A duty to pray

A duty to pray

Jesus said,

"Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  

Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11,12.

I don’t know why God allows those who believe in Him to be persecuted but they are.

That being said I believe it is the duty of all Christians, especially those of us who live in countries where we have the freedom to worship the way we wish, to pray for the persecuted and imprisoned Christians around the world.

Do you pray for brothers and sisters in Christ that are persecuted?

If you want to know more about the persecuted church around the world look up Open doors ministries. An organization that helps the persecuted church around the world.

And please remember to pray each day for those Christians. Those followers of Christ Jesus who do not have the freedom to worship God the way they wish.

Please don’t just think about it. Do it. 

Keep our house clean

  Keep our house clean

In the book of Acts we read,

"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.  

Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.  

All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.  

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts,  praising God and enjoying the favour of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.

This is a snapshot of the embryo church if you will. They were known for their devotion to God and the Love of God they showed.

Sadly in many cases the today especially here in North America where I live people don’t see the Church as loving. 

The face of the church is seen by many as judgmental hypocrites. As one who supports politicians and others that are clearly not exhibiting Christian values. 

As Christians we need to stop getting involved in politics and return to our roots as demonstrated by the church Luke describes in the Book of Acts. 

We need to obey the words of the apostle Paul who wrote,

“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.

For it’s only when we are keeping our own house clean that we will win souls for Christ.

Please think about it.

The Key

 The Key

Jesus said,

"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" John15:5.

Here is the key to church growth. Remaining in Jesus. Following the teachings of Christ. Sadly the church here in North America is not doing this and the fact that church growth is generally declining proves this.

Someone once told me the church in America and Canada have a problem... Freedom.    They fail to use that freedom wisely. Instead of preaching in word and in deed the true inspired word of the gospel message they choose to mix it with other things. Love of money, and politics, being principle among them.

The apostle Paul for so this when he wrote,

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Thus I believe it is time for the church to follow the words of God as recorded in 2 Chronicles. When He said,

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles, 7:14.

If we don’t the church will continue to decline here in North America and indeed within the free nations of the world.

Please think about it.

Praise the Lord

Praise the Lord
The Psalmist wrote,

Praise the LORD. 

Praise God in his sanctuary;

 praise him in his mighty heavens. 

Praise him for his acts of power; 

praise him for his surpassing greatness. 

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, 

praise him with the harp and lyre, 

praise him with tambourine and dancing,

 praise him with the strings and flute, 

praise him with the clash of cymbals,

 praise him with resounding cymbals. 

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. 

Praise the LORD. 

                               Psalm 150

Question: If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus do you praise The Lord, outside the church as well as inside the Church?
Please think about it.

A Note to non-Christians

A Note to non-Christians
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.
I as a Christian love to tell people about Christ and the eternal life with God he offers for free. I do my best to present to people the truths that are in the Bible.
I however realize there are many people claiming to be Christians who are not and they are turning many away from Christ.
The Apostle Peter states,
“Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
                                                                                                                                       2 Peter 3:2.
The apostle Paul writing to Christians states,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.  
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy,  without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good,  treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.” 
                                                                                                                           2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Sadly there are many men and women out there who would exploit people in the name of Jesus. They may say they are believers but they are not. Christianity like every walk of life has its share of frauds.
The truth of God however is out there for anyone who is truly looking for it. All one has to do is read the Bible.
I encourage non-Christians to read the New Testament and pray and ask God to show you the truth. I suggest people find a church. I usually suggest a Baptist church because they have sound teaching generally.
And don’t just take someone’s word about what the bible says ask questions. Ask a lot of questions. A true Christian will give you honest answers. They will show you where there answers can be found in the Bible. They will show you the scriptures in context that support their answers.
I know it can be hard for a non-Christian to tell the difference between a true Christian and a fraud it can be for a believer in Christ. Still it is not impossible.
I firmly believe that if you are truly seeking God he will show himself to you as you read the Bible and pray to Him.
What I believe in can be stated like this,

1. I believe in God the Father, The Almighty maker of heaven and earth

2. I believe in Jesus Christ God’s on and only Son, our Lord and Saviour.

3. I believe Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary

4. I believe Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate; That He was Crucified, died, was buried. That he descended in hell.

5. I believe He rose again on the third day from the dead.

6. I believe that he ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father almighty.

7. I believe Jesus will one day Judge the living and the dead.

8. I believe in the Holy Ghost

9. I believe in the Church which is the communion of the saints,

10. I believe in the forgiveness of sin.

11. I believe in the resurrection of the body.

12. I believe in life everlasting.

The list is based on what is referred to as the Apostles Creed. That while not written by an apostle are several fundamental points that are the basis of Christian teaching. To teach other than that is to be teaching wrong Christian principles.
What I wold ask non-believes reading this is that if you are truly serious about leaning about Jesus please read the New Testament. Then find a church, like I say a Baptist church is a usually a good choice. Ask the pastor of the church to tell you what he believes and why.
Remember also that there are different if you will flavours of church congregations from the very traditional full of symbolism and ritual to the very contemporary that use modern music and lively forms of worship.
So don’t turn away from a church congregation simply because you don’t like the worship. Look around, pray and ask God to show you a place that is right for you. A place that is teaching the truth from the Bible. A place that glorifies God.
Please think about visiting a Church this week.