Faith, the Atheist the Believer and God.
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The above statement is as true for the atheist as for the believer. An atheist looks around and because he can’t see feel or touch God, his faith tells him there is no God.
The believer on the other hand looks around him sees the universe from the largest galaxies to the smallest sub atomic particles in perfect order and says there has to be a God who created all of this.
Whether you are a Christian or an Atheist you must act on faith. When an atheist says there is no God he assumes that simply because he can’t see God he doesn’t exist. Such assumptions can lead down the wrong path.
It is possible for something to exist without being able to feel see or touch it. Scientist for centuries have postulated something exists before they actually find it. That’s true of many things from the smallest sub atomic particle to black holes. Just because we can’t see them doesn’t mean they don’t exist.
So it is with God. We many not be able to see Him but if we look carefully at the world around us we can see his handiwork.
The Psalmist wrote,
“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.
There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.”
Psalm 19:1-3
Ben Zion Bosker wrote,
“I have not seen the robin but I know he is there because I heard him singing through my window from the tree-top outside.
I have not seen God. But I have looked at my child’s eyes, and have been overwhelmed by the miracle of unfolding life.
I have watched the trees bedeck themselves with new garbs of green in the spring, and have been stirred by the miracle of continual rebirth.
I have looked at the stars, and have been overcome by the miracle of the grandeur and majesty of the universe.
I know that God exists, because I have heard the song of His presence from all the tree-tops of creation.”
Ben Zion Bokser
Ultimately neither I or any believer will ever be able to sway the most ardent atheist. No matter what we say or what we present will change them. They have their beliefs and I have mine.
I would however leave this suggestion for any Atheist or for that matter anyone be they Christian or of another faith. I would ask them to pick up a copy of the book Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. It’s in paper back and inexpensive. All major book stores, even if it’s not on their selves can get it for you.
I would ask that you read it and consider what Lewis says.
Please think about it.
Friday 31 July 2015
Thursday 30 July 2015
Of Great Price
Of Great Price
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46.
The above quotation is what knowing Christ is like for me. I have found in the life and teachings of Christ and the Bible truth and rest for my soul.
Jesus 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.
I found the words of Jesus to be true. That no matter the circumstances I have found myself in God has been their for me.
The nice thing about coming to know Jesus is that his saving grace is entirely free. The apostle Paul stating,
“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.
We do not have to work our way to haven. We simply have to by faith accept Christ into our heart and life.
Please think about it.
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
Matthew 13:44-46.
The above quotation is what knowing Christ is like for me. I have found in the life and teachings of Christ and the Bible truth and rest for my soul.
Jesus 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.
I found the words of Jesus to be true. That no matter the circumstances I have found myself in God has been their for me.
The nice thing about coming to know Jesus is that his saving grace is entirely free. The apostle Paul stating,
“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.
We do not have to work our way to haven. We simply have to by faith accept Christ into our heart and life.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 29 July 2015
So you are a Christian?
So you’re a Christians
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10.
Dear Christian do you believe these words of Jesus? Do you believe the words of Jesus who 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
Do you believe Jesus when he 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
Do you believe the words of the apostle Paul who 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
Do you believe Jesus when he said,
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, baptizing 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
Do you believe 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.
Do you believe the words of Paul?
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18
Do you believe the words of Jesus who 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
As Christians we have a great responsibility to the world. As Christians we believe Jesus is the only way to heaven. As a result we cannot do anything that would turn people away from the gospel message.
We have if you will, a divine obligation to God, not to judge people outside the church. We have a duty to keep our own house clean by expelling those who would do evil from among us. Those who are not properly using the Word of God.
It is only by doing this that we can fully minister the Salvation message to the world.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
Jesus said,
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
John10:10.
Dear Christian do you believe these words of Jesus? Do you believe the words of Jesus who 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
Do you believe Jesus when he 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
Do you believe the words of the apostle Paul who 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
Do you believe Jesus when he said,
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, baptizing 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
Do you believe 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.
Do you believe the words of Paul?
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18
Do you believe the words of Jesus who 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
As Christians we have a great responsibility to the world. As Christians we believe Jesus is the only way to heaven. As a result we cannot do anything that would turn people away from the gospel message.
We have if you will, a divine obligation to God, not to judge people outside the church. We have a duty to keep our own house clean by expelling those who would do evil from among us. Those who are not properly using the Word of God.
It is only by doing this that we can fully minister the Salvation message to the world.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
Hebrews 12:14
Please think about it.
Tuesday 28 July 2015
What makes a Christian
What makes a Christian
I look quite often with indignation at men and women in the media calling themselves Christians, who in my opinion are Christians in name only. Their actions and the theology they preach in the media tells me they are not interpreting the Bible correctly. As a result I am offended and I firmly believe the will one day hear the words of Christ who will say,
“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
Christianity is not alone when it comes to people misrepresenting organizations, institutions or other groups. When it comes to other groups I can change nothing. However as a Christian I have the right to address things within my own faith. Thus my reason for writing this.
I attend a very small church. As a result we are a tight group. And to be honest I can safely say we are all somewhat off beat.
The one thing however we from our pastor to the board members to the congregation is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ in as pure a form as possible. We want to hear those words “well done thou good and faithful servant.” at the end of our lives.
As a result we read and listen to a wide range of evangelist and preachers. BUT we do not hold them in higher authority than the Bible.
In the adult Bible study I teach we use a wide range of commentaries in an effort to find the truth in the scriptures.
The result quite is we can at times have lively discussions as to what a particular scripture means. The reason for the lively discussion is because we take scripture seriously. We want to know the truth.
When I asked the group the simple question Who is a Christian? We made this list of criteria.
Strictly speaking a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. That He is God Incarnate. That he died for the sins of each and every man and woman. That we are saved by God’s Grace through our faith, and not by our works. By accepting Jesus into our heart and life.
What is referred to as “The apostles Creed” (not written by the apostles incidently) defines the basic beliefs of Christians when it states,
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: (meaning the church universal made up of all believers from all walks of life and denominations.) the communion of saints: (saints being all who believe in Christ.)
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.”
Jesus made things perfectly clear when he said,
“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Jesus also 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
Believers believe this statement. They do not believe you have to work your way to heaven the apostle Paul made that clear when he 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.
The Writer of Hebrews states,
“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
The Writer of Hebrews defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Christians do not believe you will become rich materially or you will double your money or triple it by giving to your church or to an evangelist. As some false teachers would say. Giving money to the church or an evangelist will not get you to heaven. Faith in Christ is the only thing that will get you to heaven.
Christians give money to the cause of Christ because they know it is the right thing to do. They do not however give to the point that they become a burden on anyone.
Christianity is a walk of faith in Christ.
A true Christian asks nothing of the unbeliever except that they least listen to the salvation message. They believe God wants them to present to the world.
This is what I believe a true Christian is.
Please think about it.
I look quite often with indignation at men and women in the media calling themselves Christians, who in my opinion are Christians in name only. Their actions and the theology they preach in the media tells me they are not interpreting the Bible correctly. As a result I am offended and I firmly believe the will one day hear the words of Christ who will say,
“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
Christianity is not alone when it comes to people misrepresenting organizations, institutions or other groups. When it comes to other groups I can change nothing. However as a Christian I have the right to address things within my own faith. Thus my reason for writing this.
I attend a very small church. As a result we are a tight group. And to be honest I can safely say we are all somewhat off beat.
The one thing however we from our pastor to the board members to the congregation is to present the gospel of Jesus Christ in as pure a form as possible. We want to hear those words “well done thou good and faithful servant.” at the end of our lives.
As a result we read and listen to a wide range of evangelist and preachers. BUT we do not hold them in higher authority than the Bible.
In the adult Bible study I teach we use a wide range of commentaries in an effort to find the truth in the scriptures.
The result quite is we can at times have lively discussions as to what a particular scripture means. The reason for the lively discussion is because we take scripture seriously. We want to know the truth.
When I asked the group the simple question Who is a Christian? We made this list of criteria.
Strictly speaking a Christian is someone who believes Jesus is the one and Only Son of God. That He is God Incarnate. That he died for the sins of each and every man and woman. That we are saved by God’s Grace through our faith, and not by our works. By accepting Jesus into our heart and life.
What is referred to as “The apostles Creed” (not written by the apostles incidently) defines the basic beliefs of Christians when it states,
1. I believe in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
2. And in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son, our Lord:
3. Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary:
4. Suffered under Pontius Pilate; was crucified, dead and buried: He descended into hell:
5. The third day he rose again from the dead:
6. He ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty:
7. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead:
8. I believe in the Holy Ghost:
9. I believe in the holy catholic church: (meaning the church universal made up of all believers from all walks of life and denominations.) the communion of saints: (saints being all who believe in Christ.)
10. The forgiveness of sins:
11. The resurrection of the body:
12. And the life everlasting. Amen.”
Jesus made things perfectly clear when he said,
“....“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Jesus also 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
Believers believe this statement. They do not believe you have to work your way to heaven the apostle Paul made that clear when he 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.
The Writer of Hebrews states,
“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
The Writer of Hebrews defining faith as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Christians do not believe you will become rich materially or you will double your money or triple it by giving to your church or to an evangelist. As some false teachers would say. Giving money to the church or an evangelist will not get you to heaven. Faith in Christ is the only thing that will get you to heaven.
Christians give money to the cause of Christ because they know it is the right thing to do. They do not however give to the point that they become a burden on anyone.
Christianity is a walk of faith in Christ.
A true Christian asks nothing of the unbeliever except that they least listen to the salvation message. They believe God wants them to present to the world.
This is what I believe a true Christian is.
Please think about it.
Monday 27 July 2015
Christian are you?
Christian are you?
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
This message is aimed directly at Christians, especially those in Canada and the United States.
I’ve found over the years there are many Christians here in North America that are more like wolves than sheep. They attack everything.
I know none-Christians that are turned off by Christians constantly attacking their rights. This is particularly so in the gay community.
I believe there are a lot of Christians out there who are deluded into thinking we in Canada and the United States are living in a Christian country. When really we’re living in something akin to the Roman Empire.
Our governments while having some laws that are based on biblical principles, are still secular. Therefore they make decisions based on secular values. Values that may offend Christians just as the values of the Roman empire more than likely offended the apostle Paul and the other Christian fathers.
Christians have been given a job to do. That job is to present the Saving Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the world. We cannot effectively do that job if we are perceived as wolves.
In protesting to prevent any group from having the freedoms we all enjoy we run the potential of turning them away from Christ.
In a democracy such as we live in we Christians should have dialogue with other groups even if we disagree with them. We should be standing up for equal rights for all.
Germany in the nineteen thirties is a good example of what can happen when we don’t stand up for not only our rights but others. The result was the rise of the Nazis.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric and anti-Nazi during world war two wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martine Niemoller.
If we as Christians want the freedom to spread the Gospel we need to support the freedom of others. In doing so we will open dialogue between ourselves and others. And open and honest dialogue between ourselves and others. In a free democracy is the best way to spread the word of God.
Please think about it.
“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.”
Matthew 10:16
This message is aimed directly at Christians, especially those in Canada and the United States.
I’ve found over the years there are many Christians here in North America that are more like wolves than sheep. They attack everything.
I know none-Christians that are turned off by Christians constantly attacking their rights. This is particularly so in the gay community.
I believe there are a lot of Christians out there who are deluded into thinking we in Canada and the United States are living in a Christian country. When really we’re living in something akin to the Roman Empire.
Our governments while having some laws that are based on biblical principles, are still secular. Therefore they make decisions based on secular values. Values that may offend Christians just as the values of the Roman empire more than likely offended the apostle Paul and the other Christian fathers.
Christians have been given a job to do. That job is to present the Saving Grace of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to the world. We cannot effectively do that job if we are perceived as wolves.
In protesting to prevent any group from having the freedoms we all enjoy we run the potential of turning them away from Christ.
In a democracy such as we live in we Christians should have dialogue with other groups even if we disagree with them. We should be standing up for equal rights for all.
Germany in the nineteen thirties is a good example of what can happen when we don’t stand up for not only our rights but others. The result was the rise of the Nazis.
Martin Niemoller a German cleric and anti-Nazi during world war two wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martine Niemoller.
If we as Christians want the freedom to spread the Gospel we need to support the freedom of others. In doing so we will open dialogue between ourselves and others. And open and honest dialogue between ourselves and others. In a free democracy is the best way to spread the word of God.
Please think about it.
Sunday 26 July 2015
Which Virgin?
Which virgin are you?
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
Which Virgin are you?
I teach the adult midweek Bible Study group at our church. One of the things people keep asking me and our pastor is. “Why don’t we study prophesy more?”
We make it clear that we believe we are following the direction God wants us to go with respect to teaching. We will over time study the whole Bible that includes the prophetic books.
You see we know the people who are asking the question. What they are asking us without saying it is, “we want to try to figure out the time Christ will return.”
After all who wouldn’t want to know the date of Christ’s return. I believe Christians since the time of Christ’s ascension into heaven into heaven have wanted to know that.
When the topic does comes up I think almost everyone is quoting some evangelist, televangelist, or website and stating what this or that person is saying.
The bottom line however is its only speculation. Since the day the church began well meaning men and women have been speculating on when Christ will return. No one’s been right yet.
I believe the job of the church is to make disciples of all nations. To evangelize so that all people will be given a chance to enter the kingdom of heaven. AND, we need to teach both the new converts, and everyone else in the church the word of God.
In order to do this we need to study and preach the word of God in as pure a form as is humanly possible. That is the purpose of our Bible study.
The scripture I quoted above tells us be ready for the return of Christ. We do this by studying the scriptures. By evangelizing and by worshipping and praising God both on Sunday and during the week.
Accepting Christ and worshipping Him is the oil in the lamp. It is the basics necessary to being invited to the Marriage supper of the lamb if you will.
Studying understanding the scriptures and doing all God commanded us to do is the extra oil for the lamp if you will.
As we study the word of God and approach the thrown of grace in prayer I believe the Holy Spirit will show us signs that are coming true.
The foolish virgins to me are those who do not study the word of God. Who do not pray or evangelise. Who attend church services because it’s “ the thing to do on Sunday”.
Men and women who know what to say and when to say it in church but are not committed to serving the Lord to the fullest.
One day the Bride Groom will return will you be ready for Him.
Please think about it.
“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise.
The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.
The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’
“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.
The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’
“ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’
“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
“Later the others also came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they said. ‘Open the door for us!’
“But he replied, ‘I tell you the truth, I don’t know you.’
“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.”
Matthew 25:1-13
Which Virgin are you?
I teach the adult midweek Bible Study group at our church. One of the things people keep asking me and our pastor is. “Why don’t we study prophesy more?”
We make it clear that we believe we are following the direction God wants us to go with respect to teaching. We will over time study the whole Bible that includes the prophetic books.
You see we know the people who are asking the question. What they are asking us without saying it is, “we want to try to figure out the time Christ will return.”
After all who wouldn’t want to know the date of Christ’s return. I believe Christians since the time of Christ’s ascension into heaven into heaven have wanted to know that.
When the topic does comes up I think almost everyone is quoting some evangelist, televangelist, or website and stating what this or that person is saying.
The bottom line however is its only speculation. Since the day the church began well meaning men and women have been speculating on when Christ will return. No one’s been right yet.
I believe the job of the church is to make disciples of all nations. To evangelize so that all people will be given a chance to enter the kingdom of heaven. AND, we need to teach both the new converts, and everyone else in the church the word of God.
In order to do this we need to study and preach the word of God in as pure a form as is humanly possible. That is the purpose of our Bible study.
The scripture I quoted above tells us be ready for the return of Christ. We do this by studying the scriptures. By evangelizing and by worshipping and praising God both on Sunday and during the week.
Accepting Christ and worshipping Him is the oil in the lamp. It is the basics necessary to being invited to the Marriage supper of the lamb if you will.
Studying understanding the scriptures and doing all God commanded us to do is the extra oil for the lamp if you will.
As we study the word of God and approach the thrown of grace in prayer I believe the Holy Spirit will show us signs that are coming true.
The foolish virgins to me are those who do not study the word of God. Who do not pray or evangelise. Who attend church services because it’s “ the thing to do on Sunday”.
Men and women who know what to say and when to say it in church but are not committed to serving the Lord to the fullest.
One day the Bride Groom will return will you be ready for Him.
Please think about it.
Saturday 25 July 2015
Odd but True
Odd but True
“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. In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 11-14.
Here is a claim Christians make if not true makes no difference at all. The “Word”, Jesus became flesh, God in the form of Jesus came into this world. If true however it gives a lot of people something to think about.
I as a Christian believe that He came to experience what it is like to be human. So that no man or woman could stand before Him on judgement day and say “you do not understand what it is like to be human.”
In coming to the world Jesus knows everything it is to be human.
He grew up in an average family. Most likely religious, because his mothers cousin was the wife of a priest and gave birth to John the Baptist. It is also recorded when he was in his early teens he went up to the Jerusalem with his parents and was found sitting with the learned men of his day discussing scripture.
He would have experienced the day to day things of life at that time. Everything from the sun and rain on his face. He most likely helped his earthly father work at his carpenters shop.
We know he attended a wedding. We know as an enfant his parents had to take him to Egypt so that he wouldn’t be killed. That strictly speaking makes him a political refugee.
Then on top of all of this when he spoke the truth from the scriptures religious leaders of his day disagreed with him. They seen him as a threat to their authority had him arrested placed before what amounted to a kangaroo court. An illegally convened court. Turned over to the occupying power Rome, where he was flogged. With the Roman governor ordering his execution for political expediency.
I believe in a just God and you can’t get any more just than the God who created heaven and earth entering his creation to experience what it is like to be human.
This God I worship is a God of Love who tells me why he came to earth. Why people should believe in Him and the consequences of unbelief when 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
Please think about it.
“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. In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 1:1-4, 11-14.
Here is a claim Christians make if not true makes no difference at all. The “Word”, Jesus became flesh, God in the form of Jesus came into this world. If true however it gives a lot of people something to think about.
I as a Christian believe that He came to experience what it is like to be human. So that no man or woman could stand before Him on judgement day and say “you do not understand what it is like to be human.”
In coming to the world Jesus knows everything it is to be human.
He grew up in an average family. Most likely religious, because his mothers cousin was the wife of a priest and gave birth to John the Baptist. It is also recorded when he was in his early teens he went up to the Jerusalem with his parents and was found sitting with the learned men of his day discussing scripture.
He would have experienced the day to day things of life at that time. Everything from the sun and rain on his face. He most likely helped his earthly father work at his carpenters shop.
We know he attended a wedding. We know as an enfant his parents had to take him to Egypt so that he wouldn’t be killed. That strictly speaking makes him a political refugee.
Then on top of all of this when he spoke the truth from the scriptures religious leaders of his day disagreed with him. They seen him as a threat to their authority had him arrested placed before what amounted to a kangaroo court. An illegally convened court. Turned over to the occupying power Rome, where he was flogged. With the Roman governor ordering his execution for political expediency.
I believe in a just God and you can’t get any more just than the God who created heaven and earth entering his creation to experience what it is like to be human.
This God I worship is a God of Love who tells me why he came to earth. Why people should believe in Him and the consequences of unbelief when 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
Please think about it.
Friday 24 July 2015
Why
Why
Why be born.
If all we’re to do is die.
Why live
If all there is, is nothingness after?
The writer writes,
“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
Why?
if all things are meaningless live?
Why?
Why live?
Why.
Because,
the writer 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
Jesus 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.
Matthew 11:28,29
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.
John 3:16,17
This is why we live,
We live because there is a God,
A God who loves us,
Please think about it.
Thursday 23 July 2015
A pressing responsibility
A pressing responsibility.
“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, baptizing 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.
We Christians have a pressing responsibility to those around us. Jesus has called us to make disciples of all nations. He never limited it to any group he said make disciples of ALL nations.
To me that means open dialogue between ourselves and those around us. No matter who they are if they will listen to us we should be talking to them. Giving them the opportunity to accept Christ.
In order to be doing that correctly we need to be studying the Bible. We need to know more than just a few chosen verses.
We also need I think to have a realistic idea of what the society around us is like.
All too often Christians here in North America live in a bubble. They listen to Christian radio and television, visit Christian web sites but never watch popular television programs or care to learn about the latest movies showing in the cinema.
They dismiss teachings on evolution as wrong without even knowing what the evolutionist is saying.
They judge homosexuals without even listening to them.
Most Christians I’ve met over my forty plus years as a Christian have no idea what a Muslim believes yet condemn them on the says so of some preacher or evangelist. The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
In order to get our message out to the world we need to be able to live in peace with all people. We need to respect what they believe and their lifestyle. We may not agree with those around us but we must respect them while still staying true to what we believe.
When the apostle Paul presented his message to the Athenians, he did not believe what the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who invited him to speak believed. But he respectfully presented his beliefs to them and some who heard him that day did believe. While others wanted to know more about what he said. This is the example we Christians in the twenty-first century should be following.
Please 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, baptizing 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.
We Christians have a pressing responsibility to those around us. Jesus has called us to make disciples of all nations. He never limited it to any group he said make disciples of ALL nations.
To me that means open dialogue between ourselves and those around us. No matter who they are if they will listen to us we should be talking to them. Giving them the opportunity to accept Christ.
In order to be doing that correctly we need to be studying the Bible. We need to know more than just a few chosen verses.
We also need I think to have a realistic idea of what the society around us is like.
All too often Christians here in North America live in a bubble. They listen to Christian radio and television, visit Christian web sites but never watch popular television programs or care to learn about the latest movies showing in the cinema.
They dismiss teachings on evolution as wrong without even knowing what the evolutionist is saying.
They judge homosexuals without even listening to them.
Most Christians I’ve met over my forty plus years as a Christian have no idea what a Muslim believes yet condemn them on the says so of some preacher or evangelist. The apostle Paul wrote,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Romans 12:18.
In order to get our message out to the world we need to be able to live in peace with all people. We need to respect what they believe and their lifestyle. We may not agree with those around us but we must respect them while still staying true to what we believe.
When the apostle Paul presented his message to the Athenians, he did not believe what the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers who invited him to speak believed. But he respectfully presented his beliefs to them and some who heard him that day did believe. While others wanted to know more about what he said. This is the example we Christians in the twenty-first century should be following.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 22 July 2015
The eleven O clock prayer
The eleven O Clock Prayer
“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
I live in North America and at times I wonder where the love went. We hear all the time of the hate that comes from terrorist groups and racist groups. But do we show love. Dose our love show to all men or do we put conditions on our love?
The writer wrote,
“It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, awaits.
Will the new law be legal?
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant.
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law. Holding placards that denounce the other side as intolerant.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO BURN IN HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are sinners.”
Hasn’t he read the words of Paul that ALL are sinners no matter who you are? That we are saved through faith in Christ. By the grace of God not by our works.
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man a Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Hasn’t this man read the words of the apostle Paul who 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
Has he not read,
“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
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another?
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd.... All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day?
Will someone be turned from God and Christ because of the actions of these few calling themselves believers?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
Francis of Assisi wrote,
Please think about it.
“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
I live in North America and at times I wonder where the love went. We hear all the time of the hate that comes from terrorist groups and racist groups. But do we show love. Dose our love show to all men or do we put conditions on our love?
The writer wrote,
“It’s eleven o clock. Inside the court house a judge is about to make his ruling. A community, a nation, awaits.
Will the new law be legal?
Outside the court house men and women with placards chant.
On one side of the street stand a group of gay men and women. All in favour of the new law. Holding placards that denounce the other side as intolerant.
On the other side of the street separated by a line of police stand radical evangelicals, denouncing the new law.
One man among them screams angrily . “HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING TO BURN IN HELL!!!”
Approached by the media he says it again, “homosexuals are sinners.”
Hasn’t he read the words of Paul that ALL are sinners no matter who you are? That we are saved through faith in Christ. By the grace of God not by our works.
From my office window I watch asking myself the question, ‘is this man a Christian?”
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not only to love our neighbour but our enemy also?
Wasn’t it Christ who told us not to judge, lest we be judged likewise?
Hasn’t this man read the words of the apostle Paul who 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
Has he not read,
“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
Is this man showing love?
Is this man judging another?
Can this man be effective in reaching the whole world of which a percentage are homosexual?
Is this man even a Christian?
A question keeps rolling through my mind for which I know the answer, “Can we truly know what is in someone else’s head?
Do we really know why a person is like they are?”
For a moment I stare down at the crowd.... All the time asking myself who is on the way to Hell this day?
Will someone be turned from God and Christ because of the actions of these few calling themselves believers?
Turning away from my window I kneel down and pray, “Lord guide me this day. Let me make the right decision on this law.”
Francis of Assisi wrote,
“Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.
Where these is hatred, let me sow love.”
Francis of AssisiPlease think about it.
Tuesday 21 July 2015
A God of Love
A God of Love
“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.
Here’s a simple truth. If God truly is a God of Love, He will warn us what our actions will result in.
Just like a father who tells his child not to touch a hot burner on the stove, God will warn us of the consequences of our actions. That is what Jesus is doing here in John 3:16-18.
He makes it clear that God loved the world so much He sent his son into the world to save the world through Him. That whoever believes in Him will not be condemned but whoever does not believe is condemned already because of unbelief in the one and only Son of God.
In doing so he gives mankind a choice a choice that will determine our eternal resting place be it in heaven or hell.
The choice dear reader is yours.
Please think about it.
“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.
Here’s a simple truth. If God truly is a God of Love, He will warn us what our actions will result in.
Just like a father who tells his child not to touch a hot burner on the stove, God will warn us of the consequences of our actions. That is what Jesus is doing here in John 3:16-18.
He makes it clear that God loved the world so much He sent his son into the world to save the world through Him. That whoever believes in Him will not be condemned but whoever does not believe is condemned already because of unbelief in the one and only Son of God.
In doing so he gives mankind a choice a choice that will determine our eternal resting place be it in heaven or hell.
The choice dear reader is yours.
Please think about it.
Monday 20 July 2015
Seven Things
Seven things
“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
The Bible does not attempt to argue the existence of God. Instead it emphasise God’s love.
The above quoted Scripture written by the apostle Paul to my mind defines God’s love. The kind of love we all should be showing to even our enemies.
The bible asks of man to do seven important things. The first two are spoken of by Jesus, Matthew recording,
“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
Matthew also records Jesus as saying,
“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.”
Matthew 5:43-45
In these two quotes from Jesus we are told the important things in life, to love God, Love our neighbour, and even love our enemy.
The fourth thing the Bible asks us to have is faith. The writer of 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 being defined in the book of Hebrews as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The fifth thing the Bible asks is to believe the word of Jesus when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
The sixth thing we are asked to believe is, believe God loved the world and gives each and every person a choice where they will spend eternity. The apostle John recording Jesus as saying,
“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
Finally the seventh thing the Bible and Jesus asks you to believe is,
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
Do you believe these things?
Please think about it.
“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
The Bible does not attempt to argue the existence of God. Instead it emphasise God’s love.
The above quoted Scripture written by the apostle Paul to my mind defines God’s love. The kind of love we all should be showing to even our enemies.
The bible asks of man to do seven important things. The first two are spoken of by Jesus, Matthew recording,
“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
Matthew also records Jesus as saying,
“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.”
Matthew 5:43-45
In these two quotes from Jesus we are told the important things in life, to love God, Love our neighbour, and even love our enemy.
The fourth thing the Bible asks us to have is faith. The writer of 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 being defined in the book of Hebrews as,
“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
The fifth thing the Bible asks is to believe the word of Jesus when he said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
The sixth thing we are asked to believe is, believe God loved the world and gives each and every person a choice where they will spend eternity. The apostle John recording Jesus as saying,
“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
Finally the seventh thing the Bible and Jesus asks you to believe is,
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
Do you believe these things?
Please think about it.
Sunday 19 July 2015
Salvation, Eternity, and the Christian
Salvation, Eternity and the Christian
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13
Here in his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul makes it clear how we are saved. How we get to heaven. He states,
“...if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is the message Christians need to be taking to the world today.
Salvation is first of all an act of faith. It is believing Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, God incarnate. That Jesus is the Saviour of man and that God raised Him from the dead. That is what gets us to heaven.
Each person in their hearts must believe in their heart the words of Jesus who said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Each person must answer the question Jesus asked Martha,
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
It doesn’t matter who we are Jew or Gentile we have the same Lord, the same God. God loves all mankind equally.
All we have to do is call on the name of the Lord to be saved. God couldn’t have made things any easier.
Since the dawn of time mankind has know there is life after death. As a result he has devised various way he thought you got to God. Mankind tried to reach up to God. Reaching up to God cannot be done.
God realized this and instead God chose to reach down to mankind in the form of Jesus Christ.
He made getting into heaven is as simple as believing on Him.
The book of acts records the apostle Paul as telling the Greeks the way to heaven. It is the same today. The book of Acts records,
“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 17:17-34
This is the message we as Christians need to be presenting to the world.
We need to be asking people to answer Christ’s question to Martha when He said,
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
Please think about it.
“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”
For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Romans 10:9-13
Here in his letter to the Romans the apostle Paul makes it clear how we are saved. How we get to heaven. He states,
“...if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is the message Christians need to be taking to the world today.
Salvation is first of all an act of faith. It is believing Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, God incarnate. That Jesus is the Saviour of man and that God raised Him from the dead. That is what gets us to heaven.
Each person in their hearts must believe in their heart the words of Jesus who said,
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6.
Each person must answer the question Jesus asked Martha,
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
It doesn’t matter who we are Jew or Gentile we have the same Lord, the same God. God loves all mankind equally.
All we have to do is call on the name of the Lord to be saved. God couldn’t have made things any easier.
Since the dawn of time mankind has know there is life after death. As a result he has devised various way he thought you got to God. Mankind tried to reach up to God. Reaching up to God cannot be done.
God realized this and instead God chose to reach down to mankind in the form of Jesus Christ.
He made getting into heaven is as simple as believing on Him.
The book of acts records the apostle Paul as telling the Greeks the way to heaven. It is the same today. The book of Acts records,
“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 17:17-34
This is the message we as Christians need to be presenting to the world.
We need to be asking people to answer Christ’s question to Martha when He said,
“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
John 11:25,26
Please think about it.
Friday 17 July 2015
Do not Judge
Do not Judge
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
“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
Here is a simple Christian truth. Christians are only allowed to judge those who call themselves Christians. We are allowed to judge them because they claim to be proclaiming the word of God.
Those outside the church should be of no concern to the Christian with respect to judgement.
As Christians our job is to reach out to the world in love not judge them. We are to present the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear when he said,
“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, baptizing 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.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“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 Christians are to keep our own house in order. We are to remove from the body of believers those who are not following the teachings of Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4
Paul also said,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
These are the people within our church congregations, denominations and in the media we need to watch out for. We need to expel them from among us.
Please think about it.
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
“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
Here is a simple Christian truth. Christians are only allowed to judge those who call themselves Christians. We are allowed to judge them because they claim to be proclaiming the word of God.
Those outside the church should be of no concern to the Christian with respect to judgement.
As Christians our job is to reach out to the world in love not judge them. We are to present the salvation message of Jesus Christ. Jesus makes it clear when he said,
“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, baptizing 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.
The apostle Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“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 Christians are to keep our own house in order. We are to remove from the body of believers those who are not following the teachings of Christ.
The apostle Paul writing to Timothy said,
“For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.
They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”
2Timothy 4:3,4
Paul also said,
“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.
People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God"
2 Timothy 3:1-4
These are the people within our church congregations, denominations and in the media we need to watch out for. We need to expel them from among us.
Please think about it.
Signs
Signs
"Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”
Matthew 24:4-9.
I don’t know when Jesus will return to this earth no one does. Anyone who says they do are deluding themselves.
I see in the media many preachers that are trying to predict when Christ will return.
They look at every minute bit of scripture and say it could be soon. Perhaps they are right perhaps not. I believe that Christ will one day return to this earth. When I haven’t a clue.
I look to the above scripture quote Matthew 24:4-9 and can see these things happening now. Christians all over the world are being persecuted. We Christians are now the most persecuted group in the world.
Christians are being put to death for simply being Christians. At the rate of one every eleven minutes.
There are wars all over the place and there are people trying to deceive the individual Christian into believing wrong things.
Still a look back at history shows this kind of thing has been happening for centuries. It just seems that now in the twenty-first century it is happening globally on an industrial scale.
If we are in the so called end times, I as a Christian have nothing to fear. I know where I will spend eternity. Do you?
Remember just because your parents were Christians, or your going to church each week, going to a Bible study, attending a prayer meeting makes you no more a Christian than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck.
Still there is a way of knowing where you will spend eternity.
Knowing where you will spend eternity is simple it comes from a choice you make here in this world.
Here is what I believe you must do to have eternal life,
First you must believe by faith there is a God. The writer of 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
Second we must believe Jesus when he said,
“....I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Thirdly we must admit we fall far short of what God wants for our life. That we are sinners and that it is only through his grace that we are able to get into heaven.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24
Finally we must exercise our faith and accept Jesus into our hearts and lives,
“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.
Part of exercising that faith is humbly bowing in pray and saying a prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know I believe in you and your One and Only Son Jesus Christ.
I admit I am a sinner and fall short of what you want for my life. Please forgive my sins.
Dear Jesus please come into my heart and life today. Make me into the person you want me to be.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer then I believe if you truly meant it you have eternal life.
Now it is up to you to study the Bible, pray and ask God to direct you to a bible believing Church.
One where you can grow in God’s wisdom and truth.
I always recommend a Baptist church for most places in the world. In North America I also recommend an Assemblies of God church in the United States or a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church in Canada.
They are churches I know stand on the word of God.
I even recommend people, even if they don’t know Christ to go to these churches and ask questions of the pastors.
Any good pastor will freely meet with you and answer your questions.
Think about it.
"Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you.
For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.
You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.
All these are the beginning of birth pains.
“Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.”
Matthew 24:4-9.
I don’t know when Jesus will return to this earth no one does. Anyone who says they do are deluding themselves.
I see in the media many preachers that are trying to predict when Christ will return.
They look at every minute bit of scripture and say it could be soon. Perhaps they are right perhaps not. I believe that Christ will one day return to this earth. When I haven’t a clue.
I look to the above scripture quote Matthew 24:4-9 and can see these things happening now. Christians all over the world are being persecuted. We Christians are now the most persecuted group in the world.
Christians are being put to death for simply being Christians. At the rate of one every eleven minutes.
There are wars all over the place and there are people trying to deceive the individual Christian into believing wrong things.
Still a look back at history shows this kind of thing has been happening for centuries. It just seems that now in the twenty-first century it is happening globally on an industrial scale.
If we are in the so called end times, I as a Christian have nothing to fear. I know where I will spend eternity. Do you?
Remember just because your parents were Christians, or your going to church each week, going to a Bible study, attending a prayer meeting makes you no more a Christian than standing in a fire station makes you a fire truck.
Still there is a way of knowing where you will spend eternity.
Knowing where you will spend eternity is simple it comes from a choice you make here in this world.
Here is what I believe you must do to have eternal life,
First you must believe by faith there is a God. The writer of 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
Second we must believe Jesus when he said,
“....I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
John 14:6
Thirdly we must admit we fall far short of what God wants for our life. That we are sinners and that it is only through his grace that we are able to get into heaven.
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24
Finally we must exercise our faith and accept Jesus into our hearts and lives,
“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.
Part of exercising that faith is humbly bowing in pray and saying a prayer like this,
Dear Heavenly Father,
I know I believe in you and your One and Only Son Jesus Christ.
I admit I am a sinner and fall short of what you want for my life. Please forgive my sins.
Dear Jesus please come into my heart and life today. Make me into the person you want me to be.
Amen.
If you prayed this prayer then I believe if you truly meant it you have eternal life.
Now it is up to you to study the Bible, pray and ask God to direct you to a bible believing Church.
One where you can grow in God’s wisdom and truth.
I always recommend a Baptist church for most places in the world. In North America I also recommend an Assemblies of God church in the United States or a Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada Church in Canada.
They are churches I know stand on the word of God.
I even recommend people, even if they don’t know Christ to go to these churches and ask questions of the pastors.
Any good pastor will freely meet with you and answer your questions.
Think about it.
Thursday 16 July 2015
Perseverance
Perseverance
Matthew records,
“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, baptizing 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.
Dear Christian, do you put limitations on your witnessing? Do you refuse to witness to certain groups of people? Is there a limitation on how long you present the Gospel to people? The answer to all the preceding questions should be no.
You should never put limitations on your witnessing. You should look for an opportunity to present the good news of Jesus Christ to all who come into your life. There should be no limitations on how long you witness.
The Talmud may not be a Christian book but it is a book of Jewish wisdom and it makes a point all Christians should be able to relate to when it states,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
As Christians we cannot afford to turn anyone away. We cannot afford to limit who here’s our message simply because the eternal resting place of those who need to here that message may rest on what we have to say.
Please think about it.
Matthew records,
“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, baptizing 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.
Dear Christian, do you put limitations on your witnessing? Do you refuse to witness to certain groups of people? Is there a limitation on how long you present the Gospel to people? The answer to all the preceding questions should be no.
You should never put limitations on your witnessing. You should look for an opportunity to present the good news of Jesus Christ to all who come into your life. There should be no limitations on how long you witness.
The Talmud may not be a Christian book but it is a book of Jewish wisdom and it makes a point all Christians should be able to relate to when it states,
“An aged man, whom Abraham hospitality invited to his tent, refused to join him in prayer to the one spiritual God. Learning that he was a fire-worshipper. Abraham drove him from his door. That night God appeared to Abraham in a vision and said: ‘I have borne with that ignorant man for seventy years: could you not have patiently suffered him one night?”
The Talmud.
As Christians we cannot afford to turn anyone away. We cannot afford to limit who here’s our message simply because the eternal resting place of those who need to here that message may rest on what we have to say.
Please think about it.
Wednesday 15 July 2015
Christians Beware
Beware
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Jude 1:17-23.
Throughout the New Testament there is a call to beware of those who divide the church. Those who to quote Jude, “follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
From my earliest days as a Christian I was taught to pray and read the Bible. To ask God to show me the truths there in.
I was taught by very good pastors to question what was being taught to make sure it was the truth.
There are many out there calling themselves Christians today who are not. They are following their own desires to either deliberately lead people the wrong way, to obtain wealth, or to gain power and prestige or all of the above.
The apostles warned about such men and women that is why we need to be cautious about who we support.
Jude tells us,
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life...”
The only way we can build ourselves up in the Holy Faith is to first pray, then study the world of God both on our own and with other believers. We need to be around other Christians and discussing the word of God. This helps us grow and keep on track.
You can’t grow effectively if you are not around other believers. Watching a televangelist as good as the person may be shouldn’t keep us away from assembling with other believers.
The other thing Jude calls us to do is,
“Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Put simply we are to help those who may have doubts about their faith. Additionally we are to reach out to the lost to save them from a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.
“But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.
They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.”
These are the men who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Jude 1:17-23.
Throughout the New Testament there is a call to beware of those who divide the church. Those who to quote Jude, “follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.”
From my earliest days as a Christian I was taught to pray and read the Bible. To ask God to show me the truths there in.
I was taught by very good pastors to question what was being taught to make sure it was the truth.
There are many out there calling themselves Christians today who are not. They are following their own desires to either deliberately lead people the wrong way, to obtain wealth, or to gain power and prestige or all of the above.
The apostles warned about such men and women that is why we need to be cautious about who we support.
Jude tells us,
“But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life...”
The only way we can build ourselves up in the Holy Faith is to first pray, then study the world of God both on our own and with other believers. We need to be around other Christians and discussing the word of God. This helps us grow and keep on track.
You can’t grow effectively if you are not around other believers. Watching a televangelist as good as the person may be shouldn’t keep us away from assembling with other believers.
The other thing Jude calls us to do is,
“Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.”
Put simply we are to help those who may have doubts about their faith. Additionally we are to reach out to the lost to save them from a Christless eternity.
Please think about it.
Tuesday 14 July 2015
Rights and Freedoms and the Christian
Rights and Freedoms
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“I contend the state ought to do its thing and provide legal rights for all couples who want to be joined together for life. The church should bless unions that it sees fit to bless, and they should be called marriages.”
Tony Campolo.
Campolo makes a compelling point, after all we live in a secular democracy. And it is the government and people of that democracy that choose what is called what under the law.
The democracies we live in, in the west are at least as diverse as the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire had things going on that Christians and Jews would have found contrary to their moral and ethical standards. Yet the Bible does not mention anywhere that the disciples or Jesus spoke out against Rome’s authority.
In fact with the Emperor Nero in power and persecuting Christians the apostle Paul wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1
The Gospel of John records this exchange at the trial of Jesus between Pilate and Jesus,
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above...”
John 19:10,11a
As Christians we need to respect the government and the beliefs and lifestyles of those around us.
Only when governments or others start to restrict our rights or the rights of others should we be speaking out against them.
For me the best way to ensure our rights as Christians to practice our faith is to stand up for the rights of others even if we don’t completely agree with them.
It is only when, not just Christians, but men of all faiths, beliefs and lifestyles fail to stand together for the God given right to freedom of choice that oppression can arise. We only have to look at Nazi Germany to see that.
At the height of World war two Martin Niemoller a German cleric wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin Niemoller
In order to be effective as Christians I firmly believe we need to stand up for the beliefs and lifestyles of others. Only by doing so do we keep dialogue between ourselves and others. And upon that dialogue could depend the eternal resting place of the people we meet
Please think about it
Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“I contend the state ought to do its thing and provide legal rights for all couples who want to be joined together for life. The church should bless unions that it sees fit to bless, and they should be called marriages.”
Tony Campolo.
Campolo makes a compelling point, after all we live in a secular democracy. And it is the government and people of that democracy that choose what is called what under the law.
The democracies we live in, in the west are at least as diverse as the Roman Empire.
The Roman Empire had things going on that Christians and Jews would have found contrary to their moral and ethical standards. Yet the Bible does not mention anywhere that the disciples or Jesus spoke out against Rome’s authority.
In fact with the Emperor Nero in power and persecuting Christians the apostle Paul wrote,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.”
Romans 13:1
The Gospel of John records this exchange at the trial of Jesus between Pilate and Jesus,
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above...”
John 19:10,11a
As Christians we need to respect the government and the beliefs and lifestyles of those around us.
Only when governments or others start to restrict our rights or the rights of others should we be speaking out against them.
For me the best way to ensure our rights as Christians to practice our faith is to stand up for the rights of others even if we don’t completely agree with them.
It is only when, not just Christians, but men of all faiths, beliefs and lifestyles fail to stand together for the God given right to freedom of choice that oppression can arise. We only have to look at Nazi Germany to see that.
At the height of World war two Martin Niemoller a German cleric wrote,
“When they came for the Communists, I did not stand up, because I was not a Communist. When they came for the Jews, I did not stand up, because I was not Jewish. When they came for the Catholics, I did not stand up, because I was not a Catholic. When they came for me, there was no one left to stand up.”
Martin Niemoller
In order to be effective as Christians I firmly believe we need to stand up for the beliefs and lifestyles of others. Only by doing so do we keep dialogue between ourselves and others. And upon that dialogue could depend the eternal resting place of the people we meet
Please think about it
Monday 13 July 2015
A Legacy
A Legacy
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
Politicians and others, even terrorist groups want to leave a legacy to the world. Sadly all too many times that legacy is negative. Hitler and his henchmen left a legacy of genocide and destruction in their attempt to build the thousand year Reich. In today’s world the Islamic state are doing the same.
There are of course men and women who have left positive legacies. Churchill who stood up to Hitler. Mother Teresa who cared for the poor. These are legacies that will be remembered in history.
But no legacy is greater than that of Jesus Christ. He literally changed the world. His legacy is eternal. James Alan Francis in the 1920's wrote of Jesus,
“Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.
This man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor travelled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.
While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.
But three days later this Man arose from the dead – living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Saviour whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection. On church steeples around the world, His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.”
Dr James Allan Francis
Think of it Jesus never raised a sword in anger yet today approximately two and a half billion people believe in him.
Napoleon got it right when he said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
Napoleon
Force of arms does not change the hearts of men only love can do that.
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.”
John 3:16,17
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
This is the difference between Jesus and the leaders of any movement. Christ died for those He knew were sinners. Not only that He died for the sins of those sinners. He could do this because He was the one and only Son of God.
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis.
Lewis also points out,
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.”
C.S. Lewis.
This is something no leader of any terrorist group today I’m sure would ever do. Jesus however proved he loved us by dying for us. For each and every man and woman.
Jesus died for you.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
Please think about it.
"You speak of Caesar, of Alexander, of their conquests and of the enthusiasm which they enkindled in the hearts of their soldiers; but can you conceive of a dead man making conquests, with an army faithful and entirely devoted to his memory? My armies have forgotten me even while living, as the Carthaginian army forgot Hannibal. Such is our power.”
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
“I search in vain history to find similar to Jesus Christ, or anything which can approach the gospel. Neither history nor humanity, nor ages, nor nature, offer me anything with which I am able to compare it or to explain it. Here everything is extraordinary.”
Napoleon Bonaparte
Politicians and others, even terrorist groups want to leave a legacy to the world. Sadly all too many times that legacy is negative. Hitler and his henchmen left a legacy of genocide and destruction in their attempt to build the thousand year Reich. In today’s world the Islamic state are doing the same.
There are of course men and women who have left positive legacies. Churchill who stood up to Hitler. Mother Teresa who cared for the poor. These are legacies that will be remembered in history.
But no legacy is greater than that of Jesus Christ. He literally changed the world. His legacy is eternal. James Alan Francis in the 1920's wrote of Jesus,
“Nearly two thousand years ago in an obscure village, a child was born of a peasant woman. He grew up in another village where He worked as a carpenter until He was thirty. Then for three years He became an itinerant preacher.
This man never went to college or seminary. He never wrote a book. He never held a public office. He never had a family nor owned a home. He never put His foot inside a big city nor travelled even 200 miles from His birthplace. And though He never did any of the things that usually accompany greatness, throngs of people followed Him. He had no credentials but Himself.
While He was still young, the tide of public opinion turned against Him. His followers ran away. He was turned over to His enemies and sentenced to death on a cross between two thieves. While He was dying, His executioners gambled for the only piece of property He had on earth – the simple coat He had worn. His body was laid in a borrowed grave provided by a compassionate friend.
But three days later this Man arose from the dead – living proof that He was, as He had claimed, the Saviour whom God had sent, the Incarnate Son of God.
Nineteen centuries have come and gone and today the risen Lord Jesus Christ is the central figure of the human race. On our calendars His birth divides history into two eras. One day of every week is set aside in remembrance of Him. And our two most important holidays celebrate His birth and resurrection. On church steeples around the world, His cross has become the symbol of victory over sin and death.”
Dr James Allan Francis
Think of it Jesus never raised a sword in anger yet today approximately two and a half billion people believe in him.
Napoleon got it right when he said,
“I know men and I tell you, Jesus Christ is no mere man. Between him and every other person in the world there is no possible term of comparison. Alexander, Caesar, Charlemagne, and I have founded empires. But on what did we rest the creations of our genius? Upon force. Jesus Christ founded his empire upon love; and at this hour, millions would die for him.”
Napoleon
Force of arms does not change the hearts of men only love can do that.
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.”
John 3:16,17
The Apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:8.
This is the difference between Jesus and the leaders of any movement. Christ died for those He knew were sinners. Not only that He died for the sins of those sinners. He could do this because He was the one and only Son of God.
C. S. Lewis said,
“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”
C.S. Lewis.
Lewis also points out,
“He (Jesus) died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.”
C.S. Lewis.
This is something no leader of any terrorist group today I’m sure would ever do. Jesus however proved he loved us by dying for us. For each and every man and woman.
Jesus died for you.
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.
Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Romans 5:6-8
Please think about it.
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