@FirstChurchofJerusalem
Today's Early Church Wisdom
“The professions and trades of those who are going to be accepted into the community must be examined. The nature and type of each must be established… brothel, sculptors of idols, charioteer, athlete, gladiator…give it up or be rejected. A military constable must be forbidden to kill, neither may he swear; if he is not willing to follow these instructions, he must be rejected. A proconsul or magistrate who wears the purple and governs by the sword shall give it up or be rejected. Anyone taking or already baptized who wants to become a soldier shall be sent away, for he has despised God.”
~ Hippolytus (170AD – 236AD)
This week's Psalm is Psalm 31 'My Rock, My Shield, My Song'

Check Your Spiritual Position

The writer of the Book of Hebrews says, “without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). Today, may I encourage you to perform two checks of faith and one of behaviour? The first check is that of believing in the existence of God. Do you believe that there is a God? And if so, what kind of a God do you believe in? The one true God is a God of love. The second check is that of whether you come to Him. Have you turned to God and invited Jesus into your heart? If not, I encourage you to do that now. Whether you feel it or not, you will become a friend of Jesus and be spiritually born again in that moment. If you have turned to Him, remember that this is not merely a once off act. Yes, there is only one moment of salvation. But Jesus’ disciples turn to Him daily, on rising, on retiring, and throughout the day, talking with Him and listening to His voice, as He directs their life. This is the third check, the check of behaviour. Are you diligently seeking Him each day? If you do, I guarantee that you will live your best life and fulfil the ministry God has given you for your time on earth. What could be better than that?