority.”
               Abba Hillel Silver.
I am a firm believer that the further a society moves away from God the worse that society becomes. With no absolute values and no one to fear with respect to the final judgment our society will eventually destroy itself.
Please think about it.