Your Works
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20.
Christianity is very much a faith of both, faith and works. Our faith should compel us to do righteous works.
It’s easy to say by faith we are saved, but our faith must go further than that.
Sometime ago the youth group at my son’s church were challenged to make a difference. So they decided to find some people with no affiliation to their church that were in need of help.
They in one case helped fix up a house both inside and out. They did it without cost or obligation to the people they were doing it for. They did it without fan fair. All they got for their work was the appreciation of the people they did the work for, and the good feeling that they received for a job well done.
This is how we as Christians should work. Tony Campolo the American evangelist states,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
He’s right we should be showing our faith through our deeds every day. Remember the words of Francis of Assisi,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Think about it.
Tuesday 31 March 2015
Monday 30 March 2015
Radical Christianity
Radical Christianity
There is an estimated 2.2 billion Christians in the world and growing. Still when one looks at the western nations in Europe and in North America the Church seems to be failing to get its message out.
Where I live in North America I know most of the churches, pastors and evangelist are honest men and women doing their best to serve God. They make it their goal in life to live a life that would honour Jesus.
Still that being said, I see all the time very high profile pastors and evangelist, particularly in the media asking for money. Saying give to this ministry or that ministry and God will reward you ten or a hundred fold. The so called name it claim it crowd. They make it sound as if God is some Sugar daddy. This provokes the response from non-Christians that they are nothing more than money grabbers, which sadly some are.
Others heap condemnation on people. They judge people, and point to groups with lifestyles different from their own as if they have special sins. Something any true Christian knows is not true. Sin is sin be it a lie or white lie from a pastor or a murderer all sin is the same according to the bible and the apostle Paul writing to the Romans makes it clear we all sin, stating,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
In Matthew five Jesus says Christians are the salt of the earth. Unfortunately many high profile pastors in the media are salty, not salt. They make Christianity out to be a religion of do’s and don’ts. In doing so they turn people off.
As Christians we should be living our lives daily for God. We should be doing it in such away as to reflect the love of Jesus.
Francis of Assisi wrote these two statements,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Sadly from where I sit on my perch here in Canada I see far to many Christians in the media pointing out the sins of people. Judging people. That is not our job!
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Put simply we are to keep our own house in order and leave the judging of others to God. Something the church is sadly very bad at doing.
The churches message to the world should be,
“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.”
John 3:16,17.
Matthews Gospel records this,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew5: 43-45.
We as Christians need to be radical in showing God’s love to people not judging them.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
"Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him."
Mahatma Gandhi
I believe Mahatma Gandhi had dealings with people who called themselves Christians but were not. These people may have gone to church. They may have performed the rituals many churches have. Still they were not Christian. They had not accepted Jesus into their hearts and lives.
I believe this because a true Christian will love even his worst enemy.
Christians have over the centuries changed the lives of billions of people. We have done this by presenting a positive lifestyle alternative to the world around us.
Today as I see these young people in particular going off to join terrorist groups I have to ask why can’t the church reach them?
Has the message of Christ here in the west been watered down. Has the church here in the west become a decrepit institution filled with ritual and formality that turns people off. Are there more so called Christian evangelist and preachers preaching hell fire and brimstone heaping judgment on individuals than groups that are preaching the true message of Christ, that can change lives?
We as Christians know Christ can change lives. We should be reaching out to all people in a positive manner with the message of Christ.
The message of Christ offers hope and fills ones life with meaning. The message of Christ offers rest for ones soul. Jesus saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
This is what we as Christians should be doing.
Think about it.
There is an estimated 2.2 billion Christians in the world and growing. Still when one looks at the western nations in Europe and in North America the Church seems to be failing to get its message out.
Where I live in North America I know most of the churches, pastors and evangelist are honest men and women doing their best to serve God. They make it their goal in life to live a life that would honour Jesus.
Still that being said, I see all the time very high profile pastors and evangelist, particularly in the media asking for money. Saying give to this ministry or that ministry and God will reward you ten or a hundred fold. The so called name it claim it crowd. They make it sound as if God is some Sugar daddy. This provokes the response from non-Christians that they are nothing more than money grabbers, which sadly some are.
Others heap condemnation on people. They judge people, and point to groups with lifestyles different from their own as if they have special sins. Something any true Christian knows is not true. Sin is sin be it a lie or white lie from a pastor or a murderer all sin is the same according to the bible and the apostle Paul writing to the Romans makes it clear we all sin, stating,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,”
Romans 3:23
In Matthew five Jesus says Christians are the salt of the earth. Unfortunately many high profile pastors in the media are salty, not salt. They make Christianity out to be a religion of do’s and don’ts. In doing so they turn people off.
As Christians we should be living our lives daily for God. We should be doing it in such away as to reflect the love of Jesus.
Francis of Assisi wrote these two statements,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Sadly from where I sit on my perch here in Canada I see far to many Christians in the media pointing out the sins of people. Judging people. That is not our job!
The apostle Paul wrote,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
Put simply we are to keep our own house in order and leave the judging of others to God. Something the church is sadly very bad at doing.
The churches message to the world should be,
“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.”
John 3:16,17.
Matthews Gospel records this,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous...”
Matthew5: 43-45.
We as Christians need to be radical in showing God’s love to people not judging them.
Mahatma Gandhi said,
"Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him."
Mahatma Gandhi
I believe Mahatma Gandhi had dealings with people who called themselves Christians but were not. These people may have gone to church. They may have performed the rituals many churches have. Still they were not Christian. They had not accepted Jesus into their hearts and lives.
I believe this because a true Christian will love even his worst enemy.
Christians have over the centuries changed the lives of billions of people. We have done this by presenting a positive lifestyle alternative to the world around us.
Today as I see these young people in particular going off to join terrorist groups I have to ask why can’t the church reach them?
Has the message of Christ here in the west been watered down. Has the church here in the west become a decrepit institution filled with ritual and formality that turns people off. Are there more so called Christian evangelist and preachers preaching hell fire and brimstone heaping judgment on individuals than groups that are preaching the true message of Christ, that can change lives?
We as Christians know Christ can change lives. We should be reaching out to all people in a positive manner with the message of Christ.
The message of Christ offers hope and fills ones life with meaning. The message of Christ offers rest for ones soul. Jesus saying,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
This is what we as Christians should be doing.
Think about it.
Saturday 28 March 2015
Are you Salty
Are you Salty?
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
Are you Salty? Are you as a Christian living a life discernibly different from the world around you. My first pastor use to ask if you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence that you were indeed living for Christ?
Francis of Assisi said it best,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
As Christians our light should be shining at all times. We shouldn’t have to tell people we are Christians, nor should we be always quoting scripture and hitting them over the head with the bible.
Our lives should be a testimony of our love for Christ. Again to quote Francis of Assisi,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Think about it.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Matthew 5:13-16
Are you Salty? Are you as a Christian living a life discernibly different from the world around you. My first pastor use to ask if you were on trial for being a Christian would there be enough evidence that you were indeed living for Christ?
Francis of Assisi said it best,
“Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
As Christians our light should be shining at all times. We shouldn’t have to tell people we are Christians, nor should we be always quoting scripture and hitting them over the head with the bible.
Our lives should be a testimony of our love for Christ. Again to quote Francis of Assisi,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi.
Think about it.
Friday 27 March 2015
Parking Lots
Parking Lots
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Not much happens in parking lots. Yet on any given day a cross section of the local community can be found at least in shopping mall parking lots. Still to some people they are boring.
Think about the following.
Although the years of going from car to car or handing out tracts to people in parking lots are sadly gone in many cities in North America, there still is a lot that can be done.
Over the years I’ve been part of some successful witnessing campaigns in malls.
On one occasion I was with a gospel group that got permission to sing in the mall both at Christmas, Easter and a couple of other times during the year.
We presented our message in a non-confrontational way while at the same time not compromising our beliefs. We planted many seeds, some of which we seen grow in a local church.
One must remember malls are owned by private companies looking for value on their investment be it in cash or floor space.
Having a good professional group singing Christmas music in their malls is good for business it adds to the atmosphere. For that group to hand out invitations to their Christmas or Easter services is usually not a problem for most malls.
The key is to do things in a highly professional, non-threatening way. Remember, be a blessing. As the saying goes one attracts more bees with honey than with vinegar.
Wherever we witness we should remember the words of Jesus who said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
We should know our surroundings and be cautious with respect to our personal safety. We should have an idea of who we are witnessing to. And we should be witnessing in an non-threatening, non-judgemental way
The apostle Paul writes,
“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1Corinthians 9:20-23.
Witnessing to others is an essential part of being a Christian. It was Jesus who told us to go into all the world with the gospel.
It is therefor our duty spread the good news to all mankind at all times.
As Francis of Assisi put it, we should,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
He also reminds us,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Think about it.
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20.
Not much happens in parking lots. Yet on any given day a cross section of the local community can be found at least in shopping mall parking lots. Still to some people they are boring.
Think about the following.
Parking Lots
Parking lots are boring,
That’s what some people think,
My kids think mall lots,
Are most boring of all.
They see row on row,
Of cars and trucks and stuff,
Acres of Asphalt
Boring things like that.
Me
I think they’re alive!
A plethora of colour!
A sculpture in rubber, tin, and glass.
A
Symphony of noise,
Accompanying a commoners ballet,
On a stage of compact stone and oil.
A
Kaleidoscope.
An ever changing montage,
Of people, and things and stuff.
A
Mission field,
Ripe for the harvest.
And that’s how I see parking lots.
Witnessing in parking lots, shopping malls or on the street can be a challenge. Still if done correctly it can be done effectively.Although the years of going from car to car or handing out tracts to people in parking lots are sadly gone in many cities in North America, there still is a lot that can be done.
Over the years I’ve been part of some successful witnessing campaigns in malls.
On one occasion I was with a gospel group that got permission to sing in the mall both at Christmas, Easter and a couple of other times during the year.
We presented our message in a non-confrontational way while at the same time not compromising our beliefs. We planted many seeds, some of which we seen grow in a local church.
One must remember malls are owned by private companies looking for value on their investment be it in cash or floor space.
Having a good professional group singing Christmas music in their malls is good for business it adds to the atmosphere. For that group to hand out invitations to their Christmas or Easter services is usually not a problem for most malls.
The key is to do things in a highly professional, non-threatening way. Remember, be a blessing. As the saying goes one attracts more bees with honey than with vinegar.
Wherever we witness we should remember the words of Jesus who said,
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16.
We should know our surroundings and be cautious with respect to our personal safety. We should have an idea of who we are witnessing to. And we should be witnessing in an non-threatening, non-judgemental way
The apostle Paul writes,
“To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law.
To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law.
To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.”
1Corinthians 9:20-23.
Witnessing to others is an essential part of being a Christian. It was Jesus who told us to go into all the world with the gospel.
It is therefor our duty spread the good news to all mankind at all times.
As Francis of Assisi put it, we should,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
Francis of Assisi.
He also reminds us,
“The deeds you do may be the only sermon some persons will hear today”
Francis of Assisi
Think about it.
Thursday 26 March 2015
January 14th 2:00am
January 14th 2:00am
Outside the air is a warm, seventeen centigrade, unseasonable for this time of year in this part of the world.
A soft, soaking rain is falling from the sky. Cars made a swishing sound as they travel along the almost empty street.
All around there is the noise of the city, slowing, rising to a crescendo, then equally slowly dying to a momentary silence.
Before me, lays a picture of downtown edge. At the corner, stands a service station. Its bright lights illuminate the white wall of the restaurant across the street from it. The smell of gasoline mingling with the smell of grilling meat permeates the still air.
My watch reads 2:00 am.
Near the corner an old woman, her torn dress visible below the dirty, shabby, gray winter coat, stumbles along, holding the wall for balance.
Finally, losing her fight to remain upright, she leans her back against the wall and slowly slumps down to the ground, coming to rest over a hot air vent. Alone, she sits motionless as the rain falls.
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46
Think about it
Outside the air is a warm, seventeen centigrade, unseasonable for this time of year in this part of the world.
A soft, soaking rain is falling from the sky. Cars made a swishing sound as they travel along the almost empty street.
All around there is the noise of the city, slowing, rising to a crescendo, then equally slowly dying to a momentary silence.
Before me, lays a picture of downtown edge. At the corner, stands a service station. Its bright lights illuminate the white wall of the restaurant across the street from it. The smell of gasoline mingling with the smell of grilling meat permeates the still air.
My watch reads 2:00 am.
Near the corner an old woman, her torn dress visible below the dirty, shabby, gray winter coat, stumbles along, holding the wall for balance.
Finally, losing her fight to remain upright, she leans her back against the wall and slowly slumps down to the ground, coming to rest over a hot air vent. Alone, she sits motionless as the rain falls.
Who will tell her of God’s love?
Who will love her?
Who?
Will you?
Think about it?
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?
When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
“Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,
I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.’
“They also will answer, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?’
“He will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
“Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.”
Matthew 25:34-46
Think about it
Wednesday 25 March 2015
The Greatest Commandment
The greatest Commandment
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:34-40
This passage of scripture tells it all.
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.”
If we truly love the Lord as Jesus is saying here we will want to serve Him in whatever we do. Thus we cannot help but love our fellow man, our neighbour.
Paul makes it clear what true love is like when he states,
This is what God was doing when he sent Jesus down to us.
God does not care how bad the sin he simply loves the sinner and has made a way for them to enter heaven.
By believing that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. By confessing their sin directly to God in prayer. By accepting Christ’s atoning death on the cross. And by letting Jesus enter their hearts.
The only way people can know the way to heaven is if we as Christians show the love of Christ to them.
A long time ago at a church I attended, the pastor put a very large sign up it read,
“This church for Sinners Only. All are welcome.”
That is if you think about is who the church is for.
The gospel of Matthew records this encounter Jesus had with some Pharisees. They asked,
“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 9:11-13.
Question?
Is your church congregation an accepting place for sinners? Would a person not wearing good clothing be accepted as equal without being looked down on if they showed up to the Sunday morning service.
Is your church truly inclusive and by inclusive I mean inclusive. Would someone from the Gay and Lesbian community be accepted?
Would someone from other faiths be accepted.
I am not saying here we should compromise our beliefs. Far from it. It has been my experience that those entering our churches are curious and looking for meaning in life.
Sadly however they are turned off because of someone be it a pastor or even someone in the pews judging and condemning them. This should not be so.
We are called to present the Gospel of Christ to anyone who will listen and what better place than in a church congregation.
Think about it.
“Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together.
One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:34-40
This passage of scripture tells it all.
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.”
If we truly love the Lord as Jesus is saying here we will want to serve Him in whatever we do. Thus we cannot help but love our fellow man, our neighbour.
Paul makes it clear what true love is like when he states,
“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
If we are truly followers of Jesus we will indeed love even our worst enemy and want to lead them into the path of salvation.This is what God was doing when he sent Jesus down to us.
God does not care how bad the sin he simply loves the sinner and has made a way for them to enter heaven.
By believing that Jesus is the one and only Son of God. By confessing their sin directly to God in prayer. By accepting Christ’s atoning death on the cross. And by letting Jesus enter their hearts.
The only way people can know the way to heaven is if we as Christians show the love of Christ to them.
A long time ago at a church I attended, the pastor put a very large sign up it read,
“This church for Sinners Only. All are welcome.”
That is if you think about is who the church is for.
The gospel of Matthew records this encounter Jesus had with some Pharisees. They asked,
“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 9:11-13.
Question?
Is your church congregation an accepting place for sinners? Would a person not wearing good clothing be accepted as equal without being looked down on if they showed up to the Sunday morning service.
Is your church truly inclusive and by inclusive I mean inclusive. Would someone from the Gay and Lesbian community be accepted?
Would someone from other faiths be accepted.
I am not saying here we should compromise our beliefs. Far from it. It has been my experience that those entering our churches are curious and looking for meaning in life.
Sadly however they are turned off because of someone be it a pastor or even someone in the pews judging and condemning them. This should not be so.
We are called to present the Gospel of Christ to anyone who will listen and what better place than in a church congregation.
Think about it.
Tuesday 24 March 2015
Faith
Faith
Paul says to Christians,
“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7.
Faith is one of the most difficult things for anyone to have. The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
It is very easy to believe in what you can see, hear, and touch. It is much harder to believe in something or someone unseen as God is. Yet it is possible to know God exists.
I live with Bi-polar disorder. At this writing there is no test to determine if you have it or not. Unlike diabetes where you can take a simple blood test to know if you have it or not. There is no such test for Bi-polar. What they do is carefully examine the person and see if their actions and behaviour lines up with what is known about the actions and behaviour of those who have the illness.
It’s the same when it comes to recognizing God.
The psalmist states
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
All we have to do is look around us in nature and we can see that it is perfectly made. That everything is in balance from the stars and galaxies above to the smallest part of an atom or single celled creature.
Everything in the universe is set in such away that we can exist on this world. Everything points to a divine creator.
It doesn’t matter whether you think it took billions of years for the world to come into existence or six days. The fact is the universe is in perfect order and that to my mind points to divine creation.
Still it does take faith to believe there is a God, and that is a very hard thing for some people. It takes I believe even grater faith to believe that God entered this world in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ. To reconcile mankind to himself.
For me as a Christian I believe all of what I have said above. I know that I may not be able to convince you the reader to believe. But I believe it is my duty to present what I believe for you to at least consider.
Please take a few minutes to think about what I have written.
Thank you
Paul says to Christians,
“We live by faith, not by sight.”
2 Corinthians 5:7.
Faith is one of the most difficult things for anyone to have. The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
It is very easy to believe in what you can see, hear, and touch. It is much harder to believe in something or someone unseen as God is. Yet it is possible to know God exists.
I live with Bi-polar disorder. At this writing there is no test to determine if you have it or not. Unlike diabetes where you can take a simple blood test to know if you have it or not. There is no such test for Bi-polar. What they do is carefully examine the person and see if their actions and behaviour lines up with what is known about the actions and behaviour of those who have the illness.
It’s the same when it comes to recognizing God.
The psalmist states
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
All we have to do is look around us in nature and we can see that it is perfectly made. That everything is in balance from the stars and galaxies above to the smallest part of an atom or single celled creature.
Everything in the universe is set in such away that we can exist on this world. Everything points to a divine creator.
It doesn’t matter whether you think it took billions of years for the world to come into existence or six days. The fact is the universe is in perfect order and that to my mind points to divine creation.
Still it does take faith to believe there is a God, and that is a very hard thing for some people. It takes I believe even grater faith to believe that God entered this world in the form of His one and only Son Jesus Christ. To reconcile mankind to himself.
For me as a Christian I believe all of what I have said above. I know that I may not be able to convince you the reader to believe. But I believe it is my duty to present what I believe for you to at least consider.
Please take a few minutes to think about what I have written.
Thank you
Monday 23 March 2015
My Shepherd in the words of others
My Shepherd in the words of others
The above is a Psalm of David. It tells how God comforts and protects him and of his choice to be faithful to him.
Over the years I’ve come across several interesting Psalms inspired by the twenty-third psalm. I put them here for you to think about.
Cantonville, Maryland
My Shepherd is the living Lord,
by Isaac Watts
Is the Lord Jesus Christ truly the Shepherd of your Life?
Please think about it.
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Psalm 23The above is a Psalm of David. It tells how God comforts and protects him and of his choice to be faithful to him.
Over the years I’ve come across several interesting Psalms inspired by the twenty-third psalm. I put them here for you to think about.
Psalm of Tranquility
by Joan Stephen
Everything that’s needed
Is given us each day;
Reflected in still waters
and grasses by the way.
Our souls are guided daily
By an unseen welcome hand,
Leading ever onward
To some sweet peaceful land.
There is no fear of evil
Or death or shades of gloom.
Constant is our comfort
Even beyond the tomb.
Goodness will always follow;
Forever and a day
So all may live in paradise
With no need to repay.
Joan Stephen
The Nun’s Twenty-Third Psalm
The Lord is my pace-setter, I shall not rush.
He makes me stop and rest for quiet intervals;
He provides me with images of stillness,
which restore my serenity.
He leads me in ways of efficiency
through calmness of mind.
And His guidance is peace.
Even though I have a great many things to
accomplish each day,
I will not fret, for His presence is here.
His timelessness, His all importance will keep me in
balance.
He prepares refreshment and renewal in the midst of
my activity
By anointing my mind with His oils of tranquillity.
All Saints conventCantonville, Maryland
My Shepherd is the living Lord,
by Isaac Watts
My shepherd is the living Lord,
Now shall my wants be well supplied,
His providence and holy word
Becomes my Safety and my guide.
In pastures where salvation grows,
He makes me food - he makes me rest -
There living water gently flows,
And all the food divinely blessed...
Through I walk through the gloomy vale,
Where death and all its terrors are,
My heart and hope shall never fail;
For God, my Shepherd’s with me there.
Isaac WattsIs the Lord Jesus Christ truly the Shepherd of your Life?
Please think about it.
Saturday 21 March 2015
Man needs Absolutes
Man needs absolutes
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
The Bible makes no assumptions about God. It does not leave the subject of God’s existence up for debate. From the very first verse it states, “in the beginning God created...”
That one line says it all.
1/ There is a God above all things.
2/ A God that created all things.
In the new testament the gospel of John essentially reiterates the statement of Genesis 1:1 when it states,
“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.
The gospel of John however goes one step further stating that “He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning.”
John makes it clear “Through Him(Jesus) all things were made.”
Jesus is God incarnate. He came to show man how much he loved him. He demonstrated in very real terms His love for his created.
Man needs God. He may not realize it but he does.
The Greeks like every other civilization that has ever existed recognized there was more to life than just the physical. They worshipped many god’s, even erecting a temple “to an unknown god”. It was this temple to an unknown god that the apostle Paul picked up on while speaking to the Stoics and Epicureans at the Areopagus.
Paul said,
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17:24-27
A favourite quote of mine is from Abba Hillel Silver who 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.”
Man needs absolutes in his life. Without absolute values in life our society will slip rapidly into anarchy. There is no such thing as one set of moral values for one person and a completely different set of values for someone else.
God has given men an absolute value system it starts with love. Deuteronomy states,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
Jesus states,
“ ...‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Ultimately if we put God first in our lives and love as he loved the world would be a far better place.
All morality ultimately comes down to love. God himself showed that love to us. He gave us a moral code that distilled to it’s simplest form is the ten commandments.
Within the Decalogue we are told by God how He expects us to live with respect to Himself and our fellow man.
God however did not stop there to quote Paul,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Romans 5:8
Jesus was sent by God to demonstrate His love.
God realized that mankind was and still is slipping away from the absolute value system He has given us.
Simply put we are sinning and sin separates us from God.
In sending Jesus, God is pointing out to anyone who will listen the way back to fellowship with Him.
Someone has said “we, all mankind, are sailing on a ship to eternity. What we do on board that ship will decide where we spend that eternity.”
The decision is ours. God has given us a free will and a choice. Either accept Him and the salvation Jesus Christ offers or reject Him.
It’s that cut and dry. The decision dear reader is up to you.
Where will you spend eternity?
Think about it?
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.”
Genesis 1:1
The Bible makes no assumptions about God. It does not leave the subject of God’s existence up for debate. From the very first verse it states, “in the beginning God created...”
That one line says it all.
1/ There is a God above all things.
2/ A God that created all things.
In the new testament the gospel of John essentially reiterates the statement of Genesis 1:1 when it states,
“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.
The gospel of John however goes one step further stating that “He (Jesus) was with God in the beginning.”
John makes it clear “Through Him(Jesus) all things were made.”
Jesus is God incarnate. He came to show man how much he loved him. He demonstrated in very real terms His love for his created.
Man needs God. He may not realize it but he does.
The Greeks like every other civilization that has ever existed recognized there was more to life than just the physical. They worshipped many god’s, even erecting a temple “to an unknown god”. It was this temple to an unknown god that the apostle Paul picked up on while speaking to the Stoics and Epicureans at the Areopagus.
Paul said,
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
Acts 17:24-27
A favourite quote of mine is from Abba Hillel Silver who 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.”
Man needs absolutes in his life. Without absolute values in life our society will slip rapidly into anarchy. There is no such thing as one set of moral values for one person and a completely different set of values for someone else.
God has given men an absolute value system it starts with love. Deuteronomy states,
“Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:5
Jesus states,
“ ...‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Ultimately if we put God first in our lives and love as he loved the world would be a far better place.
All morality ultimately comes down to love. God himself showed that love to us. He gave us a moral code that distilled to it’s simplest form is the ten commandments.
Within the Decalogue we are told by God how He expects us to live with respect to Himself and our fellow man.
God however did not stop there to quote Paul,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us”
Romans 5:8
Jesus was sent by God to demonstrate His love.
God realized that mankind was and still is slipping away from the absolute value system He has given us.
Simply put we are sinning and sin separates us from God.
In sending Jesus, God is pointing out to anyone who will listen the way back to fellowship with Him.
Someone has said “we, all mankind, are sailing on a ship to eternity. What we do on board that ship will decide where we spend that eternity.”
The decision is ours. God has given us a free will and a choice. Either accept Him and the salvation Jesus Christ offers or reject Him.
It’s that cut and dry. The decision dear reader is up to you.
Where will you spend eternity?
Think about it?
Friday 20 March 2015
For Christians to think about
For Christian Thought
Shakespeare wrote,
“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”
William Shakespeare
Mahatma Gandhi wrote,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
I think the two statements above should be words of caution for Christians.
The first one reminds us that the devil can indeed quote scripture. He did so when Jesus was being tempted.
It should also be a reminder that there are many in our churches and in the media that are claiming to be Christians that are not. And I don’t mean just so called small fish. There are some big name ministers and evangelist that are not correctly presenting the word of God.
Remember 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.
The Second statement by Mahatma Gandhi, “Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.” makes it clear there are many calling themselves Christians that are not acting Christ like at least in the eyes of none Christians. The apostle James points this out writing,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"
James 2:14-20
James goes on to note what being a Christian is all about, saying,
“Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:14-26
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans saying,
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21
Please think about it.
Shakespeare wrote,
“The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose.”
William Shakespeare
Mahatma Gandhi wrote,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
Mahatma Gandhi.
I think the two statements above should be words of caution for Christians.
The first one reminds us that the devil can indeed quote scripture. He did so when Jesus was being tempted.
It should also be a reminder that there are many in our churches and in the media that are claiming to be Christians that are not. And I don’t mean just so called small fish. There are some big name ministers and evangelist that are not correctly presenting the word of God.
Remember 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.
The Second statement by Mahatma Gandhi, “Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.” makes it clear there are many calling themselves Christians that are not acting Christ like at least in the eyes of none Christians. The apostle James points this out writing,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"
James 2:14-20
James goes on to note what being a Christian is all about, saying,
“Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar?
You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.
And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend.
You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone.
In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction?
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.”
James 2:14-26
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans saying,
"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervour, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practise hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Romans 12:9-21
Please think about it.
Thursday 19 March 2015
About God
About God
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18.
Can I prove God? Of course I can one just has to look around at the ordered universe. The Psalmist states,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
The world and the universe in general is in perfect order to sustain life here on earth.
I believe that eventually through good science we will prove that there is one mathematical formula that links the universe together, proving it is created.
Atheism says there is no God I cannot buy into such a concept. If there is no God and a life after this one this life has no meaning.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining life makes the following statements
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
If there is no God then the previous statements are true. However the writer after much contemplation writes,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
For me to simply be born to procreate live a handful of years and die, seems senseless and a waste of that spark that makes us human, the human soul.
I have over the years examined Atheism among other things and find Atheism to be an empty abyss.
I also find the concept of atheism doesn’t hold up to logical thinking. Perhaps one of the best arguments I’ve read about Atheism was written by Wayne Jackson. Writing in the Christian courier he says this of Atheism,
“Atheism adamantly argues that there is no God. No atheist, though, can consistently affirm emphatically that there is no God, unless he asserts both his omniscience and his omnipresence. Once he concedes that he does not know everything, he opens the door for the possibility that what he does not know may be the evidence for God’s existence. And if the atheist is not everywhere present, it logically must follow that where he is not might be the very place where proof of Deity is to be found! Thus, it is not reasonable to declare: “I know that God does not exist.” Atheism is merely a crude, irrational faith-system. There is — from the principle of cause and effect, universe design, the awareness of morality, the Scriptures, etc. — more than adequate evidence, for the thinking person, that God exists.”
Wayne Jackson
Think about it.
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18.
Can I prove God? Of course I can one just has to look around at the ordered universe. The Psalmist states,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1.
The world and the universe in general is in perfect order to sustain life here on earth.
I believe that eventually through good science we will prove that there is one mathematical formula that links the universe together, proving it is created.
Atheism says there is no God I cannot buy into such a concept. If there is no God and a life after this one this life has no meaning.
The writer of Ecclesiastes after examining life makes the following statements
“What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun”
Ecclesiastes 1:9
“I have seen all the things that are done under the sun; all of them are meaningless, a chasing after the wind.”
Ecclesiastes 1:14
If there is no God then the previous statements are true. However the writer after much contemplation writes,
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.
For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.”
Ecclesiastes12:13,14
For me to simply be born to procreate live a handful of years and die, seems senseless and a waste of that spark that makes us human, the human soul.
I have over the years examined Atheism among other things and find Atheism to be an empty abyss.
I also find the concept of atheism doesn’t hold up to logical thinking. Perhaps one of the best arguments I’ve read about Atheism was written by Wayne Jackson. Writing in the Christian courier he says this of Atheism,
“Atheism adamantly argues that there is no God. No atheist, though, can consistently affirm emphatically that there is no God, unless he asserts both his omniscience and his omnipresence. Once he concedes that he does not know everything, he opens the door for the possibility that what he does not know may be the evidence for God’s existence. And if the atheist is not everywhere present, it logically must follow that where he is not might be the very place where proof of Deity is to be found! Thus, it is not reasonable to declare: “I know that God does not exist.” Atheism is merely a crude, irrational faith-system. There is — from the principle of cause and effect, universe design, the awareness of morality, the Scriptures, etc. — more than adequate evidence, for the thinking person, that God exists.”
Wayne Jackson
Think about it.
Wednesday 18 March 2015
Something to think about
Something to Think About
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud
It’s interesting to me when I look at the Americans fighting over universal health care and other things that affect the middle and lower income families.
Many of their politicians predominantly it seems republicans are under the false impression that you give tax breaks to the rich and create less government regulations things will trickle down to the poor and build them up. Sadly history has proven this not to be so.
Companies have had to be forced by legislation to make cars safer by putting seat belts and other safety devices in them. They’ve had to be forced to pay their workers at least a minimum wage that is still woefully inadequate.
Universal health care is still a hot topic at least in the United States. With many politicians not realizing it is the right and moral thing to do to see that everyone has access to good health care without fear of going bankrupt.
In Canada we have a federal government that is also reluctant it seems to help the poor. With an election looming they are rolling out programs to help war vets which is needed and long past due. They are also rolling out programs that help the wealthy.
Yet they have not commented on a universal drug plan that all the research seems to point to saving Canadians billions and ensuring people can afford the medications they need.
Canada is the only country in the world with universal health care that does not have a universal drug plan.
Many government leaders remind me of the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day. Jesus said of them,
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’”
Matthew 23:2-7.
I heard one U. S. politician say “health care is too costly the government can’t afford it.” think of the logic of that statement. If the government can’t afford it how can the individual?
The government has at least more money than the individual and the power to regulate and make health care affordable.
Those who serve in government both here in Canada and in the United States have far better drug, healthcare benefits and pension plans than the average citizen. Why can’t the average citizen have the same benefits as their politicians, are not all men equal?
Tony Campolo an American evangelist said,
“The reason why I buy into the Democratic Party more than the Republican Party is because there are over 2,000 verses of Scripture that deal with responding to the needs of the poor.”
Tony Campolo
He also said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
When Jesus walked this earth he healed the sick took care of the poor. We as Christians should be doing all we can to help our fellow man whoever they are.
The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
What will you answer? What do you think our politicians will answer?
Please think about it.
“Rabbi Akiba was asked by a Roman general, “Why does your God who loves the needy not provide for their support Himself?” He answered, “God the Father of both the rich and poor, wants the one to help the other so as to make the world a household of love.”
The Talmud
It’s interesting to me when I look at the Americans fighting over universal health care and other things that affect the middle and lower income families.
Many of their politicians predominantly it seems republicans are under the false impression that you give tax breaks to the rich and create less government regulations things will trickle down to the poor and build them up. Sadly history has proven this not to be so.
Companies have had to be forced by legislation to make cars safer by putting seat belts and other safety devices in them. They’ve had to be forced to pay their workers at least a minimum wage that is still woefully inadequate.
Universal health care is still a hot topic at least in the United States. With many politicians not realizing it is the right and moral thing to do to see that everyone has access to good health care without fear of going bankrupt.
In Canada we have a federal government that is also reluctant it seems to help the poor. With an election looming they are rolling out programs to help war vets which is needed and long past due. They are also rolling out programs that help the wealthy.
Yet they have not commented on a universal drug plan that all the research seems to point to saving Canadians billions and ensuring people can afford the medications they need.
Canada is the only country in the world with universal health care that does not have a universal drug plan.
Many government leaders remind me of the Scribes and Pharisees of Jesus day. Jesus said of them,
“The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach.
They tie up heavy loads and put them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.
“Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honour at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.’”
Matthew 23:2-7.
I heard one U. S. politician say “health care is too costly the government can’t afford it.” think of the logic of that statement. If the government can’t afford it how can the individual?
The government has at least more money than the individual and the power to regulate and make health care affordable.
Those who serve in government both here in Canada and in the United States have far better drug, healthcare benefits and pension plans than the average citizen. Why can’t the average citizen have the same benefits as their politicians, are not all men equal?
Tony Campolo an American evangelist said,
“The reason why I buy into the Democratic Party more than the Republican Party is because there are over 2,000 verses of Scripture that deal with responding to the needs of the poor.”
Tony Campolo
He also said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
When Jesus walked this earth he healed the sick took care of the poor. We as Christians should be doing all we can to help our fellow man whoever they are.
The Talmud states,
“When a man appears before the Throne of Judgment, the first question he is asked is not, “Have you believed in God?” Or “Have you prayed and observed the ritual? “He is asked: “have you dealt honourably and faithfully in all your dealings with your fellow men?”
The Talmud.
What will you answer? What do you think our politicians will answer?
Please think about it.
Tuesday 17 March 2015
Where is your heart
Where is your heart
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Where is your heart in the treasures you have around you or in heaven? I have met many men and women over the years who’ve worked hard and got the nice house with all the nice toys, along with all the bobbles, bangles and beads. At the end of their life however all they have amassed means nothing.
Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being rich. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10.
It’s the love of money that can turn us from God and cause us grief.
There is evidence in church history that wealthy men helped fund the young church. They used their wealth in God’s service.
The key when it comes to your treasures is that you don’t put them ahead of God or the Lords service.
I have met many men that say they are Christians but have put in endless hours of overtime that they admitted they didn’t need. They did it so they could buy an up scale car or boat.
In the process of making that extra money, money they didn’t need, they skipped church and any kind of fellowship with God’s people. It proved to me that their heart was in the things of this world.
God and his service should be first in our lives.
I know there are many Christians around the world and even here in North America that need extra money. It’s a sad fact that some companies don’t pay their employees a living wage and that those employees need to work extra hours or a second job to make ends meet.
Still as someone who has been in that situation, I believe we should still put God first. There’s nothing wrong with skipping church occasionally if necessary but it should not become a habit.
God should come first in our lives. We should want to go to church and have fellowship with other believers. When we miss church we should feel at least mildly upset.
I know when I’ve had to miss church I turn to the media, be it television, radio, or internet. I even listened to short wave radio in years past to hear a sermon and worship God.
The media however shouldn’t be replacing going to church and being with other believers. There’s a whole different dynamic happens when we interact in with other believers in church or at a bible study. One that can’t be duplicated by watching things in the media.
So the question becomes, where is your heart?
Please think about it.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
Matthew 6:19-21
Where is your heart in the treasures you have around you or in heaven? I have met many men and women over the years who’ve worked hard and got the nice house with all the nice toys, along with all the bobbles, bangles and beads. At the end of their life however all they have amassed means nothing.
Don’t get me wrong there is nothing wrong with being rich. The apostle Paul writing to Timothy states,
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
1 Timothy 6:10.
It’s the love of money that can turn us from God and cause us grief.
There is evidence in church history that wealthy men helped fund the young church. They used their wealth in God’s service.
The key when it comes to your treasures is that you don’t put them ahead of God or the Lords service.
I have met many men that say they are Christians but have put in endless hours of overtime that they admitted they didn’t need. They did it so they could buy an up scale car or boat.
In the process of making that extra money, money they didn’t need, they skipped church and any kind of fellowship with God’s people. It proved to me that their heart was in the things of this world.
God and his service should be first in our lives.
I know there are many Christians around the world and even here in North America that need extra money. It’s a sad fact that some companies don’t pay their employees a living wage and that those employees need to work extra hours or a second job to make ends meet.
Still as someone who has been in that situation, I believe we should still put God first. There’s nothing wrong with skipping church occasionally if necessary but it should not become a habit.
God should come first in our lives. We should want to go to church and have fellowship with other believers. When we miss church we should feel at least mildly upset.
I know when I’ve had to miss church I turn to the media, be it television, radio, or internet. I even listened to short wave radio in years past to hear a sermon and worship God.
The media however shouldn’t be replacing going to church and being with other believers. There’s a whole different dynamic happens when we interact in with other believers in church or at a bible study. One that can’t be duplicated by watching things in the media.
So the question becomes, where is your heart?
Please think about it.
Monday 16 March 2015
Life and Hope
Life and Hope
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
I once gave a talk on mental illness to a group at a Church where I was quite well known. I live with Bi-polar disorder (Manic Depression).
Bipolar is an illness that causes your moods to swing from very high highs (the manic phase) to deep lows, (depression). For most that means people with the illness cycle between the highs and lows eight or ten times a year.
In my case I rapid cycle and can go between highs and lows several times a day. Still through a regiment of medications I live with it.
Never-the-less I do at time go through some very hard times. Time that are the equivalent of having a severe mental tooth ache that just wont go away. Depression that makes you think you can’t take it any more.
It’s during these times in particular that I turn to God for my strength to continue on.
During the question period at this particular group I happened to note that Bipolar was worse than cancer.
I noted that I am a cancer survivor and that as a Christian with cancer you either pass on to be in the arms of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are thus cancer free. Or you are cured by the doctors and can continue to serve the Lord in this life.
After the talk a person came up to me and said. You must be careful giving the analogy between cancer and Bipolar when you talk to secular groups. They will not understand.
For many in the secular world death is the end and cancer a death sentence.
The person was right. I’d never thought of it that way. Christians see eternity in a different light.
I remember the death of my sister in law. She was only in her mid fifties and her death was very sudden. She knew the Lord as her Saviour.
As I looked at people during the visitation and the funeral there were basically two groups. The non-believers who were grieving deeply. Those who couldn’t comprehend she was in the arms of her Lord.
Then there was the believers those who knew she was in the arms of Jesus whom she served much of her life. While these people were grieving they had hope. They knew for certain she was in a far better place.
Billy Graham said,
“The Bible says that as Christians we don't grieve the same way people do who have no hope of eternity and of Heaven - but we still grieve.”
Billy Graham.
We all grieved for my sister in law on the day she died but those of us who are Christians had hope.
My sister in law in this world had, had at times a rough life. She’d lived in what can only be called abject poverty for part of her life. She overcome alcoholism and a lot of other health problem.
Still through it all she’d found Jesus and made him Lord of her live. While she never became a great evangelist or preacher, she did serve her Lord in her church congregation and on brief mission trips overseas.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo
I’m certain my sister-in-law is happy because she knew Jesus as her saviour.
I’m certain as she passed into eternity she proved the words of Jesus are true when he said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Do you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
What will be your answer to Tony Campolo’s question
“The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
You can have hope.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus said,
“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
Please think about it.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
I once gave a talk on mental illness to a group at a Church where I was quite well known. I live with Bi-polar disorder (Manic Depression).
Bipolar is an illness that causes your moods to swing from very high highs (the manic phase) to deep lows, (depression). For most that means people with the illness cycle between the highs and lows eight or ten times a year.
In my case I rapid cycle and can go between highs and lows several times a day. Still through a regiment of medications I live with it.
Never-the-less I do at time go through some very hard times. Time that are the equivalent of having a severe mental tooth ache that just wont go away. Depression that makes you think you can’t take it any more.
It’s during these times in particular that I turn to God for my strength to continue on.
During the question period at this particular group I happened to note that Bipolar was worse than cancer.
I noted that I am a cancer survivor and that as a Christian with cancer you either pass on to be in the arms of your Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and are thus cancer free. Or you are cured by the doctors and can continue to serve the Lord in this life.
After the talk a person came up to me and said. You must be careful giving the analogy between cancer and Bipolar when you talk to secular groups. They will not understand.
For many in the secular world death is the end and cancer a death sentence.
The person was right. I’d never thought of it that way. Christians see eternity in a different light.
I remember the death of my sister in law. She was only in her mid fifties and her death was very sudden. She knew the Lord as her Saviour.
As I looked at people during the visitation and the funeral there were basically two groups. The non-believers who were grieving deeply. Those who couldn’t comprehend she was in the arms of her Lord.
Then there was the believers those who knew she was in the arms of Jesus whom she served much of her life. While these people were grieving they had hope. They knew for certain she was in a far better place.
Billy Graham said,
“The Bible says that as Christians we don't grieve the same way people do who have no hope of eternity and of Heaven - but we still grieve.”
Billy Graham.
We all grieved for my sister in law on the day she died but those of us who are Christians had hope.
My sister in law in this world had, had at times a rough life. She’d lived in what can only be called abject poverty for part of her life. She overcome alcoholism and a lot of other health problem.
Still through it all she’d found Jesus and made him Lord of her live. While she never became a great evangelist or preacher, she did serve her Lord in her church congregation and on brief mission trips overseas.
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“When you were born, you cried and everybody else was happy. The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
Tony Campolo
I’m certain my sister-in-law is happy because she knew Jesus as her saviour.
I’m certain as she passed into eternity she proved the words of Jesus are true when he said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30.
Do you know Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
What will be your answer to Tony Campolo’s question
“The only question that matters is this - when you die, will you be happy when everybody else is crying?”
You can have hope.
The apostle Paul wrote,
“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
Ultimately salvation is an act of faith, Hebrews stating,
“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
Faith defined as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Jesus said,
“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
Please think about it.
Saturday 14 March 2015
A Message for today
A message for today
Two thousand years ago give or take a few years, the Apostle Paul was invited by the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers of Athens to speak to them about Christ. The book of Acts records the incident.
The message he gave is as relevant for today’s audience as it was back then. I put it hear for you to think about.
“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:16-34
Two thousand years ago give or take a few years, the Apostle Paul was invited by the Stoic and Epicurean philosophers of Athens to speak to them about Christ. The book of Acts records the incident.
The message he gave is as relevant for today’s audience as it was back then. I put it hear for you to think about.
“While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was greatly distressed to see that the city was full of idols.
So he reasoned in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing Greeks, as well as in the marketplace day by day with those who happened to be there.
A group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers began to dispute with him. Some of them asked, “What is this babbler trying to say?” Others remarked, “He seems to be advocating foreign gods.” They said this because Paul was preaching the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.
Then they took him and brought him to a meeting of the Areopagus, where they said to him, “May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting?
You are bringing some strange ideas to our ears, and we want to know what they mean.”
(All the Athenians and the foreigners who lived there spent their time doing nothing but talking about and listening to the latest ideas.)
“Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: “Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious.
For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands.
And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.
From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.
God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.
‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’
“Therefore since we are God’s offspring, we should not think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone—an image made by man’s design and skill.
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”
When they heard about the resurrection of the dead, some of them sneered, but others said, “We want to hear you again on this subject.”
At that, Paul left the Council. A few men became followers of Paul and believed. Among them was Dionysius, a member of the Areopagus, also a woman named Damaris, and a number of others.”
Acts 17:16-34
Friday 13 March 2015
A Fragrance
A Fragrance
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
2 Corinthians 2:15,16
There are two kinds of people that hear the message of Christ those who smell the sweet aroma of life everlasting through accepting Christ Jesus as their saviour and those who see it as the smell of death, those who reject Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians in a previous letter wrote,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18.
Christians are entrusted with a sacred duty to present the two options all people have to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives or to reject Him. Jesus 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.
Christian teaching is black and white. Either you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and go to heaven or you do not. There is no in between.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the 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.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The choice however is up to the reader.
I would urge anyone who is truly seeking the truth about God to pray and ask Him to show you the truth.
I would ask you read the New Testament read carefully the first four books, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and see what Jesus and others said about him. Then make up your own mind.
Please think about it.
“For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing.
To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task?”
2 Corinthians 2:15,16
There are two kinds of people that hear the message of Christ those who smell the sweet aroma of life everlasting through accepting Christ Jesus as their saviour and those who see it as the smell of death, those who reject Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians in a previous letter wrote,
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
1 Corinthians 1:18.
Christians are entrusted with a sacred duty to present the two options all people have to accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour of their lives or to reject Him. Jesus 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.
Christian teaching is black and white. Either you accept Jesus as your Lord and Saviour and go to heaven or you do not. There is no in between.
C. S. Lewis wrote,
“I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept his claim to be God. That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic — on the level with the 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.”
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
The choice however is up to the reader.
I would urge anyone who is truly seeking the truth about God to pray and ask Him to show you the truth.
I would ask you read the New Testament read carefully the first four books, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John and see what Jesus and others said about him. Then make up your own mind.
Please think about it.
Thursday 12 March 2015
The Essence of Christianity
The Essence of Christianity
The apostle Paul writes,
This is true love. This is the love God has. This is the love Jesus meant when he states,
“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.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46
The apostle Paul reminds us,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:9-18
The Apostle James wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
For me this is the kind of love a Christian should be showing.
This is Christian love
think about it.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.This is true love. This is the love God has. This is the love Jesus meant when he states,
“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.”
John 3:16,17.
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?”
Matthew 5:43-46
The apostle Paul reminds us,
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:9-18
The Apostle James wrote,
“What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.
But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do.
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.
You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?”
James 2:14-20
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
Tony Campolo
For me this is the kind of love a Christian should be showing.
This is Christian love
think about it.
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