I will Praise The LORD

I will Praise The LORD
The Psalmist writes,

“I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart;

I will tell of all your wonders. 

I will be glad and rejoice in you; 

I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.” 

                                                         Psalm 2:1,2.

I firmly believe that as Christians. As a true believers in Christ Jesus we must take time as often as possible to praise The Lord.
In Psalm 150 we read,

“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.

If you claim to be a believer in Christ Jesus a believer in God why don’t you take sometime right now and praise God.
Please don’t just think about it. Do it.

Are you?

Are you?
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.

Sadly from my perch here in Canada I see many Christians who are not following what the writer of Hebrews is saying here.
Many are mixing their faith with politics something Jesus and the apostles never did. Many are speaking out against any group they disagree with. In some cases they are even trying to remove or restrict the rights of others given to them by a lawfully elected government.
Doing this is not an act of holiness. Nor is it living at peace with all men.
When we try to restrict the rights of others. We are turning them against us. 
If we as Christians as followers of Christ Jesus truly believe the words of Jesus when he said,
“Treat others the same way you want them to treat you.” Luke 6:31.(NASB).
Then by trying to restrict the rights of others we are saying to them they have the right to do that to us.
Sadly here in North America where I live and particularly in the United States people like to say “I have my rights” “I have the right to do as I wish”.
That may be so. But doing as ‘you’ wish may not win souls for Christ. In fact it might do just the opposite.
The apostle Peter reminds us,
"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.
Living good lives among none believers means living with people who’s belief system or way of life may be different from our own. It may be living with a government who gives rights to those with whom we disagree.
Certainly the apostle Paul, all the disciples and even Jesus lived in a world in which the government gave rights to those with whom they disagreed.
Paul for example went to Corinth a city know for it’s temple prostitutes and other abhorrent lifestyles. He stood in the Areopagus in Athens and preached the word of God. A city that had temples to dozen of Gods that Paul would have thought appalling. Yet neither he or any of the apostles spoke out against the religious practices or lifestyles of those around them.
Quite the contrary Jesus and the apostles sat down with those they disagreed with and presented the word of God in peaceful, loving manner.
Billy Graham the American evangelist said of the disciples,
“The men who followed Him (Christ), were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same.” Billy Graham
Thus my question to anyone who claims to be a Christian a follower of Christ Jesus; is your heart right side up?
Are you living at peace with those around you living as holy life as you possibly can?
Please think about it. 

It seems crazy

It seems crazy
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.

I know it may seem crazy to some to say praise The Lord in the midst of the worst pandemic in modern history. But as Christians we should be praising the Lord.
The apostle Paul and Silas praised God in bad times. The book of Acts records,
“About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them.  
Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose.  
The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped.  
But Paul shouted, “Don’t harm yourself! We are all here!” 
The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas.  
He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 
They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:25-31.
While Paul and Silas were not in the midst of a pandemic. They were in a Roman jail in what was most probably very miserable circumstances not counting the earthquake they went through. Yet these men of God were praising The Lord.
Another man of God Job. A man who endured a lot of hardship, who had unwavering faith in God said,

“Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;...”

                                                                Job 13:15a.

So it should be with all who call themselves Christians. Amidst our troubles we should be not only putting all our trust in God but taking time to praise God also. Not for the bad things that are happening. But for all that God is and the Salvation He has sent into our lives through His One and Only Son Christ Jesus.
Please think about it. 

Shout for Joy!

Shout for Joy!
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.

Today is New Years day here in Canada. It is a time of celebration when we gather with family and friends.
If you are a believer in Christ Jesus I would urge you on this day and every day throughout the coming year to follow the words of the Psalmist who said,

“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

Please Think about it.

Praise God

Praise God
Luke’s gospel records,
“And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.  
An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.  
But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  
Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.  
This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, 
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favour rests." Luke 2:8-14.
Today is Christmas day. The day we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The day we acknowledge what the Shepherds heard and saw. Angels bringing them good news of great joy that is for all people.
The day we choose to honour and praise our Lord and Saviour.
In our family first thing in the morning the family gathers together my wife reads the Christmas story and we praise God for all He has done for us.
Thus today I would ask you if you consider yourself a believer in Christ Jesus to follow the lead of the Psalmist who 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

To Believers in Christ

To believers in Christ
The Psalmist wrote,

“Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; 

it is fitting for the upright to praise him. 

Praise the LORD with the harp; 

make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre. 

Sing to him a new song; 

play skillfully, and shout for joy.” 

                                       Psalm 33:1-3

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

So my question to you who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus. A believer in God. Out of the 86,400 seconds God has given you to day have you used even one of them to thank and praise Him?
Please think about it.

Your words and deeds

Your words and deeds
The apostle Peter writes,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
Here is some simple truths that anyone who claims to be a follower of Christ Jesus needs to keep in mind.
1. We “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God.”
2. We are to “...declare the praises of him (God) who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
3. We are “ aliens and strangers in the world,”
4. We are to “to abstain from sinful desires.”
5. We are to “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.” 
We as Christians must remember the world is watching us. That it is through the lense of our words and deed that the people around us will see Christ Jesus.
 As Francis of Assisi said,

“The deeds you do 

may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                             Francis of Assisi 

Question, What are your words and deeds telling the world around you?
  Please think about it.

The Christian Ethic

The Christian Ethic
Jesus 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.
The apostle Peter writes,
“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.
Piliny the younger writing to the Roman Emperor said of the early Christians he examined,
"They were in the habit of meeting on a certain fixed day before it was light, when they sang in alternate verses a hymn to Christ, as to a god, and bound themselves by a solemn oath, not to any wicked deeds, but never to commit any fraud, theft or adultery, never to falsify their word, nor deny a trust when they should be called upon to deliver it up; after which it was their custom to separate, and then reassemble to partake of food--but food of an ordinary and innocent kind...”Piliny the younger.
It seems the early believers in Christ Jesus lived good lives. They were known for their good behavior. The book of acts speaking of the early believers in Christ, records,
“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 favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. Acts 2:42-47.
We as believers in Christ Jesus are known by our deeds be they good or bad. It is also through our words and deeds that others will see Christ Jesus.
Charles Spurgeon said,
“The Bible is not the light of the world, it is the light of the Church. But the world does not read the Bible, the world reads Christians! “You are the light of the world.”” Charles H. Spurgeon.
It is therefore to my way of thinking imperative that we as believers in Christ Jesus live as good a life as possible, that we may point people to Christ and the eternal life He offers.
Daily we should 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.

Please think about it.

Not of this world

Not of this world
Billy Graham the America Evangelist wrote,

My home is in Heaven. 

I'm just travelling through this world.

                                              Billy Graham.

This is something I believe all who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus must remember. The apostle Peter states,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
Above all things I firmly believe that those who believe in Christ Jesus must live as good a life as is humanly possible.
We must always remember we are Christ’s representatives on this earth. That people will see Jesus through the lense of our life and our actions. Thus we must live good lives.
When it comes to living the Christian life I am always reminded of what is commonly known as the Prayer of St. Francis it states,

“Lord, make me an instrument of your 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;

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.

Jesus 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.

Are you?
Please think about it.

Praise God

Praise God
The Psalmist states,

"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.

I firmly believe that all who believe in God. All who claim to be believers in Christ Jesus need to take time out of their busy schedules at lest for a few minutes each day to praise God.
It doesn’t matter if you can play an instrument or if you can sing in tune. The key is to praise God. Even if you just speak the word.
The Psalmist states,

“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.

So here’s something you the reader can do no matter where you are right now. Take the next few moments and praise God.
As a pastor once told me anyone even an unbeliever can praise God.
Please think about it.

Christian Principles for Living #4 (Live at Peace with those around you)

Christian Principles for living #4 (Live at Peace with those around you)
The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  Romans 12:18.
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.
The Apostle Peter tells believers in Christ Jesus,
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.  
Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. 
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 2:9-12.
Believers in Christ Jesus are called to live a good and peaceful life. A life of holiness.
As believers in Christ we need to take a look at the actions of Jesus and the apostles. They never spoke out against anyone outside their faith. They never protested for any reason. They did as far as was possible live at peace with those around them. They lived a life of love.
In doing so they opened up doors to talk with other groups throughout the known world. As a result in just over a century, Christianity had spread throughout the known world.
These men and women by living a peaceful loving life stood in the Areopagus in Athens and spoke to the learned men and women there. They spoke with politicians, soldiers, tax collectors, and people of every strata of society from slaves to rulers.
This is what we in the twenty-first century church need to do. Are you?
Please think about it.