Sunday 30 March 2014
Jesus the Messiah
“After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.
When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples
to ask him, “Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?”
Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see:
The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.
Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
Matthew 11:1-6.
Here while the apostles are carrying out their first mission John the Baptist now in prison sends his disciples to ask Jesus if he is the Messiah. Jesus answers,
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.”
All of these are signs of the Messiah.
How much more proof is needed with respect to Jesus. He was doing these miraculous things in front of people.
Things the scribes and pharisees of the day were not doing.
Jesus was showing He was Lord by everything he was doing. Then leaving it up to the individual to decide who he was.
Jesus also states, "Blessed is the man who does not fall away on account of me.”
One commentator stating that he didn’t want discouragement and doubt to ensnare John. Something that could have easily have happened to John considering he was in prison.
I think from time to time even the oldest Christian has questioned his or her faith.
It’s a part of human nature to question things, especially when we are going through troubled times.
Still we must understand that all believers go through troubled times. Times when we think that God is not hearing our prayers because we can’t see anything happening.
That’s when we use our faith the most. Faith being,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Think about it.
Saturday 29 March 2014
A Libertine
A Libertine
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“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.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
I believe it’s at St. Mary Woolnoth an Anglican church in the City of London, that there is a plaque with the words,
“John Newton, clerk, once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in Africa, was, by the rich mercy of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, preserved, restored, pardoned, and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.”
To quote R. J. Morgan from the book 365 scriptures that changed the world (copy right Thomas Nelson Publishers 1998.)
“As a young man, Newton had been a seaman and slave trader whose mouth was a cesspool of profanity, and who liberally helped himself to the female slaves he transported.
But he also became a deserter, flogged by the British Navy, who was reduced to being the slave of a sadistic woman, herself a slave, in Africa.
Out of all this he was saved. And he became one of England’s greatest preachers, the author of the beloved hymn Amazing Grace.”
Over his study desk he had this verse from Deuteronomy
“Thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondsman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee.” Deuteronomy 15:15.
He reportedly told a friend later in life “My memory is nearly gone; but I remember two things, that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a Great Saviour.”
John Newton’s conversion was dramatic. He went from being a man without principles. A man without a conscience to a man of great principles.
He spoke out against the slave trade and would go on to write hundreds of hymns 280 of which he combined with 68 hymns of William Cowper to form the Olney Hymnal.
We today can look on Newton and see how bad he was and say thank God I am nowhere near as bad as him. He needed a conversion experience. I am far better than him.
Many non Christians I believe today also look at people who go to church. People who claim to be Christians and say, “I know them. I know what they do outside of Church and it isn’t very Christian. Why should I become a Christian because I am better all around than they are.”
That may be so but not everyone who goes to church is a Christian. No everyone who say’s they are Christian are.
Many people as well as Preachers and evangelist will one day stand before God and find they are not accepted into heaven. Jesus saying,
“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.
When it comes to knowing Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour it is up to the individual to decide.
We should not look on those who are going to church or who claim to be Christians. Simply because many who claim to be Christians are not.
Each individual needs to look within themselves and ask themselves am “I truly good enough to go to heaven?”
I believe if we are honest with ourselves the answer will be no.
No one is good enough to stand before a holy God.
Isaiah the prophet said,
“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.”
Isaiah 64:6.
That is why Jesus came.
Another self admitted sinner the apostle Paul wrote these words,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
‘But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1 Timothy 1:15,16
I firmly believe that we as individuals must search our heart of hearts and in all humility admit that there is sin in our life.
Then we must turn to Jesus, recognize that he is the One and only Son of God, who died for our sins and ask him to forgive our sins and come into our hearts and lives.
For it is only through Christ that we can truly have our sins forgiven and have our lives changed.
It happened to John Newton. It happened to the Apostle Paul and it can happen to you.
Think about it.
Friday 28 March 2014
He who loves me
He who love me
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.
Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:37-42.
Jesus make it clear that he is to be first in our lives. That we must follow in his footsteps. He makes it clear that his disciples are part of his ministry and that whoever receives them receives him.
This is the same today. There is only two choices when it comes to Jesus to accept him or reject him.
It is the same for his disciples you can accept them or reject them.
Over the years I’ve met with many Christians who’s families and friends have sadly rejected them when they became Christians.
There however are rewards to accepting the followers of Christ. And by this I mean also the word they bring.
Receiving the word of God leads to eternal life.
Think about it.
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;
and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me.
Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward.
And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Matthew 10:37-42.
Jesus make it clear that he is to be first in our lives. That we must follow in his footsteps. He makes it clear that his disciples are part of his ministry and that whoever receives them receives him.
This is the same today. There is only two choices when it comes to Jesus to accept him or reject him.
It is the same for his disciples you can accept them or reject them.
Over the years I’ve met with many Christians who’s families and friends have sadly rejected them when they became Christians.
There however are rewards to accepting the followers of Christ. And by this I mean also the word they bring.
Receiving the word of God leads to eternal life.
Think about it.
Thursday 27 March 2014
What do you expect the Messiah to be
What do you expect the Messiah to be?
He who has ears, let him hear.
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Matthew 11:15-19
Here Jesus points out the he and John had quite different styles. John followed the strictest rules. He came eating only the basics and he never drank strong drink.
By contrast Jesus did eat and drink. Additionally he sat down with anyone who would listen to him.
Both ways were condemned by the teachers of the law. It was a no win situation.
It appeared that no matter how God decided to show himself the learned leaders of the day refused to accept the message.
It’s the same to day. We as followers of Christ are called to present Jesus but sometimes it doesn’t matter what we say people will reject Christ.
Think about it.
He who has ears, let him hear.
“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:
“ ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’
For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ But wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Matthew 11:15-19
Here Jesus points out the he and John had quite different styles. John followed the strictest rules. He came eating only the basics and he never drank strong drink.
By contrast Jesus did eat and drink. Additionally he sat down with anyone who would listen to him.
Both ways were condemned by the teachers of the law. It was a no win situation.
It appeared that no matter how God decided to show himself the learned leaders of the day refused to accept the message.
It’s the same to day. We as followers of Christ are called to present Jesus but sometimes it doesn’t matter what we say people will reject Christ.
Think about it.
Wednesday 26 March 2014
Persecution
“When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
“A student is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
It is enough for the student to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebub, how much more the members of his household!”
“So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny ? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
“Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.
But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.
“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
For I have come to turn “ ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law— a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Matthew 10:23-36
Persecution it seems for the most part is inevitable. If you are persecuted however Jesus make it clear go to another place.
Jesus was persecuted and as followers of Christ we will from time to time face persecution.
Our message makes persecution inevitable I think.
We proclaim 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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son”
John 3:16-18
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
The world likes to think there are many ways to heaven. When we make it clear that there is only one way and we start to evangelize there are groups out there that will reject our message. Some violently.
Family members will turn against each other something that happens today in all areas of the world.
But we are urged by Jesus to continue on to the end. Jesus noting that if we acknowledge him before men he will acknowledge us before His Father.
Ultimately Jesus states “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
He is the prince of peace but his words can and do spark debate in all levels of society.
Still it is the words of Jesus that we must proclaim to all people that as many as possible will be saved.
Do you? Think about it.
Tuesday 25 March 2014
False teachers
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
One commentator states they will commercialize the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.
There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain.
These people are giving God a black eye.
There only purpose is to line their own pockets.
When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them.
If we looked at many preacher in the media, not all, it’s not hard to see that all they seem to be asking for is money.
The classic example is those whom my pastor says are the ‘blab it grab it crowd’ the seed faith crowd. Who proclaim Jesus as if he were a heavenly sugar daddy. The ultimate investment banker. Who if you give him a hundred dollars, or better still sow that hundred dollars into ‘their ministry’ and God will give you ten fold back.
What garbage. We should be giving to God because we want to not expecting to get ten or a hundred times back.
Peter warns, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
Sadly many people especially the old and trusting have given their life savings to such false teachers of God.
Still if it’s any consolation Peter states, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
They will be brought account.
When people ask me about what ministry especially in the media they should give money to. I tell them to give to ministries that are not preaching a return on your money.
Some ministries offer a little gift for giving that’s fine but if a ministry is telling you to give to get a return on your cash stay away from them.
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.
Think about it.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
2 Peter 2:1-3
Here Peter warns about false teachers arising. Introducing heresies and denying Jesus.
One commentator states they will commercialize the Christian faith for their own gain. It is happening today.
There are many especially in the media that are stating things that Jesus never taught. They are twisting the words of Jesus for their own gain.
These people are giving God a black eye.
There only purpose is to line their own pockets.
When I speak to people especially none Christians and they note how commercialized Christianity seems to be I agree with them.
If we looked at many preacher in the media, not all, it’s not hard to see that all they seem to be asking for is money.
The classic example is those whom my pastor says are the ‘blab it grab it crowd’ the seed faith crowd. Who proclaim Jesus as if he were a heavenly sugar daddy. The ultimate investment banker. Who if you give him a hundred dollars, or better still sow that hundred dollars into ‘their ministry’ and God will give you ten fold back.
What garbage. We should be giving to God because we want to not expecting to get ten or a hundred times back.
Peter warns, “In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.”
Sadly many people especially the old and trusting have given their life savings to such false teachers of God.
Still if it’s any consolation Peter states, “Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping”
They will be brought account.
When people ask me about what ministry especially in the media they should give money to. I tell them to give to ministries that are not preaching a return on your money.
Some ministries offer a little gift for giving that’s fine but if a ministry is telling you to give to get a return on your cash stay away from them.
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.
Think about it.
Thursday 20 March 2014
Shrewd
Shrewd as snakes
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 10:16-22
Here is something directed to the disciples at the time that can be directly used by followers of Christ today.
When we go out to present the word of God to unbelievers we are to be careful know our surroundings be wise to what is happening. At the same time we are to be as innocent as doves.
The Message of the Gospel of Christ is one of peace. If we present it in the right way no one will be able to truthfully accuse us of doing wrong.
All we should be doing when we present the word of God is saying this is what we believe. This is how you get to heaven. That simple.
Paul speaking in Athens used this technique very effectively. He was invited by the stoics and others philosophers to speak to them. He simply presented Christ in a polite way to them and left it up to them as to whether they believed or not.
As a result some did believe others did not but still others wanted to hear more.
This is the way it should be with us.
Jesus also notes that no matter what we say some will object to what we are saying and bring us before the courts. Some of us will be put to death. It sadly is the way of the world.
But we are told to stand our ground that God will tell us what to say as we stand before the magistrate.
We are told to keep the faith until the very end.
Question to Christians reading this. Is your life modelled after what Jesus is telling his disciples to be like here in Matthew ten?
Think about it.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
“Be on your guard against men; they will hand you over to the local councils and flog you in their synagogues.
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles.
But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say,
for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
“Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death.
All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.”
Matthew 10:16-22
Here is something directed to the disciples at the time that can be directly used by followers of Christ today.
When we go out to present the word of God to unbelievers we are to be careful know our surroundings be wise to what is happening. At the same time we are to be as innocent as doves.
The Message of the Gospel of Christ is one of peace. If we present it in the right way no one will be able to truthfully accuse us of doing wrong.
All we should be doing when we present the word of God is saying this is what we believe. This is how you get to heaven. That simple.
Paul speaking in Athens used this technique very effectively. He was invited by the stoics and others philosophers to speak to them. He simply presented Christ in a polite way to them and left it up to them as to whether they believed or not.
As a result some did believe others did not but still others wanted to hear more.
This is the way it should be with us.
Jesus also notes that no matter what we say some will object to what we are saying and bring us before the courts. Some of us will be put to death. It sadly is the way of the world.
But we are told to stand our ground that God will tell us what to say as we stand before the magistrate.
We are told to keep the faith until the very end.
Question to Christians reading this. Is your life modelled after what Jesus is telling his disciples to be like here in Matthew ten?
Think about it.
Wednesday 19 March 2014
The Apostles Sent Out
The Apostles sent out
“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;
take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
“Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.
As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
Matthew 10:1-15.
Someone asked me once can Christians today do all that was in the Bible. Drive out evil spirits, heal the sick.
My answer is yes. If God is the same yesterday today and forever then he must allow his followers to do the same in every generation.
Some point to this scripture Matthew 10:1-8 to say its proof we can do these things. They are in my opinion wrong.
Matthew 10:1-8 is Jesus talking specifically to his disciples. He is sending them out for the first time and giving them the “authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Jesus makes clear the parameters of the disciples ministry for this first time out. They can’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. Only to the “lost sheep of Israel”
The Gospel was first to be preached to the Jews then the rest of the world. At this point the disciples were to go to the Jewish world first.
At a later time they would go to the gentiles.
He makes it clear they are to go out in faith trusting God for their needs and if people are deserving they are to let their peace rest on that place if not they are to sake the dust off their feet when they leave the town.
Noting that it will be “more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” if they reject the message of the disciples.
Today we I believe can do everything the disciples did and I believe we need to act as they did.
They had one job and that was to spread the gospel message to anyone who would listen. They were to open a dialogue between themselves and the people of Israel and point them to heaven.
As a Christian do you have an open dialogue between yourself and the none Christians around you?
Think about it.
“He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.
These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John;
Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.
Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.
As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.
Do not take along any gold or silver or copper in your belts;
take no bag for the journey, or extra tunic, or sandals or a staff; for the worker is worth his keep.
“Whatever town or village you enter, search for some worthy person there and stay at his house until you leave.
As you enter the home, give it your greeting.
If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you.
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.”
Matthew 10:1-15.
Someone asked me once can Christians today do all that was in the Bible. Drive out evil spirits, heal the sick.
My answer is yes. If God is the same yesterday today and forever then he must allow his followers to do the same in every generation.
Some point to this scripture Matthew 10:1-8 to say its proof we can do these things. They are in my opinion wrong.
Matthew 10:1-8 is Jesus talking specifically to his disciples. He is sending them out for the first time and giving them the “authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness.”
Jesus makes clear the parameters of the disciples ministry for this first time out. They can’t go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. Only to the “lost sheep of Israel”
The Gospel was first to be preached to the Jews then the rest of the world. At this point the disciples were to go to the Jewish world first.
At a later time they would go to the gentiles.
He makes it clear they are to go out in faith trusting God for their needs and if people are deserving they are to let their peace rest on that place if not they are to sake the dust off their feet when they leave the town.
Noting that it will be “more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.” if they reject the message of the disciples.
Today we I believe can do everything the disciples did and I believe we need to act as they did.
They had one job and that was to spread the gospel message to anyone who would listen. They were to open a dialogue between themselves and the people of Israel and point them to heaven.
As a Christian do you have an open dialogue between yourself and the none Christians around you?
Think about it.
Tuesday 18 March 2014
the Labourers are few
The Labourers are few.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38.
Where are you when it comes to working for Christ? Here Jesus points out a simple fact. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
The facts even today are that approximately only 10% of all those who go to church actually do work around the church. The rest just fill the pews.
In the city were I live we seem to have a church on every corner. As a result people tend to “church hop”.
People move from church to church looking to have a “feel good moment”. When they enter church.
People want to have that up lifting experiences in church. Many don’t like it when a sermon hits home.
When a sermon convicts the individual of their sin or something their lacking in.
Many when they fail to get that Sunday high move to another church congregation in the hopes of getting the fix there.
Many people in church have a lot of things going on outside of Church. They’re involved in everything from sports, to ballet, to working. Their commitment to the work of God comes last on their list.
You only have to look at statistics within the church to see that things in the church are not that much different to the society outside.
We as Christians need to put Christ and His work first in our lives. We need to be working as much as we can for the kingdom of God. And we need to “ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Think about it.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.
When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.
Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Matthew 9:35-38.
Where are you when it comes to working for Christ? Here Jesus points out a simple fact. “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”
The facts even today are that approximately only 10% of all those who go to church actually do work around the church. The rest just fill the pews.
In the city were I live we seem to have a church on every corner. As a result people tend to “church hop”.
People move from church to church looking to have a “feel good moment”. When they enter church.
People want to have that up lifting experiences in church. Many don’t like it when a sermon hits home.
When a sermon convicts the individual of their sin or something their lacking in.
Many when they fail to get that Sunday high move to another church congregation in the hopes of getting the fix there.
Many people in church have a lot of things going on outside of Church. They’re involved in everything from sports, to ballet, to working. Their commitment to the work of God comes last on their list.
You only have to look at statistics within the church to see that things in the church are not that much different to the society outside.
We as Christians need to put Christ and His work first in our lives. We need to be working as much as we can for the kingdom of God. And we need to “ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”
Think about it.
Monday 17 March 2014
Who do you think Jesus is?
Who is Jesus?
“While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.
And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
Matthew 9:32-34
Throughout the ages Jesus has been seen as many things. Here the Pharisees say he is the prince of demons.
They had an axe to grind with Jesus . They seen him as a threat to their authority. They used anything they could against him.
Here their calling him the prince of demons doesn’t make sense. Why would the prince of demons drive out demons from a man? Isn’t it counter productive to his cause?
Jesus drove out the demons to prove that he was the Son of God that he had the power over the demons. That, that power came from God.
Over the years people have seen Jesus as everything from as the Pharisees did, a demon, to a prophet, to Messiah, to a good man, to a great moral teacher.
I like to quote C.S. Lewis when he wrote,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Think about it.
“While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed and could not talk was brought to Jesus.
And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”
But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”
Matthew 9:32-34
Throughout the ages Jesus has been seen as many things. Here the Pharisees say he is the prince of demons.
They had an axe to grind with Jesus . They seen him as a threat to their authority. They used anything they could against him.
Here their calling him the prince of demons doesn’t make sense. Why would the prince of demons drive out demons from a man? Isn’t it counter productive to his cause?
Jesus drove out the demons to prove that he was the Son of God that he had the power over the demons. That, that power came from God.
Over the years people have seen Jesus as everything from as the Pharisees did, a demon, to a prophet, to Messiah, to a good man, to a great moral teacher.
I like to quote C.S. Lewis when he wrote,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The choice is yours.
Who do you think Jesus is?
Think about it.
Sunday 16 March 2014
Who is Jesus
“As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”
When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” “Yes, Lord,” they replied.
Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith will it be done to you”;
and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”
But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.”
Matthew 9:27-31.
Here Jesus heals two blind men who had the faith to believe he could heal them. It was their faith that healed them. They went to Jesus in faith expecting to be healed and he rewarded their faith.
He then told them not to tell anyone.
However a momentous thing had happened to them and they told it seems anyone who would listen to them.
Jesus here more than likely didn’t want to be strictly known as a faith healer. His purpose in life was to bring people out of their sin. The reconcile them to God. The miracles as great as they were, were only a small part of his ministry.
They showed that he was from God. But he I believe didn’t want to be known strictly for those miracles.
When we look at Jesus today we need to see him not as a miracle worker, not as a good moral teacher or simply a good man.
We need to see him as the one and Only Son of God. Our Lord and Savior.
How do you see Jesus.
Think about it.
Saturday 15 March 2014
Of Faith
Of Faith
“While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,
he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
News of this spread through all that region.”
Matthew 9:18-26.
Throughout the gospels we have stories of faith in Jesus. Here are two good examples.
A ruler comes to Jesus and has faith enough to believe that Jesus can raise his dead daughter.
Proof that Jesus had people who believed in him not just in the lower and middle class but in the ruling more educated classes.
This man asked Jesus to come to his home where there were people hired to play instruments as part of the mourning process for the dead.
They laughed at Jesus when he said she was only asleep. They obviously knew she was dead. Her death had probably been pronounced by someone.
Yet here Jesus touches here and she comes to life.
Prior to this while he was on his way a woman who had an issue of blood an incident noted in Mark five and Luke eight had the faith to believe that if she simply touched the hem of his cloak she would be healed.
She touched it and Jesus turned to her and said, “your faith has healed you.”
It must be noted that it was the faith of the people involved here that healed them.
Faith is the key to being a Christian. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Question, Where is your faith?
Think about it.
“While he was saying this, a ruler came and knelt before him and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her, and she will live.” Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.
Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.
She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that moment.
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd,
he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead but asleep.” But they laughed at him.
After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.
News of this spread through all that region.”
Matthew 9:18-26.
Throughout the gospels we have stories of faith in Jesus. Here are two good examples.
A ruler comes to Jesus and has faith enough to believe that Jesus can raise his dead daughter.
Proof that Jesus had people who believed in him not just in the lower and middle class but in the ruling more educated classes.
This man asked Jesus to come to his home where there were people hired to play instruments as part of the mourning process for the dead.
They laughed at Jesus when he said she was only asleep. They obviously knew she was dead. Her death had probably been pronounced by someone.
Yet here Jesus touches here and she comes to life.
Prior to this while he was on his way a woman who had an issue of blood an incident noted in Mark five and Luke eight had the faith to believe that if she simply touched the hem of his cloak she would be healed.
She touched it and Jesus turned to her and said, “your faith has healed you.”
It must be noted that it was the faith of the people involved here that healed them.
Faith is the key to being a Christian. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Question, Where is your faith?
Think about it.
Friday 14 March 2014
New Wine
New wine
“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.
Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wine skins, and both are preserved.”
Matthew 9:14-17.
Here’s a quick explanation of this passage based on several commentaries I’ve read.
Basically here Jesus is comparing himself to the bride groom and he makes it clear that the guests of the bride groom, his disciples, do not fast while the bride groom is with them. They rejoice.
He goes on to note that “Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined.”
He’s comparing his ministry to new wine.
In the time of Jesus wine was kept in goat skins. Old skins were already stretched to the maximum putting grape juice, new wine into them would expand as the grape juice expanded and would cause the old skin to rupture spilling the wine.
Jesus is saying his ministry is a new ministry that can no longer be contained in the structure of Judaism.
His ministry is for the whole world. Not just Israel.
Up until this point in time while there were converts to Judaism, Judaism itself was not a religion that evangelized.
Now Jesus was changing all of that by taking the belief in the one true God to the whole world.
This is why Jesus came to take the salvation message. The Love of God to all the nations of the world.
Think about it.
“Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?”
Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.
“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse.
Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wine skins, and both are preserved.”
Matthew 9:14-17.
Here’s a quick explanation of this passage based on several commentaries I’ve read.
Basically here Jesus is comparing himself to the bride groom and he makes it clear that the guests of the bride groom, his disciples, do not fast while the bride groom is with them. They rejoice.
He goes on to note that “Neither do men pour new wine into old wine skins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wine skins will be ruined.”
He’s comparing his ministry to new wine.
In the time of Jesus wine was kept in goat skins. Old skins were already stretched to the maximum putting grape juice, new wine into them would expand as the grape juice expanded and would cause the old skin to rupture spilling the wine.
Jesus is saying his ministry is a new ministry that can no longer be contained in the structure of Judaism.
His ministry is for the whole world. Not just Israel.
Up until this point in time while there were converts to Judaism, Judaism itself was not a religion that evangelized.
Now Jesus was changing all of that by taking the belief in the one true God to the whole world.
This is why Jesus came to take the salvation message. The Love of God to all the nations of the world.
Think about it.
Thursday 13 March 2014
Why Jesus Came
Why Jesus came
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:9-13.
Here is a point I think is lost on some preachers and evangelist especially in the media.
These preachers rant and rave about sin. They scream at the top of their lungs what sin is and point fingers. Lost in the cacophony of noise is the mercy of God.
The Pharisees saw Jesus sitting down with sinners and questioned why. To which Jesus replied,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
I find at times in the church and among some preachers on television mercy is not shown.
They are too concentrated on listing the sins of others. Jesus was not like this.
Here he was sitting with tax collectors. People considered crooks in his day. Yet we are not told that he is brow beating them about their sins. If he did the probably not have sat down with him.
He seems to be entering into dialogue with them. Presenting to them the way of salvation.
That’s the way it should be with us. We need to enter into dialogue with those around us. No matter who they are.
It’s easy to find fault with others it’s hard to sit down with them and discuss what God has for them.
Unless we as Christians sit down with people we disagree with and discuss with them what we believe we will not reach the lost.
God sent his son to a world of sinners because he loved us.
Paul says of Love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Unless we can show this kind of love to those around us we cannot hope to save the lost.
Think about it.
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples.
When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:9-13.
Here is a point I think is lost on some preachers and evangelist especially in the media.
These preachers rant and rave about sin. They scream at the top of their lungs what sin is and point fingers. Lost in the cacophony of noise is the mercy of God.
The Pharisees saw Jesus sitting down with sinners and questioned why. To which Jesus replied,
“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
I find at times in the church and among some preachers on television mercy is not shown.
They are too concentrated on listing the sins of others. Jesus was not like this.
Here he was sitting with tax collectors. People considered crooks in his day. Yet we are not told that he is brow beating them about their sins. If he did the probably not have sat down with him.
He seems to be entering into dialogue with them. Presenting to them the way of salvation.
That’s the way it should be with us. We need to enter into dialogue with those around us. No matter who they are.
It’s easy to find fault with others it’s hard to sit down with them and discuss what God has for them.
Unless we as Christians sit down with people we disagree with and discuss with them what we believe we will not reach the lost.
God sent his son to a world of sinners because he loved us.
Paul says of Love,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Unless we can show this kind of love to those around us we cannot hope to save the lost.
Think about it.
Wednesday 12 March 2014
Jesus can forgive sins
Jesus has the right to forgive
“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
And the man got up and went home.
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.”
Matthew 9:1-8.
Here Jesus heals the Paralytic. We are not sure whether this man’s paralyses was due to his sin Jesus doesn’t elaborate.
I think from what is said it may have been a case of the man’s sin caused him to be paralysed.
Either way Jesus forgives his sin. And the teachers of the law see it as blaspheming.
This is another example of Jesus being open on honest as to who he is. Such a thing in the society in which Jesus lived could have got him killed.
Blasphemy was a capital offence. Jesus was making himself equal to God.
For a man to say such a thing unless it was true would be if you think about it ludicrous.
Jesus was indeed everything he claimed to be he leaves no doubt about it.
All that is left to the reader is to accept what he said as truth or dismiss it.
Think about it.
“Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.
Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.”
At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’?
But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
And the man got up and went home.
When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.”
Matthew 9:1-8.
Here Jesus heals the Paralytic. We are not sure whether this man’s paralyses was due to his sin Jesus doesn’t elaborate.
I think from what is said it may have been a case of the man’s sin caused him to be paralysed.
Either way Jesus forgives his sin. And the teachers of the law see it as blaspheming.
This is another example of Jesus being open on honest as to who he is. Such a thing in the society in which Jesus lived could have got him killed.
Blasphemy was a capital offence. Jesus was making himself equal to God.
For a man to say such a thing unless it was true would be if you think about it ludicrous.
Jesus was indeed everything he claimed to be he leaves no doubt about it.
All that is left to the reader is to accept what he said as truth or dismiss it.
Think about it.
Tuesday 11 March 2014
Demon Possession
Demon Possession
“When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.
The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”
Matthew 8:28-34
The topic of demon possession is near and dear to this writers heart.
I do not deny it happens but sadly too many Christians think it happens far too often.
They see what is really mental illness as demon possession and that is a dangerous thing.
I live with Bipolar Affective Disorder (Manic Depression). It after twenty odd years and it seems like dozens of trial and error drug cocktails, talk therapy and group therapy sessions is under control for the most part.
I still have my bad days, days when I can’t function but for the most part most people don’t know I have it.
I’m very open about my illness I even speak as a volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association in the Niagara Region to raise awareness and dispel the stigma that accompanies mental illness.
Over the years however I’ve found that it is in Church where I have had the most negative experiences. One man even telling me that mental illness was demon possession and that I needed the pastor to pray for me.
Sadly in some church circles they find a demon under every bush.
I found the following article on the web site of Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF.ORG.UK ). It’s by a writer called Nick Land and titled Psychiatry and Christianity - Poles apart? It reads,
“Demonic possession. ‘There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased with both errors’.[1] Our current culture well reflects this quote with a scientific denial of the supernatural, contrasting with an increasing preoccupation with the occult. Our churches too often fall into one or other of these extremes, either denying the role of the demonic or becoming preoccupied with it and ascribing to Satan phenomena that have much more ‘natural’ medical or theological explanations.
When we look at Jesus’ healing ministry, we see that sometimes he heals, sometimes he forgives and sometimes he exorcises. This leaves us asking how much mental illness is caused by direct demonic influence? It is clearly very distressing if your church reacts to your biological mental illness with attempts at exorcism. As Christian doctors we have a role in advising our churches when an individual with frightening symptoms is actually showing a typical psychiatric illness. For example, the severely depressed Christian may believe God is dead or fight against recurrent blasphemous thoughts - but their sadness and distress at these phenomena is clue enough that they have an illness, not a demon.
I firmly believe that typical psychotic illness is not caused by demonic possession. Evidence for this includes firstly the increased correlation between psychotic illness and physical brain changes demonstrated on structural and functional scanning. Secondly the response of psychotic illness to treatment - unless you believe that chlorpromazine stuns demons! Thirdly is the experience of many involved in healing and deliverance ministry who recognise that schizophrenia responds extremely badly to attempts at deliverance and who increasingly ensure that they have mental health professionals as part of their team to ensure that individuals brought to them do not have typical psychiatric illness.
Discussing this with a Christian consultant colleague, we had each seen only one case in fifteen years of psychiatric practice that we felt might be directly caused by demonic possession. Interestingly the British Journal of Psychiatry did carry a case report of possible demonic possession in September 1994.”
So a word of caution to those Christians that think all mental illness is demon possession.
Consult a qualified councilor or doctor.
Prayer helps but it is essential that we do not dismiss mental illness as demon possession.
Mental illness can be treated and can be and treated successfully.
Think about it.
“When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way.
“What do you want with us, Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”
Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding.
The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”
He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water.
Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men.
Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.”
Matthew 8:28-34
The topic of demon possession is near and dear to this writers heart.
I do not deny it happens but sadly too many Christians think it happens far too often.
They see what is really mental illness as demon possession and that is a dangerous thing.
I live with Bipolar Affective Disorder (Manic Depression). It after twenty odd years and it seems like dozens of trial and error drug cocktails, talk therapy and group therapy sessions is under control for the most part.
I still have my bad days, days when I can’t function but for the most part most people don’t know I have it.
I’m very open about my illness I even speak as a volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association in the Niagara Region to raise awareness and dispel the stigma that accompanies mental illness.
Over the years however I’ve found that it is in Church where I have had the most negative experiences. One man even telling me that mental illness was demon possession and that I needed the pastor to pray for me.
Sadly in some church circles they find a demon under every bush.
I found the following article on the web site of Christian Medical Fellowship (CMF.ORG.UK ). It’s by a writer called Nick Land and titled Psychiatry and Christianity - Poles apart? It reads,
“Demonic possession. ‘There are two equal and opposite errors into which our race can fall about the devils. One is to disbelieve in their existence. The other is to believe and feel an excessive and unhealthy interest in them. They themselves are equally pleased with both errors’.[1] Our current culture well reflects this quote with a scientific denial of the supernatural, contrasting with an increasing preoccupation with the occult. Our churches too often fall into one or other of these extremes, either denying the role of the demonic or becoming preoccupied with it and ascribing to Satan phenomena that have much more ‘natural’ medical or theological explanations.
When we look at Jesus’ healing ministry, we see that sometimes he heals, sometimes he forgives and sometimes he exorcises. This leaves us asking how much mental illness is caused by direct demonic influence? It is clearly very distressing if your church reacts to your biological mental illness with attempts at exorcism. As Christian doctors we have a role in advising our churches when an individual with frightening symptoms is actually showing a typical psychiatric illness. For example, the severely depressed Christian may believe God is dead or fight against recurrent blasphemous thoughts - but their sadness and distress at these phenomena is clue enough that they have an illness, not a demon.
I firmly believe that typical psychotic illness is not caused by demonic possession. Evidence for this includes firstly the increased correlation between psychotic illness and physical brain changes demonstrated on structural and functional scanning. Secondly the response of psychotic illness to treatment - unless you believe that chlorpromazine stuns demons! Thirdly is the experience of many involved in healing and deliverance ministry who recognise that schizophrenia responds extremely badly to attempts at deliverance and who increasingly ensure that they have mental health professionals as part of their team to ensure that individuals brought to them do not have typical psychiatric illness.
Discussing this with a Christian consultant colleague, we had each seen only one case in fifteen years of psychiatric practice that we felt might be directly caused by demonic possession. Interestingly the British Journal of Psychiatry did carry a case report of possible demonic possession in September 1994.”
So a word of caution to those Christians that think all mental illness is demon possession.
Consult a qualified councilor or doctor.
Prayer helps but it is essential that we do not dismiss mental illness as demon possession.
Mental illness can be treated and can be and treated successfully.
Think about it.
Monday 10 March 2014
Jesus is Lord and God
Jesus is Lord and God
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:23-27
Here Jesus calms the storm. This storm was so violent that even the seasoned fishermen that were in the boat with Jesus were afraid.
But notice they turn to Jesus to save them. They recognized he could save them and he did.
This passage shows that Jesus was Lord over all creation. To quote the disciples “even the winds and the waves obey him!”
John reminds us,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
John 1:1-3.
Sadly as in the days when Christ walked the earth many do not recognize him as Lord, God incarnate. John Stating,
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:10-12.
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The choice on who Jesus is ultimately comes down to you the individual.
Is he Lord and God the Saviour of mankind or is he not?
Think about it.
“Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him.
Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping.
The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”
He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.
The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”
Matthew 8:23-27
Here Jesus calms the storm. This storm was so violent that even the seasoned fishermen that were in the boat with Jesus were afraid.
But notice they turn to Jesus to save them. They recognized he could save them and he did.
This passage shows that Jesus was Lord over all creation. To quote the disciples “even the winds and the waves obey him!”
John reminds us,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”
John 1:1-3.
Sadly as in the days when Christ walked the earth many do not recognize him as Lord, God incarnate. John Stating,
“He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
John 1:10-12.
C. S. Lewis said of Jesus,
“A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things that Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic on the level of a man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the devil of hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.”
The choice on who Jesus is ultimately comes down to you the individual.
Is he Lord and God the Saviour of mankind or is he not?
Think about it.
Sunday 9 March 2014
The cost of following Jesus
The cost of following Jesus
“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 8:18-22.
Here we see how much the disciples had to give up to follow Jesus.
Jewish culture placed a big responsibility on the children not only looking after their parents but also burying their parents.
To ask someone to leave that and follow Jesus was a big demand.
The ministry of Jesus had little time to waste. Jesus was not on this earth very long. Jesus understood this.
For this reason he called his disciples to decide what was more important in their lives.
In the same way we need to decide how important a place has Jesus in our lives.
We also have to be careful here.
I know too many pastors that have thrown themselves into their ministry only to see their family fall apart.
To see their children turn from the faith and to have their marriages break up.
Evangelism begins at home someone once told me.
There is no evidence that the marriages of the disciples ever broke up. I believe and it’s only speculation, but I believe their families understood and backed them up.
That’s the way it should be for us.
We need to have our families on our side when we are working for the Lord. We need to help build our families up in the ways of the Lord.
Then and only then can we truly minister for the Lord.
Think about it.
“When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake. Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”
Jesus replied, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”
But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”
Matthew 8:18-22.
Here we see how much the disciples had to give up to follow Jesus.
Jewish culture placed a big responsibility on the children not only looking after their parents but also burying their parents.
To ask someone to leave that and follow Jesus was a big demand.
The ministry of Jesus had little time to waste. Jesus was not on this earth very long. Jesus understood this.
For this reason he called his disciples to decide what was more important in their lives.
In the same way we need to decide how important a place has Jesus in our lives.
We also have to be careful here.
I know too many pastors that have thrown themselves into their ministry only to see their family fall apart.
To see their children turn from the faith and to have their marriages break up.
Evangelism begins at home someone once told me.
There is no evidence that the marriages of the disciples ever broke up. I believe and it’s only speculation, but I believe their families understood and backed them up.
That’s the way it should be for us.
We need to have our families on our side when we are working for the Lord. We need to help build our families up in the ways of the Lord.
Then and only then can we truly minister for the Lord.
Think about it.
Saturday 8 March 2014
Jesus Heals
Jesus Heals
“When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
Matthew 8:14-17.
Whenever I engage non-Christians about Jesus and the truth of the Bible the one thing I find they cannot dismiss is the miraculous healings Jesus did.
Lets face it the Bible is the foundation of Christianity. The purpose of the Bible is to build up Christians in their faith and point non-Christians to Christ and heaven.
I’ve had non-Christians say the healings were not real. If so why put them in the Bible it would be a lie and counter productive to the cause of Christ.
No the healings recorded in the Bible are true and one more proof that Jesus is who he said he is.
Everything that is mentioned in the Bible is true there is no denying it. One must accept everything that it says even if it at times means a leap of faith.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Think about it.
“When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.
When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.
This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.”
Matthew 8:14-17.
Whenever I engage non-Christians about Jesus and the truth of the Bible the one thing I find they cannot dismiss is the miraculous healings Jesus did.
Lets face it the Bible is the foundation of Christianity. The purpose of the Bible is to build up Christians in their faith and point non-Christians to Christ and heaven.
I’ve had non-Christians say the healings were not real. If so why put them in the Bible it would be a lie and counter productive to the cause of Christ.
No the healings recorded in the Bible are true and one more proof that Jesus is who he said he is.
Everything that is mentioned in the Bible is true there is no denying it. One must accept everything that it says even if it at times means a leap of faith.
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
Think about it.
Friday 7 March 2014
A Soldiers Faith
A Soldiers Faith
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.”
Matthew 8:5-13.
Here we have the faith of the Centurion. He truly believed that Jesus could heal his servant. When Jesus offers to go and heal him the man with true faith and humility says,
“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Jesus noting the greatness of the man's faith. Then going on to say that many will come expecting to sit at His table in heaven only to be cast out.
Most commentators agree he is referring to Jews who think that just because they are born Jews they will automatically get to heaven.
The same could be said for some who believe they are Christians today, simply because they grew up in a Christian family.
My sister-in-law once said to me “Mom has enough faith for us all to get to heaven.”
This is not so. The rules for getting into heaven changed. One must have faith in God. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God”
Hebrews 11:4-10
Today we are called to believe in Jesus Christ. Paul’s words to his jailor being just as relevant today as they were back them.
“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31.
Think about it.
“When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help.
“Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed and in terrible suffering.”
Jesus said to him, “I will go and heal him.”
The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.
I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.
But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that very hour.”
Matthew 8:5-13.
Here we have the faith of the Centurion. He truly believed that Jesus could heal his servant. When Jesus offers to go and heal him the man with true faith and humility says,
“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.
For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
Jesus noting the greatness of the man's faith. Then going on to say that many will come expecting to sit at His table in heaven only to be cast out.
Most commentators agree he is referring to Jews who think that just because they are born Jews they will automatically get to heaven.
The same could be said for some who believe they are Christians today, simply because they grew up in a Christian family.
My sister-in-law once said to me “Mom has enough faith for us all to get to heaven.”
This is not so. The rules for getting into heaven changed. One must have faith in God. The writer of Hebrews noting,
“By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God”
Hebrews 11:4-10
Today we are called to believe in Jesus Christ. Paul’s words to his jailor being just as relevant today as they were back them.
“They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” Acts 16:31.
Think about it.
Thursday 6 March 2014
Healings
Healing’s a sign from God
“When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Matthew 8:1-4
I have always contended that God is the same yesterday today on always. Thus it is logical if healings took place in the Old Testament, and the New Testament then they have to happen today.
The healings and noble as they were, were not the purpose in Jesus coming to earth.
It was his teaching ministry that was the prime purpose in him coming. Through his teachings we are shown the way to heaven.
Still the miraculous healings show that what is said in the bible are real. If they were not real why would any rational person wanting to reach people of Christ leave them in.
Were they proven to be fake they would be counter productive to the cause of Christ.
The healings in the Bible are legitimate.
Now having said that I firmly believe that there are fake faith healers in the world today. Men that are supposedly healing people in the name of God and are not.
These people are fall into three categories, they are deluding themselves and others, they are out there to line their own pockets or they are there to mislead people.
Jesus 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.
The only way we can truly know if we are listening to a fake faith healer or not is to check up on them.
First of all in the Bible.
Are the word they are speaking taken in context from the bible.
Second are they telling people to go to their doctor who can confirm that they have been healed and that they had the illness in the first place.
I’ve heard of case over the years of people claiming a healing the they never had.
Thirdly is the faith healer just putting on a good show.
I know of one faith healer that claimed that people were getting up out of wheel chairs and proved it by putting empty supposedly used wheel chairs on the stage.
Trouble was they were all new chairs that had never been used and this person had people meet visibly disabled people before they got to the stage ushering them away.
We need to demand proof when it comes miraculous healings.
All of the healing that happened both in the Old Testament and the New Testament were documented. It needs to be the same today.
Think about it.
“When he came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him.
A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.
Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
Matthew 8:1-4
I have always contended that God is the same yesterday today on always. Thus it is logical if healings took place in the Old Testament, and the New Testament then they have to happen today.
The healings and noble as they were, were not the purpose in Jesus coming to earth.
It was his teaching ministry that was the prime purpose in him coming. Through his teachings we are shown the way to heaven.
Still the miraculous healings show that what is said in the bible are real. If they were not real why would any rational person wanting to reach people of Christ leave them in.
Were they proven to be fake they would be counter productive to the cause of Christ.
The healings in the Bible are legitimate.
Now having said that I firmly believe that there are fake faith healers in the world today. Men that are supposedly healing people in the name of God and are not.
These people are fall into three categories, they are deluding themselves and others, they are out there to line their own pockets or they are there to mislead people.
Jesus 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.
The only way we can truly know if we are listening to a fake faith healer or not is to check up on them.
First of all in the Bible.
Are the word they are speaking taken in context from the bible.
Second are they telling people to go to their doctor who can confirm that they have been healed and that they had the illness in the first place.
I’ve heard of case over the years of people claiming a healing the they never had.
Thirdly is the faith healer just putting on a good show.
I know of one faith healer that claimed that people were getting up out of wheel chairs and proved it by putting empty supposedly used wheel chairs on the stage.
Trouble was they were all new chairs that had never been used and this person had people meet visibly disabled people before they got to the stage ushering them away.
We need to demand proof when it comes miraculous healings.
All of the healing that happened both in the Old Testament and the New Testament were documented. It needs to be the same today.
Think about it.
Wednesday 5 March 2014
Build on The Rock
Build on The Rock
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27.
Here Jesus gives the call for us to build our faith on the words of Jesus on the words of the Bible.
The Bible is first and foremost a book of faith it points us to God. Secondly and equally as important it is a rule book to telling us how to live with God and with our fellow man.
The Bible gives us moral values to live by.
If more people lived by them our world would be a far better place.
The bible’s highest ideal is love, the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians saying,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Jesus telling us,
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Sadly even in Christian circles people do not practice love as Jesus and the Bible intended.
By not doing so they turn people away from God.
Anne Frank a Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis during world war two. A girl who experienced the worst mankind could offer and who died in a concentration camp wrote these words.
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!”
I like the prayer of Martin Luther King Jr. I think it’s something all Christians should take to hart. It reads,
"We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or
any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good
to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more
than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace;
help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom
of our LORD and of our God, we pray.
Amen."
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This I believe is what Jesus meant when he said to build our house on the Rock. To build it on the firm foundation of the Love of God and his teachings. Teachings that can change the world.
Think about it.
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand.
The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Matthew 7:24-27.
Here Jesus gives the call for us to build our faith on the words of Jesus on the words of the Bible.
The Bible is first and foremost a book of faith it points us to God. Secondly and equally as important it is a rule book to telling us how to live with God and with our fellow man.
The Bible gives us moral values to live by.
If more people lived by them our world would be a far better place.
The bible’s highest ideal is love, the apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians saying,
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Jesus telling us,
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 neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40.
Sadly even in Christian circles people do not practice love as Jesus and the Bible intended.
By not doing so they turn people away from God.
Anne Frank a Jewish girl who hid from the Nazis during world war two. A girl who experienced the worst mankind could offer and who died in a concentration camp wrote these words.
“Give of yourself, give as much as you can? And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness! If everyone were to do this and not be as mean with a kindly word, then there would be much more justice and love in the world. Give and you shall receive, much more than you would have ever thought possible. Give, give again and again, don’t lose courage, keep it up and go on giving! No one has ever become poor from giving!”
I like the prayer of Martin Luther King Jr. I think it’s something all Christians should take to hart. It reads,
"We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man.
We are in nature but we live above nature.
Help us never to let anybody or
any condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate.
Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good
to those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more
than sing and pray, but go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then, finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity.
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace;
help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, and Yellow will rejoice in one common bond of humanity in the kingdom
of our LORD and of our God, we pray.
Amen."
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
This I believe is what Jesus meant when he said to build our house on the Rock. To build it on the firm foundation of the Love of God and his teachings. Teachings that can change the world.
Think about it.
Tuesday 4 March 2014
Not all who appear to be Christians are
Not all who appear to be Christians are.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“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 7:15-23.
Here Jesus makes it very clear that we are to be cautious. That we are to watch those who preach the word of God.
We are to look at their fruit. Are they brining people into the fold or are they turning people away.
There are a lot of preachers and evangelist out there that say they are proclaiming the word of God but are not.
They cloak themselves in the Bible and misinterpret it for their own gain and glory not God’s.
We are called to present the good news of Jesus Christ to the world we are not called do it for our own glory.
I’ve heard many over the years say well such and such an evangelist or pastor says this. And I know it’s not right.
Most people don’t even bother to check the scriptures quoted to see if they are taken in context or if they indeed do exist.
I know of one man who came to our church he was recommended by a reliable source.
Trouble was in the incredible hour and a half he spoke most of what he said was not right. Some of what he said was supposedly in the bible was not there.
It was an embarrassment to the church. Fortunately there were few visitors that day.
We are called to watch for such people.
And such people will one day stand before God and here Him say,
‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Therefore the message here is clear check what the speaker is saying. Take time to study what he or she said.
If you have a problem with what they say talk to them email them with your questions or even write a letter asking to clarify what they said.
It is up to Christians to keep ourselves honest and hold those who teach us to a very high standard.
So do as Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Think about it.
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.
“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 7:15-23.
Here Jesus makes it very clear that we are to be cautious. That we are to watch those who preach the word of God.
We are to look at their fruit. Are they brining people into the fold or are they turning people away.
There are a lot of preachers and evangelist out there that say they are proclaiming the word of God but are not.
They cloak themselves in the Bible and misinterpret it for their own gain and glory not God’s.
We are called to present the good news of Jesus Christ to the world we are not called do it for our own glory.
I’ve heard many over the years say well such and such an evangelist or pastor says this. And I know it’s not right.
Most people don’t even bother to check the scriptures quoted to see if they are taken in context or if they indeed do exist.
I know of one man who came to our church he was recommended by a reliable source.
Trouble was in the incredible hour and a half he spoke most of what he said was not right. Some of what he said was supposedly in the bible was not there.
It was an embarrassment to the church. Fortunately there were few visitors that day.
We are called to watch for such people.
And such people will one day stand before God and here Him say,
‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’
Therefore the message here is clear check what the speaker is saying. Take time to study what he or she said.
If you have a problem with what they say talk to them email them with your questions or even write a letter asking to clarify what they said.
It is up to Christians to keep ourselves honest and hold those who teach us to a very high standard.
So do as Jesus said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
Think about it.
Monday 3 March 2014
A Narrow Gate
“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13,14
The one belief that separates Christians from all other faiths is the claim that they are the only way to heaven.
Here Jesus says that “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
People all over the world today are looking for the truth. They are honestly looking for the way to heaven.
Almost all religions in the world say you have to be good. Being good is a good thing.
But most religions of the world also say that your good deeds must out weigh your bad deeds in order to enter heaven or reach a plain of ultimate enlightenment.
Christianity does not say that.
Jesus makes the following statements,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
“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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
These statements make it clear that it is only through Jesus that we can enter heaven and obtain eternal life.
The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians makes it clear,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
We can never be good enough to enter into heaven. We are imperfect vessels. We all at one time or another in our daily walk fall far short of what God wants for our life. We sin.
Sin is simply falling short of what God wants for our life.
John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Christianity simply states that in order to get into heaven we must first of all believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God.
That we should confess our sins to Him that he may forgive our sins.
Then we are asked to do our best to live up to the ideals of Christ. knowing that if we do make a mistake if we do sin we can still go back to Him confess it and be forgiven.
Think about it.
But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
Matthew 7:13,14
The one belief that separates Christians from all other faiths is the claim that they are the only way to heaven.
Here Jesus says that “small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”
People all over the world today are looking for the truth. They are honestly looking for the way to heaven.
Almost all religions in the world say you have to be good. Being good is a good thing.
But most religions of the world also say that your good deeds must out weigh your bad deeds in order to enter heaven or reach a plain of ultimate enlightenment.
Christianity does not say that.
Jesus makes the following statements,
"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 14:6
“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.
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
John 3:16-18
These statements make it clear that it is only through Jesus that we can enter heaven and obtain eternal life.
The apostle Paul writing to the Ephesians makes it clear,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
The writer of Hebrews noting,
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6.
We can never be good enough to enter into heaven. We are imperfect vessels. We all at one time or another in our daily walk fall far short of what God wants for our life. We sin.
Sin is simply falling short of what God wants for our life.
John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
1 John 1:9,10.
Christianity simply states that in order to get into heaven we must first of all believe that Jesus is the one and only Son of God.
That we should confess our sins to Him that he may forgive our sins.
Then we are asked to do our best to live up to the ideals of Christ. knowing that if we do make a mistake if we do sin we can still go back to Him confess it and be forgiven.
Think about it.
Sunday 2 March 2014
The Golden Rule
The Golden Rule
“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 statement that is echoed in other faiths, the so called golden rule.
I find it is something Christians at times forget.
They in the name of God go around preaching and judging others. They try to force what they believe on others.
Many Christian groups have tried over the years to restrict the rights of others. This should not be so.
We should be helping preserve the rights of others whether we are in a democracy or not.
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.”
We as Christians owe it to ourselves and to others to treat all people in the way we wish to be treated.
We should always take time to think before we act and ask ourselves the question would I like this being done to me.
Think about it.
“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 statement that is echoed in other faiths, the so called golden rule.
I find it is something Christians at times forget.
They in the name of God go around preaching and judging others. They try to force what they believe on others.
Many Christian groups have tried over the years to restrict the rights of others. This should not be so.
We should be helping preserve the rights of others whether we are in a democracy or not.
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.”
We as Christians owe it to ourselves and to others to treat all people in the way we wish to be treated.
We should always take time to think before we act and ask ourselves the question would I like this being done to me.
Think about it.
Saturday 1 March 2014
Ask
Ask
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:7-11
According to one commentator Kenneth L Baker writing in the Zondervan NIV Study Bible (2002) for the words, “ask … seek … knock. Greek present imperatives are used here, indicating constant asking, seeking and knocking. Persistent prayer is being emphasized.”
But we should be careful what we ask for, James reminding us,
“You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James 4:2,3.
We need to ask in a right way. In accordance with God’s will.
I heard one preacher say just ask God and He will give it to you. That’s not so. God will give you what you can handle and what you need.
We must also remember that prayer is an act of faith. That we must be praying always. Placing our petitions before God. Asking that his will be done in our life.
Think about it.
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
“Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?
If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:7-11
According to one commentator Kenneth L Baker writing in the Zondervan NIV Study Bible (2002) for the words, “ask … seek … knock. Greek present imperatives are used here, indicating constant asking, seeking and knocking. Persistent prayer is being emphasized.”
But we should be careful what we ask for, James reminding us,
“You want something but don’t get it. You kill and covet, but you cannot have what you want. You quarrel and fight. You do not have, because you do not ask God.
When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.”
James 4:2,3.
We need to ask in a right way. In accordance with God’s will.
I heard one preacher say just ask God and He will give it to you. That’s not so. God will give you what you can handle and what you need.
We must also remember that prayer is an act of faith. That we must be praying always. Placing our petitions before God. Asking that his will be done in our life.
Think about it.
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