Who's your God?

 Who's is your God?

In the book of Joshua we read,

"Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshipped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD.  

But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." Joshua 24: 14,15.

In the above passage of scripture Joshua is telling the Israelites to make up their mind. To either follow the one true God or the gods of the Amorites. 

While we in the western democracies may not want to admit it we have many Gods. Even those who call themselves Christians quite often worship other gods. The obvious being materialism. But there are other god that we may not think are gods. The following of a political leader or party. Even an obsession with your personal rights under the law of the land.

Other gods is anything that puts The Lord God Almighty second or mixes anything in with our worship of Him.

As Christians, followers of Christ Jesus in the west we need to decide who we will follow. Our political leaders, political parties, materialism,...or The Lord God Almighty.

Who are you following?

Please think about it.

Who are you bowing down to?

 Who are you bowing down to?

The Psalmist writes,

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

before the "gods" I will sing your praise."

                                                               Psalm 138:1.

It is important that we as Christians are not ashamed to praise God. The world has many ‘gods' and sadly all too many people calling themselves Christians are bowing down to these gods be it the god of materialism, a politician, or even a preacher, teacher or evangelist we follow blindly.

As Christians we must always keep our priorities strait. We must focus on God and praise Him with our whole heart.

Are you praising God or are you bowing to the gods of this world?

Please think about it.

Who are you bowing too?

 Who are you bowing too?

The Psalmist writes,

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

before the "gods" I will sing your praise.”

                                                               Psalm 138:1.

It is important that we as Christians are not ashamed to praise God. The world has many ‘gods’ and sadly all too many people calling themselves Christians are bowing down to these gods be it the god of materialism, a politician, or even a preacher, teacher or evangelist.

As Christians we must always keep our priorities strait. We must focus on God and praise Him with our whole heart.

Are you praising God or are you bowing to the gods of this world?

Please think about it.

There is a question

  There is a question

The apostle John writes,

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.  

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  

Dear children, 

let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18.

There is a question I’ve always wanted to ask rich people and politicians and even rich evangelist and pastors; 

Are you doing your best to help those in need?

Are you at least using a part of your wealth along with what political power you have to help the poor?

The same question should be considered by those of us who may not be rich but have a good standard of living, because we can all give something.

Tony Campolo the American evangelist make a good point when he states,

"These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change." Tony Campolo. 

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.

A Just God

A Just God
Thomas Jefferson wrote,
“Indeed, I tremble for my country when I reflect that God is just.” Thomas Jefferson.
The writer of Ecclesiastes wrote,
“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.” Ecclesiastes 12:13,14.
I believe we all will have a lot to account for when we stand before God. And the more power we have the more we will have to answer for. 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.
This not just a Jewish concept. Jesus told this parable,
“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day.  
At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores  and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 
“The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried.  
In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.  
So he called to him, ‘Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.’ 
“But Abraham replied, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.  
And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.’ 
“He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house,  
for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.’ 
“Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 
“ ‘No, father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.’ 
“He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’ ” Luke 16:19-31.
God will one day judge the world. Whether you believe in Him or not.
C. S. Lewis said,
“A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word 'darkness' on the walls of his cell.” C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain.
If I am wrong about the existence of God and His righteous judgment then you have nothing to fear. If I am right and I firmly believe I am then the individual has a lot to fear.
I believe the more power we have in this world the more we will be held accountable for.
In the parable of Jesus I quoted above the rich man could have just as easily been a politician. A politician with the power to see that even the poorest in our society has enough to eat, a roof over their heads and good medical care. All basic human rights.
 Even our religious leaders should be calling on all people in power to do what is only right before God.
As individuals, we should be doing what we can to help those around us. We as individuals should be calling on our politicians to provide at the very least the necessities of life to all people.
We are our brothers keeper whether we like it or not.
The Talmud tells this story,
Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?”  He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.” The Talmud.
Question: Are you making this world a household of love?
When you stand before God what will he say about you and how you dealt with your fellow man?
Please think about it.

Not Until

Not until
Albert Einstein wrote,
“Not until the creation and maintenance of decent conditions of life for all men are recognized and accepted as a common obligation of all men and all countries—not until then shall we, with a certain degree of justification, be able to speak of mankind as civilized.”
                                                                                                                 Albert Einstein.
Man calls himself civilized but is far from it. The twentieth century began in the middle of the Boer War and proceeded to see two world wars, along with it seems hundreds of small wars. Some historians have said more people have died in the twentieth century due to war than in all the other centuries combined. And it seems like the twenty-first century is starting where the last one left off.
Now while it is true war is causing the death and suffering of millions in the world today. Millions more are suffering, dying and are in need in every country in the world today whether they are at war or not.
Throughout the third world men women and children are dying from curable illnesses and starvation.
In the western democracies with all their wealth there are still people living on the streets. Living well below the poverty line.
In the United States millions are without affordable health care despite the affordable health care act.
In Canada people have to choose between paying rent or utility bills and putting food in the mouth of their Children.
The sad thing is with the right political initiative people could get affordable health care. People need not choose between bills and food. Those living on the streets could be housed and given the help they need.
The trouble is politicians don’t have the motivation to end it. The poor after all don’t contribute to their political campaigns. While corporations can get billions in bail outs the poor are given a subsistence living.
There’s an election campaign going on in the United States. The politicians are saying many fine things, as all politicians do in every country in the world when they want to be elected.
The question however I would ask of all politicians anywhere in the world is are you obeying the words of Jesus who gave us a universal truth we all should live by when he 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.
In other words if you have a good health care plan, enough food to eat and a good place to live are you willing to use your place of power and influence to give that to every citizen of your country.
The Talmud makes an interesting statement I believe we all should be doing especially politicians. 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
   Both individuals and politicians of every stripe need to be asking themselves are you doing to others as you would like others do to you?
Please think about it.

Do to others

Do to others

“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 universal truth that both Christians and non-Christians can understand. How would you like to be treated? Would you like to be treated the way you treat others?
In the United States presidential candidates are debating building a wall to keep illegal emigrants out. There seems to be an endless debate on universal health care and ending Obama Care. Sadly many Christians are supporting the idea.
Would those Christians who support the idea, want that to happen to them? If they were poor, hungry and in need of work, would they want someone to build a wall containing them to their state or neighbourhood?
If they were sick and needed and had no health care, would they vote to stop universal health care?
In the case of illegal emigrants wouldn’t a better idea be to say to Mexico and other countries, if you don’t pay living wages equal to that in the United States then goods coming from your country will be subject to high tariffs or not allowed into the country at all.
Wouldn’t it be good if all American’s like Canadians and those in western European nations simply had to show their government health card to get the health care they needed without the worry of getting a large bill or going bankrupt?
Unfortunately those proposing the wall and opposing universal health care probably have business interest in the countries that are paying wages lower than American workers and probably are lobbied by private health care providers and drug companies to keep the status quo.
After all it probably doesn’t hurt them. I would imagine all politicians have good health care coverage and can afford more than the basics in life.
Jesus said,
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,  
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’ 
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.  
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,  
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’ 
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’ 
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’ 
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” 
                                                                                                                Matthew 25:34-46.
Now I point to America because they are in the middle of an election and sadly show the deficiencies in their country dramatically. Such deficiencies are in other countries. No country is perfect. Far from it.  Politicians in particular in all countries let the poor and needy down all the time. Using hundreds of excuses.  
I believe not only the politicians but those who have the power to help those in need like all men and women will one day stand before God to be judged.
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 Talmud a Jewish book states something I think could quite possibly happen,
“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.
What will God say about you?
Please think about it.